You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
Chapter 20: The gift of shared understanding
The Defense against the Dark Arts lecture progressed in a traditional manner – the professor lecturing on the energy flows surrounding the use of shields – up until a quarter of an hour before the end. That's when professor Tedakis smiled in a decidedly wicked fashion, Harry thought, and turned towards the class.
"I would like to conduct a little experiment, if you are all agreeable. I noticed that there are about half a dozen students present here that did not take part in Mister Potter's DA. I would like four volunteers from among them."
Harry saw a few raised hands, mostly Slytherins, he saw, but a couple of Ravenclaws as well. Malfoy was among them, he noticed, but the professor didn't call on him. Harry didn't quite understand why the other boy seemed so subdued. He had expected taunts and jabs from the moment he entered the castle, but had received only a stony silence and half-hidden glances whenever the two were in the same room. It was food for thought, he supposed, but certainly not the most important thing in his mind at the moment.
Professor Tedakis motioned for the four students to stand at the front of the class where a large space had been left bare, probably for this exact kind of exercise. She then turned towards the rest of the class, and asked, "Now for some volunteers that were in the group, please." There was a sudden rush of hands, and Harry smiled; then raised his as well for good measure.
The professor raised an amused eyebrow, eyes twirling, and glanced at her class. "Not you, Mister Potter, that would invalidate the whole point of the test. Not you, either, Miss Granger, your reputation precedes you. How about you, Mister Longbottom, she looked at her list, Miss Brown, Miss Padma Patil and mister Macmilan, with the boar patronus. That ought to do it."
She waited for the eight students to gather in the front of the classroom, then waived her hand and produced a shimmering ward that separated the front of the class from the seated students. Harry frowned, as he felt a tingling sensation along his hands and forearms. That was the second time he had seen her do wandless and wordless magic, and this time, with the stronger spell, he had felt a bit of the ambient magic slip into the construct. With a sudden rush of understanding, he suspected he now knew just what she was, and why her eyes twirled different colors. At least he thought he did. It would explain quite a few things, he supposed...
Getting back to the present, he saw the professor asking the gathered students. "You are all familiar with free style dueling I suppose?" At the blank looks from most of the class, she sighed, and explained. "None of the traditional rules of courtesy apply – you can hit an unarmed opponent, you haven't lost as long as you can stand, losing your wand is only a minor inconvenience. Any spells that don't cause long term damage or warrant a stay in the infirmary are allowed. I hope I don't need to spell out that the only kind of magic I want to see is light magic. If I have forgotten something, use your common sense when deciding what to do."
She waved her arm once more, and a number of blocks and tubes, some forming rickety structures that could be used as cover, appeared. Now THAT is conjuring, Harry thought.
"The duel will last for ten minutes, the team with the most standing members at the end will be victorious. You may begin."
As soon as she was done talking, the four DA members jumped behind a few of the blocks and started shooting stunning spells at their opponents. Harry cheered inwardly when one of Neville's hit a slight Ravenclaw girl square in the chest, even if the others went flying wild.
Turning towards Hermione, he whispered, "I think a few marksmanship exercises are in order, don't you? One in four is not good." She nodded and noted something in a small notebook she seemed to be carrying around constantly lately.
Neville had somehow managed to organize the four members of the DA and was maintaining a steady stream of stunning and binding spells with Padma while the other two went around the other team. He was obviously trying to pinch the others between the two teams. Not a bad strategy, in Harry's opinion.
The other four students hadn't devised any sort of strategy whatsoever, and where simply hiding behind whatever kind of cover was closer to them. No one had bothered to revive the poor girl in the floor, even if the professor hadn't forbidden it. Harry didn't know if it was funny or depressing. It only proved to him how very necessary the DA was. He would have to convince the Headmaster one way or the other.
Suddenly, Padma was hit by a lucky shot, and went down, struggling with heavy ropes. Neville kept on the steady fire, making sure the other students were sufficiently distracted not to notice the new enemies coming in from behind. Lavender sneaked in on a burly Slytherin who never saw the stunner coming in from above the large boulder he was leaning against.
Seeing the other two were in place, Neville waved his wand at the girl beside him, vanishing the ropes, and, breaking up, they each went their separate ways, while Lavender and Ernie kept the steady stream of curses, hitting another of their enemies. The last one standing, the tall Ravenclaw that had hit Padma, tried to retreat among the many obstacles that were strewn around the space, but he hadn't noticed that his opponents had moved, and walked right in front of Padma's wand. Once the spells stopped flying, Lavender appeared on his other side, and Ernie stood up from on top of a boulder, from were he had been casting. Surrounded, the boy gave up, and put his arms in the air.
The whole thing hadn't taken five minutes.
Disengaging the ward, the professor made her way towards the front of the class, vanishing conjured objects as she went. Soon, the class was back to its former order.
"Very good, all of you. Could you revive your classmates, please? Then you can take your seats. Now, what do you think just happened?"
"They kicked their asses, that's what happened!" Ron whispered from Hermione's other side.
"Well, yes, Mister Weasley, that is true. If somewhat colorfully put. But why would you say that happened?"
Just as Ron was about to answer her question, the bell rang, and the students began gathering their things to leave for the day. Over the sudden commotion, the professor said "I want two-foot parchment from each of you reviewing the duel, what some did right, some did wrong, strategies, things that could be improved. Mister Potter, if you please, I'd like to move to my office down the hall."
"Of course, Professor."
He motioned for Ron and Hermione to go on ahead to the common room, and made his way to the DADA professor's office. He had been there a number of times under previous occupants, and had had both good and bad times in the space. He remembered long conversations with Professor Lupin, and the first glimpses he'd had of his parents as more than fanciful fantasies. More recently, he could remember long and painful detentions with Umbridge – even if, compared to the summer, that kind of abuse was almost laughable.
He wondered what awaited him now. The professor had seemed open and good-humored enough during class, but had been quick to single him out. He couldn't bring himself to feel threatened by the woman - that strange flash of feeling and rush of familiarity still hit him every time he looked at her - but he couldn't help the slight tightening in his muscles as he approached the open door, and looked for the first time at the office.
He was more than a little relieved to see that all possible reminders of previous owners had disappeared. The walls were clean, with nothing but some colorful, abstract paintings to give a splash of personality to the room. A whole wall was taken by floor to ceiling bookshelves that must contain hundreds of volumes, in all shapes and sizes, in at least half a dozen languages that he could see. Two comfortable armchairs were placed in front of a large marble fireplace, in a cozy arrangement.
The professor was seated behind a large desk, covered in a jumble of papers, notebooks, quills and different colored bottles of ink. She motioned for him to take a seat and leaned back, just watching.
Harry dropped his backpack on the floor and sat down, making himself comfortable. With an internal laugh, he realized that a few months ago, this situation would have had him in a cold sweat. Life could change so much in such a small amount of time... He looked up at his professor, wondering if he should perhaps say something, but realized that the question he wanted to ask, "Do I know you?" was perhaps not appropriate for a first meeting.
Deciding that he could wait until she was ready to say whatever it was she wanted to say, he sank back against the chair and let his mind wander. He needed to see Dumbledore this evening, and get an Owl back to Ragnok and John before the day was over. This whole situation with Gringotts was worrisome, and had to be handled with tact... Especially as long as Fudge stayed in office. He couldn't afford any tantrums from the Minister. But he would wait until after dinner to talk to his Headmaster. He wanted to savor the end of his first day back. If his professor could get around to whatever it was she wanted to tell him.
"You seem comfortable waiting," she said. "It is a useful virtue, patience."
Confused as to where the conversation was going, Harry said, "Yes, it is something I learned this summer."
Harry saw something like pain cross her eyes, but it was gone so fast he wondered if he had imagined it. She let another moment pass. He wondered if maybe she didn't know what to say. If she knew what had happened, there wasn't much she could say that wouldn't sound absurd. "I suppose that is something to taka away from such an experience," she said finally. "I wanted to talk to you about the DA, Harry. Can I call you Harry when we are in private? I like to keep the formalities to a minimum, being a professor is sufficient stuffiness for me."
He grinned and nodded, "Of course. What do you want to know about the DA? I would think after today you would have to admit its usefulness."
"You misunderstand, Harry. I am more than convinced of its usefulness, I think it absolutely essential. However, rumor has it that the headmaster hasn't given you permission to continue the club, is that right?"
"We aren't on the best of terms at the moment. And yes, he never answered my question about the DA." Harry sighed tiredly, and let his head drop against the back of his chair. "But it's no matter, he knows I'll do it either way. I asked for permission out of respect for him. Since he hasn't bothered showing me the same courtesy, I'll just go ahead with it and keep it a secret."
"If that is the case, why are you telling me about it?" the professor asked.
Looking seriously at her, Harry paused thoughtfully before answering. "I told him the same thing, so it isn't as if it's top secret. And I listened in on a few Order meetings the last couple of weeks... I feel like I can trust you, Professor."
Harry was surprised when he noticed the sheen of tears on his professor's eyes. But she got up quickly and leaned against one of the window, looking out at the forbidden forest and the setting sun.
"I would like to help you with the Headmaster, Harry. It is not useful to fight among ourselves, and keeping secrets is even worse. That little exercise in class wasn't simply class work." In an undertone, she muttered, "It's more along Michael's subject, anyway." Turning back towards him, her small hands clasped tightly together, she continued, "I recorded the whole duel. It went even better than I could have hoped for; you trained those young people well. They were fast, worked as a unit, took advantage of the terrain, and had impeccable spell work, even if their aim left something to be desired. When the Headmaster sees that, and hears about the rumors that must be already circulating, he'll be forced to give his accord, you see, or risk sounding petty."
Harry groaned, "I promised myself I would never let myself play a politician's game." He shook his head despondently. "Why does Dumbledore push people to such lengths?"
The professor laughed her clear, fresh laugh, and Harry couldn't help smiling as well. "Don't worry, Harry, I'll be the one doing the arm twisting, you just have to swoop in afterwards and ask for his final decision. I assure you, you will be happy with the results."
"I need to talk to him, today after dinner. Is it too early? Do you need more time?"
"No, you're right, the sooner the better." She sat back down, and looked at him seriously once more. "Harry, there is something else the headmaster asked me to talk to you about. It has become... Common knowledge among the Order and most of the staff that... Your role in the war is important."
Harry snorted, "You could say that again."
The Professor frowned, "You shouldn't be taking this so lightly, Harry."
"Oh, I shouldn't? What should I be doing then, rolling around on the floor, crying? Cursing fate and destiny and whatever other deity is out there for the unfairness of it all?" He snorted contemptuously again. "Really, professor, if I took any of this the least bit seriously I would run away and hide so far among the muggles that no one would even remember there once was a Boy-Who-Lived."
She lifted worried eyes to him, "You've thought about this!"
"Of course I have. The Headmaster dropped this bloody bomb on me on the worst day of my life, and then sent me away to live with my Oh! so loving relatives. What did you guys expect, that I'd shoulder the burden of the wizarding world and just... Soldier on? Because I'm the bloody Boy-Who-Lived, and I'm expected to save the day once more?"
"Maybe... Maybe you have led such a life that people aren't surprised by the exceptional from you."
"I don't care!" This time Harry was the one to get up and go to the window. He was breathing heavily and he could feel the slight tendrils of magic reaching towards his hands, begging to be used, to be unleashed against whatever was causing him distress. He gathered it in his palms, then let it flow through him, calming and soothing. "What no one seems to understand is that, in my humble opinion, and it's the only one that counts, I've given more than enough for the wizarding world. I'm not fighting for any sort of greater good bullshit. I'm fighting because there are people I love in danger, who wouldn't turn their backs on this place and on these people." He fixed her with a glare, "So I came back. I came back from the Dursleys, and I came back from Voldemort. And now I'll train, and I'll fight. But I'll do it on my terms, and my own way. People will just have to deal with it. They want a hero, they want their secret weapon? Very well. They should know that it comes with a mind of its own."
"I don't think anything less would be up to the task, Harry. I only wish to help." There was enough honesty in her eyes that Harry calmed down and sat back down, and finally nodded. She continued, "The Headmaster came to me, and asked me to train you. I didn't understand what he meant before just now. Did you see what you just did?"
Harry looked at her, confused, "I rambled for a little while?"
She laughed her crystalline laugh, and actually had to lean back against her chair to catch her breath. "Yes, you did at that, but I was talking about how you manipulated your magic."
"Oh. That." Harry frowned. "I've been able to do that since I came back. From my little vacation in Voldemort's dungeon."
"You unsealed your magical core," she nodded. "How did that happen? Was it intentional?" She saw Harry tense, his whole body acquiring a preternatural stillness.
"Didn't Dumbledore tell you how it happened, when he asked you to do this?"
"You know how Dumbledore likes to dole out information in little doses. He didn't tell me anything." She paused for a moment, and then asked quietly, "Will you tell me? It can change things, further on, how it happened."
Harry turned his head, letting his eyes linger on the colorful books in the bookshelf, then let his gaze wander to the window. He was silent for so long, Elektra lost hope of getting an answer. But finally, without looking at her, seeming surprised at himself, he started speaking. And he told her everything. About the books he'd read, and how his magic reacted to the curses, and how he finally let it loose against one of his captors, and escaped at last.
"After that it got really out of hand... A stray thought and my hands were tingling. But I got it under control, mostly. I can use a wand again, and my eyes aren't silver anymore."
"That is impressive, for such a short amount of time. Especially since I can't sense any of the rituals in you – you used the Custodio Imperium, right?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"By the flow of magic, and the fact that I can't feel any of the bonds that the more traditional rituals leave in your conduits. It's a difficult path to follow, and you must practice every day until the bond is complete, or we will all be in danger. You're a particularly gifted wizard, Harry; a backlash from your powers could bring down the wards. Even such wards as exist around this castle."
Harry saw the seriousness in her eyes, and felt relieved to finally have an adult that didn't shy away from difficult truths. It was refreshing to have the dangers and difficulties laid out in front of him, and know that there was a solution for the problem, and that he could work towards it.
"I know professor, I've been very disciplined with my training. The books I read were pretty scary in their descriptions of magical backlashes and stuff. That's why I was so angry with the Professor for not telling me anything when I was at Grimmauld Place. He just left me there, with no information, no advice. I could have burnt down the house, and killed myself and everyone there in a second, simply because I didn't understand what was happening."
"Believe me, Harry, when I was told that was the case, Dumbledore got an earful. It was so completely irresponsible; I still can't understand his logic... But no matter, when would you like to start training? I could simply join you during meditation, and add more exercises as the time goes on. You will see, Harry, this is a delightful journey." Her eyes started glowing and Harry felt the power lines shift in the room, as Elektra gathered a trickle of power in her hands, and let it flow around her. "Learning to be one with the Magic, to feel it's power, it's hidden secrets. It is the best feeling in the world. I can't wait to finally teach it to someone else."
She smiled at him in genuine happiness, and Harry felt infected by her joy. He was actually looking forward to next morning.
"That would be great, professor. I'll be at the Room of Requirement, tomorrow, at 7 am. See you there!" He got up, and started towards the door. Then he pause and, turning back with a smile, said, "And Professor, aiming exercises are at the top of my list." He had time to see her eyes flash in amusement before he closed the door and made his way towards his common room.
Ginny was seated in her favorite armchair by the fire waiting for Harry to come back from his meeting with the new DADA professor. She had news and needed someone to share them with, and lately, her go-to person had been Harry. And she needed to tell someone about the amazing dueling class she had just had.
Finally, almost an hour after the end of last period, Harry shuffled through the portrait whole. He seemed tired, but relaxed, and Ginny was glad that the meeting went well. She still wasn't sure what to think of their new professor, and hadn't had class with her yet, even if the rumors were spreading fast and thick. She waved and he wove his way towards her, plopping down on the couch by her side.
"Hey Gin!" he said cheerfully. "I'm knackered. How was the end of your day?" He let himself slip further down in the couch, finally resting his head against her shoulder, and closing his eyes. "Tell me all about it."
Smiling at the top of his head she gushed excitedly, "I had my first dueling class, Harry, you know, with the knew professor, Michael Agilius. It was amazing, it was like everything we did during the summer, but condensed and structured, and – and I was good at it, Harry!."
"Yeah? That's good," Harry said, closing his eyes and enjoying the sound of her voice drifting past him.
"The professor said we'd only have practical work – no books, no essays – and I swear, Harry, the guy makes dueling seem as natural as breathing. He tested all of us, to see if we had any idea of what he was talking about, and it was absolutely hilarious. People getting hit in the first seconds of the fight. Dropping like flies." She sighed, and continued more seriously, "I know I shouldn't laugh, but it was a massacre, even if in a purely figurative sense."
"How did you do, then, Gin? If it was a test on the stuff we practiced, you should have held at least a little longer... You're progressing nicely."
She glowed at the compliment, even if the great prat didn't even notice, and couldn't resist running a hand through his hair. "I did better than most, especially since he began at the same rhythm as everyone else, and got progressively more advanced. But I can't say I was a great challenge. But he gives such great advice, on stance and rhythm and... I don't know, Harry, I just feel we'll learn so much in this class... Especially if we can keep training on the side. When do you have Dueling, Harry?"
He didn't answer, and she saw that he had dozed off. She smiled softly, and held still, not wanting to wake him before she absolutely had to. They had some time before dinner, and she could let him rest. She knew he was stretched too thin, that he would burn out if he kept pushing himself as he was, but didn't know how to say that in such a way that he might actually listen. And she did understand that there was so much at stake, and no one activity that he could simply put aside. But she vowed to be there at his side, every step of the way.
She made herself comfortable on the couch, trying not to jostle Harry, and pulled a Transfiguration textbook to her lap - it was the only reading material within reach, and she wasn't about to move. She might as well read ahead, and be prepared for the next lecture. Even if Professor McGonagall might die of shock.
Some time later, as she finished going over the first few chapters of the textbook, Hermione came down the stairs from her dorm, and sat down next in the sofa.
"He looks so cute when he's asleep," she noticed, smiling.
Ginny snorted, "Only when he's asleep?"
"These days, he mostly looks scary when he's not asleep," Hermione answered, losing the smile.
"He's only doing what he has to do, Hermione. He always did that, but the stakes are higher now. He's still the same person as before."
"No he's not." The older girl sighed. "You should have seen him in class today, Ginny. He's changed. He's more confident, and self-assured. He stood up to a professor in front of the whole class and didn't even blink. He's so much more than he was before."
"And why does that make you sad?" Ginny asked, frowning. "I was so afraid this summer, that he would come back changed – alive, but just an empty shell. Unfeeling, uncaring. Broken. But instead, he chose to fight back, to – to take his destiny into his own hands, and live to the fullest. That's not a bad thing!"
"I know." Hermione looked away, as if unwilling to look her in the eye. "I know that. But he has changed, and it has changed us. It's just sometimes I miss our old, easy friendship. When I knew everything that went on in his life, and we did everything together."
"This has nothing to do with Harry, Hermione." Ginny said harshly, but still keeping her voice quiet. "This is your fault. Ron's fault. And you know it. He had so many plans and thoughts and feelings, Hermione, and he was aching to share them with friends. And you guys never gave him a single opening. Don't you see that? How much it must have hurt?"
"I know, Ginny, believe me, I know. And it's one of the things I regret the most in my whole life." She sighed unhappily once more.
"How did things go today, with Ron? I know things won't go back to the way they were for a while, it takes time... But I'd hoped things would improve."
"They did..." She paused. "But there's something missing, you know? Harry was up before any of us, and he was late for breakfast, and he didn't tell us where he was. And he had a letter in his pocket today that he kept reading during breaks but he never mentioned what was in it, never asked for advice or told us what was going on... So, you see, we might all be speaking again, and smiling to each other, but things are not back to normal. I don't even know if they can get back to normal, if Harry even wants them to."
"You know he does, Hermione. You saw that in the infirmary."
"But he won't talk to us, not like he used to!"
"Yes, trust is a fragile thing." Ginny glanced at Harry, still asleep on her shoulder. "I think now more than ever, for Harry. Because so many people he trusted failed him, or even openly betrayed him. But once you have his trust, Hermione, it's the most precious thing in the world."
"I never thought I'd see the day Harry fell asleep on someone's shoulder," Hermione smiled, a bit sadly. "I'm really happy for you, Ginny. You two are good for each other. You bring out your good qualities, and that's so rare."
"Yeah, well." Ginny frowned slightly. "I'm still waiting for him to take that last step. He's been a bit of a wimp about it, but I'm sure he'll remember his Gryffindor pride eventually."
With that thought, Ron came charging down the stairs from the boy's dormitory and announced loudly, "Let's eat!"
Albus Dumbledore was pacing in his office. He'd heard some disquieting news from his network of portraits about the rumors circulating in the hallways. He was always careful to keep an eye out for the mood in the school during the first few weeks of class, in case he needed to remedy quickly to any problems. And he couldn't deny that, for the most part, the day had been good. The new teachers were a resounding success, and the atmosphere in the hallways was as light and relaxed as outside circumstances would allow.
However, Elektra's little experiment had done the job. He knew when he was being manipulated, and he did not enjoy the feeling. But then, he should have expected this when he had asked her to come back. That was one person who did not know the meaning of giving up. It was only a matter of time until she came to finish driving the point home.
"Nothing is ever easy, my old friend," he said softly, running his fingers gently along Fawkes' neck.
The bird trilled a few notes, and Dumbledore had the uncomfortable sensation that the phoenix was laughing at his predicament.
"I know. I should have expected this when I hired her. But I thought the good outweighed the bad."
"Have you changed your mind since this morning, Albus? You do know my contract is a year long, and that you can't fire me without cause. Plus, I find I quite enjoy teaching. Young minds are a fascinating thing."
Sighing, he turned around to look at his expected visitor.
"You are the only person to ever be able to come up unannounced to my office, Elektra. My gargoyle's debt is still not paid?"
The young woman laughed quietly, "Nope. And since he is stuck here and unable to do any grand gestures, I imagine it will take quite a few free passes before I'm satisfied."
"Yes, I suppose I could expect nothing less. Is there a specific reason you are here?"
"I spoke to Harry today." She paused a moment, lost in thought. "It was a difficult conversation, Albus. But he is an incredibly resilient young man." She looked him in the eyes, not a trace of her previous good humor in her eyes. "However Albus, you must stop taking him for granted. It is not because he was here in the past to do what needed to be done, that he will do it in the future. The prophecy is nullified if one of the two refuses to fight. He may be the Chosen One, but he still has free will."
Dumbledore was surprised at the earnestness in her face, and it made him pause. This was a problem he hadn't for a second imagined he would have.
"I don't understand, Elektra. Why are you telling me this? My problems with Harry have always run towards too much eagerness, not too little."
She shook her head sadly, "Albus, I cannot pretend to know the boy, but he made it perfectly clear to me, after an unfortunate comment on the seriousness of the situation, that he wasn't above turning his back on the magical world and never coming back. He has had a most trying summer, and I think for a good part of it he was ready to give up, and try to find a life somewhere else."
And suddenly, a number of small comments he had heard during the summer, from the Weasleys, and Ginny in particular, suddenly made perfect sense. How could he have been so blind?
"So you see, Albus, I think it's about time you changed tacks with Harry. He's not a boy anymore, even if he seems young. You should have seen him manipulating magic, Albus, he's a natural. I never saw anyone take up the Custodio Imperium so fast. He's growing more powerful by the day. Soon it will be dangerous to let him practice with just any student – Michael should be really careful." She shook her head exasperatedly, and stood up, glaring down at the headmaster. "You know who he is, Dumbledore, and what we expect him to do. Maybe it's time to let him do it."
"Maybe you are right, Elektra, but I did so hope to let him have a real childhood. Real memories."
"I think that's all over now, Albus, and that Harry knows it. So how about you let him have what he wants, Professor, and learn to compromise? You saw the grades from the students in the DA, you know that what he's doing is important."
"I know it is, that is why I asked for you and Michael to come back."
"But it's not the same, Albus. It's always different when you're in class, and you're being graded for what you're doing. Don't you remember being sixteen, and learning to be independent? It's important - just as important for them as learning to use magic, and cast spells." She smiled mischievously. "I assume you've heard the rumors about my little experiment? I recorded it for you." She took a small glass orb from her pocket and put it on the table, in front of the old Headmaster. "You'll see that Harry is doing important work. He's taught a bunch of teenagers how to cast patronuses, for Merlin's sake. That should count for something."
When he didn't say anything, and simply stared at the small orb, she prodded, "Go ahead, Albus, it didn't last very long. They were that good."
He reached forward and closed his hand around the orb, letting the memory replay behind his closed eyelids. Then he sighed in defeat.
"Very well, Elektra, I'll do as you wish. I'll give him permission to reform his club. But they do need to work on their aim."
Elektra rolled her eyes, but said, "Good, then you can tell him that tonight, he's coming to see you after dinner."
"Indeed? What does he want?"
"I don't know, Albus, but I trust you'll react differently this time. Harry needs your support, and he's obviously tired of never being met half-way."
"Did you talk to him about training, Elektra?" the Headmaster asked quietly. She was sad to see how old he sounded, defeated somehow.
"I did," she answered quietly. "We'll start tomorrow. He dealt with this whole thing in a most responsible fashion, Albus. You should be proud. He took the most difficult route, and he's thriving in it."
"I am most proud, Elektra. But I can't help but miss the easy relationship we had before. When he was so eager to learn, and craved even the simplest guidance."
"He grew up, and he's learned to think for himself. That's not a loss, you just need to realize that things changed, and adapt to new circumstances. I think you'll find they are no less rewarding. I had him in my classroom for one period, Albus, and I could feel it."
"I am not sure he will want to learn from me, even if I feel there are still things I must teach him."
"He will, Professor, if you treat him with the respect he deserves. Talk to him this evening. A real conversation, not a lecture, and you'll see the truth of what I've been trying to tell you."
Dumbledore took a deep breath, and looked thoughtfully at the young woman in front of him. "Maybe you are right, Elektra. You saw him in class, how is he dealing with his magic?"
"We didn't do any practical work today, but afterwards, in my office, he lost his temper for a moment, and I could feel it. The ritual is not complete... I'm guessing it will take at least another month for the bond to be secure. But he already has an ease and familiarity with it, Albus, which are truly amazing. He manipulates energy without a second thought... I'm really looking forward to working with him."
"Have you told him what you are?"
She smiled. "No, but I saw him looking at me when I worked magic in class. I'm pretty sure he knows."
"What are you planning to teach him, Elektra?"
"I'm not sure yet, I have to see what he has been doing, I'm meeting him tomorrow. I'm mostly in uncharted territory here. James never came this far..." she sighed, lost in memories. "And I never got to meet his father before he was killed."
"I remember. It was a difficult time."
"I can't help but wonder, sometimes, Albus... If I had pushed him harder, if maybe it would have made a difference. They went into hiding so suddenly, I never even got to say a proper goodbye." She sighed, and let herself slouch against the back of the couch.
"You cannot blame yourself for what happened, Elektra. Voldemort was there in person, nothing would have stopped him, not when fate was on his side."
"You know I was never a strong believer in fate, Albus." She looked him squarely in the eyes. "I won't make that mistake again. I won't Harry let down. He wants to train, and that's what I'll do. There'll be no mollycoddling. I don't like it, and from what I gathered Harry abhors it even more. That means, Albus, that when I think the time is right, I'll be telling Harry everything. All those things James never had the chance to."
"You know I do not think he is ready for the responsibility, Elektra."
"It's out of your hands. You know training is binding among sorcerers. I offered, he accepted. We are bound until his training is complete or one of us wants to leave the path. No other alternative exists. So, it is out of your hands."
"He is still too young, Elektra! He's got enough to occupy all his time and energy," he said in a pleading voice.
"His magic disagrees. As you well know. He couldn't have unsealed his core without a ritual if that were not the case."
"He was in an impossible situation, it would not have happened otherwise."
"You're probably right, Headmaster. But that doesn't change the reality of the problem. Plus, he's been to the Vault, I'd rather he not find out on his own," she replied, seriously.
"You're right." The old Headmaster sighed again, and seemed to slump a little further in his chair. "Events are moving at a faster pace, Elektra. I had hoped to have more time, for Harry to have more time..."
"I know it's difficult to accept, Albus. But take heart in the fact that he's proving himself time and again. You have to admit, it is a heartening thought."
Once dinner was over, Harry left Ron, Hermione and Ginny on their way to the Common Room, and walked to the Headmaster's office. He had waited until the end of the meal, to be sure Dumbledore would be in his office, before leaving the Great Hall. The first obstacle that crossed his way was the ugly Gargoyle guarding the stairs. He really did not feel in the mood to guess the password – he simply wanted to get this conversation over with, as quickly as possible. He felt tired and yet restless, as if his body had lost the habit of sitting still for a whole day of classes.
He rested his hand on the Gargoyle's head, wondering if perhaps he could get a message across, and jumped back, his hand tingling. "Wow," he whispered.
The brief touch, with all his senses open had allowed him to feel the depths of the magic ingrained in the rock, and how it had come alive. "It's just like the sorting hat," he whispered. He could feel the intelligence, of the spell, the personality given to the guardian, and wondered where his senses had been all those years, that he had been blind to the magic around him.
"Well, my friend, you know who I am, and whom I'm here to see, so how about opening up?" he whispered to the rock, certain now that it could understand him perfectly. And, to his surprise, the doorway opened and he stepped into the moving staircase.
At the top of the stairs, the door to the Headmaster's office stood wide open, and his old professor was standing at the window, Fawkes on his shoulder. Harry felt a twinge of pain run through his heart as he remembered once more all the good and the bad memories he had inside this room, and how one fateful night here had completely changed his life.
But just as the pain hit him, Fawkes thrilled a few notes in welcome, and took off from the Headmaster's shoulder, to land on his outstretched arm.
"Hello, Fawkes. How are you today? At the height of your health, I see, my friend." The bird thrilled a few more notes in reply, and Harry felt the gloom that had been about to set around his heart lift.
"Harry," the Headmaster said in welcome. "May I ask you, how did the Gargoyle let you in?"
"Uh, I asked him?" Harry answered, sitting down in one of the comfortable armchairs facing the fire, and letting Fawkes settle down in his lap.
"Did you, indeed? You are the first to make such a request in a couple of centuries, my boy," the old man said, his eyes twinkling madly, turning to face his visitor.
"Really? Well, the Gargoyle seemed intelligent enough, I didn't see a reason not to be polite. And, truth be told, I was in no mood to play guess the candy, Professor." The bird in his lap, following the conversation, gave a small, joyful trill, that Harry felt sure was a small laugh.
"Fawkes is unusually fond of you, Harry. You are one of the few people other than me that he will show affection to."
"Well, Fawkes saved my life, so I have nothing but the greatest respect for him," Harry said, running his fingers through the warm and smooth plumage in the birds' neck.
"I can see that, Harry, and most importantly, so can he." He left his spot by the window, and sat down in the armchair facing Harry. "How was your first day of classes, Harry? I hope you aren't having too hard a time adapting to the castle again."
"I'm fine professor, don't worry about me."
"But it is my job to worry about you, Harry. You are under my responsibility after all, and the least I can do is make sure your well being is assured, to the best of my abilities. I imagine it must not be easy to be in such a crowded environment after this summer."
Harry sighed, and gazed at the fire burning in the hearth, but found out he didn't mind sharing. "I'm just tired, Professor, it's been a bit exhausting. I'll be fine. I'll get used to it."
"I'm sure you will. And how were your classes, any problems controlling your magic?"
Harry smiled, "No, no problems. It's so good to be able to hold a wand again. I hadn't realized how much I missed it. And the things I can sense now..." He paused, at a loss for words. "It's like the whole castle is alive with magic, as if everyone who has ever passed through here has left a mark, and given a little of himself back to the castle."
"That is quite right, Harry. That is what makes Hogwarts special. The building itself is alive, after a fashion. It has a certain awareness of what is going on inside its walls."
"I wonder how I never noticed it before... When I stepped in, it was almost overpowering."
"Most students never do, Harry. It takes a special relationship with magic to feel it."
Harry sighed, but didn't answer. He felt like there wasn't really anything to say. The price had been too high, for him.
"Harry, Professor Tedakis approached me today with some very convincing arguments, and I have come to realize that you are both right, in regards to the DA. So I'll give you permission to continue it. But I must ask you to treat it as a normal school club: you'll need a professor to oversee it, and you'll have to be open to all Houses."
"Okay, as long as they sign whatever Hermione comes up with to ensure there are no turn coats inside, I don't mind." Harry had expected nothing less, when he had asked Dumbledore to make the club official.
"Very well, that is one problem settled, then. Was there a reason for your visit, Harry? Even if my door is always open for you, I understand that you had a specific reason to come?"
"Yes," Harry said. He sat up straight in his chair, and got his mind back on track. He had been growing comfortable with the comfortable warmth that was Fawkes in his arms, and the relaxed conversation, an unusual commodity in his meetings with Dumbledore lately. "I received a letter from Ragnok. I asked him to keep me informed if Voldemort made a move on the bank, and asked him to make discreet inquiries among the Goblins, to test their loyalty. Apparently Voldemort has already approached a certain number of high placed members of Goblin society, even a couple of members of the Council. Ragnok is not sure what exactly is his goal, since he is not loved by the Goblins. Ragnok is afraid he might use force later on, when negotiations fail, and that they might need to close the bank."
"I see..." Dumbledore said, frowning. "That is useful information. I might be able to twist a few arms in the ministry so that if that happens we don't find ourselves in the middle of a media frenzy. However, Cornelius has not been open to suggestions, lately."
"Fudge is a danger to everyone, Professor. We could really use a decent minister," Harry grumbled.
"That is another problem altogether, Harry," Dumbledore interrupted, and Harry decided he was way too tired to argue this point again with the Headmaster. He had come to talk about Gringotts, and to see if the Headmaster was going to help with the ministry, and that was all.
"Yes, well. Anyway. How do you think they'll react, if Ragnok closes his doors?"
"There would be an uproar, that is certain. Talk about a new Goblin rebellion, certainly. Especially among more contentious members of the press."
"Contentious?" Harry snickered. "Is that what you call Rita Skeeter and her friends at the Prophet?"
"I imagine they could pose a serious problem, Harry, but if we prepare them for the eventuality, we might soften the blow, as it were."
"I wouldn't bet on it, Professor, but I suppose there is nothing else for it, except force every reporter on the planet to tell the truth."
"I had hopped to spare you from this kind of problems, Harry. To leave you with more time to train, and concentrate on your studies. But I see you are by far too involved, now, to back away." Harry noticed how old his Headmaster sounded, all of a sudden, and understood a little better some of his actions during the summer.
He sighed resignedly, "I think it's too late for all that, Professor. This is my war, my destiny... I can't do anything if I'm not aware of what is going on, what others are doing. I hope you can understand that."
"I'm doing my best, Harry. And I trust you'll remind me quite forcefully when that is not the case."
Harry smiled. "There is that."
Harry was glad to see that some of the tension had been purged from their relationship. He needed Dumbledore's advice, and his knowledge of how things worked in the wizarding world. And that was what he did, as he questioned his mentor on everything he could think of regarding ministry policy regarding the Goblins, the inner workings of the High Council, and how power struggles within the Wizengamot might affect the rapports between wizards and goblins. All in all, Harry thought, it was quite an enlightening meeting.
A/N : Hey, so as promised a new chapter (without years of wait!). I know the end is a bit abrupt, and I did have more planned for this chapter, but it was turning out to be waaaay too long for a single instalement, so I broke it down. The good thing is, next chapter should also be out soon! Cheers, and I hope you all enjoy this!