The Great Hall was beautiful. The professors draped the walls in soft whites and golds, while the cobblestone floor was transfigured into white marble, with veins of the palest of silvers. Along two walls were small tables, big enough for at most three couples. Along the far wall was a table of drinks, decorated with sculptures of ice in the form of dragons.
While the other chosen stared at the floor, drinks and tables, Fredrick and Harry looked up. Their gasps caused the other chosen to mimic them. The roof of the Great Hall looked as if it were in a continual swirl of ice and snow. Twisting and turning, as if on an invisible wind, the crystals of conjured ice reflected the light of hundreds of small flames, no larger than a finger nail that were conjured in the air. Snow flickered through the storm of lights, disappearing as it fell toward the floor. Above the lightshow, the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall showed a ribbon of light, shifting continuously from green to purple and back as it folded and danced across the night sky.
"Mon Dieu." Fleur's voice broke the magic that snared the chosen, allowing them to realize that they were being watched by the residents of the tables.
Harry blushed softly as he met the eyes of Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded, and gestured towards the cleared dance floor.
Harry and Luna took their place, and gazed into each other's eyes.
"Be calm Harry Potter. This will be fun." Luna softly whispered. A small smile played on her lips that only grew when Harry nodded.
The other chosen couples gathered, creating a triangle. With a flourish, the band, seated in the corner by the doors started a grand waltz.
Harry lost himself in dancing. The music seemed to soar through his body, twisting his muscles into a series of steps that he vaguely recalled as being correct. Harry barely noticed this however, because of the joy on Luna's face. She danced with a look of bliss on her face, darting around and through the steps of the other couples. Harry found her smile infectious, grinning wildly as they danced rapidly to the music.
Without either of them noticing, the rest of Hall also started to dance around them. Each young couple danced to the music, some well others not. Ron was surprising Hermione with his dancing skills. When Hermione voiced this question Ron replied,"Mum insisted that we knew how to dance. Dad agreed. I don't know the reasons though."
Cedric was also talking with his date as they danced. "Is this what you wanted for a ball Fleur?"
The French Chosen smiled as she nodded pulling her date to the left as another couple danced where they were mere moments ago.
Never in Fleur's wildest dreams would she think that the boy who saw her at the rock would become more than a person who she met once. Her mind went to their second meeting, as she laid her head on his shoulder.
Flashback Start
Fleur was walking the castle, a mere day after the First task. While the students were all asleep, or supposed to be after 3 am, the occasional professor roamed the halls. Luckily, her disillusionment charm held strong. The only one who noticed her while the charm was on, was the aging Hogwarts Headmaster, who merely said,"Good evening . Do be careful this late."
The only other person that knew she was up, found out by accident. After an unfortunate series of events in which the Caretaker's cat was kicked, a stand of armour knocked to the ground, and three ghosts screaming that there was a ghost that they couldn't see, Fleur ended up running down towards the entrance hall. However, in a castle the size of Hogwarts it was easy to get lost and disoriented. It was in this state that she ran headfirst into a tall boy wearing yellow and black robes.
"Pardon.." Fleur muttered as she picked herself off the cold cobblestones.
"I'm assuming you are a Beauxbatons student due to you saying sorry in French." The boy muttered as he rubbed his chin, where her forehead slammed home.
Fleur realized she was still invisible, and froze. If she was caught out this late by Madame Maxine the punishments would be severe. It was extremely important, especially for her, to stay in carriage during the night. If she was still maybe he would walk away-
"Homenum Revelio sa finite" A casual flick of the boy's wand, and the magic raced through the corridor instantly dropping her disillusion charm. Her wide eyes met his grey eyes and his lips glided up in a smirk.
"How did you…" Fleur asked as he extended a hand to help her up. Once she gained her footing, she made certain her allure was held tight, as she really desired an answer.
"The human revealing spell lets out a radius of magic, as long as the charm isn't malicious, you can match it with anything. All you do is layer the movement if necessary, with both the revealing charm and the finite, it is point for direction. It was simple." Cedric explained.
"What is your name?" Fleur asked as she prepared to walk away.
"You can't just walk alone. I'll walk you to your carriage, if a professor asks, well you got lost and I found you." He ignored the question asked.
"Oh? And why would they believe that?" Fleur raised an eyebrow.
Cedric grinned in response and tapped a badge on his robes with the Hufflepuff crest on it, labelled Prefect.
"Fine." Fleur turned around blushing slightly. She should have seen the shiny badge, after all, it was obvious. "Ne sois stupide Fleur," she muttered to herself.
"C'était une erreur facile." Cedric casually responded.
As they walked down the hall, Fleur and he started to rapidly speak in French, both happy to use the language for now. A tabby cat, sitting on an armour stand watched them the whole time.
Flashback End
Fleur smiled as she breathed in Cedric's cologne. Smelling faintly of apples, cinnamon and something distinctly spicy, it was wonderful and totally him. Over the last month, they met multiple times, all of them enjoyable. When the ball was finally announced, she decided immediately who she would attend with. As they continued to dance, she was happy with her choice.
Viktor laughed as his date played with his collar as they danced around. His fiancé was his joy, his happiness, and he never understood why his father hated him. But, that was not for tonight. Tonight, was special, as he saw Fredrick smile widely. His blue robes would normally clash with the red of Viktor's but the strands of purple that were subtly interlaced in the fabric in both garments tied them together in ways that only those who knew runic magic could ever decipher.
As he twisted Fredrick in his arms, he winced at a flash of pain in his side. Fredrick noticed his pain, and took up the slack, his feet swiftly pivoting him around, using his body's torque to spin in Viktor's hand without him having to add any force.
"Ease up love, no need to hurt. You know what the Healer said." Fredrick whispered to him as he spun back to his Viktor's chest.
"I know. I am trying, but…" Viktor smiled at Fredrick's sparkling eyes.
"I know you know I love to dance. Thank you."
"Anytime and anything for you." Viktor pulled him close and the pace of the dance eased, as the waltz shifted to something slower and less energetic.
Igor walked off the dance floor, his wife smiling at him as she went in search of the witch's room. He grabbed two iced butter beer, knowing his wife couldn't drink at the moment, and smiling at his students who danced around. When he proclaimed that the ball was mandatory, his students were cautious. After all, it was rare that their headmaster made something mandatory that was purely for fun. They were right, as this was both a fun activity, but also necessary networking, and communication for his students.
His musings were interrupted when Kathrine returned to his side. Her dark purple dress robes draped over her currently flat stomach, and a smile decorated her delicate face. "Igor, are you musing without your lovely wife?"
"Of course I am dear, without you, my mind wanders…" He gently pulled her close to him pressing his lips to her forehead. Ever since the last war, this woman was his anchor, and after his term in Azkaban, she agreed to marry him. It had been over 8 years of marriage, and as every marriage has its burdens so did theirs.
"How are you dear?" Igor asked as they drifted toward a table, where Cornelius Fudge sat talking to Albus Dumbledore, Olypme Maxime and a wizard Igor didn't know. As he graciously pulled out a chair for his wife, Dumbledore greeted them warmly. "Igor, Kathrine, marvelous to see you. And Kathrine, you are positively glowing."
"Albus, Minister Fudge, Olypme, how are you all? I am sorry, I do not recognize you sir." Igor asked as his wife cut up some braised chicken for herself.
"Ahh, Igor! You haven't met Gregory Holm? He is the current British Quidditch League director." Fudge introduced him with a smile and the man flicked his eyes over Igor and settled on Kathrine.
"Charmed… to meet you both" His eyes never left Kathrine as he said those words.
"Gregory, this is Kathrine, Igor's wife of the better part of the last decade." Albus interrupted the awkward staring the director was doing.
"Ah that explains why she was familiar. She attended the world cup and sat beside my family. My son told me of a woman who helped him out." Gregory smiled at Kathrine, and turned to Igor. "She will make a fine mother someday Igor. My son was crying and she calmed him right down."
"Soon she will be." Igor pulled his wife close and smiled at the congratulations from his fellow heads and the other members of the table.
Albus' eyes twinkled knowingly, his happiness at new life being introduced evident. He looked around the room, and he caught the eyes of Sirius Black as he twirled Minerva around elegantly. Sirius smiled at the aging headmaster, the haunting in his eyes easing slightly. Albus continued his survey of the room, and settled on the youngest champion, still dancing with Ms. Lovegood. As he watched them, his mind wandered towards the evil of the tournament. He still remembered his first experience with the Cup.
Flashback Start
Albus entered the bunker with sure steps. He was more confident than ever since 1945, and his meteoric rise to prominence. While in several circles he was always considered a prodigy, it was only after his defeat of Gellert that gave him the recognition he currently had.
He entered the room at the far end of the bunker's main hallway, and saw a conclave of over 20 wizards, each an expert in their field. They all looked over a test area sunken into the earth below them. In that area was the Goblet of Fire. An eerie light rose from its wooden edge, and what appeared to be embers of blue flame sat in the bowl of the cup. All around the cup, carved into the sheetrock and etched with silver, were runes of over 14 languages. All of them utilized in cleansing rituals all over the planet. Each wizard of the enclave, baring Dumbledore and a Wizard older than he by over several centuries contributed to the engraving and etching process. Their very magic sustaining the runes and powering the cleansing.
"I repeat, this won't work. I was there when it was made gentlemen, and let me tell you, dealing with the cup is not worth the risk." The ancient wizard repeated himself for the final time. The man looked to be only 45 at the oldest, his straw hair in a long pony tail that trailed down his back. On his left forearm, a tattoo depicted a circle with runes and a stylized F at its center, still red from where it was applied for the first time.
"Nicolas, there is no worry. We are several of the strongest and smartest wizards. We took into account all variables. If the cup is evil, we shall cleanse it here." The German wizard who spoke smiled at Albus and Nicolas before he drew his wand. The other wizards of the enclave clasped his robes as he pointed his wand at the rune in front of him.
"Do not touch them figlio." Nicolas ordered Albus before he reached for his colleagues. "We will only watch Wulfric."
The German wizard, now named Wulfric, stated with purpose "Mundare!". A blast of white light shot from his wand, into the runic arrangement. The white lit up the silver, and Albus would never forget what happened next.
A highpitched wail erupted from the cup, and the white lances of magic, racing along the silver etching, was blasted with blue fire, edged in the darkest of blacks. A furious battle of wills took place, as the cup refused to be cleansed of any evil it may contain. Slowly the white lances of magic were forced back, and Wulfric grunted in effort. "Albus… please."
Without thinking, Albus latched onto the nearest member of the enclave, and forced his magic through his hand. The flames stalled and were slowly forced back as Albus forced more and more magic into the cleansing.
"We are doing it! Albus! Give us a little more!" Wulfric yelled out as he braced himself and pushed. As Albus prepared to follow the order, the cup let out a wail, that sounded suspiciously like a giggle of delight. The blue flames turned black. As soon as Nicolas saw that, he yanked hard on Albus' robes, forcing him from the enclave, as the black flames raced along the runes, up the runic array and hell broke loose. With a furious wail of malice filled accomplishment, a massive eruption of black flames blasted through the mountain, and with a twist Nicolas Apparated.
It took them 3 months to force their way into the bunker from where the mountain collapsed. Nicolas was certain what they would find, and he was right. The skeletons of the enclave, blackened by fire, surrounded the cup.
Flashback End
Albus stopped thinking on his memories at he watched young Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger dance across the room. He always admired that Arthur forced his children to learn to dance. It was one of the few things that Molly agreed upon when the children grew up in the war. Arthur didn't insist on many things, allowing Molly to rule the house, but the aged headmaster knew that Arthur was ready and waiting for conflict to continue. For all his jolly demeanor, he knew that the man was pragmatic.
Harry was enjoying the dance. It was nice to be close to Luna, and while he knew that the girl was odd, when she was in his arms and they were dancing, he was content. He could block out the slivers of malice from the flaming Goblet in the corner, he could ignore the stares of his peers as he twirled his date. Tonight was joyous and he laughed often. When his dance partner was snatched up for a dance by his Godfather, he mimicked Sirius by asking Professor McGonagall for a dance.
"Professor, it seems our dance partners have abandoned us. Shall we dance together until they return?" He smiled at his professor, and was rewarded with a small smile in return.
"Of course, Harry." As the two danced a classical waltz, the professor pondered her pupil. It was a mere 2 months since his name came out of the goblet, and already his entire life shifted. He was preforming as if he was a sixth or seventh year student, in nearly every subject, and his maturity was second to none in his age group. As they danced, she thought of a moment from the week before.
Flashback Start
Harry was helping the second years transfigure rocks to birds, as it was something that Minerva asked him to do. He remembered the words of his Professor well, "If you can teach it, you can do it better." Transfiguring birds was one of the first aspects of conjuration as all conjuration is the conversion of air into an object and was taught early. He corrected one student's movement softly telling her that the jab is a fluid motion, not a jerky one.
"Like this." He gently guided her hand through the motion, elegantly making the wand jab the air. With the girl's next try, two birds appeared out of her rock.
As he praised her, he glanced up and watched as one student pointed his wand and attempted the exercise. However instead of the rock he was mean to transfigure he attempted to do the spell on the clothes of the girl in front of him. With a smooth jab, the girl's robes transfigured to ten birds that, with a swift movement of Harry's wand, transfigured back into the girl's robes before the birds moved more than two inches.
"Mr. Braxl! That will be a detention with Professor McGonagall and I will recommend her to take 15 points from Ravenclaw. You are meant to be transfiguring rocks." The young man glanced at the cat that was lazily laying on the desk. The cat blinked slowly, showing that she understood, and Minerva made a mental note to do as Harry recommended. After all, 15 points was much nicer than her first inclination.
Flashback End
The dance between Professor and pupil ended when, in a flourish, the two males switched partners, mid-step and continued the waltz. Those who were paying attention clapped at the coordination required, as the two dancing sets continued their movements.
Hermione and Ron were one of the ones clapping at the smooth transition between the partners. While Ron could dance most of the night away, Hermione was not as capable. While she was not unfit, moving around a castle with books didn't allow much obesity, she was not as conditioned as Ron. She sipped at the butterbeer gratefully after Ron handed it to her. After they had cooled off, they were back to dancing, much like the other participants of the ball. Hermione smiled as Ron's hand gently cupped her waist and held her close as the song tempo guided their steps. For a terrible tournament, this was a good night.
They were not alone in the thought as many couples, friends and more than a few enemies danced together, enjoying the company and the ambiance of an event that they rarely were able to attend.
It was only at one minute until midnight that the music stopped, and the Goblet of Fire shuddered. Instantly, the hall fell silent, as Dumbledore stood smoothly from his seat.
"In less than one minute, the Cup will give the clue to the next Task. The ball will then close with a dance from the Chosen, and you will all be dismissed. Remember, curfew is at 1 am tonight-" Albus' strong voice was cut off by a wheeze as his eyes glazed over. In a new, raspy voice, Albus continued.
"Hello Chosen. I hope you enjoyed the Ball. Friendship, love, and happiness… such things that you feel now, you will feel during the second task. After all, when you go to the beach, one does so with loved ones. You shall be no different. At the beach, you shall have to beat the waves. Much like the sand itself, you will combat the Water until either you win, or the time limit expires. Good luck chosen, for defeat shall only come via death."
With a sigh, Albus' head slumped, and the Great Hall lost the oppressive air it held moments before. The Chosen all stood, their dates on their arms, looks of concern and anger on their faces. Minerva broke from the crowd and grabbed Albus as he swayed on his feet. With a look back towards Sirius, she slowly moved him out of the hall.
"The Ball concludes with a final dance from the Chosen!" Igor's voice boomed from behind the crowd, as he gestured with his want towards the enchanted instruments. The music jostled the students into motion. With steps that were rather jerky, they began to dance. The closing waltz was over swiftly, and the students started to disperse. By the time the hall cleared, the great bell tower was chiming that it was time for curfew.
The Chosen were the last out of the hall, with the other teachers shutting the doors, and ushering them towards their beds. "To bed all, to bed!" The voice of Flitwick carried over the din of goodnights, sweet dreams, and various other platitudes that were being exchanged. Cedric grabbed Fleur's hand and with a wink towards the other Chosen, slipped down a side hallway that Harry knew led to a secret passage that forked towards the Hufflepuff dorms, and towards the greenhouses. Viktor and Fredrick walked hand and hand towards the open doors of the Great Hall, chatting in whispers.
Harry scanned the crowd, taking note of all the adults in their midst. He grabbed Luna's hand, and at her raised eyebrow asked a question.
"Do you want to have some more fun?"
"Harry Potter, fun is always a yes." Luna's smile was blinding, and Harry's was sweet, nearly sickly so. He guided her towards a tapestry of a flock of ravens in midflight that hung to the side of the Grand Staircase, beside the Ravenclaw hourglass. Placing a hand on it, he whispered the password, "Perches." The raven closest the hourglass winked, and Harry ushered them behind the tapestry, into a new secret passage.
When Sirius Black looked for his Godson and his date, he smirked slightly when he saw the fluttering of a tapestry that hid a largely unknown secret passage. While the passage didn't go up to the upper floors, it did go out to a balcony that over looked the Lake. He knew James and Lily had at least one date there, and he and Remus… well, each had explored that balcony well. Separately of course. While homosexuality was not a common thing in the wizarding world, it was not as hated as in the Muggle, barring some exceptions. While Sirius didn't mind homosexuality, he was not a Wizard of the Wizards as the saying went. Remus, was without a doubt the same. Even if there was that party in seventh year…
Sirius shook his thoughts away, much like the dog his Animagus was. He started up the Grand Staircase and resolved to drown that particular memory in fire whiskey. He sure hoped that couch got replaced in the Common Room though.
Luna laughed as she leaned against the railing of the balcony. The wind fueled waves of the Lake splashed against the rocks here, dowsing her in the spray. Harry smiled at the look of joy before he looked up. The stars shown bright, and across the sky streaked a comet. His gaze was removed from the skies as cool fingers gently tugged his chin.
"Harry Potter, I am going to kiss you now." Luna informed him, before leaning in and doing so.
It was an hour later when Luna was escorted back to the Ravenclaw dorms.
It was the next night that Harry and Sirius met in a cavernous room, deep in the dungeons of the castle.
"Are you certain you want to do this Harry?" Sirius asked as he finished placing the specially made candles into an intricate pattern, in line with the runes that Harry was finishing up in a circle around the room. Both knew that if the candles and the runes were wrong, they would probably both die in this endeavor. Thus they both checked each other's work.
"I know its early, but I have my Rule, and I have to have this. After I crown fully, I can do more of the family magic, and explore deeper into the Grimoire. Plus, I have a very bad feeling about this task." Harry replied as he checked the positions of the candles in relation to the runes, and the calculations.
Sirius sighed as he read over the parchment for a third time. "I have a similar feeling, but you know that power isn't-"
"Power isn't the end all be all in a duel yes, but the crowning does more than grant power. It grants understanding as well. It is odd Sirius, I can't explain it. I've hit a roadblock in our training and I need this to survive." Harry insisted. Sirius knew his godson was right. In the last several training sessions, Harry wasn't improving. He was stuck on the NEWT level material, especially the point casting, and the highest levels of transfiguration. His skills were more than enough to grant him NEWTS in the subject, but he still felt as if he was not capable enough. Sirius knew, instinctively that his godson was right. He wasn't prepared to do anything against an Element, especially one as versatile as water. While Sirius knew that the goblet couldn't use elemental magic, it could saturate the water enough to manipulate it into doing things that were similar. He could feel that to be true.
That was something that they would be able to start after Harry could crown as well. Elemental Magic was some of the most powerful magic that could be used to combat the Dark Arts, and Lily, Sirius and Frank Longbottom were the best at using it for that purpose in the last war. Of those three, Sirius was the only one who could teach Harry. He still didn't want Harry doing this.
"Sirius." Harry spoke softly, pulling his godfather from his thoughts. Sirius tensed as Harry hugged him close. "Thanks for this. I know you aren't comfortable with it… but I need to do this."
"I know kid. I know. But before we do… tell me your Rule." Sirius knelt slightly so he looked into the green eyes of the Last Potter. He listened intently to the rule that would control the power, and corral it into the creation of the Potter Crown. He nodded and said,"Good rule kid. I love you, and never forget that." He stood and gathered the pieces of parchment, and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
He stood out in the hall, and took a deep breath. Flicking his wand he started to reinforce the door, carving runes into the air and flinging them into the door, anchoring his charms, curses, and wardings into the fabric of what the door was, and should be. With shuddering breaths, he continued his reinforcement, this time for the walls around the door, knowing that it was weaker than the door itself. Behind him, the headmaster and Minerva continued their transfiguration of rocks into marble blockades that were etched with runic enhancements, already having completed 9 out of the 10.
"Sirius, I don't think this is necessary." Minerva called over her shoulder as she finished her fourth blockade.
"If we did this in the Potter Manor, with blood, it wouldn't be. But Harry can't access the Potter Manor without the ring, which is in the vault, which he can't touch until he is 15 or wins the tournament. This is the only option." Sirius replied as he flicked the final rune into the array, locking it into as much of an impenetrable fortress as his knowledge allowed. He then started to move the finished blockades into place, alternating their directions, hoping that if they blew, they blew outward into the next blockade.
"How much power do you this will give off?" Minerva asked as she helped Sirius place the last blockades.
"My dear… I don't know, and I'm certain that Sirius doesn't either. However, I don't believe in taking stupid risks. We back away, and hope we have enough precautions." Albus spoke softly but firmly, his wand pointed at the blockades. It was then that all those present felt it.
Harry sat down in the middle of the runic circles. In his head, he was counting backwards from 200, knowing that would be the time that Sirius needed to create the protections in case the circles failed. It wouldn't save anyone in the hallway, but it would keep the castle from collapsing. At least that was what the Arithmancy showed. He crossed his legs when he reached 100, and his hands cupped of their own volition as he hit 50.
With a deep breath, he started to count aloud. "One. Sirius, I love you. Mom, Dad, Here we go. Wish me luck." He concentrated, his eyebrows furrowing as he started to force his magic into his left hand. Slowly, he moved his hand so that it was level with is face. His arm burned slightly, as the palm of his hand slowly steamed. With a twitch of his fingers, the burning intensified. His hand let off wisps of magic, green tinged in the color of gold. As soon as he saw the flickers of magic, he moved his fingers closer to his face and swiped his hand through the air.
He started to scream, as the magic formulated into a white and gold substance, moulding itself to his face. The magic of the ritual blasted through the room, much like the tearing winds of the desert, blasting dust from the floor, and lighting up the protective runic circle.
Harry stopped screaming as he dove mentally down into his mindscape. Beyond the castle doors, he dove deeper, passing through the floors as if they were smoke, and he were solid. Following an instinct he didn't know he had, he continued, deeper and further down into the depths of his very foundational identity. Finally, he found it.
In his metaphorical eye, he saw a cavern, full of sparkling crystals, each blazing with light. In the farthest point of the room, sat a truly massive crystal, green as his eyes. He floated towards the gem, until he could rest his hand on it. Yet he felt that wasn't close enough. He moved forward so he could see his reflection in the surface.
His reflection spoke, even as he didn't move his lips. "Young Potter. You come for the Crown. Are you truly ready?"
Harry did not speak, merely nodding to the reflection of himself. The being in the crystal slowly smiled a smile that split its face. "Good. State your rule young Potter, and see how much strength you gain."
The entity cocked its head as the youth said his rule. Its smile slowly fell from its face. "You are a dastardly one. Are you certain you are a Gryffindor? No matter. If that is your rule, you have a deal. I should warn you however, the power that Rule grants… shall be immense. It shall be glorious. It should be… rapturous." The being started to laugh, the sound echoing through the crystals, surrounding Harry in their warped echoes.
The entity's laughter cut abruptly, as it cocked its head to the left. "However. I sense, yesss… if you utilize that… oh yes… it would kill you in a minute. Possibly two if you were determined. Are you certain of this? Yes… you seem certain. Then match your palm to mine young one… and speak your rule."
Harry pressed his hand against the gem. He felt the warmth under his hand as if he were holding a plate warmed under hot water. The entity pressed its palm against the gem, mirroring Harry's. The warm was gone, replaced with a cold so absolute, it felt as if the flesh of his palm was stuck. Yet Harry did not move. Instead he spoke.
Albus' face was streaked with sweat. He mumbled into his beard as the magic, fierce free and powerful, tore through the protections of the door. Later he would say that they reminded him of the winds in the prairies of the North American continent, before one of their massive cyclonic storms. The magic however, did not expand beyond the doorway. The old man smirked as he continued to chant softly. The magic merely pressed outward harder and Albus began to slide backwards in his attempts to force it to stay in the room.
Minerva took a step back as the hallway started to shake. "My dear lords…" She gasped as feeling of untamed and unrelenting joy that accompanied the magic washed over her. In her mind she saw herself with her husband, who she knew was dead for years, with children that she knew she would never have, in a house that was destroyed years ago. She felt the twinges of sadness as they disappeared in her mind's eye, cast away as if by the wind. In their places, hundreds of the students she taught, walking the halls of her home. Minerva straightened as the thoughts over took her, standing talk and walking to stand beside the headmaster. She pointed her wand at the door, and started to repeat in Gaelic the chant that Dumbledore was repeating in Latin. She never recognized the small feeling of pride in the magic as it brushed against her skin.
Sirius Black was terrified as the magic's feeling of freedom and protectiveness of that freedom overcame his Dementor caused mental protections. In his mind, he saw the days when he laughed with Lily, James and Harry in the Potter Cottage. He thought of the battles he had in the war, his laughter and joy at the fight and challenge. He saw his grandfather nodding to him as he walked by, his head high after helping defend St. Mungo's from attack. Yet those images were shattered by the sound of a door slamming, of a warden grimacing at him. Yet the magic shattered the bars of the cell, pockmarked from age and hands grasping for any warmth they may hold. The light of a patronus, a stag, lit up the hallway. With a brush of massive antlers, it got Sirius to follow, leading him towards the exit. By the time Sirius exited the prison in his mind, he stood beside Albus and Minerva, his wand pointing at the maelstrom of magic chanting in old English, a smirk on his face. Behind them all, the magic whipped up the dust into the smiling face of James Potter before letting it fall back down.
The entity's hand never quivered, even as frost coated Harry's. His rule was said, and the entity was silent. As the frost slowly inched up past Harry's wrist, it spoke. "Good, the Rule is set, now for the fun part…. You desire this Crown, you must take it, control it, and mold it. Go forth young Potter. Know Who you conversed with, and Who you are. Take confidence in the deal you forged young Potter. As it is now set in stone." The entity tore its hand from the gem's surface, and laughed as Harry was yanked through the cavern, through the ceiling. Up he was pulled, his arm still outstretched as if he was touching the crystal. In a blur of floors and rooms, Harry was forced to the doorway of his mindscape, being set softly down at the doorway. He turned and looked out over the grounds of his mental castle.
Swirling through the grounds was literal waves and rushes of magic, colored green and gold, swirling around the grounds. The sky, the grass, the lake, all were covered in a storm of magic so dense it could not be seen through. Harry stepped out of the castle and willed it away. As it disappeared, an altar appeared in its place, with steps leading up to the surface. Harry climbed the steps and stood on the altar, so he stood in the eye of the storm. He stretched both hands out, as if he were holding back the magic on both sides. With a fluid motion, he sat, bringing his hands in with the motion. The magic rushed towards him.
Without warning, the maelstrom of magic rushed back into the room, leaving the three to stumble forward as they were braced. Albus smiled as he looked at the magic swiftly condensing around Harry through the now shattered blockades and open doorway. Minerva nodded and folded her arms to wait for the end. Sirius sat down in the middle of the corridor and smiled like a loon.
Harry sat in the circle as the magic swirled around him. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around him. In the swirling magic, faces appeared. Men, women, children. Hundreds of faces, gazed down at him from the magic. As one they nodded and dispersed, the magic of the Crowning swirling tighter. Harry stood as the magic slowly shrank around him. When it touched his skin, it was cold, yet warm. It brushed and then sank into his flesh. As it finished being absorbed into his skin, he reached up and gently took off the Mask he now wore.
Feeling like the fine china that his Aunt owned, the mask was off white, with green lips, outlined in gold. The nose was a solid piece and the left side of the face was decorated with a twisting golden flame pattern, its edges shaded green. The flames twisted and moved, as if alive. The right was decorated with a stylized bolt of lightning, cutting through the eye of that side, colored gold with green edges. The eye holes were empty pits, with no light coming through them. As Harry memorized the mask's appearance, it crumbled into dust.
Harry smiled as the dust shifted through his fingers, disappearing before it hit the ground.
AN: Sorry for the wait. I moved to a new state over 800 miles away, and started working 50 hour weeks. BUT, this update is live! And finally Harry can crown.