Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of Harry Potter and the Artificer Legacy! Harry has a busy summer coming up! Penny has graduated too! Letters to write, learning some swordsmanship, finishing up some of his projects, not to mention a certain event that'll be happening near the end of summer. Busy, busy, busy!
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Chapter 31 – Letters and a Busy Summer
'…and I'm willing to trade some of my Magic for some of yours.' Harry finished writing the letter he was planning to send to the Owl Post Office in Diagon Alley. He couldn't use a school owl for this letter, as it would be leaving Britain, which the school owls were trained not to do. He also didn't want Hedwig gone for so long either, so the Owl Post it was. Folding up the letter and placing it in an envelope, Harry sealed it with a wax seal. Flipping the now sealed envelope over, Harry wrote the address, well the name of where he wanted the letter to go at any rate. Witches and Wizards weren't exactly into specific addresses for some of their locations. With his letter complete, the teen Artificer headed up to the Hogwarts Owlery to send it. He stayed to watch the school owl fly off towards Diagon before heading down to finish packing.
"Do you have everything, Harry?" Penny questioned, seeing her boyfriend with only his normal trunk.
"I had Tayla come and take everything from the workshop here to my smithy at home. So this is all that's left." Harry answered as they made their way towards the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade Station. "How does it feel to graduate?"
"Good, if a little sad," Penny smiled as she looked at Hogwarts while they got further from the castle. "I spent seven years here. It's like leaving a second home."
"Makes sense," Harry nodded as he took her hand. "Next year is going to be boring without you."
"I'm sure you'll be alright." Penny chuckled as she squeezed his hand gently. "I better not hear about you missing meals and classes to do your own work, Mister."
"You won't be Head Girl anymore, what do you care?" Harry chortled and Penny sighed at him. "I won't miss meals, but I can't promise not to skive off Potions." Harry smirked at the thought of ditching Snape and his attempts to antagonize him.
"I'll allow it." Penny giggled as she leaned against him. Harry leaned against her too and the couple enjoyed the ride to the Hogwarts Express. The train ride back to Kings Cross in London was normal enough. Harry's study buddies came by to chat for a bit, Penny's friends and fellow graduates stole Penny for a bit to talk and wish each other well. The rest of the time was Harry and Penny simply relaxing and snuggling with each other. They refrained from getting handsy with each other, in case anyone else came knocking at their compartment.
A small gathering to celebrate Penny's graduation had been planned by her family for the next weekend. Harry and Sirius had been invited to the party by Edward at Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Tonks' and Fleur's invitations were being mailed out as soon as the Clearwater family got home. Both Harry and Sirius had happily agreed to come and Penny had kissed his cheek before she and Edward left. In a quick Floo trip, Sirius and Harry were back home at Wood End Cottage. The two would spend the rest of the afternoon and evening catching up. Tayla was overjoyed to have Harry back and went all out with dinner that night. Harry went to bed that night with a smile on his face.
-July Fourth ~ Morning-
Harry rolled his shoulders a bit as he waited for the swordsmanship instructor that Sirius had hired to teach Harry the basics of using a sword. He'd considered asking the Dwarves, but realized that Humans and Dwarves were simply built differently. Dwarves were shorter, but built sturdy, with dense musculature and therefore would have a different fighting style that would play to their strengths. So a Human instructor would be better for Harry to learn from.
"Mr. Potter, good to meet you." A man Harry had never seen before approached with Sirius at his side. He was probably around fifty or so, maybe a bit older, but he certainly didn't look a day over thirty. Magic was once again showing its ability to extend the longevity of Wizards and Witches. The man had dark-brown hair, cut short, and a neatly trimmed mustache. His eyes were a sharp green and his complexion was slightly darker than normal for British Wizards. He was tan, Harry realized, as if this Wizard spent time outside of Britain fairly often, in a warmer climate with more sun than was normal for the United Kingdom. The man was also wearing fairly casual clothing, a short-sleeved shirt in gray with black trousers and leather boots. "My name is Weldon Rivers, and I've been hired by Lord Black to instruct you in the use of the sword."
"Nice to meet you, sir." Harry greeted his instructor with a short bow.
"If you're ready we can get right into it?" Weldon asked and Harry nodded. Sirius watched on with a grin as Weldon pulled a small bag form his pocket. The instructor flicked his wand at it and it grew to its proper size. From within the bag, two wooden practice swords, in the shape of a broadsword, were removed. "Here you are, Mr. Potter." Weldon handed Harry one of the wooden swords and Harry took it. "Show me how you would hold a sword like this." When Harry held the sword, Weldon looked at his grip unimpressed. With a swipe of his own wooden sword, Harry's was knocked from the teen's hands. "We'll need to start with the very basics."
Harry learned quite a bit from his first lesson with Weldon. The man had taught him how to properly hold a sword first. Then he showed him a one-handed grip for the same sword while explaining the different reasons for why a sword needed to be held a certain way. When Harry had left his unoccupied hand off to the side of his torso, Weldon had asked why he was keeping it there.
"No reason, really," Harry replied to his instructor. "Isn't it fine?"
"If you want to get your left hand cut off, it's great." Weldon responded with a shrug and a flat look at his student. Harry had sheepishly shaken his head and Weldon chuckled. "If you're using a one-handed grip, the free hand should be kept at your waist, your elbow bent. This keeps your hand from being a target. It also keeps your form together, preventing your arm from flailing and becoming a target as well." Harry nodded as he took the stance to Weldon's specifications. From there Harry was shown basic swings and blocks, along with footwork. Weldon had him practice these over and over again until their lesson ended two hours after it had begun.
"Thank you for the lesson, Mr. Rivers." Harry nodded to the Wizard.
"I'll see you on Wednesday morning at the same time, Mr. Potter." Weldon informed Harry. "We'll meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the duration of your summer break. I dare say we might have you at least competent in that time." Weldon chuckled before heading off with Sirius to use the Floo.
With a couple hours left of the morning, Harry went to his smithy and jotted down some new notes. He was still constructing the attachments to his Flight Item at the moment. If he was lucky, he should be able to get the articulated gauntlets made over the summer to finish his Spell Ward Gauntlets and get them out of the prototype stage. Completing the next, and semi-final project, would see Regalia being completed. Well the first incarnation of Regalia, at any rate.
"Harry!" Fleur's beautiful voice called out just after lunch. Harry felt a bright smile form as he turned to see his Veela girlfriend. She'd obviously come through the Floo in the living room. Fleur, as always, looked amazing. She was wearing a dark-beige button up shirt and black three-quarter pants, with navy blue shoes with a low-heel. Harry was in his bedroom jotting down notes on his semi-final project when she'd appeared in the doorway.
"Fleur!" Harry stood from his desk and welcomed her with open arms. The two embraced and held each other close for a bit. "I missed you." Harry murmured into her ear.
"I missed you too." Fleur tightened her hug and kissed his ear. Harry hugged her tighter in return. "I still love my gift." She smiled beautifully as she pulled back and held up her right hand. On her wrist was the charm bracelet he'd made for her.
"I'm glad," Harry smiled fondly at her. "It looks amazing on you, just like everything else." Fleur pecked his lips for the compliment.
"Lay down with me?" Fleur requested as she took his hand and pulled him towards his bed. Harry wasn't about to refuse and the two were soon cuddling after Fleur kicked off her shoes. They lay there just holding each other, sharing the occasional kiss, while murmuring sweet things to each other. Harry had wandlessly closed and locked his door a few moments after they'd gotten into the bed. He didn't need Sirius thinking this would be the 'perfect time' for a prank or something. Even with nothing 'heavy' going on, Harry just wanted to lay here with Fleur in his arms without interruption. Fleur seemed to be of the same mind as she held him close.
"Besides holding each other, did you also come for your first lesson today?" Harry asked softly as his hand slowly moved up and down Fleur's back. The silver-blonde smiled into his neck and left a kiss there. When she pulled back to look at him a warm smile was on her face.
"Oui, I'm so glad you three have welcomed me so completely, Mon amour." Fleur gently rested her forehead against Harry's.
"Of course, Fleur, we love you." Harry replied their gazes meeting as love and affection practically poured from each of them. Fleur always felt her heart flutter when Harry said that. Knowing it wasn't her Allure causing those words made all the difference for Fleur. She leaned forward and kissed her boyfriend. Harry returned the kiss and the two enjoyed their lip lock for several moments.
"I'm ready to learn, Harry." Fleur beamed at him when she released his lips.
"Then learn you shall, Love." Harry pecked her forehead gently and Fleur giggled. Her boyfriend was so doting, and she adored him all the more for it. They pulled away from each other and sat across from one another on his bed. "Do you know any Occlumency, Fleur?"
"Only the beginnings, I haven't gotten very far yet." Fleur informed him, she was curious how this Alternate Occlumency was different than what she had started learning.
"Do you know how to meditate?" Harry questioned and Fleur nodded. It was the most common suggestion to reach the first step of 'clearing your mind' in Occlumency. "Start with meditation, but instead of 'clearing your mind' focus on Magic."
"What type of Magic?" Fleur tilted her head as she asked.
"Your Magic." Harry grinned at her. "All you should be focused upon is your Magic, you want it, you're meditating for it, you're seeking it, let that be your only drive. No other thoughts or distractions, no other goals, just your Magic."
"Alright…" Fleur took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. She closed her eyes and inhaled. A soft exhale followed and then a lighter inhale. Fleur's breathing evened out as she slowly centered herself. Seeing Fleur sinking into her meditation, Harry joined her. It had been a little bit since the last time he'd checked on his own Occlumency.
'Yeah, about the same as last time.' Harry mused as his mind's eye showed him his Core, surrounded by the thick, steel-like brambles completely. There were no gaps anymore. Taking a moment, Harry changed his perspective to the outside of his defense. The brambles were a complete sphere, as they had been for some time. The sphere was layer upon layer of the brambles, no gaps as the thorny vines entwined and coiled around each other, growing over each layer with more and more brambles. The initial 'roots' that had branched off from his Core to his body had grown much thicker. They were also joined by several dozen more such 'roots' that extended out in all directions. This natural defense of his mind seemed to only be growing stronger as his mana increased. He'd bet that any Legilimency used on him would have no effect now days. 'Honestly, I wonder if any mental spell would work on me, Tonks, or Penny anymore? With this much defense, would the spells even be able to get through to affect our minds and Magic?'
Harry emerged from his introspection a short time later. Opening his eyes he noticed Fleur still in her meditation. With a soft smile he simply sat and waited for her to finish. Just gazing at his beautiful girlfriends was a favored pastime of his after all. Several minutes later and Fleur's breathing changed. Her eyes opened a moment later and she blinked a few times.
"Welcome back," Harry smiled softly at her. "How'd it go?"
"I…think I found my Magic, maybe?" Fleur seemed unsure and was looking to Harry for help and explanation.
"Did you see the little blue-white and purple-black spheres of light?" Harry inquired, knowing that both Tonks and Penny had discovered their own Magic in much the same state as his. "There may also have been some silvery-gray ones that were slightly larger mixed in."
"Well…I don't know why, but all of the spheres of light I saw were the silvery-gray ones." Fleur told him and Harry's eyes widened while his eyebrows shot up as high as they would go.
"All of them?" Harry gaped at his girlfriend slightly.
"Yes?" Fleur was very confused about her discovery. Harry was puzzled and started thinking. He considered everything he knew from the small sample-size he had to work with. He then compared what he knew with what he knew about Fleur. The most obvious answer, and quite possibly the right one, came to him in short order.
"Fleur, as a Veela, you have innate wandless abilities with fire Magics, right?" Harry questioned her as he pondered.
"Oui, all Veela do." Fleur confirmed and Harry took this confirmation into consideration. After a moment of thought, Harry offered up his best hypothesis.
"That could very well be the reason." Harry spoke up and began to lay out his thoughts for her. "Since Veela have that innate wandless ability, it could very well be that their mana is already more balanced than a Witch or Wizard's is. Where Tonks, Penny, and I had to merge the blue-white and purple-black spheres together to form the silvery-gray ones; it might be that a Veela's mana exists in that state naturally. If that's true, you can skip the first merging step and move onto the second merging to create your Core."
"I'll try." Fleur nodded to Harry. He leaned forward and captured her lips for a gentle kiss.
"For luck." Harry smiled at Fleur.
"Merci, Harry." Fleur gave him that warm, beautiful smile he adored before she closed her eyes and began to even out her breathing again. Harry was content to sit and wait for Fleur to finish. There wasn't a single doubt in his mind that she'd form her Core. He knew Fleur, she was brilliant, and she worked hard to understand Magic. If anyone could complete Core Formation with this unknown variable thrown into the mix, Harry would put his money on Fleur.
Harry sat, waited, and just gazed on Fleur's beauty for minute after minute. He didn't worry about the time, it didn't matter. All that mattered was being here for Fleur when she finished her Core Formation. He knew from experience that she'd be exhausted. She'd probably curl up on the bed and sleep almost immediately. He'd be there to hold her close as she rested and got her energy back from the arduous process.
A sharp gasp drew Harry's attention to Fleur's eyes about an hour after she'd started meditating. His girlfriend's lovely blue eyes were open and she looked at him with amazement. Then she promptly gained a look of utter exhaustion. Harry pulled her into his arms and lay back on the bed.
"Tired…" Fleur mumbled as she snuggled closer to Harry and quickly dozed off.
"That's about right." Harry chuckled softly as he held Fleur. With a grin Harry kissed Fleur's cheek and decided to doze off with her. It would be about two hours later when he was awoken by gentle kisses from his girlfriend. "Welcome back, Love." He smiled at her.
"Thank you, Mon amour~" Fleur purred as she claimed his lips again. The two enjoyed a deep kiss for a bit before separating. "I feel different… I'm stronger, maybe?" She looked confused on how to describe having a Core now.
"Yeah, that's your Magic syncing up with your body." Harry explained as Fleur straddled him. "After some time, you can check your Occlumency and tell me what form it takes. Mine is brambles, Tonks' is water, and Penny's is metal, I think with your fire alignment your defense might be a literal hellscape of flames."
"Possibly," Fleur giggled even as her hands reached up and began undoing the buttons of her shirt. "Why don't we celebrate our new betrothal, Mon amour?" With that Fleur opened her shirt to reveal a cute black bra that might have been a little too small on her large bosom.
"We can do that." Harry smiled lovingly at her and Fleur giggled as she unhooked her bra and tossed it aside with her shirt. Her large breasts bounced in freedom and Harry quickly trailed his hands up her trim stomach to cup them both. Fleur mewled happily as Harry massaged her and played with her light-pink nipples. She gasped and cooed as Harry took one of them into his mouth and began to pleasure it. She ground into his hips as they explored further into their physical intimacy. It would be another hour before they left Harry's room.
Fleur headed home to rest for the rest of the day after their fun. Pants had stayed on, for both of them to stay in control and not go too far. But the skin on skin contact of their chests pressing together as they kissed and held, or just outright groped, each other had been amazing. Sirius had wiggled his eyebrows after Fleur had left and Harry hit him with a Stinging Hex. Sirius had just started laughing while a red-faced Harry made his way out to his smithy until dinner was ready.
It was the next day when an unknown owl landed at Wood End Cottage. Sirius cast almost a dozen different detection Charms on it before he tried to retrieve it. The owl wouldn't let him take the letter and held out its leg to Harry. With a nod from Sirius, Harry took hold of the letter and flipped it over. He grinned when he saw the name in the upper left hand corner of the envelope. The teen Artificer opened the letter and set the envelope aside, along with what looked like a small, carved stone. He started reading while Sirius looked on curiously. Leaning forward Sirius read the front of the envelope.
"Harry, why did you get a letter from Uagadou?" Sirius questioned his godson curiously.
"The Animagus Method of Europe is asinine, that's why." Harry quipped as he read the letter and a bright grin came to his face. "Sirius, can we have a special guest come over in a week or so?"
"Alright, Mister, what's going on?" Sirius had a sterner tone than normal as he looked expectantly at Harry. While Sirius was usually the fun-loving Godfather to Harry, he also knew when to be serious and adult with him. Harry willingly handed over the letter to Sirius to let him read it.
-Letter from Uagadou-
Dear Artificer Potter,
It came as quite a surprise for the entire faculty here at Uagadou to receive your letter. We were pleased to receive it, however, and thank you for your kind words about our school.
Regarding your request to learn the Animagus Transformation from one of our Professors during your break from school. We have asked and Professor Mukisa, one of our Senior Transfiguration Professors, has agreed to your request to; 'Trade some of Your Magic, for some of Ours'. As you stated in your letter to us.
If you have capability with Wandless Magic as you indicated in your letter and are not solely reliant on your wand, as most of your European peers are, then you should have little trouble learning the Transformation. On the second parchment Professor Mukisa will outline his request of you in exchange for his instruction. If you accept his terms simply write back to us, place the Messenger Stone in the envelope and seal it. Simply speak the word 'tuma' and the letter will reappear in Professor Mukisa's office here at Uagadou.
Nakutakia mema,
Babajide Akingbade
Headmaster, Uagadou
-End Letter-
Harry was quick to read over the second parchment with Professor Mukisa's requested compensation. Harry exhaled, almost snorted, when he saw exactly what he expected on the parchment. It was a single short request for an Artifact to be made for the Professor. He would even provide the main material himself. Honestly it wasn't a bad deal. If he had the material, Harry could forge out an Artifact, Minor Grade most likely, over the course of a week or two. It was made easier by the type that the Professor wanted.
"I need to get Sgàilean Rìgh Nathair inspected anyway. I'm damn sure I'll shock any panel they send if I present two Artifacts for inspection at the same time!" Harry chuckled to himself as Sirius put down the letter.
"What's this about two Artifacts?" Sirius looked stunned at his godson. "Aethereum nearly killed you, I won't have you risking your life like that, Harry."
"Sirius, I'm going to be honest with you," Harry spoke politely, his tone calm and almost professional. "I believe my method of Enchanting and Artifice may be intrinsically better than what one can learn from books or the methods that are currently in use. Not only have I not come across any method exactly like it in any of my research. I believe it may be completely unknown to anyone else in the world. Not only that, but I've also upgraded my tools greatly. All of them are now enhanced with Arrays I devised myself, strengthened by Magical Metals that I transmuted myself, and most of them are forged from Basilisk Carbon Steel that I conquered myself. I'm almost fourteen, Sirius, yet I've developed my own style of Enchanting and Artifice already and continue to experiment and improve."
"Harry, what are you trying to say?" Sirius looked a mix of proud and confused. He reached out and gently placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You can tell me anything, Harry, you know that."
"Sirius, if my armor and this Artifact that Professor Mukisa wants me to make for him are both certified as True Artifacts; that'll put me at four Artifacts to my name, by age fourteen. Master Trevisan, the Head of Italy's Enchanter Guild, is older than Dumbledore, has been an Artificer for over ninety years, and only has four True Artifacts to his name. I'm advancing and developing at a terrifying rate because of my method. Yet I feel like if I don't advance, that something bad will happen. I don't know where this feeling comes from, but it's always there, it's been lingering in the back of my mind since April. I guess I'm worried about the future." Harry exhaled heavily as he shared a secret he'd kept from everyone for the last few months.
"Harry," Sirius pulled his godson into a hug. "No matter what happens, I will always be here, on your side. No matter what may come, you have my support, never forget that."
"Thank you, Sirius." Harry hugged his godfather back and felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders a bit.
"If you want to learn the Animagus Transformation the Uagadou way, then I completely support you. Let me know when you'd like Professor Mukisa to come and I'll make sure we have the guest room ready." Sirius grinned at him.
"You're the best, Sirius." Harry smiled at his godfather.
"Indeed I am!" Sirius chortled as he ruffled Harry's hair.
"Oi!" Harry grimaced as he batted at Sirius hand and tried to straighten his hair a bit.
"I'll call Tonks and Penny over for tomorrow," Sirius mentioned with a teasing grin. "You obviously need some cheering up from this weird feeling. If your lovely ladies can't do it, then I fear we'll have to take you St. Mungos for Clinical Paranoia!"
"I'm not crazy, Sirius!" Harry raised his hands, palms up, while giving Sirius a flat stare.
"Exactly what a crazy person would say!" Sirius playfully accused.
"You looking for a hexing, Sirius?" Harry cocked an eyebrow at the older man.
"You think you can take on a Marauder, godson of mine?" Sirius pulled his wand and gave it a twirled.
"I know I can!" Harry declared as he sent a Tickling Charm at Sirius. The Marauder promptly batted it away and retaliated with a Jelly-Legs Jinx. Harry snuffed it out with a swipe of his hand.
"You'll never defeat Padfoot of the Marauders!" Sirius called dramatically as he leapt away and dashed out of the kitchen.
"Bet!" Harry yelled as he gave chase.
Once more Wood End Cottage was filled with laughter and joy as Godfather and Godson playfully tussled. Anyone that didn't know the situation would instantly think that Sirius and Harry were father and son. It was a heart-warming scene that had Tayla, the only witness, crying happy tears.
-End Chapter-
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Well now, between learning swordplay, finishing up some projects, learning the Animagus Transformation, crafting another Artifact in exchange for said lessons, and spending time with his Godfather and his girlfriends; I'd say Harry has a pretty busy summer ahead of him!
That's not even counting the World Cup near the end of the summer!
Is Harry correct in that his Enchanting and Artificing style is wholly unique to himself?
Is his feeling of unease connected to He-Who-Just-Won't-Die?
What comes next?
Keep reading to find out!
Current Mana Levels
Harry – 6,754
Tonks – 8,438
Penelope – 7,196
Fleur – 7,622
Until I get your reviews, later!