Chapter 8. Background 101.

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize? Not mine ...huddles in a corner and weeps...

Later they sat, drinking tea and looking over the gardens and lake. Yuki slowly sipped some of his green tea and then began to speak.

"The kitsune species has its own home dimension, which we are currently in, although many of us live peacefully in Japan and surrounding regions, where traditional culture melds magical and non-magical. Some kitsune really love technology, including Amaya, Kaminari, and Mai, my paid retainers. They take care of this manor and fulfill other tasks as needed -- the pay they receive is putting them through college -- they intend to stay in Japan once their degrees are completed. I am personally more traditional -- I believe I have a more balanced view of the world -- which is not to say that I am unable or unwilling to use magical or non-magical technology. However, my current occupation is as a high-level children's healer within the magical society of Japan. I am also one of the oldest kitsune -- the oldest, in fact -- at 1503 years old. Magically, kitsune gain elemental powers after their first century, but are instinctual illusionists and shapeshifters even as kits. We are resistant to directly-applied external magic from birth. Our magical powers expand with age with no apparent limit, thus, although I am a generally peaceful, retiring kitsune, I am the acknowledged leader of the species -- the next oldest kitsune have not passed the thousand-year mark. Kitsune easily pass for human -- my distinctive fox-traits are a personal affectation, not a necessity -- although a human-shifted kitsune retains one distinctive feature that reveals their origin, something different for each individual but that may be hidden by other means. Much like humans, we are a neutral-alignment species, but our tight links to kith and kin as well as nature mean that we are less likely to fall into the extreme good or evil categories. However, we can become extremely aggressive in our defense of kits, and have a 'the only good enemy is a dead enemy' policy, practically a species imperative, when harm to family is involved. Inter-species treaties uphold kitsune sovereignty in settling such matters. Harry-kun, the harm done to you is definitely not something I will forgive or forget."

Harry made as if to speak, but Yuki continued. "As a healer of children, I have seen many examples of abuse -- physical and emotional -- by family and strangers, by adults and other children. When it is an isolated event, the child usually recognizes that there was no fault on their part that led to the abuse. However, Harry-kun, when the abuse is long-term, when rather than an isolated situation there are multiple events, or worst, when the abuse is continuously applied, the child often comes to believe that he or she deserves the abuse. They will often defend their abusers or deny the abuse, having little to no faith in the ability or willingness of others to rescue them from their situation. A survival mechanism, perhaps, allowing the children to somehow survive an untenable position, allowing them some sense of control over their lives. The damage to these children -- if they survive the abuse -- lasts long after the actual abuse ends." Yuki sighed deeply, and took another sip of tea, while Harry stood frozen.

Yuki glanced over, then pulled him closer, allowing Harry to lean on him. "Harry-kun, child, what I may choose to do is in no way your fault. The moment I understood what had happened to you -- both recently and throughout your life -- I was bound to a course of action that would involve healing you and making certain that those who had hurt you or contributed to that hurt would pay for it in appropriate ways ... and consequently that they would either no longer have the willingness or be in a position to hurt another child ever again." Harry made a soft sound of dissent. "No, don't protest -- I would do so for any child." Yuki briefly cupped Harry's cheek. "Harry-kun, what I wish is for you is to stay here or in Japan. Yet know that regardless -- even if you choose to return to England -- I will go with you as your guardian."

Silence reigned for some time as they gazed over the gardens, Harry still leaning against Yuki. After awhile, Harry stirred. "Tell me about Japan?"

"Japanese magical society, which is the culture many kitsune are immersed in, schools its children alongside the non-magical population -- certain schools have additional classes covering magical subjects -- and children are expected to start specializing in their mid-teens, with individualized tutoring occurring during school breaks. There are advanced magical classes offered at the university level, as well as the standalone Magical University of Tokyo. Some choose to take apprenticeships instead of or in addition to university study. Older teenagers are required to act as tutors for children with little or no previous magical family background. Underage children are allowed to perform magic outside of school and during school breaks, with various fines and penalties imposed for the use of harmful or property-damaging spells and egregious acts against others. Overall, the human and nonhuman magical populations of Japan live harmoniously with each other and the non-magical world." He hummed thoughtfully. "It is not perfect, of course. Yet the different people are united by common beliefs -- in honor, in harmony -- and the inter-species treaties ensure that there is a balance of power between the different groups. The culture is very different from what you are used to, having grown up in England -- but good will and politeness will help smooth over most cultural gaffes."

Harry took a deep breath. "I still don't understand," he huffed, "I don't understand why you would care enough to take me on. I don't see what you get out of it, but what I do know is that Voldie ran away from you and you torched quite a few of the Death Munchers. You healed and fed me -- which is better treatment than I have received from the Dursleys -- and you are giving me a choice -- more than I have been given by Dumbledore and his crowd. I... but..." he huffed, angrily, "there's a prophecy." He closed his eyes and turned his face away, not wanting to see Yuki's expression. He huffed, again.

"Kit, look at me." A gentle hand gripped his chin and slowly turned his head around, then tipped it up. "Open your eyes." Harry now stared straight at Yuki, who smiled at him, a smile which reached the eyes. "It is fine. Do you think I have spent my many years without running across a prophecy or two? Or more? I can even guess what it says -- the Chosen One will have to kill the Dark One, or vice versa -- don't they all? And you are the Chosen One, or so those idiots in Britain would have you believe. Because, of course, all good stories involve the poor orphan triumphing over the odds, defeating the evil wizard or witch or dragon, with limited magical help from some old wizard... or fairy godmother." Harry just blinked at him. "Che."

The kitsune laughed, pressing Harry closer to him. "Prophecies, chibi, prophecies are for prey. For sheep. Are you a sheep, Harry-kun?" Harry glared at the outrageous comment. "I thought not. So, what do you think?"

"Voldemort killed my parents. He's tried to kill me again and again. Dumbledore told me that I am the only one that can kill him -- according to the prophecy -- but has not given me a shred of training. My yearly near-death experiences can be laid as much at the Headmaster's feet as at Voldie's. My horrible childhood -- at Dumbledore's and the Dursleys'. I don't care what Dumbledore thinks -- I want them all out of my life."

"Then stay. As I said -- those people -- I will treat them appropriately." The ensuing smile was truly toothsome. "My kit."

"Yes."

Half the world away, the shredded Privet Drive wards gave out completely, and the explosion of some remnant shiny knickknacks singed a resting phoenix.