Chapter Text
"But Lockhart wasn’t listening.
“Three - two - one- go!” he shouted.
Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed, “Serpensortia!”
The end of his wand exploded." (Borrowed from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
There was a near literal explosion, and the twelve year old Malfoy scion gasped as he had to hold onto his wand tightly as a serpent emerged. He wanted to scare Potter, to call forth a viper, or perhaps a python, but this... this was not what he wanted! A snake as thick as he was, and already surpassing six meters poured from his wand. If anyone were to re-view this event they would see magic pouring into the young boy from the castle, a freak accident. The snake, spiked and almost demonic looking, reared up and let out not a hiss... but a roar. A roar that rattled the great hall, that made the unbreakable windows crack and bend. It snarled and looked about, anger and power radiating from it.
~Who dares? Who dares summon the World Serpent! Who dares call forth Jörmungandr?!~ Said snake snarled out, but only one person in the entire hall could understand him, and his head snapped to said person when they spoke.
~Jörmungandr? As in the bringer of Ragnarok?~ Came the words of Harry Potter, confused, scared, but insanely curious.
~You speak the tongue, older than the lands themselves. Yes, child, speaker... I am he who shall bring upon the darkness. Why have I been summoned?~ Spoke the entity that would someday end the world as it was known.
~A rival... child, brought you into this realm, great serpent. To perhaps frighten me, or seriously harm me.~ Harry said, huffing softly before blinking. ~Wait, what tongue am I speaking? Is it not the Queen's English?~ Harry asked, the large being laughing deeply, and though he was a snake it came out in a demonic tone, tempered with a growl at the end.
~You speak the language of the serpents, the language I saw fit to gift very few mortals.~ He then started to shrink, to the size of a larger than average ball python. The world serpent slithered up Harry's body with ease, draping over his shoulders and lightly encircling his upper torso. ~You shall be my translator, while I discover a way to return to my position around the world. While it was said that should I release my tail, the world would end, that is not the truth. Now, take me to feed, it has been countless ages since I have feasted.~ Jörmungandr said, letting Harry walk off the stage with him.
"Potter! Where do you think you're going?" Came the biting tone of Prof. Snape. Harry turned back, looking at his professor with a sneer worthy of the dour man himself.
"I am taking my esteemed guest, Jörmungandr, to the kitchens. He is hungry, and I am not about to disappoint him." With those words he turned and made his way towards the kitchens, the angry hissing on the large snake around his shoulders keeping others from intercepting him. It took a wide mouthed snarl/growl with venom dripping fangs to keep the potions master at bay, he then turned to go to the headmasters office instead of following the young boy, this was worrisome to say the least.
~TWS~
The elves were more than happy to serve the previously monumental serpent, as they knew he was far beyond magic as a whole. It would take an equally powerful being, such as his prophisized destroyer, to even hope to harm him. Harry was sitting, having a rather deep conversation with the serpent when the doors to the kitchen almost slammed open. Standing in the doorway, wands drawn, were all fours heads of house, the newest DADA teacher, Hagrid and Dumbledore.
"Harry, my boy, what are you doing?" Said Dumbledore, his grandfatherly tone barely there, tempered with fear and apprehension, as well as a bit of disappointment. "Release the snake and come over here slowly, we do not want you getting harmed." He smiled, trying to disarm the child with said smile, and he sent a compulsion into his words to help, not seeing that the aura around the snake kept it from even touching the child.
"I'm fine, thank you, Headmaster. Jörmungandr and I were just enjoying a meal, and since it is a Saturday, I don't have to worry about classes." Harry smiled as he said this, a hard glint to his eyes.
"I must insist, my boy." Began Dumbledore, surprised at the glare and near growl that came not from the snake, but from the 12 year old child in front of him.
"I am not your boy, headmaster. I have not been your boy since you sent me home to my relatives last summer. Since you decided that I had to live in bloody hell on earth for ten years. Since you decided to hire a fraud as a professor to teach one of the most important classes in this bloody school!" He snarled softly, huffing as his new companion coiled around him and gave him a gentle squeeze. "Was there anything else, headmaster?" His last word was spoken with not even barely concealed disdain.
"Har-" Dumbledore was cut off by a snarl from the angry child. "Mr. Potter... please, see reason. What I did was for your best interests, I assure you. Please, move from the snake, he is tainting you. Clearly he seeps dark magic, and it is corrupting your very core." He needed to get that snake away from his weapon! He could see it, feel the darkness pooling from every scale of the large snake, and it seemed to be absorbing into Harry.
"No, I don't think I will, headmaster. I like it, I feel safe, warm... protected. More than I can ever remember." Harry spoke softly, stroking the head of the serpent around his shoulder, getting a pleased growl. "I am going to have Jörmungandr with me at all times now, I quite like the thought of that..." He smiled as he trailed.
"Ah, do not worry, I shall handle this. Just a demon serpent from the Australian Outback, not a problem." Said Prof. Lockhart, and before anyone could stop him he fired a blue spell at the large serpent and child it was coiled around. The spell hit the scales of the beast, doing absolutely nothing but agitating the serpent who hissed a few times, and then Harry smiled.
"Congratulations, Prof. Lockhart, you are the first." Harry said, and Lockhart tilted his head before he let out a squeal worthy of the most frightened of rodents. The snake, mid launch, grew seven times its current size and with a massive bite devoured the professor. It returned to it's previous state and in doing so compressed, and crunched the previous Defense professor into nothing. He licked his lips, a little blood spilling out, and then seemed to settle on Harry's shoulders.
"Anyone else foolish enough to anger the bringer of Ragnarok?" Harry asked, standing up and starting to walk towards the door, the adults moving to the side, shocked and fearful of their own lives. "I didn't think so. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see if I have any friends left." He snorted and left, stroking the head of the serpent gently as he did so, sharing a silent conversation with it.
"A-Albus?" Came the frightened words of Prof. McGonagall.
"We must do all that we can to get Harry away from that serpent. Before it is too late. Already I can see his core darkening, being corrupted, tainted by whatever foul magic surrounds that beast." With those words he went off, frowning to himself. What he did not tell the adults was that Harry had always had an affinity for dark magic, ever since he was born. That is why Dumbledore knew he was the equal of Tom, while the prophecy was meant for him and not the Longbottom child. Plans had to be made, altered, worked around. Things needed to be fixed, for the greater good.
~TWS~
Harry almost stalked through the corridors of Hogwarts, ghost and student alike moving from his path, and he was kind of OK with that. He looked at the entrance to his common room and the Fat lady squeaked and glanced at him.
"Courage under fire." He said, that being the password for the week, and she nodded and swung open, looking at him fearfully.
~Hah! She can feel my magic. It is dark, and rich, she knows not to cross you.~ Said Jörmungandr from around his neck, chuckling softly. Harry nodded and smiled, it was amusing.
~I want to thank you, by the way, again, for allowing me to stay with you. I really do feel safer, protected.~ Harry spoke sincerely, gently petting the serpent who hummed in acknowledgement and enjoyment.
~I will not say that I am your servant, but as you speak the tongue and do not demand of me, then I shall remain. I also do find it pleasing that those who would control you fear me, and the influence I have upon you.~ Jörmungandr chuckled softly, grinning to himself. Before Harry could ask about said influence he was nearly barreled over by a bushy haired missile.
"Harry! Oh god, are you alright? You just left the great hall with that... g-great big snake." The last word from Hermione's mouth was a squeak as she noticed said snake still around Harry, who smiled gently. She whispered, fearful but still concerned. "Are you alright, Harry? It isn't hurting you, is it?" She was lightly fingering her wand, but Harry's hand on her shoulder placated her slightly.
"No, no I'm fine, Hermione." He smiled and gave her a one armed hug. Though it had only been an hour, maybe two, the darkness seeping nito him gave him a gentle confidence, and it was boosting by the minute. "Jormungandr here is my... well, not exactly my friend, but it might get there." He smiled and she nodded and then her eyes went wide.
"I hear you call him that in the great hall.. is it really him? The World Serpent?" Hermione asked, paling softly at the implications of that. Harry nodded and she giggled, almost hysterically before slumping into a heap onto the floor. Harry blinked and with the help of Fred and George, helped her up onto the couch.
"Don't be alarmed Harry old chap..."
"Yes, do try not to be alarmed."
"But it just so happens that you have..."
"...a great Bloody snake on your shoulders!" Both Weasley twins spoke, finishing off that last bit together, fearfully glancing at the snake.
"Yeah, mate... you going to be OK?" Asked Ron from the side, also fearful of the large serpent. However, he was Harry's friend, and well... if Harry had a snake, then I guess that was ok. Sure, he spoke Parsletongue like Slytherin, and You-know-who, but well... this was Harry!
"Yeah, guys. I'm great... best I have ever been." Harry smiled at his friends, and then smiled even more when people came over to ask about the large creature. He didn't care what anyone said, so far this was the best thing to happen to him.
~TWS~
~Jörmungandr?~ Asked Harry, a little later in the day, around Dinner time to be exact.
~What is it, child?~ The serpent asked from his place around Harry's body, not asleep, but relaxing.
~Are you.. corrupting me?~ Harry asked tentatively, he wanted to know, no he needed to know.
~Yes, and no, child. My body, my magic is dark by nature. I am not evil, but I have a destiny, a fate to destroy the world. I cannot go against the design of the universe, however that does not make my intentions sinister.~ Jörmungandr replied, looking at Harry now. ~Your body, your core, is grey by nature. It is your education, what you are taught, that changes it to light or dark. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Do you understand?~ The serpent finished with a question, Harry stroking his chin lightly in thought. For a being that would destroy the world, he was not as snappish or rude as one would think.
~I think so, Jörmungandr. Your own magic, plentiful and the like, is seeping into my own to change it?~ Harry asked softly, stroking the serpent still.
~Once again, child, yes and no. I am not changing your magic, I am bringing it to the affinity in which you were born. I can sense magic, taste it, manipulate it, so I know that you were not born with grey magic. It is dark, delicious and plentiful, and I will make sure that it continues to grow.~ He growled in answer to Harry, inhaling deeply, the scent of darkness folding into the child was intoxicating. It was refreshing that while his magic was dark, his mind and core was innocent. He would tell Harry later, when he could understand it more, but he had also rid the child of the corrupting darkness in his scar. He would deal with the rest of it another time, what was mortal dark magic to a being such as him?
~TWS~
Albus Dumbledore was in a quandary, and he did not like that, not one bit. He was supposed to be in control, at all times, and he was far from it right now. At least when it came to Harry Potter, the chosen one, the boy-who-lived, his weapon. That creature, the immortal beast, was always around him. Always pouring magic into the boy's body, making the grayness he had inflicted upon him in his youth grow darker, and that would ruin everything! Harry needed to be a light child, so what if it caused him discomfort, it was for the greater good. He groaned and leaned back, he had to think. He was almost two hundred years old, he could figure something out. It didn't help that there was a Basilisk on the loose. Oh yes, he knew about it, but now that Harry would probably have nothing to do with it, he had to deal with it.
Dumbledore was unaware of it, but his plans, his life was about to get much worse.
~TWS~
Jörmungandr never left Harry's side, not even when he was in the air on his broom. The serpent just shrank and coiled tighter around the child, not that he minded at all. Christmas came and went, and Harry, as well as his serpentine protector, were surprised when not only did Harry get a Weasley sweater, but so did Jörmungandr, it was amusing to see him in the bright, festive sweater with the deep green "J" on it. He wore it only for that day, however, but Harry kept it regardless. The new year came and went, and on a cool May afternoon Harry was in the library with Hermione and Ron when Jörmungandr hissed and looked towards the doors.
~What is it, my friend?~ Harry asked the serpent that was slowly losing his grip on the child, moving from his body.
~Another serpent comes into my halls, staining my walls and floors with his scent! I will not have it!~ He snarled as as he left Harry's body he got larger, to the point that he barely made it out of the door before he grew yet again. The students of the library heard an angry growl and loads of hissing, though only Harry heard what was being said.
~You DARE enter my halls, beast? Corrupted, controlled, conspiring against powers that are not yours!~ That voice belonged to Jörmungandr, the next one though was familiar, Harry had heard it in the walls.
~Great serpent, I am simply following the orders of my master. Clearing these halls of filth, listen to him, he is wise and speaks truths!~ The other serpent, a Basilisk (known because Hermione did love her research), spoke with reverence yet it's own fanatical devotion to ti's master.
~Where is your master? So that I might DEVOUR him!? Speak, serpent!~ Jörmungandr hissed, so very angry.
~I am here, mighty World Serpent, there is no need to devour me. Come, let us speak, shall we?~ The new voice was older, but probably only a few years older than Harry. His voice, he could hear it was a he, was silky, smooth... very disarming.
~Speak now, specter, my patience grows thin!~ Another angry hiss from Jörmungandr , and the new voice spoke again.
~Of course, of course. My name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin. I am a mere specter now, but soon I will gain my full strength once more. When I do so, I can purge the world of the unclean, and we can rule together!~ The voice, Tom, spoke and what he got in return was a low growl.
~If I chose to rule this world, I would not need a petty, insignificant mortal to do it! I do not like those who believe themselves better than others, those who do not understand that we all shall succumb to the abyss, even I shall one day visit my sister in Helheim. I have grown tired of you, speaker.~ With those words Harry and the others in the library heard a painful, echoing scream, and then one last set of hissing.
~Go, into the forest with you serpent. Your bond is broken, so as I say.~ Jörmungandr spoke, the other serpent hissing a quick affirmation and then leaving. ~You, fire haired child, into the athenaeum with you.~ The World Serpent spoke, and then he shrank to his more manageable size. The library occupants were treated to the sight of the World Serpent coming in along side a shy, and rather pale (well more than usual) Ginny Weasley. She was immediately grabbed in a hug from her brother Ron, and Jörmungandr coiled around Harry.
~She will heal, tell her sibling to bring her to the healer.~ The serpent spoke, humming and closing his eyes as he was gently caressed.
"Ron." Harry spoke, getting a look from his friend he continued. "Take Ginny to Madam Pomfrey, she needs to be looked over." Ron nodded and took his shivering sister out of the library, Harry turning to Hermione. "Basilisk is gone, Jörmungandr took care of it." He sat down and leaned back, he hoped the rest of the year went without so much as a hiccup, though knowing his luck he'd be wrong. However, he had friends, new and old, that would be with him through it all.