Changing the Wizarding World

Chapter 4

Pain. It explodes through my every vein, shudders through my every breath, hammers with every beat of my heart. Never have I felt this intense a level of physical torment, not even when I asked Sirius to cast a Crucio on me again and again so that I could be prepared to handle it if someone else did. I groan helplessly as I writhe within my mind.

The torment lasted for what felt like years. I felt stretched, compressed, weightless, heavy and full of energy yet tired all at the same time. Finally, the pain stopped. It did so without warning, but when it did the burst of golden bliss that followed was indescribable. Warmth flowed from my fingertips to my toes, sparkles of electricity made my hair stand on end. I instinctively knew this to be my new magical core that had finally taken root. Power surges through me at the realization and I can't help but want to roar in pride.

I had survived the transition into a lord.

When I woke up, it was to a bush of cinnamon scented hair that tickled my nostrils. I was in the Gringotts medical ward and Hermione was asleep in the chair next to my bed, having fallen asleep with her head on my shoulder. She looked so peaceful, the drool coming out of her mouth making me snicker softly. I gently eased her off me and cautiously lifted myself off the bed. I blinked as I saw the ground getting farther and farther away from me as I stood up. I walked over to the bathroom to find the mirror I knew would be there after being here so many times before with Sirius. I shivered as every step I took reminded me of the power my body was so desperate to release. Finally, I found the floor length mirror.

I gasped in amazement. Before I had stood at a relatively timid height for a male, but now I was easily 6'4. My formerly shaggy hair that always looked like a bird's nest was now stylishly swept back but still with a messy windswept look that I liked. My slight tan had now deepened to a rich gold. The most striking difference, however, was my eyes. No longer were they exactly like my mother's. One still remained a deep emerald green that was strikingly similar to the Abada Kedavra curse, but the other was completely black, an emotionless pool of ink showing no difference from my pupil. My eyesight had perfected itself just as Ravenclaw has predicted and I no longer required glasses, making my eyes even more striking now that they weren't hidden. The voice inside my head that sounded suspiciously like Ravenclaw for a moment tells me it has to do with the gift Death gave me. I will be able to see the souls of others as they leave their bodies and, if they are worthy, be able to guide them back.

I feel a warm body crash into me from behind and tight arms wrap around my waist. A tearful "Harry, you're alive." makes my heart clench. I turn around and hug my Hermione softly, trying to help her feel that I'm really in front of her. Before, I was taller than her, but now I all but tower over her. Now, the top of her head barely reaches over my neck. She gasps as she looks into my eyes. I close them shamefully, afraid she will be scared of my new appearance.

Gentle hands touch my chin and I open my eyes to see a smiling Hermione shaking her head.
"Harry, they're gorgeous. They suit you even more than the last pair did. I'm so proud of you, Griphook told me that you successfully got granted all your Lordships. You do realize you are officially the Heir of Hogwarts, right? You can do anything you want at that school, you have even more power than Dumbledore does there. I was so worried your magic wouldn't survive the boost, but obviously I should have realized you're immortal by now." she rolled her eyes at the last bit and hit me lightly on the chest.

I chuckled. It did look like nothing could kill me, but I still have two powerful wizards to defeat before I can let my guard down. Now that I have more power than I ever thought possible, it's time to put my plan into action. Step one: take over Hogwarts.