Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything else in this story. Harry Potter and his beautiful world belongs to the amazing J.K. Rowling. I do not make any money off of this story.

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"speak"

"thoughts"

"spells"

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"Fine you can have your break, if that's what you want to call it." Maggie said, finally getting "convinced" by Harry.

CHAPTER 10

Harry's break lasted a full year. But it was a productive year, he had progressed further in both his already trained Elements and his metamorphosis. Specifically, with his metamorphosis: reaching and guiding his magic had become second nature to him, he had focused solely on this part after Tina had hinted it would help him in the long run. Harry had also tried his hand at wandless magic, focusing on the spells he'd learned during the 2 years he'd been at Hogwarts rather than the ones in his parents' memories. It went well enough but both Tina and Maggie told him that while it would be easier learning wandless magic in this place, his results when using it back in the mortal world would vary. So he had spent a lot of time getting familiar with the feeling wandless magic gave him in order to have an easier time training in it latter. As for his progress with the Elements it was like this:

Air: He's was flying faster now; far faster than his Nimbus 2000 could ever hope to be. Both his passive air barrier and his active tornado wall had gotten much stronger, his air barrier could now block against most charms, jinxes and curses; they would either stop cold a few inches away from him or he could use his hands and legs to redirect them away –Harry couldn't wait to see the looks on everyone's faces when he'll eventually do that that last bit- though he wasn't able to get a better grip of his surroundings. His tornado wall that encompassed him was also capable of redirecting spells away from him. The difference being, according to Tina, that while his air barrier could stand up to most normal attacks be they spells or the effects of spells, it had trouble with the majority of dark spells. His tornado wall on the other hand could now block and redirect pretty much anything less than the Unforgivables and the likes of fiendfyre. Another problem with his wall was that he couldn't control where the redirected attack would go, making it perfect in either a battle-royal or a one-on-many type of fight, not so much if there are comrades around him. He could also control the direction of the air beneath his feet and therefore he no longer had to gamble with which direction he would maneuver to. Harry was also able to figure out a way to increase his overall running speed by lessening the resistant of air around him; he was even able to combine the last two Air manipulation abilities to gain another, movement technique as Maggie called them, for a short burst of speed moving a few feet away almost faster than the human eye could follow. All that progress happened just by finally figuring out how to contain a tornado on his hand in the form of a ball, though he still had trouble actually throwing it.

Water: he had focused mainly in the purifying and healing aspects finally learning how to purify cursed objects and heal another's wounds and ailments, though he didn't yet have much luck with healing wounds or ailments caused by dark magic.

Fire: After an accidental –Harry was having serious doubts whether it actually was so- discovery, he realized that he could channel his feelings to increase the potency of the skills granted to him by his Fire Element in particular he was able to increase the rate of his regeneration to the point where wounds and broken bones were visibly healed in minutes he was even able to re-grow lost limbs though it took a lot out of him, not to mention the pain involved with losing a limb never mind re-growing it. His situational awareness, timing and creativity also increased. He was no longer only focusing on what was going on in front of him to the expend of everything else, now he could take in the entire, immediate, situation and make plans for it. It was during this time that he began to realize that the Elements were interconnected with each other. He started trying to combine properties from different Elements. After a number of failed attempts he successfully managed reach a state where time appeared to slow down, allowing him the window to better analyze the situation. Of course it wasn't time that had slowed down but rather it was his perception that had increased several fold. That was the result from successfully combining the properties of clear mind and focus from Air with Fire's situational awareness and timing. The only problem was that he was currently only able to enter this state of increased perception when he was under an attack of some kind or other, it was instinctual. But he theorized that with practice he'll be able to reach this state at will. But now it was time for the next Element.

"So let us, at last, begin the training for the Earth Element." started Maggie, entering what Harry had dubbed lecture mode "The Earth is the foundation of all mortal life, as it is both their home and source of sustenance. The Earth Element is ever-present and highly versatile, manifesting as both soil and seed, and witnessed in the eternal rhythms of growth, harvest, decay and rebirth.

This Element is associated with abundance, prosperity, and strength.

It can provide safety, foundations and growth. The Earth Element can be a doorway to discovering one's own spirit animal and help communicate with it.

It can improve stability, both physical and mental; Earth also allows one to understand the importance of silence and how and when to use it; it nurtures self-love and wisdom.

Not only is Earth the source and sustainer of plant and animal life, but it has also provided the clay and minerals with which humans have made tools, and the trees and stone they've used to build their homes and other structures. Nonetheless, Earth's energy has a destructive side as well, which may be experienced as earthquakes, avalanches, or mudslides.

The Earth Element can combine with Water, absorb it, or be carved out by it, depending on the amount of each Element, and the same can essentially be said of its relationship with Fire and Air. Overall, Earth is the most "grounding" of the Elements, its power keeping humans calm and centered in the midst of life's chaotic twists and turns."

It took Harry a while to digest this lecture.

But there was one thing that stood out above all else.

"Wait, so the Earth Element can help me become an animagus?" he asked hopefully. Regardless of the amount of time he had spent in this place, becoming an animagus never left his mind. He viewed it as a way for

him to connect with his father so it was always there, hiding beneath the surface.

Sighing Maggie answered him. "Yes Earth can help you get in touch with your spirit animal and by doing so the two of you can work together to bring it to the surface." "Though in your case it's a little more complicated than that." he thought.

One of his personal goals in sight, Harry couldn't wait to start now. "Well then what are we waiting for? Animagus transformation here we come!" he yelled, getting pumped up.

"Uhh…I think you mean Earth manipulation here we come." came Maggie's unsure voice.

"Right, of course, totally." was Harry's response, causing Maggie to sweatdrop.

"Ok then, let us begin."

"3 years. 3 freaking years." thought the now 26~ year old Harry "Maggie wasn't kidding when he said Earth would be difficult."

The last 3 years weren't easy for Harry. He wanted to get to the point of looking for his spirit animal as fast as possible, only to realize that that part was actually one of the more difficult ones. Well 'more difficult' was relative; everything about Earth was difficult for him. At this point all he had to show for himself were increased stamina, improved movement coordination and thanks to Earth's importance of silence he got the general idea of how to casting non-verbally. That's it. 3 years just for that. To say Harry was disappointed with himself would be an understatement. Of course Tina's sudden disappearance didn't help. Her not even telling him she was leaving or for how long she would be gone didn't sit well with him but he couldn't do anything about it till she returned and even then he could only voice his grief and not expect anything in return. It had taken him a long time but he had come to terms with the fact that when he left this place he wouldn't see her ever again.

"Hey Harry, how are you doing?"

"Speak of the devil" he thought, knowing she likely heard it, before speaking out loud

"Tina how nice of you to join us" he started, his sarcasm obvious "how have you been? Please tell me everything that happened in the last 3 years since you left to go…I'm sorry I must have forgotten, where did you say you were going?"

"Hmmm, I sense a bit of negativity coming from you, is everything alright with your training?" asked Tina faking ignorance

"Oh sure everything is peachy, after 3 years of near constant training I've barely been able to scratch the surface. It's like for some reason I just can't connect with Earth. But enough about me, what have you been up to all this time?" was Harry's answer, still laced with sarcasm.

"Oh, you know a little of this, a little of that; spend some time getting caught up to speed with everything that's been going on outside of this safe, untraceable, time-altering little ball of existence." she started, faking getting worked up "I mean it's not like I was sitting on my butt all these eons before you came along. I've had responsibilities that required my attention before you were born and will have them long after your bones are but dust in the wind." she finished, doing her best to appear angry.

The two stared at each other, trying to will the other into breaking contact first. Harry eventually folded. Looking away he spoke.

"We have an expiration date don't we?" Harry asked dejectedly.

Sighing Tina answered truthfully "Surely you've had already figured it out by now."

"Yeah…I just…I don't know…I didn't really want to face it, I guess."

Harry didn't know what to do, how to proceed from here. Tina couldn't blame him, after all this was his first breakup.

"How about we try being friends?" she prompted.

"Friends?" came Harry's hurt voice.

"Yes, I mean, we were friends once why not go back to that."

"I don't think it will be that easy." Harry said

"Of course it won't be easy. If it was then there wouldn't be such a thing as heartbreak in the world. But I believe it's worth it. We would never have worked out. The only way I have around the whole ageing thing is something that if you ever actually did accomplish it you would never forgive me."

"What do you mean? You talk as if there is a way for me to stop ageing. Surely that's not possible. Is it?" Harry asked not ready to give up.

Tina remained silent, just when Harry thought she wouldn't answer she did.

"Technically speaking, it is possible. Most of us have issued trials to the mortal world throughout the eons. Trials that should they be completed would allow us to grant the one who completed them a boon. What that boon is would depend on the trial, the mortal and the deity involved. It could range from something as simple as money all the way to Ascension. But the sheer time required for a trial of the magnitude necessary for Ascension is, for mortals, staggering. The minimum amount of time would be equivalent to several lifetimes. And by a third or even a fourth of that time the individual would have already put down roots, have a family, children, grandchildren he wouldn't want to outlive his children let alone his grandchildren." Tina said hoping Harry would drop this particular line of thinking. For his part Harry hadn't reacted when the deity word was uttered, having come to such a realization long ago, even if he hadn't been given the specifics. Tina explanation however did raise a question in him.

"Have you?" he asked, seeing the look on her face he elaborated "Issued a trial I mean."

"Yes, well kind of, do you remember Maggie teasing me about how my last students gave up and how I left each of them with a toy?" Tina asked.

"Yeah I remember. Gosh it feels like it centuries ago, instead of a couple of decades give or take."

"Mmm, quite. Any way those toys represented the lesson they failed in. I did it hoping that, if nothing else, they would at least figure that lesson out. Unfortunately only the youngest of the 3 brothers did, and he only figured it out near the end of his life." Tina sighed, remembering the brothers. Harry on the other hand was having different thoughts

"Wait, 3 brothers? The youngest succeeding in the end? That sounds familiar." Harry thought.

"Indeed, the 3 brothers were your ancestors, Antioch the eldest, Cadmus the middle one and Ignotus the youngest, from whom you are descended from.

Antioch was a very competitive person, always wanting to be the best at everything he tried. He was already a very powerful wizard in his own right, even before I came along wanting to teach him, but he wanted more it was then that I realized that while magically powerful he was very self-indulgent and weak-willed. I gave him what he asked for, a wand stronger than any other, that would later be known as the Elder wand, in the hopes that if such a wand was in his possession he would understand the danger it posed. Alas he never gave himself the chance to do so. Not a week later he was killed, after getting drunk and boasting about it.

As for Cadmus, he was an interesting individual. He was proud, arrogant but also noble and very devoted to his family. When I asked him what he wanted as a farewell present he came up with a gift that almost perfectly corresponded with his own characteristics. He wanted an object that would showcase his status as my student, ever if it humiliated me in the process –at least that's how he saw it- while at the same time he wanted a guarantee that should he die, his family could still look to him for guidance. That is how what is known as the Resurrection Stone came to be. Unfortunately when his wife died in childbirth, he was crushed. He raised his daughter alone, doing the best he could. But when said daughter grew up, married into a then prominent family and having children of her own, he decided his job was done and that he could finally reunite with his wife without regrets, by committing suicide.

Ignotus was modest and humble but also incredibly afraid of me and what I represented. So when I asked him what he wanted as a farewell present he requested something to hide himself from me. It was years later after having a family of his own that he finally realized the lesson I was trying to teach him. Acceptance. And so he removed the Cloak I gave him, passing it on to his son, who later passed it his son and so on until it eventually reach your hands." taking a breath Tina continued.

"Now, thanks to Antioch's boasting, Cadmus's increasing knowledge that was previously lost in time, Ignotus's disappearing acts and the half-assed research of a self-proclaimed researcher, later turned bard, suddenly everyone who believed the story somehow got it into their minds that by collecting all three objects they would somehow become Masters of Death. Honestly how they expect it to work is beyond me, I mean come on how was having a wand, a stone and the first invisibility cloak could suddenly keep someone from dying!" Tina exclaimed.

"The search had gotten to the point where a number of other deities complained, claiming that no one was paying their trials any attention because everyone was looking for those toys. Eventually, just to shut them up, I gathered the 3 objects and turned them into an actual trial, sealing away most of their power until someone could unite and unseal them. At which point, after an extended background check into the means he used to unite and unseal them I would offer him a appropriate reward."

Harry's response to the history lesson was a very eloquent

"Huh"

Raising an eyebrow Tina asked "What, that's all you say? No: is the trial still on? No: where are they now? No: if I gather them will I get a reward? If so what reward?"

"Well, no it was just a lot to take in, you know? As for the trial, I suppose the Wand and the Stone would be useful considering my situation but the Cloak doesn't seem all that useful, I mean Dumbledore could see through it, if it can be tracked, regardless of who tracks it then its usefulness is severely handicapped." Harry answered

"Did you not hear me when I said I sealed most of their power? Yes the Cloak is currently little better than a normal invisibility cloak BUT if you were to unseal its true power the Cloak would disappear and its symbol, the triangle would appear somewhere on your body. When accessing its power you would not just turn invisible but would actually enter a limbo-like world where you can't be seen or heard but still interact with the normal world; for example you could pass through doors or walls and let spells, any spell, pass through you. That last bit you could use it without entering the limbo-like world beforehand, instead the part of your body that would be hit would be, unconsciously, sent to the limbo-world only to return when the attack leaves the area where your body should have been. Essentially it would look like you phase through the attack." Tina explained, smirking as she watched Harry's jaw do its best to drop on the floor.

"So do you still think the Cloak is useless?" she asked already knowing the answer.

"Nope, absolutely not!' Harry exclaimed, before continuing "So how exactly does one go about unsealing the Cloak?"

"Hmm, why should I tell you? After all, the first thing you did after seeing for the first time in 3 years was use me to cope with your frustration and not in the fun way."

"Oh, well…I…um…" Harry wasn't sure what to do or say in this situation, likely for him Tina decided to let him off the hook.

"Pfft, it's ok you don't have to answer." She laughed before continuing "As for how to unseal them I'll tell you after you finish my lessons." She said, glad that she had successfully directed his attention away from the awkwardness of their initial conversation. Knowing now that time would take care of the rest.