Harry Potter Down Under

Soul Searching? (5)

Harry held onto Frisk's sleeve as they walked, looking around at the frosty forest.

"But it was warm a minute ago. Why is it so cold now?" Harry whispered to his sibling as they walked along the snowy path. Frisk looked down at his big green eyes.

"The Underground consists of three main climate zones. Not including the Ruins and the king's castle. This one has a small town called Snowdin, the next is a place called waterfall, and the third is hotlands."

"Oh, but why didn't we grab warmer clothes if you knew it would be cold?"

Frisk froze, wondering. Harry looked at her, worried.

"It had never crossed my mind before. I suppose I just don't mind the cold anymore."

"Anymore? You mean, you've been here before?"

"Um, no. No, of course not! I'm talking about back home, it was really cold where I come from."

Harry looked up at her with big round eyes. "Frisk, I may be young, but I know when I'm being lied to. I know when somebody's not telling me everything. You hiding something, I know it. Please, sibling, you trusted me after knowing I was...a freak, why don't you trust me?"

"I do trust you Harry, it's just..." Frisk broke off, unable to fit the best words together. So, instead of answering, they walked past Harry and stepped over a large branch.

"Alright, Frisk. But, someday, I will find out what you're hiding from me. It's how it works, is it not?" Harry whispered it in the air, knowing Frisk couldn't hear him. Then he stepped over the branch to follow them.

"Stop," they whispered to Harry as he neared the gate. "Harry, I have an important question to ask you before we continue."

Harry looked up with big eyes. "I-is something wrong? I didn't-"

"No! No, Harry, I'm talking about something that could help you."

"We can wait until after this is all over, if it makes it easier."

"Harry, your soul, I never told Toriel, but I'd like to know why it looks that way. I know who we can talk to, if you don't mind."

"I-I don't mind. But, Frisk, what if...what if it's something bad. What if it means I've done something wrong. Will you promise you won't judge me by what they say?"

"Yes, of course Harry. I'm not going to judge you by how you look or talk, so why would I judge you by the state of your soul. Oh, look Harry, here comes my friend now."

"Don't you know how to greet a new pal? Turn around, and shake my hand."

Harry screeched and hid behind Frisk. The hooded man's extended hand froze and backed up a bit. He held both his hands up as if in surrender.

"Hey, kid, no need to be alarmed."

"Sans, this is enough. I'm tired of replaying this moment over and over. Can we just cut to the chase? This is Harry. I wanted you to take a look at his soul, it's kinda wonky."

"Um, okay? I mean, what kinda wonky do ya mean here? Like, do you mean it's crooked, cracked, maybe a small piece is missing?" The monster lowered his hood, showing his skeletal face, a permanent smile was plastered to his face. He shoved one of his hands in his pocket.

"Well, could you just take a look at it?"

"Sure, I don't see why not."

Frisk moved out from in front of Harry, holding onto his shoulders and hugging him tight. He looked up at Sans, wide eyes fearful. "Is it going to hurt?"

"Did it hurt the first time?"

"N-no."

"Then it wouldn't this time, would it?" Sans flicked his finger towards himself, a green soul popping out with it. His eyes blinked out to black and his face became dark at the sight of the mangled soul.

"Mr. Sans? Sir? Are you okay? D-did I do something wrong?" Harry began whimpering as the skeleton stared at it.

"Who did this to you?"

"W-what?"

"It's takes years of abuse, near death, and disease to do this to a monster, I can't imagine how this could happen to a child. And the soul shard. It radiates evil. The fact that you are still walking around, the fact that you can even smile is nearly impossible."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Sans' eyes blinked back, the white seeming to ease the troubled young boy. He didn't look as frightened.

"I-I'm a freak."

"Harry, please. Stop doing that to yourself. You aren't a freak, not when you stand beside me." Frisk hugged Harry close as his soul returned to his body.

"Anyways, we should probably continue on, I'm actually supposed to be on the lookout for humans. But, you know, I really don't care about catching anybody. My brother, Papyrus, is a human hunting fanatic. Go on through the gate, it's not like it'll stop anybody anyways, bro made the bars to wide!"

Harry gave a small smile at the skeleton before following Frisk through, hand in hand.

"Frisk? How did you know his name before we met?"

"Harry, it's a bit complicated, maybe I'll tell you when you're older."

"Are you like me? Magic is evil, but you seem nice, so I wasn't sure at first."

"Not all magic is evil, Harry. Magic is only as bad or good as the person who uses it."

"I can talk to snakes, and make things fly. But, Uncle V-"

"Harry, your family are the evil ones. How can you not see that? They hurt you, they caged you. How can you believe anything they ever told you after all that? How can you trust that they knew what was best?"

"Because I'm still afraid to disobey them." A tear slipped from the young boy's eye as he hugged Frisk closer.

"I'm sorry I brought it up. But Harry, I won't let them hurt you again. You're part of my family now. And Toriel's. And soon, you will have more family who loves and adores you as if you were their own."

Harry smiled at the thought.