Yo, don't you guys just love my random postings! Don't worry, I'll set myself a little schedule soon, and actually post at sensible times (i.e., not when I'm doing homework, essays etc, and when I'm free – though barely ever). Disclaimers and warnings apply as usual, I don't want to have to keep repeating them.
Yay, I'm so happy! All those people who are eagerly anticipating the surprise, eagerly anticipate no longer! And join my good friends, Ron, Hermione, Remus, etc in wishing Harry a very Happy Birthday, on the count of three!
1, crosses fingers
2, crosses eyes, sticks out tongue and grins
3... "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!"
Ah, that was good. Now, onto the story, and all will be explained, as well as why I just got you to wish Harry 'Happy Birthday'. (Duh.)
Happy Reading...
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Chapter 6. Power from old times.
On the morning of his 16th birthday, Harry awoke feeling peaceful, happy, and strangely different. He yawned comfortably, then stopped mid-yawn as Ron and Hermione threw back the curtains round his head. They beamed at him, and yelled.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Harry grinned, and before he could get up, two neatly wrapped presents were thrust at him. Taking them both, the picked up the first (from Hermione) and started to unwrap it as Hermione and Ron sat on the edge of his bed. Grinning widely, he froze slightly as he saw the first item. Smiling up at him from a colourful moving wizarding photograph was Sirius, James and Remus. His first thought was that at least Peter wasn't there. It must've been the last group photograph of the three friends before James had died. Then, smiling at Hermione who looked at him worriedly, he set the photo on his bedside table, before turning to the rest of the package. The next thing he saw was a book ('Typical Hermione' he thought) titled 'Advanced Defence for the Auror' by Auresius Venator.
"Wow, Hermione! That looks great, really useful." He set the book down on his trunk and turned to the last thing. It was quite surprising, the most unusual object he had ever seen. It seemed to be a glass or crystal sphere containing some sort of flowing liquid. Casting a quizzical look at Hermione, she started to speak.
"It's called a Mind Sphere. It's sort of a miniature Pensieve. You can collect some thoughts in it, but you can also collect memories and display them. I thought it might be useful." She looked uncertain, but the look dissolved as Harry reached across and gave her a hug.
"I'm afraid my presents' not as posh." Ron said quickly. "You know we haven't got a lot of money." Harry unwrapped the package, noting the bright orange Chudley Cannons wrapping paper. This also contained a wizarding photograph, but this one was of Ron and Hermione. They waved and smiled cheerfully at him, Hermione looking slightly embarrassed. He placed this photograph directly beside the other one, and took the last thing out of the wrapping paper. It was two small glass animals, different types of owls on a golden chain. Seeing Harry's confused look, he explained.
"They're portkeys, I had Dumbledore make them. The tawny is Hermione and the Eagle is me. They'll take you to wherever we are, in case or if you want to talk or something. You have to hold it and say our names into them to activate them" Ron looked pleased, as did Hermione, especially when Harry gave them both another hug, and, to everyone's surprise, Hermione a kiss on the cheek. Harry ignored Hermione's rising blush, and storing the presents away carefully, and throwing the chains around his neck. Then he got dressed, and followed his best friends down to breakfast.
Bracing himself slightly outside the entrance hall at seeing a particular, and rare glint in Ron and Hermione's eyes, he pushed open the grand doors to another loud yell.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Whatever Harry had suspected, or even imagined, this was not it. The hall was busy with all of Harry's friends, members of the Order and teachers. Floating sparkly shapes fell from the 'ceiling' (today a bright and cheerful morning). Taking a closer look as he was dragged inside, he saw they were tiny letters that read 'Happy Birthday Harry'. Loud music could be heard from one corner, where someone had placed what looked like a muggle CD player (but couldn't be as it was playing 'Weird Sisters' music, and no electrical device worked in Hogwarts). He could also see a long table with various brightly coloured parcels on it, and also what looked like a buffet with Harry's favourite food – treacle tart, humbugs, chocolate frogs, chips, Yorkshire puddings, and much more. Remus came up to him first, and gave him a huge hug, beaming.
"Happy 16th Harry."
"Yeah, Happy Birthday Harry." Said Ginny as the Weasleys made their way over. They were all smiling, and Molly gave him another hug, as if to check he was still all right. Fred and George winked at him, and pointed to an innocent looking dish on the table, which he saw Neville take a small, blue sweet out of. As he ate it, a queer look came over his face, and he started to swell.
"Took the idea from when you told us about blowing up your aunt. We call them Swelling Sweets. Oh, and Happy Birthday Harry." Said Fred as Neville started to drift upwards. Hermione sighed exasperatedly, but smiling, she said quickly finite incantatem and Neville fell to earth with a bump, ruefully rubbing his rump as he laughed with everyone else.
They moved away as well to advertise some more of their merchandise as Harry was swarmed by a large band of his classmates. Fighting his way out of the crowd, he managed to grab a sausage roll before Tonks, Mad-Eye and Shacklebolt descended him upon him. They looked on edge, even at Hogwarts, but Tonks gave him a friendly smile, and wished him a happy birthday.
Order was finally restored some time later when McGonagle stood on a chair, tapping a glass.
"Everybody by the table, Harry needs to open his presents before they're forgotten!" Everyone laughed, and Harry was shepherded to the top of the table, and was handed a parcel from Remus. Smiling at him, he tore off the paper to reveal,
"Wow, thanks Remus! It's a Foe Glass!" he took the smaller version of the one he had seen in Moody/Crouch's office last year, and set it on the table, relieved to see nothing but murky figures. Next was the accumulated present from the Order, a wand holster and another book on defence against the dark arts; 'Defensive Charms and How to use them.' By Caroline Cransky. From the Weasleys (bar Fred and George, who, winking passed him a box of their latest inventions) was a plain emerald jumper (who's surprised?) and a variety box of chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, Cockroach Cluster, and others Harry hadn't heard of. McGonagle just handed him an envelope, which he tore open.
I, Professor Dumbledore, do hereby revoke the order of Professor Umbridge, so that Harry James Potter may play Quidditch, and do release his broom from custody.
Harry could barely believe his eyes, and was nearly pinching himself when she handed him his Firebolt, with an almost crafty smile on her face. He took it lovingly. It was his broom, and it was from Sirius. He grinned at her, and placed it beside his other presents. Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and others' from Gryffindor had bought him a magical music player. It seemed to work pretty much like a muggle CD player, but he would have to ask Ron, as when he turned it on, it talked to him. Looking absent-mindedly at his new watch from Hagrid (gold with a pattern of snitches), he noticed it was 11:59. He had been born precisely 16 years ago in a minute. (NB:- I may've changed it a little bit, so Harry's birthday is at 12pm, so sue me.)
Surprisingly, he had been pretty much left alone now, Remus was chatting animatedly with Fred and George about Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. Ron and Hermione were arguing over a bowl of crisps, Dumbledore was talking quietly with McGonagle, and everyone else was either dancing to the music or talking loudly to each other.
Just as the minute hand flicked onto 12 o'clock, the noise in the great hall was shattered by a loud and piercing scream. Looking round in horror, they saw Dumbledore walking swiftly over to the crouched figure of Harry, who was screaming and clutching at his scar. Blood dripped over his fingers and he was shaking wildly.
However, as Dumbledore approached, there was a blinding flash of white light, and everything in the room was knocked backwards by a powerful, and obviously magical force. They watched as Harry suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming ethereally. There was another flash of light and a magical force rattled through them, rippling their hair and clothes like a gust of wind. Harry was to be lifted into the air, his arms spread out, his face screwed up, but he was no longer screaming. Through the blinding light, they could make out four indistinct smoke-like lights being sucked into Harry as he was tossed around in the air. Then, the light faded, and Harry floated back down onto the ground, unconscious. The hall was filled with silence as Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione and McGonagle walked over to him.
Harry's scar was still bleeding, blood trickling over his pale skin; his glasses were shattered by the powerful force, whatever it was, and his hair even more windswept than usual. Dumbledore muttered mobillicorpus and carried Harry swiftly to the hospital wing, trailing Ron and Hermione, while McGonagle sorted out the other people in the hall.
Harry awoke, yet again, in the hospital wing. He saw Ron and Hermione standing above his bed, and winced when Ron yelled
"Professor! He's awake!"
"Thanks Ron." Said Harry dryly, then looked reassuring as Ron gave him an apologetic look. His head was thumping, and as he reached up to feel his scar, he felt a large bandage. He vaguely remembered it had hurt and then started to bleed, but that seemed like a dream. Nightmare more likely. Sitting up, he reached out for his glasses, and then, with an odd feeling, realised he didn't need them. Confusion evident on he his face, he turned to his headmaster for an explanation. Dumbledore was looking at him oddly, almost appraisingly and critically at the same time.
"What happened, sir?" Dumbledore gave him another long look, then turned away to face the window.
"I don't know, but I can tell you what I suspect." He turned back to Harry with a small smile. "Harry, you're an elemental." Harry heard Hermione gasp, and Ron had a dumbstruck expression on his face. Dumbledore continued. "I have only read of one other instance such as what happened, and it was the creation of the last elemental to stand on this earth, some 350 years ago. Elementals are very rare and special beings, with the power to control their selected element."
"I'm sure you want to know what your element is?" he smiled as Harry nodded, still evidentially puzzled. Dumbledore muttered a short spell; comperio elementum; and a burst of sparkling white light hit Harry in the chest. He felt slightly light-headed, but watched as the particles of light moved together and changed colour.
The particles danced into the middle of the room, briefly formed each of a blue raindrop, a red fire, a green leaf and a yellow bird. Then, they flew towards each other, and burst in a rain of tiny lights. When Harry turned back to look at Dumbledore, the old man was looking at him with undisguised surprise.
"Harry, that spell cannot lie. You are the most rare and most powerful elemental that ever existed. Quattuor elementum – a combination of the four elements. You have full control over air or wind, earth, water and fire." Everyone seemed dumbstruck as this information sank in. Just as they sat, deep in thought, Fawkes flew in through the door. He landed on Harry's bed and handed a message to him, to everyone's astonishment. Harry took it at Dumbledores' nod, and, seeing whom it was addressed to, passed it to Dumbledore. He read it, then passed it back to Harry, stood up and left.
Dear Albus.
I was just talking to Trelawney, and decided you ought to hear this. She went into a trance and spoke these words.
Night shall fall on young serpent-tongue,
But day shall arrive in the hands of the moon.
Power from old times shall awaken to the marked one.
Power more powerful and unstoppable than any seen before,
The key and the power to face his nemesis.
In one hand he shall hold the trees and the fish,
In the other, perpetual light and the realm of wings.
He shall recognise his mate by her mark reflecting his new strength.
She will be the key to his strength,
And the union of the one who holds the four and his mate
Will overcome the power of the nameless one.
However, beware, for if he succumbs to the dark, only one can save Him,
And will pay the sacrifice.
I hope it will be useful and you can decipher what it means.
Yours Sincerely,
Alastor Moody.
"What the hell does it mean?" said Harry, giving up. Hermione looked at him to see if he was joking, and when she saw he wasn't, she sighed impatiently. Harry gave her an odd look.
"If you think it's that easy, then tell us!"
"Well, the first bit, 'serpent-tongue' is obviously you, you speak parselmouth, and you're also the 'marked one' because of your scar." She waved her wand and a quill and parchment appeared, and she started to write. When Harry and Ron tried to question her, she glared at them, so they shrugged at each other, and Harry took a Pain Reducing Potion from the bedside table and drank it. Immediately, the pain disappeared, and he sat back to wait for Hermione.
A few minutes later, she stopped writing, and looked up at them. Clearing her throat, she read out what she had written. It proved to be a translation of what she had figured out in the prophecy.
"Night shall fall on (Harry),
But day shall arrive in the hands of the moon.
Power from old times shall awaken to the marked one.
Power more powerful and unstoppable than any seen before, (elemental)
The key and the power to face his nemesis.
In one hand he shall hold the trees and the fish,
In the other, perpetual light and the realm of wings. (earth, water, fire and wind)
He shall recognise his mate by her mark reflecting his new strength.
She will be the key to his strength,
And the union of the one who holds the four and his mate (Harry and his mate)
Will overcome the power of the nameless one. (Voldemort)
However, beware, for if he succumbs to the dark, only one can save Him,
And will pay the sacrifice."
They sat in silence again, digesting this, until Harry spoke slowly.
"So, what you're saying is that I've got some old power, and with the help of my 'mate' I can defeat Voldemort?"
"Yes. Though I don't get the bit at the beginning about 'day in the hands of the moon'." Said Hermione thoughtfully. Harry thought hard for a moment, and spoke again.
"I think I can answer that. I was depressed after, what happened. That would be the night wouldn't it? And 'day in the hands of the moon', well Remus saved me, and he's a werewolf. Moony." Hermione looked at him astonished, then said smiling.
"Why, Harry, there may be hope for you yet." Harry tilted his head and shot her a mock disbelieving look while she laughed. Ron just watched them, then spoke up.
"I think I've figured out a bit as well." They looked at him curiously. He smiled happily, and continued. "The bit at the end about your mate and her mark, it wouldn't be Hermione would it?" There was a short silence as Harry and Hermione didn't look at each other, and stared dumbly at Ron. "Well, you showed us that weird mark you got, and it looked like the symbols for the elements, with Harry's scar over it. Just logic."
Harry looked up to see Hermione looking at him uncertainly. He felt a strange emotion in his stomach, not unpleasant, but odd. He reached out to touch her hand, and a spark of energy flashed in the space between them like static electricity.
"Whoa." Said Harry, jumping back. He looked at Hermione shocked, then watched shocked and scared as her eyes filled with tears and she dashed out of the room. Harry felt very strange, almost as if he could feel Hermione's pain, and other mixed emotions. He looked back at Ron who also looked confused, and followed him out of the hospital wing.
Outside, Ron lead Harry towards the front doors (NB:- Harry is dressed, he wasn't in the hospital wing for very long) and stopped abruptly outside, and turned to face him. Confusion was no longer written all over his face, but, strangely, amusement.
"Ron, what did I do?" Harry started to get angry as Ron grinned.
"Isn't it obvious?" he said maddeningly. Harry frowned, and tilted his head on one side.
"No, it isn't actually. Now, tell me!" Ron continued to grin at Harry's annoyed expression.
"Yes, it is obvious, but not to little dumb Harry Potter." Harry scowled, but held his tongue, hoping to get to the bottom of it. "Come on mate, it's been obvious she's fancied the pants off you since at least 3rd year." At Harry's dumbstruck face, he answered the unasked question. "How do I know? Well, lets just say Hermione's not right all the time – I do have more intellect and emotions that that would fill a teaspoon." He appeared to check off a mental list. "1, She was out of her mind with worry in fourth year when you went missing. 2, fourth year again, well, you saw how she got – helping you with the Tournament, when we didn't ask her to the Ball, that was all about you, and defending you and getting Rita Skeeter. 3, don't forget the time she smacked Malfoy one. That was for you as well." Harry was starting to see his point.
"But-"
"Wait, I haven't finished." He grinned hugely. "4, last year she was shit worried about you. And this summer, well, she was on the point of a nervous breakdown mate. She fancies you."
"But she can't, she's Hermione. Hermione doesn't fancy me, she fancies you." Ron looked incredulous.
"You actually didn't notice did you? Of course she fancies you! Besides, I'm spoken for. I've been trying to pluck up the courage to ask Lavender out for ages." He blushed in time to his bright red hair. Harry was blushing as well.
"Really?" said Harry nervously.
"Of course." He repeated. Then, looking sidelong at Harry, he continued. "And you fancy her too."
"But- well, I don't know." Harry was confused. Why was everything suddenly so complicated. "But why did she burst into tears?"
"Come on mate, she's fancied you for years, and after all the worry, she finds out your life mates, soul mates, and well, she probably felt a bit overwhelmed."
"I have to go and talk to her." Said Harry, his heart sinking with the thought, but rising knowing that he would be talking to Hermione.
"Course you do. I'll go and amuse myself for a while." He grinned and started to walk back insides.
"Ron" Harry called after him Ron turned. "Thanks mate." Ron grinned again, and, shaking his head, walked inside.
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Prophecies are added to the pain, and maybe a tad of power. Now we have the ingredients, lets see the fur fly!
Review ResponsesEbonyBeach – Thanks! Can I say any more?
Mr Blader X – (Salutes) Chapter 6 for your approval, sir!
High School Writer – Thanks, glad you like it! H/Hr romance on the menu!
gaul1 – Thanks, and will do.
rosiegirl – Thanks for the consideration, and hope you liked this one!
Ok, I'm not so sure about this chapter, somehow I think it's too short when I reread it, so if you have any ideas... (Memo – the cute little review button? Ring any bells?)
And now, to quote someone whose name I cannot remember,
May broomsticks be in your dreams,
And snitches at the end of the rainbow.
FireOpal.