Disclaimer: Yay! I finally own something. The characters of Kyle Foster and Taylor Ward belong to me. Everything else is not mine. Harry Potter and associates are owned by JK Rowling. The Swords are owned by Fred Saberhagen. CHAPTER TWO: THE ORIGIN OF THE SWORDS
They wrote to Bill, to see where head had found the sword. Strangely enough, it had been found inside a treasure trove he had uncovered while on a mission for Gringotts. As it wasn't gold, silver, or adorned with jewels, the goblins could've cared less that he took it. Hermione related to them that she had found hers in a park near her house. She didn't even know why she decided to keep it. They then proceeded to argue about whether or not to tell Mr. Weasley about the swords.
"Ron, your father would want to know! These swords could be dangerous. They might have dangerous magic, or who knows what!" shrieked Hermione. On one level, Harry agreed with her. The fiasco with Tom Riddle's diary in second year had opened his eyes to the dangers of some magical objects.
"Hermione," said Ron exasperatedly, "has your sword shown any powers yet? Has Harry's or mine? For all we know, they're just normal swords."
"With this kind of craftsmanship? And then why are the markings different, if they're just swords?"
Harry decided to butt in before this argument got worse. "Look, if there is a danger to these swords, I don't think Mr. Weasley could do much about it, no offense or anything. I think we should take them straight to Professor Dumbledore when we get to Hogwarts."
Hermione glared at him a moment, before she sighed. "But that's still two weeks away. Who knows what could happen between now and then?"
"Well," said Ron, looking for any excuse to keep his sword, "nothing has happened already. I mean, most magical objects have to have someone actively using them to do anything, much less harm. It'll probably be safe."
Hermione still seemed upset. Harry stepped in. "Look, Hermione, if these things do start to exhibit some kind of danger, we'll take them to Mr. Weasley straight away, but nothing's happened yet, OK. Just calm down and be patient. Everything will be fine, trust me." He smiled at her. She couldn't help herself, and smiled back, placated finally.
Later that night, Ron turned to Harry as lay on the floor. "Harry? How do you do that?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean, calm Hermione down. I could never do that, but she always gives in to you. How do you do it?" Ron propped himself up to look at Harry.
Harry sighed. "I don't know, Ron. I just…" He looked at Ron. "You still like her don't you? I mean, in that way."
If Ron's face grew red, Harry couldn't tell in the moonlight. "Well…I guess so. I never gave up on her, but…" He blew out a heavy breath. "I just always wanted to figure out what I did wrong, or what I could've done to make it work."
Harry considered this for a moment. While he completely understood this made sense from Ron's point of view, he knew that there was nothing he could've done. Hermione had told Harry so. There was just too much of a difference of personality. "Sometimes, Ron, things just aren't meant to be. Look at it this way, it didn't hurt your friendship. Isn't that important? You are still friends. Things like this…they can force two people apart completely."
Ron peered at him. "Since when were you so wise?"
Harry could tell he was joking. He grinned. "I guess I must be hanging around Professor Dumbledore too much."
"I said wise, not crazy."
The Quidditch match proved to be more exciting than they had thought. The Cannons' new Chaser, Kyle Foster, was lighting up the boards. However, if they didn't get the Snitch, they'd probably still lose.
"I thought the Cannons were supposed to be really bad, Ron," said Hermione, delighting in the look of pain on Ron's face when she uttered that.
"Well, they're not really that bad. Their drafts are starting to show some promise." As he said this, Foster scored another goal, to make it 90-50 Cannons.
"Well, Ron, you know that Foster has scored 70 of the Cannons' 90 points. Other than him, they're pretty mediocre," said Harry cunningly. He exchanged a grin with Hermione as Ron's cheek twitched.
Ron changed the subject. "Speaking of new Chasers, I understand that Taylor Ward is starting at Hogwarts this year."
Hermione and Harry both looked at him with puzzlement. Though Harry loved Quidditch, the fact that he lived with the Dursleys made it impossible for him to follow the sport. "Who is Taylor Ward?" he asked.
Ron looked scandalized. "What? You don't know? Why, she's the best youth-league Chaser today! Some people say she's the best in the youth league this century."
"Ron," said Hermione stuffily, "You know that first years aren't allowed…" Harry poked her in the ribs. She looked at him and sighed. "Oh, alright, so Harry was! But we don't even know which house she'll be in."
Still, the discussion had Harry thinking. What would he do with such a great Chaser? In either case, the Cannons again lost, but just barely, Foster's performance keeping it close until the end.
The days passed quickly after that. Hermione had the three of them studying their course books at a frenetic pace during the day, which left them little time to do anything else. Soon enough, September 1st rolled around and they all piled into the new car Mr. Weasley was experimenting on for the journey to Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station. They thankfully all made it through the barrier just fine. Harry was a bit paranoid about it every now and again. Sometimes running at a brick wall seemed silly to him, and there was always the time when Dobby the house-elf had sealed the barrier and he had crashed into it.
They were met on the platform by Neville Longbottom, a plump boy who always seemed to be getting into accidents. Strangely enough, though, he seemed rather serene. Harry shrugged.
They managed to find themselves an open compartment. They stashed their trunks and sat down. "Well," yawned Harry as he stretched in his seat, "Another year at Hogwarts. Wonder if there'll be another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
Hermione smiled. "I doubt that anything bad has happened to Professor Birmingham." Professor Birmingham was the DADA teacher in fifth year. He had been an Auror before himself, and was one of the best instructors they've ever had. Add onto that the fact that he was not a Death Eater, incompetent fraud, or werewolf-though Professor Lupin had been great-it seemed unlikely he would be gone.
Just then, the compartment door opened, revealing the one person they absolutely did not want to see. Draco Malfoy. A smug smile spread across his face. "So," he sneered, "you three are still coming here. Most a pity. I would have thought that the Dark Lord would've gotten the better of at least one of you by now."
Ron snarled menacingly, but Malfoy's cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, appeared at his sides. They cracked their knuckles menacingly. All of the sudden, a dull pounding sound like a great hammer echoed in the compartment. All of them were confused and glanced about in puzzlement.
"What was that?" demanded Malfoy.
"No idea. But I suggest you get out of here," said Harry, standing slowly, still holding Ron back. The pounding got louder and faster now. All of the sudden, it was joined by another sound, this one a high pitched mill-saw whine.
Malfoy, looking a bit flustered by the noises, decided to back down. "Whatever. I was just about to leave, anyway. Don't want to be contaminated by any Mudblood air." He gave a final sneer as Harry held back Ron again, and departed. The noises slowed and then it was silent.
"Harry," whispered Hermione, "Those sounds."
"Huh? What about them?" Harry was suddenly aware that Hermione had not moved at all from the spot she had been sitting at next to him. She was staring wide-eyed at something.
"They…they were coming from yours and Ron's trunks!"
The three of them looked at each other. "The swords!" they all exclaimed at once. Harry and Ron threw open their trunks, dragging out the weapons. The door began to open again, just as Ron was unsheathing his to get a look at it. The sudden slamming of the door caused Ron to fumble, and the sword went flying towards the person standing there.
However, he turned suddenly as there was a noise. It was Neville. He looked at them right after the sword flew by where his chest had been. "Whoah, that was lucky," he said. Apparently unfazed by this, he picked up Ron's sword and handed it to him.
He sat down, saying, "Malfoy tripped. Pretty funny."
Then Harry noticed it. Neville was wearing a sword at his belt. "Neville, could I see that sword for a moment?" he asked.
Neville frowned. "Er, I'll let you take a look at it, as long as I hold it. I seem to have bad luck whenever I let go of it."
He unsheathed it and showed it to Harry. "It's the same," breathed Harry, "but is has a picture of two dice on the hilt."
"What?" said Neville, confused, "The same as what?"
They all showed him their identical swords, save for the symbols. "We are going to show them to Professor Dumbledore when we arrive, Neville. Do you want to come, too?"
Neville agreed to show his sword to Professor Dumbledore. He said that it was strange, though. Ever since he got this sword he had had a string of amazingly good fortune. He was not longer clumsy, didn't cause any accidents, none of that. It was like the sword itself was inherently lucky.
The rest hadn't seen their swords exhibit any kind of powers, beyond the noises that Ron and Harry's had made. Still, they resolved to see Professor Dumbledore. The four traveled up to the castle, and they all strode up to the Head Table before the first years arrived.
"Professor Dumbledore, we need to see you about something, as soon as possible," said Harry.
Dumbledore eyed them. Harry suspected that Dumbledore more or less knew everything that happened in the castle, so if the swords were magically powerful, he already knew they were here. "Of course, Harry. I will meet you all in the Great Hall tonight after the first years are shown to the dormitories."
Harry barely paid attention to the Sorting Ceremony. His mind was far too focused on the swords and what their meeting with Dumbledore would yield. He did hush up, though, when Taylor Ward was announced.
She was thin, and on the short side, with shoulder length light brown hair. She looked a bit apprehensive as she strode up to the stool with the Sorting Hat. She sat there for almost a minute, until the Hat cried out, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Smiling, she jumped down to her new table. Harry waved her over to sit near him.
"Hello there. My name's Harry Po-"
She stared at him. "Harry Potter? I had heard you went here, but I can't believe I'm actually meeting you!" She pumped his hand. She had a surprisingly strong grip for one so slight.
Harry managed to extricate his fingers. "Yeah, well, anyways I'm one of the Gryffindor prefects. Hermione Granger here," he pointed to her and she smiled, "is the other. I'm also the Quidditch Captain."
Ward smiled at him broadly. "Ah, I knew there must be an ulterior motive. Though, I can't say why so many people make this much out of me. I mean, from what I hear, Giusseppe Drigo in Italy is at least as good." She blushed slightly, as if talking about this embarrassed her. "I mean, have you even seen me play?"
Harry smiled. "Well, from what I've heard you're brilliant, so I don't have to. I trust my sources." He looked at Ron. "I'll talk to Professor McGonagall to see if we can bend the first-year rule."
The rest of the feast went as usual. Ron stuffed himself, earning a glare from Hermione. She and Harry then led the first years up to the common room. Hermione had chosen the password; it was "Revision." Trust her to pick a synonym for study.
The four of them grabbed their swords after everyone was situation and headed down, careful not to attract any notice. They were in the Great Hall in a flash, waiting for Professor Dumbledore.
He arrived shortly after them, along with Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick. "So, Harry, what is it you wish to discuss?"
Harry stepped forward and unsheathed his sword. It shone fiercely in the light, a beam glinting off it's razor edge. Harry had a sensation of power and energy he had never felt before. He handed it to Professor Dumbledore, who handled it lightly, like an expert.
"Where did you find this?" he whispered gravely after making a few practice swishes.
Hermione stepped forward. "Well, Harry found his outside his Aunt and Uncle's house. I found mine in a park, Ron got his from his brother Bill, who found it in Egypt, and…where did you get yours, Neville?"
Dumbeldore looked up. "Then…you each have one of these? Show them to me," he commanded. They all pulled out their swords, giving them up for inspection, even Neville, who dared not cross Dumbledore, especially not with Snape in the room.
Dumbledore inspected them carefully, taking note of every detail. Professor Flitwick and Snape also looked over them warily, while McGonagall simply stood by watching like a hawk. Dumbledore eventually handed them all back. He sighed deeply. "It is as I feared. Some weeks ago, twelve magical objects arrived on this planet from another realm entirely. A…different universe parallel to our own. Exactly what they were, I was not sure, only that they were extremely powerful. All of you know the legend of King Arthur, yes?" The all nodded. "Each of the swords you now possess is at least as powerful as his Excalibur. Any more than that, I cannot say, as I myself do not know the extent or exact capabilities of each sword's powers." He paused. "Can any of you tell me what your swords have done, so far?"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron looked sheepish. "Well, other than make sounds, Ron and mine haven't done anything. Hermione's hasn't done anything at all. Neville's though…" He looked at Neville. "He says it seems to bring him luck."
Dumbledore nodded slowly. "Just what kind of luck?"
Neville looked terrified of answering. "Well…any kind of good luck. Like, the odds are always 100% in my favor. I made a bet with Seamus Finnigan which I was sure I'd lose, just to test it, but I won. And, whenever something's about to hurt me, I suddenly notice something and duck, or something like that." He fumbled for words.
Dumbledore nodded. "If you would permit me, Neville, I would like to test it." Neville nodded meekly. Dumbledore raised his wand. "I am only going to try and Stun you, so don't worry." He opened his mouth, but just then, Snape, who had been pacing, tripped on his robes and knocked Dumbledore over. His curse missed Neville completely.
Harry stood there, astonished. What were the odds of that? Maybe Neville's sword truly was lucky. Dumbledore was equally impressed. "Well, I must say, the odds of Severus knocking me over at just that instant were low indeed. That sword must give you extremely good fortune, Mr. Longbottom."
He turned to the rest of them. "Now, it does not appear to me that these swords have any Dark Magic, or are currently dangerous. So, I will allow you to keep them. But, if they do start to exhibit dangerous properties, you must bring them to me at once. Understood?" They all agreed to this straight away.
Harry started to leave, then realized something. "Er, Professor?" Dumbledore turned. "At the beginning of the month, a boy was killed by the Death Eaters up North. There appeared to be no motive. Could they, perhaps, have found a sword near the boy? Or the boy found it? You did say there were twelve."
Dumbeldore nodded. "Indeed I did. And I have wondered those same thoughts, Harry. We must be on guard. Voldemort may have a Sword of Power." With that, he and the other Professors exited. And Harry was left to wonder if Voldemort really did have a Sword, and if so, what could his do?
A/N: First off, I'd like to thank all who have reviewed for me thus far: XxKkAnGxX, perfectmisstake, Thelvyn, Joyce, yurimionepotter, and HerioneGranger 4 ever.
Joyce: Well, credit for the "Song Of Swords" actually goes to Fred Saberhagen, from which I borrowed his Swords of Power. The man is a genius. But thanks anyways! As for which Swords they have…Well, you'll find out soon enough…
Thelvyn: Well, reading the series might spoil it, as you'd figure out which Swords are which and what their powers and weaknesses are. But if you wait until about Chapter 9 or so, I'll probably have it all explained by then.
Xx: I love cliff-hangers. You'll get plenty of them with me. Muahahahahaha!