Story: Swallowed by Shadow

Summary: When Harry begins his search for the Horcruxes, a mysterious man appears. Is he friend, or foe? Can Harry finish his task and beat the Dark Lord, or will he be Swallowed by Shadow? HP? HGRW RLNT

Date: 28 May 06

Chapter 10

Power

Harry had spent the rest of that day in a stupor, his mind focused entirely on the actions of that night. He replayed them in his head a thousand times, each time feeling less and less sorry for the Dementor.

It wasn't that he had cared about the Dementor or its life, but that HE had been the one to take that life. The creatures were foul, and deserved no better than death, but that didn't make being the bringer of that death any easier.

Gradually, he had come to except what he had done. It was his job, after all. He was the boy who lived. His ultimate fate was to kill or be killed, and killing before then was to be expected. When he excepted this, something inside of him died, and he felt it. But it didn't matter. His fate was to kill, and so he would, with or without his innocence.

Whatever had died in him that day had been replaced quickly by a cold, hard exterior. He was different now, and everyone knew it. He didn't spend time relaxing with his friends, or thinking about Ginny. All that mattered to him now was training, and more training. Some part of his mind rationalized his behavior as wanting to keep the rest of the world from having to be killers like he was, but he knew that wasn't true. He didn't care about the rest of the world anymore, he just wanted it to be over. He wanted the pain to stop, and the only way to do that was to kill Voldemort, so he would train.

Days blended together, and became weeks, and weeks became months. Harry never even realized the passage of time, but he knew he was getting stronger. Regulus had even said it, he was almost ready. He had mastered Tae Kwon Do, Tai-chi, Aikido, and the basics of Jujitsu. Dueling with the dummies had quickly become a joke, even at their fastest and hardest, Harry could defeat them in a matter of seconds. Regulus' solution had been to bring in three more dummies, which increased the difficulty significantly. But it wasn't enough for Harry; he beat them soon enough. When he could take them down in under a minute, Regulus had decided it was time for a new kind of dueling, and had begun fighting Harry one-on-one.

The same situation had arisen in his sword and weapon training, and Harry now spent his entire day training physically or dueling Regulus in various ways.

The boy who lived was almost ready, Regulus realized. Just one more trick.

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"Harry," Regulus said, "would you come here a minute?"

Harry looked up from his food and nodded, following his godfather's brother out of the kitchen. He didn't know what he wanted, but he didn't really care. It wasn't a great concern to Harry to know the answer a few seconds before he would be told anyway.

They walked in silence into the moonlit garden and sat together at their customary place next to the fountain.

"Harry, you've mastered everything I've taught you," Regulus said. "You can perform Complexio Incantados alone better than I have ever been able to, you know all of the martial arts styles I have ever learned, your aim is impeccable, and your sword arm is as good as mine."

Harry made no move to respond and showed no emotion at this. He truly didn't see it as anything to get excited over. Yeah, he was good. But why did it matter? He still wasn't good enough for Voldemort, but then again, he didn't think he ever would be.

"There isn't a great deal left that I can teach you," Regulus continued. "The only other skill you may need is Legimency, and I will gladly teach it to you. But there is an ability you would do well with, too."

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"Becoming an Animagus," the older man said. "We shall train that, as well."

"And then?"

"There's one more trick I would like you to learn, Harry," he said.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Do you know why the door in the graveyard let you through?"

"Something about blood of an ancient friend or something," Harry said.

"Yes," Regulus responded. "What do you think that meant?"

"I...I don't know," Harry said.

"It means that you are the Heir of Gryffindorr," he said quietly.

Harry's sharp intake of breath was the only sign that he had heard.

"Godric Gryffindorr had an ability, the same as the other Founders," he said. "Each had a specific gift that they excelled at, something that they could do better than any other, if any other could even do it. You must learn that ability; it will be your last hope against Voldemort."

Harry nodded solemnly. He didn't want to face Voldemort, still, but he didn't have a choice, and he'd be damned if he was going to lose when the time came. If that meant learning to be an Animagus and to unlock some secret ability, he didn't care. Of course, Harry didn't care about a whole lot anyway.

"So what do I do?"

Regulus grinned. "You learn to think you're furry."

"Huh?"

"To be it, you must think it," Regulus said sagely.

Harry sighed. "So if I just think I'm a dragon, then POOF, I'm a dragon?" he asked sarcastically.

"Now you've got it!" Regulus said cheerily.

Harry repeated his sigh, heavier this time, and began to imagine himself through the eyes of an animal.

Everything would be different, he thought. The smells would be stronger, I could hear what Hermione and Ron are doing in the other room…

As his mind's eye pictured the animalistic senses he would have, he felt a strange tingling sensation going from his belly all the way out to his fingers and back again. He heard a startled gasp from Regulus, and reacted immediately. When he opened his eyes, he was immediately confused.

Everything looked just how he imagined it would a moment ago, but now he was looking with his real eyes, wasn't he?

He turned his eyes over to Regulus, who looked to have grown to be twice Harry's height. The older man wore a stunned expression on his face as he gazed back into the eyes of the boy.

"Wow, Harry," Regulus said. "That's…I should have known."

Harry, even more confused now than a moment ago, glanced down at his hands. He recoiled back from the things in place of his hands, his young mind trying to grasp the concept of what had just happened.

He tried to speak, but found he couldn't make the right sounds, and instead settled for staring up at Regulus with pleading eyes.

"Oh, right, you must be curious, huh?" Regulus asked. Without waiting for the boy to bob his head, he cast a quick cantrip that turned the concrete floor into a mirror for a time.

Harry looked down at himself, and realized instantly why his godfather was so surprised.

Where the boy had stood not ten minutes ago now stood a large cat. A really large cat.

"Happy?" Regulus asked.

Harry nodded, for, indeed, he was. He hadn't expected it to be this easy.

"Good," the older man replied. "Now turn back."

Harry concentrated hard, and a moment later, the huge mountain lion was replaced by the boy-who-lived.

"How…did I…?" he stammered.

"You just found your animagus form," Regulus said. "The same as Godric Gryffindor's, too."

"Really?" he asked.

"Yup," Regulus said cheerily. "Well, at least that's what the rumors say. But then again, they also say he had a love affair with Salazaar Slytherin."

Regulus declaration left Harry stunned silent for a minute, before he burst out laughing.

"Gryffindorr and Slytherin?" he asked between spurts of laughter.

"What's so funny about that?" Regulus asked, his face stone serious.

For a moment, Harry stopped laughing as he stared into his mentor's seemingly blank face, before the two broke out laughing together.

Regulus knew that Harry needed the laugh, and that the only reason it was so funny was because he was so depressed. He truly felt sorry for Harry, in that moment. His fate was the worst fate anyone could ever really have. Killing in the heat of the moment, to protect yourself or the ones you cared about, was something almost anyone was capable of. But to have to plan it out, and know that you would be the one to deal the final blow…

"Alright, Harry," he said, as they both calmed down finally. "This is an old test, but a necessary one, because once in a blue moon…well… let's just say stranger things have happened."

Harry raised an eyebrow, his mood only half as somber as it was before.

"Do the exact same thing you did to change into a lion," Regulus instructed, "but imagine being a stag when you do it, alright?"

Harry frowned softly, but did as he was told.

As he looked up at his mentor again from half the man's height, Regulus said softly, "Congratulations, Harry. You're the only man alive today who has this ability."

Before the young man's eyes, Regulus changed shape into a huge bear.

What's he talking about? Harry thought to himself.

I'm talking about being able to turn into a lion and a stag, a voice seemed to say in Harry's mind.

What the hell?

Animagi can communicate telepathically, Regulus' voice replied.

Oh, Harry replied dumbly. So… I have two Animagus forms?

Not exactly, Regulus replied, immediately sensing the boy's confusion. I think… Well, let's just see, shall we?

The gray stag with a lightning bolt of white fur on its forehead nodded, its antlers bobbing dangerously.

Try to change again, Harry, Regulus' voice sent calmly.

Harry frowned slightly, but focused on an image he'd seen once in a book he'd stolen from Dudley's massive unread collection.

He imagined himself as it, and a moment later, found out just how it was.

A dragon, eh? Regulus asked, staring up at the creature that stood at least ten feet tall.

Yeah, Harry replied gruffly.

Well, I think that settles it, then, Regulus replied. You're not an Animagus, Harry.

Then how did I--?

You're a shape shifter, he responded, semi-dramatically.

Harry was silent for a moment, before he changed back to his human form.

"Huh?" he asked, ever so eloquently displaying his confusion.

"I would imagine," began the form of the older man, "that you can transform into any living creature you've seen or can imagine well enough."

"So… it's like Tonks' thing, only I can't change my appearance, just what I am?" Harry responded, trying to make sense of this revelation.

"Uh, sure," Regulus replied, pretending to understand his pupil's rambling.

Harry rolled his eyes at the older man, asking, "Wasn't there some super important ability I'm supposed to learn?"

"Oh, yeah, about that…" Regulus replied sheepishly. "I… uh… I don't know what it is."

"If you don't know, then how can you teach me?" Harry asked.

"I… well, I can't," he replied. "But I know someone who can."

"Who?" Harry asked cautiously, the hair on the back of his neck rising in silent warning.

"Godric Gryffindor," Regulus said quietly.

Harry was stunned for a minute, before he said slowly, "Are you telling me that the only way to beat Voldemort is to ask a wizard who's been dead for hundreds of years?"

"Slightly over a thousand years, but yes, that's the idea," Regulus replied.

"Are you out of your bloody mind?" he demanded.

"Why, yes, actually," the man responded smartly. "Didn't you know?"

"How am I supposed to talk with a dead man, exactly?" Harry asked.

"With this," Regulus said, holding up a key.

"Which is?"

"This?" Regulus asked, gesturing to the item in his hand. "It's known as a 'key'"

Harry rolled his eyes again, but he was growing excited despite himself. "A key to what?"

"To your soul," Regulus responded dramatically, showing more of his dead brother as they went further and further along the tirade of sarcasm.

Harry didn't bother to continue trying to talk to the immature 'adult', instead drawing his wand in a flash and pointing it at the large, golden key.

"Accio, key!" he cried, before Regulus could react to the drawn wand.

The key soared straight to his outstretched hand and he grasped it solidly.

"You're too fast," Regulus said with a light sigh.

Although he hated himself for giving in to the American idiom, Harry responded distractedly as he studied the key with, "That's what she said."

Reg rolled his eyes at the young man's antics, using the last trick he had yet to teach Harry to summon his wand instantly into his hand.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry cried, not even bothering to look up as Regulus' wand flew across the room. "Never draw your wand when your opponent is watching you," Harry quoted the older wizard's words.

Regulus frowned slightly, then disappeared silently as he Apparated to behind the boy-who-lived.

"And never--" Regulus began, placing the tip of a sharp dagger at the back of Harry's neck.

"--let your opponent see your back?" Harry whispered quietly into Regulus' ear from behind.

"How--you--wha?" Regulus stammered out as he felt a wand point at the back of his own neck, kicking the figure in front of him, which spun and revealed that it was actually a training dummy dressed identically to Harry.

Regulus sighed again. "You're too quick, and too cunning," he amended.

"You're too slow, and too old," Harry responded affectionately. "Now tell me what this key's for."

"Ah… if I must tell you…" he built up dramatically, pausing for effect, "it… Opens a door."

There was a very silent moment of silence, before Regulus yelped as Harry slapped him in the back of the head.

"Reg, if you don't tell me, I will curse you to oblivion and back," he threatened, trying to keep his voice level.

The older wizard sighed for the hundredth time that day, and nodded. "Are you ready for a field trip?"

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"Diagon Alley?" Harry asked as he and 'Canopus' Apparated into the semi-vacant shopping mall.

"Well, yes," Regulus said defensively. "Come on, we're going to Gringott's."

Harry and the older man walked, each realizing that the deeper they went, the less and less people could be seen.

"Where is everybody?" Harry asked.

"I think…" Regulus said quietly. "I think they're afraid to be out."

Harry nodded solemnly, understanding. Who wouldn't be afraid if the most powerful wizard of the era fell to the servants of a Dark Lord?

The two walked into the famous wizard bank, and immediately drew the attention of the entire goblin army that lazed around, looking bored. Harry noted that there were also three men standing around who he recognized as Aurors.

"What do you need, sir?" asked the goblin in the window Canopus approached with Harry trailing him.

"To see the director," the disguised man replied.

The small goblin seemed to study the man closely, before he raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Very well, follow me."

The two followed the goblin to the roller coaster-like trains, and then to the largest door Harry had ever seen. He found it ironic to see such a huge door for what he assumed would be a goblin the size of Dobby.

As the odd looking group stepped out of the train, two bulky goblins stepped out of shadows on either side of the door, wands at the ready.

"Who are these two?" the one on the right asked.

"Harry Potter and…" he paused, looking meaningfully to each of them.

Though Harry completely missed it, he thought something must have passed between Regulus and the goblin earlier. Did they know him?

The two guards looked to each other, nodded and stepped aside, throwing open the doors as they did so.

Harry noticed immediately that the hallway in front of him was larger even than the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and much better decorated.

Tapestries hang at regular intervals, separated by windows Harry assumed were like those in the Ministry, which displayed whatever weather they were told to, considering they were currently sunny and the boy was certain he was underground.

The trio walked all the way down the immaculate hallway, until they reached a simple door at the other end.

The goblin touched his hand to the door and whispered a word Harry's ears didn't quite pick up, before reaching for the handle that grew out of it and opening the door.

"After you, sirs," the small creature said, holding the door and beckoning them forward.

Harry walked quietly in Regulus' wake, weary of the drab office they were now in.

"Is--is that you, old friend?" asked a small voice from behind a mountain of paperwork on the desk, which appeared to be the only furniture the small room offered.

"Glim?" Canopus asked curiously.

"It is, it is!" cried the voice again, this time followed by a small head popping around the side of the desk, which, in turn, was followed by a small body.

Harry looked around awkwardly as the two actually hugged, and noticed the shocked expression on the face of the goblin who had brought them there.

The goblin, Glim, must have noticed too, as he pulled back from the hug quickly and said stiffly, "Wait outside, son."

The wide-eyed goblin nodded and did as he was told, walking back out the door.

"It's been a long time, Glim," Canopus said, dropping the glamours that kept him disguised as Canopus.

"Yes indeed, Regulus! How have you been?" the goblin demanded.

"Well, I suppose," he replied, a sad glint in his eyes. "I suppose you've heard?"

"Of your brother?" Glim asked, his previously cheery voice turning to a solemn tone in the length of a breath. "Yes, I'm afraid I have. His death is truly a shame… Such a fine young man."

There was a moment of silence as the two remembered Sirius, and Harry found it somewhat strange. He didn't think he'd ever had anyone call his godfather a "fine young man" before.

"But I doubt you've come to talk of such sad memories," Glim said, his voice turning to a brisk business banter. "Who is this you've brought?"

"Harry Potter, sir," he greeted, shaking the goblin's small hand.

"Ah," Glim replied, a glint in his eye again. "I should have known I'd be seeing you soon! You're here for it, then?" He asked the last of Regulus, who nodded curtly. "Very well."

Regulus drew his wand and hastily recast the glamours he had perfected, returning to Canopus.

When he was done, the blonde nodded to Glim, who flicked his wrist at the door, opening it.

"You can go back now, son, I'll handle them," the goblin said. His son, who had been waiting on the other side of the door, nodded again and walked back through the hall he had led them in through.

When he disappeared through the doors, Glim lead the other two into the hallway as well.

The door closed behind Harry as he left, and immediately the door knob melted back into the door.

Instead of continuing down the hallway, Harry was surprised to find that Glim had actually turned back to the door.

Raising an eyebrow, he watched the small creature rap the door twice with the nail of his hand, then step back.

The previously plain handle-less door morphed out, slowing spreading and changing. Before Harry knew what had happened, half of the wall in front of him had been turned into a set of two huge oak doors.

"The key, Harry," Canopus prompted.

It took Harry a moment to snap his eyes away from the doors, but when he did he quickly produced the large key he had previously taken from his mentor.

The goblin held out his hand, and Harry placed it in it. He was amazed the goblin could hold it; the key was nearly twice the size of its hand.

Despite the seeming impossibility of it, the small creature deftly flipped the key into the air, muttering in a language Harry couldn't place.

The key glowed a brilliant blue for a moment, before Glim finished his chant, and the glow faded away. In its place was a shiny, silver key that looked almost nothing like the old, rusty key it had replaced.

Glim silently took the floating key and inserted it into the lock. With an audible click, the doors slowly opened.

The three collectively gasped at the huge hallway that was revealed.

The "hall" was actually more similar to a cavern. It was huge. Harry doubted even the Great Hall was as big. It looked to be totally natural, except for the eerie golden glow that sourcelessly enveloped the entire hall. From wall to wall was piled treasure upon treasure; gallons of galleons mixed in with priceless artifacts that ranged from swords to daggers and back again. But what truly drew Harry's attention was the very center of the cavern, where a stone pedestal stood. On it appeared to rest a single item, but Harry couldn't make it out.

"Wow," Harry said quietly.

"Yeah, that's pretty much my sentiment too," Canopus replied.

"What is this?" the apprentice asked.

"This… This is the tomb of Godric Gryffindor," Glim responded.

"Why is there so much gold in a tomb?" Harry asked quietly.

"Because it's also your vault, Harry," the goblin responded again.

"What?"

"You are the Heir of Gryffindor," Canopus said quietly. "This is your inheritance."

Harry was instantly silent, looking around the vault again like a child in a candy shop.

Everything… all of the priceless weapons, the fully price-able gold… All of it was his. He was rich. Again.

"Wow," he said quietly. "Do I even want to know how much is in there?"

"More than the twins could spend in a hundred years at Zonko's," Canopus replied.

Harry, the boy-who-lived, son of the fiercest Auror ever to work at the ministry and heir of Gryffindor, fainted.

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A.N.--Yeah. Fluff. I know. But it's cool. Leave me a review and I'll put up more stuff.