"Truth Kept Secret"
I think I should change my summary... I believe it needs to be changed. Emily or Kris I might need your help with it!
____________________________________________________________________
EVERYTHING YOU RECOGNIZE IS NOT MINE!
_______________________________________________________________________
THANKS TO:
AthenaKitty
Blueberrie
Artemis2003
Jen
SheWolfe7
Slytherin Rogue
Dark Thingy and other screen names you signed in with EMILY!: LOL
Pokie4389: Now you're the real you! lol thanks!
______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 12 "Big Test, Not really"
_______________________________________________________________________
"Harry, Harry wake up!" The tree was getting annoying, poking Harry hard in the stomach now.
"Stop it." He muttered to the tree. To his surprise the tree trunks opened to reveal a mouth.
"Harry get up!"
"I don't wanna get up. I went to bed late." Harry swatted the tree branch away.
"You have a test today." Harry opened his weary eyes and glared at the tree.
"You're just a stupid tree. You don't have the right to wake me up. Good night."
"WAKE UP!" The tree suddenly shouted into his ears and Harry felt something icy cold being dumped on him.
The tree dissolved and Harry's vision became blurry. When he opened his eyes again, Ron stood above him with his wand hoisted in the air.
"You thought I was a tree? Boy Harry, what the hell were you dreaming about."
Harry muttered angrily under his breath as he went around picking up his clothes. There was not much to say at 8 am, especially when you had been woken up when you went to bed about five hours ago.
The night before Harry was tired after the DA meeting, but when they entered the common room all Harry's tiredness just seemed to disappear. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had all said good night and went to bed, while Harry left to stare out the window.
"Harry? Hello?" Ron called, waving a hand in front of his eyes.
"What?"
"Are you all right? You seemed to space off."
"I'm okay, I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing important."
"Nightmares?" Ron asked.
"No. Something different. I was thinking about last night."
"Oh." Ron didn't ask anymore questions as if knowing what was bothering Harry.
But Ron didn't know. Harry was worried as to why Voldemort hadn't contacted him yet. He had said he would, but after that night Harry hadn't heard from him, or his whereabouts.
"Let's get something to eat since you woke me up this early."
"Sorry mate, I didn't know that you didn't get any sleep last night." Ron said.
"Well, at least Dumbledore didn't drain me with training, I think he wanted me to rest up for today."
"Hehe, didn't work did it? You're not rested at all."
Harry gave a dry laugh. /Yeah, you have no idea. /
_______________________________________________________________________
"Harry, are you ready?" Harry turned around to Dumbledore, who was waiting for him.
Ron and Hermione stood up as Harry nodded and excused himself from the conversation.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, is there a reason you are coming?" Dumbledore asked.
Ron and Hermione stood next to Harry and looked up at their headmaster.
Dumbledore smiled. "Very well, follow me."
/Harry is lucky to have friends like Ron and Hermione. They will do him some good in this time of darkness. /
"Harry! Harry you are not leaving without me!" Ginny ran up to them.
"Don't think you're escaping now, I'm coming too."
At Dumbledore's quizzical look, Ginny grinned.
"I know about it Professor."
"Yes, I have noticed. Mr. Potter who else knows about this?"
Harry grinned sheepishly; "I didn't tell anyone except Ron and Hermione, you knew I wasn't going to keep this from them. Ginny though," pointing at the girl, "she bribed me to tell her, I don't mind though. I trust her; she's one of us."
"All right, if you would all follow me, Severus is getting a bit impatient. He does not like to talk to the portraits alone."
Harry snorted.
"Neither do I."
"Snape? What's he doing? Is he going to help with Harry's test?" Ginny asked.
"Professor Snape, Miss Weasley, and yes Severus is helping. He is eager to know what Harry has accomplished, though don't tell him what I told you. He just might--well let's just keep that to ourselves. It's best not to anger him."
The teenagers smirked.
"So Harry does that mean Snivellus is beginning to care?" Ron asked, a slap was heard and Hermione folded her arms.
"If he heard you say that Ronald Weasley you would either have detention or running for your life."
"What did I do? All I did was use his nickname."
Slap.
"I should teach you to shut your mouth before you call him that when you are facing him."
"Miss Granger that was uncalled for." Ginny scolded while trying to keep her sniggers under control.
"We are here."
"Finally! These bloody paintings are beginning to annoy me." Snape snapped (hehe) as they entered the office.
"Good morning Severus, had a nice sleep?" At Snape's dark scowl directed towards the headmaster the teenagers were glad they had not said anything. As if they wanted to.
"Follow me, I do not think my office would be a place to test your skill."
Dumbledore walked to the other side of his office and to the bookcase. The others watched as their Headmaster grabbed a book of the shelf and the bookcase slid aside, revealing a brightly-lit tunnel.
"All right everyone." Dumbledore said motioning for everyone to follow him.
Without hesitation, Harry followed the Headmaster; the others stood back a little watching the two, even Snape did not know about the passageway.
"Harry wait up!" Ron ran after them. The rest followed slowly. As soon as they entered into the tunnel the bookcase slid back into place.
The room they entered was astounding. It was huge and all around on the walls weapons were lined up. From spears to swords to staffs.
"What the hell is this room?" Ron asked looking around.
"This is the training room I train in." Harry said noticing his friend's and professor's gaping mouths. They turned to him in shock.
"This is where you go every night?"
"Well not every night, we have a library here (Hermione's mouth went open farther) too where I have to perform spells and learn to control my magic."
"Harry can I see the library?" Hermione asked.
"Me too." Ginny behind her.
Harry smirked.
"It's behind that door." Harry pointed to the door opposite them that had just appeared at Harry's mention of Library.
"We'll see you later." Ginny and Hermione said and bolted towards the door. Harry and Ron laughed.
"I think Hermione's had an influence on Ginny." Ron said.
"If you're all done talking, can we please get this over with?" Snape snarled annoyingly making the boys jump who had forgotten their hated professor's presence.
"Severus, be patient." Dumbledore said. He had disappeared somewhere while Harry was explaining the room and had just come back.
"Harry are you ready?"
"Yes, sir." Harry walked to the middle of the room and waited with baited breath as Dumbledore took his place in front of him.
"I want you to concentrate on your feelings and try to block me as best as you can, all right?"
"Yes Professor." Harry said and closed his eyes. Occlumency was the beginning of the test. Harry had mastered Occlumency, but he had found out that it was not enough to completely block out Dumbledore, if he pushed too far. Fortunately for Harry after all the training he had undergone by Dumbledore he had almost mastered it completely. Almost being the key word there. The reason for the test.
Before Harry could completely get ready, "Legillimens" was heard and the invading presence was in his mind. Poking around like it was a mind it owned. Harry immediately set his shields up trying to push it away. The harder he tried to push him away the harder his professor pushed.
Harry was straining and sweat was visible on his forehead now. Dumbledore was using every ounce of his power to enter his mind, but Harry's shields held blocking entrance to his mind. With a burst of mental power, Dumbledore found himself flat on his back.
"Very good Harry, you have finally mastered it."
"I thought you were going to break my shield. The power was so strong." Harry gasped.
"You did well; you kept me from making it inside. I did not tell you this before but if you do not want to be found out, you must invent either false memories or memories that have some meaning to you, like lemon drops for instance," Dumbledore smiled, "You must have stored memories so it can confuse the person that wants to enter."
Harry nodded. He would leave that bit of information for later use.
"Severus, its time."
Snape stepped up to them and summoned one of the staffs. Harry summoned his own.
"Ready Potter?" He sneered.
Harry sneered back, "Born ready Professor."
"Yeah Harry go get him!" Ron yelled from the sideline, his fist in the air.
Harry grinned at him, then turned to Snape.
Snape attacked him and Harry barely had time to duck as the staff swished above his head. He dodged to one side threw the staff out just barely succeeding in tripping Snape. Harry stood back up and lunged at his Professor, but Severus rolled to his side, bringing his staff above his head stopping Harry's. He brought the staff and tried to hit the boy on his side, but Harry was quicker and brought his staff in a down block. Severus backed away on his legs and quickly stood up, Harry followed him.
"You're good Potter."
"Thanks!" Harry said panting, he spun around as Severus tried to spear him and brought his staff on his professor's head. Snape fell and dropped his staff, but as Harry approached him, he grabbed his own staff and knocked the Boy Who Lived down, ending with the staff point in Harry's throat.
"I guess I win." Smirked Snape. Harry smirked back. The professor lifted his eyes away from him and Harry took his chance and slammed his staff at the professor's legs. Severus fell cursing. Harry could faintly hear Ron yelling and approving him.
"Slytherin trick Potter."
"I'm half Slytherin sir." Harry said back. Severus gave him a questioning look, but Harry ignored it and lunged at him again.
"You should stop while you have the upper hand Potter." Snape said, he was now dodging Harry and keeping a closer eye on him. Harry would have laughed if he wasn't so caught up in bringing him down.
Severus was surprised when Harry's staff suddenly hit the floor, but Harry was no where to be seen except when he suddenly appeared above Snape's head and his staff jumping into his waiting arms and the professor made a mistake of trying to dodge. As soon as Harry touched the ground he swirled around and the staff went spinning straight across the Professor's legs. Severus fell with a groan and dropped his weapon, claiming Harry the victor.
Harry dropped his own staff and ran to the professor.
"Sir, are you all right?"
"Fine Potter. I am the second master at staff fighting and in all my years as master I have never seen anyone pull that trick. The way the staff obeyed and how straight it was. I congratulate you Potter. Fine performance skills."
Snape turned to Dumbledore.
"I have seen what I wanted to see sir, I will be leaving now."
"Severus why don't you stay, Harry's elemental magic must be tested."
"I really must be going. I have class soon."
"I think you would like to know what Harry has learned. You might see him in a new light."
"Headmaster, I already do see the boy in a new light. He is the only one who has ever been able to defeat me in a staff battle."
"Professor please stay." Harry said suddenly. Ron on the other hand looked shocked and stood staring at the threesome.
"I'll need help with his elementals, he may lose control." Dumbledore said.
"How many does he have?"
"He has fire and water. Fire will be easy to wield but he seems to have difficulty with water."
"All right I will stay, but then I am leaving."
"Thank you, Severus."
"Harry." Dumbledore said and Harry took his stand again.
Clearing his mind off all thought except the image of fire, he began to stare at his hands. The fire burst into life in front of him, swirling higher and higher, consuming him into its warm embrace.
"Harry are you all right?" He heard Dumbledore call, but he could not break his concentration.
His hands moved apart making an opening in the flames so that the two professors and Ron were able to see him clearly. The heat waves were plainly seen as the wall of fire became thicker. Harry began making shapes, the hardest part in doing with fire. The shapes continued to blaze as one after another was made, Harry's concentration never wavering.
"That's it Harry, you've got it! Bring it down now! Try to slow it down, make it obey your every will."
Harry concentrated in making a ball of fire zoom across the room, to the walls, back at him, to the ceiling, and around the room. The fire was friendly and warm and obeyed every order Harry gave, reading his senses, his intentions. Harry began to move his hands in a circular pattern, repeating it over and over again until the small red fire ball was made into a large blazing one almost as bright as the sun. The fireball left Harry's hands and floated up into the air, rising higher and higher.
As Harry's concentration wavered just a little the ball began to fall. Quickly regaining his concentration Harry pushed the ball higher up, as far as it could go, before he brought his hands together and the fireball burst like a firecracker, sending tiny sparks across the ceiling and disappearing as it fell down. Harry's concentration was now on keeping the flames from lighting up the castle.
As the last bits of flame disappeared Harry slumped to the ground breathing hard.
He faintly heard Ron and the others running to him.
"Harry are you okay?"
"Don't touch him!" Snape ordered and Harry felt air rush as the hand was retracted back to its master.
"Why not?"
"If you touch him your hand would have been burnt. He is as hot as that fire was."
"When will he get back to normal?" Ron asked.
"When he gets his breath back." Snape said simply as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Harry! Ron!" Ginny and Hermione called running to them.
"What was that? We were in the library when all of a sudden it became hot. It was like a furnace. What happened? Harry?" Ginny said.
"It was Mr. Potter's elemental, fire." Dumbledore said.
"It was strong. It was so hot, and then we saw a white light and then something flickered across the ceiling." Hermione said staring down at Harry.
"That was magic, I was trying to put on a show." Harry said weakly. "Since this was a test I thought I'd have a bit of fun."
"And what if you lost control?" Snape hissed suddenly angry.
"I can control fire, Professor. It's water I'm worried about." Harry said.
"I am sure in time that you will be able to control water as well." Dumbledore said. He smiled down at Harry, pride written all over his face. Harry smiled back.
"I forgive you Professor. And I was being an idiot when I blamed you. I still don't approve about the secret keepings, but since you haven't been as secretive and as distant this year. I owe you forgiveness."
Dumbledore smiled even more, "Thank you Harry, but you had every right to be angry. But I am glad things have turned out fine."
"I am glad that you've helped me control these." Harry said and his ball of fire appeared in his hand.
"We have a long way to go. As I said, your powers will keep showing themselves when you at least expect them."
"Well let them." Harry smiled.
"As touching as this is I really must be going now." Snape began, "Potter you did great, I hope to see more improvement, maybe even in your potions, though I do not see that in the near future."
Harry smirked at his Professor, "You don't know what surprises lay ahead Professor. I just might 'surprise' you."
Snape scoffed in disbelief and strode out of the room.
"Git." Ron said, receiving another two slap over the head from Hermione and Ginny.
Harry laughed at Ron's pained look and Dumbledore chuckled.
"I am going to pretend that I did not hear that coming from Mr. Weasley." He said.
"Harry the test is over, you four should go up to your dormitory and get some rest."
"What about water sir?" Harry asked.
"We will test that later, there are many things we still have to learn."
"All right professor." Harry said.
As they made their way out of the tunnel and into the office, Dumbledore stopped them.
He went to the shelf and took out Godric Gryffindor's sword.
"I was supposed to give you this when you visited my office last time, but it had slipped my mind. Keep it close to you for it might someday save your life."
Harry took the sword and the holster from his Headmaster. The swords hilt glowed a bit before it recognized the heir. Harry could almost feel the happiness the sword was emitting at finally being in the rightful hands.
"Thank you, Professor. Good night."
"Good night Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. and Miss Weasley."
"Good night Professor."
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A/N: GOD this chapter gave me so much TROUBLE! Its 11 pm right now and I'm finally finishing. I thought I was going to have it up sooner but this has taken longer then I anticipated. But I hope its good enough, it's not my usual, but writer blocks are never good. This is the third time I had to type this chapter!
I think I should change my summary... I believe it needs to be changed. Emily or Kris I might need your help with it!
____________________________________________________________________
EVERYTHING YOU RECOGNIZE IS NOT MINE!
_______________________________________________________________________
THANKS TO:
AthenaKitty
Blueberrie
Artemis2003
Jen
SheWolfe7
Slytherin Rogue
Dark Thingy and other screen names you signed in with EMILY!: LOL
Pokie4389: Now you're the real you! lol thanks!
______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 12 "Big Test, Not really"
_______________________________________________________________________
"Harry, Harry wake up!" The tree was getting annoying, poking Harry hard in the stomach now.
"Stop it." He muttered to the tree. To his surprise the tree trunks opened to reveal a mouth.
"Harry get up!"
"I don't wanna get up. I went to bed late." Harry swatted the tree branch away.
"You have a test today." Harry opened his weary eyes and glared at the tree.
"You're just a stupid tree. You don't have the right to wake me up. Good night."
"WAKE UP!" The tree suddenly shouted into his ears and Harry felt something icy cold being dumped on him.
The tree dissolved and Harry's vision became blurry. When he opened his eyes again, Ron stood above him with his wand hoisted in the air.
"You thought I was a tree? Boy Harry, what the hell were you dreaming about."
Harry muttered angrily under his breath as he went around picking up his clothes. There was not much to say at 8 am, especially when you had been woken up when you went to bed about five hours ago.
The night before Harry was tired after the DA meeting, but when they entered the common room all Harry's tiredness just seemed to disappear. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had all said good night and went to bed, while Harry left to stare out the window.
"Harry? Hello?" Ron called, waving a hand in front of his eyes.
"What?"
"Are you all right? You seemed to space off."
"I'm okay, I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing important."
"Nightmares?" Ron asked.
"No. Something different. I was thinking about last night."
"Oh." Ron didn't ask anymore questions as if knowing what was bothering Harry.
But Ron didn't know. Harry was worried as to why Voldemort hadn't contacted him yet. He had said he would, but after that night Harry hadn't heard from him, or his whereabouts.
"Let's get something to eat since you woke me up this early."
"Sorry mate, I didn't know that you didn't get any sleep last night." Ron said.
"Well, at least Dumbledore didn't drain me with training, I think he wanted me to rest up for today."
"Hehe, didn't work did it? You're not rested at all."
Harry gave a dry laugh. /Yeah, you have no idea. /
_______________________________________________________________________
"Harry, are you ready?" Harry turned around to Dumbledore, who was waiting for him.
Ron and Hermione stood up as Harry nodded and excused himself from the conversation.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, is there a reason you are coming?" Dumbledore asked.
Ron and Hermione stood next to Harry and looked up at their headmaster.
Dumbledore smiled. "Very well, follow me."
/Harry is lucky to have friends like Ron and Hermione. They will do him some good in this time of darkness. /
"Harry! Harry you are not leaving without me!" Ginny ran up to them.
"Don't think you're escaping now, I'm coming too."
At Dumbledore's quizzical look, Ginny grinned.
"I know about it Professor."
"Yes, I have noticed. Mr. Potter who else knows about this?"
Harry grinned sheepishly; "I didn't tell anyone except Ron and Hermione, you knew I wasn't going to keep this from them. Ginny though," pointing at the girl, "she bribed me to tell her, I don't mind though. I trust her; she's one of us."
"All right, if you would all follow me, Severus is getting a bit impatient. He does not like to talk to the portraits alone."
Harry snorted.
"Neither do I."
"Snape? What's he doing? Is he going to help with Harry's test?" Ginny asked.
"Professor Snape, Miss Weasley, and yes Severus is helping. He is eager to know what Harry has accomplished, though don't tell him what I told you. He just might--well let's just keep that to ourselves. It's best not to anger him."
The teenagers smirked.
"So Harry does that mean Snivellus is beginning to care?" Ron asked, a slap was heard and Hermione folded her arms.
"If he heard you say that Ronald Weasley you would either have detention or running for your life."
"What did I do? All I did was use his nickname."
Slap.
"I should teach you to shut your mouth before you call him that when you are facing him."
"Miss Granger that was uncalled for." Ginny scolded while trying to keep her sniggers under control.
"We are here."
"Finally! These bloody paintings are beginning to annoy me." Snape snapped (hehe) as they entered the office.
"Good morning Severus, had a nice sleep?" At Snape's dark scowl directed towards the headmaster the teenagers were glad they had not said anything. As if they wanted to.
"Follow me, I do not think my office would be a place to test your skill."
Dumbledore walked to the other side of his office and to the bookcase. The others watched as their Headmaster grabbed a book of the shelf and the bookcase slid aside, revealing a brightly-lit tunnel.
"All right everyone." Dumbledore said motioning for everyone to follow him.
Without hesitation, Harry followed the Headmaster; the others stood back a little watching the two, even Snape did not know about the passageway.
"Harry wait up!" Ron ran after them. The rest followed slowly. As soon as they entered into the tunnel the bookcase slid back into place.
The room they entered was astounding. It was huge and all around on the walls weapons were lined up. From spears to swords to staffs.
"What the hell is this room?" Ron asked looking around.
"This is the training room I train in." Harry said noticing his friend's and professor's gaping mouths. They turned to him in shock.
"This is where you go every night?"
"Well not every night, we have a library here (Hermione's mouth went open farther) too where I have to perform spells and learn to control my magic."
"Harry can I see the library?" Hermione asked.
"Me too." Ginny behind her.
Harry smirked.
"It's behind that door." Harry pointed to the door opposite them that had just appeared at Harry's mention of Library.
"We'll see you later." Ginny and Hermione said and bolted towards the door. Harry and Ron laughed.
"I think Hermione's had an influence on Ginny." Ron said.
"If you're all done talking, can we please get this over with?" Snape snarled annoyingly making the boys jump who had forgotten their hated professor's presence.
"Severus, be patient." Dumbledore said. He had disappeared somewhere while Harry was explaining the room and had just come back.
"Harry are you ready?"
"Yes, sir." Harry walked to the middle of the room and waited with baited breath as Dumbledore took his place in front of him.
"I want you to concentrate on your feelings and try to block me as best as you can, all right?"
"Yes Professor." Harry said and closed his eyes. Occlumency was the beginning of the test. Harry had mastered Occlumency, but he had found out that it was not enough to completely block out Dumbledore, if he pushed too far. Fortunately for Harry after all the training he had undergone by Dumbledore he had almost mastered it completely. Almost being the key word there. The reason for the test.
Before Harry could completely get ready, "Legillimens" was heard and the invading presence was in his mind. Poking around like it was a mind it owned. Harry immediately set his shields up trying to push it away. The harder he tried to push him away the harder his professor pushed.
Harry was straining and sweat was visible on his forehead now. Dumbledore was using every ounce of his power to enter his mind, but Harry's shields held blocking entrance to his mind. With a burst of mental power, Dumbledore found himself flat on his back.
"Very good Harry, you have finally mastered it."
"I thought you were going to break my shield. The power was so strong." Harry gasped.
"You did well; you kept me from making it inside. I did not tell you this before but if you do not want to be found out, you must invent either false memories or memories that have some meaning to you, like lemon drops for instance," Dumbledore smiled, "You must have stored memories so it can confuse the person that wants to enter."
Harry nodded. He would leave that bit of information for later use.
"Severus, its time."
Snape stepped up to them and summoned one of the staffs. Harry summoned his own.
"Ready Potter?" He sneered.
Harry sneered back, "Born ready Professor."
"Yeah Harry go get him!" Ron yelled from the sideline, his fist in the air.
Harry grinned at him, then turned to Snape.
Snape attacked him and Harry barely had time to duck as the staff swished above his head. He dodged to one side threw the staff out just barely succeeding in tripping Snape. Harry stood back up and lunged at his Professor, but Severus rolled to his side, bringing his staff above his head stopping Harry's. He brought the staff and tried to hit the boy on his side, but Harry was quicker and brought his staff in a down block. Severus backed away on his legs and quickly stood up, Harry followed him.
"You're good Potter."
"Thanks!" Harry said panting, he spun around as Severus tried to spear him and brought his staff on his professor's head. Snape fell and dropped his staff, but as Harry approached him, he grabbed his own staff and knocked the Boy Who Lived down, ending with the staff point in Harry's throat.
"I guess I win." Smirked Snape. Harry smirked back. The professor lifted his eyes away from him and Harry took his chance and slammed his staff at the professor's legs. Severus fell cursing. Harry could faintly hear Ron yelling and approving him.
"Slytherin trick Potter."
"I'm half Slytherin sir." Harry said back. Severus gave him a questioning look, but Harry ignored it and lunged at him again.
"You should stop while you have the upper hand Potter." Snape said, he was now dodging Harry and keeping a closer eye on him. Harry would have laughed if he wasn't so caught up in bringing him down.
Severus was surprised when Harry's staff suddenly hit the floor, but Harry was no where to be seen except when he suddenly appeared above Snape's head and his staff jumping into his waiting arms and the professor made a mistake of trying to dodge. As soon as Harry touched the ground he swirled around and the staff went spinning straight across the Professor's legs. Severus fell with a groan and dropped his weapon, claiming Harry the victor.
Harry dropped his own staff and ran to the professor.
"Sir, are you all right?"
"Fine Potter. I am the second master at staff fighting and in all my years as master I have never seen anyone pull that trick. The way the staff obeyed and how straight it was. I congratulate you Potter. Fine performance skills."
Snape turned to Dumbledore.
"I have seen what I wanted to see sir, I will be leaving now."
"Severus why don't you stay, Harry's elemental magic must be tested."
"I really must be going. I have class soon."
"I think you would like to know what Harry has learned. You might see him in a new light."
"Headmaster, I already do see the boy in a new light. He is the only one who has ever been able to defeat me in a staff battle."
"Professor please stay." Harry said suddenly. Ron on the other hand looked shocked and stood staring at the threesome.
"I'll need help with his elementals, he may lose control." Dumbledore said.
"How many does he have?"
"He has fire and water. Fire will be easy to wield but he seems to have difficulty with water."
"All right I will stay, but then I am leaving."
"Thank you, Severus."
"Harry." Dumbledore said and Harry took his stand again.
Clearing his mind off all thought except the image of fire, he began to stare at his hands. The fire burst into life in front of him, swirling higher and higher, consuming him into its warm embrace.
"Harry are you all right?" He heard Dumbledore call, but he could not break his concentration.
His hands moved apart making an opening in the flames so that the two professors and Ron were able to see him clearly. The heat waves were plainly seen as the wall of fire became thicker. Harry began making shapes, the hardest part in doing with fire. The shapes continued to blaze as one after another was made, Harry's concentration never wavering.
"That's it Harry, you've got it! Bring it down now! Try to slow it down, make it obey your every will."
Harry concentrated in making a ball of fire zoom across the room, to the walls, back at him, to the ceiling, and around the room. The fire was friendly and warm and obeyed every order Harry gave, reading his senses, his intentions. Harry began to move his hands in a circular pattern, repeating it over and over again until the small red fire ball was made into a large blazing one almost as bright as the sun. The fireball left Harry's hands and floated up into the air, rising higher and higher.
As Harry's concentration wavered just a little the ball began to fall. Quickly regaining his concentration Harry pushed the ball higher up, as far as it could go, before he brought his hands together and the fireball burst like a firecracker, sending tiny sparks across the ceiling and disappearing as it fell down. Harry's concentration was now on keeping the flames from lighting up the castle.
As the last bits of flame disappeared Harry slumped to the ground breathing hard.
He faintly heard Ron and the others running to him.
"Harry are you okay?"
"Don't touch him!" Snape ordered and Harry felt air rush as the hand was retracted back to its master.
"Why not?"
"If you touch him your hand would have been burnt. He is as hot as that fire was."
"When will he get back to normal?" Ron asked.
"When he gets his breath back." Snape said simply as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Harry! Ron!" Ginny and Hermione called running to them.
"What was that? We were in the library when all of a sudden it became hot. It was like a furnace. What happened? Harry?" Ginny said.
"It was Mr. Potter's elemental, fire." Dumbledore said.
"It was strong. It was so hot, and then we saw a white light and then something flickered across the ceiling." Hermione said staring down at Harry.
"That was magic, I was trying to put on a show." Harry said weakly. "Since this was a test I thought I'd have a bit of fun."
"And what if you lost control?" Snape hissed suddenly angry.
"I can control fire, Professor. It's water I'm worried about." Harry said.
"I am sure in time that you will be able to control water as well." Dumbledore said. He smiled down at Harry, pride written all over his face. Harry smiled back.
"I forgive you Professor. And I was being an idiot when I blamed you. I still don't approve about the secret keepings, but since you haven't been as secretive and as distant this year. I owe you forgiveness."
Dumbledore smiled even more, "Thank you Harry, but you had every right to be angry. But I am glad things have turned out fine."
"I am glad that you've helped me control these." Harry said and his ball of fire appeared in his hand.
"We have a long way to go. As I said, your powers will keep showing themselves when you at least expect them."
"Well let them." Harry smiled.
"As touching as this is I really must be going now." Snape began, "Potter you did great, I hope to see more improvement, maybe even in your potions, though I do not see that in the near future."
Harry smirked at his Professor, "You don't know what surprises lay ahead Professor. I just might 'surprise' you."
Snape scoffed in disbelief and strode out of the room.
"Git." Ron said, receiving another two slap over the head from Hermione and Ginny.
Harry laughed at Ron's pained look and Dumbledore chuckled.
"I am going to pretend that I did not hear that coming from Mr. Weasley." He said.
"Harry the test is over, you four should go up to your dormitory and get some rest."
"What about water sir?" Harry asked.
"We will test that later, there are many things we still have to learn."
"All right professor." Harry said.
As they made their way out of the tunnel and into the office, Dumbledore stopped them.
He went to the shelf and took out Godric Gryffindor's sword.
"I was supposed to give you this when you visited my office last time, but it had slipped my mind. Keep it close to you for it might someday save your life."
Harry took the sword and the holster from his Headmaster. The swords hilt glowed a bit before it recognized the heir. Harry could almost feel the happiness the sword was emitting at finally being in the rightful hands.
"Thank you, Professor. Good night."
"Good night Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. and Miss Weasley."
"Good night Professor."
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A/N: GOD this chapter gave me so much TROUBLE! Its 11 pm right now and I'm finally finishing. I thought I was going to have it up sooner but this has taken longer then I anticipated. But I hope its good enough, it's not my usual, but writer blocks are never good. This is the third time I had to type this chapter!