Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters that were created by J.K. Rowling. I also don't own Harry Potter the movies or merchandises I lay not claim to these characters. To the best of my knowledge the plot is mine but, any similarities to any other stories or fanfic's are by per chance. I am not an anyway profiting from the writing of this fanfic.

A/N: I would like to take this space to thank the person who helped my bring this story to life and if it were not for his advice and counsel this fic would probably not have been posted. Thank you ~Fire Wings~

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Harry Potter and the Year of Change

Chapter One: The letter and the Gifts of Birthright

"Kill the spare" was the only thing that kept running through Harry's mind, as he kept seeing a flash of green light and than the limp lifeless body of Cedric lying on the ground next to Harry's feet. Bolting up right in his bed, Harry could still remember the dream that he had been having. How could he not remember that dream it was the same dream that he has been having every night since getting off the Hogwarts express. So far this summer he has had to weed the garden, paint the fence, and clean the chimney, not to mention all the other everyday chores that they made him do around the house. The only good thing that has happed to him this summer is the fact that he was able to have all his school books and things with him in his room, rather than them all being locked up in the cupboard under the stairs.

The only thing that gave Harry any comfort, other than having his school things in his room with him was the thought that Dudley was still on his diet this summer. Dudley even had to take exercise lessons this summer as part of his diet. The thought of Dudley running anywhere other than to get a hamburger was as funny as if Voldemort giving money to the Red Cross, Harry thought laughing to himself.

Harry wondered what Ron and Hermione were doing this summer so far. He thought about writing a letter to them both and asking them if they would send him some food to him this summer since he was also on the same diet that Dudley was. Getting up and crossing over to the small desk that was underneath the window Harry wrote a short letter to Ron. Just as he was finished writing the letter Harry looked at the broken clock that was sitting on the desk. The clock read 12:01 not realizing how that it had been July 31st. Harry had turned 15 years old when he heard a faint tapping on the window. He saw a rather beautiful looking bird tapping his beak on the window. Getting up from the desk that he was sitting at Harry opened the window and let the bird into his room. The strange bird flew right to Harry's bed and perched on the edge. Harry just stood the looking at the bird; it was the most amazing bird that Harry had ever seen. Harry didn't think that Fawkes could compare to the bird that was now sitting at the edge of his bed. Harry noticed that there was a letter tied to the strange birds leg, moving towards the bird Harry reached down to relieve the bird of burden. Opening the letter Harry pulled out the parchment and began to read.

Harry Potter, Heir of Gryffindor

I have written you this letter to tell you that you are the heir to me, Godric Gryffindor. Everything that I possess and all my knowledge is now passed on to you, as your are now of age. The bird that has brought your birthright is a Fairex' s and is now yours as well. Too see what your birthright entails use the portkey that is enclosed with this letter and you will be taken to my castle, of which is now yours as well.

Sincerely,

Godric Gryffindor

Harry could only just stand there and look at the letter; he read it again and again to make sure that he was not mistaken in what the letter said. Harry looked into the envelope only to see that there was also a ring inside of it. Taking the ring out of the envelope he looked at it for a few moments before putting it on his finger. Before he know what was happening Harry began to feel a pulling sensation in his naval from the portkey, Harry could feel and hear the wind rushing around him and see the multitude of colors flashing before his eyes. The next instant he was slammed into the ground. As Harry pulled himself up off the ground he saw that standing before him was the most amazing sight that he had ever seen, other than his first sight of Hogwarts. Before him stood the largest castle that Harry had ever seen in his life. The walls of the castle seem to almost glow it seemed, Harry could see that there were six towers to the castle. As Harry stood there admiring the castle, he began to see a lone figure walking towards him from the main doors of the castle. The figure was wearing a scarlet cloak that seemed to just bellow out behind him. As the figure neared him, he could feel that this man would not befall him any harm what 'so ever. When the man stopped near him, Harry could see that the man standing before him was none other than Godric Gryffindor himself.

"Welcome to your castle Harry Potter and please call me Godric." he said, "Now if you will follow me, I have a lot to tell you and very little time to do this!"

After having said that he turned around and started walking back towards the castle. All Harry could do was just stand there and stare at Godric Gryffindor. After what seemed like an eternity Harry ran to catch up to Godric and began to walk beside him towards the main doors to the castle.

"Sir…. I mean Godric, How am I your heir?" Harry asked after catching up to the rather impressive looking man beside him.

"It's quit simple Harry, you are my heir because of your father." Godric stated.

He paused for a moment to let Harry take this in, before he began speaking again.

" You see Harry because your father was also my heir by blood and thus you are also my heir. I don't expect you to understand what this means as first and it might take you many years to fully understand what it means to be my heir."

Harry was still thinking about what he had been told and what it meant when they reached the castle's main doors. The expansive doors seemed to just open by themselves'.

Harry thought that he was dreaming again he had never seen such a sight before. The entrance hall seemed twice the size of the on at Hogwarts. " Harry I know that your probably in awe of what you see here, but we have a lot to do." said Godric.

After walking through the castle for what seemed only a few minutes they came to what looked like the library. Harry knew instantly that Hermione would love nothing more in this world than too spend just one day in here. "Welcome to your library Harry."

Godric said continuing to walk onwards. They came to a rather plain looking wall, Harry was wondering what they were do just standing there in front of a plain castle wall when a wooden door appeared in front of them. Walking into the dimly lit room Harry could not see anything, except the vague shape of a pedestal in the center of the room. He was looking back towards the door when it suddenly disappeared and blazing torches along the walls of the antechamber lighted the room. Harry was now able to see the entire room clearly. There was a golden pedestal standing in the center of the room, suspended on the walls were tapestries with intricately woven scarlet phoenix's and golden griffin's.

" Harry what I'm about to tell you, is a lot to take in at one time but you need to be told about your birthright."

He stood there transfixed on Godric when he heard a screeching cry of an animal. Before anything else could be said the bird that had brought Harry the letter from Godric Gryffindor came swooping down to perch on the pedestal. " I suppose a good place to start would be with Fairex's here." Godric said walking over to the beautiful bird. " Fairex, Harry is an eagle, you've heard a phoenix right Harry?" he asked.

"Yes.Professor Dumbledore has one." Harry said still looking at the eagle.

"Well Fairex' here is similar to a phoenix and a Fire Owl Harry, the Fairex' has some more unusual ability's. For one Harry it is linked to you Harry it feels what you feel, when your hungry it will also be hungry, it can even tell what your thinking Harry."

" How's that?" asked Harry?

" A Fairex' forms a mental link with it's owner, and thus is loyal only to you."

Harry had heard of some kinds of animals being able to do that. He was drawn out of his thoughts by Godric's voice.

" Well now it's time to give you the rest of your birthright, Harry."

Stepping towards Harry, Godric raised his large palm to Harry's forehead. " Now Harry this will not hurt at all." Harry felt only the cool touch of Godric's hand on his forehead. It seemed that nothing was happening until he began to feel as if he were zooming around the quidditch pitch at Hogwarts. Harry began to feel wind rushing around him, much like the feeling that he felt when he used a portkey. He felt as if his mind was being flooded with all sorts of things from spells to the knowledge of very old and complex potions. After feeling what seemed an eternity the portkey feeling that he had ebbed away from him.

Harry couldn't even begin to explain what he was feeling now. " Harry I know you have a lot of questions right now, but trust me it would be better if you went back to your room and get some sleep." Godric said, his eyes twinkling, which reminded Harry of Dumbledore. Harry didn't like he was tired, but he knew that Godric was right. Harry knew that if he didn't get at least some sleep his aunt and uncle would do nothing but yell and scream at him all day tomorrow. " How do I get back?" he asked?

Smiling at him " The same way that you got here Harry, just turned the ring that you have on your finger three times in a counter clock ways fashion and it will return you to your bedroom Harry." With that he just seemed to disappear in front of Harry. Harry hadn't heard the familiar "pop" that he had always heard when someone apparated nears him.

Not wanting to make Godric mad at him Harry decided that it would be best for him to do as he said and try and get some sleep. Looking at the ring that he was still wearing he turn it three times to the left. After feeling the now already familiar pulling sensation behind his naval, Harry landed next to his bed at number 4 Privet Drive. Harry looked around his room to see that he was indeed back and then he noticed that there were 5 owls and 1 eagle sitting on his bed.