Chapter 14: More Training
The next morning at breakfast, a school owl with an official looking envelope flew down in front of Harry. Always polite, Harry offered the owl some bacon and water before opening the letter.
Mr. Potter,
As I previously informed you, beginning this month I will have time available within my schedule to provide you with Patronus lessons. I have checked your schedule with Professor Snape, and have determined that the best time for these lessons is Tuesday night at 6pm. Your lessons will end shortly before dinner. I expect to see you in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom this week for your first lesson.
Professor Lupin
"Who is it from, Harry?"
Harry looked up at Hermione. "It's from Lupin. He's ready to start my lessons. But I don't know if I should go to them, especially as Professor Snape believes he's helping Sirius Black enter the castle. What if this is just a trap, or a set-up of some kind?"
"Harry," sighed Luna. "I don't think Professor Lupin would be that idiotic. It would be far too easy to trace back to him."
"That's a good point, Luna. Harry, I think you'd be best served by going to these lessons to see what exactly he wants. Just be on your guard. You know that, if necessary, you are fully capable of taking care of yourself."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mia. I suppose you're right. At the rate things are going, my schedule will be almost as full as yours. I've got Quidditch, lessons with Apophis, reading through the books Ragnock sent me, and now Patronus lessons."
"You're doing quite well so far, Harry."
"Thanks, Draco. I think I'm going to go see Apophis now since we have a free period. I'll see you all later." His friends nodded and wished him well as he left. No one noticed little Ginny Weasley glance up from her meal at the very end of the table. She followed Harry out of the Great Hall.
She'd been trying to find a chance to get him alone for quite a while now. He was always with his friends. This time, finally, she would be able to accomplish her plans. "Harry!" she called out as she followed him up the stairs.
"What do you want, Weasley?"
She managed to look hurt. "I just wanted to apologize for last year, Harry. I realized after I was free of the diary's control for a couple of months just how horrendous I'd been. I know we can't be friends, but I hoped you could forgive me." Her years of using her gender to get out of trouble at home came in handy as she made tears pool in the corners of her eyes as her bottom lip quivered.
Harry sighed. It wouldn't do him any good to say no, and it wouldn't harm him at all to say yes. "All right, Ginny, I forgive you. But I don't want to be your friend."
Ginny ran forward and hugged him tight for several seconds. Harry sucked in a deep breath, as Ginny had knocked the air from him. As he was about to push her off of him, she sprang away. "I'm sorry, Harry, I just never expected you to actually forgive me. Thanks. I feel better."
"Just go, Ginny." Harry walked off quickly, not noticing Ginny's evil smile. Phase one was complete.
***SoaS***
Apophis, dear friend, I am here for my next lesson. What am I learning today?
I thought we should have a brief review of what you have already learnt.
Harry groaned. If you insist.
I do. Now, create the protection against Dementors.
Harry did so, pleased when a dark grey, small dragon formed from a smoke-like gas easily burst forth, circling the chamber before disappearing. It had been a surprise when his protection had finally taken shape. Apophis had told him his dragon would increase in size in relation to his power, but as of yet, it was still rather small, about the size of a horse.
One of my human professors will be teaching me how to do this with regular magic.
I would like to know more about it once you have had your lesson.
Of course, Apophis.
Now, continue with the shield.
Apophis slowly led him through a review of everything he'd learned so far. After the shield, which should be able to deflect all spells, even the Unforgivables, he worked with the physical shield which would block physical attacks. Then he continued with the Parselmagic equivalent of a stunner and a curse to cause temporary blindness.
Apophis decided to deviate from their original lesson plans to teach Harry defensive and offensive magic before moving to anything else. I will teach you the teleportation incantation. It can be applied to an object to create something similar to the wizard's portkey, or it can be used alone. The object, depending on how the incantation is applied, can be used multiple times, or just once. With the incantation alone, only one teleportation can be performed. You can teleport others with both the incantation and the object.
So the incantation used alone would be like Apparating?
Yes, and no. Yes, in that you, yourself are traveling from one place to another, but no in that it actually works like the banishing spell. You need to speak the incantation, but you envision where you are going, or where you want to send someone.
Ok, what is the incantation?
Thamef alfewhiss. You should be able to go anywhere you like, but first, let's try sending a rock around the room. Visualize the rock going to the other side of the room, then speak the incantation.
Harry did so. He watched as the rock seemed to disappear before it reappeared exactly where he'd wanted it to. He tried again with a larger rock, then a larger one, before summoning a rat and trying with it. Each time, his results were perfect.
Apophis, why is it so much easier to do Parselmagic than it is to do regular magic? Usually in class we try a new spell many times before we succeed.
With Wizard's magic, you are trying to force your inner magic to do your bidding. Parselmagic, since you do not use a wand, is more like asking your magic to do something. Magic is sentient, and it prefers being asked.
So, why do so many witches and wizards have trouble with wandless magic?
Because they try to learn after then have bent their magic to their will. By that time, their magic is more like a robot. It does what it is asked. Their magic can no longer do something without being ordered to do it.
So, speaking a spell is asking magic to do something. It's the act of using a wand that forces the magic to do it?
Yes, exactly, Harry. The magical core of the wand forces magic into the wand, and then produces the result you requested. Wizards say the wand 'channels' the magic, because they do not understand, but truly, the wand traps the magic and forces it to do the humans' bidding.
So it would be easier for me to learn wandless magic now than after school?
Yes. Now, back to work. Try teleporting yourself.
Harry did so, and managed to appear on top of Salazar Slytherin's head before teleporting back to ground level.
Very good, Harry, now, let's try to use an object. Using an object was different, as the spell had to be applied to the object with an activation word specified, so only the activation word would trigger the spell. After another half hour of work, Harry was exhausted, but pleased. He now had a much easier way to get down to the chamber. As homework, he was to practice teleporting himself and others through wards and over increasingly longer distances. He was also to research defensive uses for Transfiguration.
As ever, Apophis, I thank you for your help.
You are most welcome, Harry.
Do you need more food yet?
No, Harry, your gift of deer last week still offers me some food. Soon I will teach you the portal spell so I will no longer need you to bring me food.
I look forward to that.
Good day, Harry.
Bye, Apophis. Harry teleported himself out of the chamber right into Myrtle's bathroom. As expected, no one was there. He cleaned himself up a bit and made his way to class.
***SoaS***
That evening as Harry was sitting in the common room with his friends, an owl bearing the Gringotts crest once again flew in with a parcel. Harry unburdened the owl, then asked if it wanted anything before receiving the typical owl 'no, thank you'.
"What did you get this time, Harry?"
"Just a moment, Luna, I haven't even opened the package yet." He noticed that the parcel weighed almost nothing, and figured a feather light charm must have been place on either the parcel as a whole, or on the books themselves.
Ragnock had managed to find An Introduction to Our Marvelous Culture, and had located another book he hadn't mentioned before: Gobledegook, A Beginner's Guide by Goblin Sharpetooth.
"Oh, Harry, do you think I could borrow the book on Gobledegook when you're done with it?"
"Sure, Mia. I'm glad Ragnock sent this to me. I think I need to offer him another bonus for taking the initiative to look for extra books."
"Harry, don't you think it's a bit…beneath you to buy someone's favor?"
"I'm not buying his favor, Mia. I'm rewarding him for his good work in the best way I can for a goblin. I'm helping increase his Hoard. I'm going to go put these away and go to bed. I'll see you all in the morning." A chorus of 'good-night, Harry's followed him out of the common room.
He read through the book on Gobledegook for a while to keep from worrying about his Patronus lesson the next day, but finally fell asleep around midnight absolutely exhausted.
***SoaS***
At breakfast the next morning, Harry and his friends were unpleasantly surprised by Ginny Weasley asking, very politely, if she might sit by them, as she no longer wished to be the ostracized member of Slytherin, but rather, a central, contributing member. She told them all what she had told Harry the day before. She had been under the influence of the diary the entire year, and, after escaping its influence, she was remorseful of her actions.
Harry found himself inclined to believe her this time, and nodded his acceptance. He and Luna scooted over to allow her to sit on Harry's other side. Ginny smiled her thanks before offering to refill Harry's glass for him.
"Thanks, Ginny."
"You're quite welcome, Harry." She had to steady the pitcher with two hands, as it was rather heavy, but she managed to pour him a glass. She asked anyone else if they would like more juice, and set the pitcher down when they all answered in the negative. "Thank you all for giving me a second chance. I realize that after my actions last year I do not deserve it, I appreciate the enormity of what you are offering me and will do my best to make sure I don't let you down." She stayed silent most of the rest of breakfast, and the four friends easily forgot about her. Not one noticed the evil glint in her eye.
***SoaS***
At 6pm that evening, Harry walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He was rather upset to find it empty. He rather expected a professor to be on time for a lesson, if not a little early. He lit the lamps with his wand, and had been waiting about five minutes when Professor Lupin turned up, carrying a large packing case, which he heaved onto his desk.
Pathetic, thought Harry. Why doesn't he just use a levitation charm? "Another Boggart, I assume?" asked Harry, trying his best to sound polite.
"Yes," said Lupin. "I've been combing the castle for a week, and finally found one this morning. It was lurking inside Mr. Filch's filing cabinet. I hardly thought you'd like to practice with a real Dementor, and, as the Boggart essentially turns into a Dementor when it sees you, we'll be able to practice with it. I can store him in my office cupboard when we aren't using him."
"Boggarts have genders?"
"Well, no, I just always think of them as male. They are genderless."
"So, how do new Boggarts get made?"
"Well, while no one is entirely sure, it is believed that they originate from the residue of Dark Magic coalescing in corners. The darkness gathers until enough magic is contained within to allow the creature to spawn. Depending on which magic coalesces, you get a Lethifold or Boggart. However, this is just theory, remember."
"Oh, so if there were no Dark Magic used, Boggarts and Lethifolds would not exist?"
"Yes, in theory. Now, on to our lesson. The spell I am going to try and teach you is highly advanced magic, Harry – well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It is called the Patronus Charm."
"How does it work?" asked Harry. He was curious to know if it was as similar to the protection incantation he'd learned from Apophis as he thought it was.
"Well, when it works correctly, it conjures a Patronus, which is a kind of anti-Dementor – a guardian that acts as a shield between you and the Dementor." So far the same, thought Harry. "The Patronus is a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the Dementor feeds upon – hope, happiness, the desire to survive – but it cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so the Dementors can't hurt it. But, I must warn you, Harry, that the charm might be too advanced for you. Many qualified wizards have difficulty with it."
Harry briefly wondered if there was a reason Lupin left witches out of that statement. "What does a Patronus look like?" he asked, giving himself more time to think. As far as he could tell, the Patronus charm wasn't at all different from the protection incantation. He wondered if the end results would look the same.
"Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it."
"And how do you conjure it?"
"With an incantation, which will work only if you are concentrating, with all your might, on a single, very happy memory." Well, that part is different. Harry briefly wondered if just concentrating on what makes life worth living, as he did with the Parselmagic spell would work. Only one way to find out, really. "Now, the incantation is this," Lupin cleared his throat. "Expecto Patronum!"
Harry took a quick moment to focus on his family and friends, then muttered "Expecto patronum." Something whooshed out of the end of his wand. It looked like a wisp of silvery gas. It was a much brighter color than the dark grey of the Parselmagic defense.
"Very good," said Lupin. "You got a reaction on your first try, that's very uncommon. Ready to try it on a Dementor now?"
"Yes, of course." Harry moved to the middle of the deserted classroom as Lupin waved his wand to clear the desks. He watched as Lupin strode to the desk and grasped the lid of the packing case. Lupin stood there for a moment watching Harry before he pulled the lid open.
A Dementor rose slowly from the box, its hooded face turned to something on the floor. Harry refused to look at what he knew would be Luna. He couldn't get distracted. A scabbed hand emerged from the Dementor's cloak, and the lamps around the classroom flickered and went out.
The Dementor stepped from the box and started toward the point on the floor it was looking at, drawing a deep, rattling breath. A wave of piercing cold broke over him, but he called on his happy memories of his family and friends.
"Expecto Patronum!" The incantation came out as a growl, and a huge, silver shadow came bursting out of the end of his wand, to hover between the half of the Boggart that was Luna, and the half that was the Dementor. He was amazed how much this spell took out of him. His legs felt like water, and he was sweating profusely.
"Riddikulus!" roared Lupin, springing forward. There was a loud crack, and Harry's cloudy Patronus vanished along with the Dementor. Harry sank to the floor, breathing hard and feeling as exhausted as if he'd just run a mile. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Lupin forcing the Boggart back into the packing case with his wand. It had turned into a silvery orb that reminded Harry of a crystal ball, or maybe a full moon. He was too tired to think about it right now.
"Excellent!" said Lupin, striding over to where Harry sat. "Excellent, Harry! You nearly produced a corporeal Patronus on your first try!"
"Wonderful. Give me a moment, then we can have another go."
"Let me run a few diagnostic charms to make sure your magic can handle it, first."
"Ok, Sir." Lupin ran his wand over Harry a few times, muttering as he did so. Harry felt lightheaded for a moment, then felt more energized. He didn't like that feeling. He would be speaking with Professor Snape after this lesson.
"Harry, I don't think you should try again just yet. You seem to have used quite a bit of magic. I would suggest resting." He handed Harry a chunk of Honeydukes' best chocolate. "Eat that, you'll feel even better."
"Ok, Sir."
"Harry, that was an amazing achievement. If you don't mind my asking, what memory did you use?"
"It wasn't exactly a memory, Sir. I thought about my parents and my friends. They make me happy." Let's see what he'll tell me about my so-called parents.
"Your parents?"
"Yes, Sir. I was happy with them, wasn't I?" Ugh, I hate having to pretend to be a Potter.
"Well, yes, but why did you think I would know?"
"You were one of their friends, weren't you? Along with Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, right?"
"Yes, but again, how did you know?"
"Everyone talks, Sir. Sirius' story is well known, and has been discussed quite a bit since his escape from Azkaban."
"Ah, yes, I could see that. Unfortunately, there was a time I considered Sirius Black to be one of my friends. However, that was before his true nature was revealed."
"True nature, Sir?"
"Yes. You have heard, I suppose, of Voldemort?" Harry nodded. He recalled people mentioning him a couple of times, but wasn't entirely sure the story behind him.
"Well, Voldemort was the leader of the Dark, while the Headmaster was leader of the Light." Harry tried not to let his disbelief show. "I, and my friends, James (your father), Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew, were all on the side of the Light, at least for a while. We fought against Lord Voldemort's forces until certain events caused your parents to go into hiding. Lord Voldemort was looking for them personally.
Harry's eyes narrowed as he started putting pieces together. "Why was he looking for them, Sir?"
"I don't think it's my place to tell you, Harry. However, looking for them he was. Your parents went into hiding with the Fidelius Charm." He paused at Harry's confused look. "The Fidelius charm is an immensely complex charm involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a chosen person, known as the Secret Keeper, making it impossible to find – unless the Secret Keeper chooses to divulge it. By being hidden with this charm, Voldemort could have searched the village where Lily and James were staying for years and never find them, not even if he had his nose pressed against their sitting room window."
"Who was their Secret Keeper?"
"Can you not guess? Sirius Black was their Secret Keeper. He turned traitor and revealed their location to Voldemort, allowing him to come and kill them. He tried to kill you as well, but you defeated him, which is why you are known as the Boy Who Lived. You survived Voldemort's attack, and banished him in doing so." Harry knew that part, Dumbledore had told him about his defeat of Voldemort, though not in this much detail. Obviously that story was complete hogwash. He was more interested in the rest of the story from Lupin's point of view.
"So, what happened to the rest of you?"
"Well, I decided to remove myself from the wizarding world for a while to mourn my friends. Unfortunately, Peter did not make such a wise decision. He confronted Sirius. Witnesses say he was sobbing, demanding to know how Sirius could possibly betray your parents. He went for his wand, but Sirius Black was quicker. He blew Peter, the street, and thirteen Muggles to pieces. The largest bit they found of Peter was his finger. When the Aurors arrived, Sirius was standing there laughing. They say he lost his mind."
"And now the traitor has broken out of Azkaban."
"Yes, which is why I want you to promise me something, Harry."
"What, sir?"
"Harry, swear to me you won't go looking for Sirius. He wouldn't give you a fair fight. You need to let the Hit Wizards deal with him. Revenge isn't worth dying."
"But Professor…"
"No, promise me, Harry."
"Alright, Sir, I promise." Like a promise to him means anything. Besides, I have even bigger reasons to go after Black.
"Thank you, Harry. Now, you should run along, dinner will be starting soon." Harry saw that it was nearly seven, and realized he would have to hurry if he stood any chance of catching Professor Snape. He didn't want Lupin to know he had seen his head of house directly after their lesson.
"Thank you for the lesson, Professor. Same time next week?"
"Yes, that sounds good, Harry." Harry left, and made sure to walk at a normal pace until he reached the floor below, where he burst into a sprint. He managed to catch Professor Snape just as he was leaving his office.
"Harry, whatever is the matter?"
"I just had a lesson with Professor Lupin, and I want to make sure everything was ok. Could I show you the memory of it, Sir?"
"Yes, but we had best do that after dinner. If we do it now, we will be late, and alert Lupin."
"Thank you, Sir, I'll be here."
Harry brought his friends up to speed about his lesson with Lupin during dinner. Draco looked like he was ready to rip the man's head off for his lies about the war. Harry assured Draco he'd be talking to his parents later on that night. He also let them know he'd be speaking with Professor Snape to make sure everything was as it should be.
They all ate quickly, and left as a group, so as not to arouse suspicion. Harry stopped at his dormitory to get his Pensieve before going to Professor Snape's office. Luckily, his Professor had already made it back, so he didn't have to stand around holding the bulky stone basin.
"Come on in, Harry. I'm glad you brought your Pensieve with you. Now, copy your memory into the Pensieve so I can view it."
"Ok, Sir." Harry did as he was told and soon the Pensieve was full of the memories of the lesson. Harry chose to wait while Professor Snape viewed the memories. Harry knew something was wrong the moment Professor Snape resurfaced. His face was contorted in fury.
"Sir, I already know the story was a lie. I do have some questions for my father, though, that I will be asking him tonight."
"The problem was not the story, Harry. Professor Lupin bound your magical core. Thankfully, because the binding is so new, I will be able to break it fairly quickly. Please hold very still." Harry watched fearfully as Professor Snape waved his wand in complicated movements and muttered strange words. After about three minutes, Harry felt as though a weight was lifted from him, and he knew that whatever spell Professor Snape had been casting had worked.
"Thank you, Professor. Were there any other problems?"
"No, Harry. However, I would like to award twenty points to Slytherin for the amazing achievement of producing a nearly corporeal Patronus on your first try. That is unheard of."
"Thank you, Sir." Professor Snape carefully disposed of the memory copies so they could never be viewed again then sent Harry on his way. Harry bid his friends a quick good night as he passed them in the common room. He was too eager to speak to his father to spend much time with them. He put his Pensieve away carefully, then pulled out his two-way mirror. After casting a silencing spell around his bed, he spoke his father's name.
"Tom Riddle!" After a few moments, his father's face appeared in the mirror.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
"I have a couple questions for you father. I had a lesson with Remus Lupin to learn how to cast the Patronus charm, then he told me his version of what happened during the first war."
"I see. What would you like to know?"
"Are you also known as Lord Voldemort?"
Harry saw his father wince. "There was once a time when, because of my good grades, handsome face, and group of friends, I felt I was better than others. In my final years at school, I did go by that title. However, I long since abandoned it. Unfortunately, Dumbledore resurrected the title when I began to fight against him. Using his influence in the world, he portrayed me and my friends as a lethal army, intent on taking over the wizarding world, when all I wanted was for people to realize just who Dumbledore really was."
"Why did you start fighting against him?"
"I think it would be best if I told you that at another time."
Harry, knowing it would be pointless to argue, decided to drop that point. "But, if you were well known as Voldemort, how is it you can easily go out in public as yourself? And mum, does everyone know she was married to Lord Voldemort?"
"No, Harry, they don't. She is Bellatrix Riddle. I am Tom Riddle. Lord Voldemort was Dumbledore's invention. When he was trying to convince the world that I was a deranged lunatic, he described me as a 'snake-faced' man. I was thought to have skin whiter than snow, livid scarlet eyes with slits for pupils, and a nose that was flat with slits for nostrils. Obviously, I do not look like this, so, no one ever knew that I was this supposed Lord Voldemort. Your mother was portrayed rather unfavorably as well. She was said to be an evil harpy, with frizzy, wildly untamable hair; crazy blue eyes; and an evil, twisted smile. Clearly, your beautiful mother does not match this description in the least."
"So, why did Dumbledore describe you in this way?"
"I don't think he thought through his idea of making us more fearful. All he really did was make it easy for us to hide in plain sight. Once he realized his error, he could hardly say that he had been incorrect. He would have looked like a fool. And it would be easy enough for us to prove we weren't using any form of magical concealment. So, the name, and the horrid appearances, stuck. Now, Harry, there is much more to the story, but it doesn't matter now, and it is very late. You should get to sleep."
"Alright, father. Thank you for telling me the truth."
"You're welcome, son. Good-night."
"Good-night." Harry deactivated the mirror, then lay back to think about what he had been told. How much of what the wizarding world accepted as truth was nothing more than the bald-faced lies of Dumbledork? Harry once more vowed to bring down the idiotic Headmaster.