Harry Potter and the Legend of Imlach

Chapter 1 - The Mountain

Harry was not sure what to do. He thought of his wife, but he knew what Dumbledore was saying was true. As much as Harry knew he was right the very idea sickened him. Why could they not do something else? Why did the place he felt unwanted the most have to be the safest place for him-and now his wife too. His aunt and uncle where his only blood relatives and love was one word never associated with them in his mind. How did Dumbledore expect him to take his wife into their home? Of course, she knew how he felt, but he knew Dumbledore was right. Harry thought of her and she whispered in his head, "It will be alright." He knew of course it would be, but it not change the fact he did not like it. Harry sat in Dumbledore's office trying to accept his summer plans.

"Dumbledore, they don't even know I'm married, and on top of it all, they will not approve of the fact we are so young," Harry blurted in a helpless protest.

"I went to visit them," Dumbledore stated.

"You DID." Harry's jaw dropped and his eyes grew wide in disbelief.

"It was an interesting conversation." Dumbledore had an amused look on his face. He could just imagine what that must have been like, and Dumbledore sensed his panic.

"Don't worry, it all turned out well."

"It did," Harry muttered in disbelief.

"Yes, they know you are bringing a guest into their home with you, and you have their permission and their word she can stay." Dumbledore nodded at Harry and continued.

"Of course, they claimed they didn't have room, but I assured them your room upstairs would do for the both of you this summer."

Harry was sure Dumbledore was laughing a bit under his breath.

"They do not know that this guest is female, let alone your wife, but I think you will enjoy the shock. I told them they did not need to pick you up at the station, so I've asked for a car to take you home. Mr. Weasley has arranged it all."

Harry guessed Dumbledore would have enjoyed being there when they walked in.

"Well, it looks like I have some packing to do," Harry said as he stood.

Harry walked slowly down the stairs wishing there was some other way. He resigned to the fact if he had to be there at least he had his very best friend with him.

When he entered his room it was like walking to a new world. It empowered him; he could not help but wonder if it would be the same at his uncle's house.

"It will be."

He was amazed at how easy those words floated across his mind. She was good at telepathy; he was still struggling with it.

"How do you do that with such ease?" he said with a ting of weariness in his voice.

"You are learning, and soon will wonder why it was so hard."

The words danced across his mind just as if he had heard them.

"I see you are already packing." He smiled at her as he spoke.

"Yes, we need to have the trunks ready before the hour is out. I am not sure the cats are too excited about the move either. But I am ready to get out of the torture of classes."

He looked over on the bed and noticed the two wild cats he had come to accept as simply part of his wife. They did look a little unnerved. He laughed, Dumbledore was right; this was going to be a little fun. His Uncle hated cats. His wife just laughed, but he knew she was nervous too. He could not read her thoughts as well as her yet, but he had never had any problems knowing exactly how she felt. Her courage gave him hope it would all work out. He worried about her because the last few months had been hard on them both, but she had undergone more adjustments than he. She was more than struggling in all of her classes, but potions. No one other than Harry really talked to her, more because she didn't talk back very often. She was just now starting to get the language down, that had been the hardest of all. After a few weeks of not responding to questions, no one even tried; she was left to struggle by herself many times. There where almost never transfer students at Hogwarts, especially at mid term, so she was under suspicion from day one. Ron and Hermione thought she was a spy at first, they still did not understand why Harry had taken her under his wing. They were sure it was just another Voldemort related trick. Harry sighed, keeping his marriage and all the joy and fulfillment he found in it a secret from his two best friends had been hard on him, he knew the time to tell them had not yet arrived, but was hoping he did not have to go through his last year at Hogwarts without them knowing. He was sure they both knew there was something going on between them, which he had not denied, but he knew they would flip when they found out the truth.

Their things where loaded on the train, and one thing was for sure, her protectors for all those centuries, the wild cats, did not like being in the cage. Once they were in a compartment she let them out. They walked around and then the female settled into her lap and male perched himself on the top of the chair behind her like he was at a command post. He always got a kick out of those cats. They had slowly come to accept him and Hedwig, his snowy owl, but he was in awe of their devotion to his wife. He settled their last few things and then placed Hedwig gently in her place. He gave her a treat and she seemed to be ready for the trip.

Just then two heads popped in. It was Ron and Hermione.

"Mind if we join you for the ride," Ron said with a smile.

"I would be disappointed if you didn't," Harry said with a huge smile.

Ron walk in and placed Pig's cage beside Hedwig.

"Don't make too much noise," He stated flatly at the small owl.

Harry laughed as Ron's words set Pig into a frenzy. Ron gave her a treat and she calmed down some. Ron mumbled something under his breath at the bird; Harry knew he loved the little owl. Just then Hermione walked in and nearly yelled when Crookshank's claws started to dig into her shoulder. Harry quickly turned around to see the two cats, still sitting calmly with his wife. Hermione's huge fluffy orange tabby did not have the same demeanor.

"I didn't know you had cats," Hermione stated surprised.

"Yeah," Harry said without thinking.

"They are interesting," Hermione said with a bit of suspension in her voice.

"They are neat looking," Ron added.

"A bit on the sassy side is what they are if you asked me."

Harry said with a smile as he ran his hand down the back of the smaller one sitting in his wife's lap, the cat hissed at him and he just smiled.

Ron and Hermione had long accepted the fact Harry usually spoke for both them, but it was a particularly sore spot with Hermione. He knew she thought he was controlling her in some kind of way, but it was far from the truth. Hermione tried to talk about it with Harry, but Harry always side stepped the issue. She was sure this girl was trouble. Harry asked why she just did not put the thought in her head and move her lips at the same time and it worked well - one on one. However, with both Ron and Hermione together it was difficult, because Hermione noticed the difference.

Harry looked at his wife, and they new in an instant this was the time to tell them. He hoped they would take it well.

"Hey, we have something we want to talk to guys about," Harry said with a little too much excitement in his voice.

"We..." Ron said with a little bit of fear in his voice.

Ron and Hermione had talked extensively about the relationship this girl had with Harry. They had found themselves with more time alone since Christmas, not that they minded, and the new girl was often the topic of conversation. Harry had still made a conscious effort to spend time with them and include his wife as part of the group as often as he could. They were both nervous, but ready to hear what Harry had to say.

"Well," Hermione urged.

Harry stood there, straightened a little and said with a proud smile. "I'd like you to meet my wife, Moira."

Harry was hoping Hermione would see the connection, and it a minute Harry was relived to see a new wave of shock come over Hermione's face as she started to realize the implications of what was really going on. Harry turned back to Ron. He had finally closed his mouth and a hurt expression started to appear on his face.

"Harry, I think we need to start at the beginning"

Harry turned to his wife in response to her comment. "Yours or mine?"

"For now, yours," she said telepathically to all of them.

Harry was glad that the train was long. It would take that long to explain this.

"Harry," he turned to Ron.

"Yeah?"

"I heard what she said, but her lips never moved."

"That's because she is telepathic," Hermione stated as Ron looked at her in disbelief.

"You knew?" Ron was dumbfounded.

"No, I'm just putting two and two together now, oh my."

Hermione sighed and sat back in her seat.

Harry sat down next to Moira and place his hand in hers, not sure exactly where to begin. So he just started.

"It started about Halloween; Dumbledore gave me a book to read, he said he thought it would be a good book to keep my mind occupied. It was the most wonderful book. I felt like I was caught up in some past time. At that point in time witches and wizards where fighting to even exist. The story was fascinating and powerful. I finished the book before the end of November. Without a second thought I gave the book to Hermione, it was a book I knew she would like, even if it was not light reading."

"I loved it!" Hermione agreed. "I passed it on to you Ron. It had enough adventure in it I was sure you would read it."

"Sorry, I haven't had the time. I put it my truck I was hoping to get to it this summer." Ron looked a little guilty. "I guess I would understand if I had read it."

"Not really," Hermione stated.

Harry could see the relief in Ron. He smiled at him.

"I guess I should go on," Harry said

"Please," Ron stated.

"Well as Christmas approached Dumbledore said there where fewer than expected students staying for Christmas. He assumed with all the stuff going on with Voldemort parents wanted their children home. I asked him how many were staying. He said I was the only one. I was afraid he was going to send to my uncle's house for Christmas." Harry still shuttered at the thought. "Anyway, he said he was wondering if I would like to spend Christmas finding out more about the book I read. I jumped at the chance. Next thing I new I was on my broom, and we where en route to a very interesting place."

-----------

How much further could it be, Harry wondered? It felt like they had been flying for hours. Finally with the rising sun, Harry followed Dumbledore as they began to descend on a small village hidden in a mountain valley. They flew to the outskirts of town and to a small house. It reminded Harry of Hagrid's house. He felt a familiar ache inside, but tried not to think about how much he missed Hagrid. Once inside the small cottage Dumbledore began to make some food for the two of them. It was only then Harry realized two things. One, was he was very hungry; second, this was Dumbledore's home. He looked around, and it made sense. There were book selves overflowing with books, everywhere. There were also things here and there Harry was sure had some magical purposes, but he did not know what those where. It was obvious some things were missing; he assumed those things where at his Hogwarts office. He really began to wonder why he had been brought here.

Dumbledore finished preparing the food and moved all the necessary stuff to the table with a swish of his wand. At his invitation Harry sat down and helped himself to a much needed breakfast. Only when he finished did he realize how tired he was. It dawned on him; he had not slept all night.

"I think we are both tired."

He realized Dumbledore knew exactly how tired he was, he was tired too.

"You will find a small room though the hall. It is not much, but it should be sufficient."

"Thanks," Harry said as he got up.

He wanted to ask a Dumbledore a few questions, but he was simply too tired. He fell asleep quickly.

Harry slowly opened his eyes and was just remembering where he was when he got the impression he was being watched. He looked toward the door and smiled. Dumbledore was standing in the doorway.

"Good you're awake. Come on lets go see a few things."

Harry quickly dressed and lunch was on the small table when he entered the living area. After they were finish Dumbledore said they were going to take a little trip. Harry picked up his robes and followed him out. The cold wind reminded him it was winter and he followed Dumbledore up a mountain trail. He looked down at the trail and then up again. He was gone, Dumbledore was gone. Experience had taught Harry to stay calm and use his head. He looked around and made sure he was not imagining things, he was alone. He felt certain he was in no danger, and he thought maybe he should return to the house, he was sure he could find his way. But, why would Dumbledore lead him here if there was not something he was to find. He thought for a moment, made up his mind, and followed the trial. He followed the ever disappearing trail for nearly an hour and then it stopped, in front of him was a solid stone wall. Common sense said this was it, turn around go back, but the trail lead straight into the wall. Harry remembered platform 9 3/4 and walked forward passing through the wall.

It took a minute for Harry's brain to resister he was inside the mountain. It took a minute more for his eyes to adjust and realize he was in a small cavern, and it was much warmer. His eyes followed the light. There was a small fire going in a fireplace and in a chair next to it sat Dumbledore.

"Glad you made it." Dumbledore's eyes never left their focal point of the fire. He seemed deep in concentration.

"Where did you go, why did you leave me?" Harry was a little annoyed and very confused.

"Hah, Harry, I can be your guide, but only you can walk the path life has created for you. Tell me, why did you not return to the house?"

"I didn't think you brought me out here for nothing, I figured there was something you wanted me to find on my own. I didn't think it would be this easy though."

Dumbledore smiled. "Not all things in life are difficult Harry, but I'm glad to see you chose to go on. It gives me confidence in what I'm about to do and tell you." Dumbledore's eyes finally left the fire as he turned to look at Harry.

Harry was a little nervous now. Dumbledore motioned for him to take the other chair across from the fire. Harry sat down, more nervous now than he had been since he had arrived. Dumbledore began to speak.

"As you may have noticed this town is my home. It is peaceful and calm now...a place I can always come to relax. Unfortunately I have little free time to spend here. Even now there are urgent matters at the Ministry of Magic requiring my attention, so my time here will be short."

Harry wanted to say something, but he was not sure what so he sat quietly, hoping Dumbledore would continue.

"You are right Harry I brought you here for a reason. Had you returned to the house I would be taking you back with me and you would be spending Christmas at the Burrow."

Harry wished for a moment he had gone back to the house, but something in Dumbledore's expression told him - this was serious.

"However, as much as I think you would enjoy the Burrow, I am going to leave you here."

"Here?" Harry said looking around.

"Yes, it may not look like much, but there are some things you need to discover here, let me show you a few things and then I regret, I must leave. Do not worry. As long as you stay in this mountain no one will be able to enter, and I will return to escort you back to Hogwarts before the other students arrive. Come, follow me."

Harry rose and followed him. He showed him a kitchen with enough food for weeks and he assured Dumbledore he was able to cook for himself, he hoped he was not staying long enough to use all the food there. Years with his aunt and uncle had at least taught him how to take care of himself. There was a nice bedroom and Harry noticed the bag he had brought was on the bed. After a few minutes Harry realized this place was larger than Dumbledore's house, and he wondered where Dumbledore spent most of his time. Finally they entered a large library and Dumbledore walked to a wall, and with careful consideration removed a few books from different shelves. He paused with his hand on a book for a few moments, tapped it with his finger one or twice, but left it on the shelf. He returned to Harry who had now realized just how many books where here and thought Hermione would go crazy just to get a shot at this.

"Now Harry these books explain what this place is, and what all the things in the different passages are for. Long ago before the time of Hogwarts this place is what my ancestors used to train their children. There are things here you cannot learn at Hogwarts. I wish there where time for you start at the beginning, but these books are on your level and will challenge your abilities. They will tell you where to go and what to do. Remember this place is safe, if you ever feel trapped or afraid just close you eyes and say home and you will end up in the kitchen. I've always wondered why that is?" Dumbledore said to himself out loud.

"Are you sure this is wise, me being here all by myself?"

"Harry, if you did not notice, there is only one bedroom here, one is meant to do this alone."

"Oh."

"Well, I must be going, remember there is much here at your disposal, you can go at your own speed. You are free to use all the magic you want in this place, just as you would at Hogwarts. With your time here you can learn a little or a lot, it depends on you. Just like you made the choice to keep going rather than return to the cottage. With a little luck, this will be the best Christmas you ever spent. Goodbye."

Harry wanted to stop him, to tell him he would rather spend Christmas with the Weasleys than here alone inside some mountain reading books and trying to learn. He was supposed to be on vacation, not in another school. He watched him walk right back out of the mountain. Harry looked down at the books Dumbledore had left on the table. He looked through them. They seemed quite similar to his text books, except one. Then he thought of what Dumbledore said, and he remembered the book Dumbledore had left on the self. He looked where the books on the table had come from and walked up to the shelf. He pulled out a few more and then he tried to remember what other shelf Dumbledore had gone too. He wondered around to the next shelf where it was obvious a book was missing. He had no doubt; this was the place the odd book he read had come from. He noticed the book next to it had finger prints on it. As if Dumbledore had wanted to pull that book out too, but hesitated. Harry wondered what the reason was, but thought it best to start where Dumbledore thought wise. His stomach was telling him studying would have to wait. He went to the table where the books were. He contemplated a moment, picked up the one that did not seem to fit held it and said.

"Home."

When he opened his eyes he was in the kitchen, just as Dumbledore had said.

As Harry prepared his dinner he wondered what on earth he was going to do here for the three weeks between terms. He looked around and could only think of one place more pitiful than this to spend Christmas, at his aunt and uncles. Knowing it could be worse; he sat down to eat and opened up the book. He began to read, this book was very similar to the one he had been given by Dumbledore, was this why he had been brought here. All thought of food fled Harry's mind with a stark realization, the book he had read was not fiction as he had supposed, but history told as a story. It was like the children's version of this book. He pored into the book and devoured it. When he reached the end, no though even came into his mind as he got up and retrieved the book from the self with Dumbledore's prints on it. He opened it and started reading as he sank into a comfortable chair near a candle. Harry lost all track of food, time, days as he moved from one book another: all taken from the same bookcase. He woke up with gifts at his feet. It must be Christmas! Then it dawned on him, he had been there five days. He looked all around. He must have read at lest twenty five books, all from this one shelf. He didn't know who would be happier his professors or Hermione. He fixed the first decent meal he had eaten in days and started to open his presents. Ron and Hermione had been very thoughtful in their gifts, and Mrs. Weasley had once again made him a sweater and sent a package of food. There was a gift from Sirius, who was working hard during the break and was sorry that he could not be there with him. Harry was grateful to have such wonderful friends.

There was only one thing left. It was a letter from Dumbledore. Harry took the last bite of his meal and then opened the note.

Happy Christmas Harry! I hope you are using the time you have been given there wisely. It is the only gift I could give you of worth. The old mountain has a lot of secrets to teach, if you will only listen. You have been there five days now. Think about what you have read and studied and see where the mountain leads you. Trust your instincts and your feelings.

Albus Dumbledore

Harry wondered for a moment if Dumbledore was able to see what he had been doing, and then his mind went back to what he said. He thought hard about all he had read. All of the books he had read talked of things which happened centuries and centuries ago, yet how close some of those things had been to his own life story unnerved him a little. He placed his hands on his head and thought hard about all he had read. Then he spoke.

"If all have to do is say home to be here, will you tell me where I am suppose to go now."

He listened for some kind of answer; nothing. Then in the distance he thought he heard a sound. Doing exactly as Dumbledore counseled he tried to follow the noise the best he could. It seemed as though he was being guided though twists and turns, he was sure he could never find his way back through. No wonder they made the home spell. He was sure it would come in handy. He passed many doors he was tempted to open one every once in a while, but decided to keep following the distant sound. Soon the distance between the doors increased, and then there where no more doors alt all and no more turn offs. He walked for what he was sure was hours, but something kept pressing him on. He stopped to wonder if he should not go back; the sound seemed to stop. He stood still and listened, he felt something pressing him on. Soon the hall came to an end. He was in a small room and unlike the passageways thus far, this one was different. All the others had been smooth, but there where pictures and writings carved into the walls of this room. He was certain this was the place the sounds and feelings were leading him to. He felt an urgency to be here and to discover something. Suddenly he felt a desire to be no other place. He took out his wand and started cleaning off the dust and uncovering the carvings. He was sure they held some clues to what all this meant.

He soon started to recognize scenes from the books he had been reading. Like all magical things he was amazed at how they started to move once they where cleaned off. He was soon able to place all of them, but the one, which was obviously the focal point of this whole room.

He wandered around the whole room telling the stories out loud to the carving who were acting them out. It was centuries and centuries before, sometime during the dark ages and there was a mighty battle ranging against the forces of good and dark magic. It reminded Harry of the stories he had heard about the times when Voldemort was seeking to take power. There where many strong and powerful wizards on both sides, and it seemed that the leader of the dark magic was searching for something. He ruled with blood and terror for years, and a day came in which things started to change. A very powerful wizard was married to a very powerful witch, and it seemed together they would be able to defeat this great evil. Harry had read much about these battles, vowing to keep them in mind, they might come in handy, but in all the books he had never found out what happened, in all the books it stops at the same point. The evil wizard is destroyed, but at a cost that seems to be unspeakable. They leave a legend, a prophecy, to help keep history from repeating itself.

Harry stopped and looked closely at the image in front of him. It had nothing to do with all of the stuff he had read. He thought maybe there was a book he had missed, but something told him this was not the case. Unlike all of the other carvings, this one was still. The image in front of him made little logical sense. He had no idea how long he stared at it. When he finally came to the awareness he was falling asleep on his feet he said the word home and was back in the kitchen. He ate a piece of bread and crawled into bead. He dreamed only of the things he had read, and it all came back to the same still carving. Only this time in his dream it was in color.

He saw a bed, not unlike the ones at Hogwarts. It was made with a young woman sleeping in the middle of it. At the foot of the bed were two wild cats. One was smaller and lighter in color than the other one. They moved about the bed and almost seemed to be guarding the young woman sleeping in the bed. In his dream Harry felt an urgency to wake her and tell her to explain what all of this meant and what he was suppose to be figuring out here. He wanted her to wake up. He was trying to tell her to wake up and then.

Harry sat up with a start. He knew that somehow this young woman had the answers he was after. He thought about going back, but knew he remembered everything there perfectly so headed for the library. He looked at the shelf where all the books he had read where. There were none left on that row to read. Shelf above and the shelf below had nothing to do with the other books. He looked in what seemed like countless places and his frustration was becoming almost unbearable. He had to find out what she knew, but where. Finally, in a fit of frustration he ended up on the floor. He new the answer was here, but where. Remember it had worked before. He asked into ceiling.

"I need to find the young woman in the carving; can you help me find her?"

Harry didn't know who he was talking to, as he laid back on the floor of the library and tried to relax and listen for an answer. He was almost asleep when he swore he heard a female voice.

"I sleepeth. Waketh me."

Harry bolted up and looked around. He saw nothing, he heard nothing. He sat back down. He listened, nothing. Frustrated he said.

"I don't know how to find you or how to wake you up. Will you show me?"

"Yes."

Harry looked around. He was sure he did not hear the word so much as felt it. It felt like someone had shot energy and power into his soul.

"What do I need to do first?"

"FindethShalya's Journal."

Harry rose to his feet with a power and a determination he could not understand. He had a purpose. Of course he had no idea who Shalya was or where this Journal was; however, he was going to find it. Harry lifted his wand and with a powerful swish the books where floating all over the place. In a moment all of the books where back in their place, and Harry looked around the library.

He thought, journals where something to be written in. They would be neat a place where people write. It would be a well worn book. Opened and written in several times. It would be personal, something you would not want just anyone to read. It would be hidden.

Harry looked around. In a corner he had not noticed before sat a small writing desk He sat down and opened the draw. There was a quill, ink and parchment inside. Not that he expected to find it there. He shut the drawer and looked in front of him. Slowly he removed the books on the self. He took each one out within his reach of the desk and opened it, looked at it and put it back. He picked up what seemed like the hundredth book, this one felt different. Harry's heart started to race. It was too light for a book this big, he thought as he opened it. It was a hollow covering and inside was a book with a symbol he did not recognize on the front. Harry froze. He knew he had found Shalya's Journal.