DGD took a break this chapter, sorry guys.
X-nay on the owning Arry-Hay Otter-Pay.
Chapter 4 Section 1 Written by: Thorn
Harry whipped around wildly on his comandeered broomstick, cursin every Death Eater in sight. However, they had caught on to the life destruction curse that he had used to create so much carnage in the beginning, and unlike Avada Kedavra, this curse was blockable.
Meanwhile Dumbledore watched on from the forest in a cold shock. Tom had tricked him...there was nothing out here...and he knew why Hogwarts was being attacked. This wasn't so much about an attack on Hogwarts as it was addicting Harry to the Dark Arts and the Headmaster knew it.
A fury shook the old man that hadn't flowed through him since Grindlewald had annihalted his family. He snapped his fingers and Fawkes appeared by his side.
"Old friend...inform the Giant Squid and the Mer people that it is time for them to defend their home." Fawkes vanished in a flash of fire and Dumbledore summoned his own broomstick and flew into battle.
Fawkes appeared in a fiery explosion over the lake, his flaming aura reflecting off the water surface. Letting out a call that was heard all across the battle, only silence remained as the combatants looked on curiously.
Said silence was short lived.
The Giant Squid rushed to the surface, flailing it's tentacles like giant deadly whips. Catching a whole company of Death Eaters with a stroke, the Squid let out a heart stopping roar. The Death Eaters that the squid had touched with it's deadly tentacles lacked all skin. Appearntly the Squid thought the suctioning power of it's tentacles added a nice touch.
Harry grinned maniacally and let out a battle cry of his own as he let out more waves of destruction.
Mean while the Mer people made their appearence, wielding massive tridents and other assortments of weapons. The battle cry of the Mer was perhaps the horrifying death omen that night. Who could forget what the Mer languange sounded out of water...? The mer people threw their weapons with deadly accuracy, impaling many a Death Eater to the castle wall.
Lucius Malfoy floated right infront of the Chosen One. He knew what this mission was truly for. Potter had rode the high horse and thought he was powerful. Now it was time to knock him down and make him envy for power even more. Lucius grinned and spoke.
"I see you've learned somethings Mr.Potter...but surely they're not teaching the Life Destruction curse at Defense Against the Dark Arts? But alas, it's only too bad you're not strong evough to stop me."
Enraged, Harry cast the life destruction curse again. "DESTRUCTUM MORTIFERUS!"
Malfoy lazily swept his wand and actually caught the curse on the tip of his wand. He studied it lazily.
"Hmm. You do indeed have power young Mr.Potter. But there is one problem...you lack finese." One lazy flick later and the curse was rebounded to Harry's broom.
Harry's last thoughts as he fell were that he had to get stronger...then he hit something hard.
Dumbledore was releived to see a Theastral catch Harry before he hit the ground. With a renewed ambition, the defeater of Grindelwald flew into battle.
Dumbledore surged forward. His power flew about him like a massive electrical storm. Gone was the gentle headmaster. Here was the fury driven man that had lain waste to Grindlewald. No one could anymore argue why Albus Dumbledore was the only one Voldemort feared. The famed wizard let loose wide arcs of powerful light and even dark magics. Another sweep of his wand and a company of Death Eaters brooms vanished from beneath them...which left them falling right into the caniverous mouth of the Giant Squid. Dumbledore was quickly teaching his foes why he said there were worse things than death.
After all, transfiguring peoples brooms into starving crocodiles made for a much more painful death than Avada Kedavra.
Lucius grinned "So long Headmaster. Finite Incantum."
Dumbledore was horrified out of his former fury. All these people were under the Imperious curse...and he and Harry had killed so many...and the rest were now falling from massive heights to their doom. Shaking the horror off, he and Fawkes did their best to slow the former mind slaves descent. Between the two, they managed to save many wizards...but so many more were lost...
The Headmaster landed and fell to his hands and knees in agony and guilt. Fawkes perched near him and sang soothingly. He whispered to himself
"Your plan worked Tom...but not in the way you had hoped. Harry will crave power like none before him...but he will use it to put your head on a platter..."
Sighing, the dejected Mugwump picked up Harry and apparated through the Hogwarts wards into his office where he tucked Harry into his own massive bed. He would talk to the boy after he dealt with the legal and political affairs of the monstrous situation.
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After insuring Hogwarts would stay open, Albus was ready to wake Harry up. It would take some calming down...Ten students had been killed...Countless more had been injured.
Harry woke with a start and quickly drew his wand.
"Calm down Harry...the battle is over." And so Dumbledore retold the story of Voldemort and Malfoy's trickery.
Harry was also horrified of the imperio'd Death Eaters. He had killed innocents, people who had no idea what they were doing. But another voice deep down argued that he had killed people who were too weak even to defend their own wills. He might've killed innocents...but they were liabilities...puppets of the enemy. His musing was interrupted by Dumbledore.
"How does it feel, Harry, to have taken life?"
"Don't you dare preach to m-" But Harry's rage was cut off but the Head Master, who had taken on a harsh tone.
"Do not presume, Mr.Potter, that I am going to either preach or lecture you." His tone lightened and he went on softer
"I am merely trying to help you come to terms with what you've done...I made the the same mistakes many times in wars long past, and even tonight. Believe it or not Harry, what you did was right tonight. While the attackers can not be held accountable, they were taking the lives of your classmates. Your actions saved lives. Don't be too hard on your self is all I'm trying to say."
Harry stared wide eyed. Thats not what he had expected at all from Dumbledore. But then a realization hit Harry...Not only was he a liability at Hogwarts...the old school had nothing more to offer him...the power he so craved couldn't be reached at the school, or at least not yet, and there were many more places that did...
"Headmaster...I have to leave...I'm sorry for the trouble." It was almost the truth...he did have to leave, but he was not at all sorry for the trouble...The trouble was worth it. The trouble made him realize he had to get stronger...and besides...it was fun causing that much chaos.
Albus nodded. He had expected that much and couldn't stop Harry from leaving even had he tried. He could only try to keep the Chosen One close to the Light.
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Chapter 4-2 Written by: Chuck Da Truck
Harry entered the large conference room anxiously. It had taken him lots of wheedling, persuading, and pressuring to get here. And gold...lots of gold. The goblin council was not known for taking visitors, especially humans. Harry tried to use occlumency to calm himself, but he had little grasp of the subject, which was something he knew he had to remedy quickly. Fortunately, Harry had some ideas, and if his plan worked, he could make a massive leap forward today.
Harry sat down quietly in front of the 4 council members. As expected the goblins wore loincloths, as it was customary in goblin culture for the higher-ups to wear less clothing. This was done to demonstrate their confidence and the lack of armor they needed (unless a general, who still wore traditional armor.) In fact, it was rumored that the goblin leader walked around nude, only surrounded by his guards.
Suddenly, an older goblin with gray hair coming out of his ears, and man-boobs stood up. His eyes seemed cloudy, and it was with surprise that Harry realized the creature had glaucoma. "Mr. Potter," the goblin spoke with an aging cracked voice that seemed to choke and wheeze, "Why have you come before this noble council to request?" The magical being paused and suddenly from the back a fully-dressed servant came forward carrying a spitoon. The elderly creature hawked a massive loogie into it, and then added in a much more clear voice, "If you please."
Harry was startled, but quickly nodded his assent. "Well," Harry glanced at the man's nameplate, "my Lord Shi-prick,"
The goblin interrupted and said, "That's Ship-rick, not Shit-prick."
"Ahhh," Harry said as he processed the new information before he continued, "It is well known that the goblins are powerful, formidable creatures, with ancient magics and legendary magics at their disposal."
One of the goblins stood up violently and accidently knocked his loincloth aside, exposing his genitals. He spoke harshly, "And do you expect us, to turn over all our knowledge just because you show us a hint of respect?" Harry was too stunned by the creature's flopping loins to respond, but one of the other council members, Sharpcooch according to the name plate, took it upon herself to respond, "QUIET, CUMSLIP!" she barked. Cumslip was about to make a retort when she said something in a harsh guttural language Harry recognised as Gobbledegook. Harry bowed his head meekly and tried to ignore the arguement. One of the things Harry had learnt at the Dursley's was that if an arguement didn't involve you, STAY OUT.
Suddenly, one of the goblins turned to him and asked him to continue. Taking this as his cue, Harry swept into his sales pitch.
"Well," Harry began, "I would like to know the secret of how goblins domesticate dragons,"
"Absolutely not!" cried Cumslip.
Shiprick, the old goblin, spoke up, "Mr. Potter, dragons have been a traditional defense for us for generations. We simply can not teach you. Next topic."
Harry quickly realized that he would get no where like this. He had another suggestion though. Harry explained, "what if we used one dragon in Demorgo's ritual, and gave me his power?" Demorgo's ritual. It allowed a person to absorb a creature's magic. Unfortunately, like all highly magical creatures, it was difficult to find a dragon that would be able to sit still long enough and be controlled. Harry would have used a Basilisk, but he wouldn't have been able to keep it calm while simultaneously performing the ritual. Basilisks were also exceptionally rare. However, Harry figured it wouldn't be a problem with the tame dragons the goblins have, and since it could only be performed once, Harry wanted the most poweful creature he could.
He was snapped out of his thoughts as Cumslip snorted. "No one has survived that much raw and sudden magical power. Magic increasing rituals require decades of gradual progress. You are a foolish boy with childish ideas of magic."
Harry felt blood flood into his cheeks and spoke, in a voice that was darker and crueler than his own, "Cumslip, do not be a fool and presume you know me, or my thoughts so well." Cumslip looked angry and seemed ready to lash out, when Harry cut him off. "My plan was to split the power with my familiar." Suddenly there was silence.
Eventually, Sharpcooch raised her voice questioningly. "You have a familiar? At your age," she asked skeptically.
"Indeed," Harry responded coolly, "a thestral." Mutterings broke out among the guards in the back, and Harry knew he had just made a major point.
Shiprick then nodded slowly, and declared, "We are willing to try, although there is serious risk involved." Harry nodded solemnly. He was close to sealing the deal here, and he didn't want to mess things up.
To his surprise, though, Shiprick continued, "We also have another proposal. After the incident with the Philospher's stone, we wanted develop our own device to create immortality. After over 5 years with 150 goblins working constantly, we developed this." At this sign the doors opened and two goblins came in carrying a red cushion. Harry stretched his neck to see what was on it. He was stunned when he saw it was only a small silver flask. "Unfortunately, it only works on humans," Shiprick added.
Harry was quiet for a moment, then finally asked, "So what does it do?"
Cumslip began spluttering. Then, the only goblin who hadn't spoken said, "It creates phoenix tears. Used the same way as normal tears. Put a liquid in and it turns into phoenix tears. You can fill the flask once a day. But you can save the tears after emptying it, or leave them there. Drink 7 drops a day, and you'll remain in prime physical condition."
Harry nodded eagerly. This was a truly extraordinary item. "How much will this cost me," he asked. The female member answered calmly, "Whole kit'n caboodle, for the ritual, and flask, we'll say...hmmm...The Potter Family Vault."
Harry stood up and declared, "How about half, and no items." The goblin nodded, but added, "There aren't any items...just gold," as a gleam came to her eyes. Harry sighed with relief, "Then its a deal?"
In response, she jumped onto the table and removed her loincloth exposing her crotch. All the guards and servants knelt quickly, and Harry also averted his gaze, but for entirely different reasons. "Behold!" she cried. "I am the Bogrot, the leader of this council. Look at me Harry, for we have just struck a monumental accord." Harry looked up at her with mottled grey skin, floppy breasts, and tangled nest of pubic hair. Bile began to rise in his throat. Undeterred, the Bogrot continued, "Harry, we won't harm each other, but neither will we defend you." Harry nodded eager to leave. "Excellent!" she cried, "I certify this agreement as official leader of the goblins, the CXXXXVII Bogrot, formerly known as...Heather."
And with that, the deal was officially struck.
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Chapter 4-3 Written by: Forfie
Harry tossed and turned in his sleep, or actually lack of sleep. Ever since his deal with the goblin council and the site of High Countress Bogrot's disgusting tangle of pubic hair, Harry was not able to get anything long then a power nap. He sat up in the four poster bed in his empty dormitory. Since the attack and subsequent funerals of the ten children and the mind controlled civilians, Hogwarts gave a week long vacation for all families and friends to get their affairs in order. Most students took this as an opportunity to catch up with their families, as it was a major attack on Hogwarts, except for Harry, who stayed in Hogwarts on Dumbledore's request, albeit with his own day trips to Gringotts and Grimauld Place.
The ritual was scheduled for the end of the midterm hols, an easy excursion Harry could make with his threstal familiar, Crispus. The name was a divine inspiration to Harry, a foresight not influenced from anything in his past. Crispus though odd like a wizards name, was neither magical or muggle in origin. It just was, which was the mystery and defining factor to Harry. Harry removed the flask he bought from the Goblin High Council from a box under his bed and examined it.
Alone in his room, Harry examined the ornate silver flask in the moonlight. An ornate but mournful looking phoenix clasping a spiral in its talons was emblazoned on the large sides. A five branch woven pattern creped up the small sides till it flourished to the spiral cap that was connected to the flask by a silver chain. The goblins surely knew how to make a beautiful and useful item. Might as well try it, thought Harry as he took the pitcher of water on the nightstand and filled the flask and then tightly closed it. Shaking it around stupidly making sure it all transforms, Harry unclasped the flask.
Taking a sniff, not truly knowing if phoenix tears had a smell, Harry assumed it was good. Placing his lips slowly onto it and tipping the flask back, he took a small sip. It was cold, but had no taste or texture really, more like a coldness seeping onto his tongue. Clasping the flask again and placing it back into the box, Harry relaxed back onto his bed.
That was a waste of money, he thought ruefully, never trust a goblin…. His last thought was interrupted as his muscles began to tense. His knees bent to his chest as he arched his back, his forearms tensing with all of his veins showing. The pain from not being able to control his muscles as they started to contort his body was near unbelievable, and then it started to fade away slowly.
Harry jumped from his bed rubbing his arms and flexing his muscles. Looking in the mirror, he let out a sigh of defeat, he's physically body hadn't changed. "Fucking Goblin Tricksters! Keeps me in my best physical form, I just have to gain a better physical form for it to keep me in! MERLIN DAMNIT ALL!"
Taking all of his anger and disappointment, Harry hit a marble wall. There was a wet snap as he broke the skin of his fist and the knuckle. Holding his hand as it bleed and was in pain from breaking his knuckles, Harry sighed. It doesn't even revert damage, he thought as he reached for some cloth, wait a sec. He then took out the flask again and poured the phoenix tears on his hand. It smoked and the clear liquid frothed white before the magical reaction ended. Harry wiped the blood and excess liquid away to show his perfectly healed hand. At least it works that way, he thought. Okay, so I need to get into a better shape, listed Harry in his head, for the flask to really mean anything. No problem, what with the ritual coming up. "I need to make some more of this," said Harry picking up the flask again.
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Chapter 4-4 Written by: Lutris Argutiae
Fuck.
That was the first thought that ran through Harry's mind when he contemplated how to fix his busted fist. Strictly speaking, his muscle power and physical force was sadly lacking to the extent that he would break his fist on the marble just by hitting it.
Double Fuck.
Of course, he had the phoenix tears to heal his hand, but what concerned him most was the apparent increase in strength he had just experienced. Before, he would have only been able to put even a small fracture in the bones of his hand if he had placed a strength magnifying charm of great magnitude on him self. But here he was, breaking his fist open with one single punch.
That dramatic increase in strength could only come from one thing: the phoenix tears. Seeing as nobody before had ever procured enough to drink, or had only had the precious liquid when they sustained major injury, Harry thought it was plain that this effect was till now, unknown.
While his body had not changed one bit, the energy within had risen exponentially.
He paused. If his physical strength had increased to that extent… what of his magical strength?
Harry quickly pulled his wand, and walked into the only room he could think of that would suit his needs at Hogwarts. He walked through the door that appeared for him, and entered the Room of Requirement.
Once inside, he proceeded to hurl a Reductor Curse at a power-level indicator that had appeared out of thin air. His usual level was at around three-hundred and seventy; for comparison's sake, when Ron had tried it with the same curse during a DA meeting, he had managed a level three-hundred, a little above average power for a sixteen year old.
The curse, during the course of Harry's musings, had impacted on the target board of the indicator. It 'fwooped' loudly (how wizards thought of these things, Harry would have no idea till the end of his days), and he looked at the smoky numbers forming above the machine.
five-hundred and eighty-nine.
Harry's eyes bulged. A Reductor Curse of his usual level would cause a miniature crater two inches deep on soft rock; a five-hundred fifty could punch a hole six deep wide through concrete. His was near five-hundred and ninety.
'Damn,' he thought. 'This stuff's useful…'
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It was now four hours later, and Harry was lounging in one of the plush chairs in the Black Family Library, perusing even more Dark Arts books. He could honestly not get enough of the destructive power that was exuded by the enchantments… Ever since the battle where he had met Crispus, his lust for strength had not stopped on its increase.
But his yearning for power was going to have to come the hard way; the phoenix tears' effect on his overall power and strength had worn off about a half an hour after his experimentation in the Room of Requirement. And his body was creaking at its joints like an ill-oiled muggle machine. To be blunt, he was in no condition to be fit for exercise of any sort; even a mild jog would put too much stress on him self.
Apparently, the tears were to be used as a physical-tonic, and healing salve for normal purposes; the energy increasing effect he had discovered seemed to wear out after an hour, and would force the body to exhaust itself, and was therefore only useful in battle situations. Of course, that was all that was needed anyhow, since it would only work if his blood was spilled, or he had violence on his mind.
He had tested the tears' power raising on a few lab rats he had procured from a muggle source a few weeks back to try out unknown potions on, and had since concluded that the power increase was directly proportional to the amount of tears consumed. Although, some of his subjects who had ingested more than one four-hundreth of their body weight of the substance seemed to burn all of the energy in their body out, and died shortly after the effects had worn off.
He would have to be careful in his use of the flask in the future; for he was sure to use the liquid in upcoming battles and duels.
One never knew when something would be of use.
Although, with the ritual date coming closer and closer in the coming weeks, he knew that he wouldn't need to worry about his physical state much longer.
Demorgo's Ritual would infuse the dragon's energy into himself, to be split with Crispus, evenly. Apparently, he would take on a few features of the subject, in this case, draconian traits would be transferred. Since there was only one successful completion of the ritual recorded in history, conducted by Antonio Demorgo himself, it was hard to guess what kinds of traits would be transferred, however. Demorgo had written that he had used the ritual on a minor breed of acromantula; he had gained an impossibly inhuman sense of balance, and a craving for raw meat he hadn't previously had.
The possibilities excited Harry to the limits.
He grinned manically.
Only a few more weeks, and I'll be closer to my goal!
Nobody was there to notice his scar glowing a faint black-rimmed yellow, and then shift to a greenish-yellow tint with a minute pulse of dark power...