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Elemental Trinity

A Harry Potter/Pokémon Crossover

By Zero Rewind

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Nov. 29 1994

I was down in the secret study of the Chamber of Secrets again, continuing to read Salazar's book. He'd apparently modified the 'useless' shield charm— his own words— into something more compact, and therefore stronger.

I hadn't gotten around to practicing it, yet, but I could already tell that such a spell would prove to be invaluable. That it covers a much smaller area was a moot point, considering my quick reflexes.

I was beginning to think of it as a sort of parry. Of course, I could always dodge the spell; but that would leave me in a vulnerable position, especially in a two on one scenario or more. The second guy would only have to aim at me as I jump or roll out of the way of the first spell.

Easy pickings, in other words.

If I was going to have any chance of surviving the tournament, I would have to up my magical training.

I had focused a significant amount of my attention on training my Pokémon, often discarding my own potential.

And besides, I had promised them a full week's break. The past month has been a harrowing experience. I had willingly placed myself in mortal danger in order to acquire battle experience.

It bore ample fruit, yes, but that sort of training takes a toll on one's mind and soul; and, Pokémon weren't any different, in that regard.

The past few days had been interesting, to say the least. Ron had tried to apologize, but I could tell it was forced and insincere at best. It was a skill I'd picked up over the past month, and I blamed it all on Red.

He was overly analytical, capable of taking apart the words of anyone and everyone— a skill he'd picked up from his years of silence, while starting out— and tried to impart these same lessons onto me.

Silence, I learned, was more useful than I had considered, before. When I was younger, silence was a sort of half-blessing, half-curse. I wasn't saying that It wasn't useful to me, back then.

At nights, when I was sad beyond anything, sitting in my cupboard, the silence was there to overtake it. It dulled the pain.

My worst moments, wanting things to end, believing my parents had truly abandoned me; I shunted all of that into the silence. Tears rarely came to me; I had suppressed those, as well.

I weathered it all in silence. Hagrid breaking down that door truly had changed things for me. Hope had rekindled in my heart and I had almost completely forgotten about the quiet strength lurking within.

No, that's wrong. I knew it was there. I had rejected it outright.

Silence was what I had turned to when acceptance was denied me. When I received acceptance, I rejected it, instead. Friends don't become friends with someone who's quiet and withdrawn, after all. It made perfect sense, then; the sort of perfect logic that only a foolish child could have.

Red had quietly shattered that particular worldview. He rarely made small talk. Most of our conversations were centered on training my three companions, battle strategies, and the occasional request to have a little jaunt in the Forbidden Forest to gain experience as well as insight on the various creatures within.

Apparently, he had reprogrammed the Pokédex to include a new section, which he called PI, with a few pages already filled out. When asked, he had said it was the Post-apocalyptic Index.

It felt odd thinking of my own society in such terms. Whenever they'd spoken of or shown post-apocalyptic worlds in the movies Dudley tried to sneak by, it was always with society completely collapsing in on itself; people foraging in the streets or abandoned buildings in a futile attempt to stay alive in a world with no hope.

I supposed life wasn't always like in the stories. Humanity could bounce back from just about anything, I thought.

I had already filled a few pages of the Pokédex. Acromantulas were on there, of course; after weeks of fighting them, how could they not be? Another entry had been the ghosts inhabiting the castle. Red had gotten interesting readings off of them; they possessed Ghost type energy, but were incapable, or possibly ignorant, of how to use it.

When Red had asked if he could try to teach one a Ghost type move, I had immediately rejected the idea and nipped it in the bud before he could make an attempt to sway me. I didn't need ghosts running amok, after all.

Or worse; Peeves.

The blighter was already enough of a menace.

The basilisk was also an interesting addition. I wasn't sure how, but Red was able to determine that it was a genderless creature, though with only one to study, he couldn't make any definitive statements on the breed as a whole— then again, having a toad sit on a chicken's egg to hatch it is confusing enough, as it was.

He'd made some odd joke after scanning the nearby rats. Something about them probably being in the "top percentage of rats", he'd said one of his friends had told it to him, and it just stuck with him for a good long while.

"I was thinking…" Red interrupted my reading.

"Yes?" I replied.

"You could possibly create your own Pokéballs." Red said thoughtfully. "You would need apricorns, if they still exist."

That was interesting.

"Do you know the process?" I was pretty curious.

"Before I became a consciousness in a machine? No." Red supplied. "Now that I have access to this information, I suppose we should use it. It will take some Aura manipulation, and you'll have to draw symbols."

"So, it's like Ancient Runes?" I frowned. "I don't really know anything about runes, Red."

"It's similar." Red said. "It's a different language, of course. It was ancient, by our standards. I knew a guy in Johto who made them. It seemed to take him a whole day to make it from scratch, so it shouldn't be too hard. You'll just have to write the symbols well enough, and infuse it with Aura."

"Provided we find these apricorns of yours, of course," I interjected.

"Yes."

I took a breath, placed the book on the table, and flipped open the Pokédex. "Show me what an apricorn looks like."

Red obeyed, displaying different colored fruit. It sort of looked like a mix of an apricot, and an acorn— apricorn, makes sense.

"I'm going to make a wild guess and say it's done by crossing an apricot and acorn?" I said wryly.

"Indeed, though I'm not aware of the exact process. You'd need to consult whatever botanical database you have. Sorry." Red apologized.

"It's all right." I wave off his apology. "I'm not particularly sure what I'd be trying to catch with these new Pokéballs, but it might be something to explore."

A second passed. "I could ask Neville, actually. He's probably beyond NEWT level at Herbology, I reckon. He'd know."

"Good idea." Red said, the screen shifting to display him giving a nod. "When do you plan on opening the egg?"

I glanced to the side, where the golden egg I'd retrieved sat innocently. With a sigh, I went to grab it. I looked at it for a second, before twisting the starfish and opening it.

I regretted it instantly.

"HOLY SHIT!" I yelled, but the sound barely overpowered the obnoxious shrieking coming from the egg. Hurriedly, I closed it back up, taking a deep breath.

"Open it back up, Harry!" Red ordered.

"What the fuck for!?" I shouted, my ears still ringing.

"I could understand it." Red said. "It is a Pokémon language. Any, and all Water type Pokémon are able to at least understand, if not outright speak it."

"Are you saying Squirtle can speak like this?" I balked.

"Possibly, if he learned before being captured." Red said. "Though the Squirtle line is of the Water type, they generally stay in forests with rivers and lakes, rather than the open sea. It's possible some might not have learned it. It's a moot point, of course."

I rubbed at my temples, and conjured up a pair of earmuffs. A few seconds later, "ready, then?"

"Do it." Red said.

I opened the egg. The next minute or so, I couldn't really tell, was filled with the most ear-shattering shrieks I could bear to deal with.

"You can close it, now." Red said; I instantly obeyed, groaning in both relief and slight pain.

"The egg says—" Red started, but I interrupted him.

"No, give me a minute." I said, pulling the ear muffs out and rubbing at the sides of my head. "My ears are killing me."

"Very well."

The next minute was spent rubbing at various points on my head, pulling at my ears, sticking fingers inside, and taking deep breaths to try and relax.

It did little good.

"All right." I said, realizing only time would lessen the pain. "Let's hear it."

"Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching ponder this;

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour, the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back." Red recited.

My mouth thinned as I pondered the implications. Someone was going to take something from me?

"Could you repeat it for me?" I requested.

"Sure." And he did so.

"What I'll sorely miss…" I considered. "What could I possibly miss?"

"Perhaps an item of value to you?" Red suggested. "Your cloak, maybe."

"It's not like anyone knows I have one of those." I countered. "Especially not Ministry stooges."

"It might be your Pokémon." Red said.

"Over my dead body." I snarled, tensing at the very thought.

"Calm down." Red said sternly. "We're just trying to figure out what they'll actually do."

I opened my mouth to lash out, before closing it and nodding. He was right, of course.

I needed to think.

Think.

"What could they possibly take?" I asked no one in particular, trying to bounce ideas off the wall. "This is the Ministry we're talking about. They had no trouble putting us up against nesting dragons, so they essentially have no concern for the wellbeing of the humans participating."

"True." Red said, before expanding on the idea. "It's a spectator sport. If they wish to generate revenue, they want their viewer base to really get into it."

I frowned. He was onto something, but I couldn't put my mind around it, yet. "They put us in mortal danger in the First Task. The second task is item recovery— probably in the Great Lake?"

"To pit you against water types." Red said. "You have an hour to retrieve your item, whatever it could—"

"That's another thing." I interrupted hastily. "How will I breathe underwater, for an hour?"

"That is indeed a problem." Red said, sighing. "It sounds like some research will need to be done, on that matter. For now, we'll focus on what item will need to be retrieved."

"You're right." I nodded. "One step at a time. Well, they'll certainly put us in danger, we know that much."

"The trick to gaining a large viewer base is by raising the stakes." Red imparted.

I frowned. "Higher stakes, higher viewers; but, what could top putting us into mortal dang—" I stopped, the answer finally coming to me.

"Fuck." I said in realization. "They're going to take hostages?"

"… I didn't think of that." Red said, sounding abashed and slightly embarrassed. "I was considering that the dangers would be magnified in some way. Hostages… Yes, that might be easier."

"Easier?" I repeated incredulously.

"On the preparation, I mean." Red had his hands raised in an attempt to calm me. It did. "It would be easier to put people, instead of more monsters to deal with. I can see it now, 'Champions will have to save the hostages at the bottom of the lake, and they have one hour, or bad things will happen to the hostage'."

"Do you think they'd let it get that far?" I asked, pulling at my hair. "I mean, that's barmy— even for the Ministry, that's barmy."

"Never underestimate the stupidity of the bureaucracy." Red nodded twice, eyes closed. "Give them a perfect, foolproof plan, and they'll be sure to screw it up."

A few seconds of silence passed.

"So… Hostages," I said, sagging back into my chair. "Underwater, looks like I'll be focusing a lot more on Squirtle. I wouldn't dare use Charmander, in there. Bulby, either."

"Squirtle can't use Dive, either." Red said, and continued seeing my quizzical expression. "It's pretty much self-explanatory, isn't it?"

I smiled sheepishly. "True."

"Looks like some research is in order." I said. "I'll start it next week. On break, remember?"

Red rolled his eyes. "As long as you don't forget to do it."

"Oh, come on." I said. "We have until February, it should be ample time."

"We can only thank the higher powers for such an extended preparation time." Red said. "In fact, we'll be able to evolve all three of your partners in a few weeks, after your break of course."

"Yeah?" I perked up. "Ivysaur, Charmeleon and.. Warturtle, right?"

"Wartortle," Red corrected me, grinning. "I made that same mistake when I was starting out."

"On that note, I almost forgot." Red said. "I need to scan you."

"What for?" I asked.

"Well, since you're a fully-fledged Trainer, now," Red started. "I wanted to update the Trainer Card to display you, instead of myself."

I paused.

"Are you sure about that?" I eyed the opened black box in the corner. "It's your identity, Red. I can't just…"

"My identity is well preserved in the Pokédex." Red assured me. "And, besides, I've had my time. I rose up to the top of the League, and then kept going further and further. I think—" He hesitated, his image looking choked up. "It's time to give the mantle to someone new. My people are all gone. What remains of us will live on through you and your descendants, Harry."

I said nothing, feeling shocked and flattered.

"You always do this." I swallowed, huffing in annoyance and a strange happiness. "One second, we're talking about Pokémon and evolution, and then you go all somber, serious and sentimental."

"…Green used to say something like that, too." Red smiled wanly. "I can't believe I'm saying it, but I miss that annoying jerk. He was always competing with me, always there to challenge me. Now, he's gone. They're all gone."

I didn't know what to say to that. Silence reigned for a bit, before I changed the subject.

"The ID?" I asked softly, holding the Pokédex up.

"Of course." Red said, the green light moving over my body a few times, before turning off. I made to flip the Pokédex, before Red interrupted me.

"Wait, let me do it again." He said.

"Why?" I said reflexively, frowning. "You just did."

"True, but I detected something odd." Red replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Over the last few weeks, I have been scanning all of the other human occupants of Hogwarts Castle, in order to obtain a large sample to work with, in my research concerning their Aura manipulation." Red explained. "You're scanning different from them, Harry. I don't understand."

Great, another thing to make me different.

"And I'm going to assume you found something different about me?" I said unnecessarily. "What is it, this time? Am I going to grow wings?"

"I don't think so, but I do detect a difference." Red confirmed. "I'd like to know what it is. There is a strange energy latched onto yours, though I couldn't quite determine its nature."

An energy on me?

That didn't sound ominous at all.

Stifling a sigh, I held the Pokédex in front of me, blinking spots out of my eyes after the green ray passed over my body once, twice, three times.

The machine whirred as the data was analyzed.

"Well?" I asked. "What have you got?"

"…" Red was quiet for a moment. "What is this?"

He sounded stumped, and just a little alarmed. Perhaps it was just my imagination?

"Red?" I got his attention, tongue running over dry lips.

"It reads like a human signature superimposed on top of your own." Red said.

I faintly remembered the Headmaster saying something about that at the end of my first year. An idea came to me.

"Maybe it's my mum?" I theorized, sounding hopeful. "The Headmaster told me that I have a protection imbued in my skin and blood, which lets me burn Voldemort through touch."

A pause.

"No." Red denied, the display showing him shaking his head. "Though that explains why there's a modified Fire type energy suffused into your skin— that was another thing I detected with the deep scan. These wizards... Their research into the depths of Aura manipulation is nothing short of amazing. I might even have to restructure how the move types work."

That particular topic was actually quite fascinating. He'd apparently classified Transfiguration as a part of the Psychic type move-set, since atoms were being manipulated using energy. He had gone on to speak of a Pokémon called Mewtwo, who was able to create a fully-fledged fortress filled with advanced technology using only his telekinesis.

"The energy I detected is flowing outwards from the scar on your forehead." Red's words brought me back from my musings. "As far as my readings can tell, that's what the center is. I can't figure out what energy type is causing this. The closest thing I can manage is a sentient mix of all existing types, seemingly switching between each one randomly, and sometimes creating fusions of two, or several different types. I can barely understand it, and I've only scratched the surface."

My fingers pressed against my forehead, considering the older man's words with a calculating frown.

Another memory of a conversation with Dumbledore arose.

"Unless I'm much mistaken, he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar. Not something he intended to do, I'm sure…" He had said so long ago.

The green beam focused into a lightning bolt shape, superimposing itself directly against my scar for a long while. I counted forty seconds before Red disengaged.

"It reads as a sentient human mind outside of your own." Red added, sounding disturbed. "Harry."

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

I felt sick to my stomach. I'd been possessed since that fateful day my parents died. Dumbledore knew something.

"I…" I trailed off, hesitant. "I'm not sure, Red. I have to talk to Dumbledore. He might know what this is. He hinted as much almost two years ago."

I paused for a moment, anger rising. "In fact, I think he knows exactly what it is, but probably kept it from me."

How could he do that? Why wouldn't he tell me? Did he not trust me?

"Understandable." Red said calmly.

"What?" I asked, shocked and feeling more than a little betrayed.

"It's not exactly news that you drop on a twelve year old, Harry." Red said gently. "Even in my own days, there were things that we were exposed to, but weren't ready for. Many of us wished we could have waited a few years before starting our journeys. The things you see, out there… They're not meant for children. Children are supposed to study, have fun, and occasionally get into trouble."

He was right, of course.

"Of course, being angry is also understandable." Red told me. "The Headmaster's reticence might prove to be your undoing, for all we know. Some information has to be shared, even if the thought of it is inconceivable."

I swallowed down the bile. Suddenly, I felt listless.

It was as if my mood took a nosedive into the chilly waters of the Black Lake.

"We'll figure this out, Harry." Red said. "This will take priority over everything else— in fact, let's confront the Headmaster, right this moment."

"Why?" I snarled suddenly. "So he can tell me to calm down and not ask questions I'm not ready for, again?"

"…Perhaps some independent study, beforehand," Red supplied. "In fact, do something for me?"

"What?"

"Hold me up in front of the bookcase." Red requested. I took a deep breath, and did so.

The scanning light went over the ancient books, once, twice, and again. Minutes passed, with no sign of Red stopping. He'd scanned the entire case, before moving to scan each shelf separately, before the light finally retreated into the Pokédex.

"Grab the middle book on the middle shelf." Red instructed.

I did so.

"Magic most powerful." I read. "By Herpo."

"Herpo," I repeated the name. "It sounds oddly familiar to me."

"It should." Red said. "He created the method with which to hatch Basilisks."

Herpo the Foul, that's right.

Of course Salazar had access to that man's work. How else would he have hatched his own Basilisk?

"How does that help me with.. the current issue?" I asked, feeling impatience and irritation.

"Page 43," Red said. "Under Horcrux."

Odd word, I thought as I flipped through the pages, reaching the forty-third page in the book.

"Horcrux," I repeated. "My finest creation; they reviled me, mocked me for creating the wondrous Basilisk. All they care about is food for their bellies and gold for their coffers, but I have no need for such trivialities. My vision has aided me in attaining a measure of immortality; every man's dream."

A sick feeling started to form in my stomach.

"Through the process of trial and error, I succeeded in creating a Horcrux." I kept reading. "Many were sacrificed for this endeavor. Rituals were enacted, with no success. The test subjects disposed of—" he was talking about humans, wasn't he? "— and new ones acquired."

I felt more and more nauseous as I kept reading through the book. Herpo had systematically tortured, dismembered, abused and raped countless people, both enjoying the experiences and treating it all like your day to day science class.

I couldn't even imagine someone that disgusting actually existing, but there he was.

Once done, I closed the book, hard, the sound echoing slightly in the tunnel.

"Is that how Voldemort is still alive?" I asked, pressing a finger against my scar. "That's why I had the dreams, isn't it?"

"Dreams?" Red asked suddenly.

So, I told him of the man I'd seen die in a dream.

"I don't think that was a dream." Red said, sounding more disturbed.

"How do I get it out?" I asked, running my nail over the scar, before stopping. "It probably won't be as easy as scratching it off, huh."

"I have no idea." Red said honestly and regretfully. "The book does not specify any methods of destruction. I suppose it wouldn't— why would the creator include a method of destruction? Though, the fact that you've never heard of a Herpo out and about would suggest that the objects in which a soul is concealed might be destructible."

"True. Or he simply disappeared to live forever on a remote island." Red's calm tone was the only thing keeping me from completely losing my mind. "Wait… The Diary, Dumbledore does know."

"Undoubtedly," Red said. "Though, after reading that book, it makes sense why he didn't tell you. I would have kept you away, if I could."

I nodded, completely in agreement. This was magic… beyond anything I'd ever considered. Fracturing, and then splitting the soul to encase it in another item or living creature, in order to ensure immortality?

It was foul. Herpo the Foul was worthy of his name.

"Lot of good that did," I frowned in annoyance, but my heart wasn't in it. "No sense in delaying it, I suppose."

I smiled slightly. I hadn't seen Hedwig in a few days. Maybe that would help me take my mind off of things, for a short while at least.

Sitting back down, I grabbed a spare piece of parchment, dipped my quill in some ink and began to write.

"We need to talk. I have learned some interesting things. Meet me where I first saw the Mirror. I will be there at midnight.

-HP"

I stared at the short note for a few seconds before nodding in satisfaction. It didn't say anything of great importance, but it should make the man curious enough to at least go check.

Nodding once more, I left the room, grabbing the Pokédex on the way out. It was still around 4 PM; there would be enough time for Dumbledore to get the message. I made my way through the halls of Hogwarts. Many stopped to stare and whisper at me, in awe of the strongest Champion.

I had to repress an exasperated shake of my head. A week ago, it was "Potter Stinks", and now I was the best.

Sheep would always be sheep, I reckoned.

There was a small crowd waiting outside a classroom, blocking my way. Without a second though, I barreled through the least populated zone, tearing past the startled students and continuing on.

"Too good for class, Potter?" Malfoy's voice came from behind.

I turned to see the boy glaring at me.

I smiled in amusement. "I'm a bit too old for naptime, Draco."

I took a step to him. "I seem to remember a deal that we had– something about you kissing McGonagall on the lips?"

The entire group of students cringed at the very mention.

I gave a savage grin and plowed on. "Using your tongue, of course."

"I never agreed to that." Malfoy gave a mix of a snarl and a wince.

"You mean you took the bet, and chickened out." I lied, smiling even wider. "An untrustworthy Malfoy; how typical. Then again, that's what your family's known for, isn't it?"

I turned my back on him and began to walk away. There were a few cries of alarm, and the shuffling of feet.

"Everte Statum!" Malfoy cried angrily.

I moved to the right, the orange spell moving harmlessly forward, spinning and pulling out my wand in a fluid motion.

"Pathetic." I grinned in his face. "Try again. I won't even move, this time."

Malfoy glared, and snarled. "Slugulus Eructo!"

A dark green jet of light erupted from his wand, coming straight for me.

Best time to try out that modified shield-charm.

"Scutum!" I parried his spell as a powerful, but small dome appeared at the end of my wand. The Slug Vomiting spell Draco had sent flew to the right, harmlessly splashing against the wall.

Salazar was right. This was easier to learn than I had expected it to be. Simply imagining a buckler at the tip of my wand did the trick.

"Bad luck, that." I said, giving him a false patient look. "Care for one more?"

"I'll show you–"

"Ah, ah, ah!" I raised my index to shut him up. "I forgot to tell you what would happen if your next spell doesn't connect."

I paused for a second, before smiling slightly.

"How would you like to grow some very large teeth?" I offered, knowing he'd used such a spell on Hermione, in the time we were both ignoring each other.

That was another thing; I felt somewhat doubtful about making up with Hermione, but she hadn't tried to cause me any grief, so far. No lectures on skipping class, no hounding for homework, the works. Maybe she was really trying.

It had only been a few days since her declaration, of course. Time would tell.

I was brought back to reality when Malfoy decided that it would probably be better to retreat, at that moment. Ignoring the scandalized stares of his fellow Slytherins, and the curious stares of the Ravenclaws, Draco stomped his way into the History classroom, with his entourage following closely behind.

I smiled. That was satisfying.

The Slytherin girl I had run into a while back was staring at me intently. I made eye contact with her, making sure to give her one of the coldest looks I could imagine before walking away. She'd worn that stupid badge when I last her– well, she wasn't wearing it now, but that didn't matter since no one wore it after I'd battled the Horntail.

Anyone who wore a badge –past or present – was on my shit list, unless they managed to redeem themselves to me.

'And how is someone supposed to redeem themselves if you don't give them a chance?' Part of me asked in amusement.

I didn't answer. The truth was, I didn't want to forgive anyone but Hermione, at the moment. At least, Hermione's reason for not talking to me was a product of her own issues as a person; issues she would eventually grow out of. She didn't do it to 'fit in' or for any other arbitrary, stupid reason.

Part of me kept making fun of my odd and often contradictory standards. I ignored it as best as I could.

The rest of the trip went by uneventfully, at least until I got to the Owlery's entrance, where I was bowled over by a Ravenclaw, judging from the flash of blue the plowed into me, sending us both tumbling in a heap.

I groaned in pain and annoyance, my hand tightening around something supple, warm and soft as the other pressed against the ground to attempt to get up.

Wait…

I looked down.

Yep, my hand was tightening around someone's breast.

NOPE. NOPE. NOPE.

"Shit." I jumped back, feeling my face get hot as I created distant between the two of us. "I'm so, so, so sorry! "

There was no answer. Fuck!

I dared to look at the girl's face as she got up, as well. Hers was as red as mine probably was, and she had withdrawn into herself– probably in response to what happened.

"Seriously, I didn't mean to–" I was at a loss for words, getting more and more embarrassed with every second. "I– I…"

She held her hand over her mouth, stopping herself from speaking. Her eyes were wide with surprise– or was that how they normally looked? She patted herself over, making sure to pick up her wand before putting it behind her ear, and looking back at me with sky blue eyes.

"I'm sorry." She said in a dreamy voice. "I was looking for Wrackspurts and got distracted."

Looking for what? I shook my head, ready to get down on my knees and apologize for the accidental grope.

"What's a Wrackspurt?" I blurted out, instead.

She smiled, like I hadn't just put hands on her, and said. "They're invisible creatures; they float in through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy. I thought I felt one zooming around in here."

"If they're invisible, how do you know they're there?" I asked, the strangeness of the situation overriding my embarrassment for the moment. My blush began to die down as I slowly relaxed. She wasn't upset. There was no danger.

She stared at me for a second, before answering. "By using spectrespecs, one might be found. I don't have one with me, though…"

Then she did something that took my notice. It was very slight, almost unnoticeable. She began to sag in preparation for something. I wondered what it could be, before it hit me. She was expecting me to make fun of her, wasn't she?

I frowned.

What a very strange girl. She brushed off the accidental groping, just like that.

Hermione would have slapped me ten times over, by that point. What kind of person takes something like that quietly– oh…

Now I realized what I found so peculiar about her posture.

It was just like mine, back when I had to deal with Dudley and his gang all the time.

"You said there's one here?" I approached her quietly, making a show of looking around curiously.

She hesitated, eyes widening and body tensing up at my close presence. I bit down a snarl; whoever's been messing with her has forced it into her muscle memory.

'Calm down, Potter,' I told myself. 'If you look angry, that'll probably hurt her feelings.'

Instead, I gave her what I thought was an inviting smile.

"Yes." She said quietly.

"Do you have an approximate direction?" I asked, pulling out the Pokédex.

"Um…" She stared at the red device for a second, unsure of what to make of it, before pointing right above me. "I thought it was over there…"

"Hm." I said, before pointing the device in that direction.

The green light covered everything within its field of view for a few seconds, before stopping.

Ping!

"Huh." I said in surprise, flipping the Pokédex open and entering the PI section. "It detected something."

I scrolled down to the entry titled "Wrackspurt", reading off the scanned data.

"Wrackspurt. Type: Psychic. Native region: Unknown, larger sample size required. Readings indicate a 64% resemblance to the Pokémon known as Mesprit, the Emotion Pokémon. Its power rests in the domain of emotions, interfering with logic and willpower." I read the entry with fascination, before checking the image. It was just a blue speck in a black background. I zoomed in, further and further, until I got a good look at it.

It looked like a little blue-gray fairy, with a single, red-gemmed tail and butterfly wings.

"That's amazing!" I jumped as the blonde snatched my Pokédex, staring intently and eagerly at the image. "So that's what it looks like! I've never seen one so closely."

I cleared my throat, getting her attention while holding my hand out expectantly.

Sheepishly, she gave it back.

"I guess Wrackspurts do exist, then." I smiled kindly. "Sorry for doubting you.."

"Luna Lovegood." She introduced herself, smiling shyly back.

"Harry Potter." I extended my hand. She probably already knew my name, but it would be rather rude not to give my name out. "Listen, I really am sorry about what happened, just now."

She blushed, before quietly replying with an "it's fine," shaking my hand gently, before quickly letting go.

I frowned. God, this girl just pulled at my heartstrings, didn't she?

"Are you free right now?" I asked suddenly. "I was just about to send an owl before relaxing for the rest of the day. If you want, maybe we could… hang out together?"

Why did I say that? Was it pity? Was it guilt? Or was it curiosity?

Perhaps it was a combination of all three.

I couldn't tell.

She seemed surprised, again. She nodded quietly.

I grinned.

"Great!" I exclaimed, before swallowing nervously, realizing I was being loud. "I'll just send off that letter now, mind waiting for a few?"

"It's all right." She said in that same tone of voice.

"Thank you." I smiled and headed into the Owlery, where Hedwig immediately swooped down on me, pecking angrily at my ears.

"Ow!" I exclaimed. "What the hell, Hedwig?"

She barked sternly.

"Oh, come on." I said. "I saw you a few days ago."

She raised a threatening claw.

"Not the claws! I'll be good." I promised, holding out a few owl treats as an olive branch. Hedwig gave me intense scrutiny, as if to say 'are you seriously trying to bribe me?'

Eventually, Hedwig caved and took her treats, giving me an affectionate but gruff nudge.

"Thanks, girl." I smiled, holding out my sealed note. "Could you send this to Headmaster Dumbledore for me? At his office, specifically."

She hooted, holding out her leg. I quickly tied the note with some string, and off she went. I stared at the quickly leaving owl for a few seconds more, before exiting the Owlery, where a hesitant Luna was still waiting.

"Sorry for the wait," I smiled apologetically as we began to walk through the corridors.

"I didn't wait long." She said, nervously fingering her… were those butterbeer caps on her necklace? She was certainly odd, but in a pretty cute way, I had to admit. "May I see the image you had of the Wrackspurt?"

God, but she sounded so hopeful.

I breathed in and flipped open my Pokédex, navigating to the image of the Wrackspurt. "Here."

"Amazing," she inspected the creature intently, once more. "I wonder if this device can detect some other creatures that daddy and I are trying to find."

"Interesting." I said. "You and your dad search for creatures?"

"Every summer." She brightened. "We go on trips searching for all sorts of magical creatures."

Then, she hesitated, not knowing what to say.

"Tell me all about it." I said. That little nudge opened up the floodgates. She began to talk about all of her trips, mentioning all of the creatures they'd come across; some, I recognized; most, I didn't. They all sounded quite imaginary –but then again, the Wrackspurts also sounded imaginary. And yet, the Pokédex detected it.

Perhaps Pokémon weren't as extinct as I was originally led to believe…

From the humming of the Pokédex, I figured Red was having a field day of his own.