Chapter Twenty-Two: Battles and Relatives
The next morning, Harry felt extremely nervous. For all his talk of confidence, Harry was a nervous wreck. The Phoenix Guard ate their breakfast in stone silence while they snuck glances at the teachers table only to see them chatting amongst themselves as if there was nothing wrong. Snape wore his usual sneer and Harry secretly wished that Ron and Neville would wipe it off his face. Suddenly, it was as if lightning went off in Harry's head. He could see an incantation and its effects clearly in his mind's eye. He quickly brought the Guard together.
"Something just happened to me," said Harry.
"What, another vision?" asked Ron.
"No, I think I may have just invented a new spell," said Harry as the Guard murmured amongst themselves, "It allows the targets to see the power levels and magical properties of anyone they wish."
"What do you mean magical properties?" asked Seamus.
"Well, take yourself for instance; I would be able to know exactly which Animagus transformations you had and things of that nature. Also, one could tell how powerful another was, simply by using the spell. It'll act as a kind of assessment of another's abilities. We could also use it to approximate how much longer we would last until we were magically drained. When merged with the mind link spell, I can tell when any of you are overcome. It should come in handy. I'll understand if you don't want it cast on you," added Harry.
"I have complete confidence in you," said Katie as she placed a hand on Harry's shoulder as the rest of the Guard agreed.
"Okay, here goes," said Harry as he began a tricky wand movement, "Calla Guaga!"
As he completed the incantation, Harry felt as if an ancient knowledge was unlocked in his mind. When he opened his eyes, he found that he could assess how strong his friends were. Katie was by far, excluding Harry, the strongest.
"Bloody hell, mate! Your four hundred and ninety!" exclaimed Ron in an impressed voice.
"Yeah, I know, Ron," said Harry.
'With strategic planning, we should easily beat Dumbledore.'
"All right, it's time for patrol. They're probably going to hit us fast and hard," said Harry.
"How do you know?" asked Cho.
"It's what I would do if I was outnumbered," replied Harry.
After about two hours of patrol, Harry began to wonder if it was all some kind of psychological ploy: let them know what they were going to do and then wait them out. Suddenly, alarms began going off in Harry's head.
'Ron and Neville, go to the dungeons. Ginny and Hermione, go to the Great Hall. Cho and Luna, Strindell is at the Quidditch Pitch. Dean and Seamus, Hagrid is by the Herbology greenhouses. Ernie and Hannah, Flitwick is on the sixth floor. Katie, meet me at the out of order girls lavatory on the second floor.'
Harry apparated to Myrtle's bathroom. Katie appeared right behind him.
"Why would Dumbledore come here?" asked Katie.
"Inside this bathroom is the Chamber of Secrets. However, that doesn't answer your question so we must forge on, ready?" asked Harry, "Go."
As soon as Harry and Katie stormed the bathroom, they heard Dumbledore whisper "Accio wands."
"Should have seen that one coming," muttered Harry.
"Ah, good, Ms. Smith is with you. Harry, if you would please, our battle will take place in the Chamber of Secrets," said Dumbledore calmly.
'Together.'
Open.
When they reached the large chamber, Dumbledore returned their wands.
"Our battle shall not require wands," said Dumbledore as he summoned two staffs, "This is for you, Ms. Smith. I found it recently and am returning it to you as it once belonged to your great-great grandfather."
"Thank you, Professor," said Katie.
"You had better hurry Professor, Professor Snape has just been defeated by Ron and Neville," said Harry as he summoned and dulled his sword, "Now, let's see how powerful you are, five hundred… not too bad. Well, this will be fun, won't it?"
Katie began the attack while Harry circled Dumbledore. Trying to spot an opening, Harry suddenly felt a pull towards Dumbledore. Abandoning all logic, Harry jumped into the fray. Having to deal with the attacks of Katie and Harry, Dumbledore began to get sloppy. While defending a strike from Katie, Harry swept Dumbledore off his feet. In midair, Dumbledore took a blow to the abdomen by Katie's staff.
"I believe that makes Katie and me the winners," said Harry as he raised a hand to shake Katie's.
Just as Harry released her hand, Dumbledore's staff flew into Harry's hand.
"Whoa!" said Harry with a confused look.
"Excellent, I was anticipating this occurrence. It was the whole point of the exercise. That staff was passed on to your mother by one of her ancestors, although she never did tell me who. It once belonged to Merlin and was passed down through his blood line. She left it for me to give to you," said Dumbledore.
Harry then felt a jolt in his head: Cho and Luna had been defeated.
"Katie, please take Professor Dumbledore to the holding area. The game is still on," said Harry as he apparated away.
"He really is a wonderful young man," said Dumbledore.
Harry apparated to the sides of Cho and Luna. He brought them around and sent them to the Room of Requirement. Harry then apparated behind his uncle.
"Boo," said Harry as he tapped Strindell on the shoulder.
"How did you do that?" blurted out Strindell.
"Oh, that's not what you should be worrying about. Besides, you should know that a good magician doesn't reveal his tricks," said Harry.
"All right, let's do it nephew," said Strindell as he shot a stunner at Harry, who easily dodged it.
Harry began to toy with his uncle, slowly setting him up. Soon, Harry bellowed "Accio," causing his uncle to be summoned to Harry. Just before he reached Harry, Harry sent a disarming charm at him.
"Ow," coughed Strindell, "Nice combination. I have never seen a summoning charm used like that."
"Well, you were weakened from your previous battle. If you were at full strength… well I still probably have beaten you," laughed Harry as he helped his uncle up.
Harry helped his uncle limp to the Room of Requirement. Upon entering, Harry counted the teachers.
"Okay, four down. Where are Hagrid and Professor Flitwick?" asked Harry.
"Hagid and his opponents are in the hospital wing having some minor cuts healed. Finnegan and Thomas beat him," said McGonagall, "It would also appear that Filius is still at large."
Harry took another look around and noticed that Snape was lying on the ground unconscious with blood trickling down from the corner of his mouth.
"A little too enthusiastic were we you two?" asked Harry, "What'd you two do to him?"
"We er- both hit him with stunners at the same time," mumbled Neville as Ron hit the floor as he laughed uncontrollably.
"I must admit, this is a fine group you've put together, Potter," said McGonagall curtly.
"Thank you, Professor," said Harry, "I had best go and check on Ernie and Hannah."
Harry apparated to Ernie and Hannah and fell about ten feet to the ground. He realized that he was in Hogsmeade.
"Ouch," said Harry as he quickly stood, "You really treasure that Wingardium Leviosa spell, don't you? How did you get them here?"
"He faked being out cold and used a port key to get us here," said Ernie, "He then put a Petrificus Totalus spell on us and has been levitating us through town like balloons in a bloody parade,"
"Stupefy!" yelled the tiny Professor.
Harry easily dodged the spell and jumped as high as he could. As he reached the apex of his jump, he shot a Jelly Legs curse at the wizard. The spell connected, dividing Flitwick's attention and causing him to release Ernie and Hannah.
"Wingardium Leviosa," said Harry as he placed the two on the ground, "Do you want to finish this or do you yield?"
"I yield," said Flitwick as Harry reversed the spell, "Good work son, it has been a while since I've had a good duel."
Harry brought them all together and used the port key to return to the Room of Requirement.
"Final score: Six to two. Nice job, Guard and nice try, Professors," congratulated Harry as cheers exploded from the Phoenix Guard.
"Yes, well done indeed. Twenty points awarded to every house represented," said Dumbledore.
"Professor, I don't think our little exercise went unnoticed," said Ginny, "I think you should explain to the school what was happening."
"Yes, you are right of course Ms. Weasley. It is almost time for dinner, so we should all be going," said Dumbledore.
'So, let's see. I'm related to one of the founders of Hogwarts, thanks to my dad. On the other side, I have my mum, a descendant of Merlin, the founder of modern magic. If I had to guess, Voldemort is related to one of Merlin's enemies. He's related to Slytherin, Gryffindor's enemy. I seem to have found myself at the center of the ultimate family feud. I can feel it in my bones, this feud is ending soon,' thought Harry throughout Dumbledore's clarification. After Harry finished his meal, he went to visit Dumbledore.
"Professor, as the main force behind the Phoenix Guard, I think that it is essential that we share a link so that we may contact one another," said Harry as Dumbledore nodded his okay, "Mentale Mista."
"Harry, could you please summon your staff and sword?" asked Dumbledore as Harry called his staff and sword to him, "Do you see the missing part of the gem at the top of the staff? Does it look familiar?"
"Yes, it looks exactly like the gem at the hilt of my sword," said Harry as he placed the gems next to each other.
Abruptly, a strong white light filled the room. When the light subsided he saw that the staff and sword had merged into a spear. The blade of the spear was thicker, wider, and more rounded than Harry's sword. The spear felt extremely light.
"That spear is feared by the forces of evil. Legend says that when the greatest heir of Merlin appears, it shall cease to be a spear and become Excalibur. To keep the spear out of the hands of evil, a descendent of Merlin separated the blade and staff, giving the blade to the great grandfather of Godric Gryffindor and keeping the staff for himself. This spear has turned the tide of many wars," said Dumbledore.
"What if Voldemort gets a hold of it?" asked Harry, "Couldn't it turn the tide in his favor?"
"Have no fear, Harry. This spear has a hidden safe guard. Only a person faithful to the Light may hold it. Voldemort holds his faith only to power," said Dumbledore, "Now, run along and get some rest. It has been a long day."