The Choice of Silence

Chapter II: Trials

Disclaimer: I don't won Harry Potter… If I did, I wouldn't have killed ** I won't say it… |whispers and looks to her sides| spoilers…

A.N: As many people asked, I'm saying what an Athame is on this chapter. I wanted to say I'm very glad you liked the beginning of this story! I was *very* apprehensive when I posted it (I tried to avoiding doing it the longest I could… but as the 5th book was released… Not that I'm not happy, of course… =P) For those who didn't like Ciara, don't worry, she won't have a big role here… she won't appear from chapter 3 and on…

Candie, Slone, hi: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the story… I know it is confusing… Don't worry… It'll get better… **blinks** I hope…

Toria: I'm glad you liked Ciara… I was afraid people would think her as a Mary-Sue… And… when are you going to update your story In the Movies? And… will the other actors discover Obi is a Jedi? =D

Avlyn: Hi! I'm really glad you liked the sequel! It means a lot! ^.~!

Mystic Queen: I know it's confusing… I hope it's not too confusing… ^^ And about your question… **smiles mysteriously** that's for me to know and you to find out… Don't worry; he will meet some people again…

A.N2: This will become very AU from now on… The one who died on OotP will be alive here and will appear next chapter… I hope you'll keep reading… =p

~*~

Harry tightened his grip on the Athame, he had found that he liked this kind of weapon; it was like a dagger. The difference was that it wasn't sharp, as it wasn't used to cut but to do magic. He stopped for a brief moment; he would never have thought that a Rune Duel would be so tiring! He and his opponent had been dueling for an hour now; both were sweating madly.

The Rune Duel was very alike the normal dueling. Only, instead of using a wand and saying spells, the wizard used an Athame and said the name of the Runes.

He ducked a curse his opponent sent. His name was Gary Munn; he was a blond-haired twenty years old wizard. Harry knew he was very powerful, he had watched him sparring once. And he knew if he didn't do something, he would lose the fight. "Isa Algiz." For the first time Harry decided to combine two Runes. The Isa Rune, he knew, reinforced the Runes around it. The Algiz Rune was for shielding, not only the person casting it but for the ones the person wanted to protect. Munn had decided to use the Nauthiz Rune, which worked like the Petrificus Totalis spell, it paralyzed the person.

The spell hit Harry's shield and rebounded to Munn, paralyzing his whole body. There was a loud bam as Munn fell to the floor. Master Lena saw this and declared the duel was over. With a smile, she turned to Harry. "Congratulations, Potter. It's not often that a beginner wins over an older student." She looked to a big wooden clock that was hanged on the wall. "There is still half an hour of class, but as you both ended the duel earlier, you may go to your quarters. Don't forget that you have a Lesson on Elemental Magic in an hour, don't be late!"

Both students bowed and headed their way.

~*~

Fire...

This was Harry's Element. The Element of heat and dryness. Of fury. Of rage.

There were four Elements. Earth, Water, Fire and Air. Some people believed in a fifth, the Spirit. Each Element had a guardian. His guardian was the Salamander, a spirit of the Fire. From the South. Of the Element of the South.

It was confusing – but very interesting. The Fire Element was for people of Leo, Aries or Sagittarius. It represented the courage, quick thinking, leadership, and strength. Harry knew these were his strong points. His Gryffindor part. There was also his Slytherin part – which was represented by the Spirit Element.

Yes, the fifth Element.

The Master hadn't known why he had it. No one did. They weren't even sure it existed. But Harry knew – just like the High Master did. This Element, the High Master had told him, was one of the powers Merlin had left in him. Each one of the wizards who gave him his powers had left him something more.

Hufflepuff had left her loyalty. In dangerous times, as when James had been captured, Harry had needed it. Ravenclaw had left her thoughtfulness, her ability to think when she didn't know what to do, to think under pressure. Gryffindor had left many things; courage, strength... And the Element Fire. Lastly, Slytherin left him what would balance his powers. While Gryffindor was impulsive, Slytherin was very rational – too rational – but in Harry, it had kept his balance. When one part wanted to jump into action, the other waited and thought of a plan. A balance that was very much needed.

 To use these Elements, he had to concentrate on making them doing what he wanted. He didn't need his wand to do this, which made this kind of magic much more difficult. You had to have a connection with the Element and its guardian. The Master had said that there were many ways to make this connection; the easier of them was through meditation with that Element.

Meditating wasn't that easy, though. Harry had to kneel with his back straight, taking deep breaths. The first times were bad, his knees hurt and his body felt strange for trying to stay still. After a few times, this had become better, he actually enjoyed meditating now. It gave him a sense of tranquility. The Master had said it was how it was supposed to be; Harry felt close with his Elements. Like they were one.

After much time of practice and meditations, he had mastered the Elemental Magic.

~*~ 

 And so it went.

Weeks passed and turned into months – and the time of the Trials was getting near.

The High Master had said he was ready for them. Harry was nervous, but he barely could wait. The thought of becoming a Master of Lómë was so wonderful… And, he couldn't help but wonder; maybe he could enter the Silcála Order.

Something people from outside didn't know was that being from the Silcála Order and being a Master of Lómë were two different things. When you passed the Trials, you'd become a Master of Lómë – but only a Master. You could teach on the Academy, but you wouldn't be from the Order. To become one of the members of the Silcála, you had to be chosen. The High Master observed the students from the Academy and, when they passed the Trials, he chose whom he saw fit for the Order.

 Harry wanted to join it. He didn't know if he would… Stop it, Potter! First of all, you have to pass the Trials! Harry didn't even know if he would indeed pass them. Oh… Stop with those modest attacks… I will pass them! He looked to the classroom where he would attempt the Trials. I hope…

"Harry Potter."

He closed his eyes when he heard his name. Breathe in; breathe out… C'mon Harry! He entered the classroom, trying not to show his anxiety.

The High Master smiled kindly as he came in and Harry was quite relieved to know he would be the one to give the tests. Taking a deep breath, he bowed to the Master.

The High Master bowed back slightly. "I want you to duel with me. If you win or stay conscious for a long time, you pass the Trial."

Harry nodded his understanding. "Yes, High Master."

The High Master walked to a room full of swords and motioned Harry to follow him. He turned to Harry once he was there. "One of these swords should choose you. Like the wand, the sword chooses its master. You shall use one and if you pass, you may keep it." He paused a little. "I trust you know what to do."

Harry nodded, mostly for himself and walked to the swords. He closed his eyes and concentrated. A light blue glow appeared from his hands and headed to a silver sword in the corner of the room. It was almost as if the sword was hiding.

The High Master looked quite impressed, if not amused. "Very well, Harry. I'm quite impressed… This sword was forged by the Elves of an ancient reign… I wasn't expecting anyone to use it…" He shook his head. "I hope you'll use it well. Its Element is Fire if you were wondering." Then, he smiled a bit. "But this sword will not help you defeat me."

With a sudden movement, he drew his sword and attacked Harry. The Mage ducked to his side and brought his own sword to protect himself. But he hadn't been quick enough; the High Master's sword cut him on the arm. Harry shut his eyes in pain, but opened them quickly as stumbled away of his opponent.

He took out his Athame, deciding to try to use Runes instead. He smiled a bit; he had a plan. I guess this won't take so long after all… Raising his Athame to the air in front of him, he drew the Perthro Rune – the Rune of the invisibility.

The High Master looked around himself, not finding Harry, as the Mage was invisible. He heard something close to "Sword Kenaz" and he fell to the floor after feeling a white-hot pain. He looked up just to see a flaming sword hanging on the air. This sword stopped near his neck and with a sudden pop Harry appeared holding it, with a smile.

The High Master looked surprised for a moment and then pleased. Harry turned his sword back to normal and withdrew it safely to his belt.

The Master stood up, looking at Harry. "You passed the first stage of the Trials, Harry Potter, now you have two choices: you can remain and do the other part now or you can leave and do it tomorrow. It's your choice."

Harry closed his eyes. He knew it would be the wisest choice to leave and try again tomorrow… But he didn't want to. He didn't know if it was some kind of sign (Merlin I'm sounding like Trelawney!) or if it was impatience or that he felt confident enough to do it now. The next stage was about Elemental Magic, he knew. He had mastered this skill already… He opened his eyes. Yes, he would try it. If he lost, he only needed to try again… right?

"I want to finish it now, Master."

The High Master looked pleased. "Very well." He looked to his side, motioning a fireplace. "You have to light a fire with your Elemental--you have the Fire element, right?"

Harry nodded smiling. Easy…

"But that's not all, you have to invoke the Salamander."

Harry looked at him, surprised. There is no way I can do this! "High Master, how will I do this? It's very advanced magic, very few people know!"

And it was. What Harry had to do was one of the most difficult magic ever done… He had to concentrate on that Element – only on it – and vision a Salamander appearing in the Fire. After a time, if the magic is strong enough, a Salamander would really appear there. It would only be for a brief second, but it would show real control over that Element.

"You can't turn back now, Harry." The High Master said in a stern voice.

The Mage didn't reply, closing his eyes, he tried his best to concentrate on the Element and not on failing Trials.

It felt like Fire. He was burning. It hurt.

He felt an urge to open his eyes, forget about the Trials and leave the Academy. He just couldn't do this! He tried to think of the Elemental…

There was a bright light, with a reddish glow. It was taking form…

The Salamander, the Salamander, the Salamander… It chanted over his mind time and time again, trying to keep Harry's focus on the Elemental.

It embraced him, comforted him. Suddenly the pain stopped. Everything stopped. It was the Mage and It. There was no time… He was floating…

But then, all stopped. He returned to the room with the High Master, feeling more tired than ever.

Over the fire, he caught the glimpse of something. The Salamander. He couldn't help but smile. He did it. He invoked the Fire Elemental.

 The High Master turned to him. "Kneel." He ordered.

Harry did so.

"You passed this Trial and earned the title of Master of Lómë." He raised his sword, using it to hit softly from Harry's right shoulder to Harry's left shoulder and finally to his head. "I, the High Master of the Silcála Order, give you the title of Master of Lómë, Harry Potter from the Earth." He paused. "You may rise."

Harry stood up, facing the High Master. Trying to keep thoughts like 'I can't believe it! I'm a Master!' from his head as the High Master gave him the Lómë Symbol, it was a eight-pointed silver star with a different L written on the middle. He placed it on his cloak as a brooch. The High Master smiled and motioned him to go. Harry did as he was told, barely containing his happiness as he walked.

When he reached the door he heard the High Master say, "don't forget to name your sword and find a new name for yourself, Harry… And don't be surprised if you see a letter with the Silcála Symbol… One can always enter the Order…"

Harry stopped still, barely breathing. Had the High Master meant what he thought he had meant? If so, he had been accepted!

~*~

The letter had been there. Just like the High Master had said.

Harry couldn't believe it. He would join the Order if he wanted to. And, of course, he did. He wondered how it was like, the information about the Silcála was very secluded – and the letter hadn't said much.

Mr. Potter, the letter had said (Harry cringed as he thought he really had to find a new name. The Masters of Lómë usually chose a new name when they passed their Trials, it was like leaving their past behind them and walking to a whole new future).

We, from the Silcála Order, have been observing you for a few months now. It have come to our attention that you are fit for the Order. If you indeed wish to join it, write back. To send the letter, you need to say lelya Silcála. If you are wondering, it means 'go to Silcála' in Quenya, an Elvish language.

We are waiting for your response.

Silcála Order.

The letter (most likely a note) had been very brief; but then, there wasn't much to say.

Harry wasted no time. Picking up a quill and a piece of parchment, he wrote the answer to the Order's letter, very quickly as he was anxious to learn more about this fascinating (as he thought) people. "Lelya Silcála." He said in a breath and the letter disappeared.

Sighing, he decided he could try to pick a new name for himself. Master Harry was so… weak… He rolled his eyes; trust him to think something like that. He picked up a book; maybe he would find something there.

He had thought he could use a name that fit his Animagus form. The form of a Chimera. His eyes narrowed as he saw two Japanese words. Death and fire. He smiled, that didn't sound bad. The Chimera was lethal and of the element Fire; therefore, the name Shinhi (which could be translated as dieing fire) fit perfectly. Master Shinhi… He thought in wonder. No more Harry. Shinhi.

He looked to his bookshelf… Now that he found his name, he was bored! He knew that trying to sleep would be fruitless, he was too anxious for the Silcála response. He knew that he had yet to meet them. He barely could contemn his excitement at the thought of having a mission… Maybe they would send him to Earth, one day!

He was heading to the shelf when he suddenly stopped. He had just remembered he still had to tell Ciara. He groaned in desperation; he could actually see her reaction:

"You'll what? Harry, are you mad? How can you think of leaving your mother and I? Going to this… this –"

Harry shook his head. The was no point in picturing her reaction… He had to stay calm. She was only a girl, after all… And he was a Master of Lómë (a Master with a cool name, he couldn't help but think), she couldn't harm him… could she?

~*~

"You'll what? Are you mad? How can you think of leaving your mother and I?"

Remember, Harry made a mental note, never again! Never again try to picture someone's reaction to something. In ninety per cent of the cases, you are probably right. If not, you were sleepy. Always blame the sleep.

Still… Despite the fact Ciara was trying to kill him, (unsuccessfully, because they were already dead and that Harry was way more skilled than her) Harry found the situation quite amusing. She was running after Harry with a heavy sword she found too difficult to carry, trying to get him while Harry calmly ducked all the tries. "Tired yet?" He asked playfully.

She glared at him. "Yes."

He looked at her, not a drop of sweat on his face. "Good. Want to sit down?"

She blinked and nodded slowly. "I…" She regained her composure. "I hope this stupid idea left your mind, Harry Potter! I can't believe you'd –"

 "Ciara," he spoke softly. "I will enter the Order, whether you like it or not! It was my intention since the beginning."

She sighed over-dramatically and looked down – she knew she was defeated. "I know… just… be careful, okay?"

He smiled playfully at her. "Aren't I always?"

"Do you really want me to answer?"

"Shut up."

~*~

He received the call. And a mission. It wouldn't be easy, he knew. He smiled, this will be interesting.

With that, Harry Potter, also known now as Master Shinhi went to pack for this mission.

This interesting mission.

~*~ 

     TBC…

So? What did you think? As always… REVIEW! And… I wanted to thank my dear Beta… Aminem… ^^