A/N: Thank you Baby Moony for all your help editing and revising this chapter! Couldn't do it without you!
Unlooked For Advantage
The rest of the weekend passed with Harry spending time with Ron, Hermione, and the twins. He even roped Dean, Seamus, and Ginny into playing a few games of Exploding Snap and just hanging out with him in the common room. He would have been with Neville, but his brother seemed rather content spending some alone time with Remus. He had found them in the library together, hunched over books and muttering softly. It had been really nice to see.
Witch's Weekly came out on Monday and his article took six pages. It didn't spark as emotional a storm as Skeeter's tripe had, but he was once again being stared at and whispered about. Many eyes turned to him in the halls and he felt like everyone in his House had come up to him and ask if he really felt that way; that he had to prove something to them. Harry couldn't say anything, because on some level he did feel that way and Silas worked hard to get that message across. It would be poor sportsmanship if he disagreed. At least, that's the way he chose to see it.
He hadn't started studying the stallion yet. He was pleased about the animal representing his soul and felt it was going to mean something good, but he had so much work to catch up on that he had been putting off. On the plus side, now that he and Gabriel were one, his knowledge base expanded greatly. In some area's, at least. Defense was a breeze and so was Charms now. Transfiguration was not difficult, exactly, but it was even less interesting than before. He just didn't see a point to being able to change one thing to another.
He still liked Herbology. It was peaceful and he enjoyed that time with Neville. His brother liked plants more than him, but it was nice tending to them and seeing them thrive under their careful care. Divination was crap, but he was interested in learning about visions passed through links or bonds because he was worried about Silas. The Slytherin hadn't had a vision since summer, but he still remembered how it had affected his friend and didn't like it.
Potions was alright. Once the dislike of the class was gone, he actually began to apply himself and it made things a lot easier. And he wanted to please Severus, plus it was like cooking, which was as relaxing as working with the plants in Herbology. He'd never be a Master, though. History of Magic was tolerable now that Remus was teaching it, but it wasn't his favorite. And last but not least, his Care of Magical Creatures class. He'd like it if there were more hippogriffs, but the Blast-Ended Skrewts weren't very impressive and the class was always walking away with burns, cuts, and bites.
The phantoms hadn't come up with a better plan to help Neville and were still developing a Necromancy ritual to summon someone who could. Severus and Remus didn't know what to do, but they promised Harry they were working on it. They had a break through on the damn portkey crown and were testing the theory on different items to make sure it worked. They'd move to trying it out on a spirit form before actually casting it on Harry. But they thought they'd be ready to try by Sunday. Harry was all for it.
xXxXxXx
Friday rolled around and Harry was making his way from dinner with Neville, Ron, and Hermione. They were planning on playing some chess or reading or something, but Silas interrupted with a quiet request that he could go study in the library by himself. Harry said nothing for the moment and carefully pulled away from his friends.
This doesn't have anything to do with Serpentine, does it? Harry asked as he made his way down the corridor away from the Tower.
No. And even if it did, Harry, it has nothing to do with you, Silas said icily.
Alright. I get the point. I don't know why I can't know more about it. It's not like I'm against it or anything. I said you should as long as you were careful.
You were a little more reserved than that, Silas drawled.
Well, I've changed.
I just don't want to talk about it. And it has nothing to do with that. I just want to study. With that, Silas gently replaced Harry as the Host allowed himself to slip down into sleep. Silas grimaced, not at all pleased with Harry becoming curious about Serpentine. Carefully making sure there was no one around to see him, he turned and made his way for Myrtle's bathroom. And he didn't feel at all guilty lying to Harry about where he was going.
Draco was there, twirling his wand around his fingers as he waited. He stopped when he saw Silas and straightened. They didn't speak as they made their way into the final chamber with the basilisk corpse. Draco unshrunk the trunk they were using to store the parts while Silas crouched over the large tome he had barrowed from Severus (the man still hadn't noticed it was missing).
"Why did you cancel last week? And why did you want to meet today instead of Wednesday?" Draco asked casually. They had agreed to meet every Wednesday night. This was the seventh time they had met. And while, usually, they worked in silence, or spoke of simple things – like Pansy being annoying or Weasley being a git, or classes, or what they were going to do with the parts they were dissecting – Draco couldn't keep the silence any longer. He wanted answers.
Draco had been surprisingly disappointed when Shadow had canceled on him and that made him realize several things. First, Shadow was the closest thing to a true friend he had. And second, he wanted to be just as important to Shadow as the green-eyed Slytherin was becoming to him.
All his life he had been a Malfoy first, Lucius' son second, and a Slytherin third. This held true even in his House, with his dorm mates, and the teachers. Nothing had changed at Hogwarts. Everything had only gotten worse. He never had the chance to just be Draco, appreciated or not by his own merits. That is, until Shadow. That meant a lot to him and he wanted to return that with honest friendship. But Shadow would have to trust him with the truth for that to happen.
Silas looked over and saw Draco's face was very carefully blank, but he wasn't lowering his eyes. He wanted an answer. "I was busy."
"You did well in the first task. Tied for first place. You must be pleased." Draco had his suspicions about the person before him, but Shadow wasn't giving an inch and, damn it, Draco didn't want to force it out of him. He wanted to be trusted and, for the first time, deserve to be trusted.
"What are you getting at, Draco?" Silas stood and crossed his arms.
"In your interview with Silverwood, you told her that you had someone put your name in the goblet. But you told me that you didn't and had me listen around to find out who did and why they would do so. I was just wondering which was truth."
Silas felt anger wash through him. Who the hell was Draco to question him? But then he really looked at Draco and noticed a faint shadow of hurt in his eyes. His anger drained away and he shook his head. "Look, Draco. I didn't lie to you. I had to tell her I put my name in the goblet because the foreign ministers wouldn't do anything about me being a fourth Champion if that meant having to acknowledge that the Death Eaters are reorganizing or that Voldemort had returned."
"Oh," Draco allowed his shoulders to relax. He was glad Shadow hadn't lied to him, but he wouldn't have turned on him for it. They weren't friends yet, after all, so any previous lies were okay. But knowing that Shadow hadn't and that he did trust Draco enough to tell him his plan, made him feel happy and confident. Now all he had to get Shadow to tell him was the truth about who he really was.
"Yeah," Silas returned to his position over the book.
"So you're hoping to still get out of this Tournament?" Draco drawled, carefully stalking up to the subject he wanted to bring up.
"That would be nice, but I don't think it will happen. Mostly I want that bumbling bastard off my back. He's milking me being Champion for all its worth."
"What can you expect?" Draco sneered in disgust and continued to unpack jars. He hated Dumbledore, but that hate had been a distant thing until last week when he had figured out who Shadow was. Then that hate had become very real and personal. Oh, yes. He would wait and, when the time was right, he would help Shadow get his revenge for what that old man had done to him.
Silas laughed at the blonde's expression, still clueless about where Draco's thoughts had led him. They worked in silence for the rest of the two hours. But Draco had more to say when they began cleaning up. "Why did you help the other Champions?" he asked casually, hoping that would prevent Shadow from getting defensive. It didn't work.
"What?" Silas turned to look at him, his eyes hard.
"I know you don't care about winning, but why would you help the other Champions?" Draco didn't look up from what he was doing. His blonde hair curtained his face, unconsciously mimicking Professor Snape. He hoped Shadow would tell him on his own. He hoped this was all the lead his friend needed, but Shadow wasn't feeling trusting. Considering what had been done to him, Draco wasn't surprised.
"What makes you think I did?" Silas' body went loose, but he was far from relaxed. He was preparing to spring and tensed muscles would only make him clumsy. He flexed his fingers slowly, like a cat rolling their shoulders before they pounced, limbering them so that he could draw his wand quickly.
"Cedric's illusion wasn't very good, but suddenly became perfect a couple minutes into the match. He was also shoved out of the line of fire once. Fleur also received help. Only Krum didn't receive aid. I just assumed it was you since the crowd couldn't do magic with the wards that were up. It would have to be someone on the ground near the arena."
"Who else noticed?" Silas demanded.
"No one," Draco looked up with a smirk. He was secretly worried, but couldn't bear to show any weaknesses; not even to the person he was trying to prove his friendship to. "I was just paying attention to other things, so it caught my eye."
"It was me," Silas admitted.
"Why?" Draco frowned.
"Someone is trying to kill me. If anyone else dies accidentally, they would be able to say my death was an accident as well. But if I'm the only one to die, then they can't hide it so easily," Silas sneered.
Draco nodded and stood. This synched it for him. What he had guessed was true, and that made his blood race. If anyone ever found out… But they wouldn't. Draco was firm about that. He was going to stand on Shadow's side. He already knew how capable the green-eyed Slytherin was and that he would open Draco's world up beyond the dark road his father was trying to shove him down. This was his chance and he was going to take it. The fact that it would be nice to be able to trust someone and be depended on in return had little to do with it, Draco reassured himself.
He stood and spread his hands in a show that he held no weapons. His eyes met Shadow's and they didn't waver when the green that bored into him were filled with a deadly warning. "Look, Shadow, I promised I wasn't your enemy, and I'm not. I'll give you a wizard's oath to prove it. I haven't told anyone about meeting you here and I'm looking out for your interests. I've never been very faithful, but this is the first thing I've honestly chosen of my own free will for myself and I'm not about to turn my back on that."
"What's your point?" Silas hissed, hands tingling with magic. He had no idea where this was coming from and that uncertainty really put him on edge.
"Just that you can trust me." Draco opened his eyes fully, inviting Silas to see him and the truth in his words. "You and Harry are too different. I can believe Harry was acting a bit, but his act has fallen since the first task. He's more confident and competent now than he was before, even though he's still not you… Shadow, you're not Harry Potter."
Silas lashed out and Draco was knocked back and pinned to the floor before the blonde could even move to draw his wand. "Don't be stupid. That's ridiculous!"
"Shadow," Draco said softly, "I don't care who you really are. And I know why you hate the Headmaster so much. I understand and I want to help you."
"What do you know, Draco?" Silas purred dangerously. He slowly stalked up to the helpless blonde, his hips swaying and his stride ever so smooth.
"I don't know anything for sure, but I think I know who you are," Draco said evenly, still calm. He had no idea why he believed in this so much, but he did. Over the summer through letters and after a month of meeting Shadow here, he had come to know the other teen better than he knew anyone else. And he needed them to be equal. It had enraged him to be brushed off by a letter and forced to wait meekly for the next meeting with no say in the matter. It was completely unSlytherin, but he wanted this to be more than a business transaction.
So he continued to look into Shadow's face and he spoke what he knew. "The only way you could have helped out the other Champions was if you were on the ground and not needed inside the Champion's tent, which Harry most definitely was… You're not Harry Potter. You're his identical twin brother."
Silas froze. He was shocked, but he was unwilling to show it. Thankfully, Draco filled in the silence.
"I don't know why the Potters kept it secret," Draco continued, "but they had two boys that night. They went into hiding as soon as you were born; no one ever saw their baby or babies. Then the Dark Lord came. He probably only expected one child and found two identical boys.
"He was most likely riding his triumph of killing your parents and became overconfident. He tried to kill you both with a single Killing Curse. Together, you and your brother repelled it with your innate magical strength. Dumbledore allowed the world to continue thinking there was only one baby, maybe to protect you; I can't fathom the motives behind what he does. But the Death Eaters did go mad with the loss of the Dark Lord and they would have given anything to kill you and your brother.
"It was you I met at Diagon Alley. Your brother was somewhere else, probably with Hagrid, but you wanted to explore on your own and I met you at Madam Malkins. Dumbledore, for reasons I don't know, decided to still keep the world ignorant that there were two of you. He had you each Sorted privately and you were deemed Slytherin and Harry was Gryffindor. So Dumbledore decided to keep you out of sight, while Harry gets to go to classes. You can only get out at night and that's how you meet me."
Draco was staring at him, triumph and earnestness shining on his face. He really looked pleased with himself for thinking he figured everything out, empowered by being involved in such a secret plot. For the first time since Silas had started this, he realized that Draco was a child in many ways. He was intelligent and Slytherin, but he had been relatively sheltered from the harsher side of life. He may be older than Silas by almost half a year, but he had not had to face the things that Silas has and that made him innocent, in a way.
Draco climbed to his feet and brushed off his robes. He avoided looking at his friend's face. It was just too… raw. Draco couldn't even interpret it, but he didn't want to invade. "Look, Shadow. I won't tell anyone. And I'll even help out your brother. I'd like us to be more than allies. You can trust me."
"You mean… like friends?" Silas sneered. He could hardly believe what was happening, but he felt oddly touched that Draco was suddenly throwing his lot in with him so completely. Even if he had created the most fantastical story Silas had ever heard.
"Maybe," Draco smiled slyly. "I think we can benefit each other, don't you?"
"Maybe," Silas returned in a whisper. He was still deciding how to handle this. On one hand, it didn't hurt for Draco to believe that wild story he had created. And if he said Draco was wrong, the blonde would have to come up with another explanation for Harry's strange behavior. On the other, he wasn't sure he wanted to be friends with anyone. That kind of closeness just didn't appeal to him. He liked things as they were….
Didn't he? He was strangely reluctant to Obliviate Draco, which had been his plan should the blonde ever get too close to knowing things he shouldn't. So what did that mean? Where did that leave him? Besides being furious that he didn't know himself or his own motives. This was intolerable!
"It'll be alright, Shadow or whatever your real name is," Draco said softly, sensing the vicious conflict in his friend, and then his expression turned into a familiar mask of Slytherin cunning. "I have good news for you. About a certain reporter."
Silas felt relief at the return of the Draco he had grown so comfortable with. "Oh, really? Do tell," he drawled lazily.
"It seems that she went into a flying rage when she saw the article in Witch's Weekly," Draco said with relish, his gray eyes almost glowing with delight. "Her boss said he had enough of her and if she didn't get a good story soon, she'd be sacked. But since you said she attacked you, no one will talk to her. She really went into a rage then and I just happened to procure some pictures of it."
Silas laughed and approached the blonde while Draco smirked and preened. They stood next to each other for a good half hour, just looking at the pictures, laughing and relishing the horrid woman's pain. In the end, Silas decided to leave things as they were. He honestly didn't think Draco would betray him, and even if Draco spread that ridiculous story, no one would believe him. Besides, the blonde still had his uses… And maybe having a friend wouldn't be too horrible.
As they parted, Draco turned to look over at the slightly shorter teen. "Hey, I'll help look after Harry, too. He's not half as bad as Weasley or Granger, at least. I suppose for a Gryffindor he's tolerable."
Silas felt absurdly touched again and murmured an unsteady 'thank you'. The blonde inclined his head and smiled at him before heading back to the dungeons. "Draco!" he called. The blonde turned to look back at him. "Silas, but Shadow works, too."
"See you Wednesday, Silas," Draco grinned and turned the corner.
That night, when Silas returned the Tower and sank back In to get some sleep, he dreamed of Lockhart. He woke, panting and covered in sweat, burning with remembered pleasure and shame. Shivering, he huddled in his bed and tried to pull himself together. He hadn't had a nightmare like that in ages. He wondered if it meant Draco would betray him. He bared his teeth. If he did, friend or not, Silas would kill him.
xXxXxXx
Harry sat up with a gasp. He felt like he had a bad dream, but couldn't remember what it was about. He reached for Silas, but the alter was small in his mind. Harry shook himself once before opening his curtains. It was Saturday and everyone was still sleeping despite the sun being up. Even Neville was still snoring. Smiling down at his brother fondly, Harry got dressed and made his way toward the dungeons. He hadn't played the piano in weeks and felt a sudden need to do so.
Severus was up and answered the door only seconds after he knocked.
"Can I play my piano?" Harry asked with a shy smile. "I haven't in a while and I was wondering if you'd teach me to read sheet music."
"Very well." Severus opened his door all the way and allowed the teen in. "Let me clear you a space."
xXxXxXx
Harry walked into Severus' quarters Sunday morning feeling distinctly nervous and excited. Today was the day they were going to remove the mental portkey spell Dumbledore had placed on him. And Silas had an excellent idea. The Slytherin had thought of it yesterday while Harry was goofing around with Ron, Hermione, and Neville. He had rushed to Remus to tell him Silas' plan and he had said it was possible.
"Are you ready?" Severus asked calmly as Harry approached.
They were going to do this in his bedroom. All the furniture had been taken out and the stone floor was bare. A runic circle was chalked into the floor large enough for Harry to lie inside it. Candles were sitting at strategic points around the perimeter, the wick standing tall and ready to be lit. Remus was standing at the far side of the room, staring intently down at a book filled with their notes.
"Did he tell you what Silas suggested?"
"He did," Severus nodded. "It seems possible. If it is not a struggle to manipulate the spell on your consciousness, we will try it. If it resists, we will stick with the original plan and simply remove it."
"Alright," Harry nodded and took a deep breath. All his nervousness seemed to disappear as he looked into his mentor's eyes. He trusted this man with his life. Nothing would go wrong. "What do you need me to do?"
"Take off your robe and shirt. We have to draw runes on your chest, shoulders, neck, and face," Severus explained.
Harry nodded and did as he was told. Remus came over and smiled reassuringly as he dipped a calligraphy brush in black ink and began to painstakingly draw runes on Harry's skin. Harry sat absolutely still and relaxed, Occluding his mind to keep himself calm and undistracted by his two teacher's emotions. Severus was doing something at the edge of the room. He could sense his presence, but was too serene to actually focus. The smell of sweet incense hit his nose and he smiled.
"Lay down in the circle. Spread your arms to either side at shoulder height, palms up," Severus said softly.
Harry moved as if in a dream and did as instructed. Remus and Severus began chanting in Latin. He had no idea what they were saying because fog rolled into his head. He drifted in silence, in peace. White lightning cracked overhead and he went ridged with a scream of pain. He tried to flail and roll out from under the attack, but he was pinned. He couldn't move! He panicked and tried to defend himself, but his magic kept slipping through his fingers. He screamed again, this time with fear.
"Sev'rus!"
"I'm here, Harry."
His mentor's voice floated to him from across the gray misty plane. And he relaxed trustingly even as the pain began to spike again and again, digging into his flesh. He screamed again, but he didn't try to get away. He tensed his muscles and refused to move. He wouldn't fight. He would endure this and be free of that bastard's control! He remembered now what was happening. He knew it had to do with Dumbledore and he hated Dumbledore! Severus was here. Severus was watching. He would be fine. The pain would stop soon.
"It so much," he sobbed weakly. He didn't want to let them down, but he didn't know how much more he could take.
"I know… I'm sorry… Just a little more…"
Remus, his agonized mind recognized. Harry grit his teeth and held on. Hours passed, days, years. Harry writhed and refused to let go. Then with a gasp the gray mist shattered, the lightning died and he fell headlong into oblivion, tears of relief and gratitude wetting his face.
Silas opened dazed eyes. He was lying in the circle. The candles were completely burnt down and Severus and Remus were sitting up and looking completely drained. He opened his mouth to ask if it had been successful and could only croak. He tried to sit, but his body was too heavy and numb.
"Don't move yet. Just rest," Remus said tiredly.
"It's over. The portkey spell has been transferred over to Demon's Animagus form; the incantations to activate and deactivate it have been changed."
Silas smiled and closed his eyes, satisfied. They had been worried that the only check they could put on the destructive alter was a permanent Occlumency shield. With Gabriel and Harry one, it had been even more important to find a way to ensure that Demon couldn't come Out whenever he pleased.
Stopping him completely was impossible, but Silas had thought of a different way to control the hellish alter. If there came a time where Demon was going to come Out no matter what they did, then it would be better to have a werewolf than a powerful enraged Dark sorcerer. He would only have to say the incantation and Demon would be transformed into his Animagus form and the damage he could cause would be severely limited.
"Time?" he asked huskily.
"Midnight," Remus sighed. "That took sixteen hours of spell casting."
"Water," Silas demanded. He was done with lying helpless.
"Harry?" Severus asked.
"Unconscious," Silas answered and turned his head to glare at the dark-haired man.
Severus sighed and began to get to his feet. An amused chuckle from the corner of the room had all three turning their head's sharply. Salazar Castle stood there with a mocking expression on his monkey-like face. Silas growled in warning, but the phantom ignored him. Severus straightened and managed to hide his exhaustion and weakness behind a blank mask. Silas was impressed.
"What do you want?"
"I was intrigued by your project and I must say I am very impressed with your work. Nothing like this has ever been done. It's fascinating, really." Salazar expression morphed into one of intense scrutiny. He seemed like a mad scientist as began asking Silas how he felt and if he were in any physical and mental pain.
Silas of course didn't answer him and felt a mental probe enter his rather weak shielding. Silas wasn't as phobic as Gabriel had been about being helpless, but he certainly didn't enjoy it and with a vindictive twist used his Occlumency to pull Salazar's probe into the emotional centers of his memory and drenched him with acute emotional trauma. Salazar recoiled with a gasp.
"Stay. Out. Of. My. Head," Silas hissed.
"I'm going to have to insist that you leave," Severus drawled. "We can discuss the success of our ritual spell working at another time."
"Fine," Salazar crossed his arms petulantly. "I summoned your house-elf to assist you by manipulating your bond with him."
With that he disappeared and Omi popped into place next to where he had been standing. "Harry sir! Master! What is it you be needing?" Omi cried as he wrung his hands in concern at seeing the people he loved and belonged with so very fragile and hurt.
"Water. Food," Silas answered.
Omi disappeared with a crack and Severus sighed as he returned to a sitting position. "I don't know whether to be grateful or not at Hogwart's awakening."
"They seem to be just as much hindrance as help," Remus agreed with a smile.
Silas said nothing, instead waiting impatiently for Omi to return with what he had asked for.
xXxXxXx
Three hours later, the three were sitting at the kitchen table a bit more alert and energetic. They had just finished eating a huge meal and drinking almost a galleon of water between them. Omi watched their sated expressions with one of delight and pride. He loved his family and taking care of them was a sincere joy.
"How is Mister Neville?" the little elf asked. The other teen had been included in his understanding of family and he missed the boy.
"Not good," Silas drawled. "He has Elemental magic and doesn't know how to deal with it. It's killing him. The Hogwart's phantoms are trying to create some kind of ritual that will summon the ghost of someone who had once been an Elemental wizard to help him, but they aren't sure how successful they will be."
"Dying?" Omi squeaked, horrified. "What is it he be needing?"
"It's not anything you can fetch or give, elf," Severus stated.
"He needs a teacher. Someone who can help him come to grips with his Elemental powers," Remus answered sadly.
"How much time does young sir have?" Omi demanded.
The tone of the little elf had all three looking at him closely. It was Silas who spoke, "You can help him?"
"Not I, no," Omi shook his head hard. "But I can find young sir the help he needs if you tell me what to be looking for."
"A teacher, someone with Elemental magic," Remus said hopefully.
"I's not knowing what that is," Omi admitted regretfully.
"He'll practice it on Thursday come to me at three o'clock," Silas shrugged.
"Yes, Harry sir!" Omi bounced excitedly. "If I be seeing it, I can definitely be finding it again! I'll be their sir!"
"Do not let the Headmaster find out," Severus ordered. "This must be secret from other wizards."
"Yes, Master," Omi nodded solemnly. "I be keeping all your secrets safe."
"Good," Severus waved him away. "Return to the house."
"Yes, Master," Omi bowed deeply and disappeared with a pop.
Silas looked over at his teacher with a raised eyebrow, "Do you think he can help?"
"He certainly cannot hurt," Severus answered and his lips curled into a faint smile. "Never leave a source untapped."
"Another lesson?" Silas smirked, amused.
"Everything is a lesson," Severus said solemnly.
Remus burst into laughter and the two Slytherins glared disdainfully at him. That only set the Gryffindor off more and both rolled their eyes at his hilarity. Silas stood and left Severus to deal with the moronic teacher and returned to the Tower for a few hours of sleep. Harry still hadn't stirred and he hoped he would be up by the time classes started. He didn't feel comfortable coming Out during the day with Draco hanging about. He didn't want the Slytherin boy to become suspicious of the truth.
Chapter end.
Bonus Chapter:
The following essays were turned in to Severus on Saturday, the day before the portkey spell was removed.
…
The Stallion
The horse is from the species Equus caballus, which distinguishes it from the ass and zebra, which are from the same genus family. There are a great number of breeds of horses, each possessing distinctive characteristics not common to others. The modern horse has descended from these basic stocks: the Libyan horse of northern Africa; the common horse of Upper Asia and Europe; and the Celtic pony.
This animal symbolizes both the Sun and the Moon, as well as the sky and Underworld. You can tell which a single particular horse represents by its coloring The white horse is connected with the Moon; red, white, or golden ones with the Sun. Black horses, such as the one ridden by the Wild Huntsman, accompanies deities of death and the Underworld. My Animagus form had a roan colored coat with white rising up to its knees from its hooves. That makes my Animagus form mostly associated with the Sun, but with a single aspect of the Moon. The horse in general symbolizes power, swiftness, wisdom, and prophetic abilities.
As I have not shown any gift for divination, I believe the last aspect of the horse is referring to my Empathy, and I also believe that is the Moon aspect as well. As a red horse, my Animagus form is mostly linked to the Sun. In India, the Sun god Surya had seven red mares to pull his chariot. Sacred to the Celtic goddesses Epona and Rhiannon, the horse was an emblem of war and solar deities. The Sun mostly represents power and strength, as well as righteousness and truth. It can be harsh as well as a life giver. Horses were also widely believed to bring good fortune and avert evil. As the Boy-Who-Lived, I find that distinctly appropriate.
Mainly what the horse represents about a person's personality and character is stamina, endurance, and faithfulness. It symbolizes freedom when it runs free; when a horse works with humans, it represents friendship and cooperation. Travel, journey, swiftness, friends, and loyalty, the horse represents someone who will be a good companion and guardian.
…
The Oak Tree
After doing extensive research, I have found that the Oak is deeply connected in our hearts as representing the very essence of England. It used to represent the power of the High King and his ancient and spiritual link to the land. With all that it represents, it is hard not to think of this tree as a masculine energy- mighty, strong, enduring, and steadfast.
The images we have of the Oak are buried deep in our national psyche. It is one of the longest-living trees, spanning generation upon generations. The Oak will take 70-80 years before it begins to produce acorns. By then, the trunk will be about 20 inches in diameter, but this will still be a young tree. After it has reached 100 years, it will only increase its girth by about one inch a year, but this extremely hard dense wood is highly prized as a building material and firewood.
Until men created iron cutting tools, the Oak resisted all attempts to fell it. After this, ironically, Oak became the main wood for making the charcoal needed for the furnaces which separated iron from its ore. It later became the main construction material for houses, churches, and ships as it was strong and durable.
The Oak tree was also very holy to the Druids. One etymology of the word Druid derives it from "dru-wid", which means "knower of the Oak trees". "Dru" also means truth, so it could also give the meaning "knower of the truth". In Ogham, the Oak is given the word Duir. Duir comes from the Gaelic and Sanskrit word meaning "door" and there are many associations to be found linking the Oak, not only to the doors of our houses, but also as representing a doorway to inner strength. The Druids firmly believed that the Oak will lead the way to the truth, especially where this is connected to past actions. The Oak will bring about revelations that will bring strength and vision. It represents a doorway to new understanding.
The Oak is also linked to summer. It was the fuel for the Midsummer fires. The Oak therefore virtually stands at the doorway of the great turning point of the year, the Summer Solstice. The sun reaches the height of its power and strength and turns to begin a new cycle of its decline. The Oak is central to the understanding that this change will affect everyone and is part of our growth, which links us to the etheric web of the Earth. The Summer Solstice is the peak of expressive and expansive personal energy, but it cannot last forever or we would burn ourselves out. Strength and endurance can be gained if we learn from our experiences now and begin to prepare for the new cycle that is about to begin.
Even now, sitting with an Oak tree will soothe the nervous system and help you solve emotional problems. It will bring deep calm and the will to survive. The flower of the Oak can be used in potions to help those struggling and fighting strongly and constantly in their daily lives. It will bring renewed strength and courage to any situation and restore faith, so that you can go ahead and aim for what you want in life. The juice from crushed Oak leaves can be used to enhance healing potions to open wounds, cuts, and burns. Oak is also an ingredient in many mouthwash potions that aid bleeding gums or bad teeth. Oak bark is used in potions that reduce fevers and helps heal tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis.
Wands are made from Oak. An Oak wand helps bring out a person's inner strength and power. It is especially good to make a wand from oakwood from trees that have been struck by lightning as it is said to give the owner great protection. Lightning never strikes in the same place twice, after all.
The Norse God Thor and all thunder Gods are connected to the Oak, which is often struck by lightning. The force of the blast bursts the trunk apart, often leaving a hollow bole and gnarled and withered trunks. Here lies a warning about stubborn rigid strength, which resists and breaks in the storm. Flexibility can be a strength in itself, which can balance the forcefulness of rigid thinking and actions Oak-type people are prone to. Those around Oak-type people need to remind them of this.
A person with an Oak Animagus is probably strong and determined. They will be hard-workers who will not complain and who will work relentlessly without a holiday. Their enormous contribution is not always recognized or recompensed. This is because an Oak-type person will feel an inner reluctance to appear weak in the eyes of others and are worried about becoming dependant, and so they will do anything rather than ask others for help.
People have gone to sit beneath the mighty Oak to gain strength and spiritual renewal. The outside world can be forgotten and the inner world can slip back into perspective. The Oak can help you to find new understanding and vision, gained from your experiences. This in turn will bring strength and courage to face whatever life has to offer you. The Oak tree's might presence will help restore faith in ourselves.
Overall, I feel like I need the Oak and do not represent what it stands for. Remus says that if I can't see the Oak inside me, then maybe the Oak is a future version of myself. But that seems just as unlikely. I don't know why my Animagus form is an Oak. Maybe it's because I'm an Earth Elemental and I have to be a tree of some kind and the Oak is obviously closely related to England and was worshipped by ancient wizards.
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End Bonus Chapter
A/N: The information about the symbology of the Oak tree was found at whitedragon(dot)org(dot)uk/articles/oak(dot)htm and was written by Glennie Kindred. The information about the Horse was found from the book Animal Magick by D.J. Conway.