/This means mind speak, or telepathy/
Harry appeared with a crack in the dining room of 12 Grimmauld Place. He was unsure what to think about the events and people earlier. On the one hand, these mysterious people claimed that they could teach him forgotten magics, on the other none of them even used a wand. There was a brief display of wandless talent from two of them and of course the mental speech from the Lady, but their abilities were as yet unkown.
Harry REALLY disliked unknowns. How had they arrived if not apparition or portkey. How had they found him in the first place. How had the winged one made himself invisible? Where had they come from that they didn't know about wands and laws against murder?
Confident in the security of the Fidelius Harry sat down to write his note for Hermione, just in case. He might have to stretch the truth a bit, but no one would ever know.
To Whom it may concern;
I have left the safety (ha safety!) of my relative's house to pursue the education that you were unable to provide me. My new tutors are all masters of their arts and coincidentally have arranged to pick me up from Headquarters. Yes, they will come here. In other words, Albus told them the Secret, so he must trust them. Mrs. Angelline-SaDiablo, Mr. Yaslana, and Mr. SaDiablo have agreed to teach me dueling and healing skills in addition to the mind arts. Mr. SaDiablo's son, who is Mrs. Angelline-Sadiablo's husband, may instruct me in other obscure Arts as well.
Moody, I know very well your distrust for anyone you have not pumped full of veritaserum first, but I am inclined to trust them. As you are well aware, Dumbledore felt my learning the mind arts was critical for our side to survive. Now I am taking up my tutelage with someone Albus found trustworthy even if they are complete unknowns to you.
Respectfully yours,
Harry James Potter.
Just as he finished the letter to his satisfaction, there was a knock at the door. Harry was mildly surprised, but Hedwig seemed ecstatic. Perhaps the promise that she too would be trained was all that she needed to be happy. After the other revelations of the night, Harry was beginning to feel very sorry for the way Hedwig was treated. If what they said earlier was true, Hedwig deserved to be treated as the queen she was and have all the education she wanted.
When he opened the door, he was met by a smirking Lucivar Yaslana. The other two were behind him and likewise held looks of amusement.
"Nice try. If we were anyone else, this might have worked. I see that there are sight, sound, and psychic shields in place around it, but they are only grey strength. Even I could see them. To Saetan and Jaenelle, this place stood out like a sore thumb."
"Well it must not have stood out too badly; I've been waiting fifteen minutes now."
"Actually," Saetan interjected, "it does. We just rode the winds to a place a few blocks north and had to walk back. Most of us prefer not to throw ourselves through the darkness as you did. Aside from the noise factor, its just a bit unsettling to civilized folk."
"Personally I agree. I don't much like apparition either, but it is a far sight better than portkeys and floo. I much prefer to fly. That is where I can feel truly free."
"I suspect that you will have no problems getting along with Lucivar and Jaenelle then. Those two fly like they were born in the air. Just don't let them talk you into trying the Runs before you know you are ready."
"Speaking of flying, I am studying to become an animagus. I appear to be an owl animagus. I haven't progressed far yet, just had the visions that let me know my form, that of a snowy owl like Hedwig. Can any of you help me speed up that training?"
"What does animagus mean?"
"That means I am trying to learn to turn myself into an animal whenever I want. It's a rare skill, but one that could be very useful."
"That skill is completely unknown to us. Are you sure it can be done?"
"Can you perform mind speech too sir? I have some memories of four others that I know can do this, and I know my father could too, but I never met him so I cant show you that."
"I would never go through someone else's memories! That is a horrible invasion of privacy. If we ever do that it is only in the direst emergency or among close family members." Saetan was appalled.
"That is good to know sir, but if you would like I will still show you only those memories."
"Papa is too stuffy and proper, but I will admit I am very curious! With all the problems between kindred and people, such a skill could be very useful. May I see what you mean?"
"Of course you may. Just come meet me in my mind like before and I will focus on remembering the right things." He said while focusing on remembering McGonagall, Sirius, Wormtail, and Skeeter. The last two weren't pleasant memories by far, but it got the point across. He also included what he knew of how the transformation happened, and what he knew about his father.
"Very interesting! Now I understand somewhat better the bond between you and Hedwig. You both can feel the owl inside you and that is part of what has drawn you together so tightly. It will be interesting to see how the other kindred react to you."
"Kindred?"
"Magical animals, creatures other than humans who can use Craft."
"Oh, well I get along with most of them in this world. The most important thing is to remember that they are equals. They may be different but they are magical and deserve respect."
"Boyo, you just earned major points with that answer. Cat here has a very special relationship with the Kindred. They seem to like her more than the rest of us, but that's because she always knew what you just said. The rest of us had to learn it. Keep that attitude and you will go far." Lucivar seemed to be gaining respect for Harry by the minute.
"Ok, well before we get down to anything serious, or leave to start this training, I think you need to know who I am and why I need your help. You apparently heard my wish and came to answer it, but now I need you to understand why I was calling for help in the first place."
Over the next hour, Harry filled the three in on some of the things he had been through, and the state of the wizarding world. They were interested to learn about Dumbledore and Voldemort, and the way magical education worked. They were appalled (as most everyone is when told) to learn how Harry had grown up. Jaenelle just hardened her expression, but Saetan and Lucivar looked ready to kill. Suddenly, all three froze, the same thought had just popped into their minds. They looked at each other with eyes full of fear and whispered a name, "Daemon".
/Sadi will turn this kid into a nightmare. I know they both have pure hearts, but they are way too much alike/ Lucivar voiced his fears /They both grew up slaves, unloved and hated. They are both legends in their own time with people who love or hate them without ever meeting them. And I can't be sure but that torture curse he was talking about might be as bad as a Ring. Those two will either be powerful allies or deadly enemies./
/I'll see to it that Daemon knows not to push too hard, but he may want to teach him. I shudder to think what he will teach him. I only ever danced with The Sadist that one time in Hyall, but that was too much. Now there are two of them. Mark my words, this kid will come out of his birthright ceremony with a dark jewel. He might not be as strong as you or I, Lucivar, but if his destiny is to fight a grey or ebon-grey warlord, he will be powerful./ Saetan was a little upset too. It seems that they had come to the rescue of something they never expected. /Jaenelle, can you sense what Jewel Harry will wear? I can tell its dark, but I cant get a firm grasp on it without being in his mind./
/I do know, but I won't be telling yet. That is for him to decide./
Harry finished his story and looked at his guests, the question he had on his mind the whole night once again came to mind. "Well, since I am going to be learning and training with you, I need to know what you want in return, where we will be doing this training, and when we will start."
"Well boyo, speaking for my brother and I, we will teach you for free. Daemon and I can help you learn what it really means to be a Warlord Prince, and how to fight properly. We've fought people like this Voldemort before, and we know how they work. But we might ask for your help later, so maybe it isn't so free after all."
"I will teach you healing and some of the black widow's craft in exchange for more you teaching me what you can about this animagus transformation you are doing. Let's call it a trade of services."
"I can teach you all the rules of etiquette, how to run a business and a territory, how to interact in social functions. I will teach you all the basics of being a high class gentleman. In return I will want a few supplies, and some of that dragon's blood. We will begin teaching tomorrow after we return to my home. We will study in SaDiablo Hall, my family home in Dhemlan."
"Very well, I accept your terms. Leave me a list of supplies and I can get them for you in the morning. I know where to go for most things we might need. Will a pint of dragon's blood per month be acceptable to you?"
"That would be quite satisfactory." Saetan said with a gleam in his eye.
"Thank you all. Now let me show you to some guest rooms. I need to talk to some people before we leave, but we can get started tomorrow."
Harry showed them to some spare rooms on the second floor, then returned to the kitchen and got ready to visit the Weasleys. With a flash of fire and a call of "The Burrow!" he was gone.
When he got to the Burrow he was quite surprised to find he was not the only person awake. Mrs. Weasley and Charlie were in the kitchen discussing things in quiet, serious tones.
"Harry dear! What in the world are you doing here? And at this time of night? It is nearly two in the morning!"
"Hello Mrs. Weasley, I actually came to talk to Ron and Ginny, but now that I see Charlie, I guess I should talk to him as well. Something has come up and I need to leave. Before Dumbledore died, he arranged for me to get some tutoring over the summer. When he died, it disrupted the schedule a bit. Even though it is a bit earlier than originally planned, we need to begin. I came here because Ron and I made some plans about the Summer, when we thought Dumbledore's death was going to cancel the plans. I am here to say goodbye and make a few promises.
"Charlie, do you have any of that Horntail blood left? I need six pints of dragon's blood before tomorrow at noon, and for reasons I would rather not discuss, that blood would be best."
"Six pints? Harry, do I want to know what you are getting into? That's an awful lot of blood. And with prices how they are? Now it just so happens I do have a few pints set aside. She got injured in a fight with one of the other mothers a few weeks back and while tending the wound I thought to catch some of the blood. But quality blood like that is fifteen galleons per cup right now."
"I'll give you twenty, and buy all you have. Meet me at ten o'clock at the Leaky Cauldron. Now if you will excuse me, I need to see Ron and Ginny before I get to bed."
"If you are sure Harry… I will be there. I have just over eight pints, but we will call it eight for the sake of simplicity, and since you are paying so well."
"I am sure. By the way Mrs. Weasley, Hermione is likely to be by here tomorrow morning. Let her know everything is fine please? I was a little surprised when my tutors showed up and might have put her on alert concerning whether they were who they said they were. It's all cleared up now."
"Ok dear, well go on and let the kids know what is so urgent and get some rest yourself."
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley."
"Ron, wake up mate! Get up now or I let Ginny hit you with the Bat Bogey Hex."
"Huh? I'm 'wake… don't hex me! "
"Ron, wake up! Harry wants to talk to us and won't do it without you awake."
"Harry! What are doing here? You weren't even home for a week!"
"Alright, well now that you are awake, we can start. Long story short, I'm going away for some training. I can't beat Voldemort right now, he has too many years experience. But I met some people who can help. We are going to go train and learn. I will be coming back to Hogwarts next year and if my suspicions are correct, I will have a few interesting things to teach you guys."
"Like what Harry? And what do you mean you guys? Are you including Ginny too?"
/Hello, Ron, nice mind you've got here, ever try using it/
"What was that? How did you get into my head? Where'd you learn to do that?"
"In a few hours, they taught me more about mind Arts than Snape ever did." He said, while also flooding Ginny's poor mind with his true feelings for her, and how sorry he was to have abandoned her after the funeral. She just sat there with her eye's glazed and gave a small shudder before blushing entirely too red.
"What did you just say to my sister? Why is she blushing like that?"
"I didn't say a single word to her. But now that you mention it, maybe I should. Say Ginny, I hear rumors of a Halloween ball next year, would you go with me?"
"After what you just did? Try to stop me!"
"What did you do to my baby sister? Keep your mind powers away from her!"
"Ron, keep your voice down, you don't want Mum to wake up."
"She's already awake. And as a bit of forewarning Ginny, you may have to share me that night. Hedwig is rather picky as you well know. Apparently this mind speaking stuff works on her too. She's a witch, or as close as an owl can be. Anyway, it seems I've been serving her for the past six years, instead of the other way around."
"Ok mate, now I know you're just yanking my chain. Talking to an owl! You're serving her? Good one mate, I don't know how you pranked me to think you were a mind reader, but ha-ha, jokes over."
"Whatever you say mate, I need some sleep. I'll see you guys in September if I can't get some time off before then. I'll send messages when I can but I think I'll be out of contact for most of the summer."
Harry woke with a groan. He really should have gone to bed earlier, but there were things that needed to be done, and he may as well get started. He quickly got dressed and wandered downstairs to make some breakfast.
Jaenelle was the first one down for breakfast. She was living proof that even queens don't look perfect first thing in the morning. "Coffee, I need coffee."
"Blue pot, the red one is tea. Sit down and I will have eggs and bacon for you in just one moment."
"Oh no, not another one!"
"What's that?"
"You can cook? Why is it everybody but me can cook? I can move mountains and travel between realms, but I can't cook! Life is so unfair…" She was clearly pouting.
"That is so everyone knows that no one is perfect, Cat." Lucivar chuckled as he came down the stairs.
Saetan eventually made an appearance, but just ate breakfast quietly listening to Lucivar and Jaenelle bicker and taunt each other like siblings. Harry was strongly reminded of the twins and Ginny. She certainly seemed to have a sense of humor, he wondered how far that went…
"Sir," Harry addressed Saetan, "Do you have that list of supplies for me? We can go get them after breakfast."
Saetan passed over a list with an assortment of herbs and ingredients, plus a few things Harry didn't understand. "Sir, why do we need four candles and a candle stick? Don't you have such things at home?"
"Yes actually I do, but we need to perform a ritual to get there. This ritual will open a gateway to a place near the Hall. The problem is that while I have them, I have no way to get to them, so we will need new ones. The candle holder must be very precisely aligned. Can you arrange to have one made quickly?"
"Yes of course, there are several merchants who specialize in magical equipment and instruments. If we can't find one, I will have it made. Money isn't really a problem for me.
"Before we leave, I am going to have to talk to you all about clothing. While Saetan and Jaenelle could pass for normal, you will still look out of place. Lucivar, those wings are a bit of a problem. Also, a shirt is in order. Can you hide them under an illusion? Or wear a cloak perhaps? I might be able to find one to fit if you do not have one. Another thing to consider, whenever wizards get together, they cannot resist showing off. If you want to be given respect and not be hassled, dress like it. You three may be the most influential people back home but I guarantee no one here knows who you are."
Twenty minutes later Harry was strolling down Diagon Alley in the early morning sunshine. He had left his trio of teachers at Florean Fortescue's with instructions that anything they wanted was on his tab while he went out to gather everything he needed.
Stopping at Gringotts he withdrew a thousand galleons from what Sirius left him, and asked one of the goblins to bring him the small chest of gemstones from the Black vault as well. After all, his new friends were going to teach him to use Jewels right?
A quick trip to the apothecary got him all the herbs and magical ingredients on the list. The magical instrument shop said they would have his candelabra made by noon (at great expense, but Harry was spending today and didn't particularly care. He also picked up another trunk at the luggage store. Nothing fancy like what Moody has, just another school trunk expanded to be larger inside than out.
As he passed Quality Quidditch Supplies he suddenly had an idea. Didn't Saetan say that Jaenelle loved to fly? What if he got another broomstick and let her ride it? Then when Ginny's birthday rolled around in two months, he could say it was used and therefore not too extravagant… It just might work. So after excusing it to himself as "for the war effort" he bought another Firebolt, and left with complimentary pads and broomstick servicing kit. He stopped, thought about it and went back in to buy a new set of balls too. Who knows maybe he could find friends to play with where ever he was going.
After storing his new purchases in his trunk he stopped by the Leaky Cauldron to pick up the dragon's blood from Charlie. The poor man's eyes boggled when Harry put three hundred sixty galleons on the table and packed the small bottles in his new trunk next to a Firebolt still in its packaging and a chest of fine gemstones. He also asked Tom to sell him a few of the finest bottles of wine he had, not wanting to get caught empty handed in case anyone else wanted some of that weird drink Saetan and Lucivar had the other night. Tom pulled four dusty bottles of red wine out from behind the bar and Harry paid happily.
Since he still had a bit of time to kill; Harry decided to go to the bookstore while he waited for the candle stick to be ready. After choosing every book available on animagus transformations and the various methods to approach them, Harry raided the charms and defense sections. He noticed Saetan and Lucivar trying to drag Jaenelle away from the bookstore's entrance, apparently they had finished their drinks and ice cream and wanted to explore. Harry wasn't too concerned; he would find them when he needed them.
Finally noon rolled around and Harry went to pick up the new candle stick for the Gateway ritual.
As he was leaving the instrument shop and looking around for the others, four Death Eaters suddenly appeared in front of him. People ran screaming into shops and alleys, hoping to escape getting cursed.
"Is ickle little Potter still here? Is he crying for his lost mentor?" A sing song voice called out, a voice Harry instantly recognized.
"Lestrange! Finally come out from behind your half blood of a master? You think you can win here? Leave before I show you the awful truth of how weak you really are."
"Avada Kedavra!" Called a haughty voice to the left of Bellatrix. Lucius Malfoy, Harry should have known he would show up.
Harry jumped to the left, casting a stunner of his own that actually hit one of the masked people. Unfortunately he was almost instantly revived by the fourth.
"What do you think you are doing?" Jaenelle's voice called from behind him. She and Saetan looked absolutely terrifying, the air chilled as they approached. Her eyes looked like violent maelstroms of sapphire, ancient and haunted. The stones in front of him began to frost in mid summer.
"Avada Kedavra!" called Bellatrix, aiming for Jaenelle.
"Noooo!" Harry screamed as he leaped between the two. He didn't know why he did it, but pure instinct to protect kicked in and he prepared to die. Suddenly an ebony shield enveloped him like a cocoon, a split second before a black one formed around Jaenelle and an ebon grey dome formed over the Death Eaters.
The killing curse splashed against the shield, and the crowd went absolutely silent. The killing curse was unblockable, no one survived it, and yet Harry Potter jumped in front of one and blocked it too. Or so they thought.
"What is going on here?" Jaenelle asked, her voice colder than ice and harder than diamonds.
Harry was moving on instincts now, somewhere in that underused part of the human mind something screamed that he should submit. He kneeled and cast his eyes down. "Your Majesty, these four arrived looking for me. They tried to kill me. When you arrived, they tried to kill you so I jumped in front of the killing curse they sent at you."
"They tried to kill you and how did you respond?"
"I stunned one of them and was about to attack the rest when you arrived."
"I am disappointed in you," and every male in the crowd shivered, hoping she was never disappointed in them. "If someone ever tries to kill you again, you are ordered to kill them immediately. Save politeness for polite society."
"Yes my Lady."
"Lucivar, come out here."
A sight shield dropped nearby and Lucivar kneeled. "My Lady?"
"These things tried to kill a member of my Court. Execute them."
There were screams of protest from under the dome.
"SILENCE! I am Jaenelle Angelline-SaDiablo, Queen of Ebon Askavi, High Priestess of the Hourglass. If anyone, no matter who they are, tries to harm a member of my Court there is only one punishment. Harry Potter and Hedwig the Owl are members of my fourth Circle and my personal apprentices. Justice will be swift."
The sides of the dome lightened so that everybody could see the people inside. Their masks and hoods were stripped from their heads. With a snap of his fingers and a flash from his ring, Lucivar burst the hearts and burned their minds to ash. Smoke poured from their ears as they slid to the ground, already dead.
"My Lady, may I humbly suggest we retire to my home? The streets are not safe. I have gathered all the supplies you have asked and acquired the payment for your Steward." Harry asked, still keeping his eyes down. Hedwig dived down from a nearby roof top and spread her wings as she bowed.
"Of course Harry." She replied, her voice returning to normal, the fun back in her eyes. "We will catch the winds and await you in the parlor."
"I will be right along. There will be some questions about this, and I know the people who will come to clean it up."
As they disappeared, Harry sent out two psychic threads as Jaenelle had showed him last night.
/Tonks, Kingsley! Don't ask questions, just apperate out to Fortescue's there's been a Death Eater attack and for the sake of the Order you two want to be the Aurors down here./
He felt puzzlement and confusion before he broke the link. A moment later two pops broke the stunned silence that still pervaded the Alley.
Kingsley and Tonks arrived looking for a fight. Unfortunately, there wasn't one to be had.
"SHIT! Harry, what are the three Lestranges and Malfoy doing lying on the ground?" Tonks asked while Kingsley checked their wands and asked the witnesses what happened.
"They attacked me. Lucius shot a killing curse that I dodged. The larger guy there, shot one at a friend of mine. I jumped in front of it and took it in the chest. We were really pissed about being attacked and them trying to kill us. So my friend slapped a dome over them to keep them from apparating or portkeying away while we decided what to do with them. The Queen ordered them executed for attacking members of her Court. A quick spell later and they are smoking out the ears and dead."
"You jumped in front of a killing curse? Are you insane? And how did you survive?"
"Well, at the time, I was desperately trying to protect the Queen, so it seemed like the only thing to do. I survived because of a certain shield. I'm sure everyone here would tell you about it."
"Ok, now aside from the fact that you can't block a killing curse, you've mentioned a queen twice now. Tell me about her and her involvement here today."
"She is my Mistress. I am her apprentice. She is the Queen of Ebon Askavi and has traveled a long way to find me. We will be leaving this afternoon to her homeland. When the Death Eaters attacked me and tried to kill her, her Master of the Guard executed the attackers. If you want to talk about more details, I suggest we go to Headquarters. They are in the parlor having drinks while I encourage you not to ask too many questions."
"Which Headquarters?"
"The one for a certain club that really likes fried chicken."
Comprehension dawned in Tonks' eyes. "But no one new can get there anymore."
"So they must not be new. No one knew all of his contacts and associates. Given that we are talking about a Queen of a magical nation, it's pretty unlikely that you've met her or her two escorts. Yet they had no problem at all finding the place." Harry conveniently danced around the truth.
"Well Mr. Potter, I don't think I have any more questions for you. You are free to leave." She declared louder than she had to. "Be sure to make an appointment at St. Mungo's, we don't know what taking another killing curse will do to you."
Harry went home and decided to destroy a certain letter. Enough people now knew he was leaving, they'd just have to fill in the blanks for the rest.
Harry Potter Serving Foreign Queen
By Roger Stevens
Harry Potter made an appearance in Diagon Alley today, but it was a very unexpected visit indeed. He was accompanied by three strangers, all looking very aristocratic. One was an elderly gentleman with a black cloak decorated in spider webs with a red Hourglass in the middle of his back. He moved with uncommon grace and poise that demanded recognition. The woman, later identified as Queen Jaenelle Angelline SaDiablo, occasionally referred to him as "Papa" or "High Lord". She was the picture of elegance and definitely had a presence about her. The last man, apparently called Lucivar, was covered in a simple grey cloak with a hood. After the attack, he removed the cloak, revealing an impressive set of muscles and a pair of wings. On the Queen's orders, he executed four Alleged Death Eaters. The Aurors did not arrive until after they had left.
But most interesting in this tale is the actions of one Harry Potter. The four people arrived together, but Harry quickly left them while he went out to buy a long list of items. No one is sure of all the items purchased, and some merchants aren't telling, but it is clear that Mr. Potter spent a small fortune before noon. Every where the other three went, it was reported that Mr. Potter paid for everything. Mr. Potter was also seen carrying a large chest out of Gringotts early in the morning.
Why was Harry Potter acting as a common servant? Why was he paying out of his pockets for this group of foreign wizards? Why when one of the Death Eaters fired a killing curse at the Queen, did Harry Potter jump in front of it?
Who are these mysterious trio? What is the connection?
Harry Potter Gone Dark?
By Rita Skeeter
Has Harry Potter gone Dark? That is the question on a lot of minds tonight. It seems the local golden boy has gotten himself mixed with a rather interesting crowd. First we have an organization known as "The Hourglass." One has to wonder who and what they are. The mysterious queen that Mr. Potter seems to be serving claims to be the High Priestess of the Hourglass. She claims he is in the "fourth circle."
Clues to the purpose of the group might be found in the outfits worn by Mr. Potter's companions. The older man, known as the "High Lord" to the others, wore a very interesting cloak. On the back were a spider web and a bright red hourglass. The spider web, according to witnesses had thirteen rings around the center. The red hourglass and spider web suggest a Black Widow spider, a notorious creature. Not only incredibly venomous, it also kills and eats its mates. This theory is further supported by the necklace the supposed queen was wearing. A golden spider with an hourglass made of crystal on its back. The lower portion of the hourglass was filled with what appeared to be powdered ruby.
The actions of this group speak even louder. Throughout the day, all four individuals were seen to use wandless magic of an incredible level. Mr. Potter himself used wandless magic to create shields around himself, the queen, and a group of alleged Death Eaters. Most incredibly, a killing curse sent at the "queen" hit Mr. Potter's black shield and was blocked. In less than a second, he created three shields of unprecedented power, blocked a killing curse, and jumped in front of the self proclaimed queen. Where was he taught these magics? None of these spells or abilities are taught at Hogwarts. After his display, he suddenly became very subservient and even cowered before the woman. While he cowered, the queen's brute that had been hiding under an invisibility cloak killed all four attackers before they could be questioned by Aurors.
Why did they not want the attackers questioned? Where did Harry learn this unknown magic? How long has Harry been a member of the Hourglass organization? If they are a benevolent group, why did Harry cower and grovel? Is the Hourglass, like the spider it takes its name from, a cannibalistic sex cult practicing dark magic? Being fourth circle of thirteen, is Harry almost a master or a mere apprentice of the deadly arts?