Alan and the World that Rejects Him.

They sat in silence for some time. It was nerve-wreaking even for Alan, as he gradually became anxious with all things happening in the world around him.

"So, Alan. Do you know why I summoned you here?" - Dumbledore finally decided to talk, directing sharp gaze at the boy on the other side of the desk.

"Have no idea professor Dumbledore." - he said evenly and so Hogwart's Headmaster put a newspaper in front of him. When Alan saw the headline he went pale...

Pale not with fear or shock, but rage.

He thought it was some speculations about France or, for worst case, he was busted with using some dangerous magic in the town or taking Fleur to the hotel, but it was completely different case.

A case Selena didn't tell him.

A case that surely made her completely desperate. Because it was another lie no one will be able to check. And it nearly drove him to the corner.

- The next Dark Lord? -

Convict committing suicide out of guilt, but only after revealing shocking truth.

The captured killer of Joel Harper who was a Commander of Verga SAT, Tedd Barns was found dead in his cell in Azkaban. It is said, that he committed suicide after writing a letter of confession, where he explicitly declared, that the child they saved during assault on the Death Eater hideout was in fact trained by them in many Dark Arts and not a captive.

Is it true confession of a soul that tried to redeem himself or another attempt to sully the name of the survivor from family of Reapers? No one knows. But if you think about many unusual facts and know how excellent the said child is in studies and magic despite being in captivity, you will find the answer for yourself.

Sincerely yours, Rita Skitter.

"Uncle Tedd... died?" - Alan sat on the chair and Dumbledore, who was about to say words of condolences after hearing his confusion didn't do it. The first thing he cared about is not his clearly very dangerous situation now, but death of another. Seems like this time something really fishy going on within the Ministry.

But unbeknown to Dumbledore, Alan just tried to proceed the information and that is why he sounded like he lost it in grief.

'Okay, seems like he escaped and Ministry made a blunder here. Selena won't lie to me, or maybe information just didn't reach her? Hardly. This is yesterday's newspaper.'

"So, Alan, I want you to do one thing for me." - Dumbledore spoke. He has to make sure that his hunch is correct. - "I know you have an animage True Form. Wait, don't be surprised for I know such thing, I am old enough and have knowledge normal people lack. So, I want to see it."

Actually Dumbledore knew very little about it, but what he did know is that True Form is closely connected to magic and soul of the mage, making it a very intimate thing, as it can show a general character of a person through it's aura. One can learn to control it, but never change what the True Form looks like, it will change and grow gradually according to the person, but not the other way around.

In some aspect it is similar to Patronus Spell.

Alan knew way more about what True Form truly is and naturally figured out what Dumbledore wanted. But Dumbledore was only half-right, still, if revealing it will be beneficial, Alan didn't mind.

So he just did it. He transformed in front of Dumbledore again and exuded his aura in full for him to feel it thoroughly. At this point if he don't, he might be captured for interrogation and in that case he will surely not end well.

Again he experienced that feeling of true self breaking loose, sensing restrictions and restraints go away. Tenebris was a marvel of an animagus form. When he transformed for the first time years ago he was unable to control it properly and for most part felt... euphoric. There was a waterfall of unstable emotions and aura overly pure and benevolent to all creatures, as it was just born. How tainted a newborn can be?

Like a new world opened up to him, full of colors.

Just one look at the sky at that time while being completely free, made him absolutely high and he would have flied away if he wasn't so tired, that toned it down a bit. Tenebris is part of him, but it didn't mean he could control it properly from the start. Good grief it wasn't actually aggressive form after purification or he might have attacked even Fleur.

Instincts of beasts are a scary thing and he learned firsthand how subtle in control they might be, after all Tenebris is him and he is Tenebris. Now he won't go out of control like that time, acting like a person without a care in the world and what is more, now Alan is more mature, more subtle and careful.

As well as more deadly.

Still being in this form is very relaxing after he brought it under full control.

- Flashback. Confrontation with inner self of obscure. -

"Kill! Kill them all! They don't deserve to live! They are among the ones who did this to us! Who tortured us and killed Silver! Kill them all! Destroy this world! It doesn't deserve to exist!" - screamed a dark mass at the little white lump of light.

The later looked weak but it was a misconception. It was very tenacious and always remained intact, always returning to the pure self.

"No... not all of them! I read their minds! I connected to them and read it all! I know they are here to save us!" - retorted naive white light.

"You are idiot! So what if they are here? So what if they what to save us? What will they do afterwards? Look at their thought clearly! Some of them were ready to kill us!"

"That if you go killing everyone! Stop!"

"Stop? You can't make me stop! Do you know why I'm stronger? Because I'm what you felt the most and feel still! You know it too! Have you forgotten the pain? No, you haven't... I am you and you are me. We are one. Don't you dare to tell me that you don't want to kill these dark fucks! Don't be naive! You need me! We can only escape together!" - screamed dark energy with tremendous rage. It washed over the white one and started to influence it a bit. After all, if white one started to see reason in what dark one saying, it will change. Eternal Mind won't interfere here. - "See! You agree with me! You remember it, right? Silver they forced you to kill! The girl the raped in front of us until she died. Spells they used on us as experiments, potions they forced us to drink to make our body constantly weak and in pain! Remember it all! We will not forgive them! We will never suffer like this again! Kill them all! Destroy everything!"

"Stop! No more, stop!" - white lump of light started to distort gradually, but than came a voice on the warm wind of feelings. It was like a sole ray of light in infinite darkness around.

"Don't give up!" - it said. It was warm voice of a girl. Warm and kind. Something he never felt before.

And with that ring Amalgal gifted him came to motion. Huge arrays of symbols arranged themselves into sequences and adorned complex geometrical figure, that sealed dark mass within and thoroughly cleansed it with tremendous purifying force, leaving an euphoric burning sun of positive emotions, completely contrasting with what it was. They assaulted Alan like a never ending tide, making him loose himself willingly in it, as if he just received injection of drugs and went high from it.

He suddenly found himself with might and knowledge, with ability to go anywhere and even fly.

He suddenly for the first time in his life took a close look at the endless sky above his head.

- Flashback end. -

Alan sighed. Eternal Mind playing tricks yet again.

"So it is like that." - even Dumbledore was shocked by what he saw. It was not like last time when Alan showed his flying capabilities. Although Tenebris didn't change in appearance, but his aura and overall attitude undergone a huge change. It's benevolence was very subtle, barely existent, hidden. It's aura was more stable yet heavier. If last time it was like a breeze, than now a sea. Deep and calm. Tenebris looked at Dumbledore with same intelligent gaze, that currently was slightly feral, as if he was ready for the hunt to begin. Old wizard narrowed his eyes, however he felt that what can be said about Tenebris is that he grew up magnificently. What he didn't feel from it is evil intent and that was enough. - "I must say I expected some things, but that went beyond everything I thought possible."

Alan turned back and took a seat heavily with head still spinning after another person he knew became unknown whether he is among the dead or living. He was simply unsure about it. No, he should be alive, but what is going on is a question. They all were quite close, even if for a couple of years they faded away from his life, it was a necessary move, as Verga Team currently is a bunch of hunted criminals. Tedd was someone who visited him occasionally and being one of his saviors, the boy still felt attached to him, let alone he and the whole Verga team were more or less the only people he knew aside from Fleur, who were completely on his side.

"Alan, you might have seen the attitude people have around. It might get worse. But I believe everything will be fine. Hogwarts is still your home, so be at ease. Ministry have no say here." - he said and his eyes were serious with traces of heartache and pity. He really seems to be worried for Alan's wellbeing.

"Actually, I have something else to say, professor." - Alan sighed deeply and the old man across the desk saw his tiredness. Not physical one, he was mentally exhausted. - "Are we free to talk on any matter here?"

Dumbledore looked at the boy for a second and then made a wave with a wand.

"Now it is completely safe." - he said to flabbergasted Alan. So he implied that prior to this it was not?

"Okay." - he breathed out and bit the bullet. - "Professor, I need a permission to apparate inside and outside Hogwarts and free schedule."

"And why do you need that?" - asked Dumbledore in surprise. He was mainly perplexed by the fact that it is true, he can actually let Alan apparate here, but it is widely known otherwise – that it is a specialty of Hogwarts due to it's protective shields.

"Professor... I can't say much as it is closely connected to annoying things like prophecies with which I don't think you would like to play around. It is about a boy who survived." - by that time if Headmaster didn't understand what Alan was talking about it would be strange.

"Go on." - Dumbledore crossed his fingers together and rested his chin on the hands with rapt attention. He wasn't intrigued, no, he was very cautious and serious.

"He is not dead. And killing him for good is very hard, but I might have a way. However... I need you to trust me." - Alan finally said and then added with some serious tone. - "I'm a Seer."

"A Seer?- - Dumbledore of all people knew what it might mean and that fact actually explained some things about the boy. He really behaved himslef more like someone with knowledge he shouldn't have. Finally, the old man continued. - "You know, I trust your character... but not your skill set. Still, I would like to ask what it is about." - Dumbledore remained stoic on the surface, but deep inside was in turmoil of emotions and the most prominent one was reluctance. He was reluctant to let the child to share that burden with him and to take any risks. It was simply unacceptable to him.

"Horcruxes. Seven in total." - said Alan and Dumbledore visibly shook. He was clearly in utter shock not over the fact they exist, as they had such talk earlier, no it was the sheer number of them that flabbergasted Headmaster of Hogwarts. - "I can't say more. It can backfire."

Actually Alan has no idea whether it will backfire or not, he just didn't want to reveal much and had his plans and hoped that the overly well read wizard will complicate matters in his head himself and the bet paid of beautifully.

"So it is..." - Headmaster sighed deeply and seemed to age for ten years straight. - "Is there anything else you need?"

"No. In due time you will receive the results of my work and by that time I..." - Alan sighed and his face became a bit bitter. - "I might not be in this world anymore, so... I will leave something like a wish I guess and I hope you can fulfill it."

Dumbledore looked at the boy and didn't know what to say. He misunderstood his words for something else.

"I agree, but I still will give you this." - he went to the cabinet and retrieved a little ring. - "It is enchanted with a tracking magic and can let me apparate to you anytime you need. I know it might look like I'm keeping watch on you and indeed I do, but it is a last resort for your safety."

'Amalgal, can you check it?'

"It is trivial ring with position tracking and coordinates conversion. But you can use confundus spell to make it malfunction and remove it when you truly need his help."

'Good enough, thank you.'

"I will accept it then." - Alan put it on his finger. - "Is that all, professor?"

"Yes. You can go to your dorm."

"No, I will go and rob your kitchen." - he stated in all seriousness, making Dumbledore broke into chuckles.

"Suit yourself. I will tell house elves to give you full access. And with apparition thing, you already received permission."

"Thank you." - said Alan and disappeared with a tired smile.

"This lad." - Dumbledore shook his head and went deep in thought. He was trying to figure out how can he easily safeguard the boy from danger.