Harry Potter, Heir of Gryffindor

Blood Brothers

Suspiciously, over the next few days, the Death Eater attacks decreased dramatically so that by Thursday evening all of the war casualties had been transferred to either St. Mongo's or one of the other, smaller hospitals and Harry was able to recall the suits of armor from their patrols. Most of the students were slightly unnerved when, during dinner Thursday evening, the castle's front door's swung open and several empty suits of armor marched across the Entrance Hall, fanning out in different directions, to return to their posts. Albus glanced up at the unusual amount of noise and smiled, nodding his understanding of what was happening and Harry kept his head down and tried to keep from laughing at the expressions on some of the student's faces.

When Harry entered the Headmaster's Office after dinner that evening Albus looked up from his paperwork with a slightly worried expression on his face. "Harry," he said, "your friends tell me that you are pushing yourself too hard. They say that while you may be physically resting you are not letting yourself relax spiritually. Is this true?"

Harry approached the headmaster's desk and seated himself in one of the more comfortable chairs in the room. After leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees for support and studying the patterns on the rug beneath his feet for several seconds he sighed and looked up into his mentor's eyes. "I don't know what else to do, Albus," he said honestly. "I don't want to miss anything like we did last month. I just don't know what else to do. . ."

Albus nodded his head in understanding. "Yes, Harry. I understand. You feel as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders and that so long as you are able you must give your all to fight the forces of evil."

Harry studied his hands for several seconds then, without raising his head, nodded.

"Tell me, Harry, does your scar still bother you at all?"

Harry sat back in the chair and looked curiously over at the man across from him. "It tingles almost all the time," he said. "It's nothing major. It's more of a nuisance than anything but, yes, I suppose it does. Why?"

"I think," Albus said as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk and steepling his fingers, "the time has come for us to begin exploring the possibilities of using your link with Tom to our advantage." Harry looked up curiously. "I think it is time we began analyzing the quality of the signals you are receiving so that you can use them as an alarm of sorts to let you know when Tom is planning something. That way, if we are successful, you will be able to get some much needed rest and relaxation."

For the next two hours they worked on helping Harry become more sensitive to the quality of the signals being sent by his scar so that he would know when Voldemort was up to something and, in a more surrealistic sense, what he was thinking. It was an interesting experiment, combining various facets of several different kinds of magic and the difficulties and dangers of losing his identity to the process were thoroughly explored. But they both decided that the risks, so long as they were aware of them, were worth it. The initial results were promising so it was agreed that Harry would continue this research on his own and submit a magically enhanced, written report on his findings every week until he had mapped all of the various signals he was receiving from his scar. In this way it was hoped that they could compile an accurate record of most, if not all, of Tom's thoughts and activities.

Harry's work with the dragon was postponed until the following week. He had gotten most of the basic movements down and was able to make them look fairly natural but the dragon still staggered drunkenly when he tried to make it walk. At the rate he was progressing, however, Albus was hoping that Harry would have the model flying by Christmas. It was also decided that Harry's Animagus and Metamorphmagus training would begin either over the Christmas Holidays or at the start of the next term. As always, these lessons were to be kept strictly confidential and on a need-to-know basis at all times, or at least until Tom was defeated.

Friday morning dawned clear and bright. But as the day wore on a cold front moved in over the region accompanied by a thick layer of clouds. By the end of classes that day it was starting snow lightly, with big, soft, fluffy, white flakes floating gently from the sky. The first hints of a major storm did not begin to appear until half way through dinner that evening when a gentle breeze rapidly accelerated into a howling, gale-force wind.

The main topic of discussion at their weekly meeting that night was as to whether or not to go through with the meeting with the wood elves. Many were concerned that the blizzard would be too much; but Albus assured them that the wood elves were already in the forest and that to back out of the meeting now, no matter the reason, would be perceived as a sign of weakness and that, if they backed out, they might never be able to gain the wood elves' respect. And so it was decided that, before breakfast the next morning, Harry, Albus, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Kingsley, Remus, Tonks and Alastor would go into the forest to meet with the wood elves' delegation.

The wind howled through most of the night, only letting up slightly an hour or two after midnight. None of the students slept well that night. Harry, Ron and Neville were up at the crack of dawn and got dressed. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. Seamus and Dean stirred briefly but rolled over and went back to sleep almost immediately. When Ron opened the door Hermione, Ginny and Luna - Luna had spent that night in the Gryffindor fifth-year girl's dormitory so they could all be together - crept in.

After a light breakfast in Harry's trunk, compliments of Dobby and Winky, they donned their hats, gloves (mittens in Luna's case), boots and Winter Cloaks and left to meet the others in the Entrance Hall.

Moody was grousing about his stump hurting because of the change in weather from earlier in the week as the students descended the Main Stair but didn't complain too much because he knew how important this meeting was and wouldn't miss it for the world, even if Kingsley and Remus had to carry him through the forest for him to make it. When they were ready, Albus looked at the doors and said, "I think the time has come for us to depart." With that he raised his wand and cast a spell at the front doors, which swung open just enough to let them pass. But what met their eyes was a two meter high wall of snow topped with a swirling blizzard. "Hmm," The aging headmaster said. "It would seem we are well on our way to having enough snow for our holiday activities." Then, with a flourish, said, "Wands out."

For the next several minutes the eleven witches and wizards blasted their way through the snow on their way to the Forbidden Forest. Harry and Albus were in the lead followed by Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Ginny and Tonks. Remus, Kingsley and Alastor brought up the rear because, as much as Alastor despised accepting help from anyone, Kingsley and Remus were given the responsibility of helping him over and through some of the obstacles that lay ahead.

As they approached the Forbidden Forest, as it was still almost an hour before breakfast, they detoured over to Hagrid's cabin and cleared the snow away from the door and off the roof so he would be able to get out when he wanted and could start a fire in his fireplace without worrying about the smoke backing up into his cabin. A few minutes later, as they entered the forest, Harry wondered how the centaurs, thestrals, unicorns, acromantulas and other creatures of the forest were doing. The snow was not as deep once inside the forest and the wind and weather were not as violent as it had been on their journey from the castle but it was still far from ideal.

As the snow depths tapered off to little more than a skift Harry began to get the uncomfortable feeling that they were being watched. In the murky shadows up ahead he thought he saw a pair of thestrals eating a small animal of some sort. He and Albus stopped at the same time, the others bumping into them, and raised their wands. Lighting their wands with the Luminos Charm they waited for their eyes to adjust before venturing any further into the forest. While they were waiting Harry quickly reached out with Ethereal Consciousness and found the wood elves in a particularly well sheltered glen near the center of the forest. He also made note of the elven sentries that had been posted around the glen to serve as guards for this meeting. Between themselves and the elves, however, were a whole host of dangerous and magical creatures they would have to avoid in order to reach their final destination. Closest at hand, though, were the centaurs who were watching them with detached interest. Casting a quick Sonorous Charm on himself Harry called out, "Bane, Ronan. We must pass through your forest on our way to a meeting with the wood elves. We request your forgiveness for this trespass and ask that you might provide us with safe passage both to and from this meeting."

The others, with the exception of Albus, glanced nervously around as they suddenly found themselves surrounded by a rather large herd of centaurs. Bane and Ronan stepped out of the murky shadows and approached Harry and Albus. "Albus Dumbledore," Bane said in formal greeting. "You have chosen well." Then turning to Harry, he said, "Harry Potter, I greet you once again. We are aware of this meeting and we will provide you safe passage. Do not abuse this privilege, however. I see you have brought the werewolf, Lupin, with you. Is he a part of your honor guard?"

Harry glanced back at Remus and smiled. "Yes. Remus Lupin is a part of my honor guard and a good friend as well."

"Very well," Bane said.

Harry cleared his throat. "And I would be honored if you and Ronan, as the two most senior members of your tribe, would stand beside Albus Dumbledore and myself as honorary members of my guard."

Albus smiled down at Harry and a few of the others gasped at the audacity of this request but Bane fell silent, as though thinking it over. Finally, after several seconds of seemingly intense contemplation, Bane looked back at Albus and said, "You have chosen very well, Albus Dumbledore." Then turning to Harry he said, "We accept, Harry Potter; and we will escort you to this meeting."

Almost an hour later, after crossing several small streams, walking through some of the darkest parts of the forest and crossing a few small clearings, Harry's quidditch reflexes took over as he reach out and caught an arrow in mid flight, before it could strike the ground at his feet. Astonished, everyone stopped and began nervously looking around for the hidden archer. Several of the centaurs began to draw their weapons and murmurs of suspicion and outrage began to fill their ranks. "No!" Harry said sharply, his voice echoing through the forest. "We did not come here to fight. We came for a meeting. This is just their way of letting us know that we are approaching the meeting place. From here on we will be escorted by members of the elven guard. Put your weapons away or they will take it as a sign of hostility and none of us will live to see the sun rise tomorrow morning."

Several of the centaurs expressed their desire to fight but Bane and Ronan turned on their fellow tribesmen and ordered them to stand down. They did so grudgingly.

When the last of the centaurs had effectively disarmed themselves Harry looked up at Albus who grimly smiled and nodded his head. Harry knelt down and lay the arrow on the ground, carefully positioning it in the traditional elfish sign of peace. The shaft lay perpendicular to their path so that if they wished to continue they would have to step over the arrow. When he stood up again he looked up into the forest canopy, watched and waited.

Several minutes passed in marked silence. Humans and centaurs alike were starting to grumble at the fact that they were being kept waiting. After a time only Harry and Albus were still waiting patiently. Then it happened: Several wood elves, some male and some female, appeared around the periphery of the herd of centaurs, bows drawn, arrows notched and swords and darers unsheathed. A tall elfish warrior with a long mane of dark brown hair, piercing blue eyes and a deeply tanned complexion stepped out of the shadows and, approaching Harry, knelt down and picked up the arrow. "You would have made a goof elf, Harry Potter," he said. "Most humans do not have such reflexes."

Harry smiled briefly. "Emric?" he asked.

"Yes," the elf nodded. "I am Prince Emric. We will escort you and your honor guard into the glen where you will meet with my father. The others, I am afraid, will have to wait here for your return."

After sorting themselves out the eleven humans and two centaurs, accompanied by twenty elfish warriors, made their way even deeper into the forest. Fifteen minutes later they entered a small glen that was so heavily guarded that Harry doubted an unescorted ant could enter without risking serious bodily injury. Sitting on a large log near the center of the glen was an ancient, silver haired elf wrapped in a heavy fur cloak. He was staring intently into the small campfire before him, seemingly mesmerized by its dancing flames. When they approached, however, the ancient elf looked up, threw his cloak off and, jumping over the fire, ran over to Albus and embraced him warmly. "Albus!" he cried happily. "How are you my brother?"

The Headmaster returned the warm embrace. "I am well, Wulfric," Albus chuckled. "It has been a long time, my brother. I wish this reunion could have taken place in more peaceful times but alas it seems to be our fate that we meet only in times of darkness." Harry and everyone else looked curiously at Dumbledore.

Noticing their curious expressions the aged elf laughed merrily. "Albus, I think introductions are in order."

The Headmaster turned around. "My friends," he said smiling and his eyes twinkling merrily, "I would like you to meet my good friend and blood brother, Lord Wulfric Albus, High Lord of the Wood Elves. We became brothers in blood and purpose many years ago and I dare say that without his help we would not have been victorious in the war against Grindelwald."

The elf lord smiled. "Yes, Albus," he said, "Those were dark days. But thanks to you we have all had many years of relative peace." Then his expression changed. "Sadly, however," he sighed, "you are right, my friend. That was our war and the world is now faced with a new enemy. The time has come for us to pass the mantle of brotherhood on to the next generation. This is their war and we must offer them every advantage we can."

Albus smiled. "You are, of course, correct, my friend, which is why I encouraged Harry to contact you and your people."

A few more pleasantries were exchanged and then they got down to business. Harry introduced the members of his honor guard, beginning with Bane and Ronan, and described their roles in the coming war. Emric then introduced his closest lieutenants and explained their roles. Then, for the next two hours the humans, elves and centaurs described what they knew of the situation. It turned out that the wood elves knew a great deal and were more than willing to help defeat the dark legions because they knew that the future of their world hung in the balance as well. As these talks were winding down Ron's stomach growled loudly enough for everyone to hear. Everyone but Ron, who was too busy blushing and being embarrassed, laughed. After the laughter had died down Wulfric called for the feast to be served.

After a sumptuous meal composed of a wide variety of basted meats, boiled and steamed vegetables, mushrooms, a variety of breads, kabobs and soups, of which Harry politely ate his fill while Ron thoroughly enjoyed himself, the rituals and ceremonies began. After the opening ceremony Harry and Emric approached the small alter that had been erected off to one side and picked up two of the ceremonial daggers it held. As they gazed intently into each other's eyes they lay the blades across the palms of their right hands. Moments later, as the energy between them built to an acceptable level, they quickly nodded to each other and, drawing the blades across their hands, sliced the palms of their right hands open, causing them to bleed freely. They both winced at the pain but, with the determination of duty, reached out and firmly clasped the other's hand. Hermione and Ginny both gasped when Harry sliced his hand open but watched in amazement as, while Harry and Prince Emric became blood brothers, the air around the two young men began to shimmer an glow.

A pale blue aura surrounded Harry and Emric as wizard and elf blood mingled and the air immediately surrounding their clasped hands began to glow brightly. When the intensity of the light was such that it filled the glen and several of the spectators were shielding their eyes against the soft yet blinding light Harry broke the silence that accompanied this ritual. "I, Harry James Potter, share my life and my blood with you, Prince Emric, prince of the wood elves, in this time of need so that we may draw from each other's strengths and fight the common foe. I offer you my friendship, brotherhood and allegiance in all that is to come."

Emric answered in a firm, steady voice. "And I, Prince Emric, prince of the wood elves, share my life and my blood with you, Harry James Potter, in this time of need so that we may draw from each other's strengths and fight the common foe. I accept your offer of friendship, brotherhood and allegiance in all that is to come and forever more."

Harry and Emric looked at each other across their clasped hands, which had stopped bleeding, and smiled. "It is done," they said as one and with the finality of a last reassuring grip, released their symbolic embrace.

The ancient ritual was repeated twice more, once for Ron and Emric's first lieutenant and once for Neville and Emric's second lieutenant. After this a second, lighter meal was served and friendships were sealed. As they made their way back to the castle Luna was uncharacteristically chatting excitedly about the healing techniques she had been discussing with one of Wulfric's healers and Ginny and Hermione were talking just as excitedly about the things they had learned. As they bid farewell to Bane, Ronan and the rest of the centaurs near the edge of the forest Harry turned to Albus and said, "Is that why you have so many names, Albus?"

Albus looked at him and smiled. "Yes, Harry. That is why I have so many names. Albus and Percival are my birth names but Wulfric and Brian are the names of my blood brothers. You now have the right to add Prince Emric's name to your own just as Ron and Neville have the right to add Woodring's and Onric's names to theirs."