Birth of a Phoenix
Ch.5- Commitments
A/N: Okay, so if you read the independent A/N posted earlier, ignore this and enjoy the chapter. If not, or if you need a reminder, in the closing A/N of Ch.4 I mentioned some ideas I had about Harry and Ginny's relationships, in a way that made them sound like definite things. The reaction I received was stronger than I expected, but your wonderful feedback had led me to change some things about the plotline of the story to make Harry and Ginny come together faster. Instead of the summer after Harry's fifth year, as I originally intended, it may be set in motion before Harry's fifth year even starts, and I expect them to bond under the wrath of Umbitch, leading to Harry/Ginny somewhere near the end after my version of the DoM Of course, don't expect star-crossed lovers, but now that Michael is gone, I will guarantee that Harry and Ginny will only be together, no one else. Are you appeased yet? Also, don't worry, I'm not just changing things willy-nilly, I am making changes in keeping with where I want the plot to go. But enough of that, its new chapter time!
Harry let out a harsh breath as he hit the floor of the Great Hall. He had just flung himself out of the way of Remus' sword, which was currently arcing in a glittering dance towards Harry's various vital organs. Harry managed to roll aside and bring up his own blade to stop a swing that would have removed his head from his shoulders. Normally, dueling with Remus served to be only a moderate challenge – Harry's skills with a blade, not to mention everything else, had improved greatly in the three weeks he had been learning under the tutelage of his various instructors. After overcoming the inertia of 13 years of conditioning to never try his best, Harry had taken to the highly practical, fast-moving combat training like a fish to water – but unfortunately for Harry, the ever-sadistic Mad-Eye Moody had decided that just dueling Remus was 'too easy', so for today's exercise, Harry found himself engaged in a dangerous dance of blades with the werewolf while simultaneously dodging Stinging Hexes from the man's Auror cohorts. Harry let out a brief curse as one of the spells hit him in the arse. That was Tonks, undoubtedly; that woman could be downright cheeky when she felt like it, which was often. Harry artfully ducked the blade again and launched a different form of attack at Remus.
"So, Remmy, how are things with you and Nymphie? It's been quiet in the rooms lately, is the spark all gone, or have you just gotten better at your Silencing Charms?" Harry had been learning the, quote, artfully science and scientific art of the great and noble skill of taunting from Sirius, and he was, according to the Marauders, decent. Of course, he had gotten the better of Sirius more than once when he stopped to crow at the younger boy. It was a gap in his defenses that he was hastily correcting. Remus growled in response to Harry's jibe and lunged, but Harry dropped to his haunches and rolled Remus over his shoulder, right into the massively overcharged Stinging Hex from Tonks, which sent him sprawling, off-balance, into her. Harry briefly chuckled before springing forward to lay his blade against Moody's throat, using the Auror's body to shield himself from Kingsley. A hearty clap rose from the edge of the makeshift arena and Harry turned to see Dumbledore smiling with pride at his victory. Harry bowed slightly to his opponents and bounded over to the old wizard. Harry and Dumbledore's relationship had changed over the month that Harry had spent training at Hogwarts. Despite the fact that Dumbledore was unable to personally train him – which, it was obvious, frustrated them both to no end – the two had grown quite close, and they often shared tea together, talking about everything and nothing. Despite Harry's initial misgivings, Dumbledore had been nothing but transparent since Harry's semi-accidental intrusion into his mind. Recently, Dumbledore had been hinting that he had an early birthday surprise for Harry, and Harry was quite eager to discover what exactly it was.
"Hey Albus, what brings you down here so early?" It had taken the longest time for Harry to get used to calling the wizened wizard Albus, not Professor or Dumbledore.
"Oh, I just had to run some errands in the Alley, and I wondered if you would like to accompany me?" Dumbledore smiled warmly at Harry, who grinned back. Fawkes had descended from the rafters, where he often resided during Harry's training sessions and trilled his own agreement.
"Of course, Albus, I'd be delighted," Harry extended his arm, and Dumbledore took it, allowing the pair to be flamed away. Fawkes still handled most of their travel, especially after Harry ended up flaming into the Headmaster's office and rematerializing with his ankles firmly imbedded in the solid stone. For Harry, his Phoenix powers were like a bird learning to fly. The concept was already there, but putting it into practice was taking a little work.
Harry and Dumbledore reappeared in the Floo room of the Leaky Cauldron in a burst of flame and set off side by side at a brisk pace. The crowd easily parted around them, the combination of the fact they were the two most famous wizards in England and their considerable auras of power, they were treated with a reverential respect. The two ascended Gringotts' steps and entered the main hall. Dumbledore led Harry to a teller's booth.
"Hello, I would like to speak to the Account Manager to the Potter Vaults, is he in?" Dumbledore asked, and the goblin nodded firmly and hopped off his stool and headed back into the rear offices. As Harry and Dumbledore waited, their attention was drawn to two platinum blonds on the far side of the room. Lucius Malfoy was shouting some rather pathetic insults at a very bored looking goblin.
"What do you mean? You will relinquish control of the Black fortune to my son immediately, Sirius Black had been declared dead, and by such, his fortune and the title of Lord Black go to his closest male relative, which would be Draco!" He raged, but the goblin held up a long, spindly finger.
"In most cases, you would be correct, but Lord Black had a standing will, and after he was declared dead by the Ministry, it became active. In it, he passes the title of Lord Black to someone who is most definitely not your son, Lord Malfoy," the goblin seemed to spit the syllables of Lucius' name, and in two perfectly synchronized whirls of cloak, the two Malfoy men departed. By that time, the Account Manager Griphook had reappeared and after gaining the attention of Harry and Dumbledore, escorted them into a conference room which was already inhabited by another regal looking goblin. Harry and Dumbledore both bowed respectfully to the goblin, and he scowled. Of course, with goblins, a scowl served as a sign of respect to an equal, which was what the two wizards in front of him had always treated him and his kind as. As Harry had so eloquently stated once, earlier in the summer, "If it can outsmart me, and also hold a conversation with me, I consider it to be an equal, whether it's human or not," No, scowls were good, it was when goblins started smiling that you should get worried.
"Hello Mr. Dumbledore, Mr. Potter, how are you on this fine day?" The goblin said with a neat bow.
"We are quite well, thank you for asking Director Ragnok, and how are you?" Dumbledore spoke with an excess of formality, generally a safe bet when dealing with goblins.
"I am fine, what business are you conducting today that would require an audience with me?" Ragnok asked sharply.
"It is my wish that the title of Lord Potter be granted to Harry a few weeks early so that he may be prepared to assume the responsibilities of a lord on his fifteenth birthday, as is tradition for the last male heir of a family," Dumbledore stated and Harry was stunned. He was Lord Potter? He hadn't seen that coming, but of course, he could understood why no one had informed him, it wasn't like he could do anything with that knowledge, except maybe flaunt it to Malfoy.
"I see, well of course because of Mr. Potter's rather, prominent station on the hit list of a particular Lord Voldemort, I believe we can make an exception, quietly of course," Griphook nodded and removed a thick sheaf of papers and a metal bowl from a drawer, "Well Mr. Potter, all that is required is that you place a bit of blood in the bowl, and if you truly are Lord Potter, the ring shall appear and the vaults will give you access," He slid the bowl across to Harry, and Harry could tell the edges were razor sharp. Harry brushed his index finger across the rim and several red droplets welled out of the thin cut and dripped into the bowl. One bright flash of magic later and a pair of rings sat at the bottom of the bowl. One was silver with a large ruby while the other was ebony and inlaid with a dark blue sapphire. After a reassuring nod from his mentor, Harry picked the rings up and placed them on his right-hand ring finger. When they were both secure, they glowed and twisted together until Harry wore a single ring which was half one, half the other. The goblin nodded firmly again, "Excellent, Lord Potter-Black, I am most pleased to have your business, but if you have concluded your business, I am afraid I have a pressing prior engagement, please have a nice day," He rose and began to exit hastily.
"And you as well," Harry said to his retreating back. He and Dumbledore also rose and set off into the Alley.
"Albus, what did you mean by 'the responsibilities of a Lord' back there?" Harry asked as they descended the marble steps.
"Well, as the Lord of a House, or in your case, two Houses, you must manage the family's finances and investments, its contracts with other families, and you have become responsible for the protection of your family. Of course, as the last surviving member of both, technically, you don't have much to worry about on any of those fronts. Of course, the main reason was that to manage these responsibilities effectively, the Trace is removed from your wand and you are granted an Apparition and Portkey license sans application, both of which will be critical to our future efforts. It also keeps the Black fortune away from Malfoy. You also now have full access to your vaults – I believe you can use that ring like a Muggle credit card – if you need it, but your properties and Wizengamot seats will be withheld from you until your majority, as both are governed by Wizard Law, not Goblin," Dumbledore finished and Harry refrained from gaping openly.
"So I can do magic outside of school now?" Harry asked incredulously, and Dumbledore nodded. With a flick of his wand, Harry changed the color of his shoelaces and then waited anxiously for the Ministry owl. When none came, Harry's grin nearly split his face. Dumbledore smiled warmly at his protégé as they set off down the Alley again. They made a few stops to get food and some new robes - which Harry had a tendency to ruin quite quickly, and the ones he didn't ruin, he outgrew, having sprouted from 5'3" to 5'11" over the course of the summer – as well as more books and a few other trivial things. Except for one unfortunate run-in with a Prophet reporter outside Flourish & Blott's, the day had been pleasant and successful, which was good, because that night would be especially trying for the both of them.
They returned to Hogwarts late that afternoon and had a quick supper before once more going over the details of their plan. That night was the night that Albus planned to induct Harry publicly into the reformed Order of the Phoenix. Of course, Harry had already been present at the meetings before this point, but he was finally going to remove the Invisibility Cloak. It had taken Dumbledore a long time to convince Harry that one day he would be gone and Harry was going to need to take up his mantle and become the leader and figurehead of the Light, no matter what Harry felt about publicity. Harry had finally relented and come to terms with it, and since then, he and Dumbledore had achieved a new level of closeness. Dumbledore was still not allowed to teach him anything, but he had found yet another loophole. Harry simply accompanied him to all of his meetings and on all of his trips to the Ministry, observing what Dumbledore did and how and gaining a feel for the political climate. It wasn't his strong point, certainly, but he felt he was doing a passable job. Tonight, they would be testing the waters of the Order. They knew that those Harry had been training with would be fully supportive, as well as many who would be swayed simply by Dumbledore's word. The strongpoints of their anticipated resistance were Molly Weasley who was known for her fierce protectiveness, Amos Diggory who was Cedric's father and likely still hurting, and a few others who would disdain at Harry's age. They did, however, have an ace up their sleeve.
As night began to fall and the sky began to color, the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place filled with a wide variety of people from every walk of life. These members of the Order of the Phoenix were the first line of defense against the Darkness now, and their bimonthly meetings allowed them to update each other on their progress. Dumbledore sat at the head of the table, as was usual. It was unusual, however, to see Harry Potter sitting at his right side. As the members filed in, the duo observed them each carefully. The reactions varied anywhere from mild curiosity to outright indignance to whole-hearted support. Finally, once everyone was seated, Dumbledore called the meeting to order.
"Friends and comrades, welcome once again. Now before we get down to business, I would like to petition to induct a new member into our Order. I nominate Harry Potter for the Order of the Phoenix, so mote it be!" Dumbledore's words invoked the magical ritual that was the induction ceremony. There would now be a period for objections and rebuttals, which was well utilized.
"Albus, you can't, he's only a boy! He's too young!" She shouted furiously, sending Harry a look that could make any of her children cower, but he seemed unaffected. In truth, he was just getting good at bluffing.
"So you say, but he has faced Voldemort in single combat more times than anyone else alive. He is both very powerful and has an intimate knowledge of how our foe thinks," This was true, while whatever part of Voldemort had been in Harry was gone, it had left a good deal behind, including his Parseltongue, his Animagus transformation, and an echo of his personality which, once its parasitic presence was gone, had proven quite useful. It wasn't the definitive Voldemort playbook, and it wasn't Divination, but it was… enlightening to have a taste of what his enemy desired and what he feared, "These two things alone are enough for me, seeing as he has done more for the war effort than anyone without us, and I can see our cooperation can only be beneficial, but I understand that not everyone believes that is enough, so I will tell you this; Harry Potter has a role to play in this war, one he will perform with or without us, and it is not something we can stop," Dumbledore headed Molly off as she opened her mouth, his rousing support of Harry obviously had an effect, and the assembled people suddenly looked significantly less hostile. This didn't stop Severus Snape from taking to his feet, however. Harry took a deep breath. Snape was a wildcard, seeming to struggle on a daily basis how with how he felt about Harry Potter, often going back and forth. They could only hope this was a good day.
"I, personally, think that Potter is an insufferable brat with an ego the size of the Sun," Nope, not a good day, "and a hero complex worse than his father's that gives him no place in this Order. Unfortunately for me, however, he takes after his father in more than just that. He shows a remarkable amount of both power and skill with the little amount of training he has managed to do while not being stupid or grievously injured, and I think that it may be for the best if we point the wanton destruction that he tends to cause at something that is not my Potions classroom," Snape finished his tirade, but his voice lacked its typical venom and he wasn't wearing his trademark sneer. That's when it all clicked in Harry's head; Professor Snape had been making a joke, a joke for Merlin's sake, and even a kind of funny one too. It was a regular mid-July miracle! After a testimony in favor from Severus Snape, the bastard extraordinaire, no one else could even try to come up with a good counter-argument and the matter was rapidly settled. The traditional oath of the Order of the Phoenix was what made it so brilliant. The oath was sworn to Fawkes, an incorruptible Light being. It was his judgment that was the final word. Unfortunately he could only tell what a person was, morally, not what they were going to be. Even he had been shocked by Pettigrew's betrayal. When the period of debate was over, Fawkes appeared in his normal ball of fire and settled in front of Harry.
"So, it's time for us to contribute to your God Complex, huh brother?" Harry mentally jabbed at his bond-mate. They called each other 'brother' full time now and Harry still didn't understand the honor he was being given.
"Oh shut it, you, I am the consummate symbol of the Light, and, you know, stuff like that...," Fawkes cocked his head at him haughtily and Harry had to stifle a laugh, figuring it would be frowned upon if he descended into hysterics in the middle of a very important ceremony. Slowly and solemnly, Harry recited his oath to his avian companion and the flash of magical energy signified that it was complete and accepted. Harry rose graciously to the polite applause and finally Dumbledore began the meeting for real.
Almost two hours later, Harry and the rest of the Hogwarts contingent hauled their way back through the Floo. Harry had been impressed by just how little had actually been achieved at the meeting. He now knew that Voldemort was laying low and planning something, but nobody knew what or why, and was probably recruiting, but nobody really knew who or where. Snape single-handedly provided an easy ninety percent of the actual, useful, non-speculative information, informing them all of several names of Death Eaters and re-confirming that Voldemort's numbers one and two on his hit-list remained Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore in that order. Harry was thoroughly unsurprised by this, even if several of the people who shot glances at him seemed to expect him to panic. Another observation was that the average age of the Order of the Phoenix was way too old, and its atmosphere came across as some kind of ladies' gossip circle about Dark Magic, not the premier Anti-Dark Magic secret society. The best part of the evening had been when Fawkes had calmly placed himself on Harry's shoulder after he had taken his oath and had remained there for the remainder of the meeting. Harry was pretty sure everyone had noticed, but no one who didn't already know said anything. Mrs. Weasley had tried to convince him to rethink his decision again, and when that failed had tried to get him to come stay at the Burrow. Harry had promised to be at the Burrow for his birthday and then took his leave. Now, he was exhausted and frustrated and he needed sleep, so he stuck his arm out and Fawkes obliged him, flaming him straight into his bedroom. Harry bid him goodnight and slumped down in bed, hoping for a restful night's sleep.
Unfortunately for Harry, his brain had other plans. As a sort of 'Welcome to the Order' present, it had decided to provide him with a front row seat to his own personal horror show, all of his nightmares presented in twisted clarity for Harry's viewing torture. They began in an all too familiar flash of green light and a high pitched cackle and rapidly turned into the highlights of his ten years with the Dursleys. Belts, knives, fists, bats, and other implements all danced in Harry's mind's eye. Soon enough they gave way to the terrors of Harry's first year and the eventual death of Quirrell, then the heart-wrenching events of his second year and the Chamber. His third year was shadowed by Dementors and Time-Turners and his fourth year was a painful build-up to a graveyard climax and Cedric's dead body. But all of these paled next to what came next; the feverish snippets of Grindlewald's memories of the war that Harry had been subjected to. They were supposed to teach him how to handle himself in battle – and, intellectually, Harry knew he was learning what they had to teach – but they also contained the atrocities of warfare. Harry saw a menagerie of brutal rapes, tortures, and murders in many horrific manners. Interspersed into the memories were recollections of the searing pain of the Crutacious Curse, Grindlewald's favorite teaching tool. One misstep and Harry found himself subjected to it. It was only ever for no more than a second, not even long enough to give him the shakes, but the pain was an excellent teacher, and he was starting to build a resistance to it. In his night terrors though, it was a hundred times worse. When his brain ran out of the past, it started on the future. Visions of the brutal slaughter of everyone he cared about; Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Dumbledore, Ron and Hermione, and many others all wiped away in a flash of green light. Finally, as his dream sequence came to an end, the worst part came, a part where not even Fawkes' soothing presence could stop the shaking and the screaming. It was not a set of visions Harry understood, but he still screamed and fought as he watched Ginny subjected to the horrors of Grindlewald's memories. The torture, the rapes, and the murders all played again in enhanced, graphic detail and the victim was always the stunning, vivacious young red-headed witch that inspired such strange feelings in Harry's chest. The pain of these particular dreams was the worst he had ever felt, worse than any Crutacious. It was a hopeless, desperate pain that seemed to well up in his ribcage and try to burst forth, only to be restrained by an impenetrable barrier, forced to watch the inevitable, knowing he had failed to stop it.
Harry sat bolt upright, fighting the tangle of his sheets, and quelled the scream in his throat. He looked up to see light streaming in his window and Fawkes fluttered down to his shoulder and nuzzled him comfortingly. He sat there for a few minutes trying to slow the racing of his heart, but the anxiety still clung to his brain. Finally, he could take it no longer and he stood, grabbing his wand. Fawkes gave him a curious look, but Harry's pleading eyes convinced him. In a ball of fire, they departed.
They arrived on the edge of the Weasley's property and Harry's eyes immediately scanned the skies above the orchard where, sure enough, he saw a petite form streaking around the pitch, Quaffle under her arm. Harry sighed a deep sigh of relief and his heart swelled as he watched her skillfully place the ball through a hoop. Only partially thinking, Harry disillusioned himself and scrambled up a tree near the edge of the clearing where they played. He settled in and lost himself in the smile on Ginny's windswept face. When Ginny finally left the pitch, Harry checked his watch and realized he'd spent the better part of the day watching her, hidden in the trees. He felt mildly creepy when he had Fawkes return him to the castle.
McGonagall had been less than pleased that Harry had chosen to skive off of training and drove him extra hard that afternoon. They had been focusing on Animating in a dueling situation, and Harry was currently flinging hexes at conjured targets while simultaneously puppeteering suit of armor as it clanged its sword against its opponent, controlled by the Professor. His Occlumency techniques - which, according to Snape, were passable – were surprisingly useful for concentrating on two things at once. His memory was also improved and he was now a fabulous poker player as well. At least these days he and Snape were both leaving with headaches. He quickly settled into his dueling routine and focused on his task. For the first time in his life, he felt prepared for the coming storm. He didn't know how wrong he was.
A/N: Okay, another chapter done with some important but thoroughly boring stuff in it, and an insight into Harry's training with Grindlewald and the others. Yes, Grindlewald is extreme and, yes, it is screwing with Harry's head, but you have to remember that Grindlewald was a Dark Wizard. Also, I promise that despite Harry's nightmares there will be no sexual assault in this story, especially not Ginny. Ok, so the next few chapters will see a look at Harry's progress in training, his birthday, and the introduction of everyone's favorite toad-woman. Please leave and comments, criticisms, and/or suggestions in a review below and, as usual, I own nothing. Thank you for your enthusiastic response to each new chapter, and especially for all the reviews! Also, those who are now worried that Harry and Ginny are just going to jump into bed, there is a difference in my head between relationship (which doesn't imply romantic, or at least realized romantic, feelings), dating, and intimate. Thanks again, see you soon!