Title: Harry Potter And The Walkers
Author: ENSIGN
Betas: Ikono and Cyrano2.0
Chapter 10 – The Lord Of The Phoenix
"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE! YOU IRRESPOSIBLE OLD COOT! HOW DARE YOU ALLOW HIM TO GO OFF ON SUCH A MISSION! WHAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO HIM! I DEMAND THAT YOU RECALL HIM AT ONCE!"
The scene unfolding in Dumbledore's office was quite a sight. Being Order members, Arthur and Molly Weasley had been the first to hear about the abduction of their son. Molly had of course predictably broken down. Words of "Not again, not Ron now." Could be heard between her sobs. It seemed that the matriarch had not forgotten about her daughter's first year.
Her husband, Arthur stood beside her constantly rubbing her back, every once in a while saying comforting words to her. He too was worried as the pale color of his face was any indication.
This was the situation just before Dumbledore had made the mistake of informing them about Harry's rescue attempt. This revelation had of course had the wanted effect of getting Molly to stop crying, it also had the unfortunate effect of sending Molly in one of her rant moods.
This was of course the situation Professor McGonagall found them in when she entered the office. Dumbledore pressed back into the backrest of his chair as a furious red headed witch leaned over his desk blasting him with her voice.
"OF ALL THE STUPID, IDIOTIC, COCKED UP PLANS TO USE! SENDING IN A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD BOY! WHAT'S THE WORLD COMING TO I ASK YOU!"
McGonagall could only stare in amazement at the look on the Headmaster's face. The old man actually looked shocked and taken aback.
"YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY LOST YOUR MIND DUMBLEDORE! ALL THOSE SWEETS MUST HAVE ROTTED YOUR BRAIN!"
"Ahem." McGonagall cleared her throat. Amazingly the occupants of the room must have heard her as Molly immediately stopped. All three adults turned to face her. Arthur was still the same pale color although he had taken a step back, afraid that he too would be caught in Molly's rant somehow. Dumbledore had a look of relief on his face. Molly however, as soon as she had stopped, her mind began to process the information normally again. She once again broke down in tears.
"Must be that time of the month." McGonagall heard Dumbledore mutter under his breath.
Dumbledore found himself on the receiving end of his deputy headmistress strongest glare as he realized he had spoken out his thoughts.
Thankfully he was saved from yet another rant as his office door burst open.
Striding in with a scowl upon his face was non other than Harry Potter. Seeing this Dumbledore concluded that this must be just one of those days.
"OH! Harry dear boy, thank god you're safe. What in the devils name made you go off on the stupid rescue mission alone?" Molly sobbed as she rushed at the surprised Walker and enveloped him in a crushing bear hug.
Harry winced at the pressure applied on his rib cage. To his relief, Mrs. Weasley released him after a few more seconds.
"Mrs. Weasley, really I'm alright." He grabbed both her hands to prevent her from further mothering him. "Now I believe I have yet to deliver the captured students."
Harry took a step back as Arthur held his wife's shoulder to prevent her from once again hugging Harry. Dumbledore, by now had his head in the fireplace.
'Probably floo calling the Hospital Wing' Harry thought as he withdrew his wand.
Again the circle was drawn and the portal reopened. As soon as the gateway flashed in being, a student fell out and onto the office floor. After a few seconds, the rest came out. They were immediately escorted to the Headmaster's fireplace and flooed to the infirmary. Ron was the seventh one out. After struggling out of his mother's death grip he turned to Harry. "You know what mate? I don't think Hermione would have minded if you didn't make it. That girl's mental I tell you. I don't think you'll ever get her out of there now that she's seen the books." Ron said as his mother shoved him off into the fireplace. Mrs. and Mr. Weasley stayed a few more seconds to say their thanks before flooing after their son.
Harry sighed. He had to go get Hermione out now.
"Books Harry?" It seemed that Dumbledore himself had heard the last part of the conversation.
"Yes Professor. Care to join me in removing out bookworm from beyond the portal?" Harry questioned both remaining teachers.
"I would be delighted. Lead the way." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at the prospect of experiencing something new.
McGonagall just nodded as she stepped towards the two men.
XXXXX
Hermione Anne Granger was in heaven.
Books, glorious knowledge endowing books, they were everywhere. As soon as she had stepped through the portal the first thing that had caught her mind was not lavishly decorated sitting area or the small bar beside it, it was the extra ordinarily huge library. Rows and rows of bookshelves all lined up, filled with books for her reading pleasure.
She unlike the others who were staring at the rest of the room, shot off like a canon for the nearest bookshelf. If she had taken the time she would have found herself in the middle of an extremely large hall. Said hall was filled to the brim with books, scrolls, manuscripts, and the odd stone tablets every here and there. Right in the middle of it all was a large ten by ten meter square area of tiled floor.
This space was occupied by a couple of couches, armchairs and a small bar with drinks beside it.
This was of course ignored by Hermione as she dashed down the hall and out of sight as she finished flipping through the first book she laid her hands on.
"Read that. Nope. Done. Have that one. Boring. Finished it last year. Bingo!" Hermione exclaimed as she found the text she was looking for. Along her search she had come across an entire book shelf dedicated sorely to Hogwarts: A History books. On that shelf was every single edition there ever was on Hogwart's history.
Pulling out the book she flipped to the sought out page she was looking for.
Page 126.
THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
Founded in the mid 830's by the great sorcerer James Pathertrory, the Order Of The Phoenix was a secret organization created to fight against the forces of evil.
Throughout the centuries many great leaders have taken the responsibility of summoning and heading the Order Of The Phoenix. It has been recorded that a necessary element needed for the formation of the Order itself, is a Phoenix's presence during the initiation of the members. The phoenix has the ability to determine if members are trustworthy and therefore reducing the amount of spies.
Since most of the activities of the Order is unknown the exact date and year it was founded is unknown. Below are the recorded events that the Order Of The Phoenix has been summoned to date.
Leader of the Order – The Dark Lord/Lady – Estimated year summoned
James Pathertrory – Ceazaruis – 840 AD
James Pathertrory – Ignus The Insane – 920 AD
Salazar Slytherin Snr. – Salazar Slytherin Jnr. – 1040 AD
Hermione frowned at the last part, which was the Hogwart's founder? Snr. or Jnr.?
Saraph Jeremy Rott – Samantha The Sadistic – 1111 AD
Martop Jery Sather – Draconus Vladimir Malfoy – 1189 AD
She snorted. Typical of the Malfoy's really, what would the Malfoy family be without a dark lord?
Amardo Gryffindor – Morgana Weasley – 1398 AD
Hermione's eyes widened. Guess the Weasley family also had its bad eggs once in a while.
Tiberius James Potter – Ignius Black – 1430 AD
Nicholas Flamel – Lady Varsh – 1622 AD
Nicholas Flamel – Alexander Flamel – 1701 AD
For more information on James Pathertrory turn to page 129.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the last one. She had read about that particular dark war. Both Nicholas Flamel and his brother had fought over the possession of the philosopher's stone. It had only ended with the death of Alexander Flamel through natural old age.
She was surprised to see that the last entry was 1701 AD. Puzzled she checked the publication date.
1822 AD
'That explains why Dumbledore isn't mentioned.' She thought as she flipped a few more pages forwards.
James Pathertrory
Lord Of The Phoenix
Order Of Merlin First Class
Grand Sorcerer
Master Warlock
Considered to be the greatest wizard of the 8th and 9th century, Pathertrory James was responsible for the defeat of two Dark Lords (Ceazaruis in 842 AD and Ignus The Insane in 923 AD). Little is known about the history of this great wizard as most records of his early years do not exist.
Pathertrory James most well known for his founding of the Order Of The Phoenix. The sole purpose of the Order was to work towards the defeat of the current Dark Lord of the time.
He was well known during his time as a Master spell builder. Some of his constructs are still being used today, for example, the typical stunning spell as well as the powerful inferno spell. It is believed he had created the ultimate shield spell during his lifetime, a shield spell capable of blocking all forms of physical and magical attacks.
Sadly the records and incantation of this spell has been lost to time. His outstanding ability to construct spells was due to the fact that he was one of the few wizards in history with the ability to see magic. This ability was most fortunate, as it was recorded that he lost his eyesight during his final battle with the Dark Lord Ceazarius.
Another of his accomplishments was appointment as the official magical instructor of the famous Gryffindor family. His last recorded student was Godric Gryffindor, who later founded Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry with three other great wizards.
Not much is known about the life of James Pathertrory after the year 982 AD, when he mysteriously disappeared. (For a detailed account of James Pathertrory's accomplishments look up page 312.) It was believed that he had passed on, as his age was rumored to be within the early 300's.
This assumption was proven wrong when he appeared 25 years later in Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry to participate in a magical duel with his apprentice Godric Gryffindor.
By records the duel eventually was won by James Pathertrory. After the duel he presented his sword to his student Gryffindor. The sword came to be known as "The Sword Of Gryffindor". It was found to be a powerful magical artifact and was constructed out of an unknown metal. This could be due to the fact that James was also a renowned Alchemist during his time.
After the presentation of his gift, it is said his body slowly vanished into thin air. It is believed by some that the image of James Pathertrory that day was a spirit returning to fulfill a promise. No confirmed recorded sightings of Pathertrory James exist after that event.
Hermione furrowed her brows as she looked at the simple sketched picture of the famous wizard in the opposite page. She couldn't really see much of his face as most it was blocked out by his long hair and beard. 'What's it with old wizards and keeping long beards.'
One thing that caught her attention was the blindfold across the man's eyes.
"Ahem!" Some cleared their throat.
"Eep!" Hermione let out an undignified squeak as she fumbled not to drop the books she was holding.
"See anything you like Hermione?" Harry's voice spoke from behind her.
Embarrassed she turned around to apologize. "Harry, I am so sorry I didn't mean to. I just got carried away with all these books."
Harry chuckled and brushed away the apology. "Its okay Hermione, I don't mind. Actually I was going to show you this library sometime soon. Since you're already here I guess you can borrow as many books as you like."
Hermione's face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"However." Harry stressed, Hermione's face fell a bit. "You are not to take any books out from the sealed glass cabinets without my presence. Some of these books are highly dangerous." Hermione nodded in understanding.
"So you don't mind me borrowing some of them now? Do you?"
"Of course not. Go ahead. But please limit yourself to six." Harry waved at the book shelves. "Some of these books are very valuable."
The bookworm grinned and shot around the corner, most likely to find two more books to add to her pile of four.
"Would we be included in this borrowing session as well Harry?" Dumbledore's spoke as he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
The Walker had to restrain himself from firing a curse at the sudden contact. "Professor. I though you were waiting."
"Indeed I was. However, I believe the sight of a new library has unlocked Minerva's studious nature. It would seem that we now have two bookworms that need to be extricated from here." The old man said with a bright twinkle in his eye.
"Well I guess we should go back to the sitting area then huh?"
A brief walk later and the two men were seated upon plushy armchairs drinking tea. Harry decided to start off the conversation. "Albus, were you aware of the warding Voldemort's hideout possessed?"
"Indeed, I am Harry, Professor Snape has given us quite a detailed documentation of the wards in place." The Headmaster said as he took a sip of his tea.
"So you were aware that he had Walker level wards in place?" Harry questioned.
"Pardon, Harry? Walker level wards you say?" The Headmaster was now looking at Harry in rapt attention.
"Yes. My rescue attempt was highly delayed and complicated due to the presence of those wards. I wouldn't blame Snape…"
"Professor Snape, Harry." Dumbledore interrupted. Harry ignored him
"About missing those wards in his analysis because those wards would not be picked up by wizards. What has me concerned though is the presence of those wards."
"Yes, any ideas as to how Voldemort came upon them."
Harry nodded his head. "I believe Voldemort has managed to make contact with the demon Phrixus."
"This wouldn't be the same demon I have read about, is it?"
"Sadly, it is so. I believe Phrixus has attempted to transfer his powers over to Voldemort."
"Why do you say that?"
Harry didn't answer for a while before he sighed. "During the Great War Of The Walkers, five members of our council dueled against him. As he was a Master of black magic, he had managed to bind his soul to the mortal plane of existence. This resulted in him achieving true immortality."
"As you can no doubt guess it was a very strenuous and lengthy duel. Due to his particular color of magic and immortality the battle tore across twelve realms and lasted a duration of six days."
"In the end, exhausted two of our group sacrificed their powers and ultimately their lives to strip him of his ability to create another body and sealed off all his powers. The remaining three banished him to another realm of existence."
"So, he lives."
"Yes, the only way for him to die is if he were to give up his powers to someone through a ritual. His soul would then pass into the realm of the dead without any magic left to bind it."
"Yes. I see. He wishes to end his suffering of just existing, but why Voldemort?"
Harry nodded. "Voldemort would be his best option as he is so far the only one to have contacted him and like him, they both share similarities in their souls."
"Yes. I would also like to ask you about your battle in Diagon alley today. Minerva reported to me a few disturbing things."
Harry's face became a blank mask. "I really lost my temper Albus, her presence pissed me off." Dumbledore nodded at the reference to Bellatrix, "As you no doubt know, I have practiced black magic. Unlike Phrixus I am grounded. You shouldn't have any worries about me turning Dark Lord on the wizarding world."
Dumbledore didn't seem too happy but let it slide. "Just be careful Harry, the dark arts are called dark for a reason. The powerful ones are most addictive and may corrupt ones soul if used without the proper restraint."
"I understand Albus." Harry whispered as he stared at a particular glass cabinet housing a tome.
"Well then, that said, I believe I have six books to peruse don't I." Dumbledore finished his tea and headed for the book shelves.
Harry however remained sitting in his armchair contemplating an ancient memory. Every once in a while his eyes beneath the blindfold darting to the enclosed tome.
Finally reaching a conclusion he stood with a determined glint in his illusionary eyes.
XXXXX
Silence.
It was peaceful and welcoming when one needed it. However in the long run it was easily causing him a slight bit of insanity. Then again time and insanity didn't really apply to him anymore.
The man shifted his head slightly causing his neck to give off a satisfying pop. He sighed as he finished his latest sentence in the book he had been writing in. Seated behind a mahogany work desk the man leaned back into his chair, reading his last few paragraph.
Since the very nature of black magic is to control the forces of death and decay, the formation of any kind of magical shield is impossible. However, one can still protect oneself from physical and magical attacks by the summoning of a physical barrier. The easiest wall one can summon would be probably a wall of bones. Unlike the walls summoned by the other forms of magic, walls summoned by black magic usually gain a certain type of awareness.
Due to the nature of black magic having much to do with the powers of death, the wall will usually draw in nearby souls to power itself. Of course like all magical summonings the wall will eventually lose its magic and disintegrate and thus releasing the trapped souls.
He needed a break from his latest book. Lifting up his head, dark onyx eyes scanned the study he was seated in. He was in a room that was pretty large, his desk located towards one end of the room and surrounding the walls were shelves and shelves of books. Most of which had been written by him.
The man was dressed in midnight blue robes and had shoulder length black hair and an equally long beard to go with it. Wrinkles adorned his forehead evidence that he was a deep thinker. His sunken cheeks and calculating eyes seemed to cement that assumption.
Snapping his fingers the scenery changed drastically from the quiet dark study to that of vibrant woodland. Just what he needed to relax himself. He tilted his chair back, resting it upon its back legs he propped his feet up on the expansive desk, careful to avoid his stationary of course. Closing his eyes he drank in the peaceful music of nature. Birds chirping, water running, wind blowing and the sound of an approaching person.
'Wait a tick.' The last part wasn't possible.
"Are you just going to sit there dreaming all day, or are you gonna greet me?" A voice snapped at him.
In his surprise the man lost him balance and toppled backwards to the grass. He snapped his eyes open to stare into a pair of emerald green eyes dancing in amusement.
He knew those eyes. "What do you want, Potter?" He snapped back as he glared, daring the man above him to break out a smile. "This is obviously not a social visit."
Standing above the man stood Harry Potter, as expected he broke out in a grin. "Not everyday I get to sneak up on you old friend."
"Whatever." Another snap of his fingers and the scenery once again shifted, unlike the last time the scenery shifted literally. The ground beneath him moved away and spun on a full 180 degrees. Now instead of lying on the ground, the man was standing.
"Was that really necessary? Ever heard of standing up? Really handy skill you know, you put your hand on the ground and push." Harry spoke sarcastically.
The dark robed man smirked at the now fallen Walker. "If I was giving the ability to alter this reality to the way I saw fit. Might as well milk it for all it's worth. Need a hand?" He said bending forwards to extend a pale hand.
Harry accepted it.
"Like I said before. What do you want? I don't get many visitors here and you're obviously a hundred years too early. It can't be you missed your dear old mentor." The man questioned.
Harry snorted. "Mentor? If my memory serves me right I thought you more things than you did me."
"Ah! The age old argument, which one of us thought each other more. Fariahlia would be rolling her eyes if she saw us at this topic again." The man said his eyes glazing over as he seemed to remember an old memory.
Harry chuckled. "That was over twenty six thousand years ago."
"I still remember it pretty well." A smile appeared on his face. "It must have been the sixty eighth time we brought it up, she finally snapped as chased us around with that whip of hers."
"Got me pretty good she did." Harry said as he rubbed his behind. Both men looked at each other for a moment.
"Good old times, huh?"
Harry shrugged. "It certainly was."
"Pity I just had to ruin it all by going postal on everyone." The man joked.
Immediately Harry's good mood died. The man seemed to notice this. "Wow. Who killed your canary?"
"He's back." Harry said in an emotionless voice.
"Ah." The man understood the word's meanings. Snapping his fingers his desk vanished to be replaced by two arm chairs. "Have a seat Harry."
Both men sat, each in his own thoughts. Harry was no doubt wondering how his friend was talking the news.
"Central Headquarters." The man spoke after five minutes of contemplation.
"Are you sure?" Harry questioned looking at his mentor skeptically. "You know how strong the defenses are there right?"
"Of course I am sure. I'm never wrong. Especially considering him. I don't care what the defenses are, he is certainly attacking Central Headquarters first."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Never wrong eh? What about the time you went postal on us?"
"Ouch." The man dead panned. "That was below the belt." He rolled his eyes. "Sure make one mistake and I never get to live it down. Funny how we can actually joke about that topic really."
Harry grinned and nodded. "What else is that for us to do about it? What's done was done, I can't change it, might as well joke about it."
"Funny how only you see it that way." He grumbled.
Harry shrugged. "Not that it really matters for you of course, your dead."
The man's lips twitched as he held in a small private joke. "Funny actually, don't you see the irony of it?"
Harry chuckled as he too thought about it. "Never saw it that way before. The god of death, dead."
"Technically I am, but he isn't." He shot a meaningful gaze at Harry.
"He will be soon. He's attempting a power transfer ritual."
"I see. Guess cooped up in that prison must be driving him mad huh?"
Harry nodded. "Yes he would be." A tingling feeling was felt in Harry's head as he said this. The other man seemed have noticed this as well.
"I guess our time is up Harry. Visit again soon."
"I will."
"Say hi to Leah for me."
Harry gave his friend a nod before vanishing.
Sadly the man stared at the spot Harry was just standing.
XXXXX
Harry Potter leaned back in his chair and gave a sigh. "Headquarters it is then." He made a mental note to inform the council of Walkers as soon as possible about this. Shutting the tome in his hand shut he flipped it to look the back.
There is no good or evil.
Light nor dark.
There is only power.
And those too weak to wield it.
Phrixus
Dark Walker Of The Order.
The words burning red words stood out on the black leather cover. Voldemort too had said almost the same words.
There is no good and evil.
There is only power.
And those too weak to seek it.
Unlike Voldemort's words his old mentor's had truth in them. It didn't matter whether a spell was light or dark, black or white, it was all in the intent of the user. However the last lines made a difference. It wasn't light or dark magic, it was power. If one had too much power and didn't control it, it would soon control you. Dark and black magic only intensified the addiction due to the euphoric feelings one got when using them.
Harry sighed as he went to replace the tome back into it's glass case. He stared at the tome behind the glass. It lay there open at its blank middle page. Both his mentor and Voldemort had fallen prey to their obsession. It was funny how Phrixus who had constantly drilled him on resisting the corruption had succumbed to it instead.
It all happened when his mentor and friend had attempted a new experiment despite his warnings. Harry closed his eyes he remembered that day in the past.
"Finally it's complete, the theory fits. If we were to build the mechanism it would surely work. All we need is to charge it with the right mana." Phrixus explained as he excitedly unrolled a scroll before Harry.
Harry accepted the scroll and browsed through it. It was a variation on the new gateway generating technology he had been working upon. He frowned at the design concepts and equations. These were the designs for a completely new type of portal. It was a hundred times more powerful than the ones he had been working on, the power needed to activate it would be inconceivable. There was also something funny about it. Harry's eyes widened at the final equation and its result.
Harry lifted his eyes from the scroll. His pale face ignored by the other Walker. Phrixus had decided to branch out from the original research of developing a means of creating portals between worlds.
Harry's research had been to develop a means of transport between worlds so its inhabitants could between world like Walkers. He had achieved this through using huge amounts of raw concentrated mana to rip the fabric of space and create a portal.
His friend had decided to attempt to duplicate Harry's unique Walker ability, the power to transverse time.
Harry stared at his friend, a haunted look on his face. He knew instantly where this portal was going. He had no doubts that his friend also knew where this portal would lead to. Phrixus hadn't discovered how to rip the fabric of time, he had accidentally discovered a way to rip open the barrier of the universe itself.
"You understand the result don't you Harry." Phrixus excitedly spoke. "With enough raw mana we could open the path to new dimensions. Imagine the discoveries we will make, new worlds, alternate universes, the results will be amazing."
The emerald eyed Walker didn't reply, he was in a state of shock. 'No.' He couldn't believe it. 'Sirius, it was me, I helped build it.' Harry was so lost in his thoughts he didn't heard the other Walker babbling on.
"According to my calculations, about five hundred shatter stones would suffice. Wait a sec, in equation twelve the result stated that the matrix of this portal would be able to handle not just raw mana like the others but black as well." A look of realization passed over his face. "Yes! Instead of using raw mana, if just need to substitute black mana and I get a new result." He immediately fished into his robes and pulled out a scroll of parchment. Bending over a nearby table he set about redoing the calculations.
"No. I forbid it." Harry whispered as Phrixus finished the work. His friend had definitely not heard it as he stood up straight, a look of triumph on his features. Haunted eyes looked into hopeful ones.
"I forbid it." Harry whispered again his hands shaking slightly. His mentor noticed this.
"Harry, your hands are shacking, are you alright." Phrixus took a few steps closer to him out of concern.
"I forbid it."
"What?" The Dark Walker questioned in confusion. "Forbid what?"
Harry snapped awake once again fully aware. "I forbid you to create this machine."
Phrixus looked taken aback for a moment. "Huh? Why? Do you have any idea what this machine can do. Look." He trusted the new scroll at Harry's face.
Harry didn't need to read it at all, he knew what would happen if black mana was substituted instead. Phrixus's next words just confirmed it all.
"It's a portal to the realm of the dead Harry. Imagine what this means. We can bring them back Harry. We can bring back the dead. Your parents, my sister. We can bring back those we loved but lost."
"I FORBID IT!" Harry shouted.
His friend took a step back, shocked.
Harry seemed to calm down a bit. "I'm sorry." He apologized taking deep breaths.
"I understand my friend, it must be a bit of a shock." Phrixus placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "But it's true, we can bring them back."
Harry shook his head. "Listen to me Phrixus, don't do this, it wouldn't work, trust me." Harry pleaded. "Forget this please. It wouldn't work."
Phrixus frowned as he moved away from the Walker. "It will. I'll prove it." He hissed.
"I'll stop you. I won't allow it." Harry spoke getting a determined glint in his eye.
"How?" Phrixus challenged.
"Like this." Harry's hands glowed red for a moment before flames burst from them, consuming every last part of the scrolls. Flicking his hand Harry vanished the ashes.
Phrixus looked shocked as he watched the parchment go up on flames. His gaze following each piece of ash to the floor where Harry vanished it. Slowly he raised his eyes to meet his friend's. "It doesn't matter. I'll build it anyway." He promised as he spun around and exited the room.
Harry's green eyes followed the man's path out of the room. "Not if I have something to say about it."
The-boy-who-lived sighed. Indeed he had done everything possible to ensure the portal wasn't made. He had even tried to cut off Phrixus's excess to the necessary materials by informing the other Walkers. Despite his efforts the machine was still made.
Harry ran towards the testing chamber, his magic enhanced muscles pushing him at breakneck speeds down the corridors of Phrixus's Headquarters. He had to get to the chamber. He had to prevent it activating.
He turned round the corner, a metal door blocked his path into the room. Not hesitating Harry immediately gathered a ball of red mana in his hand. Flinging it at the door he watched the flames crawl across the metal before dying out.
'Wards.'
Ripping out his wand he stabbed it at the door. "EXPLODRA!" An explosion rocked the fortress as the doorway blew into the room. Harry jumped over most of the rubble and into the room.
Standing in the room before the now complete portal generator stood his friend.
"Welcome Harry, you're just on time. Punctual as always. Now you stay right there while I activate the machine." The dark eyed Walker spoke as he smiled.
"No! Stop!" Harry dashed forward only to come crashing into a barrier.
"I see you have acquainted yourself with the barrier I set up. You didn't think I wasn't expecting you, did you? Its one of your own creations I might add."
Harry shot a spell in front of him. The jet of red light struck the barrier causing ripples to wave out.
"Try all you want Harry, it won't matter. By the time you bring down the barrier I would have finished activating it. So sit back and watch the show."
"You weren't supposed to Phrixus! We agreed it was too dangerous!" Harry shouted.
"We both know what this can do for us, Harry. It means all we have lost, we can bring them back. All of them."
"No! It's impossible!"
"Nothing's impossible!"
"WE AGREED PHRIXUS!" Harry shouted.
"No. We didn't. You and the other's did, I didn't."
Harry slammed his hands onto the barrier and poured his power into it. He had to bring down the barrier.
Phrixus had already begun the activation process. He had started gathering the gargantuan amounts of black mana needed to charge the crystals he had designed; Power stones.
"As you know, power stones are usually unstable Harry but with the portals influence the stones would be shielded and thus stabilized." Phrixus explained as he pulled even more mana into himself.
Harry watched as the room grew darker from the presence of mana build up. Forcing more power he willed the shield to drop.
Five minutes passed and the dark energy in the air was so concentrated the wooden fixtures in the room had started to rot. "Now. The portal opens." The Dark Walker announced as he poured his stored up power into the crystals.
Harry dropped his hands and stared in horror as the machine activated. What was once just a plain pedestal started to transform as gears and parts moved into place. Two small holes opened and a metal arm extended out of each. Both arms met to form the arc Harry had so dreaded to see. Tendrils of energy lanced out from the fixtures as the portal slowly opened instead of forming from the sides in like the others this one formed top down. The portal was black and looked some what solid. As it formed completely, Harry recognized the black material now. It was a veil. The veil.
'No.' Harry repeated over and over again. "It can't be." He whispered in denial.
Phrixus spun round and grinned at Harry. "Do you see now Harry my friend. It works." He proceeded to enter it.
"NOOOO!" Harry screamed.
A blinding light filled the room as Phrixus touched it. The sudden shockwave of magical energy blasted the both Walkers back as the magical barrier collapsed.
Shacking his head, Harry crawled still slightly stunned to the semi conscious Walker. "Phrixus? Can you hear me?"
"Harry?"
"Yes. It's me."
The Walker didn't seem to be hurt. He just stared at the ceiling. "I felt it Harry. It wouldn't let me through. Our souls, we are bonded to our bodies. We can't pass into the realm of the dead. I can't bring her back." The man whispered as a tear ran down his face. "Only mortals can pass it, they can't return."
"I know Phrixus." Harry replied as he grabbed his friend's hand. "I know."
Harry sighed. He had mostly gotten over the veil of death episode, it was just every time he visited the diary he would see these images again.
After that event both Harry and his mentor had tried to disable the machine but failed. The power stones were so charged with energy that they couldn't be removed without compromising their stability. They had to remain in the machine least they explode.
The veil itself being linked to the realm of the dead, called out to nearby souls any mortal who came close to it. They would be hypnotized by voices of the dead and pull towards it.
Phrixus himself had suffered side effects from the channeling of so much black mana. From that day on his mentor and friend became more reclusive. The other's put it off as him being depressed on the fact the experiment failed. Fariahlia and himself who were closest to Phrixus knew better. Both had tried to cleanse his soul, they failed. A few hundred years later Phrixus fell to the darkness and the Great War Of The Walkers begun. Through time, the darkness warped his soul and twisted his body to that of a demonic monster.
All that remained now of his old mentor was a memory left in a tome. Harry had created it out of the memories in his mentor's mind stone.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the tome as two words wrote themselves out.
I'm sorry.
"Forgiven, Phrixus, Forgiven."
Harry took a calming breath and went in search of the three bookworms in his library. 'Let one in and next thing I know the whole school will be swarming this place.' Harry pondered as he headed for where he last saw Dumbledore.
XXXXX
It was now early November and snow had started covering the grounds of Hogwarts castle. A week after the attack on Diagon alley. As soon as the students had arrived back from the rescue mission they had been surrounded by others wanting to know what went on during their incarceration by Voldemort. Of course Hermione and Ron said they didn't know anything as they only woke up moments before they were rescued. That however didn't stop rumors from powering up the gossip mill.
Outrageous stories from Ron making a deal with Voldemort to be released over a chess match to Hermione irritating the Dark Lord till he released them caused both Professor Dumbledore and Harry to laugh for hours on end.
That was another thing Hermione wondered about, the attack in Diagon alley had been downplayed by the ministry and most of the event covered up. Harry and the Order Of The Phoenix had been declared the heroes by the Daily Prophet. That brought another thing to Hermione's mind. There had been rumors going around the students of Hogwarts that during the battle Harry himself had unleashed a lot of dark magic. Hermione herself knew they might have some truth in them considering Harry's ability to channel black magic.
So far Minister Fudge had ignored the rumor, he was probably interrogation the aurors at the scene for more information before making his move. It was obvious that Fudge still hated both Dumbledore and Harry. The evidence of Voldemort's return had lost him a lot of power in the ministry and he was facing an enquiry at work.
Thinking about the channeling of magic. The DA sessions had been going well enough. Most of the class had been already tutored on how to form minor spells from mana. Harry had told them that while taking longer to cast, mana powered spells were generally stronger. His advice was to use raw magic spell (their wands) in a duel and mana spells as support during defensive maneuvers.
As both Snape and Ginny were the only black magic users Harry had taken to paying more attention in them. Snape had immediately declined, the thought of Harry Potter tutoring him was just unthinkable. Hermione had however noticed the disappearance of several black magic tomes from Harry's library. Harry had left the portal to his library open in Dumbledore's office. Apparently Snape was tutoring himself.
Hermione had also notice the absence of a particular tome previously housed in a glass case. She suspected it was the tome Harry had passed on to Ginny. The petit redhead had taken to constantly writing in it during the DA sessions instead of listening. Harry of course knew this and didn't seem to mind.
Draco Malfoy even though he was now no longer prejudice towards muggles and muggleborns, still hated Harry and Ron with a passion. Sure they worked fine when they were in the DA, but out of it the insults still continued. Surprisingly no one else had yet to notice Malfoy's lack of insult about Muggles.
Ginny was still dancing circles around Harry. In public she acted no different to Harry, but she still continued ambushing him in the corridors. Not surprisingly Harry had taken well to invisibility spells. She had of course responded by cornering him after DA sessions or sending him small flirty note slipped into his books.
There was another thing Hermione was suspecting about their resident Walker. The picture of the great sorcerer James Pathertrory had an uncanny resemblance to Harry's form on their first DA meeting. He had even said to call him James. Hermione had discussed her findings who Ron who had agreed with her.
She now had a plan and was going to put it into action.
"Harry." The bookworm called at the end of a DA session. Ginny looked slightly put out that she couldn't corner the green eye boy. Harry on the other hand looked relieved.
"Yes Hermione?" His eyes tracing Ginny's form as she left the room.
"Harry could you please sign this partition for house elf rights that I have. I need at least a hundred signatures before the ministry will even look at it."
Harry eyes dropped to the document. He didn't see anything wrong with it, except it only held two signatures at present. Hermione's and Ron's. he signed it scowling as the words appeared beneath his name.
Harry James Potter
Order Of Merlin Second Class
"Thank you Harry." The bushy haired girl hugged him and shot out the room.
Harry frowned at her enthusiastic nature when it came to house elves. At least she had toned down her campaign to free them this year. He had seen Dobby once in a while cleaning the dorms as he balanced twenty or so hats upon his head. Apparently all of Hermione's hats had been taken by Dobby, and Dobby only. Although he could have sworn he saw Dumbledore wearing one the other day.
'Must be the blindfold.' He thought as he rid his mind of old eccentric Headmasters.
XXXXX
"Here it is Ron, I got Harry's signature." Hermione said as she entered the deserted common room. Deserted except for Ron that is.
"He actually signed that thing?" Ron asked in surprise.
Hermione shot him a glare. "The point is that we got his signature." Hermione smooth out the parchment on the nearest table.
"So how's this gonna work again?
Hermione gave her boyfriend a frustrated look. "Honestly Ron. When ever a person signs a magical document every single letter of their name and titles will appear on it. Got it? Now I have checked the signature on one of the books written by Pathertrory James his true name is Pathertrory James and all his titles are real. Got it."
Ron nodded trying hard to take it all in. "So if we are suspecting Harry is this Pathertrory James fellow and Pathertrory is really called Pathertrory and not Harry Potter why are we checking Harry again?" Ron scratched his head.
"Arggh. We are double checking it. For all we know Harry may be called Pathertrory James and he's using a Confundus charm to fool all documents he sign."
"Erm… Mione? Why would Harry not be called Harry?" Ron still didn't get it, and probably no one would unless they were Hermione Granger.
"Never mind." Hermione gave up and instead pointed her wand at the parchment. "Lex Revealo Confundo Finite." She mumbled waving her wand in a spiral.
Both waited with baited breaths.
Nothing happened.
Ron was just about to say "I told you so.", when Hermione gave an excited squeal. Before them the powerful charm started to fail.
Harry James Potter
Order Of Merlin Second Class
Changed to:
Harry James Potter
Lord Of The Phoenix
Order Of Merlin First Class
Grand Sorcerer
Master Warlock
Hermione's mouth dropped open and Ron gave a whistle. "Bloody hell, that's some fancy titles he's got there."
Hermione didn't even chastise Ron for his use of swear language. She was too busy going over possibilities in her head. She only snapped out of it when Ron began waving his hand before her face.
"Hello Mione?"
"Huh?" Hermione replied still slightly dazed.
"So what's this mean. I get it that Harry has the same titles as James Pathertrory but Harry can't be called both Harry James Potter as well as James Pathertrory. Can he?"
"Don't be silly, of course he can't." Hermione said regaining her bossiness.
"So how do you explain the titles then?" Hermione shrugged at Ron's stumping question.
"So what's this about?" A chirpy voice came from behind them.
"Aaahhhh!" Both Hermione and Ron jumped. They spun around to find a smirking Ginny and a now greened haired Luna.
"Erm… Luna? What's with the hair?" Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's lack of tact.
"Good day Ronald, but then I think it would be best if I said night. My dad took me Muggle shopping after we came back from our search. We went to a Muggle cinema. The characters had hair colors like these. I believe it's called anime?" The girl said dreamily as she stared at them with her wide innocent eyes.
Hermione coughed which sounded suspiciously like the word "Mental." If Luna heard her, she didn't show it.
"Wait a sec, why are you here?"
"I invited her here brother of mine." Ginny said.
"So Ronald, what are the both of you planning." Luna spoke her Ravenclaw curiosity showing. Ginny just decided to enjoy Luna's weird way of having conversations.
Hermione looked at Ron for a moment and both silently agreed to involve the other two girls. After explaining what they had known Ginny decided to speak. "Funny. You know Binns been going on about this James Pathertrory guy during History class as well. Not that any of us pay attention anyway, we usually ignore him and he us. I just remembered the name cause it was catchy."
Luna nodded enthusiastically, her head bobbing so fast it made Ron dizzy. "Interesting isn't it. He was supposed to have been the last Phoenix Lord ever recorded."
"Erm. Not that I'm dumb or anything but what this Phoenix Lord thing again." Ron said as the other three students gave him looks of disbelief.
"Now do you know what I put up with?" Hermione sighed as she looked at Ginny.
"I feel your pain Hermione, I really do." Ginny replied as sympathetically as she could while still maintaining a straight face.
"Hey! I'm not that bad am I?"
"Hey is for horses Ronald." Luna said causing the other three to now stare at her.
"Can we get back to the topic at hand please people." Ginny announced. "Ron for your information the title of Phoenix Lord is the most highest award for a wizard to get. The title grants the bearer a position that is probably higher than that of Minister Of Magic. I don't really know much else. It seems all books giving information about that particular title has been destroyed or removed from the public since Fudge's appointment into office."
Hermione snorted. "Probably afraid someone would take away his power."
"So we can safely assume that Harry and Pathertrory are the same guy. What we don't know is how he has two names. You can never have that in a magical document." Hermione said.
"Could be a new spell." Ginny supplied.
"Impossible." Hermione said. "I've researched all types of charms to confound a magical document."
"Hello. Hermione, reality check. We are talking Harry here. You know the guy who has practically his own brand of magic." Ron said to a now blushing Hermione. It was funny how she overlooked that point.
"Actually I don't think he did use a new spell on the document." Luna said as she stared at Hermione's notes, her eyes unfocused.
Hermione raised her eyebrows gesturing for the Ravenclaw to continue.
"In History Of Magic, Binns refers to James as both Pathertrory James or James Pathertrory." Luna said and Hermione instantly knew what she was getting at. "That and in some of his books his name has either James coming first or last."
"So?" Ron asked.
"Your name no matter what always come up in the same order. Like mine is always Hermione Anne Granger and never Hermione Granger Anne. Get it." Ron nodded.
"That means there must have been a loop hole somewhere in the magical document's charms." Ginny concluded.
"Of course how could I have not seen it." Hermione ranted. "The charm stated all letters of a person's name must be on the document. Harry here pulled a Voldemort." Ron flinched. "Oh get over it Ron."
"Pulled a Voldemort?" Ginny said confused.
"Voldemort was made from an anagram of his real name." Hermione took out her wand and wrote the flaming letters in the air.
TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE
She waved her wand causing the words the shift to:
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
"Like wise Harry did as well see."
HARRY JAMES POTTER
Turned to:
JAMES PATHERTRORY
"Woah! Harry took out two dark lords and headed the Order Of The Phoenix twice." Ron said amazed.
"He didn't just head it, he founded it Ron. He probably got the idea from the present Order Of The Phoenix." Ginny said.
"Four actually Ronald." Luna said dreamily.
"Pardon? Four what?"
"Dark lords. He took out four."
"No he didn't." Hermione picked up the book Luna was looking at.
Leader of the Order – The Dark Lord/Lady – Estimated year summoned
James Pathertrory – Ceazaruis – 840 AD
James Pathertrory – Ignus The Insane – 920 AD
Salazar Slytherin Snr. – Salazar Slytherin Jnr. – 1040 AD
Saraph Jeremy Rott – Samantha The Sadistic – 1111 AD
Martop Jery Sather – Draconus Vladimir Malfoy – 1189 AD
Amardo Gryffindor – Morgana Weasley – 1398 AD
Tiberius James Potter – Ignius Black – 1430 AD
Nicholas Flamel – Lady Varsh – 1622 AD
Nicholas Flamel – Alexander Flamel – 1701 AD
"See James Pathertrory only defeated two dark lords." Hermione said.
"I know. James Pathertrory defeated two dark lords, but Martop Jery Sather and Saraph Jeremy Rott defeated one each." Luna somehow looked smug at knowing something Hermione didn't.
"Huh?" Hermione didn't understand her.
Plucking her wand that was tucked behind her ear she wrote the flaming letters in the air.
HARRY JAMES POTTER
She waved it.
JAMES PATHERTRORY
She waved it again.
MARTOP JERY SATHER
She waved it again.
SARAPH JEREMY ROTT
"Bloody hell. They're all anagrams of his name."
"So what do we do with this knowledge?" Ginny asked.
"We keep it to ourselves. Harry probably didn't tell us for a good reason. He will tell us when the time is right." Hermione said.
The four students nodded and went to bed, Luna, out the portrait.
XXXXX
Phrixus perched over his desk as he wrote furiously in his book. 'Only two more pages to go.' Soon he would be able to relax. One might ask, if he was already dead and a memory stored in a diary no less, what, was he doing, writing books. The answer was simple. Phrixus was bored. There was only so much a memory could do when trapped in a book. Therefore to pass his time he wrote, it was pretty easy when he had the knowledge and experience of countless centuries.
As usual he always had to be interrupted when he was in a good mood.
"BOO!"
Startled, his hand jerked causing the quill he held to tear a rip through the page and several beneath it as well, not only that, he had succeeded in toppling over the inkpot as well. Growling at his torn up ink soaked pages, he cursed in several languages. He now had to rewrite them again.
"What are you doing here?" He snapped at the intruder.
The petit redhead walked around to the front of his desk and sat herself on the edge. Ginny Weasley raised an eyebrow as she surveyed the mess. She clucked her tongue at the state of disarray on his desk.
"Is it me. Or is your desk always this messy?"
"It's you."
"Really?" Ginny said in mock innocence.
Phrixus gave her his death glare. Ginny was unfazed. "You know pretty well by now, I hate being surprised. I probably only get visitors every hundred years or so and all of them being that idiot Potter."
"Really? I thought you enjoyed my visits. What was it again. You find them interesting and new." Ginny laughed.
Phrixus growled. "Fine I admit it. Now get off my desk. I take it you're here to chat."
"Aren't I always?"
"Brat."
"Dick head."
Phrixus raised an eyebrow. "That's a new one."
Harry had presented Ginny Weasley with the diary of Phrixus. Knowing her reaction to talking, thinking diaries, he had done so with great caution. After reassuring Ginny that the diary was just about harmless, he had escorted her into it. Phrixus's memory had been ecstatic about being about to talk to someone new, let alone get a new apprentice.
Thus every so often Ginny had been writing and visiting him. Harry had of course seen this as a good thing, as the more time she trained, the less time she spent stalking him. Phrixus himself and the redhead had gotten along well almost immediately, as both he and Ginny shared a certain sarcastic streak.
"So. Ole mentor of mine. Did you know about Harry having four other names apart from his original one?"
"Course I did. Why? Did he tell you?"
"Nope. Figured it out with his friends."
"Very well, we might as well have a lesson since you're here now. Sit and tell me about what's happening while you practice." He pointed to the floor of his study.
Ginny rolled her eyes. Trust Phrixus to mix work and pleasure together.
XXXXX
"I have got a lovely bunch of coconuts here now, diddlely doo, all nice sitting in a row, bum, bum, bum. Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head. Give em a twist, a flick of the wrist. This was what I said."
"WILL YOU STOP SINGING THAT GOD DAMNED SONG NYMPHADORA!" Alastor Moody shouted not really caring about waking up the portrait of Sirius's mum.
Tonks of course replied in the mature way by sticking her tongue out at him. She went back to humming the song's tune as Moody left the kitchen of Grimmauld Place to go shut up Mrs. Black who had started shouting.
Tonks unlike the other Professors of Hogwarts did not stay in the school. She still had her duties to the Order and thus stayed at Grimmauld Place. She had been traveling to Hogwarts and back via a portkey supplied by Dumbledore.
Moody returned from silencing the portrait, glaring as he heard Tonks humming the song again.
Just as ole Mad Eye was about to snap again, who should show up in the middle of the kitchen but Harry Potter.
Moody of course living by the shoot first, shoot some more and then ask questions, didn't know it was Harry. Sensing an intruder in the room he had started sending off curses.
Harry who was momentarily surprised ducked the curse and responded with a few of his own. In a matter of seconds Harry had "accioed" his leg, gave his hair a perm till it was standing, dyed it blue and trussed him up in so much ropes he could barely move. Adding a gag just in case he turned to Tonks.
"Ah Nymphadora my dear." Tonks scowled at him. "Hold on a sec." Harry turned to the ex auror. "Hello Moody. I'm Harry Potter, I'm not a Death Eater and I don't think any would be attacking this place soon as Dumbledore has not betrayed the Order. Just to be safe I'm gonna leave you here and let Tonks let you out when I'm done taking to her. Don't want you hexing me anytime soon." He turned back to Tonks. "Come Tonks walk with me."
Tonks walked with Harry down the hallway of Grimmauld Place. Harry observed that the snake fixtures and shrunken elf heads were still in place. He screwed up his face in distaste. He would probably need to hire Dobby to clean up the place. Speaking about elves.
"Hey Tonks, just wondering what happened to that scum of a house elf?"
"He had an accident on the full moon with Remus." Tonks said with barely concealed glee.
"Ah I see. Hmmm. Can I call you anything other than Tonks. It doesn't really sound that catchy really."
Tonks raised an orange colored eyebrow. "How about Dora."
"Nah. How's Nymphie."
Tonks's eyes bugged for a moment. "To hell you will. Sounds too much like Nympho."
Harry nodded. "Good point. What about Tonkie?"
The metamorphmagus screwed up her face in disgust. "I think we should just stick with just plain Tonks."
Harry shrugged as he entered the library. After they sat themselves in the chairs Tonks decided to start the conversation. "What are you doing here Harry? Shouldn't you be at Hogwarts?"
Harry stared at the ceiling pretending to be in great though. "I guess so." His eyes moved back to the woman. "I was actually looking for you, but then I remembered that Albus had mentioned you stayed over here."
Tonks nodded. "And you need my help because?"
"Well since you're an auror I believe you must have a few contacts here and there. I need you to do me a favor Tonks."
"Your wish is my command." Tonks said eager to help.
"Well. I have no doubt that ole Fudge is going to try to get me thrown in Azkaban in the next few days due to the Diagon alley incident." Tonks nodded. "What I need you to do is to help me dig up some dirt on him. Could you do that?"
"Sure, I could try, but why me?" The witch was curious.
"Well easy. You're probably the only witch in the auror department that Fudge doesn't see as a threat to his power. Face it, you don't really inspire much faith when you're a clumsy auror. That, and you're friends with most of the people working in the ministry."
"I am not clumsy." Tonks made to stand but tripped on the chair's foot.
Harry just laughed as helped her up.
"Not a word." She threatened.
"Well, that said I guess I'd better get back to Hogwarts now." Harry waved her goodbye. "Give Mad Eye my greetings." With that he popped out.
Author's Note:
Well there we go, another chapter done. Once again, thanks to my wonderful dedicated Betas, Cyrano2.0 and Ikono. I will be missing for a few more days as I will officially be back in Australia on the 17th February. At the moment I am on vacation in Penang. If any of you out there don't know where it is, recent events have placed it on the maps.
Review Replies:
Nutty Al: Thanks.
Dj-cam: Thanks for sending me your theory. I sent you my reply. Thanks. Nice try.
Mika: Calm… definitely. He's thought most of it over and it wouldn't do much for him to get emotional in the middle of the Dark Wanker's hideout.
Zhuyou: Thanks.
Insanity-of-the-owl: Thanks.
Aleh: Thanks.
Clingon Warrior Girl: Thank you. So far you have been my most loyal and constant reviewer. A toast to you.
No one: Sorry first come first serve and all that. Thanks for pointing out the typo though.
Yugioh/Potter/Pokemon fan: Here's the next one. Thanks.
The Lady Reaper Of The Shadows: Thanks.
Crydwyn: Thanks.
Cynthia1850: Thanks.
Dirbatua: Thanks.
Klavian: Yeah but don't worry Harry will get some "advice".
"Now Harry the thing you want to know about dating a girl is that you must always have a backup plan, and a backup plan to that back up plan." Dumbledore said wisely.
"Right…" Harry said in a disbelieving tone.
"Why when I was younger I was what youngsters might call a stud. I remember this time I was with this young lady and we were engaged in position 52 of the Karma Sutra and…"
"Woah! Woah! Hold it! Information overload!" Harry shouted clapping his hands over his ears.
Dumbledore seem to snap out of his memories. "Now Harry has anyone given you the "talk" yet?"
Harry could only stare in horror at the mad man. He was going to receive the "talk" from Albus Freaking Dumbledore.
Maybe he could write it down in his resume. 'Got the talk from Dumbledore.' That would certainly be an achievement not many would have accomplished.
Mscs3: Thanks.
Tinne: Thanks.
Gigifanfic: Thanks.
Daimen Darkstar: Pretty awesome collection of spells you have there mate. Thanks.
Vanillaqueen11: Thanks.