Harry Potter and the Elemental Wands

Harry Potter and the Elemental Wands
Chapter 1 - The Prospect of Normality

There is no one definition for a Dark Star. Ask different people, and you will always get different answers. In this case, however, it is probably a good thing. Dark Stars cannot be defined. They are beyond the three feeble dimensions in which we exist. They can only be seen by a select few; they cannot be touched by any means that the race of man possesses. They swallow planets in their wake. It is thought that they can cause events by their mere existence, and indeed, those born under the influence of a Dark Star are considered ones to whom things Happen.

This is the first part of the Dark Star trilogy - the tale of things explained, things unexplained, and things beyond explanation.

---

Harry Potter was having an unusually good holiday. The Dursleys, for some unknown reason, were closer to him than ever before. Instead of avoiding him on purpose and talking to him only when it was really necessary, they were accepting his presence without argument and talking to him almost every day. Harry surmised that they probably still didn't value his conversation very much, but he didn't care. Their hate for him seemed to be diminishing over time and as far as he was concerned, this was a good thing.

He studied openly, using the wealth of summer sunlight to read his books. Hedwig was even allowed out of her cage all day and he often only saw her at night when she swooped in on soft white wings to roost. Often, she brought back mail from Hermione and Ron and occasionally Hagrid, who bore news of what was happening at Hogwarts.

Professor Minerva McGonagall had also sent him a letter, though this was completely formal - his annual letter telling him what he needed for his year, his robes, his equipment, his books and much more. He had persuaded his Uncle Vernon to drive him to London and he himself had hunted out his supplies in the many shops in Diagon Alley. They were now stored safely next to his bookcase, except for his robes which hung neatly in his cupboard next to his normal clothes.

September the first was dawning upon Harry, coming quicker than it had ever seemed before. On the night of August the thirty-first, he carefully packed his trunk of all his magical possessions, except for one cloak into which he changed on the Hogwarts Express. Hedwig's cage was then moved from it's normal perch next to the window and placed carefully on top of the trunk, lest he forget it. Moonlight streamed in through the open window and onto the floor of his room. A strange sort of awareness came over him as the silvery light touched his face, igniting his green eyes into a sort of incandescence. It was almost as if a new mind had joined his, opening up a whole new world of thought. Harry paused, pondering on this, then shook his head firmly.

'Oh no,' he said out loud, to no one in particular except himself. 'You're going to have a normal year this time. No chasing three headed dogs, no conversing with snakes, no Divination and definitely no contests.'

He felt a little better after he said this, only to realise that he had chosen Divination again this year, despite hating it the last two years. The Study of Ancient Runes sounded much too like the History of Magic after all, and Arithmancy would be too hard to pick up after missing it for two years. Muttering darkly to himself, he walked bare-footed over to his bed and crawled under the sheets.
As Harry lay there, pondering over the good times he had had with Hermione and Ron, a strange song entered his mind. The tune was warm and familiar and it seemed to fill him out in the most satisfying way. It's light, yet mournful tune told of death and destruction, yet he couldn't seem to stop listening.
Humming the melody, he drifted into slumber while the stars moved westward and the moon faded into the lightening sky.

---

'Oi! Harry!' Was the first thing Harry heard as he slid unnaturally through the barrier at Platform 9 and Three-Quarters. Through the crowds of school children, he saw Ron Weasley's flaming red hair running vaguely in his direction.

'Ron!' he called, trying to reach his friend. 'I'm over here.'

At last they reached each other and embraced. 'I haven't seen you all summer!' Ron exclaimed. 'Hello Hedwig,' he added to his friend's owl. She hooted in response and gnawed on the bars of her cage.

'Stop that,' Harry said firmly to the owl. To Ron, he said, 'You wrote though. I got your letters.'

'And I got yours.' Ron was grinning ecstatically. 'You didn't seem too desperate to get out of the Dursley's house this time. What happened?'

'Would you believe that they're actually treating me semi decently now? They're not avoiding me anymore. Well, not really avoiding me anymore. Just not being overly friendly.'

'It's a start, Harry,' Ron declared. 'It's a start.'

'Is Hermione here?'

'She will be.' Ron shrugged. 'Believe me, she'll turn up. It's school, Harry. What were you thinking?'

Harry grinned broadly. 'I don't know. Ron, I've missed you!'

They embraced (though gruffly) a second time. Then Ron picked up Hedwig's cage.

'Let's get your stuff in the train,' he suggested, walking off.

Harry stared at him in disbelief. Trust Ron to leave him with the big clumsy trunk and take the smaller item. Lucky for him, Ron's brothers Fred and George, now in their last year, appeared beside him.

'Hello Harry,' they said in unison.

'Hello Fred, hello George. Don't suppose you'd help me with this giant thing?'

''Course.' Promptly, they picked it up together and heaved it over to the brightly coloured train.

'Thanks,' Harry said to them.

'No problem,' Fred grinned. 'Our pleasure Harry, old boy.'

He smirked to his twin and disappeared into the crowd. Harry stared after them, wondering what they were so pleased about. Ron re-appeared at his side, and carefully placed Hedwig's cage on top of Harry's trunk.

'Thanks, Ron,' Harry said mock sourly. 'How can I ever thank you for that selfless act of pure kindness?'

'An owl would be nice.'

'Oh, shut up.'

Ron pretended to look hurt, but then turned to look at something else. 'There's Hermione! Let's go!'

Weaving their way through the crowd, they finally met up with their over intelligent friend. She was wearing a rather pretty green sundress that complimented her brown hair that had somehow lost a lot of it's puffiness over the holidays.

'Ron! Harry!' she squealed, dropping her trunk and Crookshank's basket, which emitted a sharp hiss. She hugged them both. Harry exchanged a glance with Ron, who's face had turned something of the same shade as his hair.

'I got your letters,' Hermione continued. 'I had a great holiday. What'd you guys do?'

'Um ... not much,' Ron replied haltingly, as if afraid she would hug him again.

'That's a pity,' she said, shrugging. 'Harry?'

'Not much either. The Dursley's seem to be easing up on my life-long punishment though. I think they're almost talking to me everyday.'

'That's great!' Hermione's excited attitude seemed somewhat out of place. She was hardly ever this emotional, especially about coming back from holidays. But then, school was starting.

Ron checked his watch. 'We'd better get on the train. It's going to leave in a few minutes.'

He started towards the train, Hermione and Harry following closely, weaving in and out of the waves of students. They seated themselves in an empty carriage - but it wasn't empty for long. Ginny Weasley soon joined them, followed by Neville Longbottom and the twins Fred and George. Harry, however, adamantly refused to let Colin Creevey into the already crowded carriage and shut the door on him and his brother.

George chuckled at the disappointed look on Dennis Creevey's face as they went to find somewhere else to sit. 'Fan club wearing a bit thin now, eh Harry?'

Harry sighed. 'What d'you mean "now"? It's like having a pack of hounds following you everywhere, snapping at your heels.'

'It couldn't be that bad,' Fred shrugged. 'If all else fails, you can always send them off to fetch and carry things for you.'

Hermione frowned. 'You can't do that!' she said explosively. 'That's abominable - like slavery - like-' she struggled to control her words.

'Like house-elves?' Ginny supplied quietly, oblivious to the looks of intrepidation on the fifth years' faces.

Ron glared at his sister. 'Ginny!'

'It's okay,' Hermione assured him. 'I've been trying to purge myself of that nonsense.'

The carriage lurched dangerously as the Hogwarts Express began to move. And then they were off, heading towards Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for another year.

'Looking forward to having any adventures this year?' George asked Harry.

Who snorted derisively. 'Hardly. They're not nearly as fun as they seem. Sometimes I just sit and wonder 'Why me?''

'Because you're special,' Ron put in, imitating Professor Trelawney's faraway voice. 'Because you were born on the seventh moon when Saturn and Mercury were in eclipse ...'

The carriage exploded into laughter.

'But seriously,' Ginny asked him, concerned. Immediately, they became silent to hear her. 'Are you going to try and stay out of trouble this year, or just go as it comes?'

Harry hesitated, then spoke truthfully. 'I think I'll try and stay out of trouble. I don't know. I hope I can have a year as normal Hogwarts student. That'd be a nice change.'

Everyone went quiet, pondering on his words - even the twins. The silence was interrupted by a loud, obnoxious snore. Neville was sprawled on his seat, sleeping like a bear in hibernation.

The carriage exploded in giggles once more and the Hogwarts Express steamed onwards towards the the mystical castle school of Hogwarts.

---

Things had gone surprisingly smoothly for Harry so far. It seemed as if, for once, he might actually have a normal year. He rode in the horse drawn carriages from the station to the castle, and the journey was lingeringly uneventful, unlike the time he and Ron had flown Mr. Weasley's green car into a tree that hit back. They disembarked at the great wooden doors of the castle and six years worth of students piled into the castle that would be their home for the next nine months or so. The Great Hall was set up for the welcoming Feast, as usual, and Ron, Hermione and Harry (along with Ginny, a sleepy-eyed Neville and many others) seated themselves at the long Gryffindor table to await the Sorting of the new first years. Most of the teachers were in their normal seats - Professor McGonagall sat primly while Professor Sprout of Herbology chatted fleetingly to her. Snape was looking as foul as any other day, but that was only to be expected. Harry counted the rest of them off; Flitwick, Binns, Sinistra, (to his disgust) Trelawney, his good friend Hagrid, Professor Vector and a tall, blonde woman who Harry surmised was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She didn't look as if she was a very powerful or learned witch and he wondered why she had been chosen (perhaps, like Dean had once suggested, she was a vampire). One person he noticed wasn't seated where he normally was - the headmaster Dumbledore.

'Dumbledore's not here.' Hermione voiced his very thoughts. 'I wonder where he is.'

The headmaster came from behind them carrying the battered Sorting Hat, sweeping along like another of the silvery ghosts that floated about in random positions along the Hall. He paused in mid stride, then turned back to face them.

'Ah, Harry,' the old wizard said. 'I've been looking for you. There's something I need to talk to you about, and it's quite urgent. If you could come to my office after the Feast, that would be excellent. You know where it is, don't you? Yes ... good. If Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger would like to come along with you, by all means let them. Please try to remember.'

He swept on towards the empty stool in the front of the Hall and placed the Sorting Hat on it before darting to the side to sit on his customary chair. The chatter ceased as the hat opened it's tailored mouth and sang.

'I may look old; it has been said
But my thoughts are fresh and new
Just take and place me on your head
There's something I must do

A house you'll need before you start
At this school for sorcery
I see your mind, your thoughts, your heart
And detect all forgery.

The brave belong in Gryffindor
The lion 'ere will find
Rowena's raven guards the door
Whose key is but the mind

The loyal badger shows the host
where Hufflepuffs are to go,
The Slytherin snake, slyer than most
has secrets to bestow

All in all, put fear aside
I only touch your hair!
Your thoughts from me, you cannot hide
A chance not dull, but rare!'

It bowed customarily to each of the houses then became very still. Professor McGonagall rose and produced a list of parchment and began to read names very methodically.

'Allan, Vanessa!' A small, brown haired girl headed towards the hat.

'This is going to be very tedious,' Ron muttered softly. 'And yet, I've only ever seen two other Sortings.'

'How do you think the other students felt when you were being sorted?' Hermione hissed in an undertone.

Ron shrugged. 'I'm never going to talk to most of them, so why should I care?'

'Fitzpatrick, Jessica!'

Harry was still pondering Dumbledore's words. The term hadn't even started yet so he couldn't have gotten in to trouble. Nothing unusual had happened over the holidays either, unless one counted the Dursley's near decency (in any other family, he guessed, it wouldn't be such an anomaly). He looked around the Hall for anything unusual, but only succeeded in going as far as Cho Chang who sat at the Ravenclaw table. His eyes seemed unable to go any further.

'Hufflepuff!' the Hat called and a boy scuttled off to the table decorated with canary yellow streamers.

'Dreaming again?' Ron snickered, exchanging a glance with Hermione, who looked offended. 'Harry, if it's Cho you're after, why don't you just talk to her?'

'I've already tried that,' Harry replied, not taking his eyes off the dark haired girl. 'At the Yule Ball last year, remember? And she turned me down for Cedric.'

'You don't have to ask her to a ball, you know.'

'I wouldn't know what to say.'

'Ask Hermione. She's a girl.'

'Glad you noticed,' Hermione returned. 'Again.'

'Not a problem.' Ron flashed her a grin.

'Will you two shut up?' Harry hissed as Hermione's expression turned dark. Dumbledore's steely blue eyes seemed to be permanently watching them, not to mention Snape, who would loved any excuse to put them in detention.

'Wright, Joshua!'

'Hope he's the last one,' Harry heard Ginny next to him whisper feverently.

'Gryffindor!' the Hat screamed and the three joined the rest of their house in applause for their new member.

Professor McGonagall retrieved the Sorting Hat from its perch and removed the stool. Dumbledore got up on stage and cleared his throat, clearly planning to make some sort of announcement. Ron made an indelicate sound in his throat, obviously impatient.

'Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts,' Dumbledore began. 'And after last years excitements of the Triwizard Tournament, I think this year might be a bit dull in comparison. However, I promise you that the staff and I shall do all we can to make it not so!'

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry noticed Snape chuckle derisively.

'We already have a few things planned for later this year but don't hesitate to leave some suggestions with your teacher. Everyone is welcome at these events so if you are able to come, please do.'

The old wizard's bright blue eyes twinkled strangely in Harry's direction. Harry himself was getting very confused. What was going on?

'A reminder to new students that the Forbidden Forest is just that - forbidden. And that's all I have to say, I think -' he glanced at Professor McGonagall for confirmation. '- yes ... Have a good term, all of you, and try not to eat to much as I don't think any of you would like to spend your first night here in the hospital wing for indigestion.'

He sat down again and the golden dishes on the table filled themselves with the most mouth-watering food. Hermione, seemingly over her problem with the house elves, helped herself along with the other students. After the main course, there was desert, which consisted of the most delicate ice cream and the richest puddings.

'What do you think these events are going to be like?' Harry asked, simply to make conversation.

Ron shrugged and took another spoonful of fruit cake and cream. 'I dunno. Probably Halloween Festivals, just not at Halloween or something like that.'

'Did you see Snape's face when Dumbledore said that they were going to make this year as interesting as possible?'

'Yes!' Hermione interrupted, her face impish. 'He was laughing, sincerely too, I think! It was bizarre.' She giggled.

'What did it look like?' Ron demanded, covering his mouth to avoid spraying them with partially dissolved cake.

Hermione twisted her face in an attempt to make it resemble the Potions master's face. Harry burst out laughing - it looked more like a pug dog trying to sneeze. Ron made a desperate attempt to swallow first before joining him.

'Was it really that funny?' she wondered curiously.

'Nah,' Harry wheezed. 'It's just that - that, you looked like a toad - of sorts.'

'Oops.' Hermione made an apologetic face.

'Let's just hope that Snape can't read minds.' Harry said, trying to calm himself enough to take another sip of pumpkin juice.

Unfortunately, even up at the staff table, Snape seemed to be watching them with his cold, vulture like eyes. Harry was under the impression that Snape was his second guardian angel or something similar; he was always watching him.

The people around him began to finish up their food, though not Fred and George Weasley. Eventually the eating stopped altogether and Harry's stomach gave a lurch of anticipation - when the feast was over, he would have to go see Dumbledore for this 'very important matter'. Finally, the headmaster climbed up on the stage once more and spoke, his words ringing with a sort of finality.

'I hope you all followed my advice and didn't eat to much.' His blue eyes merrily searched the crowd, looking somewhat disapprovingly at those who had not. 'Now off to bed you go, the term starts tomorrow and you'll need to be ready for it.'

The students stood and and began to pile up through the doors. Ron headed that way too, until Harry grabbed the sleeve of his robe and guided him in the general direction of Dumbledore's office. Hermione followed along willingly, pushing Ron forward from the back.

'Um ... Harry?' Ron asked.

'Mmmm?'

'I remember Dumbledore saying that we could come along if we wanted to. I'm asking you now, do I want to?'

'Of course he doesn't know that,' Hermione said sharply. 'You're the one inside your skull. You figure it out.'

'Just come with me, Ron.' Harry said in his most persuasive tone.

He sighed. 'Okay, okay. Whatever. You always end up wining out on these things anyway.'

They reached the gargoyle that guarded the door to Dumbledore's office. It waited patiently for a password.

'Cockroach cluster?' Harry asked tentatively. It nodded and moved aside as the wall behind it swung open. The steps leading down to it seemed steeper than before and the flickering light from the torches on the wall made it seem as if they were tilted backwards. At last, the three reached the beautiful round room that was the office, containing the headmaster's silvery trinkets. Fawkes the phoenix was not in sight but his perch was swaying slightly, indicating that he had left only recently.

Dumbledore entered the room behind them, startling them all.

'I see you've continued to find out my passwords,' he smiled. 'Minerva is continually telling me to change them more often.' He noticed Hermione looking curiously at Fawkes' empty perch.

'Phoenix's are supposed to be loyal pets,' Dumbledore sighed a little sadly. 'But Fawkes seems to have disappeared more and more often lately. I don't know why ... it's almost as if he's preparing for something else.'

Harry nodded. 'You wanted to tell me something, Professor? You told us to come here just before the Sorting.'

'So I did, Harry.' The wizened man sat down on one of the benches that followed the curve of the room. 'Come, sit.' He patted the seat beside him and cautiously the three seated themselves around him.

'It sounded kind of important,' Harry continued.

'All things are important, Harry. Even the smallest thing has a part to play. But this, I admit, is in need of immediate concern.'

Unconsciously, Hermione leaned towards him, making sure she could catch every word.

'I'm here, Harry, Ron and Hermione, to tell you the legend of the Elemental Wands.'