Chapter 11:

The Legacy

The Gryffindors spent Sunday doing their homework, and soon enough it was time for bed. They got up the next morning, and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Ron looked over at Harry groggily, "So, what are we doing tonight at the dueling club?"

Harry shrugged, "You'll just have to wait and find out."

Classes flew by for the day, and soon enough everyone was gathered for the dueling club meeting. Harry stepped up on the stand, "Tonight, we are going to be practicing the Patronus Charm."

Everyone gasped in surprise and delight. Harry spent the rest of the lesson explaining the wand movement for the Patronus Charm. He allowed each member of the DA come up onto the stage and demonstrate their Patronuses. Once the club meeting ended, everyone filed out talking rapidly.

The five Gryffindors made their way out of the dueling hall, and then followed the rest of the student body down to dinner. After dinner, Harry held back and said, "I'm going to go practice for awhile."

Ginny smiled, "Alright, but you had better be back in the common room before I go to bed."

Harry smiled, "Don't worry. I know better than to keep you waiting for too long." He leaned over and pecked her on the corner of the mouth, and then headed for his training room.

Harry walked in, and then conjured his swords. He then animated the statue, and began his regimen of attacks and parries. He continued this for close to an hour before he heard a sharp intake of air from the doorway. "Harry, what are you doing?"

Harry turned around to see Professor Dumbledore standing in the doorway staring at him in amazement. Harry grinned, "I was practicing." While he was saying this, the statue laid the sword it held on the ground, and then moved back into its niche in the wall, and ceased to move.

Dumbledore replied, "I can see that. But how?"

"I conjured two swords, and then animated the statue to fight back." Harry returned.

Dumbledore smiled, "Will you follow me to my office, Harry?"

Harry nodded, "Of course, Professor." He laid his sword down on the ground beside the other one, and then pulled out his wand and banished the two swords. He followed Dumbledore to his office.

Dumbledore sat down behind his desk, and began, "Harry, I believe that it is time to tell you about your heritage."

Harry looked at Dumbledore quizzically, "What are you talking about, Professor?"

Dumbledore smiled, "Do you remember what I told you in your second year?"

Harry smiled, "Actually, you told me a lot of things in my second year. I needed quite a bit of guidance to handle that Basilisk."

"I was talking about after you defeated the Basilisk, Harry. The part concerning the Sorting Hat." continued Dumbledore.

Harry nodded, "Of course. You told me that only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that sword out of the hat."

Dumbledore asked, "Did you not wonder what I meant by that statement?"

Harry shook his head, "No. I was twelve years old, and I had just been in a fight with a sixty-foot snake. After that I don't suppose that I ever thought of it again. There has been just a little bit of excitement around here since then."

Dumbledore chuckled, "I suppose you are right. However, Harry, you are the sole surviving descendant of Godric Gryffindor."

Harry smiled, "That kind of figures. Gryffindor and Slytherin fought over the school. It seems only right that the fight between the pure-blood supremacists, and those that feel that blood doesn't matter should be decided by their heirs."

Dumbledore stood and walked over to his wall, "I guess it is time to return this to you, Harry. You are its rightful owner." He picked the sword of Godric Gryffindor off the wall, and handed it to Harry.

Harry smiled even broader, "It is a fine weapon, sir."

Dumbledore sat back down behind his desk. "Now, Harry, speaking of weapons, where did you learn to duel like that?"

Harry sat down and sighed, "I guess that its time to tell you a few more things that you don't know. We have discussed my connection to Voldemort on many occasions. However, neither of us have ever truly realized the extent of the connection. I've finally tapped the depths of it."

"Continue."

"Well, as you know, I have been getting flashes of things Voldemort sees and feels for over two years, now." Dumbledore nodded. Harry continued, "You also know that I have learned to induce that contact at will." Dumbledore nodded again. "What you don't know is that I also can look through Voldemort's mind. I can perceive his memories, and knowledge like I was looking at a book in the library."

Dumbledore sat very still. The expression on his face showed that he was completely stunned. He visibly swallowed, "Are you saying that you know everything that Voldemort knows?"

Harry grimaced, "Not exactly. I know the things that I have actively sought out and learned from him. That's how I became an Animagus so easily. Its also where I learned how to fight with a sword."

Dumbledore leaned forward eagerly, "What else have you learned?"

Harry grinned wryly, "I know what you're hinting at. The answer is yes. I know everything that Voldemort did to become what he is today. I also know how to reverse the process."

Dumbledore smiled, "So, you weren't bluffing when you told Lucius Malfoy that you knew how to kill Voldemort."

Harry made a seesawing motion with his hand, "Yes, and no. I have the knowledge, but currently it is useless."

Dumbledore looked curious, "Why?"

Harry answered, "The only way to reverse the immortality rites that Voldemort has undergone requires four extraordinarily powerful wizards to cast a spell on the wizard in question at the same time. Currently the only wizards that have the power and ability to cast the spell are Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange, you, and me."

Dumbledore nodded, "I see. So, there is no way for us to remove his immortality."

Harry grinned, "Voldemort is not immortal."

Dumbledore looked hopeful, "Then, why can't he be killed."

Harry proceeded to explain, "The rites that he went through raised his level of mortality to the point that the Avada Kedavra spell can no longer exercise enough power over him to rob his life force. However, there are ways to kill him. Unfortunately, no one controls enough power to kill him."

Dumbledore shook his head, "You have the power, Harry."

Harry nodded, "I know I have it, but I don't' control it. It still doesn't do us any good."

"Explain." Dumbledore requested.

"Well, as you know the Prophecy says that I will have power that the Dark Lord knows not. It's correct. I do have a power that he can't even imagine. I can sense it within me, but I can't touch it." explained Harry.

"I'm not sure exactly what you mean, Harry."

Harry elaborated, "Have you ever been able to see something, but then not been able to reach it?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Of course."

"Similar concept. I know that the power is within me, but its as if it is trapped behind an invisible door that I don't have the key for. I can't figure out how to tap it. That's why I have been doing everything within my power to try and make Voldemort hesitate to attack me. I need time to unlock the power." said Harry.

"Let me get this straight. If you unlock your power before Voldemort attacks then we win. If he attacks before you discover it, then we are doomed." said Dumbledore resignedly.

Harry nodded, "That about sums it up."

Dumbledore allowed his shoulders to slump, "Then, all we can do is hope and pray. The fate of the world is in your hands, Harry. I only wish that things could have been different."

Harry smiled at the aged Headmaster, "Don't worry so much, Albus. I'll find a way."

Dumbledore looked up quickly at Harry's use of his first name. Then, he smiled and the twinkle returned to his eye, "I wouldn't call me by my first name in front of the other professors. Minerva especially would have a fit."

Harry laughed. "I was wondering, sir. I need to spend some more time in my Animagus forms. I would like permission to go running in the forest."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, "I don't know, Harry. Its not exactly safe."

Harry snorted, "No offense, professor, but what is there in the forest that could catch me to even attempt to hurt me. I have a phoenix form remember. I would just run on the grounds, but I don't think most of the students, or the professors for that matter would take to the idea of a full grown panther running around."

Dumbledore grinned appreciatively as he nodded, "Good point. You have permission to go. Just don't stay out after curfew, much. Out of curiosity, who knows about your ability to transform?"

"You, Professor McGonagall, and Ginny." stated Harry firmly.

Dumbledore seemed surprised, "You mean you haven't told Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger."

Harry nodded, "I figured the less they knew the better. The only reason Ginny knows is an accident. She only knows about my panther form though. She has no idea that I have more than one form."

Dumbledore asked, "That reminds me. Have you made any progress towards a third form?"

Harry shook his head, "Unfortunately, no. I haven't really had the time to devote to it with all the time that I have been spending honing my sword technique."

"Why have you been working so hard on the sword fighting skills?" queried Dumbledore.

"I was hoping to introduce it in the dueling club. I was planning on letting them use blunted practice swords. I want to make sure that I'm confident with what I'm doing before I start trying to teach other people." replied Harry.

Dumbledore smiled, "Excellent decision, Harry. Now, I believe that I have kept you waiting long enough. I think that a young Miss Weasley will be highly upset if you do not return to the common room to give her a goodnight kiss soon."

Harry flushed slightly at the jibe, "I'll be going, then. Thank you for the sword, professor."

"Not at all, Harry. It was already yours. I was merely returning it."

Harry smiled, "Well, I'll see you later, Professor."

Dumbledore smiled as Harry walked out of his office.

Harry made his way through the corridors to the portrait of the Fat Lady. As he walked into the common room, he realized that he must have been in Dumbledore's office considerably longer than he thought. It was empty except for one fiery-haired young girl that had a dangerous expression on her face as she stared at Harry. Harry gulped as he realized that he was in for an earful.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!!!" bellowed Ginny.

Harry squirmed under her gaze, and said meekly, "I'm sorry, Ginny. Professor Dumbledore found me practicing, and asked me to come up to his office. He had some things to explain to me."

Ginny suddenly noticed that Harry was holding a sword in his hands. "What's that?"

Harry followed her gaze to the sword of Godric Gryffindor. He smiled, "This is what Professor Dumbledore wanted to talk to me about. Don't you recognize it?"

He handed it to her, and she replied, "It seems familiar." Then, it hit her, and her eyes widened, "This is the sword that you used to kill the Basilisk."

Harry nodded, "Look at the name below the hilt."

Ginny turned the sword over in her hand and saw the name engraved into the blade. She asked in awe, "Is this really Godric Gryffindor's sword?"

Harry nodded again, "Yes, and now it belongs to me. Professor Dumbledore just informed me that I am the sole remaining descendant of Gryffindor."

"The Heir of Gryffindor." Ginny breathed in shock and awe as she gazed at Harry.

"And as the Heir of Gryffindor, it is my fate to face the Heir of Slytherin in battle." said Harry matter-of-factly.

Ginny shook her head, "No, it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to face You-Know-Who."

Harry sighed, "Yes, Ginny I do. I will have to stand and face him one day."

Ginny looked stricken, "But, you can't. I don't want you to die, Harry." She dropped the sword onto the couch beside them, and flung herself at Harry.

He held her in his arms and soothed her, "I have no intention of dying, Ginny. I have too many things to live for. I plan on killing Voldemort."

Ginny flinched at the sound of the Dark Lord's name, and then began to cry. Harry sat with her on the couch until both of them fell asleep in each other's arms.

The next morning Hermione woke up and made her way down to the common room. There she discovered Harry and Ginny lying asleep on the couch in each others arms. She noticed a sword lying on the floor beside them. She bent over to examine it, but the moment she touched it she felt a wand tip touch her nose. She froze and looked up as the wand was quickly withdrawn. Harry smiled sheepishly, "Sorry. You kind of startled me."

Ginny stirred at his words, and snuggled into Harry's side more firmly. Harry smiled as he looked down at her. Hermione smirked slightly as she asked, "So what exactly happened down here last night?"

Harry looked at her coldly, "Nothing happened. She was just upset, so I held her until she fell asleep. I couldn't take her up to her dormitory since boys can't climb the stairs. So, I just stayed down here with her."

Hermione smiled, "Well, I believe you, but I suggest you get up before Ron wakes up and discovers you down here with his baby sister. He might not take it to well."

Harry snorted, "Ron never takes anything too well. It's a byproduct of acting before you allow your brain time to function. He has a really bad habit of that. I guess you're right though. I wouldn't want him to catch me in a compromising situation. He'd probably attack me before I could explain anything." He nudged Ginny, "Wake up, love. It's almost time for breakfast."

Ginny opened her eyes and smiled broadly, "I could get used to waking up to a face this handsome."

Harry smiled in bemusement while Ginny rolled off the couch to stand up. He stood and stretched, "I'm going upstairs to change, I'll meet you back down here in a bit."

Ginny grinned as she scampered for the stairs to the girl's dormitory, "You had better hurry, Mr. Potter."

Harry leaned over to pick up his sword, and then headed for the stairs. Hermione stopped him by asking, "Where did you get that sword, Harry?"

Harry looked over his shoulder as he headed up the stairs, "I'll explain later."

Within twenty minutes, most of Gryffindor tower was awake and ready to head down to breakfast. Harry joined Ron, Neville, and Hermione as they waited for Ginny. A minute later she came down the stairs and took Harry's hand. The five Gryffindors walked out the portrait hole, and headed for the Great Hall.

"So, Harry, are you going to tell us where you got the sword?" asked Hermione.

"Dumbledore." replied Harry.

Ron looked from Hermione to Harry, "What sword?"

"The sword of Godric Gryffindor." inserted Ginny.

Ron merely gaped in amazement. Neville's mouth dropped open in shock. Hermione blinked, and then asked, "Is it really the sword of Gryffindor?"

Harry replied evenly, "Yes, and now its mine. Dumbledore returned it to me last night."

Neville echoed, "Returned?"

Harry smiled, "Yes, returned. I am the sole surviving descendant of Godric Gryffindor."

Ron stammered, "Seriously?"

Harry nodded in amusement at their reactions. Ginny continued to smile for the same reason.

Ron turned to look at his sister, "You knew?"

Ginny winked, "Of course I knew. I know many things."

Ron looked bewildered, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Harry chuckled, "One of these days, you'll find out."

"Are you saying that she knows things about the Order that you haven't told me and Hermione?" asked Ron hotly.

"Not about the Order. She knows things about me that you don't know, though." grinned Harry.

Ron continued, his ears beginning to turn red, "Why does she get to know things that we don't?"

Harry shrugged, "She is my girlfriend, and if you don't mind, Ron, I will keep my own counsel as to who I tell what. If you would like to ever be filled in on anything again, I suggest that you learn to control your jealousy and your temper." responded Harry icily. He fixed Ron in a penetrating gaze with a firm look set in his eyes.

Ron stared him in the eyes for a moment, before he gulped and then broke eye contact. "Sorry." Ron mumbled under his breath.

Harry nodded, "I know. Now let's get to breakfast. Don't forget its Tuesday. We have Quidditch practice this afternoon." The others nodded as they went in for breakfast.

The rest of the day was spent in class or the library working on things for class. Time for Quidditch practice rolled around, and it found Harry in the captain's office working on strategy, while the others got changed. Harry walked out. "Today we're going to play a little haphazard. I want all four beaters to hammer the Bludgers at the chasers and me." He turned to Ginny, "Ginny, next practice, you and I will switch. I'll pretend to be a chaser as best I can, and I'll let you practice at seeker."

Ginny smiled and nodded. The team marched out onto the pitch. The practice went quite well. Harry was extremely pleased with the team's performance. "Great job, team. I'll see you all later. Dismissed."

All of the team members smiled at Harry's adopted tone of authority. Harry walked into the dressing room and quickly changed back into his school robes. Since it had been a short practice, there was still about an hour before dinner. Harry decided that now was as good as time as any to work on his transformations. He hugged Ginny, "I'm going to go for a walk before dinner. Don't worry, I'll be back in time."

Ginny protested, "I want to come with you."

Harry shook his head, "I'm going for a walk in the forest. I'm afraid that its out of bounds for you."

Ginny looked at Harry accusingly, "Its out of bounds for you too."

"No, its not. Professor Dumbledore gave me permission to go in last night, so that I can spend some more time in my four legged form." Harry replied grinning.

Ginny looked apprehensive, "Be careful, Harry."

Harry smiled down at her, "Don't worry. There isn't a creature in that forest that can catch me. There's precious few that would survive an encounter with me if they did, come to that."

Harry kissed her lightly on the lips, and then headed off for the forest. Ginny sighed as Ron and Hermione came over to her. "Where is Harry going?" asked Hermione. Ron wisely refrained from opening his mouth.

Ginny shrugged, "Into the forest."

Ron looked shocked, but Hermione was indignant, "Why is he going in there?"

Ginny shrugged, "You'll have to wait for him to tell you."

Ron looked at Ginny piercingly, "You know something about this that we don't." It was a statement not a question.

Ginny sighed, "As Harry told you this morning, Ron, I know many things that the two of you don't when it comes to Harry. He said that he would be back before dinner, so let's just go up to the common room. I've got a lot of homework to do."

Hermione and Ron followed, but Hermione muttered to Ron, "I have half a mind to give him detention for running off into the forest. He knows that its out of bounds."

Unfortunately for Hermione, Ginny heard the comment. She rounded on the slightly older girl, "Now I know why Harry doesn't tell the two of you anything anymore. Both of you are complete idiots. After I tell Harry you said that I wouldn't be surprised if he decides that the two of you aren't even worth the time it takes to be friends with you anymore. And for your information little miss perfect prefect, Harry has permission from the Headmaster to go into the forest, so I would just like to see you try and give him detention." Ginny spat out acidly. Then, she turned and stormed off leaving Ron and Hermione standing with their mouths hanging open.

Ron looked at Hermione, "Mione, I'm surprised at you. That was something that people would expect me to say."

Hermione looked ashamed, "I know, but I just can't help it. I'm so frustrated. I want to know what's going on and Harry won't tell us anything."

Ron nodded, "I understand, but we just have to wait on Harry. He's bound to have a really good reason for not telling us things. He's always told us everything before. I know its hard being left out of the loop, but we have to trust Harry."

Hermione looked at Ron in amazement, "When did you get so smart?"

Ron shrugged and laughed, "It happens sporadically. I have to say something smart if you say something stupid. It has something to do with some law of conservation or something in Muggle Chemistry that Dad tried to explain to me once."

Hermione giggled, and the two followed Ginny's wake up to the castle.

They found her in the common room working on her homework. Hermione walked over to Ginny and said hesitantly, "Ginny, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by what I said. I was just upset."

Ginny said, "I know, but you need to get over it. Its Harry's decision on what to tell you and Ron. If he doesn't want you to know certain things then there is a reason for it."

Hermione sighed, "I know, but its still hard not to know."

Ginny snorted, "How do you think I've felt for years. I knew the three of you were up to stuff, but none of you ever saw fit to let me in on anything that you did."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other in amazement. Neither of them had ever thought about the fact that Ginny had been left out of the loop during her first three years at Hogwarts. Neville came in and joined the other three, and they all sat down to do homework.

While this was occurring in Gryffindor common room, Harry had made his way into the forest. He changed into his panther form, and began to run. When he felt that enough time had passed, he changed into his phoenix form. Then, he flew from the forest back up to the castle. He flew over to one of the windows of the common room in Gryffindor tower. He perched on the sill and looked in. He saw Ginny sitting at a table by herself. He pecked on the window and she looked up. She seemed surprised, and came over to the window and opened it. Harry flew in and perched beside her, and began to trill.

Ginny was shocked by the sight of the magnificent golden phoenix. She petted its feathers as it trilled in greeting. She smiled at the beauty of the creature. "I've got to show this to the others. I hope Harry comes back in. He loves phoenixes." Ginny said to herself. She looked at the phoenix and asked, "Will you follow me down to the Great Hall?"

Harry took flight and began making circles just above her head. Ginny began walking towards the portrait hole. She noticed that the phoenix was following her. She smiled as she left the common room and headed for the Great Hall. When she walked into the Great Hall, several people noticed the phoenix circling over Ginny's head. Several of the girls squealed in delight at the beautiful animal. Most of the boys just gaped in awe.

Ginny sat down across from Ron and Hermione. They both looked at her almost stupidly. Harry settled down on the bench directly beside Ginny. Ron managed to say, "Where did the phoenix come from?"

Ginny shrugged, "It pecked on one of the windows in the common room. I let it in, and now its following me."

Hermione finally shook herself out of her shock, "This is impossible."

"Why?" asked Ron.

Hermione looked at him with a patronizing expression on her face, "Ron, phoenixes are rare. However, amongst phoenixes, the most rare color to see is gold." She pointed to the phoenix, "This is probably the only golden phoenix in all of Britain. The chances of it just happening to fly up and tap on a window in Gryffindor tower are next to nothing. Someone must have sent it here."

As Ginny was about to reply the three Gryffindors heard a coughing sound behind them. They looked to see Professor Dumbledore standing gazing at them. He smiled, "Miss Weasley, I must ask where you found such a magnificent companion?"

"I don't know where he came from, Professor. He just came up to the window in our common room." replied Ginny.

Hermione interjected, "I believe that the creature must have been sent here by someone."

Dumbledore gazed at the phoenix for a moment. The phoenix cocked its head and looked back at him. Then, it nodded at the unspoken question in Dumbledore's eyes. Dumbledore smiled as he realized that the phoenix was indeed Harry. He smiled down at the Gryffindors, "I don't believe that you have anything to worry about from this phoenix. I know its master very well." With this mysterious statement, Dumbledore turned and walked away.

Once Dumbledore had walked off, the phoenix spread its wings, and then flew from the Great Hall. Harry found a deserted corridor off the main hall and then transformed back into his human form. He then ran back towards the Great Hall for dinner. He came in and then settled down in the seat he had vacated only moments before. "Sorry, I took so long."

Ginny gushed out, "Oh, Harry, you missed it. The most beautiful phoenix came into the castle."

Harry smiled and nodded, "I know."

Hermione looked over at him, "What do you mean you know? Did you see it leaving or something?"

Harry shook his head, "No, I didn't see it leaving. However, I did send it to Ginny in the first place."

Ron jerked his head up from his food. He finally found the conversation they were having more interesting than his mashed potatoes. "What do you mean you sent it?"

Harry smiled, "Well in a manner of speaking, it mine."

"Yours?" the three other Gryffindors said at the same time.

Hermione continued, "You mean you are the phoenix's master?"

"I hesitate to call myself its master. Phoenixes are extremely intelligent creatures. I prefer to call myself its friend." replied Harry.

The others seemed content with this explanation, and conversation turned to other matters. Ginny continued to make comments about how beautiful the phoenix had been. Harry smiled at these compliments, which Ginny did not completely understand. She merely shrugged it off as Harry indulging her when she was being overenthusiastic.

A/N: Cho-Chang39: Thanks for the review and the tip. I'll check the story out as soon as I have time.