Harry Potter and the Sword of the Hero

HARRY POTTER AND THE SWORD OF THE HERO

Chapter 21 - It Never Ends

History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.

--B. C. Forbes

The force of the impact jarred Harry's arm. The seemingly fragile ball hit the table so hard it splintered the front legs and the table fell in on itself. The ball remained whole and intact, though. Harry fell to his knees from the pain and began hitting the glass globe across the stone floor. It remained whole, not even a scratch upon its surface. Harry cried out again, cursing the ball that was slowly filling with a silvery red substance, and all the while his flesh burnt.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to wait it out, dear," cried Minra, staring fearfully at the boy before her. The Seeing Glass was glowing with a silvery red radiance and was so bright it was almost blinding. "Good lord...." she breathed.

Harry rose to his feet, tears in his eyes and jaw clenched. He was just about to use the Reductor curse on his hand when just as quickly as it had started, the ball stopped spinning. He was breathing heavily when his hand disconnected from the now still globe, and fell to the floor noisily, bouncing once before coming to rest at his feet, entirely unmarked. The same couldn't be said about his hand though. Harry's entire arm was shaking as small wisps of smoke rose from his searing hot hand. Fearing what he might see, Harry slowly turned his palm up to his dread filled eyes.

"Ah...." he sighed, sounding more regretful than actually hurt. His palm and the skin running up his fingers, the entire reverse side of his hand was pitch black and in places it was glowing red, like the dying embers of a fire as the wood cooled. It hurt beyond tears; it was more of a shock than anything else. He slowly flexed his fingers and cringed as the burnt skin flaked away. "What the hell just happened?" he croaked.

"Let me see, Mr. Potter," said Minra, having collected herself. She approached him with her wand drawn. "Oh come on now," she sighed as Harry shielded his hand from her. "I can heal it."

Harry frowned but found the mind numbing pain becoming too much. He presented his hand and heard Minra suck in a sharp breath at the sight of it. "That was not a small stinging sensation," he whispered, and the strict looking Minra smiled slightly, belying her character.

After a moment of studying it she took his hand in her own and placed her wand over the burnt flesh. Harry winced and turned away as she began muttering spells and rubbing her wand up and down his palm. "Sliver seam tux," she whispered, causing a jet of blue light to issue out of the tip of her wand and cover Harry's hand. It felt like his hand was encased in jelly. The blue 'gel' seemed to hover around his hand, swirling and shaking, before it sunk into the wound. Whatever the stuff was it rebuilt the destroyed flesh and Harry felt the pain subside dramatically. He chanced a look at his hand.

The first thing he saw was Minra sighing with relief. He then looked down at his hand and it was his turn to sigh. The black scorched skin had been healed, and replaced with raw pink skin. Harry balled his hand into a fist and winced as the raw skin flexed.

"It's going to need a bandage, "commented Minra. She raised her wand and with a quick flick long white bandages shot out of the end and wrapped themselves around Harry's wounded hand, encasing it tightly from the tips of his fingers to his wrist. He couldn't move it. "Give it a day or two, Mr. Potter," said Minra, who was now staring at the glass globe on the floor with a frown.

"What happened?" asked Harry, having overcome the shock of his slightly cremated hand.

Minra Algren didn't say anything. Instead she levitated the glowing ball onto a near by table, and stared astoundingly at its contents. She looked from the ball to Harry, and nervously bit her bottom lip.

"What does it mean...?" he whispered, rubbing the bandage on his hand absently. He was astounded by the glass ball just as Minra was. She had told him that an average person had about four teaspoons of the silver liquid in the ball. Looking at the ball now he saw that it was about a quarter full with silver liquid, many times more than an average person. But that wasn't all. Lying on top of the silver pure magic liquid was a separate layer of reddish liquid that filled the rest of the ball. It filled the remaining three quarters, shining brightly and crackling in the glass. It swirled against the curved circumference of the ball, but it didn't mix with the silver liquid it rested on.

Harry let fall his wounded hand to his side as he stared into the amazing red of the ball. The pain had gone, thankfully, and it was now nothing more than an annoyance. "What's the red mean?" he asked Minra.

Minra stared into the swirling substance, before turning away and looking into Harry's eyes. Harry returned her stare. He saw doubt in there, mingled with disbelief. "It means, Mr. Potter, that you have the potential to become the strongest wizard of our age..." Harry remained silent, a slight waver in his eyes the only sign that he had understood Minra. "The red substance in there," she waved her hand over the globe. "Is magic you have yet to tap into, yet to touch. The silver liquid, your pure magic, whilst more than I've ever seen from a single person, is only a small percentage of the true power inside of you. You have only ever scratched the surface of your potential."

Harry sighed with a nod and fell back into one of the classroom's chairs. "And why did it burn my hand?" he asked, subconsciously rubbing his bandaged hand again.

Minra smiled grimly. "It appears the longer a hand is on the globe, the hotter it becomes. I've only ever measured it against," she blinked, "average people. The longest a hand has ever been tied to the globe was five seconds, and that caused no more pain that the small stinging sensation I expected."

"So what can I do about it?" Harry asked, a little worried about the possible amount of power within him.

Minra tapped the ball with her hand and the liquid within disappeared. She seemed to be thinking about her answer. "Myself and the other five people you met this morning have come to train you, Harry. With time your magic will grow."

And what will I be then? he thought. Powerful enough to defeat Voldemort. The hero everyone says I am? God... There was the sound of hundreds of footsteps outside the room and Harry glanced at his watch to realise it was eight o 'clock. He'd been here since five. "I'm going to breakfast," he grumbled, glaring at the ball. "I hope you found my 'talent' knowledgeable," he ended bitterly, standing up and beginning to walk away.

Minra didn't say anything as he left, she held her tongue. Harry didn't know why he'd sounded so bitter as he joined the crowds outside heading towards the Great Hall. Maybe because it's only eight in the morning and you've already had your hand burnt to a crisp he told himself. No... Harry knew why he was angry. It was what he had just discovered. His magic was more powerful than most and it was still growing.

"They all seem like nice people," nodded Harry ten minutes later, as he sat around the Gryffindor table with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville. "I mean they're here to help me fight."

Ginny frowned. "What happened to your hand?" she asked, spotting the bandage for the first time.

"I burnt it," answered Harry truthfully. "Some test that Minra gave me, to see how much magic was in me."

Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville all remained silent. The conversations around the Hall going unheeded as the post owls descended upon the students. "What test?" asked Ron.

Harry shrugged. "Nothing much, just had to place my hand on this ball. It got a little to hot and burnt me." His friends remained unconvinced. They knew he wasn't telling them the whole truth. The disturbing truth in Harry's opinion, that he could become the most powerful wizard ever. "So... DA meeting tonight," he said, changing the subject.

"What will we be doing?" asked Neville.

Harry smiled. "You'll see." He had big plans for the DA, having been finalising said plans for the past week or so. I wonder how it's going to be accepted? Harry mused to himself, playing with the bacon on his plate.

*****

Defend.

"It burnt my hand...."

Strike. Miss.

"What?"

Parry. Blow.

"The bloody thing nearly reduced my hand to ash."

Block. Strike.

"And that's why you should never touch another person's balls!"

"Sod off," laughed Harry, as he parried a second consecutive blow from Dermas. They were down by the lake, in the clearing next to the fire pit. He and Trask had been down there all morning, practicing swordsmanship.

"Tuck your left arm in, keep it parallel to the ground whenever you can," instructed Trask, before proceeding to wrap Harry hard on the knuckles with his stick.

"GOD DAMN IT...." cried Harry, dropping his stick and shaking his hand viciously.

"You're beginning to show some improvement, Harry," said Trask, patting him on the back. "As I already said you have more determination than most."

Harry sighed. "Thanks, Trask," he nodded, sitting down on the wooden log.

"Don't worry about it, mate. Now did you get that book out of the library like I told you? The one on Godric Gryffindor." Dermas stared at him.

"Yeah, I did," replied Harry, fully aware that it was sitting up in his dorm in Gryffindor tower. He hadn't even opened it.

"Well what did you think of it? I thought it should've at least helped you overcome a few... inner demons." Trask swung his stick gracefully through the air.

Harry sighed again. "To be honest I haven't even opened it yet. Been a bit busy with everything."

Trask stared at him for a moment and then blinked. "You're missing something good in that book. It's one of the few in this world that actually leave a mark. It make's a whole lot of sense."

"You like to read?" asked Harry, rubbing his sore knuckles.

Dermas nodded. "If I had to choose between reading and swords, I'd choose reading. There is more power in words, than there can ever be in magic."

Harry fell silent for a moment. He had never known Trask to be so... deep. It was a side of him Harry felt was very rarely shown, to anyone. He was discovering a lot more about this man. "You should talk to, Hermione," nodded Harry. "She's absolutely is fascinated with books."

As Harry said this he looked behind his shoulder and saw across the grounds. By Hagrid's hut stood the sixth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws taking Care of magical Creatures. He could just make out Ron's flame red hair from where he was, studying the Chimera Hagrid had had imported. He turned back to Dermas.

"Ready to go again?" he asked.

"Sure-"

"Excuse me, Dermas," said a voice to Harry's right. He turned and saw Rose Appleton, one of his trainers, standing on the small rise of the embankment that ran parallel to the road.

"What can I do for you, Rose?" asked Trask, standing and smiling.

Rose smiled and Harry thought he saw something in her eye as she looked at Dermas. "I was hoping to steal Harry from you," she said, quickly glancing at him. "Minra told me something fascinating and I'd like to begin his magical tuning."

Dermas grinned. "I don't know," he said slowly. "What do you say, Harry. Would you rather stay here with me?" He twirled his stick menacingly. "Or head on back up to the castle?"

Harry laughed, fully aware of his throbbing knuckles. "I think I'll head back up to the castle."

Rose laughed at Dermas' pouting and Harry stood up, he walked over to her. "You're welcome to come as well," Rose said to Dermas.

"Excellent," cried Trask, his strong Irish accent ringing clearly across the grounds. He bounded across to Rose and looped her arm in his. Harry fell in line with them as they began to walk back up to the castle.

As the walked the cool January breeze blew across the castle grounds. It stirred the trees and Harry wrapped his cloak around himself to keep out the cold. Snow had fallen again last night but the sky was clear now as he waded through the shin deep white powder. Trask and Rose laughed and talked happily ahead of him as they walked. Harry thought they may have been old friends and from the way Dermas was carrying on, more than that at one point.

They entered the castle and all was silent. The entire school was quiet as lessons were in progress. Harry followed Rose and Dermas across the expanse of the Entrance Hall and over to one of the disused classrooms of the ground floor. The door creaked on its hinges from disuse as they entered and Harry coughed from the dust in the air.

"This won't do," said Rose, pulling her wand out of her robes with a shake of her head. Without saying an incantation she waved her wand and ever speck of dust in the room rose off whatever surface it clung to and flew out of the open window and up into the cool air.

"Nice," commented Dermas, sitting himself in one of the old chairs. Harry sat next to him.

"Right now," began Rose. "Let's begin with the obvious. What is magical tuning?" She looked at Harry.

Harry shrugged. "I've never heard of it," he confessed.

Rose nodded. "Not many have. It is a very obscure and advanced branch of magic that few ever bother with. It is incredibly difficult, but extremely useful." Rose paused but Harry held her gaze.

"This is the exciting part," whispered Dermas.

"One of the many aspects of magical tuning is using your mind to control magic," began Rose. "There are basically three levels of magic."

"And what are they?" asked Harry.

Rose smiled. "Wand magic," she flicked her wand again and the desk to Harry's left was levitated up into the air. She spun it a few times before bringing it back down to the floor. "Wandless magic," Rose continued, again levitating the desk only this time using her hand.

"This is my favourite," whispered Trask, leaning over and punching him playfully on the arm. "Here it comes...."

"And finally," began Rose. She put her wand in her pocket and her arms hung loosely to her sides. The chair that Dermas was sitting on suddenly and unexpectedly lifted seven feet of the ground and began to spin around the classroom. Trask grasped it as hard as he could, his white robes bellowing out behind him.

"Damn it, woman," he cried.

Harry laughed but it instantly gave way to confusion. No one had uttered a spell or used a wand. There had also been no hand gestures from Rose. It wasn't wandless magic. "How?" he asked turning back to Rose, who was smiling and following Dermas around the classroom with only her eyes.

Rose blinked and Dermas came safely back down, laughing as his stool touched the classroom floor. "Thought magic, Mr. Potter. The strongest magic in existence is magic of pure thought."

"You mean you just 'thought' the levitation spell, and levitated Trask!" Harry said astounded.

"Indeed," smiled Rose. "It is incredibly difficult and most magical folk don't bother with it, as a wand is much quicker to work with and most of the time more effective."

Harry found he agreed with that. "Then why bother to practice it at all?"

Rose's face hardened into a mask of seriousness. "We are all familiar with your... life, Mr. Potter. If you ever lose your wand, Thought magic can be an amazing weapon against dark wizards and even You-Know-Who."

Harry nodded. "Call him Voldemort," he said absently, fiddling with the bandage on his hand. He saw Rose twitch at the name, but Trask didn't. "His power comes mostly from fear. Don't fear the name. It's only helping him in the long run."

A silence fell on the room for a moment and the shadows seemed to darken. That was until Dermas spoke. "That's right," he joked. "I don't call him You-Know-Who, mostly I just call him Bastard."

Harry laughed again and saw a smile playing around the corners of Rose's mouth. "Well as I said," continued Rose. "It is incredibly difficult. It has taken me years of study to get to where I am in the art today. Though you will be practicing everyday," she ended.

"Can we start now?" asked Harry eagerly. He saw the advantage of having another means to use magic.

"I don't see why not, but be warned that you probably won't achieve much, if anything at all."

Harry nodded with understanding as, with a quick wave of Rose's hand, a feather appeared on the desk before him. "Now what I want you to attempt, Harry, is to levitate that feather. Make it rise off the desk without a wand or any gestures with your hands. Through pure thought make that feather fly around the room."

Harry stared intently at the feather, forcing his will upon it, telling it to float. Nothing happened, the feather remained completely still. He tried again, telling the feather to rise, commanding it to. Again nothing happened. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he tried to direct some of his power into making the object rise. The minutes ticked slowly by. Harry vaguely heard Dermas talking with Rose but his entire concentration was upon making the feather float.

"It's impossible," he sighed, throwing his arms up and leaning back. He stared angrily at the feather.

"It's all right, Harry," whispered Rose. "No one gets it their first time."

"I don't see what I'm doing wrong?" he mumbled, asking for help.

"Minra told me your pure magic levels were... high," Harry nodded as Rose continued. "Try and tap into that power. Use emotion if you have to, it governs our magic more than rational thinking. Find it and then direct it towards what you want to achieve."

Harry sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair. He had no idea how to tap into his power. It's just there when I need it he thought. I've never been able to use pure magic whenever I wanted.... That's not true he continued every time you use wandless magic, that is done with pure magic. With a renewed determination Harry stared at the feather intently.

He repeated the words of the levitation spell in his head. Wingardium Leviosa... Over and over again he tried, but to no avail. Time passed slowly as his entire thought was bent upon the feather and getting it to rise. He searched deep for his magic, looking for that familiar warm feeling that his magic held. There was nothing. It was as if he had no magic. Harry began to get frustrated at his lack of progress.

Emotions he thought. Use emotions... Anger had served him well in his more recent battles. At Abingdon it had allowed him to conjure an impassable shield, and have the strength to levitate a bus. He thought about that attack and the countless dead, shot down defencelessly. A quick Avada Kedavra curse that had killed so many. He saw Ethan in his last moments of life. His mind flicked further back and Harry closed his eyes as he saw the Diagon Alley massacre through the eyes of his enemy. Further back and the Dursleys last moments of life before Voldemort destroyed number four Privet Drive. Back only a few weeks from there and he saw the curse that knocked Sirius back through the veil. Bellatrix Lestrange had been responsible for that one.

All of these thoughts enraged him, causing the reaction he had desired. His pure magic was bubbling inside of him and Harry opened his eyes quickly and the feather promptly exploded in a ball of blue and red flames. It scorched the desk as it was reduced to nothing more than black ash.

"Wow," muttered Rose. "A little too much... energy, Harry. Try and curb your force next time."

Harry was panting heavily as he began to calm down. That was the first time he had intentionally, purposely touched the deep well of magic that resided in him. If he was honest with himself what he saw and felt had scared him. He had called for the magic, it had responded. The only way he could describe it was as if he were standing on a small spit of land that was surrounded by a never ending ocean. Nothing but a dark horizon in every direction. The small spit of land was what made him Harry, his consciousness and the ocean was his magic. It was the first time he fully grasped the amount of strength and magically capability that resided in him. The power was limitless, untouched, just waiting for his use. And he had shied from it.

"God...." he whispered under his breath. He had suddenly developed a splitting headache, much like the one he received after a nasty scar attack.

"You okay, Harry?" asked Dermas.

"I'm fine..." mumbled Harry standing up with a hand on his forehead. "Used a little bit too much magic..."

"That's an understatement," commented Rose. "Do you want to try again?"

Harry blinked to clear his head. He couldn't shake away the feeling that he was more magic than human. That he was just a tool of Fate created out of magic to destroy Voldemort. No he thought, you are your own person. You were yourself before you even knew about magic! That made sense he told himself, tried to convince himself that he was more than a weapon. There was still a shadow of doubt in the back of his mind. "I -er- I don't think I want to try again."

"That's probably for the best," she agreed, her gaze trailing over the scorch marks on the table. "But a routine is going to be developed soon. You're going to have to deal with all of us trainers all day everyday." She smiled at the end and Harry nodded back.

"Right then... I'll think I'll head back up to Gryffindor tower," he said, rubbing his tingling scar. "I'll see you later, Dermas. Thank you, Ms. Appleton."

"You're welcome, Harry, and it's Rose. Call me Rose."

Harry nodded. "Okay... I'll see you later."

*****

One thing I learned during my childhood, which stayed with me for the rest of my life, was that my Fate was of my own making. No God, no man, no magic had control over me in the end. I was always more than Fate's warrior, it just took me one hundred years and a dead brother to realise that...

Harry was sitting in his favourite armchair by the fire, the soft glowing embers filling the empty room with much needed heat. It had just gone five and he was reading the book on Gryffindor that Dermas had said would help him. He had been there most of the afternoon, reading.

The book itself, he had discovered, was more of a collection of essays and notes written by Gryffindor himself, than a detailed script of his life. Gryffindor had written it during his war with Slytherin and it discussed his feelings and emotions as he went through that.

From what he had already read, Harry found that his life bore a striking resemblance to Gryffindor's. Gryffindor was an orphan, he had had a rough childhood, and he had been the mortal enemy of a Dark Lord. He had questioned his worth in the world, and whether or not he was using his magic or his magic was using him. He continued to read:

November 15^th 996

Today I discovered without a shadow of a doubt that the rumours were true. My brother has become my enemy. A war has begun and at its head are Slytherin and I. The unknown dark wizard has finally revealed himself as my life long friend. Above all I am angered by this betrayal, but I can't help but feel a deep sense of loss inside of me.

I never had a family. Helga, Rowena, and Salazar were my kin. He was the brother I had longed for in my youth. We were going to grow old together, teach magic to the coming generations.... I loved him, my brother. At times we were one soul and mind inhabiting two bodies. Evil ripped us apart, and then set us against each other.

I wonder now, as the news of more Muggle death arrives, if I could have prevented this. There were many signs over the years, his favouritism to purebloods, his anger and growing power. I suppose I was blinded, did not want to believe it was true, whilst all the while it was staring me right in the face. If I had seen... then thousands may still be alive.

Though I do not live in regret. I have lost friends, loved ones, as have we all to the monster that my brother has become. I will not drift through the unfairness of it all, cry to the heavens for a second chance. What became of my life happened for some greater purpose, I accept that and I also accept that not even the Gods can change the past.

I cannot hide from it any longer. I did not want to believe and thousands are lost for that mistake. I do now believe that Fate has chosen me, given me the power to kill my brother. It seems an impossible task and may yet prove to be....

Harry slammed the book shut and slipped it down the side of the armchair; he had had enough for now. It had certainly left him thinking, though, as he rose from the armchair and began to head down to the Great Hall for dinner.

Gryffindor had been as scared of his power as well... thought Harry, and had overcome it when he realised there was nothing he could do....

His thoughts took him all the way to the Great Hall and gave him some concept of acceptance. Harry entered the Hall and found a spare seat along the filling Gryffindor house table, next to Ginny who smiled warmly as he sat.

"How was your first day?" asked Ginny, referring to his training.

Harry blinked. he hadn't done much by the way of training. A bit of thought magic, which turned out to be a disaster, and some sword training with Trask. Though he had had his hand burnt to a crisp. "Different," he finally said, rubbing his bandaged hand. "Coming to the DA meeting tonight?"

"Of course,' she said, genuinely excited. "We're all dying to know what you plan on doing." She was subtly asking him.

Harry grinned. "You'll have to wait and see, but rest assured everything is going to change."

Harry was hungry after the day's events and when the food appeared he dug into it ravenously. He had just piled his plate with roast potatoes when Ron and Hermione arrived.

"It sounds... evil," muttered Ron as he sat down. Hermione sat next to him.

"No it doesn't," she laughed. "Just... difficult."

"He expects us all to be able to conjure a patronus by the end of the term!" cried Ron.

"What's this?" asked Harry.

"Moody wants everyone who has signed up for his extra defence lessons to be able to conjure a patronus..." said Hermione.

"By the end of term!" added Ron sourly.

"Well what's wrong with that?" began Harry. "Hermione can do it. Ron yours is coming along well and will probably have a proper form soon. Ginny you're doing good as well." Harry had been meaning to spend more time practicing the Patronus charm in the DA, but other more offensive spells had taken its place. A problem he would soon fix. "We'll spend some more time on them in the DA."

"Tonight?" asked Ron.

"Not sure if there'll be enough time tonight, but we'll see."

****

After dinner Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny headed up to the Room of Requirement. The meeting didn't officially start for half an hour so Harry wanted to use that time to put together what he was going to say. There were a lot of topics he was going to breach this evening, and probably a few won't be overly accepted by the group. He wanted to make sure he had enough argument to enforce his ideas and in the end sway most of the group his way.

He had no doubts that a few would object, but he had a few tricks up his sleeve. Zacharias Smith would undoubtedly be his usual sarcastic self, but hopefully too many others wouldn't argue. What he had planned was important, especially for the safety of everybody in the school.

As soon as the clock struck seven thirty members began to arrive. The first through the door were Neville and Luna, hand in hand. Harry smiled slightly but didn't mention it to anyone. He looked across the room and saw Ron and Hermione talking quietly on one of the bigger bean bags, they seemed very close at the moment and Harry thought he'd leave them be. Ginny was examining the dark detectors on one of the many tables.

More and more members began to arrive and in the next ten minutes, everyone was accounted for. After Neville and Luna came the Patil twins with Lavender and Harry gave Padma a small smile, which she returned. They were followed by Seamus, Dean and Justin Finch-Fletchley who shook Harry's hand as they entered. The rest of the members arrived at the same time a few minutes later. Susan Bones, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Anthony Goldstein, Ernie Macmillan, and Zacharias Smith.

Also, as Harry had asked her after dinner, Cho Chang had arrived with Michael Corner. He felt no anger or resentment towards Cho. She hadn't known her friend was going to betray them, and Harry didn't hold it against her. She was Head Girl now as well, and Harry knew she would be an important part of his plans. She didn't know that though and gave Harry a small nod as she sat down next to Michael.

That's everyone thought Harry as he took his place up the front of the group. Before he spoke he looked out at the group in front of him. He immediately missed Ethan from the crowd and realised that most wouldn't have realised he was gone. The group itself wasn't as big as Harry would have liked now things were stepping up in the war. If he wanted to make the castle safe he was going to have to increase membership. But that led to questions of loyalty and mistrust, but he had a solution to that as well. He noticed that several people in the group were looking at him with what bordered on reverence. Harry assumed they had questions, and would let them ask a few.

"Okay," he began, rubbing his hands together. "Good evening. I'm glad everyone could make it tonight, as I'm planning on making some big changes."

Every eye on the room was upon him as he spoke. Even his friends were interested in what he had to say, as he had guarded his plans closely. "But I know from the looks on your faces that you're all dying to ask me some questions. So go ahead now."

There was surprise for a moment in the room as most had never known Harry to be so open and straight forward. After the initial shock was over, everybody seemed to be waiting for someone else to ask the first question. There was an awkward silence as Harry quietly paced up and down the room. Eventually someone spoke up.

"Is what the Prophet wrote about you true?" asked Cho.

Harry stopped pacing and stared deep into Cho's eyes for a moment and thought about his answer. If he explained it now then it would be all over the school by tomorrow afternoon... but that was what he wanted, to show people that someone was destined to take a stand. "Every word of it," he began quietly, his voice void of emotion. "The prophecy they printed, the explanation they gave. It is, without a doubt, correct. I will face Voldemort at the end, and only one of us will walk away."

Silence was absolute in the room and among the crowd as they processed what Harry had said. Some were looking at him fearfully, while others (such as Zacharias Smith) were looking at him like he was crazy.

"Any other questions?" he asked, putting on a brave face.

There was a moment given and Harry was about to carry on with his plan, when someone spoke. "Is it true you were at that attack in the Muggle city?" squeaked Dennis Creevey.

Harry turned to look at him as a thousand images of that disaster in Abingdon raced through his mind. He saw mostly Ethan slowly dying. "I was there," he nodded, but gave no further explanation. Ron and Hermione smiled knowingly from their bean bag up the back.

"My aunt," began Susan Bones, but stopped when Harry turned to look at her. He nodded and after a moment she continued. "My aunt told me that you caught twenty Death Eater's single handily... is that true?"

Harry remembered Dumbledore telling him that those Death Eater's had still been stunned as the Aurors arrived on the scene over three weeks ago now. They had been interrogated and were now incarcerated in Azkaban. Voldemort would probably try and break them out soon, if they were important enough. He nodded and many of the group looked at him with admiration. "I got lucky," he said. "Okay... enough questions."

A few people looked like they might want to ask some more questions, but saw the look on Harry's face and decided against it. "Right, time to start things then," he whispered to himself. "I'll start again now a few things are out of the way..."

Harry surveyed the crowd a moment and then began. "Welcome to the first Defence Association meeting of the new term. I'm sorry to say we won't be doing anything defence wise today." Everybody immediately looked down at this. "But we will be doing something as equally, and maybe even more important that that at the moment."

Harry paused to let the seriousness in his voice sink in. He continued soon after. "Death Eater spies are absolutely everywhere in our world. I'm fairly sure there are quite a few here at Hogwart's. There are undoubtedly Death Eater sympathiser's in the school as well." Another moment to let it sink in. "Now... what I'm about to suggest is real. It may be dangerous and it will give every single one of you an active role in the fight against Voldemort."

Nervous glances were being exchanged between the group now. Not even Ron and Hermione knew the full extent of Harry's plans and this was new to them. "From this meeting forth," Harry continued, "the DA will no longer be just a small club, a group of friends learning defence. From this meeting forth we are going to become a force to be reckoned with. From this meeting forth everything will change. We are going to operate within the school grounds. Highlighting dangers, solving problems and, most importantly, discovering how strong of a grip Voldemort has on our school and breaking that grip. In a sense we are going to become protectors of those who can't defend themselves. Let the student population know that Hogwarts is their's and if they are scared or worried for any reason, the DA is there to help."

Harry ended his speech here for a moment to see what effect this had on the group. It was slow at first, and the nervous glances between one another continued. But slowly, Neville started to clap and then everyone joined in. Harry inwardly sighed with relief, although he didn't show it, he was quite nervous.

"Thank you," he shouted raising his hands for silence. It still surprised him when the group obeyed. "But what I've just said is only the beginning of something much greater...." Harry paused there, and finally came to a decision. "Did any of you realise that are number is one less than what it should be?" He was referring to Ethan and from the sudden looks around at each other, no one had noticed. "Ethan Rafe... was killed over the Christmas break by... by Voldemort."

The effect that had was instantaneous. A collective gasp rose from the entire group (except Ron, Hermione and Ginny) and many covered their mouths in shock. "It wasn't mentioned earlier or by Dumbledore for reasons that are our own, but he is dead. I was the last person to see him before the end; I was with him as he died." Harry was carrying unshed tears in his eyes. "Ethan... kept many secrets and I'm sorry to say he paid the ultimate price for that. The DA will make sure that no student has to keep things locked away like Ethan did. We are going to train in both defensive and offensive magic and in time become the elite of the school, the protectors. Our group is going to become official. As students we hear a lot of things the professors don't. It is important that we use that information to drive Voldemort out of this castle forever."

The clapping was scattered this time, as some had a sceptical look upon their faces. This was where Harry would have to do his convincing, as he knew this was when the arguments would begin. Sure enough, once the clapping has died down, Zacharias Smith had something to say.

"How do you plan on doing this?" he asked sarcastically. "You're just a student like the rest of us."

Too easy thought Harry. "Haven't you been listening, Smith?" he began with a slight edge to his voice. "The DA is going to become official. That means we're going to send representatives to Albus Dumbledore and even the Ministry. We are going to be recognised as a capable fighting force, designed to protect Hogwarts. This is what I meant, people, by taking an active role in the war. You will be learning all you can about possible Death Eater's in the school and you will protect any student in danger." Harry was starting to get annoyed with the nervous glances people were sharing. "If anyone thinks they're not capable of this, you may leave now. I won't stop you..."

No one moved and all of them had just appreciated how serious their position in the DA had become. Some of them had just realised that they would have to fight in this war sooner or later, if you wanted to belong to the DA it would be sooner. Harry wasn't finished yet though.

"To properly do this we are going to need to boost our membership numbers. We are going to open up membership to anyone fifth year and above.... even Slytherins."

There was a moment of disbelief at this before the protests began. "Slytherin! You can't be serious?" shouted Ron. The shouts grew louder and Harry was struggling to make himself heard.

"Sonorus!" he whispered into his throat with his hand. "QUIET," Harry shouted and everybody in the room was immediately silent. Harry removed the sonorus spell. "Not all Slytherins are bad. Most just have the wrong idea and some would openly detest Voldemort if given a chance. Now, I'm willing to say that we will find Death Eater sympathisers in Slytherin and maybe even a few Death Eater's, but it won't be the only house. I personally know a Gryffindor who became a Death Eater and if it wasn't for him, Voldemort wouldn't have returned when he did." This shocked everyone in the room who didn't know the story of Peter Pettigrew. "You have all been blinded by years of house rivalry so I'm going to say it in plain simple English now. Not-all-Slytherins-are-Death-Eaters! They have just as much right to be in the DA as the rest of you do and it would be better anyway if we had a presence in each common room of every house. If you don't like it, there's the door." Harry waved his hand and the door to the Room of Requirement swung open. No one left, though and Harry closed the door.

"Before we continue now I want to make something very clear." There was no trace of emotion in his voice. "This is not a game. In the coming months and years you may be faced with fighting an enemy that will want to kill you. You will have to fight for our side in the war if Voldemort ever attacks Hogwarts. Is that understood? If he attacks you won't be hiding with the rest of the students, you will be facing his armies head on. I'll say it a final time now, anyone not comfortable with this may leave."

For the third time that night no one moved and Harry had to smile. "So be it..." he whispered, everyone heard him. It was then that Harry pulled out a sheet of parchment, about six feet long, from his magically enhanced pockets. "Everyone here has to prove their loyalty to the DA and to each other. This parchment is charmed so that only those who swear never to serve Voldemort or his Death Eater's in any way may write upon it. I ask all of you to write your name now. I'll go first."

Harry required a desk with ink and quill for the task and no sooner had he thought of it, than a small wooden table appeared in front of him, complete with a bottle of ink and an eagle feather quill. Harry smiled and shook his head as he placed the enchanted parchment on the table. To everyone else it had looked as though he'd conjured it without a wand, no one mentioned it though and only Ron, Hermione and Ginny realised it was the room that had done it.

"I'll go first," he said again, inking the quill. "You each do what I do." He placed the tip of the quill on the parchment. "I, Harry James Potter, swear my loyalty to the DA and its members and promise never to serve Lord Voldemort or his Death Eater's in any way possible." A small shower of golden sparks flew out of the end of the quill and Harry wrote his name at the top of the parchment. He then turned back to the group. "Who's next?" No one moved. "Don't all rush at once...."

Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Neville were the next to add their names to the list, and the other fifteen members of the present members soon followed. Harry was thankful that everyone was able to write their name. He didn't really have a plan if green sparks came out of the end of the quill, which was the sign that that person was lying and was already serving Voldemort somehow.

"Thank you," he said when everyone was seated again. "That's pretty much it for this evening; I told you it would be important. There are a few things, though, before we end it for tonight." Harry stopped and summoned a clean piece of parchment to him. Upon it he wrote the title, DA. "Now, there are a few issues which we need to be making a start on now. One of them being: who is going to go see Dumbledore and the Ministry, to tell them of our official status? I think it best if I do this one, if everybody agrees that is." Every person in the room nodded. "Ron, you can help me with that."

"Sure thing, mate," Ron said seriously from his bean bag at the back, as Harry wrote his and Ron's name on the parchment under the title, Ministry/Dumbledore.

"Next one is... recruitment. Who wants to find students, fifth year and up, who would be fit to join the DA? Bear in mind we're looking for people with a good magical talent, and have no sympathy for Voldemort." Hermione, Ginny, Cho and, surprisingly, Zacharias Smith raised their hands for this.

"Good," nodded Harry. "That's a representative from each house, except Slytherin. I want you all to look out for potential Slytherin candidates as well." They nodded in agreement and Harry wrote the names down under the title of Membership.

"One more thing tonight and then we're done for now," Harry called, glancing at his watch he saw that it had just gone nine o'clock. Everyone should be back in their common room now. "Cho," Harry began, looking into her eyes, "as Head Girl you have more power than most students. That is, the professor's will listen to you as will most of the students. I want you to handle publicising the DA. I want you to let everybody at Hogwarts know that if they have a serious, Voldemort related problem, then they can seek out a member of our organisation."

Cho nodded and agreed to do it. With that done it was the end of the meeting and most people were now talking excitedly about the new responsibilities that came with being in the DA. Harry gave them a few minutes before speaking again. "Thank you all for showing that you're not afraid to fight. Voldemort may be getting stronger but so are we. If everything goes to plan then soon he won't have a grip on our school. Now, everything is going to be a little bit disrupted as we set things up, so we might not get onto any spell work for a week or two but it won't be neglected." Harry paused for a moment. "Well that's it for tonight then. I think it best that once outside you don't repeat anything said in this room, not until we're better organised anyway. Thank you again for coming and goodnight."

After Harry finished talking the room began to empty quickly. Most in the group had just realised the time and weren't looking forward to having to dodge Filch in the hallways. Harry shook everyone's hand on the way out and soon it was only him, Ron, and Hermione left in the room.

"I've got to say, Harry, that was most unexpected," smiled Hermione, giving him a tight hug. "But if anyone can pull it off it's you."

"What are we going to say to the Ministry?" asked Ron, looking slightly amused.

Harry smiled and playfully hit him on the arm. "We'll just tell them what I just said. It's going to happen one way or another, and I'd rather the Ministry acknowledge us than not. We will definitely hear things they won't. We'll make then see that we have value."

Ron shrugged and Hermione smiled. "You've been planning this for a while," she said.

"Ideas been playing around in my head, yes," Harry grinned. He was rather pleased with himself after the night's events.

Ron and Hermione began to move towards the door but Harry sat down at one of the tables. "Aren't you coming, Harry?" asked Ron as he reached and opened the door.

"What's the matter?" asked Hermione.

"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just have some training to do before I head back. You know, my special training. I'll see you in the common room about forty five minutes."

"Okay," nodded Hermione. "Don't be too long."

"I won't be," he replied as she and Ron exited and closed the door with a creak. It was quiet now that the room was empty. Harry didn't require it to be this big so the room made itself smaller and more accommodating. "Okay...." sighed Harry, dropping his hands to his sides after conjuring a feather. "Thought magic here we go."

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