Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does. As Proof of this, notice the sixth book does not have Luna searching for Crumple Horned Snorsnaks... in Harry's pants!
Chapter 14 – Why the hell can't I be a God!
"Hey Harry. Is it true are you going to…?"
"Haven't decided yet…sorry."
"Hey pal, Colin told me that you were…"
"Haven't decided yet… sorry."
"Harry, How you been chap?" Justin Finch-Fletchley boisterously asked. Harry who looked half dead, had his head lying in between pages 325 and 326 of The Guide To Transfigurative Practices Through Time.
"Haven't decided yet… sorry." Harry repeated in a dead voice. All emotion drained away as he replayed his standard message over and over and over…for what was probably the 18th time… some had asked him more than once.
"Oh…" Justin frowned, not that Harry could see it as he smelt 20 year old paper. An awkward silence followed where Harry knew Justin was wondering what to do now that he had gotten his answer.
"Are you doing transfiguration, I read the most fascinating article in…"
"Just go…" Harry dismissed the boy.
"Right'o, I can see you're busy and all." And just like that the boy was gone. Harry got the impression that he was just as glad to be away, as Harry was to have him away.
"That was a little rude Harry." Hermione gently admonished.
Trying to mend a few bridges and build upon their damaged friendship, Harry had agreed to study in the library, rather than the Room of Requirement.
He knew it was a bad idea then, and he knew it now.
Almost every member of the old D.A. had asked him whether he was going to continue the group. Some had cited that they had never done so well in defence until they had joined the group, some that they wished to be better prepared to defend themselves, some had thought it terribly fun; the Creevey's needed no explanation.
The worst part was that Harry didn't want to do it. He had enough on his plate without adding to it. Even though he was not behind in his studies, and he had no Quidditch to distract him; the training had left Harry dead by the time he found his way to his bedroom. Having to wake up at an unreasonable hour after entering his common room had left him half awake. Everyone else had thought that it was either worry or stress, or in Hermione's case, the course load catching up with him.
Only Harry knew that it was because his trainer, had loved the idea of having Harry stay another two hours, he had extended their training time. Harry felt like crying after learning that news, when he had finally finished the torturous circuit he was given that night.
He just couldn't wait for the weekend to come as that was his only reprieve, but apparently the D.A. felt differently as more than one had proclaimed that they were willing to give up their weekend to suit his schedule.
He just wanted to sleep. The meagre five and a half hours snatched every night were never enough, and the two days a week he could manage to sleep in on, were a tease and nothing more.
Harry turned his head finally and glared at his friend who would dare criticize him for telling the boy to go away instead of using his magic to stick his foot in his mouth… he could do it too.
"I don't want to do the D.A. Mione…"Harry grumbled as half his mouth was still firmly planted on the page.
"Don't call me Mione… its Hermione; and it's only one or two hours a week, what could it hurt." Hermione reasoned.
Harry cursed his trainer for making him promise to keep his training a secret. It would be so much easier to explain his need for sleep if he could.
"Mione's easier… and I want to use my weekends to do nothing… that's why I call them MY weekends. There mine… not yours, mine." Harry replied sullenly letting his eyes drift close as he lay there on the page describing the process of turning inertial energy into momentum while transfiguring objects.
FWAP
Harry's eyes flew open as Hermione slammed a book down on the table for the seventh time.
She tutted at Harry as he glared at her for preventing him from regaining some restful sleep he so rightly deserved.
"Honestly Harry, it's your own fault, you should just go to bed earlier." Hermione reprimanded.
Hermione swore that her foot twitched slightly of its own volition.
… .. … .. …
Harry waited not bothering to knock.
"Come in Harry."
'Like clock work.'
Opening the door Harry walked into the room most other students would avoid on principal, as getting called to the headmaster's office was generally frowned upon. He on the other hand, could now tell when one twittering silver object had been switched with another. The one that looked like a duck had switched with the one that looked like a man golfing again.
"You wanted to see me, Sir?" Harry asked respectfully as he motioned to seat himself.
"Actually you might as well stand Mr. Potter, I have arranged for a little field trip for us. Of course if you are willing that is." Dumbledore back tracked.
'Field trip?'
"Where to sir?" Harry asked as he stood back up to his full height and tossed his backpack over his shoulders once more. Having exited Defence, and it being a Thursday, thus excluding him from transfiguration, he had hoped to catch a few winks before starting on his runes, and potions work.
"To the citadel, specifically a research lab, I have booked for ourselves." Dumbledore explained taking Harry's answer as a yes.
Reaching into his desk he pulled out a familiar set of brass knuckles. They were like the ones Tonks had carried as an emergency portkey, but built for two instead of 10.
Knowing the drill Harry put his fingers through one set and was portkeyed away at Dumbledore's count down.
Harry felt the swirl of magic around his navel dragging him away.
But it was different this time. He could feel the swing of the portkey, as if a long string had wrapped itself around his stomach, it pulled him and swayed him in all directions as it pulled him to his intended direction.
On instinct, Harry mentally grabbed a hold of the string and tried to steady himself.
Before he knew it he had landed, and under the sheer surprise of the situation, he fell over, though he thought that just maybe he might have been able to land on his feet and stay on them this time.
"You look surprised Harry." Dumbledore questioned as he lent out a hand for Harry to grasp.
Reaching out and accepting the help, Harry replied. "It's nothing sir, it's just that, the portkey ride felt different this time."
"Different in what way?" Dumbledore asked intrigued. After explaining the sensation Dumbledore smiled.
"Ah, that does bring back memories. Do not worry Harry; you have begun to focus your sensitivity for magic. I had felt the same way when I was learning." Dumbledore said kindly as he led Harry down an empty corridor that seemed different from the others.
"Your, sensitive too?" Harry asked in surprise. He could not imagine the man ever having to deal with his issues with landing and floo travel as he always presented a mystique of grace and sophistication, not clumsiness.
"Oh yes, I take it you are not fond of this characteristic." Dumbledore asked as they approached a glass door that was sandblasted to be opaque.
"Well not really sir." Harry admitted.
"You will be one day; it is a very useful trait to have." Dumbledore said with humour.
Harry was about to ask how, but stopped as Dumbledore flung open the glass doors to reveal their working space.
"Welcome to Lab 5 Harry." Dumbledore said as he walked in and immediately adjusted a few silver discs in different arrangements, causing the room to change in size and shape.
"You may see some similarities in this room, to a similar room in Hogwarts. The House Elves call it the Come and go Room, Argus considers it an interior tool shed, and I believe you have been referring to it as the Room of Requirement." Dumbledore said as a ring of crescent moons lit up within the centre of the room.
"The Room of Requirement is a lab?" Harry asked as he walked along the room observing equipment that could be described as both magical and muggle.
The room was spherical in nature, the ceiling as well. It created a dome like shape as if a squashed cereal bowl had been placed on top.
There was a long working bench that ran along the walls in the same crescent pattern that the room was designed in. The floor patterns intrigued Harry; made of glass with moving script running across its surface in so much complexity it glowed. The glass floor patterns also in the characteristic crescent shape facing the opposite direction the benches.
In the dead centre was a raised platform, just large enough for one to stand on, a podium a few meters away behind a solid glass barrier. The silver discs the Headmaster was playing with, were lying in little groves with dial markings around them.
"In essence, yes. It was one of the first of its kind. Although this lab is far superior to the originals, the Room of Requirement is still by far one of Hogwarts' more intriguing treasures. I was quite cross with Armando Dippet's portrait for not informing me of the room." Dumbledore said as he finished twisting a disk a certain amount and then the glass panels flared to life.
Shielding his eyes, Harry turned away from the floor and tried to look away.
"Harry, are you alright," Dumbledore asked in concern as he stepped away from the podium and approached Harry. He was wiping at his eyes as they started to water from the runes bright light.
"I'm okay, it's just the runes are hurting my eyes." Harry explained as he tried to look at the ceilings letting his vision clear away the spots.
"What do you mean Harry?" Dumbledore asked in concerned puzzlement as he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
Frowning Harry answered. "The runes… they're glowing. Whatever you activated them to do, there are far too many. I don't know how you get things done with that much light." Harry replied as the headmasters face started to actually resemble a face now, and not an iridescent blob.
Dumbledore frowned for a moment before a look of dawning comprehension masked his features. Harry thought that if he had a light bulb it might have glowed as bright as the runes when placed over the headmasters head.
"I believe I now know how you found the entrance to the node." Dumbledore said with a smile starting to grace his lips.
"Really, how?" Harry asked as he finally could see the man properly once more.
"Step this way Harry… I believe another ability you have is to be able to see magic… the runes once taken off a sheet of paper should be out of the visible light spectrum. Only their effects are seen… please step on the podium." Dumbledore asked while he explained his epiphany; he hurried back to his pedestal and started to fiddle with the discs.
Obliging but trying not to look down, Harry stood at the top of the platform and looked toward Dumbledore as he adjusted discs, and changed their configurations.
"What are we doing, Sir?" Harry asked, tired of waiting for the man to tell him.
Stopping his movements he paused at Harry's words before chuckling.
"I have forgotten my manners, now haven't I?" Putting down the disc he was holding which appeared to be crystal instead of the standard silver, he walked away from the pedestal and looked at Harry with a calm smile.
"What I would like to do today, using this room, is discover your limits with your wandless ability and perhaps delve into any other powers you might have. To do so I will ask you to perform your wandless magic on the object I am about to create, and it will draw in your magic until it sees a pattern or until you have reached your limit. I must warn you though, it is heavily draining and I am prepared to offer you a day off tomorrow to recover." Dumbledore cautioned as he looked to Harry for any sign that he did not want to go through with it.
A little nervous, but more curious with what was happening to him; Harry nodded his agreement and watched as Dumbledore re approached the podium and placed the crystal down.
A large funnel like object faded into existence in front of Harry. The narrowest part opened up into a bulb giving the entire object an appearance of a novelty horn.
"Now Harry, what I want you to do, is to will your magic towards the horn, it will do the rest." Dumbledore instructed.
"Will it sir?" Harry asked, unsure of exactly how to go about it.
"Yes... just try and expel any kind of magic with out casting a spell, into the funnel." Dumbledore explained, oblivious to Harry's confusion.
Not entirely sure what he was doing, Harry raised his hand, palm out, and pointed it at the centre of the device. Thinking about a wave of magic exiting his hand, he willed anything to happen.
For the longest time Harry felt nothing, but ever so gently, there was a tugging in his chest. Soon a wispy string of gold exited his hand and was sucked into the funnel. He had stopped concentrating but the funnel just kept on sucking. Soon the string became thicker and more turbulent. It soon was the size of Harry's palm with the consistency of a stream of water exiting a tap.
Harry felt his knees start to grow weak and his vision grow darker as his body started to shut down.
"It is alright Harry; these are the symptoms of magical exhaustion. Keep your hand pointed and stay awake as long as you can." Dumbledore commanded over the whooshing noise his magic was making as it exited him.
Minutes went by, and Harry wondered how all that magic could fit within him. If what he saw was any indication, the magic he had released already should have filled three hims by now.
He was having a hard time keeping conscious… it was a conflicting feeling. He felt like he had more to give, but everything he could give was almost gone.
Unease grew within him as his magic started to pulse as it exited his hand. His body started to tremble in sync with the pulses and his back ached, as if his spine was trying to free itself from his own back.
As the first few waves of the new stream hit the funnel, the hole that was sucking in magic shrunk until there was no hole at all.
Harry had enough time to glance at the headmaster as he looked on with wide worried eyes, and as if in slow motion exited the glass barrier and made his way towards Harry.
Harry did not see the rest, as the world spun on its axis and his vision turned black.
… .. … .. …
"What happened…?"
"… not…ell you"
"…severely drained. Could have died!"
"Now Molly, you know I would not allow such a thing to happen, but for Harry's privacy, and for security measures, I cannot tell you what we have been doing."
"What could Harry have done that would enact security measures…" Molly asked with an unbelieving voice.
"Much…"Dumbledore said in a thoughtful one.
"…For now Molly, treat him as you would any other patient with Magical exhaustion. After he is coherent, please send him to the hospital wing in Hogwarts and pass along your findings to Poppy." Dumbledore instructed in a much more commanding voice. This voice was that of a military leader, the head of an army, and Molly Weasley recognized that all further discussion was over.
Opening his eyes, Harry gazed his surroundings. He was in a large square room; the walls made of glass with 3 of them tinted a shiny black that did not leave the room gloomy as the inside was sandblasted to brighten up the interior. The last glass wall was as clear as they came, overlooking the familiar body of water he had swam in so often this summer.
"Ah Harry, I see that you are awake." A kind voice emanated from Harry's left.
There stood Albus Dumbledore, leaning against one of the walls with a red faced Molly Weasley near what could have been an I.V. bag if it wasn't filled with a murky brown substance. It wasn't connected to anything, but it was ever so slowly draining away.
Checking his person Harry saw a patch of tape covering a needle that was placed on the palm of his hand; a little vial attached to it, dripped the same substance into the tube from nowhere.
"Hello Harry dear, how are you feeling." Molly asked as she waved her wand around Harry, while sliding hair away from his forehead with her other hand.
For the first time, Harry felt a little embarrassed that Mrs. Weasley was showing such motherly affection for him, as he felt a benign set of eyes from the headmaster watching.
"I'm fine Mrs. Weasley…" Harry said with a pleasant but sleepy smile.
"Of course you are dear… "Mrs. Weasley said distractedly while she observed her vibrating wand as she performed a specific wand gesture he had not seen before.
"What on earth…" She asked with surprise as the wand emitted colorless blobs of magic that shrunk in upon themselves and vanished.
Quickly Dumbledore straightened up in attention and drew his own wand. "Molly, I am enacting procedure 3, please leave his chart and I will attend to his needs." Dumbledore said in a friendly manner. It was a gentle dismissal, but no one could say that he had asked her, as even Harry had heard the command layered beneath the gentle grandfatherly tones.
Mrs. Weasley looked at the headmaster in askance, wanting to say something, but having no choice but to follow orders, she placed a soft hand on Harry's shoulder, and kissed him on the forehead; causing him to go scarlet from embarrassment.
"Feel better dear; if you need anything…" she sent the headmaster a glance telling him to try and deny her this "…ask for me."
Thankful in spite of his embarrassment, Harry sent her a warm smile and assured her he would.
With that she left the room and disappeared.
Dumbledore quickly placed his hand on a patch of clear glass and mumbled something as the room hummed the same hum his boardroom had so long ago.
Walking back, Dumbledore proceeded to continue where Mrs. Weasley had left off. Clear blobs shooting out his wand in all directions.
"Sir… what's going on?" Harry asked after a moment of silence.
"I am sorry to say, that the device I had used drew in far more of your magic than it was intended to do. I have ascertained your limits with which you can safely use your wandless abilities, but I had almost exceeded them in the process." Dumbledore explained as he started a new set of spell work. His eyes never leaving the results that his wand produced. Thus never at Harry, a very different type of avoidance than last year as Harry sensed the man was distressed.
"What would have happened, if I had crossed the limit…?" Harry asked, morbidly curious.
"I am uncertain, but your body had started to loose cohesion, and such a phenomenon has never before been observed when a person produces magic. I would ask that once I have trained you to recognize when you are reaching said limit, not to cross it. I do not want you to risk finding out what may happen on your death bed." Dumbledore said gravely.
Finishing with a final flick and a yellow mist that followed, he set aside his wand.
"You are in good health as far as I can discern, and you will make a full recovery, by tomorrow evening. But until then I believe it would be best if you were to take a sick day." Dumbledore offered as he sat in a chair that had not been there a moment before.
Nodding his head, as he wasn't going to begrudge taking a day off, Harry tried to sit up.
"What is a procedure 3, sir?" Harry asked in confusion.
Dumbledore chuckled. "I think you have earned the right to call me by my name Harry, at least when we are in private that is…" Dumbledore said with a smile. "You are starting to sound like one of the order members with this sir nonsense."
Blushing at the offer, and sign of respect Harry considered being on a first name basis with the man.
"Maybe when I'm out of Hogwarts sir… headmaster." Harry corrected going for a middle ground. It just seemed too weird to call him 'Albus'.
Nodding his head with an amused smile, Dumbledore conjured himself a tea tray, and had a House elf bring him and Harry a tray of sandwiches.
"Help yourself…" Dumbledore offered as he took what looked like mini egg salad sandwich.
"… As to your question. A procedure 3 is when the acting superior officer overrides medical procedure, for the well being of a patient under security protocols. Simply stated, I could not tell her about what led you to your exhaustion, so I took over your treatment. She was uncovering data that I had not foreseen being available to her." Dumbledore explained.
"Why can't we tell her?" Harry asked, knowing it was a stupid question but feeling it had to be asked none the less.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrow in surprise as he looked at Harry. "I am sorry Harry, I have assumed again. Would you prefer to inform her, I will give her clearance then." Dumbledore backtracked.
"No." Harry said a little more enthusiastically than would be polite.
In a more calm voice, "no that's not what I mean. I just wondered why all the secrecy. I would have assumed the order would be privy to my abilities." Harry asked, horrified at the level of mothering Mrs. Weasley and the rest of the women in his life would reach should they know half the things he hid.
"Ah, well in truth, only you and I know about your wandless abilities, and Mr Weasley of course, but I believed and still do, that keeping this ability secret will give you an advantage in any fights you may have with Voldemorts followers." Dumbledore explained. He did not sound condescending, thinking Harry slow for asking the question, but spoke in his usual kindly lecturing voice as if giving away new information. Harry appreciated that.
Harry had guessed as much but thought it better to check. But then an unsettling thought crossed his mind.
"Are you worried there is another spy in the Order?" Harry asked with a scowl. The very idea that history were to repeat itself set a rage ablaze deep within him.
"I am being cautious; let us put it that way." Dumbledore said after a moment.
Harry could tell he was withholding something.
"Do you suspect someone sir?" Harry asked.
"I am going to ask you not ask me that question yet Harry. I must first deal with this using the proper channels." Dumbledore asked in a tone that echoed great sadness. Something about who he suspected deeply troubled him.
Harry wanted to ask for a name, but wondered whether he could justify this demand. Dumbledore had been unusually straight forward with him this year. He appeared to try to do things differently, but he couldn't get the suspicion that by hiding this from him, he was putting Harry and his friends at risk.
Moments passed in silence, Harry staring at the opposite wall in thought, Dumbledore observing Harry with sadness.
"I know what you are thinking Harry." Dumbledore said.
"Sir…" Harry asked, wondering whether he had used Legilimency.
"I have grieved you severely with my secrets, and I cannot justifiably ask you to trust my judgement again after all I have put you through... but I ask it nonetheless. If I learn anything about the spy that could put you or someone close to you at risk, I swear upon everything I hold dear that I will inform you and try to apprehend the person." Dumbledore offered in an almost pleading way.
Harry hated the fact that he was swayed by the offer and his tone.
Regardless of the fact that everything within him screamed that this was a mistake… he felt like this was Dumbledore asking for a second chance. He had offered so many in his long life, who was he to deny the man his own, even if he had hurt Harry more than any other.
Nodding his head quickly without saying anything… Harry agreed. Fearing he might change his mind if he sat to think it through.
"Thank you Harry" Dumbledore said quietly. He appeared to have had a tremendous weight lifted off his shoulders, as if by Harry's one act he had lightened the burden he
carried by ten fold.
Not willing to let the moment pass, Harry decided it was time to get some real answers out of the man.
"You said you found out my limits… what are they?" Harry asked authoritatively. This was one thing Dumbledore would definitely not hide from him.
"Excellent question…" Dumbledore seemed to produce a brown envelope out of no where and handed it to Harry.
"These are your copy of the results… I would ask that you leave them with me, as you are not equipped with the proper means yet to hide these files. But I have instructed the Gargoyle to allow you entrance to my office whenever you should need to. So you are free to peruse the files at your leisure. I will keep them in a safe behind Headmaster Gripits painting. Tell her the password is Gemma." Dumbledore instructed.
Dumbledore said this while turning his back to Harry while he adjusted his seat. This was odd, in two ways; Dumbledore had always displayed a certain style of power and grace where he did trivial things like adjusting his seat magically, to the point where it seemed as natural as breathing. The second thing that struck Harry, and he wasn't sure he could justify it as, if he were right; his abilities were far more than even he suspected. For a moment, at the name, Gemma, Harry felt a terrible sadness, and loneliness come from the man.
Harry deciding to not let on to the fact that he might have just used his… Legilimency…? On him, thanked the man and opened his envelope.
A crisp white sheet of paper, with bar charts, spherical charts, complex calculations, and other information Harry could not make out, littered the page.
"Sir… what does this mean?" Harry asked, as he was utterly baffled by the bars and lines.
He spotted his name at the top, but that was the only thing he really understood, except for the odd 'if', 'or', and 'then'.
"I will provide you with a key to deciphering the information, but allow me to translate for now." Dumbledore asked.
"Do you see the spherical bar chart?"
"Yes" Harry said as he stared at the prominent 5 inch circle with bars and wavy lines criss-crossing around the perimeter.
"The circle it self represents the average witch or wizards power level, each bar represents a different form of magic that your body channels…"
Harry counted about 47 bars.
"Each bar represents a different power then?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Not exactly, while some bars can be attributed to only one type of power, for example number 4 which expresses apparition exclusively. Most of the bars work together with other bars to form your working magic." Dumbledore explained.
"Like a potion then… different ingredients to make a specific product?" Harry asked.
"A good metaphor, yes." Dumbledore said in thought. "But it is best not to over simplify them as the more advanced your understanding becomes, the more confusing it will be for you to comprehend the charts with that analogy." Dumbledore explained in warning. Harry didn't feel embarrassed as this information was definitely beyond his understanding and even Hermione could not look at the same sheet and fully comprehend everything.
"I'd like you to notice the distance the bars extend to beyond the circle. And in the case of 12-18 and 25 there distance within the circle." Dumbledore asked.
Harry saw that most bars were a good 1 inch away from the circle, and in the case of the ones indicated by Dumbledore specifically, were barely existent. The legend at the top corresponded each cm, to approximately 1000 M.U.'s.
"12-18 and 25 are hardly there, are those the evolutionary blocks you were referring to?" Harry asked curiously. He barely had any left if that was the case.
"Actually Harry, 12-15 and 17 are key to a witch and wizard to learn occlumency. 16, 18, and 25 are fundamental for Legilimency." Dumbledore said in confusion.
Harry looked at the bars in alarm. "But that can't be… I've been having flashes of people's thoughts, and emotions, and I haven't received any visions from Voldemort. This can't be right." Harry said anxiously as he made sure the bars he was looking at, were the one indicated.
"Yes, I am as puzzled as you are. But specifically more so as in addition to your conflicting testimony, I would like you to focus on number 8. Number 8 is related specifically to your mental state, intuition, emotions, tolerance for pain…" Dumbledore's voice trailed off as Harry looked at the bar.
Script was written where the bar should have been.
Error: inadequate correlative data.
"What does that mean?" Harry asked. Nothing he heard so far sounded promising. It sounded like the ritual took away powers from him.
"I had at first been alarmed by the error, but once I consulted with some of the data obtained, your number 8 bar… was immeasurable by the machine. Your magic seems to be enhancing this bar incredibly, and this is a bar that is generally unrelated to magic in all aspects." Dumbledore said with a little wonder in his voice.
"Is that a good thing?" Harry asked. Having lower occlumency and Legilimency bars, skills which seemed more mental in nature, indicated something wrong with his brain. Having number 8 so high though, sounded like a plus.
'…unless I'm reading the bars wrong, and having lower bars is a good thing.' Harry wondered. 'Like golf.'
"I am unsure; these bars indicate that you have a significantly higher magical tolerance than the average witch or wizard…" Dumbledore pointed at a row of bars that stopped short of the end of the page.
"… but these ones indicate that it will be impossible for you to perform any type of mental defence or attack." Dumbledore pointed to the previously indicated occlumency, Legilimency bars.
"But the puzzling thing is that number 8 and 16 are always at a one to one ratio. That is clearly not the case as number 8 is well beyond anything our instruments can comprehend." Dumbledore said in puzzled excitement. Harry got the impression that he liked to solve puzzles as a child.
"Harry, with your permission, I would like to use Legilimency on you." Dumbledore suddenly exclaimed. He looked like Hermione when she wanted to test out a theory.
Harry was hesitant but nodded his head hoping the man would be gentler than Snape was.
Dumbledore nodded back and pointed his wand and stared at Harry in concentration.
To Harry it looked like the man was trying to win a blinking contest. Harry didn't feel the pounding headache, or see the flashes of memories; he waited for the man to initiate the process but moments passed before finally…
"My word… it's like you're not even there." Dumbledore said in excitement as he quickly scribbled on his own copy of the results with a quill Harry was sure had not existed moments before.
"Sir?" Harry asked. The man was starting to resemble Hermione a little too much as he had the incomprehensible muttering down to a T. He had clearly proven his theory correct, but he was so engrossed in it, he had forgotten to explain to his less learned protégé what was going on.
Looking up, Dumbledore smiled a sheepish smile. "My apologies..." Dumbledore said not sounding very apologetic as he glanced down at his report every few seconds to scribble something else.
"… When I attempted to enter your mind, I found it impossible to find. I tried to use a silent Legilimens as well, but your mind simply was incompatible with the mental attack." Dumbledore said with a wicked smile.
Harry paused comprehending what the man said in surprise. "Does that mean…" Harry asked, not willing to believe the ritual had done something he couldn't manage for half a year.
"Voldemort, and any other witch or wizard will never be able to penetrate your mind again. This, infact explains one of Professor Snapes reports."
Harry stared at the man in intrigue…
"He reported that Voldemort has been growing exceedingly agitated since the failed ritual. At the time I had assumed he had been searching himself for any form of ability, as Professor Snape had reported that he had been meditating frequently, but I believe he has in fact, been trying to form another mental link." Dumbledore explained.
Harry felt a great relief wash throughout his body, as if he were cleansing himself of one less worry. He had rid himself of a dire weakness; thinking back on the times he had easily been able to discern Voldemorts emotions, and he having been untrained in the mental skill, it frightened him, the level of information Voldemort would have at his disposal… the least of which being the prophecy.
"I'm sorry to say though, that it appears that in doing so, you will never be able to perform Occlumency or Legilimency, as it seems the magic has been redirected onto this nonmagical channel. This may explain your recent flashes as you call them, as magic has never to my knowledge been used to enhance this channel. This channel is still a mental component and the magics redirected were to do with mental communication so it does seem more than likely that you are capable of some level of empathy or mind reading." Dumbledore explained.
Harry didn't care that he couldn't do Legilimency or Occlumency; this was far more 'cooler'.
"How do I learn to control it…?" Harry asked; eager to learn this gift.
"I, again, am unsure… we will have to learn as we go along." Dumbledore explained with a smile. Clearly amused by the excitement Harry exhibited.
Frowning for a moment Harry raised a question… "What does that mean in terms of my connection to Voldemort, will my scar stop hurting now?" Harry asked.
It was odd that he felt worried about loosing the pain. But it offered a morbid sense of comfort to Harry, knowing that he could learn things through his ancient wound.
"Ah, that is another good question. You will note the calculations along the side and back of the page…" Harry flipped the page over and saw the entire back scribbled with writing.
"Although you do loose some sensitivity due to your diminished Legilimency channels. Your connection has become reinforced with Tom. It is no stronger or weaker, but it is near impossible for you to break without the other person having to be vanquished." Dumbledore explained in a guarded tone.
Harry assumed Dumbledore was afraid he would be upset by the news… but Harry was surprised to note that he was pleased. It added a sort of finishing touch between the pair; the two were now unmistakable and irreversibly linked. It felt like He had reached a milestone, completing some kind of hurdle he had been destined to since before he was born.
Harry let his thoughts drift back before focusing on the sheet.
"What do the wavy lines mean?" Harry asked, skipping the main graph and going to a violently bouncing line that crossed two red lines at the top and bottom of the graph.
"That is another mystery, but I do not believe you shall have to worry about it. It indicates that you have a much higher magical stamina…you can hold within you more magic than you can safely expel. I do not anticipate you ever crossing the limits indicated as I am going to train you to recognize those limits." Dumbledore answered reassuringly.
"You'll train me sir?" Harry asked. This sounded like very good news to Harry.
"Indeed, I will most likely set up sessions for Sunday night, so as to not interfere with your physical conditioning. I must congratulate you by the way; Tiberius…Professor Conley, has deemed your progress satisfactory, which is high praise from the man. I dare say some of the Order would be envious should they hear such things.
Harry couldn't help but smile pleased at the news. Some days he wondered whether he was making progress at all. Mornings where he stared at his reflection after a shower and wondered if he would ever grow muscle on his torso.
He admitted it, he wanted abs. Quiditch had only helped define muscles around his waste. And those could not be displayed unless he was willing to wear a thong or less.
Which he was not… to the eternal consternation of one or two witches in the school.
"I actually do not see why we can not start now in fact. I believe a good approach would be to attempt to have you sense your own magic, and have that awareness on at all times. It will be difficult at first but I believe you are more than capable of the skill." Dumbledore encouraged looking to Harry for confirmation.
Harry frowned… he was feeling ok, but he felt like he might have trouble performing a stunner at the moment. Willing to try though Harry reached for his wand on the side table.
"There is no need for that Harry; I actually encourage you not to hold anything magical while we practice." Dumbledore explained as Harry stopped reaching for his wand.
"Alright…" Harry said dubiously as he sat up straighter and awaited instructions.
Dumbledore sat up straighter himself, and appeared to posture himself in a position he was familiar with.
"Now, you will find these exercises similar to meditation, but as you have magic available, you are able to go further than most muggles in the practice." Dumbledore explained.
Harry sat up trying to mimic the headmaster as he sat facing Harry. Straight backed and legs dangling, Harry waited for the man to instruct him.
"Now Harry, I want you to focus on clearing your mind, you must empty yourself of all emotion and thought." Dumbledore instructed in a hypnotic tone. Harry let his eyes close and tried to clear his mind.
"Like occlumency?" Harry asked; trying to remember that he no longer had reason to fear a leglimens attack.
"I am sorry could you repeat that Harry?" Dumbledore asked in a calm voice.
"You know, clear your mind, that's how you perform Occlumency." Harry said.
"Yes of course Harry, please do as you have with Professor Snape." Dumbledore instructed from somewhere in front of him.
Harry took a few moments but was having little success, a sense of worry and agitation was eating at him. Reopening his eyes to meet the glazed over eyes of his headmaster as he stared at Harry, he wondered whether he would ever get this exercise down.
Dumbledore's glazed expression vanished and he focused on Harry once more. "Maybe it is too early to start these exercises. Much has happened today." Dumbledore offered. Harry felt a little embarrassed as he thought Dumbledore was covering up for his failure to perform a simple instruction like clearing your mind.
"I believe Sunday at your usual training time would suffice. Do not worry about being caught out of bounds; the teachers have been informed that you have been granted leeway for personal matters." Dumbledore explained.
It was a little late coming but it did explain why he had not had any trouble with running in to the staff.
Harry suddenly groaned internally though when he realized what the man had said. Sunday was supposed to be one of his two days off. He was going to make sure that he slept in as long as possible on Saturday, and God help who ever dared try and wake him up.
"One favour sir…" Harry asked. He felt he deserved this, after the day he had and the lack of rest he was going to have.
"By all means Harry" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"Do we have to tell Madame Pomfrey about this…?" Harry wheedled. The woman was still fairly cross with him for trying to escape; he didn't know why he thought fleeing would save him. This did not even take into account Dumbledore's stunt with the women; Harry was fairly sure the man would use the Citadel before going back to her.
Dumbledore laughed in complete agreement, and assured Harry that he saw no reason to tell the excitable women.
Harry sighed in relief.
… .. … .. … .. …
Harry woke up with a smile the next day. Seeing as he had the day off today and he was allowed to skip last nights training session, he decided to enjoy an early sleep in and woke up late in the morning; feeling very refreshed. He could feel that his magic was almost back to normal but knew that he deserved a day off.
Quickly walking into an empty bathroom and showering with thankfully hot water, he glided down the stairs to the common room and contemplated what he was to do next.
Technically the teachers could not bully him into going to class as Dumbledore assured him that the teachers would understand that he was not fit for class that day; but walking around the school chipper and fresh seemed to be inviting trouble.
Frowning wondering what he could do… he walked outside Gryffindor tower and trotted along the familiar corridor towards the room of requirement.
"Hello Harry." A familiar voice greeted.
Stopping and turning around he spotted the familiar earth toned clothing and aged smile of his former Professor.
"Professor Lupin…" Harry said in happy surprise.
"None of that Harry, I stopped teaching years ago…" Remus said affectionately as he walked across the floor and gave Harry a warm hug.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked with a smile. As they continued there trek down to the great hall by themselves.
"The Headmaster said that you had a free day and I decided we haven't spent enough time together. How do you feel about a little escape from the castle?" Mooney said with a twinkle in his eye that reminded Harry that he was once a marauder.
"That would be great… where do you wanna go?" Harry asked immediately. His excitement skyrocketing by leaps and bounds.
"I have a place in mind but how do you feel about grabbing some breakfast on the way there...make that brunch" He corrected once he looked at his watch. "I know a good place." Remus said.
"That sounds great." Harry said excited. Checking to see whether he had his money bag on him he turned a corner and started heading toward the entrance hall.
They reached the gates of Hogwarts in what seemed like no time at all and a familiar carriage with a Trestle was patiently waiting for them.
"Oh before we go…" Remus said in realization, he pulled off Harry's outer robe and tucked it away in Harry's bag.
"Muggle restaurant" Remus explained.
That was fine by Harry as he unbuttoned his shirt and undid his tie. He suddenly felt as if it was summer all over again and he had a day at the beach with friends.
Taking the carriage to the train station, Remus pulled out two sickles and went up to a booth with a bon fire burning outside.
Harry could not for the life of him remember ever seeing this here.
"Two, to as close to Sloane Square as possible." Remus asked.
"We got the pit near the Harrods, or the underground." The man asked in light cockney. His conductor's hat askew and his black button up jacket resting on his chair.
"The underground sounds good." Remus replied and led Harry to a set of stairs leading up to the bon fire.
"Sloan Square, underground!" The man called. And a puff of green vapour exited the flame. Soon the bonfire took on a green tinge itself as it activated.
"Come on Harry." Remus called as the two walked into the inferno. Harry felt an odd tingling licking his shoulders and a strange tickling at his feet, and then they were off.
Harry had to admit, as far as floo rides went, this one wasn't half bad. Like hanging on to a merry go round, but dirtier.
Landing in a crouch that didn't lead to a fall Harry, thought today might actually be a good day.
… .. … .. …
Remus guided him down the street and took a few random turns before stopping outside a restaurant called Sally's.
"They serve breakfast late here. What you say?" Remus asked with that same odd gleam in his eye as he peaked into the windows.
"Sure…" Harry replied and followed the man in through the wooden door.
Remus guided Harry toward a table by the window that overlooked a picturesque street with freshly turned, golden red and brown leafed trees, classical architecture that had not made the street seem dilapidated, and a spattering of cars hear and there.
It was a nice place. Harry could see himself eating here more than once given the chance.
"Mooney!" a high pitched cry came from Harry's left.
Turning immediately he spotted a short little thing flinging its self on top of the last marauder.
"Why hello Emmy." Remus said with a bright smile on his face. Harry had rarely seen such a smile on the mans face but it was always a pleasure.
"I drawed myself a car" The girl exclaimed cheerfully while whipping out a piece of paper and showing it to Remus.
"And a lovely car it is… Wouldn't you say Harry?" Remus asked as he flipped the page around to show a Crayola sketched car with a little girl with bright blue eyes and black hair at the wheel.
"Should be in an art gallery" Harry said to the girl with a smile of his own.
Suddenly noticing Harry, the little girl blushed and hid behind Remus's chair.
Her right ponytail bouncing at her quick retreat.
"Remus, we've missed you around here." Another voice asked just as exuberantly as the girls.
A women who appeared to be a waitress, with the same black hair and blue eyes as the little girl hiding behind Remus quickly entered the scene and leaned in and gave Remus a hug.
Harry couldn't help the devilish smile that crossed his face as he noticed Remus's blush.
He was a marauders son after all.
"Hello Laura. I've been called away for my consulting job… but I took the day off to spend with Harry here." Remus explained brining Harry into the fold.
Turning abruptly the women glanced at Harry and smiled. "So this is the infamous Harry, I've heard so much about. Pleasure to see the face behind the tales." The women said warmly with an arm extended.
Harry took the hand and shook while shooting Remus a smirk that made the man just a little more alert. Harry noted that the hand he was shaking did not have a wedding ring on it and smiled a little wider.
"It's nice to meet you Laura… Remus has done the same. Can't stop talking about you real… ow." Harry cried out as he felt his right shin get kicked.
A little giggle echoed behind Remus's chair as the man stared at Harry with hard eye's.
Harry was pleased to note that Laura blushed just as much as Remus had.
"Oh Remus… are you going to be home tomorrow… I have a surprise lecture to go to. And I need some one to watch the little munchkin." The women asked as she fought down her blush.
"I don't see why not…" Remus said with a smile that turned strained when he saw the deeply amused eyes of his best friend's son.
"Thank you so much… this means a lot. Oh what am I thinking, what would you like to eat Harry?" The woman asked with that same warm smile.
"Whatever Remus is having… that should be fine… and an apple juice if you could." Harry answered. The little girl was sticking her head out more frequently as she stole glances at him.
"Hi there" Harry said. As the girl locked eyes on him.
"Did you really kill a giant snake?" She asked with a blush.
Harry paused dead in his tracks before shooting Remus questioning looks.
"Where do you get these things, Emmy?" Laura said in amused dismay as she lifted the girl up and into her arms.
The little 5 year old eagerly sat on her forearm and clung to her neck as she smiled apologetically at Harry.
"She has the wildest imagination." She apologized.
"Don't worry about it… I'm pretty sure 'Mooney' here was the one to let on that little secret though." Harry said with a wink to the girl. She winked back with a giggle, understanding the gesture.
Laura laughed and led her daughter away while she placed there order.
"So… she's pretty." Harry commented dryly. As he leaned back in his chair.
"Harry…" Remus said in warning.
"I'm just saying…" Harry said.
"Far too much of James in you… and Lilly… and Padfoot." The man grumbled.
Harry took that as a compliment.
"So… telling tales of fighting snakes, have we?" Harry asked, wanting to know how the child knew.
"Yes well…" Remus had the decency to look apologetic.
"… Your adventures do make for good bedtime stories you know." Remus explained.
"Doubtful…" Harry said as he let the matter drop as he didn't really care, but wanted to watch Remus squirm.
Laura returned with what she called a Remus special; sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, and more bacon with a side of hash. Apparently the wolf showed itself at other times than the full moon.
"How the man stays thin… every women's dream." She cried in exasperation as she left a plate of toast in between the two.
Helping himself but hoping that Sir had no way of finding out what he ate, as the man had ordered Harry on a strict diet. Harry was willing to follow the mans orders only so far, but he'd be damned if he gave up his hash browns.
"So what you want to do today?" Remus asked in between bites of bacon and sausage.
"I'm not sure, I hadn't really thought about it." Harry admitted.
"Well I have one thing I need to show you but how about I show you around the neighbourhood first." Remus replied as he stole a glance at a familiar waitress across the room.
Harry didn't have the heart to take the Mickey out of him. Harry let the man get away with his ganders... for now at least.
… .. … .. …
Harry was fairly sure that Remus had taken Harry all around town. From Sally's to the grocers, the bakery, the music store, a school, the cinemas, and finally a park. Harry collapsed in a bench as his feet were killing him.
"There's one more place I'd like to show you Harry." Remus said oblivious to Harry's pain.
"I'm a bit pooped Remus. Give me a minute?" Harry asked as he stared at the townhouse apartments opposite the park. A red brick building with white framed windows. Harry spotted a cat stalk a squirrel in front of the shrubbery, and a little girl stalk the cat, while what looked like the parents, watched with fondness as the girl not so stealthily approached the feline.
"Oh there's no need to go anywhere though… were already there." Remus said with a proud smile. He sat beside Harry and stared at the building.
"What you mean Remus…?" Harry asked in confusion.
"What I mean Harry is… Welcome home." Remus said with a smile as he pointed at the door, 3 from the left, between the very yellow tree and fire hydrant.
Harry stared at the man in confusion for a moment before his words hit him.
"I know it's not a house or anything, but it's got 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and living room of course, and we have our own parking spot right out front.
Harry didn't know what to say… so he blurted the only thing that came to mind. "You have a car?"
"Actually no… but we will have something to put there soon enough." Remus said with a conspiratorial smile.
The man waited for a verdict, but it was clear Harry was struck dumb.
Taking the lead, he pulled Harry up and walked them towards their own door. Pulling out a key from his pocket, Remus opened the door and led Harry inside. The wood floors squeaked under Harry's shoes, and lead down to a three way stop. The living room which was moderate in size, slightly larger than Dudley's bedroom, the kitchen directly ahead through a paneled white door, and to the right, a staircase that lead up to the second floor.
The kitchen was about the same size of the Dursley's, and the bedrooms were all about the same sizes as well, Remus pointed to one next to his. "That ones yours, I hope you don't mind but I let Emmy sleep in there until I got around to buying another bed for the guest room. There's not much but I figured you could design it the way you wanted…" Remus said nervously awaiting some kind of response from the boy who had said nothing since leaving the park.
Harry walked in a daze into his room; it was bigger than His old room but slightly smaller than Dudley's. A large window overlooked the park outside, his bed adjacent to the window, letting the cool breeze rush across the bed rippling the fabric on the pillow. A side table decent reading lamp and a book case built into the wall with the window.
The upstairs had shag carpeting instead of the hard wood of the bottom floors. The burgundy color contrasting with the earth tones of the entire house, made everything seem like an old time photo.
In actuality, the room was almost exactly like the one he had at the Dursley's except for one very important detail. It was given to him, freely, because Remus cared, not because he was afraid of reprisal.
That made all the difference.
"This place is fantastic." Harry proclaimed suddenly as he turned to face the relieved man.
"Glad to hear it." He said with a smile.
"The order just finished warding last week, and we should be set for Christmas." Remus explained as he walked around the sepia toned room.
He bent down and picked up a box of crayons that lay at the base of the bed. Remus smiled and placed them on the inlayed bookshelf.
The time had come…
"So what's the story with Laura" Harry asked, emphasising her name teasingly.
Remus groaned.
AN: I've revealed a lot of my secrets in the last few chapters… now why would I do that. I mean this is like act 1… and there are plenty more acts to go. It wouldn't do to give everything away at once.
What could I be thinking… hmm
I'm going to stop anyone now who is thinking it. Laura and her daughter, are completely and utterly muggle. Not a touch of magic in them so don't go and think Harry's going to have a little sister to look after once he gets to Hogwarts. Those stories are okay, but I don't want to use the two for that purpose. For now… just think of Laura as a single mom, going to university, while raising her (5-6? Year old) daughter. She and Remus clearly like each other, there about the same age, Laura's a bit younger, let's say 5 years.
A spy in the order… yes its cliché… yes many of you are probably guessing and some of you may already know who it is. I'd like to do this cliché a different way though. I'm only doing it because cannon as it is leaves this plot point wide open and it's too hard to ignore it.
Also… this story is half betaed and the part that wasn't betaed was the part that desperately needed it. Once its finished being edited I'll reupload it.
I've layed quite a few hints in this chapter so I'd pay attention…
For those of you who want to take a look at the townhouse I described…
www viviun com/AD-3175/
I will explain some of the logistics… but any inconsistencies that there are, are due to me not living in London, and not ever visiting this place. Also its fanfiction, so it doesn't have to be exact.
Also, out on my home page on my authors profile, I've uploaded a couple of pictures related to the story, in addiction to some of the sketches I drew earlier.