Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter 7: Restless
Harry kept reading different theories about how Dementors could have come about, but the first one he read made the most sense, even if he didn't know what a Horcrux was. He just knew it made someone's soul diminish based on Ravenclaw's writings.
He read up on the Patronus and found that it was truly remarkable that he could make one at the age of 13. Although, everything he was doing now is remarkable for someone age 14. Harry read more and made several silver stags when he was interrupted by the two faithful, remaining Marauders.
Upon seeing the Patronus, Padfoot and Moony both said, "Hi James. Harry, he looks just like your dad did."
Harry grinned before giving Remus his potion and chatting with them. "So, Dumbledore asked me to read up on Dementors…either of you know what a Horcrux is?"
"No, why?" Sirius answered as Remus shook his head with him.
Harry explained the theory, and both of the men agreed that it sounded like a possibility. They dueled again, with Harry winning all but a few, before Moony and Padfoot left. Harry went back to his studies and finished everything he could find on Dementors. He finished up and after his nightly routine, got into bed.
Harry awoke and went for his morning workout. Harry could tell he was gaining muscle and endurance. He was still slim, but not as scrawny as he used to be. Dumbledore walked in just as Harry finished his treacle tart.
"Hello, Professor," Harry said through a mouthful of food. "I found some interesting things about Dementors."
"I am excited to hear about it." Dumbledore appeared amused at Harry's easygoing attitude towards him.
Harry swallowed and he dove right into Ravenclaw's theory about Storant Grentlewald becoming a Dementor by using too many Horcruxes. Harry saw Dumbledore tense up at the word Horcruxes, and Harry asked, "What is a Horcrux, sir?"
"That, Harry, is a good question. Let's take Lord Voldemort for an example. Young Tom Riddle was an orphan, as you know. He was angry at his parents when he found out about his powers, and his past. You saw the grave where his father and grandparents lived. Tom killed his only remaining family.
"When someone murders, they lose a bit of their soul…and that, is where the Horcrux comes into play. Voldemort used the loss of his soul, and harnessed that piece inside of an object. A very important object…well, wouldn't you want a piece of your soul in a thing of great significance?
"Tom placed his soul into his diary," Harry's eyes had widened as he heard the explanation, but now his mouth dropped open as recognition hit him. Dumbledore continued, "A diary that would fall into the hands of a girl fifty years after it was made a piece of his soul. A diary that would be destroyed nine months later by a certain young man here in front of me."
"So his diary was his Horcrux? What does that mean? What happened to him?"
"Correction, his diary was one of his Horcruxes...it means that there is one less piece of his soul to destroy…and Voldemort, I believe, was unaffected directly, other than that he has one less piece of his soul…no pain or harm was done to the being of Voldemort."
"He made more? How many times can someone split their soul? According to Storant Grentlewald, there is a limit."
"Yes I believe there is a limit, which is why we need not worry about him continually making more and more. I do not know the limit, but it does not matter, just that there is one. Voldemort would have been killed that night when he killed your parents, Harry, but he had Horcruxes to keep him…I daresay…alive.
"He existed…I'm not sure how, but he was not dead. When he nearly came out of the Diary, I believe his self that inhabited Quirrell, and after that, was in Albania would join him in his younger self. A year ago, when Peter Pettigrew found his master, he took him to one of his Horcruxes, where he regained a 'body.' He needed the potion to return all the way because the Horcrux could not do it for reasons unknown to me."
Harry was surprised to find that it didn't hurt to have the graveyard experience spoken about, although, it could have been because he had so many questions running through his head. "Wait…is that why you wanted to come here in the first place? You thought there was a Horcrux here?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Yes, Harry, you found me out. I believed there to be one here. When we were in the Chamber, I felt magic here…I thought for sure it was one of them, but no such luck. Of course, there was such luck as to find this place," he said waving his hand around the room.
"Well, Professor, couldn't it still be here? I mean, already I've found several secret places. Couldn't he have just put a Horcrux somewhere here? It could be anything."
"It could, but it isn't. Tom would not place pieces of his soul into an old boot, for example. I believe them to be in very important objects to him, or very valuable objects. We will go more into detail on that later. Time has gotten the better of us, so I must be off. However, Harry, I will think about what you said about it being here…I should not overlook the most obvious."
With that, the elderly man with flowing white beard, got up, and left in a flash of green at the fireplace.
Harry's head was buzzing. How could anyone allow their soul to break into pieces, and do it willingly? It was a terrible thought, and suddenly, Harry felt sick. He didn't know this sickness, it was homesickness. He never had a home to miss, really. Of course, there was Hogwarts that he missed every summer, but he truly longed to be at the Burrow, with his friends…his family.
Harry decided to lose himself in studies. After all, it always worked for Hermione, Harry thought. That made him miss the Burrow more, and he felt bad he wasn't there with his best friends and Ginny. He once again went to the book he was reading.
Harry had decided to study Giants as well. He remembered Dumbledore suggesting to Fudge to contact them before Voldemort did. He was amazed at all the fights they had. They were not wars; they were inter- and intra-tribe battles. They used to live all throughout England, but Wizards drove them out.
Harry was soon bored of Giants, so he went on to a new subject: Arithmancy. He knew it was Hermione's favorite class, and since he had gone through most of the Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, and Charms books, he decided to learn more. Harry wanted to have a lot of knowledge on everything possible.
One subject Harry had yet to study was Divination. He didn't like it at all, and thought that either you had the Inner Eye, or you didn't. And Harry certainly didn't. Harry had a Voldemort Eye. He could see Voldemort during his times of weakness. Harry came to the conclusion that when he was asleep, he saw what Voldemort was up to. When he was awake, his scar burst into pain.
Harry was lost in Arithmancy when Sirius arrived with Remus. He was rather enjoying the new subject. "Arithmancy?" Sirius asked, "That was your mother's third favorite class. Behind Charms and Potions…remember how ol' Slughorn treated her, Moony?"
"Oh, yes, I do. I vaguely remember him being the one to give her hookups at the Ministry. He left me out of course. No future for the werewolves…" Remus started laughing. "James never was any good at Arithmancy. Yes, he left that for his wife."
"Ok, Harry, let's get right to dueling," Sirius said, as Harry gave Remus his potion. "Moony will sit out for this one…he's not quite feeling right. It's only a few days more 'til full moon."
"I'm only going to duel you?" Harry laughed. "This is going to be quick."
Harry barely noticed an exchange between The Marauder's. Sirius winked at Remus who nodded his head, smiling. The Godfather and Godson stepped into the dome and Harry waited for Sirius to start. Sirius began and began waving his wand like mad. Harry barely had time to react; he managed to block enough of the spells coming at him to dive behind a rock.
Harry was shocked. When did Sirius get faster and more powerful? Harry felt his shield almost falter, that hadn't happened before. Harry jumped up and began firing several spells at Sirius, but he soon had to go back on the defense as more spells were coming his way that were moving away from him.
Sirius' arm and wand were a blur as he muttered incantations. Harry felt again like his shield was going to break when suddenly everything went black as a red light broke through his shield.
Harry woke up to see his mentors standing above him with big smiles on their faces. "Well, I thought you lasted quite a while, Harry. You said it was going to be a quick fight."
"Where did you learn to fight so fast, Sirius? For that matter, how did you learn so quickly?"
Sirius and Lupin laughed. "We haven't exactly been fighting at our full potential. Dumbledore told us to—"
"—Dumb it down a bit. He recently asked if we would step it back up. He wanted you to learn humility. When you made your prideful comment, we knew it was time." Lupin finished.
"Ok, ok, so I'm not nearly as strong as I thought I was. And I learned to never underestimate and opponent. You two are good actors, making me think I was all powerful."
"Harry, I don't want your head to get big, but you are extremely powerful. I am a very good duelist, Harry, and I am sure you would beat 95 percent of the Death Eaters Voldemort has running around. Now that I have said that, remember there are another 5 percent that you must worry about."
Sirius told Harry to work on casting spells very fast. Harry, having the bonus of wandless magic, soon was able to hold Sirius off longer and even beet him a couple times. He would cast a shield with one hand, and cast offensive attacks with the other.
It was time for the Marauders to leave, so they disappeared. Harry studied again and worked out before going to bed.
The next morning, Dumbledore didn't come. Harry didn't worry, but he had hoped to talk with him. Harry was well into his Arithmancy books. With his powerful memory, Harry was able to move very quickly through the subject.
When he needed a break he would lift weights that he made, go into the frame (which was much easier than Sirius), or he would study the Dark Detectors. He soon found he was getting restless. He didn't know how much more Hermione-ing he could do.
Sirius came again, and Remus was looking a bit shabbier than usual. After giving Remus his potion, they dueled again. When Harry realized he was weaker, he pushed himself harder. He wanted to beat Sirius when he was really fighting.
Harry decided to use his wand, so he didn't have to rely on two outlets instead of one. He wanted to beat him one-handed, so that when Remus was well again, he could take them both. Harry had read up on wand theory. Several adjustments could be made to swishes and flicks to strengthen a spell.
Harry asked Sirius to go a bit slower so he could practice these spell enhancements. Harry wondered if he did them with his hands and fingers, if it would enhance wandless spells as well. After Sirius and Remus left, he found that out exactly.
He studied a wand movement, and then he would use his wand, and perform the enhanced spell. When he mastered that, he left his wand and just used his hand. He found that he could move his hands in ways to strengthen spells from expelliarmus to stupefy to protego.
Harry studied more and went to bed. He did his morning routine, and Dumbledore came out. "Good morning, Professor. I missed having our lesson yesterday."
"As," said Dumbledore, "did I. I had business to attend to. I trust you did fine without me?"
"Yes…er, sir?" Harry continued with Dumbledore's nod. "I was wondering….When can I leave? I'm getting restless, and it's becoming harder to study. I miss the Weasley's and Hermione. I know how much this has helped me, but I won't be able to stand it much longer."
Dumbledore laughed, and Harry relaxed. "Of course, you are only fourteen years old…It is just that you have needed to be so mature—" Dumbledore saddened as he spoke. "—for your age, and I forget sometimes. I need you to stay for a while longer. I suppose your birthday is too far away as well. How about you stay until Remus no longer needs the potion?"
"That would be great," Harry said. "Will I go back to the Burrow?"
"Yes, and I think it would be for the best if you came back here for a few hours each day…perhaps in the evening with Sirius. I heard about what happened yesterday. I assume you learned your lesson?'"
"Yes, sir," Harry said, smiling. "Sirius taught me a lesson I won't soon forget."
They started into their lesson, and Harry shared his thoughts on Giants, which Dumbledore already seemed to know a lot about. Harry then showed Dumbledore his techniques with his hand movement which increased power. Dumbledore left proud of Harry.
After hours of Arithmancy and even a little Divination to learn more about prophecies, Sirius and Lupin showed up. Remus was sickly looking, but Harry knew it would be much worse after the transformation. "The full moon is in two days, and according to my charts, the moon will come up around—"
Harry cut him off, "—4:00 P.M. I know, Remus…you will be here around 3:30 then?"
Remus and Sirius nodded. Harry and Sirius dueled, and though Sirius still beat Harry with speed, Harry had more power in his spells, which evened them out. They each won about the same amount.
During the next day and a half, Harry studied very hard, as it was his last couple days here. He finished up a potion he had been working on especially for Remus, got further ahead in his Arithmancy knowledge, finished more spells on his glasses, and studied the rest of his upcoming subjects for his fifth year. He wanted to talk to Dumbledore about switching Divination and Arithmancy, and he hoped he would get a chance to.
Remus and Sirius showed up at 3:30 P.M. Remus was nervous, he didn't like people around when he transformed. "It's just like old times, only you'll have a phoenix rather than a rat and stag with you." Sirius was excited about the transformation, not exactly sharing the anxiety that Remus was.
Four O'clock struck and a couple minutes later, Harry watched for the second time as Remus' back arched and he began to transform. Sirius told Harry to transform, so he turned into his phoenix. Sirius was the dog soon after.
That night, Harry realized that though it may have been painful for Moony all those years, it was fun to be with his fellow Marauders. The werewolf was comfortable with Remus' mind. However, the wolf inside of him reached out and had a good time with the other animals.
Twelve hours later, Remus turned back. "Thank you, guys…That has not been so bearable, and fun, in twenty years. Padfoot, it's good to have you back. Harry, that was some good flying…I'm sorry if I took a nip at you, the wolf had some fun chasing you around." He was sick looking. Harry went over to his potion lab, and gave his old professor the potion he had started working on when he found out Remus would spend the time there for his transformation.
"Here, Moony, you will enjoy this, I hope. It should make you feel better…If you trust me that is. I did loads of research on werewolves, and then I used the Wolfsbane Potion to help make this." Harry watched as his confused friend downed the potion. Harry hoped it would work, for Remus' sake.
After a few moments, Lupin straightened up a little more, and the paleness left his face. "Harry, this is amazing. I've never felt this good after the full moon. Not even when I was young…Did you make this potion?"
Harry nodded, he was happy it had worked. "Well, when I've got sixteen hours a day to do nothing but study…I'm surprised nothing like it has been made before. It wasn't difficult. I just did some mixing of the instructions of healing potions and Wolfsbane. A little calculations and Arithmancy are thrown in there and you've got a nice potion to help heal a werewolf after transformation."
"Are you sure you are the Harry that fails Potions every year?" Sirius joked, though he was quite shocked at Harry's success.
"I never failed…I was always distracted, so I never realized the potential potions have. Well, it's late…I will be leaving tomorrow, so I want to get some sleep."
The two men left, in very high spirits. Harry fell asleep the second he hit his pillow. Harry was again in the hallway he had been in weeks before. He went to the end, to the same door. It was still locked. "Wormtail…I have been patient. I want them back. They are much better than you. Perhaps I need to give you a reminder? Crucio!" The high-pitched, cold laugh echoed louder than the screams that came from behind the door.
"Harry, wake up…Harry." Dumbledore woke Harry up. "Are you alright Harry?"
Harry's voice shook, "Sir…Voldemort's angry at him again. He said that…that he wants them back…they are better that Wormtail. Who is 'them' that he wants back?"
Dumbledore looked sadly down at the young man. "I believe he wants his faithful Death Eaters back. You say Wormtail failed again?"
Harry nodded. "Good, then we don't need to worry about it just yet. You should get ready to go to the Burrow, Harry." Harry agreed and took a quick shower. The sun was barely up, so he was sure the Weasley's weren't up yet.
"Harry, before you go, I want to explain this to you. You have been here for about three weeks. You have progressed very rapidly, and your powers have grown exponentially. I kept you here, by yourself, for a few reasons. One, you could focus entirely on you studies, without distraction. Two, you could work efficiently, full time. Three, you have been able to learn how to control yourself. Like I said, your powers have grown exponentially, and you said you didn't want anyone to get hurt.
"Now that you have learned how to control yourself, I trust you will not forget or become too careless. You will come back here every morning and evening with me and Sirius. You may come more if you would like."
"Will I be able to bring the others?" Harry asked, hopeful.
"I thought you would ask that. They may come, but I want you to keep the way to get in a secret. I suggest casting a silencing charm on yourself so they can't hear what you say. Remember, this is a place of training," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I hope you won't use it for some other reason."
Harry wasn't sure if Dumbledore was implying what he thought, so he decided just to not mess with it. "Remus told me about your potion…I must say, Harry, Professor Snape will be surprised to hear of your advancements. Excellent work, I was never much of a potions brewer myself. I have too little patience. You mother must have passed the right stuff on to you."
"Professor, you said I should cast the silencing charm….Does that mean I can use magic outside of here?"
Dumbledore chuckled. He nodded his head to say 'yes' as he said, "Harry, of course you can't use magic outside of Hogwarts. I would never allow that." Harry laughed.
"Professor, I was wondering if it is too late to switch classes. I would much rather take Arithmancy than Divination. Arithmancy helped make the potion, and all the wand movements are loaded with it. I think it would be better if I studied something that would help me later in life."
"Do you realize you will have to make up two years of schooling that the other fifth years will have already covered?"
Harry smiled, "If anything, sir, I will be ahead of them by the end of summer. I just want to take it to get a more modern Arithmancy. After all, these books are a thousand years old. I have a really good memory, Professor, and I think I will do fine in the class."
"Well, Minerva…that is, Professor McGonagall, will be pleased to hear of the switch. She does not…appreciate…the magic that is Divination." He smiled at this. "I believe I should have a constant watch over Trelawney, however, because she has made two prophecies regarding Voldemort already.
"Now, I'm sure you want to get to the Burrow before Molly makes breakfast. Actually, I wish I could join you….Her cooking will hit the spot this morning. However, duty calls."
"Sir, do they know that I am coming?"
"Ah, Harry, that would take the fun out of it. They should be surprised to find you there this morning."
He stepped into the flame, muttered something so Harry couldn't hear, and disappeared. Harry followed suit; he took a deep breath for the upcoming floo ride, and muttered, "The Burrow."
Harry stepped into the Burrow and just as he opened his eyes, he felt a wand stuck in his back.
A/N: I know, I'm terrible at cliffhangers, but what can you do? Thanks for those who have reviewed! I want to answer some questions, but that may ruin the story, so I'll just say a few things. I know Harry-animagus-phoenix is done a lot, but what I noticed is that Harry doesn't use his animagus form in a lot of stories. I plan to change that in this fan fiction. I said earlier that I would use many of the things that happen in Order of the Phoenix, but I will also change it a bit. I do not want to get into Voldemort imputing images into Harry's mind. If I do that, then Dumbledore will have to back off, and Occlumency will be needed, and I really don't want that. I will just continue with the dreams like he had in his 4th year.