Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

AN: You guys are really great and I'm very sorry it took so long to post this. As I mentioned on the board this chapter fought me. I was also dealing with a job change, an illness and a computer problem. It's short but I hope you enjoy it anyway. I hope to have chapter 12 up quicker. Hopefully, next week.

I'd like to thank you for the emails and your support on the board. To personalize a few:

Darkness26 - the poem was wonderful, truly inspiring. Made my day. Thank you.

Lady Arcana and Darkmoon Fleur - I'd love to see any artwork either of you do. My pencil has been rusty for a while and I wouldn't even know how to get any artwork onto the computer.

Ninerings - What can I say? Wow. Thanks.

Blah2003 - I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Stop shouting.

Please everyone keep up the reviews. Your comments, suggestions and speculations keep me thinking and keep me sane.

Teaser for chapter 12: (I usually don't do this, but you have so patient I'm compelled to return the favor) Some of the past events are explained by Voldemort.

Chapter 11

To Be a Master

What's Vandewater doing here?

I swear, Harry. I had nothing to do with this.

Harry slowly approached the group. Billings was bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. Harry tried not to notice.

"Harry, come here, my dear boy," said Dumbledore.

As Harry reached them, his eyes darted around at the faces. Expressions were mixed. Draco looked like he had swallowed one of Severus' more vile potions; Dumbledore looked as pleased as Voldemort usually did when Harry had done something he had expected; McGonagall looked breathless, Billings looked enthralled.

Snape's expression said, 'Serves you right.'

Nope. This didn't look good.

Harry dared a glance at Vandewater. He looked - well - eager.

The strangers beamed at him and Harry felt a familiar sensation of having a trapdoor beneath him about to open.

"Harry," said Dumbledore. "This is Acknowledged Grand Master Simeon Curio."

Harry's gaze shifted back to one of the distinguished looking men and he couldn't help the thrill that shot through him at the very thought of meeting the fencing mogul.

The Grand Master didn't appear half as old as Harry would have expected. His salt and pepper hair was as long as Dumbledore's but it was pulled back neatly with a clamp of some sort. He didn't sport a beard; so the lines on his face were clear although Harry wasn't sure if they were wear from age or from weather. The tanned face crinkled even more as the man's smile grew.

Harry quickly held out his hand.

"Grand Master Curio, it's an honor to meet you," said Harry with heartfelt reverence.

Simeon Curio shook Harry's hand.

"I assure you, Professor Potter, that honor is mine," said Curio. "You are, of course, a legend."

"Yes, well," said Harry with a grin. "Everyone knows that legends are shrouded in myth."

Curio continued to smile as he shook Harry's hand.

"Ah, Harry, my cynic. Such modesty."

Harry quickly glanced around as Voldemort chuckled.

"No, Harry. No one can see or hear me."

"I must apologize in the delay in responding to your application, Mr. Potter," said Curio.

"My application?"

"Yes," said Curio. "It seems there was a slight delay in getting all the documented facts. Once this last recommendation came to my attention, well..."

He trailed off as if Harry should understand. Harry, however, was even more confused.

"I'm sorry, sir," said Harry. "Application? Recommendation?"

Grand Master Curio pulled a scroll from his robe and unrolled it. Glancing at the parchment, he said, "You are Harry James Potter?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"And you studied the art of fencing under a recognized swordsman?"

"Er - I-" Harry glanced at Draco. "I studied under Lucius Malfoy."

"Grand Master," said Draco, stepping forward. "My father, Lucius Malfoy, is a recognized swordsman."

Curio nodded. "Yes, Yes. I have his credentials." To Harry, "He graduated you, did he not?"

"Er-"

Once again Draco spoke up. "Harry was presented with his sword."

Again, Curio nodded. "And you have been tested by an Acknowledged Master?"

Harry sent Vandewater a suspicious glance.

"Yes," said Harry.

"Then everything is in order," said Curio, rolling up the scroll. "All these qualify you to apply for consideration of Acknowledgment."

"But-"

"And it's been documented that you have already fulfilled one requirement of Acknowledgment."

"Er-"

"You disarmed an Acknowledged Master in an honorable duel," said Draco.

"Is this untrue?" said Curio, curiously.

"Ah, no," said Harry. "It's true."

The Grand Master then picked up another scroll and handed it to Harry. "Is this your signature?"

Harry took the scroll and looked down at it. It was headed "Application for Consideration for Distinction in Fencing - Class: Acknowledged Master" and at the bottom...

Harry's eyes widened.

"But-" he looked around. "But, I didn't. I mean, I never-"

"Stuttering, Harry?"

Harry ignored Voldemort.

"Harry," said Dumbledore, clearly urging seriousness although his eyes were still twinkling. "Try to remember. Did you-"

"No," said Harry softly. Everyone knew him. They knew he never asked for any sort of recognition.

"Yet that appears to be your signature," said Dumbledore.

Harry looked again at the familiar scrawl. It damn well did look like his signature.

"I could cast a forgery identification charm on it, if you would like, Professor Potter," said Snape with a grin the reminded Harry of many years of How brave do you feel, famous Harry Potter?

Harry had passed confusion now and was down right confounded. Dumbledore's eyes were still twinkling.

Draco?

I told you. I had no part in this.

"Grand Master Curio," said Dumbledore. "Didn't you mention a recommendation?"

"Yes," said Curio. "Of course the original recommendation was filed years ago," he pulled out several more scrolls, "And it could not be followed up until we received an application. Now that we have your application..." Curio seemed to be rambling off the facts as if still apologizing for taking so long. "You being who you are - well - that would have been enough but then with the new recommendation... Well you can understand, pressure from so high-"

Tired of the wizard's hedging, Harry snatched the scrolls and looked down at them. The more recent one was dated only that week and was signed by the Minister of Magic himself. That explains pressure from high up. Arthur Weasley would gladly sign...

Harry quickly looked at the original recommendation.

Virginia Abigail Weasley.

That trap door opened as Harry read his wife's praise from his seventh year. Even back then, she had urged him to apply. "Harry, fencing is something you do for you. It has nothing to do with Voldemort or your father. It's all you," she had said.

Ginger. I'll kill her.

You will not. But maybe you'll pay attention to what you're signing from now on.

Harry looked over at Draco. You did know about this.

Oh, no. This piece of brilliant manipulation was all her.

"That is your signature," said Dumbledore. "Isn't it, Harry?"

Harry swallowed. "Oh, um, yeah. Now I remember."

Simeon Curio beamed again. "Very good. Then everything is in order." He took back the scrolls and returned them to his pocket then introduced the other men with him.

He greeted Acknowledged Master Payne and Associate Master Grant.

"Associate Master?" said Harry shaking the wizard's hand. The man appeared younger than the others in years but his bearing, his entire demeanor gave the impression of age, wisdom.

Grant inclined his head. "It is an honorary title," he said.

"William is Keeper of the Rolls," Curio informed. "It is privileged position that demands the same degree of honor and worthiness as an Acknowledged Master if not the level of sword skill."

Harry nodded his understanding. "So what do I have to do?"

"To acquire acknowledgment," said Curio. "You need only disarm two Acknowledged Masters. As you have already defeated Master Vandewater, you can choose to duel Master Payne or Master Vandewater for a second time, which will count as two wins."

One glance showed why Vandewater looked so eager. The man seemed positively hungry to fight Harry again.

"And if I lose?" said Harry.

"It depends on how many times you wish to duel," said Curio. "We are here for the evening. You can keep dueling tonight until you win or you can reschedule a duel for another time. There is no limit on the number of fencing matches it takes. An Acknowledged Master is required to accommodate any applicant as many times as the applicant wishes."

"Oh," said Harry, sending Vandewater a smirk.

"That courtesy is only given to applicants for consideration," said Vandewater. "An Acknowledged Master is under no such obligation to fight anyone else."

Unless the Master orders him that is.

Harry barely repressed his snort at Draco's comment. So Vandewater really hadn't had to fight Lucius back in their seventh year. But Voldemort had told him to - because Harry had asked.

"Or," Master Payne spoke up. "You can fight Master Curio."

Harry's eyes turned back to the Grand Master. "Really?" said Harry.

Curio was smiling again. "Yes," he said. "The parameters of fighting me for Acknowledgment are simple. You need only last in a duel with me for a specific time frame."

"What's the time frame?" said Harry.

William Grant looked at a scroll. "Time is set at twenty minutes. The record is thirty-three minutes 12 seconds set by Acknowledged Master Sheridan."

"That was a duel," murmured Curio fondly.

"Yes, Silas is truly gifted," said Vandewater.

The compliment from Vandewater surprised Harry but he guessed Vandewater did appreciate those talented in the art.

"So, Mr. Potter," said Curio. "What is your pleasure? You do wish to fight tonight, don't you."

"Um, er-" Harry glanced around again. "Yes. I mean, I guess so."

"Wonderful," said Curio. "I look forward to seeing you fence."

Billings was jumping up and down again. Again Harry ignored him.

"Who do you wish to fight?" said Vandewater with unmistakable hope.

Harry turned back to the Grand Master. "I'd very much like to duel with you, sir," said Harry.

Reactions varied. Snape smirked as he helped Billings to a seat. Most of the others looked surprised. Simeon Curio laughed.

"Very well, Professor," said Curio. "We will meet back here in half an hour."

Harry inclined his head and offered a smile. "Thank you, Grand Master."

With as much flourish as he could, Harry turned as strode out of the hall, vaguely noting that several people followed. He didn't stop until he was inside the fencing classroom.

"Harry, what ever possessed you to pick Curio?"

Harry took his sword off the wall and turned to Draco. Sean was with him. Voldemort was with them two, but he was still invisible.

"It seemed the obvious choice to me," said Harry, pulling off his robe. "All I have to do is hold onto my sword for twenty minutes and I'm done." He met Draco's stare. "I can do that. You know how stubborn I am."

"Well yeah," said Draco. "I'm just surprised that you want this now."

Harry sighed. "After all the work Ginger went through to get me to do this, I have to."

"Why?" said Sean.

Harry glanced at him and snorted. "Well for starters, I'd rather not have my wife pissed at me," said Harry. "But mostly because she's carrying and will give birth to my children. If she wants me to do this that badly, then I'll damn well do it."

"Oh Harry, call it what it is," said Voldemort. "You simply don't want the guilt."

Harry smirked. "That too," said Harry. He looked down at his cracked sword hilt then looked across the room at Voldemort. "I don't suppose you could pop up to the classroom and tell Sennie to come down?"

Voldemort chuckled. "Are you asking?"

Sean glanced around. "Why don't you just summon him?"

Draco laughed. "Oh, do, Harry. I'd love to see what happens when a pissed off three foot asp comes flying through the halls of the castle."

*************

An hour later, Harry still had a grip on his sword.

The hall had been converted for all intensive purposes into an arena of sorts with

the dueling table, which had been enlarged, in the center and the spectators around in tiered seats. It reminded Harry of a miniature coliseum but he hadn't had time to think about their perimeters. As soon as he faced Curio with his sword, everything else went away.

Harry vaguely heard Grant announce "time" but he didn't want the duel to end. It was the most exhilarating battle he'd experienced. The Grand Master moved with a graceful power that was disillusioning. If Harry took anything for granted or underestimated any move, Curio would have had him.

The match challenged not only his physical stamina and instinct, but also his mind. He was making snap judgment moves and counter-moves continuously.

Breathing hard and sweating, Harry changed hands again and stepped backwards underneath their blades to keep from being cornered. Then he swept another arc to switch back to his right hand and attacked again, forcing Curio to retreat across the table.

After several more exchanges, Curio locked their blades in the air. The Grand Master looked as breathless and exerted as Harry.

"You won't let go, will you Mr. Potter?"

"Sorry, sir," said Harry, but he couldn't help his smile. "Stubbornness."

Curio grinned back. "William, time?" he called.

"Fifty three minutes, Grand Master."

"Mr. Potter will not relinquish his arm," Curio announced. "He won't be forced. Call it, Master Payne."

"Draw, Grand Master," said Payne.

"Master Vandewater, call it," said Curio.

"I concur. Draw."

Grand Master Curio stepped back, away from the exchange and brought his sword up to salute. "The match is called, Mr. Potter," said Curio. Harry saluted somewhat puzzled. "It is a draw."

He moved the sword into his left hand and stuck out his right. "Congratulations, Acknowledged Master Potter."

Harry slowly reached out and took the other man's hand. The hall erupted into cheers.

Still somewhat overwhelmed, Harry was pulled away from the table and he felt more than saw the hall returned to it's normal state. The acclaim began. It seemed Harry had set a new record against the Grand Master. All the Masters (save Vandewater who had smugly suggested that he had known Harry could do it) were impressed. Vandewater even implied that given more time, Harry may have even won the match.

Grand Master Curio merely smiled serenely but didn't comment.

A body slammed into his own at considerable force and arms wrapped around his neck.

"Oh, Harry, you were brilliant."

Harry didn't have a chance to berate Ginger on her little scheme as more of his friends came over to echo their own praises. Surprised by how extensively Ginger had put the thing together, Harry simply relaxed and let the party swirl around him.

Just this once, he guessed he could stand being the center of attention. After all, it was his skill, not his name that had gained the admiration and respect of all present. Harry supposed it was ok to show off every once in a while.

"It was fun," said Harry as he bid goodbye to most of the remaining guests.

"Easy for you to say," said Draco as he moved into a seat beside Harry. Now that the hall was emptying out, there was room around the new 'Acknowledged Master.' "I couldn't have done it."

Harry merely shrugged.

"You're not mad, are you, Harry?" said Ginger softly, her lips brushing his ear.

In response, Harry yanked her onto his lap. "Not really," Harry admitted. "More surprised than anything else. Not to mention impressed. I can't believe you managed to get everyone here without me knowing."

Ginger smirked. "What can I say? I've become resourceful."

"And sneaky," said Draco.

"Very Slytherin," said Snape who was now looming over Draco, staring down at them in his imposing way.

"Carrying the heirs has its advantages," Voldemort spoke up for the first time since before the duel. "Doesn't it, Mrs. Potter?"

Harry noticed the grin Ginger sent Voldemort and almost shuddered.

"I just wish my father had been here to see it," said Draco wistfully.

"Oh, do tell him, my dear girl," said Voldemort sounding bored.

"He was here," said Ginger.

Harry blinked but Draco sat up with interest.

"What?" said Draco. "When? How?"

Ginger was smiling at Harry. "It seems," announced Ginger. "That carrying the heirs enables me to apparate on Hogwarts grounds. And," she added, "It gives me the strength to get through your wards at Raven Respite - with another person."

"Lucius was here?" said Harry softly. The impact of Ginger's supplemented powers due to her pregnancy not nearly as significant for him as the fact that his teacher had seen him earn the rank of Acknowledged Master.

"Yes, Harry," said Ginger still smiling.

Draco cuffed Harry's back. "How sweet is that?" said Draco.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," said Ginger.