Chapter Nine: The Test, The Phoenix, and the Ball
NA: In the Inheritance part of this chapter, please note that Harry cannot accept all of his inheritances legally yet and can only choose one.
Please note that One Galleon is equal to roughly two pounds. This is because a Galleon is not made entirely of pure gold. Only half of it is. The other half of it is filled with cheap, inexpensive, and abundant metals. The reason I changed it is because I believe JKR's value of money is a bit absurd. According to her, One Galleon is equal to Five pounds. That said, I hardly believe it is ethical to assume that a Mere One thousand Galleons could start up a business such as Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. So don't be surprised if the prices for opening stores like that are higher than usual.
You have been warned. Please Review
Chapter Nine: The Test, The Phoenix and the Ball
Harry returned to the party, quite confused at the implication of a 'secret chamber'. Or at least, that's what Nicholas Flamel said. He very much doubted the existence of such a chamber. And even if there was such a place, why would it be hidden in the girl's bathroom? He was so deep in though that he hadn't noticed his brother coming.
Harry was startled when Alex, who was behind him, spoke up. "So Harry, what did Nicholas want to talk to you about?"
"How do you know about that?"
Alex rolled his eyes. "Please Harry; we are amongst gossip mongerers of the highest breed. Never underestimate their power of spreading news like wildfire. Now tell me, what did the Alchemist want?"
"He was telling me about a secret chamber in the second floor bathroom, the one where Myrtle resides in. He says it will help me but I should probably take a Magical Talent Test first." He replied without hesitation. He had complete and total trust in his brother to keep a secret. He was his role model after all. He looked up to him as how a child would look up to his father.
Alex's face had a confused expression on it. "A chamber? A test? This might be useful. We should investigate it further. We'll go to Gringots tomorrow and take the test immediately." Harry nodded in agreement. "For the meantime Harry, tell no one about this. Not your friends, not anyone."
"I'll be going now, Alex. I think I'll go find Neville. He's a nice chap, a bloody genius at Herbology as well." Harry said, walking away. He found Neville, seated with Hannah Abbott. The two of them were laughing and talking cheerily. They seemed to be getting on well.
Taking a seat beside Neville, who was slightly surprised at his sudden appearance, Harry asked, "So Neville, how's your vacation been lately?"
"It's been pretty good Harry. Thanks for the book on rare plants and habitats by the way. It's a great book."
"It was nothing. But may I ask why you thought it would be a good idea to send me the branch of a Brazilian Renascido? I mean how is that supposed to be useful?" Harry asked, questioning the weird gift.
"You'll see, Harry. And when you do, you can thank me later." He and Hannah shared a knowing smile.
"Well then, since you two are having such a lovely time with each other, I suppose I'll go find Katy. At least she's not love struck." The couple reddened into a shade that would have made any Weasley proud. Harry had left before they could exact any kind of revenge upon his one body.
He found Katy with her usual friends at a table which was almost half way across the room. "Hello, Harry. Why are you here? Don't you usually hang out with Neville or Drake?"
"Yeah, but Draco is off dancing with Selena Moon, his new future wife. And Neville is with Hannah, probably talking or something of the same manner."
"Selena Moon? The youngest of the Moon Family? I thought he was to marry the pudgy girl from Slytherin, her name was Pansy I believe."
"Yeah, but over the holidays we managed to convince his parents to cancel the wedding. A new contract was drawn up with the Moon Family and they accepted, well the girl accepted. Her family was very silent about it."
"Well, they probably want her to make her own decisions, but seriously though, Harry, Selena and Drake would make such a lovely couple. And who did you come here with? I don't see your date around."
Harry shrugged. "I came with Susan Bones. We have an understanding, you see. Officially, she is my guest for this evening's celebrations. Unofficially, we decided it would be best if we could dance with whoever we wanted. Who did you come with?"
"I originally came with a fellow named McCormick. But I ditched him. He's a stalker, I swear. Ron's here because he's a pureblood, and Hermione came as his date. They've been arguing over house elves for the past," she looked at her wrist watch, "hour and a half."
"Really? They must have set a new record. Drake's never argued with her any longer than fifteen minutes."
"I know."
"Hmm, well I guess the noble thing for me to do would be to stop this petty bickering."
Katy snorted. "I'd like to see you try. The tension between them can't be stopped, Harry. No one's ever done it. Trust me, I know. In fact, I'll give twenty galleons to the person who can stop them."
"Well, dearest sister, I do have a knack for doing the impossible. Get ready to be Twenty Galleons lighter by the end of the night." He turned to face the arguing teens.
"Granger, Weasley, what are you two quarreling about now?"
"Ronald, here thinks that house elves should have no rights at all!" The bushy haired girl practically shouted.
"Well then, let's talk about this. First off, Hermione, what do you know about House Elves?"
"Their poor creatures who were enslaved by wizards and witches to serve them. I think they should be free, personally."
"And there lies the problem."
"What do you mean?"
"You claim you want them to be free, liberated, correct?" The girl nodded fervently. "But do you even understand them? Their Magic? Their way of life? Their thinking? How they would react?" The proclaimed know-it-all slowly shook her head, stunned by the unexpected question.
"See, you can't claim to really want 'the best' for them if you don't truly understand them. To you Hermione, what is more important freedom in death or happiness in life?"
"Happiness in life, but I don't see how that is relevant-"
"IT IS COMPLETELY RELEVANT!" Harry shouted. Hermione was silenced by the outburst. "House Elves are happy in servitude so long as they aren't abused. They are perfectly happy. And what's more, should they live in freedom for too long, they die. And not in some glorious peaceful way that your simple, innocent mind must have visualized. They will die with shame…as outcasts among their kin.
They will be considered as traitors by their own family. And their magic will slowly kill them in pain…much worse than that of a Cruciatus Curse. Tell me Hermione; is freedom worth giving up a life of happiness?"
"Well…no."
"Ah, so we are in agreement, the house elves should be protected from abuse but not freed because their happy." Turning to Katy, he asked, "I believe you offered twenty galleons to anyone who could stop their bickering. It seems I have properly silenced them over their intended argument so I believe I am completely eligible for the prize." Katy handed to him twenty golden coins, clearly amused.
"You should be an actor, Harry. So where are your other friends?" Katy asked.
"Daphne and Theodore are off God knows where. And Blaise…well I haven't really seen him yet."
Just then, Draco decided to show up. "Harry, where's Susan?"
"Don't know, don't care."
At this point, Draco started to visibly panic. "Well, you have to get someone for the dance!"
"What dance?"
"The Dance of the children who are now studying at Hogwarts."
Harry stared at him. "You Purebloods have way too many parties. Don't worry, Drake, I can get a partner for the dance in no time."
"Oh yeah? Show me then."
"Sure." Harry scanned the nearby tables to find a girl to dance with. He spotted a petite, red haired one who looked to be about ten years old or so. He walked over to her and tapped her shoulder lightly. She was mildly surprised when she saw him. "Hello, I'm Harry Potter, and you are?"
"I-I'm G-Ginny Weasley." She stammered.
Harry smiled at her warmly. Ah, the effects of the trademark Potter Smile. It made most girls melt and few had a resistance against it; the younger ones anyway.
"So, Ginny, would you like to dance?"
"Um...okay" She replied, dubiously. There was a reason why he was already one of the most attractive First Year boys at Hogwarts. He had inherited his Fathers looks and unruly hair.
He turned to look at Draco, who was dumbfounded at how easily he had done that, with a smug look on his face. Suddenly, a loud sonorous induced voice filled the room. "All First Year Hogwarts Attendees and escorts, please proceed to the Entrance Chamber. Thank You for your cooperation." The children were quickly…herded into said chamber. Curse those Purebloods and their innumerable formalities.
And so it began with some herald announcing their names and said escorts. It was full ten minutes before it got close to Potter. "Presenting: Orlando Delphi and his escort Katherine Potter," Said children walked through the elegant, marble doors hand in hand.
Harry sighed. He was next on the list. "Presenting: Harold Potter and his escort Ginerva Weasley," He took Ginny's hand in his, which nearly made her faint, and led them through the grand doors. Flashes of light, most likely from the photographers there, met them.
It took a full three minutes for them all to be assembled, names properly promulgated to the guests and all. The voice of the announcer filled the room once again. "Let the Dance Begin." Music started playing.
It turned out that they had to do the Waltz. Harry had no problem with that. It was one of the first dances he learned as a child. He could execute it perfectly and with grace. This came as a shock to the many, many, guests there. More pictures were snapped of him and his red haired companion.
To him, dancing always seemed like walking with a few patterns added in. But, alas, not all of the children there could dance with his skill. Ronald Weasley and Robert Slivenson were past of that humiliated group. Particularly because they never bothered or had the patience to learn the art even in its simplest forms.
The music stopped and many of the couples left the floor. Harry was one of them. Before he left though, he kissed the hand of Ginny, making some girls glare at her. The girl blushed like a tomato.
Harry joined Draco at their table, smirking victoriously. "I told you so."
"I will never know the secret of the Potters and how they do that." Draco said shaking his head.
"Two words, Drake, Potter Charm."
December 31, 2000, Diagon Alley, Gringots
Harry and Alex stood within the polished floors of Gringots. Today, Alex was officially fifteen. It meant that the emancipation procedure, as stated in the First Heir Clause of the Majority Act, would go unchallenged.
Also, it meant that temporary guardianship of Harry could be placed upon Alex. Another great thing to note about the day. They were still, officially under the Potter Head's Authority, but being emancipated gave them the right to establish businesses, have personal vaults, invest, handle their own finances, and generally have most rights adults had.
One of the largest restrictions, however was that they could only acquire the nearest inheritance, by blood, if there was more than one and was not under the power of someone who is more eligible to take the inheritance.
"Please drop three drops of blood onto your respective vials to start the Inheritance and Magical Talent Revealer Test." Harry did so. A goblin snatched it and started adding all sorts of liquids into it, before re-corking the vial and shaking it hard. It turned into a silver color. The Goblin poured the unknown liquid onto a piece of parchment. Writings started to appear.
Harold James Potter
Son of James Edward Potter and Lily Marie Potter nee Evans
Third Heir of the Potter Line
Inheritable Lines to the Tenth Degree:
First Heir of Peverell
First Heir of Raveus
First Heir of Amadeus
Third Heir of Potter
Fifth Heir of Morrigan
Sixth Heir of Mortin
Eighth Heir of Isin
Tenth Heir of Ordos
Lines Immediately Inheritable by Law:
Peverell
Peverell Possessions:
Heirlooms-Invisibility Cloaks, Ancient Battle Magic Manuscripts
Estates:
Peverell Mansion-Northern Scotland, Midas Villa (Condition, need of drastic repairs, Recommended for total reconstruction)
3 Adjacent Lots in Diagon Alley (Empty)
Monetary:
20,000,000 Galleons (Liquid)
30,000,000 (Estate)
Investments: NA
Inherited Abilities:
Peverell- Affinity for Defensive Magic
Special Abilities of Harold James Potter:
Parseltongue
Elemental of Water, Wind, and Lightning (Classified as Storm Elemental)
Tamer's Touch
Possible Abilities:
Parselmagic
Ancient Magic
Warder
Ward Breaker
Aura Manipulation
Magi Sense
Animagus
Apparation
Occlumens
Legillimens
Power Control
Core Manipulation
Elemental Riding
Rune Master
Developments:
Non-Verbal Spell Casting
Basic Wandless Magic
Gobbledook or Goblin Tongue
Affinities:
Gray Magic
Dark Magic
Light Magic
Heavy Magic
Potions
Transfiguration
Spell Crafting
Please Note: More Powers might be accessible upon majority. Advised to take the test then.
Scaling System:
Muggles- 0 to 1 Abilities, 0 Possibilities
Squibs- 2 to 3 Abilities, 0 Possibilities
Weak Wizards- 2 to 3 Abilities, 1 to 3 Possibilities
Ordinary Wizards- 2 to 3 Abilities, 4 to 5 Possibilities,
Above Average Wizards- 4 to 6 Abilities, 6 to 8 Possibilities
Elite Wizards- 7 to 8 Abilities, 9 to 12 Possibilities
Mages- 9 to 10 Abilities, 3 Developments
Power Mages- 11+ Abilities, 7+ Developments
It was kind of sad how very few people in the wizarding world knew about how strong they really were. Only five in every thirty-thousand bothered taking the test. Most purebloods thought it was a waste of time. Muggleborns weren't informed of its existence. Most Half-bloods didn't have enough money to waste on something they considered as frivolous as this.
The greatest Dark Lords of all times knew this…and they took advantage of them. It made them better than most people and their followers would admire them thinking that they used various dark rituals. Lies! Anyone who bothered studying ritualistic magic would know that excessive ritual usage will cause loss of magic. There was only so much magic a body could take before it suffered heart failure.
Some of the greatest wizards and witches of all times were famous because they trained themselves to unlock their full potential. These were the ones who fought against the dark lords. Dumbledore was one of them. Merlin was another. No one was truly that powerful. Just talented in fields only others could dream of.
Harry returned to Malfoy Manor. He was greeted by a frantic Draco. "Harry, the branch you got from Longbottom is glowing blue and silver." He said rapidly.
"What did you do to it?"
"Nothing, I didn't touch it, I swear."
"When did the glowing start?"
"About five minutes ago." Harry sighed as he made his way to his room. The branch was resting upon the wall and behold it was, in fact, glowing. Although it was now a radiant gold in shine. Taking his wand out, Harry jabbed it at the branch, uncertainly. He wasn't exactly prepared for this kind of situation. Whatever the situation was.
The branch started to shake violently. Harry took an involuntary step backwards. The piece of wood exploded into pieces, burning up quickly. When the smoke cleared, there was nothing but ash left of the branch. Well that's what it seemed anyway until a small bird thing emerged from the remains of the branch.
It was white and silver in color. It had yellow, piercing eyes that seemed so familiar to Harry. "Hedwig, is that you."
The secret of Phoenixes existence can be traced back to birds which have died for their masters in faithfulness and dedication. The master must also get over the bird's death. It is still largely unknown how the selection process goes though. Or even where they come from or how they find their masters.
-excerpt from: Mystical Creatures by Neville Longbottom, Chapter VII: Phoenixes, worldwide standard book on the habitats of creatures
For those of you who might have questions about this chapter, please, please, look at my Author's Notes at the top of the chapter to answer those questions.
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