The Awakening of a Magus

The Awakening of a Magus
Chapter 27 - Sun, Jul 30 - Day 10
Scouting Expedition

Harry awoke before dawn, again. The Magus and his circle had spent much of the evening planning and discussing, both his preliminary expedition today, and Wormtail's capture tomorrow ... assuming all went well today. He spent some time reviewing the previous night's meeting ...

Snape had told them everything he knew about Voldemort's defenses, information he had gathered in the weeks between the Dark Lord's rebirth, and his own failed execution. Voldemort moved among at least three different hidden camps, based on observing the layout of the grounds. The only way in was to apparate using the Dark Mark as a link when summoned. The grounds were hidden, the defenses consisting of elaborate concealing and distortion spells. No one knew the locations except Voldemort himself. Even his 'right-hand rat' (as Severus called Wormtail) couldn't reach an encampment unless the Dark Lord took him, or preceded him and summoned.

There were security spells in the defensive net, spells similar to those on the Marauder's Map of Hogwarts. Voldemort was said to have a diagram of each camp that identified people present who bore the Dark Mark, and showed the presence of humans that were not marked. He had even incorporated spells that forced an animagus back to human form. So, scouting a camp looked like a tricky proposition.

Harry had insisted, and the professors agreed reluctantly, that he had to check out the encampment carefully before actually going after Wormtail. A major issue was his scar and whether it still linked him to Voldemort's being. Since the rebirth, Harry hadn't had a clairvoyant dream of Voldemort, nor had he experienced the intense pain that signaled the Dark Lord's nearness or particularly evil spellcasting. There could be several reasons. One, the defensive spells around Voldemort interfered with the linkage. Two, Harry's Magus shields interfered with the linkage. Or, the two times Harry would have expected a reaction, the power-drain executions of Snape and Matilda, might have been masked. In the first case, Voldemort's distance and Snape's nearness may have prevented the usual scar reaction. In the second case, Matilda's execution had probably occurred during the Quadralis ritual and the initial formation of the Magus circle, which could have shielded Harry. Even the particularly intense bout of the Cruciatus Curse that Lucius Malfoy endured the other night might have been interfered with because Harry was in animagus form at the time.

Harry had to know if he might be incapacitated by Voldemort's presence. Harry was much more powerful, but so was Voldemort. Could that actually intensify the effect at close quarters? Or, if he was now shielded from the linkage, could he re-establish it at will? Even though painful, it served as an excellent early warning.

The Magus had then practiced completely shielding his presence from all magical senses. After some experimentation, he discovered that he could hide himself even from his circle, blocking the mindspeech links. He even hid his presence from Dumbledore, though he couldn't completely cut off the Mentor bond. Dumbledore couldn't locate him, but could still communicate to some extent.

The next set of tests was whether the standard spells to reverse an animagus transformation worked on Harry. He was able to maintain animal shape as each professor attempted the known methods of reversal. Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall even combined efforts to cast the spells at the same time, but Harry was unaffected. Only on the combined spell did he even feel the spell trying to work. Even if Voldemort had grown stronger than the three of them combined (they dearly hoped that wasn't yet the case), it was unlikely that the defensive net would be maintained at that high a level of power.

So, the plan was for Harry to focus on the beacon left in Wormtail's mind, aim for a spot some distance away from him physically, and apparate in as a very small animal, possibly an insect. Assuming he wasn't detected or transformed, he would observe and experiment with shields and blocks and see how much he could learn. Under no circumstances was he to attempt to engage Voldemort. It was far too dangerous yet for Harry, and such a sacrifice couldn't be guaranteed to take down the Dark Lord before the Magus was overloaded.

They planned to have Harry actually grab Pettigrew about an hour before Fudge's press conference Monday morning, do a thorough memory reading, then, just as Fudge began his weekly speech, apparate into the conference with Peter Pettigrew in hand, and demand the unconditional pardon of Sirius Black. Arthur Weasley planned to be present at the press conference, and would be available for backup, since it was his job to deal with both the Magus and Death Eaters. It would be the first time Darius appeared in public. They toyed with the idea of calling Pettigrew's capture and Black's pardon 'in honor of Harry Potter's birthday', but Harry thought that was going too far, and insisted he didn't want anyone to make such a reference at the press conference.

Concerning Draco, Snape told them he had left a Dreamless Sleep potion at the Slytherin's bedside. They decided to ask Dobby the house elf to stand by, and that Severus would leave Draco a note as he slept, so the young wizard could take all the time he needed to work things out alone, but could get in touch with someone if he chose. They were all cautiously optimistic. Since both Harry's and Draco's greatest secrets were secrets between them no longer, nothing now prevented Draco's Scanner training except his readiness.

Harry sighed, having reviewed matters until there was nothing remaining to consider. The sun was rising on another fine summer day, and Harry decided he would take some time to just enjoy it, transforming to a falcon to enjoy riding the warm air currents before he had to get back to Magus duties.

Draco came completely awake in a moment. He faintly heard the clock in the commons chime 7 am. Remembering what the previous day had been like, he moved very carefully, expecting to be in a great deal of pain. Previous punishments, which had been far less intense than yesterday's, often remained with him for days.

"Not a twinge!" Draco said quietly, in awe. He felt more rested than he could ever remember, probably due to the potion he had found on his night stand, which caught his eye as he looked to confirm it was really there. The label on the small bottle had the expected information: 'Dreamless Sleep - dosage 1 capful', and an unexpected fresh marking: a stylized S.S. ... Severus Snape had signed the label so Draco would be certain where it came from.

But now, Draco saw something beside the bottle that hadn't been there when he fell asleep. There was a note:

(-letter-)

Draco,

Take all the time you need. When you get hungry, or need anything ... or anyone, just call Dobby ... he'll see to it.

Snape

"Dobby?" Draco said aloud, surprised. He hadn't realized the former Malfoy house elf was at Hogwarts. Then he heard an odd high voice he knew very well.

"Dobby is here, Mr. Draco, sir." The house elf was hesitant, appearing out of thin air at the foot of Draco's bed. The Malfoys had not been kind masters. "Harry Potter and the Professors say that Dobby must tend to Mr. Draco. Does Mr. Draco, sir wish some breakfast?" Dobby seemed to be waiting for an outburst of temper.

Having been treated to his father's temper to excess the previous day, Draco had no heart to take it out on the odd little creature. "Yes, elf. Do you remember what you used to make for me?" When Dobby nodded uncertainly, not knowing how to handle the quiet young wizard taking the place of the hated Malfoy he remembered, Draco began to notice the house elf's clothing.

He smiled in spite of himself. "That's an interesting outfit you have there, elf. It suits you better than that old pillowcase." One sock was purple and green striped, the other was orange and blue argyle. He must have had a dozen clashing colors throughout his apparel, but it was somehow ... a joyous declaration of individuality and freedom.

Dobby finally began to believe he wasn't going to be tongue-lashed, and bobbed his head. "Thank you, Mr. Draco, sir. Dobby chooses all his clothes to be most interesting. Will Mr. Draco, sir eat here or in the common room?"

"You can drop the 'sir', elf. Just have the breakfast down in the common area when I get down there, right?" As Dobby disappeared to see to his task, Draco wondered where some of his old attitudes had gone. He spent a few minutes trying to examine himself, talking to himself aloud as he had begun to do this week, being alone at Slytherin Dungeons.

"Well, let's see. I went to Hogsmeade with three Gryffindors, I confessed to being a spy, I didn't abuse a house elf, and," he paused a moment, then fervently said, "I'd rather die than follow Voldemort, though I'd pray it was a quick death." Draco began pacing. "What else? Purebloods are not guaranteed to be superior to halfbloods and mudbloods. Granger and Darius ... Potter ... are proof of that." He stopped pacing and plopped back onto his bed.

"Potter. A Magus. Ridiculously powerful. Acting like he wants to be my friend. After years of being on opposite sides. But, blast it all, I'm still a Slytherin and he's a Gryffindor. I haven't changed that much, just decided that a Slytherin doesn't have to be a Death Eater. I see it as being ambitious, not suicidal. I don't think I'm ready to be buddy-buddy with a bunch of Gryffs, especially Weasley, but ... I'll honor the truce. And maybe think about an alliance. I felt that Darius was someone I wanted to side with. Maybe it's part of this Scanner stuff ... or maybe Potter was putting one over on me. I need to think and study today."

Draco dressed and headed for the common room. As he entered the room, he saw a breakfast tray appear on one of the large tables facing the fireplace, which flared to life but without much heat, since it was summer. "Well, Bloody Hell, he remembered!" Draco observed that all his favorite breakfast items were on the tray, and that Dobby had remembered how he would spend time by the fire when he had to work out a problem, going so far as to set up a cold fire to watch if it was too hot for a normal one.

As he sat down, and saw the book he had been reading the past week (Dumbledore's Magi reference), he raised his voice slightly. "Dobby?" When the house elf appeared, he said, "Two things, elf. One, find Professor Snape and ask when and where I could talk with him this afternoon. Two, bring me a reference book or two that has information about Scanners. Snape should be able to identify something. Bring me the books, and the time and place I can talk to Professor Snape as soon as you can ... wait, let me rephrase that ... once you have the information and have found the books, then come back here." Draco had visions of Dobby speeding around, babbling to Snape, and knocking things over in order to hurry back.

Dobby disappeared again, his voice trailing off with a "Yes, Mr. Draco, sir. Dobby will return quickly, sir."

Draco began chuckling and shaking his head. "That's another thing ... I think I've laughed, really laughed in the last week more than I have in a year. It's not a bad feeling, after all." He opened the Magi reference book to the place he had left off, and began reading while he attacked his breakfast.

"Remember, Harry." Dumbledore insisted, worry in his eyes. "At the first sign of trouble you get out of there."

"Yes, Albus, I know." Harry smiled at the concern that Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape were showing. "I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid." He laughed, then became serious. "I know there's too much at stake to get careless."

"We're surely going to go mad waiting, since you're cutting off communications with the circle while you're there." Snape complained in a low voice, not meeting Harry's eyes.

"I won't be gone more than an hour this time, so don't worry so much," Harry said as he focused on the beacon in Wormtail's mind then disappeared.

"This time?" Minerva said, aghast.

Harry had decided to start as a spider, until he found out what kind of creature could go unnoticed in the camp. The first thing he discovered, to his relief, was that he had no problem maintaining non-human form. Only if he actually 'looked' for it, could he sense the anti-animagi spells in the defense net. There were some trees at the edge of a large clearing, so he apparated in that direction, changing to a squirrel, then scooted up a tree for a better view.

There were several Death Eaters in the encampment. An elaborate ... well, tent would be an inadequate word for the structure there. Pavilion, maybe. Obviously, that would be Voldemort's quarters, if he was here. Harry only knew for sure that Wormtail was here, over in that pavilion.

Wait, there he was ... Voldemort ... coming out of the pavilion, talking to his right-hand rat ... Harry really liked that phrase of Snape's. So far, no headache. He would have to hide in the trees and try his normal form for a moment. He scampered down and found a cluster of trees and bushes that would hide several people and shifted to his true form, bracing himself.

There was a tingle in his scar, but it wasn't painful. So, animagus form did interfere with the linkage. That was one question down. Harry carefully reached out to sense how far into the trees the defensive net extended, and apparated to just outside the perimeter. The tingling faded. Strike another question ... Voldemort's defenses had an effect on the scar link. From outside the perimeter, Harry carefully lowered some of his shields in various ways. Finally he tried to sort of poke a hole in his Magus shielding ... and the pain began in earnest. Wincing, he closed the gap and the pain faded. Fine. Now he knew how to open the linkage if he wanted it, and how to cut it off quickly. He decided to apparate back to the tree in squirrel form, and study the encampment. So far, he hadn't really used too much active power, mostly passive power on his shielding and his ability to slide around defensive spells.

Everything still seemed quiet. Apparently Voldemort hadn't noticed him yet. Harry gently extended his senses, very slowly so he could pull out if he was detected. It was a very passive type of Scanning, just picking up traces of power in the area around the Dark Lord. The longer he observed, the more disturbed he became. Voldemort had become very powerful since his rebirth. His power levels were far beyond any wizard, though not in Magus class. He was in a class by himself, between the two. Harry sensed that even Severus and Albus together were no match for this creature now. With the slow growth in power from the power drains of his Death Eaters, his decades of experience with great power, and his not-really-human reborn body, Harry had to assume that Voldemort had full use of his still-growing power.

Though Harry Magus had far more power available to him, his usable, controllable power was still significantly less than Voldemort's. In a fight, the Magus would lose, probably lose his life. Harry wondered why Voldemort hadn't tried anything significant yet. Maybe it was because he didn't know just how powerful the unknown Magus had become, and he wanted to wait until his own powers had grown much stronger.

Well, Harry had found out what he needed to know ... for now. At least tomorrow, they would finally deal with Peter Pettigrew.

No one saw a squirrel that glowed faintly purple just before it disappeared.

Chapter 28 - Sun, Jul 30 - Day 10
Readjusting Loyalties and Rebounding Magic

The clock chimes in the Slytherin commons told Draco it was already 2 pm. According to Dobby's message, Snape would arrive any minute. Draco had been reading, pacing, thinking, staring into the fire, and occasionally snacking for hours. He had finished the Magi reference, reviewed the parts he had read earlier, then tackled the chapters on Scanners in the three books Dobby had brought him. He was full of questions, but didn't know how many answers he'd be getting. Then he heard someone coming in.

Turning, he said, "Hello, Professor. Thank you for coming. I could have ..."

Snape interrupted, "I thought the conversation would be more comfortable here than in my office, Draco. Sit." Snape gestured toward the seating by the fireplace.

After they sat, neither knew how to start. Finally, Draco began with, "Thanks for the potion. I feel fine today, which .... well, I didn't expect to."

"The potion is only part of the reason. The Magus gave you quite a thorough healing," Snape answered carefully.

"Go ahead and say it ... Harry Potter did the healing ... Harry Magus." Draco sighed. After a few moments, he continued. "How much can you tell me? I'd expect some kind of security spell, of course, though it would have to be something besides the circle Sodalis. I don't expect that's an option right now."

"I've been told I can tell you anything I choose regarding the Magus. There are other issues, other secrets that are not mine to tell at this time." Snape looked directly at Draco. "And, just keep in mind ... I'm in the circle. Whether you join is a decision to be made between you and Harry and no one else. As a start, yes I can cast an initial security spell. Not because of a lack of trust, but to avoid accidental revelations. For instance, I know how well your father can interrogate a person, so that they don't even realize what they've divulged."

After Snape cast the initial security spell, Draco started in with the questions. "Being a Magus at his age ... that would make him the most powerful Magus in history. Why hasn't he just taken down Voldemort already? Or is there an issue with 'overload' that the book mentioned?"

"That's it exactly. Right now, he can safely use only a small fraction of the powers available to him, because his mind and body just can't handle the power flows yet," Snape answered. He could tell Draco was surprised that they would admit this to him, but they had decided to be completely open with Draco.

"So, what happened to the transformation that's supposed to help with that?"

"There has been some transformation, though you haven't seen it." At Draco surprised look, Snape told him, "You haven't seen what he really looks like now. The change was too much to explain to outsiders, so he's been shapeshifting to a point between what he looked like just before his awakening, and what he looks like now. For a rough idea, I think it would be accurate to say his appearance is similar to the Darius form, except about an inch shorter and much more athletic in build. I'm sure when you see him next, you'll be seeing Harry Magus, not just Harry Potter."

They talked more about Harry, about Magi, about Voldemort, and about Draco's Scanning talent.

Snape then observed. "That is something you and the Magus have in common, you know. Both of you have a rare talent, appearing much earlier in life than usual, and that gift is unusually strong. I expect you to manifest the full range of Scanning gifts, Draco. As soon as you're ready, Harry can get you started with the basics, then you can practice on your own."

Draco was quiet for awhile again, staring into the fire. "Father insisted that I fire-call every night between 10 and 11. I have to have something to tell him, which I assume he'll tell the Dark Lord. I'm going to need help concocting believable information that won't be harmful to anyone here. Then, I'm due to meet my contact in the Forest again next Friday night. I hate to say this, but ... I'm a bit afraid. What if they find out? What if they want to Mark me? Even with the training you gave us last week, Father smashed me into little pieces. I ..."

"Draco, look at me." Snape ordered. "Whether you join the circle or not, you are now under the circle's protection. Hogwarts has the most powerful defenses in the world. The headmaster or I can take on anyone short of Voldemort himself. And even Harry's incomplete mastery of his Magus power goes far beyond that. It is only Voldemort himself that poses a possible threat, and hopefully Harry can progress more quickly. It's only been a little more than a week. "

Snape suddenly looked thoughtful. "It occurs to me that you might be able to be of some assistance, once you begin mastering your powers. A Scanner's one blind spot is himself. Harry can understand magic around him far better than the magic within him. Working together with you, he may be able to determine where the problems are. If you are willing, of course. Your training will not require a promise of assistance."

Draco smiled wryly. "You've emphasized willingness or readiness more than once, Professor. No one can say I'm being pressured here, contrary to every other situation I've ever known. So, one, I'm ready when Harry is for the Scanner training, and two, I'll do anything I can to help against Voldemort, including any help I can give getting the Magus to full power. Though you should tell the others not to expect me to turn into a Gryffindor. If you can be an independent Slytherin, so can I." Draco's voice softened. "I only ask that, if possible, I don't have to act directly against my parents. There is no love lost between me and my father, and my mother never really helped matters, just ignored any problems, but it would be ... "

"I think I can promise that we won't ask that of you, Draco, though I can't promise that circumstances won't come about where you must face each other from opposite sides. War is like that, I'm afraid." Snape's voice was gentle and tinged with regret.

Suddenly, Snape's head snapped up, his gaze looked vague, then he spat out, "Potter! What in bloody hell have you done to yourself now?" And as he stood up from the couch, he disappeared.

After reporting on the scouting expedition to the others, Harry focused on dealing with his control problems. Now that he knew for certain that he wasn't ready to face Voldemort, he felt driven to improve as quickly as possible. Dumbledore agreed, though more because he knew that Harry would probably go off and train without him, and he knew he'd spot an impending overload before Harry would.

Back in primary school, Harry had been exposed to strength training. He had always been skinny, and the physical education teacher at the time was certain Harry was a target of the bullies in the neighborhood, though Harry never complained. Instead of study hall, Harry would work on an exercise program to help him stay in shape enough to survive the attacks better, or run away faster. He had observed the older student-athletes training and discussing their routines. Since he now had a perfect memory, he had gone over everything he'd heard in those days. The techniques would be useful for him in training his body and his mind to handle ever greater loads. Pushing repeatedly, just to the edge of his endurance, stretching his limits, could be the answer. It was slow, it would probably be painful, but he had no time to waste.

For the next several hours, he alternated between physical and mental exercises, while Dumbledore observed, with more than a little distress.

"Albus, don't worry so much. It's distracting," Harry said. He was working on one particular exercise where he actually fought against himself. He used his magic to exert a force in one direction, and his body to exert a force in the opposite direction.

"Harry, you're pushing yourself too hard. Your reserves are down. Take a break ... now!" Dumbledore insisted. Then his eyes unfocused, and he muttered, "What is Cornelius doing here?"

There had been a tickle in the back of Harry's mind that he couldn't identify ... but Dumbledore had just identified it ... someone at the gathering place. The prospect of an uninvited Fudge was just enough to throw Harry's concentration off. The opposing forces slipped out of control, Wild Magic bounced around the room, barely missing Dumbledore, who threw up his shields at maximum. The magical chaos faded quickly ... as Harry's consciousness slipped away.

Dumbledore quickly checked Harry through the Mentor bond, seeing that he wasn't badly hurt, but fairly bruised mentally and physically. The best thing for him now was rest. Before he could call for assistance, Snape appeared. Dumbledore quickly sent a summary of what happened through the circle linkage. Snape sighed, bent down, and picked up the unconscious young Magus.

"Albus, you go deal with Fudge. Should I take Harry to the hospital wing, or his room?" Snape asked in exasperation.

"Make it the hospital wing." Dumbledore smiled wearily. "Psychologically that might be more effective when he regains consciousness. More effective for me, that is."

Snape disappeared, apparating to the hospital wing, while Dumbledore headed for the main door to greet their unexpected visitor.

Minerva McGonagall had also noticed the arrival at the gathering place and met Dumbledore near the front door. "You're sure Harry isn't hurt badly?" she asked.

"Actually I expect he'll wake up much sooner than the other time, certainly less than an hour." Dumbledore sighed. "Though he'll feel this one more. That first night was simple exhaustion. This time, he put himself through the wringer, so to speak. Severus is settling him in the hospital wing." McGonagall laughed, understanding that, when Harry awoke, his first thought would probably be 'Oh no! Not again!'

"Well, off with you, Albus. Meeting Cornelius at the door gives him the upper hand. I'll bring him up to your office. Go!" she urged, waving both hands at him to shoo him away like a stubborn child. Dumbledore laughed at his dearest friend and colleague, bowed in surrender, and disappeared.

Draco just stared at the spot Snape had occupied a minute ago. The wizard's voice and words were typical for the Potions Master when referring to a Gryffindor who had messed up royally, but Draco had seen something else in the man's eyes ... fear ... and a concern that went soul-deep. And Draco didn't think it was only the life bond, though that was a powerful debt. He wondered what it was like to earn such respect and caring, for he had no doubt now that Harry Potter or Darius or Harry Magus was something special, and not only because of his powers. Had Harry learned to be so giving because of a loving home, or because of a home lacking in love, as Draco's had been. It would have to be one extreme or the other. Someday, he might ask.

Less than five minutes after he had disappeared, Snape reappeared.

Draco lazily commented, "I thought Harry was the only one who could do that."

After a moment, Snape realized Draco meant his apparating within Hogwarts. "At first he was. Then he modified the defensive net so that he could key certain people past the anti-apparition spells."

Draco stated, "The circle."

"Yes, all in the circle ... that is, all those who can apparate are keyed in." Snape sat down tiredly.

"So, is he alright?" Draco asked quietly.

Snape looked shrewdly at the young Slytherin, trying so hard to be nonchalant. "He's unconscious, but nothing serious. Right now, we have to deal with an unannounced visit by the Minister of Magic." Snape frowned. "His arrival is what distracted Harry just enough to lose control during a training exercise. Physical and mental bruises, but he'll be back pushing his limits in no time." Severus, now that he knew Harry wasn't badly hurt, was able to settle back into his habitual surliness.

"Gryffindors!" Draco spat out, but with a laugh in his eyes.

"My sentiments exactly!" Snape agreed in the same tone, but with a suspicious light in his eyes. Powers above, this boy reminded him of himself now that he stood apart from his father's shadow! "I need to go back and keep an eye on him until he wakes. It wouldn't do for the Minister to see him just now."

Draco sat up. "He looks like Harry Magus? Take me with you. I need to talk with him, anyway. I can wait until he wakes up, and you can keep 'the Fudge' away from him." He could see Snape didn't think much of the suggestion. "Come on! If anything is needed, I'll send Dobby after one of you. Don't you trust me?" Draco put on such a fake, innocent look, Snape just shook his head, gave an equally fake scowl, held out his hand and said, "Come on then."

"Oh, before you go, Professor," Draco said quietly while staring at a different Harry quietly sleeping in front of him, "would you remove that block? As soon as he's up to it, I want to get that training you all have promised." Snape looked at him, as though to ask 'Are you sure?', then nodded, with his wand suddenly in his hand and muttered a short counter-spell. "That's it?" Draco said in surprise as he realized he felt normal again.

Snape shrugged. "Such spells are much easier to dismantle, at least for the original spellcaster, than they are to assemble. It's like removing the keystone in an arch ... everything else just collapses." He hesitated, as though to say something more, then left.

Draco sat in a chair beside Harry's bed, slouching back, but staring intently at the true form of the young man who was both Harry Potter and Darius the Magus. He decided to see what he could sense, now that he had a little better understanding of the ability he had taken for granted so long. He didn't want to risk a physical contact. With Harry being unconscious, his shielding was probably not fully in place, and Draco didn't want to deal with his own overload. But he decided to just try to open up and see what came through.

As he settled into a slight trance, Draco's eyes blurred a bit, and he began to see a faint purple aura around the sleeping Magus. The sense was precarious, and he didn't want to lose it. As his mind seemed to settle in to what he was sensing, he began to feel again that distant, deep well of power that he associated with Darius, but it wasn't so distant anymore. He began to sense-see-imagine symbols he didn't understand, except that he suspected they represented the various powers and talents that magic could be categorized into. He shivered in awe and anticipation, partly at what he sensed in Harry, but even more as he realized that, from what he had read, only the most powerful Scanners had such discernment. Then he heard a sleepy voice in his mind.

/* Hmm. ... who's that? Draco? I'll be right there ... ooohhh ... I hurt all over! ... */ Harry's mindvoice wavered in and out as he struggled to come awake.

Harry stirred and groaned a bit, then his eyes opened and he stiffly sat up. Then he grinned, "Hey, we've got to stop meeting like this!"

Draco blinked out of his half-trance, scowled at Harry and said, "Well, Potter, who is it flat on their back this time, though, hmm.?" Then he quietly asked, "Did I wake you up? Didn't mean to."

"No problem. Since Snape took off the block, and you're practicing, I guess you're ready to put up with a Magus for an instructor." Harry said in a light tone, but a serious, questioning look in his eye.

Draco just sat there a moment, then said archly, "I haven't called off the truce, Sir Magus. Have you?"

"Well, Cornelius, this is unexpected." Dumbledore looked up from some papers he had supposedly been working on. "What can we do for you?"

"It's the Magus." Fudge blustered. "Everyone wants to meet him, see if he's for real. I want him to be at the press conference tomorrow."

Dumbledore quietly but firmly said, "His name, at least for now, is Darius. He is not a performing animal." Secretly, Dumbledore knew that Darius planned to appear at the press conference ... with Wormtail. "What did you have in mind this time? Card tricks?"

Fudge scowled, "That isn't fair! I had to confirm his status. It's my responsibility as Minister of Magic. Now where is he? I want to talk to him." Fudge nodded sharply to reinforce his demand.

Dumbledore looked over at McGonagall for an answer. "I believe he is unavailable at the moment, dealing with ... training issues," she said with a straight face. "He could be available in a few minutes, or in an hour. Some of his workings are quite complex. If we had known you were coming, he might have ..." her voice trailed off. As she realized Dumbledore was having problems maintaining a serious expression, she gave him a sharp look.

Then they heard Snape's voice from the doorway. "The Magus appears to be at a point where he may be able to take some time to see you, Minister," he said casually, with a significant look at the other professors, who quickly touched minds with Harry and found him awake, talking to Draco. Fudge was giving Snape a how-would-you-know-anyway look.

"So soon?" Dumbledore commented. "Well, then I shall ask him if he has a few minutes to speak with the Minister." He deliberately spoke out loud as he sent his mindvoice, and had a more distant look in his eyes than necessary. "Darius? Are you at a point in your work that you can take a few minutes to speak with Minister Fudge?"

He had trouble keeping a straight face as Harry's mindvoice actually whined. /* Albus, do I have to? I really hate dealing with that man, and I hurt all over. */

/* It shouldn't take long. And you hurt all over because you didn't stop when I warned you, */ Dumbledore scolded in mindvoice only. Then he spoke aloud again for Fudge's benefit. "The Minister has a need for you to attend tomorrow's press conference, Darius. I think it may be time for an initial public appearance. Why don't you meet us in the meeting room downstairs?" He added silently, /* Consider it your Mentor's recommendation, */ he insisted.

/* Oh, fine, Darius will be there. Draco is coming with, though. We were just getting started on the basics for his Scanning ability, which I assume we won't bring up for now. */ Harry was decidedly cranky.

"The faculty dining room has become our meeting area this summer, so we can adjourn to there." Dumbledore said, rising. "Darius said he will meet us there. After you, Cornelius," the headmaster gestured at his doorway as Snape led the group to the moving spiral stairway."

(continued)