Harry Potter and the Amulet of NaRuin
By JaBootiekins
Chapter 2
Pains and Plans
Harry sat in the study of the home that once belonged to his Godfather, Sirius Black. In his own mind, his library, Harry was shifting through all the new information that he hadn't had the time to go over before now. Harry had visited the pain of his Godfathers death. He had also re-played every memory that he possessed of the man. Harry decided that he didn't have enough of memories with the man. It was like time was already ripping Harry away from Sirius. Putting a wall in-between them, one that Harry could not get through.
Grimmwauld Palace no longer had the look or feel that it did when Sirius was living in it, and for that Harry was grateful. It made it so much easier to live in when Harry could forget the memories that it held. The reading of Sirius' will was to be tomorrow. Since Sirius was still wanted by the Ministry the will was to be read by Dumbledore.
So far Harry's time at number 12 was interesting to say the least. Kreacher had beheaded himself the day after Sirius died, saving Harry from the trouble of killing him. What bothered Harry was that Kreacher's head was plastered on the wall next to his mothers. The heads of the house elves and the portrait of Mrs. Black were the only items that refused to be removed. Mrs. Black had however become as silent as a muggle portrait since the death of her remaining son.
Harry had spent his time with Joslurhen, Hermione, Ron and Ginny. Ginny had found a loophole in the wards that kept Grimmwauld Palace hidden and unplottable. It seemed that no one, not even the Ministry of Magic could detect any magic within a mile of the house. Since the Ministry could not detect magic at number 12 Grimmwauld Palace then certain underage wizards could perform said magic without restriction. The only fault to this plan was Mrs. Weasley. She forbid it at first saying, that just because you could do something did not make it right. It was Dumbledore that had finally approved of Harry and the others practicing over the summer, as long as one or more order members were present. This didn't bother Harry there were plenty of order members that were happy to lend a hand teaching the four students useful spells and shields. Harry was usually the one teaching. He taught them all the things he had learned over the summer.
Harry had learned a lot in his short time at the Dursley's. Hermione was in awe. Harry thought that it was all worth it for the look on her face when he knew some obscure fact that she did not. The time Harry had spent learning to enter his own mind and to rearrange how it stored information helped Harry more that he had expected. Harry could now remember the exact text of anything he had ever looked at, it did not matter if he had actually read it or not. Not only that but Harry could now do anything that he had read about. The only exception was to the physical aspect of spells. Harry had to be shown how to do them and fine-tune the movements. Once he had done it correctly he then mastered it.
Harry was surprised at the level of magic he could now perform. He could feel that he was accessing more of his magic than he had done before. The more Harry used his magic the more his magic longed to be used. It was a constant ach at the middle of Harry's being. When Harry let lose allowing as much of his magic as he could fill him and flow through his blood, Harry could not believe it. He let magic penetrate his every cell and envelop him Harry had glowed. The magic was so thick around him that the air started to crackle. Harry had floated up off his bed and woke Ron up. Ron had said that it was not the light or the noise that had made him bolt out of bed. Ron could sleep through a Death Eaters attack. Ron had explained to Harry That it was the surge of raw magic that Harry had wielded. Harry's power was shortly conformed to be abnormal for anyone not Harry Potter as all the Order members that could fit inside the room and Professor Dumbledore rushed to Harry's bed wands drawn. It took Harry two hours to explain to everyone that he was just curious about how much power he had and what it would feel like to let that power lose. Harry promised that he wouldn't do it again. Well, at least not at three in the morning. Harry could still see the looks of awe mingled with fear.
Harry had revealed his plan earlier in the day to those it involved directly. Hermione Ginny Ron and Joslurhen were arrayed about the room that they had converted into a training room of sorts. One corner looked like it came straight from the library at Hogwarts. With a wide-open center and cushions along the walls, it had proved perfect to practice spells in.
They sat as they had since they first laid claim to the room. Harry in the largest and most comfortable chair facing the fireplace had his hands steepled on top of his lap. Hermione was on the couch with her legs curled under her body with a book open in her lap. Next to her was Ron.
Ron had been spending a curious amount of time next to Hermione. He also still denied his feelings for her. Harry could not see how two people who obviously cared deeply for each other could not notice how the other one felt.
Ginny sat next to Joslurhen. They were the only ones that routinely switched where they sat. Harry thought it was some sort of game. When they would head up to the 'T' room, as they called it, both Joslurhen and Ginny would race each other. The funniest part about it was they would try to do it so that no one would notice what they were doing. Ginny usually won by not waiting till dinner was completely over, thus effectively ducking out before her mother could assign her to dish duty. Joslurhen always volunteered herself for such duties. Always putting Mrs. Weasley's protests to an end when she said that it reminded her of home.
Harry had decided that it was high time that he put some of his plans into motion. All of his time in his library consulting all that he knew, even if he hadn't realized that he did, had produced the need for action. Harry was not going to sit back and wait for Voldermort to get stronger. Voldermort was not going to wait till Harry had finished his schooling before coming after him again. Voldermort had not even waited till Harry was two before trying to eliminate him. No longer was Harry going to sit back and let others take care of what was his responsibility.
Harry took a deep calming breath and began, "I know that it is hard being my friend. It is going to get harder and I want you to be prepared for it." Harry announced.
Memories of what had happened last year at the Ministry haunted Harry. He knew that Hermione and Ron would follow him into battle whether he wanted them to or not. Ginny was almost as stubborn as Harry and there was no doubt that she was not going to be left behind. Joslurhen, well she held a quiet strength and undeniable loyalty. She had become friends with Harry's friends as though she always was. Her determination to show Harry that she was trustworthy and dependable was something that even the others had taken noticed of. A fierce passion was evident in her eyes every time she looked at Harry.
"What do you mean prepared?" Hermione looked sternly at Harry.
"Prepared, as in ready for anything that Voldermort might do. I never told you but the thing that Voldermort tortures me with in my dreams is…" Harry trailed off at this point.
He wanted them to be able to survive this war. Harry had decided to be as honest with those closest to him as he could be. Harry had learned from Dumbledore's mistake. He had to make sure that they had all the facts. Knowledge was power. Harry wanted them to have the power to decide how their futures would unfold with as many facts as he could supply. So they could survive being close to Harry James Potter, destined before his birth to vanquish the Dark Lord.
"Is your slow death." With this Harry visibly slumped in his chair. His eyes were downcast. It was almost as if he was ashamed to be showing weakness. As he was taught for the first eleven years of his life to never show weakness of any kind. Showing weakness only provided the Dursley's an opportunity to hurt Harry.
Harry straightened when he had composed himself enough to continue. The visions of Ron's, Hermione's, and Ginny's deaths flashing before his eyes. Voldermort did not yet know of Joslurhen, and Harry hoped he never did. The thought of having to watch her die, even if only in his dreams was too much for Harry. " I need to know that in the middle of battle, or even in the middle of the night, if a death eater comes after you that it would be their doom not yours."
"Harry, mate we'll be okay." Ron was trying to lift Harry's mood. Though the concerned look on Ron's face showed Harry that he had lain awake at night, pondering if he and his family were going to die just because he was the best mate of the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Yeah, like we were okay last year? Hermione almost died, you almost died, and Sirius did die!" A palpable silence fell upon the room. Harry took a couple of quick deep breaths. Concentrating on a flame and feed his emotions into it. The sudden burst of anger that threatened Harry started to subside. He did not want to yell at his best mates, not like last year.
"We are going to be our own little group, Neville, and Luna too. Kind of like a core DA, which I will continue this year. No one can have too much training in times like these." Harry continued like nothing had happened. " You will each have an area of expertise. Hermione will obviously be research, Ron yours will be strategy. Ginny, Joslurhen do you have preferences?"
" I will be contacts, public relations, and information officer." Joslurhen spoke without hesitation. Harry grimaced at public relations so she continued. " Harry I know that you do not like being famous, but you have to make it work for you. Take advantages and opportunities it affords you are priceless. It is very important that you have friends in high places so that Voldermort can not gain followers simply because you refuse to show support or strength."
There was a sharp intake of breath by Ginny and Ron. They remembered all to well Harry's explosive attitude from last year. Hermione simply nodded her head in agreement and looked at Harry for his response.
Harry at first was shocked. Then it sank in. He did need allies and powerful ones. The people needed to know that they had hope. That Harry was not just a boy any more. Lots of Death eaters were only looking to be on the most powerful side, Harry wanted to make that his side. The less Death Eaters Harry had to worry about the better.
"Okay, you got the job. How about you Ginny?" Harry changed the subject.
He did not want to think about having his own personal public relations representative. At least it was going to be someone he trusted. Joslurhen had a way to get you to tell her everything she wanted to know without you getting a lick of useful information in return. The worst part was she would leave you feeling like you got the better end of the deal. Harry soon learned to listen to her carefully and think before he spoke to her, in public at least. He found himself crying on her shoulder one night about how the wizarding world expected him to be their savior and he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to do it. It did leave Harry feeling better, but he was not going to have those conversations with Joslurhen in the kitchen anymore either. Mrs. Weasley had over heard the whole thing and came bustling in crushing Harry with a hug and carrying on about how she loved Harry for who he was not what he did.
Ginny was suddenly interested in the floor. Then she gave them all a small grin that began to spread across her face. The type of grin one would usually associate with Draco Malfoy. " I want to be a weapons expert." She said excited. Everyone looked at her flabbergasted.
"A what?" Ron stammered.
"A weapons expert. I want to be in charge of teaching you to use magical weapons."
It was Harry's turn to stammer at the youngest Weasley. " Magical weapons?"
"Well the weapons themselves are not magical, most of the time. Swords, Staffs, Daggers, Bow and Arrow, Axe, Sais, and the Tethered Mace are the ones that would be the most useful." Ginny smiled broadly now at the expressions of all those around her.
Ron was obviously not the only one to have worried about the state of their family being so close to Harry. She had at least had came up with a suggestion as to what should be done. Harry was just happy that she hadn't chosen to distance herself from him. Ginny had definitely grown up since last year. Not only mentally but physically as well. Harry had found that he could not help letting his gaze linger longer on her every time he saw her. It really confused Harry I mean this was Ginny. The little sister of his best mate, the only daughter in the only family Harry had ever felt that he belonged to. Harry just simply could not fathom that he fancied her since he first saw her and had ignored her because of her age and relation to Ron. After all what eleven-year-old could admit that he had feelings for the ten-year-old sister of his best mate. A year at that age is very important.
"Hey, a Sais is not a magical weapon." Ron finally stopped his impression of a fish and managed to use his voice.
"Yes it is Ron." Hermione was looking at Ginny with a newly found respect. "It is a magical weapon the same as the others it just didn't originate in Europe."
"How do you know how to use the weapons?" Harry could not come up with a better question. The thought of using weapons as well as magic was a fascinating idea.
"I did some independent studies last year. Since I really thought that it would help to know how to defend myself I asked Professor Dumbledore if I could learn. He taught arranged for me to learn from a Weapons Master First class." Ginny tried to explain but only created more questions.
"How did you pull that off with Umbridge around?" Came from Ron looking like his eyes were going to pop out of their sockets. "There is just no bloody way that she would have approved of it." The swear word earned a soft slap on the shoulder from Hermione.
"I met with the Weapons Master in the room of requirement on days that you were not using it for the D.A. It was all kept secret. Since it was only me coming and going from the room of requirement all the time Umbridge couldn't stop me after Professor Dumbledore left. That was were I was supposed to be for my individual studies, and no one else was there when she would barge in. Of course if she would have looked closely she would have noticed that I was breathing heavily and my robes were tossed on in a haste." Ginny now wore a triumphant grin. "The room would quickly change to a library whenever she came within 500 yards with the intent of entering." She supplied quickly to Hermione as she anticipated her next question.
"Okay. You can be the weapons expert, with one condition." Harry said looking intently into the redhead's warm brown eyes.
"What?" Ginny looked worried.
"You have to teach me all you know, and then arrange for me to learn from this Weapons Master." Harry was not sure how good the youngest Weasley was but he had the feeling that growing up with six brothers had made her a force to be reckoned with even without the aid of weaponry. With her teaching him all she knew he might not humiliate himself in front of her teacher. Worst-case scenario he at least got a head start.
"Of course Harry." Ginny seemed relieved. "We will have to start tomorrow. If you want to be better than me by the time we go back to Hogwarts." Harry nodded.
"This is how the rest of the D.A. will be set up." Harry then went on to explain the way he planed to run the D.A. that year taking suggestions, till the sun started to peak through the windows.
It was Sirius' will reading today and Harry had spent the morning with Ginny. She started out putting him through his paces. She soon realized that Harry was in better shape than she was.
The next step was to familiarize Harry with various positions. The positions were for attack and defense. Harry was surprisingly fast in learning the positions and the names after only being shown a few times. Harry thought that all of his workouts and his time spent relaxing his muscles had helped immensely. Harry was now so aware of his body that when showed how to properly stand he memorized it easily.
By the end of the third hour Ginny was amazed at how easily Harry could flow from one stance to the next. It had taken her a month to get to this point in her training. By lunch Harry was ready to start using the weapons. You just could not learn to use them with out dueling and Ginny was afraid that Harry might be beyond her already. His ease and speed with the training rod was amazing. It seemed as if Harry went into a trance and let his muscles move on their own.
Indeed that was what Harry was doing. After learning the stances he fell into the rhythm created by changing positions. It all seemed natural to Harry almost like flying had been. Harry had no idea that what he was doing was supposed to take a long time to learn.
Feeding all other thoughts into the flame that helped focus and calm Harry enough to enter his own mind Harry did not notice the audience assembling around him. Neither did he notice when Ginny stepped back and stopped calling out the names of stances that he should do next, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. It seemed odd to Harry to learn from Ginny. He was used to being better than her. He was a year older than her.
It startled Harry when he was thrown a staff and Ginny was attacking him viciously. What was more surprising was the ease with which Harry staved off her attacks and retaliated with his own.
For more than an hour they went back and forth in the 'T' room that had been magically enlarged so that they could practice and once again so that the audience could fit comfortably.
Finally Ginny caught Harry behind the knees when she suddenly dropped to the floor spinning her staff around quicker that Harry had expected. Harry lay flat on his back looking into the blazing eyes of Ginny Weasley while she held her staff next to Harry's throat.
"Do you yield." She asked firmly.
"Yes." Harry was astonished. He thought that Ginny would be good but not this good. The ease at which he learned how to use the weapon had made Harry have false hope. He now realized that Ginny was assessing him for the most part and then when he thought he was better she had annihilated him.
"It is almost time for the will reading." Dumbledore announced.
It was then that Harry had become aware of the large mass of people watching him train. They all stared at Harry in shock at his first time with a staff. They stared at Ginny in awe.
After a shower and a quick lunch Harry and the other occupants of the house moved towards the study. Everyone settled into a semi circle around the fireplace. A large chintz chair placed directly in front of it facing the room. Solemn expressions mingled with the soft whimpers of those that could not hold back their tears set the mood of the room. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were off to one side. The twins were there along with Bill and Charlie. Many Order members were there too. Harry sat down directly opposite of the chair Dumbledore sat in. To Harry's right sat Joslurhen, to his left Ginny, Ron and Hermione had sat on either side of Professor Lupin.
Dumbledore started the reading. Harry tried to zone out wanting it to be over with. When he heard his name he was drug back to the present.
"To Harry, my godson I wish to kick soundly in the hind end." Gasps were heard from the entire room including from Remus. Dumbledore continued, "You my boy, think that you are responsible for everything that happens in this war. I order you from beyond the grave to lighten up. Life is unpredictable. You cannot save everyone Harry.
Yes, you have had a lot heaped on to your shoulders at too young of an age, but I have never met a person more capable of handling it than you.
I wish you could be more like you Father, but you are not James as everyone has told me repeatedly. I secretly am very glad that you are not. James while being my best mate is in no way equal to you. His head would be so big he would have to use his ears to walk, as the rest of his body could simply not support the weight of his fat head.
For the short time that I have known you I am thankful that your Dad finally came to his senses and stop listening to me all the time. Earning your mothers love. Lilly was the best thing that ever happened to him. They loved each other and you so much. You Harry James Potter are the perfect mix of them. You are strong, smart, compassionate and brave. I would not trust anyone else than you for the task that has been given to you. Harry please have faith in your self as I have faith in you.
Enough of that then, on to the goodies aye Harry. I here by bequeath my entire estate all Black holdings and the family name to Harry James Potter should he chose to accept it. In short Harry you get everything.
Now Dumbledore you have some explaining to do to Harry about all this. But first you need to get up off you proud bottom and hug Harry. You better forgive him Harry, and you better forgive yourself Albus."
Harry was shocked. Why would Sirius say the last part? And why would Dumbledore read it?
Joslurhen answered his unasked question. "The will once started wouldn't let the reader stop reading until completed. Also I believe that Sirius charmed the Will to have his personality and be able to read the feelings of those who are either around it or in contact with it." She whispered into Harry's ear.
Dumbledore stared at the will for a few moments in shock. Tears started to well in the headmasters' eyes. Harry saw the anguish in them and decided that Dumbledore had punished himself enough. Crossing the few steps to stand in front of Professor Dumbledore Harry placed his had firmly on his shoulder. The unexpected contact startling the Professor and causing his head to snap up, his tear stained eyes locking with Harry's. The twinkle that was usually resident in those all knowing blue eyes had been extinguished. They now looked into Harry's vivid green eyes in trepidation.
Harry softly spoke, "All is forgiven, if not forgotten Professor."
All the tension rushed from Dumbledore's body at Harry's words. Harry had not realized how tense Dumbledore was.
" Albus, Harry, you can call me Albus when we are not at school or are alone." The respect radiating from Dumbledore, as his token twinkle returned twice as bright to his brilliant blue eyes, took Harry by surprise. It shocked Harry further when the old man stood suddenly and fiercely embraced Harry.