Emerald Flame

Chapter 2

"Hey freak, guess what?" Dudley grinned.

Dudley's gang of friends stood beside him as Harry stood by the park fence. He peered up at Dudley through half lidded eyes.

"We've thought of a new game."

Dudley's grin said it wasn't one Harry would like.

"We're going to call it Harry-hunting."

Harry was already running before his cousin could reach for him. He was fast for his age, and much faster then his overweight cousin. He was bounding away from the park to the small patch of woods as quick as a deer before any could catch him. He could hide up a tree or something there.

.-.

Harry looked at the ground from the school roof. He had been running from Dudley and wished to be away. Now here he was on the roof. He though for a long moment. Then he focused on a spot on the ground. He focused hard and wished to be there. Suddenly there was a pressured feeling and he was there. He looked thoughtful a moment. Then his lips spread in an interested/twisted smile.

.-.

Harry pumped his legs and felt the swing speed up. Soon he was arching for the sky. He felt a jolt as gravity pulled him back. He leaned forwards then straightened out and soared higher. Higher. Higher. The swing was as high as it could get. At the highest peak he pushed off. He was free. For a moment all that mattered was the expansion of blue sky and the wind in his face. His breath caught at the thought of freedom. He felt his heart grow light. Then he was falling. His expression became blank again and he used the 'power' to slow himself down, so he floated to the ground almost like a feather. As he touched down gently he looked back up at the sky. He wasn't free. Not yet.

.-.

He cradled his arm to his body and looked at the wet ground silently. He stayed don his knees on the wet grass, hunched over slightly so his face looked down into a puddle. Through the ripples he saw his own emotionless face. The water ran down his face like tears. He hadn't cried since he was a baby. He wasn't now. Little could make him cry these days and a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder was like a pinprick to him. He reached up with his good hand and pressed against his shoulder. With a sharp pop it popped back into place. He snapped the broken arm into the right angle also and held it back to his body again. Dirt streaked his pale skin and his eyes looked haunted. He reached deep within himself to the energy he always felt and pulled with his will. He felt a wave of calm energy wash over him and immediately his arm was better, still sore but no longer broken. All the new scars on his arm also vanished. Harry stayed in the rain, staring into the puddle.

.-.

Harry gazed at the store in curiosity; Count D's Pet Shop. He glanced back and saw his relatives entering a Chinese restaurant. They would be a while. He slipped down the small stone steps and came to an intricate wood and iron door. He opened it and slid in shutting it softly behind him. He found himself in a room full of cages and tanks. There was also a set of chairs and couches. Animals were everywhere. He walked in towards the couch and sat down right next to a large panther. The panther looked down at him. He just looked up at it with his large green eyes. It gave a snort and curled up again.

"Ah, a customer."

He looked up at a distinct Asian man in traditional clothes, with odd colored eyes and short-ish hair.