Harry Potter and the Mage Powers
Chapter 2 – Uncontrolled
"It must be done… I cannot risk its corruption!"
Harry steadied himself as he made a somewhat wobbly landing in Dumbledore's office. Everything looked the same and the objects he remembered smashing were there in perfect condition. Dumbledore must have fixed them. I hope he wasn't very angry… pondered Harry. With slight swishy movements from her wand, Tonks disposed of the old Prophet while Remus knocked on the door to Dumbledore's private chambers, behind his desk. Seconds later, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry entered the office with his pet phoenix Fawkes perched on his shoulder.
Albus Dumbledore had always radiated a certain aura of benign power that made people trust him and look up to him. He rarely used the aura to intimidate people (except for Dark wizards and inept Ministry officials, Harry remembered) and his affable nature was one of the reasons he was so loved by the people of the wizard world. It was also why Harry had looked up to the man ever since meeting him during the first year school feast.
"Ah! Harry, Remus, Tonks. Glad to see you all made it here without much delay. Now Harry," said Dumbledore, turning to peer at him over the rim of his half moon spectacles, "Tonks was telling me that you apparently slept for more than a whole day, nearly two in fact, and that you have no recollection of anything from these two nights. Is that right?"
"Yes, sir," answered Harry. "I didn't even have dreams or anything during that time and my uncle said there were strange pulses of light coming from my room."
"Were you angry prior going to sleep that night?" Dumbledore asked.
"No sir. I was calm… A little depressed actually, about… Sirius," replied Harry with a very slight quiver to his words.
"Mmm, do you by any chance remember a feeling of heat when waking up?"
"I didn't stop to think about it, sir. But now that you mention it, I was sweating slightly and felt a tad queasy. Do you understand any of this?"
"Alas, Harry, I only have a theory at this point. I believe Tonks is right with her assessment."
"What assessment is that?" asked Remus with genuine concern for Harry.
"It is Tonks' belief and mine that Harry might be starting something highly unusual. Actually, I believe there are only two wizards alive to have experienced it, and I am one of them. Also there are only 11 cases known in all recorded Magical History. It is something referred to as Evolutio Veneficii," said Dumbledore with a rare twinkle in his eyes.
"Vene… what?" said Harry perplexedly.
"Evolutio Veneficii," it was Remus who answered. "But - that's not possible! Only you and Voldemort have… And Harry's just… But that would mean…"
Harry looked at his former professor, even more confused by his statements. Why is Tonks looking at me like that? And why is Remus surprised?
"Yes. Don't say any more, Remus. If you two would leave Harry and me alone for a couple of hours, we have much to discuss."
"Certainly, Albus. Tonks and I will wait in the Great Hall," replied Remus.
At this, Tonks levitated Harry's trunk while Remus gathered the Firebolt and Hedwig's cage, and they exited the office.
Harry just stared at the old man in front of him, wondering what in the world they were talking about. Dumbledore turned in the meantime to one of his book cases and retrieved two books: one old, mouldy volume and another rather new one. He then carried the books to his desk and invited Harry to take a seat as he did the same. Fawkes flew to his perch and proceeded to gaze curiously at both wizards.
"Harry, I believe these books will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of Evolutio Veneficii, but I will tell you some things about it first. Evolutio Veneficii means, roughly translated, Magic Evolution," said Dumbledore while looking at Harry.
"Magic Evolution?" asked Harry uncertainly. "What does that mean?"
"Ah, to explain that, Harry, I will have to ask you to bear with me while I tell you some of the History of Magic that is not taught by Professor Binns. The origins of Magic are very obscure, since the first signs of wizards predate written history. However, it is believed that there is a certain source of Magic that we all use. Some call this force Mana, others Pure Magic, and it has many other names I won't bother you with. I always have been partial to one of its most obscure names: Mágica."
"Mágica? Where does that come from, sir?"
"Mágica was the name given by the first Portuguese wizard that dedicated his life to recording all known information on Magic and its origins. His name was Pedro Nunes, and he is known to the Muggle world as one of the top mathematicians of his time. He lived during the 16th century, and was a wizard who made important discoveries in arithmancy and ancient runes and began to unravel the mysteries of magical power."
Harry sat down, listening attentively to Dumbledore's words.
"While many other wizards had begun this research, none advanced as swiftly as Nunes. In his work, he claimed that a certain glow could be seen, through special lenses of his design, around all magical beings. Muggles call this a person's aura, but the truth is that while all creatures have auras, those of magical beings contain one colour the rest do not: gold."
"So a gold colour indicates magical power?" asked Harry.
"Yes, indeed."
"But sir, couldn't this be used to detect magical people in the entire world and be used as a security measure? It would help to pinpoint magical people in the world and avoid accidental magic by the young ones."
"Sometimes. You see, Harry, many powerful magical beings can disguise this aura to make it look as if it's no more than a shimmer and hide effectively their real power."
"So it wouldn't work as a security measure…" said Harry.
"Exactly. While this work later led to the wards which the Ministry and other organizations use to detect the use of magic, it is not fool proof."
"How so?"
"You have experienced this yourself. When Dobby used the Hover Charm at your house during your second year, the ministry was able to detect the use of magic, but not pinpoint the issuer of the spell. This led to them blaming you, since you were believed to be the only magical being at your place of residence."
Harry remembered that incident well enough. The wonderful dessert prepared by his Aunt Petunia to impress her husband's boss had come crashing down on said boss's wife's head. He nearly had not been able to return to Hogwarts because his Uncle had found out through the Ministry owl that Harry could not use Magic outside of school…
"Sorry sir, but I just don't see what this has to do with the Evolution thing."
"Ah! You see, Harry; many other wizards continued this research and it was proven that a certain substance within our magical bodies gives off that golden hue that represents our power," said Dumbledore with excitement in his voice. "It was discovered also that this hue was not stable but changing constantly through age. Much later, it was found that this change was visible but that it was nearly always a minimal change."
"So the change was small?"
"Yes, in terms of power. Even when there were changes in the hue, the actual power of the person changed very little. Except in very rare cases."
"How rare?"
"Historically, since the discovery of the changes, there have only been four people to have undergone extreme changes to convert them into extremely powerful wizards. These changes were huge in terms of both the glow emitted by the wizard and the power they wielded. Many more are suspected to have undergone these changes before it was known and could be proved, but of those only 7 have been generally accepted. This process, by the way, was named Evolutio Veneficii. All these wizards you know to a certain degree: Nicholas Flamel, Kriemhild von Grindelwald, Tom Riddle and of course, myself." No wonder Dumbledore had such an aura of raw power that it felt like heat when roused against Dark Wizards.
Harry remained speechless at this revelation. Dumbledore, Voldemort, Grindelwald and Flamel? They were all known for their extraordinary magical talent!
"However, I am beginning to think there will be another one to undergo the change soon: you, Harry."
"What do you mean, me? I'm just Harry; I am not nearly as powerful as you are, sir!"
"That may be so, Harry. At least right now. But the symptoms you describe are very similar to mine and Tom's shortly before Wizard Transformation, as Evolutio Veneficii is sometimes called. However, the fact that you actually gave enough light that your relatives noticed is astounding. Tom issued enough light so that it was barely noticeable to the naked eye. The light I issued was slightly brighter than Tom's, but it wasn't enough to light a dark room to the point where people in the house would notice a bright light coming from under the door's frame."
"And this light…"
"Is the magical manifestation of the Mágica inside us all, right before it creates a big change in our being," finished Dumbledore for Harry.
Harry's mind was reeling. Wizard Transformations, incredible powers and above all the possibility of him being stronger magically than Dumbledore was an astounding thought. Could this be the "power he knows not"? But Dumbledore said Voldemort had also undergone the transformation, so he at least had some of this power and certainly knew about it.
"Harry, I am afraid I will have to ask you to stay here at headquarters for the next couple of weeks. If the transformation is to happen you will be unconscious for most of it and you will need to be under constant supervision. I will ask Madam Pomfrey to come here for this…"
"What? No! I don't want to have people fussing over me! I'm fine; all I felt this morning was a little sweat, nothing more!"
"I am afraid you have no choice, Harry. It is very probable you will be asleep most of the time, as Tom and I were. It is not a very pleasant experience, I warn you. I was unconscious for four days and Tom for three. I expect you will go on at least as long as I did. Madam Pomfrey will need to be here. After that you will probably spend a couple of days more in bed, you know how Poppy can get when she deals with patients… These books will allow you to spend that time occupied. The first one is a tome Flamel wrote upon going through the change and contains the information he learnt from Nunes and others that worked on the issue of Evolutio Veneficii. It will tell you some of the basic information. The second one," said Dumbledore as he grabbed the book between his hands with care and a look evoking love, "is a volume I wrote when I went through Wizard Transformation."
Harry took both manuscripts with care, awed at the tomes he held, knowing Hermione would gladly give anything to get her hands on them.
"I must ask, Harry, that you tell no one of these books. Nicholas and I wrote them specifically for other wizards who underwent Evolutio Veneficii. It is not work that anyone should read otherwise. When you are done with them please bring them back to me. It would not be wise for the specific process one goes through when dealing with Evolutio Veneficii to be known. The wrong people could try to induce those changes, and suffice it to say that all who have tried to force this process have ended up harming themselves beyond magical healing."
"Yes, sir." While the prospect of remaining in bed for six days was not appealing in the least, he felt better at having something to do if he was awake.
Cradling the books against his chest, Harry made his way to Gryffindor Tower. He had been informed by Dumbledore that during the summer no passwords were required to enter the dormitories. Harry very much doubted he was about to go through any magical change, much less something that could rival Dumbledore's powers. But if it happened to be true…
Upon arriving at the portrait that concealed the entry to Gryffindor Tower, Harry saw the Fat Lady swing wordlessly forward and he entered the common room. The fire was already lit in the grate, so Harry decided to plop on the couch in front of it. He did not want to start reading yet. Instead he just sat there staring at the flames. He was considerably surprised then when Remus made his way down the stairs of the boys' dormitories.
"Are you alright, Harry?" asked Remus, sitting beside him on the couch.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"I understand it all can be rather overwhelming, but if this really happens to you it would be a tremendous help to your fight against Voldemort."
"I know, Remus, but why can't I just be normal for a change? I'm sick of things always revolving around me!"
"I can't say I understand, Harry. However, I think it will be good for you in the long run. And I am sure your friends won't mind and will still will treat you as always."
"If you say so… And I know Ron and the others won't treat me any differently."
Remus sighed. "Well Harry, I must be leaving now. However, I will be around if you need anything. Just send Hedwig my way and I will come as soon as I can."
"Remus, before you leave, how did Tonks know about Evolutio Veneficii?"
"Oh! I believe Tonks based her final research project at Auror Academy about it and used Dumbledore as the example. She thus become familiar with it."
"So that's why. Well, see you around, Remus. And thanks again for everything."
"It was my pleasure, Harry. Get some rest, you'll need it.
As Remus left the room, Harry returned to his previous thoughts.
I don't want to be special anymore. But if it helps defeat you, Voldemort, I will do everything in my power. I WILL defeat you. I will avenge Sirius' and my parents' death.
With these thoughts, Harry made his way up to his dormitory. On the door, the sign had not yet been changed and still read Fifth Years. Once inside, he found his trunk already at the foot of the bed he had chosen back in first year. He started unpacking, storing all his clothes in their proper places and leaving inside his trunk only his school supplies.
The Gryffindor dormitory looked as inviting as ever, but even so Harry didn't find it as warm. He missed his friends and being here alone reminded him even more of the burden he alone carried, to rid the world of the menace Lord Voldemort represented.
As he started to remove his clothes and get ready for bed he heard tapping on one of the dorm windows. He turned and saw Hedwig perched on the sill. Harry moved to the window and cracked it open so Hedwig could come in. A gust of the night's cold air made its way inside as well.
Hedwig flew over to Harry's nightstand and stood with her leg sticking out and a letter attached to it.
Of course! I forgot to read the letter! Harry removed it from Hedwig's leg and opened the envelope, which bore a strange seal of a galleon on it.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We regret to inform you that on the morning of July 13th, the reading of the late Sirius Black's will is to take place. Being one of the beneficiaries, we require your presence at Gringotts Bank. Please be at Gringotts' Branch in Diagon Alley at 9 o'clock promptly on the aforementioned date. Please receive our most deep condolences for your loss,
Sincerely,
Geargick T. Penderbill
Head of the Claims and Inheritances Department
Gringotts Bank
Harry stood momentarily speechless. Sirius' will… He hadn't thought Sirius had a will. As he reread the letter, he could feel the horrible weight of guilt start to settle once more on his shoulders. He did not want to get money from an event he had caused. However, he wanted to attend, wanting to get any personal item that could have been left by his godfather. Something more to keep from his godfather besides the Firebolt. With a sigh, Harry placed the letter on his trunk and grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and wrote a letter to Remus, informing him of the reading and asking his advice on how he should proceed. He also grabbed some owl treats after finishing the letter and gave them to Hedwig.
"Hedwig, thanks for keeping this letter for me. I need you to deliver this to Remus as soon as possible. I know it's late, girl, but he should know about the will. Can you do this for me?" Harry asked his owl while absentmindedly petting her head.
Hedwig, in response to this, cocked her head to the side and stuck her leg out with a look that seemed to say "When have I not delivered a letter?".
"Thanks," said Harry as he tied the letter to her leg. With a couple of powerful beats of her wings, Hedwig was out the window and off into the night.
Harry finished putting on his pyjamas and plopped onto the bed. As he took his glasses off and closed the draping around his bed, he thought of the enormous overload of information he had received that day. It was no wonder that it took quite some time for Harry to fall into a deep sleep.