Chapter 21: A History Lesson
The time before the Vanishing is shrouded in mystery. Many things have long since been forgotten by our people. Much of the knowledge and information on the ways of the Empire is contained within books that none can read, for the language they are written is unrecognized by even the eldest of scholars.
Little is known of the ancient ways of those who lived within the Empire. Texts found buried in the darkest corners of the Royal Library speak of things that remain a mystery to all who read them. Pictures of two figures, one male, wearing a shining silver breastplate, and the other female, bearing a large staff and wearing emerald robes, are pictured extensively in many of the ancient, unreadable texts, although there is no mention of them whatsoever in later texts. Little is known of the two, other than that from the number of times their images are shown, they were held in extremely high regard, although it is not known why.
Very little was found to mark the passing of the Empire. The only information that remained to hint about what may have occurred came from a fragment of a journal, which arrived by phoenix not an hour after the Empire vanished.
Below is a transcription of what was said. Sadly, some portions of the text were unreadable.
"It has come again . . . the great . . . it speaks of what will come . . . tragedy, death, sorrow.
The decision . . . made . . . go unto the . . . (the next page was completely illegible. Then it continued.)
By their powers, we shall go. In the name of the Light, so shall it be."
The writing on the page suddenly changes, another hand having written what followed in bold, smooth lettering.
"We are gone, but we are not lost."
Harry dropped the book back down onto the table, and stood again.
"Damn." He muttered to himself, before moving once more to the nearby shelf.
He had risen from bed immediately upon waking, and made his way to the private library of the royal family. It contained all the truly ancient texts, and anything considered being of great value. Something about the dragon in his dream had seemed familiar, a strand of recognition tugging on his mind. It was almost as though when he had undergone the knowledge transfer spell, an isolated chunk of information had been sealed of separate from the rest, and made inaccessible. It felt like . . . something had leaked, and it was driving him mad. All he could . . . sense . . . was that the dragon held some sort of significance, but he just couldn't place it, and so he was here, in the private library, going through text after text of before-the-Vanishing records, searching for any reference to it.
He pulled another book from the shelf, and dropped back into his seat, opening it.
It is known, from a select few elves who had seen it for themselves, that the might of the Imperial forces was far greater than that of the elves today. It is said that one Elven Bladedancer, the Elite Guards of the High Kings of the Empire, would be more than a match for more than a score of the elite members of the Strike Force. It is said that in battle, they would wield their swords with such speed that it was a blur, singing as it cleaved the very air itself.
Harry would have liked to continue reading this, as he had heard tales from Allia during his training about the skills of the warriors of the Empire. However, he knew that it wasn't as important at the moment, and he just couldn't get rid of that feeling that his dream had meant something.
He sighed as he lowered his head to the table, shaking it slowly with annoyance. He then started in surprise as suddenly he felt hands on his shoulders, massaging them gently. He immediately calmed however, as he realized who it was.
"What are you doing awake?" He asked, not looking up.
"I woke up and you were gone, so naturally I came to find you." Ginny answered, continuing the relaxing motion of her hands, as she felt tense muscles in his shoulders loosen.
"How did you find me though? I don't recall including this room in the tour." He asked.
Ginny shrugged. "I don't really know. I just . . . felt you. I followed the feeling, and got here. What are you doing up so early?" She asked.
"I had a dream," he answered. "I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to come here to look for something."
"A dream about what?" She asked, curious, as she ran her fingers down his back, making him shiver.
"I'm not sure. It was . . . odd. I was alone, standing in the middle of a clearing, and suddenly, this great dragon appeared, and spoke." He replied.
Ginny's fingers froze in place at his words.
"I-I had that dream too," she stuttered.
Harry turned around to look at her, his eyes searching her face.
"What didit say?" He asked.
She shook her head, as though trying to clear it.
"It was . . . strange. It mentioned something about a sacrifice, but it wasn't speaking to me. It was as though I was simply observing your dream." She said, looking at him questioningly. "Is that possible?"
"I suppose," he said slowly. "The soul bond between us could do that I think. I'll have to ask my parents later."
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He looked over at the figure standing next to him, raising an eyebrow.
"Were you expecting that?" He asked.
She nodded her head, smiling slightly.
"Indeed. I...tampered with a few things." She said, eyes glowing faintly. "This will definitely make our plans go somewhat smoother."
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Ginny nodded, before looking over Harry's shoulder at the book he had been reading.
"So you were looking for information about the dragon? Any luck?" She asked.
He shook his head. "Nope. Nothing, and I know it's important too. Dragons have always been . . . an enigma, for as long as our people can remember. Neither Light nor Dark. Simply there."
Both paused suddenly as they heard a loud yell coming from the general direction of the guest quarters.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other for a moment, then spoke in unison.
"Marauders."
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The two rushed through the halls, their footsteps echoing off the hardwood floors. They followed the loud sound of laughter to Remus's room.
Entering, they found a laughing Sirius and James rolling on the floor, an amused Lily standing quietly beside the door, and a very annoyed, very wet Remus standing over a wet bed.
Harry raised his eyebrow as he looked at his mother.
"They do this often?" He asked.
Lily nodded, grinning. "All the time."
Meanwhile Remus was sputtering madly, dripping on the floor.
"YOU DUMPED ICE COLD WATER ON ME!" He yelled.
James and Sirius stopped laughing and sat up on the floor.
"Did we do that Padfoot?" James asked, with a perfectly straight face.
"Why Prongs, I do believe we did!" Sirius replied, equally straight faced.
"Wh-why?" Remus asked, shaking water from his hair.
"Why not Moony?" James asked.
"Indeed? Why wake you normally, when we can wake you the fun way!" Sirius said, grinning.
Remus sighed, shaking his head, before a grin slowly spread across his face.
"God I missed that!" He said, pulling James to his feet and hugging him.
After Remus broke the hug, he began to move toward the door.
"Well, I guess its time for breakfast then!" he said, heading out the door, but not before waving his wand in James and Sirius's general direction, and mumbling something under his breath.
Harry burst into laughter as his father and godfather's hair turned a brilliant pink.
Sirius quickly conjured a mirror, and looked at his reflection.
"Not bad. I look damn fine!" He said, nodding happily.
"Whatever you want to believe Padfoot," James said.
They were already all leaving the room before Sirius figured it out.
"Hey wait a minute . . . "
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"Hey Dad," Harry began, after they had all sat down to breakfast. "You and Mom have the same bond as me and Gin, do you ever . . . share each others dreams or anything like that?"
James looked pensive for a moment, before shaking his head. "Nope. Sometimes we can feel each others emotions, if they're strong enough, and we can always seem to sense where the other is, but we've never shared dreams or anything like that. Why?" He asked.
Harry shook his head. "Never mind."
James looked at his son for a moment, before shrugging, and returning to his meal.
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After a leisurely breakfast, Harry looked over at Evelyn, and, sighing, stood up, and walked over to Feadir.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" He asked his uncle.
The elf looked at him for a moment, before shrugging, and standing.
"Sure thing. Lets go out into the hall, since it seems like you want to talk in private." Feadir said.
Harry nodded, and followed his uncle out into the hall, Evelyn, having caught sight of them, watching their progress with excitement.
"So what was it you wished to discuss?" Feadir asked.
"I think Evelyn should go be allowed to return with us to Hogwarts. I mean, she's easily magically equal to the first years, and I'm sure we can ensure her training continues." Harry said quickly.
Feadir narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why?" He asked.
Harry swallowed nervously. "Well, you know, she really should be allowed to experience life outside Falandais, I think it would be good for her, and-"
"She's blackmailing you isn't she?" Feadir asked, a grin slowly spreading on his face.
Harry nodded sheepishly.
"Little minx." Feadir said affectionately. "What's she got on you?"
"She . . . walked in on Gin and me . . . in a private moment." Harry answered.
"Let me guess, she goes to Hogwarts, or she tells Allia?" Feadir asked, grinning at his nephews obvious discomfort.
Harry nodded again.
"Well, I'll tell you what," Feadir said, putting an arm around Harry shoulders. "I'll let her go on one condition."
"And that is?" Harry asked.
"Well you see, a long time ago, there were two brothers," Feadir began.
"Ooooh boy," Harry sighed.
"Yes well, anyway, the older brother was going to follow the tradition of their branch of the family, and attend a human school, while the younger wanted to go to Falandais, and become a priest. So, one the eve of the older's departure to attend said human school, he played . . . a prank on his younger brother, who while being poor at pranks himself, vowed to get revenge eventually," Feadir said.
"What do I have to do?" Harry asked, sighing.
"I want you to get him. Good. Prank him, in a way that will forever be remembered, and I'll give Evelyn permission."
"I hate you." Harry said simply. "Now I know where Evelyn got it."
Feadir grinned widely. "Indeed. You have two days."
Harry stared in shock. "Two days? That's it?" He sputtered.
Feadir shrugged. "Unless you want Evelyn to tell Allia . . . "
Harry grimaced, shuddering. "Two days it is then."
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That afternoon, Harry watched as Dumbledore approached Lily, and told her that he was her mother's father. Harry smiled somewhat at the shocked look that passed her face, then realization dawned, and she hugged him.
Tears threatened him, upon seeing the joy of their realizations. It felt good to have a family again.
He turned his eyes to his father, pondering his options. It would be difficult to prank such a well-known and expert prankster. There was little that his father had not seen or done, according to Allia's stories anyway. There was little he was afraid of, or didn't like with a passion. Slytherins, Snape, puppets, and, for some odd reason, pickles, were the few things his father didn't like-wait, Snape!
Harry grinned slowly, a plan already forming in his mind.
