Disclaimer: The amazing Harry potter world belong to J K and many others, none of which include me. This is a slash story and is rated PG-13 for several reasons, none of which are clear to me yet. Happy reading! Oh and, I'm more than capable of doing tricks for treats (REVIEWS) `wink wink`
Messages to my 3 reviewers at the bottom, groveling, groveling, groveling!
Bonds
"Harry! Come on, get up, Dumbledore will be here any minute!"
The very much asleep, dark haired young man reached aimlessly for his glasses and mentally shook himself awake. He had slept so soundly yet he knew he had dreamed about something. 'Nah, I would have woke up sweating' Finding his glasses, he made a mental note to add them to the list of topics for today's discussion.
He was to meet Dumbledore today and have a meeting in which Harry could ask anything he wanted of the old man.
"Harry!"
"I'm up, I'm up" Harry mumbled.
"Mum is going insane, we're going to be late!" Ron said as he frantically tried to fine clean clothes.
"We? I thought this meeting would be private." Harry said mostly to himself as he started to panic. He had not counted on telling anyone about the prophecy for a while and it was sure to come up in the meeting.
"No, I have a meeting with the Unspeakables at the Department of Mysteries in an hour, see if they can sort out what that brain did to me."
Harry stared at his best friend, horrified that he had been too wrapped up in his grief lately to ask Ron about his condition. Ron seemed to notice Harry look of horror and added "Hey I'm fine mate, really."
"Then what do they want with you?"
"Well, I have all these memories in my head, sometimes I can't think strait, I think there going to help sort them out."
"Oh."
"HARRY!"
"Yeah, I'm coming!" Harry shouted down the stairs.
"RONALD WEASLEY!"
"Ok! Mum, Ok!" Both boys ran around for a moment until they were fully dressed and then rushed down stairs.
"Good luck with the meeting Ron."
"Yeah, you too." Ron said as Mrs. Weasley grabbed his shoulders and started pushing him, Hermione and Ginny out the door.
"Harry, dear, Professor Dumbledore is waiting for you in the drawing room." Mrs. Weasley said with a nod to the slightly open door beside him. "There's some breakfast on the side table in there and lunch will be brought in later. We'll be back for dinner, have a good day dear." She hugged him quickly and cast a concerned look at the drawing room door before disappearing through the front.
Harry was rooted to that spot in the hallway between the two doors and the stairs. He stared at the slightly open drawing room door for what felt like a lifetime. 'Do you really want to hear any of this?' He asked himself. 'Yes.' 'Are you sure? Not much good has come of these meetings before.' The questioning voice would have sneered the last remark if it had a face, of that Harry was sure. 'I need to know and he's the only one who can give me the answers' 'Yes, but are you ready?' Harry frowned at the almost Slytherin voice, but said 'Yes' and made his feet move toward the open door.
He stepped inside the dark room and saw Dumbledore sitting, facing the fire with his chin resting on his fingertips, deep in thought. Harry noticed the squashy purple chair and smiled slightly, 'Probably from his own quarters'. The elderly man slowly lifted his head and caught Harry in that twinkling stare only he could manage. He smiled at Harry and motioned for him to sit down.
"Molly has brought us in some breakfast, have a seat."
"Yeah, I'm a little hungry." Harry said as he sat in a large, black wing backed chair behind the desk. He had a funny feeling when he sat down and only when he looked up at his headmaster did he know why. 'Why am I sitting here?' he thought to himself and made to get up from the chair.
"Professor," Harry began but was cut off by the older man chuckling slightly and waving his hand.
"Harry, keep your seat, I'm fine where I am."
"Sir, I don't feel comfortable sitting here, maybe"
"Harry, today you will be doing the questioning and I the answering, so I think it will be fine for you to remain where you are." Dumbledore said with a sparkle of laughter in his eyes.
"Just one quick question before we begin. I understand the you have accepted Remus as your godfather?" At this Harry simply nodded, still not quite comfortable with the seating arrangements.
"Good. Would you like him to be present during our chat?"
"You think I need a babysitter for this?" Harry's harsh statement was met by a small smile.
"No Harry, I do not feel that you need to be babysat. But, I do feel that you may need someone other than myself to talk to about the things we will discuss and believe me, Remus is an excellent listener." At Harry's silence the aging Wizard continued,
"I will not try to force you to tell anyone of the prophecy until you want to, but I see in your eyes a need that I cannot fulfill." More silence.
"You need a parent Harry, now more than ever." Harry nodded after Dumbledore said those last words and felt somewhat relieved at the small confession. They sat in silence as Harry fought with his emotions, finally he lifted his head to stare into the blue eyes of his friend and mentor.
"Ok."
Dumbledore snapped his fingers and with a small crack a house elf appeared at his side wearing a strange hat and mismatched socks.
"Dobby?"
"Hello Master Harry!" The small creature said with barely contained excitement.
"What are you doing here?" The small elf threw a worried look at the Headmaster of Hogwarts and it was he who answered Harry's question.
"At the end of the school year Dobby came to me and asked if there was any way of serving you personally at school. Although I could not allow personal service at school for many reasons, I believe I have come up with another way he could help you. Since Kreacher left it has become a lot of work for Molly to keep up with all this house's needs and still manage the Burrow, so, I asked Dobby and Winky to accompany me today in the hopes that you would accept their services."
Harry mentally shook his thoughts in an attempt to understand what Dumbledore had said. "Winky is here too?"
"Yes Master Harry." Dobby replied and with a snap of his fingers Winky appeared beside him. Harry stared at the sober, clean and happy house elf before him. Her outfit was neatly pressed and she wore a clean apron over it. Harry wondered if she had just come from the downstairs kitchen, she seemed to be drying her hands on the apron.
Winky bowed low as she met Harry's gaze. "Master Potter." She said with a trembling voice as if she were in trouble. Harry thought for a moment, then stood from his seat to kneel in front of the two house elves.
Lifting Winky's head he looked deep into her eyes. She was scared she upset her new master, nervous at being in a new house, but what Harry noticed the most was happiness. She was happy to be in a home again. Still searching her soul, Harry asked her simply
"Winky, do you want to serve me?"
"Yes Master Potter, more than anything"
Harry searched a moment longer and then asked a question he knew would hurt her feelings, however, it was necessary.
"Can I trust you?"
Harry saw the hurt in her eyes but also saw the truth when she spoke. "Yes, Master Potter, Winky is a good house elf."
Harry sighed and stood up battling with his thoughts. He finally came to the conclusion that he would probably need servants for this house and only when he thought of Mrs. Weasley did he make his decision. 'What will Hermione think about this?' he thought before he spoke to his two new companions.
"Right, well, there are two empty bedrooms on the ground floor. Let me know if you need anything for them, I don't know how well stocked they are."
"So, we are accepted?" Dobby asked excitedly.
"Yes, you are……" As soon as Harry spoke the words a purple light glowed brightly form his chest and pushed from him to the two small creatures before him.
Harry was confused and concerned, but when the light faded Dobby and Winky were the first to react. They jumped up and down and danced excitedly with each other. Dumbledore was chuckling at the two being so silly and at Harry's confused look.
Harry shot the old man an annoyed look and asked, "Was that supposed to happen?"
"Yes, my boy, Dobby and Winky are now bound to you, this house and your future family."
Harry gasped "I've enslaved them? No, but they were free! How…."
"Yes they were free, but they wanted to serve you and you accepted their service. It was a choice made together as one and can now only be broken if you set them free."
Dobby and Winky both stopped celebrating abruptly as Dumbledore spoke those last words. They both stared worriedly at their new Master before Harry spoke.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to set you free. But I want you to call me by my first name and I don't want you to start wearing those togas or anything. You two are able to wear what ever you want, understood?"
"Yes Master Harry." Winky said as she bowed herself from the room. Dobby stood still and when Winky saw he had not moved she stopped in the doorway.
"Master Harry sir?"
"Yes Dobby?" Harry smiled and chuckled slightly at Dobby's bashfulness.
"We are allowed to wear anything, sir?"
"Yes Dobby, anything your little heart desires." Harry chuckled as Dumbledore tried his best not to, but failed miserably.
"Even shoes sir?"
"Of course."
"And maybe jewelry for Winky sir?"
"Absolutely." Harry said as he sat back down in his chair .
Dobby trembled slightly before he asked his next question. "Sir, could Dobby and Winky be allowed to wear robes sir?" Winky shrieked from the doorway and Dobby covered his head to avoid being punished. Dumbledore laughed out loud at their reactions and didn't fully stop for sometime.
Harry chuckled at Dobby's question and at his mentor's outburst of emotion. "Dobby, as soon as I can I will take you and Winky to Diagon Alley and get you as many Wizard's Robes as you want, ok?"
"Yes Master Harry, thank you Master Harry, we will be in the kitchen getting lunch ready Master Harry."
"Thanks Dobby." Harry said as his new house elves made their way to the kitchen.
Dumbledore stopped laughing and shook his head "I think Ms. Granger will be very pleased, I've never seen such happy house elves."
"Yes, well, I couldn't say no could I?" Dumbledore shook his head and wiped his eyes as Harry continued. "I don't suppose house elves are normally allowed to wear Wizard's Robes?" He asked with a raised eyebrow to his Headmaster.
"Well, they aren't normal house elves, are they? Now back to Remus."
"Oh, uh, how do I call Dobby?" Harry asked as Dobby appeared with a soft snap.
"Yes Master Harry, what can Dobby do for you?"
"Um, if you could find Remus and ask him to join us, that would be great." and with a small snap Dobby was gone. A few moments later Remus was pushed into the room by small hands. Harry briefly explained about Dobby and Winky before Dumbledore asked Remus to have a seat.
"Hermione will not be pleased with you Harry."
"Yes well, it's not like I had any intention of enslaving them again, I didn't realize what I was doing and there is no way I can put Winky through being free again." Remus nodded and recalled the story of the Quidditch world cup.
"So, what can I help you with?" The werewolf asked the two other men.
"Ah, Remus, we only wondered if you would like to sit in on our little chat." As Dumbledore finished Remus raised an eyebrow to Harry. He moved forward and sat in the chair next to Dumbledore, accepting the invitation. A charm was cast on the door before the aging Headmaster spoke. "Harry?"
"Well, I suppose we should start with the Prophecy, no point delaying it." Harry said in a tight voice, he was worried at his new Godfathers reaction.
Dumbledore nodded and pulled a green crystal from the inner pocket of his robes before taking his seat again. Harry stared at the small object. It was a deep jade and sat the size of the older mans palm, Harry thought it had a 'star' shape to it. Dumbledore took out his wand and tapped the star once. The light on the outer edges of the star seemed to glow as it hovered a foot over his hand. A green memory was being played between the star and the old man's hand.
Harry recognized it as Albus' memory of the meeting with Sibyll Trewalany at the Hogs Head Inn. Harry cringed as he heard the hard voice of the true Seer through his Divination teacher. He focused his attention on his Godfather's eyes as the Werewolf watched the projection.
At first it was disbelief, then confusion took the latter's place, followed by fear. The one emotion that took over the man's soul in the end was anger. Harry had expected these emotions, having dealt with them a lot lately, and sat calmly waiting for the storm. It unnerved Remus to no end that Dumbledore's knack for 'clam before the storm' had worn off on Harry but he was too upset to mention it.
"She's WRONG! You can't take this seriously Dumbledore, that damn woman couldn't SEE if her life depended on it." He said, almost desperately to the two men in front of him. "Harry, this isn't true, don't believe it! She can't be talking about you….." He trailed off as realization sunk in. 'Dumbledore wouldn't have told Harry if he did not think the prophecy to be true. Harry would not have shown me if he didn't accept it as fact.' Remus turned a worried face to his Godson.
Harry sighed into his hands, "I do believe the prophecy, Remus, it's the only thing that actually makes sense of my whole life. I'm sorry it upset you, but I have to say, you took it better than I did."
The silver haired man stared, dumbfounded at Harry's statement. 'Did I say that out loud?' Harry noticed the confusion and added "I saw you thoughts just now, it's been happening a lot lately."
"Yes, you have been very receptive to thought and emotion since the end of term." Dumbledore added with his constant twinkle in full blaze.
"You say you have accepted it?"
"Yes, I have."
"Have you told anyone else?"
"No, and I don't think I'm going to for a while. I can see the sadness and worry in your eyes, I don't want them to go through that until they have to. I'll tell the others eventually, just not now."
"Remus, now that you are aware of the situation, we should get down to business. I have agreed to answer any and all of Harry's questions to the best of my ability. Harry?" he turned to the young man seated before him, "What would you like to start with?"
Harry thought hard for a moment, his mind seemed to be blank. 'Too much has happened today' he thought to himself and gave his mentor an exasperated look. "Just start with something simple, the others will come."
"Ok," Harry said, thinking hard. "Oh, um, my glasses, it could impare my dueling abilities to depend on them too much."
"A very good point, I will see to it that you get a trip to St mango's tomorrow, I believe Mr. Malfoy will be visiting his parents, you could accompany him if you like."
"Right," Harry became nervous about being with the Malfoy heir on such an occasion.
"You said something about a theory the other day, I would like to hear it, if that's ok."
The older man sighed slightly before standing from his chair to pace in front of the fireplace. Harry and Remus were shocked at the act of nervousness form the Headmaster.
"There is an old saying in our world that I have become to think of as fact. 'The most powerful wizards in the world hold the greatest weaknesses.' You are very well aware of the similarities between yourself and Tom, so I will tell you of the only one you may know about. It is my belief that you and Tom Riddle share a common weakness.
Tom has never known what it is to love. He despises that that he can not understand and therefore fears love above all other things. You have only known real love from a few people in your life Harry, and already I see in your eyes the ability to love above all others. I see the love that drives your courage, your determination, and the will to protect all innocence in the very face of evil."
Harry stared misty eyed at his mentor's immense observations and couldn't help but feel as though the man might have got him mixed up with some one else.
"Unfortunately, there is a reason that love is also your greatest weakness. I fear that Voldermort will soon realize the amazing amount of love you have for those around you and will try to torture or destroy them to get to you."
Harry felt as though he had misplaced his lungs, his worst fear had just been confirmed.
"Then I have to get away from them," he started to panic, "How long will it take him to realize…" He was cut off by Dumbledore.
"No Harry, the only way to protect those that you love is to stay."
"How?"
"There is a way to increase your power to a level even above my own." The old man said with his twinkle in high gear as he took his seat. "It is an ancient magic known as Bonding."
"You can NOT be serious Dumbledore,"
"I assure you Remus, it is the only way."
"It's too dangerous, he could loose all his magical ability."
"Or increase it by three fold." The old man said simply, as if this statement closed the matter.
"Could someone tell me what Bonding is exactly?" Harry said, slightly annoyed at being left out of the conversation.
Dumbledore and Remus turned to look worriedly at Harry. Remus spoke first. "The Bonding process is very complicated Harry, and if a wizard or witch bonds to a person who is not their soul mate, the bonding spell absorbs all the magic it can from the two people to maintain the Bond. In another words……."
"You'll become a Squib if you bond to anyone but your soul mate?"
Dumbledore spoke up, "Yes, but if you chose to bond to your soul mate, your abilities combine and added with the bond are increased three fold. No magic has ever severed a bond, so in theory it can not be broken. When one of the bonded dies the remaining Witch or Wizard retains his original ability plus that of the bond. Comparing the strength of ability to two fold."
The three sat in silence for a while before Remus spoke, "Your parents were bonded about a year after they were married, resulting in you I believe."
"Yes, the Lilly and James were bonded, I was their witness"
"A powerful Witch or Wizard is needed to oversee the ceremony." Remus added, still a little wary of having a man so young go through the process, but finally giving in to the conversation and accepting that Bonding was probably necessary for Harry.
"I would be willing to perform the same for your ceremony, Harry." Dumbledore said.
"So, you both think that in order to kill Voldermort I should Bond with my soul mate to increase my abilities?" Harry halfway asked trying to get a hold on his thoughts.
Dumbledore smiled and Remus nodded his head in defeat. Once again Harry found himself completely stunned. He made a mental note to ask Hermione about the Bonding process, telling her of his parents Bond of course.
"How do I know who my soul mate is? I mean if I pick the wrong person…."
"There are some ways to tell-"
"They are not always accurate, Dumbledore, most people wait years after marriage to Bond, just to be sure."
"So marriage is necessary?" All of the sudden this conversation became very real to him. 'I'm only sixteen after all'
"Yes, the marriage bond is necessary to the complete Bonding process." Dumbledore smiled at Harry's suddenly pale face.
"Oh, Bonding is no problem for you but marriage is absurd?" Remus asked mockingly.
"Yes, well marriage is the big deal in the Muggle world."
"Yes I suppose so." Remus chuckled
"It is a very big decision Harry, and not one to make lightly, but I feel that it is your best chance."
"How do I go about finding this person?"
"Ah, yes, arrangements have been made for Hogwarts to host a Ball, in the spirit of international unity of course, the first week of December. Invitations have been extended to Beaubaton and Durmstrang, hopefully you will be able to meet and greet a few more people than usual at that time. However, it has been my experience, having been Bonded myself, that most Wizards and Witches find their soul mates in surprising people." Dumbledore left this comment hanging with his eyes twinkling in mystery.
Harry eyed him wearily, he did not like that all-knowing look at all. He waited for some one to speak and when no one did, he assumed they were waiting on him.
"Ok, I'll think about the marriage and Bonding thing."
"Good."
Remus sighed but still smiled slightly at his Godson. "I think I'm all out of questions right now, my brain feels like it might explode."
"Perhaps for your next birthday we should get you a Pensive?"
Harry laughed, "I never thought I would actually need one of those."
Remus chuckled and Harry saw concern in Dumbledores eyes. 'He has no idea' The old man thought to himself. "Harry, I think I will leave you now, but I will be back next week. It is my wish that you resume occlumency along with other specialized instruction this year." Harry's eyes shot up but Dumbledore raised his hand. "Don't worry, I will be teaching you occlumency myself."
"Oh, uh Ok."
"Before I leave there is one other thing I need you to consider before next weeks lesson. I have filled the Defense Against the Dark Arts position for this year but because of Professor Krum's Quidditch schedule, Friday lessons will be open. I would like you to continue your D A meetings at this time, with the entire class of course."
"I'm sorry, did you say Professor Krum?"
"Yes, I did. He knows a great deal of the Dark Arts, having studied at Durmstrang, and is very eager to improve his English I believe."
Harry smiled, 'Ron is going to go nuts!' He thought to himself.
"Goodbye Harry, Remus"
"See you next week, Professor."
"Oh, and Harry, from now on please call me Albus. Outside of Hogwarts of course." Dumbledore smiled as he made his way to the door. Remus raised his eyebrows at the enormous gesture of such a powerful Wizard. Even he did not use the Headmaster's first name often and thought it was odd for the man to extend such a gift to a student, no matter who the student was.
"Ok, uh Albus, see you next week." Harry said as his mentor left the room. Dobby poked his head in the open door.
"Master Harry, lunch is ready sir."
Harry cringed at the 'Master' in that sentence and made Dobby promise to call him Harry, just Harry, and to extend that to Winky too.
"Well, this year is going to be interesting to say the least."
Remus laughed out loud at Harry's sarcasm. "Yes Harry, I believe you may be right."
The two made their way to the kitchen to join the house elves and Draco for lunch. As they all sat down Harry thought to himself as he stared around the table. 'Yes, very interesting indeed.'
To Michelle: thank you for your honest review, I really appreciate it. And son't worry, I like to prolong the inevitable, there will be no jumping into bed scenes for a while. I also enjoy a more natural flow of process. Ssssoooo, wanna be my beta?
Come on, come on, please?
To Hayley: thanks for the heads up on my spelling, I don't know what I was thinking, well, obviously I wasn't but that's nothing new. Please continue to review me and I promise to update sooner, I've figured out a great way to write at work and piss my hag of a boss off at the same time. Life is grand!
To He Chan2: I'm so glad you love it, and I will update as often as I can, (Damn husband)!