Harry Potter and the Galator
Chapter 20
Arbassa
Dumbledore wasn't the least bit surprised to see Harry near the entrance to his office the after lunch. He smiled and let Harry inside his office.
"So, had a nice dream last night Harry?" asked Dumbledore with his blue eyes twinkling. Harry was a bit surprised. He was still not used to Dumbledore knowing practically everything that went on in the school and most of all with him.
"Sir that is what I wanted to talk to you about."
"How is your ancestor doing?"
"Excuse me? Did you say ancestor?"
"Of course, haven't you figured out by now that you are a direct descendant of Merlin, one of the greatest wizard of all time?" Harry was dumbfounded. The dream was actually very informative and he remembered every detail and words said vividly unlike his other dreams.
"But, that would make everything he told me in my dream true?"
"Yes, Harry. That is why I encouraged you to read your book. It was not an accident that Ron found the book and that he had given it to you for your birthday gift. You were supposed to have seen it sooner and were supposed to have started your meetings sooner, but because of unfortunate circumstances, Merlin decided to give you some time to heal."
Harry just stared at him open mouthed. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was as if listening to Dumbledore relaying the bit about the prophecy at the end of last term. All those information about him coming in bits and pieces were driving him crazy. At that moment, he wished someone would just tell him the whole story about his life and his relatives.
"Ah, I see I have yet again managed to give you more surprises about yourself. I wondered when you were going to read the book and ask me questions. Apparently Merlin got tired of waiting for you and contacted you himself."
"I guess so, but was it all a dream? I was sleeping, wasn't I?"
"Oh yes, you were. Didn't he mention Leaping to you?"
"Yes, but not quite in detail. He even said I could use it to visit my parents or Sirius once I learn it and know how to use it."
"Well, it's a bit like Apparating, except you can bring people with you, send people or things, or dreams. Just like what Merlin did last night. He brought you to his world in the past through your dream."
"Then it's true, everything that happened in my dream was actually happening. I was actually in Avalon which is a part of Fincayra."
"Yes my boy, you were. Now, tell me, how do you feel."
"Well, right now, a little overwhelmed. I felt rested when I woke up but everything that happened in the dream was so vivid I could remember practically everything I heard and saw. It's a little hard to swallow that I am a descendant of Merlin and not have the fear of disappointing him, but at the same time I feel honored to be part of such a distinguished bloodline."
"That is good. There is more you have to learn, but you will learn everything in due time. For now, enjoy your visits to Fincayra and your meetings with Merlin. One of these days you may be able to bring your friends there as well."
"Thank you sir. I just hope I don't disappoint you or Merlin."
"You'd never disappoint me Harry. You have shown so many qualities that I wish so many people should have. If they did, then our world would be a better place. You still have to learn to control that temper of yours, but I must say, you are doing a very good job so far. If there is nothing else, I believe you have Transfiguration next and a few people to talk with."
"Thank you for your time, sir."
"Oh, Harry, you know you are always welcomed here." With that he left Dumbledore's office and headed towards transfiguration while he thought of a way to tell his friends about his dream and his new relations he'd uncovered and confirmed by the headmaster himself.
Harry felt a little giddy after dinner. His transfiguration class went well, and even if his potions class earlier did not go well, the bit of news he received from Dumbledore took care of the bad feelings he'd felt being in Snape's class. He'd felt so good he gave Hermione a very passionate kiss right before they sat down for dinner. They hardly showed affection in public, but he just couldn't help himself that one time.
"Harry! What's gotten into you?" Hermione asked almost as a rebuke for his actions.
"I'll tell you after dinner," he whispered in her ears, which sent shivers up her spine. She was quite sensitive to Harry's presence since they discovered the fake Sirius. They'd been talking almost every single day while they were alone how they would find out what the impostor is after. They hadn't mentioned the impostor to the others except for Ron, and he usually doesn't tell Lavender sensitive matters that had to do with danger without checking with Harry or Hermione first.
In the common room, as they sat in their favorite armchair by the fire, Harry told them about his dream and his talk with Dumbledore. All of their mouths remained opened until Harry was finished with his story. He was smiling when he was finished because he knew exactly what they were all feeling. He felt all their reactions and was still feeling them even after he was done re-telling them.
"You mean to tell me that my boyfriend can actually trace his roots back to Merlin himself," commented Hermione still in quite a shocked state.
"Weren't you listening, Hermione," Ron answered her in an irritated voice. "That's what he's been saying to us for the past, oh I dunno, hour or so."
"I know that Ron, I just wanted to hear myself say it!"
"Oh you two don't start," Ginny, Lavender and Harry told them almost simultaneously.
"Wow, Harry, it seems that you're not only the boy who lived, but a true descendant of the famous Merlin. Think of what that's going to do to your already massive fan club," joked Lavender.
"Oh, I haven't thought of that. We'd better keep this between just the five of us then," he told them in a matter of fact voice almost sounding like Hermione during one of her many lectures for them.
"Blimey Harry, do you realize that you are probably going to be more powerful than Dumbledore when you get out of this school?" Ron added.
"Well, I don't know about that, I don't think all the powers are inherited Ron," Harry admonished. "I think the only power so far that I inherited is the healing power that skips generations. I think I just got lucky with that one."
"Stop it Harry, remember what I told you in first year. You're a great wizard, now knowing that you come from a line of great wizards just confirms that fact," Hermione told him as she sat on his lap and put her arms around his neck.
"Hmm! If I am going to get this type of reaction from you every time I find out new things about myself, I should try harder to find out more about me," he whispered as he nuzzled her ear. She blushed and turned to him and smile.
"What's gotten into the both of you, that's Ron and Lavender's favorite pastime, snogging in front of people, not yours," Ginny joked and earned a glare from Ron and Lavender. "Well, if you are going to be snogging all night, I am going to find my snogging partner before I start studying." She got up and left the four of them gaping at her. She was off to find Malfoy and was happy about flaunting it at them now that everything was out in the open.
That night Harry visited Fincayra again after falling asleep from sheer exhaustion from studying. Hermione was still not letting up with the studying and he wasn't doing a good job of keeping his promise to Mrs. Granger so far.
The place seemed different from the previous night's dream. There was a giant oak tree this time and it seemed to be laughing with Merlin when he first arrived. Everything seemed to be alive, but the place was different from his first visit.
"Hello Harry," Merlin waved at him.
"Hullo, where are we this time?"
"Oh, we are still in Fincayra, but at a time before another war. We are at Druma Woods, my sister's home. I'd like you to meet Arbassa." The giant oak tree brought down a branch towards Harry. Harry realized Merlin was introducing him to the giant oak tree.
"Er.. " Harry held his hand out and the branch lowered to touch Harry's hand. "Nice to meet you." Merlin smiled. There was a rustling sound and Merlin start to make swishing sounds as if to answer. Harry realized he had been talking to the tree.
"Arbassa said it's a pleasure to meet the Harry Potter and that you look much like your father."
"Thank you."
"Don't worry, I will teach you how to talk to the trees, and other creatures you'd like to communicate with. In the mean time, why don't we go inside?"
"Inside, sir?"
"Yes, my boy. I told you this is my sister's home. The whole Druma woods and Arbassa." Merlin whispered and part of Arbassa's trunk opened to reveal a doorway into a quaint little home inside the tree trunk."
Harry walked inside to see a living room, stairs, kitchen, and a doorway that could easily lead to a bedroom. There was furniture all made by wood, decorations made wholly by everything Mother Nature can offer. He was again full of awe as he walked around touching and filling his curiosity about the home he had just stepped into.
"Sir, you said this is your sister's house?"
"Ah, I guess that part of my life had never been recorded in any book, even in the book you are now reading. I try to keep that part private for their safety, but I will tell you because you are after all family. You have the right to know your ancestors." Harry remained silent waiting for more information.
"I have a twin sister named Rhiannon. Although we don't look anything alike, she's beautiful with brown curly hair and gray-blue eyes while I on the other hand favor our father's dark hair and dark eyes. You have inherited our unruly hair as well. I think it must be a curse of some kind." Merlin smiled when he saw Harry nod at his statement.
"Anyway, she was raised by a treeling and practically every living thing in druma woods. In turn, when she was old enough she took care of them. I will introduce you to her one of these days and my mother too. She's a beautiful woman with light yellow hair and eyes that sparkle like sapphire. She is where I inherited my humanity from since she is human (his eyes sparkled when he spoke of his mother). My father on the other hand was Fincayran (his eyes turned cold with an obvious bad memory of him). That's a bit of history in a nutshell."
"But I am not here to give you our family history, I am here to teach you about our family trait. You must know however that some of our family skills skip generations, so you may or may not have them. I do already know you possess the powers of changing. You have studied under Professor McGonagall for your Animagus training right?"
"Yes, sir. I can turn into a merlin."
"Those are noble and loyal friends, merlins," he sighed apparently reflecting on an old friend. "I also had a friend merlin, I called him Trouble. My first changing or in your terms animagus form was a stag." It dawned on Harry the real connection of their family.
"My father's form is a stag and my patronus is a stag." Merlin smiled and nodded because he already knew. "I don't understand why my form is of a merlin."
"Well, Harry, do you like to fly?"
"Yes sir, I do. I like to fly very fast."
"Well, that may be inherited as well. I also love to fly and for good reasons. Fincayran may have pointy ears like a devil, but they have wings like an angel." Harry's mouth was gaping. Everything about him seems to become clearer now that he was listening to everything Merlin was telling him.
"Sir, if I may. Why don't you have wings?"
"Ah, it is because I chose a different path in my youth. I chose to follow my destiny in Britannia, what you now call England, and because of that I was unable to keep my wings. Only those who remained in Fincayra were able to keep their wings." Harry nodded to show comprehension.
"Since I can already change into my animagus form, does this mean the lesson is over?"
"On the contrary my boy, because you are of my blood, you have the potential to change into many forms." Harry was excited. He never thought of that possibility.
"Really?" He couldn't believe it. He'd never heard of anyone else possessing the ability to turn to any other form other than the one they were meant to be.
"Yes, Harry. Although, I must tell you, I seem to be the only wizard in our family that had been able to pull off such a feat. I believe, however, that you have a strong potential in doing the same."
Harry was listening to everything Merlin told him very closely. He would follow Merlin where he walked and watched as Merlin showed him how to change. He also found out that he may be able to change others at will one day. He kept his attention on Merlin until day break and he was pulled to his conscious state where he had to attend classes and deal with everyone else including Snape.
He was excited and couldn't wait to tell Hermione and Ron about his latest lesson. He'd abandoned calling it a dream because he knew his meetings with Merlin were not dreams. His head was being filled with so much information as he slept, but when he awoke he still felt refreshed and a little happier and more confident.
He continued for weeks training with Merlin in a sense. He learned the meaning of the power of binding (The strongest bonds are of the heart.), the skill of protecting (The best way to protect something is to set it free), the art of naming (a true name holds true power), the power of leaping (which he found out the first day, but have not yet practiced), eliminating (sometimes it is necessary, but it comes only at a price), the gift of seeing (the heart can see things invisible to the eye). But, the most important lesson that Merlin wanted to emphasize was humility. He told Harry that having humility is the soul of wizardry itself. He told him that humility is a genuine respect for the wondrous surprising ways of the world.
Every day after lunch became a ritual for the five friends, the other four would listen to Harry recounting the previous night's events with awe. They would go near the beech tree near the lake and sit and talk until the next lessons or until someone starts a snogging session. The spring weather brought singing birds, green grass, trees either covered with blossoms or green leaves. They were also enjoying the bright sunshine and fresh spring breeze outside.
Harry didn't show them what he's learned, but he told them all the things he might be able to do once he discovered the art of doing them. He also told them that he might or might not be able to do the things Merlin was showing him even with the lessons, but the potential is within him.
They hadn't brought up the Sirius issue and since Harry had not received any owls from the impostor, he was glad. At the same time they were all busy with NEWT preparations, end of the year examination, and having their snogging session in between classes and study time.
Harry however, did not dismiss the potential confrontation with Voldemort or with another meeting with the impostor, but he decided to be prepared when the time comes. He discussed how they were to approach the next meeting if it will take place at all. He felt some of Voldemort's frustrations, but can quickly shut it off when he focused. His occlumency lessons were finally paying off. He still felt the prickling pain in his scar, but he knew that there wasn't any danger because the pain had been minor.
Harry learned that his power to feel other people's feelings were because he was an empath. But, to his surprise and Merlin's (as well as Dumbledore when he found out), he seemed to have a natural knack of distinguishing whose feelings he came across and to block it off when he needed to.
One night as Harry readied for bed after an exhausting day of Quidditch practice, studying and snogging Hermione, he'd shut down his empath powers too early. He wasn't able to feel the fear and uneasiness of a small being only inches away from him. As he removed his shirt and revealed the galator around his neck a rat with a silver paw scurried away from its hiding place behind Harry's trunk.
A/N: Well, as suggested, I should post the rest of the story one chapter at a time. So unless I hear different, that is what I shall do. Thank you again for your reviews.