Chapter 183: Chapter 183: "The Animagus Ritual"
As the holidays progressed, Harry and Arcturus devoted themselves to preparing for the animagus ritual with unwavering dedication. The study at Black Castle had transformed into a magical workshop, brimming with rare ingredients and ancient tomes. Many of the crucial components came from the basilisk Harry had slain, their potent magic holding the promise of extraordinary results.
The process was grueling, requiring Harry to follow specialized diets to attune his body to the magic, spend hours in deep meditation to prepare his mind, and practice complex magical exercises to refine his control. As the day of the ritual drew near, Harry found himself caught between excitement and nervousness. The possibility of becoming a magical animagus, something previously thought impossible, was tantalizing beyond measure.
Arcturus, ever observant, noticed Harry's anticipation. "Remember, Harry," he cautioned, his voice gentle but firm, "even with the basilisk parts, success isn't guaranteed. But if anyone can achieve a magical animagus form, it's you."
Harry nodded, his determination evident in the set of his jaw. "I understand, Grandfather. I'm prepared for whatever outcome, but I can't help hoping for something extraordinary."
Their meticulous preparations were interrupted one afternoon by the arrival of Sirius, his face etched with concern. As he entered the study, both Harry and Arcturus looked up, instantly sensing the gravity of his news.
"Dumbledore couldn't take on the basilisk," Sirius announced without preamble, his voice tight with frustration. "He went with Charles to the chamber and the statue where Harry said the basilisk nest was, but Dumbledore found that there was a secret phrase to open that place."
Harry's heart raced, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. "What happened then?" he asked, striving to keep his voice level.
Sirius ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "Dumbledore and Charles tried many variations of phrases in Parseltongue, but they all failed. They're at a loss."
"Why didn't they just destroy the entrance?" Harry asked, feigning innocence while his mind raced.
Sirius shook his head, his expression grim. "Dumbledore said the place was connected to the Hogwarts wards. If he wanted to destroy the entrance, he'd have to destroy the Hogwarts wards too, which isn't a viable option."
"So what now?" Arcturus inquired, his tone measured, revealing nothing of their secret knowledge.
"They're in a dilemma," Sirius replied, pacing the room. "Dumbledore asked for my help, and... well, I thought I'd ask you, Harry. Any ideas?"
Harry shrugged, maintaining his facade of ignorance. "I have no idea. I guess you could ask Evelyn Rosier to see if she remembers something. But my best bet should be to leave it alone. Without the secret phrase, the basilisk should be mostly locked away and school is going to be safe. We just have to beware of Voldemort coming back."
Sirius's face fell at the suggestion. "There's no hope from Miss Rosier's side. While treating her for dark possession, the healers had to obliviate some of her memories. Now she remembers almost nothing of what happened in the past year. However, the good news is that she's feeling fine now and there are no long-term side effects of dark possession."
Seeing that Harry could provide no further help, Sirius left the castle to relay the news to Dumbledore. The Aurors and Hogwarts Professors were now working towards making the school safe for reopening. If the basilisk couldn't be taken care of, their best idea was to put more protections around the nest to ensure no one could reach that place, and even if someone luckily did, they would know and react properly.
After Sirius's departure, a heavy silence fell over the study. Harry and Arcturus exchanged meaningful looks, both aware of the delicate situation they were navigating.
"Well," Arcturus finally said, a hint of amusement in his voice, "it seems your secret is safe for now, Harry."
Harry nodded, relief washing over him. "As long as Dumbledore can't reach the basilisk's nest, my actions should remain hidden. We just need to ensure the basilisk parts are sold discreetly."
Arcturus's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Leave that to me, my boy. Now, shall we return to our preparations? This animagus ritual won't perform itself."
---
As the night of the full moon arrived, the anticipation in Black Castle was palpable. In a secluded clearing within the grounds, Harry and Arcturus had meticulously prepared the ritual circle. Intricate runes glowed faintly in the moonlight, their power humming in the air.
At the center of the circle, Harry had placed the most potent parts of the basilisk: its eyes, still gleaming with an otherworldly light even in death; the venom sac, swollen with its lethal contents; and several massive fangs, their wicked points glinting ominously in the pale light.
As the moon reached its zenith, Harry stepped into the circle, his heart pounding. Arcturus nodded encouragingly from the edge, his face a mixture of anticipation and concern. Harry took a deep breath, centering himself, and began the incantation they had practiced tirelessly for days.
The ancient words flowed from Harry's lips, each syllable resonating with power. As he spoke, the basilisk parts began to glow, their magic awakening. The runes flared to life, pulsing with energy that seemed to resonate with Harry's very being.
Suddenly, the world around Harry began to fade. The clearing, Arcturus, even his own body seemed to dissolve into mist. Harry felt a sensation of falling, then of soaring, and then...
He was flying.
Harry found himself suspended in the midst of a raging thunderstorm. Dark clouds roiled around him, lit intermittently by brilliant flashes of lightning. Rain lashed at him, but he felt no discomfort. Instead, he felt... exhilarated.
He knew, instinctively, that he was a bird - a large one - but he couldn't determine what kind. His movements weren't his own; the bird's instincts guided him through the tempest with ease. Lightning struck nearby, but instead of fear, Harry felt a thrill of excitement.
The bird banked and soared, riding the violent updrafts with grace and power. Harry marveled at the sensation, unlike anything he had experienced on a broom. This was true flight, unencumbered and free.
As he flew over a vast lake, a particularly bright flash of lightning illuminated the water's surface. In that split second, Harry caught a glimpse of his reflection: the majestic form of a Thunderbird.
Excitement surged through him. A Thunderbird! One of the most powerful magical creatures, with the ability to sense danger and create storms at will. The implications were staggering.
The vision continued, the Thunderbird-Harry soaring through the storm, reveling in its power. Harry lost all sense of time, caught up in the exhilaration of flight and the raw energy of the storm.
When Harry finally awoke, he found himself lying in the ritual circle, the basilisk parts now nothing more than ash. Arcturus was kneeling beside him, relief evident on his face.
"Welcome back, my boy," Arcturus said softly. "You were out for quite some time. Did you see your form?"
Harry nodded, still processing the experience. "A Thunderbird, Grandfather. I'm a Thunderbird."
Harry was elated with his animagus form. He had hoped for a flying creature, and he had gained that and so much more. While the large size of a Thunderbird might limit its use for stealth, the power and abilities he would likely gain were beyond his wildest dreams. However, he knew he had no way of knowing exactly what kind of powers he would develop.
Arcturus's eyes widened in amazement. "Extraordinary," he breathed. "Truly extraordinary. A magical animagus form... and a Thunderbird, no less. You continue to surpass all expectations, Harry."
As the initial excitement of the revelation settled, Harry knew this was just the beginning of a new chapter in his magical journey. He had unlocked his magical animagus form, but the path to actually transforming into a Thunderbird would be long and challenging.
In the days that followed, Harry threw himself into research with renewed vigor. He pored over every book he could find about Thunderbirds, studying their habits, their powers, and their place in magical lore. He spent hours in meditation, reaching out to his inner animagus, trying to forge a deeper connection with the majestic creature he had glimpsed in his vision.
Harry knew the path ahead would be difficult. Transforming into such a powerful magical creature would require not just knowledge and practice, but a deep understanding of the Thunderbird's nature and magic.
As he closed another tome on magical creatures, Harry smiled to himself. Unlike his ordinary life in the past, this life was going to be legendary, and he was going to make sure of it. The challenges ahead - mastering his Thunderbird form, dealing with the lingering threat of Voldemort, navigating the complex political landscape of the wizarding world - all seemed like stepping stones on his path to greatness.
Chapter 184: Chapter 184: "Return to Hogwarts"
As the holidays drew to a close, Harry found himself both relaxed and eager to return to Hogwarts. The time spent honing his studies, enjoying family gatherings, and going on outings had flown by, and soon it was time to board the Hogwarts Express once more.
In the days leading up to the new term, Dumbledore had made a bold announcement in the Daily Prophet, declaring that the basilisk had been slain and Hogwarts was once again safe for all students. It was a well-intentioned lie to calm the scared parents and make them confident enough to send their children back to school. Dumbledore wasn't worried about the basilisk arising again and the truth being exposed. He was confident that the wards he had placed around the basilisk's lair would ensure that didn't happen.
Little did Dumbledore know, he didn't have to worry at all. The basilisk had indeed been slain, and its important parts had helped Harry gain a magical animagus form. The other harvested parts had filled Harry's vault with a substantial number of galleons.
The journey on the Hogwarts Express was as lively as ever, filled with excited chatter of students sharing holiday stories and speculating about the upcoming term. As Harry settled into a compartment with his friends, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry that there wouldn't be any excitement at Hogwarts this term. It was going to be boring since he had taken care of the danger. He couldn't wait for this term to pass quickly and for the next year to bring more excitement. He had grown a little attached to the trouble, he admitted to himself.
Upon arrival at Hogwarts, the Great Hall buzzed with energy as students filed in for the welcome feast. This year, the spread seemed even more lavish than usual, perhaps as a gesture to assuage any lingering concerns about the school's safety. As Harry scanned the room, his eyes fell upon Colin Creevey, the enthusiastic first-year who had been petrified during the basilisk attacks. Harry was relieved to see him back, surmising that the school must have sourced Mandrake Restorative Draught from external suppliers to revive the affected boy sooner.
His gaze then drifted to the Gryffindor table, where he spotted Evelyn Rosier. She appeared to have returned to her normal self, free from the dark influence that had possessed her. However, Harry noticed that nothing had changed about her situation in the Gryffindor house. Despite the sympathy she should have gained from being dragged to the chamber and then rescued, she had gained no friends. Her housemates were still wary, due to her family's reputation. Harry felt a twinge of sympathy but decided against intervening. Some situations, he mused, needed to resolve themselves naturally.
As the feast neared its conclusion, Dumbledore rose to his feet, a familiar twinkle in his eye as he prepared to address the students. The Hall fell silent in anticipation of his words.
"My dear students," Dumbledore began, his voice carrying easily across the room, "I am delighted to announce that with the return of safety to our hallowed halls, we shall be reinstating the Quidditch Cup!" A roar of approval erupted from the students, with Oliver Wood's voice rising above the rest, his dream of securing the cup as captain reignited.
Dumbledore allowed the excitement to settle before continuing, "But that is not all. The Duelling Club, which proved so popular last term, will continue to meet on weekends. For those interested in honing their defensive skills, I encourage you to participate. And to add a touch of excitement, we will be holding a Duelling Championship near the end of the year!"
This announcement was met with another round of enthusiastic cheers. Harry, however, was not excited. He, an under-17 duelling champion, participating in this local tournament would reduce the excitement for other students. Also, there would be no fun as no one would be able to give him a good battle. Anyway, he had his first adult-level tournament coming up during the summer; he could have all the exciting duels there.
"Professor Lockhart will continue to oversee the Duelling Club," Dumbledore went on, gesturing towards the flamboyant Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. "However, as Professor Snape has other commitments, he will be assisted by our very own Charms master, Professor Flitwick!"
The mention of Flitwick's involvement drew the loudest cheer yet. Harry grinned, knowing full well the students were excited to learn from an actual master and not a fraud. He caught Flitwick's eye and noticed a mix of resignation and determination in his master's expression. Clearly, Professor Flitwick was not thrilled about working alongside Lockhart.
As the applause died down, Lockhart rose to his feet, his trademark smile dazzling as ever. "Thank you, Headmaster!" he proclaimed, his voice dripping with false modesty. "I assure you all, under my expert tutelage, you'll be duelling like professionals in no time! Why, had Professor Dumbledore requested my assistance with the basilisk, I dare say the matter would have been resolved even sooner!"
Harry had to stifle a snort at Lockhart's claim, knowing full well that Lockhart would be the first to run at the sight of danger. Harry let Lockhart have his fun. His days at Hogwarts were numbered. The timer was ticking down.
During the holidays, Harry had set in motion the plan to expose Lockhart's true nature. It was a scheme long overdue, delayed only by the more pressing matters of the Chamber of Secrets. Now, with those dangers behind them, Harry was ready to unveil Lockhart's illegal memory charms and his theft of other people's achievements.
As the feast concluded and students began to file out of the Great Hall, Harry found himself walking alongside his friends Roger Davies, Reggy Whitlock, and Cedric Diggory. The excitement from Dumbledore's announcements still buzzed in the air.
Roger turned to Harry, his eyes alight with curiosity. "So, Harry, are you going to participate in the dueling tournament?"
Reggy chimed in, "If you do decide to enter, the rest of us might as well not bother showing up. It'll be hopeless for anyone else to win."
Cedric nodded in agreement, adding with a grin, "He's right, you know. You'd probably have us all disarmed before we could even raise our wands."
Harry looked at their crestfallen expressions and couldn't help but smile. "Actually, I've decided not to participate this time," he said, watching as surprise replaced their previous expressions.
"Really?" Roger asked, clearly surprised by Harry's response. Winning Hogwarts' first dueling tournament was a tempting honor.
Harry nodded, "Yes, I have another tournament to prepare for during the summer. It'll require quite a bit of my focus and training time."
At this news, all three of his friends visibly brightened, exchanging excited glances.
"Well, in that case," Reggy exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air, "the rest of us might actually stand a chance!"
Roger laughed, "I wouldn't go that far, Reggy. Some of us still have to contend with Cedric here."
Cedric grinned at the compliment before turning back to Harry. "Don't get me wrong, mate. We'll miss seeing you in action, but I can't say I'm not a little relieved. Whatever this summer tournament is, I'm sure you'll do brilliantly."
"Thanks, guys," Harry replied, appreciating their support. "I'm looking forward to seeing all of you compete, though. It should be quite the spectacle. Hope the tournament is split by year; otherwise, you guys will have a difficult time defeating the 7th years."
They talked about the topic until they reached the point where they had to separate – Cedric heading towards the Hufflepuff common room and Harry and the other two headed towards Ravenclaw tower.
Tomorrow was going to be exciting. Harry hoped the things he had put in place to surprise Lockhart would give him some enjoyment. It would be a good way to start this term and a present for all the students.
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