Short Stories and Oneshots

Seas and Heavens

Author: Sefiru

Platform: AO3

Type: Harry Potter x Bleach

Harry has always dreamed of water. And he can't help the feeling that his wand should be a sword.

~

(1)

Harry has always dreamed of water. He dreams of many things – flashes of green and big black dogs, fireworks, flying motorcycles. But he mostly dreams of water. He never mentions these things to his aunt and uncle, who disdain anything that is less than totally normal; and if his aunt looks into his eyes and sees someone older look back, and if his cousin doesn't dare lay a hand on him despite his bluster, it is never spoken of. Harry goes to school and soaks up knowledge and gets poor marks on purpose. When his class has swimming lessons, he swims like a fish, and his relatives don't mind much because at least this is a normal skill. In his dreams, Harry hears a voice that he knows is familiar, but can't make out, calling a name more his own than the one he knows, but that he can't quite remember.

(2)

When the right wand is placed in Harry's hand, he feels like he has regained a part of his soul. Sparks burst from the tip, and by reflex he wills them into fireworks of sea green and blue. The voice from his dreams says, "At last you can hear me clearly, my bearer." Harry knows that this is part of his other power, the force he can sense in himself but not in other wizards. (Reiatsu, whisper murky memories). He replied silently, "I'm sorry I don't remember your name yet. But I will soon."

Ollivander studies him with narrowed eyes and says, "You wield the power of the soul as well ad of magic. Be cautious, for Dark Wizards often seek such things, and the law makes no exception for those born to it." Harry just nods, somehow not surprised that such things are forbidden to mortals. And he can't help thinking his wand should be a sword.

(3)

"You are far older than you seem," the Sorting Hat tells him. "You have experienced more than any Hogwarts student could dream of, though you remember little of it. Your magic is entwined with water, which would suit Slytherin as it once was, but not as it is today. You value knowledge for its utility, not for its own sake, so you would not suit Ravenclaw. You have more than enough loyalty for Hufflepuff, and...oh. Courage even in the face of certain death. Definitely a GRYFFINDOR!"

(4)

Harry's classmates and teachers don't quite know what to make of him. He seems indifferent to his fame; if anyone brings it up, he tells them that he's no hero, only a survivor. He bewilders both Ron and Hermione by completing his homework promptly and exactly to the specified length. He bewilders everyone by finding Snape amusing. Hermione is scandalized that he spends History of Magic doing homework for other classes, but later starts doing the same.

Defense class is useless, and Harry spends that time silently chatting with his wand (sword). He doesn't ask about all the things he can't remember, sure that he will in time. He performs well in his other classes but without enthusiasm; his professors worry about this, except for Flitwick, who shows his first-year class the Aguamenti charm and sees Harry's face light up as if Christmas has come early. The spell becomes Harry's favorite, despite being an upper-year spell, and he shows astounding control over the shape and amount of water he produces.

Snape grudgingly admits that Harry takes after his mother as well as his father, since he is helping the hapless Neville Longbottom with his potions. Neville responds with a mix of hero-worship and determination that reminds Harry of someone he can't quite remember. He develops a protective streak towards the other boy, as demonstrated in their first flying lesson when he knocks Neville's Remembrall out of Malfoy's hand with a well-aimed Aguamenti.