The Ties That Bind
Chapter 37: Back to Training
"All right Harry, Why don't you tell us what's Going on," Sirius said with a smile.
"Yeah," add Remus. "It's obvious that things have happening to you and that delightful young witch over there, so how about filling us in."
Harry gave a chuckle and a shake of his head. "OK, but there is something that's been troubling me and I want some answers too," Harry replied.
"Like what?" Sirius asked with a frown.
"Like how come I inherited the Black estate when you're not dead?" Harry said pointedly.
It was Sirius' turn to laugh, "Oh, that. Don't worry about me Harry, I have my own fortune that is separate from the Black Estate which you inherited. I did that to make sure it couldn't fall into the hands of any of the other family members."
"You mean like Bellatrix," Harry said.
"Yeah, precisely," Sirius replied with a smile, "and through her people like Lucius Malfoy."
"I can see that," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Now that we have that settled, tell me about the stunning redhead," Sirius said with a grin and a wink.
"That's Ginny, my wife, I'll have you know," Harry said, "and actually she's my Soul-Bond mate, so no funny business."
Remus couldn't help himself and burst out laughing, "Sounds just like James when he started going out with Lily," he said to Sirius.
Sirius tried to act hurt, but couldn't keep a straight face and soon joined Remus in laughing.
Though Harry smiled, it was obvious that the mention of his father made him sad.
Sirius noticed and stopped laughing which caused Remus to also. "I know you miss them Harry, but what's past is past. If I could I would trade places with them so that you could know your parents like I did."
Remus nodded, "That's right Harry, I would too. Any of us who knew them would have traded places with them, after all they had a reason to live besides the hopes and dreams of a couple of carefree men. You made such a difference in their lives Harry. You could see it in the way they acted."
"Yeah, I think James really grew up when you were born. Even more so than when he matured while going out with Lily. Both of them had such high hopes and plans for your future," Sirius added with a wan smile.
Harry could only nod. He knew it didn't help to dwell on the past. In many ways, he was who he was because of his parents deaths and though it was normal to speculate on what might have been, he knew that it couldn't be changed.
Suddenly, Harry turned and faced Ginny for several moments. He got a faraway look in his eyes before he turned back to the two men before him.
"Harry, what just happened?" Remus asked, full of curiosity.
"Well part of the Bond between Ginny and me allows us to talk directly to each other and also feel what the other is feeling," Harry explained.
"Well can you tell us about the physical changes you've under gone? I've never heard of such a thing in all I've heard about Soul-Bonds," explained Remus.
"When did you become such an expert on Soul-Bonds?" Sirius asked.
"I happen to read, you should try it some time,"Remus said, grinning at his old friend.
"Sorry, they didn't have much of a lending library at Azkaban," Sirius replied, good-naturedly.
Remus just shook his head, "Let's get back to Harry, shall we?"
Suddenly Harry stopped again, he looked at Ginny with a growing concern, but after a moment he turned back to the two Marauders, though he was much more subdued.
"Anything the matter?" Sirius asked, wondering what was upsetting Harry.
"Ginny's feeling quite upset but doesn't want me to intrude with her and Tonks," he replied.
Remus looked at his girlfriend who was holding Ginny in a comforting embrace."I can see where the connection can be both a blessing and a curse," he said softly.
Harry just nodded, his eyes flitting over towards Ginny every few moments. "As old as we look and seem, we're still just fifteen and sixteen," Harry said with a trace of sadness.
Shaking himself to break the melancholy he looked at Remus and Sirius, "Ginny has saved my life numerous times now, bringing me back from the brink of death, some how this last time our bodies matured and we ended up like you see us."
"Well however it happened, you two look fantastic, both in your prime and that should help in having to deal with Volde. . . . "
"Riddle, Sirius. His name is Tom Riddle," Harry said, cutting his godfather off.
Sirius gave a low chuckle, "I knew that the Lord stuff had to be a load of Dragon shite."
Remus looked around the room, "Nice place you got here, how did you two end up sharing the Head-girl's quarters?"
Sirius looked around too, "Yeah, it hasn't changed all that much since when Lily roomed here."
"My Mum was Head-girl?" Harry said questioningly.
"Yeah, didn't you know?" Sirius asked, frowning.
Harry shook his head, frowning himself. "I'm not sure," he said slowly. "There is so much that seems foggy sometimes. I have so much to think about, plan and do, that sometimes I have a hard time remembering things."
"Relax Harry," Remus said, "You're under a lot of strain and pressure. It's only natural that you'd have trouble remembering some things.
"Harry, just remember that we're here for you if you need us. Even if it's for nothing more than keeping you from going round the bend," Sirius said with a smile.
"Now why don't you tell us about the fabulous brooms I see hanging by the door. I know the one is the Firebolt I sent you, but what about the other."
Harry smiled, "Come on, let's go look at them, the other one is Ginny's and I'm sure you'll like it," he said as he got up and headed for the broom rack.
XX HP + GW XX
Hermione was anxious about Harry and Ginny, they hadn't shown up to Transfiguration so she had no idea where they were. She knew that they were scheduled for Runes next and since they were in the seventh year class, she wouldn't see them .
She hoped that she'd see them at lunch but she knew she'd need to check in Gryffindor Tower because they rarely came to the Great Hall for meals. She also knew that they had Tuesday afternoons off, so she wouldn't see them in any classes then.
If it was one thing that Hermione hated, it was not knowing something, and she didn't know what was going on with Harry and Ginny.
She looked at Ron who was nodding off, his head bobbing up and down as he struggled to remain awake. Shaking her head, she was surprised that he was able to stay up with the class, and she was sure if she hadn't been helping him he would have been held back by now.
It wasn't because he was stupid or anything, his prowess at chess showed he had a very capable mind, it was he just didn't apply himself to his school work and she was beginning to wonder if she was doing him a disservice by providing so much help.
Class finally ended and Hermione decided to see if she could find ou from Professor McGregor where Harry and Ginny were, maybe McGonagall had told the Professor.
As she approached the teacher, Professor McGregor smiled at her. "Can I help you Miss Granger?" she asked.
"I was just wondering if you knew why Harry and Ginny weren't in class today?" Hermione said sheepishly.
"No, I'm afraid not, all Professor McGonagall said was that they were excused from their class this morning," Professor McGregor answered with a sympathetic smile, "Though I'm sure it couldn't have been anything serious, the Headmistress' demeanour was too calm."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, perplexed at what could be keeping her friends from class.
Sighing, she left and hurried to catch up with the other's heading to their next class, a little more at ease but still wondering what was going on with Harry and Ginny.
XX HP + GW XX
It was getting close to noon and Harry and Ginny's visitors showed no inclination to be leaving, so Harry asked, "Are you staying to lunch?" looking from Sirius to Remus and then Tonks.
Sirius looked first at Remus and then to Harry. "As much as I appreciate the invitation, I don't think it wise to show my face in the Great Hall, even if most of the Slytherins are gone and I don't think Minerva would like Padfoot's presence either."
"Who said anything about the Great Hall," Harry said with a smile and before he could say another word, Donder and Dixie appeared with two trays piled high with food and drink.
"Looks like you're staying," Ginny said with a laugh, though she still looked slightly down after her talk with Tonks.
Harry could feel her melancholy but could tell it wasn't overwhelming so he didn't press Ginny for any details. If she wanted to she would share when she was ready to.
They all sat down at the table and Remus looked at the drinks with interest. "Since when have they been serving Butterbeer here at the school?" he asked.
Harry just shrugged, "I'm not sure, the elves just brought us some one time and we have been able to get it when we eat here in our quarters," Harry explained.
"So Harry, just what is going on with the house elves?" asked Remus, "I mean first with the snacks and now with lunch, how do they know when and how much to bring?"
Harry just shrugged again, "Like Ginny said, Remus, it's just one more of the inexplicable things that have been going on here at Hogwarts. Somehow recently they seem to know almost before it's consciously thought about what is required or wanted."
"Yeah, Remus. Let me tell you, at first it was really freaky, them showing up unannounced or called, with just what you wanted. Heck they even anticipated us wanting breakfast in bed," Ginny said with a laugh.
"Has anyone looked into it?" asked Tonks.
"Not that I know of," replied Harry. "When Ginny asked about it the one time, all Donder said was, "We elves has our ways", and then he smiled at us and left. We've had plenty of other things to keep us occupied so we haven't pursued it."
"We don't know if it's happening to others or we're the only ones. You might want to ask McGonagall if she knows anything but we just accept it," added Ginny.
Tonks looked thoughtful for a moment, "I wonder if it's only happening here at Hogwarts or if it is happening all over the Magical world? I think I'll make a few discrete inquires at work."
"What's the matter?" asked Sirius with a grin. "Think the Elves are plotting a take over?"
"I wouldn't think so," said Remus. "Their drive to serve seems too well bred into them. Most go completely to pieces it you won't let them work or cater to you."
They had been eating lunch the whole time they had been talking and Harry had been keeping his eye on the clock.
"Have somewhere to be?" Sirius teased.
"Yes, actually," Harry replied with a slight blush. "We need to be somewhere at One and though I'm loathed to break up this get together, we really shouldn't be late."
As he glanced at the clock on the mantle one more time, he noticed Godric nod his approval to Harry.
As everyone finished up, Donder and Dixie reappeared and began to clear the table. Sirius, Remus and Tonks watched in amazement and Tonks was sure she saw Donder look at her and wink, before he smiled and he and Dixie disappeared with a pop.
Tonks quickly glanced at the others but it seemed that they hadn't noticed as they were hugging Harry and Ginny in preparation of leaving and if Tonks wasn't a trained Auror, she might have doubted what she saw, but as a trained observer she was sure and it left her with many questions that she had no answers for.
Tonks hugged Harry and then Ginny, who she whispered to, "If you ever need to just talk, let me know and I'll be here in a flash."
Ginny squeezed Tonks harder, "Thanks Tonks, that really means a lot to me," she said with a smile.
The three visitors left after promising to stay in touch with Harry and Ginny. Tonks especially wanted to make sure that Ginny had someone to confide in. She was obviously under a bit of a strain and if she could do anything to ease Ginny's feelings of discomfort or inadequacy, she wanted to be there for the young witch.
They had just stepped out of the exit and walked a few steps when Sirius realized he had forgotten to tell Harry something. He returned quickly to the portrait hole and asked for admittance. The pastoral scene faded and the image of Godric Gryffindor appeared.
"I need to speak to Harry for a moment," he explained.
Godric looked at Sirius sympathetically, "I'm sorry but Harry and Ginny have already departed for their afternoon activities."
Sirius nodded and turned to the others, "Remus, quick go to the Fat Lady and catch Harry before he leaves."
Remus nodded and quickly exited the hidden corridor, he glanced down the main hall and was relieved that Harry and Ginny hadn't gotten by them yet. He waited patiently for several minutes but Harry and Ginny failed to appear.
Tonks came out and asked what was the matter and Remus could only shrug, saying Harry and Ginny hadn't come out yet.
Tonks looked at the Fat Lady and showed the guardian her Auror ID. "Has either Harry Potter or Ginny Weasley exited from here recently?"
The Fat Lady bowed, "No, they haven't used this entrance today," she replied.
Tonks eyed the portrait, "Can you tell me if they are still in the Common Room?"
"One moment please," the Fat Lady said. She exited the frame but returned in a moment. "They are not in the Common Room and the portraits inside say they have not shown themselves there today."
Tonks nodded, "Thank you," she said, and then taking Remus by the arm, steered him back to the hidden corridor where Sirius waited impatiently.
"Well?" he asked, hopefully.
"They haven't exited by the Common Room," Tonks said.
They were all puzzled, Harry and Ginny seemed to have exited their rooms but not used either of the known exits. They all had no idea how they could have managed it and as Sirius transformed back into Padfoot, they left the hidden corridor, determined to find Minerva and find out what they could.
XX HP + GW XX
As soon as their Visitors had left, Harry looked at the clock. "If we're going to get there on time we'll need to use "Teleportus".
Ginny nodded in concurrence, "Lets just grab our stuff and change there."
Harry agreed and as Ginny went into the bedroom, he glanced at the portrait of Gryffindor. The Founder had already departed, so Harry went into the bedroom where he found Ginny just starting to return to him.
He smiled at her and taking her in his arms, he cast the Teleportus, whisking them away to the entrance of the Room of Requirement.
Harry and Ginny were surprised when they only had to think about entering the room when the doorway appeared. Harry looked at Ginny who just shrugged at him. So many strange and bizarre things were happening of late, they seemed to becoming use to the extraordinary happening.
They entered the training room and went immediately into the loo to change and returned to the main area in a matter of moments. They were only slightly surprised to find all four Founders already out of their portraits and waiting patiently for them.
Harry stepped slightly forward and with a shy grin said, "I apologize for missing the last training session, I was otherwise indisposed. I will endeavour to not let it happen again."
Ginny just rolled her eyes but the Founders just stared at him for a moment, shocked looks upon their faces. Then Godric, burst out laughing, followed by Salazar. This drew disdainful looks from Helga and Rowena, who shook their heads at the two men who were leaning on one another as tears of mirth slid down their faces.
"Oh Harry!" Godric cried, "Only you would apologize for missing a training session when you were at deaths door."
"I want to thank you Harry," Salazar said, trying to get his laughter under control. "I haven't laughed like this in centuries."
"Well if you two hyenas can get yourselves under control, perhaps we can get down to business," Rowena said, trying to act angry with Godric and Salazar, though you could see her lips curling up at the corners as she tried to stifle her grin.
She then turned to Harry and Ginny, "We have agreed with your request to start training the others, but for the time being we want to keep Tuesdays just for you two, the others may come on the weekends. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes, that will be fine," Harry answered, breaking out into a smile.
"OK, now that we have that out of the way, lets get back to your training."
Rowena and Helga circled Harry and Ginny slowly, looking at them critically the whole time. "When Godric said you had undergone some physical changes, he did not give justice to the enormity of those changes," Rowena said, her voice carrying her contemplation in it.
"Yes," agreed Helga, "If I weren't looking at you myself, I would not believe someone describing the changes to me. They are just so striking. You two look years older."
Harry and Ginny were blushing as the two women studied them. "Harry, I find this totally embarrassing, I feel like a specimen being studied." Ginny sent, uncomfortably
"I know what you mean," Harry replied turning his head while trying to remain still as the two women continued in their circle.
Godric and Salazar came to their rescue, "Come on you two, they're not some new magical creatures to be studied, they are our pupils that need to be trained and the sooner we start the better," Godric said.
"All right," said Rowena. "Helga and I want to take Ginny and see what she knows about healing spells and see if see can't perform some of them."
Godric contemplated her suggestion for a moment, "OK, but I hope she keeps up with her defensive training so that she doesn't get to far behind Harry."
"Certainly," said Helga, "We know how important learning defence is, but the Healing Arts can be just just as vital," Helga replied.
Ginny gave Harry a quick kiss and headed off with the two women, they went over towards the far corner where a padded table sat empty. Ginny wondered how they were going to practice any of the healing spells.
She got her answer when Rowena called out "We need an analogue please."
Ginny was startled when what looked like a body appeared on the table. She had jumped slightly and given a small gasp when she had noticed it.
Helga gave a small chuckle and patted Ginny's arm sympathetically, "I had the same reaction the first time too," she said with a smile.
Ginny stepped closer and looked at the analogue, though it looked human, there was just something off about the face, it was rather plain and looked like it was out of focus or something. She gave a little shudder and looked up at the two Founders.
"Is it alive?" she asked.
"No, it is just a replica of life, it can only exist in here and is not sentient. I can't move on it's own, though it does approximate life in the respect that if cut, it will bleed, if severely injured and not healed, it will "die"," said Rowena.
"Freaky," Ginny said as she stared at it again.
Let's get started shall we?" Helga said with a smile. She took her wand, waved it over the hand of the analogue and a small cut appeared. It was about one inch long and not very deep and though blood was seeping out, it seemed to disappear before it reached the edge of the hand , where it would have fallen off.
Ginny immediately took her wand out and cast the simplest and fastest healing spell. The wound sealed itself and you could barely see where the wound had been.
"Very good," Helga said, smiling at Ginny. Let's try something a little harder. She waved her wand again and Ginny heard a distinct loud "Crack" and the arm moved so it was bent at an odd angle in the centre of the forearm.
Though obviously broken, Ginny did not immediately heal it. She cast a common diagnostic spell and found that besides the compound fracture, there was damage to the ligaments and some blood vessels as well.
Rowena and Helga looked on and smiled. Ginny was showing an advanced knowledge of Healing spells but also a calm and collected demeanour, able to assess injuries and not panicking when confronted by them.
Since Ginny seemed to have a good grasp of healing the easier and less threatening injuries, Helga and Rowena decided to test her further. Helga had Ginny turn around while Rowena prepared the analogue for her.
"Ready," Rowena called.
Ginny turned around and looked at the analogue. The first thing she noted was an obviously broken leg but she chose to ignore it for now. Something about the analogue bothered her. Looking closely she noticed a thin sheen of sweat over the face and any exposed skin. It was also "breathing" shallowly and raggedly.
Ginny cast a couple of the more complex diagnostic charms and discovered that besides the broken leg, the "patient" was suffering from some severe internal injuries and if she had gone to immediately healing the leg, he would have "died".
She quickly started healing what she considered the most life threatening of the damaged organs. The liver had been torn and was bleeding profusely, there was also damage to one of the kidneys and the spleen.
Ginny did some damage control to the liver before moving on to the spleen, which looked like it was the next most threatening injury and like with the liver she only did enough to control the blood loss before turning to the kidney.
Seeing that it was not that severely damaged she returned to the liver and proceeded to heal it. While she returned it to the best possible condition she could, she knew the "patient" would need bed rest for at least a week.
She then did the same to the spleen and kidney before she attended to the broken leg.
Once she was finished she looked up at the two Founders. She felt extremely drained by all the magic she had used and due to the fact it took extreme concentration to perform the healing.
"Anything else?" Rowena asked, one eyebrow raised.
Ginny nodded tiredly, "Nothing except a real patient would require a blood replenishing potion,"
Rowena smiled and nodded her head, "Very good. Most novice Healers usually forget that and if not administered in time the patient could still die."
"Why don't we take a small break and see what the boys are up to," Helga said with a smile.
"Sounds good to me," Ginny replied as she smiled tiredly. As they started to leave Ginny noticed the analogue disappear now that it was no longer required for the time being.
XX HP + GW XX
Harry watched Ginny depart towards the far corner of he room with Helga and Rowena. He could feel her confidence and eagerness. He smiled as he turned back to Godric and Salazar.
"Let's start off with practicing your shield and see where we go from there," said Godric.
"OK by me," Harry replied as he walked to his starting place.
Godric and then Salazar began firing strong stinging hexes at Harry. The Founders taking turns lasting from several to about ten minutes each. The result was that Harry had hardly any time to rest.
When Harry had no problem in handling their attacks the two Founders began to work as a pair and pressed Harry harder. Though Harry had a little time of adjustment when he took a couple of hits, he soon adapted to the combined attacks and had little problem in repulsing their attacks.
After a short break, they switched to fighting, where Harry could fire back. Though hard pressed he was able to hold his own against the combined attacks and was giving as well as he was getting.
The Founders once again began to switch things up, sometimes one of them withdrawing, as if one was eliminated from the attack. They would sometimes then rejoin the attack as if another attacker arrived.
They kept this up for quite some time, Harry beginning to tire, but not giving in and he kept up with the two attacking him.
XX HP + GW XX
As Ginny, Helga and Rowena rejoined he men, Rowena suddenly drew her wand and said "Excuse me," and went to join in.
With out thinking, Ginny immediately mind shouted to Harry, "Look out Harry!"
Without any outside movement, Harry quickly shifted his vision from himself to Ginny for a moment and as Rowena shot a hex at him from his blind side, he deftly stopped it without turning to face her.
To say Rowena was surprised would fall woefully short to what she felt. She froze in place, blinking, her mind trying hard to comprehend what had actually happened.
As she stood there, Harry shot a body binding curse at her and she was easily incapacitated. When that happened, Salazar and Godric withdrew, ending the contest.
Both had smiles on their faces as they and Harry walked over to where Rowena lay on the floor.
She glared at the two male Founders who just stood there smiling down at her. "Well, are you going to release me?" she said, somewhat testily.
Chuckling, Godric cast the counter and let Rowena up. She brushed herself off and turned to Harry and said with a bit of awe, "How did you do that?"
Harry smiled sheepishly, "I used Ginny's viewpoint to watch your attack, that way I didn't need to turn away from the other attackers."
All the Founders but Godric were gobsmacked, and when they noticed his guilty look, Rowena turned towards him. "So! I see you knew this little titbit of information and failed to share with the rest of us," she said, poking him in the chest with each word, expressing her ire.
Godric tried to back away, but Rowena kept the distance consistent.
"Now Rowena," Godric said defensively. "It just slipped my mind, I mean with all that has happened, Harry's injury and all. Really, I didn't do it on purpose."
The others all burst out laughing as Rowena stopped her physical assault but kept eyeing Godric with a look that would have quailed a Hippogriff. They rejoined the others who were still watching with an air of amusement.
Ginny could feel how tired Harry was, Godric and Salazar had pushed him hard. Rivulets of sweat poured down his face and his clothes were soaked with it. She was worried that he had pushed himself too hard as she could feel his strength waning.
Remembering that they could share magical strength, she wondered if she could also share physical stamina too. As she thought hard a spell popped into her head. She knew it was one of Merlin's and it should do the trick. Picturing it in her mind she pulled her magic to her, concentrating on sharing her life force with Harry and wordlessly cast Partis vita vis. She was gratified when she felt some of her strength siphoning off and she felt Harry's surprise as it flowed into him.
Ginny was pleased with herself as Harry became more refreshed, then she began to get concerned, she felt herself getting weaker, the flow continued unabated. She became aware of Harry's growing concern and the last thing she remembered as the room became dark, was Harry saying in her mind "What have you done Ginny?" and him catching her as she slumped towards the floor.
XX HP + GW XX
A/N: Well here is he long waited update. Sorry it has taken so long, but well, this time of the year is especially busy so time to write has been hard to come by. Plus there was that little incident with my computer, that we won't talk about.
OK, it's fame and fortune time again. Ginny is going to come up with a name for the healing analogue, please send your suggestions and you'll get credit if I choose yours.
As always, Please review.
As a little titbit, I hope to have a special Christmas story posted on Christmas day. I hope I can get it done in time.
If not Merry Christmas, Froehliche Weinacken, Feliz Navidad, Gledelig Jul, Joyeux Noel. Mele Kalikimaka , Happy Christmas Mate, Gozhqq Keshmish , Nollaig Shona Dhaoibh . . .
I wish I could wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas in your native language but just image I have done so.