CHAPTER 51: CEREMONY OF SWORDS
Harry floated himself down to the dining room as the others watched in amazement. "What?" he asked. They pointed to him and he looked down. "Oh," he said quickly.
"Come and eat now Harry," Helga said to him.
"Are you ready for the ceremony Mr. Potter?" asked Master Chan.
"Well I don't know what to expect so I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"There is nothing to fear Harry," Godric said. "We'll all be there for the ceremony as well as a few friends."
"You really didn't have to invite anyone Godric," Harry said to him.
"Harry you have friends for a reason," spoke up Lily. "They're there to share your happiness with you."
"Not to mention give you great gifts at Christmas," James said jokingly.
"James!" Lily looked at him sternly. "How can you make a joke of everything?"
"Don't worry about it mum. Who did you invite Godric?"
"Lesik, Fire Scar, Dark Light, and Leshovan will all be there. Milsar sends his regards, but said he will stay behind."
"Oh okay. Did you want to talk about Hermione's questions?"
"Yes, but finish eating first. We'll have a little bit of time before the ceremony."
They finished the rest of dinner in silence. James and Lily went with Master Chan to see the surprise and to help with the setting up. Salazar and Rowena wanted to talk with Harry about his new schedule that now included his Elemental training. Helga wanted to talk to him about Ron while Godric waited to talk to him about the letter.
"Harry we need to talk about your schedule," Rowena said to him.
"Yes Harry," spoke up Salazar. "Rowena and I are both Water Elementals, Helga is an Air, and Godric is Fire. You'll be spending a little bit more time with these since it takes more concentration to do things, but I'm sure you'll have fun."
"Thanks. Will we have separate training or will all of you be with me at the same time?"
"Well we thought it best that you become a master of one before going on to the next."
"Sounds like a plan. Is there anything else?"
"Just to wish you good luck tonight," Rowena said.
"Thanks."
"It's my turn Harry," Helga said. "Can you tell me how your friend Ron is?"
"He's very good. He and Hermione are going to start Anamagus Training. I think he's going to be very excited to find out what kind of animal he'll transform into."
"Can you guess what he'll be?"
"I know that he's going to be a Fire Wolf, but if I had to wager a bet I'd have to say that both of them will have one or two more."
"What will Hermione be?"
"She's going to be a Lioness. I know it for a fact."
"You're very smart Harry. Okay enough with that. How is he getting on with his girlfriend? Um…Lavender is it?"
"Yes, and they are happy together. I know that when they don't see each other they're miserable. They are perfect for one another though."
"Why do you say that?"
"They both are very loyal. I know that Lavender sticks up for her friends a lot. Ron is a bit more skeptical, but he finds his way in the end."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"In our Fourth Year they held a tournament that was only open to people who were seventeen and older. The headmaster put an age line spell all around the goblet so nobody could cheat. The tournament was only supposed to have three competitors, but my name was chosen too because a Death Eater posing as my Dark Arts professor put my name in from a different school. Ron was furious because he thought that I somehow broke the rules and was singled out because I was special. We didn't talk for the longest time, but in the end he was right there for me."
Helga looked at him absorbing the information. "What can you tell me of his family?"
"The Weasleys are the best family in the world," he said to her. "Since mum and dad weren't there because of what happened, Ron's parents sort of adopted me. I remember in First Year Molly, Ron's mum, knitted me a sweater and baked me some cookies." Harry started to smile. "She's done that for me every year and even when I was living with my aunt and uncle she would send me food saying that I was to thin."
"I would have to agree with that," said a voice in his head.
Harry turned and bowed his head to Leshovan. "Elder," Harry said. "Thank you for coming."
"It was no trouble, Lord Gryffindor." Harry snorted as he turned to Helga. "Lady Hufflepuff I am sorry for interrupting your talk with Harry."
"No problem Elder. I will go tell Godric and the others that you have arrived." She turned to Harry. "We'll talk later. Good luck tonight…Lord Gryffindor."
Harry laughed as she walked away. "I think we need to talk," he said to the Elder.
"What about Harry?"
"It's about the naming of a cub. I had the opportunity to name one."
"How did this happen?"
"When I went back home to visit, a new cub was on the edge of death. It so happens that as I returned so did the cub's health. His parents came to me asking if I would name him."
"What was your answer?"
"I was of course honored to be asked, but I told the family that it was up to the Elder and the Council to name him. It was then that the Elder came out of the shadows and gave his blessing. I then named him."
"What did you choose for a name?"
"Phoenix."
"Find a little bit of yourself in him did you?"
"Yes, but how did you know?"
"You will come to understand Lobo, eventually. For now though let us enjoy the night. I do believe that Dark Light is anxious to see you."
Harry and Leshovan walked to the garden where the ceremony was to take place. Harry met with the others and talked about what happened when he went home for the weekend.
"It sounds like you had an interesting time," Lesik said. "It's nice to know that I'll be Elder someday."
"Yes me too," added Dark Light.
"If we are all set then we should get started," Master Chan said loudly. "Would all of you take your places please," Master Chan said. When they all sat he continued. "We are here to acknowledge young Harry Potter's level of Master Swordsman. When the pupil becomes a Master it is cause for celebration not only for them, but also for the teacher. It shows that they as Masters themselves have reached a maturity level that is second to none." He turned to James. "Master James Harold Potter, do you acknowledge Harry James Potter as a Master of the Sword?"
"Yes," James said quickly.
"Lord Gryffindor do you concur?" asked Chan.
"Yes," he replied.
"Good." Shifting his gaze to Harry Master Chan smiled. "Harry Potter you have passed the Test of Swords. It is your right to claim the title of Master. Do you wish it?"
"Yes Master Chan," Harry said.
"Come forward then."
Harry stepped forward. "I, Harry James Potter, claim the title of Master Swordsman." He turned to face the group. "This is a title I have earned. I thank all of you for sharing this with me."
"Kneel before The Alter of Ceremony," said Master Chan. Harry kneeled followed closely by Chan. "As is customary, when one passes their final test, that person is given a sword that they will call there own until it is time for them to reach the end. They are then buried with it as it is considered an extension of their being. Your father has chosen your sword for you." Harry took a quick glance at his father who was smiling at him. "Master Harry James Potter, I present you with your sword."
Harry looked back to Chan and took what he was holding. It was a large covered cloth about three feet long and as he took it from his master he smiled. "Thank you Master Chan," he said. Harry placed the cloth on the ground and opened it up. There he saw not one but two swords both in their sheaths. "Why are there two Master?" he asked.
"Ah yes. I forgot to tell you. Since your parents are not really alive to train you, Godric had to take them out of time. When your father arrived he asked if I could forge two swords, one for him since he was the Master and one for you when you completed your training."
"Now you can have both swords," James said to him.
"If you look you will see that there is something special about them. The hilts are the horns of white unicorns that were given freely. They were carved by an Elf craftsman. I thought that instead of me creating them I would ask a favor of a friend. It was he that also created the blades of the swords. There is an ancient Elven charm on them also. It is a combination of the Unbreakable and Protection Spells. There are designs on the blades and as you can see the hilts are carved into the shapes of a phoenix and a griffin."
"It looks that they can almost go together," Harry said to them.
James looked up at Godric. "If it is necessary then they will." Godric said.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I cannot explain that now, but I can tell you that when the time comes you must remember who you are."
"Great. That sounds cryptic enough."
James looked like he was about to laugh at that, but one look from Lily made him stop. "Harry, I do believe that is the end of the ceremony."
"That's it? You sounded like there was another test or something." Harry thought for a moment. 'I need to talk to talk to Fire Scar and Dark Light,' he thought. He walked towards the two unicorns and nodded. "May I speak with you privately?"
"Of course Harry," Fire Scar replied. "What is it?"
"Well I wanted to thank you for your gifts, or should I say, what will be your gifts to me. I know that they will come in handy."
"What are you talking about?" asked Dark Light.
"Well, let's see, when I went back to my time I called to meet your ancestors. They came that very day to meet the others. The day before I was supposed to return they brought me your gifts."
"What were they?"
"They were the horns of you both and your son Dark Light." He saw both father and son look quickly at one another. "Don't worry I know exactly what to do with them."
"Then the stars were right father. He will use them in war."
"Yes my son, but in what fashion is the key."
"I will use them to create a staff - The Staff of the Phoenix. I must travel to the Elven Kingdom to ask the crafter of my swords if he can create the staff. I have all the pieces, but it is beyond me or any human to forge the staff. I will tell you more, but I need to speak with my father. Will you excuse me?"
"Of course Harry."
Harry walked back to his parents who were speaking to Master Chan. "May I have a word with you?" he asked them.
