Harry Potter and the Guardian of Light
Chapter 2: Reminiscence
Disclaimer: The original story and ideas belong explicitly to J.K Rowling; my only ownership is of the new ideas implemented and of the character Kinfall.
A/N: The next chapter to my rewrite, I hope new and old readers alike shall appreciate and enjoy my work.
Grimmauld Place
Ron's somber groan was the only noise within the dimly lit kitchen. He sat in a chair amongst the pots and pans, the dusty portraits and the cobwebs. They finally fit the gloom of the house. Everyone who had already gone to sleep showed grief and worry and it had only been 2 days since Harry disappeared. Even Ron who had kept peoples spirits up after the first felt his mood slip. How could he still be missing?
Most of the Order had already given up on their search do to lack of leads. They felt if they didn't have a place to start then they didn't have a reason to look. Only Tonks and Lupin spent their full days spent trying to track down any place he could be. They even infiltrated a Death Eater stronghold to see if they had caught the poor boy. They returned late every night listless and fatigued and would leave early the next morning with those same expressions.
"The boy who lived…more like the boy who got himself lost." Another groan slipped from him at his bed attempt at a joke, not that a good one would do any better to cheer him up. What made it worse was the fact Hermione and Ginny had both locked themselves up in their rooms, consenting to only leave for bathroom and food. Not that being around helped any, the depressive faces they made just made everyone sigh and groan. Of course no one really told them how uncomfortable they were considering the two girls always had tear stained faces, not something you want to provoke.
"It's kind of funny how fast people lose hope…" The depression sank deeper in with each passing day, but that al changed when he heard a familiar hoot. At first he was convinced he only was hearing things, but a second and third made him jump from his seat. In his rush his foot caught on the chair leg, sending them both in to a spiral to the ground.
"Ow! God damn…" his heart pounded when he heard the owl scratch at the window begging for entrance, someone must have closed off the owlry by accident. Pulling himself up he threw himself up to the window and pulled it open with all haste.
"Hedwig! It really is you, oh thank you. Please tell me you have a letter" the snowy white owl stuck its foot out with a friendly hoot just as the old clock in the kitchen let out an ominous tone to indicate midnight. Without a seconds though Ron carefully plucked it from the animals leg, watching it fly upstairs momentarily before pulling it open.
Dear Ron,
I hope Hedwig doesn't have too much trouble finding you; I'm not too sure how long it will take to arrive either. I'm sure by now though you have heard about what happened at the Dursleys and I hope no one is really worried. It was one of the most scared times in my life, but I was fortunate enough to be saved. I can't tell you who it is or where I am right now but Hedwig will deliver any messages between us. I should be able to head back in about 6 months…which I know is a long time, but bare with me. Tell everyone hi and take care of Ginny and Hermione…they mean a lot to me, although I'm sure I don't need to say that. You make sure to stay healthy too!
Your best mate,
Harry
Ron's beaming grin could have lit up the entire building if it was capable, his relief and joy pounded endlessly through his veins in the form of a beating heart. His friend was alive and that's all that mattered. Although he had to admit he was extremely curious. Noisily pounding up the stairwell he began screaming to everyone in their beds.
"Wake up! Bloody hell all of you get out here now!" His body heaved from excitement and the force in which he yelled but that wasn't important anymore. No he needed to make sure everyone knew it was alright, that their Harry was ok. First it was Bill and Mad-Eye Moody who rushed from their rooms, brandishing their wands in every direction. His mom and Kingsley were the next up to begin glaring at him. Everyone else seemed to shuffle out together, some with tear stained eyes while others just looked plain grumpy.
"Boy! What the hell do you think your doing waking all of us up? You better have a damn good reason!" Mad-Eye's gruff voice echoed through the air but caused no fear in the young Ron, because this was important…extremely. Ginny looked ready to Bat-Bogey hex him for interrupting her crying.
"Harry is alive!" The looks that met him ranged from quizzical to shock to just plain disbelief. What possible reasoning could Ron have to say something like that? Of course they were all more then welcome to believe it, and when they noticed the slightly crumpled paper in his hand he felt the weight of several people tackling him to the ground to pry it from him.
"Ow hey stop it! Ginny give it!" Hermione growled out her words while wrestling with Ron's younger sister, fighting with each other on top of the crushed red head who grunted out his pain and displeasure. Wands were already being brandished before Molly Weasley pulled it from their clenched hands with a mix of a smile and a glare.
"Stop fighting! Moody why don't you go floo Tonks and Lupin so we can read this letter out loud in the study? I think it will be better for all of us." Mumbling out something like an agreement Moody limped his way down the stairs, his magical eye temporarily resting on Ron who made him shiver slightly.
The impatient group had to wait over 20 minutes for Tonks and Lupin to arrive no less tired but looking as if the world had just lifted off of their shoulders. Something told Ron that they would have looked till they died, although he didn't understand why Tonks was trying so hard. Molly read through the letter in the midst of all of them and all doubt was dispersed about Harry's well being. There was a large cheer from a few people, tears from most of the girls, and something resembling a smile from Moody…but he had to have imagined that. Many of them were already discussing writing letters back, the night turned in to a long one with no one getting back to bed till early in the morning…yet for once, no one minded.
Kinfalls Manor
Harry arose with a deep yawn groping along the end table for any sign of his glasses. His hand clenched around one of the handles easily pulling them up to push them over his nose. With his eyes finally in focus he let his nose absorb the sweet smell of breakfast once again. They were already a week in to training and sadly he was getting sued to these meals, much different then fighting with the weasleys.
"Well might as well get my energy up" Stretching his arms outward Harry quickly began to chew down the platter of food in front of him, considering how his life had changed so dramatically. He no longer felt hopeless…he felt as if he would soon be able to handle this burden, and face it with confidence. Maybe that's all he really needed, confidence in himself. He did his best not to blame himself for others choices but it was still tough. Standing up from his messy bed Kinfall was already moving in to the room from the open door, his usual morning liveliness leaving him cheerful. Although he was such a dull bore the later it became.
"Mornin' Kinfall…" Harry let out a final yawn trying to shake the remnants of sleep from his body which was in no way an easy task. Almost knocking over a small vase on the table the teen as forced to steady himself quickly, pushing it back in to place guiltily.
"M'boy just call me Talon, we know each other well enough by now wouldn't you say? Oh by the way some replies from your friends just arrived with the morning mail." The once sloppy smile and lazy grin were replaced by a sudden excited stare, effectively wiping all sleep from the boy.
"Where are they? Are they in the study? The hall…" He got no response except for the fact Talon had held up an enchanted item, which could only mean one thing for the poor boy.
"Yep that's right you have to finish your morning workout first." Harry felt his face sink from the though of waiting. How could he concentrate while thinking of his friends? 'This training will be the death of me…' but despite his objections he couldn't refuse, instead stretching out his body and taking off down the hall.
"Letters…Letters…Letters" he was counting down every minute while doing laps through the corridors, effectively finishing a two mile workout. He continued to work faster and harder than he had in awhile through his push-ups and sit-ups, 'toning his body to fight as well as his magic' as Talon often would say.
Over 2 hours later he felt his body ache and twist from the displeasure of the work. Despite how often he had to do it his joints still screamed and forced their displeasure upon him. Whipping the sweat from his forehead he felt his chest heaving and his body shake slightly. 'I should take a shower, that might loosen me up a bit' It was only after thoroughly scrubbing the grime of his workout off of him, and relaxing his muscles In the cool water that he finally and quickly made his way for the library.
He hiked his way up the massive staircase and suddenly found himself wondering why no one had ever thought to put some sort of magical staircase or anything other than climbing the dreadful stairs. Dragging his sore body to the top he could already see the letters separated from the main pile of mail. His mind raced and his heart crushed against his ribs, his hands had found the paper and dragged his legs along for the ride. Ripping open the paper he grinned his way through.
Dear Harry,
You had us worried half to death Harry! You had…ME worried. We thought something absolutely dreadful happened, no one knew where to start looking for you. But I'm glad to know you're safe and sound, and I'm looking forward to this explanation on what could possibly keep you away for an entire 6 months. The daily prophet is going to have a field day with this one you know.
I've been doing a lot of research in to horcruxes since we aren't going back to Hogwarts but I must say Harry…this isn't looking good. It could be tough to locate them; I doubt they will just fall in to our hands like the diary. Anyway we all miss you very much so take care of yourself. Ron says 'get back soon you git' but he was too lazy to write a letter, something about nothing really to say. Honestly how do we put up with him…?
Love,
Hermione
Dear Harry,
Where have you been! I can't tell you how worried I have been, not knowing anything about what could have happened. I didn't know what to think! After all of this I realized something…no matter how noble your reasons were I won't let you break up with me, got it? We are officially back together, no objections!
Well make sure to take care of yourself if you're going to be away so long, just make sure you come back in one piece. We will all be waiting!
Love,
Ginny
Hey Harry,
I can't believe you just took off on some adventure for 6 months! Or is it something else? We have all kinds of questions to ask you. After the Dursley incident we spent all our time trying to find you even if it seemed hopeless. We would drove ourselves in to the grave with how much work we were doing. So come back soon won't you? I especially want to know that spell you used to knock out all those Death Eaters.
Sincerely,
Lupin & Tonks
PS: Hey this is Lupin; I decided to add this real quick while Tonks is in the other room. You are one lucky kid you know? Escaping death like that, and now from all the water works I saw you could end up with three wives! Three!! You really are a special kid, and it isn't for that scar.
Harry stared at the letters for a couple of minutes trying to understand them. Hermione was pretty straight forward and he appreciated that even without him there she was really studying hard. Of course that wasn't new, but she was researching the right info.
He never expected Ginny to force him back in to their relationship so soon, although he wouldn't have put it past her to try. He couldn't exactly complain…that fiery attitude was one of the things he liked. His next letter would protect definitely but it would be half hearted at best.
As for Lupin's final note he couldn't think of who he might be talking about. 'I guess Ginny and Hermione might cry…but who else could he be talking about? Lupin always liked to tease me; I shouldn't concern myself with it.' The fact they had been so worried only sparked his will to fight, to fight to protect who was left. More than ever he knew he needed this training.
It was only then did Harry notice his mentor sitting down at the table simply smiling up towards the ceiling. He could never peg his strange habits, they didn't make any sense. He spaced out more often then Neville.
"So are your friends doing alright?" Talon fiddled with a wand in his hand which was rarely ever taken out, he was always holding that staff of his. Harry knew lessons were coming up so only gave a small nod, waiting for his instructions.
"Good well we will move on from your mental shielding and invading. We can get back to it later if there is time. For now we will concentrate on dueling and spells, I even switched over to a wand so you aren't at a disadvantage." Harry beamed at the chance to begin something he really wanted to do, unlike the nasty chore of setting up mental shields.
"Wait why would a wand be at a disadvantage? its lighter so can send off spells more easily right?" Talon nodded like it was the most obvious answer in the world, so why In the world would a staff be better?
"A staff might be heavier but that also means it can act as a blunt weapon. Not only that but most are built with a natural reflection of magic, making them great at redirecting or blocking spells. In a sense the wand is a sword, but the staff if both a sword and a shield." Harry could see the benefit in not having to put up shield spells constantly, but it would take a lot of training to use something so big.
"Well follow me to the dueling room…" Talon rose from his seat and flicked his wand swiftly to the left, the staircase they had walked up began to draw upward until it attached to the ceiling, a small concealed path in to the ceiling appearing.
"W-what…? Why would you put it up there!?" Normally you would place a dueling room in a convenient spot, why hide it up in what was probably the attic? It didn't make any sense!
"Well I suppose the previous owner probably used it as a place to hide, rather then a dueling ring. Alas I don't find the need for such useless rooms and instead turned it in to a more productive place. Although I might regret that if Death Eaters raid my home…but ah well, what's done is done." Dueling rooms were often covered in protective charms to prevent damage from wands and magical damage, but some of those spells also left them easily detectable.
"Well then let us begin…" They climbed the stairs together, up the familiar spirals in to the dark but well spaced room. Talon left him on one side and took the farther back end of the room until they stood in a straight line from each other.
"Alright let's stick to simple for now, nothing that you wouldn't use a Hogwarts and I will do the same." His wand raised in a sloppy position to face Harry who quickly brought up his own, gulping down the lump in his throat.
Talon was the first to begin throwing a simple confundo charm soaring right at him. Dropping off to his right Harry watched the light soar right past his shoulder, smashing in to the wall before disappearing. Balancing himself he countered with a stupefy charm, the crimson red light flying through the air seeming to split at its seams. Talon easily levitated a chair at the side of the room throwing it in the path of his spell.
"Reducto!" The air heat up around the return spell, smashing against a fast shield charm from Harry which reflected it back against the wizard.
"Ha not bad!" Talon ducked beneath the skillful return ignoring the explosive sound of magic hitting wood and instead hurled two more chairs Harry's way. Summoning his knowledge of Transfiguration his wand moved in quick motions, transforming each chair in to spiraling bludgers heading back towards Talon. The older wizard blew apart the first but caught the second right in the gut, lifting him off the floor and sending him skidding across the floor, coughing up a bit of blood.
"What…Talon!" Blasting apart the second Harry ran forward towards his mentor who underestimated the initial knowledge of magic the boy had.
"Ha…wow, that hurt…not bad." Pulling himself to his feet with the help of Harry the wizard straightened himself, repairing his broken ribs with a quick healing spell. And so their training continued with no small amount of pain for either…
End of Training
The days went by faster than anything Harry ever knew as if someone was speeding up time. His body had been worked to the bone day after day, his magical energy drained to his core. Mastering spells, techniques and weapons was no easy task. Harry was though happy to say e did it, he stuck through and worked his very best. 'As Dumbledore would have wanted…'
Harry tried to recall all the different things his mind had picked up along the way, desperate to make sure nothing was forgotten. 'Let's see…There was detecting magic and magical traces, using a battle staff…sword training, spells he never knew about and…of course Occlumency. The end of his days was concentrating on magical defenses and apparition.'
Despite the enjoyment of learning these new skills the fact it was over rang in his mind as excitement built. His ribs crushed his beating heart, his mind dazed with the thought of seeing his friends again. Pushing himself up out of bed his hands dug greedily in to the breakfast next to him, finishing off a small loaf of bread along with it. Waving his hand his concentration allowed the tray to disappear, a testament to his wand less training.
His mind wandered back to all the letters he exchanged with his friends, making sure they were healthy. One of the few letters from Ron went in to full detail about Bill & Fleur's wedding, like the silver arch and the golden overhangs. Just from what he wrote he could practically imagine the smiling faces as they kissed under that arch. It sounded like an amazing ceremony.
Hermione's letters were littered with information about everything she had found or been researching, only near the end did she get personal and wish him well. She still seemed kind of restrained though, like she might have been holding something back.
Throwing these thoughts aside he realized it didn't matter, he would see them soon. That was more important than anything. He propelled himself for the door, knocking aside the table and a coat rack that dared get in his way. The rattle they made hitting the floor as overcome only by Talon's raised voice.
"Hey! Calm down, you almost knocked me over!" He balanced himself against the doorway with a low groan, shaking his head at the surprise of attack.
"I didn't know we were in the habit of attacking poor men who take you in their homes. So what's the rush then? A date I don't know about? Does she have a sister?" Despite the fact it was a joke he seemed to have that deadly smirk that told Harry he would be happy if it were true.
"What? No! Isn't my training over now…?" his mentor Talon seemed to consider this a moment before his mouth opened in a slight 'O' shape.
"That's right it is! I entirely forgot…oh well, then one more trip to the library and we can get going." He turned and talked down the hall with a slightly grumpy demeanor, mumbling something about not enough time.
"We? Does that mean you plan to come along…?" Harry couldn't deny the excitement of that, it would be fun to have someone new around that could help out. Although sometimes he wondered if the mans way of 'helping' was helpful. He could still feel the pain of blunt force spells to his chest, and once a reducto curse hitting his leg. If it wasn't for the protective dueling robes they wore his leg would have been gone instead of just burned.
"That's the plan…I get kind of bored here myself anyway. I'll explain more later" They returned to the well known library, pushing aside the door and working their way up the long steps to the 10th floor as usual. The stairs where in much worse condition then usual, burn marks and broken steps every level or so. During one of their training sessions the floor of the dueling room had collapsed, and instead of calling the battle off Talon felt it fun to continue in the library. Who knows how many books were turned to ash during that battle up and down stairs and book cases. 'Talon really is kind of insane…or just that carefree.'
"Now Harry I need to ask you a question that I hope you can answer, before we head to your home…what was it that Dumbledore left you to do?" He chuckled at the look of shock crossing over Harry, there steps finally stopping at the 10th floor.
"How did you…know that?" Harry's excitement to see his friends was overshadowed by fear, how could he know so much about him? Harry was sure he never saw this man before, and no one he knew mentioned him.
"Don't look so surprised. With everything going on any wizard with half a brain keeps connected. Alas it isn't that hard to cast a few choice spells on someone of rank and get information you could never dream of." Harry didn't know if Dumbledore would want people to know or not and he had spent a long time hiding it from everyone but his friends. And yet at the same time, he knew the only way to make it through this war was to trust people he would never before. 'It isn't the time of secrets…not anymore'
"Alright…I guess I can tell you." He spent a few hours explaining everything that had led up to his adventure and the fact he needed to find the horcruxes to defeat Voldemort. He mentioned that there was still the locket, the cup, something from Gryffindor or Ravenclaw…and finally that blasted snake left to destroy before Voldemort could ever truly be defeated.
"I…see. Who would have thought he would go to such lengths to become immortal. It is unfortunate…that all the resistance up till now has been for nothing except to keep hope." Talons face was a mix of interest and anger, crunched up in thought.
"Well…we should worry about this later I guess, first of all…" His hand moved over to his right to a messy stack of books on the nearby table next to a small reading lamp. Pushing aside some of the singed and burnt books he pulled out a clean one from the middle.
"Ah here it is" holding it out in front of him Harry could see what looked like a noble emblem. Reading over the title his eyes remained glued to it…'The history of the Potter family' His breathing stopped and his mind became blurry. How? Why would he have that…? Why didn't he give it to him sooner…
"I was rummaging through some old books last month and found this; I figured I would give it to you once your training was over. I flipped through it; it seems your father's family goes way back. They even practiced polygamy." Harry's jaw dropped during Talons roar of laughter, tapping his staff against the old wood beneath them.
"Thought you might enjoy that, now anyway…" He withdrew a long wooden box painted white with a golden symbol of the eagle on top; placing on the desk he undid the locks clasps with magic. Inside was a long black staff with a crimson red orb on top gripped by dragon's claws. A sword complimented it with a black sheath but golden eagles talons just above the swords handle grip, a small crimson orb at the bottom of the grip as well. The last thing was pure white robes with a gold and red dragon roaring on the front, staring out at him.
"You can have anything you want in there. I did some research and figured the eagle didn't really fit you, on the other hand a dragon does very well." Harry stood glazed over in a mix of appreciation and shock trying to sputter out some kind of word.
"I…I would…love to have them! B-but are you sure…I mean, I d-don't need these if they were a lot of money." The wizard shook his head with a complimentary shrug, showing off the fact he really didn't care too much.
"Nah go ahead and take them. The sword will help you if you run in to anything that's been enchanted to be immune to magic. Now let's get out of here. You can consider me Lord Potter's first vassal I guess." His grin was followed by a low sigh.
"Now I need you to trust me one more time, since I obviously can't get in to your home without you." With a nod Harry spoke the address of #12 Grimmauld place in order to allow Talon to enter its grounds. With an appreciative nod Talon waited for Harry to close and shrink the long box, stuffing it in his battered robes pocket. The book on the Potter family joined the shrunken box before they approached the gentle flames of the fireplace.
Scooping up a handful of glittering silver powdered from the mantle piece Talon whipped it in to the small fire which instantly roared up in a heatless green flame waiting for them to step through.
"You first Harry" Nodding slowly he walked in to the fire without hesitation shouting off the address of the home inherited from Sirius. He watched the fireplaces of all shapes and sizes zoom past him one after another and finally as his anxiety built he was thrown in to the study of Grimmauld place with a loud gunshot like crack made from the wooden chair he landed on roughly. Tonks was the only one in the study scared half to death as she fell from her own chair.
"Wotcher Harry! Don't scare me like that!" Grinning sheepishly his response was cut completely off as the life was sucked out of him from the bone crushing hug of one Nymphadora Tonks. Despite the obvious pain from such an assault he couldn't deny the fact it felt good to be hugged by such a beautiful woman. His pleasure was robbed from him as a second crack threw Talon slightly off to the left. With quick reflexes she was in front of Harry with wand held pointed right at his nose.
"Who are you, how did you get here!" Talon stood up despite the threat dusting off with both hands with a loud grumble, cursing fireplaces. Harry jumped forward to lower Tonks wand.
"Ah don't attack him! He is the one who saved me…I don't want anyone fighting alright?" She seemed to frown towards him, letting a sigh slip past her lips with her agreement. Within moments she rushed off to gather everyone up, tripping over a desk in her excitement. Watching the overturned ink and flying papers Harry could only laugh 'Finally back…'
Eventually Tonks was rushing people in to the study from all directions. Half of the order was shuffling in along with the gleeful Hermione and Ginny, the angry Weasley family and the members of various paintings returning to see the fuss. Eyes fell upon him ensnaring him in their gazes as vines might; their questions pounding him back in to his chair. At least that's what it felt like to him. Sensing Harry's uncomfortable silence Talon stood up.
"Everyone stay silent! Lord Potter will explain everything to you momentarily." The fact most of the room had just noticed the extra man, and the addition of Harry being called a lord seemed to bring everyone's mouth to a close.
"Thanks…Um ok I know you have a lot of questions, but let's keep them one at a time. Please!" It took over an hour just for him to answer simple questions about the last 6 months, everything from 'where have you been' too 'what did you learn?' and "what's with the freaky wizard guy?' Thoroughly exhausted from the never ending quiz the questions finally ceased when they noticed no one had properly greeted Harry.
"Harry we are so glad you are safe though!" A twin hug from Hermione and Ginny smoothed him back in to his chair, followed almost instantly by a swift punch in the arm from Ron.
"Ow! Hey what was that for?" Stroking his arm through his robes he glared over towards his red haired friend who simply grinned in triumph.
"Oh just for leaving me without a best friend for 6 bloody months! You deserve a lot more, but my sister would kill me" Ginny nodded her agreement mentioning something about Bat-bogeys that sent Ron in to a fearful shiver.
"I can't believe you were training this whole time Harry, and Lupin said you were probably just slacking off with a butter beer in your hand." Tonks smiled sweetly when Lupin argued about a promise not to tell Harry that, the spectacled youth only laughing harder then he ever had in his life. It was so great being back with everyone.
Screams and shouts filled the entire house till well after 11 o'clock where Harry finally admitted he needed to get off to bed, desperate to catch up on all the long rest denied to him throughout his training. Although disappointed they consented to let him go, watching him walk up the old and rotted steps with the largest grin they had ever seen.
Strolling down the hallway he heard the whispers and saw the waves of the various paintings, some talked with respect while others scoffed at him for ruining the name of the Black family. As soon as he reached his bed his body dropped down upon in with a large bounce, passing out amongst the sheets.
Downstairs conversations refused to desist though, the drug like euphoria surrounding his return sparking conversations of all types. Ginny and Hermione had begun commenting on how Harry looked.
"Did you see how much muscular he is now? I mean it's not a huge difference, but he is much less scrawny! Of course I loved him before too…but wow!" Ginny's cheeks flushed bright red when Hermione pointed out the word love, chuckling at the tomato red cheeks to match her hair.
"But yeah I guess so, I didn't really notice though…" Her attempt to hide the truth was only torn apart by Ginny's impersonation of an ogling and drooling Hermione getting her revenge from the following blush. No one in the gang got to sleep until after 1 am. But thoughts were much better for Ron, Hermione and Ginny who knew their quest to stop Voldemort would soon begin…although, no one knew Ginny would go too except herself.
A/N: Chapter 2 of the rewrite complete, so how is it so far? Better then you remember? I hope so. I'm working hard to put all of the skill I have in to this.