GP12; Order Meeting,
He watched silently as the others came in and he observed their faces carefully. He wondered what they thought of all that was going on. He once again watched the weary expression on his friends face which after a moment was gone replaced with his usual unassuming expression. The meeting was for the members of a secret group of people who called themselves the Order of the Phoenix. It consisted of the teaching staff of Hogwarts, quiet a few members of the ministry and other people who wished to fight against Voldemort. It was not a very large group, since its main duty was to gather information. The members did at times go out during raids but mostly they worked quietly and formed a line of defense along with the Ministry. It was led by the Headmaster of Hogwarts School, Albus Dumbledore. The meeting was due to start in a few minutes and they were waiting for one important member to come. Once again he thought back to what he knew and decided to see the outcome of this meeting.
A few minutes later Dumbledore rose up and spoke into the receding silence, calling the attention of everyone present.
"I hope everyone here is well. We have got some information on the present conditions of Voldemort. I will let Prof. Snape tell you what he has discovered. Sevrus, if you would" with that the illustrious leader of the wizarding world sat down. His expression was benign as always giving the impression of a kindly grandfather fondly watching his children who had come to him in trouble. He watched as Snape got up and addressed them, all the while watching carefully watching everyone present.
"As you know most of the known members of the inner circle have been captured except for Bellatrix. I have recently confirmed that the Dark Lord is calling up recruits and the members from Europe. But what is puzzling is that the Dark Lord has not come out from his quarters or has shown himself outside. In fact only Bellatrix and Pettigrew have any idea of what is going on". He had a skeptical look on his face at this point before he continued "I secretly did legliamency on Pettigrew and found something astonishing. It seems the Dark Lord is extremely weak and he is barely moving from his bed and giving verbal orders to both of them and they read all the reports to him. My orders are to prepare a very specialized strengthening potion specially attuned to him. I believe it will take around a month for him to get back to his normal power levels. Moreover I believe he has sent emissaries to the vampires and werewolves. Apart from that Bellatrix is busy as an ant but I know nothing of that". With that he sat down and the brooding look came up.
It was perhaps the understated way in which he stated the things as if of no importance but it left most order members with a poll axed expression. It seemed that almost every one had been of the impression that now that his existence was reveled, he would at once start his Dark Lord routine of raids and murders. But this information was truly a blessing however unexpected it maybe. After the expected rumbles did the higher ranking members of the ministry who had come to the meeting place the question to whose answer all wanted to know.
"How exactly was the Voldemort Incapacitated Dumbledore? I thought you only dueled with him for some time at the ministry before he escaped completely unharmed."
He watched Dumbledore's face which had a thoughtful expression on it but not before the faint flicker in his eyes. Finally Dumbledore rose up as if debating to speak or not.
"As you all know, Harry has mind connection to Voldemort through which Harry may at times see things from Voldemorts perspective during particularly emotional times. At the ministry Voldemort tried to posses Harry. It may have been to get him killed or have me kill him I don't know, however he was violently and painfully thrown out by Harry. I believe that it affected his strength. It did not help that he had rescue Bellatrix in his weakened state. I am not sure how much it would have set him back but I am glad for it". With that he sat down to here the comments of the members.
He watched as a number of mouths gaped open at the information. This was certainly new. Snape looked as if he had been forced to swallow a bag of the headmasters lemon drops, especially considering the fact that almost the whole order was looking at him for an explanation since he had been expounding that Harry was useless at occlumency and would never be able to pick it up. He dint understand it either, only someone who was an expert at legilamensy could in fact posses someone else. To fight off such a possession, you need to be mentally very strong and experienced at occlumency. And in the face of Snapes continuous reports of Harry's failure at occlumency, such a feat was truly extraordinary. There was he decided, something unsaid which Dumbledore was keeping from them.
The next hour was taken up by reports from different members of the ministry and discussions of the political situation. It seemed after the FDM (Fiasco of Dept Mysteries) as they had taken to calling it and Fudges admittance of Voldemort, the entire ministry as well as the wizarding world was in an uproar. It looked very likely that Fudge would be voted out but the politics was complicated since there was no clear candidate. Further more the capture of Lucius Molfoy put a great strain on events considering that not only was he the legitimate head of one of the greater families, he was also Fudges friend and backer. However more problems were cropping up since none of the wanted candidates were able to get backing of any of the Greater families. It seemed they were at large waiting to see what would happen. He supposed he could understand their reasoning since for the first time in 20 years would the High council be nearly full and their position could overrule almost any decision the ministry might make. Moreover considering their ages and especially the position of the most powerful member, it would be a game of either exquisite dancing or one that would result in a blood bath.
He supposed he understood Dumbledore's reasoning for supporting Fudge and allowing him to be the minister. Fudge was not the brightest of people and even though he would do many things just to spite Dumbledore, he was still malleable and easily intimidated. Moreover if what he was seeing was correct then Dumbledore would have the complete regency of the most powerful member of the council allowing him to place his own choice of minister overruling almost anyone else. He had to wonder at the man's guile and ruthlessness.
It was almost a relief when Heista Jones spoke up wondering why Harry was not being informed of all this considering that it dealt with his position and life, and also why Dumbledore had not sent the ministries exemption from underage magic letter to Harry. He had been wondering how to broach that particular subject. He knew for a fact that the others who had been at the ministry had already received theirs and were right now taking full advantage of it.
He carefully watched Dumbledore as he addressed Heista in a gentle remunerating voice "As you know Harry has lost the last member he considers family and is grieving his passing. Moreover he saw Sirius falling into the afterworld veil and is experiencing a great trauma. That is why I sent him to Privet Drive where he can get away from all of this and recover in peace own with out being burdened by all his responsibilities. Rest assured, he will be brought here for his birthday and I will inform him all he needs to know when the time is right" and almost as an after thought to his statement of contradictions though he saw many of the members nodding he said " Harry is right now emotionally overwrought and his relatives I am told despise magic. I fear that should he know of the restriction being lifted, he would start practicing at his home and his relationship with his relatives would dampen. Moreover he extremely well protected there. I think it is best to tell him of it when he gets here. On the other hand I have put up wards to curtail any owls and to monitor any wizarding presence at Privet Drive to give better security. Also I believe that Mr. Weasly and Mrs. Granger must be brought here soon and begin their training. They will be able to protect him should the need arise and I am sure Harry will catch up to them in no time."
It was with great difficulty that he managed to keep his expression neutral. What relationship was he talking about? Everyone knew that Harry and his relatives loathed each other with a passion and in these vulnerable times he would glad to use magic. And some good that protection had done considering the demntor attacks last year. He noticed his friend was facing down and his face looking like a battleground of emotions before he got it under control. He sighed when Molly got up and agreed with that. She had been a bit out of it on hearing that her two youngest had gone to the ministry and especially that Ron got attacked by that brain thingy.
It was some time after dinner when most had left did that went upstairs and entered a room as quietly as possible. He saw his friend sitting to one side with a thoughtful expression on his face. He really admired his control. On the other side sat the twins, their usual expression of joviality replaced by a serious look.
Remus looked up at the new comer and bade him sit down after he closed the door. He felt his mind a bit clear after the session downstairs.
"The new wards were for me I think. He knows that I want to talk to him about all of this. I think he has guessed that a will was made by Siri and it could open a whole can of worms for him. I am not sure I will be able to bypass the wards. We will need a change of plans."
The twins watched him carefully for a moment before they spoke up "Dung's shift is the early morning one and we took two shifts. After that is Diggles and then yours. I think we should be able to manage every thing well if you came along with us some half and hour earlier than norm under a invisibility cloak". He sometimes wondered about them. They were by far perhaps the most innovative of the family. They had a talent for judging people and had an uncanny ability to read a situation. Perhaps that was why they were so good at their business and politics. He supposed they would have been in Slytherine if not for their firm loyalty to whomever they considered theirs. He was thankful for that and glad to take the help.
A few minutes later they left except for two. Remus watched the pensive expression on Bills face. He thanked his stars once again. It had been a long time ago that he had taken this strapping young man under his wing and thought him so much. He had maintained a good friendship with him during all those years and now he was helping him look out for his pup. Thank the Gods Bill had a good head screwed the right way or this would have been much more difficult.
After a moment Bill left saying good bye to Remus. The plan was made and he would be the one doing the most part. He knew it wouldn't be easy taking Harry out of Privet Drive. He guessed Dumbledore had put a whole plethora of spells on him and was his hope that between him and Remus they could manage it.
He remembered the first time he saw him, just out of the floo, covered in soot wearing old overlarge clothes and extremely polite and in spite of all he heard, he had thought him an eccentricity wondering why he dressed like that when he had such a position. It was after the world quiddtich match in the quiet of the tent that he saw his eyes and the strength and determination there, and understood that he was the real thing. Perhaps that was why he helped Remus even though he had no doubt of the problems it would cause Dumbledore. There was something about this quiet teen who had taken the complete loyalty of his young twin brothers that drew him and tugged at him making him want to help. He decided to see how it would turn out since it would be the first of the many jolts the boy would receive. He wanted to know for himself of what stuff he was made of, weather it was worth it or not before he took the next step. For now he would go home and rest. It would be a few more days before they could put the plan into action.
From the second floor window Remus watched Bill leave. He had sown the seeds and he wished for the thousandth time for what it was. Oh, Lily had spoken to him but he didn't completely understand it. He knew something big was happening; something the were council was waiting for. Hell, almost all the packs had felt it and he wanted to know why. The only thing he knew was that the little pup he called Harry was at the center of it. He hoped the entire thing dint blow up in his face "I hope you know what you have done Lily flower. I really hope so". With those words the weary werewolf folded the letter he had so suddenly received from his dearest friend and sought out his bed.
In his office, in a far away castle did an old man sit by the fire place watching the patterns woven by them. Yes he decided, the plan was coming out well. True something's had not gone as expected but what was important was the goal was kept. The prophesy, it had given him both hope and despair. It had stated the coming of one whose coming would herald a change but for which side it had not said. The boy had power he knew and suspected, but it should have manifested itself soon. Blast the girl he thought, Lily had never trusted him fully. He knew he was missing something there, but he couldn't get his fingers on it. No matter, the boy was needed and needed for some time and for only one purpose. He couldn't have him distracted from that purpose nor could he allow him the leave to grow out of it. He lifted his wand a sent a burst of magic. Yes he thought, the wand enforced spells had been a work of art. However he decided to talk to Andre soon. The boy would need a new wand and it would be time soon to get him one powerful enough. Once again he wondered what the inheritance was and what Lily had known, oh well, he would have to wait and see. The boy would be brought to Grimmauld Place and he could discover it for himself if it was what he had expected. The next year was an important one where the shaping would have to be carefully monitored and the knowledge of his inheritance would greatly help.
Privet Drive: Two days later,
Saying he was irritated would be an understatement. He was in fact frustrated beyond belief and coming to the point of snapping at anything and anyone. The fact was he was a bit confused and with his emotions still messed up; it was a bit hard to decide on a course of action. One part of him wanted to sit at Privet Drive and wait for the package he had been anticipating for while the other wanted to go to Diagon alley and get it himself. Moreover Dumbledore's latest missive had put a frown on his face. It had specifically instructed him not to leave Privet Drive and that wards were put up against owl post and to monitor for any wizards as well as cancellation of his prophet subscription. On the top it seemed very reasonable except the cancellation of the prophet subscription which he could just have Daisy collect. However it was the wards he had to wonder about. Exactly what or who was it that Dumbledore was hoping to stop? Did he know about the new wand? If then what was he going to do?
The other thing that bothered him was the extremely interesting political situation. From the papers and magazines he had Daisy bring, he deducted for himself that Dumbledore was the one who was allowing Fudge remain in the office. He would have been a bit dumbfounded at the deduction except for his on knowledge of the laws and the exceptions. He decided that it would be two months before Fudge would be thrown out and a very Dumbledore supporting minister present. He couldn't do very much about that since right now he was helpless without a wand in the wizarding world.
Oh what a temptation it had been to pick up his wand and start practicing some of the spells in his books. He had been correct to read only non spell books or the temptation would have been too much to bear. He had taken another look at the wand inside the box fighting the urge to pick it up and trying to look at the spells he had seen woven on to it as he had the first time. However he could see nothing whatsoever and decided that either that was a one time thing or it was the work of the gloves.
The Gloves, they were something else. His mother had been more than right when she had written that they melted into the skin. He no longer even thought of them as any thing but a part of his hands. It was perhaps scary of how well he could use them but nonetheless he liked them a lot.
However he thought he could see some problems with the Dursleys. He had seen Vernon's furtive looks and guessed that since no "freaks" had come every thing was normal. He knew that should Vernon try to boss him over, he would be putting him down and putting him down hard, wand or no wand. That dint mean he was not having a better time then he usually did at Privet Drive.
The trunk eliminated all requirements for using the Dursleys's anymore than necessary. He tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle and took a long jog every morning with some stretches. A nice shower and a good breakfast from Daisy later he would retire to the library and start his reading with Prophet and the Quibbler. The Quibbler had gained a semi respectable circulation with the printing of Harry's story and had started a larger current events circulation of the daily events. Considering that it was solely owned by the Lovegoods and Fudge had absolutely no control over it, they could get away with writing unbiased and unedited versions thus its raising popularity.
After the daily news intake he would start with the non spell books present and that was more than a bit hard. When his mother had written about the material helping him prepare, she had meant exactly that. Apart from the finance and law books, the only other non spell books had been the were the books runes, potions, arithmancy, history, the introduction of ward magic and finally one book he had no idea about. He had read the introduction for warding and now took down the magical creatures and beings book considering that he was one. Unfortunately very little was written about lythers and nothing at all about elder wolves whatever that was. The only thing he had found about them was the lythers were that they were a race of enormously powerful people who at times had lupine looking forms that glowed pure white. They had the power of beast control and great healing abilities with some morphing abilities. However none had been sighted for thousands of years. Fat lot of good that was, considering he was supposed to be one.
Finally frustrated at the lack of information he took down the unnamed book and opened it and as he did so a tingle went through his arm and he could read what was written on it. The first page read;
I am Torosin Bluewater and write this book of ages. It is written such that only one who is or shall be a lyther will be able to read it. What is written here is the story of our people from the times of which we can remember and will help you understand what you may gain or loose. Know that in this book there is only truth and is from the memories of those old enough to remember of it. May it help you and guide you.
He slammed the book shut and stared at it for a few moments, this book which spoke of the answers he wished for and other unknown knowledge. Now that he thought of it, he could feel a very powerful and salient magic about it that he had never noticed before. With great trepidation he sat down on the sofa and looked at the book which would provide him answers, answers to who and what he exactly was or would be and what he could expect of himself. He opened the book again and read further;
The memories of the oldest of us extend to the time of when the pinnacles of magical civilizations Atlantis, shown like a beacon of light. And thus my book will start from there. Atlantis, the city of beauty held in her bosom the many magical races of old. Here lived the great users of the limitless magics of the nature and chaos the most prominent of them being the Vampayeri, the humans, the elves, the lythers, the feirei, the shapeshifters and others of less renown. Here were practiced the arts of chaos and magi. It was governed by a council whose members were the most powerful of representatives of the populace of the city whose dominion was great. But trouble had been brewing for long between those whose populace was the greatest, the Humans and the Vampayeri and this came to peak when in great anger did on of the elders of the two use the great arts of that time. However in their anger did they miscast the spells of enormous power and did they cause the disruption of the many shields and flows of magic around the city. To help contain it the members of the two races put in the most effort even to neglect the safety of themselves and their young. However it was for naught and the great isle sank beneath the thrusting waves in the throes of its destruction but not before some of all the more powerful of races leave.
The ageless elves and the long lived lythers went to the far away forest retreat that had been built by them. The immortal Vampayeri of whom only 12 elders had survived went to the lands of Egypt, the beings of the feirei joined their own who had lived in the forests, while the shape shifters whose magic had been affected deeply fled in animal forms and formed packs to live in. The humans who escaped were the least and those who did were a group of powerful seers who had understood and faced their visions and a few others.
It went on in to give some of the facts and developments of the men and the different races before he came to what he thought was the interesting part.
The twelve elders of the immortal Vampayeri were greatly aggrieved. Their children were all gone as had their mates leaving them with none to carry their heritage. So they devised the ritual of blood letting whereby did the elders each select those whom they felt were capable from among the populace and grant them their blood. This way the children though not of their power or strength could carry on their legacy. These were called the Vampires. Though they did try hard to build up some of their family and memory, it would never for them be the same. Thus after they had felt confidante in the survival of their blood children did the 12 go deep into the great ocean of sands and build a great chamber in a foundation of rocks. They placed the greatest of their enchantments and lay to sleep, for they had lost their will to live and were now made to living statues.
As the time flowed the vampires prospered and grew to great numbers taking many slaves of humans. However, soon the Vampires found that their power waned as did that of their children. They grew vulnerable to the light of the sun and the mortal foods turned their stomachs. Thus did they find need for more slaves whom they could control with ease.
Now it came to pass that one of those who was of the first made of the vampires travel north and come across a pack of the shape shifters. It had been in the days of Atlantis that these beings could at will assume any shape or form of any size with ease only barring their power. But in the destruction that followed of the great isle did their magic be so affected that they could change partly or fully into only one animal and gain their characteristics and in order that as many of those who survived the destruction be brought to safety did they take the lupine forms which were best for survival. After they came away, they lived in the great forests as many packs.
That vampire on seeing the play of the lupine children whence they shifted from their part wolven, fully lupine and fully human forms did he get an idea for the servants his people needed. Thus bringing many of his people and children north did he set out to entice and capture all the packs who lived in the great forests and bring them to the great city of Menos. There the many who had been captured were kept in caravans deep under the city and many an enchantment cast. However a few of the hardiest and best escaped the casting of the enchantments and traveled north escaping the search and by luck and in desperation reach the Elvin retreat deep in the forests. There they gave to the ageless elves and wise lythers the story of their capture by the Vampires and the atrocities against their brethren behooving their aid for the sake of their children.
The wise of the elves and the gentle lythers then did call forth a council of the ferei and the human seers. They took council together on what had to be done for clearly the Vampires and their humans were growing too powerful. But they could not attack the city of Menos as they were but a few of number and the city was woven with mighty enchantments by their rulers. Thus did they devise a circle of their most powerful and drawing their energies together appear at once by the city and shower it with the enormous magics so collected. In that outpour of power was much of the city and her people destroyed though some of the those who had come were also killed. Then did they go down to caravans to free those they had come for but were beholden by what they saw.
The enchantments that had been cast had locked away the will of the shifters leaving them to be partly turned monsters of great physical prowess and whose minds could be controlled by the Vampires. But with destruction of Menos and Vampires in the city, they were now nothing more than mindless beasts. Then did the lythers step forth and raise their powers of beast control and holding them to their will did they escape from the ruined city that fell around them.
Now though they accomplished the rescue of their brethren the shifters were aggrieved. Their children had been turned into mindless ravening beasts whose bite could turn the other mortals the same. The troubled elves and lythers worked to remove the enchantments cast on them but they could not release them fully. Thus every full moon would their minds be locked away and they would become ravening beasts. Moreover their control on their physical forms that gave them such powers was gone. Then did the elves and lyther take council with feirie and the seers and come to a decision. They picked up of the escaped shifters the tree strongest and placed on them a great enchantment of power and control forming them to a permanent circle. This then did they tell them;
"Three of your powers and blood together may form this circle of control and by your power and hold will all thy brethren and children have control over their minds and bodies at all of times."
Then the shifters found that by the hold of the three would all of them be given control of their bodies so they may change at will and on the nights of the full moon, by the power of the three would they also have control of their minds. Then these three were given the titles of the Elder Wolves on whom rested the well being of their race.
Well there was the answer to who the elder wolves were. Though he didn't give a description of the lythers yet, he now knew who and what exactly the elder wolves were. Of course, the fact that only three of them were in charge of all the werewolves was enlightening however the fact that he was one of that group was positively terrifying. To not think about that any more he went back to the book
Now it happened that the destruction of mighty city of Menos and her peoples was witnessed by a few from afar and they found the bodies of some of those who had fallen with the onslaught of power. They had seen the circle of elves, the feirei and finally the iridescent forms of the lyther. They then collected the bodies of the fallen that they could find and with their parts tried to make artifacts of magic. However it was found by them that those made by the parts taken from the lythers were the best for the elves and feirei used the natural magics while the lyther used the magics of chaos. On this finding did a great hunt set out for the lythers whose bodies could be so used.
It was well known that though the lythers were of magnificent power of chaos, their abilities were in the arts of healing, beast control, morphing, and had a gentle disposition. Thus this was their greatest weakness even when they assumed the forms of other beasts they could not hold back their hunters. Seeing this, the elders of the lythers called forth their numbers to decide on a course whereby their race may gain protection. It was then with the help of the council again that a great ritual of chaos magics was performed on the race as a whole.
The lythers had generally an animal form of that of a great iridescent wolf. They had a gentle disposition of a healer for that was their greatest talent. Their enormous power radiated as their aura into the nature thereby making any place where they resided greatly magical. Their other powers were that of beast control and the ability to morph as other animals for a small time. Thus they were not warriors and could not protect themselves away from the Elvin retreat.
But now with great ritual which had been done on them, they gained another form, a form that was the complete opposite of who they had been. This form was that of a deep black colored feline which could change its shape at will from that of a tiny kitten to that a gigantic feline which could match a dragon in its physical prowess. It had the same colored wings only visible when unfurled. However its true ability came in the control of the elements of air and shadows. The great cat was a hunter, a warrior and with this form, the lythers could now use the destructive magics of chaos whence they had only wielded the healing abilities.
Wow was the first thing that came to Harry's mind. He felt blank for a few minutes before he could digest what he had read. He realized that what he had read was a history that wouldn't be found any where else. In fact he had no doubt that the reason for the enmity between lycans and vampires was what he had just read. "Hermione would kill to read this book" was his feelings, pity she couldn't.
Though the book gave him some answers, it also brought out a blasted number of questions. What did it mean that he had two forms? What was chaos and natural magic? And many other questions he couldn't even voice out. The only thing he knew for sure was that when he got his inheritance, it would be fireworks of the grandest scale. He knew he was powerful, but he dint know the 'whats' about it. The first thing he wanted to find was what these chaos and natural magics were since he was supposed to have the ability to use them.
Well that meant a long time in the library.