A/N: Sorry that I've taken so long folks. :) Due to the rampaging virus/worm, I lost Internet access for a short while. The good news is that I kept typing and writing new chapters, so I have two more chapters that are ready to go right up. I'm not going to put them all up at the same time though. . . (Sorry!) I'll post them one at a time. As soon as I get the general feeling that everyone who usually reads updates has read the chapter, I'll post the next one. So either everyone drops a really short (or long) review letting me know they read it, or. . . you wait three or four days. :)
Also, a quick note on other things of interest. Due to the general uncooperativeness of Geocities, I have been unable to update my review response page. Also, if you wish to be put on my e-mail update notification list, drop a email to dreadnaultupdateatwotmania.com
Enjoy!
Ginny gasped, "You mean that someone has stolen it?"
"I don't think so," Harry answered. "I think that Seilftrist probably hid the last volume. I get the impression from the one that comes before it that he was sort of paranoid in his old age. I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have the last volume because I think that Miledy Faisia is in an old city named Tescaster." Harry then proceeded to explain what Ron had told him earlier in the pub.
"Sounds like Seilftrist put a heavy dose of ancient magic on the forest to me," Ginny mused thoughtfully.
Harry nodded as he stoop up from where he had been reading on the floor. "That probably explains all the books and notes about ancient magic on the desk down there." Harry said. "Normally you'd just be able to go down and find out everything he did. However, he was so paranoid that the only stuff you'll find down there is what anyone could find about ancient magic."
"No way to know how to get past the magic then," Ginny sighed as the pair descended the spiral staircase into the study.
"I suppose that is now our main job. Try to figure out where that last volume of his journal is or come up with a way to get past it. Neither very easy at all." Harry surmised.
"Maybe it's in his desk or something. He could have left it there and then died," Ginny suggested hopefully as she made her way over to the large desk. Ginny walked over and sorted through the desk. Books, paper, scrawled notes, and correspondence. Ginny's eyes widened as she sorted through the various letters. "Harry. . .this one is for you."
Harry quickly made his way to the desk and Ginny handed him a sealed envelope. Harry sat down and examined it. The envelope was indeed addressed to him.
My High Lord of Phoenix-
Harry turned it over and examine the seal that held it shut. It was gold wax with a red phoenix imprinted into it. Harry carefully broke the wax with his thumb and gingerly opened the letter.
My High Lord of Phoenix-
As thou commissioned me to do, I faced Calayl, (Lord Lieutenant to thy most dreadful enemy) in mortal combat and emerged victorious. I owe my most fortunate victory to your greatest treasure, Miledy Faisia.
If you are reading this letter, my Lord, it is a sign that certain events and or actions have taken place that endanger Miledy Faisia. You should also know by now that I have hidden thy staff within Tescaster. You should also know that many wards and ancient magic spells protect it and shall only allow anyone through at a certain point in time if certain things have been set in place. There is only one danger to Miledy Faisia that my wards and spells cannot protect. Nosyl Sharod. I believe that you understand this danger already.
Now is not the time to act. When the time does come, you shall know and understand all. If you could but remember thy immortality you would already know. For now, let it suffice that you will know when the time is right.
Thy humble servant and Lieutenant
Fariney Seilftrist
P.S. I'm guessing that you want to know where the last volume of my journal is. When the time is right, it shall be delivered to you by thy pet phoenix- Warlomice
Harry arched his eyebrows and handed the letter to Ginny who quickly read it. "Warlomice is a cool name," Ginny said.
"What do you think about the rest of the letter though?"
Ginny shrugged, "There's not much we can do until Warlomice pays us a visit. We could always practice and learn our magical powers though. We'll probably have to keep Ron and Hermione from doing anything foolish as well." She set the letter down on the desk.
Harry stood up from the chair, "We can just tell Dumbledore to stop them for us. We could probably arrange for them to get a little training as well."
Ginny laughed, "Yes, it would be fun to watch and listen to them. Right now though, I think we need to head for dinner. Everyone will be wondering where we are."
Harry glanced at his watch, "Look at the time! We've been down here forever. Right, now let's not tell Ron and Hermione about this. We can just tell Dumbledore to tell them to wait until the time is right. Once we know that the time is right, we'll take it from there."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Ginny said as they walked back towards the double doors that led into the private study."
* * * * * * *
Harry dreamed that he was in the forest near Tescaster. The moon was full and the night was alive with magic. Harry felt Tescaster pull him nearer and nearer. Suddenly black figures seemed to swarm all around him. Death Eaters. The realization hit Harry like a bucket of cold water. Voldemort couldn't get into Tescaster and he was going to make sure that no one else could. He was having the forest guarded by Death Eaters. A stunning spell suddenly caught Harry and he felt himself sink to the ground as the blackness swallowed him.
Abruptly there seemed to be dim light, someone was trying to help him. . . . trying to wake him up. . . . . . .
"Harry! If you don't wake up right this instant I shall whack you!"
Harry's eyes popped open and he was wide awake. He was in his bed and it was morning. Ginny was standing over him wearing pajamas which consisted of an oversized t-shirt and some shorts. "Gin. . . what are you doing in here?" Harry asked in a confused voice. It was his bedroom after all.
Ginny held up a small package wrapped in brown paper. "It's addressed to both of us and I don't think it would be nice to open it without you."
"That's right," Harry blinked. "It's Christmas Day isn't it?" He reached up and rubbed his eyes. "I guess that I shouldn't have stayed up so late reading that book on Quidditch." He pushed aside the sheets, climbed out of bed, and grabbed a robe and put it on. "Open it then, I'm watching."
Ginny grinned and sat down on the bed. Harry joined her and watched as she nearly shredded the wrapping off the package. "It's a composition notebook, probably about twenty years old." Ginny noted. She handed it to Harry for him to examine.
He opened the small notebook to the first handwritten page. "Padfoot and Prong's Notes to Becoming and Anamagi. Safely." Harry read. He flipped through the other pages to see carefully written out notes. He then handed it back to Ginny.
"Excellent!" Ginny said happily as she examined some of the pages. "We can learn together. Ron and Hermione might be interested as well. Maybe it might be best though if they didn't know we were Anamagi though. Kind of like the High Lord of Phoenix thing."
"That's okay," Harry replied. "We can still arrange for them to learn how. Another assignment especially for them. They wouldn't be able to use this notebook though. Too much of a giveaway."
Ginny laid back onto the bed. "You know Harry," she said sadly. "What with all of this business Ron and Hermione are going to think that we're kind of second-class. They won't have time for us anymore. It could break up our friendship with them."
"We just won't let go of them then," Harry said. "Besides, we'll be busy ourselves. We need to learn just as much as they do."
"Really Harry? How much have you put into schoolwork this year? I can answer for you. Almost no effort at all. Yet you still get top marks in everything. Except for potions even though you're good at it."
Harry paused and thought for a moment. It was true. Where was all the knowledge coming from? All of the experience? Harry looked at the ring on his hand. The ring quickly denied it. "You're right." Harry said quietly.
"The same thing is beginning to happen to me as well Harry. At the beginning of the year I had to struggle in all of my classes because I'm doing my OWL's this year. Now I've reached the point where I could pass the exams without any further study. You could probably pass your NEWT's without any further study. We're leaving Ron and Hermione behind Harry." at this Ginny choked a sob. "I don't want to lose them."
Harry looked at Ginny. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "We just won't let them go." Harry repeated. "Hermione will be able to stay caught up, she'll even drag Ron with her. We'll always be working with them. I'm the High Lord of Phoenix. I have power and authority. We can always be with Ron and Hermione and their families and our families."
"I suppose you're right," Ginny said calming down a little bit. "I'll still feel isolated from them. I don't like keeping secrets from them. They're our friends. They deserve to know. It just doesn't seem complete without them knowing our secrets and letting them know that we know theirs."
Harry was temporarily at a loss for words. It seemed that for all of his life, fate had imposed loneliness and isolation upon him. He had lost his parents and Sirius. What would be a couple of friends compared with that? He could live in isolation if it was for the best. Finally an answer came to him. "We can share our secrets," Harry finally said. "We can be best friends forever an ever. Dumbledore said that even after we die, we still exist."
Ginny sat up and wrapped her arms around Harry tightly. "Friends forever." she whispered. They sat in that position for several minutes savoring it. Finally Ginny spoke again as she let Harry go. "Maybe you ought to open your presents."
Harry leaned over and looked over the end of the bed. Horrified he spoke, "Who sent all of that!"
Ginny giggled, "I don't know. Looks like every single wizard and witch in Britain sent you at least a card. Then of course your friends sent you presents as well. Lot's of candy there too. I hope you don't believe in sending replies to Christmas cards, because if you do, you're going to be doing a lot of replying."
Harry was too far in shock to speak coherently. "Why. . ."
"You're famous Harry! Get used to it. . ."
* * * * * * *
Harry and Ginny proceeded to empty four pillowcases full of various sweets underneath the gigantic Christmas tree that stood in the center of the dining hall of Valahost Hall. "Help yourselves!" Harry announced to those who were eating a light breakfast.
Ron looked at all of the candy from over his bowl of porridge. "I wish people sent me that much candy." he said grinning.
"What's your complaint?" Ginny asked. "You're still on the receiving end."
"Where did that all come from!" Fred asked in astonishment as he strolled into the room with George.
"I just woke up and there it was," Harry muttered as he sat down and helped himself to the scrumptious breakfast that the house-elves had kindly prepared.
Fred and George stared at the candy beneath the tree mischievously, rubbing their hands together. "We'll be right back!" George announced as they promptly retreated back to where they had come from.
"Where are those two off to!" Mrs. Weasley demanded as she and Mr. Weasley entered the room. She was staring suspiciously at their backs as they dashed up the main staircase.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much Molly dear," Mr. Weasley said. Mr. Weasley then strolled over to where Mr. and Mrs. Granger were examining a tapestry who's landscape seemed to be moving to continue the conversation they had been having the night before about dental drills.
"You're going to be stuck with that candy for a long time," Hermione told Harry. "In a few minutes the twins will have planted experimental sweets in that stash and everybody will be afraid to even touch any of it."
Very fortunately for Harry, Hermione's prediction proved to be wrong. Although the twins did plant several of their joke sweets in the large pile, people still went for it. It seemed that they would suffer an occasional incident in exchange for some sweets. The day continued much as any other Christmas would and by nightfall all the sweets had been either eaten or cached in someone's room.
The late evening found Harry and Ginny in the private study examining the notebook on Anamagi transformations they had received early that morning. Harry was sitting in the comfortable chair behind the desk and Ginny was sprawled on a cushy couch that she had pulled next to Harry's chair. Ginny squinted at the notebook. "It describes some sort of complicated charm that should reveal what sort of animal we are supposed to transform into. This could take days to learn!"
"Maybe we can cheat," Harry said. Ginny handed him the notebook and he carefully examined the theory of the spell. "If I do it like that. . ." Harry muttered as he read the notes. He then looked up at Ginny and concentrated very hard to direct his will to do what the theory of the charm explained. Suddenly a blue and gold aura burst out around Ginny and the form of a phoenix seemed to rise above her head. The phoenix was a magnificent blue and silver. Although the majority of the phoenix was colored blue, the silver seemed to burst from within. "Did you see that?" Harry asked.
Ginny nodded excitedly. "Yes, I could see it in my mind just as you could see it around and above me. That's how the notes said it would be."
Harry looked back down at the small notebook. "So it did." he observed. "Okay your turn to try it on me." He handed her the notebook and she examined it carefully and directed her power towards Harry.
For a moment Harry felt light shining from him and then suddenly his mind was filled with the image of a very similar phoenix. The difference was that his was a very regal blue and gold and his phoenix seemed to be more masculine. "Well what do you think?" Harry asked as he grinned broadly.
"I think that mine seems to be more delicate," Ginny said in a teasing voice. "While mine looks so ladylike and angelic, yours looks like it might tear down the next building it sees."
Harry replied in a similar manner, "It is important to be strong and powerful. Else, how could one fight their enemies?"
"With stealth maybe," Ginny replied impishly.
Harry suddenly felt a pillow smash into his face. He quickly returned the favor. From that moment, any coherency in the conversation was lost and a pillow fight ensued.