Harry Potter and the Path to Power

Chapter XV

Harry had changed into the robes laid out for him by Dobby in a small room near the Great Hall.

They were white -something he resented, especially after his outburst earlier that day- and had two coats of arms on the chest.

On the right was the Hogwarts crest, an H surrounded by an Eagle, a Badger, a Snake and a Lion, beneath it stood in an ornate script 'Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus'.

On the left was another impressive device, a golden dragon motif, spewing a blaze of fire, in white and red colours. This one had a black border in the form of a kite shield. Underneath the dragon the words 'Cedo nulli' were printed.

Harry had no idea what the second coat of arms was for, what the words stood for, or even why either of the crests was imprinted on his chest.

With Dobby as his escort, Harry made his way to the Great Hall.

When they arrived at the entrance he gave his wand to the house-elf for safekeeping; it would only interfere with the ritual magic in which he was about to take part. This ceremony would only involve weaved magic, an old and almost forgotten form of casting, done with the mind and hands. It wasn't very quick or powerful, but it was subtle... or so Dumbledore had said.

As Harry entered through the main doors he saw that the house tables had been removed.

The banners that had been black at the end of last year had been replaced by a myriad of hangings, both Dragon and Hogwarts standards decorated the scarcely lit room.

The only lights that were present were four candles, one at each corner of the Great Hall and a pattern of candles in the middle of the room. The stars that shone above seemed ineffectual and there was no moon that night.

"Who comes?" the voice of Albus Dumbledore sounded through the room as clear as crystal.

The ceremony had begun and Harry had no choice now but to follow the rules. He could feel the magic that had sprung up with the first question, could feel a slow crescendo starting.

The candles seemed to burn brighter and shadows started to move on the walls, behind him the great doors closed.

"Harry Potter, son of James and Lily," Harry called to the five figures that stood behind the pattern, Dumbledore to the fore.

"Why have you come?" Dumbledore asked.

"I come to learn knowledge," Harry answered.

"Why have you come?"

"I come to learn control."

"Why have you come?"

"I come to master myself."

"Step forward."

With reverence Harry walked forward until he stood at the edge of the pattern, opposite the five figures who were all cloaked in shadows except Dumbledore.

Up close Harry could see that the pattern consisted of three ellipses; two crossing each other at a right angle, each ending pointing towards a corner of the Great Hall, which in turn corresponded with one of the corners of the earth, the third was laid on top of these pointing from the main doors towards the back of the hall.

"Why would you take this step?" Albus Dumbledore asked. He wore a black robe in the same style as Harry's with the Hogwarts crest on his right breast.

This was not only a ceremonial question, Harry had read, but was something to be answered truthfully, to further ignite the magic.

"To learn... and to ... protect myself and others."

"This is a worthy reason," Dumbledore answered in a ritual phrase, but pride was clear underneath.

"Who stands for this boy? Who will bear witness for him?" the headmaster intoned, magic dancing in his eyes.

The first figure on his right took a step forward. It was Sirius, dressed in the same ceremonial black robes; on his right chest was a crest featuring what looked like a chess castle, the crest on his left was a running dog, a large black dog.

"I stand for this boy and will bear witness."

"Who stands and bears witness?" Dumbledore continued.

"Sirius Black, first son of the house of Black, Godfather to this boy."

"Take your place at the Pattern, witness."

As Sirius took his place on one of the point of the Pattern, Dumbledore turned to his left.

"Minerva McGonagall, will you bear witness for me so that the balance is made?"

McGonagall turned an intense stare to Harry, giving him the feeling that she was trying to penetrate the depths of his mind, to see if he was worthy.

"I will be honoured to stand witness."

"Take your place at the Pattern, witness."

Dressed in a female version of the black ceremonial robes with a Hogwarts Crest, McGonagall took her place opposite Sirius.

"Is there a person present here who will stand for the Wizards' Council, so that it may be informed?"

"I will stand for the Wizards' Council," said Mundungus Fletcher as he stepped from the shadows. On his right chest was the image of a bundle of arrows.

Without prompting he took his place at the Pattern.

"Is there a person present here who will stand for the Ministry, so that all may be registered in accordance with the law?"

"I will stand for the Ministry," said the last figure in the shadows.

To Harry's surprise it was Arthur Weasley. He almost spoke, but was stopped by the memory of the strict rules of ceremony that prohibited him from saying anything that was not part of the ceremony.

Arthur wore old and tattered black robes that seemed to be a slightly different style than that of the others. They also seemed a bit too small for him.

On his chest were two coats of arms. On his left breast was a wand crossed with a book, a symbol that Harry had seen before in connection with the Ministry of Magic; the book was supposed to represent the law, and the wand the means of enforcing the law.

On his right breast was what looked like a bundle of twigs, bending, but not breaking.

He took his place opposite Fletcher.

"Harry Potter, take your place at the Pattern."

Almost simultaneously Dumbledore and Harry took their places at the Pattern, opposite each other, bottom and top.

To Harry's right stood Sirius and to his left, Arthur.

"Today has come a boy asking to learn. Today has come a master offering to teach," Dumbledore intoned.

He turned his gaze to Harry. "If you still desire to learn, knowing full well the consequences of the commitment you are about to make step forward into the Pattern."

For a moment Harry hesitated.

He now had a better understanding of what the bond between apprentice and master entailed. To some extent he would have to do what Dumbledore told him to do, and a significant bond would be created between the both of them. On some level they would always be aware of each other and they would be more vulnerable to each other, Harry more so than Dumbledore.

It was not a question of not trusting Dumbledore, but opening himself up to someone else, making himself vulnerable was against his deepest nature.

Taking a deep breath, Harry calmed his mind; it was too late for second thoughts. Sometimes you had to do what was necessary and pay the price.

He stepped forward.

As did Dumbledore.

Harry couldn't imagine anyone ever mistaking this man for what he was: a truly powerful wizard. The magic of the ceremony was still there and it had now reached new heights, it could be seen dancing and flickering in those blue eyes, eyes that looked so very different without their usual twinkle.

"Sit down, Harry."

There was a six-sided figure created by the ellipses at the centre of the pattern.

Both Harry and Dumbledore sat down in it, with their legs crossed, their knees touching.

In accordance with ancient ritual, both extended their hands towards each other, palms turned upward at a square angle with their arms.

Magic surged.

*****

He had seen a lot of impressive magic in his life, had known a lot of powerful wizards and witches: Dumbledore, James and Lily, he had even felt Voldemort on one occasion, and he was no slouch himself, but as his name was Sirius Black: nothing like this.

Not that there was a lot of visual evidence of any magic. It was more a sensing of the potential behind the link the two in front of him were creating.

A force to move mountains... and perhaps alter the course of history.

He had felt its beginnings when Harry had stepped into the Great Hall, dressed in his ceremonial white robes. He had been a bit shocked by seeing the ancient symbol on Harry's chest.

Of course Harry would wear the Hogwarts crest; it symbolized his link to Dumbledore who had taken the symbol for his own when becoming headmaster of Hogwarts, forsaking all ties to his own house.

But the Dragon device was what shocked him. He hadn't seen it since the death of James' father, more than twenty years ago. James had never worn it, refusing to acknowledge anything that had to do with his father or family.

It was Harry's birthright to wear that ancient symbol, but did he even know what it meant?

What was Dumbledore doing?

When Harry had stood before the pattern and had given his reasons he had once again felt the magic surge, building to a new level.

His answer had been true... to learn and protect...

He was so very proud of his Godson; he was so much like James and Lily, so very much a Potter.

His part of the ceremony was simple, he just had to stand at the pattern and weave only the tiniest bit of his magic into the whole. He was more than happy to do so; even considering the reasons behind this joining was less than ideal.

Then Harry and Dumbledore sat and touched hands.

He almost cried out.

So much magic.

He could see that even McGonagall, Arthur Weasley and Magistrate Fletcher felt it, and they weren't even Sensitives; he was.

A glow surrounded the hands of the two wizards that sat in the pattern.

He could feel their distinctive magics merge and flow back and forth.

Back and forth the magic went at a relentless pace, not stopping or even diminishing, but growing.

He was starting to worry.

The candles that were lit started to glow brighter and brighter, and the lines on the floor that were drawn by Dumbledore himself according to very old conventions started to give off a very daunting blue light; the walls of Hogwarts seemed to tremble with a distant thunder.

He could see that none of the others had expected this; it was clear in their eyes.

Had the ceremony gone wrong somehow, or was this something they just hadn't known because nothing quite like this had been done for almost ten centuries?

Should they stop it?

Could they stop it?

He tried to pull at his end of the weave a bit, but it was like trying to move a mountain.

All he could do was hang on and wait out the ride.

And then Harry and Dumbledore started to rise into the air.

*****

Harry could feel Dumbledore's magic as it merged with his own, behind his closed eyes he could see the golden light that was so very different but shone brightly next to his own white.

For the first time he saw magic as something to which innate qualities could be ascribed.

Dumbledore's felt warm and benign, something that enveloped you like a blanket and would keep you warm; but also powerful, like a strong fortress that could defend you against anything.

Then there was his. Maybe it was impossible to analyze your own magic; but then again, he could see his magic as a light in the core of his being. He saw his magic as white and Dumbledore's as gold... but why were the feelings he so easily assigned to the Headmaster's magic so hard to find for his own?

It wasn't that he couldn't feel or sense anything, quite the opposite actually. He felt warmth and cold, benevolence and malice, life and death, caring and indifference, peace and war, healing and killing and a thousand other terms that came to mind, all opposites.

The magic that he and Dumbledore had created was still centred between them; in the physical world he felt it where their hands came together.

Then he felt the magic beginning to move, for lack of a better term. It started rolling back and forth between himself and Dumbledore. Every time it passed through him he felt a surge of exhilaration, and when it left him he could not help but long for its return.

With every wave he became more and more aware of the man that sat in front of him; there were even moments when he seemed to remember things he had never done or experienced in his life.

He remembered a childhood with a mother and father... and even a brother.

He remembered graduating from Hogwart's as Head Boy. His parents had been so proud.

He remembered a wedding to a beautiful woman. Her smile was the only thing that mattered to him and he hardly heard the words spoken. Her smile....

He remembered teaching at Hogwarts with his wife. He was happy, she was happy, she smiled that smile.

He remembered that smile... but something was wrong. The eyes were dead and the smile was frozen. He felt himself scream, scream in sorrow, scream for vengeance. He saw blood on his hands.

He remembered leaving Hogwarts. He lived for the battle now, for vengeance.

He remembered standing in front of a dark wizard, screaming. "It ends now!"

He remembered receiving a reward... but it didn't matter, nothing mattered without her, without that smile.

He remembered teaching again. This was his purpose in life now, a reason to go on living. The students were his family now.

He remembered...........

So many memories... one as fleeting as the next, never staying, but leaving an impression, creating a link.

He felt the magic grow with every turn around, felt it grow in intensity and in size until instead of rolling back and forth it enveloped them both.

The world around them seemed to fall away and he could not even feel the floor beneath him.

There was only magic and memories that flowed like water.

Suddenly a young man with auburn hair appeared in his mind's eye, and then he stood beside the man.

He looked somehow familiar; he had bright, blue eyes and his face was dominated by a long, straight nose.

"Hello, Harry," the man said.

"Professor, is that you?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Harry. This is how I still see myself, much as I was at twenty years old," Dumbledore smiled.

"Where are we?"

"Nowhere. This is a place that we have created together; it is a place of the mind."

"Why are we here? I didn't know this would happen," Harry said in surprise.

"We are here because I wanted us to be here. The link has been established, so I was able to guide you here."

"But why?"

"Because I wanted to show you something. When our magics merged I made some discoveries."

Dumbledore waved his hand and far above them a large white light, shining like a sun appeared. It was surrounded by a golden haze that seemed to contain it like riverbanks contain a river, but from time to time magic spilled over like a flare from a sun.

"Harry, I'm not sure how to tell you this, but we were not as successful as I had hoped."

Harry felt his spirits fall. Not successful, he would be sent away after all.

"No, there is no reason to fear that, Harry, don't worry. But you will have to work harder to control your magic, and some things may be difficult or even impossible yet, I don't know. What I do know is that you don't have to fear hurting others; that I can prevent," Dumbledore said in a soothing voice, "but things will happen, and you need to be prepared for that."

Harry only nodded, hoping the Headmaster was right.

"It's time to go back now," Dumbledore spoke as he waved his hand again.

A few moments later, Harry became aware of the world again and he felt the link with Dumbledore.

It wasn't as if he had become one with the headmaster, but he was definitely aware of his presence and he felt as if he had a better understanding of the man, a sense of history and direction.

"It is done, the link has been formed," Dumbledore announced.

"I bear witness," all four observers intoned. Harry thought he could hear astonishment in their voices, but it was hard to tell because of the formality of the words.

Both he and Dumbledore stood and he felt himself being embraced by Sirius.

"Congratulations, Harry. I'm proud of you," he said.

"Thanks, Sirius," Harry replied, still a bit dazed by the magic he had just undergone.

Sirius was soon replaced by McGonagall, who gave him a small but proud smile as she congratulated him.

"I expect you to keep yourself to a higher standard now, Mr. Potter. Not only will you be a Proctor, the embodiment of the highest ideals of Hogwarts, but as Professor Dumbledore's apprentice your actions will directly reflect upon the Headmaster," she said in her familiar stern voice, despite the smile.

Next was Arthur Weasley, who also looked proud.

"Congratulations, Harry. I know my family will be most proud when they hear.

Now for the formal part: I, Arthur Weasley, duly designated witness of the Ministry of Magic, hereby declare Harry Potter the apprentice of Albus Dumbledore.

According to the old laws, never having been revoked, you are hereby given the status, rights, privileges and duties of a wizard as defined by the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy, but with the limitations as applies from the Code of Apprenticeship."

"Uhmm, I'm sorry but what does that mean?" Harry asked, surprised.

Arthur had a grin from ear to ear. "It means that as far as the law is concerned, you are now of age. Congratulations, Harry."

Arthur handed Harry an official looking document that stated almost exactly what he had said.

Mundungus Fletcher stepped forward to replace Arthur.

"Congratulations are in order, Mr. Potter. You have just done something that hasn't been done in, ohh, I think around ten centuries," Magistrate Fletcher said, an amused tone in his voice.

Then he cleared his throat and continued in a formal tone.

I also have a formal part to fulfil: I, Mundungus Fletcher, Magistrate of the law and full member of the Wizards' Council, hereby witness your apprenticeship to Albus Dumbledore.

I also witness your coming of age, by this very act.

As member of the Greater Council, I call upon Harold James Potter, first of that name, son of James Potter, third of that name, heir apparent to House Potter and its seat on the higher council, to appear before the full body of the Wizard's Council so that you may claim your place as the next Lord and High Seat of House Potter.

You will be summoned, come without delay."

Sirius' face had turned ashen and his features were contorted in fear.

"Albus, NO, I FORBID IT."