May 24, 1992
Fawkes? Are you ready? We're supposed to meet the unicorns tonight.
Yes, Sparky, I am ready.
The two phoenixes flamed out of the office and into the Forbidden Forest.
Sparky led Fawkes toward the river, and the two followed it into the glade. As they swooped in, they saw a large herd of unicorns.
The oldest male came forward again.
Greetings, Fawkes, he said.
Greetings, Brion. Is it time?
Yes, it is. Fiery One, it is time for you to join the herd, the unicorn said in a proud tone.
How? Sparky asked.
It is an ancient ritual that has only been used twice before. The last wizard to join a herd was Merlin. We unicorns have taken great care that mankind remains unaware of this ritual; you must swear not to tell anyone but you're bonded about what is to occur, the unicorn said solemnly.
I swear, Sparky said.
If a unicorn could smile, then this one would have. Transform to your human form so that we may begin.
Harry transformed back and knelt before the unicorn.
Fawkes nipped Harry's right forearm and the Brion's right leg, and began to sing.
The unicorn whinnied something that Harry could not understand, and, using his nose, nudged Harry's arm beneath the wound on his leg.
A single silver drop of blood landed on Harry's wound and entered his bloodstream. Harry suddenly doubled over in pain. His head felt as though it were being split open with a battle axe. After a minute, the pain faded away.
Fawkes finished his song, and then healed the wounds on Harry and the unicorn.
Now, Harry could understand Brion, even in human form.
Welcome to the herd, Elwin.
Elwin? Harry asked, not realizing that it came out as a whinny.
Yes. Elwin means elf friend. You are a friend and have elven blood. Now, I must go. The herd needs to graze.
Goodbye, Brion, Fawkes sang.
Harry transformed and said, Goodbye.
After the unicorn herd had trotted off into the forest, Harry asked, Fawkes, when the unicorn blood entered my bloodstream my head hurt horribly. Do you know what caused it? Was it just the ritual that made that happen?
No, Sparky, the pain you felt was the death of the portion of Voldemort that was living inside of you. His evil could not stand the purity of freely given unicorn blood.
So, you mean that I won't have to worry about him possessing me?
Yes, Sparky. If he were to try to, he would die from the pain it would cause him.
The two phoenixes spent two more hours flying in silence in and out of the trees before returning to Gryffindor Tower.
- - -
The next Defense lesson with Snape was a review for the end of term exams that would start on Monday.
"Mr. Longbottom," Snape snapped suddenly. "Where should a wizard keep his wand?"
"He should always have it with him, preferably in a wand holster, sir," Neville answered confidently.
"That is an adequate answer," he said.
Neville breathed a sigh of relief. When Snape said a Gryffindor was 'adequate' it translated to 'excellent' in Slytherin speak.
"Malfoy!"
The blond jumped.
"What are the rules for maintaining a wand's power level?" Snape asked.
"Rule one is to protect your wand from getting any chips, cracks or breaks. Rule two is to keep your wand clean and polished, as any dirt or grime will make casting spells more difficult. Rule three is to only use a polish with a base of either lemon or orange juice. Rule four is to take your wand a credited wand maker for a maintenance inspection every five years," Draco said in a snooty tone.
"Excellent. Five points to Slytherin," Severus said, smirking. "Mr. Potter! What is the number one rule of dueling?"
Harry grinned. "The number one rule is that the rules only apply to proper duels. When in a battle against those who wish to harm you, anything goes."
The Professor arched a brow. "That was…an accurate summary…Mr. Zabini, what is the most important spell in your arsenal, and what is the most important thing to remember about it?"
Blaise paled. "The most important spell is the Shield Charm…I – I'm not sure what the most important thing about it is," he said nervously.
"Does anyone else know the answer?"
Harry looked around, and when no one else raised their hand, he did.
"Mr. Potter?"
"Sir, the most important thing to remember about the Shield Charm is that it doesn't block everything. If you don't know what spell is heading toward you, then dodge. Better to have a few bruises than to die," Harry said.
"Indeed," Severus said, going into lecture mode, "the Shield Charm will not block the Unforgivable Curses and many other 'Dark' curses as well. It is also important to remember that the Shield Charm cannot stop a physical attack or an elemental one."
- - -
May 30, 1992
Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel Die
Today the wizarding world mourns the loss of Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel.
Nicolas Flamel was most known for his work on Alchemy with partner Albus Dumbledore, and for the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. The Stone could turn any metal into pure gold, and created the Elixir of Life which gave the drinker immortality.
Perenelle was known for her assistance in locating homes for orphans after the war with Grindelwald. Lady Flamel is also known for being a Seer, having predicted the rise of a new dark lord after Grindelwald's fall.
Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel were found dead in their home late last night by their house elf Zed. According to Zed, the Flamels' Philosopher's Stone was destroyed in order to prevent dark witches and wizards from ever trying to gain immortality by stealing it.
The world may recall that it was only just last November that Quirinus Quirrell confessed under truth serum that he was attempting to steal the Philosopher's Stone. Quirrell had been possessed by none other than the disembodied spirit of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. You-Know-Who's spirit left Quirrell when he was captured and, in the process, Quirrell died.
We here at the Daily Prophet honor the Flamels for their selflessness. They gave up the chance at more life to protect us from evil.
By Rita Skeeter
- - -
Harry finished reading the front page of the Saturday Prophet to the New Marauders.
He lowered the paper and stared unblinkingly straight ahead. Harry folded the paper back up and placed it in his school bag.
"Did you know them?" Hermione asked softly.
He shook his head. "I knew of them. They were good people, who fought evil and protected the innocent."
"Oh," she murmured softly.
Hoot!
Harry blinked his eyes at the owl in front of him. "When did he get here?" he muttered.
The owl ruffled its feathers indignantly.
"Ooookaaay," Harry said, "when did she get here?"
"A moment ago, mate," Ron said.
"When you were staring into space," Neville added.
Harry untied the letter. "It's from Gringotts," he said, recognizing the seal.
Dear Mr. Potter,
You are required at the will reading for Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel. The meeting shall be Saturday, May 30 at 2:00 pm.
Sincerely,
Flagnook
Flamel Account Manager
"They want me to go to the will reading for the Flamels this afternoon," Harry said in shock.
"But you said you didn't know them?" Hermione said in shock.
"I didn't…I wonder why I'm supposed to be there?"
- - -
"Professor McGonagall," Harry said, sticking his head into her office.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" She looked up from her lesson plans for the following year.
"I just received word from Gringotts. Apparently I'm needed at the Flamel's will reading this afternoon at 2 o'clock."
"Oh, my…You didn't know them, did you?" she asked, even though she knew he didn't.
"No ma'am."
"Very well. Be here at no later than 1 o'clock. I shall make the arrangements with Professor Dumbledore."
"Thank you," Harry said, and left her office.
- - -
Harry entered the Transfiguration professor's office to find the Headmaster waiting for him.
"Hello, sir," Harry said smiling. He might not like the Dumbledore's way of dealing with things, but he did have good intentions. "Is it safe to assume that you will be accompanying me to the will reading?"
"Yes, I dare say it is." Dumbledore smiled kindly, his blue eyes twinkling. "Gringotts has opened the floo in their lobby, so we do not have to walk through the entire Alley. Shall we go then," he said indicating the fireplace.
Harry groaned as he took a handful of floo powder. He wasn't bad at flooing or anything; he just hated it.
He tossed the powder into the flames, turning them green. He stepped in and, in a loud voice, said, "Gringotts!"
He kept his elbows in and silently begged to get out at the correct grate. Tonks had once flooed into Knockturn Alley by mistake, and Harry did not want to end up there.
He gracefully stepped out of the fireplace and into the lobby. He stepped aside so he wouldn't be in Dumbledore's way, and looked up to see Griphook coming over to greet him.
He completely forgot that Dumbledore was on his way, and began to chat with Griphook in Gobbledegook.
Greetings, Griphook, may your mines be filled with gold, Harry said.
Griphook smiled. Mr. Potter, you are here for the Flamel's will reading, yes?
Yes, I am.
Excellent. Flagnook wasn't sure if you would be able to make it due to your school schedule.
Albus Dumbledore had rarely ever been truly shocked. He always expected the unexpected. But Harry speaking fluent Gobbledegook stunned him. He stepped out of the fireplace, walked up to Harry, and placed his hand on the boys shoulder.
I believe we are ready for our meeting with Flagnook, the Headmaster said, smiling at Griphook.
Mr. Dumbledore, Griphook said, nodding in acknowledgement. Follow me.
They followed the goblin down one of the many corridors to a conference room.
Wait here, he said, Flagnook will be with you shortly.
After Griphook left, Dumbledore turned to Harry. "You speak Gobbledegook very well, Harry."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said, smirking. "So do you."
"I have had years to perfect it. How long have you been studying it?" Dumbledore said, unable to restrain his curiosity.
Harry chuckled. "I'm not studying it anymore. I only had to study for two years before I understood it perfectly."
"Only two years?"
"Yes." Harry shrugged. It wasn't that big of a deal to him.
The headmaster was still staring at him in shock when Flagnook entered the room.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Dumbledore," the goblin said, nodding at both of them. "Let us begin."
Flagnook sat down on a raised seat across the desk from them, and pulled out a large roll of parchment.
He read, "I, Nicolas Alexander Dumas Flamel, and I, Perenelle Adele Marcellette Cousineau Flamel, do hereby swear and affirm that this is our final will and testament; and that we, being of sound mind and free from any mind altering enchantments or potions, have signed this of our own volition and free from coercion.
As we have no living relations nearer than five generations removed, we do hereby bequeath all our possessions to Harry James Potter, including: Chateau d' Ussé in France, Flamel Manor in Wales, the vacation cottage in Scotland, the entire contents of Vault 109 including all magical artifacts and books, all of our shares in Etude de Magie Blanche (Research of White Magic), and the contents of Vault 12.
I, Nicolas Alexander Dumas Flamel, also bequeath to Harry James Potter, the title of Marquess de Rigny-Ussé and all the benefits and responsibilities thereof. When he comes of age, he is to be given control of a seat on the French Wizengamot.
He is to be given the Flamel signet ring which will allow him access to his properties and Gringotts' vaults, even though he is not of age.
Signed, Nicolas Alexander Dumas Flamel and Perenelle Adele Marcellette Cousineau Flamel."
Flagnook pulled out some more parchment. "Mr. Dumbledore, I am afraid that I must ask you to leave as per the Flamels' request."
Dumbledore's back stiffened, but he left without complaint.
"Mr. Potter, this is the Flamel signet ring," Flagnook said, handing Harry a gold ring with a yellow topaz and a crest of a phoenix with its wings spread in flight and sparks trailing from its tail.
Harry slid it onto his right hand and it disappeared. "How did that happen?" he wondered aloud.
"It is to protect it from being stolen. It also had other…" he paused, "more drastic protections in place. Several will help protect you from anything that would wish you harm." The goblin smiled evilly. "Now, please sign this paper, accepting your inheritance."
Harry reached for it and quickly signed his name. His signature flashed gold, then faded back to black.
"If you don't mind my asking, what was that?" he asked.
Flagnook smiled. "That was confirmation that you are you. Had you been a Polyjuiced imposter, it would have flashed red, and we would have had you arrested."
"Wow," Harry replied in awe. "That's some powerful magic."
"Indeed," the goblin said. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Potter. If I might suggest…you really should visit Chateau d' Ussé sometime this summer."
"I will. Thank you for the advice." Harry smiled and switched languages, May your mines be filled with gold, and your coffers filled with jewels. He bowed to the elderly Goblin.
Your friendship is a boon to man and Goblinkind. Have a good day. Flagnook bowed and left the room.
Harry returned to the lobby, where he met up with Professor Dumbledore.
"I'm ready to return to the school if you are, sir," he said.
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Then let us return."
- - -
The next morning, a school owl landed in front of a rather depressed looking Blaise Zabini.
BZ,
This paper is charmed so that only you can read it.
I have a plan for getting rid of your little predicament. It will involve the assistance of some of my trusted allies, however. Please meet us at 2:00, at the same place as last time.
HP
Zabini smirked and looked straight into Harry's eyes for a brief moment.
"Oh, what have you got there, Zabini?" Draco asked in a slightly arrogant tone.
Blaise smirked at his fellow Slytherin. "Your blood might be just as pure as mine, but that doesn't give you the right to butt into my business."
"Just asking," Malfoy muttered, shaking his head.
"And I'm just saying that if I wanted you to know, then I would have volunteered the information." His cultured voice sounded amused.
"Whatever." The blonde looked as though he was pouting.
"Great Merlin," Blaise said, standing suddenly. "Could you be any more childish?" He shouldered his bag, and left the Great Hall.
- - -
Harry led a small group of friends to the dungeons, using various secret passages. Thankfully, they didn't run into anyone.
He walked up to the portrait. "Venustas Consilium." The portrait swung open and the group entered to find Blaise sitting at a table, working on his homework.
"Zabini," Harry said, smiling.
"Please, call me Blaise."
"Then you can call me Harry," he replied, ushering in his friends. "You already know Angelina Johnson, I believe. And this is Cedric Diggory, Fred and George Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Alicia Spinnet."
"I already know Neville, Cedric, and the Weasleys. It's good to see you all again. And it's nice to meet you, Hermione, Alicia. Hello, Angie." He nodded to the three girls. "Please, sit down everyone. Now, I believe you had a plan, Harry?" Blaise said as he sat down.
Everyone gathered into seats around the fireplace.
"I was told by the Weasleys, Cedric, Neville and Alicia that they are all invited to your mother's wedding on July fifth," Harry began.
Blaise nodded, but said, "Harry, I informed my mother that we have struck up an…acquaintance. You will be receiving an invitation as well, I believe sometime this week. She wishes to meet you."
"Alright, that should make things easier…Before I explain the plan, I have to know…do you want to know the truth about whether or not your mother has murdered her previous husbands? Please remember that if she did, and it is revealed, she will be arrested." Harry looked very solemn as he said this.
Blaise looked thoughtful for several long moments. "I need to know the truth. If she is arrested, then it is because of her own actions, not mine." His eyes met Harry's with confidence.
"Alright then, here's the plan…"
- - -
June 20, 1992
As Harry and his friends boarded the Hogwarts Express, he reflected that it had been a good year. Granted there was a possessed DADA professor. And some trouble with the Headmaster, not to mention Hagrid and the baby dragon that he named Norbert.
But still, Harry had found that he loved teaching, got to become the youngest professional Quidditch player ever. He made some amazing friends in each of the four houses, and found out more about his family. A phoenix even bonded with him.
"So Harry, what are your plans for the summer," Ron asked around a mouthful of melted chocolate frog.
Harry cast a quick impervious charm on their compartment and said, "Well, I have to go to France to see the property that the Flamels left me. I start Quidditch practice on July first, and my first game is, oddly enough, on my birthday. I promised myself that I would visit my Muggle relatives to see what they're like. I don't really want my only memories of them to be from when I was one; maybe they aren't as bad as I remember. Anyway…I also am going to spend at least a week with the Lupin family," he nodded in Hermione's direction. "I'm going to the Zabini wedding on July fifth. And your mum," he nodded in Ron's direction, "invited me to go shopping with you a few days before my birthday, then spend the rest of the summer at your house."
"Wicked," Ron said before stuffing a cauldron cake into his mouth.
"Yeah...Oh, and I'm spending the night before the Zabini wedding at their house, and the night after with Neville."
"What about Dumbledore?" Fred asked.
"Isn't he still harassing you about where you live?" George added.
Harry sighed. "He is, but it doesn't matter. He's not going to find out any time soon."
- - -
After arriving at King's Cross, Harry climbed off the train and began to search for Moony.
"Hey!" he yelled, waving at his uncle.
Suddenly, a big black dog came bounding out of nowhere and leapt onto Harry.
Ron screamed like a girl. "It's a grim!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Ron. This is my dog, Orion," Harry explained as he shoved the dog off of him, and wiped the slobber off of his face.
"Ron!" Molly called out to her youngest son as she rushed at him, not unlike the way Orion rushed at Harry.
"Oh, you've grown so tall," she said, grabbing his face in her hands, and kissing him on the cheek. "And these must be your friends," she said, turning to Harry, Neville and Hermione.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, smiling. "I'm Harry, and this is Neville," he pulled the shorter and somewhat pudgy boy over. "And this is Hermione," he indicated his surrogate sister.
"Oh, it's so nice to meet you." She hugged each of them. "Ginny is here too, Ron, and Luna is as well. Her father had to go out of town and asked if she could spend the week with us."
Ron turned pink. Whether it was from the idea of his friends meeting his sister, or the quirky Luna Lovegood, Harry couldn't be sure.
Just then, "Hello, Ronald," a dreamy feminine voice said.
Ron jumped in shock. "Erm, hello, Luna," he said, smiling stiffly.
"Hey, Ginny," he said, noticing his sister standing behind the blonde. "Ginny, these are my friends Harry, Neville and Hermione. Guys, this is my sister Ginny, and our neighbor Luna."
"It's nice to meet you both," Harry said, and shook their hands. He felt a strange shock when he touched Ginny's hand, but as no one else seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary, he ignored it.
"Hello, everyone," Remus said as he walked up to the group. "Molly, I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?"
"I'm doing quite well, Remus," she replied. The twins walked up just then, and she turned away briefly to greet them.
Hermione beamed. "Dad," she cried throwing herself at Remus.
He caught her in his arms, and hugged her tightly for several long minutes. At last, she pulled away to hug Dora.
"Hey, Moony," Harry said, hugging his uncle.
"Hello, Harry. So how was school?"
Harry grinned. "Oh, you know…" he drawled, "the usual, studies, pranks, and a few minor illicit activities."
Molly looked as though she were going to lecture Harry at that, but before she could, Remus said, "Yeah, right," sarcastically. "Now how about telling me the truth?"
"Okay, so there weren't that many pranks and I haven't done anything illegal. At least I told the truth about studying."
Remus grinned, and ruffled Harry's hair. "So, I understand that I get to take you home for a week?"
"Yep, you're stuck with me," Harry sighed. "I almost feel sorry for you."
"Neville," a stern voice said. It was said in a low tone, but it captured the group's attention.
"Hello, Gran," Neville said stiffly, and smiled. "These are my friends, Harry, Ron and Hermione."
"It's nice to meet you all," she said nodding in acknowledgement.
"Everyone, this is my Gran, Augusta Longbottom."
"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am," Harry said, doing a traditional bow as taught in pureblood families.
This shocked everyone but Remus.
"Thank you for your kind invitation to spend the night of July fifth at your home," Harry continued.
"You are quite welcome, Mr. Potter," she said. "Come Neville, we have to be leaving now."
Neville turned to say goodbye to his friends. When his back was to his grandmother, he grimaced slightly and rolled his eyes. It was clear, that though he loved her, he did not get on well with his Gran.
"Bye, everyone. I'll see you in two weeks, Harry."
"Goodbye, Neville," the group chorused.
After Neville left, the remaining New Marauders said goodbye, and went their separate ways.
This summer is going to be busy, Harry thought to Ginny.
Yeah it is.
Okay...there wasn't much Ginny, I know. But there will be more of her in the next chapter.
10 points to the whoever can tell me why Daniel Radcliffe didn't wear green contacts in the movies.
10 more points if you can name the person who was in both Phantom of the Opera, and Goblet of Fire.