Harry Potter and the Auror Palace
Chapter 5:
Power of the Founders
Lynkin
(Ok, I've decided to just jumble the whole thing as a book. It makes more sense and it'll be easier for people to read this way also. I've changed the title and am not making it into a trilogy, as I've said before. So, sit back and relax, we're finally going to Hogwarts!)
Diagon Alley had never been such a horrible place until now. Harry stared wide-eyed at Snape who was actually Neville Longbottom. The poor kid. Hermione didn't know what to do and neither did Harry. Everyone just sort of stood there and expected the monster to leave the boy alone.
"What was that?" Ron asked. The event finally sunk in and Hermione muttered something along the lines of "about time."
"That," started Harry, "Was the nightmare creature we've been discussing."
Pretty soon, Ministry Wizards of all kinds rushed to Diagon Alley. There was also a very mysterious man in light brown robes. His hair was short and untidy, but he seemed to style it purposely. He was also fairly young, but very mysterious. Harry couldn't help but wonder if he was actually a part of the Ministry or something else.
"Harry Potter, I presume?" The man said in a cold tone.
"Yes, I'm h-him," Harry answered.
"You've been encountered with this thing before?" He asked.
"Yep, it was with Remu—"
"Yeah, I know who it was, we've been talking through Owls and such. No need to key me in on details that I already know," The man said. Harry was surprised at his character. He didn't have time for messing around. He liked things simple and to the facts.
"O-Ok," Harry said.
"Well, you three should get to the Leaky Cauldron and find a way home," The man said.
"Excuse me, Mr., we've been told that we could stay in Diagon Alley for the week. Mr. Lupin was going to escort us to King's Cross Station on the first." Hermione stood her ground.
"I'm sorry, miss, but I am not someone you want to mess with. Now get to the Leaky Cauldron, we'll discuss what should happen to you later!" The three left. This guy was strict and down to the point.
Harry couldn't help but stay back and see what the man would do. Hiding behind a tree, Harry noticed that he sent the Ministry wizards back to their duties. He then created a large red bubble and sent it to Snape. The man muttered a few words and the black began to rise from Neville's head. The nightmare creature left Diagon Alley. Then Harry heard the man clearly say, "Socodyn, you left on your own will. But I would not mess with Mundungus Fletcher, next time I won't be so forgiving…"
* * *
"Socodyn?" Hermione gasped. "That's his name? That's pretty interesting. The oldest ancient dark wizards were called socodi. The two names are pretty similar."
"And Mundungus Fletcher, that sounds like a name Dumbledore told you. He's an Auror!" Ron said.
"Yeah, I'll say that's pretty amazing," Harry said. "What do we do for a week? I mean there's a monster running around. This thing could easily get into Hogwarts. If some people have worst nightmares about other people in Hogwarts, we could have this thing at school!"
"Well, we could finish up our History of Magic Essays on Curses in National Monuments. There are so many of them! I've decided to focus on three: The pyramids; those are three rolls in itself, the Eiffel Tower, and the Statue of Liberty."
"Oh, rubbish Hermione, I'm just writing on the large bent wand! It's this silver large thing in front of a river. You know it 'arches'?" Ron said.
"The Arch? In North America? There's a lot of monuments there, I suppose," Hermione pondered. Harry had bet she would be rewriting this essay all week long.
By Thursday, the Ministry had to open the Diagon Alley to any magic-folk who needed it. Hogwarts was starting on Saturday. For the few people who were already there, they were granted permission to stay. That Fletcher guy was nicer than he seemed.
Pretty soon, the familiar faces began to fill the street. Something else had also sprouted. Harry found it to be very interesting. Xerxes' Shop of Amazements opened up. Harry and Ron were dying to see what this was all about. Hermione decided to give it a whirl.
"Welcome! I think you three are in for a real treat! Have you ever heard of Mini Species?" Said a very cheery man that resembled the Jorkins fellow at camp.
"No," Hermione said. She would've known what they were. She knew practically everything in the magic world.
"Don't think so," Ron said. Harry agreed.
"Well, I'm glad you've walked in. Mini Species are amazing little beasts that take place of ordinary pets. These little guys act like you! They are simply splendid. Also, no two Mini Species are exactly alike. Of course, you get to choose some things like color and whether you want your Mini Species to fly, or swim, or just have normal beastly attributes. Why don't you give them a try? They're only 30 galleons!"
Ron was disgusted. He wasn't about to spend what little money he had on this when he had just bought Caesar. Hermione, however, was contemplating the whole idea. Harry didn't know what to think so he looked at his watch. He had programmed it because of Sirius's gift of the coupon. When he was purchasing something, it said, SCAM, GOOD DEAL, PRICY BUT WORTH IT, or YOUR CHOICE. Just his luck, the watch said YOUR CHOICE. He decided to wait and see if other people would actually buy them. A Mini Species would be very intriguing and absolutely interesting. But this was the magic world. Buying something like this would be a risk.
"I'll pass," Harry said.
"I won't. I'll take a violet flying one, please," Hermione said. She paid her 30 galleons and received a purple egg that was actually a bunch of blob. "The man says that this guy will hatch in a few days. I can't wait!"
Harry noticed that many kids were buying Mini Species. Would they be allowed at Hogwarts? He didn't know. Harry was still skeptical.
* * *
Saturday had arrived and Harry was waiting for Lupin along with the other Weasleys. Much to his surprised, Ginny, Fred, and George had bought Mini Species (of course, they got theirs for discount prices of 20 galleons each because they bought three at once). Ginny ended up with a little pink goat-like creature that sat on her shoulder. Naturally, Fred and George ended up with savage Species that were constantly fighting. George had a navy blue lizard thing with large claws. Fred had a winged green bat that had beady red eyes. Harry had to admit they were comical and neat. They also weren't really pets. They didn't need food or constant attention. They were more like toys.
Lupin came with six vials of purple liquid. Harry groaned. Was there no other way to travel?
"Hey, Harry. We have to use this. Of course, I've had some help refining the material so that the trip isn't as harsh. But I haven't tried them out yet, so, I can't promise anything. Once we drink these, we'll be at King's Cross station in no time!" Lupin said.
The twins were excited about it, Ginny was worried along with Harry, and Ron didn't know what to think.
"Hey, what about all our stuff?" Ron asked.
"Oh, that's easy," Lupin replied. "Just make sure, you're holding on to everything. It'll be safe and sound with you on the way, I promise!"
Everyone nodded as Lupin gave the vials to the teens. Harry learned it was best to drink the stuff and get it all over with. Harry also thought it was a much more violent pull. The potion was like a magnet.
"Honestly, Professor, that was an awful trip!" Harry said.
"I guess we went through more turbulence. Oh well, it's the stuff us Aurors use when traveling. Apparating has proved to be very dangerous. We've learned that some Dark Wizards can monitor our magic use. Mrs. Figg has created the potions. We owe it all to her!"
The other Weasleys arrived, they were very dizzy and weren't satisfied. Hermione wasn't either.
"HARRY! YOU DIDN'T APPARATE DID YOU?" she gasped.
"No, Professor Lupin have us these weird potions to drink. Aurors are using them because Dark Wizards can't track them if they do. If they Apparated, someone could find them, like that Socodyn thing," Harry explained.
"You know about Socodyn now do you?" Lupin asked.
Hermione, Ron, and Harry nodded. Then Hermione greeted with Lupin for a while, talking about her classes and what Harry explained to her over the summer. Harry just shrugged and loaded his stuff on the Hogwarts Express.
* * *
The weather was exceptional. It wasn't raining. In fact, it was very hot! Most kids were in shorts and other summer apparel as they boarded. As it turned out, nearly everyone had a Mini Species. Harry couldn't get over the whole idea that he didn't have one. But Ron insisted that it was a good thing. ("I'll bet Filch'll ban them! Dumbledore may not even except those rat creatures. It's so much better with a real, living being!")
The trip to Hogwarts was an unusual one. Basically, it was completely ordinary. The most amazing thing about it was Malfoy was no where to be seen.
With about five minutes to spare, each compartment was informed that all student (with the exception of first years) were to immediately get their things and head toward their dormitories and receive further instructions.
Hermione found this very odd. Harry did too.
Soon, the Express slowed down and every student eyed the familiar carriages and sights of the Hogwarts grounds. It was a rare occurrence to see the sun shining brightly upon them. But then Harry noticed some ominous clouds were rolling in. Was another storm expected?
As custom, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the scared Neville Longbottom entered a carriage. Harry spotted Hagrid but remembered Mrs. Figg and Sirius's warnings about not talking to him. That was sure going to be tough. As they got out, the four students quickly gathered their luggage and set up for the front doors. But Harry was distracted by an extremely loud squeal come from the lake. The large squid was just struck by lightning. The Weasley twins saw it and began to howl with laughter. Hermione thought was mean and someone should do something. Ron pestered her and said that the rain was coming and he wasn't about to get wet.
Sure enough, it began to downpour just as Ron stepped inside. They quickly walked up the stairs and headed toward the Fat Lady's portrait. A tall, black-haired girl named Lola Cornelius stated she was a prefect and that the password was le'em.
The boys departed with Hermione and rushed up to the dorm in Gryffindor tower. Each of the five four-poster beds had instructions. Harry read his very quickly.
It is no surprise that after last year, special precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of Hogwarts students. You will find on your beds a colored ring according to your house. Please put it on the index finger of your right hand, then return to the common room and await for instructions from the professor in charge of you House.
Harry put on his scarlet ring and began to discuss with the other boys what was going on. Everyone had his own ideas of what was to come.
The common room was full of noise. Everyone was very curious as to what was going on. Not only was it loud because of the puzzled students, but there were the Mini Species too.
After twenty minutes, Professor McGonagall finally entered the room along with eleven very scared first years. They too were wearing the rings. The room quieted immediately.
"As many of you know, the Dark Lord has risen. This may be contrary to what the Ministry is accepting. But ask Harry Potter. He saw the whole thing happen." All eyes were on Harry. He didn't know how to react. He just sort of stood there and waited. The Professor continued.
"The four founders of Hogwarts set up a high defense system to ensure complete secrecy. This is one of the ultimate secrets of Hogwarts. It's also known as the Power of the Founders. They created many rings for every student to put on. Once those rings and their power are unleashed, a great red beam will appear. Each house will do the same, contributing to the defense of the school. Until now, Dumbledore has seen no need to unleash the power of the founders.
"We needed to get the power unleashed immediately, once this procedure is complete, everyone will return to the Great Hall for the start-of-the-term banquet."
Everyone was silent. They stared at each other. Finally Professor McGonagall broke the ice. "Let's put our hands up and think of the good Godric Gryffindor and how we all contribute to the defense of Hogwarts!"
Everyone cautiously put their hands up in the air and soon, a large beam appeared from them. It filled the room with an almost blinding light. Harry was amazed. It was too bad he couldn't see the large beams of red, blue, yellow, and green cover all of Hogwarts. The sight was truly amazing.
-Well, I'm excited how this turned out. Of course, it isn't over. What's to become of Socodyn? What are the Aurors up to? Hopefully, the usual questions will be popping up in your head. Like what you see? Then tell me about it! I would be happy and very thankful!
-Lynkin.