Chapter 19 : The Resurrection Stone

I do not own Harry Potter

Author's Notes:

Ok, you might get annoyed I don't show the actual moment when Harry first uses the stone, but the thing is I just couldn't write it. No matter what I did, it just came off looking tame and cringy. So I just used scene cuts in a way to help me move around the problem, we just cut into the middle of the encounter now. Hope you still like it.

Peverell's happen before the Founders in this story because plot

Tidied up the rather clunky previous chapter. Should be more enjoyable a read now.

Enjoy!

|September 4 1993| Chamber of Secrets| Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|

"Here it is" Harry said, producing the broken ring from inside the pouch it had been put into in the Gaunt house. "And here" the boy started again "is that stone I was talking about" Harry continued, holding up a small and perfectly round stone, or pebble really, with his thumb and index finger. "Odd looking thing, don't ya think?" he remarked "Too geometrically perfect to be a natural occurrence, and has a weird texture..." Harry seemed to be thinking of a way to describe the feeling "...like I feel sort of sad when I hold it, but it's also...kind of peaceful? I dunno..."

"If that is what I think it is." Salazar spoke up "Then that pebble isn't merely just odd-looking..."

"And what do you think it is?" Harry questioned

"That" Salazar emphasized "has a very long answer"

"Oh boy" Harry mock sighed "...Story time?"

"Story time" the portrait affirmed

"Three brothers, travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight reached a deep treacherous river where anyone who attempted to swim or wade would drown. Learned in the magical arts, the brothers conjured a bridge with their wands and proceed to cross.

Halfway through the bridge, a hooded figure stood before them. The figure was the enraged spirit of Death, cheated of his due. Death cunningly pretended to congratulate them and proceeds to award them with gifts of their own choosing.

The eldest brother, a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence. Death granted his wish by fashioning the Elder Wand from a branch of a nearby elder tree standing on the banks of the river. The second brother, an arrogant man, chose to further humiliate death, and asked for the power to recall the deceased from the grave. Death granted his wish by crafting the Resurrection Stone from a stone picked from the riverbank. The third and youngest brother, who was the most humble and wise, did not trust Death and asked for something to enable him to go forth without Death being able to follow. A reluctant Death, most unwillingly, handed over his own invisibility cloak.

The three brothers took their prizes and soon went on their separate ways.

The eldest brother travelled to a village where a wizard whom he had quarreled lived. He sought out a duel and fought the wizard using the wand, instantly killing the latter. Leaving his enemy dead upon the floor, the eldest brother walked to an inn not far from the dueling site and spent the night there. Taken by his conscience and lust of the Elder Wand's power, the eldest brother boasted of this wand gifted by Death and his own invincibility. That very night, a murderous wizard killed the eldest brother. The unknown murderous wizard crept to the inn as the eldest brother slept, drunk from wine. The wizard slit the oldest brother's throat for good measure and stole the wand. That was when Death took the first brother for his own.

The second brother returned to his home where he lived alone. Turning the stone thrice in his hand the figure of the girl he had once hoped to marry, before her untimely death, appeared at once before him, much to his delight. Yet she was sad and cold, separated from him as by a veil. Though she had returned to the mortal world, she did not truly belong there and suffered. Finally, the second brother, driven mad with hopeless longing, committed suicide by hanging from his house' balcony so as truly to join her. That was when Death took the second brother for his own.

Death searched for the youngest brother as years passed but never succeeded. It was only when the third brother reached a great age, he took off the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son. Greeting Death as an old friend, they departed this life as equals."

"Want me to repeat?" Salazar asked

"No... I think I got it all" Harry replied "Where are you going with this?" he commented curiously, though he had a premonition

"The Elder Wand, The Resurrection Stone, and Death's Cloak of Invisibility. They are called the Deathly Hallows and together... they make one the Master of Death"

"Sounds like a children's story"

"It is" Salazar replied, surprising Harry "Does not make it untrue" he said with conviction. "Now, there are many that will tell you that the Deathly Hallows are nought but mere fantasy. I, however, had substantial reason to believe the contrary. Did Death itself come to the Peverell brothers? Maybe, maybe not. What, to me, was undeniable was that the Deathly Hallows existed... In fact, you are holding one of them right now!"

"Alright, what's your problem with Potter?" Tracey asked out of the blue

"Pardon?"

"You heard me"

"Tracey, I'd much rather head for a nice relaxing breakfast than play Ms. Marple with you" Daphne said tiredly

"And I'd much rather be Princess of Narnia, now spill!"

"I don't have any 'problem' with Potter" Daphne replied twitchily

"Don't be a bitch and let me help you"

"Woah"

"...Woah" the half-blood repeated, before snickering, with Daphne joining in shortly. "Look, I'm just trying to find out what's bugging you, and you know I can be persistent when I want to be" she said matter-of-factly

"That's just euphemistic for saying you won't drop it till I tell you so I should probably spare myself the high blood pressure and do it now"

"Well aren't you a smart one" Tracey replied with a smirk

"... it's nothing sinister or complex" Daphne said at once "I just don't want him to get too comfortable with us... just draw the line at being strategic allies" she explained

"Why?" Tracey replied blasely "So you don't accidentally make more than two friends around here?"

"You KNOW why" she said sourly "Polite indulgence, and presto! Marriage proposal!" she said scornfully "Oh hurry up and bag the Greengrass sisters before they're off the market! After all why else would they be at Hogwarts but being showcased for the nations biggest families! They were born to hold their inheritance till their husbands come and take control!" she continued to rant "Pucey, Warrington, Malfoy, Davies, Nott, Rowle, Harrington, Derby, Thorne - need I go on?!"

Tracey was more than a little surprised by the uncharacteristic ranting, but understood where Daphne was coming from

"Sure there's the greedy pixies, but there's also normal guys like Zabini or Cavendish" Tracey suggested "And I don't think Potter's one of the creeps"

"Well I disagree-"

"Why'd he help your sister for nothing, then?" Tracey said, raising her eyebrow

"That was obviously part of their set up" Daphne started "To look all selfless and -"

"It was your dad that sucker-punched them into revealing that" Tracey pointed out "They had no plans to say it"

"We don't know that" Daphne replied stubbornly "All I know is that I don't care what the books say, we're still pretty sexist and father is succumbing to that pressure"

"Very inspirational Miss Greengrass" Tracey commented "Still doesn't have anything to do with Potter though" she said, not falling for Daphne's sidetracking trick.

"You know how people in our house feel about him. We could get into trouble for associating with him" Daphne tried, but Tracey didn't buy it.

"Riiiight" she drawled in reply "you don't think you being a - what's it called" Tracey said putting a finger to a chin " oh right a 'prickly bitch' as Montague called you had made them hate you enough already? And didn't you say like yesterday you don't care what people think about you?"

"You know he's public enemy number one in Slytherin!"

"Oh come on" the brunette groaned "Sure the Death Eaters' kids hate him but the rest of are just indifferent... ok maybe I hate him just a teensy bit because he beat us at Quidditch two years running" she added as an afterthought, with a chuckle.

"Fine I'll tell you." she said with a sigh "I don't trust him" she said shortly

"So" the other girl began "you don't trust him... yes that clears up any confusion around the matter!" Tracey said, voice bleeding with sarcasm

"I was collecting my thoughts" protested Daphne "...Alright, here goes" she continued with a breath "I don't think he's actually serious about anything to do with this whole 'shift' in the Wizengamot that's gotten everyone talking. I think his aim was just that - get everyone talking." she explained

"Right because fame is what he lacks" mocked Tracey

"Will you let me finish" Daphne protested again "I think he wants to get everyone talking about him in the political world specifically. Right now he's just Dumbledore Jr, I think he's trying to change that by creating his own identity"

"Nothing wrong with that in my book" commented Tracey

"There isn't" replied Daphne "but I don't like my father being the one who gets used" finished a sour Daphne

The Slytherin finally seemed to understand the source of Daphne's apprehension towards their new friend. As her eyes lit up in understanding, she started "So you think he'll just end up going back and this move is just a temporary arrangement. And since you said you saw how serious and excited your father was about this, you think you'll just end up getting used and look like naive idiots when he does eventually move back!" she exclaimed

"Finally get it, do you?"

"Well" Tracey began in an uncertain tone, but got interrupted by a frustrated looking Daphne

"Are you serious?! You think he's some of all-truth telling saint, do you! And even if he is, look who's representing him - Andromeda Tonks. You think just because she isn't a bigot makes her any less of a Black?! She was in Slytherin too, you know!" aggressed Daphne

"Hey, calm down, will you!" Tracey pacified "Will you let me finish" she said in a tone uncannily similar to her friend's from moments ago "I was saying, and listen to me - don't you think your dad will have thought of this too?" she spoke wisely "I mean if you've thought of it, surely he has too?"

"Of course he has, he's not a troll" Daphne said off-handedly "but think of the position he's in - he gets elected 4 years ago to much pomp and optimism... and then... just fades away. He hasn't gotten much done, he knows it. It may not be his fault given how well the other parties have been doing, but he could face the axe regardless. He's up for re-election in 2 years, and he could very well lose if his CV is just getting outvoted on every bill he dissents from the 'Big 2' on. In his desperation -"

"-he could go all in with our new guy and come out looking like an idiot." Tracey completed for her

"Crude, but more or less what I was going to say"

"Isn't that basically me? You, just not acting like a 50 year old woman?"

Both friends shared a laugh as Tracey spoke up again "Look, I get it, bug ya know... at least give him a chance ig you get what I'm saying? For all you know you could be wrong"

"Perhaps he deserves that much" acknowledged Daphne

"And there it is again - talking like a granpa!"

"...God, the amount of times I've imagined this conversation" Harry confessed "...I can't believe this is really happening" he said with a look to the two figures seated either side of him - James and Lily Potter."

"So have we" James whispered, look of absolute serenity and happiness on his misty palor "... not exactly how I imagined Avalon looking though" he said in his trademark voice of situational humor

Currently the reunited family was seated in a corner inside the Chamber. Even if they couldn't physically touch each other, much to their despondence, it was still an engaging and heartfelt conversation...once all the crying was done and either of three could join two letters together.

They had discussed everything, even if James and Lily already knew everything that had happened so far, they were still content to hear Harry share things about his life, and equally delighted in recounting their own experiences. Incidents were retold, parallels and comparisons were drawn, with Lily proclaiming like the proudest person in the world how their son was better than anything they could hope to be at his age... though James still stubbornly maintained he was the better Quidditch player.

"I see you've come across your father's Animagi work" Lily said with a gesture towards Harry's mouth, which currently resided a mandrake leaf.

"Yeah, best birthday present I ever had" Harry said animatedly "Gotta keep it for a little bit more, I timed my start with the thunderstorm predictions, since-"

"-you need a thunderstorm the night of the transformation" James took over "Kid, are you forgetting I literally wrote the book you're quoting" he continued with a laugh

A loud noise interrupted the conversation. It was the alarm rune going off. It was time for Arithmancy class.

"Well, off you go, no skiving off classes" Lily said in a no nonsense voice "Oh don't do this Harry" she said at his sad look "we can always come back now, don't you know?" she said barely holding a straight face

"Well the world won't end if you miss elementary Aritmancy...but I've learnt that if both James and Lily are right, then Lily is right, because James would rather be happy than right!" he said, attempting to lift the mood with a joke.

Harry slowly started to get up, still holding the stone, and a game of blink first began between him and his mother... which he won.

"Well the portrait has gotten you pretty decently ahead of class so..." the redhead said meekly

Harry's face broke into a smile that did not disappear for the rest of the day.

"Not to be insensitive, but chin up lad, you can call them back whenever you feel like it" started Salazar "...and while I don't enjoy playing spoilsport, I have to remind you not to use the stone wisely"

"I know, I know" Harry said neutrally "Doesn't do well to dwell on the past and forget to live" he said absent-mindedly

"Talk to them from time to time, but don't make it so that you cut yourself off from reality"

"Yeah, I know" he said again "Won't overdo it" he said committedly

"...No whiny tantrums or accusations of insensitivity this time? No 'you're just a bunch of color pastels, what do you know about family'... hmm, seems there is hope for you after all" he teased good-naturedly

"Hey, I really get it, ok? And its not like I lack self-control, remember my confrontation with Quirrelmort?" he rebutted with resolve

"What's this? You showing signs of temper control AND being semi-confident? Well I'll be damned, this time in oil-pastel form!"

"Was that an attempt at being funny?" started Harry "Bout as pathetic as your face looked in that memory when Godric blasted all your runework to hell with one spell" he retorted, as Salazar gave a sullen look. He never could digest being the lesser in physical power than his fellow founder. The ancient wizard smoothly ignored the taunt "You do realize you have gained 2 additional mentors, haven't you?"

"You know, I actually DID. And your lonely miserable self could have some company while I work"

"Maybe I really do give you too much freedom" commented Salazar

"Too late now" the boy clapped back

"So it would seem" the founder said tiredly "...place the order for the repairer's bench as soon as you can" he instructed

"You know I've been many things" Harry spoke up "but Blacksmith is not one of them"

"We absolutely cannot risk the ring out in the open. There are too many contingencies and unpredictability. You must repair it yourself and restore the stone to its original place. It is safest there. And of course, for emotional and historical reasons, you may wear it yourself."

"Uh-huh, kick in the head wasn't that? Dad telling me we're descended to the Peverells and all... You know I'm hoping this is the last ring. Always found rings on like every finger so overdone" Harry said sassily

"Thousands of years of heritage behind them, and you're concerned with fashion... this age's savior ladies and gentlemen" Salazar said with a sigh

Later that day...

| Remus Lupin's office| Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry| Somewhere in the Scottish Highlands|

"I wanted to be involved, I truly did...but Dumbledore forbade it" Lupin said defeatedly, burying his face in his hands

"Look, Professor" Harry said at once, though immediately stopping, as if to find the right words "...I don't blame you or even hate you for not contacting me" he said in one breath, making Lupin look back up and straight at him. "You don't have to get uncomfortable or make excuses. You were my dad's friend. I am not him, regardless of how much I look like him. You have no obligation towards me... You don't have to feel obligated or bound" he finished, and started get up, but Lupin spoke again "But that's the difference, I want to...I do!" he said with passion, making Harry blink in surprise.

"I want to feel an obligation, a sense of responsibility. I want to help my friend like he helped me when I was your age"

"Your friend? The same person you were ignoring ever knowing 5 minutes ago?" Harry said venomously

"Dumbledore-"

"-promised Petunia no one from the magic world would be involved, I know" Harry took over "And what did that change? Hagrid had to show up anyways! And are you seriously telling me that the only reason you never talked to me was because Dumbledore said it?"

"I-...yes and no. Lupin said, bowing his head again "I can't explain everything to you, not today. But what I will say is I made a mistake, a big one. All I can say is that not a day went by that I didn't regret continuing listening to the man, and that I took this job hoping I could change that. I leave the rest to you."

"A job that Dumbledore gave you" Harry said, mostly to himself "You're here only because he wanted you to be. You're not doing anything because YOU wanted to. Good day, sir."

"Tha-" Lupin began, but Harry was already half out the door by then.

"With the map, I sneak around the corridors much more easily. I can even come here at night!" Harry said excitedly

"An ingenious piece of magic. Guard its secret well"

"Well Fred and George already know. I asked them to help me sneak into Filch's office to steal this, and it turns out they'd nicked it themselves a couple years ago!"

"Based on what you've told me about them, they will make valuable allies in the times that lie ahead" he said ominously

"Alright I'll say it again" Harry said with a huff "There. Won't. Be. A. War."

"Do you truly believe that?"

"I do. We'll stop it from ever happening because we'll destroy all the horcruxes AND Riddle before he ever comes back."

"I always say prepare for the worst and hope for the best. So as far as I'm concerned, I will be thinking as if war could break out at any moment."

"Fine. What're we doing today?" Harry said stretching his limbs "Oh, uh by the way, should I" Harry added as an afterthought, gesturing towards the stone.

"Stop pretending like you didn't spend last night talking to them in the chamber and haven't already decided to call them again. What we're doing first is you making a pepper-up potion to make up for the lack of sleep"

Harry's laughter was soon joined in by two more, as the Potter specters materialized.

"Do your physical routine and then lets get working on rune-breaking today"

As Harry made his way to his portable Potions stand, he couldn't help but feel optimistic. Sure, there were plenty of problems, both immediate and in the future, but he was going to face them at his very best. And maybe he could get through it all just fine too.

End Notes:

A relatively shorter chapter, but I think it was a good place to end it. Also, considering I'm planning a change of pace, I think its best to start with a new chapter.

Expect progression on the Sirius arc, including Pettigrew.

See ya next time.