Chapter 11: Darkness And Light
On the morning of September First, Amelia sent word via Tonks that Harry would have an escort to King's Cross and that, even though there were still frosty relationships between them, Harry would also be going with the Weasleys, Hermione, Neville and the Order, the newly-adopted Potter still in shock as to the new power he had experienced.
Apparently, according to Sebastian, Neville was considered a part of the Big Three, the trio who seemed to lead and command the Holy Knights back in the early days of the warriors. The other two were the Holy Knight of Thunder and the Holy Knight of Ocean, which meant that the newly-appointed Knight was clearly more than he had appeared after only a matter of hours as a Knight, a piece of information that Harry treasured as it meant he could truly trust Neville.
Like Harry and Hermione, Neville had an affinity with his element and his fiery personality meant that he would be able to manipulate the heat and fire within a room, being or an item of the flames. Apparently, Neville would also be able to speak to the dragons and the phoenixes as well as being considerably fire-proof and incapable of becoming too hot or too cold.
When Harry had shared this information, Neville had been impressed to say the least, but, as they waited outside the Leaky Cauldron for the Ministry escorts, Harry then turned to Sebastian, his eyes firm but filled with a calm air as he asked, "Sebastian, when we get to Hogwarts, would you and the Order do me a favour?"
"Name it," Sebastian remarked, Harry clearly noticing the absence of the words "my lord" with that response: the Warrior was learning.
"If you desire to be so formal around me," Harry explained, "Would you mind doing so in private and appearing as friendly and personal as you have been around others?"
"Of course," Sebastian remarked, before he lowered his voice and asked, "And what of those who would see you hurt or weakened?"
"That's the next point," Harry explained, looking to Neville and Ginny as he added, "It's not like McGonagall or Dumbledore will be able to stop me anyway, but I'd like to speak to McGonagall about having one of the Order watching over the Gryffindors as a personal matter. You see," he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he explained, "I am still as yet to make my choice regarding the ancient Chambers of Gryffindor known as the Lion's Wing and so, if my suspicions are correct, then I'll be asked to remain in Gryffindor Tower and I will need someone to keep an eye on things."
"I am the head of the Order Harry," Sebastian reminded him, "If anyone should be watching over you and Hermione, then I suggest that it should be me."
"And I would agree," Harry nodded, "But I have another small task for you Sebastian and, besides, whoever I choose would need to be with the House at all times and, as the head of my warriors, you would be unable to match such a timetable. It is for this reason that I suggest someone like Tyler or Felicia as their youthful appearances will fit in around Hogwarts, whereas the rest of you could simply act as watchers from a private post or within the lessons. Also," he then added, watching as his isolation from the group finally seemed to be noticed, "I trust you to do the right thing, but Tyler and Felicia are young and I'd like to give them a chance to prove themselves to me."
"As you wish," Sebastian replied, watching as Harry seemed to rejoin the group, "I will speak with them and report back to you at a moment's notice."
"Thank you," Harry sighed, watching as Hermione seemed to remain close to Ginny, her face stern and almost nothing like the Hermione that Harry had known and loved.
'What's wrong Hermione?' asked Harry, directing his thoughts to his girlfriend.
'I'm just worried is all,' Hermione replied, 'My parents were slightly concerned that you and I would be targeted at Hogwarts and I would have to agree with them. But, out of all of the allies we've acquired, Ginny is the only girl I can truly talk to and, well…last night, I was worried about the effect her protection under our House was having on her, so I went to ask her.'
'And what happened?' asked Harry.
'Oh nothing much,' Hermione answered, the sarcasm obvious to Harry, 'Unless you count the green-eyed monster creeping up on the Dead Man Walking and him saying that Ginny shouldn't be allowed to remain a Gryffindor if she needs to lower her standards so that people feel sorry for her.'
'I see,' Harry sighed, looking to where the aforementioned Dead Man Walking was looking to Ginny and Hermione with a sneer on his face that could only be said to describe confidence. 'And what did you do?'
'Nothing much,' Hermione repeated, 'At least…nothing that won't take effect until later on today: say, around the time of the Hogwarts Feast; you can thank the twins for their part in this.'
'Why Hermione Granger?' asked Harry, an amused laugh disappearing in his throat, 'Did you play a little prank on Ron?'
'I'm not saying anything,' replied the Holy Knight of Ocean.
'But you're not denying it either,' the Holy Knight of Thunder teased her. 'Don't worry love: those two could corrupt even the most stoic of people into their wicked ways if, and I can't believe I'm using the words, but if it was for the greater good.'
'And this time,' Hermione remarked, 'It is.'
'Then,' Harry sighed, watching as the Ministry cars turned up, a selection of Aurors showing their badges to Harry as they were escorted into the vehicles, 'I guess the smart thing would be for me to sit back and enjoy the show.'
HPHG
They reached King's Cross with twenty minutes to spare; the Ministry drivers found them trolleys, unloaded their trunks, touched their hats in salute to Mr. Weasley and Harry, and drove away, somehow managing to jump to the head of an unmoving line at the traffic lights; Mr. Weasley kept close to Harry's elbow all the way into the station.
"Right then," he said, glancing around them. "Let's do this in pairs, as there are so many of us. I'll go through first with Harry."
Mr. Weasley strolled toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten, pushing Harry's trolley and apparently very interested in the Intercity 125 that had just arrived at platform nine. With a meaningful look at Harry, he leaned casually against the barrier. Harry imitated him.
In a moment, they had fallen sideways through the solid metal onto platform nine and three-quarters and looked up to see the Hogwarts Express, a scarlet steam engine, puffing smoke over a platform packed with witches and wizards seeing their children onto the train.
Percy and Ginny suddenly appeared behind Harry. They were panting and had apparently taken the barrier at a run.
"Ah, there's Penelope!" said Percy, smoothing his hair and going pink again. Ginny caught Harry's eye, and they both turned away to hide their laughter as Percy strode over to a girl with long, curly hair, walking with his chest thrown out so that she couldn't miss his shiny badge. Once the remaining Weasleys and Hermione had joined them, Harry and Mr. Weasley led the way to the end of the train, past packed compartments, to a carriage that looked quite empty.
Before anyone could make another move, however, Harry stopped dead and turned to the Weasleys, his face suddenly very plain as he spoke, "While I'm thankful for your escort to the station, all I'm going to say is this: I have no desire to sit anywhere near Ronald or anyone appointed by Mrs Weasley, so, if it's all the same to you, I think Hermione, Neville and I will go and find our own compartment. Mr Weasley, have a nice summer: Fred, George, Ginny, feel free to join us a little later."
"Okay Harry," Ginny replied, Harry smiling to her as he fixed Ron and Molly with a stare that would have frightened even a Basilisk as if daring them to say anything now that he was in earshot. When they didn't, Hermione followed Harry down the train, Tonks, Sebastian and the Order remaining with them until they found a compartment where, as soon as they opened it, Neville gave a gasp as a familiar blonde-haired witch greeted them.
"Hi Luna," he spoke up, the mysterious Luna Lovegood looking to them as she smiled warmly, "Nice summer?"
"Interesting," Luna replied; she was dressed in her Hogwarts robes, though now she also wore a neck-chain of bottle-corks that seemed to radiate a sense of magic. "Dad and I went hunting."
"For Nargles?" asked Hermione, Harry recalling the conversation that the two had held on the way back from Hogwarts.
"Oh no," Luna smiled, "Nargles can only be summoned or called; they can't be hunted: we went hunting for Crumpled-Horned Snorkacks, but we never really found any."
"That's no real surprise," Sebastian spoke up, slightly startling Harry as he thought his guard to have gone patrolling; instead, he was standing on the inside of their compartment, Tonks sat next to Neville and Luna. "The Snorkack is an Ethereal."
"A what?" asked Hermione, Harry slightly baffled as to the purpose for Tonks still being here.
"A creature that exists within the dimensions between ours and the lands of dreams," Sebastian explained, before he looked to Luna as he added, "Nargles are another breed as are the dark omen-considered creatures called Thestrals: Ethereals can only be seen or sensed by those with a clear vision of the world between worlds and, if one such Sensory was found, then they were to be trained in their abilities. How long have you believed in them Miss?"
"Lovegood," Harry informed Sebastian, "Luna Lovegood."
Sebastian seemed taken aback as he looked to Luna before he asked, "Would you have known a Miranda, alias Maia, Lovegood?"
"My Mum," Luna answered, "She died when I was nine years old."
"She was a Sensory," Sebastian explained, "And a very good friend of mine: in fact, when I wasn't on duty for Harry's family, I was enjoying long talks about the world beyond with her."
"Could Luna have inherited her ability?" asked Hermione.
"That's one possibility," Sebastian nodded, before he seemed to lock his gaze on Harry as he added, "Though there is another."
"And," Harry asked, though a part of him felt that he knew what was coming as an answer, "What is that?"
"That she's a Pure Knight," Sebastian explained, before he looked to Luna as he added, "Though it's more likely the first as all Warriors can sense Pure Knights when we meet them and, right now, I'm only sensing one…Harry."
"Oh," Luna gasped, looking to Harry as she added, "I suspected that you had power Harry Potter, or do you prefer Lord Potter?"
"My friends," Harry remarked, nodding to Luna as if to tell her that she was one, "Call me Harry; it's a pleasure to meet and greet you officially Luna."
"The pleasure's mine Harry," Luna explained, before she looked to Tonks as she added, "A Metamorphmagus as well: you're very strong Miss."
"Thank you," Tonks replied, before she looked to Harry as she asked, "I suppose you're wondering what I'm doing here, right Harry?"
"Thought crossed my mind," Harry sighed, looking to his girlfriend.
Tonks heaved a sigh before she leaned forwards and spoke with Harry, "After your encounter with him over the summer, Amelia wanted me to remain at your side as a guard and someone who could liaise with Hogwarts and the Ministry: I'm also to act as a personal checker for your mail, in case you receive anything laced and, once we're alone, Amelia wants me to swear a witch's oath of silence so that I won't betray your secrets and, should anything I'm not meant to see come to you, then it's a case of See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil."
Harry nodded in thanks to her, a part of him gaining a sense of respect for the junior Auror, though through the alliance that Amelia had gained from Harry, it was almost like Tonks was becoming a part of his family. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about Tonks that reminded Harry of someone else, but he couldn't think about who it was.
Introducing Tonks to Luna, as well as giving her the warning about Tonks' first name, Harry leaned back in his chair and, with the deftest of strokes, removed Excalibur from his belt, laying the gleaming goblin-made sword across his lap, his silver eye almost shining in the reflection from the light of the sword.
"Expecting trouble Harry?" asked Sebastian, looking from Luna to Harry as he addressed his young lord.
"Well," answered Harry calmly, "If the past two years are anything to go by, then this train journey will be anything except uneventful, particularly given my recent acquisitions of the Lordships that I own."
"I guess I should go and inform the Order then," suggested Sebastian, watching as Harry just nodded, resting his head on the window of the carriage as the train finally pulled out of King's Cross, the start of Harry's third year now made official as he left the Muggle world behind, a part of him laughing to himself as an ironic thought filled his head.
'I'm going home…'
Across from him, Harry heard Hermione laugh in agreement as if his thought had been spread across their bond, before the young wizard gently lay his hand on the hilt of his blade and closed his eyes, hoping beyond hope that when he next opened his eyes, he would be looking at the familiar, welcoming sights of Hogwarts School and Witchcraft and Wizardry and that the students on the train would be unaffected by any sort of trauma of accidental magic.
Was that too much to ask?
Yes…
HPHG
'Harry wake up: we need you!'
The sound of Hermione's voice, ringing as clear as a bell within his mind, pulled Harry from his sleep, the train seemingly slowing down, a heavy autumn rainfall now lashing against the window as Harry looked out of the window. He couldn't see anything that seemed to resemble Hogsmeade Village, though when he looked closer, Harry then noticed that the countryside scenery wasn't even Scottish, but somehow signs that they were still in England.
"We can't be there yet," he groaned, before looking to Hermione, "What's going on?"
"I don't know," she answered, "Tonks and Sebastian have gone to investigate, but that's not why I woke you: look at Excalibur!"
Harry looked down, his eyes widening as he saw the edge of his magical weapon glowing with silvery light, the metallic edge of the sword becoming coated by a strange silvery material that, when he looked closer, Harry noticed to be frost. Somehow, someway, Excalibur was being frozen by magical forces unknown and, as Harry looked back to Hermione, he saw that she was shaking.
A sound like a match being lit made both of them jump, Harry instinctively raising the sword as he looked, but calmed down when he saw that it was Neville, who was now holding a football-sized crimson flame between his hands, the Knight of Fire holding out the flame to Harry and Hermione, the Knight of Thunder smiling as he whispered, "You've been practicing."
Neville beamed at the pride, before he asked, "Can't you feel that though Harry?"
Harry suddenly did feel something; like a numbing cold had entered the compartment and was slowly slithering through each of its occupants; however, when the cold reached Harry, it froze solid before Harry clasped at his head, a powerful magic trying to burrow inside him. Looking all around the compartment, Harry tried summoning a bolt of lightning, as if to assure himself that he was going to be all right before he felt it; another numbing presence was now building inside him and, with this presence came a sense of magic that seemed to not only affect Harry, but Excalibur as well, the gleaming silver sword now icing over and becoming heavy in Harry's hands.
"What…what is going on?" gasped Harry, shivering slightly as he saw Neville hand the fireball to Luna, a smile touching the face of the Holy Knight of Thunder as he seemed to pick up on something other than friendship going on between these two.
Looking around himself, Harry concentrated on the power of the storm outside, trying to force some kind of warmth into his fingers as he tried to re-heat Excalibur's surface, the metallic edge reacting to his power, but not enough so that the heavy feeling in his fingers left him. Excalibur was still frozen and, before Harry could ask what was happening, they all felt it: a powerful numbing cold had entered the compartment and, as Harry stared ahead, he then saw the window of their compartment being covered by a black-cloaked figure that seemed to trail its fingers along the glass, Harry aware of a dark and foreboding presence now working its way inside him.
Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the shivering flames in Neville's hand as well as the still-glowing edge of Excalibur was a cloaked figure that towered to the ceiling. Its face was completely hidden beneath its hood. Harry's eyes darted downward, and what he saw made his stomach contract. There was a hand protruding from the cloak and it was glistening, grayish, slimy-looking, and scabbed, like something dead that had decayed in water.
But it was visible only for a split second. As though the creature beneath the cloak sensed Harry's gaze, the hand was suddenly withdrawn into the folds of its black cloak; and then the thing beneath the hood, whatever it was, drew a long, slow, rattling breath, as though it were trying to suck something more than air from its surroundings.
An intense cold swept over them all. Harry felt his own breath catch in his chest. The cold went deeper than his skin. It was inside his chest, it was inside his very heart: Harry's eyes rolled up into his head. He couldn't see. He was drowning in cold. There was a rushing in his ears as though of water. He was being dragged downward, the roaring growing louder.
And then, from far away, he heard screaming, terrible, terrified, pleading screams. He wanted to help whoever it was, he tried to move his arms, but couldn't…a thick white fog was swirling around him, inside him; Harry was aware of a flash from the very edge of his vision, before a new scream filled the compartment, a scream like that of an orchestra of banshees and, when Harry found he could move again, a new voice was speaking, a hoarse, older voice that clearly spoke with authority.
"None of us are hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks!"
Harry's vision began to come back to him, warmth and magic flowing freely through his limbs as he slowly came back to the land of the conscious and, as he looked around the compartment, Harry saw his weapon was now glowing completely, white light snaking from its tip, the light taking the shape of an animal that seemed to stand protectively in front of the students, a new member standing in the doorway, his grey eyes on Harry.
The newcomer was dressed in shabby robes and had dark brown hair with flecks of grey; his face was slightly scarred, as though some great abuse had been suffered and, when he saw the animal in front of Harry, a word left the man's lips, "Prongs."
The animal turned from the man to Harry and the young Lord gasped as he finally saw it: it was a stag! A set of beautiful white antlers were crested above his head and, as he looked at Harry, the stag bowed with respect before he seemed to be absorbed back into the blade of Excalibur, the man still staring in awe and shock as Harry straightened up, Excalibur no longer frosted over, but now warm and powerful in his hands.
"Are you all right?" asked the man, before he stepped aside as Sebastian appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock as he saw Harry in his slumped state.
"My lord," he gasped, "I'm sorry: I should not have left your side."
"Don't worry Sebastian," Harry smiled, "You followed your instincts; there's no cause for forgiveness: besides," he then held up Excalibur as he added, "I think Excalibur saved me."
Sebastian heaved a sigh, before he turned to the newcomer and added, "Thank you sir: as a Warrior of Pendragon, you have my gracious thanks and I ask what I can do to repay you for protecting my lord."
"You can stop being so formal Seba," laughed the man, Sebastian's head snapping up as if he recognised the name.
"Only two people called me that," he gasped, "Lord Potter and…"
The man stepped into the light of the compartment, his eyes shining with happiness as he added, "And me."
"Bloody hell!" Sebastian exclaimed, startling Harry as it was the first time he had heard his protector speak so informally, "Remus!"
"Yes," the man, Remus, replied, before he held out his hand to Harry and added, "Hello there cub: my name is Remus Lupin, I'm your new Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher and…I…knew your parents; now, if you'll let me, I'd like to know you."
Harry looked from Sebastian to Remus as he seemed to finally come back to earth; holding out his hand, he explained, "Anyone who knew my parents as well as Sebastian clearly says are welcome as my friends: it's a pleasure to meet you Remus."
A loud snapping sound had Harry reacting, but it was only Tonks, who had turned up after Sebastian, breaking a large slab of chocolate into pieces, before she began to hand a piece to each of the students, Harry thanking her as he sat back, Excalibur now resting by his leg as he looked at Remus, who was smiling fondly at the young lord.
'My parents,' he thought, Hermione looking to him as if she sensed his thoughts, 'He knows my parents: so does he know Sirius?'
HPHG
They didn't talk much during the remainder of the journey. At long last, the train stopped at Hogsmeade station, and there was a great scramble to get outside; owls hooted, cats meowed, and Neville's pet toad croaked loudly from under his hat. It was freezing on the tiny platform; rain was driving down in icy sheets.
"Firs' years this way!" called a familiar voice. Harry and Hermione turned and saw the gigantic outline of Hagrid at the other end of the platform, beckoning the terrified-looking new students forward for their traditional journey across the lake.
"All right, you three?" Hagrid yelled over the heads of the crowd. They waved at him, Harry wondering what Hagrid meant by three, but supposed it had something to do with Neville being with them. He had no chance to speak to him because the mass of people around them was shunting them away along the platform. Harry, Neville, Luna and Hermione followed the rest of the school along the platform and out onto a rough mud track, where at least a hundred stagecoaches awaited the remaining students, each pulled, Harry could only assume, by an invisible horse, because when they climbed inside and shut the door, the coach set off all by itself, bumping and swaying in procession.
The coach smelled faintly of mold and straw. Harry felt better since the chocolate, but still weak.
As the carriage trundled toward a pair of magnificent wrought iron gates, flanked with stone columns topped with winged boars, Harry saw two more towering, hooded Dementors, standing guard on either side. A wave of cold sickness threatened to engulf him again; he leaned back into the lumpy seat and closed his eyes until they had passed the gates. The carriage picked up speed on the long, sloping drive up to the castle; Hermione was leaning out of the tiny window, watching the many turrets and towers draw nearer. At last, the carriage swayed to a halt, and Hermione got out, but Neville assisted Harry down, his hands warm as though he had pushed his magic into his body in an attempt to aid his brother.
As Harry stepped down, a drawling, delighted voice sounded in his ear.
"You fainted, Potter? Is it the truth? You actually fainted?"
Malfoy elbowed past Hermione to block Harry's way up the stone steps to the castle, his face gleeful and his pale eyes glinting maliciously.
"Piss off Malfoy," growled Harry, his silver eye glowing in the light of the rainstorm, "It's not wise to piss me off right now!"
"And I'd listen to him," added Sebastian, appearing seemingly out of the darkness behind Malfoy as he explained, "I suggest you move along sir and leave my young charge to his tasks: oh and that reminds me, Harry? Professor McGonagall wishes to see you with the matron."
"Great," sighed Harry, following Sebastian inside, Neville and Luna making their own way to the Great Hall as Harry had Hermione at his side, Sebastian leading them towards McGonagall's office, where, as soon as they had stepped inside, the Head of Gryffindor walked in from another room, her face showing concern and pride as she saw her two lions.
Professor McGonagall motioned Harry and Hermione to sit down. She settled herself behind her desk and said abruptly, "Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train, Potter."
Before Harry could reply, there was a soft knock on the door and Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, came bustling in. Harry felt himself going red in the face. It was bad enough that he'd passed out, or whatever he had done, without everyone making all this fuss. "I'm fine," he said, "I don't need anything -"
"Oh, it's you, is it?" said Madam Pomfrey, ignoring this and bending down to stare closely at him. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"
"It was a Dementor, Poppy," said Professor McGonagall.
They exchanged a dark look, and Madam Pomfrey clucked disapprovingly. "Setting Dementors around a school, she muttered, pushing back Harry's hair and feeling his forehead. "He won't be the last one who collapses. Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate -"
"I'm not delicate!" said Harry crossly.
"Of course you're not," said Madam Pomfrey absentmindedly, now taking his pulse.
"What does he need?" said Professor McGonagall crisply. "Bed rest? Should he perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?"
"I'm fine!" said Harry, jumping up. The thought of what Draco Malfoy would say if he had to go to the hospital wing was torture.
"Well, he should have some chocolate, at the very least," said Madam Pomfrey, who was now trying to peer into Harry's eyes.
"I've already had some," said Harry. "Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us."
"Did he, now?" said Madam Pomfrey approvingly. "So we've finally got a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?"
"Are you sure you feel all right, Potter?" Professor McGonagall said sharply.
"Yes," said Harry.
"Very well. Kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Granger about her course schedule, then we can go down to the feast together."
"Why?"
The question caught both members of staff off-guard, but Harry was now standing protectively next to Hermione, his hand sliding towards his belt as he waited for an answer.
"Well," McGonagall answered, clearly remembering the bad signs of upsetting her male lion over the one that he had clearly taken as his girlfriend, "If you must know Potter, the headmaster has requested that Miss Granger rethink her schedule and apply for a few additional lessons."
"Well," Harry replied, his tone thick and heavy as he tried not to lose it here, "The headmaster has no real say: Hermione, as you know, chose her subjects and chose to stay with me: so, whatever great plan Albus Too-Many-Names Dumbledore had for her will have to be ignored: as I told you, the lessons we are taking are Runes, Ad Charms and Care; nothing more and nothing less."
"I understand that Potter," McGonagall agreed, "But those are your choices and I believe Miss Granger wished to take Arithmancy and Divination, the latter of which is what the headmaster has requested you choose yourself as they will greatly help you in your task to become an…"
"Stop the play," Harry sighed, "I want to leave the theatre: Professor, whatever Dumbledore has told you is nothing more than a pile of crap and I use that term lightly. He seeks to use me because of my new station and turn me against my peers while trying to repair an already broken friendship; so, I will not take any additional lessons requested by the headmaster. Instead, Hermione and I will be joined by Neville Longbottom in a selection of private studies seen to by my guard here, Sebastian McDale, and my family's warriors: the Order of Pendragon. Now, if that is everything Professor, I have a feast to attend to and, in the future, tell the headmaster this: he can keep his abnormally broken nose out of other people's business, clear? Good!"
With that, Harry took Hermione's hand and, turning to leave, added, "Do you mind the work Sebastian?"
"Of course not Harry," the warrior replied, "And I approve Master Longbottom joining us: let's get to the feast."
"Yes," Harry laughed, "I wouldn't want to miss the show."
HPHG
"Oh," said Hermione softly, "we've missed the Sorting!"
New students at Hogwarts were sorted into Houses by trying on the Sorting Hat, which shouted out the House they were best suited to (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin). Professor McGonagall strode off toward her empty seat at the staff table, and Harry and Hermione set off in the other direction, as quietly as possible, toward the Gryffindor table. People looked around at them as they passed along the back of the hall, and a few of them pointed at Harry. Had the story of his collapsing in front of the Dementor travelled that fast?
He and Hermione sat down on either side of Neville, who had saved them seats, Harry noticing Ron looking like he'd been sucking on the world's most sour lemons as they began to talk in friendly terms with their new friend and Harry's new brother.
"What was all that about?" he muttered to Harry.
Harry started to explain in a whisper, but at that moment the headmaster stood up to speak, and he broke off.
Professor Dumbledore, though very old, always gave an impression of great energy. He had several feet of long silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, and an extremely crooked nose. He was often described as the greatest wizard of the age, but that wasn't why Harry had respected him. You couldn't help trusting Albus Dumbledore, and as Harry watched him beaming around at the students, he felt really calm for the first time since the Dementor had entered the train compartment.
"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
He paused, and Harry remembered what had been said about Dumbledore not being happy with the Dementors guarding the school. "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, and Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors," he said.
Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from Harry, puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively. Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound.
"On a happier note," he continued, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. Only those who had been in the compartment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard, Harry among them. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.
"Look at Snape!" Neville hissed in Harry's ear.
Professor Snape, the Potions master, was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defence Against the Dark Arts job, but even Harry, who hated Snape, was startled at the expression twisting his thin, sallow face. it was beyond anger: it was loathing. Harry knew that expression only too well; it was the look Snape wore every time he set eyes on Harry.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
Harry, Neville, and Hermione stared at one another, stunned. Then they joined in with the applause, which was tumultuous at the Gryffindor table in particular. Harry leaned forward to see Hagrid, who was ruby red in the face and staring down at his enormous hands, his wide grin hidden in the tangle of his black beard.
"We should've known!" Ron roared, pounding the table. "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?"
Harry, face showing a sense of true shame as to Ron's ever-loud mouth, and Hermione were the last to stop clapping, and as Professor Dumbledore started speaking again, they saw that Hagrid was wiping his eyes on the tablecloth.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"
However, as the feast began, Harry just placed a hand on Neville's arm and, as he received a look, the Holy Knight shook his head, "Wait a moment: I get the feeling that you'll like this bit."
The words had barely left his lips before a familiar red-head gasped, "What the hell?"
Turning, Harry tried his hardest not to laugh as he saw Ron reaching out to the plates and tureens of food, but, no sooner had his fingers touched the edge than the food literally turned to dust, as if it were nothing more than a prank; however, when anyone else went for the same dish, the food came back and was as delicious as ever.
'Sly,' Harry remarked, his laughter echoing across their bond, 'Very sly: I am so glad those two are on my side.'
'I wanted to punish him,' Hermione reasoned, 'And this did the job.'
Harry laughed in agreement as he watched food continuously disintegrate in front of Ron, while he, Neville and Hermione enjoyed a bountiful feast, Harry noticing a certain headmaster watching with shock and a sense of fear. Seeing the look, Harry stood up and, holding out his hand, walked over to the Ravenclaw Table with Hermione and Neville, where he saw Luna sat alone, her clearly new robes already ruffled and damp from the rain. Taking a seat with her, Harry asked, "What happened?"
"I was locked out of my carriage," Luna explained, "I had to hitch a ride with the Thestrals."
"Are you all right?" asked Neville, Harry watching as his friend conjured a small flame to warm Luna back up.
"Perfectly fine," she remarked, but Harry, who had lived with the human boxing beast, knew bullying when he saw it.
"Luna," he told her, "You're not going back to Ravenclaw Tower tonight: you can come with us and, if anyone says anything, then you let me deal with it, all right?"
"Oh," gasped Luna, "Okay Harry."
As they began eating, much to the chagrin of the other ravens, Harry then sensed he was being watched: looking up, the Knight of Thunder saw he was face to face – literally – with the stout Professor Flitwick, the head of Ravenclaw looking both surprised and slightly enraged to see two lions sitting with one of his ravens.
"Potter, Granger," he squeaked, "Detention with me for wrongful place in the feast: please kindly return to your table."
"No," Harry remarked, his voice calm as he added, "And if you want to give out detentions, Professor then please, kindly give them to those who deserve it: like the Ravens who think it funny to lock Luna out of her carriage and steal her shoes and leave her on her own. Until then, I won't attend any detentions or leave her alone: she is my friend and," he then reached under his robe and heard a gasp from Flitwick as Excalibur was revealed, though Harry revealed his Knight's ID, "As the Holy Knight of Thunder, I have the right to protect who I wish and by using any means necessary."
Filius was stunned as he looked upon the blade; it was a legendary weapon and one that no swordsman would dare question: not to mention Harry's declaration as to him being the Holy Knight of Thunder. Being of goblin blood, Filius knew of the Knights and their power; if he didn't repair this fault, then he would lose face in his brothers and kinsmen.
"M-my apologies my Lord Potter," Flitwick bowed, "I was wrong to question your integrity: please accept the apology of a humbled duellist and head of House as well as my word that I will investigate these matters deeply."
"Thank you Professor Flitwick," Harry replied, placing his ID in his pocket as he then decided that there was only one way to officially look out for his friends and allies. Making a quick note on a piece of parchment, Harry quickly called Dobby and told him, "Take this to Gringotts and deliver it personally to Ragnok."
"Yes Harry," Dobby replied, vanishing just as quickly as he had arrived.
Looking to Professor Flitwick, Harry smiled as he added, "Don't worry about where she'll stay Professor: I found…the purrfect spot!
Chapter 11 and Harry has gone out of his way to look after his friends, but can he keep his cool in Hogwarts or will he have to bring in some additional help?
Keep Reading to Find Out;
Next Chapter: Lessons with Remus, Sebastian and Hagrid; Harry discovers the truth behind Ad Charms and the Lion's Wing is explored by the Holy Knights, where Harry meets an old friend;
"M-my apologies my Lord Potter," Flitwick bowed, "I was wrong to question your integrity: please accept the apology of a humbled duellist and head of House as well as my word that I will investigate these matters deeply."
"Thank you Professor Flitwick," Harry replied, placing his ID in his pocket as he then decided that there was only one way to officially look out for his friends and allies. Making a quick note on a piece of parchment, Harry quickly called Dobby and told him, "Take this to Gringotts and deliver it personally to Ragnok."
"Yes Harry," Dobby replied, vanishing just as quickly as he had arrived.
Looking to Professor Flitwick, Harry smiled as he added, "Don't worry about where she'll stay Professor: I found…the purrfect spot!
Chapter 12: The Power Of A Name
After dinner, Harry, Luna, Hermione and Neville all left the Great Hall together, a couple of the students feeling a sense of confusion and bewilderment as to the sight of a Ravenclaw and three Gryffindors all heading in the same direction. Moving upwards through the school, Harry continued his movements further up until he reached the North Tower on the seventh floor, a part of him using his knowledge of Hogwarts to lead the way as he explained, "There's a reason Gryffindor Tower is on the seventh floor you know? It's because of the Wing and, if I'm right, then somewhere around…here we go."
He had stopped in front of what appeared to be a large statue of a proud and noble warrior, the stairway to the North Tower winding around them, "This is the entrance?" asked Hermione, "I must have walked past this corridor at least a hundred times."
"Maybe," Harry agreed, before he smiled slyly as he drew Excalibur from its sheath as he added, "But you wouldn't have gotten any further than this without…the key." He lifted the sword high and, as Luna, Neville and Hermione all watched, Harry then tapped the statue's heart with the sword, before he spoke with a voice of authority, "I, Harry James Potter, Heir of Godric Gryffindor, seek access to the Inner Sanctum known as the Lion's Wing: I present the sword of the King, Excalibur, as a sign of my Lordship and allow the three beings escorting me, along with the Order of Pendragon, to enter the Lion's Wing and leave as they wish."
There was a moment's pause before Luna and Neville gasped as the statue then came to life, its stony gaze on the sword at its chest, before it looked into Harry's eyes and, seeing the silver glow from his heterochromic gaze, bowed with respect as he spoke in a noble voice. "Welcome sire: I am Lancelot, defender of the Wing and friend to Lord Gryffindor; the Chambers of the Lion await you: have you a password for access?"
"I have," Harry replied, looking to the others as he explained, "Password is Myrrdin's Valour, after the force of magic possessed by those sired by Emrys, the Holy Knights."
"Password accepted," Lancelot replied, before he visibly leaped down off his plinth and, as Harry watched, the warrior then pressed against the stone base of his plinth, a set of stairs appearing out of nowhere, their path leading downwards as if into the very foundations of Hogwarts herself. Following the path downwards, his small entourage following behind, Harry kept Excalibur held out, his eyes looking ahead as the floor beneath their feet evened out, revealing a solid golden archway with two large iron doors, the lock to which was shaped like the weapon in Harry's hand.
With a nod of understanding, Harry pushed Excalibur into the indentation, his magic resonating through the doorway as he felt the power and knowledge of Gryffindor coming to his aid, his silver eye shining brightly as Excalibur began to glow with a golden light, before there was a click and the doors opened, Harry's reaction to the room beyond being summed up by the words of his blood-brother.
"Bloody hell!"
'That's an understatement,' thought Harry, looking at the room before them: it was similar to the Gryffindor Common Room, except that it also had a long table suited for meeting and study, a set of golden-decorated leather chairs situated around the table, an image of Excalibur engraved into the fine wooden base of the table. Other than that, Harry also noticed three stairways, all of which led upwards, as well as a pair of doors on the left and right sides of the room. Moving to the left, Harry and Hermione gasped as they found a grand library, which was filled with, quite possibly, even more books and resources than those of the Hogwarts Library; there was even a large study area and central training field that was covered by a damage-reducing ward that made it safe to battle with more than magic.
Leaving the Library, Harry moved to the next room on the left, where he found a fully-functioning Potions Laboratory and clearly well-stocked supply of ingredients and texts on the subject; as he browsed the ingredients, Harry then noticed that the Wing stocked items that even Severus Snape would kill to possess, such as a full vial of unicorn blood and what appeared to be samples from a dragon's heart; Harry was looking forwards to Potions this year; that was for sure.
Moving over to the right-hand side of the room, Harry, Luna, Hermione and Neville found themselves standing in a relaxing environment that was more like the Common Room than the meeting room they had found through the door; there were several large and very comfy-looking chairs and bean-bags as well as an open fireplace that was decorated like a pride of lions' heads all roaring, the flames clearly lighting from within their mouths. Aside from the chairs and fireplace, Harry also noticed what appeared to be a private Floo channel and an ancestral clock that held the crest of Gryffindor.
That just left one room; moving through the final door, it was Neville who was left stunned this time as they found themselves standing in one area of a three-way chamber that, as Harry sniffed at the air, he recognised to be a fully-functioning greenhouse of some sort, the other two parts to the greenhouse evidently for plants and organisms that required a warmer or cooler climate. When he saw the look in his brother's eyes, Harry smiled before he explained, "When you have a free period or some spare time, feel free to indulge yourself in some private studies down here; I'm sure that Professor Sprout would approve."
"Thanks Harry," Neville gasped, watching as they left the greenhouse and made their way up towards the three stairwells, though Harry had suspicions as to their purposes.
He was proved right: the first stairwell led to a master bedroom where the signs and crests of Gryffindor seemed to decorate everything, a portrait bearing the Crest as well as the Holy Sword lying opposite a four-poster king-size bed; a large beech armoire and walk-in wardrobe ran along one wall and a door led off their bedroom into a private bathroom that was decorated from gilded metals and held the image of the lion on each tap and faucet.
The other two stairwells led to two similar chambers, albeit the third held more beds as Harry assumed that these were guest chambers and, given who he had assigned permission towards, he knew that this would be where the Order would be sleeping; if they needed anything changed, Harry would make sure that they told him.
"Wow," Hermione whispered, placing a soft kiss on Harry's cheek, "It's perfect."
"And it's ours," Harry replied, before he looked to Luna as he explained, "You and Neville are more than welcome to stay here Luna: you're friends and you're also under my personal protection from those who would bully you. If there's ever anything you need, then please don't hesitate to ask, is that all right?"
"That's fine Harry," Luna replied, before she gave a yawn as she asked, "What say we call it a night? Big day tomorrow."
"Good idea," Harry nodded, before saying goodnight to Luna and Neville, both he and Hermione returning to the master bedroom where, as soon as they were changed, the two Holy Knights curled up in each other's arms, Hermione's head resting in her favourite place: on Harry's chest.
"So what does this mean for Gringotts love?" asked Hermione, her hand linked with Harry's as she listened to his heartbeat.
"I guess it means that Ragnok will be calling on me soon," Harry explained, "As his letter said, my acceptance would mark us as betrothed and emancipate me in the wizarding world; I just hope that Mum and Dad don't mind."
"Do you have any plans to leave me?" asked Hermione, her tone indicating that she was teasing him.
"Of course not," Harry replied, "You are mine and I am yours."
"Do you have any plans to try and hurt me or break my heart?"
"I'd sooner let your Father break my neck."
"And do you have any real intentions to use me for your own gains?"
"Only in the intimate sense," Harry remarked, placing a soft kiss on Hermione's forehead as he ran his hand along her belly, earning a fit of giggles from his girlfriend, before she seemed to purr with contention as she resumed her place over his heart.
"Then," she replied, the soft breathing of her lover acting as the perfect lullaby to help her sleep, "I don't think they'll have anything to say except that you have their blessing."
Harry, giving Hermione another soft kiss on her forehead, smiled his thanks before he closed his eyes and allowed sleep to claim him, the bond between he and the Holy Knight of Ocean growing stronger now that they were, in every sense of the word, together at home.
HPHG
When Harry, Neville, Luna and Hermione entered the Great Hall for breakfast the next day, the first thing they saw was Draco Malfoy, who seemed to be entertaining a large group of Slytherins with a very funny story. As they passed, Malfoy did a ridiculous impression of a swooning fit and there was a roar of laughter.
"Ignore him," said Hermione, who was right behind Harry. "Just ignore him, it's not worth it..."
"Hey, Potter!" shrieked Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin girl with a face like a pug. "Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooooo!"
Harry dropped into a seat at the Gryffindor table, next to George Weasley.
"New third-year course schedules," said George, passing then, over. "What's up with you, Harry?"
Before he could answer, Harry found that his magic seemed to compensate for justice as a bolt of lightning flew from the skies displayed on the ceiling – today, a bleak autumn grey – and struck Malfoy's place, the blonde-haired Slytherin gasping in shock as the other Slytherins fell silent, Harry watching as some of them turned their heads to him.
"Git," Harry scowled, his emotions draining away thanks to the lightning bolt, "Hope he shits himself."
"That little git," George said calmly. "He wasn't so cocky last night when the Dementors were down at our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?"
"Nearly wet himself," said Fred, with a contemptuous glance at Malfoy.
"I wasn't too happy myself," said George. "They're horrible things, those Dementors..."
"Sort of freeze your insides, don't they?" said Fred.
"You didn't pass out, though, did you?" said Harry in a low voice.
"Forget it, Harry," said George bracingly. "Dad had to go out to Azkaban one time, remember, Fred? And he said it was the worst place he'd ever been, he came back all weak and shaking...They suck the happiness out of a place, Dementors. Most of the prisoners go mad in there."
"Anyway, we'll see how happy Malfoy looks after our first Quidditch match," said Fred. "Gryffindor versus Slytherin, first game of the season, remember?"
"No," Harry remarked, facing his fellow Gryffindors as he added, "I'm not on the team this year, remember?"
"WHAT?"
The collective cry from over half the Gryffindors was only matched by the cheers and applause from the Slytherins as Harry seemed unaffected, his eyes now not on the snakes, but the High Table, where he saw the Order sat with the teachers, Sebastian keeping close to Professor McGonagall while he seemed to keep an eye on Dumbledore.
"But Harry," Angelina exclaimed, "Why would you quit? You're the best there is…"
"The best there was…" Fred remarked.
"And the best there ever will be!" exclaimed George, before he seemed to pick up on Angelina's comment, "Why quit Quidditch?"
"Because I chose to," Harry replied, looking up and down the table as he noticed mixed looks of shock, horror, disbelief and, from one certain red-head, a sense of green-eyed envy, though he didn't know why.
"However," Harry then continued, "If you want a reasonable suggestion for a replacement, then may I suggest Ginny for the position? I've heard she's pretty fluent with a broom and her flying skills are second to none."
"Thanks Harry," Ginny smiled, "But the only one with any talent is my brother Charlie!"
"You never know," Harry sighed, before he seemed to pick up on some reminder as he called out, "Dobby!"
With his signature crack, the House Elf appeared and bowed to Harry as he asked, "How can Dobby be helping Harry Potter sir?"
"Can you go and fetch my Nimbus for me?" asked Harry, looking down the table as he explained, "I think I can find a better use for it."
At that moment, as Dobby left, the owls arrived and the green-eyed envy that settled in on the certain red-head became darker than dark as Ginny's Great Horned Owl flew down, a long, thin package in his talons.
Observing the owl, Harry then asked, "By the way Ginny: what did you decide to call him?"
"I call him Thor," answered Ginny, "Hermione said it was the name of a god of thunder and, well, when I think about who I need to thank for giving me the means to get him, I think it fits."
"Hear, hear," Fred laughed, before he lifted his goblet and added, "Here's to Harry Potter: Holy Knight of Thunder and the greatest Seeker we ever had: good luck with everything you do."
"To Harry," George agreed, before all of Gryffindor joined in the salute.
"TO HARRY!"
"Oh please," sneered Ron, finally hearing enough; rising from his seat, he walked over and went to grab the package acquired by Ginny, but was cut off when Thor slashed at Ron with his talons, Harry holding out his arm as the owl took flight and landed on his arm, its fierce demeanour being submitted against the power of the Holy Knight as Harry stroked the owl gently.
"That wasn't your gift," Harry remarked, before he sighed as he added, "I wonder what it could be: open it Ginny."
Ginny obliged, but, when the wrappings fell away, she gasped and looked down the table, where she saw Harry and Hermione smiling at her, the Gryffindors gasping in shock as she revealed a broomstick, but no ordinary broomstick.
"Bloody hell," Ron gasped, ignoring the deep cut on his hand for the item in front of them, "I thought you weren't a Malfoy kind of character Potter: that's a Firebolt!"
"Very good Wonniekins," Harry sneered, looking to Ginny as he explained, "Well let's face it: if Ginny had wanted to apply for the team, she'd need a fairly decent broom to knock the silver shit-head over there out of the air."
At that moment, Dobby returned and handed not one, but two packages to Harry, who gave a look of mock confusion as he asked, "Dobby, I thought I told you to go and get my Nimbus?"
"You did sir," Dobby replied, before he then pulled the wrapping from the packages and handed them to Harry, "Here are Harry Potter's Nimbuses sir."
"Holy shit!" gasped Ron, watching as Harry handed two Nimbus 2002s to the twins, his face twisted into a smile at their looks of shock.
"Second best only to the Firebolt," Harry explained, "And don't worry; remember that you two are my Vassal Family and so, when you wish it, we can talk about that proposition and you can use that to provide the payback for these."
"Thanks Harry," gasped the twins, looking to the wooden brooms in their hands: unlike the 2001s, the 2002s were made from polished and smoother-riding white wood that was unique to each broom through the magical prowess of their riders; though what the twins and Ginny didn't know was that Harry had also provided them with the means to keep these from certain unwelcome hands by outfitting them with charms and traps that would be triggered if the broom was ever stolen.
"Now," Harry sighed, "Just one more person and one more gift."
"Oh great mate," Ron laughed, but stopped dead when Harry moved not to him, but to Colin Creevey and Oliver Wood, the latter still in shock as to the loss of his seeker.
Stopping next to Colin, Harry smiled before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a shrunken package, which he then enlarged with a flick of his wand, his silver eye glowing with magic. Handing the package to Colin, Harry explained, "There you go Col: consider it my thanks for keeping me on my toes last year."
Opening the package, Harry smiled as he saw Colin's face stretch into a look of shock and disbelief: in front of him was a framed photo of Harry, dressed in his new attire, Excalibur at his side, a sky filled with lightning illuminating the background; in the corner of the portrait was a message:
To Mr Creevey,
I hope this picture is finally able to silence the fandom that you had with me last year; think of it as my way of saying you're welcome for helping you come back to the land of the living.
May your swords stay sharp;
H.K.T: Harry James Potter
"W…w…wow!" gasped Colin, looking to Harry with a sense of eternal gratitude, "Thanks Harry: I'll keep it safe forever, I promise."
"Thanks," Harry smiled, before he turned to Oliver and added, "I'm not going to explain my decision; all I'm going to say is this: good luck Ollie."
"Thanks Harry," the Quidditch Captain answered, his own attention distracted by the masterpiece that was held within the portrait.
As Harry went back to his seat, he stopped next to Ron and, looking deep into the boy's eyes, added, "And if you're wondering where your present is, you spiteful little shit, it'll be here when you give Hermione that apology…and mean it."
"When hell freezes over," Ron snarled, "I have nothing to be sorry for Potter because," he lowered his voice and literally got in Harry's face as he whispered, "Soon, she'll be my slave and you'll be licking my boots."
"Sure Weasley," Harry growled, thunder rumbling overhead as he then added, "But don't forget: Hermione has the strongest wizard in this school as her boyfriend, a legion of warriors watching out for her, is able to command the powers of Ice and Ocean and also happens to have access to the strongest weapon known to man: what do you have?"
The answer was obvious…to anyone who wasn't a Dead Man Walking…
HPHG
Their first lesson of the morning was Advanced Charmcasting and, as Harry made his way to the second floor classroom where they were supposed to go for the lesson, he couldn't take his mind away from everything that had happened in such a short space of time since his arrival at Hogwarts. First and foremost had been his meeting with Sirius and then meeting up with the mysterious Remus Lupin, a man who knew his parents and Sebastian pretty well; afterwards had been the power of Excalibur, summoning that apparition from its blade and somehow not only keeping Harry semi-conscious, but also keeping the Dementor at bay.
Then there was the final piece of the puzzle from Harry's first day: Dumbledore trying to interfere in his life and educational choices again, not only trying to take Hermione away from Harry, but also trying to redirect Harry into Divination, a subject he knew, thanks to talks with Sebastian and Amelia, was nothing more than a waste of time. The teacher, Sybil Trelawney, was nothing more than a batty old fraud who would have probably spent half her time trying to convince the class that Harry was going to die and then the other half of the time appearing drunk on some kind of sherry or alcoholic assistance in her so-called trances.
'Who does he think he's kidding?' Harry thought, aware of Hermione's presence on the edge of his mind, 'It's obvious that Dumbledore wants me to try and find an advocate in the powers of the subconscious so that, when he decides it's the right time, he'll reveal to me that which I already know to be a big fake. Unfortunately for that manipulative old bastard, I know the whole story and already have my plans set in motion to do whatever I must do in order to see the completion of the Holy Knights.'
Stopping outside the door to their Advanced Charms class, Harry and Hermione shared a glance that told them that the Holy Knight of Thunder's thought had been heard loud and clear before Harry then glanced around, noticing a few familiar faces joining them, such as the Ravenclaws Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe as well as Anthony Goldstein and Terry Boot, Harry not really surprised when he then noticed their fellow Gryffindor Seamus Finnegan and Neville also among the group: clearly his Gryffindor boycott of Divination had inspired the others.
'Only Dean and Weasley from the boys,' he thought, 'And Brown and Patil from the girls: no matter, I'm sure our paths will cross soon.'
However, when Harry saw the Slytherins, his face fell and his hands curled into fists as he saw Malfoy, Parkinson and Blaise Zabini walking in their direction, the first member of the group obviously still trying to impersonate a fainting fit.
'This should be a fun class love,' Harry remarked mentally, 'But if Malfoy tries even once to upset me or dare to insult you, then I declare open season on the snow-flake haired prick.'
'I won't stop you,' Hermione replied, watching as Harry then noticed a couple of Hufflepuffs approaching, among them the young niece of his Vassal, Susan Bones as well as Hannah Abbot and Justin Finch-Fletchley, the latter giving Harry a curt nod of his head, clearly wishing to bury the hatchet from their little misunderstanding in the previous year.
Turning back to the door, Harry raised a hand and knocked, slightly surprised when he heard Professor Flitwick's voice call out, "Enter!"
Stepping inside, Harry felt an iron-weight of wonder and bewilderment filling his mind and magic as he entered and, like the others, found what appeared to be apparitions flying around the room in streams of illusionary colours, their magic all coming from the stout goblin-blooded professor as he gestured to the rows of chairs, "All of you take your seats and, while you wait, I want you all to think about why you chose this lesson."
It was almost like the Great Hall all over again as the four Houses all sat with their own, Seamus on Hermione's side while Neville was next to Harry, the latter casually running his hand over the hilt of Excalibur as he found himself entranced by the swirling colours and gestures made by the apparitions before them.
So entranced was he that, by the time Harry knew what he was doing, Professor Flitwick was hovering before him, the eyes of the Ravenclaw Head staring at Harry as he asked, "Still with us Potter?"
"Yes sir," Harry replied, "Sorry sir."
"Not at all," Filius smiled, before he too stared at the whirling apparitions, just as a silver-speckled bird of some sort swooped down and seemed to pass right through Harry's body, a light tingle running through the boy wizard as Professor Flitwick explained, "In all my years, I have only ever had one other fall into the Void before: do you know who that was dear boy?"
"My Mother?" asked Harry: it was just a guess, but if the way Filius was speaking was anything to go on, then it made sense.
"Yes," Professor Flitwick nodded, before he looked to Hermione and asked, "Miss Granger, while you are not in the Void, can you tell me what you feel?"
"Well Professor," answered Hermione, gasping as a beautiful red panther followed its silvery companion and passed through Hermione, a feeling of warmth filling the Knight of Ocean as she explained, "Given that Harry and I are bound to one another, I feel something similar to what he does; a strange tingle that excites me and compels me to release the truth of my power."
"Very good," Filius smiled, "5 points to Gryffindor for such an in-depth explanation."
"What?" laughed Malfoy, Harry still watching the displays as he seemed to become relaxed by them, a part of him curious as to the lack of explanations concerning the so-called Void. "How does Granger get rewarded for that answer? Because she decided to swallow the book and then bind herself to Potter?"
"Clearly Mr Malfoy," Professor Flitwick exclaimed, the raven within him now showing its talons, "You are not skilled for this lesson so please leave my classroom: if you were, then you would know that the magic felt by Mr…I mean Lord Potter and Miss Granger is a foundation magic used for the very essence of Advanced Charmcasting. Ah," he then added, looking back to the conflagration, "Here's another one."
As everyone watched, a golden eagle flew from the gathering and swooped through Neville's body, closely followed by what appeared to be a tiger shark that powered on through Seamus, the other members of the group being affected by their own animals, from dogs and lynxes to wolves. Finally, when the gathering had returned and Malfoy had left the class, Hermione managed to ask, "Professor, what makes Harry's experience different from ours? You said he fell into the Void, but how?"
"Ah yes," Filius remarked, looking to Harry as he asked, "Lord Potter, did you, by any chance, get an opportunity to read through the texts assigned for this class?"
"Yes Professor," Harry replied, before he recited, "Advanced Charms Level 1 by F. Wilftick and Master's Guide to Enchantments by A. L. Grande: both of which were very interesting reads, considering we should know the author of the first."
"Oh?" asked Filius, looking to Harry as he added, "Should you?"
"F. Wilftick," Harry explained, "Is an anagram of F Flitwick; you sir; we all know that you are a master of charms and duelling."
"Well then," Filius added, trying not to show pleasure at the pride from the young lord as he asked, "Can you tell me what you read on the Void?"
"Yes sir," Harry replied, "The Void is a realm of charm-based magic where the powers of illusion reign supreme; it is for this reason that a budding charmcaster needs to enter a state of consciousness where the spiritual essences of magic, otherwise known as the Void, reveal themselves. In this state, the charm-caster touches the level of his power that, to a normal witch or wizard, would be considered impossible to attach themselves to."
"Excellent," Filius smiled, "Another 10 points to Gryffindor; now, the reason I questioned Lord Potter on that was because of the state he was in when my illusions began moving: right from the moment he walked through the door, Lord Potter's magic became in synch with the power of the Void and he became lost in their walking and magical presence. Even when I told you all to think on the reason you wished to take this course, Lord Potter was still within that world, his magic, though he may not realise it, using a conduit to equalise the magical input and possible output he would need for his magic. Lord Potter, perhaps you would be so kind as to reveal this conduit as I am the only other one here, other than Miss Granger, to see the item."
"Yes Professor," Harry replied, drawing Excalibur from its sheath, the metal actually singing with magic as Harry held it out, the blade shining with the same silvery light from the avionic creature that had swooped through him. As he held it there, Harry heard a mass of gasps from those around him as Professor Flitwick gave a warm, interested chuckle.
"Amazing," he whispered, before he looked to the others as he asked, "Does anyone other than Lord Potter, Miss Granger and Master Longbottom know the identity of this weapon?"
"That's the Sword of Gryffindor," answered Marietta, "Which would make Harry…I mean Lord Potter the Heir of Godric Gryffindor."
"5 points to Ravenclaw Miss Edgecombe," Filius remarked, before he looked to the others as he asked, "But does anyone know this weapon's real name?"
"Real name?" asked Harry, looking to Professor Flitwick as he tried not to give the game away; clearly, he wanted to present an image where he believed his weapon was just another blade.
"Yes Potter," Professor Flitwick nodded, "Your weapon, as you well know despite your attempt at feigning ignorance, has a proper title and one that is older than Gryffindor himself: Mr Zabini?"
"I don't know sir," Blaise answered, earning a glance from Harry as he added, "Though whatever weapon that may be, Potter has obviously proven himself worthy to bear it."
"Indeed," Professor Flitwick nodded, before he added, "Let me give you a clue: the greatest swordsman in the known magic would kill to possess this blade; in his hands, he would consider himself invincible, but without proving his worth, it would be just another blade."
"Professor!" gasped Susan Bones, now staring at Harry as she asked, "Are you saying that the sword held by Lord Potter…it's really…"
"Go on Miss Bones," Filius insisted.
"Excalibur," whispered Susan, staring at Harry, who gave a smile and nodded once, "The Holy Sword that was forged by the power of Merlin himself."
"Yes," Professor Flitwick answered, "The strongest weapon in history has come back to its founding grounds: through his weapon, Lord Potter channelled his magic and made himself and his magic stronger by allowing his mind and consciousness to wander, to fall as I so basically put it, into the Void. Through that sword, Lord Potter has seemingly done that which I have only seen done by his late mother and began on a path to the power of the charm-caster, a master of the Illusion and this, my students, is what Advanced Charms is all about. You see, an illusionist in the Muggle world is better known as a magician, but, in our world, an illusionist is a powerful soul who is in tune with the Void and, in these lessons, you will learn how to touch, wander, mould and, if your will and magic are as strong as Lord Potter here, possibly even fall into the Void until your illusions are only those to your enemies, which would make them flesh and blood in our world. Now, as you all saw, the illusions crafted by me were mere examples of the power of Advanced Charms and, as you all witnessed, each one of you were bestowed by one of the animals. I ask that you do not let yourselves be concerned by this as there is a reason."
The class leaned forwards in anticipation as Professor Flitwick returned to his pile of books, Harry still in shock as to the revelation made about his Mother and the true power of Advanced Charms.
"Each of the animals," explained Professor Flitwick, "Are a symbol of the trait within you all that fuels your magical potential and, in order to craft a possible illusion or solid apparition, it is this trait that you must tap into; now, I want each of you, individually, to tell me what it was that shifted itself into you and I will explain what it is that animal represents. So, let's start with you Mr Zabini: what was your animal?"
"A leopard," answered Blaise, watching as Professor Flitwick flicked his wand, an apparition of the same leopard now standing before the teacher as if he were in an assembly line.
"The leopard," explained Filius, "A neutral person that, like the creature itself, cannot change its spots; with this trait, you will need to rely on both sides of magic, both light and dark, in order to achieve your true potential; now, Miss Parkinson?"
"A dog," answered Pansy.
"Correction," Professor Flitwick added, "What you saw was a certain breed of dog; a pug."
'Ironic,' thought Harry, Hermione placing her hand on his as they listened to Professor Flitwick.
"This shows a protective side to you that is overruled by a sense of self-motivation and egotism that makes you a rather unwelcome person to be around; in order to achieve your potential, you will need to counter these traits and turn them into something good; Miss Bones, how about you?"
And so it continued: Susan explained that she was shifted by a dolphin, Hannah answered with a lynx, Justin was represented by a peregrine falcon, all of which were explained as signs of strength and wisdom by Professor Flitwick, Susan's also showing a sense of love and compassion for others.
When it came to the Ravens, Cho Chang answered with a salamander, which showed a sense of warmth and a trait of deception – though Harry suspected the Raven's Head made that up as he supposed that there had been words spoken in Raven's Tower last night – before Marietta answered with a ram and that was defined as someone who was afraid to let things go and keep themselves to themselves. A part of Harry wondered if he could do something to change that, not only so that Marietta felt more comfortable, but so that Luna could also have a friend she could talk to in the Raven's Nest.
Anthony Goldstein was revealed as a Snow Wolf, which was a sign of courage that was held back by his instinctive need to learn more and prove himself to others; Terry Boot was revealed as a horse, which showed a need for speed and a freedom of expression and creativity that Professor Flitwick explained would see him through to greatness as a Charm-Caster.
Finally, it was the turn of the Gryffindors and Seamus, who was sharing his House's shock at Professor Flitwick's almost spot-on explanations, answered, "Tiger Shark."
"Ah," Filius explained, "A strong soul that yearns to protect others and something that is both a priceless treasure and a means to an end involved with others; the tiger shark is also a hunter and a predator and something that leaves its young at birth. You seek to change this trait and have the involvement of those around you; this team-building trait and the knack for survival are what you need to control to become a Charm-Caster; I must say Finnegan that I am surprised at your revelation, since you were the third member of this class to nearly fall into the Void, the others being Mr Zabini and Miss Granger; and, speaking of Miss Granger, what was yours my dear?"
"A red panther," answered Hermione, before she asked, "But why would that mean something to me Professor when my bond with Harry allows me a strength that we share?"
"While this is true," Filius remarked, "Your bond is only through that which allows you to touch the power of the other; it is not strong enough to go deeper than that. However, once again, I am surprised as the panther indicates a feeling of protectiveness and a stealthy mind that hides in the shadows while its claws are only revealed when it is threatened. Like the tiger shark, it is a hunter and seeks only to support its young and its mate; I daresay that this trait, Miss Granger, is the result of your bond with Lord Potter and that your inner instincts shall change from a panther into something greater in time: as long as you follow your instincts and your stealthy traits, your power shall be great indeed. Now, what about you Master Longbottom?"
"An eagle," Neville replied.
"Ah yes," Filius smiled, "The silent winged prince of the skies; a hunter and a defender who relies on his hyper-sensitive senses to see his mission done; someone who appears to be a clear target, but has a beast beneath the skin that longs for freedom. When you release this beast Master Longbottom, then and only then will your power become what you want it to be: and finally, how about you, Lord Potter?"
"It was a bird," answered Harry, "But it was unlike any bird I've ever known; I can't think why, but it looked familiar and it made my magic feel so alive; even Excalibur was singing when I released that energy."
"That is because," answered Filius, "Yours was a sign of true power and majesty that seeks to be a leader, friend and warrior all in one; being only the second to fall into the Void, it was obvious from the start that your power would be great and, through this beast, you have proven this to me."
"Why sir?" asked Hermione.
"Because Miss Granger," answered Professor Flitwick, "Lord Potter here did not obtain an ordinary creature like the rest of you; instead, his spirit became that of the powerful lord of magical nature itself: the mighty dragon!"
"Wow," Seamus gasped, "Well done Harry."
"Yes," Flitwick agreed, "It is clear to me through each and every one of your revelations that there will be great things from each of you; I daresay that this will be my best Advanced Charms class yet: to all of you, I can only say this…"
His mannerisms seemed to change as he looked at each of them in turn, before he stared at Harry as he spoke, "Your powers do not define you, but rather you define them and, over the next year, we shall learn more about the spectral plane and how to touch the power of the Void. Remember your traits, but do not allow them to decide your destiny…"
His eyes bored into Harry's skull, the Holy Knight of Thunder stunned into silence as he listened to Professor Flitwick's hypnotic voice speaking, the mentor's next words symbolising how Harry had felt ever since the first day he had been united with his Hermione and discovered his place as the Holy Knight of Thunder:
"You are in charge of your own destiny!"
Chapter 12 and the power of Ad Charms has been discovered, but can Harry learn this new magic and make himself stronger or will he fall to the power within?
Also, what other surprises await him and Hermione as their third year continues?
Keep Reading to Find Out;
Next Chapter: Lessons with Remus, Sebastian and Hagrid; also, Harry decides to go ahead with his plan for the Ravenclaws and it's Hogsmeade Weekend, but Dumbledore's poking his nose in Harry's business again; and, to top it all off, Sirius is back and has a story to tell the HKT;