章 22: Things are getting more and more Dangerous

A few minutes later

Harry woke up and looked around. Hermione said "Harry, Harry are you alright?" Harry sat up and said "What was that thing?" Lupin stuck out some chocolate and said "Here, eat this first. Come on, It's chocolate." Harry took it and Lupin added "It was a Dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now. It was searching the train for Sirius Black. Now if you'll excuse me I need to have a little word with the driver."

Lupin walked to the door and looked back as he said "Eat, you'll feel better." before leaving.

Cross watched him go ask Harry said "What happened to me?" Hermione said "You just passed out..." she looked at Cross, who had a frown on his face. Ron added "You sort of went rigid, we thought you were having a fit or something."

Hermione looked at Ron in disbelief, was this guy deaf? Didn't he hear what Cross said before? Harry said "Did any of you.. you know, pass out?" Hermione and Ron shook their heads and Cross ignored him, frowning in thought while looking at the door.

Hermione nudged him and Cross blinked as he said "What?" Hermione pointed at Harry and said "What happened?" Cross looked at her and said "Are you deaf? I already told you." Harry said "You knew what that was?"

Cross nodded and said "A Dementor... They feed off happy memories and emotions. What happened to you was, the dementor was eating your happy memories for nourishment. Most people can't even move when it happens."

Ron was stunned and said "Bloody terrible creature that is!" Cross shrugged and said "Meh, they're not dangerous unless there are hundreds of them feeding off you at the same time. They're used to torture the prisoners in Azkaban, they're everywhere there."

Ron was terrified and Harry said "Then they hear voices too?" The three were confused and Hermione said "Voices?" Harry said "You didn't hear it? A woman?" the three shook their heads, Cross looked at his scar and touched his chin in thought.

Cross decided to give his opinion, mainly because he felt a bit bad for not helping when Harry was getting fed off of. He was right there, anyway, Cross pointed at his scar and said "Pardon me, but might I ask why you are still alive since Voldemort tried to kill you?"

Hermione elbowed Cross, but Harry said "My mother sacrificed her life for me..." Cross nodded and said "Perhaps the voice you heard was your mother's? During times of crisis, people are often known to have hallucinations of the things they'll miss the most when they die, or rather who'll they'll meet once they are dead."

Cross paused for a moment and said "Well, unless of course, they become a ghost. But I don't see the reason for anyone to become a ghost. It's truly constant torture." Hermione clamped his mouth and said "Honestly, I like it when you don't talk at all." Cross removed her hand and said "Fine. It was just my opinion anyway." before going back to reading.

Cross removed his guilt for not helping, if he had to go out of his way to help it was a different story, but Harry was right in front of him. Anyway, the event was over and Cross went back to being a stranger with Harry and Ron while being lukewarm with Hermione, the self proclaimed 'Best Friend'.

Harry was lost in thought about Cross' words, thinking that it could be plausible.

A while later

Cross was sitting at the Slytherin table in the dinning hall at Hogwarts, Daphne teased "How was the train?" Cross looked up from the terrified book and said "Alright. I saw a Dementor, it was very ugly." Draco was sitting next to him and said in shock "A Dementor!?"

Cross nodded and said "Yeah, why? It's harmless.. Well unless there's hundreds of them." Draco shivered and Daphne said worriedly "Are you okay?" Cross nodded with his signature blank expression.

The choir stopped singing and Dumbledore took the podium. He raised his hand and said "Welcome, welcome! To another year at Hogwarts!"

Cross looked over and frowned deeply, Dumbledore looked a lot younger. This wasn't normal. Cross looked at Dumbledore deeply, Dumbledore turned his head to him and his eyes twinkled. Cross' eyes went back to curious and nervous as he smiled dumbly, Dumbledore turned back to everyone else and kept speaking.

Cross' eyes turned cold and he looked at his book, losing any expression he had and thinking frantically. His mind was just attacked, Cross didn't know if it was really Dumbledore or someone else but Dumbledore's suspect level was already at 80% while the rat fell to 40%.

There was something wrong here, something very wrong. The resources required to extend lifespan was precious but it didn't make the person look younger, the only way to have that happen was to advance in wizard ranks.

Over the summer Cross found a book describing the wizard ranks, basically there were '5' ranks. The first was the awakening of a wizard, the second was the first rotation of a wizard's powers becoming stronger, the third was advanced wizard, the fourth was grandmaster wizard, and the fifth was beyond that and only in theory, well according to the book.

The four ranks, if Cross were to explain them in simpler terms would be; the first time a wizard uses his magic, when a wizard was in their 4th year, when a wizard was about to graduate, after a wizard graduates (teachers), and finally the level Dumbledore has reached.

Cross knew that there must be more ranks because Salazar mentioned something like being half a step into Godhood. Cross couldn't give an accurate statement on if Dumbledore has actually become something beyond a Grandmaster Wizard but the resources to achieve such a thing would be immense.

Especially for someone as old as him.

Every rank surpassed, the wizard's lifespan would increase. The first 3 ranks were only slight increases, but from Advanced to Grandmaster was a big jump. The harder to advance the more lifespan would be granted to the successful wizard, hence they are able to keep their young appearance for longer.

The book Cross read wasn't very detailed, it was extremely vague. The requirements to advance weren't given at all, there wasn't even a clue, according to the book it just happened.

Cross rolled his eyes as he read it, considering his own experiences, he classified them as such; when a wizard advanced to the second rank they had to gain an element. For the third rank, they had to be proficient in enough Advanced spells, charms, wards, etc.

The fourth however, Cross was clueless. He considered himself an advanced wizard, on par with graduating students, the level he displayed at Hogwarts was still at the first rank, which showed just how strong Cross was. Needless to say that he also had no idea how to even get to the fifth rank, he only assumed that it would be extremely hard and very costly.

Cross came back from his thoughts when he heard everyone clapping for Hagrid, who had apparently become a teacher now.

Dumbledore continued "Finally, on a more serious note. The circumstances in the wizarding world may affect Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic has requested to station Dementors on the grounds, at every entrance and exit."

Dumbledore got serious and Cross felt like he was speaking directly to Harry as he said "These Dementors do not discern between target or innocents... I must warn all of you, give them no reason to harm you.. they are not forgiving creatures.."

He suddenly smiled and waved out a candle light as he added "But happiness can be found even in the darkest of times. One only has to remember to turn on the light..." as he waved the candle back ablaze.

Cross frowned and Dumbledore smiled kindly as he said "Let us begin the feast!"

Cross didn't touch any of the food, preoccupied with his thoughts. The situation was getting worse at the school, but he wasn't going to run away. He sneered in his mind, 4th rank, 5th rank, if they wanted him, they should be prepared to lose a few limbs.

But this didn't mean that he would start acting arrogant, he was low-key until the end! Unless Cross was truly forced into a corner, he wouldn't reveal himself. If he did reveal himself, he would obliviate any witnesses if possible.

This is what he has been doing and it was working so far, why change now? Although, Cross felt more confidence in dealing with threats now, since he had 5 elements so far. He was going to continue his elemental collection while practicing his advanced spells with his string clone.

The feast ended and Cross left directly, reading as he walked to the Slytherin common room. He was wearing the school uniform, except he ditched the cloak, hat, and shoes opting for just the dress shirt and sneakers.

He felt much more comfortable, plus he thought he looked better like this. His hair was also medium length and messy, it was currently black. Cross seemed to get more handsome as he aged, earning him looked from all the female students, well until they found out he was a 'mediocre' wizard. Then they lost all interest, he even heard a rumor that he was just a pretty boy that was dumb as bricks.

Cross was ecstatic at the claim, and said in his mind 'Yes, yes, stay away from me. I'm bad news, do my job for me.' as usual, too much attention was a bad thing, plus Cross felt like all these students were truly the ones who were dumb as bricks.

They believed everything someone else told them, Cross theorized that if someone said to jump off the Hogwarts bridge and you'll become a wizard as strong as Dumbledore, there would be a pile of bodies at the bottom the very next day.

There was only one person who was different..

Cross bumped into someone and dropped his book, he sighed and went to pick up his book, only to bump heads with the other person. They looked at each other and the girl clicked her tongue angrily.

Cross sighed again and went to pick up his book, but Luna picked it up first as she said "Enjoying mediocrity?" Cross said "Why are you mad, still? I don't understand." Luna read a bit of the book as she replied "You're an idiot, that's why. Do you kno-"

A few students passed by

Cross expression turned blank and dumb, while Luna looked to be in a daze, her eyes vacant as she stared at a corner of the hallways mumbling something about 'Invisible Trofflelumps'.

The students looked at Cross and Luna in disdain before laughing while whispering to each other as they walked away.

The duo watched them go before returning to normal, Luna coughed and continued "You hurt yourself just to hide yourself? Are you really not faking being an idiot?!" Cross said "I told you it was an accident. Why do you care anyway?" Luna was incensed and squeezed the book as she growled "You!"

She almost swung the book at his head. This guy, was he really not faking it?!

Cross' bag opened and Selena slithered out, she hissed normally and said "Cross, are you really stupid? I can't even practice because you're so infuriating." Cross sighed and said to Luna "I'm not an idiot. If I didn't know, wouldn't I truly be retarded?"

Luna held his book, knowing he wouldn't leave without it, as she said "Then why?" Cross didn't answer and instead asked "Why do you care so much? We aren't that close, that you would be concerned with my wellbeing."

Luna gripped the book tightly and she looked into his eyes and asked "Are you concerned for mine?" Cross was stunned at the question and thought about it seriously, she was interesting but they barely knew each other! Plus...

Cross answered "No." Luna really did feel hurt and she almost cried but Cross spoke again "Because, I know that you don't need me to be. I don't know about your magical prowess but I believe you are smart enough to not put yourself in situations where your wellbeing was in danger."

Luna was stunned and looked into Cross' eyes deeply for any signs of falsehood. Finding nothing, she revealed a small smile and handed back his book as she said "Thank you." Cross took the book and thought for a moment before saying "Sorry for making you worry."

After that, he went back to reading and walked away, leaving Luna staring at his back in a daze. When she recovered he was already gone, she smiled and skipped away happily thinking to herself 'My cold Elven Prince is warming up, heehee'