The Bonding

About four hours after their conversation with Godric, Harry and Albus met in one of the seventh year labs that was the most heavily warded and protected to perform the Bonding Ritual.

"Did you read the text on ritual magic I gave you earlier Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," replied Harry. "As a matter of fact, I seem to have memorized the entire text in a matter of minutes."

"Really?" inquired Dumbledore, looking at Harry in a new light. "Perhaps some of the mental powers that the Founder spoke of are surfacing."

"That's what I thought as well," said Harry.

"I'll test it later, after the ritual is complete." Harry finished.

"By the way, Albus" Harry asked, "Since I'm going to become your apprentice, does that mean I have to call you Master?"

Dumbledore laughed and replied, "Well, I suppose in times past that may have been the case, but in this day and age that will no longer be necessary." He continued on, "I may not be a blood relative Harry, but this will make us like a family, a Father-Son relationship. You see many millennia ago, before the advent of schools for wizards, the responsibility of training young wizards and witches fell to family members.

"In order to keep their charges in line, so to speak, the bonding ritual was used to help ground their powers so they didn't get out of control. In this day and age, the very wards of Hogwarts help provide all the grounding of young children as they grow into their powers. That is also one of the main reasons for the restriction of underage magic outside of school," he finished.

"Ahh," Harry said, "I always wondered about that, but now that you explain it, it makes perfect sense." Dumbledore smiled over at his young charge and said, "Come Harry, we must complete the rite quickly, while we still have the proper star alignment." Harry merely nodded and followed his mentor to the top of the Astronomy tower. Dumbledore took out his wand and drew a circle upon the ground; within that circle, he traced the five-pointed star known as the pentagram. At each point of the star stood a different colored candle; red, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Both stood in the center of the circle; Albus holding a lit black candle and Harry holding an un-lit white candle. Dumbledore looked over at Harry and nodded for him to begin the ceremony.

Lifting his candle aloft Harry chanted, "Open for me, doors of Heavens, spread open for me, the portals of your horizon. I offer myself to you an unfilled vessel, that I might see the mysterious ways of gods and men, I will be full with your understanding." As he finished the last syllable, a glowing white light began to surround his body.

Immediately, Dumbledore started to chant his part in the ritual, "Admittance in (is?) not refused thee, at the gate of the Duat; the folding doors of the mountain of light are opened to thee; the bolts open to thee themselves. Thou treadest the Hall of the Two Truths; the god who is in it greets thee." As soon as he finished the incantation, a shining blue light began to envelop Dumbledore. Reaching over, Dumbledore lit Harry's candle with his and their auras began to merge, then both spoke the final incantation to seal the charm.

"The Gates of Heaven are opened for thee;

the doors of the Cool Place are opened for thee.

Thou shalt find Ra standing, waiting for thee.

He will take your hand,

He will take thee to the Dual shrine of Heaven;

He will place thee on the throne of Osiris...

Thou shalt stand supported, equipped as a god...

Among the Eternals, on the Imperishable Star.

Let thy wisdom flow from myself to the other;

Let them become one."

As soon as the final phrase was uttered, both men gasped as power such as they had never felt began to flow into each other. The magic flowed as quicksilver through their veins, words to spells of unbelievable power filled Harry's mind, but he was losing control. His breathing ragged, he looked up at Albus to see him experiencing something similar. Looking at Albus Dumbledore, you could definitely see something was different about him. Ancient wisdom and intelligence were etched into his calm features as he looked calmly over his young charge. Then as soon as it had started, the auras disappeared and the bonding was complete. "Merlin above, Harry," gasped Albus. "Your power is unbelievable! When our auras merged, you nearly knocked me off my feet." Harry looked over at his aged friend in sudden concern. "Albus, are you alright?" "Yes indeed, I'm quite fine, Harry. As a matter of fact, I feel 50 years younger!" Harry had to admit something did feel different between them. "Albus I sure feel, I don't know...different." Dumbledore nodded. "The side effect of a mentor bond. Still, it felt very strong like I said; it has the effect of binding us a Father would to a Son. "Well I don't know about you Harry, but right now, I'm very hungry. We should head to the Great Hall and get dinner," Dumbledore said looking into Harry's gaze, his eyes twinkling madly. Harry merely smiled in more happiness than he had felt in months. "Yes Albus, let's go eat."