Seven Months! I surely disgusted with myself. I wanted to have this out sooner. But a lot of changes have been happening in my life. Particularly when, I now have been putting some of my artwork up on Deviantart. Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. And the next chapter as well, seeing as I have taken so long to update. (blushes)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 22: Out of this world
By tojot
The only light was coming from the spinning crest above him. Dumbledore stood in the snow, looking at the large white tree that had grown there out side the Great Hall. Hearing an odd mechanical-like sound above, he looked up. An odd mist drifted silently down from the crest towards the tree, settling down at its base and around Dumbledore. The Spinning seal soon disappeared. Dumbledore knew it had already served its temporary purpose.
"Kind sir, we came hence once we received her signal, Please I beg thee, where has she gone." A deep, urgent voice came out the mist as its owner followed. He was a large man with a lion-like appearance and cornflower blue eyes shown from underneath his white hood. He wore rough-hewn armor that consisted of hard leather and metal plates covering his massive wrists, shins and torso. For such a big man he seemed rather approachable.
Dumbledore just turned back to the tree, "See for yourselves." The mist slowly faded and revealed 25 more figures in varying size and stature.
"Mother!" A small figure ran out of the group and passed Dumbledore. At the word the figure spoke, a look of curiousity crossed Dumbledore's face and his blue eyes flicked to the small boy not looking much older than 11 in age. "What has happened to her?"
"I see." Said the large man. "Young Felix, do not worry, she will be fine. She is healing."
"Curious." The boy said as he continued to examine the tree, "I have never seen anyone heal this way."
"Your people tend to resonate with these magnificent trees do they not?" Dumbledore said to Felix. The boy turned his Cornflower blue eyes to face the man he had ignored earlier. The boy nodded in response.
"It is only natural to draw strength from them." Dumbledore explained.
"I see it now." Felix said in awe as he turned his attention back to the tree.
"Ye must be the Headmaster of this School." The large man said as he shook Dumbldore's hand, "Professor Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes… and you are?"
"Leo… Leothan Tarros II, Lieutenant Commander of the Stratos Militia." Leo answered as he indicated the twenty-four figures standing behind him. "And the boy is known as Felix Gryphon."
Dumbledore nodded and looked at the boy who was still looking at the tree. "Why did you bring him?"
"He insisted, we could not change his mind otherwise. Sir." Leo answered.
"Our lands are in war at this time, if she is a good mother she will not be pleased." Dumbledore told them seriously.
Leo hung his head. "Ye know our Lady well. Though Felix is not pleased that his mother left before completing his education."
Dumbledore turned back to the boy and contemplated an idea that had come to his head. "Sir Leo, how old is Felix?"
"He is of twenty years."
"But he only looks eleven!" Dumbledore said in bewilderment. "Though it shouldn't be surprising considering who his mother is. How far has she taught him in magic?"
"Basic spells, charms and potions."
"Maybe we can finish his learning here." Dumbledore said. "Since this is where she learned magic herself. From what you say he would fit in with the first years well. All he needs is to be sorted into one of the four houses."
"We will consult with him." Leo said as he called Felix over.
VVVVVVVVVVV
Before Hermione left Grimmauld Place, she had left Crookshanks in Harry's care since he seemed very unwilling to go home with her. The cat had deliberately placed himself under the dining cabinet and scratch at anyone who attempted to bring him out. Hermione finally gave up trying to get him when Harry suggested that he take care of Crookshanks for the Holidays. Hermione considered it and admitted that it was a better idea than what she had originally planned, leaving him at home.
She had left instructions, whispered into Harry's ear, that he needed to continue practicing with his Animagi and that she would contact him if she found any more information on the Phoenix Blaze from the red book and other sources that may be in Japan. Harry had heard from her that there was vast amount of knowledge on magic in Tokyo's Wizarding University Library, where anyone of the Wizarding Public could visit.
The Weasleys stayed for another night before their trip to Romania that Fred and George had provided for. Ron said he would try to go into the library there but he couldn't promise finding anything of use to Harry.
But there were two things that were bothering Harry the most and all of it dealt with Harry's encounter with Voldemort. Those two things were the white dog that was seemingly protecting his mind and the disturbing information on Gryphon.
The Dog's voice sounded like Sirius' voice, a voice he had wanted to hear in so long. What was Sirius doing in his mind anyway? And how did he get there? Was he calling out to him? Or trying to say something important to Harry? He couldn't figure out the answers to these questions. Even Voldemort was surprised that Harry had something protecting his mind. Harry had a hunch that it had never happened in recorded history.
Harry also found himself questioning why he was so protective of Gryphon. He remembered what he had heard when Gryphon had just barely arrived at Hogwarts. She had said that there was a bounty on her head. Madam Pomfrey had also said that Gryphon was in Disagreement with her brother. Harry wondered if there was more than that.
With a sigh, Harry put these thoughts aside for now, knowing that they wouldn't be answered until he knew for sure. He instead focused on his Animagus form. When everyone was asleep he would work on changing into the form he had achieved so far and changing back. During the day, Tonks would drag him out of his room to hang out with her. Harry found it convenient that the house was cold at this time of year. It gave him a good excuse to cover his legs with a thick blanket whenever he sat on the couch in the library to read. Instead of focusing on the book he would focus on working on his tail, which was one of the things that Harry had a problem growing but not disappearing. In the last midnight lesson that they had had with McGonagall, Hermione made a teasing comment that maybe she had chosen his Animagus wrong and that he was supposed to be a Bobcat. This was when Hermione was trying to get him to talk to her again.
Harry soon realized why Tonks was so frustrated being stuck at Grimmauld place. It was dead when no one was there. Hermione would regularly write to him. She had left with her parents on their trip two days after she left Grimmauld Place. Harry was getting increasingly frustrated at being so far away from her. While in Tokyo she would send him Profiles of those who were able to summon the Phoenix Blaze. On one of the profiles, Hermione told him she was unable to translate the Rune that made up the person's first name since she had never seen it before, but the person's last two initials were A.G. Hermione also wrote that it was the last profile that Gryphon had documented. This person had summoned the Phoenix Blaze in 1946. But this Profile, unlike the others, did not give any more information on the person. No gender, no age, or whether they survived the incident. Gryphon also didn't write why the Phoenix Blaze had been summoned. Hermione wrote in her letter that she thought that this person's Burning occurred around the time the Dark Wizard Grindlewald was defeated by Dumbledore.
Hermione also sent him excerpts from both the red book and the Library. The information provided that everything that was written in the book answered questions as to what had happened to a certain person. Gryphon had literally added Scientific Data, Religious beliefs, Magical Diagrams, and parallels between the Muggle and Wizarding Worlds. Gryphon also highlighted that in each of the cases of the Blaze, that there was a variance of color of the flame. The book pointed out that it was in correlation to Stars color depending on temperature. Along with Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue and White: Green was noted as anomalous color, but it was more powerful than yellow.
It was a nice change of pace when Hagrid and a hooded stranger showed up at Grimmauld Place on Christmas Eve night and joined them for stew. As Lupin was teaching him magical methods of cooking, Harry picked up some of the whispered conversation between Hagrid, Tonks and the stranger who had yet to take off his hood.
"…they found a trail of blackened Centaur prints…Leading to London…"
"…Spinning Crest is gone…"
"…Dark Arrow…"
"…Three Months!? Is that all we have?…"
"…Stock? Are they after Hermione!?…"
"We're not sure…"
The things that they were whispering had caught his attention, But Lupin sent him to the pantry to fetch some onions and spices. When he returned, Tonks and Hagrid were discussing the Quidditch game where Ravenclaw trounced Hufflepuff two weeks ago. The stranger, who now had his hood off, was listening intently asking at times for them to explain things.
"Come join us Harry!" Hagrid boomed when he had noticed him. "I wan' ter in'nerduce ye ter sommat."
Lupin promptly took the Onions and spices out of his arms and said, "Go, I'll finish up here and join you in a moment."
Harry sat across from Hagrid and to the side of the Stranger. He was a large man, but not as big as Hagrid, Very Lion-like in appearance. The demeanor he wore was approachable and jovial. He had bright blue eyes that could be easily mistaken for Dumbledore's if you were only looking at the eyes. A thick, raven-black mane of hair framed his face. A pair of pointed ears protruded from the mane of each side of his face. His tanned skin appeared thick and leathery. His cloak was hiding the rest of his body. Harry was pretty sure that this person was an Alljandre, if that was what Professor Gryphon really was?
"Harry, this is Leo Tarros." Tonks introduced the stranger.
"Ye must be the 'Harry Potter,' I keep hearing about?" Leo asked as he held out a large paw-like hand. Harry nodded and clasped his hand with the man's briefly.
"Ye are not much in words from thy mouth, but it shows that ye have great character." Leo added.
"Tha's our Harry, a man of action 'e is." Hagrid said enthusiastically as Remus joined them at the table. He had set the spoon to stirring itself as the pot simmered.
"You know Professor Gryphon, don't you?" Harry inquired. Leo leaned forward leveling his eyes with Harry's.
"Young Master Potter, I may be of her kind, but not even I understand most of her mysteries. The female in all species is something most men do not understand."
"I would have to agree to that." Tonks said with a pointed glare at Lupin who had gotten back up to check on the stew.
Harry suppressed his annoyance at Leo's vague words and subject change. A feeling told Harry that Leo Knew he was annoyed.
After Dinner Harry retreated into the drawing room leaving the adults in the kitchen. He heard a knock on the closed door. Harry reluctantly got up and cracked the door open to see bright cornflower blue eyes glowing at him in the darkness.
"Might I have a word with thee young master?" Leo's deep voice asked from the darkness. " I sensed annoyance with me since I did not tell thee what ye inquired about."
Harry relented as he opened the door wide enough and the large lion-like man walked in with a black lion's tail trailing behind him. Harry shut the door in hopes of not being interrupted.
In the light that was cast from the grate in the fireplace, Harry thought that he was looking at a fierce real lion when he looked at Leo.
"Ye inquired about Lady Gryphon." Leo stated getting to the topic as he sat down in a large chair that Harry had indicated.
"Yes." Harry prompted as he sat across from Leo.
"In all truth Avyllynn's history is very personal, t'would not be right if I were to divulge the things she does not feel were important for any one to know. She may think that it is in thy best interest to not know and to keep everyone at a distance." Leo told him.
"Keep everyone at a distance?" Harry echoed. "That sounds pretty lonely. Why would anyone want to do that?"
Leo's magnificent head lowered and his eyes closed as he gave a sad sigh. He opened his eyes they held sorrow. "She considers herself dangerous. She is afraid of herself. If ye wish to know about her more ye have to ask her thyself."
"If you can't tell me anymore about Professor Gryphon, can you tell me how your race exists?" Harry asked. Leo turned his face to the flames that flickered in the grate. Harry followed this action.
"It is a race that comes from two races that were once native of Earth." Forms swirled about in the flames creating pictures attaining to what Leo was speaking off. "One race left Earth through a magical portal to prevent their race from extinction." The flames showed great white winged felines disappearing through a portal that looked like Stonehenge. "The Allogryph were hunted because magic thoroughly coursed through their bodies like fire. A act to preserve their race"
"The other race left Earth to retain their dignity, but it was at more of a price." Harry saw a beautiful and magnificent people with pointed ears, sleek faces and graceful movements. "They were known as the children of Gaea and were commonly known as Wood Elves. Free in spirit, they lived quiet and solitary lives within their forests and drew their magic from nature. But an unforeseen evil entered the sanctity of their beloved forest and cursed them and their children. They were cursed with bondage, the only thing that could counteract this curse was to abandon their magic and Earth. Some thrived on magic and could not live without it and they stayed to become servants of the people that cursed them. Their wild and beautiful forms became ugly and distorted from maltreatment and abuse."
Harry watched with horror as a handsome young elf morphed into something he recognized all to well. "House elves?" Harry whispered wide-eyed.
"Aye. That is what has become of the Brethren of the Wood Elves."
"What happened to the ones who didn't stay on Earth?" Harry asked.
"They had heard of a portal that could take them off the face of the Earth and far, far away. They came to a place that they had named New Gaea. This new place was harsh and hostile, the Wood Elves found it impossible to draw magic from nature as they had been able to do on Earth. They settled and searched the land and found that they were not alone. The Allogryph had taken up residence in the Polar Regions of the planet seeing as it was their natural habitat on Earth. Both civilizations decided that it was wise to leave each other alone and live separate and unprovoked lives. But I am sure ye realize that it is in the Allogryph's nature as a feline to be curious about those who had come and settled in. Because their magic ran through their bodies in the stead of drawing magic from nature, the Allogryph kept their magic and transfigured themselves into elven forms and journeyed into wood elf cities and studied them."
The form of the Allogryph that had taken shape within the fire again slowly transformed into one of the Elven people. Harry was finding himself hypnotized by the swirling flames and Leo's deep calm voice.
"They found themselves entranced by each other, as the Allograph had a very noticeable presence, a great magical presence that drew people to them. The Allogryph found themselves intrigued by the ingenuity and wisdom that the elven people possessed. T'was only natural for them to fall for one another. And that is the end of my small tale."
"I see. How many Alljandre are there today?" Harry inquired.
"I do believe that count reaches to Five thousand three hundred and eleven." Leo answered. "Of those there are Ninety-five First-Generation Alljandre.
"That is a very small race." Harry commented and then added, "When you say First-Generation you mean…?"
"They are borne of an Allogryph and an Elf. They are known to be wilder. There would have been more if not for the war we suffered on New Gaea just ten years ago." Leo stood. "Ye must excuse me Young Master, the hour has turned late and I must make my leave."
"You can stay here for the night, I wouldn't mind." Harry extended his hand in welcome. Leo hesitated for a while as he considered Harry's offer.
"Well, since ye insist and I am tired from my travels. I will stay at thy request." Leo said as his large hand shook Harry's in acceptance.
"I must sound odd for saying this." Leo chortled ironically. "But is there any reason why the Order of the Phoenix is keeping information from thee when it is mostly about thee. Is it some kind of idiosyncrasy of thy people?"
"Leo, they have been keeping information from me since I was young, never telling me because they think that I will be safer if I don't know. Dumbledore has them convinced that I need to be as happy as possible. And to be Happy is to be ignorant I guess." Harry said ruefully.
"They told me not to speak of this, but I never promised them. I believe that ye must be told of this." Leo said in a whispered and urgent voice. "The followers of Voldemort have taken interest in a village not far from here. Stock. From what I have heard is that ye have a friend that dwells there. We are not sure of his intentions as of yet. But thy Headmaster has recruited the Alljandre that came to keep an eye on the Village."
"May I ask what the impo-"
A brisk knock sounded from the door, Harry got up and let in a young Alljandre. Chestnut hair swept from the man's youthful brow. Harry found himself fascinated by the people that Gryphon belonged to. They seemed to be almost diverse in appearance as humans could be.
"What is it, Aughath?" Leo asked the younger soldier.
"M'lord, I was sent to inform thee that the Deatheaters have entered the village with what look like trolls." Said the Alljandre named Aughath.
"Trolls! How could we not know this?" Leo roared. "We would have heard them." His pointed ears flicked irritably.
"Er, it could be possible that Voldemort had put a silencing charm on them. Or maybe the area around them." Harry suggested.
"It is quite possible." Leo growled. "Come Aughath, we must go hence."
"Can I come?" Harry said hurriedly.
"Young Master, I do not think the others want thee to get into…"
"I can seriously hold my own in a fight." Harry defended.
Leo pinched the bridge of his thick nose and gave a deep irritable sigh. "Ye insist on getting me in trouble. Fine, close thy eyes. Aughath, ye shall go ahead and inform the others."
Harry shut his eyes. Leo's strong arm wrapped around Harry's body and picked him up. He then felt apparation. Only this time, there was lot of pressure all over his body.
Author's Note: As I have the next chapter ready, I will just ask you on what you thought of this chapter as a whole.
