AN: The God of Death is back from Hell! The Hell of Writer's Block! Here's a fresh chapter, but first things first: Those who caught the Mel Brook's reference in the last chapter. These readers are true Space Balls:

SailorGurl

pragmatist

Deathevn

Lone Wolf

And my first repeat reviewer: mxpx_xl

For your reward you get…a warm fuzzy feeling and gloating rights! If you don't feel the warm fuzzy feeling now, please chug the nearest Butterbear ^_^

Now forward, to victory…or the fic, whichever happens first.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry awoke to the atomic furnace glow of Ron's room at sunrise. Being Dursley "trained", Harry was used to waking early. It tended to be the only time he got to shower without Dudley flushing the toilet and sending a torrent of ice water out of the showerhead. Of course, that wasn't a problem at the Burrow. And he really didn't mind waiting his turn for the shower; there was always enough hot water, as long as he didn't annoy the showerhead. If he did that, it made Dudley's ice water seem like a tropical lagoon.

On this particular morning, however, Harry decided to forgo the shower and went out back and decided to run through some katas he'd learned while he was with King Arthur and Dagger in that crystal cavern. Apparently, Arthur had some contacts in Otherworld, and was able to get a few other trainers. One of Harry's favorites was a man named Himura Kenshin. His fiery hair and cross-shaped scar belied his gentle nature, which in turn belied his mastery of the Hitiran Mitsarugi style of sword-fighting. While he was nowhere near as skilled as Kenshin had been, he was still pretty good in his own right. This morning Harry was running through exercises that focused on balance.

Surprisingly, they not only helped his balance in a sword fights or fist fights, but also in Wizarding Duels.

He flowed from one form to another, focused on everything and nothing at the same time. As his exercises came to a close he became aware of his surroundings again. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Harry ran a hand through his still-messy hair, it seemed even the most disciplined of martial arts couldn't tame the slightly longer locks. Shaking his head ruefully, he looked up in time to spot a bright orange speck in the sky. He grinned when he heard the musical trilling, but couldn't help but wonder why Dumbledore had sent Fawkes to him.

Harry held out his and Fakes landed on it, singing quite happily. "Hullo to you too, Fawkes. What are you doing here?"

In response the Phoenix held out his left leg. A note was attached to it. He untied the string holding the parchment down and checked it. It was sealed with white wax that had the image of a bumblebee on it. Recognizing Dumbledore's personal seal he quickly opened the letter and read it.

Dear Harry,

I hope this hasn't been too surprising for you. When I got back to school after making sure you were okay I kept having this feeling I should do something. As it often happens with these feelings, I had no clue what to do. I spent quite some time with my Pensieve, and it kept going back to the Chamber of Secrets incident. Actually, it kept going back to the point when you told me about Fawkes showing up with the Sorting Hat in the Chamber. So I decided to send this particular item to you. I suppose you do own the right to it anyway. Just tap this spot here * and say, "Canary Cream". Think of this as an early birthday present.

Albus Dumbledore

"What have you got there, Harry?" Harry turned to greet Ginny, who was just finishing up her morning run. Being the only early risers in the Burrow, even earlier than Hermione, they often spent the mornings talking until everybody else woke up.

"I'm not sure." Harry gestured to Fawkes who had moved up to his shoulder. "He showed up this morning with this letter. I don't know what to make of it."

"Let me see." Ginny took the parchment and read it over. "I don't get it. Is he giving you the Sorting Hat?" She gave the letter back.

"I don't know, let's find out." He tapped the spot on the parchment. "Canary Cream." There was a bright flash and the parchment disappeared. In its place was a sheathed sword.

"Harry is that…?"

Harry unsheathed the sword. It flashed silver in the early morning sun, and the rubies in the hilt burned red. "Merlin's beard! The old nutter sent me Gryffindor's sword!" He swung the sword through the air, taking this chance appreciate its balance and speed. He then re-sheathed it and presented it to Ginny.

Her eyes got wider. "Harry, what are you doing?"

"I can't explain now, Gin, but this sword rightfully belongs to you. When we go to Diagon Alley later come with me to my Gringott's vault. I'll explain there. In the mean time, I'd keep that hidden in your trunk." Harry laced his fingers behind his head and started walking to the Burrow, Fawkes still perched on his shoulder. At the doorway he paused. "Hurry up, Gin, or I'm getting the shower first."

Ginny shook herself out of her daze, "Huh? Hey! Wait up! You better tell me what's going on! First that ruby, then you fall in a coma, now this! And you better not annoy that shower, or I'll use this sword on you!"

^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^

After the chaotic organization that describes every morning at the Burrow settled down, the group Flooed over to Diagon Alley for their school supplies. Harry, for once, managed a fairly pleasant trip. The same could not be said of Ron and Hermione's trip. The problem stemmed from the fact that the Weasleys were running low on Floo Powder, and the trip had to be made in pairs. And Harry, being the Marauder at heart that he is, volunteered to Floo with Ginny, who also caught on to his little scheme. Fred and George had demonstrated the "proper" way of Flooing in pairs by throwing their arms around each other's shoulders, for, "Proper balance and speed," and then Flooing in typical style.

Harry and Ginny had come out at the Leaky Cauldron none the worse for wear, only with a bit of soot on them. But when Ron and Hermione had shown up, red eared and faced, respectively, Ron had managed to trip on the hearthrug at the base of the fireplace. The result had been Hermione straddling Ron, who twisted to land face up in an attempt to steady himself and Hermione. The only way to get Fred and George to shut up was for Mrs. Weasley to force them to eat one of their own prank food items, Lockjaw Lollipops, guaranteed to shut someone up for at least ten minutes.

"Harry, Hermione, why don't you give me your school lists and money and I'll buy your books for you. That way you kids can get your other things and look at some other stores. Thank you," she said as Harry and Hermione handed over their things, "Now, where would you be off to."

Harry made a quick check of his money pouch. "I need to stop at Gringott's, then Madam Malkin's, I need new robes badly. Then I was thinking of stopping at Ollivander's."

"Why do you want to go there? Wand trouble?" Ron asked.

"No, I have some things I need to ask him about." Harry pulled his wand out. "Something…odd…happened at the …During the Tournament. I want to know what really happened with it. Dumbledore said some things, but…" Harry shrugged, unable to form any words.

Everybody was silent, not wanting to speak. Hesitantly, Ginny cleared her throat, "I need to go to Gringott's also. And I need new dress robes also."

The twins spoke up, "Let us take care of that. New dress robes for our little Ronnikins and Ginnikins."

Ron eyes narrowed, "Why exactly are you doing this?"

"You see, dear brother," George explained, "we have a backer for Wheezes. Therefore, we have some extra cash. And we don't want poor Hermione embarrassed by your frilly robes if there are any dances this year." Hermione's and Ron's faces darkened under the last comment. "Don't worry, Harry, we'll pick up your new robes too."

"Behave," Mrs. Weasley rebuked the twins. "Ron, Hermione, where are you off to?"

They looked at each other and quickly looked away. "We'll…er…go to, uh…" Ron stuttered.

"The Apothecary! Apothecary We need more potions supplies!" Hermione answered quickly.

Mrs. Weasley smiled, "Okay. Let's meet for ice cream at four, then we'll go home." She turned George and Fred, "You two are staying with me."

With that the group split up and headed off to their respective destinations. Harry and Ginny walked down the main street, headed for Gringott's Wizarding Bank. As they walked they talked of trivial matters, the upcoming school term, and Ron and Hermione's growing affection for each other that everybody saw, except them, of course.

But anybody who knew Harry or Ginny would've felt the air of tenseness between them. Ginny kept throwing questioning looks at Harry, and he had certain stiffness to his walk. Silently, they entered the bank, and rode the roller coaster-like ride to the Weasley vault, where Ginny grabbed some coins from her stack, then they went to Harry's vault.

After telling the goblin that he would signal for a cart when he wanted to leave, he and Ginny went into the Potter vault. Ginny's eyes widened a bit when she saw how much Harry had. Shaking her head she turned to Harry and demanded he start talking.

Harry brushed some coins aside and sat down. After a moment Ginny did too.

"You want to know everything?" Ginny nodded. "Well, it started when I Portkeyed to your house. I showed up in this weird cavern made out of crystals…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"…Then Fawkes showed up with the sword." Harry took a deep breath. Story telling was harder than he thought, and his throat was parched. He looked up at Ginny. She was a little pale, and shaking a bit. "Gin? You okay?"

She looked up and smiled weakly, "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that you don't find out you're the heir of one of the most powerful wizards ever. Not to mention that one of your friends is the most powerful wizard of all time. I'd like to think I'm coping pretty well with it all." Her eyes rolled up into her head and she passed out.

Harry quickly grabbed her arms to stop her from falling over. A smile touched his lips. "How am I going to explain this? Oh well, I guess I can see Ollivander some other time."


A.N.: Whew! Almost twice the usual length! Okay, here are the hints for the references in this chapter. There are two, one is blatantly obvious and the other is small. But they're close to each other. Good hunting!

A.N.2: Have I mentioned my beta reader Kat Morning? I just want to say right now she's 'Bloody brilliant!' I must say that someone up there was looking out for me when I got a beta reader fluently versed in Anime ^_^ She's been a great help so far, and I'm certain she will be until the day I stop writing fan fiction.