Chapter Three. Are you Sirius?
As the Summer was drawing to a close Harry began roaming the halls of his house of 12 Grimmauld Place, just exploring what was now his house. He found it odd, but not in a saddening way well, most of the time anyway. There were things that reminded him of Sirius and sometimes it became very difficult to bear, but through it all he felt a strange sort of pride.
Sirius had loved him as a son; he had come to fight for him, casting all of the risks aside that had led to his death. That, most of all was what helped Harry get through. The fact that his teachers and friends were there was nice, but nothing else compared to the fact that Sirius had loved him enough to die for him. Nothing else could ever compare.
After finding out about their new memberships Harry and Ron had gone almost straight away to "The Quiddich Pitch". Harry was slightly dissapointed as they approached the location; it was only about the size of a small townhouse. He glanced at Ron to share his reaction, but he was still grinning broadly in excitement. They all came stop at the door and Harry knocked hesitantly.
The door swung open and a large man in violet quidditch robes looked down at them.
"Uh…we have a membership."
The man smiled through his bushy moustache.
"You must be new," he said in a booming voice.
Harry nodded mutely.
"Well, come in then!" He ushered them happily in through the door and Harry's jaw dropped. The place had been expanded to hold four full Quiddich practice fields.
Ron shook his head at him.
"You should come to expect it by now," he said grinning. They were given a quick tour around to the different pitches and changing rooms, seeker and keeper practice areas, and a few obstacle courses to practice flying. Ron was ecstatic. Bill had told them all about it, but to have full membership was expensive, and being full members, Harry and Ron could bring as many guests as they pleased, which was why they had dragged literally everyone with them.
That was definitely the first time Harry had seen Mr. Weasley playing Quiddich. It was interesting to see Charley and Harry go head to head to see who the better seeker was, but just as incredible was to learn that Mr. Weasley had once been a Keeper. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were busy Chasing, as Percy (who hated flying) attempted to referee from the ground. Remus and Thomas were Beating and they seemed to try to hit Logan and Amrathon more than anyone else, even though the two paladins were in the stands and not playing as they were far to large for standard brooms, and could only fly Saturn Rocket Brooms.
That event paled in comparison to when Ron looked at Sirius's Broom collection. He had all kinds of brooms. They included a custom Lightning Strike X3 designed for Sirius's brother; and an incredible find, one of the first Professional class brooms, a hand-made Starchaser One, the serial number on it was 1876 – 001. Ron remembered that his father had restored one as a young man and when he found it, he immediately replaced it in its case and went to his father. The look on Mr. Weasleys face when he opened the case was sheer joy and surprise. As he hugged Ron, Harry could see tears coming from his eyes, Mr. Weasley recounted that the one he had restored had been serial 003 and that this "means the world to me Ronald, Thank you." He then told Ron that he had had to sell the other one to buy The Burrow.
Harry had never seen Ron so proud of himself. But that wasn't all. Buried deep in the affectionately named "Broom Room" Harry and Ron found some truly amazing brooms. There were War Brooms from the war with Grindlewald which had dual wands mounted on the front that fired stunning spells, there was one of the Blackwood Brooms a broom which could actually apparate a user and itself a short distance, a tactic very useful for keepers. Then they found it, a Bookshelf. At the sight of it Ron's shoulders had slumped.
"Why can't we ever get away from books?" He complained as Harry and Hermione, were looking at the titles. Broom making for the Novice, Charms for You and Your Broom, Best Broomstick Wood and Where to Find It, an oddly thick looking old copy of Quidditch through the Ages but this one surprised Harry, because when he opened it, it said on the first page.
Prongs to Padfoot
Merry Christmas,
This copy has been especially charmed to both add and fill new pages with your favorite players as they establish themselves.
Harry opened the book and flipped through it. Much of it was the same, all except for the end third of the book. That End third was all new material. It included all kinds of players. The four longest were Ludo Bagman, Beater- Wimbourne Wasps 1976-1984 now retired and former Minister of Magical Sports and Games; Oliver Wood, Keeper- Puddlemere United 1992-Present; James Potter, Seeker- Puddlemere United 1979-1980, retired to become an Auror, Deceased 1981 ; and Harry Potter, Seeker- Gryffindor House Team, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry was one of Sirius' favorite players… This book had everything from Harry's team exploits to his statistics to his career prospects if he chose Quiddich as a career. It was simply amazing that this book had been his father's gift. It truly showed the measure that they cared for each other, like they had been brothers. Then it came crashing down on him. Not just Sirius's death, but his parents death, it just crushed him that he never seemed to have a chance.
He stood up.
"I'll be right back," he said. He left the room, walking at a high speed; maybe trying to get away, when he marched straight into Remus.
"Oof, sorry Pro- Remus, didn't see you there." Harry said as he made to walk past him. Remus put his hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Harry, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Some people say that life sucks and then you die. I just say that if life sucks you should go change It." another voice said from above. He looked up and realized why, the person whose voice it was happened to be standing on the ceiling.
"Get down Thomas; you're going to mark the ceiling." Remus looked at him with a very adult stare as he spoke to him.
"Sure thing Remus, but can I talk to Harry, there's something I need to tell him." Thomas looked kind of worried, as if he expected Harry to not like the information he was about to find out.
"Ok, Harry I'll be upstairs if you need me, ok?" At that Harry nodded and followed Thomas down into the kitchen, where they both grabbed a butterbeer and sat down at the table facing each other.
Thomas started the conversation.
"Harry, I know about Sirius, believe it or not, he stayed with me when he was on the run. And I know how he died. I'm sorry. I researched it and looked at the veil and even was able to stick my head in while anchored, it is my belief that when one completely crosses over into the Veil, that can't come back. However;" he took a sip of his drink, dragging out the moment. "There lies another possibility."
At that he paused and looked at Harry, as if he was making sure he could hear this. A wave of something passed over him, but it was gone as soon as Harry saw it.
"This is gonna take some explaining. Harry, you understand how my powers work, correct?" Harry shook his head. Tom sighed. "Alright then, allow me to explain. You know I am a sorcerer, and my spells or other magic is too raw and... Well hot to be aided by a wand. I tried it; I burned out a wand with Flippendo. When I was young, a Death Eater attacked our home. My father killed him, but not before he cast a curse on me. It was supposed to minimize my potential for power, but when my parents interrupted the spell, it went awry. The spell had a reverse affect, thus maximizing any and all powers I have; most importantly it activated many latent powers I had, such as the ability to warp reality around myself to a certain extent. So, in order to control my powers I have to have an idea of what I want to do with them. Wizards, they learn a spell, and it's very clear cut and can be used at any time with the same effects. For me I have to have a large degree of focus or a crystal clear picture of what I want to do in order to make a spell do the same thing twice, and to deal with that I've developed several 'mindsets' as to how my powers operate.
I am very much a fan of Muggle literature and entertainment, so I have many mindsets as how to use my powers. For example, have you seen the movie 'The Matrix'? I can use my abilities like they do sometimes. Also, if I think it, I can use my powers like say, a comic book characters powers." At that Harry interrupted.
"Yeah, Ron said something about you making Wolverine claws or something."
With a harsh metal-on-metal sound three claws popped out of Tom's right hand, then retreated. "Doing things that aren't like traditional magic can be very difficult though. In addition to that I can also use my powers traditionally as a wizard. Just as I said, I have limits. For example I can't use my powers traditionally when I'm slicing and dicing with the claws or bending the rules of physics. The limit and relative strength of my powers depends how well I can focus and how much power I exert. This leads me to what I came here to say... In addition to all of those powers I possess one other. It is the most random and difficult to control of them all. It is the ability to open a rip in space to anywhere and any-when. What do I mean by any-when? For example you are aware that every time you make a decision there are tens of thousands of other versions of yourself in other timelines making that very same decision. Sometimes they make them differently… are you following me?" Harry nodded hesitantly.
"Can you give me an example?" he asked.
Thomas blinked, clearly not expecting that question. "Ah….well in one Tom Riddle was a Gryffindor and he never became Voldemort, but Grindlewald wasn't defeated as easily and Dumbledore died defeating him, so Professor Riddle is now Headmaster." Harry stared. "It's true! Um…there's one where you are dead and your father is a vengeful man, trying to find and kill Voldemort. Another thing is that time moves differently between timelines, in one it might by 1998 and in yet another it might be 1526 BC. For example, we recently rescued some Shamanistic people from their doomed homeland of Azeroth…." Harry looked at Tom.
"There's one where my parents never died, isn't there? One where Sirius didn't die? There are, aren't there?" He was a little bitter when he said this and Thomas could hear it loud and clear. His shoulders slumped as he decided to be honest with Harry.
"Yes, there are. For example, there is a timeline where Sirius remained your parents secret-keeper thus he was captured and presumed dead for eleven years, all kinds of other people have died, but your parents lived; Professor McGonagall is dead, Moody is dead, Charlie Weasley is dead, and Dumbledore is dead, along with countless others. And there is a timeline where up until right after last year is almost exactly the same. The difference starts when Sirius is proclaimed innocent and teaches at Hogwarts. But there are deaths there also. Lee Jordan, Colin Creevy, Professors Vector and Flitwick and Madam Hooch, from Hogwarts alone, and then there are those you don't even know. The main thing is though, that Volemort is dead and Sirius is alive. But that isn't what I came to discuss." At this Harry realized that Thomas looked far older than he ever had before this conversation.
"Tom, how old are you?" he suddenly asked.
"Why do you want to know?" he responded.
"You seem…I don't know, older sometimes…older than you let on."
"Well, this might not make sense to you, but I'm about nineteen. The problem is that when my latent powers manifested themselves, they did so in a big way, and in some ways it aged me, but I am still nineteen, for better or for worse. But that's not why I'm here Harry. There's a problem with this timeline; something happened that wasn't supposed to."
Sudden hope flowed through his chest, and he found that he could barely breathe. "What happened?" he asked.
"Sirius wasn't supposed to die, Bellatrix Lestrange was." Harry's heart was suddenly thundering against his chest. "There is a prophecy that stated that the darkest Black will fall at the hands if the brightest Black, it's a wonderful thing, the Department of Mysteries, well when you aren't fighting in it that is. I think I can step back in time and grab Sirius as he's falling through the veil and bring him here."
Harry practically exploded with joy, but fear struck him still when he saw Tom's expression. "What's wrong Tom, you just gave me the best news of my life."
Tom leaned forward. "Harry, in order to get him I need more power than I currently possess." Harry was crestfallen, his hopes dashed. He turned to Tom, anger in his eyes to ask him.
"Why even tell me then? Why, does it do anyone any bloody good to tell me that?"
"Yes, Harry, it does. I was told Hermione brought you up to speed about what you thought to be the fictional story, of 'The Downfall of the Lord of the Rings and the Return of the King' which is commonly known as 'Lord of the Rings'? " Harry nodded, where was this going? "I assume she told you that all of those involved are dead or disappeared and their bloodlines ended?" Once again Harry nodded, a thought taking shape in his mind. "Harry, not all of those bloodlines are over. In fact, your friend Ron is a very, very late Heir to one, although he doesn't know it. And no, it isn't a blood-heritage. Interesting isn't it?" His eyes were alight with amusement. Harry had read the books a few years back, finding them in a pile of discarded gifts to Dudley. Then something clicked in Harry's mind. Harry leaned forward and looked right at Tom.
"Tom, you know, if I didn't know better, I would say I asked the wrong question earlier. I shouldn't have asked how old you are."
"Really? What should you have asked then?"
"I have read those books independently of any kind of forethought. And there is an important bloodline whose members are of great stature and power, they are said to sometimes look grim. One could say that you were looking particularly grim earlier."
"I don't know what you are talking about." Tom's response came too fast and too smoothly to be the truth.
"Tom, I saw the sword on your belt more than once, tell me." At this Harry looked at Tom and he just knew that Tom was going to tell him.
"Molly is going to kill me…you know I'm not supposed to talk to you about this, then again I'm not supposed to tell you about my idea. Okay, if you really want to know, ask." Tom looked at Harry defiantly and it was then that Harry saw it, there was more behind the eyes, there was a sort of veiled majesty there, and then it was gone.
Harry asked, "Ron's is who's heir, and what do you mean it isn't by blood?"
"The ancient wizard known as Gandalf the White, chose an Heir to his possessions and, thus to his power, even though he had no children. Your friend Ron's family is the Heir to Glamdring the Foe Hammer, Sword of Gandalf. I wasn't able to tell you this earlier but there is another incredibly important prophecy, one that was made long before the establishment of the Ministry. Far from now, in the darkest time to come, there will be one beacon of light left in a sea of Darkness. To it go thee House of Telonchar. For with it you shall stand or all you love shall fall. This darkness shall be as powerful as the Enemy. Thy faith must be put wholly into the light, for without you, darkness will be ever darker. And hope, even a fool's hope, shall dwindle to almost a nothing.
"Some of the spellings change when brought into modern English, but to put it bluntly. I'm the heir of Aragorn, Son of Arathorn King of Gondor. I do not claim the right to kingship; I claim the right to free existence, for myself and for all. That prophecy was given to the King by his Father-in-law before He left for the Grey Havens. And I intend to follow it."
Knock, Knock.
"Open Up, we're here." Harry's jaw dropped. What was Dumbledore doing here?
Thomas stood hurriedly to answer the kitchen door. As it was opened there was the loud thud of something falling into the kitchen through the open door and Tom stumbled back. Harry snorted with laughter.
"Ron, you could have knocked and come in, same for you too Hermione."
Hermione peeked up sheepishly from under the invisibility cloak.
"How did you know?" Ron demanded.
"Easy, only you and Hermione would actually listen and not use extendible ears. That and I also left my invisibility cloak on my dresser."
Harry looked at Dumbledore as if to ask him why he was here, as he knew O.W.L. results would be coming soon. But when he looked at Dumbledore he noticed the three Hogwarts Envelopes in his hand. Harry looked at him and asked.
"Are those our O.W.L. results?
"Yes Harry they are, here is yours and also yours and yours." He said as he handed them out "Feel free to open them at any time." With that he stepped back and Harry completely forgot about him. He tore open his Envelope and started reading the letter inside.
Harry James Potter
Fifth Year Ordinary Wizarding Level
Ollivanders - Holly and Phoenix Feather, 11 inches, Supple
Age - Sixteen Yesterday (legal adult)
Scores
Class – Practical-Theory-Overall
Defense Against the Dark Arts – Outstanding- Outstanding- Outstanding
Transfiguration – Exceeds Expectations- Exceeds Expectations- Exceeds Expectations
Potions – Exceeds Expectations- Outstanding- Outstanding
Herbology – Exceeds Expectations- Outstanding-Exceeds Expectations
Astronomy – Poor-Average-Average
Divination – Poor-Poor- Poor
Charms – Exceeds Expectations- Outstanding- Outstanding
History of Magic - Average-Average- Average
Care of Magical Creatures – Outstanding- Outstanding- Outstanding
Congratulations Mr. Potter,
You have been accepted into the Hogwarts Pre-Auror program. The classes you will take will be focused on skills you will use as an Auror. You can (and should) take the following. Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Advanced Muggle Studies, Magical Combat, Advanced Care of Magical Creatures and Combat Flying. This is the standard Pre-Auror training. The completion of these classes in both Sixth and Seventh Year will reduce your training period accordingly. Once Again, Congratulations.
Madam Bones – DMLE Head
As Harry read this, his heart was filled with relief and joy at the fact that he could do what he wanted with his life. As he was reading his letter, Ron and Hermione had put the cloak away and come back down to read theirs. With a look of disbelief Ron looked at Harry and showed him his letter which said pretty much the same thing as Harry's did, and Hermione had received her induction to the Scholar Program, one where you – literally – learned everything there was on your chosen subjects. She said she had chosen Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures. Thus she would have almost double the work they would have this year. Only Hermione would not choose one- but three subjects. Harry just smiled.
He glanced at Tom who was busy talking to Dumbledore, then walked upstairs back to the Broom Room, ready to face his memories again, the hope renewed in his chest.
In the kitchen, Dumbledore looked at Thomas.
"Do you think that this is wise, Thomas?"
Dumbledore asked the question lightly but Thomas knew exactly how much the man cared for the boy.
Thomas nodded "I know I have to find the sword first. But he needs hope; he needs to know that there is a chance to get him back."
"Even if it is just a fool's hope?"
"Even then Albus."