Forged
For the witches and wizards gathered in the Great Hall, the sight of two of their own, Harry Potter, and George Weasley, each in clean, pressed robes, and each with a look of determination about them, was nothing less than shocking. Of the great many events that had occurred in the past few days, both inside the castle, and out, this seemed to pique the curiosity of each and every person in the hall. It was common knowledge, naturally, that Harry Potter had defeated Lord Voldemort. And it was also known that Fred Weasley had given his life during the battle, leaving George, and the rest of he Weasley family devastated. In appearance, however, none would assume that the smartly dressed wizards walking before them, entering the hall as if it were merely the first day of term, had each been involved in what would go down in history as one of the greatest Wizarding battles of all t ime.
Purpose etched on each of their faces, their determination evident, was enough to keep even the slightest whispers escaping from the lips of any onlooker. As George strode directly towards his family, whom he needed most at this point, Harry had walked briskly towards the Head Table. George would engulf his distraught mother in a tight hug. An embrace in which would pour the entirety of his heart, every ounce of love he could muster. As Molly Weasley had broken down into sobs, George would whisper quiet reassurance in her ear that he loved her, that he loved each of his family. That Fred would never be forgotten, not by family, schoolmates, or professors. He would whisper to her words that only a knowing son could, to ease her pain. She was strong, she was willful, and together, as a family, they were whole. That the memories they each held and shared with each other would keep every member alive in their hearts and souls. Forever. As Molly Weasley clung to her son, as if for dear life, she would weep, and sob. Her cries were not just for her lost twin, who had so very much reminded her of her own twin brothers, lost in the first battle against Voldemort, but for her living twin as well. Only hours before, her worst fears had nearly consumed her entire being. That the loss of a brother, a twin, could only be likened to losing half of ones very self. Her baby boys, who had never, since birth, been separated. Never had they even so much as argued with each other. Inseparable in life. She had feared Georges retreat inwards would only lead him to ruin. She could scarcely imagine how he would find the will to move on without his other half, his partner since birth. She knew, although how it were so did not matter, but she knew that whatever had happened in the hours since Harry had left the hall to find George, that he had been returned to her. She was his mother, and she could see it in his eyes, in his posture, and she could feel it as he clung to her. She could feel the love, the way only a mother could. It was real, and it was strong. Make no mistake, George would mourn his brother for the rest of his natural life. He would forever feel as if he were not quite … complete. But he was here, he was holding her, and she could feel his energy, his love, and his acceptance of his loss. Whatever had snapped, whatever had broken, whatever small unknown thing that drives us all had given up within her boy, it was all on the mend. She knew, in her heart, that Harry had shown George the way, and she cried.
As George had stopped before his family, Harry had continued towards the Heads table. He had, with almost all eyes within the Great Hall upon him, strode up several steps, walked briskly behind the Heads table, and stopped at Professor McGonagall, where he bent slightly and began whispering in her ear. Anyone who was not watching the heart wrenching exchange taking place between a mother and son, was watching the performance now taking place at the Head table. For onlooking students, it was not every day, not even during the events of the past few days, that they would see surprise etch itself upon the face of Professor McGonagall. She was, as many knew her to be, strict, severe, and unflappable. Very few had ever seen the expression of surprise that now graced her features, but then again, it was Harry Potter whispering in her ear, and those who were not watching the exchange between the Weasley family, were staring curiously towards the Head table.
In a somewhat anticlimactic manner, the whispered exchange going on at the Head table had ended. As Professor McGonagall recomposed herself, Harry had turned and left his Head of House, walking down the aisle toward the Weaselys, where he would once again bend down a whisper a few words to Hermione. All eyes watched, as she smiled, and turned toward Ron. Harry would sit, joining the Weasley clan, and immediately help himself to the small feast that had just appeared upon their table. Harry and George had made short work of their mini feast, and even Ron had helped himself to his third meal of the evening, each unaware of the various glances they received from the Weasley family and the Head table. Harry had become accustomed to ignoring the stares of his classmates. On this day, however, there were different stares, for different reasons, from practically all those within the Great Hall.
George and Harry had worked through their meals in silence, during which casual conversation had floated around the table. Hermione, Ginny, and Fleur had a conversation detailing the events that had surrounded Ollivander and Griphook, Charlie and Arthur whispered hurriedly between themselves, and Bill conversed with Mrs Weasley, which Harry thought was mere small talk to keep her occupied. He was certain that Molly Weasley had very little interest in the workings of an Egyptian Scarab curse.
No sooner had George and Harry finished their meal, than they found themselves staring at Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, and Slughorn. As each member of the table took in the scene before them, with the exception of Ron, who was still engrossed in his third dinner of the evening, it was clear to all that the presence of three professors must certainly have something to do with whatever Harry had been whispering to professor McGonagall earlier. Curiosity had swelled amongst those seated at the table, and it was not difficult for any of them to see the same curiosity on the faces of the three professors standing before them.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, I trust you have enjoyed your meal." asked Professor McGonagall.
"Now then, if the two of you are ready, Mr. Potter, I believe there was something you were rather insistent on showing us?"
All eyes darted between Harry, George, and Minerva McGonagall. Before Harry could reply, however, George had risen from his seat, making eye contact with each of his family as he spoke.
"Right then … well, you all know I haven't quite been myself …. and I apologize. I'd been feeling rather sorry for myself, you see ..."
As Fred continued his monologue, Molly had once again begun to shed silent tears, Fleur, Ginny, and Hermione each stared with glistening eyes, and Arthur, Bill, Charlie, and Percy all hung on every word with expectant expressions. Harry had already stood, and moved beside George, and Ron, knowing well that this meant they would be leaving the Great Hall, continued eating at a frenzied pace.
"That is, until Harry here gave me a little perspective. We had set some time aside this afternoon, well, the whole afternoon, actually, and we created a little tribute. Just a little something, as Harry said, to make sure that no one ever forgets."
At this point, near the end of his explanation, George turned to lock eyes with his mother, whose tears were now flowing freely and unchecked.
"Mum … no one will forget Fred. They wont ever doubt the sacrifice he's made. The price that he, that we all, as a family, have paid. Our school, this castle … we've shed blood to protect it, and everyone in it. Harry and I made sure today, that no one will ever forget … and those who were not here, well, they'll know too, mum, they'll know that we gave all we had. They'll know that we gave them Fred."
Perhaps George had said a little too much, for there wasn't a dry eye at the table. Even professor McGonagall had to strain herself to keep her glistening eyes from betraying her normally astute manner. There was a definite lack of verbal response, and it seemed like an eternity before another word was spoken. How exactly, does one follow those words with anything at all, other than a small emotional tremor.
Much to everyones surprise, it was Percy who broke the silence, stood quickly, and wrapped his brother in a one armed hug, pulling George into his own shoulder.
"Well said George." And Percy, with his free hand, began wiping his own tears without shame.
George stood tall. As proud a Gryffindor, and a Weasley. He placed his own arm around Percys shoulder, and the two brothers headed for the doors of the Great Hall, leaving everyone else to follow a few steps behind. By the time the band of curious witches and wizards had reached the entrance of he Room of requirement, many arms had found each other. For George and Percy, Arthur and Molly, Bill and Fleur, Ron and Hermione, and Harry and Ginny had all sought each other out. Charlie, McGonagall, Flitwick, and Slughorn all trailed behind, making hushed conversation between themselves until George had stopped directly in front of the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy.
"Our little tour begins here … and it is such, as it will only occur for those walking this corridor, in this direction." said George.
"I'd like to say though, it might be a bit much for some .." George had deliberately made eye contact with Mrs Weasley at that point.
"Mum, this might not be so easy for you ..." as tears began to escape Georges eyes before he continued.
"I just, well … I couldn't let him go without something grand. Without something …. Weasley."
Georges expression was hard, like stone. Everyone could see the determination in his eyes, and at this moment, George appeared far older than his age. Stress and worry had now made themselves clear in every line on his face, and Harry thought for a moment that perhaps they had gone too far. As he glanced at each and every face of those standing around him, he quickly decided not ….. they had not gone too far, for Fred, and for the Weasleys, there could be no such thing.
Harry had taken a few steps forward, so that he was further into the corridor than everyone else, and as he turned to face them, George joined him. Together, they stood, as George began to explain.
"The charms are individual … meaning they affect a single person, not a group, and only if you're walking towards the end of the corridor. Walking from any other direction wont activate the first charm, and as far as we've tested, it can't be undone. So … If you'll all line up side by side, you can walk slowly, one step at a time until you hear the first charm activate. After that, just step slowly, and pay close attention. I doubt you'll miss anything … and there's no need to draw your wands."
Harry and George had both noticed the apprehensive glances they were getting, and as if on cue, they both looked to each other, smiled, and turned to walk toward the end of the corridor. Within only a few steps, the corridor filled with gasps, as the sounds of small explosions and spell fire filled the corridor, Neither of the perpetrators had turned around to look at their audience as of yet, for two Death Eaters had just backed into view from the crossing corridor, quickly followed by a vision of Percy and Fred, each brandishing wands, and hammering their opponents with curses, jinxes, and hexes. As if on cue, and just as the two wizards had worked out, three streaks of spell fire had raced down the hall, apparently originating from the exact spot where they all were standing, and as the Death Eater Fred had been dueling crumbled under the weight of three stunning spells, the group watched in awe, as the images of Harry, Ron, and Hermione raced down the hall each firing curses towards the Death Eater that Percy appeared to be dueling.
They watched as the hood had fallen from the Death Eater battling Percy, although his face was a mere blur, and his identity could not be seen. Most of them already known it was Pius Thicknesse, the acting Minister for Magic. For reasons that need not be explained, his face was a mere blur. As the group continued slow paces through the corridor, they could now hear the verbal exchange, although the word 'Minister' had been muffled just enough so that those watching could not understand it. They could see the Freds face clearly, and his words, and expression touched them all. They each saw the light in his eyes, the smile upon his face, and the undertone of humor in such a dire situation, but before that moment had completely sunk in, the hallway was once more rent with explosion. There were none left standing in the hall, and instinctively, Ron, Hermione, and Percy had each looked to the spot where they knew Fred had fallen, only to see nothing but rubble. A few more steps brought only the sounds of Percys cries, and the vision of fresh spell fire; of Ron and Harry blasting a giant spider back through the great hole blasted in the castle wall, Hermione being brought back down to the ground to avoid a killing curse, and then of Percy and Harry carrying a blurred body hat they all knew to be Fred, toward the nook that now contained a highly polished suit of armor.
Through gasps of terror, cries of sorrow, unshed tears, and utter amazement, George and Harry led the group through the entirety of their charms. Standing in the center of the corridor, each person continued to look around as the last of the images faded, leaving only the view of a gaping whole in the castle wall, the rubble strewn from one end of the corridor to the other had slowly vanished, and a small stain in the center; the only remnant of what had happened here that was not an illusion remained. There were fourteen people standing in this little group, and all were speechless. All traded looks between Harry, George, and various parts of the corridor without speaking a single word. For their three professors, each held a sad, astonished expression. Molly Weasley was completely beside herself, caught between the horror of seeing as much of her sons last moments as she dared, and the disbelief of the lengths George had gone through, with Harrys help of course, in a single afternoon.
George and Harry stood silently, watching as everyone around them stared in disbelief. Everyone except professor Flitwick ,and Bill, who had each began walking to various points of the corridor, examining something unseen. Much, Harry thought, like Dumbledore had examined the walls of the cave. They watched with interest as Bill, who was possibly Gringotts most talented curse breaker, traced his fingers upon each individual stone that had made up the castle wall. The stones, you see, although they had appeared to be scattered upon the floor on which they stood, were very much intact, and still part of the castle wall. There were, in reality, simply transparent. An illusion, created from Harrys own memory. The most difficult of their charms, but not the most complex, as all would soon discover. Never the less, Bill seemed to be completely drawn to the castle wall. Harry silently wondered if Bill, perhaps, could feel the difference. Was Bill, who was an experienced curse breaker for Gringotts bank, actually able to feel the magic of the Elder wand.
"You two have done all this in a single afternoon then ?" asked Bill.
George, moving beside his brother, replied slowly, with pride, and in a tone which one would associate with typical Weasley twin mischief.
"Well, big brother … not really. We took an hour or two to unwind in the prefects pool down on the fourth floor. Quite stunning, really. I can't believe I've never found that little perk. I can see why Perc here was so proud of being Prefect."
With a wink and a smile towards Percy, George had unknowingly astonished everyone present, not only with his greatly underestimated magical ability, but with a slight progression towards his old self, which also meant acceptance of recent events.
For several minutes, professor Flitwick had stood at the base of the plinth, on which stood a highly polished suit of armor. George and Harry had spent a great deal of time not only finding the pieces necessary to assemble this particular suit, but also in polishing it to a high gloss. One could easily see completely down the entire hall in its reflection. The charms it now held had also taken a great deal of time, as well as a great deal of magical energy. An after throught, in the grand scheme of things, but one which the Elder wand had assisted nicely. They had not considered it to be their most difficult ask of the day, but it would turn out to be their most impressive piece of work.
"Excuse me, boys," the tiny professor said, and as Bill had noticed Flitwicks attention toward the suit of armor, he too walked over and began to examine it.
"I find myself hesitant to ask, especially when it comes to something charmed by a Weasley, but I find this most curious." Flitwick had said this with a wink, and an expression of amusement, which earned him a few good laughs, although they were short lived.
George had stepped up right away, as Harry remained standing, exchanging odd looks with Hermione, and failing to suppress a wide grin.
"Ahhh … the icing on the cake, so to speak." George began. "What do you say, Harry, another demonstration perhaps ?!"
Harry stepped in front of nook, and stood beside George. The grin on his face clearly mimicked the so called Cheshire cat. He spoke for the first time, as his eyes single out four of their witnesses.
"I suppose, George, that we need some volunteers." And without hesitation, each person had begun to look around at the others, knowing that although nothing terribly wrong was about to happen, this was clearly a textbook Weasley dare. No one could help but to feel, to know, that someone was about to get a laugh or two.
Without hesitation, Ron took a few paces, and stood front and center, quickly followed by Bill, Charlie, and Ginny. The curiosity that had filled the corridor was insurmountable, even Mrs Weasley had dried her eyes, and adopted the same expression of anticipation that had covered all their faces.
George clapped Harry square on the back, as a smile quickly eased the tension building among them.
"Alright then, looks like we have a few takers." George said as he began to separate them, and paired Ginny with Charlie, and Ron with Bill.
"Now, ten paces apart if you will, and draw your wands. On the count of three, nothing stronger than a jelly legs hex …."
As the four siblings squared off, ten paces from each other, everyone had begun shooting curious and apprehensive gazes around the corridor. Professor Flitwick had kept eyeing the suit of armor suspiciously, almost in a knowing fashion, and Bill too, could be seen casting his own eyes towards the shining armor standing in the nook.... a fact not lost to Hermione, who also eyed the suit of armor expectantly. Everyone else, it seemed, had directed their concentration between George, and his would be guinea pigs.
George stood in the center of the corridor, in the crossfire of four drawn wands, and shouted "Three …. Two … ONE !!"
Right on cue, four wands were flourished, four simple jinxes uttered, and at the very instant that the colored bolts of magic had exited from each wand and begun to fly towards their mark, the great shining suit of armor spun to the center of the corridor, brandishing a wand of its own. In a single blink of an eye, a great shield had been cast, four jinxes had been absorbed, and the great suit of armor had flourished it's own wand once more, causing an ear splitting gong to reverberate throughout the castle, immediately followed by four small pops.
As everyone looked on, they had realized the four small pops marked the appearance of four individual cages, each obviously magical, and each containing one small, yellow canary. The suit of armor stood motionless in the center of the corridor, holding a single wand in one hand, and four wands in the other. Within a few seconds, the suit or armor slowly lifted off its helmet, wands still in hand, to reveal its ghostly face. The face of Fred Weasley. Smiling, as everyone who had known Fred would remember.
George had stepped up to the shining suit of armor, as everyone had watched in disbelief.
"We haven't named him … but let's just say he's been 'Forged' in my dear brothers image. His response will fit the magic that's cast in the corridor. So, as the spells increase in power, and intent, so does the response. I'm sure you don't want a demonstration of the response to an Unforgivable, so let's just say, its' about as severe as you can get without breaking an laws."
Every eye was now torn between George, Harry, and the suit of armor. The disbelief was pasted as clear as day upon all who had just witnessed this one of a kind defense.
"A simple Finite will cancel the transfiguration. Percy, would you do the honors please?"
As George had requested, Percy stepped forward, and with a flick of his wand, cast a finite spell. Much to everyones surprise, Percys spell had fizzled and died upon hitting its mark. Slightly bewildered, but in no way surprised, all eyes turned towards George.
"Ah, yes. Sorry about that. I forgot to mention.... A simple Finite spell will indeed release those unfortunate enough to have triggered the Knight … but it must come from a school professor. There's no way around it, only a professor can reverse the spell. Also, the would be rule breakers can not be removed from their cages, by any means. With magic, or without; only a school professor clear up any misunderstandings"
Hermione had stepped up next, casting a finite spell herself, to no avail. Professor Flitwick, with a non verbal spell, reversed the transfiguration, and much to everyones amusement, four yellow canaries returned to their human forms, each failing to suppress the laughter that would soon spread to through each and every one present.
Professor Flitwicks interest in the suit of armor was monumental, and he wasted no time in voicing a flurry of questions.
"The armor then, this Avatar you have 'forged', I believe you called it. Tell me, was it not a shield charm then ?" asked Professor Flitwick.
"No, professor, it was not a shield charm. The suit you see, and this is the real beauty, does not shield from spells. It absorbs them. All of them. Even Unforgivables, although we've only tested three out of four. Neither Harry or I wanted to cast the fourth, but we're pretty sure it'll absorb that too."
All eyes were now wide in disbelief. Shield charms were standard. There were several different types of shield charms one could protect themselves with, but a charm to absorb magic was almost unheard of. Something of that nature should certainly have been well beyond the scope, and ability of wizards with only a sixth year education. Both Bill, and Flitwick were now entranced by the armor, and Bill, who had taken to running his fingers slowly through the air, just above the surface of the suit of armor, absently whispered 'forge' repeatedly.
If there were ever a moment where silence could truly be deafening, this then, would be that moment. Filius Flitwick and Bill Weasley had begun to walk between the armor, and the wall. Reaching out, to nothing, although Harry was sure they were each attempting to feel the magic, just as he had seen the Headmaster do. Professor Slughorn, who had not uttered a single word since the very start, remained silent, and instead, watched the goings on with curiosity. Minerva McGonagall, the wise, stern, Head of House, and now acting Headmistress of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, seemed to be torn. She simply could no work out how two students, exceptional as they may be, were able to perform magic on such a scale as this. Some of the things she had just witnessed were unknown to wizard kind. Simple enough in principal, but as for practical application, she was certain something on this scale had never been accomplished. A charm to absorb magic, any magic, was simply unheard of. She could relate it only to rare cases of dark magic, or of some dark potions, where ones magical reserves were depleted. Even with those rare cases, she thought, she could not ever remember anything so powerful as to absorb four separate spells, from four different casters. And to do so simultaneously, was simply unheard of.
Ginny, who had remained unusually silent throughout the entire exchange, simply stared at Harry in awe. And expression, he thought, was not very becoming of her. He felt a slight tinge of annoyance, and vague memories of what Hermione had called hero worship had quickly passed through his mind.
"Well then.." Professor McGonagall began. "I suppose I should ask a few of you to my office. Harry, George, if you would accompany Professor Flitwick and I, I would appreciate it. Ah … and Mr Weasley, Bill, that is, if you would join us as well, please."
Minerva McGonagall spoke softly, yet stern; as was her usual manner.
"You will be able to return to the Great Hall within the hour, I would think."
And as she strode towards the far end of the corridor, which led to the Headmasters, or Headmistresses office in this case, Bill, George, Harry, and Professor Flitwick each followed quickly. The rest of the Weasleys, Fleur, Hermione, and Professor Slughorn, each made their way in silence back toward to Great Hall.