A/N: Hello everyone! Since I forgot to introduce myself in Chapter One, i figured maybe now would be a good time. My name is SoulTears and this happens to be my first fanfic ever! Yeah, I finally worked up the nerve to do this! All criticisms are welcome and will be considered carefully. That said, if you feel the need to flame me, then do so at your own risk. Alright, I'll stop talking and let you get to the fanfic! See you at the end!
By the way, i don't own any of J.K. Rowling's characters, i am in no way affiliated, blah, blah, blah...
Chapter Two: The Training on Mt. Nowhere and the Summoning of the Four Founders

Harry grimaced as the light of the sun assaulted his eyes. He tried to stand, but the pain was too much. He remembered being on the broom, flying away from the burning house, but after that was a blank. He inhaled sharply and could smell the dampness of a cave. He opened his eyes again to find a pair of half-moon spectacles gazing down at him. It was Albus Dumbledore.

"Good morning Harry," he said softly. "Try not to get up yet or your wounds may reopen. I must say, you were in quite a state when I found you among the grass and I'm afraid my healing skills are not that extensive." Harry took deep breaths to ease the pain before speaking.

"Where am I?"

"In a cave high in the mountains, two hundreds miles from any form of civilization, Muggle or otherwise," the Headmaster answered. "I brought you here to nurse your wounds and keep safe. It seems Riddle has decided to make his move." Harry sighed at the name.

"So Voldemort has returned," he said.

"Oh no, not yet, but soon. He has possessed another body and is rallying the Death Eaters once again. Very soon he will return to his former state and threaten the world again." Harry could feel his stomach sink painfully to his toes. Voldemort is back; he had sent Malfoy and the others to destroy his home. His last living relatives gone in a flash of green light just like his parents. The anger began to build in him again. Dumbledore looked over at him. "You mustn't let this news get to you. You have to stay strong Harry. I have another reason for bringing you here. I have decided to train you in the art of dueling and will teach you offensive and defensive spells. You must learn everything I'm going to teach you quickly, for this place will not remain secret for long. Above all, you must live to fight Voldemort. That is your destiny Harry; you must fight and defeat Thomas Riddle." Harry could feel a heaviness come over him at Dumbledore's words. 'So much for wanting something to happen,' he thought as he fell asleep.

The next day Harry woke bright and early. He stood up and looked around the cave. Inside was a table and a makeshift stove on the right wall. Deeper inside he could hear the roar of rushing water. Harry turned and walked to the opening where the sunlight poured through. He sat at the edge, feeling his legs dangle over the side. The sun had not fully risen and it seemed to climb the mountain as it trudged to its destination. Daring to look down, Harry beheld a large valley covered in a fine layer of fog. Trees were placed sporadically around the expanse of land, but there were no houses or indeed any living thing at all. He was totally alone. A crack of lightning sounded behind him. It was Dumbledore, many boxes appearing around him.

"Oh, you're up," he said by way of greeting. "Well, it seems the whole world thinks you are dead Harry, which I must say is wonderful news." Harry was confused. Seeing the look on his face, the old man replied, "If everyone thinks you are dead, then no one can tell Voldemort or his Death Eaters where you are. It buys us more time, which we desperately need. In these boxes I have all the things we'll need for your training, so if you want, we can start right now." Harry turned and looked at the rising sun again. 'So I'm dead, huh? Poor Ron and Hermionie, I hope you're okay.' Taking in all the mountain air he could, Harry entered the cave to start his training.

Hermionie fought back the tears as she looked at the smooth white casket with the words 'Harry James Potter' written in gold. It lay on the gurney majestically, almost as if it were too pure to be desecrated by dirt. She tightened her grip around her mother's arm as the priest ended the ceremony with a Sign of the Cross. All around her were friends and admirers of Harry and not a single eye was dry. She looked over at the Weasleys, their bright red hair flaming above their solemn heads. Ron looked over at her and offered a sad smile, which she returned gratefully. After a moment of silence, the priest asked that the audience pay their final respects before the casket was lowered. The group made a line, dropping various items. After the admirers came the Hogwarts students, then the Ministry of Magic, and finally the closest thing Harry had had to a family, the Weasleys. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went first, followed by Bill and Charlie who had Apparated from abroad no more than two hours ago, Percy, the twins, Ginny, and Ron, who stood with his hand over the polished wood for some time. Hermionie went to him, taking the spot beside him.

"I still can't believe it," he said softly, his words were whispers of the wind. "I can imagine him sitting next to me in Dark Arts class cracking jokes about Lockhart." His face twisted in an effort to hold it in. "He was my best friend, you know. He stood up for me and never made me feel bad about never having any money. Now he's gone, and I never got to thank him for it." A tear broke through and Ron looked away. 'Good-bye Harry.' Hermionie embraced him, her cheek on his shoulder. This tender expression was too much for his resolve and he broke down.

"I know it hurts Ron, and that kind of pain will never go away. But, I think its time to move on, become something of ourselves so that he can be proud of us, wherever he is." She could feel the reassurance that came with her words and it stemmed the flow of tears. They separated and Ron said he would see her at school. Hermionie faced the casket as the men came over to lower it down. Once it was down, she revealed the letter she had given to the owl. It had returned the next day. Her hands trembled as she brought it to her lips before letting it fall into the grave. 'I'll never forget you Harry, and good-bye.'

Harry sighed with boredom. Dumbledore had said he was going to train him, but all he seemed to be doing was work on a potion in the back of the cave. When asked, he would mumble something about "enhancer" before returning to the pint-sized cauldron. After a few hours of stirring and muttering, Dumbledore would come over to him and teach him a curse, a hex, and a jinx, in that order. Two weeks past. On the eve of the third week, Dumbledore came to him.

"Harry, you may have noticed the potion I have been brewing for some time. Well, it is actually an ancient enhancer that is designed to release many of the latent magical abilities inside of a person. If it works, your power will increase substantially. It is almost complete; all it needs is the final ingredient. Therefore, Harry, I ask that you give me your wand." The boy handed the wand over hesitantly. To his horror, the old wizard took it into his hands and crushed it into a fine powder. His throat was shut tight; the curses he wanted to hurl would not come. Sensing his outrage, the man smiled reassuringly before dropping the powder into the liquid. The cauldron shook as the liquid changed colors rapidly, settling on a deep green that pulsed rhythmically. Dumbledore turned to Harry. "I want you to drink all of the potion, down to the last drop. The reason your wand was the final ingredient is that by drinking the potion, you assimilate the wand into your system. Basically, you become the wand." The anger subsided slightly at those words, hovering just below the surface. 'You could have warned me,' he thought. 'Almost had a heart attack.' He went up to the cauldron, which still pulsed in a slow steady rhythm. A cup appeared in his hands, compliments of the Headmaster. He scooped up some of the liquid and drank it. It tasted like lemons, then oranges, then apples, and finally pears. 'Not at all an unpleasant taste,' was his thought as he scooped another cupful of potion. The taste seemed to get better with every cupful he drank until he was sticking his face into the cool potion and sucking in gulp after gulp. In no time the potion was finished and Harry sighed contently. He sat down, a silly smile on his face. Feeling euphonious, he fell on his back, staring at the ceiling. His eyes rolled to Dumbledore and he was surprised to see a look of anxiety on his face. At that moment, a blast of pain shot through him. His muscles jerked from side to side as they screamed their protest, his lungs collapsed and his mind was filled with pain. Groans escaped his lips and his face twisted in an effort to hold in the scream that would come. Harry wrapped himself into a ball on the floor. His veins pumped fire to his fingertips. The world was ablaze with colors, great splotches of paint against the wall the masterpiece of a child. Sanity had forsaken him, leaving only the pain that consumed him. His lips parted and a scream tore his throat. Its echo bounced off the mountains like the answer of a chorus to the lead. The sun summoned clouds to block the noise. Harry rolled his body, his mouth shouting obscenities, to which Dumbledore looked on sadly but silently. After what seemed like an eternity, the hellish brand finally released his body, leaving him shaking on the floor. Albus waited with bated breath as the boy got to his feet, wincing with each movement until he was standing, wobbly, but standing. Harry panted heavily as he fixed his angry gaze with Dumbledore, who was now smiling.

"Now," he said, "The real training begins." And so for six months the old man unleashed hell on the unsteady hero. The potion Harry had drunk did indeed make him stronger, but it reduced his control of the magicks. Instead of focusing the spell through his wand, he now had to learn to visualize the incantation in his mind and to concentrate the magic into his palm. Once that was done, he was to visualize a gun firing and release the magic. Needless to say, it took some time. Nevertheless, Harry learned quickly and soon was on par with Dumbledore, unintentionally surpassing him sometimes. On the first day of February, Albus announced to Harry that the training was over.

"There is nothing more I can teach you, but it will not be enough once Voldemort has returned to his original strength. Therefore, it is time to begin the second part of your training. Every Headmaster of Hogwarts is taught a special summoning spell on their first night as Headmaster. This spell could be used to summon the spirits of the Four Founders. However, the Summonosius spell could only be used in time of great distress and only to train the Chosen One."

"The Chosen One?"

"The one who would save the world from destruction," answered Dumbledore. "One is born every two centuries. This time it is you. By using the Summonosius spell, I can call the Four to train you. It will be painful, much worse than my tutelage, but I believe you can I endure it. Now stand back, for this spell requires a good amount of distance." Albus stood up and brandished his wand. Holding it in front of him, he began to chant.

"Spirits of the World Beyond, heed my words. I call from the Depths the souls of the Four who built the Great School. Come forth and train the One who is Chosen. Make him the Hero he is destined to be. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin of the Hogwarts Four, I summon thee!"

As he chanted, a blinding light enveloped Dumbledore and the cave shook. The roar of water in the depths of the cave grew louder, until it filled Harry's ears. The roar was punctured only by otherworldly screams that seemed to scorn the two in the darkness. All at once everything stopped. The darkness deepened inside the crevasse, leaving only the feeble rays of the sun. Harry cautiously opened his eyes. Dumbledore stood with his wand pointing at the ceiling. The tip glowed and the man's figure distorted before disappearing into the dark, a wide gaping hole in his place. The boy could see the silhouette of four people standing together. The large figure on the far left stepped through.

"First of the Hogwarts Four, Godric Gryffindor," he said. This wizard stood at a staggering seven feet and was clad head to toe in silver armor that clung tightly to his skin. His helmet was smooth with golden hair protruding from the tip. He wore a long red cape with an emblem of a lion emblazoned in the center. On his left side Harry recognized the sword, the same one he had used against the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. In his right hand was a long oak wand with gold on both ends and silver handle, which he twirled like a gun. As he walked up to him, Harry realized with shock that although the armor occasionally clashed, there was no sound at all! The giant moved to the side to allow the next Founder to make Her entrance.

"Second of the Hogwarts Four, Rowena Ravenclaw!" All Harry could think about this Founder was that she seemed both beautiful and stern. She wore a deep brown dress that clung to her upper body before flowing outward on the bottom. Her black hair was picked up in a simple ponytail that rested over her right shoulder. Her cheeks were sharp and her blue eyes ice-cold. Her wand, short and made of petrified wood, lay on her belt. Her eyes fell on the boy and he felt like he was being X-rayed. Then she went to join Godric. The next figure crossed the portal.

"Third member of the Hogwarts Four, Helga Hufflepuff," a cheery voice said. A short and plumb woman in her early forties appeared. Her hair was packed into a bun and the rotund cheeks glowed with good-natured color. She wore a black robe with brown spots on the knees. Her hands were slightly brown and she held a light green wand in her hand. A smile from ear to ear filled her face when she beheld Harry. Before he could react, the woman had wrapped him in a bone-crunching hug. "Ooh, you are the cutest thing I have ever seen," she said in the same cheerful voice and he could feel himself blush, both from the comment and the constriction of his lungs. Just when he felt he could no longer breathe, the woman let him go. That only left…

"Fourth and final member of the Hogwarts Four, Salazar Slytherin," an oily voice in the portal said. The final Founder was a pale man of average height with oily hair slicked back and cheeks sunken in slightly. His lips were thin and his reddish eyes were narrow and calculating. His robes were a thick, coarse black fiber that seemed heavy, but it was his wand that drew attention. It was made of obsidian and had the carving of a snakehead on the tip, mouth open to expose the fangs. The head was connected to a venomous green body that winded the entire length of the wand, stopping at the handle. Slytherin locked eyes with Harry. His mouth opened and a hissing escaped his lips.

"Filthy, useless half-blood byproduct."

"So is your Heir," Harry fired back in Parseltongue. Snarling, the man reached for his wand. A loud bang behind him made him stop.

"That's enough, Salazar," Rowena said in an irritated voice. "Fighting this boy will not change the fact that your Heir failed to realize your pointlessly ambitious dream of 'purity.' Remember that you, as well as the rest of us, are bound by the Summonosius spell. This boy is the Chosen One, so we must train him to master our crafts so that he stands a chance against this new evil."

"Excuse me Rowena if I caused you any dissatisfaction," the man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. His eyes locked eyes with Harry again. "I still don't see how this half-breed can save the world," he mumbled as he walked deep into the cave.

"Don't mind him dear," Helga said, her eyes following the Founder. "He's usually very polite. It's just the news about his Heir has him rattled. Give him time, he'll warm up to you eventually." Harry watched the retreating figure with disdain, and then remembered about his Headmaster. When he asked where he was, Helga answered, "He is the Space Between Worlds, where we reside. You see, when a Headmaster uses the Summonosius spell, it requires an exchange of bodies. The caster takes our places and gives up his flesh, which allows us to take corporeal form. Don't worry about Dumbledore; he is quite fine in the Space. Now, I would like to go down into the valley and see we can do about dinner, hmm? Apparition!" There was a loud crack and the Founder disappeared. Godric and Rowena walked over to the entrance of the cave, whispering amongst themselves. At the edge they parted, Godric leaping into the air and Rowena re-entering the cave.

"Get some rest," she said to Harry without looking at him. "You will need your energy for tomorrow." She continued walking, following the source of the roaring water, and disappearing into the darkness of the cave. Harry felt a great wave of fatigue come over him and he fell back on the ground. His eyelids were lead weights, sleep beckoned, and before he knew it, he was asleep. He floated in his dream world of shapeless colors and blobs. One of the blobs stopped floating and took form. It was Dumbledore.

'Harry, this will be the only way that you and I may communicate. I urge you to follow all their instructions.'

'Are you asking me to trust Salazar Slytherin, Dumbledore? His Heir is Voldemort! Why is he helping us anyway?'

'I am well aware of Slytherin's relationship with Riddle, Harry. However, Salazar has his own reasons for doing what he is doing. I'm afraid you are going to have to ask him that yourself. I must go now, Harry. Trust in the Founders, they will not fail you.'

'Wait! What about-' but Dumbledore was gone. The boy laid down on one of the blobs with his head resting on his hands. The blobs above him began to spin and take shape. There was Ron throwing Scabbers across the room as usual, cursing about having him neutered the next time he bites his finger, then the image changed to Hermionie with his nose buried in a copy of Hogwarts: A History. She would look up at him and smile before returning to the book. All around him the blobs became chairs and a fireplace appeared on his right. Soon, the blobs had changed into the Gryffindor common room at Hogwarts. Neville Longbottom sat in the chair by the fire; his face squinted into a look of worry. He had forgotten something again. Next to him was a first-year. His hand trembled as he wrote furiously on a sheet of paper. There was another group of unknowns over by the wall with their heads close together. Harry could feel himself descend until his feet touched the wooden floor. He could feel the heat from the fire and heard the whispering of the first-years. He was reminded of the experience with Riddle's diary. 'Maybe I'm in the past again, but whose?' There was the sound of the entrance squeaking open. He turned to see whom it was and was met with a shock. Ron came in, but he wasn't alone. Next to him was a girl of about his age. Harry's mind searched for a name, and came up with Parvati Patil. She was snuggled up against him, a silly look on her face. Ron beamed at everyone who was looking. 'Ron has a girlfriend? When did this happen? This can't be the past! It must be the present, or the future. Wow Ron, good on you man. Glad to see you that you found someone for yourself.' The couple walked toward the fireplace adjacent to Neville, who looked up and smiled as a greeting before resuming his pondering of the fire. 'I wonder where Hermionie is.' No sooner did Harry think this that the scenery changed. The fire and the students disappeared, replaced by shelves of books and a long row of tables. At the farthest table was a long stack of books. Smiling, Harry went up closer. Sure enough, Hermionie sat in the center writing at an alarming pace as her eyes scanned three different book pages at once. Her hair was matted slightly, but the curls still stuck out in all directions. Her neck was wet with sweat and her breathing was irregular. 'Yep, same old Hermionie,' he thought as he looked over her shoulder at what she was writing. On the top it read "Astrology and its Importance in the Shaping of Destinies." She was on her third sheet of paper already. "Slow down," he said by her ear, figuring that he was a phantom, "You'll tire yourself out." To his surprise, Hermionie dropped her quill and looked around suddenly. Her face was right in front of his and he could feel her breath and hear her whisper, "Harry?" She had heard him! In a panic he ran backwards, his body going through shelves and through the wall. The blobs returned and he was floating again. 'She heard me. She actually heard me. This is…incredible! Alright, now I can talk to them whenever I want!' All around him the blobs receded suddenly, pooling together to form Dumbledore. He seemed angry.

'Harry, I implore you never to do that again. If you do it will endanger both Ron and Hermionie. They must believe you are dead. Should there be any doubt Voldemort will be on them in an instant. Please Harry, never do that again.' The happiness he had felt was stripped away by those words. The Headmaster disappeared again, leaving Harry floating in the darkness.

Hermionie stood up from her books. She could have sworn she had heard a voice right by her ear. The first word out of her mouth had been 'Harry.' But that was silly! Harry is…gone. It must have been Ron playing a joke. Ever since he started going out with Parvati, he had become so popular that he hardly ever spent time with Bookworm Hermionie anymore. 'I realize that he has an image now, and how important that is to him, but couldn't he at least talk to me break or lunch, or even during class! Just let me know you acknowledge my existence.' Hermionie shook her head and smiled. Ron was her best friend. No matter how popular he got, there was no way he was going to forget about her. Newly reassured, the young girl sat and resumed her homework.

The next day, or to be more accurate early godforsaken morning, Harry was awoken by a loud bang that made his ears ring. His eyes ripped open and beheld the face of Godric Gryffindor staring sternly at him.

"Wake up! Its time for training," he said, spit flying from his lips onto the boy's face. Harry scrambled up, only to be pushed back down again. "Did I ask you about the throat as the ground rushed to wrap him in its fatal embrace. His mind spun into action and he thrust his palms against his chest and yelled, "Wingardium Leviosa!" Just as the tallest rock was about to impale him, Harry stopped moving. He looked around frantically and saw Gryffindor standing in front of him, a gigantic sneer on his face.

"Excellent choice, Potter," he said. "You used the Levitation Spell to stop you from slamming into the ground, very quick thinking. Stupefy!" The spell hit him on the forehead and Harry fell hard against one of the spikes. "Lesson One: you must be on your guard at all times when facing an opponent! Never allow your concentration to be focused on just one spell, always keep an eye open to see what the enemy is doing or you will die, understand?" Groaning and clutching his head, Harry nodded. "Good, then come at me with everything you have," Godric said as he took his dueling stance. Pushing away the pain, the boy took his stance as well, placing his hands in front of him in an 'X'. For a moment there was no movement from either of them. Harry went first, shooting the Disarming Spell at the Magic Knight, which was deflected easily. Godric ran toward Harry, his hand on his sword handle. The boy dove to the left, just barely missing the blade as it cut through his shirt but not his skin. Taking a chance, Harry fired the Disarming spell again. This time the sword and wand were knocked away and Harry felt triumph. That is, until he found himself on the receiving end of the Founder's fist. Stars exploded on the inside of his eyelids as he staggered back.

"Did you see that," Gryffindor said. "You thought that because you had knocked my weapons away that I would be helpless. Here is Lesson Number Two: never rely on your wand or any weapon in your possession, for they can easily be stripped away. The only weapon you can rely on is yourself. That is why you were given the Enhancement Potion, to remove your dependence on your wand. Now," he said as the sword and wand returned to his hands, "Let us try that again. Come at me!"

Helga watched from among the bushes as Godric trained the Chosen One. Her hands worked busily as they reached for herbs to heal wounds as well as for salad. 'That poor boy,' she thought. 'So much death in his past, all at the hands of Voldemort. I wish, oh but that's silly. Wishing isn't going to change anything, right Rowena? Isn't that something she would say? Well, all I can do is teach him how to survive in the wild as well as brew some healing potions. Oh, mimbleweed! Perfect for sore muscles! I think I'll take back a basketful.' A loud groan reached her ears as Harry fell to the ground again. 'Better make that two.'

Up in the cave Salazar watched the training. 'That boy is filled with anger, which is understandable. However, it is clouding his judgment, allowing Godric to take him down so many times. I shall have to teach him to control it, or my Heir will destroy him.' Behind him, Rowena watched Slytherin intently.

Spring in the village of Hogsmeade. The shops were packed with Hogwarts students bustling to buy all the sweets and gags they could at Zonko's Joke Shop. At the Three Broomsticks the booths were packed as the bartender passed out pint after pint of butterbeer, her mind on the verge of collapse. Over by a table by the entrance sat Hermionie with Neville and Ginny. Together they talked about whatever came to mind, mostly the Quidditch season. It seems Gryffindor had a real chance for the House Cup this year now that Ron had joined the team. As they talked, Ginny's hand crawled slowly toward the boy's. Without much surprise, the hands clasped tightly and disappeared underneath the table. Hermionie tried to suppress her smile. She remembered the day Neville had asked the youngest Weasley on a date. The poor boy had stuttered horribly and did not even finish his question, merely hung his head in embarrassment. Ginny had blushed a slight red before replying that yes, she would go out with him. Since then, the two were inseparable. That is, until Ron found out. He was so angry he had severed his friendship with Longbottom on the spot and forbade Ginny from seeing him. This did not sit well with her though, so the two began meeting in secret. 'They really are perfect for each other,' Hermionie thought. Ever since they started going out, Neville's memory improved dramatically. He no longer had to carry a piece of paper listing things to remember anymore. Also, it seems that his companionship with Ginny had also helped him physically. He lost weight in large portions and was all around better than he had ever been. His studies also improved. Even Snape found it harder and harder to think of an insult to throw at Longbottom. She could never see what the harm was in the two seeing each other anyway. It was obvious that they enjoyed the other's company immensely. Ginny also benefited from the relationship. Turns out Neville had a wicked sense of humor and wonderful taste in the arts. His specialty was floral arrangements. Almost every morning Ginny awoke to a beautiful bouquet of roses, tulips, lilies, and forget-me-nots on her bedside table. Many of the other girls were jealous of the mystery florist and often asked who sent her such wonderful flowers. Ginny would just smile and inhale the fragrant scent of the flowers. Neville provided her with an endless source of encouragement and support. He often smiled at her for no reason but to see her blush and smile back. Whenever they snuck out the two went to the greenhouses, where they would sit and stare at the moon as the plants swayed in their primordial dance. Much was shared in these outings that neither would tell, not even to Hermionie, who was the only one who knew of their comings and goings. She thought it was cute that they had a secret relationship and would often joke about it during lunch, always stopping before anyone could figure it out. They never had to worry about Ron, mostly because he was never around.

"So," Ginny said, her voice struggled to be heard amongst the din. "Want to go check out the Shrieking Shack? I heard it was haunted!" Before Hermionie could answer, the door to the Three Broomsticks opened to reveal Ron and Parvati, the Gryffindor Quidditch team behind them. She could see Ginny suppress a gasp and Neville's face paled. Ron's eyes roamed around the pub before falling on the three by the door. Within seconds he had reached them, his girlfriend keeping perfect pace with him.

"What are you doing, Longbottom," he demanded, his eyes burning with anger. "I thought I told you to leave my sister alone. What do I have to do to make you understand that you are just not good enough for Ginny? Give it up already, 'cause it is never going to happen!" Neville lowered his head and Ginny opened her mouth to defend him, but Hermionie had had enough.

"Oh do shut up Ron," she said in a voice of the coldest ice. "Why do you insist on making a fool of yourself? You are the one who doesn't understand. You forget that the only person who can decide is Ginny, not you. As far as she is concerned, you have as much say as the ground you trod on." Ron looked at her with such amazement that it made her anger burn brighter.

"You're defending the porky little git," he asked her, his burning eyes now on her. "I thought you were my friend, Hermionie."

"I am," she shot back. "But Neville and Ginny are my friends too, and they deserve to be happy together. You have no right to disrupt their relationship like this. What has happened to you? You are not the Ron I used to know, back when…"

"Back what Hermionie? What were you going to say? Back when Harry was alive? Is that it," he asked, the anger gone from his eyes, replaced by a mixture of disbelief and sorrow. But Hermionie would not give in.

"Yeah, that's right, that is exactly what I was going to say. Before he…died, you were always kind and friendly, but now you're cold and strange, not at all like before. I don't recognize you anymore."

"Well then, I have nothing more to say to you. I hope you rot, the three of you," he said. He was no longer looking at them, so he could not see the hurt on Hermionie's face.

"Fine, if this is what you want, then I will never speak to you ever again, and you must swear to do the same, agreed? Answer me Ronald!" The boy jumped slightly before nodding, his face still turned away. Without another word Hermionie, Ginny, and Neville walked out into the streets of Hogsmeade. Ron watched them go. 'I'm sorry, Hermionie,' he thought as the door closed and shut out the image of his friend forever.

Harry celebrated his fifteenth birthday in the cave on the mountain. Each of the Founders had acknowledged in their own way Harry's birthday. Helga had given him a thick vial with a potion that created entire meals whenever a drop touched a plate. Salazar glared at him as he passed him a package containing a glowing ball that would change colors according to his mood.

"So that you can always have control of you emotions," he had said, but Harry knew better. Rowena walked up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek, causing him to burn with embarrassment. The burning sensation spread through him and left a cooling sensation in its wake. He could feel his muscles grow numb and then felt slight pressure against his skin as his glasses became blurry. He took them off and realized that he no longer needed them. She had enchanted him so that he was no longer held back by anything. It was a great gift and he told her so, but she merely stared sternly at him. Not fooled for an instant, he continued to look at her until he could see the corners of her lips twitch upwards. Godric was the last Founder to give him a present, which turned out to be a bodysuit made of a rubbery fabric that Gryffindor said was indestructible to any weapon. After the presents were given Helga started up a fire and began cooking for dinner. Using this opportunity, Harry decided to ask how the Four Founders had met. Salazar, as expected, excused himself from the group and disappeared into the cave. Godric and Rowena sat together by the fire facing Harry.

"I'll tell," she said as she fixed her dress. "I was the daughter of a prominent scholar and a duchess. My mother had always had a fascination toward magic, which would often lead to trouble with my father, for he was a practical man. Eventually, he crushed the interest out of her and she became the ideal aristocratic mother. She tried to teach me proper etiquette and the right way to greet guests into our home, but it seems her long-gone fascination had rubbed off on me. I began rebelling against them, immersing myself in the study of magic, learning whatever I could. Once my village could no longer satisfy my newfound thirst for knowledge, I ran away to the East. There, I learned many different spells from the Grecian and Chinese people. Along the way I met Godric. We had been traveling together ever since."

"I'll cut in here," Gryffindor said and began his story. "I was born in the ancient city of Camelot, a squire to one of King Arthur's knights. Ever since I had been a young boy I dreamed of being a member of the legendary Round Table and so devoted myself solely to the art of fencing and riding. Then one night as I was feeding the horses in the stables, a few of the other squires entered the stables. I would later learn that they had heard rumors that I would be the first to be knighted and were mad with jealousy. They grabbed from behind and brought me to the back of the stable. There they proceeded to beat me, their kicks and curses were like brands on my skin. All I could remember was feeling angry and betrayed that they would do this to me. I just wanted to defend myself but they were all bigger than me. Suddenly, the kicks stopped coming. I looked up and saw the boys up against the wall, their bodies surrounded by a kind of reddish hue. They were screaming in pain and lay suspended off the ground. I could feel a sickening thrill of pleasure course through me as I discovered magic for the first time. The next day the squires told their masters of what occurred in the stables. It was the word of five older boys against me. In the end, I was expelled from the order and forced to work as a peasant. My dreams had been shattered and I lived in a constant state of depression and anger. Some time after that, the great wizard Merlin, who told me that I had enormous untapped magical ability, visited me. He urged me to go on a pilgrimage to awaken it and become stronger. I took his advice and set out with a knapsack and a dagger. Along my travels, I met Rowena or more accurately, saved her."

"No you didn't! I had everything under control until you came in swinging that dagger like a miniature club! That centaur would have released me eventually you know. Anyway, after that I decided to watch the lost little boy (Stop it Godric!). I must admit it was refreshing to have someone to talk to after spending many nights alone in the woods. He proved to be quite the fighter when necessary, but most of the time he was just a clumsy oaf." Harry smiled at her words. He had always known that there was something between them, but he knew she would not readily admit it. "We eventually reached a quaint little village bordering a great valley. The valley was reputed to have every magical herb in existence, and Godric and I were low on healing potions. The villagers were kind to us once they learned of our situation. In the valley we met with Helga as she tended to a garden of fluxweed. She had always been cheery and took a liking to us. It was during this time that the village was attacked by a Welsh Green. Godric went off to fight. He defeated it but was wounded in the process. To this day he still caries the scar on his chest. After that Helga decided to travel with us as we made our way through the mountains. As we made our way down we stopped by a village made famous by its snake charmer, a man by the name of Salazar the Enchanter. He was performing in a tavern when we went in. He was a sight to see. Snakes were coiled all over his body, their fangs dripping venom. A slight hissing sound escaped his lips and the serpents slithered to the ground toward the tables. The women would jump back while the men bit their lips in suppressed fear. Their breathing would stop as a snake coiled around his leg, moving slowly upwards. Many of the women protested but edged further away. With another hiss, the snakes slithered back to him and coiled around him again. Turning to the bartender, he stuck out his palm. To our surprise, the man spit into the hand.

"You've agitated my customers, so you get no pay," he said with a sneer and a snort. "Now get out of here you freak before I knock your block off." What came next only lasted two seconds. Three snakes shot from Salazar's arms and coiled around the bartender, pinning him to the wall. At the same time the enchanter jumped over the bar and placed his face so close to the man's that their noses touched. A quick dialogue shot back and forth and the bartender handed over a leather pouch. The snakes returned to their master as he walked out the door, his hand clenching the bag tightly. I observed him and noted that he had the walk of an aristocrat. We decided to follow him"

"You decided to follow him," Godric said sarcastically. "Helga and I were just dragged along."

"Of course you idiot. You wanted to stay in that tavern, did you? Maybe drink some ale and do a dance? I don't think so. Anyway, Salazar eventually led us to our first all magic village, Hogsmeade. It was incredible to see so many wizards in one place. We visited one of the pubs there and met with many of the community. At first they were suspicious of us, but once we showed them our ability they accepted us. There had been problems, it seems, with non-magic people trying to come into the town to steal the magic from the villagers. Therefore, as security, they decided that anyone who could not cast magic was to be killed on the spot. Their faces were squint whenever they spoke of the 'Muggles', which gave the impression that they felt superior. It was in Hogsmeade that I first heard the word pureblood. I never really understood the concept behind the separation of classes. After all, just because both your mother and father were wizards doesn't make you better than a Muggle-born. The only difference is that the pureblood would most likely know more than the Muggle-born but that was it. As for Salazar, he could have been the poster-boy for all-wizard aristocracy. He hated the 'commoners' he enchanted, though I never did find out why. He simply felt they were nothing more than mindless apes that deserved only to serve his every whim. Whenever he went into a tavern, it was not to entertain but rather to see the people inside squirm under the cold scales of his pets. Being a seasoned traveler, Helga decided to recruit him as a navigator. It took some prodding, but he finally gave in. Unlike our last addition, there was no farewell for him as we continued on our journey. Throughout the rest of our travels we witnessed the persecution of all things magical in England. The Druids and Gypsies were among the first race of wizards to be attacked, followed by centaurs, dragons, and other such animals. The four of us realized that if the persecution continued, then the bloodline of wizards would die out. For this reason we decided to build a school where children with magical ability could study in peace, never having to fear that a mob would come and hang them for being special. In this way Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded." Rowena and Godric stood up, signaling that the tale was over.

"Well Harry," the fighter said. "I think its time for your final test of strength and courage. Come with me." Gryffindor walked to the edge of the cave and fell, the boy closely behind him. They landed heavily on the valley facing each other. "Attack me with everything you have. Your final test is to defeat me in fair combat. Be warned, I will not hold back this time." Harry just smiled as he took his stance. Neither moved for a second, each waiting for the other to begin. This time Godric fired a hex, which Potter evaded as he ran at his trainer. Gryffindor braced for the punch by launching one of his own. Their fists contacted and the two were knocked back. Now grinning from ear to ear, Harry shot three spells at once.

"Expelliarmus, Impedimentia, Serpensortia!" The first missed while the second hit Godric's left shoulder, disabling it. The third spell produced a snake that reared its head and hissed. The warrior was unfazed, leaping over the beast and bringing his feet down. Harry jumped back to avoid it. Just as Godric landed he bent his knees and punched upward. The boy caught the fist and let it push him up. Right when the Founder's feet left the ground, Harry flipped over him and threw him into the air. As he was falling, Harry concentrated his energy and fired spell after spell. Godric whipped out his sword and used it to block each beam of magic. The sword glowed with each hit and when he landed he shot every spell back at Harry. Stunned, the Hero jumped from side to side to evade them. Again Godric rushed at him with the sword, which he barely missed again. Harry was ready this time. When the Founder past him, he grabbed the unused arm and lifted it over his head, ramming his elbows numerous times into the Founder's side. The sword fell from his hands as he staggered back, a wide grin peeking through the helmet.

"Excellent Harry! Now we fight hand to hand," he declared as he swung with his right arm. Harry blocked and punched, catching him on the cheek. Back and forth they fought, until the sun made its trip down the mountain once again. Just as the last sliver disappeared, Harry penetrated Godric's defense with a right punch that pushed the Founder back. Harry leapt into the air and spun, bringing his right leg to kick his trainer in the head. Godric just barely blocked it, but the boy had tricked him. As the man reeled from the blow, the Hero landed and his swept his foot in a circle, throwing him off-balance. Gryffindor had not even hit the ground when he felt his pupil's right arm slam into his chest right where his old scar resided. The pain brought tears to his eyes that mingled with the sweat that dripped from his forehead.

"Hold," he said weakly as Harry stood to resume the fight. "I yield. You have beaten me Harry, congratulations. Here, take this as a reward for your hard work." The sword that had lain on the ground floated toward the victor. It was incredibly light in his hands as he did a few practice swings before sheathing it and tying it to his side. He held out his hand to Godric, who accepted the aid gratefully. Rowena appeared and took hold of the fighter's other side. Together the three Apparated back to the cave as a bed and potion was prepared for the tired fighters. Once the defeated was fast asleep, Rowena motioned the victor to the back of the cave for her training. Deep inside the cave was a deep lake that spanned for miles in every direction. Two enormous waterfalls that constantly poured water into the crevasse fed it. The ceiling of spikes was reflected on the surface of the water, giving it a bottomless quality. The first thing Ravenclaw had taught him was the ability to suspend his body in the air by using the magic energies inside and around him as propulsion. Once he had that learned she led him into the center of the lake, where they floated and meditated. Her knowledge of spells was unmatched by anyone in the world. If it concerned magic, then she knew about it. Under her tutelage, Harry became an Animagus. It was painful and exhausting, but in the end he could become a peregrine falcon at will. She also taught him the Unforgivable Curses and ways to counteract them. She told tales of Faust, the ultimate Dark wizard who sold his soul for power. This evil being created three destructive spells capable of decimating entire kingdoms and islands in the blink of an eye. These spells, Oblivion, Exorcism, and Genocide, were sealed away by Merlin after he fought and defeated the Dark One. The Forbidden Magicks were later lost for a time before they resurfaced fifty years ago. Now, Voldemort knew all three. However, when Merlin the Wise sealed the spells, he left a curse on them. He who uses a Forbidden Magick must sacrifice something of great value in order to perform the spell. Harry smiled at this statement. 'Voldemort has nothing of value, so it's safe to say he won't be able to perform a Forbidden Magick.'

"Today is also your final test with me Harry," Rowena said as their feet grazed the surface of the lake. "I want you to duel me using only magic. And, just to make it interesting…" she said as she waved her hands. The calm of the lake was ruptured as four great spikes of rock shot from the surface, forming a square around the two. Another wave of her hand caused golden bolts of energy to shoot from rock to rock, effectively closing them in. "Those bolts you see will hurt if you touch them, so try to steer clear of them. Also, they run underwater as well so you might want to stay afloat as well. Now, let's begin. Stupefy!" Harry brought his hands up and formed a shield against the attack. The force knocked him back and he could feel the heat of the boundary on his back. Ravenclaw was firing multitudes of spells leaving Harry with no other choice but to evade them. Unfortunately, one of the spells hit him and he slammed against the bolts. The pain that coursed through him made being struck by a meteor the equivalent of a bee-sting. Nevertheless, he pushed through it and sent a Stone spell at her as he forced himself away from the boundary. He took deep breaths, willing the burning sensation away as he formed a triangle with his palms. Concentrating, he made his hands glow with magic.

"Eruptio," he shouted as a large ball of yellow flame shot at Ravenclaw. The Founder was frozen in amazement. 'Such power,' she thought as she braced for impact. The explosion sent her to the boundary as well and she screamed with pain before pushing away. Panting painfully, she looked up at him and was shocked. The magic that emanated from Harry made the very air distort. His hair whipped in all directions; his green eyes were solid white and the water domed beneath him as he floated slowly toward her. He had surpassed her and she knew it.

"Enough, Harry, the test is over," she said to the boy, but he continued to move toward her. His hand was reaching for her when the white suddenly disappeared, changing back to green. Rowena was vaguely aware that the spikes fell back into the lake and the bright light that was spreading through the cave was gone.

"Did you say something Rowena," he asked her innocently. She stared at him long and hard. 'He does not remember what just happened?' The boy simply smiled at her, admiring her beauty as she floated like a goddess over the water. When she told him that he had passed the test he cheered. As a reward, she gave him a heart-shaped pendant that revealed the emotions of others, displaying them as colors. The two returned to the fire that was still burning. Now completely exhausted, Harry fell on the ground and drifted into sleep.

Dumbledore visited him in his dreams.

'Hello Harry, how are you,' he said, his eyes twinkling behind the spectacles. 'I see you have past both Gryffindor's and Ravenclaw's final tests. All that is left is Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Your training under the Founders is almost complete.'

'I know that Professor, but what will happen to them when I pass the tests?'

'Well, they are bound by Summonosius, so they will return to the Space Between Worlds.' Harry's heart sank at his words. He had developed a bond with his trainers in the two years he had trained under them. It would hurt to have to say good-bye to them. A lump grew in his throat and he decided to change the subject.

'How are Ron and Hermionie?'

'They are doing fine in Hogwarts. The Triwizard Tournament was held at the school and Cedric Diggory represented Hogwarts and won the cup. The O.W.L exams took place this year. As expected, Hermionie passed with flying colors and Ron skimmed by an Outstanding. It seems there is some friction between the two, but I do not know why.' Harry had a feeling he knew, and could not help but feel guilty. 'Oh, by the way, Ginny and Neville are seeing each other, in secret of course. This, I believe, is one of the factors in the tension. Other than that, Hogwarts continues as it always has. Come sixth year you will rejoin it. Headmistress McGonagall awaits your return.' This was the first time Harry had heard of this.

'I am to return to Hogwarts? Why?'

'Sooner or later, this cave will be found. However, at Hogwarts you will be safe, for Voldemort would not think to look for you there. Also, I will need someone there to protect the students should he try to destroy the school. Now, I think it's time you get some sleep, for you have the last tests tomorrow. Do your best and follow your training. Good-bye Harry.' He disappeared, leaving Harry happy and confused at the same time. 'What did he mean by needing someone to protect the school,' he thought as the blobs darkened. 'He can do that easily…' The dream ended. The next day Helga approached him.

"Alright dear, it is time for my final test." She pointed toward a table that had a long line of herbs. 'I want you to pick out all the herbs that safe to brew. Then, I would like use to create a potion, which I myself will test. There are poisonous substances among these, so be absolutely sure of your choice before picking it. You may begin." Harry stepped in front of the table and stared at the herbs, letting his mind wander. Slowly he brought his hand over each plant, grabbing one occasionally. Once the first hand had passed over, he repeated the process with his other hand. When he was done he piled the ingredients into the nearby cauldron and filled it with water, letting the flame underneath heat it to a boil. His mind still wandered as he stirred the spoon continuously. Finally, he turned off the fire and scooped some of the liquid into a cup and offered it to Hufflepuff. He waited patiently as the Founder sipped the concoction tentatively. Seeing as she had yet to drop dead, she decided to drink more. A smiled filled her face as she drained the cup in one gulp. "That was wonderful, Harry! I have never tasted such an exquisite mix! You passed dearie, you passed." She hugged him cheerfully and went to clear the cauldron. 'Only one more test to go,' Harry thought as the last Founder beckoned him into the cave. Salazar led him up a pass inside the mountain that led straight to the peak of the mountain. Just as Harry saw the sunlight pierce the darkness, the Founder stopped.

"Your test shall be here," he said, revealing a deep pit. Harry sat in the center with his legs crossed. Just as he was getting comfortable, hundreds of snakes materialized around him, covering him up to his neck, their hisses filling his ears. He looked up at the Founder, who was smiling evilly. "Here is my test: keep your eyes on me. Those snakes are enchanted to sense any emotion that you may feel, not just fear. I will be feeding you various images and you must not react to them in any way. Their fangs will kill you, so I implore you to keep it in check." Without another word, Slytherin's eyes began glowing and Harry could feel his mind being probed softly. The cave was gone, replaced by the horribly familiar trees and cars of Privet Drive. The images blurred and became House No. Four. The driveway was empty, meaning Uncle Vernon had not yet arrived from work. The door burst open to reveal his aunt pulling a younger version of him out of the house. "Get out of this house right now! Don't come back until I call you, you worthless little boy!" He remembered that day so vividly. The door slammed in his face and he began the lonely walk down the street to the park. On the way he stumbled on Dudley and his friends. They decided to play their favorite game, "How Hairy is Harry?" The object of the game was to count strand by strand how much hair Harry had. It was fun at fifteen, interesting at forty-eighty, redundant at one hundred twenty, and by two hundred and thirty the group released him and went about their way laughing like hyenas. Rubbing his scalp, the boy continued his walk of despair, his heart crying. The memory twisted, becoming nighttime. A blast of heat behind him made Harry turn around. A house was burning, the flames licking the sky. Suddenly, the scene changed and he was inside the house, the maddening heat encompassing him on all sides. All around him were bodies. He turned one of them over. The face he saw was Ron's; his lifeless eyes seemed to accuse him, blaming him for what was happening. He picked up all the bodies he could carry and burst through the door. As he laid them on the floor, he heard the house collapse behind him. A gust of air to his right revealed a tall figure in a coarse black coat. "Harry," it said, the voice a low hiss. "Come to me Harry Potter, let me finish what I started fifteen years ago." Without hesitation he ran at the figure, his sword appearing in his hand. Feeling nothing inside, he slashed at the cloak, slicing it in two. "So Salazar," he said out loud, causing the night sky to waver. "Why are you helping me? After all, my enemy also happens to be your Heir. It has always been a mystery to me."

"No mystery at all, Potter," he answered. They were back in the cave as the snakes continued to slither around him. "I am well aware of Voldemort's lineage, and that he was the one who had unsealed my Chamber of Secrets. The truth is, I hate that man. He is tarnishing my reputation with his stupidity." Harry was floored.

"I don't understand. He did what you wanted, right? 'Rid Hogwarts of those unworthy of studying magic' remember that? I thought you hated all Muggle-born wizards!"

"I did, Potter, but after millennia in the Space with nothing to do but observe, I began to doubt my philosophy. Because I was raised in Hogsmeade during the persecution of witches, I was taught to see Muggles as conniving and cruel, unworthy of knowing us. Even after my death this mentality was the norm of many pureblooded wizards. But over the centuries I have seen Mudbloods do many things that I would never have imagined them capable of doing, while the purebloods took all the credit for it. I could see the discrimination and ridicule the Muggle-born would endure and grew to admire many of them. Mind you, I still hate them, but I know that there are some who deserve respect, so it is a respectful hatred. The reason I train you is that Voldemort is using the superiority of purebloods and twisting it to suit his own depraved vision of power and immortality. He is ruining my name just to feel better about himself. He has to die." Harry couldn't help but smile inwardly. 'That sounds just like him too. To each his own I guess.' The snakes vanished in a poof of smoke as the Founder motioned for Harry to get out of the pit. "You have passed, Harry Potter. You are now the Hero, blah, blah, blah. Now go forth and conquer evil." He chuckled at the words all the way down the path. His chuckles gave way to pure laughter until he had to clutch his stomach and lean against the wall to keep from falling over. He reached the entrance to the cave and was surprised to see the Founders standing in a line waiting for him. It was Godric who spoke.

"Harry Potter, your training with us is over. You have now become the Hero. We are to return to the Space Between the Worlds to wait for the next summoning. On a more personal note, I have to say I'll miss you Harry. You were my greatest pupil."

"I shall miss our conversations," Rowena said. There was a strange gleam in her eye that made her blink more than usual.

"Good-bye Potter," said Salazar as he offered his hand to the boy. Never breaking eye contact, their palms clasped and shook. Helga could not speak. She simply sobbed as she gave him one last hug. The gesture was filled with so much love it brought tears to his eyes. It was the embrace of a mother to her child. She backed away, reforming the line. The cave darkened as a tear appeared behind them. It grew larger until it enveloped the four. With a crack of lightning the Hogwarts Four vanished, leaving Albus Dumbledore in their wake. The elderly man stood smiling sadly at the boy who was no longer a boy.

"Harry."

"Professor Dumbledore, welcome back," he said before turning around and exiting the cave. Just before he leapt, he called the sword to him. It floated toward him, landing in his outstretched hand. He jumped down into the valley. There he trained with the blade, swinging it in graceful arcs as fast as he could. His eyes burned as he swung harder and harder, the force of his slashes causing the air to whistle loudly. 'They're gone, all of them, everyone's gone. Why do they always leave?' Out of the corner of his eye he beheld a flash of red and gold plumage. It was Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. It truly was a beautiful bird to see. It's wings extended over three feet and its tail feathers were long and thick. The phoenix slowed and landed on Harry's shoulder, nipping his neck affectionately. It was too much; the weight of the world brought him to his knees, the tears salting the ground around him. Dumbledore could feel a pang of guilt as he witnessed the sorrow of a man before his time.

"So ends another year at Hogwarts," said the Headmistress at the end of year feast. "To all those who are leaving, you will be missed, and to those that will return again, the school is always open to you. Now, let the feast begin." One by one the tables filled with food as the students cheered. Hermionie sat facing Neville and Ginny near the window. The Hall was decorated in the colors of Gryffindor, the winners of the House Cup. Over at the far end of the table she saw Ron sitting with Parvati, laughing and joking with his fellow teammates. As captain of the school champions two years in a row, his popularity soared incredibly. The promise made in the Three Broomsticks had separated them beyond the point of repair, and it hurt her deeply, but it had been his choice. As for Ginny and Neville, they now openly displayed their affection, for Ron no longer bothered them. The empty seat beside Hermionie sent a wave of sadness through her. Every year she debated as to whether she should visit him or not, and every year she convinced herself that she shouldn't. 'So much has happened since then. Harry deserves to know,' she thought as she picked her food. Suddenly, a boy took the seat. She looked up and smiled at Blaise. He smiled at her too and leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. It was such a shock when he, a boy from Slytherin, had pulled her aside to ask her out. What was more of a shock was that she had said yes. It might have been loneliness or a need to feel special. Whatever it was, it proved to be a good decision. He was a great guy. He treated her like a queen and never questioned her if she would rather go to the library instead of spend time with him. He was intelligent and she found herself debating many world issues with him even though he was a pureblood. Speaking of purebloods, it seemed the love bug had affected even Draco Malfoy. He began spending most of his time with a Ravenclaw fourth-year, leaving his companions Crabbe and Goyle without a master. Rumors that the two were going out were confirmed. What struck Hermionie as ironic about the whole situation was that the girl was a Muggle-born without an ounce of wizard blood in her. 'Oh Draco, I'd love to see your face when you find out the truth.' She pictured his look of shock and surprise. His eyes would bulge out and his jaw will drop. He might even faint! Her laughter went unnoticed by everyone but Blaise, who smiled at her. The only reason he had asked the filthy Mudblood out was so that she could help him with his O.W.L exams. As soon as the N.E.W.T tests rolled by, he would dump her like the trash she was. The thought made his smile broader. 'If you only knew,' he thought as he chuckled underneath his breath.

Harry soared through the sky, Fawkes close next to him. The wind whipped against his face and carried him higher and higher as his wings reached for the sun. 'Now this is what being an Animagus is all about,' he thought as he flicked his wings and launched into a dive. The phoenix tried to follow but could not match the speed of the falcon. The grass of the valley grew closer and closer. Still diving, he turned to the right and exposed his talons for a second. Then, he retracted them and powered upwards again. His wings pierced the clouds and flew over them as the light of the sun filled his vision. The second dive was so steep it seemed as if he were falling straight down. The wind roared as he let out a cry of exhilaration. At the last possible second, Harry pulled his wings up and flew parallel to the ground, his body occasionally skimming the blades of long grass. He reverted back to his true self instantly. An exhausted Fawkes collapsed on his shoulder. He smiled apologetically as he stroked her feathers.

"I'm sorry Fawkes, I couldn't help it." The bird just sighed and fell asleep. Harry sat on the grass and watched the clouds roll lazily by. As he was staring at a particularly large cloud, he noticed a group of black of dots among the white. At first he thought they just his imagination, but upon closer observation he realized with horror that they were broomsticks.


Well? I think I did good, but its not really up to me is it? Hopefully you won't hate me too much for what I'm about to do. What am I talking about? You'll just have to wait and see. (Insert evil cackle here) Ja ne!

SoulTears