Chapter Text
Meeting at King's Cross
Harry found himself in a deserted King's Cross Station. He sat on a bench. He felt very tired, physically and emotionally. Everything came back to him in a rush. Voldemort. Dumbledore. Hermione. Ron. The Weasleys. Malfoy. The Dursleys. Hogwarts. The moment of his death. All the pain he had endured. Distractedly, he rubbed the scar on his forehead. He sighed. "Well... that could have gone better, I guess."
"Yeah, it could have..." Harry looked around, looking for the source of that voice. It was definitively the voice of a young male, with a curious accent. Next to him, a teen sat heavily, with the same tiredness he felt. His head hung limply between his shoulders, his forearms rested on his thighs and his hands simply hung down.
The young man was dressed in what seemed to be a muggle school uniform. White shirt, black undershirt, black trousers held in place by a too long black belt, black running shoes with white soles. He was taller than Harry, but he was also skinny, Harry thought they looked similar, but while he himself was simply underfed, the teen was simply wiry by nature.
The teen kept silent for a few minutes, Harry waited, respecting his silence. To be truthful, he himself wasn't really in the mood for idle talk; and anyway, he had never been good at chitchatting with strangers.
"You know?" the unknown teen finally said, "I like it here."
"Why? There's no one here? Just you and me, and I think I'm dead."
The teen shrugged slowly, "Yes. You are dead. So am I. It doesn't matter much. All I wanted was to be left alone."
Harry sat straight, looking at the boarding signs. "Why? Don't you have any family? Friends?"
"I don't deserve to have friends." There was such a finality in his soft voice. "I'm a fraud. A coward. A pervert, even... I was supposed to be this hero. To save the world. In the end, I failed. Everybody is dead and I'm too scared to take that last step," he waved a hand towards the boarding signs, "to find my final punishment."
"A-and your family?" Harry gulped, fearing the answer.
"My mother died when I was little, and my father dropped me with my uncle and aunt." He shuddered. "They always said I was a waste of space and I should be grateful they didn't sent me to the streets."
Harry recognized himself in that. "And you had to do all the chores, you learned to cook for them."
"Yeah. How did you know that?" A small amount of vitality showed in his voice, he even raised his head a little.
"Had to do it myself. Cleaning, laundry, cooking, gardening, you name it. I had to do it or starve."
"You too, uh? Well... I got spared of yard work after I overwatered the flowers." A sad smile crossed his face for a moment.
"Well... I guess we are kinda like mates. I'm Harry, Harry Potter. Nice to meet you." Harry extended his hand.
"What? Really? No, It can't be!" The teen stood up suddenly, now Harry could see his face for the first time. He had dark brown hair, framing an almond shaped face, his eyes were dark blue, with a fold at the edge of the eyelid. "You aren't real! Just a character in children's books!" A hand parted Harry's hair, uncovering the infamous zigzag of his scar. The teen stood silently before Harry, seemingly paralyzed.
Harry slapped the hand away. "Those are just stupid faerie tales somebody wrote about me! I never fought a harpy, o-or a kraken!"
The teen sat down on the floor, his eyes wide in shock. "I k-know... they never asked about you, the real you, not the Boy-Who-Lived. Those are just stories made about a perfectly brave hero. A hero who is not you. Kami... I... You... you... you fought Voldemort in your first year at Hogwarts... after going through several traps... With the Philosopher's Stone at stake... You-you just touched Quirrel and he burned up from the inside."
"How can you know that? Dumbledore hushed everything up. I think not even the Aurors know that."
The teen began to shake. It took a few moments until Harry realized he was shaking with laughter.
He laughed for close to five minutes, to Harry's best estimation. Finally, his hysterical laughter abated. "Oh, sorry." He wiped a tear from his left eye and smiled. It was a small smile, but it was a smile, after all. "Oh, gods, that felt good. I thought I would never laugh again..." he hiccuped twice.
"That bad?"
"That bad, and worse." He nodded and shrugged. "Oh, my apologies," he stood up, and bowed deeply to Harry. "Ikari Shinji, at your service. Sorry, I am so sorry; where are my manners? You're British. Given name goes first, shake hands. Shinji Ikari. Please, call me Shinji." He extended his right hand, and Harry felt compelled to answer in kind.
Shinji smiled like a broken doll. Like a man without hope who suddenly finds a tiny sliver of actual, honest to god, hope. "Would you terribly mind some spoilers?"
For a long time, Shinji told Harry things the young wizard had never suspected could be true about him and his life. Harry couldn't even begin to say that anything Shinji was telling could be a lie or a mistake.
Everything fit. Neatly and horribly, it fit with the facts.
Somehow, his whole life so far was known to this strange teen; he knew what could be his future; and, to top everything off, he was just a character in a series of books!
One revelation after another. And the picture Shinji painted wasn't pretty. He was being prepared for the slaughter! And Harry wasn't really inclined to go willingly to his death.
Harry leaned back against the wall, trying to order his thoughts. It was useless, the talk had been a rollercoaster of emotions, good and bad, heartwarming and nightmare inducing.
"I feel sick." Harry mumbled through clenched teeth.
Harry heard Shinji gasp, his eyes unfocused, lost in a distant place only he could see. Slowly, the teen curled up in foetal position, hugging his calves desperately. A second later, he began to rock like a small child, his eyes screwed shut. Twin streams of tears flowed freely down his face. He was mumbling something.
Not knowing what else to do, Harry just stared at him for a long moment. Finally, he took a decision, remembering just how badly he had needed a hug back in Privet Drive and how much good Hermione's hugs had done to heal some of his own emotional wounds, he did the only thing he could think of. Slowly and carefully, he hugged Shinji, rocking with him, and whispering in his ear, "Shh... shhh... everything will be allright, Shinji. I'm here. Shhh..."
Finally, Harry understood Shinji's mumbling. "I'm sorry." He said, again and again, like a broken record. Harry didn't know what had happened, but he kept hugging Shinji for a long time.
Eventually, Shinji hugged him back, like a drowning man would grab a floating board. "It's okay, Shinji." Harry said, "I forgive you." Hearing these words, Shinji sobbed and hugged him even harder. Harry didn't mind, Hermione hugged him with even more strength.
Long minutes, or maybe hours later, Harry didn't had any sense of time in this ghostly place, Shinji finally pushed Harry back, softly, tentatively; as if he was afraid of something, deathly afraid. Finally, he sighed and wiped his face with the back of his hand.
"I... I am sorry, Harry. Thank you."
Harry smiled sadly at him. "No need to apologize, Shinji." He wanted to ask what had happened to precipitate his breakdown, but didn't want to risk causing another. "You needed some help. I know it wasn't much, but..."
"No. It was exactly what I needed." He wiped his face with a handkerchief, swallowed the lump in his throat, and settled down in a much calmer stance. "Thank you." Both felt like closing this particular subject, a silent agreement passed between them. "Now," Shinji said. "What will you do?"
Harry thought for a moment. "Well, I don't really know. It is a lot to take in so suddenly. But I guess I have to prepare some things. First, I need to make sure Sirius won't die. I need him back on his feet. He is my family. My true family. Privet Drive is not..."
With the speed of thought, Shinji covered Harry's mouth with his hand. "Don't you say that. If you do, you'll break the blood wards."
Harry pushed Shinji's hand away. "But it's true! You better than anybody know that!"
"I know. But if you break the wards, Dumbledore will step in. Who knows what will he do if he can't keep you there."
"So... we keep things like that? That's it?" Harry felt angry at the thought of going back to the Dursleys.
"No. Things have to change. But Dumbledore doesn't have to know. He has been playing things like a gott..." Shinji shook his head, for a moment, it seemed he was about to suffer a second breakdown, but he managed to stave it off. He continued, his voice becoming more animated with each word, "like a god-damned chessmaster. For decades! Keeping the Wizarding world trapped in what he thinks is ideal. It's just stagnation. His idea of redemption leads to the guilty walking free while it's the innocents who suffer and die. He is very good at manipulation, you know? But he cannot manipulate things unless he knows what's actually going on. Just keep up appearances. For as long as you can. I'm sure you can get an arrangement with the Dursley's if you maneauver them into wanting the things you want."
Harry's eyebrows knotted in deep thought. "Like... not being a freak?"
"Not exactly. They want to be normal. They really believe that, but they can't be normal. At this point, they want exactly the same thing you do. To be rid of each other. But if you simply leave, Dumbledore will force you to come back. The Dursley's will resent your return, you will resent being back, and things will simmer until something sets off an explosion."
Harry nodded. "Then, what do I do?"
"Well, don't have anything to do with magic where they can see it. That sets them off. Be as muggle as you can, not because they have beaten you, but as a concession. Talk to Vernon, convince him that a cease fire will work in his favor. Getting rid of you sooner than your coming of age would be a great incentive. Dudley might be a bigger problem, you'll have to keep your distance. Petunia might be easier to manage."
"Lord Black can help you with the magical side of things. He knows many things you'll find very useful. Not only magic, but also how to act, what to do, dirt on many important people. He hates what his family tried to make him into, but he did get a lot of... what's the word... means? Okay, let's got with that. He has the means to make his will in the Wizarding world. Prestige, political power, economic power, even blackmail material, the Black family has a lot of push, and he is now the only living heir for all that power. Even on the run, once he escapes Azkaban, he can get a lot of things done as Lord Black. Just make sure he accepts that. And that he would be pranking his whole family by using his power as Lord Black the way he sees fit."
Harry nodded. "So. I have to trust him."
"And prank him. That would help you both. He needs the Marauders, or at least, people who won't take things so siriously; by the way, he just loves to do puns with his given name."
"Also, Dobby. The little guy practically worships you. You cannot ask for a more faithful friend. He can do a lot of things for you both, not only chores. And he needs to be bonded. His magic literally feeds from the family magic. Release him from the Malfoys and accept him as the Potter family elf. He could take care of Sirius while he recovers from his stay at Azkaban."
"I will, he risked everything to help me. Even if he did some things that caused some trouble." Harry rubbed his arm, where the bludger had broken it, in a misguided attempt from Dobby to keep him away from Hogwarts.
Shinji leaned back on the bench. "You'll need to check several things with Gringotts. Ask your account manager if you have any houses or places under the Fidelius. If you do, getting Dobby to take Sirius there should be no problem, house elves have an instinctive knowledge of their families' houses and properties. If you don't have any, ask the goblins if they can buy the basilisk in secret. That thing is worth a fortune once it has been rendered. One you won't have to share with anybody unless you want to. More than enough to pay for a decent place and a Fidelius."
"I think everybody who was petrified should get a share. Even Filch. On behalf of Mrs. Norris."
Shinji nodded his approval, "Maybe the guy could work for you, I don't know the story of his life, but being a squib at a magic school can't be good for him. He could be the caretaker for one of your places."
"I tought you knew everything." Harry smiled at his friend.
Shinji scoffed, "No, I only know what the books say. And it's been a while since I read them. There's a lot of stuff I don't know for sure, but I can make some educated guesses. There are many things the author didn't go into detail. That means you have to research things."
"An easy one: don't trust Fudge, the guy is completely bought by Lucius Malfoy, the only thing he cares for is to keep his power and prestige. That's why he sent Hagrid to Azkaban on the flimsiest evidence."
Harry closed his fists, "Yeah, he had to be seen doing something. It didn't matter to him that there was nothing to hint Hagrid had done anything wrong."
"His Undersecretary is even worse. Fudge is just a greedy and corrupt idiot with power, she is truly cruel and malicious. If she ever gets the chance, she will drag your name through the mud and worse. Delores Umbridge, remember the name. She must be removed from the Ministry, along with the Death Eaters who only work there to prepare it for Voldemort's return."
"Is there anybody I can trust?" Harry slumped.
"Yes. Amelia Bones, the boss of the DMLE, she's actually honest and competent. She has been sabotaged for years, her budgets slashed, few Auror candidates, spying. But if you manage to help her put the DMLE into shape, she will be one of your staunchest allies. Out of the Ministry? Sirius. Dobby. Hermione. Neville. Hey, even Luna Lovegood. She is quirky, but very perceptive. And not everybody in other houses is against you, despite all the trouble with your parseltongue ability."
Shinji hesitated. "This might be somewhat hypocritical coming from me, but you should reach out to other students, not only in Gryffindor. And not all Slytherins are Death Eaters in training. Some are actually terrified of Voldemort and his band of thugs, so they have to pretend to be on his side, to protect themselves and their families. Obviously, you need to be cautious, but having more support will only help you."
"What about Ron?"
Shinji sighed. "Look... I know he was your first friend, but..." he looked away. "Just... think about how he behaves and reacts, okay? He might grow up or he might drag you down. Hum... try to not judge everybody..." he swallowed and looked away, "my own best friend and I didn't meet in the best of circumstances." He shook his head.
They kept talking for a while longer, making plans. Suddenly, a musical chirping echoed through the empty train station. Shinji stood up. "I guess that's Fawkes, crying over your wound. Time for you to go back and deal with life again."
Impulsively, Harry hugged Shinji. "Thank you, for everything."
Shinji returned the hug. "Thank you, Harry. Have a great life." Harry's body began to dissolve into mist and little sparks of light. "Remember what we talked about."
"I-I will. I'll remember everything."
"Goodbye." Shinji waved at him, standing alone on the deserted platform.
Harry felt himself disappear. A tear fell on the floor. "Goodbye."
Harry allowed himself to be pulled back into his body, lying down in the Chamber of Secrets. His whole body hurt, especially his arm. He raised his head, and fumbled for his eyeglasses. Over him, Dumbledore's Phoenix blinked, a last tear fell on Harry's forearm, closing the wound and neutralizing the basilisk's poison.
Harry pressed his lips together, remembering the haunted looking teen. "Thank you, my friend."
Fawkes chirped a happy trill, and looked at Harry with his right eye, then the left.
"There's a lot to do, right? Let's get out of here. Can we get Ginny and Ron too?"
Fawkes nodded.
Author Notes:
This is one of my favorite stories to write. The original is at FFN, under the title “The Boy-Who-Lived and the Boy-Who-Broke.” It was born from a discussion I had with a friend, about the similarities and differences between Harry Potter and Shinji Ikari.
I will be crossposting the story from FFN, but rearranging the order of a few chapters. Or even joining two or more of the original chapters into a longer one.
The events in the first two Harry Potter books are canon for this story, up to the divergence point at the end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
I'm taking elements from the three canon versions of Evangelion. The main canon for this story is the TV series, along with End of Evangelion; but if a narrative element from the Manga or the Rebuild movies makes more sense to me, I will use them. IIRC, the manga version of Shinji was dumped with his uncle and aunt.