Standard Disclaimer-I don't own Harry Potter. Just the stuff I make up about him.
Chapter 2 – Shell Cottage
They appeared just inside the wards of Shell Cottage. Harry let go of Hermione's hand and went to his knees. Beside him Ron and Hermione both collapsed to the ground as well. The adrenaline and the magic were wearing off. Harry could see Bill and Fleur running out to them, but he didn't pay attention to the reunions. He couldn't hold it in any more. He sat on the sandy ground and his head fell between his legs as his arms rested on his knees. A sob escaped his lips, and then another. He couldn't get the images out of his head. All that blood. He'd killed fourteen people. Sure they were murderers and deserved to die, but that thought didn't bring any relief. Fourteen people! He'd avenged his parent's betrayer. He'd killed his godfather's murderer, but he found no joy in it. He was killer.
A strong hand gripped his shoulder. Ron. "I know what you're thinking mate, and you gotta stop. You're not like them. They kill for fun. They torture and maim. You're better than that mate. You're good. You're in the right." Hermione knelt down beside him just then. She put her hand on his face and pulled until he was facing her. Harry was still crying. She spoke softly and with careful words. "You killed to protect Harry. You killed for your friends. It's so much different. Besides it technically wasn't even you. It was mostly instinct wasn't it?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah but I remember it all." I moved and struck with the intention of killing them. It was like part of me wanted them all to die."
Ron scoffed. "Sure you did. Those people killed your godfather, and betrayed your parents. Not to mention what they've done to others, including Neville's parents and Ginny our first year. Don't forget Malfoy Sr. was the one who did that to her. Of course you wanted to kill them. Hell, so did I. They're evil gits Harry. They love pain and hate everything else. They deserved to die. You're not a killer Harry. You're a protector, and maybe fate is using you to dole out a little justice yeah?"
As awful as he felt, it was hard to argue with his friend's logic. "I know you're right, but it is still hard. I don't want to kill anyone. It's just hard. Give me bit will you. Tell your brother and Fleur I'm alright. Just give me bit."
Ron frowned. "Ok mate, but don't stew on this alright. We need to talk about what happened back there. You're a bloody griffin animagus mate. How effing wicked is that?"
"Ronald must you be so vulgar? C'mon. Let's give him some time. Harry we'll be here when you're ready." Harry nodded and closed his eyes as Ron and Hermione headed towards the cottage.
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Ron and Hermione walked into Shell Cottage to greet Ron's oldest brother and his wife. "Luna?" Hermione exclaimed. "Luna, why aren't you at school?"
"Harry's friend Dobby was kind enough to bring me here with Mr. Ollivander." The wispy blonde replied.
"You were in the dungeon?" cried Ron.
"Yes I've been there for some time. They took me to hurt my daddy. Mr. Ollivander was there for quite some time as well."
"Wait, Ollivander is here?" asked Hermione.
"Aye," said Bill. "He's in a pretty bad way though. We put him in a bedroom upstairs, and I called a few people in the order to see if we can get a healer here. He'll be here soon. We should probably get all of you checked out as well. Now, in the meantime tell me how you got here. What happened?"
Ron looked at Hermione. Hermione started. "We were caught by snatchers today. Harry forgot about the taboo, and they found us pretty quick. There were too many to fight and Fenrir was with them so they caught us. I cast a stinging hex between Harry's eyes right before they got us and we ditched his glasses, but they knew Ron and I and found Harry's glasses so they assumed Harry was himself as well. They already had Dean and Griphook and they took us to Malfoy Manor hoping for a reward. Bellatrix was there with the Malfoy's and Wormtail. They couldn't tell for sure if Harry was himself and Bellatrix was very upset about the sword. She thought we stole it from her. Which we didn't, but it's interesting that she thinks we did. I wonder what that…."
"Hermione!" Ron growled. "I got it from here. Bellatrix called You-Know-Who and told Pettigrew to take Harry and I to the dungeon where he just sent Dean and Griphook. They were gonna torture Hermione. I was screaming and threatening them, but none of us had our wands. I could tell Harry was just as desperate as me, then it happened. Harry just transformed into a giant griffin and started killing death eaters."
"What did you just say?" exclaimed Bill as several others expressed similar sentiments.
"Seriously," Ron responded. "Harry bleedin' Potter turned into a dragon sized griffin and killed every death eater in the room except Draco. He let him go after he changed back…but yeah Harry saved us, and Greyback, Bellatrix, the Malfoy's, Wormtail, and nine others are all burning along with Malfoy Manor. But they were dead before we set the fire. That's why he's out there by himself now. He thinks he's as bad as they are cuz' he ripped em all to shreds. We tried to tell him he's nothing like them but he's so bloody noble, not to mention stubborn. He thinks he needs to punish himself."
The faces in the room were priceless. "How is that even possible?" asked Dean. "We don't know," Hermione replied. "It's all so fresh, we haven't even had time to process it all. But that's not all. He was moving at speeds I've never seen before. It's like time stopped for him. It all happened in the just a few seconds, and after he killed Greyback and Bellatrix, his magic shot out from him and formed some sort of super shield around Ron and I. It was like it covered my skin like glove. I've never seen or heard anything like it before."
I don't think anyone has," Bill answered.
"I have," said a gravelly voice from the corner.
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Harry had been sitting there for a few minutes when a squeaky voice broke the silence. "Harry Potter is upset. How can Dobby make him feel better?"
"I killed them all Dobby. Does that make me just like them? Is my soul tainted like theirs were? Will it get easier to kill until I'm a monster just like the people I'm fighting against?"
"Harry Potter is nothing like bad evil wizards. He is great wizard. He is protector of peoples who can't protect themselves. Harry Potter doesn't have black soul. He has good soul. Pure and kind. He has even more good in him now than he did when Dobby saw him last."
"How can you say that Dobby?"
"Dobby can see it. Harry Potter is even more than he was before. He has more goodness and more power than before."
Harry was dumbfounded. "Dobby can you see auras?"
"Dobby can see Harry Potter's light. House elves can all be seeing wizards light. That's why Dobby always be knowing Harry Potter is great wizard. His light is pure and strong. Now even more than before. Even more strong and even more pure. Harry Potter is good not evil. He needs to be believing this."
"Uh mmn thanks Dobby. I feel better. You're a good friend."
"Oh thank yous. You is too kind to Dobby. Thank yous.
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Harry walked through the door of Shell Cottage expecting to have to answer some questions. What he found instead completely through him for a loop. Every eye in the room was on the goblin Griphook in the corner. "…and the Potter boy is an heir of several of those lines."
"I'm sorry…what am I an heir to? Can you back up a bit?" asked Harry with an utterly confused look on his face.
"Harry, Griphook thinks you're a Battle Mage!" blurted Ron.
"I said he could very well be an Altor Regnum. His magic seems to suggest it," corrected Griphook.
"Can you please back up and clue me in?" Harry pleaded. "I'm obviously missing something."
"Have a seat Mr. Potter I will begin again." Harry sat in an extra seat close to the table and gave the goblin his attention. "In the time of Merlin the magical world did not hide away from the non magical world. They were one and the same. There was fear of magic certainly, but there was respect as well. Most of the magical community was scattered but seven prominent families of wizards were convinced by Merlin to come together in support of young non magical king by the name of Arthur, who had managed to consolidate most of the lands of the Britons. You will find very little about any of this in your histories other than the common knowledge of Merlin and his significant power. Lesser wizards have sought to diminish and erase the truth of this history for their own gain. The story has survived, albeit a very confused and misguided version of it, by those you call Muggles. The goblins, however remember the history well, as it may very well affect our future. The heads of the seven families pledged the heirs of their houses to Arthur and Merlin. These seven young men became what you know today as the Knights of the Round Table, although they called themselves the Altor Regnum. Now Merlin performed a magical right with the consent and participation of all seven young men, and their magic transformed forever. Each of them afterwards displayed a naturally occurring magical animagus form as well as a significant increase in overall power. Three were dragons, two were griffins..." Harry's eyebrows rose a little at this point. "…one was a phoenix and the last was a basilisk. Each man could harness and use the abilities of his animagus while in human form as well. The people of Camelot and of Briton adored them and came to call them the Battle Mages or the Hero Mages. Their names were Sir Percival of House Peverell, Sir Gawaine of House Longbottom, Sir Erec of House Nott, Sir Galahad of House Gryffindor, Sir Owain of House Potter, Sir Gareth of House Bones, and Lancelot the wanderer, who later became the Head of House Black."
Harry was floored. Those names were all very familiar. This sounded almost like a prank. He was having a hard time keeping his composure. Still the goblin continued.
"You, young Mr. Potter are the direct blood heir to three of those houses, and a descendant of all but one. It makes some sense that, should your magic be powerful enough, the original Altor Regnum magic would claim you."
"Bloody hell!" Harry exclaimed. "You're serious aren't you. This doesn't seem possible."
"I assure you it is possible, even probable. You will need to come with me to visit the goblin council soon, as this information must not be kept from them," pronounced the increasingly confident goblin.
"What do the goblins have to do with this?" Harry inquired. "You mentioned earlier that the goblins future could be affected by this. Why? And if they are wrapped up in this will I be safe in their presence?"
"You have no reason to fear the goblin nation, in fact the very opposite may be true. The goblins are interested in you Mr. Potter for two reasons. First, on July 31st of this past year when you reached your majority you became the sole heir of three houses. Obviously the fortune of House Potter is yours by right. The previous Head of House Black named you his heir, it would also be yours by right as your paternal grandmother Dorea Potter was born into the senior line of House Black. All others alive today come from lesser lines. Your claim has precedence. But since you were magically named the heir all other arguments are moot and void. You are also the sole remaining heir of House Gryffindor, ironically, through your mother. The Gryffindor line has not had a male magical heir in over four hundred years. By right it is now yours. It should also be noted that upon confirmation of her death the dowry of Bellatrix Black-Lestrange will be returned to House Black, meaning that all or very nearly all of the Lestrange fortune is yours as well. You are likely the single largest patron of Gringott's Bank."
The collective jaws of everyone in the room hit the floor simultaneously at that moment. "Bloody effing hell!" The silence was broken, oddly enough by Hermione Granger. Her hand flew up to her mouth and she muttered apologies as Griphook continued.
"The second and more important reason to the goblins as a whole is a pact that still exists to this day between the Altor Regnum and the Goblin Nation. Goblins have, and always will be allied with them."
"Oh my God Harry. This could change the very fabric of the war, and the future of the wizarding world!"
"I know Hermione, ." Harry responded, and then looked back to Griphook expectantly. "When can a meeting be arranged Griphook?"
"I can make arrangements within the day I suspect. You will need to come alone. The Goblin Council will not reveal itself to anyone else. Is it your wish then to go to Gringott's tomorrow?
Without hesitancy and despite Hermione's muffled objection, Harry replied calmly. "Yes it is."
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Augustus Pye, the healer from the order came and tended to Mr. Ollivander, and checked over each of the newcomers one by one. Luna was suffering from malnourishment and dehydration, and Dean was a little banged up as well. The trio had only scrapes and bruises to show for the days activities. Before he left he gave them each a few potions and healed any serious cuts. He left strict instructions with Fleur for Mr. Ollivander as well as a potion regiment for Luna that she would need to take for about a week. It could have been much worse. Harry was relieved their physical problems were minimal. It helped keep his worries from overwhelming him.
As Ollivander rested and Griphook made arrangements through the floo. Harry was dragged outside by Ron while the others followed curiously. "Harry I know you're tired but we need to learn a little more about your abilities. C'mon and just get out here already. Can you change without being angry?"
"I think so. I can feel the place where it comes from… if that makes any sense."
"No, but whatever works," replied Ron as the others all chuckled. He took a few steps back and turned to watch Harry expectantly. "Ok, do your thing Harry."
Harry pulled from that place where he felt the original flood of magic come from, only now it felt like that flood of magic had settled throughout his body. The source though seemed familiar and was still in that place he first felt it. It made sense to him even if no one else really understood it. As he released the magic he felt the sensation of growth and time slowing. It was weird it was as if he could see the world in slow motion and in real time as well. He spread his wings to the awe and delight of his friends and moved around to get used to his griffin form. He felt powerful and in control. It was a primal feeling for sure, but also an exhilarating one. He still knew and saw everything as he did when he was human, but it felt clearer and more focused. He could discern every movement and adjustment each of his friends made. It was amazing.
"Can you fly?" Bill asked. Harry just shrugged his massive shoulders. With a little concentration but surprisingly very little effort Harry started to flap his wings and with the first stroke he found himself off the ground. Each beat pushed him farther up and soon he was soaring back and forth across the property that Shell Cottage was sitting on. It was different than a broom obviously, but to him it felt almost the same. Natural even. He even started thinking that this could be fun. Just then a sharp pain in his head forced him to land. He leaned forward in obvious pain and his friends rushed up to him.
"Harry are you ok?" Hermione shouted. He couldn't answer. The pain was overwhelming. Then a sharp spike of agony shot through his forehead and he fell forward. Soon after everything went black.
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He woke up in a bed with Hermione sitting right next to him. "Harry you're awake! How are you feeling?"
"Like someone drilled straight through my head. What happened?"
"Here drink this first. It's a pain potion. Fleur brought it up for you." Harry did as he was told and Hermione smiled.
"You gave us a right scare mate. At first I thought it was you screaming," Ron said as he stepped forward towards the bed.
"What? I didn't scream, at least I don't think I did. I just landed and leaned forward then after a minute…Well I don't remember what happened after a minute now do I?"
"We know mate. But there was a horrible screaming and you had black smoke coming out of your eyes. Then it all just stopped as the scream faded. It was just like…"
"The locket," Harry whispered.
"Yes Harry," Hermione said as she leaned forward and put her hand on his arm. Ron thinks, and I agree, that the reason you had a connection to You-Know-Who is because…"
"I was a horcrux," Harry breathed. "It all makes sense, but why did it die, what did I do to kill it?"
"Well I've been reading up on griffins," she responded. "And I have a theory. Harry, griffins are creatures of pure light magic, like phoenixes. I don't think a horcrux could live in a body infused with so much light magic. You didn't stay in your animagus form for very long the first time. This time after a bit of time the dark magic infused soul fragment had all it could handle. Eventually the light magic in your body expelled the fragment and it died because it cannot live without being bound to a vessel. That's the only explanation I can think of. That means You-Know-Who's soul will be that much more fragile once the horcruxes are all destroyed. What do you think?"
"I think I'd be stupid to disagree with you, and I'm bloody ecstatic to be shod of that wanker inside my head," remarked the Boy-Who-Lived with a smirk as Hermione's lips pressed into a thin line and his best mate let out a laugh.
"Well it's good to see you smiling again at any rate," said the brown eyed witch.
"Yeah about that, I'm sorry I let myself get so upset. It's just hard to face the fact that I killed someone, no matter how much they deserved it. Dobby helped me though. He may be a little too energetic but he's wiser than he gets credit for. Did you know house elves can see auras?
"They can?" Hermione inquired.
"Yeah, Dobby told me. He said they can see a wizard's light. That's how he knew I was good and the Malfoy's were dark."
"That's amazing. I haven't read that anywhere. Maybe Dobby will help us out some in the future. That could definitely come in handy. I'll have to ask him. I think I'm going to have to knit him some socks."