Harry Potter and the Book of Merlin
Part 4
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Hey, I just wanna say thanks to all that have been reviewing. I really appreciate it. Originally this and the next chapter was supposed to be one long one but it would probably end up being over 15 pages on Microsoft Word so I decided to split them up. Once again thanks to all the reviewers. Keep them coming! Oh, just wanted to say that Lucas is my own original character, so no stealing (lol I was watching Star Wars before I wrote that chapter). And mostly everyone in this chapter who you haven't heard of in this chapter is mine. And so is Merlin's real name. Everything else belongs to the all powerful J.K. Rowling. Enjoy!
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A month had passed now. Every morning Harry would wake up, go to breakfast, and then he would go visit Remus Lupin. Since the day they brought him in, Remus had not shown any sign of improvement. But he had not gotten any worse. He just lay there, between life and death. Right on the line that divided the two. Harry looked down at hid friend. He lay there motionless…lifeless. His body was just that, a body, just a shell that was empty inside. Tears appeared at Harry's eyes. He made a silent promise to his friend, "I've lost too many people in my life…I wont lose you". His whisper brought the comment of the old headmaster.
"I have no doubt in my mind that you will Mr. Potter. Now you must go up to your room. You have homework to do" he said. There was a twinkle in his eye when he spoke that gave Harry a new hope. He exited the room and made his way up to his dorm. He repeated the password to the Fat Lady and walked into the common. There on a desk was all his summer homework. So far he had completed his Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. He was currently in the middle of his History of Magic assignment. He had to write reports on the most famous wizards and witches in history. He had already completed them for Queen Mab, who was the ruler of the magical world hundreds of years ago, Mordred the traitor, he was the one who started the magical revolution against Mab and later betrayed his friends when he killed them so he could be king, and Argulia the daughter of an unknown wizard who first created the wand. It had taken him three full days at the library to find the information on the three. Now he only had the most famous wizard of all, Merlin, to write about. He was currently reading through a biography on him. Harry had learned so many interesting facts about Merlin while researching him.
He read that Merlin didn't discover that he was a wizard until he was twenty-one. Also that when he was a child Merlin had to leave his home because of an amry that attacked his village looking for his family. Apparently Merlin's father betrayed the king somehow and the army was sent after the whole family. They all had to change their names to protect themselves and one another. Originally Merlin's name was Etan. Harry learned so many things about magical history from this assignment than he ever did in Professor Binns' class. He continued for an hour until all of his assignment was done. Satisfied, he closed his book and started heading up the stairs to his dorm. He changed into his pajamas and crept into his bed. He stared at the muggle picture of his parents on his nightstand. It was the one at their wedding. They both looked so happy. A lonely tear slowly slid down Harry's cheek. "I wont lose Remus, I'm not gonna lose anyone else." The last though drifted through his mind as he entered a deep and long night
"AHH!" Harry woke up in a cold sweat. Once again he was visited by the vision of his parents' death in his sleep. Ever since he found out how they were murdered that same dream haunted him many nights. Reluctantly Harry got out of bed since it was already eight o'clock and he needed his breakfast. He threw on some pants and a shirt and headed down to his food. He sat down at the medium sized table. Since there weren't many people staying at Hogwarts during the summer the house tables had been removed from the Great Hall and were replaced by a medium sized table for Harry and the teachers. Harry looked around the giant room. It seemed so different in the summer. The giant house flags were no where in sight and the ceiling didn't have its enchanted sky. Then Harry turned his attention to the teachers at the table. Harry smiled to himself. He was relieved to find out that Professor Snape was not staying at Hogwarts during the summer. Although he didn't know exactly where his favorite professor was, he really didn't care. "As long as he's not here" was what he thought. In the middle of his breakfast the daily mail came. Most of the mail was mainly packages for teachers, a few potion ingredients and a new teaching book here or there. There were also quite a number of newspapers from around the world. Harry was surprised when his owl Hedwig dropped three letters in front of him. He noticed that two were from his friends Ron and Hermione. The other was obviously from Sirius, his godfather. First he decided to open Ron's letter.
Harry,
Harry, oh man. Is you-know-who after you again? I hope not. Oh well, at least you're with Dumbledore. You're safe now. But about Diagon Alley, I asked Mum and she said that we would go two days from now. I talked to Hermione and she said she'd meet us there in front of Ollivander's. So if you can go send me an owl back soon.
Ron
Harry smiled at his friend. Classic Ron, he always over reacts and is surprisingly scared easily. Harry looked at the letter again. In two days? Would he be able to convince Dumbledore to let him go meet Ron and Hermione in two days? Especially after what happened to Remus? The mention of his name hit Harry hard. Harry shook his head and reminded himself of his promise. Immediately his began racking his minds for reasons that he should be able to go. Blank. Harry decided that he couldn't properly think until he finished his breakfast. Harry looked at his two remaining letters. He picked up the one from Hermione. Unrolling it, he smiled at it.
Harry,
Oh dear! What are you going to do? I can't look anything up now because you haven't told me anything about what happened! Harry be careful. I don't think coming to Diagon Alley will be a very good idea. And I'm sure that Professor Dumbledore won't allow you to go. But you have to tell me everything as soon as I get to Hogwarts!
Love always,
Hermione
Harry laughed at his friend. He could picture her freaking out after reading his letter. With nothing to look up or research she must have been going crazy. He rolled the note back up and took out the other one. Hedwig gently nibbled on Harry's ear. He smiled and looked up at his pet. She gave an affectionate hoot and Harry began reading the letter from his godfather.
Harry,
How are you? I'm sorry that I couldn't say good-bye before I left but I was in a hurry and you were asleep. I can't tell you where I am but I promise that I'll see you soon. I'm rounding up the whole gang so that we can fight Voldemort when he resurfaces. Do what Dumbledore says. I know how you always seem to be in the middle of things, but please do your best to stay out of trouble. Like I said I'll be seeing you very soon hopefully.
Love,
Padfoot
Harry stared at his letter. All his friends seemed to care about him and that feeling made him feel better. He rolled up Sirius' letter and stuck all three of them in his pocket. He quickly finished his breakfast and decided to go visit Dumbledore. When he got to the gargoyle he said the password "Peppermint gumdrops" and the huge statue sprang to sight and stepped out of the way so that Harry could walk through the small corridor that it was blocking. Harry quietly walked through the small hall and made it to the door that lead to Dumbledore's office. Harry knocked on the door and heard the professor yell a "come in". Harry opened the door and stepped into the familiar office. He looked at the old man in front of him and smiled a nervous smile. Dumbledore looked at Harry and surprised him with his words.
"Harry, I'm not sure if you going to Diagon Alley is such a good idea right now," Dumbledore said to Harry. Harry looked sad at what the professor just told him.
"But professor, I'll be ok. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will both be there. Plus there's a whole town full of people there. Don't you think it would be pretty hard for Voldemort to attack me or anyone else there?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore smiled back at the boy. He saw his mother's passion in him. Harry reminded Dumbledore of Lily so much. The boy looked at the old man with those same eyes. Her eyes. On so many occasions had he met those eyes of Lily. In all the years at Hogwarts Dumbledore always had a handful of special students that he would always remember. And Lily was part of those special few that Dumbledore held so dear.
"Very well Harry." Dumbledore said. Harry looked up at the headmaster with surprise written all over his face. "But you must be especially careful. I will send Hagrid with you. You will be leaving in two days will you not?" Harry looked suspiciously at Dumbledore. The thought 'how could he possibly know that?' flew through his brain. "Do not worry Harry I am not spying on you. Arthur wrote to me and informed me that he would like to invite you to go shopping with them. Hagrid will take you in the morning. Now if you'll excuse me I have something very important to attend to." Dumbledore smiled at Harry. Harry looked at the old man and smiled back. He turned around and walked out of the headmaster's office. After he closed the large oak door Dumbledore turned he chair to the fireplace and spoke.
"Lucas, I need to speak with you…"
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Before Harry knew it the two days had passed and he was preparing to go into Diagon Alley to meet his friends. "Harry, are yer ready yet?" Hagrid asked as he poked his head into the boys' fifth year dormitory.
"Almost Hagrid. Go ahead, I'll meet you at your hut in a couple of minutes." Hagrid nodded his head and started heading back to his home. Harry had woken up late and was hurrying to get ready for the day. He looked into the mirror and did his best to tidy up his messy hair but gave up in frustration. He slipped on one of the new shirts the Dursley's had bought for him after they learned about Sirius and his "criminal record". He walked out of the castle and headed towards Hagrid who was clearly visible from a great distance.
"Yer ready then Harry?" Hagrid asked as he closed his door and headed over to his motorcycle. Harry nodded his head and go in the side seat that was attached to the vehicle. "So Hagrid, are you just going to drop me off there or are you going to do some shopping?" Harry asked as he put his helmet on. From his own experience, Harry knew that he might need that helmet while Hagrid was driving.
"Naw Harry, I'm on official Hogwarts business. Dumbledore needs me to get something for him." Hagrid said with pride. Harry smiled at his friend. He knew that Dumbledore asking Hagrid to do something for him always made Hagrid feel important. And even though Harry had an urge to ask Hagrid what that 'something that Dumbledore wanted' was, he decided against it and looked forward to the fun he would have when he met up with his friends again. The motorcycle took off into the sky. Harry looked down below him. The castle looked so beautiful from up above. But it slowly became a spec in the distance as the neared The Leaky Cauldron, the secret gateway into the wizarding community.
When Harry entered the bar, he was greeted by many staring eyes and hands waiting to be shaked. This was the way people usually treated him when they didn't know Harry personally. After about ten minutes of talking to people Harry finally made his way out of the bar and into the back. Hagrid stayed inside and ordered a drink as Harry exited through the back. He took his wand out from inside his pocket and stared at the wall. He counted, "Three up…two across…" he mumbled to himself. Right before he was about to tap the brick he had a sudden feeling that he was being watched. Harry quickly spun around but was met with an empty courtyard. He shrugged it off and tapped the brick three times. Slowly the brick rearranged themselves so that they formed an archway for Harry to walk through. Harry walked onto the busy street and slowly made his way towards Ollivanders. When he made it to the shop he looked around didn't spot any of the Weasley's or Hermione. He checked his watch and saw that he was early. There was a bench in front of the shop so Harry decided that he would just sit there and wait for his friends to come. He sat there for a minute when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Good afternoon Mr. Potter. My my, I must say it has been quite a while since I have seen you. Oh dear, you have certainly grown up since last I saw you in my shop." Mr. Ollivander said as Harry quickly spun around. Harry's heart was beating fast but slowed when he saw whom the voice belonged to. He smiled at the ancient man.
"Hullo Mr. Ollivander. Yes, it's been four years since I came to your shop" Harry said. Even though the man still made Harry uneasy, he saw no reason to be rude.
"Ah yes, of course. Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, if I am not mistaken. Very beautiful and powerful wand, you still have it I presume?" Mr. Ollivander asked. Harry slowly nodded his head and brandished the wand from his pocket. The old man's eyes lit up and he extended his hand to receive the wand. Hesitantly Harry handed the wand over to its creator. "Yes…yes, it seems like just yesterday you came into my shop looking for a wand. Yes, very special this wand. Harry…maybe you should come inside. There is more about this wand that I need to tell you." With that, Mr. Ollivander turned around and headed back into his store. Curious to find out more about his wand he followed suit and entered the shop. As soon as he entered the shop the door behind him closed and locked itself. Harry spun around and watched as the open sign magically turned around so that shoppers would know that the shop was closed. Harry's heart began to pick up speed again as he looked around at his current surroundings. The shop was very dark now and shadows pranced along the walls giving the room a look straight out of a horror film. Then the most important piece of information hit him. He was wandless. He was alone in a dark shop with a wizard who had his wand. So many thoughts flew through Harry's mind. "Could Mr. Ollivander be a follower of Voldemort? What is going on? Why did I have to be so stupid as to give him my wand?" Harry looked around him. All the boxed wands were behind the counter so he couldn't grab one for himself. Then he heard the old man's voice.
"Harry, I think it's time I told you the truth" came the old man's shaky voice.
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All right, what did you all think? Good? Bad? I wanna know. And don't hold back on the criticism. And I know that it's a cliffhanger but I'll update pretty soon. And you all know what I'm about to say. It took me a couple of days to get this chapter together so the least you can do is review it. Thanks. And if you want me to review something you've written just tell me the title in the review and I'll check it out. Oh yeah, and if you want me to email you when I update put that in the review too with your email address. Later
-gotta B writin
