Author's Note: Did you like the cliffhanger? (Evil grin) Well, I'm getting closer and closer to the main plotline. I got a lot of nice reviews, thanks. I want to comment on some of the reviews, so here goes.
To Draco'sLovergirlever: Glad to know someone has read Lost Years of Merlin. There's a lot of stuff in my story I took out of that. The other readers won't understand, but you should. I said I wouldn't tell who was going to be with Harry; Well, I won't. I will give you a hint. She's from the Lost Years of Merlin series. Can you guess who it is? Anyway, why the poisonous snake? I thought about giving him a basilisk, but that would be difficult to write. How would he look at the thing? Maybe I'll find something. To tell the truth, I completely forgot about the other cub. Let's say it decided to find a mate.
To Meris: Well, I'm glad you like my writing. Do me a favor though, and don't read my first attempt at a story. It's way too sappy. Thanks.
Well, I hope you guys like the chapter. Don't forget to review. Ferretfriend
"Well, today I'm going to try to find something. Something important. It's called the Gateway." Hohn the phoenix looked up, intrigued. It sounds very mysterious. What makes it so important? Harry shrugged. "I don't really know. It supposedly has some pretty powerful items in there, and Voldemort's been looking for it. Guess that makes it important."
Silver looked up too. When I was running, I heard the other animals speaking. They said there was a place they avoided, a place of incredible power. Some animals tried to investigate, but there was only one survivor. The poor thing had gone insane, and kept muttering about the guardians. At night, you could hear him screaming.
Harry's heart sank somewhat at the ominous news. But then again, the Gateway was sure to have a guardian or some sort of defense. Godric gave a joke at Mira's expense. Well, if we run into trouble, we could just have old scaly skin over there sit on the enemy. Mire shot Godric a glare that made his chowder curdle.
"That's enough, guys. We need to get going. I have a place where I want to search. Silver, do you think we could talk to the animals you spoke of?" Silver nodded. I remember where the place was. I will take you there, but be warned, the animals there do not trust easily. If given any reason to not trust us, they will do so gladly.
"Right, I'll keep that in mind. Lead on, Silver." With tat, Silver began to walk toward the door. Hohn, Godric, and Mira all left their seats to follow. When they reached the front yard, Silver broke into a run. Harry rode the wind upward, enjoying the sense of flight. Behind him, he could see his other three friends.
Looking down, he saw Silver running. Following the trail, he rode his jet of air. Silver was darting back and forth, narrowly avoiding trees. Godric and Mira had, yet again, begun an argument, and Hohn seemed troubled by something. Keeping his eyes on Silver, Harry spoke.
"Something on your mind, Hohn?" Hohn looked up quickly. How did you know? Harry chuckled, and said, "Well, you're much quieter than usual. Something is bothering you." Hohn sighed. Yes, I am troubled. Many things have been weighing on my mind of late. And all this business with the Gateway…We know so little about it. I'm…
"Afraid." Hohn looked up suddenly. How did you know that? Harry raised an eyebrow. "You just said it." No I didn't. I was about to, but I never said how I was feeling. Harry frowned. "But how else would I have known how you were feeling? I can't read minds, you know." Can't you? Don't be so sure. Often an individual has ability like that and does not know it. Or perhaps you are an empath, one who has the ability to sense feelings. Has anything like this ever happened before?
Harry thought. Well, he had always been able to guess what people were feeling. When he was little, he had always known the point at which his aunt and uncle would snap. (Crossing it a few times, sure) He looked up at Hohn. "I've sometimes been able to guess how people feel, but it was probably just luck."
Hohn snorted in an undignified manner, very unlike the proper phoenix he usually was. Luck? Luck my tail feathers! Phoenixes can sense different magical projections, including whenever someone performs empathy or mind reading. I sensed one of the two just now, maybe both. Don't try to tell me you're not either! I can see the magical aura of people, and yours glows more brightly than any other's, even Professor Dumbledore! You have power; you just don't see it. Even with all the powers you've unlocked so far, you still have many hidden. I am curious as to the full extent of these powers, and how you will use them.
Harry was about to argue, but paused. Was it possible? Was he an empath or a mind reader? He hadn't thought he was a metamorphmagus either, but he was. Maybe this wasn't so different. He looked down at Silver, giving himself some time to think. If he could sense feelings, why was he so miserable on the dating front last year? Empathy would have been extremely helpful.
He turned back to Hohn and said, "Even if I had empathy, how would I know? How would I control it?" Hohn chuckled again. It varies, but the power often immediately controllable. It just pops into your mind, and stays there. The same goes with mind reading.
While Harry pondered this, Silver suddenly came to a stop. Looking down, Harry saw that glint he had seen on his previous journeys. He began to glide down, but had a better idea. Turning so his head was lower than his feet, he stopped controlling the wind. He plummeted, free falling toward the ground. Just before he hit the ground, he created a large round pillow, or rather a large patch of powder snow.
Crawling out of the snow, Harry used his fire abilities to warm himself. He turned to Silver, and said, "Is this the place?" Silver nodded, and looked around warily. Again Harry commented. "You're uneasy. Not afraid, but unsure. Why?" Silver didn't question how Harry knew, probably because he was too immersed in his own thoughts.
Yes. I did not leave this place on the best of terms. When they found out what I was, where I had come from, I was banished. They greatly dislike humans, and considered me as a human spy. Everyone left me, except Jade. She couldn't believe the other animals would condemn me like that, so she left with me. It must have been hard for her, as she grew up here. If she was still alive…
Harry tried to lighten the mood. "If she was still alive, she'd have your whiskers waxed for moping instead of having fun. C'mon, let's enjoy ourselves, for her sake if no one else's." Silver paused, the look of pain still in his eyes, and then brightened. You're right. Let's see if we can find the village.
And so they set off, trekking through the jungle, following Silver's "trail". After about an hour, Harry stopped them for a break. Turning to Silver, he said, "You have no idea where you're going, do you?" Silver looked up, and shrugged, Nope, but I remember it was close to a cave. Oh, and there was a river, too. Listen, can't you hear the water?
Harry listened, and got an idea. Rising up into the air, he surveyed the landscape. About a mile to the east was a roaring river. Even from the air, he could see various signs of animals. He sunk back down to his friends, and told them the news.
"Well, the river's about a mile that way." He pointed east. "If we hike at a fast pace, we can make it in ten minutes." He started to walk east, and his friends all followed. After ten minutes, they found themselves on the riverbank. Silver looked around wistfully. The last time I was here, Jade was with me. Well, the village is just up river.
They walked up river, keeping their eyes peeled for any signs. They were still searching when Silver suddenly stopped. "What is it, Silver?" Silver strode over to a tree, and growled. This is it. Watch carefully. Pressing his paw against a knot in the bark, the tree quivered. Instantly, a small hole appeared in a ring of rocks that were there. Silver squeezed through, as did Godric and Hohn. Mira, on the other hand, didn't have it so easy. It was obvious she wouldn't fit, and according to Silver, the hole wouldn't stay open much longer. Harry grabbed her tail and shrunk her, so she was the size of Godric. Darting forward, they squeezed through the hole.
Once inside, they were amazed. It was extremely spacious, and despite its outward appearance, could fit the contents of the Black Vault. The animals all turned at the sudden entrance, and an eerie silence filled the dome.
The spy has returned. The speaker was a large bear. And look, he has brought company. See how a human walks among us! We never should have let you leave! Silver's face showed a mix of emotions, and Harry could feel guilt, shame, sadness, and anger. The bear continued to speak. Ah, look! A phoenix! Maybe now the traitor will listen to some wisdom.
Hohn, who was ordinarily very well tempered, exploded. (Figuratively) Rising up into the air, he gave a piercing shriek. HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU CONDEMN HIM FOR WHAT HE IS NOT! WISDOM? HOW ARE YOU TO KNOW WISDOM IF YOU DO NOT KNOW SENSE?
The bear, taken aback, began to speak again. Now listen here, humans have been cruel to animals since the very beginning. Listen to me- Hohn cut him off, still whistling shrilly. DON'T YOU TELL ME TO LISTEN, BEAR! Calming down slightly, he spoke in his usual tone. True, humans have shown cruelty in the past. But they also show kindness! The truth is right in front of you; open your eyes! For two hundred years, I was a prisoner. For two hundred years I was a captive of the humans. But then, another human came along, one who cared for animals. He is standing right in front of you. Yes, he freed me from my cage, and Godric as well. Hohn pointed at the griffin.
And humans were attacking Mira, the dragon over there. Yet this human attacked them, capturing them. And Silver, he saved his life! A basilisk was attacking silver and his family. The man intervened, and saved Silver's life. He tried to save Jade and the cubs, but was too late. Tell me; are these the acts of cruelty you speak of?
The bear held a whispered conversation with the other animals, and then spoke again. We have decided to forgive Silver. He is welcome among us once more. As for the human, he must leave immediately. He is not welcome. He doesn't even know what we're saying!
Harry cleared his throat, and spoke, "Actually, I can understand every word you're saying. Now listen to me, all of you! War is upon us! The Dark Lord has risen again, and will once again destroy your habitats and enslave you! You must put your dislike of humans aside, and ban together to aid us in the fight against Voldemort!"
There was an immediate uproar. The bear's voice bellowed above everyone's. WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE SUCH THINGS, HUMAN! SINCE WHEN DO YOU CONTROL THE FATE OF THE ANIMALS! WE ARE NOT YOUR SERVANTS, AND WILL NOT FIGHT YOUR WAR!
Harry's anger, which had been so close to the surface, boiled over. "I'LL TELL YOU WHO I AM! MY NAME IS HARRY POTTER, AND I'M SICK OF YOUR INNABILITY TO LISTEN! VOLDEMORT IS BACK, BEAR! HE'S BACK, AND WON'T HESITATE BEFORE UNLEASING HIS CRUELTY AGAIN! Now please, I'm trying to help. If you won't help us, then at least help yourselves. Fortify your defenses, go somewhere else, I don't care. Just be safe. Now, it's apparent I'm not welcome here, so I will leave you be."
With that, he turned to leave, and paused only when a voice called out. Wait! Turning, Harry saw a snake. It looked just like a basilisk, only smaller, and Harry hadn't died when he looked into its eyes. Wait, Harry Potter. I am gifted with what you humans call the sight. Great events I see in your future. You will battle the Dark Lord, but you already know this. Strange, though , is what I see before and afterward. I can see small things, but there is much that is clouded. I feel it is so close, waiting to be revealed, but I mustn't tempt fate. I cannot see the outcome of the final battle, but know it will happen between you and him.
Harry took this in, and could see the animals were too. He turned to the snake, and said, "What type of snake are you?" The snake gave a hiss. I am a basilisk. You see, the eyes are deadly only when we want them to be. (Author's Note: I know that's not true, but I couldn't think of another thing to do with the eye issue.) Before you ask, I am small, yes. This is because I wish to be.
Turning to the rest of the animals, he hissed again. You see, like Silver, I too am a creation of the humans'. They created me in a place called the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Like Silver, I escaped, and, like Silver, I have my own special powers not gifted to ordinary basilisks. Whether I received the Sight in this way, I do not know, but I know what else they gave me.
Turning to Harry, the snake hissed softly. Harry Potter, I have a request. I ask that you allow me to accompany you. You have earned the trust of a phoenix and Silver, and both are wary of humans. Before you came along, I was insane. I do not know if Silver told you or not, but I was part of a team sent to a mysterious structure. I was the only survivor, and it was as if someone turned out the light. I knew I was alive ,but I didn't know anything else. When I saw you here today, it was as if someone had suddenly turned the light back on.
Harry surveyed the basilisk. "Okay, if you want to come with me, then you are welcome. I could really use your abilities, not to mention your knowledge of the Gateway." The snake slithered toward him, and turned to his friends. My name isss Sacri. I wish to be friendsss, and asssk you not to judge me on my ancessstor'sss missstakesss.
Hohn, who ordinarily hated snakes, fluttered off of Harry's shoulder. Landed next to Sacri, Hohn began to talk to him. Harry would have interrupted, but felt the animals should have a private conversation when they wished. Turning back to the bear, Harry spoke again. " Well, it appears Sacri will be coming with me. I am looking for something. It is called the Gateway. Does anyone here know anything about it?"
The animals eyed him warily, and seemed unwilling to say anything. Harry was sure they knew something, but sighed. He would have to rely on Sacri for information. "Well, thank you for your time. I will find the Gateway, without your help apparently. And please, for your own sakes, follow my advice. Good bye."
With that, he turned to leave. The animals, noticing he was leaving ceased their conversations and followed. As the exit swelled to let them pass, Hohn posed a question. Were you able to find out anything about the Gateway? Harry sighed again. "No. They seem most reluctant to help any humans at all." Turning to Sacri, he said, "So, Sacri, any idea where the thing is?" Sacri nodded. Yesss, I know where it isss. It liesss far to the eassst. I will show you the way. Follow me.
As they walked, (In Sacri's case, slithered) Harry talked to Sacri, hoping to find out more about him. "So, you said you escaped from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. What was it like there?" Sacri looked up, and hissed his reply. It wasss terrible. Everyone missstrusssted me becaussse I am a basssilisssk. They never showed me any kindnesss. They fed me, yesss, but never cared. It wasss thisss way for many animalsss. When I essscaped, I let a few of the othersss out. Thisss includesss Sssilver.
Harry digested this information and decided to change the subject to something a bit more cheery. "So, you said you had your own special powers. What are they?" Sacri smiled, glad of the change. Well, like I sssaid, I am a basssilisssk, but can control my eyesss. If I want them to be deadly, then I can. Alssso, you may have noticed that I am ssmall for a basssilissk. Thisss isss becaussse I wisssh to be. (Author's Note: The snake accent is too hard to write, so Sacri will speak like the others from this point onward.) I am gifted with the power of changing my size. I can swell to the size of a dragon, or be as small as a thread. This is one of the powers given to me by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I can also travel underneath the earth, digging a tunnel as I go. I can move at fast speeds, though not as fast as Silver. Unlike most snakes, I have an unlimited amount of energy. I will never become weary on a journey, and sleep only because I wish to. I can spit my venom like a cobra, and can reverse the effect so it will heal instead of kill. In fact, it can restore life if the deceased died by poison, provided they haven't been dead for more than an hour. It is very acidic, so I must be careful when doing this.
Harry committed this to memory, and spoke again. "Well, you appear to have many talents. I'm sure you'll be able to use them with me." Sacri nodded, and slithered forward at a faster pace. We are close now, so very close. They all sped up so they could catch him, and paused in a clearing.
Sacri had stopped, and the reason was apparent. We are here. There was a curious stone structure with interesting shiny materials on top of an arch. That must have been what had made the glint. Harry's attention, however, was focused on two things.
These must have been the guardians Sacri had muttered about in his insane state. Harry couldn't believe that two different animals of extreme rarity were both in the same place. His surprise, however, was muffled at his dread at the confrontation sure to come.
The first animal was a chimera. Its head was the golden mane of a lion, its body was that of a speckled goat, and it had the tail of a Hungarian Horntail. (There were deadly spikes on it) Harry's hearts sank. There had only been one successful slaying of a chimera in the past, and the wizard involved fell to his death from exhaustion.
The second animal was of equal rarity and ferocity. It was a manticore. It had the head of a male human, the body of a lion, and the deadly tail of a scorpion. Harry put the tail on his must avoid list, for its sting caused instant death. Charms would be useless, since manticore skin repels all known charms, save a few.
Together, the two animals posed a great threat. Upon seeing the team, the manticore stepped forward. "You must leave this place now, or suffer the consequences. You are lucky to have approached now, for we have just eaten, and are not hungry. Leave now, and you will be spared."
Harry pushed the fear out of his mind, and said, "Why should we leave? We mean no harm, and wish only to explore the structure. Who are you to stop us?" The chimera shook its mane, and growled. We are the guardians, puny human. We have guarded this structure in the past, and will continue to do so. Leave, before my patience runs thin. The manticore laughed at this, and said, "Yes, run human! Run, before we kill you like we did the other intruders! You see that carcass over there? That is a fresh kill."
Harry looked over, and his heart sunk further. It was Silver's cub, the cub that had escaped. He must have passed this way, and was the unfortunate victim of these hunters. Harry's anger swelled again, but before he could do anything, Silver lunged past him, roaring his anger for all to hear.
With that action, hell broke loose. Mira soared into the air, along with Godric and Hohn. She prepared to incinerate the enemies, but paused. She didn't want to risk hitting Silver. Meanwhile, Godric was diving back and forth, scratching with beak and claws. Hohn was singing, and everyone could feel the effect.
Silver was in a fury. The chimera menaced him, but he pressed onward, forcing the chimera back. The manticore darted forward with its tail, but before it could sting him, it was encased in a block of ice, and became too heavy to lift. It dropped to the ground and stayed there, despite the manticore's attempts to lift it.
Harry considered his options briefly. He could use a dragon power, but he might hit one of his friends. There was no other option. Running forward, he changed into a Peruvian Vipertooth. He darted forward, avoiding Sacri and lashing out with his sharp tail point. It grazed the chimera's face, and Harry saw blood pouring out of where its eye had just been. He jumped back, and thought what to do next.
As he did, Sacri swelled to the size of the basilisk Harry had previously faced. He reared up, and shot a jet of venom at the manticore. The manticore dodged, but the venom struck a tree, dissolving its trunk instantly. An idea striking him, Harry reached out to the tree, and brought it slamming down up the manticore. Unfortunately, only the tail was smashed, but that was the manticore's deadliest weapon.
The manticore thrashed around in pain, its tail spewing the venom it so previously held. Harry ducked, but his left hand was hit full on. It dissolved before his eyes, layer by layer. Rage filled him, and he raised his remaining hand at the manticore. "Ares-Zen!" A blue bubble surrounded the manticore. There was absolutely no air inside. The manticore would suffocate. Upon seeing the limp form of Silver's cub, Harry had a better idea. He suddenly removed the spell. Instantly, air rushed to fill the new space. The pressure of all that air was too much for the manticore's body to bear, and it imploded, sending blood everywhere. One down, one to go.
The chimera, however, was not willing to lay down and die. Spurred on by its companion's death, it fought ferociously. Silver received a bad slash to the ribs, and Godric had received a bad bite to the wing, forcing him to land and evade on foot. Hohn had evaded it well enough, and when it tried to attack Mira, she just swatted it down with her tail.
It turned its attention to Harry and lunged forward. Harry quickly rose, but the chimera jumped up, slashing at him. Harry avoided it, but his shirt was badly ripped. Summoning a blast of air, Harry sent the beast rocketing upward. Upon seeing this, Silver used his control over ice to create a stalagmite. It glistened dangerously, and was right in the chimera's path. It couldn't change its path in midair, and fell upon the pointed ice, dying instantly.
Everyone landed and surveyed their wounds. Silver was badly slashed, and one of his ears had been dissolved by the manticore's venom. Mira was relatively unhurt, and Hohn was still in good condition. One of Sacri's eyes had been slashed out, and . Harry had suffered some pretty grievous wounds himself, and quickly pulled out his ocarina. He played the Song of Healing, and smiled as Hohn started to sing along. The two spells merged, and the party was enveloped in a red dome. They shone red for a moment, and then faded back, their wounds healed.
After the dome had disappeared, they turned to face the structure. They took a break, and as they did, Godric poked at the manticore carcass. Looking more closely, Harry saw that he was skinning it. He finished his task, and Harry performed a cleaning spell. It cleaned itself of the blood, and Harry placed it in his Gringotts bag.
Again they surveyed the stone arch. There was a tunnel leading deeper, and there were stairs. Walking forward, Harry began to descend the stairs. As he walked, torches along the walls lit themselves. Continuing the descent, Harry saw a glow at the end of the stairs. Reaching the glow, he surveyed the room.
The glow was being produced by thousands of crystals, and there was another door at the far side of the room. Walking forward, Harry surveyed the door. The next room was amazing!
On the far wall, a stain glass window telling of something that had happened or would happen. On the left, there were weapons. Battle axes, spears, bows, maces, swords, daggers; they were all there. One a plaque on the wall, a magnificent sword glistened, its sheath just below it. A golden plate beneath it read Excalibur: Sword of Merlin. Reaching for the blade, Harry walked toward it. He lifted it off of its plaque, and examined it.
The blade shone brightly, despite the layer of dust that had covered it. Harry blew off the dust, and looked at the hilt. It looked like gold, but was stronger, lighter, and shone with a light that seemed to come from some unknown place.
Looking to his right, Harry saw a suit of mesh. He put it on and surveyed himself. Even as watched, the mesh melted into his clothing. It was as if he had never put it on, but Harry knew it was still there.
Directly across from where Harry was, he could see other garments, and many scrolls. He wandered over, and his gaze was captured by one thing: Merlin's Staff. It was made of a fine beech wood, and had many things cluttered upon it. There were seven symbols, runes, and what looked like teeth marks. Harry walked over to it, and examined it further. Using his new powers from his chat with the tree, Harry closed his eyes. Clearing his mind and opening his heart, he opened his eyes. The staff was glowing a bright blue, and seemed to pulse, energizing everything around it.
Reaching forward, Harry closed one hand around it. As he did, the staff's aura suddenly began to change. It began to glow even brighter, and the blue aura turned to a deep emerald green. The blue colored returned, but the green was not willing to leave without a fight. The two colors swirled around each other, before colliding, forming a vivid turquoise. The turquoise color enveloped Harry, and he felt a surge of raw magical energy. Looking down at the staff, he saw it flash turquoise, and watched as another symbol appeared. It was the shape of a lightning bolt.
Looking around, Harry saw several scrolls that held deep spells. On these old pieces of parchment were the darkest secrets of wizardry. Harry picked many of them up, and placed them inside his bag. Turning to his right, Harry examined the stain glass story. It showed a figure clutching Merlin's Staff, and Harry realized that this must have been Merlin himself.
The stain glass Merlin was on an island. It was covered in mists, and Harry felt an odd feeling. It looked familiar. It showed Merlin emerging from the island, many years older, and waving good-bye to someone on the shore. It showed him coming to this place, building it himself. At the end, a new figure was introduced. It was tall, and had black hair. His eyes were green, and he had…
Harry gasped. It was himself! There was Hohn, sitting on his shoulder. All around him were his friends. It showed him coming to this place, but in the next part, he was gone. This puzzled Harry, and the only thing he found was a small poem.
Ye who braved the guardians' test Who won the battle, who came out best Another challenge, now I bringAnd listen whilst thy phoenix sings
Listen now, do as told And ye will meet a wizard of oldRecite the words, speak them well
If ye fail you'll face a hell
Here are the words:
Hy gododin catann hue
Hud a lledrith mal wyddan
Gaunce ae bellawn wen cabri
Varigal don Avalon
Dravia, dravia AvalonAll at once, a fierce wind began to blow throughout the cave. It circled Harry and his friends, and increased its speed. A blinding flash lit the room, and Harry Potter was gone.
Author's Note: Okay, for all you Lost Years of Merlin readers, I know its Fincayra, and the spinning castle is already gone, but I needed some sort of phrase. Throw me a bone here. Well, where did Harry go? (Evil grin) I love keeping you guys in suspense. Bwa-ha-haha! No flames, no flames! Well, make sure to review. Ferretfriend