Chapter 4
Harry suddenly woke up with a jolt. He felt something that overwhelmed his senses, but could not pin point what it was. He felt cold and shivered from the feeling that left him. Whoever it was whose feelings he felt in his sleep was a very disturbed person, if he could call him or her that. For some reason he didn't think of his long time nemesis Voldemort, he hadn't felt any pain in his scar, which led him to believe it could have been someone else.
He could not be able to sleep after that. He looked at the time. It was only a few minutes passed midnight. He sank back down in his pillow and it dawned on him; it was his birthday! He was seventeen. But he didn't feel any different. He thought he'd have some type of feeling that came with all the underage wizarding rules being lifted from him, but he didn't get any type of revelations. No trumpets or confetti falling from the ceiling. Then again, he didn't really know what to expect. He just wanted his birthday to arrive so that all the rules will be lifted and he could start practicing all the skills Merlin had trained him on.
Well, what would he do first? He decided to try leaping, but not himself. He wanted to see Merlin. His first choice was Hermione, but he didn't want to scare her nor did he want to wake her up in the middle of the night.
He sat on his bed Indian style, closed his eyes and started to picture Merlin sitting in front of him in his room. He put all his thoughts and feelings towards the task. After a few minutes, when it seemed as if his efforts weren't fruitful, Harry opened his eyes.
"What? Are you surprised to see me?" Merlin asked.
"I - I thought it didn't work."
"Harry, you of all people should know better than that. You just gave up?"
"Well, I didn't hear you nor did I feel your presence so I thought it didn't work, but I was going to try again later. I just feel so drained."
"Of course you do. After all you brought me here from a very far away place, don't you think that would take some strength?"
"I guess. Why couldn't I feel you?"
"You shut off your empath function. I wanted to see just how long it would take until you either gave up or open yourself up to multi-task."
"Multi-task?"
"Yes, Harry. You'll have to learn to do multiple things at the same time. You'll find it will help you a great deal. You have to learn to focus on one thing, but at the same time have your other skills still working in the background."
"Oh" was all he could say. Merlin chuckled.
"Don't worry. You're doing fine. You got me here didn't you?" Harry grinned widely. "Good job my boy. Are you up to training again then?"
"Yes. Absolutely yes."
"By the way Harry, Happy Birthday!" He went forward and gave his great-great-great… grandson a bear hug.
"Thanks," answered Harry as he struggled to breath.
"You're welcome. So, shall we set a time in which you will train from me? Better yet, you can practice leaping by leaping me wherever you are when you feel like practicing. How does that sound?"
"Sounds great! Um. Would you mind if I leaped you from time to time or leaped to where you were just to visit."
"Nothing would make me happier, Harry. You know, you're the only one in a long line of Wizards who have actually succeeded in leaping." Harry's eyes grew wide. "Mind you, you still have to learn to leap yourself, but leaping me here was a great start."
Harry could say nothing. He was at a lost for words.
"I'm very proud of you as your parents and a long line of our ancestors are. I'm also curious how likely you'll try astral projection again."
"How did you know? Never mind, don't answer that. You probably know everything I do." Harry suddenly felt uneasy. Merlin only chuckled at his thoughts.
"Don't worry Harry. I give you privacy when needed. As a matter of fact, I only tune in when you've exerted a large amount of power. That night you astral projected to the lovely Miss Granger's room surprised me a bit. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yes. It surprised me too. I thought I was just dreaming since I was asleep, but Hermione confirmed that I was there with her."
"That's fantastic. It is another form of leaping, though only your spirit travels. However, you can make you spirit strong enough to have some type of substance in order to wield your powers."
"Is that what Voldemort did last year?"
"Nothing gets passed you much, does it? Yes, it seems he has mastered the art of astral projection himself, however in his case he will not be able to wield his full power because he cannot combine it with the power of leaping. Do you understand?"
"What you're saying is that when he uses astral projection his powers are limited whereas mine will have no limit if I combine the astral projection with leaping?"
"By George I think he's got it!" Harry gave him a full spread grin. "But-"
"I know. I know. I'll need to practice some more in order to fully utilize astral projection with leaping. So when do I start?"
"Why don't we see each other again after today. I don't want you tired for your birthday. I am sure your friends would want to do something for your birthday."
"You're right. I guess that means you can't stay longer?"
"I could, but keeping me here is disrupting your sleep. Why don't you go on and rest. I will see you soon." He didn't want to tell him that he had a day full of activities and surprises.
"Thank you."
"I mean it Harry. You will need to rest. That's enough practice for tonight." Just to make sure he had a dreamless and restful night Merlin cast a spell on him before he leaped.
Harry instantly fell asleep.
Remus and Mad-eye sat and planned the days before the teenagers would go back to Hogwarts. They knew what to do, but they weren't sure that the kids were old enough to accept the responsibility and hard work ahead. They had to plan a course for each individual so as to help them reach their true and highest potential.
"What do you think?"
"I think Harry is more than ready, but that is because he knows his destiny. The others, well I think this would be a great surprise for all of them."
"The other two are ready only because they have been with him longer than the other four and know that being associated or having a relationship with Harry puts them in a position to be used as a weapon against him."
"You may be right, Remus, but - " His magical eye made a sudden whirl.
"What?"
"Always on guard, Mad-Eye?"
"Hello Professor." Both greeted the headmaster of Hogwarts with a smile.
"What brings you to Avalon?"
"Well, I was under the impression that we are to have a birthday celebration for Harry?"
"Bloody hell, Mad-eye. Why didn't you remind me? I forgot to pick up his gift at Diagon Alley."
"Calm down. I sent Tonks out to pick it up earlier and gather up the food and decorations. You know how much she loves doing those." He chuckled. They knew how much of a klutz Tonks was, but they also knew she was quite reliable and would get the matter straightened out efficiently.
Remus let out a sigh of relief. He'd been so focused on the matter of training the seven kids that he'd completely forgotten about Harry's birthday.
"Well, you can both rest assured that everything is taken care of. The Weasleys will be here as soon as we let them know that Harry is out of the house. The Grangers will also be here as well as most of the order who are not on duty this evening."
"Why are you here so early Professor?" asked Mad-eye.
"Ah Alistair always so suspicious. Well that would be because I am interested to see the progress of your training plans and to take a peek at Harry. How is he doing?"
"I imagine he's sleeping right now. It's only one in the morning. I don't even know what we're still doing up at this time." Remus glared at Mad-Eye.
"I'm sure the plans are going well. Why don't you two go get some sleep? I'll just go upstairs and look in on Harry and be on my way."
"Professor, aren't you going to spend the night here?"
"No. I don't want to questions in the morning that I cannot yet answer. You understand, don't you?" The two nodded. Only a handful of people knew his reasons and he knew that they would keep those reasons to their grave if need be. There were too many memories at Avalon, bittersweet memories. He left the two and made his way up the stairs towards Harry's room.
He knew he had to tell Harry everything one day before he had another confrontation with Voldemort. He didn't know if Harry would survive or if he would survive. He wanted his conscious clean when it was time for him to leave the world behind.
He looked around the room, the parlor, and found that it hadn't changed a bit since he last saw it. It had been a long, long time ago, but he could remember it as if it was yesterday. He knew the only things missing were the pictures; those sentimental items would have been the only thing that would reveal the true personality of Avalon. He shut off the emotions lest it would be felt by the empath in the house. He smiled at the thought.
He'd made very hard decisions in his lifetime and no matter how many times he looked back even through the pensieve, he came down to one vital conclusion: he had little choice. He was thinking his loved ones safety as well as the love he'd lost. No one would ever know what he'd gone through after the battle with Grindewald and he knew that no one would understand why he'd done what he'd done at the time.
He felt his age as he walked up the steps reminiscing on memories good and bad. Even the pensieve could not ease all the pain he felt, but it was best not to feel anything at the moment. It would either give Harry a bad dream or wake him up all together.
He opened the door to Harry's room just in time to see Merlin leaping. He smiled knowing he wasn't the only one keeping an eye on him. He stared at him for a few minutes just watching the rise and fall of his chest and listening to the slow, even breathing with a slight low snore. He felt his heart expand with pride. He didn't know how much Harry had affected him even when he tried to keep his distance. He knew now that was impossible, one look at him as he held him in his arms about sixteen years before was enough to undo all his promises and love him wholeheartedly.
He wished James and Lily were there, but he knew better than anyone that sacrifices were made when it came to war between good and evil. The war with Grindewald had drained him emotionally and physically, but he knew he had to go on for the sake of those left behind. He just hoped that Harry's confrontation would not be as devastating as his was. He also knew that he would not be able to help him in his final battle as much as he wanted and that was what disturbed him most. He didn't want to lose another person he loved. He remembered his late wife. She had been so young, but quite a powerful witch. He could recall her face even after over fifty years since she'd died. He had regrets, but he knew that he didn't have a choice then as he didn't have a choice now. He knew that people had to live out their destinies no matter how painful or dangerous.
He closed the door and walked downstairs into the yard. He knew the anti-apperating charms would prevent him from leaving quickly, but he decided a long walk to the outskirts of Avalon would do him good.
A/N: Well, since yesterday was a holiday, I thought I'd give you another chapter the chapter I failed to post yesterday. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you for your reviews. `Til next chapter. Au Revoir.
Question: Whoever keeps putting :rolledeyes: I just want to know is rolling your eyes mean you didn't like the chapter? Thanks.