The Awakening of a Magus

the-dreamer

Story Summary:
In the summer after the Triwizard Tournament, Harry suddenly awakens to new powers and a new look. However, the powers of a Magus aren't so easy to control, and they don't make life easy. Voldemort is much more powerful than ever. Some new characters come into the picture, some old characters will not survive, and other old characters will learn a new outlook. No slash, O/C but no Mary-Sue, light R/Hr ship, possible other light ships, lite Harry/Tonks

Chapter 50

Chapter Summary:
In the summer after the Triwizard Tournament, Harry suddenly awakens to new powers and a new look. However, the powers of a Magus aren't so easy to control, and they don't make life easy. Voldemort is much more powerful than ever. Some new characters come into the picture, some old characters will not survive, and other old characters will learn a new outlook. No slash, O/C but no Mary-Sue, light R/Hr ship, other light ships, Harry/?.
Posted:
04/25/2005
Hits:
3,674
Author's Note:
Author Notes and Local Canon (spells and characters of the 'Harry Magus' universe added to the 'Harry Potter' universe) can be found on website helena.whitaker.name . (warning ... local spoilers on website.)

The Awakening of a Magus

Chapter 50 - Wed-Thu, Aug 9-10 - Day 20-21
Move and Counter-Move

If he had thought to look at himself in the mirror as he appeared in his room, Harry would have seen a slightly glazed quality to his eyes and a slightly dopey grin. He just stood there for a moment, holding tight to the sensations triggered by Dora's kiss. Though he had kissed both Ginny and Hermione ... to prove a point in both cases ... this was the first time a girl had kissed him. No, a woman. A sweet, funny, attractive (if eccentric-looking), few-years-older woman who seemed to see past The-Boy-Who-Lived-to-Become-a-Magus, down inside to the young man named Harry. He thought of their simple conversation on the roof the other night, the banter, the teasing, so relaxing and comfortable.

He also thought of the brave, strong, loyal, competent (if a bit clumsy sometimes), professional who had offered her services as a Doppelganger, something that was not done lightly because of the trust needed and the close, permanent connection it formed.

And he remembered the blushing advice of his Mentor ... 'but perhaps, finding a ... willing partner? ... with some experience ... might not be a bad idea.' Had this been just a friendly kiss that had no further meaning, or was it an offer, a promise of the possibility of more?

His hormones might be in overdrive, and his body might be exceptionally well-suited for love-making. He may technically be of legal age, but he had no experience, even for the early stages of such a relationship. He had only begun crushing on Cho Chang last year, and so far that had been a disaster, as was his date at the Yule Ball with Parvati Patil. He was just barely learning to survive a flirty conversation without total humiliation. How could he even think about trying a relationship with a woman like Tonks ... Dora? Whatever might happen would need to happen slowly and carefully, he finally decided. I do like her, though, he thought with a shy grin.

Having settled his mind and emotions (and body) for the moment, Harry realized there were voices coming from the other side of the door that connected to the Magus Tower. The others must be out there. Taking a deep breath to settle his nerves, and now glancing in the mirror to check that he at least appeared normal, he reached out and opened the door to the lounge.

Addie and Minerva were on one side of the room, apparently composing the press release on the werewolf conversion he had just accomplished. Severus, Draco, Remus, and Sirius were sitting together discussing ... him! And Albus was stirring the fire, obviously monitoring both conversations with a smile.

Draco looked up as Harry entered the room. "Well, that was ... quick," he smirked, his voice full of innuendo. He stood and glanced around Harry into the bedroom, as though looking for someone. "Did she leave already? Hey, cuz, are you in there?"

Harry was blushing furiously as Sirius, Addie and Remus laughed, and even Snape had trouble suppressing a chuckle. Dumbledore twinkled madly, and McGonagall fought hard to remain stern and nearly snorted in amusement instead of delivering the scolding she felt she was obligated to deliver to Draco. Harry protested, "She left from the clearing, you nasty-minded little snake. Nothing happened!" At his godfather's expression of disbelief, he muttered, "Well, nothing much."

"Oh?" answered everyone in unison with wide grins.

"Shejustkissedmealittle," Harry muttered in a rush.

"Say that again?" insisted Draco.

Harry knew they were just teasing him, but he couldn't help getting irritated. He gritted out, "I said, she ... kissed ... me. Then she said goodnight and left. End of story."

Sirius was about to continue the ribbing, but Remus gestured him quiet with an understanding smile to Harry. "I believe you, Harry. I can tell that nothing really happened."

Taken aback, Harry asked, "You can tell? How?"

Remus tapped his nose with his forefinger. "I can tell," he said with a grin, glancing over at his fellow Marauder.

"You what?" Sirius bellowed, then blushed. "Sweet Merlin, your werewolf sense of smell. You can tell if someone has ... all those times at school ... " He rested his head in his hands and just shook it, trying to decide if this was humiliating or hilarious.

Snape looked at Remus appraisingly. "Are you saying your were-senses survived the conversion from werewolf to animagus?" Dumbledore came over to join the group.

Remus nodded. "The enhancements seem to still be there in full force. We'll need to carefully check if the vulnerabilities are still there, like silver-sensitivity."

Relieved to change the subject, and fully as curious as Snape and Dumbledore, Harry asked, "Draco, join me in a Scan here?"

The Slytherin nodded, willing enough to drop the hazing and investigate the former werewolf. He extended his senses to examine the magical and physical presence before him. He called up the memory of the earlier Scan and compared it with what he now perceived. Coming back into focus, he saw that Harry had done the same. With a slight nod, the two Scanners mentally exchanged impressions.

Draco began reporting to the others. "It's hard to identify all the details, but I'd say that the enhancements are just a bit weaker than they were, but still well above human norms. There is a good chance the negative attributes are gone with the curse, but I'd like to observe during those experiments you mentioned, Lupin. During the conversion, Harry didn't do anything particular either way on specific characteristics. He 'simply' forced the curse overall to behave like the animagus gift."

Dumbledore considered this, then asked, "Do you have any theories on why all the werewolf characteristics weren't driven out with the curse?"

Harry glanced at Draco, who nodded for him to take over. "Remus," asked the Magus, "how old were you when you were turned?"

"I was a few days past my fourth birthday. It's been over thirty years," he answered quietly. "In fact, this was transformation number 400 tonight. Many werewolves don't last so long. Hunters, both of ordinary wolves and of dark creatures, destroy as many as half the werewolves during their first year. Many don't survive confined full moons since there is a tendency for the wolf to do anything to escape, even if it means fatal self-injury." He stopped, then glanced at Sirius with a soft smile. "And since most of us never find friends willing to accept what we are, many of us fall to suicide."

Then, looking at Snape, he finished softly, "Your development of the Wolfsbane Potion, Severus, gave my kind a chance to endure, to survive, to hope. I've thanked you for brewing my doses, but I don't think I ever thanked you on behalf of all those men, women and children who have had to face this curse. I've encountered many of my fellows over the years who never knew where it came from. If not for your position as a spy, I would have made them aware of which Potions Master was responsible for their reprieve. I convey their gratitude as well as my own."

Sirius looked at his long-time adversary in wonder. "I never realized you developed that potion, Severus. All the references I've seen attribute it to a Master Malachai, including the official Ministry patent registration."

Snape was uncomfortable with the attention. "I developed that potion as a matter of self-preservation, nothing more. Do not attempt to attribute any sort of altruism to the matter. It made a good Mastery thesis." Looking at the former werewolf, he asked, "How did you find out I was Master Malachai?" As Remus fleetingly glanced toward the headmaster, he had his answer. "Ah, I should have known."

Realizing the Potions Master was desperate for a change in subject, Harry returned the conversation to its previous track, deliberately assuming a lecturing tone. "So, Remus, I have two possible explanations for the persistent physical enhancements. It might be the length of time you have been a werewolf, especially as a percentage of your lifetime. Or, it might be that you went through childhood and adolescent development as a werewolf, making the physical changes an inherent part of yourself, and not just an aspect of the curse." He paused, smiled, and shrugged. "Or both."

The adults in the group decided to finish composing the press release and Ministry report together. Harry sat at the edge of the group, thoughts drifting again to those endless-seeming moments in the clearing with a certain lady. Tonks had taken him by surprise, and had left before he could really react to the gentle kiss she had given him. He found himself wishing he'd had the presence of mind to participate in the kiss, to make those moments last longer. His imagination began to propose what might have happened, and what might happen if there was a next time. He began to feel a delicious tension grow within him. He was unaware of those around him.

Harry suddenly felt someone kick him in the shins, and a mental voice that nearly hissed was saying, /- Lock it down, lover-boy! You're projecting! -/ Draco was torn between amusement and concern. Meeting Harry's now-alert eyes, Draco glanced meaningfully at the ladies. Addie was looking at Harry with a glazed, predatory expression and a small but wicked smile, and, horror of horrors, McGonagall had the beginnings of a similar expression, though she seemed to be fighting ...

Harry suddenly realized he was having an almost veela-like effect on the women. He mindsent in panic to Albus, Severus, and Draco, /- Help me, I don't know how to make it stop! -/

/- Here ... over here is where it's coming from, -/ Draco sent, projecting to Harry what his Scan was showing him. It was, in a way, 'near' the place within Harry's magic that held his power of mind-control, that power he had used when Wormtail's sanity had been slipping away. But instead of needing deliberate intent, as the mind control gift did, this sensual attraction was instinctive and needed to be consciously blocked. Snape and Dumbledore reached out to Harry, attempting to anchor and calm the agitated magic within him. The Master Scanner continued to guide the young Magus in his efforts. /- That's it, Harry. It's fading now ... there, it's shut off completely now. -/ Draco breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Addie and McGonagall, who were nearly back to normal.

Harry was a study in remorse, humiliation, and regret, and with a touch of hysteria, he began to babble, "I swear it was an accident. I'm so sorry. I don't know how to tell you how sorry I am. I would never ..."

McGonagall cut him off. "Harry, enough," she said gently. "Apology accepted. Now that we know this can happen, you need to take some time to examine the effect and get it under full-time automatic control." The professor's kind and practical reaction went a long way toward relieving the young man. Addie in turn gave her reassurances that there was no real harm done, though Sirius growled only half-jokingly that it better not happen again. Remus followed that up with observations concerning his long-time friend's apparent jealousy.

Dumbledore's thoughts, however, had drifted off on a tangent. When he needed help, he reached out not only to me, but to Severus and Draco, he mused. Draco, as a Master Scanner is an obvious choice, as he could help analyze the boy's powers, but Severus ... This is a very good thing. I've worried what might happen to Harry if I were lost to him. I need to speak with Severus as to whether he is willing to be my successor as Harry's Mentor when the time comes. If we can prepare for such an eventuality, then perhaps we can avoid the kind of trauma that the death of Erasmus caused. And Severus is so powerful ... his magic is well beyond mine and still slowly growing. Yes, I must speak with him very soon ...

Dumbledore brought his attention back to those present and noted that they had settled down to finish the reports. "I would like to alert our illustrious Madam Minister to your success tonight, Harry, Remus ... regarding the cure for lycanthropy," he teasingly specified, just in case the Magus still had other events on his mind. "She deserves to know ahead of time what we intend to report tomorrow, since it can have far-reaching political repercussions. Does anyone have any objection to my making a fire-call?"

Since no one had any, Harry shifted back to Darius, and Dumbledore reached for a bit of floo powder. "Amelia indicated she would likely be working late, so," he tossed the powder, changing the fire to a bright green as he called, "Minister Bones' Office."

"Albus? What are you up to now, you old reprobate?" the Minister answered wearily, thinking the headmaster was alone in his quarters. Hearing several different voices laughing heartily from the direction of her fireplace, she removed her monocle, and rested her head in her hands for a moment. Shaking her head in both embarrassment and amusement, she apologized, "Forgive a tired old woman, Albus. Who do we have as an audience, and what is going on?"

"Nothing to forgive, dear lady," Dumbledore answered with a chuckle. "Perhaps a break would be in order. Would you like to join us for a drink and some interesting news? I'm in the Magus Tower at Hogwarts with some of the Circle."

Looking at her desk, her virtual prison for the last several hours, she reached over to touch the status orb on her desk. "I'm going to Hogwarts for a short meeting with the headmaster," she dictated to the orb, which flashed for a moment in acknowledgement. Returning to the fireplace, she tossed in a pinch of floo powder, saying, "Coming through, Albus. Hogwarts, Magus Tower."

Dumbledore stood before the fireplace, one hand out to assist the Minister across the hearth. She looked around the room, noting who was present, instinctively looking for clues, trying to determine what they might have been up to. She flinched when she realized that Remus Lupin was present. A very human-looking Remus Lupin, who she knew to be a werewolf. She glanced toward the window, which displayed the full moon in all its glory, and began shaking. She stumbled over to the nearest couch, scowling at the headmaster. "'Interesting' doesn't begin to cover this, old man. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Dumbledore looked properly chastised. "Forgive me, Amelia. I should have realized that your analytical mind would quickly deduce the situation."

Darius came forward with a smile and a drink for the still agitated Minister of Magic. "I also offer my apologies, Madam Minister. Here, perhaps this will help." He passed her a small glass of fine old scotch, which she downed quickly.

She held her breath, blinked, then released the breath with a smile. "Thank you, Darius. Excellent choice." Bones then glared in turn at Dumbledore, Remus, and Darius. "So, is it Polyjuice, or a cure for lycanthropy, Lord Magus?"

"Would you prefer a written report, a verbal report, or a shared memory, Minister Bones?" answered Darius quietly.

She gasped, realizing that it truly must be a cure. For the simple answer, that Remus Lupin was actually someone else under Polyjuice, would require just that, a simple answer. Bravely, she replied, "I would assume the most comprehensive report would be a shared memory, so, since you've offered, that is my choice. What do you require of me, sir?"

"Just close your eyes and relax, and leave the rest to me. This won't take long." They had decided that the observations of the headmaster would be a good perspective of the night's events, so Darius relayed the memory slice that Dumbledore had prepared. Then they waited for Bones to assimilate the information.

After about three minutes, she blinked her eyes open, picked up her glass, and silently held it out for a refill. With a smile and a gesture, Darius obliged. As soon as she had downed her refill, the Minister looked over to the brightly-twinkling source of the memory, who was sitting beside her, then at her former year-mate and long-time friend, Minerva McGonagall, who nodded slightly in confirmation, then at the former werewolf. She gestured for him to come closer to her. He came over to sit beside the older woman, who searched his eyes, then smiled. "You know, Remus, your parents did love you, even though they didn't know how to handle your condition. They regretted deeply that their fear of the curse, not of you, interfered with their ability to express that love. I wish they could have lived to see this day, for all your sakes." After patting his shoulder, she relaxed back into the comfortable sofa. "So, since you've shown me what you have been doing, now tell me what you plan to do about it."


At the old Riddle Mansion, dozens of people in black robes, either wearing or carrying white masks, were gathering at their Master's orders. Two Death Eaters were bragging how they had taken down the Obliviator and boatman at Azkaban, and ordered the Dementors to Kiss the remaining visitors, the Minister of Magic and the Auror. A voice behind them interrupted.

"Hem, hem," said the toad-faced woman who came mincing up to the group. The sickly sweet voice of Dolores Umbridge had a sharp edge to it. "If you had used whatever-it-is-you-call-a-brain, you would have captured Cornelius instead of destroying him outright. I was out of the country on our Master's business. If you had delayed and gotten word to me, I could have returned to the country in time and I would have been the new Minister of Magic right now!" she nearly screamed. "Instead, that hag, Amelia Bones sits in the Minister's office. Instead of a weak fool like Cornelius Fudge, instead of a loyal, unmarked follower of our Master, that stiff-necked, 'fair-minded', law-enforcing ... witch is in charge, hand-in-glove with that Muggle-lover, Dumbledore."

"Oh, is poor little Dodie having a temper tantrum?" asked Bellatrix Lestrange in a sing-song yet edgy voice. Everyone looked at the newly freed Death Eater with apprehension. The first woman to be granted the Dark Mark all those years ago had always been exceptionally dangerous. After nearly 14 years in Azkaban, she was very unstable mentally, and would lash out viciously with little excuse, with curses verbal and magical. The Dark Lord was usually amused. "I think it is our Master's prerogative to decide if these two made the correct choices. The Obliviator was a member of the Magus Circle. If he hadn't died quickly, he would probably have sent the Magus a warning. From what I've been told, this Darius likely would have saved the lot of them and cost our Lord two servants and two Dementors. Don't presume to judge your Master's followers!" Bellatrix finished angrily.

Before Umbridge could respond, Andre Devereaux Apparated into the room. "Our Master will summon us all to his new residence very soon. Those who are unmarked, select one of the others who are marked so you can be taken to the Dark Lord. Tonight we celebrate our Master's recent triumphs and witness a ritual that has not been enacted in centuries." As several Death Eaters pressed Devereaux for details, he insisted. "I have told you all I am permitted. Be ready."

About one in ten of those present were unmarked followers, either because of their position at the Ministry, like Umbridge, or because they were to be initiated that night, such as Marcus Flint. The arrangements for 'rides' were barely completed when those marked felt the summons of Lord Voldemort. Within moments, Riddle Manor was uninhabited.

Nearly one hundred Death Eaters found themselves in a huge hall, lit by dozens of chandeliers and torches which gave forth a penetrating green fire, disturbingly reminiscent of the color of the Killing Curse. At one end of the room, on a platform, stood what could only be called a throne, a throne carved with many images of snakes and serpents. The most striking feature rose from the back of the chair, to a height that would show well above the head of one seated: a large cobra, collar flaring, diamond-set eyes sparkling, mouth open as though ready to bite, fangs glistening with venom.

Suddenly a pair of large doors to the side of the throne were thrown open, crashing loudly to the wall. Two women entered first, an adult and a young teen, namely Desiree and Malvina Devereaux. They walked slowly in a formal procession with measured steps, an unseen gong tolling to mark their rhythm. As they took their positions, standing on either side of the throne, another figure entered through the doors. The most powerful Dark Lord in history entered slowly, also in time to the unseen gong. With each step, the aura of power that radiated from him seemed to grow in strength.

Finally he stood in front of the throne facing his many followers and raised his arms in triumph. His voice echoed throughout the hall as he began the necessary ritual phrases in Parseltongue. After each phrase, one or both of the women flanking the throne translated the ritual phrases as they had been earlier instructed.

"Too long has the Serpent's Throne been vacant," intoned Desiree.

"Too long have the Children of Klaatu been absent from their rightful dwelling," came Malvina's clear voice.

"Klaatu's Blood feeds the Serpent's Throne," said Desiree as she used a ritual dagger to slash her palm.

"So that the Son of the Serpent may be renewed," Malvina followed with her translation and cut her hand as well.

Voldemort intoned the final phrase in Parseltongue, as both women placed their bleeding palms on the heads of the snakes that formed the arms of the throne, and translated the final invocation. "The Serpent's Son now claims the throne of the Klaatu-shah, and the power of that throne and of the Dark Fortress!" As the blood touched the throne, the bejeweled eyes of the cobra blazed with scarlet fire, and its body undulated above the head of its new master. The cobra hissed in Parseltongue as Voldemort took his seat on the throne, then threw back his head as though in ecstasy, long white fingers fiercely gripping the slithering snake carvings at his sides. Desiree and Malvina spoke in unison, "So shall it be. The power of the Dark Fortress is yours to command, great Lord of the Serpent's Throne."

Weakened by the forces of the ritual, they both shakily went to their knees before Voldemort, awaiting his notice. Without being told, every Death Eater present followed their lead and knelt, heads bowed in awe. Nagini slithered into sight, encircling the base of the throne, raising her head to face the object of her adoration. A pulsing aura surrounded their Master and his throne, pulsing with the beat of his cold, cruel heart, and red as the blood that flowed through said heart. They would later learn that the Lord of the Dark Fortress, the Klaatu-shah that was able to claim the Serpent's Throne, would thereafter need only to sit in that throne to be completely restored to full magical strength in moments; to be healed of nearly mortal injury; to be freed of any curse; to command the dark creatures that lived in the depths of the fortress; to have full control of the minds and senses of any of his marked followers, anywhere in the world.

The world was in deep trouble.


It was decided that Remus and Sirius would go to the Ministry first thing in the morning to register as animagi. When Remus was questioned, as was certain to happen, he was to ask that the Department of Mysteries be contacted to confirm his new status, and to receive the report on the conversion process. Bones would have already notified the Unspeakables to expect such a contact. They would then report to the Minister's office, where they would wait for the daily press conference to begin. The Interim Minister was required by Ministry procedure to conduct daily press conferences for up to two weeks, or until the interim term of office was complete, whichever came first. Then, the news that the Magus could transform the werewolf curse, effectively curing lycanthropy, would be announced to the public, with a demonstration by Remus as the first person to go through Conversion.

Once these matters were decided, Amelia Bones, Minerva, Remus, and Sirius and Addie went their separate ways, leaving the Magus, his Mentor, plus the two Klaatu-shah to proceed to the training area of the Magus Tower.

"If you're up to it, Draco," requested the Magus, "I'd like to have a bit of a training session with you monitoring. I wanted to try that exercise I was working on when I had my last backlash, the one where my magic fights my muscles. Albus, Severus, would you please put up shields to protect against any energy outbursts and to screen out any distractions?" While Harry reinforced the shields in the training room, the two professors efficiently constructed shields to protect those inside the training room. They included a partly dormant shield around Draco that wouldn't interfere with his Scanning senses, but would be tripped to full protection mode by a surge of energy coming in his direction.

Draco sat quietly as he monitored Harry's training exercise. Harry was effectively battling himself, using his magic to form a slowly-closing energy field around him that he fought physically, pushing with hands and feet to prevent the field's shrinking. Draco had quickly settled in to watching both the physical and magical energies, and could tell Harry's mental focus was stable.

In one sense, you could say it was boring, just sitting there, watching. But what he was seeing, as he began to understand what he was seeing, was breathtaking. He saw a constant flow of raw magical power being drawn out from some unknown source. The mind and body of the Magus funneled that power to form the energy field. As those forces pressed in, and the body resisted, he could almost sense the Magus growing stronger, bit by bit. As the body became just a bit stronger, the forces being channeled flowed more smoothly and a bit stronger, which in turn caused the field to press in stronger in a slow, evolving cycle.

While the exercise was progressing, Dumbledore was engaged in private mindspeech with Snape, concerning the role of Mentor. /- Albus, you must be joking, -/ Severus almost stuttered mentally in shock. /- Me? Mentor to Harry Potter? It would never work! -/

/- My boy, look how far you two have come, -/ Dumbledore insisted calmly. /- He sought your help as well as mine awhile ago, not Minerva, nor Sirius, nor Remus, but you. And you did an excellent job assisting me as an anchor even without the benefit of the Mentor Bond I share with him. If I had known your true power, and the trust you two were to develop in each other, I might have deferred the position to you in the first place. As things stand, I can't abdicate the position without harm to both Magus and Mentor, but I strongly urge you to consider preliminary actions to allow you to immediately take over the bond if I am incapacitated or lost. Even if he learns to dampen the effects of the loss of a Circle member, the loss of his Mentor would be truly devastating, dangerously so. And there is no one, absolutely no one else strong enough for the position. -/

Dumbledore checked quickly on the Magus before continuing in a mental whisper. /- I haven't told him yet, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to remain unaffected when he calls up his power in full measure. If I hadn't been within a Quadralis during the rituals this week ... well, I believe it might have become quite painful for me. I need you as my successor for the future, and I need your assistance in the present. -/

Snape glanced at Harry Magus, then back at the man who for decades had been considered the most powerful wizard alive. Because of years of denial, he could not admit even to himself how much he cared for both men, as the family he'd never truly known. He sometimes still had trouble adjusting to the incredible power he now held in his grasp, so he could relate to the young Magus who, he now understood, had long wished he could be an ordinary wizard. He finally answered the pleading gaze of the suddenly tired-looking old man beside him. /- If he agrees to your proposal, I accept the position as your adjunct and your successor, my Lord Mentor, -/ he pledged. /- Heaven help us all. -/

In the meantime, Draco began to notice something ... not quite right. "Potter! Ease off now!" Draco both said and sent along the Circle mindlink. The flow of force immediately began to lessen. As his mind and body finally relaxed, the Magus released a long, deep breath.

Dumbledore settled back in his chair with a quiet, "Excellent!" both in acceptance of Snape's pledge, and in observation of Draco's perception of Harry's condition.

"Thanks ... Malfoy," Harry said with a grin, keeping the level of familiarity to whatever Draco chose at any particular moment. "That was the most successful exercise I've been able to have so far, since I didn't have to worry about losing control."

Draco looked at Harry and Dumbledore. "What do you mean? This was my first monitoring session ... and you were counting on me to catch any problems? How did you know I'd get it right?"

Dumbledore smiled at Draco with his usual twinkle. "Draco, I was still in contact with Harry throughout the exercise, but you caught the instability and had Harry pulling out before I even began to suspect a problem. But I can confirm now for you that an instability was indeed developing."

Draco looked at Dumbledore, "Are you a Scanner, then, that you can tell that?"

"Not exactly, or at least, not in general," Dumbledore answered. "Through the Mentor bond, I have basic Scanning ability where Harry is concerned, but not with anyone else. But the ability is very basic, much less than Harry's Scanning talent, which in turn is much less than your Scanning talent. As I believe Harry told you before, even though Harry is much stronger, your talent has much greater complexity and discernment. You are, at the very least, the most gifted Scanner in centuries."

As they headed back to the lounge, the headmaster instructed, "Now, I think it's time you turned in for what's left of the night, Draco. It's past midnight, you know. The next few days will be quite stressful for you, so you need to be well rested." Dumbledore then addressed the Magus, "Harry, Severus and I need to speak with you before we leave you to your studying and whatever bits of sleep time you need these days."

As he headed through the door that magically linked to his room in Snape's quarters, Draco reviewed the training session in his mind, confirming to himself that the exercise had definitely yielded positive results for the Magus. The ambient power flows were smoother and stronger, the physical aura denser and more powerful.

It worried Draco that Harry felt he wasn't ready yet for Voldemort. Was Voldemort really that much more powerful than any non-Magus in history? Was Harry's usable power really insufficient to face the Dark Lord? He remembered that Snape had mentioned that a Scanner's one blind spot is himself.

Draco would have to get up the courage to suggest he accompany the Magus on a scouting expedition, so he could compare for himself between the Magus and the Dark Lord. He truly wanted to feel as though he were participating in the fall of the creature who had destroyed his family so thoroughly, as well as so many others. Soon, he told himself. Soon.

As the headmaster could have predicted, Harry was mortified that the Mentor bond could be endangering Dumbledore in any way. Snape quickly, but quietly interrupted to explain how he might assist in the matter, by sharing a part of the Mentor bond for the present, and by being immediately available to take over the bond entirely if it became necessary ... if Harry could accept such a close connection with his former adversary.

The young Magus was nearly overcome with emotion, conflicting emotions of concern and guilt, gratitude and self-doubt, and others he couldn't put a name to. He shyly met the eyes of the man who for years had been 'that greasy git', a man he had come to trust and care for as family once he was able to sense beneath the harsh surface and painful life experiences of the older man. He smiled as he extended his left hand towards the black-haired professor, and his right to the white-haired headmaster. They in turn joined their free hands together. The Magus then said simply, "Make it so."

The Mentor gingerly touched on the core of power within the Magus, using the bond they shared that was closer than others in the Circle could possibly imagine. Using that energy to augment his own, and traveling along the bonds among the three of them, Dumbledore carefully spun off a thread from the Mentor bond at his end, sending that thread to the mind and power core of Severus Snape.

With a jolt, Snape suddenly understood the unique and powerful bond that Harry and Albus shared, as well as the vulnerability of the Mentor in the face of the effectively unlimited power of the Magus. Reaching deep into his own power, he instinctively formed a construct on the ever-strengthening thread of his portion of the Mentor Bond. This construct acted as a kind of circuit-breaker, a screen, a filter, a warning system. Gathering the vibrant green energies of his remarkably extensive pool of magic, he pushed the construct down the threads of the bond to a point below the branching that let him share the bond with Dumbledore, securing that bond below the branching point to add protection for those whose role was to anchor the titanic power of the Magus.

Releasing their hands, and relaxing the mental connections among them, the three most powerful forces of the Light breathed simultaneous sighs of relief, followed by quiet laughter. Harry quietly addressed his Mentors. "We won't be able to keep this from Draco. He'll know the moment he sees any of us, if he doesn't sense it sooner. What about the rest of the Circle?"

"I'll tell Draco, tonight if he's still awake when I return to my quarters; in the morning if not," answered Snape. "For the rest, I'd say, wait and see if they notice. Perhaps let them see me in a supporting role to get them used to the idea." Snape was clearly thinking of the Marauders and the Gryffindor students in particular, those less likely to accept him in such a role. "Then Albus can explain his rationale once the stress of the week has eased."

"I concur, Severus," agreed Dumbledore. "Also, it should remain a Circle-only secret, just as the wolf pack alliance of this past evening." Before he could continue, his eyes widened in shock, not at something he perceived personally, but at the feedback he received from Harry, Severus, and Draco. Harry's reaction was slightly different from that of the Slytherins, though it was just as profound. The Gryffindor was responding to an incredible surge of energy and emotion from his scar-linkage with Voldemort, staggering backwards to land awkwardly on a couch as his Magus aura flared in purple pulses.

The Slytherins, it turned out, were being made violently aware that the eldest of the three Klaatu-shah had just claimed the Serpent's Throne and all the power that entailed. The two had to fight the summons to attend the new Lord of the Dark Fortress. Fortunately, the Circle bond that protected them from mental control augmented their own wills enough to break free of the compulsion. Dumbledore could see that Snape was glowing with his own power, trembling in shock, stumbling to a seat. Realizing that the youngest Serpent's Child would be having a comparable reaction, the old wizard Apparated to Draco's side, reaching out to try to calm the young wizard's convulsions. The anticipated first-level wizarding transformation had been triggered, delicately modifying Draco's physical and magical structure with spiking surges of power. Deciding that it would be easier to assist all three together, he picked up the semi-conscious Slytherin in his surprisingly strong arms, Apparated back to the Magus Tower, and summoned the school's mediwitch with a quick directed thought. Harry had already begun to recover, shielding his mind from that of the Dark Lord, and was staggering toward Severus to offer what assistance he could. Moments after the headmaster laid Draco on one of the couches, a flare of green fire on the hearth announced Poppy's arrival.

"It would appear that Tom has just 'upped the ante' for this game of war we are engaged in," he whispered wearily to no one in particular. "Oh, Harry, my dear child, I do hope we still have an ace or two in the hole."