Chapter 25: The Breaking Point
July 15, 1996: Early afternoon.
Harry slipped back into his own mind, Damn!
THOSE DEMONS MUST BE VANQUISHED!
Dementors are demons?
WHAT ELSE COULD THEY BE?
Dementors are shades, a type of ghost, similar to a poltergeist.
Did you see what happened?
No, I heard all of it in your head though. So Voldemort doesn't know where we are.
Let's stay put until we hear from Professor Dumbledore though.
Why?
I need the break from all our practice sessions.
You need a break? I'm the one who can barely get up in the morning these days.
Sorry, can I help you in any way?
Yes, give me some attention. I'm not made of glass now you know.
I think we may want our own room for that.
We have a copy of our room in here. I summoned the Room of Requirement remember.
Oh, good idea.
Thank you, let's head upstairs then.
Harry opened his eyes and regretfully sat up. His head had been quite comfortable resting in Hermione's lap. Everyone else was sitting at the study tables eating lunch. He no longer felt hungry after what he had witnessed. He stood and everyone looked over at him expectantly. Hermione's hand found its way into his though she still sat upon the couch. He ran the fingers of his free hand through his unruly hair, "We're going to go find a room and take a nap. I think we should wait for word from Professor Dumbledore before we leave the Room of Requirement though. Until then I think we should find rooms and settle in, it could be a while."
Emma looked at him sympathetically and asked, "What about your lunch dear?"
He shook his head, "After nearly killing Professor McGonagall I don't feel like eating just yet." He didn't have the heart to tell them about Mundungus yet; that could wait until later.
Professor McGonagall looked at him sharply, her fork paused halfway to her mouth, "Mr. Potter you do yourself no good to fret. I hold you blameless for the Lethifold incident sit and eat. There will be plenty of time for napping later." She jabbed pointedly at the two empty seats with her fork.
Harry swore Dumbledore's twinkle had found its way to her eyes; she knew they were not going upstairs to sleep. Sadly he nodded and pulled Hermione down into the chair across from her parents, "All right, what do we have?"
Half an hour later, their stomachs full, Harry and Hermione headed upstairs. The Evanses had started asking questions and after sharing a quick glance had decided to let Dan and Emma answer them. They heard Professor McGonagall beginning to lecture about something as they finally reached the top of the tower. Normally this was where the Head Boy, Girl dorm was. Instead they found their room from Grimmauld Place.
Once they were inside the room Hermione pulled out Harry's wand and locked the door with a quick coloportus spell. Harry was already shedding his clothes as he walked towards the bed. She quickly joined him, similarly stripping. He hung his sword belt from the hook next to the bed and his glasses went onto the table beneath the sword. Hermione stuck his wand through the loop in his sword belt. They stood a moment facing each other beside the bed, naked.
He grabbed her violently around the waist and pulled her against him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and hung onto his neck while he spun them around. Then he tried to throw her onto the bed but she held onto him so tightly he found himself pulled along with her. His weight pressed her down hard against the bed. He snarled like an animal while he kissed and sucked his way from her earlobe down to her collarbone. His hands flitted over her, squeezing and pinching wherever he paused.
Come on animal, take me I'm yours!
In answer he slipped down and roughly pulled her left nipple into his mouth. He sucked hard while grabbing her other breast tightly. She moaned and squirmed, twisting her leg's tighter around his chest. She still held tightly to his neck, her fingers twined into his hair. He released her nipple and pounced on the other. After giving it a thorough sucking he slipped down between her legs. She released his head and stretched her legs wide for him. Snarling again he dove into her, licking and sucking on her softest flesh. She tried desperately to stay still but he was moving so fast and violently she was shoved around on the bed. He stopped several times and pulled her back to the middle. There he resumed his work between her legs.
OH, HARRY!
He felt her tremble while he was flicking her with the tip of his tongue.
Take me now!
He pulled away from her and crawled over her, his eyes were wild with desire. He slammed his erection into her, she bit her lip at the roughness of his entry. He held onto her shoulders and started thrusting violently. Her legs loosely around him she pulled his mouth down to hers. They breathed into one another as she joined him in the violence of their passion. The taste of blood from her lip drove him wilder. Their mouths were sealed together, tongues warring with one another. Teeth clashed and nostrils flared as each of them worked relentlessly, confirming their bond sweat covered them both. He finally exploded deep within her. He rose over her, panting hard and dripping his sweat onto her where it pooled with hers. She dragged her nails across his chest, leaving ten thin red lines, and purred up at him. He collapsed onto her and she threw the sheet over them.
Purrfect!
Glad you liked it
Loved it!
Your turn next time
All right.
He gently cupped her left breast and kissed her neck. She snuggled closer and they drifted off to sleep.
*** *** ***
Several hours later they were awoken abruptly by the sound of singing. This was no ordinary song it was phoenix song! Hermione leapt out of bed and started throwing her clothes back on. Harry was only a moment behind her. They looked entirely unprepared as they unlocked the door and ran out of the room and down the stairs. Everyone else was already collected, Fawkes slowly circled the common room as he sang. Even Mary stood in rapt attention, a joyous smile plastered across her face. Mark and Melony were sitting on the bottom stair. Hedwig was perched calmly on Mark's shoulder while Melony cradled Crookshanks in her lap. When Harry and Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs Fawkes landed on Hedwig's perch. Only then did they realize that he had a roll of parchment clutched in one foot. Professor McGonagall walked over to him and he held the scroll out to her. When she took it Fawkes leapt into the air and vanished. Everyone let out the breath they had been holding. The spell they seem to have all been under broke, and everyone started talking at once while Professor McGonagall broke the seal and started reading the letter.
"What was that?" - "Yea mummy what was that?" - "I don't know dears; it was beautiful though wasn't it." Harry walked over to Professor McGonagall and Hermione started explaining, "That was Fawkes, you saw him outside earlier didn't you? He is Professor Dumbledore's phoenix they are very powerful magical creatures." - "Oh, we missed him earlier." - "Yeah he wuddn't there when you came runnin out."
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. Everyone grew silent and turned to look at her. She was smiling, "Albus writes, Sherbert lemon drops are dandy would you fancy a candy?" Hermione giggled as she walked to the door while everyone else looked blankly after her. Harry quickly followed and was right behind her when she opened the door. Professor Dumbledore with Fawkes perched on his shoulder, stood at the top of the landing smiling at them. He held a small crumpled paper bag in one hand and held it out to them. A rather embarrassed looking Remus stood beside him while Alisa Slate waited impatiently off to the side. As usual she seemed ready to attack anyone who appeared threatening.
Professor Dumbledore greeted them, "That was an excellent concealment charm Minerva. Lemon drops anyone?"
Hermione walked to Professor Dumbledore, still grinning, and took a lemon drop from the bag.
Professor McGonagall looked at him sheepishly they seemed to share a private conversation before Minerva said, "Shall we just say I was inspired by the moment and leave it at that?"
Professor Dumbledore bowed his head slightly, "If you wish."
Harry walked straight to Remus, "So what happened? Are you all right?"
A pained look went through his eyes, "Tonks will never let me live this down. I was taking a report from her. She had gone to relieve Mundungus and couldn't find him anywhere. Finally she found his wand, atop a rubbish bin. That was when she went to the fireplace and reported in. I tried to run outside and tell Professor Dumbledore but forgot I had been leaning inside the fireplace. I stood up inside and cracked my skull hard. Then apparently I couldn't figure out which way to go so I stumbled into the pantry then back into the hallway and that's where you found me. I'm terribly sorry to have added to the confusion instead of doing my job of collecting reports."
Hermione, who had come over while he talked, hugged him tightly while Harry squeezed his shoulder. Professor Dumbledore looked at him sharply, "Nonsense, it was an excellent exercise."
Tell him what you saw, when you spied on Voldemort.
Ok
Harry and Hermione stepped away from Remus she slipped beside Harry, "Um Professor, I um, spied on Voldemort."
Professor Dumbledore looked over his half-moon spectacles at him, "Did you now? Go on Harry."
"First I don't think he was aware of me. I did learn that he is trying to find me, to try and kill me. I know this is nothing new but I did learn that he had kidnapped Mundungus and tried to get him to reveal where I am. Dung was only able to tell him that we were hiding in a house and that you were the keeper of the secret. I don't think Voldemort knows the spell the house is protected with yet, Wormtail pronounced it all wrong and he didn't correct him. Mundungus didn't tell him anything else, uh, before he died." He hung his head and took a deep breath before continuing, "Before the dementors went out of control and got him."
Professor McGonagall, Dan, Emma, Remus and Alisa let out a collective gasp. The Evanses looked around blankly Hermione looked at them sadly, "A dementor is a type of ghost or poltergeist. It kills by taking away your soul and, and feeding on it."
Mary clutched Mark and Melony close to her, Jon put his arm around her small shoulders and asked, "Is that why we're here?"
Professor Dumbledore stepped close to them holding out his crumpled bag of lemon drops, "To prevent such things, yes." The four of them seemed to be unaware that they each reached out and took a lemon drop from his bag. When they each had one in their mouth he put away the bag and stepped back, "That is terrible news Harry. Though I had feared as much, we will have to implement teams, no member of the order works alone on anything. Now, I believe we have kept the High Mage waiting quite long enough Harry would you do the honors?" He gestured towards the blank wall.
We still need to prove to the Evanses that you know your stuff.
How about letting them and your parents watch this session?
Excellent idea!
Harry started pacing in front of the blank wall while Hermione addressed them all, "With your permission Alisa, we would like to invite everyone inside to witness today's training. Mark here is about to start at Hogwarts and his parents have questions about the existence of magic and Harry's abilities."
Alisa looked around affronted, "Well we will soon put an end to such thoughts." She turned her attention to the tight cluster that was the Evans family, "Mr. Potter is one of the strongest practitioners of the magical arts that I have seen. Along with Miss Granger's intelligence and finesse they will be an unbeatable team."
The door reappeared and Harry pulled it open to reveal the now familiar practice room. A large hard packed sand arena with a stone maze on the far side, several immense stones were scattered about. There was one minor change instead of a classroom section several rows of aluminum bleachers had appeared. Harry went inside and Hermione followed just behind him.
Alisa turned to Professor Dumbledore, "Chief Warlock, would you please prevent any collateral damage to those unable to defend themselves."
Professor Dumbledore looked over his spectacles at her, "Of course Miss. Slate."
Should we link?
I think it would be best but not in front of everyone.
Let's go over behind one of the pillars and then come back.
All right.
Harry and Hermione walked briskly across the open portion of the arena and disappeared into the maze of stone. Everyone else started filing inside, Dan and Emma looked around eagerly they knew this would be special. The Evanses had all visibly calmed but still looked around apprehensively as they came and sat on the bleachers. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall moved to stand on either end of the seating area and drew their wands. Heads bent close Alisa and Remus walked out into the arena talking quietly. As they reached the center Harry and Hermione came back from the maze. Harry had out Godric's sword and Hermione's wand Hermione held his wand ready. Alisa drew her wand and sword. Remus' wand seemed to appear in his hand. Fawkes flew slowly around the room and then landed on Mary's shoulder. She flinched at first but he seemed to pull her up. Soon she was sitting up straight and tall.
Harry and Alisa came within a few meters before stopping. Remus and Hermione were three meters behind them and off to one side. Professor Dumbledore addressed the room, "This will be a team duel, Harry and Hermione versus Alisa and Remus. In team dueling one partner is assigned to attack and one to defend. Harry and Alisa will be in the attack role as we begin I expect a fair duel. Make no mistakes the spells about to be unleashed are very potent and quite deadly. Minerva…"
Professor McGonagall raised her wand and a wall of crystal rose from the ground. It continued rising until it was three meters tall then a ceiling of the same material sealed the viewing area off from the rest of the room. Professor Dumbledore touched his wand to the barrier and the enclosure shimmered. He stepped back and spoke again, "We will begin on my mark, one, two, and three… Begin!"
Alisa's blade snapped towards Harry's heart like a whip. Godric's sword met it in a shower of magical energy. Remus and Hermione watched everything intently while Alisa and Harry became a blur of blades.
SHE HAS LEARNED TO ANTICIPATE YOU.
Then I will have to be unpredictable eh?
Careful Harry, give me that wand arm.
Done
This is really tricky. I have to keep switching my concentration between my body and yours. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
Do the best you can.
Oh damn, bye!
Alisa withdrew quickly and started to cast, her wand pointing a few meters over Harry's head. Hermione's eyes opened wide when she heard the words to Alisa's spell, she ran close to Harry and brought an icy barrier into existence around them. Remus also seemed startled by Alisa's spell and quickly did the same for himself and Alisa. The audience saw a large blanket of fire fall on top of Hermione's shield. The fire exploded outwards and the shockwave was felt through the ground by those inside the protective barrier. For a brief moment the enclosed viewing area seemed to be floating inside a volcano. When it cleared Harry stood among the smoke and rubble of Hermione's dome, casting his next attack. Hermione was still crouched low but quickly stood and looked around them. Remus' shield still shimmered over him and Alisa. Harry finished his incantation and their barrier collapsed as though a giant had stepped upon it. Alisa and Remus rolled to the sides and leapt to their feet, both of them had gashes on their legs. Alisa thrust her wand at Harry, sword blades shot forth from her wand. Hermione gestured with her wand and a two meter tall stone wall between them and the flying blades. The sound of the blades burying themselves deeply into the stone was deafening but they appeared unable to pierce it.
Harry, his view of Alisa now blocked by Hermione's wall, pointed Godric's sword at the ceiling over Alisa and a blue bolt of lightning shot forth. It slammed into the rafters and they exploded revealing a black nothing beyond the outer wall of the Room of Requirement. The lightning turned into hundreds of miniature bolts which rained down. Alisa looked at the falling shards, mouth agape. Remus darted to her side and wrapped his left arm around her waist. They vanished just as the shards landed where they had been standing. Harry whirled to face the maze; Remus released Alisa and stepped back. She looked sharply at Remus, smiled grimly and turned back to face Harry and Hermione. The four of them stood, wands and swords pointed at one another. Red and gold sparks were dancing around Harry they sparks reached out to engulf Hermione as well.
Fawkes suddenly appeared between the four of them and started singing while he hovered. The barrier protecting the bleachers vanished. Dan, Emma, Mark, and Melony started clapping excitedly Jon and Mary looked shocked. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall smiled approvingly, quietly clapping. They saw Hermione put away her wand and turn Harry to face her. They could not hear what was said but the sparks soon faded. He finally put away his wand and sword and she crushed him into a hug. Only then did Alisa relax and put away her sword and wand. Remus' wand vanished so quickly they were unsure if he had actually put it away as he and Alisa walked towards the stands.
Harry was withdrawn and would not look at anyone as they all filed out. Hermione was nearly dragging him along, "We need to go to our room for a little while and get cleaned up. See you all at dinner."
Dan quickly hugged her while Emma patted Harry on the shoulder, "Of course dear, thanks for that experience. Let us know if we can help in any way all right?"
Hermione smiled at them, "Thanks dad."
She ushered Harry into their room and was about to close the door when she heard Melony start talking to Mark excitedly, "They're like real superheroes aren't they? I bet Harry is Superman, Hermione must be Wonder Woman, oh this is so cool. I wonder where Wolverine and Storm are? I can't wait to meet them all." Hermione shook her head and closed the door. Harry had gone to the couch by the window. He sat nervously twining the long strand of his mother's hair around his fingers while he looked absently out the window. She went over to him and sat close beside him, "All right, we're alone. Tell me what happened in there. Why did you loose control like that? You were no longer dueling, I felt the change, you, you wanted them dead."
He sighed and finally looked up to meet her eyes. They told her he was scared and when he spoke it was in a dead monotone, "I'm not safe to be around."
"Nonsense Harry, I am not afraid of you in the slightest. If you're trying to scare me away it won't work."
He shook his head her sharp reply seemed to have pulled his emotions back where they belonged, "No, it's not you, it's everyone else who needs to worry. I suddenly felt like they were attacking you. That's when I snapped. I went berserk, tunnel vision and all. Whatever it took I wanted to eliminate the threat to you."
"That shouldn't be happening anymore. Now that I have your soul, and the piece that Voldemort left behind. You should be free of his influence, oh wait. Maybe that's not the side that caused this. You over-reacted when you thought I was in danger. Not out of hatred towards them?"
He nodded morosely looking back out the window, "Yeah, I think so, I can't say it won't happen again either."
She asked softly, touching his arm hesitantly, "It was after I left wasn't it."
His head whipped back to her, his tone softened, "Definitely, while you were with me I felt completely safe. You sounded so panicked when you left. It was almost immediately after that, that I lost it."
She grew more confident that she understood what he had been going through, "So because you didn't understand what I was doing you felt I was in danger?"
His answer was barely a whisper, "yeah."
"Hmm, next time I will try to keep you informed then through our link. I didn't want to distract you from what you were doing but maybe we should risk it."
He looked back at her, meeting her steady gaze, "I definitely need the reassurance of you in my head."
She stood up, pulling him up with her, "Ok Superman, I'm going to take a quick shower and get rid of all this dried sweat and dirt. Then we'll head down for dinner Snape should be here right after that for your Occulmency lesson."
He grimaced at that, "You know he always gives me headaches. I wish I could skip it tonight but I guess I shouldn't." He seemed to catch up with her, "Superman where did that come from?"
She laughed, "Apparently we made a big impression on Melony. I heard her telling Mark that you were Superman, wait until she sees the way you fly! Oh, I'm Wonder Woman by the way, nice to meet you." She pretended to shake his hand and laughed again, this time he started laughing to. The lock of Lily's hair went back into his pocket and together they went into the bathroom for a quick shower and change.
*** *** ***
Albus, Minerva, Alisa and Remus went straight to the parlor from the Room of Requirement. Dan and Emma called the Evanses into the dining room where they all started talking excitedly about the battle they had witnessed. Minerva asked worriedly, "What was that about Albus?"
He slowly removed his spectacles and wiped them clean on his robe, "I can only speculate that Harry began to loose control. Let us be thankful that he responds, as he always has, to Miss Granger's ministrations."
Alisa asked worriedly, "Chief Warlock, should he continue to loose control he could cause great harm!"
Albus carefully replaced his glasses on his crooked nose, "Indeed that is the risk we have taken. Awakening the full potential of the powers within his young frame is bound to cause such disturbances."
Minerva exclaimed, "Albus, he blew a hole in the Room of Requirement. No one has ever been able to harm the room itself!"
Albus sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs, he suddenly looked all of his one hundred and fifty three years, "Minerva what would you have me do? His soul is so tortured that only through locking out everyone else has he survived. For the first time in his life he trusts someone. Nothing can be allowed to break that trust or what we have witnessed today will be but the beginning. That one young lady is the key to everything. If we loose her then Harry will destroy Voldemort and then replace him as the next Dark Lord. She is his anchor to the light, the reason he will not turn to the dark." He sighed, "I am tired it has been weeks since I rested. Remus handle my training sessions with Harry for the next week. Do not push him for now, let him become accustomed to the skills he has. Let us give him until his birthday to become comfortable, then we will push and see how he does then, Alisa please do the same. Minerva, tell Severus to train Miss Granger for the next week, alone, let Harry rest. All of you must above all, protect them while I am gone."
Minerva quickly said reassuringly, "Of course Albus, see you in a week then."
Alisa stood up straight, "As you wish Chief Warlock, rest well."
"We will do what we can Professor," Remus added softly.
Dumbledore nodded, "Good - Fawkes!" The phoenix appeared hovering over Albus. He reached up and wrapped his long fingers around the magnificent tail. Then with a soft pop they both vanished.
Professor McGonagall shook her head, "I hope he didn't push himself too long this time."
Remus stood up and nodded, "Agreed, I will see to our muggles for now, after all that's what I was hired for." He bowed to Minerva and Alisa, "Ladies," then turned and walked into the dining room where the Grangers were keeping the Evanses company.
Alisa remarked sharply, "That boy is a weapon. I hope we all realize he is under no one's control."
Minerva met the High Mage's steely gaze with her own, "Control? No Miss Slate. That is how V-Voldemort works I trust Harry's morals and his instincts. He always does what is right, it may not seem that way but he does."
"We shall see - I can only hope you are correct, good evening Deputy Headmistress." Alisa bowed and walked to the front door. Winky appeared by the door and let her out.
Winky closed the door and turned to face the dining room, "Dinner be ready now." She snapped her long fingers and the massive table was covered in heaping platters of mouth watering food.
Remus was telling people where to sit along the table. He also started to explain to the Evanses just what some of the foods were. Minerva chuckled to herself, Guess I will have to settle in here until Albus returns, take care of him Fawkes. She walked into the entrance hall and saw Harry and Hermione coming down the stairs. They had showered and cleaned up, good; they had looked particularly terrible since their nap was interrupted earlier. Harry appeared completely recovered and was even joking about putting a large S on his shirt for some bizarre reason. She shook her head in wonder, she would never understand muggle raised.
*** *** ***
Hermione sat across from Professor Snape at a table in a small room that had been set aside for the Occulmency lessons. "Miss Granger, I am sure you have read much about this. Please try and ignore your reading and do it my way for once?"
She calmly replied, "I will try sir."
He grimaced, "Well we'll see, start by clearing your mind of everything. I will be trying to read your memories of how you got your cat. Try to make me see something unrelated or nothing at all." She nodded and composed herself, wand in hand.
"Legilimens," Hermione was receiving Crookshanks from her parents. He was a black and white kitten. She saw Professor Snape pull his wand upwards, "Stop, Crookshanks is orange not black and white correct?" She nodded, "Well that was precisely what you should be doing Miss Granger. Maybe you actually learned something in those books after all."
"Thank you Professor Snape, may I try now?"
His eyes betrayed only mild surprise, "Of course, if you wish. What memory will you be seeking?"
"I want to know how you can have some of the traits of a vampire and yet not be one?"
He sat back and his eyebrows lifted, "And just what makes you believe I have vampiric abilities?"
"Well after you assigned us a lesson on werewolves Professor Lupin assigned us one on vampires. I'm guessing he knows something about you like you do about him."
He shrugged his shoulders, "Waste your time on foolishness if you like."
"Legilimens," Hermione felt like she had run into a brick wall. Surely there was an impression of a brick in her forehead.
Professor Snape calmly sneered at her from across the table, "Are you ready to try now girl?"
She gathered her will and tried again, "Legilimens!" Once again she hit a solid wall of resistance. Her vision blurred briefly before she gave up trying.
"That is what you must learn to overcome. I could just as easily take your probe and twist it to what I desired. Sometimes it is wiser to deceive those probing your thoughts. Other times it is more important that they learn nothing from you. The best practitioners of Occulmens will fool an expert into thinking they are seeing what really happened when instead they are seeing a total fabrication of the truth. Please try and focus more on our next session. Potter is better than you at this, I'm confident that will provide you with enough incentive to work harder." He quickly stood and strode from the room, his robes billowing behind him like a pair of folded batwings. Hermione rubbed her temples, now she understood why Harry kept getting headaches from this.
*** *** ***
July 16, 1996: Evening.
The next evening after their training session with Remus had ended, Hermione presented Professor McGonagall with the book list that she and Harry had agreed upon for next year. "There are some excellent choices here Miss Granger. Some of these books are hard to come by. Has Harry read them all yet? And have you started working on a course plan yet?"
Hermione looked down, blushing slightly, "We should be done with the course plan in another week. I will show them to you when we finish. Harry is still working on reading through the book list. Give him another two weeks and he should be done with them."
"Excellent, well, I think we will at last be properly educating our students to protect themselves."
"Professor Dumbledore gave us a mandate. He wants every student at Hogwarts to be able to defend themselves from Death Eaters and anything else. That is the focus of the Defense classes the entire semester, from first through seventh years."
Minerva chuckled, "He really did enjoy the name of your little group last year Miss Granger." She frowned and looked off into the distance, "Yes build an army. That we must dear, that we must." She patted Hermione on the shoulder before tucking the parchment into her pocket and slipping into the night.
*** *** ***
July 21, 1996
It had taken considerable effort on everyone's part but by the end of the first week the Evanses had finally been integrated into the life of Grimmauld Place. Dobby had transformed the music room into a suite of three bedrooms and another bathroom for them. Since they were all confined to the house they took to spending afternoons in the Room of Requirement. Usually Hermione summoned a park she had often been to and they spent quite a bit of time relaxing there. It was large enough to give the illusion of really being outside. Harry always brought his Firebolt on those excursions. Though they usually flew slowly Harry and Hermione would often glide around the park, practicing their coordination in the air. Harry had even taken Mark and then a trembling Melony on a breakneck broom-ride around the park. The next day he managed to get Mary to fly with him, though he had to promise to fly considerably slower.
July 23, 1996: Morning
On Monday Professor McGonagall arrived at Grimmauld place with four letters. Three of them were official Hogwarts letters, one each for Harry, Hermione, and Mark. The fourth letter was addressed to Harry and Hermione from Ron. Pig had apparently delivered the letter to Azkaban where the new wizard guards had forwarded it on to Minerva at Hogwarts.
Hello Harry and Hermione,
We're back from Switzerland. That place is wicked cold! Did you see the Quibbler? Luna's dad got me on the cover with the photo's I took of Snorkacks. Yep we, I mean me found them! They are actually about a centimeter long, live in colonies and eat leaves. They say I will get a 5,000 galleon prize for discovering a new species. Isn't that just amazing? I'm going to buy all new clothes and stuff for school first. I did offer to do the same for Ginny but mum said she wanted to buy her own stuff. I hope we can visit you for your birthday at least.
Oh, I was wrong about Luna, she is amazing!
See you soon, I hope.
Ron
"We need to write him back today and invite them over this weekend."
Harry seemed only mildly surprised by her suggestion, "All right let's do that. Ron and Luna for the weekend,
we all need to talk."
She nodded, "Yes definitely."
Harry bent over his schedule and tried to decipher it; he was teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts but the rest looked very different than what he was used to seeing on his class schedule. The day was divided up into five periods, two before lunch, two after lunch, and one after dinner. Except for the weekend nearly every period on his chart was filled in. He was teaching Monday through Thursday both mornings and afternoons. Friday and his evening sessions were filled with his own classes, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and Care of Magical Creatures.
Hermione had been studying her own schedule at the same time. At first glance she appeared to have a lot of free time; there were a lot of blank spaces on her schedule. Professor McGonagall started explaining, "You will note Miss Granger that with the exceptions of Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, which you are taking at the normal times with your classmates, your remaining schedule has been adjusted to match Mr. Potter's. The two of you will be attending special sessions with each instructor, those instructors have been informed to modify their subject matter to better prepare you to face V-Voldemort."
Hermione asked, "Professor McGonagall what does Instructional time mean?"
"I have set aside those times for you to assist Mr. Potter with his classes. Normally you would be attending Defense Against the Dark Arts at those times. Since I have been informed that you will be taking your Defense N.E.W.T. with Mr. Potter in four weeks you will have met your Defense requirements. I leave it to your discretion to decide just what help he needs from day to day, be it grading papers or assisting in preparation."
Hermione asked slightly embarrassed, "Professor McGonagall what about our um, accommodations?"
Professor McGonagall looked at her and smiled, "That depends on one thing Miss Granger, will you be wed or not?"
Hermione glanced at Harry and they seemed to reach a conclusion, "We have been trying to decide where to have it. A few weeks ago we went to Godric's Hollow, have you seen it recently?"
She looked over their heads, her eyes unfocused, "Not in ages, since before, well before what happened there happened."
"Well actually it looks wonderful now and we want to have the wedding on the Quidditch pitch there. We want to bring happiness back there, you know show we are not going to bow to his fear tactics."
Professor McGonagall put her hand to her mouth and looked about to weep a moment later her eyes regained their normal sharp focus, "Oh my, that sounds so touching, are you sure you are up to this?"
Harry seemed resolute when he replied, "No not really but I don't really see any other choice. We have eliminated every other choice leaving there as the only acceptable location."
Professor McGonagall nodded, "And just when do you plan on this occurring?"
"The Sunday before the N.E.W.T. exam, that would be August 25th. Winky is working on the invitations now, they should go out tomorrow. We still want to keep the wedding small."
Professor McGonagall nodded again, "Well to answer your prior question, you may share the Defense Professor's rooms, they should be sufficient to your needs."
*** *** ***
July 24, 1996: Evening.
Three days ago Hermione had at last told Winky and Dobby to clean the master suite, now it was done. Harry was slumped on the large sofa he had just moved back under the window for the second time. Hermione was still pacing, looking critically around the room with a slight frown on her lips. They had just finished arranging the furniture and their belongings for the fifth time of the night. He looked over at her, "Forget it; everything is staying where it is for tonight at least."
Her frown deepened for a moment then she smiled at him, "I think I like it, let's give it a week, see how we like it all right." He laid his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes, obviously relieved. "Harry we need to replace the ward we have on the back of our left hands. Those weak ones won't really do us much good in a real fight and now we know how to do Dumbledore's greater shield."
He rolled off the couch and onto his feet pulling out Godric's sword in a single fluid motion, gone was any hint of exhaustion, he had obviously been pretending for her benefit. He held out his left hand to her, she quickly came to him and took it. They stood looking into one another's eyes for a moment then she pulled out his wand and cast, "Legilimens!"
He started channeling energy into her immediately. Much better! - Agreed - We need to dispel the old wards first don't we? - Yes just trigger them then dispel them. Harry quickly kissed the back of her left hand and then cast, "Finite Incantatem!" As soon as his ward vanished Hermione brought his left hand to her lips, she was also very quick to cast, "Finite Incantatem!" All right that's finished, we should cast these through Godric's sword to make them impervious to Avada Kedavra - Ok, let's cast it on you first. They slipped into the now familiar mode of linked minds and pointed Godric's sword tip at the back of Hermione's left hand. Together they cast, "Wardus Maxus Skeldum!" The tip of the sword touched her hand just as they finished speaking and a small blue circle appeared then vanished into her skin. He silently handed her the sword and they repeated the casting this time on Harry's left hand. Done, I feel much better now that those are in place - Hmm I'm feeling a bit frisky let's go try out the new bed - Mr. Potter you read my mind - Mrs. Potter it really isn't all that hard these days since we are linked. Her laughter rang in his head as she slipped back into her own mind.
*** *** ***
July 27, 1996: Early morning
The sun was just peeking through the trees when Luna stepped onto her porch. She walked around to the side to retrieve her broom, rucksack dangling negligently from her left hand. She rounded the corner and stopped in her tracks, there was a phoenix perched on the railing beside her broom! She met the phoenix's steely gaze and was frozen in place. The gaze seemed to penetrate her evaluating and judging, she was held by that steady gaze. Then the magnificent bird ducked its head and the spell was broken. She followed its gaze and realized that it held a letter in one clawed foot. She dropped her rucksack and slowly reached for the note, when her fingers touched it the phoenix released it and launched himself into the air. She again stood frozen as it beat its wings twice and vanished into the morning sunrise. She looked down at the note and recognized the seal of Headmaster Dumbledore. Breaking the seal she read the letter carefully.
Miss Lovegood,
You will find Harry Potter at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London. You will remember that address when the time comes. Release this parchment, it's afire!
Albus
Startled she quickly let go and jumped back. It hovered in place while the flames consumed it utterly. When the smoke vanished she came back to her senses.
Brain?
Yes?
Oh, excellent you are still functional after all. Evaluate and analyze what just happened.
Items:
Analysis:
Oh, he won't even be out of bed yet.
Now you are late!
Argh!
She hated it when she argued with her brain, somehow it always won. She quickly picked up her rucksack and threading the shoulder strap over her broom handle launched her self into the air.
Twenty minutes later she landed on the back porch of The Burrow. Through the window she could see Remus and Molly sitting at the table. She pulled her rucksack off of her broom handle and put it onto her shoulder. She noticed Remus was eating - Molly had probably forced it on him. She was forever forcing food onto others - maybe that's what mothers did? Maybe she thought that if Remus ate more he would handle his lycanthropy better. She suddenly burst into laughter as she opened the back door and walked inside, the image of a grossly fat werewolf whos scrawny limbs couldn't move it in her head. Molly and Remus turned and looked at her sharply but she ignored them. She leaned her broom beside Ronald's against the wall and dropped her rucksack beside his on the floor. They both said good morning to her but she was still too distracted by her mental image of the werewolf, which continued to struggle to move, to notice them. She walked to the icebox and rummaged around before finding what she was looking for. She walked back to the table, brushing off the chilled turnip on her jeans as she walked. When she finally sat beside Molly she had managed to stop laughing, "Do I need to wake Ronald?"
Remus shook his head, and then swallowed before answering her, "No after I got here this morning I went and got him moving. He was in the shower when I came down a few minutes ago. Did you receive a visitor this morning?" Luna nodded vigorously, her mouth full of raw turnip. "Good," Remus turned his attention back to Molly, "I think there will be plenty of adult supervision Molly. The Grangers are there along with myself and the Evanses. Minerva has been spending quite a lot of time there this week as well."
Molly didn't look particularly encouraged by that, "Well just try and keep them out of trouble. You know how the three of them are and Luna isn't precisely the voice of reason you know."
Remus and Luna nodded, strangely both in agreement with Molly, they shared a quick glance and a small smile. Remus finished his eggs and they heard Ronald come thundering down the stairs, for all the noise he made it might as well have been a centaur charging down the stairs. The image of centaur Ronald set her laughing again and that's how Ron found them a minute later.
He rushed into the kitchen and launched himself at the pile of eggs and sausages Molly had set out for him. Through his full mouth he started trying to speak then stopped quickly when Luna's shoe abruptly found his shin. He swallowed then asked, "Mum, where's my stuff?" As soon as the words were out of his mouth he shoveled more food into it.
Molly looked at him over her Daily Prophet, "Beside your broom, where you left it last night."
He looked over by the door and then blushed when he saw his rucksack.
Luna decided to take pity on him and remove him from the focus of attention, "How are we getting there Remus?"
"Well we are going to floo to The Leaky Cauldron then Tonks will drive us from there. The car ride will be about an hour." He glanced at his watch and looked up startled, "We need to meet her in five minutes, hurry Ron."
Luna was astonished that Ronald managed to finish the entire plate in time to leave. Molly wiped his face with her dish rag before wishing them well. Ron picked up Luna's rucksack and handed it to her before picking up his own and heading to the fireplace. Remus was already standing there floo powder ready in his hand, "See you there, don't take a wrong turn." He threw the powder at his feet and declared clearly, "The Leaky Cauldron!"
Luna put her wand into a pocket of her rucksack before stepping into the fireplace and taking a handful of powder from Molly. She hoped Remus would be out of the way as she threw the powder at her feet and declared, "The Leaky Cauldron!" The familiar spinning and bumping commenced then she was spat out into the Leaky Cauldron. Remus was waiting and caught her, so she didn't go sprawling as usual. When she got her feet under her she said, "Thanks," and backed away so Ronald wouldn't crash into her. She looked around the tavern and saw a white sedan parked outside. She heard Ronald crash into Remus but ignored them to walk towards the front door, "Are you sure that's Tonks?" When he didn't answer she looked back over her shoulder at them.
Ron was struggling to his feet Remus lay sprawled on the floor under him. Remus looked at her and answered, "She's in disguise oof!"
In his hurry Ronald had accidentally used Remus' stomach to push himself up, "Sorry Remus, here take my hand." Remus stood, still gasping to catch his breath. Ronald retrieved his rucksack and they joined her at the front window.
When Remus had caught his breath he quickly explained, "That's Tonks in disguise, let's get going." He went to the front door of The Leaky Cauldron and pulled it open, a strange woman was sitting in the drivers seat of the sedan, the windows were down and she was looking directly at them.
She was in her late forties and had long graying hair braided down her back. Her eyes were sharp and didn't seem to miss much though, "Oy yer late hon, had a tussel?"
Remus nodded at her smiling, "No we just tripped over our own feet."
The woman laughed and pushed open the passenger door, "In hon we can talk as we drive."
Remus motioned for them to get into the back seat and quickly got in the front. The car drove off as soon as the doors were closed, the windows all sealed as though by magic. A cooling spell was blowing air into the enclosed compartment and it quickly became much more comfortable inside.
"Mornin you two, buckle those belts and settle in, it's a bit slower than floo."
The drive took just under an hour, they pulled into a row of houses. Luna heard loud music coming from one of them. She hadn't been paying much attention to Tonks driving so was surprised when they stopped and Remus started getting out. She quickly woke Ronald and shoved him towards his door. She then remembered to unbuckle her belt so she could climb out. They were in a gravel driveway of a large freshly painted white mansion. The windows showed an elegant interior that was bustling with activity. Various people that Luna had never met were eating their breakfast, she caught sight of Professor McGonagall sitting at the head of the table waving at her. Ronald grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door, "Hurry there might still be some more breakfast." She rolled her eyes but sped her pace to keep up with her boyfriend. When did I start thinking of Ronald as my boyfriend? Just now. Oh! Suddenly they were at the door and it was opening. Hermione was there greeting them and ushering them into the house. She heard Harry say formally, "House I hereby grant Luna Lovegood access to this house." Ronald went inside quickly and hugged them both, one arm around each of them then excused himself and headed to the dining room.
By the time Luna was inside Ronald was introducing himself to the strangers in the dining room. She was vaguely aware of Remus entering the house behind her carrying both of their rucksacks. She greeted Harry and Hermione vaguely and followed Ronald into the dining room where Professor McGonagall introduced her to the Evanses and the Grangers. Her brain seemed to kick back into action when it assimilated those names; these were Hermione's parents and Harry's relatives, "Pleasure to meet all of you." She was further surprised to learn that of all the new people in the room only Mark was magical, though Melony was too young yet to be certain either way. Melony, despite her parents attempts to stop her went rattling along talking about people named Storm and Spiderman. For some reason she was using those names for her and Ronald instead of the names they had been introduced with. Ronald shuddered each time Melony mentioned spiders and men in the same breath. Soon everyone was done eating and they each split up in different directions. Remus was organizing a beach trip in the Room of Requirement, the Evanses quickly became distracted by this and they headed off.
Luna caught a brief glance between Harry and Hermione then they looked at Professor McGonagall who slowly smiled and started asking the Grangers how their magical studies were coming along. This got them both excitedly asking her questions and made Luna's brain shut down for a moment before it recycled and was able to reach the conclusion that everyone was being distracted so the three of them plus her could talk privately. Ron was glancing up from his now empty plate, he seemed to be trying to decide if he could eat anything else without loosing it all. They all seemed to be reluctant to take the first step so she did, "Would you all like to go sit in the parlor and talk for a while? Maybe play a game of wizard chess?"
Hermione looked relieved, Harry looked at her curiously and Ronald jumped to his feet, "That sounds like a great idea, let's go, Harry why does the food here taste like Hogwarts?"
Harry laughed briefly, "Because we hired Dobby and Winky."
Ronald seemed surprised but only paused and said, "Really? Wicked!" as he walked across the hall and into the parlor looking around for the chess set. Harry and Hermione followed him while Luna trailed behind looking around absently yet memorizing the location of everything. Why was Harry wearing a foot long sword in a sheath at his side? Ronald was sitting at the chess set, Harry sat opposite him while Hermione and Luna took seats near them but allowing them space to hold a private conversation. Ronald and Harry started bantering like old times while they absently played a game of wizard chess.
Hermione had been sitting quietly beside Luna for several minutes before she asked, "So you did find Crumple-Horned-Snorkacks after all. I read the articles in the Quibbler and the ones that tried to dispute it in the Prophet before the Ministry awarded Ron the finders' fee. That makes me wonder just how many species of magical creatures are out there, literally hiding under our noses."
Now this was a conversation she could sink her teeth into. Luna actually lost track of what the boys were doing to discuss at length various mythological creatures that were not commonly acknowledged to exist. They then went into spell theory and Arithmancy. Again she was struck with how quickly Hermione grasped, analyzed and judged any topic. She actually found it hard to keep up with the rapidly changing conversation and had to concentrate like she had not since school let out. They didn't stay on one topic for long and at some point Luna grasped that she was being skillfully tested before she would be assimilated into the famous trio.
She was just able to keep up with Hermione's rapid discussion though she brought up several topics of which Luna had to claim ignorance. Hermione's brief flashes of triumph were not lost on the lone Ravenclaw within the room and she swore to herself to work even harder. Harry was the complex Hero, Hermione his second in command and perfect counterpart, Ronald was the bumbling sidekick whom occasionally managed to help, where would she fit in?
Drinks and snacks had appeared at some point, though no one had touched them. Eventually Hermione's exhausting exam wound to a close. A signal seemed to pass between Hermione and Harry just before Harry stood and stretched, yawning loudly, "That's enough I bow to the chess champion, eight losses in a row is enough for me. Anyone else want to loose to Ron?"
Luna and Hermione both shook their heads no and Ron sat back smiling happily. Luna caught an extended look pass between Harry and Hermione then they were interrupted by the Grangers coming over and sitting down with them. Mrs. Granger took Harry's seat across from Ronald and asked, "Are the rules any different between Muggle and Wizard chess?"
Harry quickly answered, "Only that the pieces fight it out, sometimes the one who is supposed to win doesn't. Otherwise all the allowed moves are the same. I'm warning you Ron's the best I have ever seen, get ready to loose, repeatedly!"
Mrs. Granger smiled up at him and patted his leg, "Don't you worry Harry I've played my share of chess." She turned back to Ron, "I once won a chess tournament three years in a row. Now explain the rules please."
That seemed to shake Ron's confidence a bit and the two of them both bent over the board. Mr. Granger sat down with Luna and Hermione while Harry watched Ron and Emma a minute before joining them. "How's it going girls? Or can a man of modest intellect participate in your earth moving debates?"
Hermione blushed, "Dad! We're just talking, nothing important really - You know girl talk."
He looked skeptically at her before answering, "Hermione you do not chatter idly everything you say has a purpose. Now will someone please tell me why you four won't just sit and talk about your issues? Why all this dancing around the real topics?"
Harry took a deep breath while the girls both looked stunned at Mr. Granger, "Dan, we'll get there give us some time."
Luna quickly recovered, "Mr. Granger, there is a lot of tension between Ron and them. He went nutters when he got their letter, fortunately I was there and he only broke his arm. Ron usually avoids serious topics and he has a lot of issues to deal with. I have tried to show him he isn't worthless and can do things to make a name for himself."
Dan leaned back smiling, "Yes I see that. It's good to see that his friends are looking out for him. Don't short him though, he isn't stupid. He will realize soon enough that he is being distracted. When Emma looses the third match she is going to give up for now, we are going to the library with Minerva for a little while. You had better have it out then so you can all calm down before the Evanses come out for lunch." Mr. Granger patted Harry's leg before standing and quickly walking away from the three stunned teenagers.
Soon enough Emma lost her third match and Dan suggested finding a book on Wizard Chess to help her learn the differences. She was quick to accept that and told Ron she wanted to play again tomorrow, after she had a chance to read up some. Ron smiled and accepted the challenge before they went upstairs. As soon as they were gone Ron stood and came over to sit beside Luna, "So now that my ego has been inflated who's got the pin?"
Hermione grimaced and looked down then quietly said, "me." She looked up and took a calming breath before speaking up louder, "Me Ron, I want to make it clear here and now that I do not nor have ever loved you in any romantic fashion. You are a great friend and though I disagree with most of the pranks you get Harry to go along with I see the merit in breaking the seriousness of our situation and allowing time for laughter. It has always been Harry for me Ron, always." She kept his eyes locked on hers for nearly a minute after that before she allowed him to slump back into the sofa.
He sighed deeply and looked anywhere but at Hermione, "I think I figured that out when I broke my arm. I, I'm sorry for being such a prat. I will try and be a better friend to you both. I don't understand a lot of what is going on, and I'm not afraid to admit that. I am terrified by you-know-who, don't say his name! You have no idea the stories I've heard about those times. Like the rest of the Wizarding world I am hoping Harry can do something. What? I have no idea. I will promise to try and help him do it, though I really want to run the other way." He finally looked back at Hermione who was sitting calmly, "Is your mum really any good at chess?"
Hermione giggled, "She does play dad once in a while but no, I have heard her say dad never looses and he does have trophies, boxes and boxes of them. Those chess tournaments mother won were back in elementary I believe."
"I knew it, she moved too fast."
Luna finally spoke up, since everyone was being so honest, "Did I pass my test yet or is there more to come?"
Ron quickly asked, "What test?"
Harry and Hermione looked at one another for a moment before Hermione spoke, "You noticed? Good good, I think you will do fine Luna, just fine. You did well in the fight at the Department of Mysteries and you seem to be quite intelligent for all you hide it. We need active help though you can't sit on the sideline and do a runic puzzle while we're fighting Voldemort."
Ron flinched, "Don't say that name!"
Luna giggled at the thought but quickly stopped herself, "I didn't even take a Quibbler to the Department of Mysteries."
Harry stood and started pacing slowly, "I hate endangering anyone else. I can't stop Hermione any more than I can stop myself from trying this. I can't make any promises, I don't know much more than you do about this. Somehow I must defeat Tom Riddle, I don't know how yet, I only hope I figure it out before he kills me. Since Tom's victory will mean death to all my friends you need to be aware of the stakes. It's up to you." Suddenly he stopped pacing and looked at Ron, "Both of you, I will do everything I can to stop him. It may not be enough though."
Ron slowly stood, he hesitated before hugging Harry hard. When it seemed Harry was struggling to breath he let go and backed off, "I'm with you. It may be the death of us all but I will try and not cause more harm than good, all right?"
Harry nodded slowly, "All right." He looked down at Luna who had been watching him intently, "Luna?"
She nodded, unable to speak her butter beer earrings chimed dully in the silence.
*** *** ***
July 29, 1996: Early afternoon.
It was the first training session since Dumbledore had gone on his trip. Hermione and Dumbledore were involved in a very confusing Arithmancy argument so Remus and Harry had wandered off to talk. They were wandering through the maze when Harry asked, "What I don't understand is the whole wand-less magic thing. I can remember several occasions where I used it. I caused my wand to light with Lumos though it wasn't in my hand for instance."
"You mean little things like this?" Remus held his empty hand out in front of himself, palm towards Harry. Suddenly his wand was in his hand, just as quickly it disappeared. Harry swore his arm had not moved at all.
"How?"
Remus shrugged his shoulders, "Just like you said wand-less magic. I can do that with very small or very light objects. Like anything else it just takes practice."
Harry sighed, "I need to learn how to do things like that. I think they would be very helpful against Voldemort."
The entire room shuddered briefly as a tremor passed through it. Harry and Remus looked around worriedly.
Are you all right?
Yes, what happened?
Don't know, come back to the middle.
A door suddenly appeared in the wall, only fifty meters from where Harry and Remus were standing.
No, there is a door here, through the maze. He sent a mental picture of where they were.
Ok, we're coming.
Remus and Harry started walking to the door. They stopped when they were half-way there because the door opened. They saw a bent old man who struggled to walk with the help of a thin staff which bowed dangerously with each step. There was a very cluttered room behind him, it appeared to be in a circular tower. Through a window in the tower they saw a bright sun shining on endless grasslands. A pair of identical towers stood in the far distance. Then the door closed as the man finally managed to get inside the Room of Requirement.
He watched the ground before him, never glancing up to see where he was going, walking straight into the room, straight at Harry. Harry and Remus drew their wands. They heard Dumbledore and Hermione come up behind them just as the old man stopped. He was looking at Harry's feet, he slowly followed Harry's legs up until he reached his face. Harry was surprised to see that the old man's eye did not look tired with age. In fact they positively danced with awareness. A shudder passed through the ancient man's body and he grew taller. He shrugged as though tossing a cloak from his shoulders and in an instant the old man was gone in his place stood a tall weathered man. His hair and beard were cropped short, the staff had vanished and every sign of frailty was gone. "Greetings, Aldur asked me to come through that door into this place to introduce you to the will and the word. I have been known by many names through the ages, call me Belgarath."
Remus exclaimed, "Merlin's beard!"
The man chuckled, "No this is my beard actually. I did once meet a young man by that name, that was, Oh my! Nearly two thousand years ago. Where does time go? Oh, never mind I worked that one out ages ago. Reckon - Goodness boy, where is your soul? Oh, never mind she has it. My my aren't we a mess, where did that other bit of a dark soul come from?"
Harry and Hermione's mouths dropped open. Dumbledore slapped his leg, "You didn't! Well I guess you did."
Hermione stuttered out, "Wha how do you know?"
"Young lady, these eyes are more than 7,000 years old, I see those souls as clearly as I saw Durnik's two lives. Well before he died and lost one of them anyway."
Remus looked between Dumbledore and Belgarath, "What did they do?"
Professor Dumbledore held up his hand, "No Remus we must not know this, Hermione obliviate Remus and I so we do not remember this."
Before Hermione could act Belgarath waved his palms before Remus and Dumbledore's eyes, "Forget!" They both looked blankly back at him.
"Sorry, forget what?"
Belgarath shrugged, "I said something I shouldn't have, you said you shouldn't know it so I erased it."
"Oh, well if I said I shouldn't know it then I was probably right."
"You sound like Beldin."
Harry spoke up, "Wait you just did magic without a wand."
"Of course boy I am a sorcerer not some crude magician who must summon a demon to do my magic for me. Let me introduce myself again, apparently you missed it the first time. I am Belgarath the Sorcerer, First Disciple of Aldur. I am most widely known as the Eternal man or simply Old Wolf but Belgarath will do just fine."
Professor Dumbledore inclined his head briefly, "I am Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Remus waved minutely, "Remus Lupin, former teacher at Hogwarts."
Hermione stepped next to Harry, "Hermione Granger."
"I'm Harry Potter, also known as the-boy-who-lived."
Belgarath laughed, "Don't you mean the boy-who-lives? Well now that that is out of the way, who needs teaching here?"
The four of them tentatively raised their hands, "Excellent, there are a few rules to remember. By far the most important rule is never, under any circumstances, try and un-make anything. The universe will not allow the removal of any of its creations. Trust me I have seen the results from far too close. If you try and push over one of those obelisks there remember to push behind yourself with the same amount of force or all you will accomplish is to push yourself away from it. You do not need to be able to see something to make it happen. Creation must come from within yourself, anything else collect the power from the world around you. And lastly there are some things that may be beyond your abilities. For example I have only met one person who can pierce the veil of death and that was with the help of Aldur's orb and all of the gods combined. Such a task is far beyond the abilities of anything else. Now who would like to tip over something big?"
Their session went on for several hours, each of them had succeeded in demonstrating that they could do magic this way. Hermione seemed to have the most difficult time of all, this was very alien to her precisely ordered wand motions and incantations. At last Belgarath declared they should be able to teach themselves and his door re-appeared in the wall.
Hermione spoke up quickly before he could leave, "Headmaster, could Harry and I speak privately with Belgarath please?"
"Of course, a pleasure to meet you sir, come along Remus."
When they were well out of earshot Belgarath asked, "I assume this is about what I made them forget?"
"Yes sir, let me explain a bit and maybe you can suggest a solution." Belgarath nodded encouragingly so she continued, "Tom Riddle owns the portion of the dark soul you see. It became attached to Harry when Tom tried to kill him, he was only fifteen months old at the time. This was just after he killed Harry's parents. The spell he used is called Avada Kedavra, the killing curse. It kills by breaking the bond between the body and soul. You see when Tom tried to kill Harry something happened and the spell backfired. Tom was turned into little more than a ghost for fourteen years, until he re-created his body about a year and a half ago. The reason I am carrying both of our souls is to prevent Harry from being killed by another Avada Kedavra."
Harry added, "There is a prophecy which states that I have the power to kill him, we just don't know how yet, but we believe I can't kill Tom until we put his soul back together."
"Ahh Yes Prophecy, I have some experience with those. So what you need is some advice on how to put him back were he came from then?"
They both nodded.
"Very tricky business I'm afraid. I would suggest carefully thinking out just what you want to happen then gather your combined wills and make it happen. Don't think in generalities, be very precise or things will not happen as expected. You could end up with his entire soul in one of you for example. If you want him back together not just two pieces wandering about you will need to do it when he is in sight I'm afraid."
Hermione looked encouraged by his advice, she smiled warmly, "Thank you sir."
Harry was grim and determined when he added, "Yes thanks."
"Welcome and good luck, I hope I was able to help. The door opened behind him and he waved and turned then quickly strode from the room. "Poledra you won't believe what just hap…" His words were cut off as the door closed and vanished.
*** *** ***
July 30, 1996: Nearing midnight.
Percy was deep in thought. While one part of his mind worked on the report before him he continued to try and analyze Fudge. Minister Fudge often lapsed into periods of melancholy where he ranted against Dumbledore. His mission was too important to let his emotions cause failure. As a junior administrative assistant to the Minister of Magic he did his best to observe everything but not look like he was. He had owled Penelope several hours earlier just to let her know he would be working until near midnight. He finished proofing the report and took it to see if the Minister needed any further revisions. He paused before knocking on the Minister's closed door.
It sounded like Fudge was arguing with himself again, "But he always gave me excellent advice, before I stopped listening. I know, I know he lied to me about the boy. But I never really told him the truth either. What? Who's there?"
Percy quickly knocked and opened the door, "Just me Minister. Here is that report you needed for your speech tomorrow. Could you look it over and let me know if there are any more changes you need tonight?"
"Ah, Perkins thank you."
"It's Percy sir."
He waved absently from his chair behind his desk, "Oh, whatever, just leave it, I'm sure it's fine. You may go, thank you."
Percy slid the report on the Minister's desk and made a short bow, "All right Minister, have a pleasant evening."
He exited the office quickly and went to his desk to collect his things. On his way out he passed the Minister's office again, he had carefully left the door cracked open. He dared not stop but he did walk by slowly. He heard the Minister arguing with himself again, "We can't trust him. He turned on his own family. No he belongs to Albus."
Percy hurried down to the atrium and apparated to the flat he shared with Penelope. She had long since gone to bed but had left him a quick note. Wake me when you get home Percival. I need my knight tonight loverboy! He laughed quietly she knew just how to pick up his spirits. He sat and wrote a quick owl to Bill.
Bill,
The Job is wonderful. Mr. Fudge appreciates all I do for
him and I hope to get another promotion soon.
All my best,
Perfect Percy
He folded it and sealed it with the agreed charms before waking Hermes, "Get this to Bill, at all costs." Hermes hooted and took flight into the night. It was the best he could do, Bill would understand. For Penelope's sake he hoped Bill would work fast. He headed to bed, feeling more like a condemned man than one who was about to wake his lover.
*** *** ***
A/N: Well there you go. I need to tell you that Belgarath, Beldin, Durnik, Aldur, and Poledra come from David Edding's wonderful series: The Belgariad and The Mallorean. If you have never had the pleasure of reading these 12 books I highly suggest you go out and buy Pawn of Prophecy immediately and start reading.
I am in the process of revising the entire story, not really changing it but updating the way it is written. When I started this story I had NO experience with writing fiction. I have combined the first 10 chapters into a single one and will be reposting the entire story at a later date. For now the chapters will stay as posted. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter… I know I left you hanging again but I just can't help it!
Please leave a review and Thanks!
Golasgil