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Weapon
(Possession Chapter LXXX)
Chapter XXIX - Immortality... Of a Sort
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Dumbledore sat looking out at the fields of Hogwarts. It was a beautiful day and it seemed a waste to be inside but for the moment he had work to do. Still a few minutes off, just enjoying the scenery wouldn't hurt.
The fields were green, running back in the beautiful rich colour brilliantly bright all the way to the Forbidden Forest although even it seemed brighter today, a rich dark velvet green as opposed to its usual black. The shadow of mountains loomed in the distance, connected the ground a sky that was shocking in its intensity. These were the days he lived for. Peaceful, beautiful and calm.
Fawkes trilled at him from the window sill. The phoenix had been flying, enjoying the day and the wizard couldn't help a small ping of jealousy. Albus knew it was a fallacy but it would be nice to be able to fly away.
$You never just fly if you are a phoenix,$ Fawkes said indignantly.
$I know, I know,$ Dumbledore said easily, stroking the bird's fire plumage. $Is everything all right?$
$Not yet. After his Coming of Age ceremony I will be able to determine the situation more accurately.$
$Problems?$ Dumbledore frowned. In his interactions with Harry the boy had seemed fine.
$He had a nightmare,$ Fawkes cooed sadly. $He was trapped and they were all around him and he couldn't get away.$
$Ah,$ Dumbledore nodded. $What brought him out of it?$
Fawkes frowned mentally. $The link with the Dark Lord,$ the phoenix said finally.
$You don't think that..?$ The Headmaster trailed off, uncertain how to phrase the question.
Fawkes shook his head, his magnificent plumage throwing off sparks of light. $No, I know. The Dark Lord was not conscious of his actions and Harry has not and cannot be consciously controlled through the link but it does concern me that it is, at least partially two way. I don't like the though that Riddle could reach the Order through Harry, especially with his stunt during the duel.$
Albus stroked his beard as he thought. Harry's mental capacity and ability to use the Order's telepathic mental link during the duel had been impressive, even if some what surprising. Personally speaking, he had been thankful that it was Harry who had pinpointed the weakness and exploited it in mock combat rather than anyone else. He hesitated to think what could have happened if Tom or one of his loyalists had done it. Theoretically it was impossible for anyone not connected to the Order already but as galling as it was Tom had a history of the impossible and could devote a lot of skill to a problem like that so a few hours of intense work by Fawkes now was better than finding out the hard way. The precision of the mental attack had been impressive and Dumbledore couldn't help but wonder if that was self gained knowledge of if Harry had acted on Tom's theoretical knowledge of mental links. Either way with the link between Harry and the Dark Lord the way it was, they were going to have to take more precautions. Harry had said he could some times see Tom but the last think they needed was for Tom to be able to see him.
"We'll just have to add mental discipline, occlumency to his studies," the ancient wizard said finally as a whoop echoed up from below.
Dumbledore smiled as Harry flew at almost break neck speed over the ground. His robes whipped around him and he seemed to move with an almost liquid grace as he pulled his broom through manoeuvres which would make most professional quidditch players jealous. It was good to see that such simple things could still give Harry pleasure.
$Weapons training as well,$ Fawkes noted, one fire red eye following a breath taking dive critically. The fire bird didn't even notice the way his wings twitched involuntarily.
$Yes... How did Tom pull Harry out of his nightmare?$
$Nothing so formal,$ the phoenix said. $He probably felt discomfort in his mind and moved to get rid of it. I doubt he even knew he was in contact with Harry but I will still take the appropriate precautions. If it was just the nightmare I wouldn't be concerned but there was an incident.$ Fire eyes looked towards the Headmaster seriously and Albus pulled his attention from Harry who currently looked like he was dancing in the air.
"Harry never mentioned anything," Dumbledore said aloud.
$There wasn't much to mention but it is something to be aware of. Blaise confronted Harry during their OWLs.$
The ancient wizard gasped, twinkling blue eyes becoming frosty at the thought. "Mr Zabini didn't try anything?"
$No, it was more an exchange of words, blustery teenage posturing. But Blaise promised that Harry would neve be forgiven for fighting the inevitable.$
Dumbledore sighed. The followers of the Dark were so predictable, even those who were outcast. "What did Harry say?"
$He laughed and said that as long as he was true to his soul then no matter what happened there was nothing to forgive and that was why even though he understood, he would still fight, would kill because anything less would be abandoning his path.$
The Headmaster nodded, pinching his lower lip lightly with one hand as he considered the situation. "How did Mr Zabini take that?"
Fawkes seemed to laugh. $He didn't understand.$
"Did Harry explain?"
$Yes. He said that there had been very few in the war who had been true to their desires. A handful; Voldemort, you, Lucius and precious few others. For them, no matter how there actions are construed, there is honesty because they had at least attempted exactly what they said they would do, regardless of the consequences and so others who have less fortitude should not dare to imply that there is anything to forgive because it is them who have not had the strength of their convictions. And so, no matter what happens he does not hate but he will fight for his own path... That's essentially what he said,$ Fawkes noted as he fell silent.
Dumbledore blinked as he considered the implications. A slow smile spread over his face and he looked back at Harry who was now weaving through the quidditch hoops. It appeared he had matured much more than the Headmaster had thought to understand that right or wrong, everyone followed their own path and all it really took to be strong was not to waver along the way. "Interesting," he said finally, "very interesting."
$Indeed,$ Fawkes agreed. $He will be truly formidable once his power stabilises.$
"I was not expecting such maturity for years," Albus murmured. "And while it would have pained me if Harry had killed Tom in anger, in hate, I was prepared for that, to help him work though the invariable problems but if Harry has already progressed past hatred... then he will become so much more than a mere weapon."
Fawkes nodded. $He's not completely there yet, but soon... He is progressing.$
"Good," Dumbledore sighed, turning away from the window towards his paperwork. "As soon as Harry recovers from his Coming of Age Ceremony we will have to retest his limits but I think, with training, we can have Harry ready by the end of summer. That should keep the Ministry happy and we can announce his status with his OWL results. That should serve to confirm that he is worthy."
$We should probably release Elliot's article then or maybe to another strike with the vampires to fully instil confidence.$
"Yes, that would work," Dumbledore agreed. "A new warrior, a decisive victory and that article will be nothing more than a desperate publicity stunt. The public need not fear."
Fawkes trilled and Albus was comforted by the song as he sat behind his desk. The road was still long but the end was in sight. The light would rule the dark... He would see that happen.
---
Ollivander looked up as the bell chimed indicating a customer had entered his store. A small frown graced his features as he realised he hadn't heard of couldn't feel his customer, which either meant they were very skilled or very weak. With what was happening in the wizarding world he expected it to be the former. With a sigh he rose, placing the small file back on the bench as he walked between the stacks of wand boxes towards the front of his store.
"Ah, I should have been expecting you," the silver eyed man murmured as he saw who his customer was.
Ruby eyes glittered from under a deep cowl. The robes were simple but the fabric was of a very high quality but they wouldn't have attracted attention in the bustle of Diagon Alley and that had obviously been the intent. Most wizards would have seen nothing more than a fellow who was prosperous.
"You do not object?"
"It is not my place to object," Ollivander said, motioning the Dark Lord further into his store before ushering the serpentine man through the stacked wands into the work room.
Snake eyes flickered over everything, lingering briefly on the shadow in the corner before Voldemort entered the room. Ollivander was not offended. He knew his guest... well, that might be too familiar but Ollivander knew the minds of Dark Lords. It was his job to know.
"But will you allow it?"
The wand maker couldn't help but smile slightly. Mr Riddle had always seen that the answer to one question was not necessarily the answer to all other questions and was prepared to ask the pointed ones. "Ah... that is a different matter."
The Dark Lord just looked at him, waiting for him to clarify.
"I will of course expect that you are not found, and if you are, you will retreat rather than fight. I will not have my store become a battle ground," there was a hint of steel in his voice. The restriction was imposed not because he was afraid for his personal safety, rather he wasn't sure how Harry would react, and it was not something he wanted to see.
"Of course," came the hiss with a small nod.
"Then you may stay, although I must warn you, it will not be what you expect."
"He is my mate, I doubt it will be ordinary."
"No, not ordinary," Ollivander objected. "It will, even for you, be dangerous. There is so much power there and it will not bow to anyone. It will recognise you so it may not attack but if it senses even a hint of danger it will strike and danger may include non submission. It's different for each individual."
"You speak as if Harry cannot control his own power."
Ollivander shrugged. "He will be in absolute control... When you came of age, Mr Riddle you were not awoken to the power of Slytherin. Your power did not have its own consciousness, so to speak. Mr Potter will not only be controlling his personal power, but also the power of Gryffindor and so it will be different for him. I'm not sure how but I know it will be different," Ollivander trailed off.
The human Coming of Age ceremony was not something which made a lot of sense to him. It was different for each wizard or witch and not all of them required seclusion. It was not really a ceremony per sae but it was a time when the individuals power wanted their complete attention and would not settle for anything less. That being said, for someone of Mr Potter's ability, coming between him and his power was not really a good idea, not even for someone of near equal ability, at any time, let alone when it wanted its masters attention. Ollivander finally shook his head. The ceremony, such as it was, made sense when dealing with people like Harry, it just did not make sense for many lesser wizards or witches. In fact most of them slept through it.
There were times when he understood humans, truly understood every petty thought and noble deed but then they would have contradictions such as this and he was forced to question himself. It didn't happen too often but it was frequent enough that he was aware of it. Regardless though he was one of the few tenshi who understood at all. The Watcher.
The Dark Lord regarded the protracted silence calmly, blood red eyes flat but patient before the wizard sensed something and nodded. "I will be careful," Voldemort murmured, not truly fully understanding the wand maker but wise enough to humour him. "And in the end it will be Harry's choice."
Silver eyes flicked to the shadow in the corner as it seemed to laugh but as the Dark Lord shown no reaction after a moment Ollivander shrugged. Either he was imagining it or they shadows would teach Voldemort what they wanted him to know when they felt it was time.
"They won't be here for a few hours yet," the wand maker said. "Do you have other business, or would you prefer to stay?"
"I will stay," Voldemort said as he settled in the position Ollivander had motioned him to earlier, half closing his eyes as he took on an attitude of rest.
The wand maker nodded moving back to his workbench, picking up his file and turning towards the oak he had been moulding. "Xeloc finally explained things to me," he said softly and wasn't surprised to see the Dark Lord shift at the name. "He was wondering how Xatarass was."
Voldemort smiled. "I should have known that eventually you would have found out, although this is recent. Xatarass is well. He is inordinately proud of his great₤grand child."
"I only determined it because Xeloc asked," Ollivander assured him. "Although you have probably achieved immortality in a number of ways besides. It's not an area that lends itself to experimentation. Xeloc had been speaking with Xentor and neither of them have seen or heard from Xir for a while. They were wondering if he was with you?"
Ruby eyes opened wide and Ollivander sensed the change as Xatarass came to the fore. It was more than just the physical change of mottled skin, sharp fangs and the acrid tang of poison in the air, it was also the aura that the Dark Lord manifested and the wand maker knew he was only seeing it because he was so studiedly neutral and all information was confidential. The man may have doubted but the Serpent within knew who and what could be trusted with such information and now with Xatarass awake, Voldemort was truly the Serpent Lord. "Trouble?" Even his voice was more sibilant.
"They are not sure," Ollivander said as he filed the wood, his mind thinking about the core for the wand. "But neither of them want another Xeau."
Xatarass hissed.
Dumbledore had killed Xeau during the war with Grindlewald. The basilisk had been relaying the message that the serpent line founded by Ximir $Slytherin's Basilisk $would not support that Dark Lord. Xeau had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time and had no intention of fighting but Fawkes...
It had not been a good day for those of Ximir's line and Xatarass had vowed vengeance for the death of his brother and the whole line was devoted to seeing Fawkes die. The serpents were patient enough that they would wait for Dumbledore's death but the phoenix... Basilisks were almost immortal the same as the phoenixes so the two were prepared for a battle that would potentially last centuries.
It didn't concern Ollivander, he would remain neutral but it would be interesting. Those beings who lived for centuries developed relationships, or at least had passing contact with many other immortals. So long as they all understood that there could come a day when they may stand against each other, such acquaintances were beneficial. Of all the immortals, most accepted the tenuous and flexible arrangement for what it was, although amongst the more numerous or esoteric the relationship was not drawn upon. The vampires for example almost never talked to the others. The wand maker though, quite enjoyed speaking with those he could but while the rift between the basilisk's and the phoenixes hadn't yet spilled over into the relationships between the other immortals, it was only a matter of time. It would be interesting to see who sided with who.
The basilisk line of Ximir was perhaps the most integrated with the wizards but they kept themselves hidden from most. Dumbledore hadn't known but Fawkes had no doubt recognised the significance of the basilisk Xeau.
Xatarass hissed softly with a strange duality of snake and man. "I will search for him. Has anyone heard from Xal, Xentor and Xuld?"
"Not that I know of," Ollivander shook his head as he lay the file aside. The wood was slightly too brittle but he had worked with worse before. He would just need to be careful when picking a core for it. It would need to have extra flexibility to account for the wood's lack of ability. "They are probably with Xir."
"I will make it a priority then," Voldemort said.
Ollivander looked up. It was still surprising to see the basilisks care for others but in the case of mate or family they were ruthlessly protective. "Who had children?" he asked changing the subject. He had known that Xatarass had two grandchildren $Xentoth and Xar but he had not heard of either of them mating.
"Xentoth has two children, Xeros and Xaos."
Ollivander nodded, picking up and then rejecting some unicorn hair. It had come from a stallion that was too old and set in his ways and would only enhance the fragility of the wood. "Both recent?"
"Yes. Xeros is developing well," Xatarass said, "But Xaos has exceeded all expectations." The basilisk gave a pleased hiss and the wand maker could almost detect a smile
"Really? What has he done?" Ollivander asked, looking at the plume of a fwooper. The wand wouldn't be powerful enough if he used that and he couldn't use a more powerful plume such as one from a phoenix since the wood would not support such power.
Xatarass laughed, the sound odd but pleased. "Ah... that would be telling. But I am looking forward to the result. Xaos may, even though he is the youngest, become the heir to Ximir."
The wand maker frowned, his silver eyes clouding. "I didn't think that was possible unless he joined with one of Salazar's blood."
Ash from the remains of an ashwinder would be too fragile as would crushed fire crab shell. "And I didn't think there was anyone of Salazar's blood except your host, Xatarass."
"That's true but that's if you wish to be the Slytherin Heir. Ximir joined with Salazar because of power, not because of the serpent gift. Xaos may succeed us all in power."
Ollivander's eyes opened wide... that would mean...
"We are interested in power," Xatarass hissed laughingly at the surprised reaction of the wand maker. "Salazar was very powerful and his gift sealed the deal with Ximir. My Lord Voldemort is similar but Xaos' host..." Both snake and man smiled. "The arrangement there is something different. He will never be the Serpent Lord. I have taken that position but there are power positions of power."
"I did not think you would allow it," Ollivander murmured, looking around his workshop for a suitable core. There was nothing here that caught his attention, nothing felt right for the wood.
"Xaos asked himself and since there was a very real possibility he would merge with or without my permission, it was best to agree. It was also a part of the agreement so in the end I had no real choice." Xatarass should have been upset but he wasn't.
"Agreement?"
"Salazar once promised to protect Gryffindor so that he wouldn't have to use his gift and as Ximir was bound by that, so too are we bound but my host also made an agreement when we joined that he would protect Ximir's line in exchange for my immortality and our protection of his mate."
"Ah," Ollivander nodded, understanding, although he was frowning at the wood. There was more with the agreement but it wasn't his concern. "I was surprised when I heard you had joined with him, given the situation and all."
Xatarass seemed to shrug, a novel gesture for a serpent. "His body was made from the flesh of serpents and so it was a natural progression."
The wand maker sensed Voldemort resume control midway through the sentence. "It is an immortality of sort," the Dark Lord added, signalling that that particular conversation was over. While Ollivander had been neutral for centuries there was no need to tell him everything. "Problems?" he asked in an effort to continue a conversation.
The silver eyed man smiled. It appeared that Voldemort had achieved his goal of immortality although it was probably not exactly what he was looking for.
There were several ways for a mortal to achieve immortality. He knew about them because he had watched for a long time; Philosophers Stone, Vampire Blood, mergence or memory. And for most wizards immortality was in memory. The Dark Lord hadn't wanted that, although he already had it, and in all likelihood he had merged with Xatarass he had probably been the closest to achieving another form of immortality. Reduction to spiritual form, at the loss of body was not what he had been aiming for but it was immortality.
"Only a minor one," he said finally. "The wood is too brittle for most cores."
"Ah," the Dark Lord blinked. "Oak," he murmured looking over, "Loyal, steadfast, strong."
"Yes, but this wood is brittle so I need something flexible to balance it."
"Use blood," Voldemort looked over at the vials.
"Nothing is truly suitable," Ollivander said. "Dragon blood would shatter it, unicorn blood is good as an additive but does not transmit enough power and most other creature's blood isn't powerful enough. It would be a wand but it wouldn't be suitable for anyone."
"Use the blood of the wizard who will use it then. That way it will be as flexible as they are capable of and as powerful as the individual can be."
"True but the wizard would have to be very powerful to draw the magic through their own blood and the only wizards I know of that power level don't need a new wand."
The Dark Lord laughed. "True, true," he conceded. "But someone who is bound to us..." He trailed off. "Half fill it with dragon blood, a bit from every time," he instructed suddenly, "and in time I will bring the other half of the core to you."
Ollivander arched one eye brow. It was a surprising statement but the Dark Lord seemed sure. "All right," he agreed, laying the wood aside for later. "For the clarification of your immortality and the conversation with Xatarass I will."
Voldemort laughed his eyes flashing with the light of a basilisk. "It is only one type of immortality," he said but feel silent as the bell jingled again, signalling the arrival of new customers. Customers who had distinctive and powerful auras.
"The back room," Ollivander said as he rose and walked back into the main section of his shop.
"Albus," Voldemort heard the wand maker's voice echo as he moved weaving illusions around himself. "It's been too long," Ollivander continued but the Dark Lord heard no more as the door to the back room closed behind him.
Now all he had to do was wait.
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Snippet: Harry gritted his teeth as he fell to his knees, a wave of power pulled from him, pinning the Dark Lord, who had been moving in response to his pain, in place.