Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:32:54 -0400
From: ron <wolfwalker@glwb.net>
Subject: Return of the King Chapter 07
Harry loved mornings, at least those for the past week. He loved
waking up in the arms of the one he knew without a shadow of a doubt
loved him more than anything. It had been an eventful week, changing
him in ways he never thought possible. For the first time in his
life he felt like he was the master of his own destiny, a destiny
that included love and survival for the first time.
He was just so excited, today Ar'Ron had promised to not only help
Draco build a Battle Stave and finish his, but to teach them both to
be animagus.
Harry thought back to the ritual of binding that they both preformed
last night, since the first time Harry had watched the ritual and
ending up performing it the same night, the thought of being naked
and touching Ar'Ron and being touched by him left him feeling so
aroused, reaching over Harry started to stroke Ar'Ron's hardness,
Harry was so aroused, Harry slowly turned around so that his face
was down near his crotch; watching the skin slowly ride up and down
his head as he stroked Ar'Ron's hard penis. Seeing precum start to
flow Harry could not resist any more and opening his mouth he gently
engulfed the head of Ar'Ron's penis.
Savoring the taste of the fluid flowing gently out of the tip, Harry
started to move up and down the shaft, using his tongue to caress
the underside of his head. His tongue being confined between
Ar'Ron's foreskin and head as his hand slowly stroked his hard penis.
So caught up in the sensations of giving Ar'Ron a good suck, Harry
never noticed that Ar'Ron had awoken from the pleasure Harry was
giving him. Deciding to return the favor since Harry's leaking penis
was in front of his face Ar'Ron soon was sucking on Harry as well.
Harry moaned around Ar'Ron's penis as he felt him take his stiff
penis in his mouth. The new pleasure of being sucked off as he was
sucking Ar'Ron off soon had him ready to climax. Sucking faster the
closer he got to being ready to shoot caused Ar'Ron to start to
shoot his load into Harry's mouth and a few seconds after his first
shot he received the reward he had been working towards and felt
Harry stiffen up and start to shoot in his mouth.
After both had finished they just lay there slowly sucking on each
other as they came down from the intense sexual high.
When Harry felt that he could move again, he slowly turned around
and snuggled up into Ar'Ron's embrace. Kissing slowly they could
taste each other as their tongues slowly entangled themselves in
each other's mouths.
With a smile in his eyes Ar'Ron told Harry. "Now that is a way to
wake up in the morning. I could get used to that."
Looking aver towards the clock Harry saw it was half past seven,
they told Draco to meet them in the dining room at eight.
"Its half past, we need to get into the shower." Harry said
throwing the covers back and getting out of bed. Taking a moment to
gaze at the naked form of his lover, Harry leaned over and taking
Ar'Ron's semi flaccid penis into his mouth he gave it one final good
sucking on, before walking toward the bathroom.
"Molly dear, you are up early." Arthur Weasely said to his wife as
he entered the kitchen at the burrow.
"Morning Arthur, Bill flooed this morning asking if everyone was still home? The twins and Percy will be over for breakfast and Bill
is bringing Charlie. Bill said he had important news for the whole
family." Molly told her husband distractingly.
Soon the table was covered in eggs, pancakes, bacon and sausage.
"Morning mum" Ginny said walking into the kitchen.
"All right food." Ron exclaimed as he walked in. "What's the
occasion?" He said eyeing up the mounds of food.
The fireplace roared to life and out walked Bill followed by
Charlie. "Morning mum." both boys said out loud.
Sounds of some Apparating could be heard from outside the back door.
In walked Fred and George followed by Percy from the backyard.
Egg pieces went flying everywhere as Ron spit out. "What is that
git doing here?"
"Ron shut your mouth. You will be quiet, Percy is here like every
one else for a family meeting" Snapped out Bill.
"Who died and left you boss?" fuming Ron yelled out. Not
liking to be told what he could or could not do by his brother.
"Boys you will stop this right now" screamed an irate Molly
Weasely.
Anger playing across his face Bill, "ENOUGH, everyone will sit down
right now and be quiet. And you Ron, Grandfather Weasely died, that
is who made me boss." Bill said holding up his right hand showing
the Weasely family ring on his hand.
The entire Weasely family sat there with their mouths hanging open
in shock
"After breakfast we all will go in to the family room and have a
long past due family meeting." Bill said filling his plate.
The floo flared to life and out walked Albus Dumbledore. "Ah,
Arthur my boy, good to catch you at home we need to have a talk. I
need you to tell me how to get to the new ministry offices."
Shaking his head Arthur replied. "I am sorry Albus but we have been
told that until next week we are not to give out the location of the
offices to anyone."
"Arthur as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot I must insist you tell
me." Dumbledore said with a mad twinkle in his eyes
"Really Headmaster, Dad and I both know that the Wizengamot was
disbanded the other day, as none of the current sitting members have
been appointed by the Council of Twelve." Percy sneered.
Deciding to change tactics to get the information he needed.
"Arthur have you perchance seen Harry at the new Ministry offices?"
Albus asked
"Albus I am sorry, but yesterday I took an oath, by blood and
magic, two of them to be exact. I cannot and will not answer any
more of your questions. Do not ask them of me." Arthur pleaded.
Tired of the headmaster's presence and his endless manipulations,
Bill was not going to let his father break his oath and loose his
magic. "Headmaster, I am telling you to leave. You are interrupting
a family meeting, one to which you were neither invited nor welcome
to hear."
"Now see here Bill Weasely, you will not talk to the headmaster
that way." Molly started to rant.
"Mother be quiet." Bill snapped out
Seeing Dumbledore reaching for his wand, Bill reached into his
pocket for the runic battle block he was given and started to
channel his magic into it.
"Bill there are things you are unaware of and you do not understand
your place." Albus started as he drew his wand
"It is you who do not understand Dumbledore." Holding up his hand
so that the headmaster could see the ring clearly Bill continued. "Oh yes, I understand far more than you think I do. Interesting thing
when the family ring was presented to me. The goblins made a comment
about making sure that no others were present during the
presentation and the rings testing of my character. Seems they
wanted to makes sure you did not show up to cast the confundus Charm
at me from behind my back ensuring rejection by the ring."
Standing up from the table Bill moved causing the headmaster to move
away from the fireplace. "I know for instance that you used stolen
gold to buy this house out from underneath my parents. Oh yes I know
more about you than you think. Now leave, we will be packed up and
gone from this place by lunchtime."
"I am sorry Bill but I can not allow you to interfere." Aiming his
wand at the Weasely head of house he started to cast. "Obliv..."
Seeing Dumbledore start to attack Bill threw the block at the
headmaster, and as the block hit the floor and broke. A small red
dome appeared to encase the headmaster.
Seeing the glowing block being thrown at the floor the headmaster
stopped in mid incantation, thus saving his memory. Testing the
walls of the dome with his hands he felt once again the strange
magic like that in Diagon Ally.
Bill looked at his stunned family, most had looks of anger on their
faces directed towards the headmaster. His parents had looks of
disbelief on their faces.
"All you lot, I am calling for backup, the rest of you start
packing up everything we own. I do not want one scrap of paper left
here when you are down." Bill said as he took a dozen shrunken
crates out of his pocket and set them down and casting "Engorgio."
"These are Gringotts crates; they have one huge room inside them
ten meters square. When it is full tap the closed lid and say
Weasely very clearly. They are spelled to be transported to the
family vault." Bill explained
"Ron, Ginny you are both allowed to do magic now that the underage
magic ban was lifted. So use it to pack with." Bill told the two
of them as they each grabbed one of the crates and races to their
rooms.
Walking over to the fireplace Dumbledore tried one last attempt to
gain control of the situation. "Bill please think on what you are
about to do. Do you really think uprooting your family from their
home is the right thing to do?"
Bill ignored the man as he knelt down in front of the fire and took
out a pinch of purple colored floo powder and threw it into the
flames. Waiting for the flames to turn purple and blue he put his
head in and fire called Trazthorn.
Seeing Trazthorn in his office bill interrupted. "Sorry to
interrupt sir but I have an emergency on this end."
"Mr. Weasely." Trazthorn acknowledged him.
Seeing he had the goblins undivided attention Bill continued. "Dumbledore showed up trying to get the location of Potter Castle. He
was even willing to break my father's oath, causing him to lose his
magic.
When I asserted myself as head of the family he attacked me. Which is why he is currently under an Elven prison dome; my family is
packing right now and we should be evacuating shortly."
"I see" Trazthorn told his most promising team leader. "I assume
that you are using curse breaker crates?"
"What do you need me to do?" Trazthorn asked.
"Yes sir if you would, could you divert the crates to the lobby of
the Headquarters branch. I plan to escort my family to our
hereditary house in Toria." Bill explained
"I will do so immediately, I will also send a message through
Griphook letting the prince know what is going on."
"Thank you sir" Bill said to his boss as he backed out of the
fire causing the connection to close.
Albus had walked over to the closest point to the fireplace hoping
to listen in on the conversation. Seeing the floo powder was not the
normal red for fire calls, he was surprised.
He was also angered when a blue mist came out of the fire making it
impossible for him to overhear the conversation.
Backing out of the fireplace bill was pleased to see his mother
putting the lid back on the crate and the kitchen emptied. She gave
it a tap with her wand saying "WEASLEY" loudly.
The rest of the family soon entered the kitchen. Bill looked at them
and said. "One last chance guys to make sure we have everything,
anything left will be gone forever."
Ron spoke up. "We double checked for each other and Charlie did some
strange revealing spell in each room. Everything is gone."
" Is it true?" Ron asked.
"I am afraid do Ron." Arthur replied to his son. "When the ring
rejected me, all money from the Weasely trust stopped and the family
vault would no longer let me in."
"In other words Ron, while not as rich as the Malfoy's, we never
the less would have been well off." Bill told him; then pointing at
the headmaster, "HE is the reason Mum and dad had so many financial
strains while we grew up."
Taking a small pouch of blue floo powder out of his robes Bill held
it out. "This is point direct floo powder. You do not have to say a
destination, just throw it in the fire and step in."
One by one his family took a pinch of the powder and left via floo.
When Bill was the only one left, closing the pouch Bill placed it in
his robes; he took his hand out with a small ampoule filled with
black powder.
Once he stepped away from the fire he turned towards Dumbledore. "Bastard, you will get what is coming to you. Come near anyone in my family again, no matter how extended and I will swear a blood vendetta
against you."
He touched the dome with his magic at the same time he threw the
ampoule into the fire, disappearing in an explosion that destroyed
the floo connection and at the same time released the headmaster
from his prison, leaving a fuming Albus Dumbledore standing in an
empty home.
Draco and Remus stopped behind Ar'Ron and Harry in front of
Ollivander's Wand Shop.
Remus asked the question that was on Harry's mind. "How are we
going to enter the shop with out breaking the enchantment hiding the
city?"
"We are not going to use the door to enter; I plan to create a link
to an archway allowing us to enter; watch." Ar'Ron explained as he
drew the outline of a door in the middle of the window, his magic
leaving a glowing trail after his finger.
He then drew in each corner the runic symbol for door. Then he drew
on more symbol where the door handle would be. He then connected
each symbol in the corners to the one at the handles location with
an elongated rune.
Finished he turned to Draco. "Even though your studies do not
officially start until Monday, tell me what you see." He told the
young man.
Stepping forward Draco examined the lines and runes that had been
drawn on the window. "Somehow you used your magic to draw lines in
the outline of a doorframe, at least yet.
This runic symbol right here is the same in all four corners, my
ancient runes text lists its meaning as gateway, but seeing it used
this way I think it really means door."
Seeing Ar'Ron smiling and nod his head in agreement he went on more
confidently. "The four in the middle that connect the corners to
this one, are the symbol for power. They are stretched out from the
way the symbol was recorded in texts and connect to this one here
that I have never seen before." Draco finished.
"Very good Draco; Remus you have studied ancient runes all over the
world what do you think?" Ar'Ron asked.
"I can't tell you much more than Draco already has. I agree with
his deciphering, and am intrigued that certain runes can have their
shape altered as long as they are still readable, but am at a loss
to the meaning of the center one that everything seems to connect
to." Remus said looking over the drawing.
"Remus what do you know of activation runes?" Ar'Ron asked.
Turning away from the drawing Draco and Remus both faced towards
Ar'Ron.
"What in Merlin's name is an activation rune?" Remus demanded
Pointing at the rune neither could identify, this is a rune of
activation, when you connect it to the rune for power, which
depending on how it is written, determines the power needed for this
one." Ar'Ron pointed to the last rune. "Which is the action
rune."
"Ok step by step." Ar'Ron said pointing to each rune in turn. "This rune stands for open, so when I channel my magic into it, the
next rune determines how much magic is needed for the runic spell to
come into being.
Which is determined by the shape of the rune for power, which powers
up the symbol for doorway that if you change the shape of this part and this also determines where the door will open too." Ar'Ron told
them as he traced the lines he was talking about.
Draco and Remus looked at Ar'Ron in awe.
Draco then said. "Do you know what this means?"
With a slight laugh Harry answered "Of course, homework."
Draco looked at Harry as if he was insane.
"In this instance Harry is right, while you will not get much
homework from me, though you will get some. All homework is to be
handed in on Saturday morning where I will go over it personally
with you. Remus, as you are taking the runes classes that you oh so
graciously wanted to make sure was up to the standards as unofficial
uncle; you will also have to participate in homework." Ar'Ron
laughed at the expression on Remus's face.
"Remus and Draco for next Saturday I want the two of you to
research and find copies of activation runes. Then a small essay on
how or why the knowledge was lost. The more complete the essay the
more I know you have learned the material." Ar'Ron told the two,
then seeing the smirk on his lover's face he told Harry.
"Oh, I didn't forget you. You already know most of this through the
knowledge transfer we did, so you may point them in the right
direction if asked. And if you think about it you have seen wizards
use Elven runic blocks of at least class two, so for your homework I
want an explanation on why wizards can use the class two blocks but
cannot make them." Ar'Ron finished.
"Now let's go inside." he said placing his finger on the activation
rune and channeling magic into it, causing a door to appear.
Ollivander put down the wand he was working on, there he felt it
again, a stirring in the magic around his shop, it felt the same as
the...Harry Potter. Getting up from his stool he quickly went to the
front of his shop in time to see lines to appear on the window in
the shape of a door. Quickly locking the door and drawing the shades
he flipped the open sign to closed.
With a flash of light the door flashed into reality. On the other
side Ollivander could see out into the street of Commerce Ally,
except for photos that his father had passed down, he had not laid
eyes on the legendary ally. Seeing the group in front of him he
recognized Harry among them. "Lord Potter a pleasure as always."
"Hello Mr. Ollivander, how are you today?" Harry asked the eerie
old man.
"Very excited Lord Potter, I felt the call being keyed." He said
tipping his head sideways "If I may be so bold to ask when the
wards will be opened?"
"My family has waited for this day for a very long time. I have
heard many stories of the days when my families shop was on Commerce
Street, I am very eager to move back, especially now that my
grandson has decided to follow in my footsteps and take up wand
making." Ollivander said in an excited ramble.
"This coming Tuesday, events are progressing faster than expected,
so our timetable has moved forward." Ar'Ron told the man.
As Remus and Draco came fully into the tiny shop Ollivander caught
sight of them, "Ah Mr.Lupin, black locust twelve and three quarts
of an inch, extremely rigid with hair of the werewolf and beard from
a red cap. Mr. Malf....Curious." Ollivander said as he tapped his
finger on his chin.
Feeling like the man in front of him could look into his very soul,
he had not changed much since the last time he had entered this shop
to buy his wand. And that made Draco very nervous.
"Curious thing really, I remember every wand I have ever sold and
the wizard that it matches." Ollivander then pointed at Draco. "Your wand for instance is Ebony, ten inches with dragon heartstring.
I sold that wand to Draco Malfoy and your magical core no longer
matches that of Draco Malfoy, while some parts still remain, there
are enough differences...curious."
Drawing himself up, Draco responded. "I can explain Mr. Ollivander,
for I am no longer a Malfoy. That bloodline is now dead, I am a
black now." He said with pride in his voice.
"Ah that explains much." Ollivander said looking Draco over. "Your
wand no longer suits you Mr. Black."
Looking at Remus he also pointed out. "Nor does yours Remus, have
you both come looking for a new wand?" Ollivander asked.
"Actually we came to pick up matching wood and cores to make Draco
a battle stave. Though if Remus's wand no longer matches him, it
will need to be fixed, we can't have him at a disadvantage right
now." Ar'Ron told Ollivander.
"Yes, yes, this way please, back to my workshop." Ollivander said
turning around and leading them back into the back room.
"Ollivander have you crafted many staves in your life?" Harry asked.
Ar'Ron watched as his love got that look in his eyes that said he
was going to do something unexpected.
"I have kept in practice." Ollivander intently looked at Harry,
wondering why he was being asked this. "No one wants to go to the
expense of having one crafted, then with the ministry banning blood
magic except in a couple of instances, I was not allowed to sell
one, even if someone would pay the price for one."
"Good, very good, as soon as you are ready I will be having the
wizards that are part of the Torian guard sent to you so you can
craft Battle staves for them."
Ollivander stammered out. "But, Lord Potter the cost. Each one will
be two hundred galleons."
Walking over to the counter Harry borrowed some parchment and picked
up a quill. He quickly wrote out instructions and signed it. He then
placed a blank sheet on top of his note and said "duplicatus"
He removed the communication box from its pouch on his belt and set
it on the counter, rolling up one of the parchments he opened the
box and put the scroll inside closing the lid. He then handed the
other to Mr. Ollivander replacing the box on his belt.
"Mr. Ollivander, I think this will assure you of payment. As each
stave is finished have the guard sign a receipt and take it over to
Wyrmbane at Gringotts for payment." Harry told the wand maker.
Ollivander took the parchment and briefly glanced at it.
Wyrmbane
I have authorized Mr. Ollivander to craft twenty-six Battle Staves
for the Torian Guard.
We have settled on a price of two hundred galleons a piece. He will
bring a bill for each one as they are finished to you signed by the guard who it was crafted for. Please see that he is paid from the city vaults.
Harry James Potter
Lord Potter
The potter crest was affixed under the signature.
"Thank you Lord Potter, my grandson will be pleased to be able to
learn this part of our craft." Ollivander said eyes watering in
joy.
Ar'Ron spoke up. "I am going to take Draco through finding his wood
and cores. Why don't you work on finding a matching wand for
Remus?" Ar'Ron told Ollivander.
"Draco, place your hand or even a finger on each piece of wood. If it
accepts you, it will feel warm and inviting." Ar'Ron explained.
Draco had gone through two dozen wood samples and was beginning to
think that there was not going to be one that would match him when
he felt a flare of warmth from the last piece he tried. "This one,
it feels warm and like a part of me." Draco said pulling a length
out of the wall cubby.
"Good now lets try wand cores. Same principle, but as you touch the
containers I want you to channel your magic to your hand just like
we practiced at breakfast, you will feel a pull towards the ones
that match your core." Ar'Ron told the lad.
Draco taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly reached inside
and touched his magical core. Slowly he felt the magic travel from
his core down to his hand. Opening his eyes to see his hand glowing,
he moved his hand slowly across the racks of containers of core
material.
To his delight he saw the Dragon Heartstring container was glowing
and also the one with feathers from a Roc.
Ar'Ron reached over and removed the two glowing canisters from the
rack and set them down on the table with the length of wood.
Conjuring a couple of jars he removed enough core material to create
three wands before placing the containers back in their respective
spots in the racks.
Finished, the two joined the others in time to hear Ollivander ask
Remus if he was indeed a werewolf as he remembered.
"Not any more Ollivander, Thanks to Ar'Ron here I am what is called
an Alphar, no longer just a simple werewolf." Remus replied.
"Alphar? hmm seems I came across that name before." Ollivander
said as he walked across the workroom stopping before one of the
racks that held magical cores. Taking his wand out he tapped each
corner and pressed his thumb on the glowing circle that appeared,
causing the shelf to split in two and the front half to swing open
to reveal shelves full of journals.
Tracing his finger across the spines of the books Ollivander
eventually pulled one out. Opening it up he scanned through the
pages until he got to the listing for Alphar.
"Alphar
Magical being that is the true and final form of the werewolf; this
form was created with the help of the Elves to counter a curse gone
badly. A wand must be made of the following for it to bond with the
Alphar; wood from the black Danhu tree and the tooth of a Nundu and
hair from a werewolf.
While those three ingredients normally can not be mixed in a wand
core the addition of hair from the Alphar the wand is being crafted
for and the blood of the same taken after fully transforming into
the Alphar form.
The first three ingredients will never change; it is by adding the
last two that this powerful wand will match the wizard it is crafted
for
Claudius Ollivander
390 A.D."
Ollivander's voice faded as he closed the book and put it back on
the shelf and hiding the books by closing the rack. "Remus I have
the first three ingredients and, if you can provide the other two I
can get started on crafting your wand."
Remus visibly gulped. He had not even thought of transforming since
he had the Runes inscribed, how did he know whether it worked or not?
Seeing Remus working himself up to a nervous wreak, Ar'Ron stepped
in "Remus, your letting years of fear of the werewolf rule you. The
werewolf is dead, besides if you stop and think you will realize
that you now have the ability to selectively transform any part of
your body at will."
Calming down Remus sighed with relief. Then he attempted to shift
his arm into his Alphar form. Beads of sweat started to roll off his
forehead, when finally his arm shifted and claws and hair replaced
fingers and skin. "That was a lot harder than I thought it would
be."
"You are going to have to start practicing then Remus, it should
become second nature and effortless." Ar'Ron told him sternly.
While they were talking Ollivander cut some of the fur off of Remus
and placed it in a jar. "There all done you can transform back now.
After the wand is crafted I will bring it over and we will get you to
donate some blood the wand can soak in."
"I think we are done here; Draco has the wand cores and wood. We
can craft his stave and finish both this afternoon." Ar'Ron said to
the group.
"Mr. Ollivander, how much do we owe you for the materials and
Remus's wand?" Harry asked.
Ollivander hesitated a moment. "Lord Potter if you would allow my
grandson and I to watch the crafting of the staffs this afternoon;
there will be no charge."
"It normally takes me four days to craft a staff, but you are
talking about doing it in an afternoon. I am sure I will be able to
pick some tips and techniques to help me better craft them."
Ollivander said eagerly
"The Elves create staves differently than wizards, we call upon the
very fabric of magic to do most of the work. But if you can learn
something to help you become a better wand maker, than I have no
problems with it." Ar'Ron thought out loud.
"We will be out in the front gardens, if you want to join us around
1:00 p.m. we should be ready to start crafting the staves then."
Ar'Ron said as they moved through the stacks to the front of the
store.
"The only problem I see is that if I leave the door active to the
street you would have to stay closed." Ar'Ron said pointing to the
door in the middle of the window.
Walking over to a stack of boxes next to the door, Ollivander pulled
out a sign he had made when he felt the call being keyed. Tapping
his wand on it the sign changed slightly before he hung it up in the
front window.
Ollivander's Fine Wands
Since 382 B.C.
Relocating to our original
Location
Reopening July 16th 1996
Commerce Ally
Toria
"I can stay closed for three days, in fact it will give us time to
remove the glamour charms and organize the finished wands."
Ollivander smiled
Draco noticed something wrong with Harry's belt. "Harry, your belt
pouch is glowing."
Looking down Harry noticed Draco was right; the pouch holding his
communication box was glowing. Pulling the box out of the pouch he
opened it to find a scroll inside. He took the thick scroll out and
closed and replaced the box in his pouch.
Lord Potter;
I am well aware of your wishes but am hesitant to use them in
written form as other eyes may gain access to written communications
between us so we feel more comfortable addressing you this way.
A few short moments ago Trazthorn head of the curse breaking
division asked us to pass the other attached parchment along to you
as soon as possible.
Griphook
Potter Family Manager
Breaking the seal and unrolling the other parchment he once again
began to read it out loud.
Lord Potter
I write to inform you that the Weasely family has been forced to
evacuate their home and plan to move into their ancestral home
located in the city of Toria.
This move was preceded by an attack by Albus Dumbledore on the head
of the Weasely Family not but a short hour ago. No one was injured
as Bill Weasely used one of the Prison Runic Blocks in time.
Dumbledore attempted to break Mr. Weasely's blood oath to learn your
location and the location of the new ministry building.
Bill asked me to pass this message along to you saying he would fill
in the details at dinner when he came back to the castle tonight.
Regards,
Trazthorn
Head Curse Breaker
Harry looked up into the shocked faces and the angry one of
Ar'Ron. "We will see you later on this afternoon then Mr.
Ollivander, we need to go now."
"Until this afternoon Lord Potter." Ollivander spoke to the
retreating backs of the foursome.
As they made there way up the street towards Gringotts, Harry saw
the front doors to the bank open and nine red haired people walk out
with twelve crates floating behind them.
"They looked a little stunned but nothing any worse than that"
Said Remus using his enhanced sight of the wolf.
When the two groups got within fifty feet of each other Ginny
noticed Remus and Harry in front of them.
"HARRY." Ginny screamed as she ran towards him.
Seeing Harry, Ron joined in with Ginny in running towards his best
mate, "Harry where have you been? Why haven't you answered any of
my letters? Why haven't..."
Recoiling slightly at the red heads fast and furious questions, "Whoa there Ron, slow down." Harry said.
"Where have I been, I have been here in Toria where I am safe."
Eyes turning dark and his face showing anger, "And as far as
replying to your letter it is kind of hard to do when the Dursley's
Killed Hedwig on the first day back. After the third day when no one
showed up to check on why no letter was sent, well lets say that the
Dursley's decided me breathing was to freakish for them." Harry
finished his breathing ragged in anger to the now pale red head.
Feeling the calming hand of Ar'Ron on his shoulder he calmed down
enough say with a deep sigh. "Ron can we talk about this later, I
really do not want to deal with this right now."
Seeing Ron nod his head Harry relaxed somewhat.
Ron a little troubled about hearing about what the Dursley's did to
Harry and then adding it to the information he heard at the order
meeting, scuffled his shoes on the street. "Sure thing mate, I
expect I have some unpacking to do anyway." Ron said with a weak
smile.
Ginny seeing her chance at Harry since his defenses were weakened
remembering the past, pushed past her brother. "HARRY JAMES POTTER,
what do you think you are doing with this soul mate nonsense?"
Molly Weasely snapping out of her stupor screamed out. "Ginerva
Molly Weasely, just what the bloody hell do you think you are doing,
attacking Harry that way?"
Ron seeing Remus and no it couldn't be. "Malfoy? What is that
bloody git doing here? He probably will go right back to daddy and
tell him where to find you, bloody Death Eater "Ron started to
rant anger twisting his features.
Having heard enough Ar'Ron stepped forward. "ENOUGH both of you
will shut up right now. Your behavior is intolerable. How dare you
attack any one verbally or physically."
Ar'Ron waved his hand at Ron and mumbled something under his breath
and Ron suddenly was drenched in ice cold water. "There that should
cool you off."
Charlie looked over at Bill and said loud enough for everyone to
hear. "Bill Ron's anger problem has gotten worse every year he has
been at Hogwarts and Ginny, this is not Ginny. You don't think..."
Bill walked over to where his brother and sister were standing he
cast two very strong 'Pertrificu Totalus' at both of them, putting
them both into the full body bind.
"Bill Weasely what do you think you are doing..." Molly started to
rant in anger her hands balling into fists before reaching for her
wand.
Arthur seeing this quickly cast a full body bind at his wife of many
years hoping that Charlie was right and his wife was not turning
into a violent person on her own.
Bill walked up to his mother in full curse breaker mode. He used his
wand to shape incantations and feel the magic return as it relayed
the information the spells sought out.
Looking up at his father Bill told his family. "She has two control
charms, a loyalty charm and an anger charm placed on her,
Dumbledore's signature in the magic."
Walking over to his youngest brother, Bill repeated the same scans
he did on his mother. "Two anger charms, a distrust charm and
several charms that trigger fits of rage."
Turning to his sister he preformed the same scans. Getting a
negative response but sensing something Bill changed the scan for
charmed objects.
Finding a necklace that seems to have been woven with many charms
Bill reached over and grabbed it breaking the clasp as he pulled it
off.
Ginny screamed at Bill. "Give that back, Harry gave that to me it
belonged to his mum."
"I thought you would have learned your lesson with the diary."
Bill sighed out.
Harry spoke up for the first time. "I never gave Ginny any jewelry;
I never had any belonging from my mother."
Looking over at Ginny Harry asked. "Ginny when did you get this
necklace?"
"You gave it to me two days ago, don't you remember?" Ginny sobbed.
Sighing Harry tried again. "Ginny did I personally hand this
necklace to you."
"Of course not, you sent it through Hermione with a message that
you loved me..." Ginny stopped in mid stream, "Oh no, not again."
Bill cast the counter for the body bind on her and she collapsed
sobbing into the arms of Percy.
Arthur walked forward and getting Bills attention. "Bill to be on
the safe side you better scan me also."
Nodding his head Bill performed the same scan on his father, "A
Loyalty Charm, multiple Memory Charms, an old Confundus Charm and a
mild Cheering Charm."
Harry was trembling slightly, not noticeable unless you were
touching.
Ar'Ron leaned over to whisper in his ear. "Mel'Anin it is not your
fault. No matter what, the blame lies directly in the lap of
Dumbledore."
Harry nodded his head and turned around in Ar'Ron's arms. "Can you
do anything to help break the spells on them."
"I can Lord Potter." said a voice from behind them.
The group turned around towards the new voice to see Severus Snape
walking up to them.
"There is a potion that I can brew that will remove all the spells
and charms and open them up to Legilimency, which should allow me to
make sure no hidden tampering is still in effect." Severus stated
as he came to s stop in front of the group.
"It will take me four hours to brew the potion and a few moments in
each of their minds to look for Albus's magical signature." Severus
finished.
"Thank you Professor it would be appreciated. The sooner these
spells are removed from my family the happier I will be." Arthur
told the potions master.
Bill stepped over to the potions master digging into his robe pocket
he removed a small wizard's compass, which he handed over. "Thank
you for the help Professor. This compass will lead you to the house,
when the potion is done and you are ready to begin. "
"Professor you can use the potion lab in the castle." Harry said
as he watched the Weasely's turn off on a side street.
Joining the group as they walked back up the street towards the
castle Severus noticed his godson walking along side Remus.
"Draco, is that you?" A surprised potions master asked.
"Yes Godfather" Was Draco's reply a little on the cold side.
Ar'Ron seeing the cold contempt plastered on Draco's face told
him. "Draco, I know we have not had a chance to sit down and discuss
everything that has happened lately, but Harry and I both scanned
Severus's memories.
He does not know what Lucius is and had no idea what he was doing
to you. Also as you can plainly see since he is wearing short sleeve
shirts, he does not have the dark mark any longer, nor did he take
it willingly in the first place." Ar'Ron explained.
Draco softened his look when he heard that his godfather was not a
servant of the dark lord, nor did he know what evil that man who was
his father did to him.
Draco slowed down allowing the potion master to catch up with him.
As they walked through the inner wall they quietly caught each other
up with the high points of the past week.
About a kilometer away from the castle Ar'Ron and Harry stopped in a
large open lawn. Waiting for the others to catch up to them Ar'Ron
pulled Harry into an embrace and kissed him tenderly.
Ar'Ron noticed the others had caught up and released Harry from his
embrace. Turning towards Draco, "Well this is as far as we go. This
filed is the perfect place for you two to practice being in animagus
form."
"I will escort Severus to the potions lab, do you need me to bring
anything back with me?" asked Remus.
"Could you stop by my study and bring my stave back with you?" Asked Harry.
"Oh and Remus could you ask Chan-son to bring us a light but high
protein lunch around noon. He and I can get acquainted then and go
over the menus for tomorrow night?" Ar'Ron asked of Remus.
Since he had been concentrating on his godson during the walk,
Severus was not paying close attention to his surroundings, in any
other situation that would have proven deadly for the potions master.
Looking around he saw what looked like another wall, though it did
have too many windows in it. He did not see any castle though so he
decided to ask where it was. "Just out of curiosity Harry you said
there is a castle that you live in around here somewhere?"
He did not think the question was that far off base as Draco
starting snickering loudly at his question. He was about to say
something when he noticed that Draco was pointing up. He looked
following his godson's directions up and kept looking up and slowly
it dawned on him that mountain in the distance was really the castle.
"Bloody hell" Severus muttered as Remus dragged him off.
"Ok you two lets make our selves comfortable." Ar'Ron told them
as he sat down on the ground and crossed his legs in front of him.
Harry and Draco sat down in front of Ar'Ron and made themselves
comfortable.
"First thing, what will work for Harry will not work for you Draco;
Harry being Elven needs a part of the creature he will turn into.
That part will bond into his very essence making it easier on him to
transform as the animagus form is already part of him.
Draco you one the other hand, will have to trust me enough to open
up so that I can guide you through your essence to find the animal
that is your form. After finding your form I will then project into
your mind every detail of the animal I know, and then kick start
your magic to realize that it can do the transformations; with me so far?" Ar'Ron asked.
Getting nods of agreement back from the two of them he
continued. "I will help Harry first as his will be the easiest.
Now Harry you are an Archer Eagle. This is a magical bird that
stands about five feet tall and is immune to all forms of magic cast
against it. While Phoenix are creatures of light and considered the
embodiment of all things light, Archer Eagles are considered the
guardians of magic itself.
The weapons of an Archer Eagle are talons and diamond sharp beak.
But the really neat one is that the Archer Eagle can fire its
feathers like an arrow, when the Archer Eagle rolls up its wings
like scrolls, it will drop extremely fast towards its target and it
will whip out its wings, which snaps out from one to several
feathers that have a barbed point that is as deadly as any arrow.
Depending on the color of your feathers determines if you have any
interesting elemental gifts, unfortunately you have no active
control over them. For example if the silver feathers, shimmer red
then they will be as hot as lava and upon impact will burn anything
they come into contact with.
Now the first time you transform I want you to silently count to
twenty and transform back to your normal form. It is one of the
hardest things turning back the first time as the thrill of the
animal will try to overpower your human or Elven half." Ar'Ron
explained the instructions.
Standing up Ar'Ron said as he moved a few meters away. "Harry, come
on over here, well away from Draco. Seeing as you will need some
room for the transformation."
"Good luck Harry." Draco told him as he walked to the other side
of the street to stand next to Ar'Ron.
Walking over to where Ar'Ron was standing Harry stopped in front of
him. He was excited and a little nervous.
"Don't be nervous, just remember a twenty count after you transform
before transforming back." Ar'Ron told him.
Watching Remus walk back out of the castle and sit down next to
where Draco was, Ar'Ron walked behind Harry and placed his hands on
each of Harry's temples. "Relax and close your eyes. As I feed you
information on the Archer Eagle at some point you will get the
feeling that you have re-united with a long lost friend. It is at
this point I will push at your magic starting the transformation."
Ar'Ron explained softly as the information flowed from him into
Harry.
All of a sudden Ar'Ron felt Harry get to the point he was talking
about and pushed his magic towards Harry whispering to his magical
core that this form was part of him.
To the amazement of Remus and Draco after about ten minutes of
Ar'Ron and Harry standing there, which Draco used to inform Remus
about Harry's form, with a loud pop where Harry once stood, now
stood a tall regal looking bird, with blue shimmering running down
the feathers and a twenty foot wingspan.
Harry stood there inside his magical core listening to Ar'Ron's
voice echo in the area outside his core. The more he listened to the
voice the more a shape started to form just outside his core.
Finally the shape took form and Harry thought it was beautiful. It was
perfect and he seemed as if he knew this other form as well as he
knew his own. When that thought took place he felt his core reach
out and grab the form of the Archer Eagle and wrench it inside his
core. When the magnificent bird was inside his core standing right
in front of him, he reached out and touch it, and that was all it took
to cause him to transform.
Ar'Ron watched in pride as his lover took to his new form. He
counted down slowly from twenty to zero just in case Harry had
trouble and needed help back to his base form. After twenty seconds
Harry appeared in his normal form and he caught him as Harry started
to collapse in exhaustion.
Holding on and helping Harry back across the street to where the
others were sitting, Ar'Ron gently lowered Harry back onto the
ground to rest.
"Wow, I need to catch my breath." Harry panted
Draco said in awe. "Harry you were magnificent, your feathers
shimmered blue like ice does on a sunny day."
"Each time you transform it will feel less draining, all you need
now is to practice. As much as you want to fly high and free, please
stay low and over this area of the lawn for today." Ar'Ron said to
Harry.
While Harry rested Ar'Ron went over and sat down behind Draco and
pulled him in close to his lap. Resting his hands on either side of
Draco's temples he told the young blond to relax.
While Ar'Ron and Draco were busy, Remus and Harry chatted several
meters away in between Harry's practicing his transformations.
Seeing Ar'Ron get up and move around to sit in front of Draco Harry
hurried over to hear what form Draco was going to take.
Draco opened his eyes to see Harry plop down next to Ar'Ron. Ar'Ron
had this sad smile on his face.
"Please tell me I have a form." Draco pleaded.
"You have a form, though I am not sure you are going to like it."
replied Ar'Ron
Draco was nervous. "Please tell me it is a nice large form,
something that can be nasty."
Seeing Ar'Ron not lose his smile and just turn his head as if to
appraise him he started to panic. "Oh no, tell me I am not some
small little bug, or worse some foul little beast."
Still no response Draco had this horrid thought. "NO PLEASE DON'T
TELL ME I AM FOOD."
Snickering turned to giggles turned to laughter as Harry could not
take Draco panicking anymore. "Stop teasing the poor guy and tell
him already."
Ar'Ron smirked at Draco. "No you are not food; you for the most
part do the eating. Draco you are a Saber tooth tiger."
Seeing the look of utter relief on Draco's face Ar'Ron asked "Ready
to try for transformation?"
Eager to get started Draco nodded his head.
Laughing at the eagerness Draco showed. "Do not forget that a
twenty count than transform back." Ar'Ron said.
Ar'Ron Turned Draco around so the only thing he would see when he
transformed was an empty lawn. No need to tempt fate.
Repeating the same procedure as he did with Harry, Ar'Ron guided
Draco through the same process until a huge four hundred pound cat
stood where Draco once sat.
Knowing that this might be the only transformation Draco could go
through today Ar'Ron counted down from twenty and when he reached
one he chopped the bush of hair off the end of Draco's tail.
Draco could not hold the transformation any longer and feeling
something attack his tail transformed back to human form.
Draco fell over to the ground from where he was sitting exhausted.
He felt like he had run all out all around the grounds ten circuits
more than normal.
Between pants Draco said. "I think I will just sit here and rest."
Laughing Ar'Ron gathered up the hairs and placed them in a jar he
conjured up and set them over on the table next to Draco's stave
workings.
Seeing Harry land over by Remus Ar'Ron called out. "Harry before
transforming I want you to nip out one of your tail feathers for
your stave."
Harry reached down with his beak and ruffled his tail feathers
before choosing on of the longer ones and taking the base in his
beak he gave a mighty yank.
Transforming in mid screech, "Bloody hell that hurt" Harry yelled
out.
"Yes well if you would have gently pulled it would not have hurt as
bad." Ar'Ron said.
"Anyway lunch is one its way." Ar'Ron said pointing to Chan-son
and Itsy as they approached the group loaded down with food.
_________________________________________________________________
Drinking down the last of the juice, Harry noticed Mr. Ollivander
and his grandson approach. "Guys company."
Looking up to see who Harry was talking about Ar'Ron finished his
conversation with Chan-san about tomorrow nights dinner with the
goblin governors.
"One final thing Chan-san before we are interrupted for afternoon
lessons, get with Narcissa, she has an office on the fourth floor on
the family side of the castle, she is working on the guest list for the debut ball of the Twelve. The ball will be a dinner affair and
is August first, get back to me as soon as possible with tentative
staffing requirements." Ar'Ron told the master chef.
Looking over his shoulder Ar'Ron saw that the young man walking next
to Ollivander was carrying a length of wood and several jars.
Walking a few steps away Ar'Ron conjured up three tables set into a u
shape with seats behind them. He then conjured a fourth a few steps
to the right and summoned several boxes of high quality focusing
crystal and gems.
"If everyone will come on over and take a seat, only one per table
if you are crafting a stave." Ar'Ron told the group.
The last to sit was Harry, while setting his stave down next to the
feather that left him sore, his stave glowed briefly for a second
before the feather was pulled into the stave.
Looking at Harry's expression Ar'Ron let out a little chuckle.
"Mr. Ollivander I see your grandson has decided to craft himself a
stave." Ar'Ron said to the wand maker who was taking out parchment
and quill and ink.
"Oh yes, this is to good an opportunity to pass up. I would like to
introduce you all to my grandson David." Ollivander then introduced
every one in turn to David.
Ar'Ron then started off the lesson.
"Ok as everyone just witnessed Harry's stave just accepted another
core element rather easily. So the first two steps Harry already
knows. I assume David that you know how to focus on your Magical
core?" Ar'Ron asked.
"Yes Sir, that is one of the first things Grandfather taught to me
after graduation. I have spent the last three years re-learning what
should have been taught in school." David answered.
"Alright, first step is for David and Draco to pick up your wood
piece and step back from the table a few steps.
While holding the wood in your dominant hand, I want you to reach
for your magical core. When you have found it I want you to step
inside your core and give one good up and down shake to the hand
holding your stave piece. This will lengthen the wood to the right
length to match you." Ar'Ron told them.
Ar'Ron watched as Draco quickly dropped into his magical core by the
way he softly glowed and gave one good shake to the three foot
dragon oak length, and it quickly extended to become six feet and a
little over two inches in diameter.
Ar'Ron arched an eyebrow as Draco sat back down still firmly seated
in his magical core, and have the two wand core ingredients glow and
flow out of the containers into the stave. He then watched as
Draco's soft glow disappeared and he slumped down next to Remus.
Looking over at David Ar'Ron notice the lad had beads of sweat
glistening on his forehead as he had yet to drop into his core.
Stepping over to where he was standing, Ar'Ron started to coach the
lad in a gently soothing voice. "Relax, you don't want to force
your way to your core, it should be like a welcoming stroll. When
you reach your core instead of fighting your way in, just lay your
hand on it and welcome it as part of yourself, when you feel totally
relaxed just step into your core. Don't fight to get in; it should
be more of the welcoming embrace of an old friend as you melt into
your core."
Finally relaxing David was able to reach his core and step inside.
With a tired shake of his length of ash wood, it quickly lengthened
to five and a half feet and two inches around.
Ar'Ron seeing David go into his core by the tell tail glow quickly
brought over the two jars of core material not knowing how long the
young man could stay in his core before he tired and fell out.
After the core material was joined to the stave David stumbled in
exhaustion and Ar'Ron caught him and guided him back to his seat at
the table.
"David is that the first time you have actually entered you magical
core?" Ar'Ron asked.
"Yes it was so hard, until I focused on what you where telling me I
just could not access my core. Is it always that exhausting?" David
replied.
"No, I think your problem was that once you found your core, not
knowing how to access it you tried to overpower or take control by
force. Which as you learned you can not do." Ar'Ron answered.
"I felt a little dizzy after my stave absorbed the cores, but it
quickly passed. One thing I noticed though while standing in my
magical core I noticed it felt stronger and looked a little bigger
and brighter too." Draco commented
"Exactly." Ar'Ron said enthusiastically "The biggest factor in why
wizards today are no where near as powerful as they used to be,
including being able to do magic without a wand, is for the very
reason that they are not taught to merge with their magical core.
The longer you spend in your core the easier it is to stay there,
and the more magic you do while in your core the stronger you
become. After a certain point the magical core will grow until it is
impossible to do anything else but be merged.
In the past wands were invented as a means to give very young
children a step up, to help them increase their magical core and by
the time they had finished puberty or received their magical
inheritance their original wands no longer suited them and they
needed either a staff or a multi core wand. Like the one Remus is
having made for him. Most chose multi core wands.
In the past by the time a wizard or witch had finished their
training they stayed in their magical cores at all times. If they
were exceptionally strong they learned to hide their glow."
Ollivander was scribbling furiously, not only was he learning
important history, the changes brought about would mean a huge
increase in business.
"The past three days I have done nothing but practice being in my
core, every free moment I had to myself, more to make sure that I am
still connected to it, but I find for lack of a better word peaceful
when I am in my core." Draco commented.
"Which is a good thing; tell me Draco how long have you been able
to stay inside your core?" Ar'Ron asked.
"A little over an hour, which was last night" Draco replied.
"I will take that into account when I create your study schedule
then, so as to not have you do any classes heavy in casting back to
back, giving you time to catch your breath so to speak." Ar'Ron told
the young man.
Ollivander having caught up on writing his notes noticed something
he needed clarified. "I notice that you have used the word staff
and stave are you using them interchangeably?"
"Good question." Ar'Ron told the wand maker turned student.
"The simple answer is no. What every one has done so far is build a
staff. Even after the runes are inscribed, no more than a glorified
overlong wand, when we add in the blood and magic to seal the core,
it is still a staff. A blood staff mind you, one which no one else
is able to use due to the bonding of the staff by blood and magic to
the specific user.
No what turns a staff into a stave is the bonding of focus gems and
or crystals to the staff and the fact that the runes are inscribed
as Mythril. This is what turns the stave into an external extension
of ones magical core." Ar'Ron explained.
Summoning his battle stave Ar'Ron held it out so that Ollivander
could examine it.
"So many runes" Ollivander whispered.
"Grandfather half of those runes I have never seen before." David
told the man.
"Curious, it seems so much knowledge was indeed lost. And look at
the sheen it looks like the wood itself is some sort of gem."
Ollivander was thinking out loud. Remembering he was there to learn
not gaze. "Sorry for that, I can think things over on my own
time."
Nodding his head at Ollivander, Ar'Ron continued. "This next part is
where Wizards and Elves part ways in the construction process.
Wizards use a wand to direct their magic to carve the runes on the
staff. Elves call upon magic itself, as such magic chooses the runic
combinations best suited and inscribes them in Mythril onto the
stave. "
"Now Mr. Ollivander most likely recognizes this Runic stone, this
one is slightly different from the one he is used to using, since
this one not only detects the best matching rune combinations for a
person, it can also store the impression to be used later to
inscribe the runes." Ar'Ron told them.
Handing over the stone and a small bar of Mythril to Harry "Mel'Anin you are first. When you first pick up the stone, it will
glow in pulses as it matches the runic combinations in its matrix
with your magical core. After the stone stops pulsing at this point
it could be stored for later use to inscribe the runes." Ar'Ron
said handing Draco and David each one of the stones and a small bar
of Mythril.
Turning back to Harry, "When you hold the stone you need to be
standing in your magical core for it to work properly. So go ahead
and pick it up when you are ready." Ar'Ron told his love.
Ar'Ron waited until Harry had started to glow, indicating he was
inside his magical core. After Harry picked up the stone, which
started to pulse, he moved over to Draco.
Draco also quickly picked up on the technique.
Now standing in front of David and Ollivander, Ar'Ron interrupted
the two as they were comparing the stone he had given David to use
and one Ollivander had brought with him. "David your turn; place
the stone back down and this time when you reach your core remember
don't fight your way in just embrace your core and step on in
gently."
For the next half hour Ar'Ron answered Ollivander's questions as
Harry, Draco and David concentrated on their runic stones.
David was the first to have his stone stop pulsing. He swayed a
little as he opened his eyes and set the stone down.
"Man that was intensely wicked." David flopped back in his chair.
Ollivander picked up the rune stone and placed it on some enchanted
parchment he had brought from his workshop. Once upon the parchment
several pages of runic symbols in clusters appeared on the parchment.
Picking up the runic stone Ollivander brought with him Ar'Ron
examined it carefully. "This is very close to the stone I gave your
grandson to use. The only thing missing in its construction is the
activations runes. Someone went to a lot of trouble to erase this
knowledge." Ar'Ron told Ollivander.
Setting the stone down he watched as the old wand maker scanned
through the parchment that had the runes fro his grandson on it.
"Even if I understand all these runes and clusters, it would take
me a week to carve them in properly the old way." Ollivander stated
as he set the parchment down. " And that assumes that I place the clusters that I do not recognize in the proper places. "
"I don't think I have enough magic left to lift a feather, let alone
do any rune work. I am going to start spending every free moment in
my core to get used to this new way of doing things." David sighed.
"Whoa wicked." Draco said as he came back to reality. "All those
runes flashing by my core, it was really wicked to watch certain
ones swirl around and come close enough to touch, though some when
the got close acted as if they hit some wall and bounced back."
"That is not anything like what I went through. I never once saw
any runes, just felt like something was tapping me every so often,
which left me a little more tired each time it happened." David
commented.
"Not me, I `m more thirsty than tired." Draco told them.
"Itsy set up a small table of snacks and drinks over there while
you all were occupied." Ar'Ron pointed over behind David towards
the small table covered in high protein, high energy snacks.
Harry stirred then came back to reality. "That was incredible."
"How do you feel Mel'Anin?" Ar'Ron asked.
"Energized" Harry replied, "Really, really energized."
"Let's get back to work then." Ar'Ron said watching Draco and David
return to their seats.
"If you pick up the runic stone you will notice a small grove on
the bottom, you will also notice that there is a rune inscribed in
the center of the grove. The small rod of Mythril will fit in this
groove nicely, just make sure that the Mythril covers the rune I
pointed out in the groove." Ar'Ron started his explanation.
Making sure everyone had seated their Mythril properly he
continued. "The next part is very simple. You need to levitate your
stave making it very slowly rotate. When that is accomplished pick up the rune stone and touch the rod to the bottom of the rotating stave.
Next channel your magic into the red glowing activation rune; the
magic will do the rest." Ar'Ron told them the steps to follow.
Ar'Ron watched as Harry and Draco followed by Ollivander followed
the steps he outlined and soon three staves were spinning in the air
with silver mist creeping up the staves from their bases.
Ar'Ron walked around examining each of the staves as they finished.
Harry's stave was a work of art, with flowing vines onto trees and
inlays in the shapes of dragons and phoenix's leading up to the top
with a large Archer Eagle.
Draco's Stave while not as ornate, the top had expanded to look like
a curved in talon.
While David' remained a plain ash staff shape with runes inlaid in
it.
"Well it seems that David still has some magical maturing to do."
Looking at the lad in question Ar'Ron continued. "At the end you
will end up with a blood staff. Don't be discouraged, the more you
practice doing magic from within your core the stronger you will be,
and it is a simple procedure to upgrade your staff."
Tracing a rune in the air, where it glowed briefly so all could see
it clearly. "This is the blood rune. After cutting your palm place
the bleeding cut over this rune and the staff will soak up the
appropriate amount and merge it into the core." Tracing another rune,
Ar'Ron said. "And this one is for bonding your magic into the staff.
After the staff has finished bonding to your blood, you will feel a
tingle as the cut is healed. When that happens channel your magic
into this rune to charge up the staff and bond your core to it."
Ar'Ron told them. Then stopping in front of Draco he continued. "Draco once you start this next step you can not stop, not until you
finish by bonding the gems and crystals to the stave."
Seeing he had Draco's undivided attention Ar'Ron continued. "I
would not be surprised if you passed out from exhaustion. In fact I
expect it to happen, so I want you to be prepared if you wake up
later in your bed."
"I have a question." David interrupted. "How do you think I
will be affected if I bond to my staff tomorrow?"
Turning so he could face David, Ar'Ron replied. "It will leave you
tired. Nothing a good nights rest won't cure so if you bond your
staff before going to bed you will be fine by morning."
Ollivander had a thought. "If this is going to leave young Mr.
Black so drained, how is it going to affect the guards when it is
their turn to bond their staves?"
"Hmm, all the guards have reached their magical maturity, so I
would expect them to be drained; a few might pass out briefly. I
would expect that a quick potion or two and they should be fine."
Ar'Ron replied as he was setting boxes of gems and crystals in front
of Draco and Harry.
Facing Draco and Harry "When you are ready go ahead and bond with
your staves."
They all watched as first Harry and then Draco cut the palm of the
wand hand and placed the bleeding hand on the stave. A pulsing glow
in rhythm to each young mans heartbeat quickly encased them.
Soon the blood bonding had finished and both then turned the stave
holding it horizontal over the table placing both hands on the stave
and once again a glow emanated from the stave as Harry and Draco
started to channel their magic into the stave
Remus watched in amazement as Harry and Draco bonded to their
staves. The magic that was flowing off of the two of them was so
intense it could be felt physically.
Some of the gems and crystals in front of Draco started to glow. A
large pear shaped ruby floated up from the table and shot into place
in the claw end of Draco's stave, the claws then closed around the
gem as if holding it.
Other gems joined one another in floating above the table, then as
if affected by tremendous heat they all started to turn into liquid
and merge together. The magic from the stave pulled at the now
liquefied gems and pulled it towards itself.
At the moment that Draco had finished, exhausted and started to drop
the stave the liquefied gems that were now surrounding the stave, in
a brilliant flash were sucked into the wood of the stave, completing
it.
Harry was also undergoing a similar experience, Emeralds flew into
the eye sockets of the Mythril shaped Archer Eagle and the deepest
red ruby elongated itself into the shape of a tongue and secured
itself into the open mouth of the Eagle. Blue sapphires liquefied
and bonded with the Archer Eagle, diamonds and emeralds merged onto
the stave.
Harry opened his eyes once again and saw the work of art his magic
had created. While it had felt warm and inviting the first time he
had held his wand, holding the stave, the feeling wore
indescribable, holding the stave he felt if his very magic was in
his hand.
While Harry was looking in awe at his stave, Draco had slumped down,
with Remus catching him before he hit the table.
Ar'Ron stepped over to check on Draco, placing his hand against
Draco's head then chest and pulled a potion out of his belt and
handed it to Remus. "He is going to be fine, a little tired when he
wakes up in about an hour, but this potion should set him to
rights." Ar'Ron said as he conjured a stretcher and placed Draco on
it with his stave on top of Draco.
Ollivander felt that this lesson had truly been an eye opening
experience and was thankful to be able to observe it. Gathering up
his and David's belonging he stood ready for the walk back to his
shop. Picking up the runic stone Ar'Ron let them use he tried to
hand it over.
"Keep hold of it until you finish building all the staves for the
guards. Hopefully by that time you will have been able to create
your won version to use." Ar'Ron told the old wand maker.
"Mr. Ollivander." Harry called out. "By the time you get up
Tuesday morning the shield will have been dropped and you can expect
people to be out and about, exploring the city and shops."
Mr. Ollivander and David thanked everyone and re-assured Remus his
wand would be done shortly, and then they started their walk back to the wand shop and their home.
Ar'Ron banished the tables and the group started their walk to the
castle and the family wing, guiding the stretcher that Draco was
sleeping peacefully on.
Harry lay there in the arms of Ar'Ron, snuggling close, knowing that
in a few minutes he had to get up and walk down to Commerce Street
and remove the shield gem. As he lay there his mind drifted back to
the dinner Sunday night.
The dinner had gone extremely well. Chan-son had set up buffet
tables along one wall full of the most interesting dishes.
Instead of a table with chairs Chan-son had arranged couches set in
small grouping to facilitate discussion, he said. And it worked
quite well.
Before Harry's could really start reliving that night, his musings
were interrupted
"You're up early Mel'Anin." Ar'Ron said as he gave a good morning
kiss to Harry.
"I have to be up in five minutes to go down and release the
shield." Harry murmured.
"I expect it will be an interesting day." Ar'Ron sighed.
Harry continued the conversation as he got out of bed and started to
get dressed. "If what I read in Jonathon Potters journal is correct,
when I remove the control gem all the shops that have activated
their orbs will be magically transported into their new quarters,
not sure how the housing part works though.
By this point Ar'Ron was out of bed and getting dressed himself.
"Remus mentioned that he thought about eighty percent of Commerce
Street would occupied and around forty percent of the city." Harry
rambled on.
"I was thinking after breakfast I would take a few books and camp
out in the Guard command center, at least till I have to meet Ron
and Ginny for lunch." Harry told his love.
"I wonder how many death eaters will be captured when they try to
enter the city today." Ar'Ron asked with an evil grin.
"Do you think I can blackmail, I mean convince Remus to handle the
press today?" Harry asked.
"You might, though you will probably have to bring out the big guns
and hit him with puppy dog eyes." Ar'Ron laughed.
Ar'Ron fastened his belt and took a look over towards Harry; he
looked so good in Elven dress. "Going for the full affect I see."
pointing to the cloak he had just fastened on.
With a shrug Harry said. "It will be easier to blend in among the
guards this way."
"Plus it looks good on you." Ar'Ron told him.
Harry stepped over to where Ar'Ron was standing and pulled him into
an embrace and a passionate kiss.
Looking into Harry's eyes he said. "How about I find Dobby and have
him set up a table on top of the inner wall and we can have
breakfast as the sun rises over the city."
Harry broke out into a huge grin. "I will meet you there."
With one last kiss Ar'Ron released his hold on Harry and they walked
out of the bedroom together.
After Harry had left the family wing Ar'Ron called for Dobby.
A few seconds later an immaculately dressed Impare popped in. "Majesty calls for Dobby."
"You look good Dobby." Ar'Ron told the little Impare' before
getting to the reason he called. "Harry and I are going to eat
breakfast today out on the inner wall. If you could set up a table
for us, make it romantic if you would. I think a pot of hot tea at
first then if you would serve breakfast so we can eat it just as the
sun rises over the city."
Dobby got a huge grin on his face and started bouncing up and down
on his feet. "Dobby knows just the thing." he said bouncing his head
up and down before popping out.
Ar'Ron then walked out of the family wing himself and down the steps
leaving the palace into the castle. Walking out to the landing and
down the steps he stepped on the transport step and ended up down on
the first floor of the castle.
Walking down the hall and into the great entry hall he noticed Percy
putting his belongings behind the desk.
"Percy. You are here awfully early." Ar'Ron said as he walked over
to where Percy was.
Startled Percy turned around to see the powerful Elf that was with
Harry the last week. Not sure who he was dealing with, but
remembering how he seemed to be in charge and made him head of the
castle information department, he decided to be safe. "Yes Sir,
there is an early department heads meeting and I wanted to get here
early to prepare."
Seeing the questioning look Percy had Ar'Ron decided to introduce
himself properly. Letting the glamour drop completely that hid his
crown. "I am Ar'Ron, Harry's soul mate and King of the Astarii."
Percy was shocked, Harry had a soul mate, and he was a king. He
wondered if his family knew about this.
"Harry wants to avoid the press as much as possible today. He plans
to convince Remus to handle any questions the press might come up
with. So get with Remus when he comes down and see what the wants to
do." Ar'Ron told Percy.
"Yes sir." Percy said as he wrote down the instructions.
Ar'Ron turned to leave, stopped and turned his head. "One last
thing Percy, if Dumbledore would happen to show up, ask him to wait
and send a note up to the guard command center and let Alastor deal
with him. Under no circumstances answer any of his questions."
"Yes sir" Percy said practically snapping to attention.
Ar'Ron continued his walk over to the room that held the transport
stone and used it to go to the inner wall.
As Harry walked down the street toward the shopping district he got
lost in thought, thinking back to the other morning when he met up
with Dargoth for is shopping trip to the goblin shopping district.
Dargoth had taken Harry down into a large cavern with a large river
snaking through it; the riverfront is where the shops were located.
Good thing Harry was used to all the stares he received when out and
about in the Wizarding world, as the goblins in the shopping
district were defiantly staring.
Harry looked at the window displays as he passed shops, and for the
most part they had counterparts in Diagon Ally.
Soon Dargoth stopped in front of a shop that looked like it was a
jeweler. "My Prince this is one of the finest jewelry shops in the
district. We should be able to find an appropriate watch in here."
As they entered the shop the goblin behind the counter just stared
wide eyed at Harry.
Dargoth approached the shop keeper. "Lord Potter is in need of a
watch."
The shopkeeper blinked in surprise and quickly moved to the leftmost
counter that was full of watches. "What features would you like in
your watch Lord Potter."
"The only thing I am sure I want is for it to tell time like a
muggle digital watch and be waterproof. Anything else is just
extra." Harry replied.
Nodding his head the shopkeeper pulled several trays out of the
case. Pointing to the first tray he said. These are like you
require and have the added feature of a dark magic detector built
in."
Pointing to the second tray he continued. "These also meet your
requirements and have various charms on them like shield charms."
Holding the third tray up, he finished. "Finally his tray Lord
Potter, though the watches are on the more expensive side, do what
you wish plus have a dark mark detector with mini map showing the
location of the person wearing the mark and a permanent port key
that will punch through wizard ant-port key wards."
Harry examined the watch. It looked good and was not to flashy. The
port key and map function he thought could come in handy. "Dargoth
what do you think, do you think this watch would be helpful for the
guards?" holding up one of the watches from the third tray.
"My Prince, they could be very useful especially if his majesty
would modify the port key function to include a landing spot in the
castle." Dargoth commented.
"Actually there is already a port key arrival room in the castle.
Once someone arrived they would be subject to the wards as soon as
they left the room." Harry answered.
"I could add a beacon function that would allow any wearer of this
watch with a beacon to be a point to point port key." The
shopkeeper spoke up.
Dargoth faced Harry. "My Prince with the beacon feature plus the
ones already on the watch, they would be very useful."
"Do you have five of these I can take now?" Harry asked holding up
a silver and platinum model.
With a slight bow the shopkeeper said. "Yes Prince."
"Good. Then I will want sixty-five of the gold ones modified with
the beacons to be delivered to the guard command center as soon as
possible." Harry told the shopkeeper.
Harry arrived outside Ollivander's wand shop and focused on the here
and now. Looking down the street he saw several goblins and dwarves
putting finishing touches of their storefronts.
Looking at the open doorway that Ar'Ron made, Harry quickly found
the destruction rune in the upper left hand corner. Pressing his
finger on it he channeled some of his magic into it and watched as
the doorway was destroyed and Ollivander's front window was once
again whole.
Reaching out his hand Harry plucked the control gem off of the
doorframe and noticed another destruction rune inscribed, hidden by
the gem. Once again he placed his finer on it and channeled some of
his magic into it and the shields came down.
Looking off down the street Harry noticed the first pale gray rays
of dawn approaching and turned and hurried towards the hidden stairs
leading up to the top of the inner wall.
After entering the secret passage inside the long arch, Harry
quickly strode up the stairs to the top, and noticed the table all
laid out with flowers and candles, over top of where the center of
the arch would be. Ar'Ron was sitting with his chair facing sideways
looking out over the city drinking a cup of tea.
Walking over to Ar'Ron, Harry leaned over and kissed him in greeting
before taking his own chair and turning it to face the city like
Ar'Ron's.
As soon as he sat down Dobby popped in holding a teacup and a pot of
tea. "Harry Potter Sirs breakfast be ready in 5 minutes." Dobby
said before popping back out.
They sat there in silence enjoying the peace and quiet of the city.
Soon the grays of pre-dawn gave way to the reds and yellows as the
sun started to rise.
Dobby popped back in and set the table with waffles, sausage, bacon
and juice.
As the two fixed their plates Harry stopped as he caught site of the
spires of a castle in the distance. "Hogwarts." he whispered
Ar'Ron looked up when he heard Harry whisper out Hogwarts. "She
looks stunning with the sun rising behind her. She has such a bright
future in front of her."
Harry turned back and finished filling his plate. "Yes she does,
even with all the changes that are about to happen."
Unbeknownst to the two eating in comfortable silence on top of the
wall, shopkeepers and city residents starting stirring. Almost all
looked up to the wall to see the Lord and another eating at a small
table atop the inner wall, occasionally looking out over the city
with smiles on their faces.
"So this is where the two of you are hiding out." Remus said
walking towards the table.
"Morning Remus" Harry said looking over at the approaching figure.
Stopping and staring out across the table towards Hogwarts Castle in
the distance Remus whispered out. "It's beautiful isn't it?"
"Yes it is. What brings you down so early?" Asked Ar'Ron.
"Breakfast" Remus replied. Then seeing the arched eyebrow from
Harry he further explained. "All of us woke early so that we could
watch the sun rise behind Hogwarts. Then Draco noticed the two of
you from the tower eating breakfast and we all decided that we would
join you."
As Remus finished two tables popped into existence on either side of
the arch. And footsteps could be heard as Draco and Narcissa walked
to the table. As they sat down multiple pops could be heard as the
Impare' and three house elf's joined the group for breakfast.
"Good morning my Lord" Narcissa said as she sat down.
"Morning Lord Potter" Draco said as he smirked when he saw Harry
flinch slightly.
"Good morning family." Harry threw back.
Silence reigned for the next fifteen minutes as everyone ate. Harry
noticed that Commerce Street had gotten very busy as the shop owners
and employee's put the finishing touches on their shops.
Setting down his glass Ar'Ron looked over at the Impare' sitting
around the table with several of them finishing up notes. Glancing
over at eth other table he noticed Narcissa also had a stack of
parchment near her.
"I think this once, we shall hold our breakfast meeting out here,
it seems a shame to go inside just for a quick meeting and leave
this wonderful view." Ar'Ron said out loud.
"Tinkly, I see you have a stack of notes. Would you like to go
first?" Asked Ar'Ron.
Tinkly nodded his head. "Majesty, I have a list of livestock I
would like permission to acquire for the farm." He said as he held
up his stack of notes and watched as Ar'Ron held out his hand and
they appeared in his hand.
Ar'Ron quickly scanned through the notes, noting that several
Japanese livestock names were on the list. Noting the numbers seemed
low, "Tinkly is this list for breeding stock or just stock for
raising for the table?" Ar'Ron asked
"Oh no's just raising stock." Tinkly said.
Ar'Ron concentrated in front of him and with a wave of his hand a 3d
representation of the palace and domes floated in the air in front
of him.
He tapped the farm dome and they watched as it grew larger. They
watched on in awe as Ar'Ron drew slopping tunnels leading from the
farm dome to four new domes. Only Remus had seen this before, but he
was still awed by the magic that was involved. He set the 3d
representation twirling so he could see it from all sides. Nodding
his head in satisfaction he gave a wave of his and a snap of his
fingers and it vanished.
"Tinkly, you will find four new farm domes open for your use
tomorrow. I approve the list and request that you make sure you buy
enough breeding stock so we can raise our own replacements. Get with
Dobby later with how many new elf's we need to get to be able to
work the farms properly. Oh and one of the farms is solely
Aquaculture, I would think you would need three or four for that
dome alone." Ar'Ron said as he returned the notes to Tinkly.
"Might as well do this in departments; Inky I see you also have a
list." Ar'Ron said looking at the other farming Impare'.
"Majesty, I is having list of new seeds and plants Ishy is
bringing." Inky said with Ishy nodding his head up and down
vigorously.
"Get them, any seeds slips or trees you need just go ahead and buy
what you need." Ar'Ron said.
"Dobby it seems you are the last over there with any notes."
Ar'Ron noticed
"Harry Potter Sir" Started Dobby, "Wes asks for swords and
lesson with the King of bolts."
Ar'Ron looked over to Harry to see if he knew what Dobby was talking
about, Harry mouthed back Kingsley.
Harry thought on the request, he knew Dobby took his vow as his
protector very seriously and was quite shocked when he brought back
three other elf's from Japan that shared his views.
"Dobby, you may ask Kingsley to teach the four of you the
basics. If you show any promise with practice weapons we will get
you swords and I will hire a master of the blade to further your
training." Harry told them. Seeing the smile of glee on their faces
he added one last thing. "If you do this, you will have to give an
oath of magic not to take matters into your own hands, I will make
sure you know the full oath before you have to make it."
As Harry said this he looked over at Ar'Ron for support since he had
no idea what he was getting himself into.
Ar'Ron smiled at the lost look Harry gave him. Looking back towards
the table of Impare' "Any thing else any one needs?" He asked.
Seeing negative nods from the Impare' Harry and Ar'Ron turned
towards Narcissa, Remus and Draco
Harry seeing the stack of parchment next to Narcissa sighed. "Narcissa is it too much to hope that stack of papers is not meant for
me?"
"Afraid not my Lord," Narcissa smirked.
Then continuing on she said. "I have heard back from the other four
members of the Council and they are looking forward to meeting you
next week. I also have a copy of the guest list for the ball for you. Everyone that was invited has RSVP'D that they are planning to attend."
"How many are coming to the ball?" Harry asked, fearing the answer
in the way Narcissa said ball with a twinkle in her eyes. Nope did
not trust twinkles at all.
Looking down at her notes to double check, Narcissa told him. "Eight hundred or so at last count."
A look of horror was plastered to Harry's face at hearing the shear
number of people coming to the party.
Draco seeing the look on Harry's face could not contain his laughter.
"It will be alright Mel'Anin; you will not be the center of
attention of this gathering as there are four other lords and myself taking up a lot of the attention." Ar'Ron told the shocked young man.
Shaking his head Harry saw Draco and Remus having a laughing fit
over at their table, with an evil smirk he said. "Remus could you
and Draco do me a favor this morning?"
"Sure thing Harry what do you need?" asked a laughing Remus.
Seeing a lot of people start to arrive at the apparation point for
the street looking around in wonder, he stood up from the table. "Not
much, I just arranged for you two to handle any inquiries from the
press this morning." Harry said with his own smirk, took two steps
backwards and flung himself off of the wall, turning into his
animagus form before he was halfway down and flying back to the
castle.
Now it was Ar'Ron's turn to laugh at the expressions on Remus and
Draco's faces.
Laughing softly at the antics, Narcissa called Dobby over and handed
him the pile of parchment. "Could you put these on Harry's desk for
me please?"
Nodding his head Dobby popped out. Soon afterwards all the rest of
the Impare' and house elf's popped out to get started on their day.
Standing with the others Ar'Ron waved his hand banishing the tables
and chairs and joined them in their walk towards the stairs towards
the transport stone.
____________________________________________________________________
Albus was sitting at his desk wondering where it had all gone wrong.
Was it really that hard for the others to see the big picture? Harry
had slipped his leash and he needed to get him back under control.
Even if the prophecy was no longer valid, Harry had the shear power
to destroy Voldemort and was to dangerous not to be under his
control.
He got up from his chair to stand at the window trying to come up
with a plan that would gain him control over Harry and keep his new
guardian in the background, he might even need to arrange a fatal
accident for his guardian, its not like he hasn't had to do it
before.
As the sun started to rise he was startled to see a huge castle, one
that dwarfed Hogwarts and a city that surrounded it appear with the
morning sun.
Turning Albus ran down the steps of his office and past the milling
teachers on their way to the great hall for breakfast. Ignoring the
cries from his staff he continued to run out the front doors of the
castle towards the apparation point down by the front gate.
The staff followed Albus as he ran out the front doors yelling out
trying to find out what the emergency was. Upon going through the
front doors they stopped in shock as they took in the vision of the
city and castle in the distance.
Minerva whispered out "Stay safe Mr. Potter, I fear you now have
two madmen after you."
Professor Flitwick and Hagrid were the only two to overhear her.
Albus quickly made it to the front gates and passed the wards,
allowing him to apparate towards the city in the distance.
Apparating in he soon found himself along with others and the main
apparation point for Commerce Street.
Looking around he soon noticed the castle further up the street and
an archway leading through the wall. Walking swiftly passed the
crowd of people he followed the street up to the castle.
After a forty minute walk, as he tried several times to apparate
closer to the castle without success, he was at the front doors.
Entering the hall that was larger than the great hall at Hogwarts; a
quick scan around he settled on the desk against the wall with the
Potter Family Crest on it.
Percy seeing the headmaster walk into the castle took out a piece of
parchment and wrote a quick not to the guard commander that
Dumbledore was here.
As Dumbledore approached the desk he took note that Percy Weasely
was behind the desk. Another one of those damnable Weasely's this
one like the twins had turned down all his advances.
"Percy my boy if you would be so kind as to direct me to
Harry" Albus Dumbledore said as he stopped in front of the desk.
Not looking up Percy responded. "Good morning headmaster. I am
sorry to say that I cannot direct you as you wish."
Angered Albus slipped his wand out of his robes. If the impudent pup
was not going to give him the information he wanted he would rip it
out of his mind. "My boy I do not think you know who you are
dealing with."
In a cold angry voice Percy spat out. "I know exactly were my
loyalties lay Dumbledore and I know exactly what titles and
authority you no longer hold. You can only act in your authority as
headmaster of Hogwarts; all others have been dissolved with the
return of the Twelve."
Then looking up but not meeting Dumbledore's eyes, so he could not
use Legilimency on him, Percy finished "so if you are here in the
guise of headmaster you should be asking to speak to Harry's
guardian Not Harry. "
"Now listen here you..." Albus started to say aiming his wand towards
Percy.
"Albus, what are you doing here?" asked Alastor as he reached the
bottom of the stairs.
Finally he would get some answers. Albus turned to face Mad-Eye. "Mad-Eye, good you are here. I need you to take me to see Harry ...."
He stopped when he saw the weird robes Alastor was wearing
"What in Merlin's name are you wearing Mad-Eye." Albus managed to
get out.
"My uniform?" Alastor asked, seeing the nod he continued. "This
is the uniform of the city guard. And as for your order, you have no
right to give me orders. And no I will not take you to Harry."
"No matter what you have heard, Harry is not safe here, we need to
get him to a place of safety." Albus's voice got progressively
louder as he continued.
"Albus you need to leave. Do not come back unless you have
legitimate business with one of the departments of the ministry."
Alastor growled out.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, why are you here?" Asked Ar'Ron as he
walked down the steps.
Whirling around to face this new voice, Albus was confronted with
the same elf that was with Harry in Diagon Ally. "I am here to see
Harry and to take him some place safe."
"Even against his will? And the will of his guardian?" Ar'Ron asked.
"All that matters is that Harry needs to be someplace where he is
safe. Can you not see that I have the best interest of all in
keeping Harry safe?" Albus told him.
"I will remind you once again that I am Harry's guardian, not you.
You have no say in his life outside Hogwarts and very little while
he is at Hogwarts either." Ar'Ron reminded him.
"Now see here I will not be talked to in that way." Albus started.
his rant.
"Enough, be gone from here." Ar'Ron yelled out as he waved his
hand causing Dumbledore to disappear.
Percy seeing the flash of light and the headmaster disappear looked
up, "Um Sir, where did the headmaster go?"
Chuckling Ar'Ron answered Percy's question. "I banished him to a
place he could cool off; the large lake over by the school."
Mad -Eye chuckling is all Percy heard as the two of them walked up
the stairs into the guard territory.