Chapter Twelve:  Alliances

The Explosion had been felt by every student of the School.  Whispered rumors had run amok through the school. The explanations had covered an entire spectrum of reasons, viz. an earthquake, a volcanic eruption, an attack by dark wizards, an experiment gone wrong and so on. The last explanation was the one widely believed to be true. Jadushala had been the center point of many magical inventions. It was believed that Harry Potter had tried to invent a magical spell, which had misfired leading to the explosion.

Harry on the other hand had spent the first few days in a barely conscious state, in the Hospital room at Jadushala. It was the second time in two months that he had woken up with a blurred vision in a hospital room. 'This is getting too routine for comfort' Harry thought. The only difference this time was in the friends who were waiting by the bedside for him to recover.

Even though his blurred vision Harry could unmistakably make out the big bulk of Lara Pathan. He felt around, found his glasses and perched them on his nose.  Fleur was sitting on the solitary stool near his bed and looked very worried. Lara and Niki had serious incomprehensible expressions on their faces. Mike on the other hand was the only one who had a smile playing on his lips.

"Harry, are you alright?" Fleur inquired in a concerned voice.

"Aww, he is alright.  Mind you Harry even I was a bit worried. I couldn't find anyone who could be a more willing acceptor to all my various curses. As soon as you are on your feet again come straight to the dueling room and we can practice some of the more ingenious curses I have manufactured."

"SHUT UP" all of them said in unison.

" Mike go and get Prof. Pandit. He told me to call him as soon as Harry regained consciouness." Lara boomed at Mike, who scurried away to find the Professor.

Within two minutes Mike returned with Prof. Pandit.

Prof. Pandit entered the room and smiled, "How are you feeling Harry? You really had us worried for some time but this is a speedy recovery" he said.

" I am fine Prof., when can I leave this room."

" You shall be given leave by Tomorrow Afternoon and remember as soon as you are given the permission come and meet me I have some things to discuss with you." He said with a nod of his wise head and glided out of the room.

The rest of them stayed with Harry for some time and tried to engage him in some small talk but not finding him in a receptive move trickled out one by one.

Harry's mind was flooded with vivid images from his trance. He could still feel the energy that had raced across his veins when he converted into the Phoenix. He felt different. Somehow he didn't feel weak anymore. He could now understand how confident Crabbe or Goyle must feel with those big built bodies of theirs. Every part in his body seemed to be buzzing with energy, in fact he felt he so fresh that he was ready for a bout of dueling with Mike.  It was Amazing how he could no longer feel any after effects from the phoenix transformation a couple of days ago. This sent his mind racing through another chain of thoughts. Did his ability to transform into a phoenix mean that he was immortal. He had never heard of anybody else being able to transform himself into a phoenix. Why did it always have to happen to him.  The more he had tried to live a normal life the more extra ordinary it had become. The words from the Daily Telegraph still rang out in his ears, " Harry Potter has n attention Seeking disorder". He heartily agreed. He did have an attention seeking disorder, 'the more he tried to be discreet the more attention he got'.

Harry soon got fed up with all the thoughts buzzing about in his head.  He got up and decided to go for a walk around the school. At least this time he was breaking no rules. This was because Jadushala had no rules against walking around the school at night. Most of the students were in their dorms. The few who were present were the ones who were really serious about their studies. Most of these were the older students and all of them wore white robes, a signal that all of them had advanced to the next level. Harry entered the Research and Inventions room where he had first met Virgil. He looked at the rows and rows of books. A big hall was lined with tens of cauldrons all boiling over different multi coloured flames. Harry proceeded further to find a small room marked, sports inventions. Curious as to what this one might contain, he entered it. He found a figure dressed completely in white hunched over what looked like a muggle skate board sans wheels. The Man was middle aged, had a dark moustache and wavy, unruly hair. He seemed not to notice Harry's entry and continued to be deeply immersed in his work. He had a crystal ball, which he had attached to the skate board. He then muttered some spells directed at the skate board and the colour in the crystal ball changed from transparent to dark blue. Harry watched fascinated at the whole process. He had never understood how the Magical items he used had actually been invented and manufactured.

" Would you like to try it?" He asked.

Startled Harry looked at the man. He had obviously finished his experiments and was now scrutinizing Harry with interest.

" Would you like to try it?" he repeated, this time Harry saw that the man was pointing towards the skate board, if he could call it that.

"What is that? By the way, I didn't want to disturb you, I just couldn't sleep and decided to go for a walk" Harry said, worried that he had disturbed the man.

" Ahh, no no. In fact it is good that you came. I rarely have company and I have just finished checking my new Windboard.  By the way I am Stephen Matthews. You can call me Steve." He said as he offered his hand to Harry.

" Harry, Harry Potter" Harry said shaking his hand.

"Ahh! Mr. Potter the Gryffindor Team seeker, if I am not mistaken. You see I was one of the guests at the last Hogwarts Quidditch Finals. Mr. Dumbledore was kind enough to invite me. I saw you play. You really fly well Mr. Potter."  He said.

Harry Just nodded his head and said thanks.

" That is all the more reason you should be the first person to try out my new invention the Wind board and tell me wether it works well" He said with his twinkling with excitement of a child who has just discovered a new toy.

Harry agreed.  The board floated in the air a few inches above the ground. Harry stepped onto it and kicked off the way one would of a Muggle skateboard. The windboard immediately sprung off and Harry zoomed all over the main room, right over the bubbling cauldrons. In the beginning the speed was breakneck, but soon Harry learnt to control the speed the way one would in a broom. The more control he got the more he enjoyed the ride.

After Harry had given his feedback, which mainly consisted of increasing the weight of the Windboard to allow greater balance and also a more aerodynamic shape, he sauntered off back to the main hall. On his way back Harry saw Lara sitting in the library studying. Not wishing to disturb him he continued on his way. But his mind had started working and he remembered the book he had acquired so ingeniously at Flourish and Blotts. Hence he went back to his dorms and brought back the book with him. He pored over the book all night but wasn't able to make head or tail of the script. In fact he wasn't even sure which script it was. He decided the time had come to seek some help on the subject and who better than the French Expert on Languages.

The next day at noon, the nurse informed Harry, that he had been discharged and was free to leave. Harry had not forgotten his appointment with Prof. Pandit, in fact it had been on his mind all morning.  For starters he had no Idea how to go to Prof. Pandits 'Office'. From what he had seen it would be quite difficult to get to the ledge unless one could fly. The only option, which hence remained before him was to try and catch Prof. Pandit's attention. He entered the main hall, which was buzzing with activity. He looked up at the ledge and found the Professor immersed in some work. In spite of his frantic efforts he was not able to catch his attention. Hence only one option remained before him he took out his wand and aimed a flare at some place right in front of the professor.  It did what it was intended for and the professor glided down to pick him up.  He took his hand and levitated both of them right back onto the top of the ledge.

Prof. Pandits office was an amazing place. From the top of the ledge one could see what each and every person down in the hall was doing. There was a small fireplace and a homely looking fire was crackling inside. The room was bigger than what one could see from outside. Another feat of Wizarding architecture wondered Harry. The walls were lined up with all kinds of weapons and shields with strange emblems and names on them. The area right above the fireplace, was covered with a superb Sign. And a part of that sign was similar to the new scar Harry had acquired just a few months ago.

"What is that sign professor" Harry asked.

" That Harry is an Ancient Sanskrit Rune. It is called OM. It in itself includes all the energy in this world. It transcends the boundaries of space and Time.  It signifies protection from all things evil. It is one word which can help you to meditate and concentrate all your energies."

" Professor how is it that you can fly. I have never seen any other wizard do that."

" I would better place it by saying that it is movement through space. It is an ancient Magic. It is all in the mind. It is the mind, which puts restrictions on your physical ability. Wizards a thousand years ago could do many things that we today cannot. The Time Turner is an excellent example of movement through the dimensions of time." The professor said with a bemused expression on his face.

" The reason why I have called you here Harry is to discuss with you some implications of your animagus transformation."

Harry just nodded his head.

" It is the seventh time in Two centuries that we have had a Phoenix animagus. You are the fifth one alive in this century. It is an extremely rare phenomenon. But every time a Phoenix animagus has come it has been to balance the powers against the dark forces.  Did you ever guess how Professor Dumbledore has been around for so long. How having defeated Grindlewald, he is still around at the times of Voldermort who at one time was himself his pupil?  Did you ever guess why a phoenix agrees to stay with him and give him company because it is no ordinary creature and would not take any normal wizard for companionship.  The answer to all this puzzles lies in the simple fact that Professor Dumbledore is also a Phoenix animagus."

Harry stood agape, listening to what Professor Pandit had just mentioned. It all figured. Why Voldermort was afraid of Prof. Dumbledore.

" Harry, I mentioned this because in a span of one month you will be leaving Jadushala to go back to Hogwarts to keep up with your studies there and more importantly be under the care of Prof. Dumbledore and learn from him. You will return to Jadushala during every Vacation that you have for furthering your training. More ever Prof. Dumbledore himself has told me to acquaint you with this fact."

He said.

" But Professor, I have so much to learn how will I be able to learn so much in a span of one month"

" Hmm! That can be arranged. Harry I will allocate to you, a Room. It is called the 'Room where time stands still'. As can so obviously be deciphered from the name itself, there can be no movement of time there so the amount of time you spend there while learning will be saved.  Do you have any other questions" he asked

" Professor does this mean that I will be Immortal or something?" Harry asked a worried expression on  his face. The last thing he wanted was to outlast all his friends and loved ones.

" No. Anything that comes to life must End at some point of time. The Phoenix transformation does slow down the ageing process when you are in the Human form. However it does not stop it. Also if you were to be attacked fatally when you are in your Animagus form. You will not die you will rise again like a phoenix.  But it is important to transform into a Phoenix when you are attacked, otherwise you shall be affected in the same manner any normal wizard would. This is one reason why no Phoenix Animagus discloses his secret to anyone.  Any Phoenix animagus has only Two options when he gets very old and feeble, either to die or to turn into a phoenix for life. Very few have accepted the latter option and stuck with it."  Prof. Pandit's tone was grave and thoughtful when he mentioned the last sentence.

Harry was still trying to absorb all that had been said.  The information was startling and disturbing. He was proud of the fact that Prof. Dumbledore had confided such important information to him. Harry had to learn more than he had in the last three years at school in a single month. One of them was an ancient language. The other was dueling. The third most important thing he had to do was to take steps to safeguard his friends. He had to refrain from telling anybody his true status. It would only increase the dangers he faced and the dangers they faced.

Harry took leave from the professor and proceeded to the library.  There he started reading the newspapers of the last few days. The news of the raid at Azkaban had filled the headlines. Graphic descriptions of how some of the inmates had been tortured and had their soul sucked out disturbed him further. Voldermort was back at his full strength. He had all his loyal followers back and had himself regained his full strength.  The fact that he had not led any other major attack till now was puzzling. He would never sit this quiet unless he had something up his sleeve. A discreet Voldemort was a greater danger than an openly aggressive one. All this only made Harry more determined to put his own Plan into action.

Harry had a long chat with Fleur after showing her the book. Her eyes had lit up on seeing the book. She was interested in knowing the origins of the book but harry managed to change the subject. The end results of their efforts was a " Learn it yourself book-on ancient Sanskrit runes". Harry thanked her profusely for all her help and made her promise her complete secrecy on the matter. He also agreed to learn some other languages with her every day.

Harry spent the next week juggling between Dueling lessons and practice and lessons with Fleur on Sanskrit.  He spent some time with Niki in the Transfigurations room just to keep up the pretences. He spent a lot of time in the 'room where time stands still'. He practiced his animagus transformation and studies on the Sanskrit language. Harry also spent some time with Lara who was an incredible storehouse of knowledge researching spells and going over Wizarding history. He was perennially seen running from one room to another.  The lack of sleep was taking its toll and he also looked very tired.

Lara had seen Harry roaming around the main hall the night Harry saw him in the library. He just raised his eyebrow, shrugged and continued with his work. He had agreed to help Harry with his research work. He found it somewhat perplexing as to why Harry was studying all these diverse subjects. He found it perplexing as to why Harry was never in his dorm at night. He found it even more perplexing that he could never find Harry at certain hours in the day and that Harry came from the exactly the opposite direction he was supposed to come if he had just 'been dueling with Mike' as he explained. He could not understand why Harry Potter had to lie to him and what did he actually had to hide. So one fine day he decided to follow Harry. This was more tough for him than for anybody else considering his bulk. But it was made easier by the fact that Harry was always in a hurry and did not have time to see if somebody was tailing him.

It was on this fine day that Lara Pathan stumbled onto the 'room where time stands still'. It was on this fine day that Lara Pathan learnt what Harry Potter actually meant to the Wizarding World in England. It was on this fine day that Lara Pathan learnt what had happened at the hands of Voldermort on the other not so fine days. He learnt it, as many people said, from the horses mouth himself and he decided that day that he was going to do anything and everything he could to help Harry fight Lord Voldermort. It was on this day that Harry learnt of another dark lord who had ravaged another part of the world for so long. It was on this fine day that Harry learnt of the story as to why the Big Pathan as Lara was called in his hometown was orphaned when he was barely 10 yrs old. It was also on this fine day that Harry decided he was going to do everything Wizardly possible to help his friend in the fight against the other Dark Lord who called himself by another name.

So it was on this day that an alliance was made between to two very powerful people from two very different parts of the world which was to have repercussions of historical proportions which only history would record as it progressed and only the Watcher would be able to tell you.

However all this was not known to the Two dark Lords as they too had forged an alliance of Historical proportions and at this very moment were engrossed in a meeting of sorts. The discussions in this meeting are shrouded in mystery yet, for the Dark Lords power yet prevents the watcher from penetrating the darkness. But he can make out that an agreement was reached which could have some catastrophic consequences.