Harry Potter and the Guardian's Song
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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
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Chapter 2: Eyes of Determination
Professor McGonagall was sitting at her desk, working on some paper work in her office a Hogwarts. The day was bright and there were no clouds. As she wrote she took a second to stare out her window and look upon the school grounds. She had two orders from Dumbledore. Wait at Hogwarts for his elder brother Aberforth Dumbledore and prepare registration forms and the sorting hat for a new student. When she had questioned Dumbledore the reason for sorting the student in the middle of summer, she did not expect him to say that he will be joining in sixth year. She was also told to prepare school supplies for the student, including school robes, books, stationary, and potions supplies. He had given her his permission to use his personal Gringotts account. She had always known that Dumbledore was a bit mad, but using his personal bank account for a transfer student.
Out on the lawns of the courtyard, a swirl of light flashed then quickly disappeared, leaving an elderly wizard dressed in midnight blue robes. He highly resembled Dumbledore. If she had not met Aberforth once a while ago, she would have thought it were Albus. Getting up from her seat, she walked out of her office, through the halls and out onto the courtyard to greet Aberforth. As she walked up he greeted her with a smile.
"Ah…so good to see you again Minerva! I see that my younger brother hasn't arrived?" Aberforth asked. She gave him a smile in return before shaking her head.
"No, Albus hasn't returned. He informed me that he might not be back for a few days when he left. And he left just three days ago. I had a guest room prepared for you just in case Albus took a little bit longer than expected." Aberforth nodded. Aberforth nodded.
"I believe that my younger brother will be here momentarily. Lets just take a few steps over." He pointed above them and they saw a swirl of lights appear. He and Professor McGonagall stepped to the left and as if on cue, Dumbledore arrived along with Lupin, Tonks, Professor Snape, Hagrid, and the student she believed was James.
"Ah hello there Minerva, Aberforth. I see you have arrived without any problems?" He greeted his brother with a twinkle in his eyes. They each gave each other a greeting hug before they turned to the group of wizards and witches. They both looked remarkably similar. "Everyone! Meet my elder brother Aberforth!" They each exchanged greetings.
"Thank you Albus. And I am glad to see that you have returned safe and successful." Aberforth said while looking at James. He found James looking up at the castle around them. Dumbledore turned to look at James as well.
"James, I believe that my brother would like to speak to you. Minerva, have you prepared all that I have asked?" She nodded. "Very well then! Let us go inside and have a spot of lunch, as I am quite hungry." Lupin laughed at this. Hagrid turned in the other direction.
"Pardon me…jus' need the check up on me animals an' Fang. Poor creature probably wen' through my mea' stock 'gain." Hagrid said walking towards his hut. Dumbledore lead the rest away into the castle, leaving his brother and James.
James shifted uncomfortably and looked at the lake. Aberforth saw the sadness on his face. He regretted training him for that evil reason.
"James…how have you been?" He asked hoping that he had not hurt the boy too much. Without turning to look at Aberforth, James answered him.
"I've been fine. Been traveling around quite a lot." Even though he did not hate his old mentor, he did not know if he could trust him. He sighed.
"Aye…how many times has the Ministry tried to catch you?" Aberforth asked trying to get James to talk a bit more. James sat on the ground, staring out at the lake and the cliffs.
"I've been staying in areas in Asia, it's a good place to hide. Although, the Ministry found me a few times. But they could never catch me. That traveling spell you taught me is the most useful spell in the world." James gave a little laugh. This made Aberforth's eyes light up. He say down next to James before continuing.
"Ah…the elemental traveling spell. Eoinventus Ireitium. That spell has gotten me out of so much trouble in the past!" He began laughing. 'He hasn't changed much…but you can see sadness in his eyes.' "I see you're in good health."
"You did teach me all that you know about healing." James answered still staring out at the lake. Aberforth looked at James.
"James…I am sorry for what I did in the past. I never wanted to teach you for that purpose. At that time I was under the Ministry's control and I had to do what they asked. When you were put under my guardianship, I was constantly debating with myself to refuse the Ministry. Just to raise you like a normal child and teach you to use your powers for helping others. I still don't understand how the Ministry could ask me to train a child to kill…I don't know if you can forgive me, but I just want you to know that I am deeply sorry. And I would be very thankful if you could accept this old mans apology. All the time that I raised you, I thought of you as my grandson and even now, I still do." Aberforth spoke his apology to James, tears dripping from his eyes. James turned and looked at his old mentor before pulling him into a hug.
"Its alright…I forgive you. I was never really mad at you, but at the Ministry." James pulled back and looked at his mentor and rolled his eyes. "And your still a softy." Aberforth game him a sly smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope and a scroll. Handing both to James he said,
"Its just a small surprise I prepared." James took the items and opened the letter first. It was a letter from the Gringotts Bank.
Dear Mr. James A. Archeor,
Due to the recent administrations of Mr. Aberforth L. Dumbledore, we are pleased to inform you, by Mr. Aberforth L. Dumbledore's wishes, that you are now labeled the next heir of the Dumbledore name. Upon turning the age of sixteen, you will inherit access to the Dumbledore Family and Treasure Vault. At the age of seventeen, when you become a legal adult wizard, you will inherit the full possession of the Dumbledore Family Vaults, all fortunes, and all owned Lands and Estates.
Congratulations and we hope that you wear the title, "Heir of Dumbledore", proudly.
Sincerely,
Gristhil of the Inheritance Department of Gringott's Bank
James read the letter over twice, to make sure he was mistaking anything before turning to Aberforth.
"Are you serious? Did you really name me your heir?" He asked with disbelief. Aberforth gave a little chuckle and spoke.
"Of course I am serious and yes, I really did name you my heir. Now open the scroll, I have one last surprise for you." Aberforth's eyes were twinkling, much like Dumbledore's when he is up to something mischievous. By now James was beginning to feel overwhelmed, but still, he wanted to see what else Aberforth had in store for him. He gently undid the ribbon on the scroll and unrolled it and began reading. As soon as he read the Header of the scroll, he immediately knew what it was. They were adoption papers. James gave out a big smile.
"You know you didn't have to go through so much." Aberforth gave out another laugh.
"Ah…but I don't think you would be the kind of person to wear a title. Now you can have to actual name. Welcome to the Dumbledore family. Oh yes, and you have to sign the papers first so it can be recorded at Gringott's" Aberforth's face lit up like a small child's. He pulled out a strange red quill. "Your name must be signed in blood, twice. The first must be your name as it is now, the second must be your new name." James nodded and took the quill from Aberforth. Aberforth took out his wand and with a quick wave, a small podium appeared.
James placed the scroll down on the podium and pricked his finger with the quill. First he signed, James A. Archeor, then moved to the line below and signed, James A. Dumbledore. As he finished the second name the ink flashed and turned black. Meaning that the process was complete. Meaning that the process was complete. "Nice to meet you James Dumbledore!" Aberforth joked. James thought for a minute, looking out at the lake before getting up.
"What am I supposed to do now?" James asked. He had an entire fortune now, before he had just what he needed. Now he could have almost anything he wanted. Aberforth smiled.
"You could always go to Diagon Alley and spoil yourself a wee bit. Get some nice robes, get an expensive broom, or anything you want." Aberforth suggested. "Or right now we could go into the Great Hall and grab a bite to eat…?" James laughed at this. He remembered that his mentor always tried to make everyone laugh. James nodded.
"Lets go inside, I haven't seen the inside yet." Aberforth waved his wand and the podium disappeared. They both began walking to the castle.
"Tomorrow I'm going to Gringott's to drop off the papers on the adoption. You can come and look at the vaults if you want?" James nodded. As they walked through the halls of the castle, James marveled at the interior, just like a first year would have. The moving paintings, suits of armor, giant statues, and large banners.
Dumbledore was sitting at the Gryffindor house table along with Professor McGonagall, Remus, and Tonks. Snape had gone to his Potions office to eat in peace. As James and Aberforth walked into the Great Hall, Aberforth announced out loud.
"May I present to you all the new heir of the Dumbledore family! James Dumbledore." James stopped dead in his tracks and closed his eyes in embarrassment. Professor Dumbledore and Tonks were laughing and Lupin was clapping. Professor McGonagall had an amused look on her face. James opened his eyes and glared at his mentor. He took a seat by Lupin and began eating. Aberforth was smiling as he walked over to the table and began conversing with everyone.
James spent the rest of the day exploring the castle. He had discovered many of the secret passages, and many times found himself in the dungeons. When dinner time came around he wandered back to the Great Hall were he found his mentor, Albus Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall. As he got closer, he overheard them talking about him. He hid behind the pillar at the entrance of the Hall to hear more of their conversation.
"This will be a new experience for James. He has never been around other wizards and witches his age before." He heard his mentor's voice.
"Has he never made any friends or befriended anybody his age when he was with you?" This time it was Professor McGonagall's voice. He heard a cup being placed on the table.
"No, when I was teaching him, we were always traveling. The powers that he possesses can be very dangerous so I taught him privately so that he can obtain full control. Every place we went normally was just a cottage in the middle of nowhere. I would always have the right supplies though. That was how he was able to advance so far in magic in just five years." There was his mentor's voice again.
"I'm sure he will do fine. But we also need to make sure that James gets sorted into Gryffindor. If he is to protect Harry, he will need to befriend him. Harry and his friends still have that knack for getting into danger; this way, there will be help, if I am not able to be there for him in time." This time he heard Albus Dumbledore's voice. As he continued to listen in on their conversation, realization hit James.
'I'm going to be around other people my age this year!' James was nervous for the first time in a very long time. Before, when he was being taught by Aberforth, he was never around kids his age, only adults and usually Ministry workers. Calming himself down, James walked into the open and sat down at the table. Their conversation stopped immediately. He tried to pull off an innocent act.
"What did I do?" He asked. Aberforth gave him a knowing look. As for everyone else, they just smiled. James knew that only Aberforth knew that he was eavesdropping. Professor Dumbledore looked at a small watch on his wrist and let out a fake gasp.
"Oh my its getting quite late. Ten o'clock! Once you are finished with your meal James, I will show you and my elder brother to your rooms." Professor McGonagall gave him an amused look. Just from the hurriedness in his voice, James could easily tell something was up. James finished his meal quickly so that he could get to his room. "Are you finished James?" Dumbledore asked and James nodded in response.
"Am I going to be staying in one of the dorms? Or do you have guest rooms?" James asked. Dumbledore smiled and stood up.
"You are going to be staying in one of the guest suites. I had two prepared earlier for you and my brother. And if you will follow me, I'll gladly show you to your rooms." He motioned them to follow him and he showed them to their rooms where they retired for the night.
In Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore was going through his possessions. All the little knickknacks and very peculiar items were being pushed aside as he searched. Finally, after giving out an awe of amazement, he pulled a small necklace out with a round pendant. The pendant was gold and it had odd runes inscribed in a pattern around the outer edge of the pendant. In the middle was a small jewel, which appeared to made of amber. He walked over to his desk and the door to his office opened. In walked Professor McGonagall and Snape. Dumbledore looked at his watch. It was twelve midnight.
"Any word on how the retrieval of Harry went?" He asked with urgency. Professor Snape shook his head and stepped forward.
"No, there hasn't been any word yet. I just arrived from Headquarters and according to Mundungus, they had left just ten minutes before I arrived. They had planned to pick up Potter at midnight. And I assume that we will be getting word soon." Snape reported. Dumbledore gave a sigh of worry.
"Very well. Snape you may leave, and if any news comes, please tell me post haste! Minerva could you go to Headquarters and await their arrival." With that, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape left. Dumbledore turned to a familiar hat sitting on the shelf in a small spot light. It was the sorting hat, which seemed to be staring at him. "When you sort James tomorrow, I need you to place him in Gryffindor regardless if he should belong to any of the other houses. It is of vital importance." The hat looked at him in surprise.
"Of vital importance! You were speaking earlier about wanting to give the boy a chance to be a normal teenage student, but if you really want Potter that well protected, then so be it. I still don't understand why you would put so much trust in a wizard the same age as Potter." The hat scolded him. Dumbledore laughed.
"I am over one hundred-fifty years old, and even now I am being scolded. Though, I am glad that someone is—" He was interrupted by a flash of light and when it receded, Molly Weasley was kneeling on the floor partially crying, holding the crippled form of Harry Potter. She immediately looked at him.
"HELP ME! He's Dying!" She yelled at Dumbledore. Dumbledore wasted no time, he brought out his wand and waved it at Harry, who's body rose and stopped, as if he was on a stretcher. His breathing was very short and irregular. Dumbledore guided Harry's body out of his office and rushed to the hospital wing.
"Poppy!" He yelled as he reached the hospital wing. The doors to the infirmiry burst open and he laid Harry onto one of the beds. Madame Pomfree came rushing out of her office still adjusting her attire. She took one look at Harry and began checking him with her wand.
"What has happened! Was he attacked?" She asked in a worried manner. Dumbledore shook his head.
"I do not know. I was in my office when Molly came in by portkey. Maybe she could clear things up." He said breathing heavily. Molly came running through the door gasping for air. She looked at Harry and burst out crying. Soon Aberforth and Professor Snape came running through the door.
"Headmaster, there was an attack on Privet Drive. I do not know the full details but I just received news from Arthur Weasley. It seems that Deatheaters found there way to Harry and were searching the homes on that street." Dumbledore nodded.
"Could someone give Molly a Draught of Peace to calm her down. Poppy, how is he?" Dumbledore asked, trying calm everyone down. She shook her head.
"This is terrible. He has many wounds all over his body and one very large wound on his abdomen." She waved her wand, removing his shirt to reveal the open wound. "He has lost a lot of blood and there is internal damage. Also, this large wound could be fatal. I will do all that I can, in the mean time, get some healers from St. Mungoe's." She shook her head at the horror before her. Aberforth stepped forward.
"There may not be anytime for that. James and I will heal him." Aberforth said with hope. This time, Snape stepped forward.
"Are you expecting me to believe that a child could heal this mess?" Snape retorted. Aberforth glared at him.
"James!" Aberforth yelled. A second later the wind blew a light breeze from the window and James' body began materializing in the pattern the wind was blowing.
"Dear Merlin!" Molly screeched. Aberforth rolled his eyes.
"James we need to heal him now!" James nodded and moved Madame Pomfree aside. She scoffed.
"Grandfather, keep his heart beating, I will work on restoring his blood and healing his wounds." James said taking charge. Aberforth smiled and did as he was told. He placed one hand over Harry's heart and pointed his wand at his hand and said some spell none of the others could hear. A red light sprayed from his wand and into his hand, soon his hand began to glow the same red light as his wand. James placed his hands over the large flesh would on Harry's abdomen.
"Vigoratus Vulnus" he said quietly. A blue light emmited from his hands and he pressed them into the wound. Harry's body arched forward and he gave a cry of pain. Mrs. Weasley screamed. Everyone in the room looked in astonishment at what was happening. The torn flesh began lacing back together, the wound began to disappear. Once James finished healing the large wound he began to work on the other wounds on his chest, arms, legs, and face. Soon all the wounds had disappeared, but they had left scars. Harry's face was still deathly pale. He had lost a lot of blood.
Aberforth concentrated on keeping Harry's heart beating normally. This way, his body didn't go into shock. James placed his hands on the middle of Harry's chest and muttered, "Renovo Recrosalus". A red substance began leaking out of James' hands. As the substance came in contact with Harry's skin, it seeped through and entered his body. Dumbledore watched James very carefully. Aberforth looked at James with a scared look on his face.
"James! Be careful with that spell! It could kill you!" Aberforth yelled but James ignored him. He only put more power into the spell. "James!" Aberforth yelled again.
"Shut up!" James looked at him with eyes he had only seen once before. He instantly knew that James was determined to save the dying boy.
Mrs. Weasley held her hands over her mouth. Professor McGonagall had sat down next to her, not knowing what to say or if she should say anything. At that moment, they heard foot steps walking in the halls. Mr. Weasley pushed open the doors and he walked in, followed by Remus Lupin, Moody, Kingsley, the Twins, and Tonks. When Lupin and Tonks saw Harry they gave a loud gasp. Tonks had her hands over her mouth. Molly ran to her husband and Dumbledore preceeded to explain to Lupin and Tonks what had apparently happened.
Harry's body was ghostly white as well as James, who's face was turning the same shade as Harry's. Harry's breathing was becoming more erratic. Aberforth noticed James' face and yelled once more.
"James stop it! You're killing yourself!" Aberforth's eyes spelled fear. James gave him another look telling him to be quiet. As James put more power into his spell his hands began to shake and his own breathing started to become irregular. More of the red substance began flowing from James' hands. Dumbledore looked at the substance and figured out what it was. James was magically transferring his own blood into Harry to save him. Looking back at Harry, he noticed immediately that Harry's skin was beginning to turn back to its normal color and his breathing began calming. "JAMES!" Aberforth yelled once more.
