Arise Heir, Arise
Harry awoke the next morning, more sore than he had ever felt before. As he groggily rubbed at his eyes and wondered what time it was. Suddenly, as soon as he had wondered, a foggy clock appeared reading 6:45 A.M.
'I wonder what happened. I feel like I've been hit by a truck.' Slowly, he made his way to the bathroom and started his morning routine. As he started another day's vain attempt to control his unruly hair and make it look at least like he TRIED to make it presentable, he stopped dead in his tracks at the reflection that greeted him in the mirror.
'WHAT THE HELL?! Who was that staring back at him?' Gone was the scrawny, underfed young man with messy black hair that he remembered. In its place, stood a man that looked to be around 20 years old standing around 6 foot 5 with shoulder length long raven black hair. In addition, his body...'OH MY GOD!' he thought. It looked like that of an Olympian god. As if that was not enough, he finally noticed that he was no longer wearing his glasses. Yet, his emerald green eyes, the eyes of his mother seemed to glow with a life of their own, hinting at the now unfathomable power that pulsed from his core as a second heart beat.
Harry ran out into the main living area and over to the portrait of Godric. He saw his ancestor dozing in his frame.
"Gramps," he called out. Still the painting did not wake. "GODRIC! WAKE UP!" Harry cried.
Godric suddenly awoke and sent a scathing glance to the young man in front of him. "Now, now Harry, no reason to panic or be rude," Godric replied. "I take it you're not a morning person, eh? I never was either." Godric continued, "Why I remember a time..." Godric rambled on about days gone by for several more seconds before Harry interrupted him.
"Gramps," Harry said, "What happened to me? I don't even look like me anymore."
Godric took in the rest of Harry's appearance and spoke, "I told you this would happen last night. That is why I wanted you to take the dreamless sleeping potion. I needed you to be out cold, otherwise the pain would have been unbearable to you, along the lines of a Cruciatus curse I should think," Godric explained as if speaking to a two year old.
Godric looked at Harry's questioning face and continued. "The new magic sought out any weakness or imperfection in you and fixed it. It repaired your eyes and the years of malnourishment you received while a young child living with your other relations."
Harry looked confused, "So, if I hadn't been abused all those years, I would have looked like this naturally?" Harry asked.
Godric nodded, "Something like it or close," he said. "Now Harry, go have breakfast with Dumbledore and then, both of you come back to begin your training," Godric commanded. Harry just nodded dumbly and made for the exit.
"Oh, Harry," Godric called out. Harry turned around and looked at the portrait in response. "Just a little test for your mind before you go," Godric smiled. "I want you to call out to Albus with you mind and see if he can hear you," he said. "Just clear your mind and call to him and see if he can hear you."
Harry, remembering his Occlumency lessons, immediately cleared his mind and pictured Albus and called to him with his silent voice.
"Albus, are you there? It's Harry." Harry didn't get a response, so he tried again with a little more force "Albus, are you there? It's me Harry." Suddenly, Harry 'heard' the voice of his mentor.
"Harry, is that you?" he asked. Harry suddenly grinned.
"Yes, it is I," Harry's mind called. "Godric wanted me to test my ability at telepathy, to see if I could contact you."
Even though they were in different parts of the castle Harry could 'see' the smile that alighted on the Headmaster's face as he responded, "Well done Harry, well done. Are you coming to breakfast?" he asked.
Harry merely responded with, "I am, but get ready for a really big shock."
Albus' mind voice suddenly called back, "If there's one thing I've learned about you Harry, is that it's very difficult for you to surprise me anymore."
Harry just sighed and replied, "I'll see you in a minute," and then closed the link.
Godric just looked at Harry and smiled grandly at him. "Well done Harry, well done. Now hurry along to breakfast you, young scamp."
Harry quickly made his way down to breakfast after that. He was hungrier than a hostage was. As Harry entered the Great Hall, he noticed an extra figure at the table. It was Snape, Harry thought glumly.
'Ha,' he thought to himself 'I'll bet that git wasn't pleased to find out I'll be in Potions with him for the next two years. I think I'll let him suffer along until Albus tells him I've been apprenticed to him.' He grinned. Harry walked up to the Head table and took his usual seat. Snape looked over at him apparently not recognizing him.
'Perhaps another new Defense teacher,' Snape mused.
Albus however looked over at Harry and his mind spoke to him, "Well, well, well Harry, it seems 'changed' is the understatement of the year. This new look suits you quite well. Quite well indeed," Albus quipped.
Harry merely shrugged and shoveled more food into his mouth. Opening a mind link to Dumbledore, Harry said, "Well, at least like this, I can still talk and eat at the same time."
Dumbledore merely nodded and continued to eat as Harry spoke again. "Do you want to tell Snape who I am or should I?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore replied, "You may do the honors, Harry, but remember to play nice."
Harry looking slightly a grin said, "Of course, Professor." Harry looked over at Snape to find him staring at him and Albus with a quizzical expression on his face.
Harry then turned to Snape and greeted, "Good morning, Professor."
Suddenly, Snape realized to whom he was speaking. "Potter," he gasped.
Harry grinned and said "Yes, it's me, Professor."
Snape suddenly looked like he was about to be sick, "So, this is where you have been hiding," he sneered.
Albus suddenly intervened before a fight between broke out. "Severus, there have been a few developments that have taken place this summer since the end of term, but this is not the time or the place for it. I have called for a meeting of the Order this evening and all will be disclosed then."
Snape, while glaring at Harry, just said, "Very well, Headmaster. What time is the meeting?"
Dumbledore answered, "It will be at 9:00."
Snape merely nodded and snidely said to Harry, "Do try to keep out of my way, won't you Potter." In addition, he stormed out of the hall towards the dungeons with his cloak billowing out behind him.
Harry suddenly laughed and said, "Well, that went well didn't it, Albus?"
Dumbledore just smiled and replied, "Well it could have been worse."
Harry then said, seriously, "Godric wants you and I to come to my chambers directly after breakfast to begin training on my wandless magic. He also says that I'm to turn in my wand to you until further notice." As he said this, Harry pulled out his wand and gave it to Dumbledore with a sigh.
Noticing his young pupil's face Dumbledore replied, "Don't worry Harry, it is in good hands, should you ever need it."
Harry just said, "I know, I'll just miss it, that's all."
Dumbledore just nodded and said, "Not to worry Harry, soon enough you will have a new focus. Your own mind is a far better magical amplifier than a wand is anyway."
After they were done eating, Harry and Dumbledore made their way back to Harry's chambers to begin training. As soon as they entered, Harry was completely surprised by what he saw. In place of his chair by the fire, a throne stood in its place. Over by the bed, a regal looking cloak hung from a mannequin. On his nightstand, a small black box sat begging to be opened. "SURPRISE!" yelled Godric from his frame. "What is all this?" Harry asked. "Well, since I didn't have time to get you a birthday present, I retrieved your proper garments as my heir." Godric continued, "I know you were already given my sword but you also need your cloak and the family signet ring with our crest. You are the new Lord Gryffindor now and I want you to wear your trappings openly and proudly." Godric looked at Albus and said, "The wizarding world knows openly of the Heir of Slytherin and fears him, they need to know that the rightful Heir of Gryffindor has returned to fight for them, protect them and in time, lead them to a new age." Godric looked at Harry as he said this. Harry simply nodded and said, "I accept this burden and will do all I can."
Godric just replied, "I know you will."
Harry awoke the next morning, more sore than he had ever felt before. As he groggily rubbed at his eyes and wondered what time it was. Suddenly, as soon as he had wondered, a foggy clock appeared reading 6:45 A.M.
'I wonder what happened. I feel like I've been hit by a truck.' Slowly, he made his way to the bathroom and started his morning routine. As he started another day's vain attempt to control his unruly hair and make it look at least like he TRIED to make it presentable, he stopped dead in his tracks at the reflection that greeted him in the mirror.
'WHAT THE HELL?! Who was that staring back at him?' Gone was the scrawny, underfed young man with messy black hair that he remembered. In its place, stood a man that looked to be around 20 years old standing around 6 foot 5 with shoulder length long raven black hair. In addition, his body...'OH MY GOD!' he thought. It looked like that of an Olympian god. As if that was not enough, he finally noticed that he was no longer wearing his glasses. Yet, his emerald green eyes, the eyes of his mother seemed to glow with a life of their own, hinting at the now unfathomable power that pulsed from his core as a second heart beat.
Harry ran out into the main living area and over to the portrait of Godric. He saw his ancestor dozing in his frame.
"Gramps," he called out. Still the painting did not wake. "GODRIC! WAKE UP!" Harry cried.
Godric suddenly awoke and sent a scathing glance to the young man in front of him. "Now, now Harry, no reason to panic or be rude," Godric replied. "I take it you're not a morning person, eh? I never was either." Godric continued, "Why I remember a time..." Godric rambled on about days gone by for several more seconds before Harry interrupted him.
"Gramps," Harry said, "What happened to me? I don't even look like me anymore."
Godric took in the rest of Harry's appearance and spoke, "I told you this would happen last night. That is why I wanted you to take the dreamless sleeping potion. I needed you to be out cold, otherwise the pain would have been unbearable to you, along the lines of a Cruciatus curse I should think," Godric explained as if speaking to a two year old.
Godric looked at Harry's questioning face and continued. "The new magic sought out any weakness or imperfection in you and fixed it. It repaired your eyes and the years of malnourishment you received while a young child living with your other relations."
Harry looked confused, "So, if I hadn't been abused all those years, I would have looked like this naturally?" Harry asked.
Godric nodded, "Something like it or close," he said. "Now Harry, go have breakfast with Dumbledore and then, both of you come back to begin your training," Godric commanded. Harry just nodded dumbly and made for the exit.
"Oh, Harry," Godric called out. Harry turned around and looked at the portrait in response. "Just a little test for your mind before you go," Godric smiled. "I want you to call out to Albus with you mind and see if he can hear you," he said. "Just clear your mind and call to him and see if he can hear you."
Harry, remembering his Occlumency lessons, immediately cleared his mind and pictured Albus and called to him with his silent voice.
"Albus, are you there? It's Harry." Harry didn't get a response, so he tried again with a little more force "Albus, are you there? It's me Harry." Suddenly, Harry 'heard' the voice of his mentor.
"Harry, is that you?" he asked. Harry suddenly grinned.
"Yes, it is I," Harry's mind called. "Godric wanted me to test my ability at telepathy, to see if I could contact you."
Even though they were in different parts of the castle Harry could 'see' the smile that alighted on the Headmaster's face as he responded, "Well done Harry, well done. Are you coming to breakfast?" he asked.
Harry merely responded with, "I am, but get ready for a really big shock."
Albus' mind voice suddenly called back, "If there's one thing I've learned about you Harry, is that it's very difficult for you to surprise me anymore."
Harry just sighed and replied, "I'll see you in a minute," and then closed the link.
Godric just looked at Harry and smiled grandly at him. "Well done Harry, well done. Now hurry along to breakfast you, young scamp."
Harry quickly made his way down to breakfast after that. He was hungrier than a hostage was. As Harry entered the Great Hall, he noticed an extra figure at the table. It was Snape, Harry thought glumly.
'Ha,' he thought to himself 'I'll bet that git wasn't pleased to find out I'll be in Potions with him for the next two years. I think I'll let him suffer along until Albus tells him I've been apprenticed to him.' He grinned. Harry walked up to the Head table and took his usual seat. Snape looked over at him apparently not recognizing him.
'Perhaps another new Defense teacher,' Snape mused.
Albus however looked over at Harry and his mind spoke to him, "Well, well, well Harry, it seems 'changed' is the understatement of the year. This new look suits you quite well. Quite well indeed," Albus quipped.
Harry merely shrugged and shoveled more food into his mouth. Opening a mind link to Dumbledore, Harry said, "Well, at least like this, I can still talk and eat at the same time."
Dumbledore merely nodded and continued to eat as Harry spoke again. "Do you want to tell Snape who I am or should I?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore replied, "You may do the honors, Harry, but remember to play nice."
Harry looking slightly a grin said, "Of course, Professor." Harry looked over at Snape to find him staring at him and Albus with a quizzical expression on his face.
Harry then turned to Snape and greeted, "Good morning, Professor."
Suddenly, Snape realized to whom he was speaking. "Potter," he gasped.
Harry grinned and said "Yes, it's me, Professor."
Snape suddenly looked like he was about to be sick, "So, this is where you have been hiding," he sneered.
Albus suddenly intervened before a fight between broke out. "Severus, there have been a few developments that have taken place this summer since the end of term, but this is not the time or the place for it. I have called for a meeting of the Order this evening and all will be disclosed then."
Snape, while glaring at Harry, just said, "Very well, Headmaster. What time is the meeting?"
Dumbledore answered, "It will be at 9:00."
Snape merely nodded and snidely said to Harry, "Do try to keep out of my way, won't you Potter." In addition, he stormed out of the hall towards the dungeons with his cloak billowing out behind him.
Harry suddenly laughed and said, "Well, that went well didn't it, Albus?"
Dumbledore just smiled and replied, "Well it could have been worse."
Harry then said, seriously, "Godric wants you and I to come to my chambers directly after breakfast to begin training on my wandless magic. He also says that I'm to turn in my wand to you until further notice." As he said this, Harry pulled out his wand and gave it to Dumbledore with a sigh.
Noticing his young pupil's face Dumbledore replied, "Don't worry Harry, it is in good hands, should you ever need it."
Harry just said, "I know, I'll just miss it, that's all."
Dumbledore just nodded and said, "Not to worry Harry, soon enough you will have a new focus. Your own mind is a far better magical amplifier than a wand is anyway."
After they were done eating, Harry and Dumbledore made their way back to Harry's chambers to begin training. As soon as they entered, Harry was completely surprised by what he saw. In place of his chair by the fire, a throne stood in its place. Over by the bed, a regal looking cloak hung from a mannequin. On his nightstand, a small black box sat begging to be opened. "SURPRISE!" yelled Godric from his frame. "What is all this?" Harry asked. "Well, since I didn't have time to get you a birthday present, I retrieved your proper garments as my heir." Godric continued, "I know you were already given my sword but you also need your cloak and the family signet ring with our crest. You are the new Lord Gryffindor now and I want you to wear your trappings openly and proudly." Godric looked at Albus and said, "The wizarding world knows openly of the Heir of Slytherin and fears him, they need to know that the rightful Heir of Gryffindor has returned to fight for them, protect them and in time, lead them to a new age." Godric looked at Harry as he said this. Harry simply nodded and said, "I accept this burden and will do all I can."
Godric just replied, "I know you will."
