Chapter Fifteen
It took a few moments, but Albus Dumbledore finally said something. Harry was listening closely, since he really needed some wisdom from the admittedly much older wizard to steady him. When it came, he was not disappointed.
"How in the seven hells…" and there was a snap as the aged warlock cut himself off.
Strangely, that made Harry feel much better. There was a snicker from James.
"Don't ask me, Albus, I'm just along for the ride. Between you and me though, I've always found that asking either my wife or the smartest witch around helps. Usually that's the same person, however, it seems that Lily has some competition for that title now."
Hermione smiled but didn't say anything. Dumbledore gaped like a fish for a moment before managing to say something else.
"Yes, well, where Miss Granger is concerned I would have to agree. She is quite intelligent and if Mister Potter… er, the younger Mister Potter that is, has any sense and not be so stubborn he'll listen to her more often."
There was a Scottish snort from somewhere to the side.
"Good luck with that. It must run in the family," McGonagall mumbled to herself. From the vindicated expression on Lily's face and the pointed look she gave James, she'd heard what the older witch said. James did too, and tried to appear as saintly as possible.
From the general disbelief he was getting from the others, it seemed that he was less than successful. Harry sighed to himself, since he really couldn't say anything about that and knew better than to even try. Hermione took pity on him. She drew herself up and spoke as much as her now-chattering teeth could pull off.
"Professor, maybe we could continue this in a warmer place?"
Dumbledore took in the rather thin ritual robes that she and Harry wore, glanced at the circle, and a snowy eyebrow rose. He could sense the magical residue in the air, and the underlying power and brightness as the circle had retained a very slight glow spoke to the Light manifestation of Magic itself. If it had been otherwise, as in Dark Magic, the circle would have taken on a dull and shadowed hue. The power it would have taken to perform the specific ritual he was fairly sure that had happened here would explain the chill they felt. It did take something out of a person or two in this case, after all.
"Well, well. Miss Granger, I really shouldn't be surprised by now, but you still do it. Very well, however we'll need to proceed without Apparation. Even I cannot Side-Along Apparate everyone at one time, and we should take care not to be seen in the castle just yet." He waved his wand and conjured thick woolen blankets over Harry and Hermione.
She agreed, and he looked at James and Lily.
"I am not assured of your identity yet, so there will be tests."
Lily stood up and glared at the Headmaster. Her eyes sparked. At her side, Harry did the same without thinking.
"And just what tests are you planning, Albus?"
Albus raised the other eyebrow at the sight of two pairs of emerald green eyes sparking and sighed.
"Lily, you know I have to do this. Would you do otherwise in my case? Remember, I was not present at your appearance."
She settled down a bit, but the eyes still sparked.
"And when you do verify who I am, I want a little talk with you about how Harry grew up. We were only able to see a little from the other side, but we saw enough to have concerns."
To his credit, Albus Dumbledore managed to hide the shiver that went down his spine. He simply nodded. That was not going to be an easy conversation if this was really Lily Potter standing before him. James would be a little easier to handle, even as Lord Potter, but Lily's instincts as a mother or her fiery temper was not to discounted.
There was a thunk as a brightly painted arrow landed in a tree twenty feet away, with a parchment tied around it. The fletching stood out for the size and contrasting colors. The whole arrow looked quite beautiful – practically a work of art. Harry was the first to reach it and took it down, leaving the arrow in the tree. He unrolled the parchment to read.
Young stallion,
I address you that way since my daughter has apparently given you that sobriquet for some reason, Harry, although she wouldn't say why. Her happiness at the success of your endeavor speaks well to the charisma that I have known you to have for some time. The success itself speaks well to the combined power you and Miss Granger possess.
The Centaurs are aware of the presence of Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey and why. However, I would urge you not to dally within this area. Others in the Herd are still quite touchy. Having said that, the less touchy among us are quite curious about how you and Miss Granger did it. Might you and she allow a conversation at some point in the future? Kateira is quite enthusiastic in this regard. You have created a life-long friend in her, I must say, even on short acquaintance. That is usually not her way. Knowing both you and Miss Granger, I'm not surprised.
As for myself, I welcome the return of James and Lily, and I look forward to a long conversation with them. Attend to the more pressing matters that demand attention and I will await their presence in my classroom. I will understand if it takes a few days or even a couple of weeks. There are certain things in the stars that all need to be made aware of, but those are not immediate.
In the meantime Harry, take the arrow as a gift to you and Miss Granger from the Centaurs to commemorate the success of this rare ritual. I would recommend using it temporarily as a Portkey, however, it would make for a fine wall mounting. Consider it a gift for your nuptials, which I look forward to.
Firenze
Harry nodded unconsciously and handed the parchment to Hermione. She read it and went a bit pink at the nuptials comment. They made eye contact and grinned at each other before he turned to Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor, as soon as I can get this arrow out of the tree, can you make it a Portkey out of here? The Centaurs are congratulatory in this note, but want us on our way out of the Forest. Preferably soonest, if I read this correctly. They are giving Hermione and I the arrow to mount on the wall."
Eyebrows rose all around as Harry finally yanked it out. He was busy making sure he didn't poke himself with the sharp arrowhead and missed the smug looks being traded between the elders. James and Lily looked a bit confused at this and Hermione was looking around suspiciously but no one made any comments revealing what was on their minds.
Again to his credit, Professor Dumbledore didn't react to the mention of wall mounting other than the glance at McGonagall. She made a motion of rubbing her fingers against her thumb in the old motion for counting Galleons where only he could see it and Dumbledore gave a tiny sigh in resignation. He took the arrow as Harry handed it to him, also being careful of the arrowhead.
"Of course, Harry. I suspect that both you and Miss Granger will be thankful for a large mug of hot chocolate in the castle. Would my office suffice as a destination? I have a simple test in mind."
"That sounds wonderful, Professor," Harry shivered. By now Hermione had joined him under his blanket. He yelped as she somehow managed to put her cold hands on his belly, trying to warm them up. James grinned and leaned in toward his son.
"You think that's bad, wait until she puts her cold feet on your bad in wintertime."
Hermione glared at him, and he retreated while trying to look angelic. It didn't work any better than any other time he'd tried.
Dumbledore muttered "Portus" under his breath, and the arrow glowed a subdued blue. It took a moment for seven hands to find a grip on the nearly three-foot arrow when he held it out, but they managed.
"Activate," he said. Everyone felt the usual sensation of a portkey working, and they vanished. The slight rush of air displacement was the only thing that marked their disappearance and somewhere nearby in the forest a breathy giggle was heard.
-===(| - |)===-
The time for Gleamtalon's meeting had finally approached and with a sigh, he set off to be there on time. The time it took for him to fly there gave him an opportunity to order his thoughts. There was still some information missing, as it usually was the case, but hopefully he could get it here.
Several wary glances were cast around before he decided to land, since the thought of hosting an acromantula or three at this meeting was not a fun one. If it hadn't been Lady Hedwig that asked for it here, he would have refused. If it was Crookshanks, he definitely would. The orange half-Kneazle took too much inspiration from those twin terrors he'd watched over the years, and the older owl wouldn't put it past him to try something underhanded as a prank.
Seeing that no eight-legged pests were present, he alighted on a convenient branch. Soon he saw Crookshanks stalk into the clearing, silent as any of his kind was. The old owl was impressed, since his friend was not precisely 'slim and trim' anymore. Still, he watched as Crookshanks approached a small wooden deck with a short railing that was raised a few inches off the ground. Gleamtalon had noticed it when he arrived, but didn't know what it was for.
Apparently, the feline familiar did. He jumped up onto the platform and circled it for a moment before curling up and purring. Gleamtalon descended from the tree onto the railing and found that it was quite warm.
That was appreciated, especially from a owl of his age. He was luxuriating in the feel and wondering if he could find something similar for his office when the rail vibrated. He looked up to see the third member of their little group regarding him with amusement, having just landed.
"Enjoying the new perch, milord?"
"Oh, of course. You'll understand when you get to my age."
"I'm sure I will," Hedwig laughed. "To business. Have you received any other information, either of you?"
Gleamtalon shook his head, the feathers moving slowly.
"No, milady, I have not."
Crookshanks sat up and stretched lazily.
"I do. One of my partners went to look at this… place… and came away with the opinion that there was something foul either being perpetrated or about to be. It seemed to him that there was a build-up of something there and he couldn't get away fast enough. Nikolai was quite shaken."
"What was it?"
"He indicated that something felt dead, for all he could sense in that shack. There was something moving around in there, but the feeling of death in there far outweighed any other thing he could see, smell, or otherwise sense. The magic concentrated there was… well, wrong was the best way to describe it."
"Something necromantic?" Gleamtalon shuddered in distaste.
"Almost, but not quite. Nikolai only made his report to me a few minutes ago, then left to clean himself most thoroughly. When the door opened, he left to avoid detection from whatever foul thing or things that was in that cabin. From a greater distance and hidden under some scrubby bushes, he saw that the start of something was about to happen. The human was unclothed and very pale and sickly looking."
Hedwig considered, then nodded.
"Better some information than no information. I admit that I'm very uneasy flying over that area. It feels like up is down, left is right, every thermal shoves me down instead of lifts me up. It's something that I'm very concerned about."
Gleamtalon nodded.
"And that means that sooner or later, your young Mister Potter will find himself in the thick of it."
"Whatever it is…"
Her voice was cut off in a choking sound and Gleamtalon jerked around to see her struggling to keep her perch. She flared her wings and drifted to the ground where she huddled. A faint glow arose, matching the same glow from Crookshanks. He mewed in desperation, the eyes in his squashed face crossing. Gleamtalon tore his eyes off the half-Kneazle's distress to see Lady Hedwig's similar reactions of distress.
" Whatever it is, it's getting stronger," she finally squawked, the alarm very evident. Her amber eyes were as wide as he'd seen any owl's ever be.
-===(| - |)===-
Blood was streaming from his right eye. The second half of the ritual had gone well so far, if he ignored the blood.
It was almost completed, Thurstan thought, and I'm damned glad of it too.
He went back over the last few minutes in a quick mental review. There had been some questions in his mind as he went through the procedure but those questions were savagely beaten back.
The first question came when he was distracted measuring out the circle to confirm it was the right size. For some unknown reason now lost to antiquity, the circumference had to be exactly 8.3 meters. It came to 8.299 meters, which he figured was close enough. The first time around it didn't matter what size and he'd been distracted then, anyway. He didn't consider a millimeter's different that big of a deal. His shadow was bigger than that.
As he'd stripped – after putting some heating charms around the outside of that circle – Thurstan next wondered why it was so cold and where the buzzing noise was coming from. It sounded for all the world like a giant bumblebee. There were no Dementors around, he hoped. As far as he knew, they didn't buzz like insects. He didn't like the thought of any stinging insects landing hits on certain sensitive spots of his body, but he disliked the thoughts of Dementors crashing the party more.
Thurstan ignored that thought, only to be assailed with the thought of having to leave his wand outside the circle. At least he didn't have to use his own blood to power the ritual he was in the process of starting. He uncapped the vial and grimaced at the thought of his next actions but remembered that he'd sworn an oath to the Dark Lord and failure was simply not an option. Refusal wasn't, either.
"Dico enim jungens!"
He muttered the starting phrases under his breath and saw the edges of the circle gleam. The rather large vial gained a pulse of light that matched the circle, which seemed to indicate to him that all was going as planned. Thurstan still didn't relish the necessity, but he upended the vial and drank the contents down. He managed to get it down and for a moment the scars on his face stood out as his cheeks flooded with blood.
Thurstan didn't want to think about anything else. His stomach started jumping and he was feeling very queasy now, but the research into Rycharde was quite adamant. No vomiting, since any stomach fluids being lost would lessen the impact he was aiming for.
Why stomach fluids had been specified or how the poor bastard had figured it out, he didn't know. That was yet another question that he'd never thought to ask.
At that point, he just wanted this done and over with.
"Dico enim bellum et consilium!"
The phrases he knew he needed to speak came next, delivered as confidently as he was able to trot them out. Thurstan heard the wind suddenly pick up before his knee shattered from some unknown force that felt like tons of snow had hit it. His shoulder suddenly felt like a large ice sword had stabbed into it at the same time. There wasn't time to cry out in pain before the hard stone of the circle yanked him down to meet it.
There was the start of another question, something along the lines of What in the hell is going on here, but the scarred man had been oddly distracted by a tiny stone chip that ripped into the side of his eyeball. There was a minuscule part of his mind that fancied that the stone chip made a tiny chink noise against the side of his nose.
He managed to ignore that question, the freezing pain in his knee and shoulder, and the burning pain in his eye as he dragged himself more or less upright. It took him a few minutes to clearly utter the third incantation. His hands traversed the space inside the circle in the prescribed manner.
"Expleto tandem, serius ad ultimum!"
As soon as the last syllable fell from his lips, agony struck in his stomach and radiated outward. He could feel the fire in his belly climbing up his esophagus and rippling over his tongue. Thurstan opened his mouth to scream and flames erupted. A mass of golden sparks flowed from his lips, which quickly peeled off his face and dropped to ground to shrivel up. The air that fueled the screams also fed the fire and soon there was a steady golden rivulet of flame shooting from Thurstan's mouth.
There was no time left for him to consider any questions. He had already fallen when his knee shattered. Thurstan had thought a moment ago that his part in the assignment his Master had set for him would have been completed after the third incantation released the ritual to start its work, and he could get a cold drink with as much alcohol content as he could find.
That was a very incorrect thought.
The scarred man was gaining more scars by the moment as the blood that Voldemort had given him and that he'd consumed as part of the ritual magically ignited. The first part of the ritual had linked together this part he was doing tonight and the first part he'd performed years ago.
The second part had linked his body into the ritual as an unknowing sacrifice to ensure success, and the third part unleashed the completion of the ritual.
Thurstan had no thoughts after that to contribute. The flames by now had shot out of every single opening in his body, charring the exits. It took a few extra moments, but extra openings had been created by flaming scoria percolating outward from his guts and consuming all manner of marrow in his bones.
There wasn't time for any last thoughts, just a superheated wail as the air rushed over his vocal cords. A final burst of magical energy sublimated his body into a plasma that threw itself against the circle's ritual wards, which in turn violently dissipated it into nothingness.
-===(| - |)===-
Hundreds of miles away, Voldemort stiffened as unknown power flowed into his body. When he recovered from the frankly painful event, he poured a glass of Cabernet. Voldemort raised the glass to the empty room.
"Geffrey Thurstan. Thanks, you gullible fool. Your sacrifice will not go unnoticed."
-===(| - |)===-
The Headmaster's office was still. There wasn't a good deal of movement during that time, aside from Fawkes snoozing on his perch with an occasional snort. Various small instruments did whatever Dumbledore had them measuring with a minimum of noise. The Sorting Hat sat in repose, still and silent.
It was to this peaceful scene that the group erupted from the portkey's clutches. Harry managed to keep his feet, for once, although James tripped over Hermione's foot and found the edge of the Headmaster's desk with his chin. Everyone else kept their feet, but it took a moment for James to get up.
"I'm okay!"
"Sometimes I wonder, James."
"Gee, thanks, Lils."
"You're welcome."
Dumbledore twitched his wand and the ache in James' jaw eased. Another couple of twitches and several garishly decorated overstuffed chairs appeared around his desk, along with a steaming tea service. Harry and Hermione immediately set course for a fairly sizable chair and piled in together to cuddle. The arrow was placed on the desk, out of the way. Hermione draped the blankets over the two of them and everyone else saw how they relaxed into each other. His arms went around her and her head nestled under his chin.
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow at Lily, who responded with a slight smile at the sight. The older witch promised a conversation with the young mother, who took the silent expectation in stride. There would be time later to catch up and find out what had happened to her son and get a good read on who this young woman was. From the way they were clutching each other, it seemed to her that they knew each other quite well indeed.
Madam Pomfrey's knowing expression of long-suffering annoyance at her longtime patient's ability to get into trouble eased at the sight of the two in the armchair. A quick diagnostic just showed low blood sugar and chills, so she quietly told them to eat a good meal and rest. A couple of quick warming charms on them, and she subsided for now. From the expression on Harry's face, he was sure she was going to drag him kicking and screaming to the Hospital Ward. A raised eyebrow at him told him that it was surely still an option, but if he (doubtfully) behaved she wouldn't do it. She didn't miss his sigh of relief but didn't say anything either.
Dumbledore sat at the desk and leaned back in his chair. He steepled his fingers and thought about where to begin.
"This is quite a surprise."
Everyone looked at him and McGonagall sighed softly at the obviousness of his statement.
"Nevertheless, there are some considerations to be taken into account. I see before me two people would appear to be James and Lily Potter. Those two people should be, and please excuse me for saying this Harry, but should be dead. That condition should have been for quite some years, now."
Harry couldn't stand up for Hermione resting her legs on his lap.
"But Professor, they're right there."
"Yes, Harry, I do see that, and I can empathize with your feelings. However, we do have to be careful. As someone with which you are acquainted would say quite loudly, 'constant vigilance.' Would you agree?"
Harry settled back, grumbling to himself. Hermione rubbed his arm.
"Yes, professor, but how?"
"That is quite the question. First I have to ask how this came about and since it seemed that the two of you were there, it makes sense to direct that question to the two of you. As both of you, and Mister Weasley, are involved in quite a few adventures – some of them after-hours with that wonderful Cloak and the ingenious Map that none of us in this room know about – the likelihood is increased."
Everyone watched them blush. Lily slapped James' arm to make him shut up from the pride he wanted to express. Hermione hid her face in Harry's shoulder, leaving him to face the Headmaster. He resolved to thank her for that somehow even as the half-moon glasses across the desk framed a full twinkle.
"Professor Dumbledore, I would be lying if I said that I was the brains of the operation. I've discovered that it's easier on me in more than one way if I ask her first. Otherwise, I find myself in situations that I could have otherwise avoided, not to mention quite a bit of trouble with the boss."
Madam Pomfrey leaned over to Professor McGonagall and Lily to whisper, "She hasn't wasted any time in getting him trained up properly, has she?"
The professor's face was admirably even.
"It certainly looks that way but he's a Potter, you know. She's still going to have her hands full. It only took her six very busy years," McGonagall replied.
Lily just sighed heavily, and James kept his mouth shut. If Dumbledore had noticed the comments, he didn't let on.
"Indeed, Harry, I have to agree with that. Such would make life easier with the assistance of others. When I answered your Patronuses, I found the two of you in ritual robes having just completed a ritual. Might I have more information?"
Harry sighed and poked Hermione. Her face was still hidden and it took another poke for her to look up. The glare she gave him made the others hide their grins behind hands and tea cups. Dumbledore's beard twitched.
"At the risk of inciting your considerable ire toward me, Miss Granger, it seems that Harry feels rather incompetent to give a proper report as to your activities and would rather defer to your well-demonstrated greater abilities in the pursuit of knowledge. I must say, I have to agree with his evaluation."
James smirked at the twisted backhanded compliments coming from Dumbledore. Hermione's eyes narrowed at the older wizard behind the desk but he smiled serenely. Harry sat there trying to work out everything quicker than Hermione and knowing that he was failing at that.
"Headmaster, I know of the problems that Harry has with his relatives. Every summer he comes back starved and hurt and without his homework done as well as I know him to be capable of because of what they make him do for them and what they deny him. They treat him like their own personal slave and punching bag and I've had well enough of it. When he lost Sirius, that was too close to a breaking point for someone I love and I had to do something!"
Her voice had risen along with the heat in her eyes. Harry grabbed her hand to calm her, but she was off and running.
"The muggle child services would have called it abuse! I don't know how they didn't catch it. My parents are mandated reporters, just like every school nurse, clinician and social worker. They don't live in Surrey, so they couldn't have reported it – not on the few minutes they've met Harry at King's Cross. Harry has too much to do in this life with a madman chasing after him, trying to get through Hogwarts, the fickle nature of the magical world, the yearly life-threatening events…"
"And you, love…" he murmured. She smiled and went on.
"And me," she amended softly before her voice got stronger. "And I won't stand for it any longer. Harry and I found ourselves sorted into the House of the Brave, the Lions, and he's been brave his whole life to face all the challenges that he didn't ask for and still come out on top. For those things that he can't be brave for, the heartaches, the pain, the things that try to tear him down and destroy him, that's what I'm for. I'm going to be brave for him when he can't be, strong when he can't be, and I will carry him when he can't stand any longer!"
The fire raged in her eyes. There was applause from the women in the room, and McGonagall surreptitiously wiped a tear from her eye at the declaration from her young lioness. Harry didn't bother hiding it and neither did Lily. Hermione didn't rest on her statement and stared down the Headmaster.
"I researched, Professor. I knew that the two people that loved him more than I do, if only a infinitesimal fraction was his parents. He needed them for the support that they could provide him in this coming battle, and I researched. Magic is about intent, as everyone knows, and my intent was to help Harry!"
For a moment there was silence.
"I found the ritual of Quanot's Tear and went from there. There were journals that Quanot wrote with his experiences with time and the knowledge that he amass. There were branches of magic that touched on things that we do today, but what struck me was that all of those things used a deep connection to Magic and the use of intent to work.
There was a journal left by a Centaurian researcher that Quanot was on good terms with, and that led to the use of the constellations and lunar proximity. The Moon affects the tides on the planet, as Muggle science knows, and the presence of the stars and other planetary bodies in our solar system have an effect on magic like the effect known in physics as the weak gravitational force."
Lily was starting to nod, although the magicals in the room was looking a bit lost.
"So we started the ritual," and she flushed yet again, "well, after some problems that I won't go into, and Magic itself manifested and talked with us. It turned out that Voldemort's attack in 1981 was subverted by not just the protection Lily gave baby Harry, but by something that I haven't figured out yet to cause the specters of Death and Time to get very annoyed. The word 'Horcruxes' was put into my mind somehow, and it had to have been put there by the physical manifestation of Magic during the ritual."
Dumbledore paled, but Hermione was too worked up to notice.
"Magic itself blessed our quest, well, Harry's quest but I refused to let him do it alone and Magic noticed that. There was agreement that he needed more, and the review of the loss of James and Lily found that the natural order of Life and Death had been corrupted in their cases."
Everyone sat up. This was news.
"I don't know all the details since it is Magic, after all, and the workings of the magical universe is beyond even me…"
Harry snorted. "I wouldn't be too sure about that."
Hermione elbowed him into silence and went on.
"… but Magic laid a charge before us to get rid of Tom Marvolo Riddle. To do that, Magic determined that my purpose in bringing back James and Lily made absolute sense and that there was no arguing about that…"
James snorted this time. "I hope Harry remembers those words about her purpose, absolute sense and no arguing in the future."
Lily grinned at him. "You would do well to do that yourself, dear. Set the example for Harry."
Hermione hadn't noticed the byplay, but McGonagall had. She shot a self-satisfied look at the Headmaster, who sighed again.
"… and we found ourselves quickly surprised by the presence of James and Lily. I got the distinct feeling that Magic had been waiting for the right opportunity to start correcting some errors."
Hermione fell silent and everyone stared at her.
"What?"
Harry shook his head.
"Never change, Hermione. Never change. Somebody's got to keep ourselves on our toes."
Dumbledore scratched under his beard.
"Indeed! This is quite a piece of magical work! Fifty points to Gryffindor for research and loyalty, Miss Granger. Simply astounding."
"Thank you, sir."
"And I assume that there was an observer present?"
"Yes, sir. As it happens, it was one of the centaurs. The daughter of Professor Firenze. She was very pleased to see the ritual and its results. She congratulated Harry quite effusively."
Everyone saw Harry blush and most wondered what that meant among all the other blushes that he had suffered from so far. James sniggered. He had a pretty good idea.
"Just so. Perhaps I should ask Firenze to pass along word to his daughter…" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Hermione, silently asking for a name.
"Kateira, sir."
"… Kateira, to visit the castle. Getting a first-hand account would be quite useful. Oh, not that I'm doubting your word, Miss Granger, not a bit! A second or even third point of view often helps answer questions that haven't arisen yet. However, we have strayed afield from our original purpose. Meaning, how do we identify the two people before us?"
There was an irritated grumble from the shelf across the room. Everyone turned to look at the Sorting Hat.
"I swear, with every year you must be getting more senile and want to hear yourself talk more and more. The answer is very simple, Headmaster. Put me on their heads. I'm a magical artifact and can more easily detect the presence of Magic."
Chagrin swam easily through the sea of silence. Harry spoiled that by laughing.
"Of course! The Hat's Occlumency abilities surpass anyone alive."
He stood up and reached up to gently take the Sorting Hat from the shelf.
"Hello, old friend. I'm sorry I don't get to see you more often."
"Understandable, Mister Potter. You have quite enough to be going on with as it is. I've been listening to this conversation. Trust me, it's better than most of the things I hear in here. Put me on your head first, then Miss Granger's. In defiance of my usual routine, I will be speaking my thoughts aloud to the room."
"Um… okay." He looked around the room first. Hermione nodded.
The Hat's ancient felt sat easier on his head now than it had as an eleven year old. He felt a trickle at his mind, something that he wouldn't have as a firstie. This was a welcoming feeling, one of friendship that abided through the years. Harry was pretty sure that the Sorting Hat truthfully had plenty of years.
"Yes, Mister Potter, I do. Now shut up and let me think."
Various snickers and snorts came from the room. James poked Lily and pointed at Hermione, who didn't notice. Lily rolled her eyes at him.
"Ahhh, still quite a mind. I know, I know… you didn't want Slytherin but I still say they would have helped you on the path to greatness, but you seem to have done that yourself where you were. Wearing the green and silver would have set the Kneazle among the pixies and been very entertaining."
James choked. Slytherin?
"Yes, it's all here, your trials in life. None of those are as important as Miss Granger, I would say. Hmmph. You're well-matched. On the way to greatness, yes, but not without Miss Granger beating you over the head when you needed it. Hmmph. I foresee plenty of headaches for you, Mister Potter, unless you learn to shut up and let her think."
Hermione hid her face in her hands at Harry's scandalized look.
"You know it's true," the Hat continued.
He did, actually.
"Ahhhhh, I see the interaction with Magic. Yes… yes, indeed you have quite the accomplishment. Maybe you can listen. That path to greatness is growing ever closer by the minute, Mister Potter. The Castle and I both look forward to seeing what happens next. Now, put me on Miss Granger's head."
He took the Hat off and walked it over to where she sat, and lowered it over her curls. Everyone heard the Hat sigh happily. It was so unexpected that everyone stared for a bit.
"Yes, I knew it then, Miss Granger. Such power and strength of mind as a young child, ever-increased as you got older. It complements the power and strength of character of your bonded mate."
Heads jerked around at that pronouncement. Hermione almost shook the Hat off her head in surprise. Lily and James stared at each other, then at Harry. He shrunk down, trying to be invisible.
"H-Hat? Bonded… mate?"
"Oh, don't be so surprised, Miss Granger. Or maybe I should be calling you Mrs. Potter. During the ritual, which I can see right here, Magic did much more than judge your purpose."
"W-what else?"
"It seems that Magic noted that you came together in one purpose, not 'cleaved together,' but presented yourselves with the need to accomplish something that desperately needed to be done. Magic is not pleased with the loss of those Gifted to use the mystical energies we call magic which were Bestowed upon them, due to this conflict and the one years ago. Therefore, those who are willing to do something about that problem, as are you and Mister Potter, are to be provided with what you require. Strange…"
The Hat trailed off, muttering to itself in such a fashion that even Hermione couldn't hear what was being said.
"Hat?"
"Oh, yes, my dear. My apologies. It appears to me that there is possibly more to be provided to the four of you at a later date, but what that is I have no way of divining that. That hasn't been revealed to either myself or the Castle. Hogwarts herself is curious."
There was a lull as the Hat seemed to be thinking more and no one wanted to interrupt. Everyone looked at each other but no one said anything. The silence stretched on.
"Oh, that ruddy bastard!"
The shout startled everyone, Dumbledore included. Before anyone could speak, the Hat went on in an angry voice.
"Horcruxes! More than one! More!"
Dumbledore paled again and Hermione was beginning to wonder if it would be safer to take the pissed-off Hat and put it on the desk to cool off when it calmed down.
"Oh, relax girl. I have been given the outline of a plan, thanks to my link to Magic. Put your hand into my crown."
She took the Hat off and thrust her hand inside. She felt something cold hit her hand and grasped carefully. Everyone was surprised when she pulled out a flanged mace with sapphires and a distinctly blue shaft. They all gasped as the mace glowed in her hand and they could feel the pull on their magics.
"Give me to Mister Potter. Mister Potter, you do the same thing."
Harry had some idea about what was going to happen, since he had done something like that before, actually. He felt inside the Hat, who sneezed.
"Sorry. I'm allergic to the peppers you had for lunch. Wash your hands next time, will you?"
"Er… sure. I thought I had."
Harry didn't mention that he wasn't quite sure when or if the next time would come and the thought of the Hat having an allergy threw him for a bit. He felt a similar cold object. Harry could see that the Sword of Gryffindor was in its display case, so what was this? Breaths were held until he drew out a very odd and long hammer of some kind.
At first, he thought it was something like a Monopoly piece – a tiny replica of something real – but once it cleared the confines of the Hat, it changed. There was a whining noise and a flash of light, and the object in his hands wriggled and expanded itself into something almost as tall as he himself. Harry tried not to drop it in his surprise, and just barely managed that.
It was adorned with a series of green gemstones that he was pretty sure wasn't like any emeralds he had ever seen before. Harry wasn't sure that they were emeralds to begin with, so maybe he was looking at some other green-colored stone. It had a spike on the top and a curved tail opposite a thick hammer head, mounted on a shaft made of some kind of hardwood. Dumbledore sat up in surprise when he saw this.
"That's Nehemiah's Beak!" He turned quickly to look at the mace in Hermione's hands. "If the Beak has appeared after so long, then that could be Arnhild's Mace!"
Everyone glanced at him. Even with the recent surprises piled on top of the Headmaster, it had been a long time since anyone had heard that note of astonishment from him.
Harry summed up the thoughts of the confused group.
"Er… what?"
"It's quite simple, Mister Potter. You've been charged, along with Miss Granger, to be Magic's Hands of Justice."
They gaped at him, baffled. The Hat stiffened and a low moan came from it.
"What is it?" Dumbledore's voice was wary.
"There's been a change in the flow of Magic. Someone has done something evil!"