Remnant Legacy

A/N: I own nothing but the idea of this story; all rights belong to J.K. Rowling

A/N: Hope you all enjoy the chapter; read and review, and subscribe, if you like this story. Negative comments will be ignored.

Hi all, I know this chapter took a bit but better late than never eh?

Chapter 7-

Present Real/ Fake

Soon the dreariness of November gave into the excitement of the Holidays. The staff passed around lists to account for which students were staying for the season and who was leaving the castle to visit their families. Daphne, Hermione and Neville signed up for the latter promising to send presents. Daphne in particular said that she wanted to talk to her parents about her new friends, as well as visit her little sister.

Harry was preparing for another lonely winter, as he had for every year prior to this year, he settled with review his studies and prepare for the end-of-term exams, starting with what he had learned so far, then continue until he felt ready for the exams in May. Those plans fell with Jasmine dragging him off to train. Overall, she helped him alleviate the somewhat empty feeling he had, not that she would admit it, Harry found that the bronzette was awkward with people her own age and that she cared in her own way. From what he heard the Gringotts Goblins had raised her all her life, they had sent her with him as a pseudo-bodyguard, however Harry had his suspicions that she was a much a part of whatever plan the goblins had for him as he was.

For her part, Jasmine had trouble understanding how accepting Harry had been, especially given his background with his relatives. She had been raised to weight consequences of trusting someone with the benefits and her was this (admittedly) scrawny boy, who seemed despite to find somewhere that would treat him like a fellow being. Giving a sigh, she resolved that it was probably for the best that he had accepted the help; otherwise, he would probably get himself killed one way or another.

The two spent their time indoors due to Jasmine's rather extreme aversion to the cold, which Harry felt was hilarious; however, he spared her feelings by not saying anything. Aside from studying or other miscellaneous tasks, they trained, partly for exercise, partly to keep their bodies warm. Harry was working on a style that allowed him to use a sword in conjunction with his wand while Jasmine preferred to use a pair of butterfly swords, which allowed her to switch off using a bland in each hand or have one free to use her own wand. Sometimes they worked on unarmed combat, just in case, more often than not Harry was on his back with Jasmine telling him to get back up; only for her to knock him down again.

Whenever he had the time, Harry often visited the library to learn about the more advanced branches of magic-such as dueling, enchanting and warding. In addition, after reading about Nicholas Flamel, he had started to study Alchemy. He had to thank Percy Weasley, who had acknowledged his underclassman's thirst for learning and used his authority as a perfect to acquire any book they first year need; if he returned the books in the same condition as they were rented.

Alchemy seemed to be a mixture of science, Potions, Transfiguration and some philosophy; teaching about practices their application and how they applied to the very nature of the world itself. One of the first lessons was on temperature and how heating or chilling a material affected its magical and non-magical properties and uses. In addition, it displayed a simple spell that could change the state of non-living matter. Harry quickly rented the tome out, carrying it with reverence, earning the approval of the librarian.

Soon signs of the castle making preparations for the Holidays, Hagrid would often be seen trudging through the snow carrying several firs behind him. The trees were decorated enchanted and otherwise prepared for the season. Also, it seemed that with the lack of the majority of the students gone the teaches seemed to 'let their hair down', this was evidenced by a drunken Hagrid kissing Professor McGonagall of the cheek and the Transfiguration teacher, rather than berating the large man, actually giggled, shocking the students. The students, for their part, made the best of the weather by playing in the snow, including snowball fights snowmen and other winter activities. The twins had enchanted a small volley to pelt themselves against Quirrell's turban.

Christmas Morning dawned with Harry seriously considering trying to spend the day in bed when he heard Ron clamoring about presents. Harry groaned, but forced himself out, on his way her almost tripped over a pile of gifts, "someone sent me presents?" he wondered aloud.

"Of course people sent you presents, you're Harry Potter." Ron said.

The twins entered, ruffling the younger boy's hair wising a Happy Christmas, upon seeing Harry's gifts the adopted a sheepish grin, indicating a package, "looks like mum sent you one too" Fred said, handing the gift over.

"She always makes us sweaters for Christmas; we may have mentioned you weren't expecting much…they're comfortable." George explained.

Harry opened the package to find a green, hand knitted sweater with an "H" sewn in. He was touched and merely nodded; the twins seemed to understand.

The three brothers left to collect their elder sibling, leaving Harry to the rest of his gifts. Hermione sent a box of chocolate frogs with her well wishes; from Daphne a guide to the Ancient and Noble houses with recommendations of which families he should look in to find his family. Hagrid had sent him a carved wooden flute that sounded a lot like Hedwig when blown. Neville, for his part had sent him some photos that he and his grandmother had found of Harry's parents, along with a few baby pictures of the boys together. He sorted through the rest of the gifts until he came upon two packages, one bearing the Gringotts seal and the other unmarked. He opened the first to find what looked like char bracelets and a letter from Shattermaul:

Student,

I wish you pleasant Holidays and congratulate you on your continuing education. As is custom for the season, we at Gringotts have sent these bracelets, one for yourself, the other for Jewelhart. They are enchanted to ward off minor curses, jinxes and the like. Also, according to your parents instruction, a small bonus has been added to your trust vault to spend on gift's for your friends and allies. Lastly, keep your wits about you; stay out for trouble as possible; however, if you feel the stone is in imminent danger you have permission to acquire it yourself as long as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is kept away from it. Pleasant end of the year.

May the Grand Melody keep you,

Your Master

Harry smiled at the letter's contents then blushed, realizing that he hadn't thought of presents for his friends; he never had any before. He quickly wrote a note to have a fresh set of quills and chocolates sent to his friends; maybe he should get something for Hedwig as well.

He turned to the remaining package. Tearing it open, a slivery fabric spilled out, almost liquid-like. Harry gingerly picked it up; noting the soft silky texture, holding it up the fabric appeared to be a cloak. He threw it on, turned to examine himself in the mirror, and almost yelped when he saw only his floating head. He found a note attached to the cloak:

Your father left me this in my possession before he died; it's time I returned it to you.

Use it well.

There was no signature, leaving Harry with more questions than answers.

He made is way down to the Great Hall. Once fining the bronze-haired Ravenclaw, he wished her a Happy Christmas and handed her one of the charm bracelets, which she accepted with a blush and murmur of thanks. Harry spent the rest of this day enjoying the holiday for the first time tasting the feasts, wandering the Halls and making himself merry.

During the rest of the break, he had taken to using his father's cloak to freely wander the halls after curfew to make himself familiar with the castles seeming endless passage ways. One of the places that he frequented was the forbidden section of the library, even though the prefect was willing to rent books for harry the Forbidden section required the express permission of a faculty member to use any of the books, harry soon found out why when the books would react violently when opened.

It was on one of these excursions that he heard hushed whispers. Quietly making his way towards the voices, Harry saw Snape pinning Quirrell by his robes, threatening him. Somehow, the sallow-faced teacher seemed to notice they were being watched and nearly pulled the cloak from Harry; only missing due to the boy's short height.

Harry deciding not to stay any longer, dashed away from the scene. Eventually he found himself in an unfamiliar room with a few desks and something covered by a heavy cloth. Harry, curious went over to the object and pulled off the covering to reveal a large full-length mirror with strange lettering etched into the top. He looked into the mirror and at first saw himself, then figures stepped out the shadows to show two figures, the first was a tall man with unruly black hair, hazel eyes and crookedly placed glasses; the second was a beautiful woman with long, red hair and almond-shaped green eyes. Both smiled at him with the woman shedding a small tear. Harry's mouth was hanging wide-open as he viewed what could only be his parents, "Mum…Dad?" he asked uncertainly receiving a nod from each Harry then saw a series of people, who one way or another, resembled him he reached out to his family, wanting, needing to meet them when a voice cut though his thoughts.

"I see that you, like many others, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised Harry" Dumbledore was calmly walking though eyes twinkling.

"Sir I-" Harry tried to explain before the other wizard raised a hand to stop him.

"It happens, more than most headmasters would care to admit, students wandering the hallways late at night having one kind of adventure or another. It seems yours has lead you to this particular artifact. Now Harry, having looked into the mirror, can you tell me what it does?" the elder mage asked his pupil, leaning back to wait.

Harry thought, "Well, I think… erm. It shows people what they want?" he guessed uncertainly.

"A good guess, but only partly correct, you see Harry the Mirror of Erised is a curious vanity as it showed the deepest, most desperate desire they have. For example, a person may see themselves a rich or famous above all others; however, unlike them you see the family that you've never known. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Excellent" Dumbledore said, clapping his hands before adopting a serious expression, "Now Harry, I understand the temptation that the mirror holds for you, I implore you to not go seeking it. Like the story of Echo, many a witch and wizard have wasted away looking into this mirror and forgetting to live; it does not do well to dwell on dreams. I have had it brought to the castle for specific reasons; many which I cannot share with an eleven-year-old. Now, off to bed." Dumbledore said ushering Harry away.

"Thank you sir; goodnight." Harry said, relived that he would not be punished, he turned to leave but paused, "Sir one question before I go: what do you see when you look into the mirror?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore fixed him with glittering eyes, "Goodnight Harry." He simply said.

Harry nodded and left, choosing to press the issue, it had been a rather personal question after all.

Jasmine: I feel that I need to explain a bit about my inspiration behind this character. Her name comes from a particular book series that (to me) stood out from others especially given its target demographic. Not only was it an interesting series, but it was also well written. The series contained many puzzles that the reader could attempt to solve along with the characters, I never felt embarrassed about reading them. Since then, I've lost all of my copies of the series due to circumstance.

I digress, my Jasmine will embody a lot of her namesake's traits, capable, tomboyish and candid. Her role is to be a bit of a realist in the group and to be Harry's shadow along with pursuing her own goals.