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Weapon (Possession Chapter LXII)
Chapter XI - Play to Win
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Harry sat as he waited for the Headmaster. The ancient wizard was attending to a few last minute matters so that they could talk unhindered... Well unhindered short of a Dark Lord's attack, which if anyone had thought to ask him he could have told them wasn't going to happen. But they never thought to ask him although now that he had been inducted into the Order he was fairly sure that that would change.

His true self was still sulking over choices that were not choices and he could vaguely sense that he was discussing things with the shadows. It actually made things easier, and he hoped that his other didn't do more than watch. Whatever decision was reached with the Shadows didn't concern him. He had been created to protect himself and that's what he would continue to do. The question of his reality, or of continued existence was not of concern. So long as his true self remained, then in some way he would also remain; although he was only a pale copy of he who was meant to be. He couldn't help but smile a little. No one else would ever have these thoughts and truly, when it came down to it, nothing else but the continued existence of his true self was of concern.

Nothing.

Not lies, not lovers, not friends, not family.

He wasn't quite sure what would happen if it came down to a choice between survival of the Dark Lord and his true self but he rather thought that if it ever came to that, his true self would have resumed complete control long before he would ever be forced to make that choice.

Fawkes trilled at him and he turned his smile to the phoenix, his eyes glittering as the fire bird landed beside him and allowed him to stroke his soft plumage. The bird cooed happily, almost like a pigeon and closed his eyes as he leaned into the touch. Harry couldn't help but smile. It was so much like Xaos. The harmonics shifted, becoming deeper, slower as Fawkes fluffed his wings, lying down completely in Harry's lap.

"Ah," Dumbledore's amused voice came from the door, "I see that Fawkes has convinced you of the virtue of petting him."

"It would seem that way Headmaster."

"He can be worse than Sirius at times."

Fawkes snorted at the Headmaster, cracking open one eye to give the ancient wizard a derisive glance before he ruffled his feathers again and settled back down, obviously prepared to ignore anything further Dumbledore had to say.

"It's all right," Harry murmured. "He makes me feel... He makes me feel safe," he said finally, knowing that any other response would not be accepted.

Dumbledore smiled as he moved to his desk. "Sherbet Lemon?" he asked absently as he took one from the jar. When Harry shook his head the Headmaster looked up again, his eyes becoming serious. "How are you Harry?" He asked kindly. "You've had a rough couple of days, so how are you feeling?"

"Fine... good even... considering... I think though if I had my OWLs now, I'd be in a much worse state. Thank you for postponing them."

Dumbledore chuckled. "I pulled you out as much for the other students as for you Harry. It would be disheartening for them if you were to eclipse them up without studying."

"Huh?" He blinked in an artful display of confusion.

"It's okay, Harry. I already surmised that your... connection with Tom had gotten stronger since he took you from the Dursley's. You know things, don't you? Things you haven't learnt, things you shouldn't know but they are things he knows and some how the information got transferred to you."

Harry sniffed, eyes clouding with tears as he nodded. "Sometimes it's fun," he said, "but sometimes the information is too much. It's too evil," he whispered.

"Harry," Dumbledore said sternly. "You must never think that. Show me your wand," he instructed.

"It's not mine," Harry said.

"Show me, please," the ancient wizard insisted.

Harry nodded and slowly pulled out the wand that he now carried, thirteen inches of yew that many people would snap in an instant.

"Is this wand evil?"

"Huh?"

"Is this wand evil?"

Harry blinked.

Dumbledore smiled encouragingly at him. "Tom now has your wand, correct?"

"Yes."

"Is your wand evil?

"No."

"So is that wand evil?"

"No."

"You see, Harry. The knowledge you have from Tom is not evil. It is the use you put it to. Although," the older wizard sighed. "If you have all of his knowledge, then I will admit that you have a greater knowledge of the Dark Arts than just about anyone. But the Dark Art's aren't evil by themselves Harry, it is the use of them that makes them evil. And we will help you with that."

"He..." Harry began slowly, not really paying attention to the ancient wizard. "He had sex with me, didn't he?"

Dumbledore froze. That wasn't a question he had been expecting.

"I never knew who it was, except that they had red eyes and were so gentle. I should have known it was him, who else has red eyes? But I guess a part of me didn't want to know because it didn't hurt." He lowered his face to let the tears fall on Fawkes' plumage. "After all the others, I guess I wanted someone to see me, to want me. I didn't even fight him."

"Shush," Dumbledore said as he moved to sit beside Harry, his hands stroked Harry's back. "You didn't know what you were doing. He made sure of that. Alastor detected a Confu and a Easasum charm. Tom didn't want you to know, and you were in no condition to resist those charms."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were so convinced it was someone else, and dealing with the rest of your memories, we thought it would over whelm you if we forced that truth onto you."

Harry sniffed and nodded in understanding, rocking back and forth as he sought to comfort himself. "He did it again, though, didn't he? I don't remember anything this time but when I got back I could feel it. I never told the Aurors this. I could feel that he'd been with me, in me, and that's the reason I got away. He was going to do it again. I was awake this time and he was going to... I couldn't... I couldn't... I didn't want it... I couldn't fight him so I ran... He's supposed to hate me!"

"Shush, Harry, shush," the ancient wizard murmured, pitching his voice low so that it sounding like a soft litany as he surreptitiously cast a warming spell. This was not what he wanted to discuss, but for Harry to grow, to become what he needed, the boy would need to work through this. "We know Harry, we know, but when you did not say anything, we could not be sure and we did not want to force that on you. Everyone is here for you though Harry, everyone knows that it was not your fault."

"But he's meant to hate me!"

Dumbledore looked up at the paintings within his office. They were all looking on sympathetically but they bore slight looks of confusion. They knew what was happening but it appeared even they had no idea what had caused the change in Tom. "Sometimes," he began uncertainly. "Sometimes when you hate that badly you're not even sure any more and what seems to be hate can be viewed as love. Tom does not love you Harry, but because he hates you with a singular passion that defies all logic, he might in some way view you as his possession, someone only he can torture and since those Muggles tortured you in that way, he couldn't because you would associate that with them, not him. So he showed you the other way, thus he was gentle."

Harry cried even harder, burying his face into Fawkes who trilled a soft note of comfort.

"He does not love you and it does not make it right. I'm not asking you to forgive him but you must remember that Tom has become so twisted that even he doesn't know what he's doing. Harry, it was not about you. For him it was about power, about hate and how he could prove it. He hates you Harry. He hates you so much that he probably threatened to let you live forever so that he could do it to you again, and again."

Messy black hair gave a short jerk of assent and the older wizard grimaced. Tom was so predictable at times. Ancient blue eyes met fiery red as Fawkes looked up at him. Even after all this Harry still loved someone, was still totally devoted to the light. It was a gift Dumbledore was thankful for.

"That's why...," Harry sniffed, swallowing hard as he raised his head and wiped the tears from his eyes. "That's why I'll fight. I might not win, but by God, I'll take him with me."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," the old wizard said sincerely. "Harry, do you wish to postpone our talk?"

Harry blinked and then shook his head carefully. "We've already put it off too long. I've dealt with everything this long, but now I need to know what can be done."

"We are always here for you Harry," the Headmaster said clearly.

"I know, but there are some wounds that will only heal when he dies."

"Then we will do everything in our power to see that that happens soon. If you need to stop, Harry, let me know and we will continue at another time."

"It's okay," Harry murmured, his hands once again beginning to stroke the phoenix in his lap.

The man just didn't understand. All this time he hadn't wanted support, he knew he had that already, he wanted action. That was all that would make things better... Why couldn't Dumbledore understand that?

"First of all Harry, let me begin by telling you what will happen over this summer, baring other incidents." Dumbledore was careful to keep his voice soft and gentle as he spoke and if Harry had of looked at him he would have seen the glow of amusement returning to his eyes. "Firstly, after the other students have left for the summer you will have your OWLs and though you might complain that it is unfair, I expect you to fully utilise the information you have. Don't hold back Harry, just because you think you shouldn't know. We'll use your OWLs also as a test to see how much knowledge was transferred. You must never be afraid Harry. Of all the people I would trust with the Dark Lord's knowledge it is you. Remember, it is how you use what you know that determines whether it is good or bad.

"After you've finished your OWLs, we'll be able to see how much training you need. While you may know these things, we will have to teach you how much you know." Dumbledore chuckled. "I don't seem to be making much sense," he said with a smile, encouraging Harry to at least look slightly amused. The boy complied with a wane smile and a nod to indicate his understanding.

"I think we'll focus on Animagus training because it is an in depth transfiguration that requires knowledge of a wider range of magic. And, I'm sure your Godfather would approve. Truly remarkable was that feat, to become animagi by end of fifth year, but then those four always were gifted when they worked together." He allowed himself a soft smile in remembrance of the past.

"After that Harry, once you are well versed in what could be called normal magic we must begin to teach you how to use your power."

"My power?"

"Yes, your power," the old wizard sighed. "I should have spoken to you about this earlier but with everything that has happened, there never seemed to be time, or an opportunity. You are the Heir to a very old bloodline Harry, and a very powerful bloodline.

"What Tom told you in his letter was true, to a point, Harry. You are the Heir of Gryffindor, hence your ability to use his sword. But it is more than that.

"There were four founders of Hogwarts. You've known this since first year, I know. They all possessed a unique power which elevated them above the other witches and wizards of their day and that wasn't just through their vision to create a school.

"Tom describes Helga's power as one that is...

"'To feel the earth and to know the truth'," Harry quoted the letter. "I remember, sir, I remember everything he wrote."

"Good," Dumbledore said easily, careful to make sure that Harry knew he was pleased. "You know more about the Founders than most people do then.

"Helga could speak with the earth, with the forest nymphs, trees and their dryads. She could tell when someone was telling the truth even better than veritaserum or any other spell or potion. It doesn't sound like such a dangerous power, does it?"

Harry shook his head.

"Tom always seemed to discount the two ladies but you must always remember that in combat, both Rowena and Helga could hold their own against Salazar and Godric. Helga's power was mostly benign until she got angry. Imagine being on a battlefield where nature itself attacks you? Tree roots and grass twine together to tangle your feet, branches whip around to strike you and the very soil itself is against you. Not to mention the fact that if she could see you, she practically knew what your battle plans were. 'Know the truth' is an encompassing statement. A number of enemies found out the hard way that you don't anger her.

"Rowena could, as stated, control the spirit's of the dead. Any sensitive can see a ghost, but Rowena could communicate even with the dead who had moved on. And for ghosts, she could grant them the ability to interact with the physical realm without becoming poltergeists. Her bird totem is actually modelled from her familiar, the spirit of a raven she'd kept as a girl."

"I always find it amusing to think of her power and then to consider how she is seen. I'm sure most Ravenclaw's would be horrified to know of their House Founders ability."

"Probably," the Headmaster laughed before he continued. "Salazar had the most well known ability. Well, the basic ability was the most well known but the true depth of his ability is not always appreciated. Salazar, like Tom was called the Serpent Lord because not only did he possess the gift of Parceltongue but his animagus form was that of a Basilisk and all serpents, regardless of species obeyed him.

"And finally there is Godric's ability. The ability you have inherited. Of all of the Founders we know the least about his ability." Dumbledore looked into space as he recalled a study he had once done on the Founders. It had made Godric appear inferior in every way to the others, but he was still considered one of the most powerful wizards in history. "He never mastered his animagus form, he refused to use his ability in combat and if he was forced to, invariably it was a slaughter that he alone walked away from then he would then engage in a month of cleansing rituals.

"It might seem surprising but the others backed his decision not to use his ability, and they did their utmost to ensure he didn't have to but there were times when it was unavoidable and it is from those times that the Gryffindor name gains its stature.

"His power, Harry, was best described as Absolute Light. A light so strong that it burns away the dark. That's why Fawkes likes you so much, Harry, because by your very essence you are light.

"In time, as your ability grows, you will notice... I think they would best be described as shadows, flickering around you. They will be attracted to your light, and in exchange for it you will be able to control them."

"I think I've seen them already," he admitted. "Sometimes, just when the light's right I see a flickering, and during the match with Slytherin, there was something there. I didn't think much of it then, I just assumed it was a side effect of being asleep for so long, or something."

The ancient wizard held back a grin, his eyes glittering with mirth. Harry was further along than he thought. "That's wonderful news, Harry, absolutely wonderful," he said encouragingly. There was one thing the histories were clear on, and that was the importance of ensuring that Harry didn't think anything was wrong with his ability. He could think it unique, he could think it powerful but he could not think that others would be scared and he could not be scared of it. "I don't really know how they will manifest themselves to you, but you must never be afraid Harry. They serve you. As the Serpents serve Tom, so will the shadows serve you and we will teach you control them.

"After that Harry, summer will most likely be over and Tom will probably be vying for control. Any help you could provide would be gratefully accepted, especially since as a Dark Lord, he has already shown an ability to control the Shadows. When you come into your power, Tom's ability will be as nothing, and it may even be an ability he has derived via your bond as you are also gifted in parceltongue, so his ability is nothing to be feared as yours will eclipse his."

Emerald eyes clouded briefly before Harry nodded. "I told you," he said softly. "I will be the weapon."

"You will not have to fight alone, Harry. The Order will help you, with everything." Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, there is one thing I have to ask. Fawkes, when he inducted you into the Order, drove out the Dark Lord's spy but he sensed something else, not anything wrong, just something... unexpected. Could you tell me who it is?"

Emerald eyes opened wide and Harry felt the stirrings of panic at the old wizards words. Did they know? Had they really figured it out? "What do you mean?" He asked.

The Headmaster nodded carefully sensing the boys concern. "Harry, Fawkes asks everyone who is inducted into the Order the same questions, with some minor variations at times; 'Do you know anger? Do you know hate? Do you know pain? And do you know love?' You answered those before he even asked and we were expecting the answers for the first three. For the last though, we were expecting a slightly different answer. As I said, there is nothing wrong, it is just unexpected. We were expecting the love of a child to a parent, or that of a friend, we weren't expecting the love of an adult. So may I ask, who is it?"

Fawkes sung softly, encouragingly as he moved his head to allow fire red eyes to look into emerald. #It's all right, little one. I told you, the Order has one rule and you have followed it. There is nothing wrong, we just want to protect them.#

Harry nodded to cover the slight feeling of disgust he couldn't hide, even with his current mind set at the phoenix calling him the term the Dark Lord used. Only his beloved had the right to call him that. "I... it's..." He gulped, swallowing hard. Actually saying the words, saying the lie was harder than he thought. "It's Gin," he said, intimating a pet name, before he said the whole looking up at the ancient wizard. "Virginia."

Dumbledore smiled, truly pleased. He had suspected that it was Miss Weasley but he had to be sure. The Weasley's, while sometimes mischievous had a long history of serving the Light and having seen all the current generation, he could see no reason for them to change. He had known Virginia loved Harry, so much so that she had bonded herself to him but it was good to see that her feelings were reciprocated. They would be good together. "She's still too young to be inducted into the Order, but I will see to it that she is protected. It will be subtle Harry, I promise you, Tom will not know."

Harry nodded. "Thank you. I couldn't bear it if something happened to her. Sometimes... sometimes it hurts when I think about her."

-You bet it hurts,- his true self whispered softly but held his tongue on all other matters.

The Headmaster nodded as Fawkes trilled again. "By my word, Harry, nothing shall happen to Virginia Weasley, although," his voice reflected his mirth, blue eyes twinkling, "I must insist that the two of you hold off on the children until you are both graduated."

Harry laughed. "She has six brothers, three of whom, at least for the next few weeks are in a position where they can get to me. Even next year there will be Ron, and even though the others won't be at Hogwarts, I'm fully aware of how patient they can be when waiting for their opportunity to strike. Our wands will be as one before I even touch her!"

"They are a rather formidable lot, aren't they?" Dumbledore sighed, once more become serious. "Harry, for everything, I am sorry. If I had of known, if I even thought it possible, I would never..."

"It's okay. You didn't know. Various people made sure you couldn't know and you thought it was for the best."

"I should have known. I'm sorry."

-Not as sorry enough! And not as sorry as you're going to be.-

"It's okay. Well, it's not okay yet. But it will be."

Fawkes sung softly as he brushed his head against Harry's cheek, rising and flying to his perch, a stream of sparks following him.

"I think that means it's time for you to head back to your dormitory."

"Ah, it is getting rather late."

"One more thing, Harry. If you ever need to talk, my door is open, and if you ever need a place to go, again, you are more than welcome here. Poppy would also be more than happy to see you. Don't ever hesitate Harry, if you need anything, don't ever hesitate."

Harry nodded as he walked towards the stair case before he paused and turned back. "Thank you," he said softly, both to Fawkes and the Headmaster. "For everything," he added as he started down the stairs.

Dumbledore watched as he left. When he heard the gargoyle settle back in place he drew a deep breath, turning to face Fawkes. "Did you sense anything?"

The phoenix shook his head.

"Even with all that cuddling and you still got nothing?"

#I got my feathers preened,# Fawkes said. #He has very impressive shields. They have not been augmented by the Dark Lord, they are his own and are very powerful. I rather imagine Tom curses their strength. If he had not told us, we would not have known. I did not sense anything else although I suspect he is holding back on the shadows.#

"You mean he already knows them?"

#Yes. When the time comes for his training, I believe he will be the one teaching.#

"Will you..." Dumbledore paused, unsure how to phrase what he knew would be a difficult question for the phoenix. "Will you call him Master?"

Fiery red eyes became flat. #He has the light. He is like the other but I will not be betrayed again. I swore I would call no man Master after the last one, but I may yet call Harry partner.#

Albus nodded. Given past history that was the best that could be hoped for. Centuries of independence was not something a phoenix gave up easily but for now they would take what they had and move to destroy the dark.

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Harry glided down the corridors, his feet silent on the stone. It was a useful trick he had picked up and one that allowed him to listen for ambushes. He wasn't expecting Draco to try anything, not with so many things left unknown but you could never be certain.

-That was interesting. Would you like our views on the Founders?-

-Yes.-

-They never supported Godric, never understood him.

-Rowena was a sanctimonious, stuck up bitch who thought that having an animagus form that was a shade was the epitome of power, until she discovered that Godric could control that form without breaking a sweat. She refused to help him after that.

-Helga never understood that in the cycle of the earth destruction is a necessary tool to start anew. She focused on the death, not on the rebirth and so feared us even though we are not agents of destruction, and through that feared Godric.

-Salazar... the closest thing Godric had to a friend but in the end it wasn't enough and so poisoned by the fear of those around him Godric feared us, and refused to let us help him. Only in times of extreme stress, on the battlefield where there was no other choice could we act, and so act we did, and that in turn fuelled the fear. They were afraid of us, so they were afraid of Godric and because he didn't want that, he turned against us.

-It didn't work, of course, humans are petty like that and it just caused more pain. In the end, to protect him, we left. That didn't work either...- The shadows said sadly, and Harry knew that for the moment they wouldn't elaborate.

They were silent for a moment before they continued. -We are going to have to start jumping through hoops to show your control,- they grinned, all signs of sadness gone. -We will maintain that the Dark Lord can control us, hence our presence at the Atrium but we will also resist you so that they may see fully that you are obeying them by enforcing their orders on us.-

Harry nodded. -Games within games.-

-We are the game masters.-

-Heh, true. Dumbledore said Godric never mastered his animagus form.-

-Yes but that had nothing to do with us or mastery over us.-

-Okay,- Harry said as he came to the Fat Lady's portrait. She wasn't around. He sighed as he flicked a bit of magic to open the porthole and climbed into the Gryffindor Common Room. As expected, it was empty. He'd stayed late talking with the Headmaster.

-Could you break the bond with Ginny as she wanted?-

-We can,- the shadows responded.

-What's it going to cost?- Harry asked as he began climbing the stairs. They were playing and he could humour that for the moment.

-We want Draco.-

-Why?-

-To show the world what happens to those who hurt our Master.-

-All right,- Harry agreed. -I wasn't really sure what to do with him anyway.-

-One more thing, Master.-

-Hmm?-

-While it is still some time away, do not waste your birthday celebration.-

Emerald eyes opened wide as he discerned meaning before a sly smile crossed his face. -No fear of that happening.-

-Then we will take care of everything,- the Shadows laughed as they faded, leaving him to sleep.

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Two wands as one is a reference to a wizarding society tradition of marriage. So when Harry says 'Our wands will be as one before I even touch her' he means his and Ginny's magic will be joined in marriage before he touches her. Yes, this is an in depth reference to something he may not know... but the shadows do.

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