Determination
It was the most wonderful dream he could ever remember having in his life. Harry was with his mother. They just sat there and talked about his life until he got sleepy again. He could not be happier though. He burned every motion of her into his head. She barely talked as Harry spilled out every thought, idea, or desire he ever had to her. Lily calmly took it all in. No judgements on her son. Nothing but her undying love for all time, Harry could almost feel it physically.
Upon running out of anything else to say Harry sat there waiting for her to take over the conversation. She knew what he wanted and with a smile she started off the best way Harry could imagine a dream ever going.
"Harry, I love you. Your father loves you. All your family loves you." His heart was soaring and even though he didn't want to he started crying tears unabashedly in front of his mother. He saw nothing in his mother's eyes telling Harry that crying right now was bad.
Her next words torn into him like no others could.
"It's time to wake up Harry. You can't not stay asleep forever." Her beautiful smile did not stop the pain in his heart. He could not bring himself to want to leave this dream. Could he not just stay here with her forever? He just wanted his family.
Lily laughed at the horrified look on his face.
"Harry you need to wake up to get my gift." How could his mother think Harry would want some gift over being with her here?
"Well, I tried the nice way." Lily walked up to Harry and flicked his forehead. Harry shot away from Lily like a bullet. His whole body literally flew away from Lily. In an instant not only was she gone from his sight but so was the room. He did not even really notice the room until now. It had been a recreation of the Visitor's Room he stayed in. Harry flew out of Hogwarts castle fly along followed by exiting his nexus as he was leaving the world his subconscious. The dark enveloped him. Harry felt his body awaking against his desires. The voice startled him.
"James thought I was stubborn." The familiar feminine voice teased the waking boy. "Come on, Harry, we don't have all day."
Harry snapped open his eyes. He was on the floor staring at his mother. Her long hair brushing against his while her hand was on his face right where he had been hit. It no longer stung. It did feel warm and soft. Harry leaned into her hand to feel as much of it as he could.
It felt so good.
Tears were beginning to well up when his mother's voice interrupted him.
"Oh no you don't," Harry was surprised to see a bit of anger in her face, "if you start crying, I will start crying and I will not spend what time I have here just crying with my son!"
Even with the fierceness of her voice he could see the beginnings of tears in her eyes. Harry smiled and the tears abated, for now. His mother smiled her loving smile.
"Now, get up we have things to discuss and let's not waste our time."
Harry stood up his side hurt. His head was fine though for which he was grateful. He grabbed his side.
"Sorry, Harry, there is only so much I can do for you. Shut that door so we can continue."
"Yes… mom." Harry said as he turned to close the door. Lily turned away from Harry as he went to shut the door to the room they were in and wiped away the tear that started to fall. Harry closed the door and turned to see his mother just sitting down. Her chair was facing another identical tall backed red and gold chair. The room looked like a cozy reading room with a fireplace near the two chairs. The floor was smooth red tinted stone and the walls some expensive looking wood. Pictures of people Harry didn't know were on the walls. She looked at Harry expectantly. So, Harry walked over and sat down. He waited for her to speak.
Lily appeared to be gathering her thought and her son had no intention of interrupting her. He looked her over and could not help wondering if he was still dreaming and feared waking up. He had only seen the image from her trunk and it actually paled in comparison to his mother now.
"Harry, pay attention we need to talk about what you are doing." Harry focused on his mother.
"You have been doing several things I disapprove of," Sadness covered his young face, "but I can understand that with only a shadow of me to assist you." Did she mean the trunk?
"Listen to me, Harry. You are my only son. I need you to understand what I wanted for you and what the real purpose of my trunk has always been." A deep sigh came from Lily. "When I first made the trunk it was a challenge. Could I make a better pensive? That is it. So, I poured all I had into making it. Everything I had learned, all I have achieved was all to make a point."
Lily turned her head away from Harry. "It was not enough. I made my trunk into something completely new. I found out too late it was a mistake. Once the goblins started to realize what I had made they wanted it. To stop them from getting ahold of it I married a man from a well-respected family."
Lily looked back at Harry to see the shock on his face. "That is right; I did not love James when I married him. You need to hear the whole story first though. I am a muggleborn first and foremost in the wizarding world. I could not have hated it more. To be thought of as just some lesser being. I had seen it first with my childhood friend Severus."
Harry jumped up from his chair. "Severus Snape!" He exclaimed loudly.
"Sit down, Harry." In a tone only a mother could deliver, Harry instantly complied and sat in his chair.
"Yes, Severus was my first friend from the magical world. He knew I was magical before I did. He also developed a bit of a crush on me. Being a boy he was easy to read, just like all little boys are to the superior sex." The corner of her mouth hinted at a smile as Harry sat outraged. Boys were definitely not inferior to girls in his mind.
"Anyway," she continued, "Severus is a half-blood like you. Even he is looked down on by purebloods. He was quick enough to see he needed to make them value him. Hence, one of the youngest Potions Masters around has gained acceptance partially from his genetics and partially from his skill."
Lily scowled at Harry. "I earned three masteries and surpassed some masters in other fields and it gained me nothing but scorn. Then I married your father. Suddenly I was the 'brightest witch of my generation'. I can't tell you how much that sickened me hearing the praise."
Harry was shocked at hearing his mother's words. "So… you just married him, to improve how they saw you?" He was not sure he wanted to hear this answer.
"Your father," she stood from her chair and started to walk behind it. She turned to Harry grabbed the back of the chair, "was the dumbest, idiotic, most reckless, infantile, egotistical jackass… that I ever loved." She was smiling when Harry's head snapped up and looked at her after his head had sunk at the beginning.
"So… you did love him?" Harry wanted her to confirm it.
"Yes," Lily sat back down. "That man had so many fooled. Even me, and take it from me, that was saying a lot." A daze came over her eyes. "He knew before I did I loved him. He married me even knowing I thought I did not love him. When I realized I loved him I went to tell him why I had married him at the time and expected him to cast me out. I just had to tell him even if he did. Harry you need to know I was so driven to prove myself. I had been working for the goblins for years. They were the closest to accepting me for my skills. I had accepted that no one saw me for what I was and what I had accomplished in my short time. So, I prepared myself for what your father would do when he heard what I had to say to him." A look of anger crossed her beautiful face.
"Do you know what he did?" She yelled the last. Harry knew he was supposed to say something but could not think of any answer. He shook his head in response.
Lily still not seeing Harry or his answer continued. "He walked up to me with that irritating 'I was right again' smirk of his and kissed me on the lips. What a kiss it was too." She paused, her cheeks turning red as her eyes glazed over, and Harry was feeling a little uncomfortable. "He pulls back from the kiss and has the nerve to say 'for the brightest witch of her generation you are terribly slow on the uptake.'"
Harry could not help it he giggled at his mother. She refocused hearing him giggling at her. "Oh, hush up you." Harry lost it and started laughing. Once Harry could control his laughter, not helped by his mother's 'it's not funny' face, he calmed down.
"Back to the topic at hand, I had planned to use your father's connections to prove I was more than my breeding according to a bunch of time repressed Merlin wannabes. James knew what I was planning and agreed with me. As it turns out he and his little group had been fighting wizarding ways for years by that time."
"What group?" Harry had not heard about any group his father was in.
Lily smiled at Harry. "The Marauders, at first I thought it was a stupid name for a bunch of practical jokers. James explained it to me when we were dating and I thought he was overreaching a bit. I later convinced myself he would understand if I married him how appropriate it was for my goals." She slouched back in her seat.
"That man… was three steps ahead of me almost all the time. Very annoying at the best of times," Lily looked to Harry, "do you have any idea how aggravating it is to have your husband be one of the smartest people around and everyone think he is a class clown at worst or merely a jock at best!" Harry hastily shook his head as his mother was building up steam. "And he encouraged it! MY boyfriend and later husband got a kick out of everyone thinking he was a moron."
"Anyway that is not the point. The Marauders used nonviolent pranks to take the mickey out of most of the purebloods. That was what they were supposed to be doing. James later told me once the war started the true purpose he started it. Information, they would test purebloods, half-bloods, and muggleborns alike to see where their loyalties lay. Who would be on his side and who would be against him, whose personality could be trusted and who to avoid, and most importantly who to love."
Harry had to admit he was impressed with his father. He would love to talk to his father. The man sounded amazing.
"If dad was so smart why did the goblins not like him? Wouldn't they want him to work with them like you did?"
Lily's face became stern. "Listen to me very carefully. Goblins are not to be trusted. They are many things, but first above all else they are greedy. It took three years working in the bank for me to understand to what level greed is a part of them. Let me make it simple for you. If you think a goblin is mean to you it means he is not getting what he wants from you. If a goblin is nice he is trying to get something from you. If a goblin ignores you then you have not proven valuable enough to have him try and take things from you. Do you understand, Harry; goblins are living personifications of greed that no human can match? A goblin doesn't see taking things from you as a short term goal. It will set its clan to get whatever you have over centuries if needed."
Harry thought his mother might be exaggerating it a bit. His look gave away his thoughts.
"I see you don't agree alright. James had a disagreement on price of their services. He went down to 'his' vault and tried to remove his money. James was told he could not remove more money than his father had allowed. He sat there counting it and noticed what his ledger said and what was in the vault differed. He went to the main floor and raised a stink about it in front of all. Knowing they were caught they fixed it. James told his father. He convinced his father to inspect the vaults and was not surprised to see the numbers were not adding up. But for a different reason." Harry was engrossed now.
"They found over a hundred thousand galleons more than was supposed to be there according to the ledgers. The goblins corrected the mistake not just to your father's vault, but ALL potter vaults. It took both of them a week to figure out why. It took going all the way back to the last goblin war to find out what was going on. Right after the last goblin war the goblins 'earned' the right to manage accounts not just safe guard the valuables. Paranoia of losing all the family money made the head of the Potter family at the time account for every knut in and out of Potter vaults of every member until he died. The war had not been over for six months and the ledgers started showing a difference in amounts. Small amounts that could easily be accounting errors that is until you look close and see they were constant."
"Did they take all their money out of Gringotts then?"
"Nope, James bought twenty gallons of perfume and stored it in the main vault." Lily smiled at her son and waited.
Once Harry could not wait any longer he asked, "Why perfume?"
"For his dear mother of course, she loved that fragrance and he wanted a life time supply of it for her. Too bad there was an accident and it got everywhere and the goblins refused to go in there for years. The Potter's had to look after their own accounts for five years as the smell just could not be gotten rid of by any means." The sly smirk on Lily's face was enough for him to ask.
"I don't get it, what am I missing?"
"Harry, the Potter's had been one of the richest families around until that incident. After handling their own affairs for five years the Potter accounts shrank to one hundred thousand galleons. Interesting number right?"
"I was told I am one of the richest wizards."
"You probably are." Lily laughed. "Your grandfather was a vicious and deceitful man. I know he replaced the Potter accountant almost every six months. I have to wonder what would happen if the Potter's ledger was accidentally left near the Gringotts ledger on a visit by accident with a new account manager each time he appointed a new one?" Lily said making Harry think.
"But…" Harry was trying to put it together. "You said there was only one hundred thousand left. How could they have still been called wealthy?"
"Think like this for a minute. You are recently assigned to the Potter account. You know the Potters have found out about the ledgers being wrong. You check the ledger and see it has not been fixed. What would you do?"
"I would tell the owner."
"And admit that other goblins are stealing from your client. No, see all goblins know it is happening. They just cover it up on occasion if too many get greedy and dip into the vaults using client money to fund everything they do. How long before that gets out and wizards start taking their gold and demanding amends be made in the form of precious gold? No, what you do is replace it from Gringotts resources and make the client enough money to not notice or care. Then when the client no longer suspects goblins dip into the profits and leave the principal amount alone. This way the client only sees his money grow and never sees it lower than what is recoded. After all it is not like you can go to check the vault yourself with that nearly poisonous smell down there."
"The goblins would figure it out from all the money they place in the vault since they keep track of all the money." Harry reasoned with his mother.
"Interesting item magical ledgers, for instances did you know they keep and exact count of money in a vault? They do not keep track of who takes it out. If say a magic trunk was put into the vault to remove certain amounts at specific times when no human is around the ledger would be kept up to date. And maybe those amounts coincide with past incidents covering at least a fifty year span. Now add a client who keeps his own account ledger only modifiable by his hand and you can see there might be a problem if a second accounting error is discovered by the client." Harry sat thinking for a couple minutes.
"When I picked up dad's ruck there were lots of chests in the vault."
Lily burst out laughing "I bet there was more than a dozen?"
Harry thought back. "I saw lots of chests. Way more than a dozen."
Lily whistled lowly. "Harry I am betting the only money in there was goblin gold or worse gold from other vaults. I bet you have been the richest wizard for years. Don't ever open them in the vault. It would update the ledger. By the way you should probably change account managers. Probably hasn't been a Potter account execution since we died."
"Execution," Harry was startled to hear about an execution.
"Goblins always execute whoever loses a client. It keeps secrets of Gringotts from getting out from the disgruntled. It also is quite a motivator to the replacement and other account managers. Potters have been quite the motivators lately as you can imagine. So, no fuss is made by the bank. It has become all but expected."
Harry agreed. He was suddenly not feeling bad about all the money taken from his vault. Maybe he should take out a chest to have some spending money of his own and see how much is in one of the chests?
"Hey mom," Harry liked saying that. "What about your trunk? Does it have money in it?"
"It is not my trunk anymore. It belonged to you long before I died. I have several things in it, but not money. My knowledge is the most important thing. My most positive memories and these things are only for you. Keep in mind after I made it I realized my mistake Harry."
Harry waited to find out what the mistake could have been. It seemed like a godsend for an orphan like him.
"Harry, please understand I had changed my mind about keeping it. Your trunk is a lie, Harry. It is not me in any real way. Think about it I put only the best parts of my memories in there. I put my hope and love for you inside it. I tried to plan for every possible outcome you could face. None of my negative side is in there. I left only what I wanted people to see. Everything 'she' thinks is not how I would most likely react. I sorry for leaving you a lie my son, I just wanted the best for you." Lily could not look at her son. She was terrified he would hate her.
Harry moved to his mom grabbed her and gently pulled her to him and hugged his mother. His words made her cry.
"I get to have my mom. You listen to me. You love me every day. You teach me and even tell me funny stories. You are part of my life because of the greatest invention in the whole world."
Lily grabbed her son and held him as she cried.
When she calmed down she looked at Harry and saw love in his face. Not a single tear or tear stain on his face. "Damn you James, he can be so annoying when he is right. How did he know Harry would make me cry without him crying," her thoughts turned to getting some revenge on James. She eventually broke her embrace with Harry. Directing him to sit she did as well. Lily sat up straight, "Before I forget, I have a couple messages for you from your father. He was very explicit on how they were to be repeated to you."
Harry became the very image of paying attention.
"Number 1: I love you son always and forever. I have faith in you and will always be proud of you, never doubt that.
Number 2: I am always watching, in your darkest hour and your brightest moment I am with you.
Number 3: I am sorry I could not be there this time. I will see you when you need me most and not before.
Number 4: Learn.
The last one is more of a puzzle than anything else. I asked him what it meant and he would not tell me.
Number 5: 'Blackwall slumbers until the mud king ignites the kiln.'"
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"Knowing your father like I do it is important. I would have thought it was a prank if he had not made sure I had every word memorized exactly. He made sure I promised to tell you those exactly as he said them. Don't for one moment think the last is any less important than the others. He wanted you to know that." Lily tried to stress this fact to Harry.
"Damn it! We are running out of time." Lily was angry. "Listen Harry, and listen well. Work with your wand magic more. Stop relying on just what you have already learned. Work harder at learning and use every source available to you. You will need all that you learn. Don't believe everything you are told. Train your mind like you train your body. Bond with your familiars completely and acknowledge magic in you and the world. The code to my trunk is 'A bright new day for the son.'" Lily grabbed Harry for one last hug.
Harry held onto her as she started to fade. Once she was completely gone Harry watched the room fade to something similar from the castle walls.
Harry cried.
He was not sad, but happy. Harry finally spoke to his mother. Not only Lily, the real Lily, touched him and it was so wonderful to say his mother radiated love through her touch. Harry had needed it more than he could think to express. His mother was gone now. However, Harry doubted he would forget one second of this encounter for his entire life. He sat crying as he burned every moment of this encounter into his memory. Her scent would just as easily be recalled as her movements. Harry repeated her every word in his mind over and over. He considered everything he learned. In truth he could have learned she was the worst person on Earth and nothing could make him love his mother any less.
Harry had need of his mother and she came. No child could have asked for more in his eyes. He would love her now and forever with all her faults. Nothing would ever make his doubt her. She was one hell of a woman. She loved him. She was his mother.
The spirits help anyone who said otherwise.
Harry smiled through his tears. He could not stop thinking about his mother. He ran through the events again. He smiled as large as he could. His dad was smart too. His mother had confirmed it. He had so many questions about him now. Harry knew his father was in love with his mother. He was surprised to hear his father was a smart man. He guessed he was clever and brave. His mother had told him so much more than Lily Box had ever told him.
Lily Box was his official name now for the image of the Lily in the trunk. That should make Paul laugh. Harry had actually tried arguing with Paul about calling her Ms. Box before. Now Lily Box seemed the only right thing to call the trunk image. Lily Potter was for all time his mother.
Harry started laughing. He just knew Paul would walk around teasing him about the trunk being officially called Box by Harry.
Harry calmed himself and needed to focus. Paul and Flitwick had been making him meditate with varying degrees of success. Each man had made him sit and focus on different tasks. Harry chose a new route this time. Harry sat and entered his mind. He reached the 'mind palace' Flitwick had taught him to create and destroyed it.
Harry began to remake this landscape not to resemble Hogwarts anymore, but something that was truly him. He took from his father's message. This place, was not a palace. This was a place of defense and offense. It was not meant to be pretty like a palace. A smile crossed his lips unknown to him as he worked.
This place was Blackwall.
He needed to make Blackwall his home. No matter where he traveled with Paul in the future or on his own this would forever be his home. So, he began with a black wall surrounding his castle. It came naturally to Harry. The construction was for lack of a better word easy. He built a High wall of midnight black stone. An iron gate that was both intimidating and strong. He was surprised himself when it occurred to him the gate was as strong as the very wall he built.
Harry moved on. Walking the expansive grounds he made the castle of the same black stones he used on the wall and decided it would be the actually namesake of this place. Blackwall was being built to protect Harry's mind. The wall was your clue and last chance to leave. If anyone attempted to assault Harry's mind and passed the wall. Well, they had their chance. This castle was a death trap for any soul entering here not named Harry James Potter.
Blackwall was the storage of all his knowledge and memories. He would allow no trespass. The core of this place would allow nothing, no soul or magic, inside but him. He set traps and defenses on every level and in every corner. A part of Harry wondered if he was being too vicious in some of this offenses and defenses.
No.
Ad finem ultimum was carved over the entrance to Blackwall's main doors. It was not a warning just a statement. This was his mind. No one had a right to be here. This was his very being and he would protect it with all he had. He stored his memories, knowledge, and even emotions in here. He had other ideas he wanted to use this place for. That would come later.
Harry was tired from all this. He looked at the beginning of his work. It was beautiful to him. His memories of Paul, Lily, Perth, Hedwig, Neville and his grandmother, and all others would be protected by his very being. No memory was without deadly protections.
Harry pulled out from his mind and looked around the barren room. This place would take some exploring as well. Now was not the time. First, his priorities were elsewhere. Second, his stomach was growling. Finally, he needed to see a professor.
Harry stood up and his leg muscles and back made their complaints known. How much time had passed he had no idea. Standing and stretching Harry formed a plan of what he needed to accomplish now. He needed to set up as much assistance as possible to make up for lost time. He cared not where he got help in his goals. His mother and father left messages for him to basically get his rear in gear.
Harry admitted his failure to push himself lately. Paul had always been there to push him. He had kept his days busy sure. He had not pushed his learning of wand magic at all. He had been coasting and knew it. His mother had given him a much needed kick. No more would he sit back and mindlessly let days pass him.
"Okay, time to impress mom and dad." He said more to the parents he now knew for sure were watching over him.
Leaving the room he headed for the library. First order of business was to check on the grimoire. He saw a few students along the way. They avoided the young Potter. He had no idea why the few students he ran into seemed to put distance between him and them. He could not see what they saw.
Harry, to their eyes, looked like he was ready to fight. They had either seen or heard about the incident with Snape. Add to this his face and his eyes and it was a matter for concern. His face was stoic while his eye nearly glowed with magic the flames of the torches in the castle added an eerie flickering reflectiion to them as Harry walked in silence.
Once in the library his face changed to a warm smile as he greeted the Librarian.
"Hello Madam Pince, how is Perth treating you today?" The warmth in his voice was carried to Perth and Irma.
Irma jumped up from her desk and all but ran to Harry. She wasted no time in running some scans of Harry's face. She had heard like most what happened with Snape. Harry smiled as she worked. Satisfied with her scans Irma looked at the smiling boy.
"How are you feeling? Have you spoken with the Headmaster yet? Professor Flitwick and most of the teachers are looking for you. Where have you been?" Irma looked impatient for answers.
Harry laughed. This did nothing to assuage Irma Pince.
"In order then: I feel fine. No, I haven't seen the Headmaster. Is there some reason I should? I hope I have not caused any undue stress to most. I was alone and resting." He did not think a head injury and talking about his mother would go well with others for his state of mind. He had already had time to wonder about this during Blackwall's construction. He concluded even if it was a figment of his injured self's mind he would treat it as real and private.
"You should have gone to the hospital wing immediately. You will never do anything as reckless as this again!" Irma chastised. "The Headmaster wants to talk to you."
Harry could not be bothered about the Headmaster. The man was for the most part irrelevant to Harry for now. Later Harry would deal with the man. Today was not that day. Besides maybe he could annoy the man in return for all he has done for Harry and his family.
Harry kept his smile. He would not yell at Irma for her protectiveness of a student. She was not his mother. However, he realized he had cultivated her concern. So, he would accept it as she offered it. Smiling was made all the easier as she reached up and started scratching Perth on his stomach as he rested on her shoulder.
"Perth, has kept you company I see." Harry tried to change the subject.
"He has proven to be quiet obedient and even helpful." Irma allowed the change as she felt Harry had been properly chastised.
"Obedient, how did you manage that? I have to usually be around to make that happen?" Harry supplied in faux surprise.
A smirk crossed Irma Pince's face.
"Maybe it just took a stern, yet understanding hand, to get him to listen."
Harry lost his smile.
"No, Mr. Potter, I did not mean like that!" Irma corrected hastily."
A smirk formed on Harry's face, "Gotcha!"
A relived Madam Pince tried to look stern with Harry, and failed miserably.
"Mr. Potter, that was not funny." Her own smirk ruined the admonishment. "Perth has been dare I say helpful?"
"Oh, what had he been up too?" Harry asked with curiosity.
"Well, let's just call him a future librarian when it comes to dealing with students." Irma pets the monkey affectionately.
"I am glad he can help out." Harry pets his familiar. "I am going to grab a few books. I have a little work to get done." Irma nodded as Harry walked away. Harry grabbed at least two books for most of his classes. For his Potions class he grabbed all five books he could on first year work.
While he was roaming around getting books he checked on his grimoire. Pulling it off the shelf he opened and examined the contents. He was pleasantly surprised it did not copy multiples of the same books. Harry also learned a new trick with it. He knew touching the circles that represented the books would cause them to come forth. So, after a minute of examining the circles on several pages he touched just the lines that connected the various circles to the center of the grimoire. It had the effect of depositing limited information of a book directly into his brain. This let him see all the copied information for a book in an outline like form; the discovery allowed Harry to see if the books were mostly copied or just beginning.
After examining the progress made Harry realized the book would need to stay here longer than he had initially planned. Even a rough guess placed the book needing to be in here until sometime after summer. He replaced the book not happy at all for this turn of events.
Moving around collecting the remained of his desired books Harry then returned to Madam Pince. Placing the stack of books in front of Madam Pince looked at the librarian. Madam Pince for her part was surprised to see him carrying the books so easily for only a second. She was a witch after all. Once Pince had confirmed all the books were on loan for Harry to use the boy began to load them into a side pouch of his ruck.
"Some light reading you have there, Harry." Irma teased him.
Harry nodded simply. "Perth I will be in my room in about tonight if you're looking for me. Perth jumped to Harry and hugged around the boy's neck. "You be good for Madam Pince. You understand?"
Perth squeaked his acknowledgement before leaping back to a not quite prepared Irma. After regaining her composure, Madam Pince looked to Harry, "He will be fine with me, Harry."
"Thank you, Madam Pince," the boy began only to be interrupted.
"It is fine, Harry. And didn't I tell you to call me Irma?"
"Yes, Madam Pince, you did," smiling Harry as he turned and left.
Just outside of the library Harry lost his smile and returned to his stoic face. He judged the time to be early evening. Time to check on the Gryffindors, two in particular and he headed off towards the tower. Honestly, he laughed inside his head. He was not a member as was not supposed to know where the tower was. It was one of those worst kept type of secrets. The only people in the castle who didn't know where the other houses' dorms were located didn't want to know.
Don't get him started on how easy it was to get the passwords. It was not like they whispered them. Better would have been if the teachers or Founders set up something to prevent the sound from being heard from a couple feet away.
Harry reached the tower and gave the password and walked in. Seeing a redheaded boy playing chess with a boy of Irish decent he moved on to a pair of chatting girls. Far be it from Harry to interrupt mental training of any sort. Maybe he could challenge the boys later for some strategic training.
"Excuse me, ladies, can you tell me if Neville and Hermione are in their dorms?" Harry tried his best to politely interrupt them. The conversation was on clothes, so he expected little irritation from them. He was wrong as the blonde looked almost outraged for a moment. Her associate the twin of the Ravenclaw girl had the same look for a moment as well. Once they comprehended who had disturbed the conversation their collective outlooks changed.
Harry could not comprehend how talking about clothes generated so much distaste at a disruption of conversation. Would not a better topic of some intellectual pursuit give reason for the angered looks he saw temporarily? Maybe it was a girl thing?
"The bookworm is in our room. That is why we are here isn't it?" The blonde said nonchalantly.
"I assume I cannot go up and retrieve her?" Harry asked with total innocence. The blonde did not disappoint.
"Of course boys are not allowed in a girl's room," The blonde answered shocked.
"You didn't say girls could not go in to boys rooms. Why is that?" Harry asked. "Does that imply it is okay for girls to do what they want in a boy's room? Why don't boys get the same option?"
"Because… they are boys." Her voice began to rise. It attracted the prefect.
"What is going on here?" the redheaded male prefect inquired.
Harry was quick to ask.
"How come girls can enter the boy dormitory and yet boys appear to not have that same privilege?"
"I believe that is a question you can figure out when you get older." The stuffy redhead answered.
"You mean to say a boy may take sexual advantage of a girl if he enters her room, even possibly try to rape her. However, if she enters his room willingly 'all bets are off' as the saying goes." Harry had raised an eyebrow.
Both girls looked horrified at the prospect. They looked to the prefect to see if Harry's guess was right. The prefect's answer went in another direction.
"It is to prevent boys from getting into feminine things." The prefect answered in smug satisfaction.
"As you wish," Harry waved dismissively at the prefect. The prefect didn't like it.
"Now can I get you to go get Hermione?" Harry requested of the blonde.
"If I say no, then what will you do?" the blonde was curious to see how badly Harry wanted Hermione's attention.
Harry turned on his heels and started walked out calling over his shoulder. "I can always meet up with them later. Goodbye." His parting address was blistering cold as an arctic wind. He would not waste any more time. He had things he wanted to get done.
After he left it was Pavarti who spoke first. "Seriously Lav, why did you have to upset him?"
"I-I just wanted to see how much he liked Hermione." Lavender Brown said.
"Lav, everyone talks about how fast he changes from hot to cold. With cold being his natural state to most, you would think you might be more careful. He hasn't even looked at me since the whole eating grass thing. How often have you even seen his monkey in the Great Hall since? You really think it was a good idea to get on his bad side?"
"The boy is mental I am telling you." Ronald Weasley said.
"I think he just won't let people mess with him. I can understand that." Seamus Finnegan replied.
"It doesn't matter what you all think," Everyone turned to see an almost angry look on the shy Neville's face. "Harry Potter came here looking for his friends and I would be willing to bet he will not be coming back again anytime soon."
"Why do you say that, Mr. Longbottom?" Percy Weasley asked the shy young man.
"Potters are stubborn. My gran told me she has known a few. My gran and I have also met his Master. 'That man is just as stubborn as a Potter' she said to me. Harry has been living with him for years. I am sure Harry became even more stubborn living with him." Neville stepped off the last stair from the boys' dormitory. "Pavarti, would you go get Hermione? Maybe we can change his mind about Gryffindor." Pavarti almost ran up the stairs to get Hermione.
"Why would you need to change his mind?" Seamus asked.
"I told you Potters are stubborn. If my gran is right the next time Harry would choose to set foot in Gryffindor would be to see his child's House and how it has changed since his days in Hogwarts."
The looks around the room were pure shock. Most in here could not imagine that happening. He was Harry Potter and his parents were both Gryffindor students. Those that knew the Potter family knew most had been in Gryffindor. Harry had two friends in the House already. Not to mention the fight with the troll showing his brave and brash nature. How could Harry not be a Gryffindor?
"What do we do?" Lavender didn't like the idea of being the reason Harry Potter no longer wanted to be a Gryffindor. "He can't really be upset, right?"
"Who said he was upset? No, Harry avoids being put into similar situations twice. Think about what Pavarti said. Harry didn't even speak to Pavarti after she interrogated him in the Great Hall. He no longer allows his familiar into the Great Hall. He does not go to Potions class after the first time. My gran told me most Potters are that way. They try their hardest not to make a mistake twice. Harry will not want to come back here if he thinks he will be teased every time."
"That seems a bit excessive don't you think?" Seamus asked.
"It has served the Potter family well." Neville shrugged. He saw Hermione and Pavarti descend the stairs. "Harry was here and Lavender tried to tease him about seeing you." Hermione's head whipped around to glare at Lavender. Lavender was more concerned with her roommate's ire than Harry Potter at that particular moment.
"We should go find Harry." Neville said to the bushy haired girl who just nodded and glared at Lavender again as they left.
Neville and Hermione found Harry in an empty classroom with books scattered around him not far from the tower. Desks and chairs were pushed towards the walls. He addressed them without even looking up.
"Hey Neville, Hermione, how are you two doing?" His tone was distant. This concerned both of them.
"I am good, Harry. How about you, how is your day going?" Neville asked hoping the boy was not actually upset.
"Fine, Harry." Hermione replied calmly. The look on her face showed her examining Harry for every detail.
Harry stopped and looked at his concerned friends. His smile relaxed them.
"I am surprisingly good. I have picked this room to study and meet you guys in. If you don't like it we can find somewhere else. I hope to use this room for more than just study later. Or, whatever room we pick out. What do you guys think?" His tone was happy.
The new arrivals looked at each other and smiled. So far so good they thought.
"We could just use the common room in the tower if you want instead." Hermione tested his reaction.
Harry sat there crossed legged and leaned back planting his hands on the stone floor and looked up thinking. The Gryffindor boy and girl waited to see what Harry would say. They didn't have to wait long.
"Nah, we can't work in there," Harry thought back to the two girls chatting away.
"Why not, this floor seems a bit rough to sit on for hours?" Neville hoped Harry wasn't against his house now.
"Because it is a common room by definition, and that means it is more a meeting place for not only boys and girls but also for Gryffindors. I am not a Gryffindor. I maybe one day but not today." Harry continues to stare up at the ceiling. "Besides," Harry looked at them, "this room, or another like it, can be our room." He seemed generally upbeat.
"Sounds good, Harry. So, what are you working on?" Hermione changed the subject.
"I am feeling a bit behind on things." Harry said getting back to his books.
Neville let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Except for Potions class aren't your grades as good as Hermione's?"
Hermione glanced at Neville with just a bit of anger. Neville was not sure why and ignored her look. Harry looked over to see Hermione's look to. He wanted to laugh at the competitive girl.
"I guess that makes Hermione better than me? Doesn't it, Nev?" Harry joked with them.
Hermione remembered where that came from. "I am not better than you or Neville. We each have our strengths."
"Exactly, I am glad you get that." Harry smiled at her with his eyes sparkling and she blushed just a bit.
"Okay, so how will we use the room? Wait, can we use the room? Do we need permission to use it?" Neville wondered out loud to himself.
"Hmm, I guess we should ask a teacher." Harry's stomach growled. "Maybe we should get something to eat first though?" Harry began to clean up his area.
Harry looked around the room wondering if he should put everything back. He would need to ask a teacher if he could use the room. If not then put it all back. His stomach made itself known again.
"We should go before your stomach tries to eat us." Neville laughed and then Harry holding his hand over his midsection did as well.
"Boys," Hermione exclaimed, "they come up with the silliest things."
Both boys just laughed.
They left the room when Harry had a thought and stopped mid step. His eyes closed as he ran through how to make it a reality. The Gryffindors looked at him.
"Something wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked concerned.
Harry shook his head.
Neville tired next, "Do you not want to go to the Great Hall to eat?"
Harry smiled and turned to Neville. "I am good, Nev. I was just thinking there sure is a lot of walking around this castle. I think I have an idea on how to fix that."
"I have heard there are supposed to be secret passages in Hogwarts." Neville offered.
Harry started out for the Great Hall. Turning to Neville he replied enthusiastically.
"Where is the fun in that? I have an idea that will be more fun and much faster. I need to get some supplies together. I may even have to order some things. They should not be that expensive if I have to buy them all. It may just be faster to order everything. Considering faster is the goal here; I think I should just order everything." Harry rambled on.
"Harry," Hermione raised her voice to get his attention. "What are you thinking about?"
"Speed," Harry answered as if it was obvious.
"I think she wants to know what you have in mind." Neville clarified for Hermione.
"Oh, speed in moving around the castle and ways or in this case one way to accomplish it."
"Yes, very helpful." Hermione sarcastically stated.
"No, problem." Harry said already lost in his thoughts again. He luckily didn't see Hermione's look. It might have scared him. It certainly scared Neville.
They continued to make their way towards the Great Hall.
Once inside Harry told Neville he would be right over. Neville and Hermione headed for their normal seats and Harry headed for the staff table. Seeing Professor Sprout sitting there talking with one of the other staff members as they watched over the students who didn't want to be in either the dorms or library and were in the Great Hall before the evening meal; Harry walked up and waited patiently for them to have a break in conversation.
Pomona Sprout looked at the boy as he waited. He was far and away different from the other first years. In all honesty she could not determine for the better or worse. He was respectful and quiet in her class. He did exactly as he was told and performed above average; however his interest was completely absent.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, how can I help you?" Professor Sprout looked at Harry with curiosity.
"I was wondering if the empty classrooms can be modified and used by the students."
Both teachers looked at Harry with interest now. Professor Vector listened closely. Professor Sprout wanted to know what he had in mind. More importantly why come to her? This sounded more like a headmaster or deputy matter. "Why did you want to modify a room?"
"I want to alter it to serve a specific purpose instead of a standard classroom. For example, taking an unused classroom and empty it for using it to practice spells like transfiguration. Maybe I could set up with a target to cast Charms such as levitation on. Another example would be a classroom set with multiple chalkboards to write on."
Professor Vector jumped into the conversation, "Why multiple chalkboards, Mr. Potter?"
"I want multiple boards for notes. Not only the ones have I written for myself but for others."
"What do you mean for others?" Professor Sprout asked.
Harry put his hand up to his chin to think. He snapped his fingers. Muttering an "I will be right back," turned and left. He returned a couple minutes later levitating two chalkboards. He walked up them up to the staff table. Then set them facing in an inverted "V" formation. No one could see what was to be written on the boards from the tables of the students. More importantly once two people started to write on these they would not be able to see what the other was writing. He then asked the two professors to join him in front of the tables. He walked over to the Ravenclaw table and asked a prefect to give him a hand.
Penelope Clearwater nodded her head and followed him up to one of the chalkboards. He whispered into her ear. She smiled to him grabbed some chalk he handed her and started writing on the board.
He headed over to Neville. "I could use your help for a bit if you don't mind." Neville stood nervously and walked with Harry over to the other board. Whispering to Neville what he wanted him to do he left the boy to work.
Once both students were done he thanked them and asked to sit down. He then pivoted both boards to the staff table. The backs of the boards were clearly to everyone now. He addressed the professors and indirectly the students.
"As professors you know students learn at different paces. The reason is simple. Everyone views things differently." Both nodded and waited for him to continue.
"On the boards behind me I purposely chose to radically different students. A fifth year prefect and a fresh first year, then I asked each to write instructions on how to perform a simple spell."
Harry used his wand to turn Neville's board around. It was accurate and simple while almost verbatim from the text. Then he turned around Penelope's board. It was all but covered in instructions and variations of the same levitation spell.
"I thank you both. You did exactly what I expected." Harry bowed and saluted both. "You can see how Neville provided an accurate and concise description of the spell. While the prefect from Ravenclaw adds detail from not only her research but experience, and from looking at her board maybe I should have provided a second one for her." Harry smiled teasingly at Penelope and she blushed a bit. Some others laughed or giggled. "However, you can see that basically I want the room to be able to pose questions and receive answers from multiple sources. After all not every student is in the same class at the same time."
"You could just ask your professors." Professor Vector suggested to Harry.
"That would defeat the second objective of the room." Harry stated calmly.
"And what would that be?" Professor Sprout asked.
Harry raised a hand at each board. "Ravenclaw and Gryffindor students just answered my question. I wonder what different points of view I would have received from Hufflepuff and Slytherin students?"
"You would not have a Slytherin answer." Theodore Nott supplied.
Harry shrugged, "Good that would also prove something."
"What is that Mr. Potter?" Professor Vector asked while staring at Mr. Nott with a glare.
"The rooms I propose to set up are not mandatory. Only those wishing to share and learn need bother show up. Included as well, the only ones who would be excluded are those who would be disruptive." Harry stated.
"You think students would really use these rooms?" Professor Vector.
"I have absolutely no idea. I look at it from my Master's point of view. You can hand someone a wand to move a cabinet, but nothing says they won't use their head instead." Paul had actually used the reference of a nail and hammer. Harry was not about to try and explain the difference to those who may never have used a hammer before. Still both professors and several students laughed.
Harry had a feeling of dread shoot up his spine. He looked towards one of the walls as if trying to see through it.
"Something wrong Mr. Potter?" Professor Sprout asked. Harry absently took a few steps towards the wall.
"Just… Just a weird feeling." Harry shook it off. "I hope the rooms can act as a kind of common room each of the houses have. Instead of them being just for a certain house these can be for different year students. As you saw in my example the difference between years is obvious. And each year has different material to work on. Teachers already have a lot to handle with classwork, tests, and other responsibilities I cannot begin to think of. This allows students to help other students where a student may not feel comfortable asking a professor what may seem a silly question."
Harry paused to let them think on it.
"There is another benefit I can think of as well. The rooms can easy double for study rooms. A couple soft chairs and couches maybe some tables and the rooms are relaxed without being overly distracting like a common room or the too quiet solo studying in the library." Some of the students started to like the idea now.
"I think even the teachers can get some use from the rooms as well." Harry distractedly began.
"How would we benefit from the rooms, Mr. Potter?" Professor Vector was already drawn into this idea.
"Teachers always provide the information in a hopefully useful manner to the students. They never have a manner to really gauge if the students are grasping it until a test or written assignment is turned in. The rooms could answer the teachers' question of how at least some students are receiving the information and what questions could have been addressed better." Harry pointed to the chalkboards behind him.
"Does the bare minimum get absorbed, or do the students really comprehend the material." He thumbed towards each board as examples.
"Wouldn't a teacher's presence go against the initial point of the rooms?" Professor Sprout asked.
"Not at all, it gets back to the blackboards. Students leaving questions and answers for each other would take time, and teachers can come and go just like students as time permits. Maybe after curfew or even during meals to have a quick look at the thoughts of the student body could inform the teachers as to the direction students are headed in."
"Interesting, so the students can work out problems themselves and teachers can pop in as see the progress students are making without interfering?" Vector correctly guessed.
"Yes, more importantly see if students are going in a completely wrong and possibly dangerous direction." Harry agreed.
"Dangerous… you think this could be dangerous? If so why should it be allowed?" Professor Vector looked at Professor Sprout with concern and thoughts of rejection written on her face.
Harry saw this and wondered if he had said too much. If they rejected his proposal he still planned to use it in some form. He would just have to hide the training another way.
"Professor, I am confused. Did you think magic was safe to begin with? This is a school to teach children how to safely handle magic correct?"
Professor Vector's face scrunched up, "Of course, Mr. Potter, we are here to instruct all in the ways of magic…"
"… and magic is a dangerous tool if knowledge and wisdom don't temper it." Harry interrupted.
"You make it sound as if magic is a weapon." Professor Vector's voice took on an edge of hostility. She didn't like the idea of children associating magic with violence.
Harry closed his eyes. The professors and some students watched. Harry drew on his magic. He grabbed onto it and focused it stirred it up. He agitated it. He pressed his anger, frustration, and hate for a certain creature. The red eyes he came to loathe had stared at his toddler form. It had killed his parents. He had no face to put with red eyes, just a name. Professor Flitwick had provided the rest of the story. It was in fact the night he lost his parents. Harry hid it well from Flitwick, but the anger at the man who took his parents was only compounded with the man being already dead. He ignored pain, both mental and physical, and focused on his wand.
The professors saw the facial twitches on Harry's face. When he opened his eyes they could see rage in his face. The boy's anger scared the professors. No child should look that angry, ever. Quick as a flash his wand was in his hand and he was turning.
"Fire," shouted Harry Potter.
A heatwave hit the professors as flames erupted from Harry's wand. The flames were red and orange with tints of blue and purple as they streaked to the two blackboards. The flames connected hungrily with the blackboards and left no doubt in anyone's mind as to the intent. These flames were destruction in purest form. They engulfed the boards and melted more than burned the boards. The heat was nearly unbearable to the professors. In less than a minute the boards were burning piles on the floor.
Harry turned to back to the professors. He looked calm as he spoke.
"While that is quite draining, I think I made my point. Magic is whatever we want it to be when we hold a wand. Children need to know what they are doing; after all I was only aiming for one board."
Professor Vector could not believe what she was seeing. Those flames had an intensity she had never felt before. She knew it wasn't fiendfyre, but the main question in her mind was what was that? Those were not normal flames. How had Harry cast fire from his wand without the proper incantation? Then his words came back to her. "Magic is whatever we want it to be when we hold a wand."
That can't be true.
Witches and wizards spent years learning the proper wand movements and incantations to make magic work. How could Harry Potter stand there and ignore everything she had ever been taught and call it a lie at the same time? She was truly scared of this child. She had never been so scared of anyone in her entire life. Septima Vector could not even look at him. She stared at the flames behind him. They dance joyfully and evilly behind him.
It was then she noticed his wand. That ridiculous metal wand of his was still in his hand. The wand was red hot and had steam coming off it. His very hand seemed burned if the red skin touching his wand was any indication.
Harry noticed her looking and put the wand behind his back. He could already feel the burns on his hand. He had not been kidding when he said children needed to be taught properly. He didn't want them distracted by the injury.
"Mr. Potter," Sprout began getting both of individuals' attention, "I see your point. How do you intend to prevent something like what happened to the blackboards from happening to the other children… and yourself." Sprout glanced at the hidden arm letting Harry know she saw it too.
Harry smiled at Professor Sprout. He saw why she was a Head of House. She was more than just a friendly, approachable, and talented Herbology teacher. She had an obvious eye for detail seeing his hand, and was not nearly as unsteady as her colleague from some emotion based magic.
His opinion of her went up quite a bit. He refocused on the question.
"The other half of the reason for approaching the staff instead of just using an empty classroom is why I am here. I lack the knowledge to protect myself and others from these kinds of accidents."
"Accidents, Mr. Potter that was by no means an accident!" Professor Vector shrilly complained. A look of fear on her face as Harry looked at her with disapproval. She could not believe he called this an accident. He deliberately destroyed school equipment and wants to pass it off as an accident! He was eleven years old now, what would he be capable of in a few years? Fear crawled all over her skin.
It was a well-known fact children grew more powerful as they used magic. It was one of the reason magic is taught slowly to children. Not only so they don't gather too much power to quickly as children do reckless and dangerous things. Also, so they don't become power hungry little monsters. The last thing the magical world would need is demented magical power houses with a lack of morals trying to enforce their will on the world.
Harry was just starting to learn magic now. How much power would he gain in later years? Oh… my… lord… Harry Potter has been taught magic who knows how long ago by that 'Master' of his. How much power does he already have? Terror was soon written across her face.
Harry saw it.
Professor Sprout noticed it as well. She reacted with subtle wand movements and calmed Septima on the spot. Harry turned to the Hufflepuff head and bowed his head just slightly.
"Mr. Potter, I think it would be best if you grab a bit to eat while we find the Headmaster and Deputy to confer with them on your request as is necessary. I think it best to also return to the hospital wing at your earliest convenience." Harry gave his standard bow recognizing and order when he heard one.
Harry walked to his friends and sat. Hermione wasted no time at all.
"Harry, how did you do that it was not a spell? I heard you shout fire. That is not a proper spell. You can't do magic without the proper wand movements and incantations. Where did you learn that? Was it your 'Master'? Does he teach you differently than the school? Is that why you are not a student here?"
Harry knew she would run out of air and start to turn purple before stopping. So, he tuned her out until she stopped. In the meantime he sat there with Neville watching her. A glance at Neville and he knew they would later be setting up a betting pool. Whatever the title they would need something for other students to place bets on, maybe they could title it: 'Longest rant without a breath' or 'Hermione's true lung capacity'. If rumors were true the Weasley twins would be good for keeping track of it.
His frown caused Hermione to stop mid rant. He didn't want to think the Weasley boys could be related to Arthur Weasley. Could that man be directly related to the Weasley twins? Maybe he was just a distant relative. He knew it would be rude to walk up and ask them or Ronald if they were related to a man who took some of his parent's money. Even so, it would not matter they were not this Arthur person. He should not blame them. He felt a bit ashamed for blaming all Weasleys for one man's transgression.
"Harry, is something wrong?" Concern laced Hermione's voice.
"Sorry Hermione, I was just thinking of something. Not to worry, I am fine." Harry would judge all Weasleys individually and not make the mistake others made. Paul had taught him 'not to blame the son for the father's mistake'. Harry would follow Paul's advice here too.
"I am a little tired. I should eat and head back to Madam Pomfrey's care." His words had Hermione instantly agreeing with him.
The three students walked out of the Great Hall together. Neville remained silent until they reached a turn that would take them either to the hospital wing or the House tower.
"Hermione, I have gotten all my homework done if you want to go check on yours. I can make sure Harry gets to the hospital wing." Hermione thought about Neville's words and agreed saying goodbye and heading off.
Harry looked at Neville when Hermione was gone. Neville waited until Hermione was out of ear shot. "I am not blind Harry and neither is Hermione. She was only distracted. She will think about it later. You don't have to tell me, but did you hurt your hand?"
Harry smiled at Neville, "Yes, I burned it a little…"
"…and Hermione would have freaked out if you told her. I get it. You know she will ask later when she thinks of why you only used one hand above the table and never let go of your wand the whole time." Neville knew it must be bad if Harry didn't let go of the wand the whole time. Madam Pomfrey had a reputation of being able to fix just about anything. He hoped his friend would benefit from that reputation well, but not often.
Harry nodded and they walked in peaceful silence the hospital wing. Harry told Neville it was probably a good idea to head out before Madam Pomfrey caught him up in the chastising he knew was coming. Neville chuckled at Harry and left the boy to his fate with a goodbye and see you later. Harry walked in and awaited his scolding.
It was much later that night an angry Pomfrey found Sprout and McGonagall sitting in the Deputy's private rooms with Septima and Aurora Sinistra.
"So, you know?" the angry matron began.
"Yes, and I am sorry for how I reacted." A contrite Septima began before Minerva could say anything.
"What are you talking about?" the now distracted matron asked the woman who had lowered her head.
Professor Vector raised her head and looked Poppy in the eyes. "I have run the numbers so many times now." Professor Vector turned to the lit fireplace and stared at it. "His magic is high for a seventh year. His time at Hogwarts using magic will just expand that. Powerful, a word to describe and wizard strong in magic won't really describe Harry by his graduation if we don't slow his use of it."
The surprise in everyone removed all thoughts to how this evening was supposed to go. Vector was not finished yet.
"He needs to slow down and be guided very carefully. His magic is going to grow if he uses it constantly. Remember the educational pattern was set up to prevent children gaining too much too quickly. It makes children dangerous and reckless. He needs to be controlled. Not just for his safety and stability, but for the students as well."
"Septima, please, the boy is just a child. His magic will grow we know that. I find it hard to believe he is that advanced in magic." Aurora hoped the others would back her up.
"That ship has sailed." All eyes turned to Pomfrey. Seeing she had all their attention she continued. "Harry does have a large core, and yes it is still growing. No, he won't slow his growth in magic anytime soon. He does need guidance. That is why he is working with Filius nightly. We had already agreed and set that up for Harry. That is not why I am here."
Pomona took the bait and asked, "What could be more important than an overpowered child?"
"How about a child with a 'War Wand' already bound to his magic?" Pomfrey's question confused Aurora and shocked the others.
"You are not serious are you?" Pomona asked hoping Pomfrey was joking. Pomfrey had never been much of a prankster, now was hopefully the beginning if she was lucky.
"I should have known it when I saw it." McGonagall said with her accent slipping just a tad. That only happened when she was disturbed a great deal.
Aurora felt she was excluded from looking at the other witches faces and made it known. "What are you all talking about?"
McGonagall looked at Aurora and with her stern lecture face in place began to explain it to Aurora. Everyone knew you sat quietly until she was finished.
"A War Wand serves the very purpose of its name. It was once proposed as grown wizard's wand. That is to say once you reached your majority you stopped using a wood wand which was seen as a child's wand and graduated to adulthood with a metal wand. It actually caused a split among wand users for a while. Ultimately, it was rejected and wizards and witches stayed with wood wands. It was rejected for one simple reason. Pride most didn't want to start all over again learning magic."
McGonagall breathed deeply before continuing. "A metal wand takes more power and control to use. However, unlike a wooden wand, metal wands are much more versatile. You may have heard stories of dagger or even sword wielding wizards. That is only part of the story. They could cast spells through the transfigured wands."
Seeing the shock on Aurora's face Minerva could see the dots being connected. "That was the problem with metal wands you could never tell who had one if it could be transfigured into any shape. But a metal wand was still just a wand. The title War Wand came later. I said it split the wizarding world and it did for a time. A War Wand user is bound to his wand, similarly to a wood wand user, unlike a metal wand user. It gives the same control and ease of use as a wood wand. The same wizard with each of the wands performs drastically different. A wood wand in a fight makes spell use quick and easy with training. A metal wand in a fight will make spells more powerful and destroy defenses easier while tiring out the user much faster. A War Wand earned its name in war. A metal user capable of transfiguring the wand into another weapon while maintaining the ease of use and control of a wood wand in addition to the power of a metal wand. These monsters could turn the tides of battle by themselves."
Silence hung in the air for a couple minutes. The only sound the crackling of the fireplace.
Aurora coming to grips with what she heard finally asked some questions.
"Why have War Wands not been used in recent times? It could not just be a law or something like similar that is stopping there use."
Pomona snorted, "She told you already. The pride of most wizards stops them almost as much as the Ministry's subtle machinations. Imagine you are say Cornelius Fudge or Lucius Malfoy. One day you find out your wood wand can be easily overpowered by a metal wand's power. You would run to get a metal wand right up until you try to use it and notice you can't even cast the levitation spell on your money pouch. They are not about to spend years relearning magic."
"Don't forget if they are not powerful enough to even use it. After all they are matured wizards now. Their core has settled and their maximum magic level decided. They hold positions of power and don't want to be shown up magically or at all in their particular cases by a metal wand user." McGonagall added.
"What do you mean by the Ministry's machinations?" Aurora could not see how the ministry might be influencing wizards in this matter.
Septima answered her question with a question. "Tell me Aurora, where did you get your first wand?"
Aurora was about to answer when it dawned on her. "Olivander is part of the ministry's attempt to prevent metal wand users from existing?"
"Not directly. He sells wands to us as is his business. He can only mention it to you in a subtle way if he wants to keep his license. Do you remember that special day when you got your 'first' wand?" McGonagall asked emphasizing that one word.
Thinking on it now Professor Sinistra could remember the day she bought the wand that was still at her side. Olivander had told her in the company of her parents he had sold them their first wands. To which her father replied he still had and maintained that wand quite well and drew it to let the man inspect it. Olivander had simply taken it and complimented her father on its care before returning it to the man.
He had tried to tell her. She missed it. Aurora looked around and realized they all had. For who knows how long Olivander had been trying to tell people and none had noticed. In walks Harry Potter who never even met Olivander as far as she knew and he was not only going to be a metal wand user, but a War Wand user if Pomfrey was right. Wait a tick.
"How do you know he is a War Wand user?"
"His hand," guessed McGonagall.
"Exactly," nodded Pomfrey.
"Could you explain that please?" Aurora did not like being left in the dark and lost. She was not going to mention to anyone how that affected her career choice even if it was obvious.
"Mr. Potter returned to the hospital wing earlier with burns on his hand. Once healed of the more serious burns I noticed the individual dots on all his fingers and one in the center of his palm. A scan later and I confirmed traces of magic in his wand matching his signature. The dots turned out to be pieces of metal from his wand embedded into his skin. I guessed what was going on and came to see Minerva. When I came in the look I saw on her face confirmed what I believed."
Aurora looked to the Deputy Headmistress patiently.
"The matter of Harry Potter is why I called each of you here tonight." Minerva looked around the room. "While I had planned on speaking with Poppy later, her being here makes it this easier. I want to know first what each of you thinks of Mr. Potter."
"He is dangerous. So much power at such a young age rarely bodes well for others." Septima tossed out first.
"Aurora, what is your opinion?" Minerva waited for the woman's answer.
"I have yet to form any opinion of the last Potter. He is a diligent student. You would probably get a better evaluation of him from Irma." The astronomy teacher wanted to be fair and had tried to treat him as all others. Her efforts distanced her from him more than others in the class truth told.
"I kind of doubt that," Pomona giggled, "seems our young Potter has her wrapped around his finger via a monkey's tail if some of my more studious puffs are right about her change in attitude when he is around."
"You're kidding," Pomfrey shocked retort came as she stared at the Head of Hufflepuff.
"Not even a little. She has been seen smiling every time he shows up. When was the last time she smiled twice in one day, or in one week, before Harry Potter?" the rotund professor smiled having them all hang on her every word.
"Maybe he is more dangerous than I originally thought," laughed Septima.
"Pomona, your thoughts on him," Minerva prodded as she wanted to continue.
Professor Sprout changed gears instantly, "He is a good lad. I am glad he is warming up to people finally. I was concerned he would be isolated his entire time here."
"Poppy, what do you think of him?" Minerva was concerned what the matron would say. She had planned to originally speak with her alone.
"I don't know." Poppy honestly didn't know how to react to him.
"What happened? I would have thought you would be a supporter of his." Minerva looked to the other witches in the room and saw most agreed with her thought.
Poppy walked over to Minerva's window and looked at the parts of the castle she could see from the window. "You remember James and Lily?" Poppy felt more than saw the nods from Pomona and Minerva. "He may look like them, but James and Lily are small parts of him. This Master of his," Poppy said the title with some disgust in her voice, "has more influence in Harry than I like."
Poppy found a seat and look at the others. "I believe Harry is hiding something. I have no idea what. I try to get him to talk to me without prying. It takes very little to make him go quiet. I find that unsettling."
"He is only eleven, are you sure you're not reading too much into it?" Poppy looked at Aurora and shook her head at the question.
"Harry is riding a line between being a child and acting as an adult. Filius has already acknowledged his intellect and hopes to have him in Ravenclaw." Minerva didn't like hearing this piece of news. "What disturbs me is how Harry is eleven as you say and he switches back and forth worse than a grown man wanting to relive his childhood. I have watched him and Filius working. Harry only truly let's guard down with him."
"Are you forgetting my two Gryffindors?"
"No, he likes having them around I am sure. Filius was the first to get him to relax and act like a child should act when they were training as Harry calls it. Filius feeds that to Harry for focus. Apparently for Harry training has become how the boy relaxes and has anything close to fun."
"Training for what and to what end," Minerva asked trying to gleam something of the boy.
"Filius tried to find out and Harry ignored Filius for almost a week except to be given tasks to accomplish as part of their training. It took some kind of oath from Filius to get back into Harry's good graces. As a result Filius speaks to me less and less about what the two are doing now."
"What kind of training did they start out doing?" Septima's curiosity was awakened.
"It started out with the Mind Arts and progressed from there." Poppy explained to the witches present.
"Surely you don't mean he has learned all he can from Filius already. It takes years to complete that study and most give up long before becoming even adept." Even implying anyone could learn the skills in less than a decade was ludicrous. Pomona was just about to call Poppy insane for even hinting at it.
"Please, I am not as irresponsible as that. I am just saying that with Filius setting obtainable goals for a young and new learner was almost laughable. Harry has blown all his expectations away. So much so that the pair had finished the first six months work within two weeks. They started working in other directions until Filius can evaluate Harry's mental shields as rudimentary as they are now. Those shields should not stop a cursory probe. Filius thinks they will though."
A deep sigh later Poppy finished up. "Harry is organized, intelligent, cunning, hardworking, and worst of all if you ask me calculating."
"How is any of that bad?" Septima asked the distraught matron.
Aurora knew the answer. "He is eleven."
"So are most Slytherin." Pomona added.
Before Poppy could say anything Minerva beat her to it. "Pomona, Harry is displaying the attributes of a full growth Slytherin. Not the clumsy attempts of most of the first year students in Snape's House."
Minerva waited a minute for everyone present to come to grips with what she had told them. "Now as to why I have wanted to talk with you all, Harry Potter must not attend Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry."
