Harry Potter and the Sword of Eternal Flame
By: Alex Lyons3
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and everything in the wonderful world of Hogwarts. Disney owns Gargoyles and Demona.
Author's Note: In order to understand this you have to read Harry Potter and the Soul Shifter, my Year Six fan fiction. As I said in The Soul Shifter, Harry started school back in '97, so Seventh Year is 2002-2003. In this chapter Harry gets a load of surprises for his birthday, including one he never expected.
Chapter 2: Birthday Surprises
The morning of July 31st dawned bright and cheerful as Harry awoke to the wonderful aroma of bacon cooking. It had apparently drifted all through the castle and had ended up coming through the cracks around Harry's door. Harry looked at his clock on his bed side table, it was about nine thirty in the morning.
Harry got up happily, this would be the very first birthday, aside from his very first one, that he'd spend with his parents. He suddenly realized that Brooklyn would most likely not be awake, so he rushed from his room and down the stairs. No one was in the Great Hall, but he didn't figure that anyone would be. He went up the long, winding stairs that led to the top most tower. He burst out at the top where the clan usually sat all together. They weren't there! Not even Goliath, who normally sat up there alone. Harry looked over the battlements, looking for some sign of the clan. Harry got a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach what if...while he was a sleep...the Quarrymen; a nasty organization that hated all gargoyles and hunted them, came to the castle and smashed the clan. Harry looked about the ground, there was nothing except the old stone skin that Goliath and the others had shed the night before.
Harry raced down the stairs, Hermione was coming up and they would have been sent tumbling down if Harry had not screeched to a halt.
"Hermione!" Harry said, relief flooding him as he realized that she might know what had happened to the clan. "Where are they?"
Hermione grinned, "Down stairs. It's your birthday, so Puck showed Alex how to keep gargoyles from turning to stone during the day. They're all alright." Hermione said, still grinning.
"You're kidding!" Harry said looking at Hermione's widening grin.
She shook her head, "Go see for yourself. They're in the sitting room."
"Thanks Hermione!" Harry said as he rushed past her towards the sitting room.
Down in a dingy alleyway on the other side of Manhattan, at about six o'clock in the morning, a very strange sight was occurring. A huge vortex of some kind was swirling, vertically, just barely over the pavement. A man was suddenly thrown out on to the cracked dirty little road. He rubbed his head as though he'd hit it. A man, older than the one who came through the vortex, hobbled up to the other man and held out a hand.
"Come on. You don't want to be out here right now. Strange things around here. People shaking down other people with questions about gargoyles. Not a good thing. Nope. Not good at all. See, they think that if you tell them that you don't know anything they'll hurt you cause they think that your lying." The old guy said, half to himself.
The younger one followed him down the alleyway, out to the streets and down into the subways. The young man had not spoken mainly because he was a bit disoriented from his trip through the vortex, but he was warily clutching something in the pocket of what appeared to be an old, oversized, overcoat.
They went down to a rather odd looking place with huge metal doors and a large cat like creature with bat like wings guarding them. He reminded the younger man of a gargoyle that he'd met in a wizarding supply shop that also catered to muggles, though that one had looked like a lion and had bird like wings, while this one looked like a tiger. The creature pointed at the man.
"Hey Claw!" The older man greeted the tiger mutate. Claw smiled and pointed at the other man. "He fell in the alleyway. Seems a bit out of sorts. Another one, I think."
Claw shook his head sadly and waved them both through.
The Labyrinth was a bustle of activity. There were men and women who were getting ready for work, so they could buy food and soon, hopefully, a house, a car and furniture for said house. The children were either sleeping peacefully still, if they were too young to go to school, or sitting up at a bunch of mismatched tables eating cereal and talking about what they were going to do since school was out, not at all unlike Hogwarts except the chatter of the children.
Harry sat at the table in the kitchen eating breakfast after finding all of the clan safe and sound in the sitting room, either discussing what they did last night or reading the paper or watching the morning news. It was about ten in the morning now and Harry got up to wash his plates.
"Good morning, Mister Potter. I take it that you slept well." Owen said, stoically.
"Yes, sir." Harry said cheerfully. He was one of the few in the castle who actually liked Owen. Owen was good natured and easy going, when he wasn't busy with work. He always had time for Harry's insistent questions about the castle or about the gargoyles. He even, often, let Harry sit in on Alex's magic lessons.
"We just received this earlier this morning." Owen said holding out a lengthy box.
Harry took it and unwrapped it. He gasped, as he opened the box. There was his Firebolt, still looking brand new, gleaming up at him. He took it in his hands glancing over it carefully. He looked at Owen who was watching over Harry's shoulder with a look of intense concentration on his face as if he were doing magic, but knowing that he wasn't suppose to was making it seem as though he wasn't the one doing it.
Owen's face relaxed after a few moments and he grinned a bit.
"Well, it hasn't been jinxed." He said, approvingly. "Who sent it?"
Harry looked at the card.
'Harry–
I'm sorry about Sirius and everything, even killing your Mum and Dad. I, however, think it was a bit fated to happen. I mean, to a very literal degree they came back! Anyway, I retrieved your broomstick, which yes I remember vividly the day you got it, I was afraid then, of Sirius coming to kill me and of Remus when he found out about me being still very much alive. Anyway, Happy Birthday Harry!
–Wormtail'
Harry looked up at Owen. "A friend."
Brooklyn had maneuvered over to Angela fairly quietly. He did not wish Goliath to hear of his plans for later tonight nor did he want Broadway to know that he needed to speak to Angela since he had become insanely jealous of Brooklyn when ever Brooklyn wanted to talk to Angela alone to everyone's puzzlement, but he needed to ask Angela a favor that went along with his plan.
"Angela." Brooklyn whispered, trying not to gain his elder brother, Broadway's attention. Luckily, Broadway's attention was still captivated by the book he was reading. Angela looked over and Brooklyn whispered, "I need to talk to you."
Angela nodded. "Broadway. I'll be right back. I'm going to go to the restroom."
"Okay!" Broadway said still engrossed in his book.
They got down the hall and into a room that was next to the bathroom.
"What is it?" Angela asked, seriously worried about Broadway, since he had become jealous of Brooklyn almost immediately after he had returned from teaching at Hogwarts.
"Do you know where Demona is?" Brooklyn asked her bluntly, watching her out of the corner of his eye just in case Broadway realized that Angela might be talking with him.
He hated taking all these precautions, but Goliath had not wanted Brooklyn to use much magic while here and forbade him to use any magic on any of the clan. Brooklyn understood, of course, but Goliath was treating him as though he were a child that had no idea of exactly what he could do with his very powerful stick of wood.
"Mother!? Why? What did she do this time?" Angela asked looking at Brooklyn directly, hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.
Brooklyn snorted in amusement, "Nothing." He said trying to hold in his laughter. "I just need to speak with her."
Angela looked at Brooklyn in amazement, "Your kidding right?" Brooklyn shook his head slowly. "Why?"
"Remember how I told everyone that I wasn't able to go back?" Brooklyn said. Angela nodded. "Well, I need to find a replacement. Demona's the best choice. She can keep Harry safe no matter what. She'll do it too." He said, reading Angela's posture. "She likes Harry. Don't particularly know why! Don't particularly care! I just need to talk to her and see if she wants to come to his birthday."
Angela stared at Brooklyn. "You've lost it! What did those wizards do to you?! You've never spoken about mother like that!!"
"You never knew me when your mother and I were still friends." Brooklyn said calmly, though trying not to laugh in her face. "Thing is, she's the one that brought me that parchment with the ad for a Defense teacher at Hogwarts."
"You want to talk to mother. Alright! Tonight, we'll go and get her! Anything else?"
"Just one." Brooklyn quipped, pointing a finger in the air. "Tell Broadway, I need a large chocolate cake with white icing and tons of red and gold sprinkles on top. I'll figure out what I want the cake to look like after I get back from the Labyrinth."
"Ah! Going to invite the mutates and the clones?" Angela asked.
"Harry wants them here. He seems to find Delilah fascinating." Brooklyn chuckled softly.
Angela laughed, "Right, what boy wouldn't?" She said leaving the room just as Broadway had stepped out of the library. He saw both Brooklyn and Angela laughing.
"What's so funny?" He asked indignantly.
"Harry's infatuation with Delilah." Angela said cracking up.
"Can you blame the kid?! I sure couldn't!" Brooklyn said, still trying to keep a firm lid on his mirth.
"Don't see how that's particularly funny, you know." Broadway said, looking at both of them accusingly.
Brooklyn just looked at his older brother seriously and sighed. "I got to go. I need to go see the guys down in the Labyrinth."
"Hey, what were you two doing anyway?" Broadway asked before Brooklyn could turn the corner.
"Making plans for Harry's party." Angela said, truthfully. "Brooklyn was wondering if you'd make the cake for the party."
"Why didn't you just come see me?" Broadway asked Brooklyn angrily.
"Because I needed to ask Angela something anyway, so I asked her to pass on the message."
"Like what?" Broadway asked suspiciously.
Brooklyn looked at Broadway with a brow ridge raised, but opted to keep his thoughts to himself. "Nothing much. Just when was the next time she was going to go see Demona."
Brooklyn shrugged and then turned and walked down the hallway.
It was now about two o'clock in the afternoon, Brooklyn made his way cautiously down to the streets and into an alleyway that had been previously used by the two men earlier in the morning. He lifted the grate easily and slid down into the sewer. He arrived at the Labyrinth a little before two thirty. Malibu, his clone, was standing watch at the doors. He hadn't had nearly the miss giving's as Lexington had, but even he had to admit that they still freaked him out a bit. He waved to the wary sentry; who tensed, but then when he saw who it was, he smiled cheerfully and waved back.
"How are you today, Mal?" Brooklyn asked, truthfully, he was concerned. Out of all the clones Malibu was having the most trouble making since of things and still had the mental capacities of an average two year old human. He, unlike his two older brothers, had not been particularly happy to see them shunted to the Labyrinth. While he knew they'd be well taken care of, Brooklyn felt a twinge of responsibility to this creation of Thailog. This only confirmed that the clan should have, at the very least, taken this one in. Of course, Talon, Maggie and Claw had more time on their hands than the Wyvern clan did, so they'd be able to teach them better.
"I guard." Malibu beamed up at Brooklyn, since Brooklyn was standing up right and Malibu was still slouched over. "I good at it."
"I'm glad. Probably the best, right?" Brooklyn said, most people didn't talk to Malibu much, except for the very young children, and Brooklyn had made it a practice when Harry and Hermione had pointed it out to him that he'd be nicer to Malibu.
Malibu shook his head sadly. "I not best. Claw and Talon, they best. I worst!"
"Who says?" Brooklyn asked, his hackles rising slightly. Ever since Harry had told him that Malibu often got picked on by the other people that lived here, he had been extremely touchy when Malibu told him of someone not being kind to him.
"Talon and Maggie and everyone." Malibu said sadly, bowing his head, his beak almost touching the ground.
"Well, I don't believe it! You most definitely would have attacked me, if I didn't come around every chance I got." Brooklyn said, truthfully, "You're a very good guard."
Malibu grinned. "You think?"
Brooklyn nodded. Then a thought occurred to him, "Why are you still awake?"
Malibu tilted his head. "I not sleepy."
"Yeah, but it is day up above. Why do you not sleep?"
"I no know." Malibu said. "Guess you ask one of the others."
"Guess so." Brooklyn said, wondering if Puck might have let his spell extend to the clones for today.
"Where Harry and Hermione?" Malibu asked peering around Brooklyn's wing, expecting Harry and Hermione to be there.
"They're up above." Brooklyn said.
"Oh." Malibu said, disappointment evident in his voice.
Brooklyn chuckled at him. "Hey! Don't worry! If everything goes according to plan, then you'll see them soon enough!"
"Really?" Malibu asked happily, "You bring them down here?"
Talon suddenly walks out. "Malibu! Stop trying to engage in conversation and let Brooklyn through!" He said angrily.
"I..." Malibu faltered warily.
Brooklyn glared. Maggie also came out and said gently, "Derek, must you be so cruel? He was only talking. There is nothing wrong with that."
"He needs to learn how to talk right, first." Talon snarled, looking down at the clone with a mixture of emotions on his face. Fore most was disappointment.
"How is he to learn, Talon, if he never gets to talk to anyone other than the children who talk like he does?" Brooklyn asked, still glaring. "I engaged him in conversation! If I did not wish to talk with Malibu then I wouldn't have said anything to him in the first place."
Talon raised a brow, looking a bit shocked.
"Come in, Brooklyn. Malibu, your shift is over now." Maggie said sweetly.
"I eat, now." Malibu asked hopefully, his red eyes pleading.
"Of course. Claw's making sandwiches, go get yourself one." Maggie told him pointing to the table where food was prepared.
Malibu scampered off to get a bite to eat.
"Derek can be such an idiot at times." Maggie said angrily.
"I suppose we all can be at times." Brooklyn said watching his clone, he turned to Maggie, "So, anything new? Aside from the clones being awake at two in the afternoon."
I was wondering about that. No, nothings new, except a guy Old Tom brought down. He's a little edgy. Doesn't talk much and he's not from around here. He's wearing, I don't know, a robe." Maggie said, looking about for the man in question.
"A robe?" Brooklyn asked, suspiciously, "What does he look like?"
"About you height. Long, black hair that reaches to his elbows. Kind of grubby looking. Looks like he's been on the streets for quite awhile."
Brooklyn looked around, a thought occurring to him. "Did anyone get a name?"
Maggie shook her head. "He won't tell us and at the moment he's disappeared...again."
"Ah, well. I just came down to let you know two things. One, Puck has given us the ability to stay awake during the day. Two, today's Harry's birthday, so I was wondering if you'd all like to come."
"Talon may have a bit of a problem about that, but yes, if I can talk him around, we'll come." Maggie said.
"Definitely bring Malibu, he likes Harry and Hermione. It'll do him some good to get him out of here anyway." Brooklyn said, looking over at Malibu again while the clone munched on some carrot sticks that Claw had fixed for a snack.
"Delilah too?" Maggie asked innocently, but with a sly smile.
Brooklyn chuckled and nodded. "Harry has a crush on her."
Maggie smiled, "So I've noticed."
"Anyway, I got to go. I've got a Great Hall to decorate..." Brooklyn was cut off by a loud sound like a whip crack.
Maggie jumped. "There it goes again! That sounds been happening all day. I'd better go tell Talon to check on the electric again." Maggie said exasperated.
However, Brooklyn knew what made that sound. An Apperating wizard or witch. He ran to the electrical box, knowing that the wizard or witch would want to cover their trail and so they'd Apperate in a place that should occasionally crack with energy. Brooklyn drew his wand out and poked his head through the door way that led to the fuse box. Trying to sneak out was a man with long black hair and dressed in dingy wizard's robes.
"Who are you?" Brooklyn demanded angrily, pointing his wand at the other wizard's chest.
The man whipped out his wand, "Don't threaten me, monster! I'll kill you for that!"
Maggie and Talon came rushing up to the room.
"Brooklyn?" Talon asked warily.
"He's a wizard!" Brooklyn said getting in between the two of them and the man. "He was probably sent by Voldemort to kill Harry or..."
"HARRY!!" The man exclaimed. "Harry Potter?!"
"Aye!" Brooklyn snarled, "I will not let you hurt him!"
"Hurt him?! I wouldn't dare! Take me to him, immediately!"
"No!" Brooklyn snarled, his eyes glowing, the only illumination in the room, "I won't! You'll have to kill me first, Death Eater!"
"I am no Death Eater!" The man snarled angrily holding his wand at the ready. "I'm Harry's godfather, Sirius Black!"
The two mutates looked at the man, that was in shadow, with relief. However, Brooklyn didn't trust him.
"Lumos!" Brooklyn muttered, his wand tip ignited and standing before him was indeed Sirius Black. "Empty out your pockets!" Brooklyn snarled, "I will not take you to Harry until I've checked you over!"
The supposed Sirius emptied out his pockets, which included a flask of drink and a moving photograph of the Potter's wedding. Brooklyn dug Sirius' pockets, not turning up anything, of course.
"Alright, he's pretty much cleaned out." Brooklyn said gruffly. "Let's take him to one of the cells. If you don't change into somebody else in an hour and thirty minutes time we'll let you out."
Sirius looked at the gargoyle who was standing before him angrily, but nodded his head. Brooklyn and Talon took him to a cell that was next to Fang's.
"Oh! Hey, Brookie! Want some lovin'?" Fang asked, just to rile the gargoyle.
Brooklyn looked at Talon and said conversationally, "I knew we should've had his tongue removed."
"Here now. I'll need your wand." Brooklyn said.
"Fine." Sirius spat, handing over his wand, "Are you going to break it like they did in Azkaban?"
"No. Unless you suddenly change forms with in an hour and thirty minutes. If you are who you say you are then you should know that this is for Harry's protection." Brooklyn said setting the wand down on a ledge.
Sirius looked a little stunned, but nodded in agreement. Harry would need to be protected from Death Eaters and just because he looked like Sirius didn't necessarily mean he was Sirius.
Talon looked at Brooklyn.
"We'll have Malibu watch over him." Brooklyn said to Talon.
"But..." Talon began to argue, but Brooklyn would hear none of it.
"Malibu is the best. He likes Harry and he won't let this guy, if he is a Death Eater, hurt Harry! I'll be back in an hour and thirty minutes." Brooklyn stated
Talon nodded and called Malibu to come guard the prisoner that would be known as Sirius Black.
* * *
To athenakitty: LOL!! Yeas, Harry is enjoying himself for the very first time during summer holiday. No circumstance, I knew I didn't spell a word right, but it wouldn't come up on my spell checker! Stupid Computer!! Of course Alex likes Remus in his wolf form, he thinks he's just a big, hairy, doggy. Not a mirror, the mirror! The twin to the one Harry shattered by accident in the fifth book. Yeah, when you're someone's dad you have to give them bad news. Poor Brooklyn! Poor Remus, even though Alex likes him he still is just a baby, often not realizing that he could really hurt some one with his grip.
To Liaranne: Thanks!
To silvernightshade: Seems somebody's a bit impatient, hmm? Since I was insistent with myself that I wouldn't post anything until I had at least three chapters written. I should get this one out in record time. By the by, why not just find something else of mine and review that. It'd be much appreciated!
To Jade Kirk and Max LBC: I'm glad you're enjoying this one. As said above, I wanted to make sure that this one had three chapters written before I posted anything. Another thing is, I wanted it to be longer. The word count on each of the first three chapters is over 3000, not bad, really.