The Journal
Dear Harry,
I hope that you are enjoying the first week of your summer despite the incident in the Department of Mysteries. I know the death of your godfather is still fresh on your mind but I need to speak to you about something very important.
I only hope that you have forgiven me and that you will allow us to converse this Friday. If you do not wish to see me, I understand, but remember that this is important.
Please send an answer by owl immediately.
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry was sitting in the quiet living room staring at the letter that Dumbledore had sent him three days ago. Today was the day that Dumbledore would show up and supply Harry with yet another piece of information. What that was, Harry had no idea.
Dumbledore had promise to tell Harry everything that had to do with the prophecy. The prophecy that he and his friends worked so hard to get but only to allow it to be smashed.
Harry had foiled Voldemort's plans because no one heard the prophecy. Only later on that night did Dumbledore show Harry what it contained.
What more information could Dumbledore have for me? Pondered Harry. Was he going to tell Harry how to survive? Teach him powerful magic that would help him in his struggle?
The doorbell rang breaking Harry away from his thoughts. Petunia walked out of the kitchen wearing a pink apron. She opened the door and saw a tall man with a long white beard and matching hair. He wore half-moon spectacles that seemed to be beaming at a startled Petunia.
"Hello," said Albus Dumbledore. "You must be Petunia Dursley." He continued to smile at her. "Albus Dumbledore," he said when she didn't respond. "I was wondering if I could speak with Mr. Harry Potter?"
Petunia didn't respond. She simply stared at the man as if he was some sort of alien. Dumbledore gently moved Petunia aside made his way inside the house and closed the door.
"It's not very wise to linger on one's doorstep in these dangerous times," he said simply. He then spotted Harry on the couch. "Good evening, Harry."
Harry stood. "Good evening, sir," he said. "Would you like to have a seat?"
"I certainly would," the Professor answered. He put down a black rucksack as he sat. "Thank you."
"Can I get you anything?"
"Yes, some tea would be nice. I've been busy all day and haven't had a thing to eat or drink."
Harry frowned. What had Dumbledore been up to that he didn't have time to feed himself?
Harry made his way into the kitchen where Dudley and Vernon was finishing up their pie.
"Who was at the door?" asked Vernon as Harry busied himself with the teakettle.
"Just the Headmaster of my school." Harry answered simply.
"WHAT?" roared Vernon. "YOU LET ONE OF YOUR FREAKY FRIENDS INTO MY HOUSE!"
Vernon stood up so quickly that his chair fell to the floor with a loud bang. He rushed passed Harry grabbing a wooden spoon as he left. Dudley simply just hid under the table.
He didn't have too much luck when it came to dealing with wizards. Harry remembered the time when Dudley had grown a tail when Hagrid had come to collect Harry to take him to Diagon Alley. Two years ago, Fred and George Weasley had given him candy that made his tongue grow.
The teakettle was now whistling and Harry prepared two cups of tea. He placed them, along with a plate of crumpets, on a tray and carried it to the living room.
Harry froze at the scene before him. Vernon and Petunia was shivering in a corner. The wooden spoon in Vernon's hand was cracked but no one seemed to be hurt.
Harry looked at the couch and saw that Dumbledore hadn't moved an inch, but there was a small smile on his face and he was twiddling his thumbs merrily.
Harry walked forward and sat the tray on the coffee table. He passed Dumbledore a cup before taking one himself. He watched as Dumbledore took a sip of tea and noticed that one of his hands were blacken as if it were dead. There was a ring settled on the ring finger that seemed to have been cracked.
"Sir," said Harry sounding alarmed. "What happened to your hand?"
"Now is not the time for me to answer," said Dumbledore sitting his cup down and shaking a sleeve over his injured hand. "I have very important information for you."
Harry put his cup down and sat up straighter.
"Sir, does this have anything to do with the prophecy? Will it help me survive?"
"Yes and yes." Dumbledore answered. "This week, during one of my missions, I stumbled across an item that I think that you would find interesting and very useful."
He reached for the black bag and opened it. He rummaged through it a bit before pulling out a battered old black book. He handed it to Harry.
"What is it?" asked Harry as he turned the book over in his hands.
"It's a diary that was written almost fifteen years ago. It belonged to your father."
"My dad…" breathed Harry.
Harry opened the book and saw that there was only one entry.
October 30, 1981
I have just returned home to my dearest Lily and my son. I have been traveling for a few months looking for ways to become stronger in order to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort. I have made many good friends on my travels and one in particular is Professor Birch from Littleroot Town.
He had explained to me the ways of the Pokemon and I began to train them in order to become stronger. In fact, it was him who told me to keep a journal so that one day someone may be able to finish my work.
My Eevee and me trained hard. We went to many places and challenged many Pokemon trainers and gym leaders. Soon my training paid off and my Eevee evolved into a Flareon.
The time had come for me to return to my darling wife and son. I gave Flareon to Professor Birch, said my farewell, and left for England. Before I left, he gave me these words of advice:
"Never forget who you are. You must always keep your heart pure even in the darkest times. You are never alone"
The journal entry had ended. Harry looked up more confused than ever. Harry had expected Dumbledore to tell him something about a prophecy, not an adventure his dad had took.
"Professor, I don't understand. What does this have to do with the prophecy?"
"Do you know what a Horcrux is, Harry?" asked Dumbledore. Harry shook his head. "A Horcrux is an item that contains a piece of your soul. You simply split your soul and place it an object for safekeeping. This will keep you alive as long as the soul is unharmed and remains safe."
"Split your soul!?" Harry asked in horror.
"Yes," answered Dumbledore gravely. "It seems that Lord Voldemort split his soul into seven pieces many years ago in order to 'conquer' death. While these Horcruxes are around…"
"…he can't die." Harry said downheartedly.
There was a long silence. How could he defeat anyone who can't die? Voldemort had seven souls in places that Harry could never dream of, while a single killing curse could snuff out his life. This wasn't fair. Fighting Voldemort now was meaningless. What was the point of risking his life if the demon couldn't be killed?
"I know what you are thinking, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Do not lose hope. There is a way of defeating him."
Harry looked up desperately at Dumbledore.
"I can't do this alone," he whispered. "Teach me."
"You are right in saying that you need assistance in the journey that you must take. However, there is only so much that I alone can teach you. You must learn about your abilities and from those around you. That is how you truly succeed." Harry nodded and he continued. "The story begins with your father's journey. He journeyed far away in search of the seven Horcruxes that Voldemort had made. He made many friends and gained new knowledge and abilities."
"What sort of knowledge and abilities?"
"Not only did he learn a lot about Pokemon and how effective they can be, he learned about a Horcrux that is hidden in a place called Petalburg Woods."
"Sir, if I—if I continue my dad's journey…do you think that I can locate the remaining horcruxes?"
"Yes. Your father believed that Voldemort stored all of his horcruxes in the Hoenn region. The place where Voldemort traveled to study other elements of the world."
"Then that's what I'll do," said Harry standing up and looking determined. "I'll go to the Hoenn region and finish my dad's work. I won't come home until I have located all seven Horcruxes."
"Five Horcruxes," corrected Dumbledore. "If you are going on this perilous journey, I must tell you what you are searching for." He motioned for Harry to sit. He continued once Harry had taken a seat. "It is true that Voldemort has created seven Horcruxes. Lucky for us, we were able to get our hands on two of them and destroy them."
"What?" said Harry astonished. "You've already destroyed two Horcruxes?"
"I've destroyed one Horcrux. I cannot take credit for destroying the diary. That was your doing." Seeing Harry's confusion, he continued. "The diary that was once owned by Tom Riddle was a Horcrux. I was very curious when you told me how the diary had possessed Ginevra. A book acting on it's own. That book contained a piece of Voldemort's soul."
"Okay, so the diary was one. What other one did you destroy?"
Dumbledore shook back his sleeve revealing his injured hand. He pulled off the ring and handed it to Harry. Harry examined the ring and knew that it was damaged because of the crack.
"You keep it," said Dumbledore when Harry handed the ring back to him. "Make sure you keep it safe. It's very valuable. And do not wear it. Understood?"
Harry nodded and pocketed the ring.
"Now, I will tell you about the remaining Horcruxes," continued Dumbledore. He rummaged inside the black rucksack and withdrew three cards with drawings on them. "As you travel be on the lookout for the following; a locket, a cup, and a diadem."
As he said each object, he showed Harry a picture of what they looked like. He passed Harry the cards and Harry spread them over the coffee table.
"Okay," said Harry. "But these are only three Horcruxes. What about the other two?"
"Once you have the first three, you can concentrate on the last two. It's very important that you destroy the first three first."
"Yes, sir."
"The sixth horcrux is his pet snake, Nagini," continued Dumbledore. "The seventh piece…" he hesitated. "Resides in his body. Once you destroy the seventh piece of his soul. You will be able to kill him."
"And how exactly do I destroy a Horcrux?"
"That is going to be very difficult. Only a dark Pokemon can destroy such a dark and powerful object."
"I'll just go get one."
"Only a wizard's dark Pokemon can destroy a Horcrux. Only three wizards have journeyed into the Hoenn region. That is your father, Voldemort, and myself. Voldemort only owned a powerful Seviper. He taught it many things and stretched its abilities farther than any other known Pokemon. I owned a Taillow, which I found very useful. It evolved and the time came when I had to let it go. Your father had an Eevee and it eventually evolved into a Flareon. Your best bet would be for you to go to Littleroot town and ask Professor Birch about James' Flareon."
"Okay, let me make sure I got this right. I'm to go to Littleroot town and speak with Professor Birch before I go after the Horcruxes?"
"That is correct." Dumbledore stood up. "I have already packed the essentials that you will need on this journey." He indicated the rucksack. "I packed traveling clothes, medicine, food, water, first aid, a handy book full of magic spells, potions, and other bits and pieces. You might want to add other items, like that admirable cloak of yours."
Harry nodded and stood up as well.
"Very well. Get plenty of rest tonight. Tomorrow you will board a ship to take you to Littleroot Town."
Harry walked Dumbledore to the door and opened it for him. Dumbledore turned around to address the Dursleys.
"Thank you for allowing me into your home. It was a pleasure seeing you again."
He walked down the front steps and a few paces before he turned on spot and disappeared.
Author: This is my first Harry Potter/ Pokemon story. Tell me what you think.