Here, also, is where the battle began.
On a day unrecorded at the end of the sixth century - a day overshadowed by thick, dark, ominous clouds, they met.
Two men stood in the empty glen. One man in a forest green cloak stood as if he was made of stone. The other stood almost as if disinterested.
Lightning flashed. They literally flew one toward the other. With a loud, popping sound both transformed into animals. One became a white tiger. the other metamorphosed into a Chinese Fireball. The tiger leapt to claw the eyes of the dragon, but the dragon took flight. The tiger transformed to a man again and shouted to the dragon, "Let's not do simple witchery but by skill of spell-casting and physical prowess."
Alighting on a boulder, the dragon returned to his former relaxed self.
"Agreed. Let's set some ground rules. One, no killing curses. Two, wand use only. The duel ends when one can cast no more. Three, when the duel is over we pledge one will not kill the other. Shall we both agree by the Wizard's Oath?"
The green-cloaked wizard responded, "Agreed."
"Let it begin!" said the other.
"Wingardium Leviosa", shouted the green-cloaked man pointing his wand toward the man on the boulder.
Dodging the charm the other man muttered something under his breath too low for anyone to hear. An azure wall appeared between the two. The green-cloaked mage uttered "Petrificus Totalis Expecto Veneficus."
The azure fortification faded away from sight leaving the other wizard in a full body bind. Unable to say anything he just glared in frustration at the green-clad wizard.
"Now to finish this. As I agreed I will not kill you. But to keep you from meddling with my life anymore, I will imprison you. Adieu, Merlin."
Harry awoke with a start. The dream he just had felt the same way as his Voldemort visions did, except without the pain in his scar. Looking at the alarm clock beside his bed, (although the alarm did not work anymore due to Dudley breaking off the bells the first time it woke him). He saw it was one minute after midnight. The only time Harry ever would wake up this early was n his Birthday . Then he just remembered this WAS his birthday. "I'm 15 today!" Harry groaned. This meant that according to wizarding law he had reached the age of majority.
A sudden tapping at the window startled Harry out of his reverie. Hedwig was sitting on the overhang pecking at the window to be let in. Harry got up walked over to the window and pushed it open. A brown blob streaked ("Stupid Pig" Harry thought.) passed Harry's head while Hedwig just hopped onto the windowsill and waited patiently for her master to take the letter from her leg. A beautiful red-tailed Phaethontida glided into the room and landed on the bed. An unusual Phoenix was right behind the Red-tailed Tropicbird with Fawkes behind the new phoenix. This phoenix was white and pale-blue with a wizened look about it, which meant it must be at lease seven millennia in age, according to Hagrid. Compared to Fawkes, this bird was twice as big and appeared at least three times as wise. Harry went to Hedwig first, and untied the scroll fastened to her leg. Harry opened the parchment with shaking hands and a worried mind. It read:
Harry,
Just wanted to tell you that I did some research on your scar. It seems that most experts believe that a curse-scar connects the Curser to the Accursed via a magical bond that only ends with one or the other's death. Sorry to give you the bad news but Those are the facts. I am sending you a scroll with this letter, that contains a list of spells that might be useful. (Good ol' Hermione)
Regards,
Hermione Granger
P.S. Have you heard from Snuffles lately?
When Pig finally settled down Harry reached for the parcel the tiny owl was carrying. He playfully ruffled the little feathery ball while he read Ron's letter.
Hey buddy,
Just wanted to let you know that Dumbledore has agreed to let you spend the rest of the summer with us. Just be sure to ask your (Harry couldn't make out the word because it had been covered by jet-black ink.) uncle if it is ok. If not still expect us at 10 am August 1st.
Your Friend,
Ron Weasley
P.S. Fred and George said to tell you thank you again, but for what I don't know.
P.P.S. The twins also bought me a new set of dress robes. They are crimson velvet. Must have cost them a fortune. I hope they are not doing anything illegal!
Harry turned to the Tropicbird and got it's post.
Harry,
You would be living here - but with the Aurors! That would be no life for a growing boy. If you wish I'll come to Hogsmeade to meet with you and your friends.
As for Last year, Please DO NOT feel guilty about Cedric's death. It wasn't your fault. If you feel like talking about it send an owl to Dumbledore to get us. I'm staying at Remus'.
Your Loving Godfather,
Snuffles
Harry knew he should write to Snuffles and tell him NOT to come. Harry turned to Fawkes and removed a fine, parchment envelope bearing Hogwarts' seal.
Dear Mr. Potter,
It is my privilege to announce that you, Mr. Harry James Potter, have been selected to be Prefect. Your fellow Prefects will be as follow:
You also will need the following books:
Seeking the Divine by Cassandra Fourberie
Moste Potente Potiones (Revised) by Serverus Snape
Advanced Transfigurations or {Is that a Frog in your pocket, or your Wife?} by
Willow "O' the Whisp" Sveecher
Ghouls and Ghosts, Vampires and Veelas by Sirius Black
Hogwarts: The Founding by Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff,
Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw
It's just a Flick of the Wrist by Filius Ollivander
Remember be on the train at Platform 9 3/4 by 11 am sharp(!) September first.
Cordially yours,
Minerva McGonagall
(Deputy Headmistress)
Harry was in shock. "Prefect?" "Me?" They must have made a mistake! I must have broken more rules than the Marauders! Harry thought with a gasp. Shaking his head in disbelief Harry turned toward the unknown phoenix. "Now to whom do you belong?" Harry asked rhetorically. (The phoenix communicated as follows.) **
~ To you, Master ~
Harry being struck by surprise gasped. "Di-Did you j-just speak to me?" Harry stuttered under his breath.
~ Yes. Would you please ask that brown fuzzball to stop buzzing around the room. It's making me dizzy. ~
"Pig! Stop that immediately." Pig flew to Hedwig and sat cowering behind the great Snowy Owl.
~ Maybe you shouldn't have been so stern with the chick. It's just feeling the exuberance of youth. ~
Looking a bit chided, "I guess so," grumbled Harry. Regaining his presence, Harry swiftly asked, "Who sent you, why are you here, where are you from?"
~ Well now, that leaves out the When, the What, and the How. (Hehehe) Over the millennia many names I have had . The Egyptians called me, "Ra." Some Native Americans called me, "Thunderbird." You however, may call me anything that pleases you - within reason of course. ~
Harry inquired, "Are you male, or female?"
With a slight ruffling of it's feathers, the phoenix responded, indignantly, ~ Male! ~
Speaking cautiously Harry questionably said, "How about Eos?"
~ If it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me. ~
~ Now as to the Where; I am from everywhere and nowhere, the entire Earth is my home, wherever I am - I am home. As to the Why; I felt my previous Master's power here. Before he left he had told me that - quote "If you ever feel my power again that means I am free and that you should seek out my Heir. You will be his until his time has come." ~
Harry pondered this. "Who was your Master?" Harry asked weakly.
~ Why, Merlin, of course. ~
Then Harry fainted on the spot.
*(A/n) Anisgina Anigisdi-nidvlenvda Ayule is Cherokee for Child from Bad Spirits.
**(A/N Beast language is in between tildes)