I'm intrigued; did anyone guess that the chasm of life would be at Godric's
hollow?
A small note; this is certainly NOT the end! And a small message to gomababe: Ginny wasn't conscious when the basilisk was there was she? Like the idea though. For the reviews: Hmmm, unlike some of the (lucky) people on this site I find writing romantic scenes much harder than action ones, so I was particularly concerned about what Harry would feel about the situation. I think I covered the worried part with all the moments in previous chapters (such as his chiding himself aloud in his room). As for the resentment, I originally intended to have him feeling quite resentful and for him to get with Ginny only after he had got over those feelings. But I decided instead that at that pivotal moment he would be able to move out of the past to live his own life, especially as he has the portrait and the diary. And as you will see, the explosion was not really noticed.
Chapter 24 - Protected from the start
Ron and Hermione were found in the Three Broomsticks, talking quietly in a corner, but the two or them snapped their mouths shut as soon as Harry and Ginny sat down at the table with them. Hermione uttered a mini scream.
"Harry, what on earth happened to you?" she asked. She way eyeing the cuts and bruises that lined Harry's face and down his arms, and the mud and dust that was covering his hands.
Harry sighed, before explaining all about what had happened since Ron had left the room: how he had found the runes, how he had gone down to the chasm of life, how the hurricane had lifted him up, how he had been about to meet his parents...
"... And then..." he stuttered towards the end of his narrative, "then a Chimaera came and Ginny and I ran out of the chasm as it collapsed," he ended hurriedly.
Ron choked on his Butterbeer. "A Chimaera?" he said so loudly that several people looked around. "Great band that..." he covered quickly, and when the people had turned back to their drinks, he bent low and hissed across the table. "A Chimaera?"
Before Harry could stop her, Ginny was off, talking in great length at how Harry had put himself between her and the Chimaera, and then forced it into the chasm of life. Harry just sat there looking down at his Butterbeer and blushing, as Ginny lavished praise on him. He couldn't help but grin, especially when she gently took his hand in hers. He looked at her and smiled. Hermione gave them an appraising look, and Ron let out a low whistle.
"About time too!" Ron said, grinning. At Harry's amazed look, Ron continued. "I've been trying to get you two together for months! I knew Ginny liked you and, well..." He laughed.
"We thought you liked her too," Hermione said, more to Ginny than to Harry, as if trying to reassure her of this fact.
Harry grinned slightly, before another thought came into his head. "Why weren't you outside Ron?"
Ron shifted a glance at Hermione. "We err... erm..." He trailed off, looking blankly at Hermione, who rolled her eyes.
"We were talking about our friendship, and about how maybe, in the future we could get back together, but not quite yet," she said, casting a furtive look in Ron's direction.
He nodded appreciatively. "Yeah," he agreed, "sorry to leave you Harry, but we had no idea that it would be in anyway dangerous..."
"It's ok," Harry said, "as long as we can stop trying to avoid Hermione now."
Harry laughed as his words sank in, and he sat close to Ginny as they both watched Hermione berate Ron, but all of them knew she wasn't really angry.
After finishing their drinks, the four of them made their way back up towards the castle. The sun had fully set now, and only by the light of the buildings could they make their way back up to the castle. Ginny had her head leant on Harry's shoulder, and he had his arm around her, which made going slow, but infinitely more enjoyable for Harry.
He had never known this sort of feeling before. It was totally different from anything he could have expected, the security, the warm feeling that had been glowing inside him for the last few hours. He would always be able to recall this day when a Dementor came near.
As they entered the castle however, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted, by none other than Albus Dumbledore.
"Good evening, Harry," he said in his deep, amused voice. "I would like to see you in my office," he said quickly, "if you can spare a moment." His eyes wandered onto Ginny, and Harry saw the headmaster's face crinkle into a smile. Harry assured the others that he would be back soon, before following Dumbledore out of the Entrance hall.
"I see you have become rather fond of Miss Weasley," he said quietly. Harry blushed, and Professor Dumbledore let out a soft laugh. "Your feelings are nothing to be ashamed of Harry, so do not be embarrassed if people talk of them. Why let your feelings be ruled by the malcontent of others?"
Harry grinned. "Ok Professor," he agreed. Harry followed Professor Dumbledore up into his office, and sat in the chair opposite the desk, as he had so many times before.
"As you might have guessed," Dumbledore began straightforwardly, "I am here to talk to you about the events of today. I can only guess as to why your garden is suddenly a pile of rubble..." he trailed off, smiling slightly, a familiar glint in his eye.
Harry gave a small laugh, before explaining to Dumbledore, as he had to Ron and Hermione earlier, exactly what had happened that day. As it was Professor Dumbledore he was speaking to, and not Ron and Hermione, he went into a little bit more depth about the Chimaera, and about how it had exploded in the chasm of life. Then he realised something.
"Professor," Harry started slowly, "where did the Chimaera come from? Because there was no other side passages apart from where I stood, at the brink of the chasm..."
Dumbledore sat quiet for a moment. "I would guess," he then said, "that the Chimaera was the protection which Godric Gryffindor left, to ensure that only his heirs could get into or out of the chamber. With Ginny not being an heir, the Chimaera was unleashed from a special, hidden place."
That made sense to Harry, who then realised something so abruptly he felt the weight of it slam onto his shoulders as if something heavy had just been dropped on them. "So I'm the heir of Gryffindor?"
"Yes," Dumbledore answered simply. "I have long suspected that you might be, from the moment the prophecy was made. My suspicions were only increased when you pulled out Godric Gryffindor's sword from the hat. And now we know that "Godric's Hollow" was so called for a reason..." he trailed off, looking at Harry, who was about to ask another question.
"Professor, why did the chasm explode when the Chimaera fell into it?" he said slowly.
"As to that, I can only speculate," said Dumbledore heavily, "but I would guess it was because the chasm of life was also only for the heir of Gryffindor, as he was the one who created the chasm's passage of time. The Chimaera, not being an heir of Gryffindor, must have triggered a magic trap left over the centuries for any that were not in the Gryffindor line."
Dumbledore sat quietly for a minute, admiring his interlocked fingers, and obviously deep in thought.
"Professor?" Harry ventured, wondering what Dumbledore was thinking about.
"Sorry," he said quickly, "I was just thinking about what you were saying about when you were in the chasm of life. You said that you felt some sort of force enter you, something which wasn't the wind, something that you described as "power", is that right?" Harry nodded, unsure as to where this was going.
Dumbledore continued. "I am just wondering Harry, is there any spell you are having difficulty with in lessons? Any thing which you can't quite do?"
Harry sat, taken aback by this question. "Err... yes there is. I can't fully transform into an Animagi."
Dumbledore mused for a moment. "Now that is a very complicated spell, so you may not be able to fully do it... but could you try it again now please?"
Harry stood up, totally confused now, but he pushed those thoughts to one side, and he tried to imagine being a phoenix, with wings and full red plumage.
"Phoenix Aniservia!" he said loudly. And he knew it was different, instantly, he knew he would be making progress. He felt the feathers growing, but not only on his arms now, but also on his legs and body... He was a phoenix. Like Hermione's owl he was still full sized, but without doubt, he was a phoenix. Harry looked around him, his gaze enhanced, and he admired the full red-gold colour that he had taken on. Dumbledore started clapping, and Harry transformed back into his normal self.
"Well done Harry!" said Dumbledore delightedly. "Interesting, very interesting..."
"Sir, what's interesting?" Harry asked, confused.
"It is interesting," Dumbledore began, "that you have seemingly gained magical power through your time in the chasm of life. This has been shown by your sudden improvement in the Aniservia spell. I would go so far as to say that this is not any ordinary magical power. I think that, bearing in mind its creator, the chasm of life is full with the power that Voldemort hates, that power which is in the locked room in the department of mysteries and that power which flows in your veins, Harry. I think the chasm of life is made from the magic of time and love, and also therefore, I think that you will have gained another defence against Voldemort now."
He sat back and was quiet for a moment, still frowning. Harry was silent also, contemplating this news. Dumbledore broke the silence.
"I would venture another guess, Harry," he began, "that the chasm of life has already had a huge effect on your life, even before you knew of its existence. I think it may have saved your life."
Harry's eyes shot up to meet Dumbledore's. "How?" he asked abruptly, wondering how on earth the chasm could have ever helped him before.
"I have always wondered," Dumbledore replied, "as to why the attempted killing curse on you backfired towards Voldemort. I always knew that your mother's love had saved you, but I did always wonder as to if that power would be enough to reflect the curse back upon its caster." Harry made a small noise of understanding, although he had never consider this before, it made small sense to him.
Dumbledore continued again. "But now I understand why the curse was reflected. The locality of the chasm of life increased the power of your mother's love, and so reflecting the curse back at Voldemort. In other words it, along with your mother, saved your life."
"So... all this time Voldemort thought he had underestimated the power of my mum..." Harry began slowly, "he really just didn't know how near the chasm of life was?"
"A bit of both, I would think," Dumbledore said simply. "I would think he underestimated your mother's love hugely, and I very much doubt he would have attacked you at your house, had he known that the chasm of life was so near."
Harry nodded wearily. He had been thinking about the prophecy again, and he closed his eyes slightly. "So one of the heirs must kill the other..." he said slowly, grimacing at the thought of it.
"Yes," Dumbledore answered simply. "But do not worry, you will be ready when the time comes." Harry sat quiet for a moment, before voice another thought he had had.
"Professor," he started quietly, "if both Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin had secret chambers or places for themselves, would Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff have had one too?"
"As to that I do not know," Dumbledore replied slowly. "But I have heard no mention of a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff chamber, whereas the chamber of secrets and the chasm of life are both legends in their own right."
Harry had one more question. "And Professor, is there also an heir of Ravenclaw? And one for Hufflepuff?"
Dumbledore tilted his head to one side slightly, as if contemplating his answer. "I know there is no heir for Helga Hufflepuff, as she never had any children. As for Rowena Ravenclaw, I have no idea."
Harry could sense a weary finality in his tone, and he knew that his meeting was over. He stood up to go, and Dumbledore rose also.
"I think it would be best if people did not know about today's events," Dumbledore said, "to ensure you do not get a barrage of questions coming your way."
Harry nodded, hovering by the exit to the office. "Thanks Professor."
Dumbledore smiled. "You should return to Gryffindor house Harry," he said, and his smiled broadened slightly. "Miss Weasley will be waiting."
A small note; this is certainly NOT the end! And a small message to gomababe: Ginny wasn't conscious when the basilisk was there was she? Like the idea though. For the reviews: Hmmm, unlike some of the (lucky) people on this site I find writing romantic scenes much harder than action ones, so I was particularly concerned about what Harry would feel about the situation. I think I covered the worried part with all the moments in previous chapters (such as his chiding himself aloud in his room). As for the resentment, I originally intended to have him feeling quite resentful and for him to get with Ginny only after he had got over those feelings. But I decided instead that at that pivotal moment he would be able to move out of the past to live his own life, especially as he has the portrait and the diary. And as you will see, the explosion was not really noticed.
Chapter 24 - Protected from the start
Ron and Hermione were found in the Three Broomsticks, talking quietly in a corner, but the two or them snapped their mouths shut as soon as Harry and Ginny sat down at the table with them. Hermione uttered a mini scream.
"Harry, what on earth happened to you?" she asked. She way eyeing the cuts and bruises that lined Harry's face and down his arms, and the mud and dust that was covering his hands.
Harry sighed, before explaining all about what had happened since Ron had left the room: how he had found the runes, how he had gone down to the chasm of life, how the hurricane had lifted him up, how he had been about to meet his parents...
"... And then..." he stuttered towards the end of his narrative, "then a Chimaera came and Ginny and I ran out of the chasm as it collapsed," he ended hurriedly.
Ron choked on his Butterbeer. "A Chimaera?" he said so loudly that several people looked around. "Great band that..." he covered quickly, and when the people had turned back to their drinks, he bent low and hissed across the table. "A Chimaera?"
Before Harry could stop her, Ginny was off, talking in great length at how Harry had put himself between her and the Chimaera, and then forced it into the chasm of life. Harry just sat there looking down at his Butterbeer and blushing, as Ginny lavished praise on him. He couldn't help but grin, especially when she gently took his hand in hers. He looked at her and smiled. Hermione gave them an appraising look, and Ron let out a low whistle.
"About time too!" Ron said, grinning. At Harry's amazed look, Ron continued. "I've been trying to get you two together for months! I knew Ginny liked you and, well..." He laughed.
"We thought you liked her too," Hermione said, more to Ginny than to Harry, as if trying to reassure her of this fact.
Harry grinned slightly, before another thought came into his head. "Why weren't you outside Ron?"
Ron shifted a glance at Hermione. "We err... erm..." He trailed off, looking blankly at Hermione, who rolled her eyes.
"We were talking about our friendship, and about how maybe, in the future we could get back together, but not quite yet," she said, casting a furtive look in Ron's direction.
He nodded appreciatively. "Yeah," he agreed, "sorry to leave you Harry, but we had no idea that it would be in anyway dangerous..."
"It's ok," Harry said, "as long as we can stop trying to avoid Hermione now."
Harry laughed as his words sank in, and he sat close to Ginny as they both watched Hermione berate Ron, but all of them knew she wasn't really angry.
After finishing their drinks, the four of them made their way back up towards the castle. The sun had fully set now, and only by the light of the buildings could they make their way back up to the castle. Ginny had her head leant on Harry's shoulder, and he had his arm around her, which made going slow, but infinitely more enjoyable for Harry.
He had never known this sort of feeling before. It was totally different from anything he could have expected, the security, the warm feeling that had been glowing inside him for the last few hours. He would always be able to recall this day when a Dementor came near.
As they entered the castle however, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted, by none other than Albus Dumbledore.
"Good evening, Harry," he said in his deep, amused voice. "I would like to see you in my office," he said quickly, "if you can spare a moment." His eyes wandered onto Ginny, and Harry saw the headmaster's face crinkle into a smile. Harry assured the others that he would be back soon, before following Dumbledore out of the Entrance hall.
"I see you have become rather fond of Miss Weasley," he said quietly. Harry blushed, and Professor Dumbledore let out a soft laugh. "Your feelings are nothing to be ashamed of Harry, so do not be embarrassed if people talk of them. Why let your feelings be ruled by the malcontent of others?"
Harry grinned. "Ok Professor," he agreed. Harry followed Professor Dumbledore up into his office, and sat in the chair opposite the desk, as he had so many times before.
"As you might have guessed," Dumbledore began straightforwardly, "I am here to talk to you about the events of today. I can only guess as to why your garden is suddenly a pile of rubble..." he trailed off, smiling slightly, a familiar glint in his eye.
Harry gave a small laugh, before explaining to Dumbledore, as he had to Ron and Hermione earlier, exactly what had happened that day. As it was Professor Dumbledore he was speaking to, and not Ron and Hermione, he went into a little bit more depth about the Chimaera, and about how it had exploded in the chasm of life. Then he realised something.
"Professor," Harry started slowly, "where did the Chimaera come from? Because there was no other side passages apart from where I stood, at the brink of the chasm..."
Dumbledore sat quiet for a moment. "I would guess," he then said, "that the Chimaera was the protection which Godric Gryffindor left, to ensure that only his heirs could get into or out of the chamber. With Ginny not being an heir, the Chimaera was unleashed from a special, hidden place."
That made sense to Harry, who then realised something so abruptly he felt the weight of it slam onto his shoulders as if something heavy had just been dropped on them. "So I'm the heir of Gryffindor?"
"Yes," Dumbledore answered simply. "I have long suspected that you might be, from the moment the prophecy was made. My suspicions were only increased when you pulled out Godric Gryffindor's sword from the hat. And now we know that "Godric's Hollow" was so called for a reason..." he trailed off, looking at Harry, who was about to ask another question.
"Professor, why did the chasm explode when the Chimaera fell into it?" he said slowly.
"As to that, I can only speculate," said Dumbledore heavily, "but I would guess it was because the chasm of life was also only for the heir of Gryffindor, as he was the one who created the chasm's passage of time. The Chimaera, not being an heir of Gryffindor, must have triggered a magic trap left over the centuries for any that were not in the Gryffindor line."
Dumbledore sat quietly for a minute, admiring his interlocked fingers, and obviously deep in thought.
"Professor?" Harry ventured, wondering what Dumbledore was thinking about.
"Sorry," he said quickly, "I was just thinking about what you were saying about when you were in the chasm of life. You said that you felt some sort of force enter you, something which wasn't the wind, something that you described as "power", is that right?" Harry nodded, unsure as to where this was going.
Dumbledore continued. "I am just wondering Harry, is there any spell you are having difficulty with in lessons? Any thing which you can't quite do?"
Harry sat, taken aback by this question. "Err... yes there is. I can't fully transform into an Animagi."
Dumbledore mused for a moment. "Now that is a very complicated spell, so you may not be able to fully do it... but could you try it again now please?"
Harry stood up, totally confused now, but he pushed those thoughts to one side, and he tried to imagine being a phoenix, with wings and full red plumage.
"Phoenix Aniservia!" he said loudly. And he knew it was different, instantly, he knew he would be making progress. He felt the feathers growing, but not only on his arms now, but also on his legs and body... He was a phoenix. Like Hermione's owl he was still full sized, but without doubt, he was a phoenix. Harry looked around him, his gaze enhanced, and he admired the full red-gold colour that he had taken on. Dumbledore started clapping, and Harry transformed back into his normal self.
"Well done Harry!" said Dumbledore delightedly. "Interesting, very interesting..."
"Sir, what's interesting?" Harry asked, confused.
"It is interesting," Dumbledore began, "that you have seemingly gained magical power through your time in the chasm of life. This has been shown by your sudden improvement in the Aniservia spell. I would go so far as to say that this is not any ordinary magical power. I think that, bearing in mind its creator, the chasm of life is full with the power that Voldemort hates, that power which is in the locked room in the department of mysteries and that power which flows in your veins, Harry. I think the chasm of life is made from the magic of time and love, and also therefore, I think that you will have gained another defence against Voldemort now."
He sat back and was quiet for a moment, still frowning. Harry was silent also, contemplating this news. Dumbledore broke the silence.
"I would venture another guess, Harry," he began, "that the chasm of life has already had a huge effect on your life, even before you knew of its existence. I think it may have saved your life."
Harry's eyes shot up to meet Dumbledore's. "How?" he asked abruptly, wondering how on earth the chasm could have ever helped him before.
"I have always wondered," Dumbledore replied, "as to why the attempted killing curse on you backfired towards Voldemort. I always knew that your mother's love had saved you, but I did always wonder as to if that power would be enough to reflect the curse back upon its caster." Harry made a small noise of understanding, although he had never consider this before, it made small sense to him.
Dumbledore continued again. "But now I understand why the curse was reflected. The locality of the chasm of life increased the power of your mother's love, and so reflecting the curse back at Voldemort. In other words it, along with your mother, saved your life."
"So... all this time Voldemort thought he had underestimated the power of my mum..." Harry began slowly, "he really just didn't know how near the chasm of life was?"
"A bit of both, I would think," Dumbledore said simply. "I would think he underestimated your mother's love hugely, and I very much doubt he would have attacked you at your house, had he known that the chasm of life was so near."
Harry nodded wearily. He had been thinking about the prophecy again, and he closed his eyes slightly. "So one of the heirs must kill the other..." he said slowly, grimacing at the thought of it.
"Yes," Dumbledore answered simply. "But do not worry, you will be ready when the time comes." Harry sat quiet for a moment, before voice another thought he had had.
"Professor," he started quietly, "if both Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin had secret chambers or places for themselves, would Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff have had one too?"
"As to that I do not know," Dumbledore replied slowly. "But I have heard no mention of a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff chamber, whereas the chamber of secrets and the chasm of life are both legends in their own right."
Harry had one more question. "And Professor, is there also an heir of Ravenclaw? And one for Hufflepuff?"
Dumbledore tilted his head to one side slightly, as if contemplating his answer. "I know there is no heir for Helga Hufflepuff, as she never had any children. As for Rowena Ravenclaw, I have no idea."
Harry could sense a weary finality in his tone, and he knew that his meeting was over. He stood up to go, and Dumbledore rose also.
"I think it would be best if people did not know about today's events," Dumbledore said, "to ensure you do not get a barrage of questions coming your way."
Harry nodded, hovering by the exit to the office. "Thanks Professor."
Dumbledore smiled. "You should return to Gryffindor house Harry," he said, and his smiled broadened slightly. "Miss Weasley will be waiting."
