Chapter Seven
Ring of Power, Ring of Strength
Harry awoke in the hospital wing looking around groggily. He noticed his friends laying beside him, sleeping peacefully. He smiled knowing that they were alright. Looking to his other side, he saw a large group of people. Counting twenty five students, he knew that the DA members survived as well. He also noticed Dumbledore, Remus, and Kingsley sitting next to him. Sam was standing behind Remus, a look of worry on her face.
"You guys look like you're attending a funeral." Harry said jokingly, a grin coming over his face. "I thought you said no one was lost."
"On our side, Harry." Dumbledore said. "The death eaters have lost many lives."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Harry!" Remus said, shocked at this response. "We do not take human lives!"
"And as such we will be slaughtered so long as they can live and manage to return to Tom." Harry said seriously. "Did you honestly expect to fight an entire war, and not have one casualty?"
"Harry, we do not fight their way." Dumbledore said firmly. "To kill them makes us no better than they are."
"Bullshit!" Harry shouted. "To kill them makes people safe! To save people we do what we must! You expect me to feel bad about that? How many lives were saved because they will no longer be able to attack anyone else?"
"How many lives will be destroyed for the same reasons?" Dumbledore asked. "Many of those people had children. Children who are now left with only one parent, more still who are orphaned."
"Judge me as you want." Harry said coldly. "Think of this before you do. You say many were left with one parent and some orphaned. I know what that feels like as well. But ask yourself, would there have been more orphans or less had I let them live? Would everyone here still be walking and talking, able to laugh and joke and live if I hadn't done what I did? Would Sam have Remus if I hadn't attracted their attention the way I did? Would the DA still be able to live on? Would you, Professor? Would you have lived if I hadn't finished the death eaters who were aiming killing curses at you, Remus, and the DA? Think of these answers before you judge me."
"Harry, you could have found another way." Dumbledore said.
"What other way?" Harry said. "I only started the deadly spells when all my efforts to merely stop them seemed to be working in vain. They were shielding themselves from us. They were prepared for a battle. I sent ten stunning curses, and only three people fell. My spells were aimed perfectly, even you know I don't make a habit of missing. With that large of a crowd shouldn't I have at least hit someone, even if it was a mistake?"
"You were using non lethal spells?" Dumbledore asked.
"Had you checked all the bodies you would have found that where we were originally there was a large amount of people stunned. It wasn't until I heard them switch to killing curses that I decided it was time to react strongly." Harry said.
"What do you mean hear them?" Dumbledore asked.
"I could hear them thinking, just as well as I hear you thinking I'm turning into another Voldemort." Harry said angrily. "Keep in mind, Headmaster, I did not kill for pleasure, profit, power, or anything else Voldemort holds dear to him. I killed to keep others from dying."
"How did I speak Parseltongue, Harry?" Serena asked, changing the subject instantly.
"You don't know either?" Harry asked.
"No, I was too busy using spells. Spells I never heard of before. I can't even remember them, only what they did." Serena said.
"Shish ay asssh may akissssshas"
"What was that, Harry?" Dumbledore asked quickly. looking at him. Harry closed his eyes.
"Shi ya shissss asshissasssss." Harry said, his mouth contorting in ways that horrified Dumbledore.
"Shisssss yas amakissssshasssi"
"I see." Harry said.
"What was that, Harry?" Sam said, looking confused.
"It was my ring." Harry said.
"What did it say?" Dumbledore asked.
"That something happened during the battle. It was made for me you know?" Harry said.
Dumbledore's eyes widened. "The ring was made for you?"
"The lion who holds the powers of the four houses. The man who would use what is black to do what is white. The lion would need the power of raven and snake." Harry said, trying to remember all the words. "I think that's perfectly right. I want to hear that prophecy. It was given about forty years before Slytherin died, given to Slytherin personally. I want that prophecy, because the ring says its talking about me."
"Do you have any idea what it means?" Dumbledore asked.
"Too many people here to talk about it." Harry said, looking at Kingsley and the DA. Dumbledore quickly made them leave.
"Tell me, Harry."
"The lion is me. Slytherin said the ring was for his ancestor, but told the ring only to come to the one who had the power of the four houses. He meant intelligence, cunning, hard work and loyalty, and courage. He also said the ring would go to one in Gryffindor, but wouldn't be heir to any founder." Harry said calmly. "The second line means he will use dark magic for good. The ring said the same was true of Slytherin himself, which is why he made the ring. To give me the help of raven and snake. Ravenclaw and Slytherin."
"What happened to you children today?" Remus asked.
"That's what the ring was explaining." Harry said. "He said I needed the ring of strength. Slytherin trusted only one person with the prophecy. Godric Gryffindor. They split the power of the ring, one being the ring of power, Slytherin's ring, and one being the ring of strength, Gryffindor's ring. What happened today was a result of the power binding I did this summer. When I got angry for them wanting to kill people, it spread through the power that binds us and the necklaces that hold our minds together. That's how everyone could speak Parseltongue and know spells that I'm sure no one had ever seen before. They were spells of Slytherin's own making. We passed out afterwards because I didn't have the strength to keep us steady once the power was used as it was."
"How is the ring supposed to help you?" Dumbledore asked.
"It already has." Harry said. "It gave me the cunning of Slytherin, the intelligence of Ravenclaw, and the bravery of Gryffindor himself."
"How?"
"Shishashiya kashimalassssssh"
"Kassssssshishiamissshalayassssh aminishalassh assssh asisssssss"
"Ravenclaw was tricked into giving a drop of blood, and Gryffindor did it willingly. Slytherin joined a drop of his blood with the other two and sealed them into the ring." Harry said. "Where do I find the ring of Gryffindor?"
"I am in possession of it, Harry." Dumbledore said. "I have the rings of all our founders. But I must ask will this power help you, or lead to your destruction?"
"It's to stop Voldemort. That's all I know." Harry said.
A week had passed since the battle at Hogsmeade and school returned to normal. Harry and his friends were left out of the papers thanks to Dumbledore. Kingsley received sole credit for stopping the attack with the aurors and townspeople. The election was won for Kingsley with that battle. Harry smiled and agreed to come to Kingsley's swearing in as a friend. Dumbledore had given Harry the other ring, and he now wore one on each hand. Gryffindor's on his right middle finger, Slytherin's on his left.
The swearing in seemed to be a huge event, and Serena went with Harry. Neither one spoke of the day that seemed years ago already. Both agreed it was best to leave it in the past, and hope it never had to be as bad again. Enjoying the party was hard to do, though, as reporters were asking everyone who was invited by Kingsley for an interview. Harry had constantly rejected offers, choosing to enjoy the day. Kingsley told him to expect big news the next day as he was changing laws all week and they would be announced the next day. Harry smiled and told him to make sure the laws were sound, and fair. With Kingsley's promise they would be Harry and Serena returned to school.
The next morning in the great hall life seemed to be in an uproar. Students were talking wildly and waving papers in front of them. Some were reading maniacally fast and Harry figured that Kingsley had either done some marvelous or something outrageous. Either way Harry felt it couldn't be worse than any of the things Fudge did. Sitting at the table, Hermione threw her paper between Serena and Harry.
"You two are mentioned in here. You might want to know what has been said." Hermione said angrily, though it wasn't directed at the two. Harry picked up the paper.
Minister announces events of Death Eater Attack!
New laws now set in stone.
New Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt announced today that the attack in Hogsmeade village a week ago led to many of the Death Eaters demise. He reported that Harry Potter and Serena Black, current Hogwarts students and soon to be wed, were at the attack. After killing curses were sent at Mr. Potter and Miss Black, aurors went to deadly measures to see to it that the children were to remain safe.
After the two hour battle that raged on through the afternoon, the aurors won the battle, led by Minister Shacklebolt himself. They managed to save the children and their friends Hermione Granger, Ronald and Ginerva Weasley, and Neville Longbottom from immediate harm, though the children had passed out from fear. Minister Shacklebolt was reported as saying 'Children of their age should not be allowed onto the field of battle. This was a gruesome scene they had to witness. I would hope the next time they are in danger, they flee immediately and leave the jobs of stopping Death Eaters to trained aurors.'
The death toll reached 735 people, including Narcissa Malfoy, wife of imprisoned Lucius Malfoy, mother of son Draco, Percy Weasley son of Molly and Arthur, brother to Ronald and Ginerva, was also found dead on the scene. Over 170 were captured, including Peter Pettigrew, who was believed murdered by Sirius Black sixteen years ago. This leads aurors and investigators to believe Black is innocent of these crimes.
In even more related news, Gringotts accounts of many wizards and witches were frozen today when aurors held their biggest dark object hunt in history today. 169 vaults were sealed from every Death Eater captured, as well as 658 vaults from those dead. An additional 398 were sealed as the witches or wizards were found with dark objects and bore the Dark Mark. The Minister replied to this by saying 'I am taking a no tolerance offense on all dark objects and those who bare the Dark Mark. If you have either one, you will face the punishment fit for such crimes. I am not another Cornelius Fudge.' Many wonder of the children who will suffer for this. Many children such as Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe, along with many others will now no longer have a place to call home nor a knut to their names.
Minister Shacklebolt, along with the Wizengamot, have passed several new laws, as well as having seven peace treaties. Last night it was announced that werewolves, vampires, centaurs, goblins, and giants will now receive the same rights as a wizard or witch.
Centaurs have accepted honorably, saying they were pleased to see that not all politicians thought of them as vile creatures. Goblins expressed their happiness as well, along with vampires and giants. Werewolves seemed the most enthusiastic, commenting on people hunting them during the full moon. Remus Lupin, Defense against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts was
quoted last night saying 'Its great to know that a silver bullet is not going to hit me one night while I'm hiding during my transformation.' Werewolves have only one restriction effective as of last night. All werewolves may be treated equally and will be provided Wolfs bane Potion freely, but only if they take the potion will they have the rules against them removed. The law was made as
such in accordance with the Minister's advisor in werewolf affairs, who also happens to be Remus Lupin. It was said that so long as they have taken the potion, they are very little threat as long as they hide themselves away.
"Wow." Harry said.
"Go Kingsley!" Serena said smiling. "Remus doesn't have to worry anymore!"
"Yeah, I'm wondering about these peace treaties though." Harry said. "Who did he sign them with?"
"What?" Hermione yelled. "You don't care that you two were pretty much called scared little children?"
Harry looked over his friends, who all seemed angry. He started laughing at them. "If the truth was told, how long do you think we would spend in Azkaban?"
"What?" Hermione asked.
Firelight, do the math. Harry thought. What is life multiplied by 735?
They didn't-
No. All the deaths were because of us. How would six people serve 735 life sentences? We had to either be called scared little kids or else we would be imprisoned little kids.
"Oh." Hermione said. Ron, Ginny, and Neville seemed to have lost their anger as well.
"Sorry about your brother, you two." Serena said, looking at Ron and Ginny.
"So are we." Ginny said.
"We have to talk to Mum about it. Explain what happened though we don't know how to explain it." Ron said.
"Why don't we all do it." Harry said. "I will explain my part in everything, we can use a pensieve to extract the memory and let her know how everything happened."
"Are you sure, Harry?" Hermione said. "It may be worse for you if you do that."
"I have to answer for my crimes, Mione." Harry said. "Like it or not, I know what I am. In a way, what I did last week made me worse than Voldemort, because I felt the deaths were justified."
"Harry, you did everything you could to ensure the safety of everyone fighting with us." Serena said. "We all stood beside you and did the same thing. We are all to blame."
"I know, Serena. That's what caused me so much pain about it." Harry said. "You were all willing to kill to stand by me, and help me."
"No." Ginny said quietly. "We were willing to stand beside you. We didn't kill. We defended those who would be killed. None of our spells were killing curses, so there was a chance they would survive."
"She makes a good point mate." Ron said. "We knew what was going to happen to them, but I don't remember feeling happy about it."
"Me neither." Hermione said.
"Agreed." Serena and Ginny said.
"I didn't want them to die." Neville said. "But I'm not going to say I'm not glad our friends are safe because those death eaters died."
"I wasn't happy about it either. I was actually angry about it." Harry said, thinking back to his emotions. "I became angrier when I knew they were going to die. It wasn't Dumbledore or the DA I felt would die, it was them." He added in shocked recognition.
"See." Serena said. "Still better than Voldemort."
"Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said from behind him. Harry turned around. "There are a few visitors that would like to see you and your friends. If you would come with me."
They followed Dumbledore to his office quietly. None of them knew who to expect, and Harry began probing out with his mind. He sighed in a mixture of relief and sadness when he found their minds. Harry walked up the stairs sadly. Dumbledore opened the door and Harry walked in without looking at anyone and sat in the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk facing him.
"Hello Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Molly, Arthur." He said in one breath. "Hello Kingsley."
The children offered their hello's and condolences and took their places next to Harry. Harry looked at them and waved his hand, causing his chair to turn and face those now in front of him.
"Harry, I would like to apologize if my statements offended you." Kingsley said.
"I didn't care." Harry said. "I knew the truth and that was enough. Too much really. I now owe six people who are like my family apologies for being the cause of the deaths at Hogsmeade."
Molly gasped, Arthur held Molly tight, Bill and Charlie glared at him, and Fred and George stood perfectly still from shock. Harry sighed and continued. "I feel I should apologize to the Headmaster as well. I was angry for feeling what I did that day, and you were pretty much saying the same thing. I was just afraid to admit it that day.
"It was my plan to have the death eaters go to Hogsmeade. I planned it all out perfectly. Convince the school of a trip to be cancelled immediately before. Go there with the DA, Marauders, teachers, and Order members. Kingsley was waiting there with aurors. It was a perfect plan to defeat a large mass of death eaters.
"What I didn't expect, after hearing them speak about their mission, which was to kidnap people to work for Voldemort, was for them to decide that everyone was better off dead. This sparked anger in me, and it fell onto these five here. Then another wave of anger passed over me, which made me even stronger. It was mixed with a feeling of compassion, and love. I was worried for my friends who were there fighting, maybe close to dying, and yet I didn't want to kill anyone.
"When the spells started flying from me, I knew they would kill the death eaters, who wouldn't stop to gather their wounded. This only made me more angry, making my spells stronger, and killing them even faster. I talked to these five after the battle and found the same thing was happening with them. It seems that my powers moved into them as well, and they started sending spells in the same language as me, though none of us can recall the spells honestly. I only know they were in Parseltongue. That is what happened. I know it is impossible for a person to forgive anyone for taking someone they love from them, no matter what the cause. I can only say I'm sorry."
Molly stared at him, shocked at this revelation. Grabbing her wand she pointed it at him. "FLAMAGIO!" a ball of flame hit Harry in the chest, then disappeared. Harry only looked at her heartbroken, tears falling from his eyes. Still her anger did not sway. "You killed my son! I will make you pay for what you have done!" She looked at Kingsley. "Arrest him!"
"I cannot do that Molly." Kingsley said. "We were in a hostile battle, and he did not use an unforgivable curse."
"Then make him pay for what he did!" Molly screamed.
"Look at him Molly." Dumbledore said softly. "Tell me if it does not seem that he is paying."
She looked at him, rage still in her eyes. To her he could never suffer enough. She had loved him as a son, and he admitted to letting out the power that had killed her son. "I will never forgive you for what you've done!" She said to him.
"I know." Harry said. "You can kill me if it will make things right." He added sadly.
"I will not become like you!" Molly spat. "You are no better than HE is!"
"I know." Harry said. "That is why I have to kill him."
"Do you think that will make things better! That will not bring my son back!" Molly said. "I wish you-know-who had killed you as a baby! Parents as wonderful as yours raising nothing but a worthless KILLER!"
"I know that too." Harry said. "I often wish the same, till I think what the world would be like if he hadn't failed."
"Incendio!" Molly yelled again pointing her wand at Harry. Again Harry sat there as the spell hit his chest. "Why can't I hurt you?"
"Magic." Harry said. "Very old, dark magic."
"SEE! I told you to arrest him Kingsley! He is using dark magic! Now I want him arrested!" Molly shouted.
"It is not illegal for Harry to use the magic he does." Kingsley said. "Harry explained what the magic he used does, and I agreed with him that using it in the way he does is not illegal, so I have permitted Harry the use of dark magic, as I do with aurors."
"So because he is Harry Potter he is beyond the law!" Molly screamed. "That is not justice! Where is my justice!"
"Molly!" Dumbledore said louder than he had spoken in almost a year. "Your son was a death eater. He bore the dark mark, and he was willing to kill two of your children, as well as any other who stood in his way that day. I ask you what justice should we give to Harry, who feels horrible for what happened, as well as the fact that he had to kill his enemies. He has said himself he only did this to save people from being killed. Is it not right for Harry to do whatever he could do to save people he loves?"
"Why my Percy!" Molly shouted at Harry. "You could have stopped him! Instead you stop Pettigrew! Yes, now your dead godfather will be finally proven innocent of his crimes, but my Percy can't stand trial for his! Trial is what is fair, not you playing god with OTHER PEOPLES LIVES!"
Harry waved his hand and Dumbledore's pensieve flew to his hands. He set it on the table and pulled his memory of the battle out and placed it in the pensieve. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Serena did as well. When this was done he looked at Molly sadly and pointed to the pensive.
"Look, see what war has done to us all. Then tell me where Percy was, that I might have saved him." Harry said, sitting back down in his chair.
Only three stayed away from the pensieve. Harry, Dumbledore and Arthur. Harry looked at the two sadly. "She hates me for not saving one, when I was trying to save everyone. Hermione's right, I do have a hero complex."
"No, Harry. You just can't bare the thought of someone you love suffering." Dumbledore said. "For that matter, with what you have said today, you do not wish death on anyone but Voldemort. Even I know the reasons for this. I am sorry that you have to live through things that seem so unfair, even to me."
"I'm sorry for what you have seen and lived through as well, Harry." Arthur said. "I know that you would have saved him if you could."
"I really wish I could have. I never even knew he was a death eater." Harry said.
"Kingsley and I believe he became a death eater when Fudge had." Dumbledore said. "One of the people found dead was Cornelius. He wisely did not release that information and has left his vault at Gringotts alone to keep that from spreading. We believe that in Percy's urgency for power and a respectable position, he fell to Voldemort. We both know he can be very persuading for people in that position."
"Are you certain, Albus?" Arthur asked. "Could it have been he was spying for the Ministry?"
"I would like to say yes. However, no one in the Wizengamot, the aurors, or any Order member had knowledge of a spy operation concerning Percy." Dumbledore said.
"Oh, dear god." Arthur said. "How could we not have known this?"
"None have really seen Percy for over two years." Dumbledore said. "But now is not the time, Arthur. You will need time to grieve."
"Yes, but that is such a shock." Arthur said. "I was hoping that he was only a spy, or at least under the Imperius curse. To have the dark mark and not be a spy can only mean he was a servant of Voldemort."
"Harry, I know this is not a proper time, but I must ask you how you were not affected by Molly's spells?" Dumbledore asked.
"More ancient magic, Professor. Its not really dark, and its not good either." Harry said softly. "It's more of a grey area between them. It's a shield from most curses. It does nothing to stop powerful dark magic, but things like the hexes taught here are easily deflected off it."
"Do you know anything new about the rings?" Dumbledore asked.
"Not really. I see that my spells are slightly quicker, and a lot stronger. I also never feel tired after running heavy practices anymore. I don't know yet, maybe I need more time." Harry said.
"I see. How are these rings to help you besides give you knowledge and more power than before?" Dumbledore asked.
"Slytherin's ring said only that I would know when it was time how to defeat Voldemort." Harry said. "It said something about needing to kill the part of him that can't be seen."
"Very interesting." Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "I shall try to find out what this means. I believe all our answers lie in what is hidden in those rings."
"I believe you are-" Harry started. "AAAARGH!" He screamed holding his head and falling to his knees.
"Where are my most loyal death eaters Nott!"
"All are dead or captured My Lord."
"Dead! Surely Dumbledore would not kill. It would be unfathomable for him."
"It was not Dumbledore, my Lord. It was Harry Potter."
"Potter?"
"Yes my Lord. He was speaking in Parseltongue, and spells flew from his hands, many leaving your servants wounded, some killing in most violent and vicious ways. He moved so quick he was barely seen, my Lord."
"You saw this, but did not kill him yourself?"
"I would have tried, master, but I felt delivering this information to you would be more important."
"You have done well in informing me of Potter's power. But you failed me in killing him, or recruiting new servants for me! Crucio!"
"He knows." Harry said, breathing heavily. "He knows how strong I am now."
The three sat in silence now. None speaking about this new revelation, or the problem it caused. Harry knew this meant the war was again playing to Voldemort's side, because he had knowledge of his enemy. Harry and the Order knew almost nothing about Voldemort now, and as such they were at a disadvantage.
The five Marauders, the Weasleys, and Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped out of the pensieve, none looking as upset as Harry had expected. Molly looked at Harry sadly and hugged him tight. She cried as she did this and began softly apologizing to Harry. Harry stood stunned at this action from a person who was cursing him only hours before.
"I didn't realize Harry! I thought you helped, but I never thought you six children fought almost an entire war on your own. I'm so sorry Harry." Molly said.
"It was not your fault. I wish I could have saved Percy." Harry said.
This talk went on for a while, people apologizing to others and them apologizing as well. Dumbledore spoke about their next plan of action, and all nodded gravely. When this was over the six were given an excuse from the days classes. They went upstairs and tried not to think about anything that happened that day.
That night, Harry went to sleep early, his thoughts still heavy from the things that happened that day, as well as the things he had learned. He hoped he would be able to sleep. Lately his sleep was interrupted not with thoughts of Voldemort or Sirius, but of people falling down dead, bleeding from wounds caused by swords or spells. These thoughts had begun to haunt him.
Harry was standing in front of the mirror of Erised. He kept thinking he only wanted the Sorcerers stone. He felt it in his pocket and began lying to Voldemort, or Quirell, or whatever odd combination they were. Harry ran and when caught he heard Voldemort scream. He began touching Voldemort, grabbing Quirell's face until the screaming stopped and Harry had blacked out.
Harry was standing in the chamber of secrets. He looked around carefully, knowing that a basilisk could be hiding here. He felt as though he had lost all sense of time. It felt like he was twelve again, waiting to be eaten by the huge snake. When it burst from the door rapidly. Suddenly everything moved at a speed he could never have dreamed of. He saw himself getting the sword from Fawkes, fighting the basilisk, stabbing the journal, watching Tom Riddle fade, watching Fawkes drop a tear into his open wound.
Harry was in a graveyard. Voldemort had used his blood to return himself to life. He began his speech about his return, tried to make Harry bow, call him master. Harry refused. Cedric was killed. Harry dueled Voldemort, their wands connected. Harry saw Cedric and his parents. They said they would help him escape. Harry ran quickly, but not before grabbing Cedric's body.
Harry was running into the room of Prophecies. He kept searching for Sirius. He had to find him, he wouldn't stop looking till he found him. He found the prophecy, the all important prophecy. He fought the death eaters, saw Sirius fall through the veil, and chased Bellatrix to the entrance of the Ministry of Magic. Voldemort tried to control him, but his pain and love caused him to flee.
Harry was standing in front of the Weasley's hiding spot, fighting death eaters as quickly as he could. He stopped and sent a massive spell. He faced Voldemort again, this time pushing himself too far. Tricking Voldemort into fleeing he stood there, strong and defiant. Then he felt the blackness come over him as he fell to unconsciousness.
He was back in the middle of the war. Again things were moving to fast for him to see everything. He was casting spells then holding the sword, then whispering spells in Parseltongue, then shouting the spells as tears fell from his eyes after every person he attacked fell to the ground dying or dead. Then he saw the explosion.
Harry was standing in a space that was completely black. He could see no floor, ceiling, or walls. He did see two people standing in front of him. One was very thin, slightly pale, and looked as if a gentle breeze would send him flying. His hair was almost as black as the room, and his eyes were crystal blue. The other was a man looked rather like nobility. Strong features, a slightly weathered look to his face as if he had seen troubles in his time, muscular in the fashion of Harry, meaning he looked thin but strong. His hair was blonde with eyes as brown as chocolate.
"He is brave." The blonde man said. "Courageous to a fault, actually. Hard working and loyal as well. Those qualities would be needed to find your chamber, and to save a friend."
"Yes, he is. Cunning as well." Said the other. "It would take a great amount of deceit to even attempt to hide a secret from someone who he was told was more powerful than he, especially when that person is called one of the most powerful of his time. Also to trick this same soul again, convincing him that he had unlimited potential with his power when he felt ready to fall. No need to mention intelligence. None of this could have been done without at least some brains."
"I believe it is time." The blonde man said firmly.
"Who are you? Where are we? What am I doing here?" Harry asked.
"You wear our rings boy." Said the man with black hair. "I am Salazar Slytherin, he is Godric Gryffindor."
"We are in your mind, and you are here because it is time for something very important." Gryffindor said.
"It is time for you to inherit the power and strength of the rings." Slytherin said. "And to accept our knowledge."
"We know your enemy knows you are powerful. We have decided now is the time to awaken that which rests inside you. It is time to allow you to completely harness the power inside you." Gryffindor said.
"What is going to happen?" Harry asked.
"Do not worry, Harry Potter, you are safe. We are merely going to make sure you have the power needed to defeat your enemy." Gryffindor said. "Now, close your eyes."
Serena sat on the bed watching Harry. She was worried he was having nightmares again. He kept thrashing about on the bed talking about things that she knew had happened to him in his life. She kept wondering whether she should wake him up when suddenly he stopped moving and rested peacefully. Then he began to talk.
"Who are you? Where are we? What am I doing here?"
She looked at him confused at first. He had never talked in his sleep before, but looking at his eyes she knew he was still sleeping. She decided to wait and see if it was just a phase of a new nightmare taking over him. Then he spoke again.
"What is going to happen?"
She was about to wake him when a gold light surrounded him and she noticed both the rings glowing, one red, one green. Harry began to float over the bed, his arms hanging outstretched at his sides and he began to scream. This shook her from her stunned state quickly and she ran from the room screaming at the others to get teachers, Dumbledore, the Order, anyone who would be able to help. Then she ran back to the room.
A few minutes later they returned with Dumbledore, Remus, Sam, McGonagall, Madam Pomphrey, and Professor Flitwick. Everyone stared at Harry, stunned at what they saw. Harry was hovering three feet above the bed. None moved towards him as they saw gold streaks of lightning burst from his skin and causing the gold orb surrounding him to grow brighter.
Suddenly all five of the teenagers screamed clutching various parts of their body. Serena ran to Ron and lifted his shirt sleeve. The stag was standing tall, but the panther would come and go. It kept returning faster and faster, causing Serena to fall to the floor in tears. She kept crying 'no, it can't be, no, no'. She knew that the tattoo having Snuffles appear meant Harry was dead. Those who weren't there that summer began to look confused, not knowing what was happening.
Suddenly the pain in their tattoos stopped and the light surrounding Harry disappeared. Harry fell slowly to the bed still not moving. The four other teens began crying with Serena, all of them saying he couldn't be dead. The teachers looked at each other with concern on their faces, Sam in tears at the thought of Harry being dead. They quickly began comforting the children while crying themselves.
"Must you people always assume I'm dead every time something unexplained happens?" Harry asked, sounding annoyed. "That bit is getting old." He added, smiling as he sat up.
Serena looked at him. "But the tattoos! They hurt, Ron's showed the panther coming and going, and you said that meant." She said, but forgot her words as she hugged him.
"It was just something that happened to me." Harry said. "Guess my body wasn't as ready as they thought. Only almost died, love."
Ron looked at his tattoo and smiled. "There's no panther there!"
"Of course not Ron." Harry said. "But I do have some very good news."
"What is that, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I now truly have the power the dark lord knows not!" Harry said triumphantly.