Chapter 11

A New start

Harry vowed to stay at Hogwarts until Hermione made a complete recovery. He spent every waking hour, and some nights, sitting in his leather chair beside her bed. He couldn't remember being this happy. While Harry sat with Hermione, Ron was being taught the way's of the Brotherhood. Arthurius had opted to stay and assist Harry in getting his friends prepared for there fast upcoming quest.

Harry and Hermione progressively became closer, yet still neither one wanted to share there growing feelings. Even in the "Link" these feelings were well hidden from one another. It was as if they voiced them out loud, everything they knew would be turned upside down.

"Mister Potter, a word please" Professor McGonacall' words traveled to Harry's and Hermione's conversation. They where talking about Ron and Luna's budding romance. Only days after the Hogsmeade battle Ron had raised the gall to ask her out. To say her answer was enthusiastic would be poor judgement. She had jumped into his arms during evening meal in the great hall, causing him to fall backwards onto the Hufflepuffs table. Smearing gravy and potatoes into his hair she kissed him passionately, causing everyone to give him a standing ovation. Even the slytherin's joined in with cat calls and whistles.

"Of course Headmistress" Harry replied. He rose and gently placed a kiss on Hermione's forehead. Turning he followed professor McGonagall through the hospital wing doors and into the hall.

"Professor Dumbledore has asked for an audience with you before you leave on your quest" she stated with the same twinkle in her eye as he predecessor.

"What…. How can this be, I saw him die." Harry's confusion evident in his voice.

"No Potter, Albus is a portrait now. When a portrait is painted it remains sleeping. Until the person it is painted of, dies. Then it awakes, yet while it is sleeping, every memory the real Albus had was instilled into his Portrait." she responded in a calm voice

"He was not fully awake when you left, now he would like to speak with you"

"So he remembers everything." Harry asked as they made there way towards the Headmistress's office.

"Everything till the day the real Albus died. Also portraits grow as time progresses, so he may have even learned new things since his death." came her reply as they came across the gargoyle that protected her staircase.

"Wronski Feint" She commanded as the gargoyle leapt out of the way. A spiralling staircase appeared behind it's hulking form. Harry gave McGonagall quizzing look as Minerva waved a hand indicating him to take a step on to the stairs.

"I enjoy Quidditch Mister Potter, is it that hard to believe" she asked as he stepped onto the stair.

"No Mum." Harry replied with a smirk on his face. With this the staircase stared to slowly rise into the stairwell, leaving her standing at the bottom.

As the office doors opened Harry noticed a considerable change had occurred in the last ten months. The once chaotic room was now organized and orderly. Most of the small buzzing instruments had been removed, in there place now stood floor to ceiling bookshelf's. There was even a Quidditch poster on the far wall. Dumbledore's once cluttered desk, was now clean with the exception of a few reports neatly piled on one corner, a few feather quills placed in an antique vase. A long mahogany box lay on her desk top, Arithmic pattern's adorned the wood.

"It has been too long, Harry" came a quiet yet unforgettable voice.

Harry eyes followed the voice until they rested upon one of the men he respected most in this world. Albus Dumbledore sat in a huge comfy purple chair, a small table with a bowl of lemon drops and a tea sat beside him. With that familiar twinkle in his eye and a smile plastered across his face, he deftly waved at Harry.

"It warms me to see you again, Harry. You are looking well, it seems you took the high counsel of the mages request. I'm proud of you Harry. From what Arthurius has told me of you, you have met everyone of my expectations and surpassed them ten fold." Dumbledore said in a calming voice as he waved at Harry's attire.

"Professor, It is so good to see you again. I want to say I'm sorry for not being strong enough to help you……..I'm just sorry" Harry replied in a lost voice, turning his eyes downcast.

"Harry…..Harry you never let me down. That was my choice to drink the poison. It was my choice to bind you. Never blame yourself."

"Still I'm sorry" Harry mumbled

"Then I accept you apology, Harry it's time to move on" Albus said a twinkle firmly in his eye.

"Thank you Professor, Professor McGonacall said you wanted to speak to me about something."Harry stated finally returning his eyes to meet those of his mentor.

"Yes, Yes ….have you placed any thought into where the next Horcux is?"

"Not really, I was going to wait until Hermione was free from the Hospital wing. I was hoping she would help me track down this R.A.B." Harry replied as he waved his hand and conjured a comfy leather chair to sit in.

"Hmmmm Leather, I was always a purplish, greenish kind of man myself. Sorry where was I, yes R.A.B is none other than Regulus Anthony Black. It came to my attention by a certain Molly Weasley that while cleaning number twelve Grimmauld place that you came across a locket with a large "S" in scripted on the back. Once this knowledge was imparted to me I asked Hagrid to fetch this locket for me. But alas this locket was similar to the locket we ourselves found within that cave. It is my guess that Regulus attempted to recreate the original locket and the one we found in the cave and the one Hagrid retrieved are both duplicates. One for practice and One for the actual exchange." Dumbledore finished with a look of exasperation.

"So where does that leave us" Harry inquired.

"Ah, now that is the true mistery. Regulus once owned a Mansion on the Northern hills of Ireland, Yet only the person who can enter the structure must be a Black. Or in your case have the rights to the black family, a gift from your departed Godfather."

"Sirius left me the Black family rights" Harry asked in shock.

"Yes Harry, and with it all of there land shares and there emense wealth."

"I don't know what to say" Harry said pain evident in his soft voice

"Accept this gift Harry, It's what Sirius would have wanted of you. This was his way of showing how much he regretted missing out on your earlier years." Dumbledore spoke softly, he raised his hand in a comforting gesture.

"Thank you. I think I will wait until Hermione is ready until we leave for Regulus's Mansion"

"Understanable Harry, Yet before you leave I wish to give you something. On the desk you will find a box, please open it" Dumbledore instructed.

Harry rose from his chair and walked behind the desk. Slowly he touched the wooden box, his fingers tracing the patterns. With an audible click the box opened slightly. Curius, Harry opened the lid fully to examine it's content's. Inside lay an object Harry had not seen in quite some time. Godric Gyrffindor's sword shone brightly as it layed on a blue silk inlay.

"I want you to have this, Harry. Please if you may, Can you engage your Higher Power." Albus asked with curiosity in his voice.

"I haven't tried, let me see" Harry responded. Soon the room started to fill with power as light blue flames started to spread across his shoulders and triceps. The candles in the room died down in intensity, allowing Harry's flames to light the room with there power.

"Oh excellent, Harry. I could never do that on will. I am very impressed, you have come along way. Now please reach down and pick the sword up." Dumbledore asked, giddy like a little school boy, twenty years seem to vanish from his face as he got caught up in moment.

Harry slowly reached down and picked up the glistening blade. The moment his hand wraped firmly around the hilt something happened. The blade started to glow, it stretched and changed. Arithmic symbols appeared along it's length as it's clour changed into more of a bright silver. The hilt became longer under his palm, the handgaurd changed. becoming wings of golden Griffin, the wing tips spreading out like fingers. The griffins body made up the hilt, it's back paws gripping a golden sun that made up the pommel. It's lion tail wraped sucurly between the image of sharp rays of light coming from the sun.the blade curved and became long like the swords on his back.

"That is my gift to you Harry. The blade is made of pure silver. It's unbreakable, and will never need to be sharpened. That blade has not been that way since the days of Godric Gryffindor. Only one with the ability to control their higher powers may wield it's true form." Dumbledore said with awe in his voice.

Harry pulled his right sword from his back and banished it to his school chest. Slowly he slid the new blade into the sword sheath. It twisted and grew to accomidate the new blade. Harry quickly reached behind and drew it, doing and intricate swing and flip manouver he replaced the blade in it's sheath. It had amazing balance, and seemed to cut the very air as he swung it.

"Thank you Professor." Harry stated trying to keep the emotion out of his voice, yet failing.

"Your welcome Harry. Now please excuse me, all this talking has tired and old man out. I will wish to speak to you again some time soon. For now goodbye."

"Goodbye Professor" Harry said as he turned and left the office. Smiling as he realized he could come and talk to his mentor any time he liked. That knowledge warmed his heart as he made his trip back to the hospital wing.