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Author: mysty Story: Harry Potter and the Mystery of Myrddin's Torch Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 0 Words: 40,548
The Headmaster's office emptied out until only Harry, Remus and Dumbledore remained. The carved box sat on a little table by the window. Harry turned to Dumbledore and said, "Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions?" His calm tone belied his feelings. Last year the Professor had barely looked at him. Harry told himself that he wouldn't be brushed aside this year. Seeing the determined expression on Harry's face, the Headmaster answered, "On to the next mystery, Harry? I'm sure you have many questions about the box and its contents. Remus also left a letter in my safekeeping. Perhaps you should examine that first." Reaching into his desk, he pulled out an envelope and handed it to Harry. Glancing across the room at Professor Lupin, who was ignoring them in favor of staring into the cold hearth of Dumbledore's fireplace, Harry took the letter. An urgent knock on the door distracted them. Professor McGonagall entered the room out of breath. "There has been another attack. Or so we think. It's the Burrow. The injured are being brought here." Pocketing the letter, Harry was out of his seat and down the stairs before anyone could say anything. Professor McGonagall reached to stop him, but Dumbledore said, "Let him go. I'll try to contact members of the Order to find out more details and follow you in a few minutes." The infirmary was bustling with activity. Cho's bed was being enclosed with screens while Madam Pomfrey was giving instructions to two younger women. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrived just as Harry did. For a moment they stood together in the door, stunned, their eyes searching for familiar faces. As a group of men surrounding one of the beds turned to leave, they could see Ginny holding Ron's hand as he lay unconscious. Hermione was in the bed next to him, also out cold. Ginny looked shaken, but she appeared to be unhurt. Harry rushed to her side, relief flooding through him. Their eyes locked in an intense gaze. Ginny let go of Ron's hand and rushed into Harry's arms. He felt like he could breathe again after having been suffocated. She was all right. Mrs. Weasley patted her daughter's back as she and her husband passed by them to see Ron and Hermione. Harry stepped back from Ginny to look her up and down, then pulled her back into the circle of his arms. She was extremely pale and he could feel her trembling. Into her hair, he asked, "Are you hurt anywhere? Shouldn't you be lying down?" She shook her head as she spoke in a torrent of words. "I…I wasn't in the explosion! I - I was outside…heard a loud bang…smoke was everywhere...I ran back and Ron…Ron…he…he was lying so still and Hermione…she was just lying there, too. There was smoke…I couldn't breathe and…well, so I dragged them out. I don't know…but I just…Bill came…he said he'd be here…" She struggled for breath as she spoke. Harry whispered in her ear, "Sh…that's enough. Everything's all right. They'll be fine. You're safe." Rubbing her back soothingly as he spoke, he tried to stay calm for her sake, hoping that what he was saying was true. They would be fine. They had to be. Looking over her shoulder at the motionless figures of his two best friends, his couldn't be sure. His heart filled with dread. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who were listening intently to Ginny's explanation, broke in with questions. "How did you get here?" "Did someone attack you?" "Please," said Harry, looking up at them with wild eyes. "Can't you see she's in shock?" He pulled a blanket off an empty bed and wrapped it over her shoulders and led her to a chair near Ron's bed. Then he handed her a steaming cup of tea. "Here, Ginny. I put extra sugar in this. It should help." She felt better being wrapped up in something warm and soft. Holding the warm tea was a comfort, too. ‘How have I lasted a day without Harry?' she thought, drawing strength from his presence. She sipped the tea and watched as Harry and her parents checked on Ron and Hermione. A warm feeling was beginning in her stomach and spreading as she watched him. ‘It's just the tea,' she told herself. Things were so crazy that no one even commented on Harry's conjuring a cup of tea without a wand. Madam Pomfrey was taking a moment to explain their injuries. ‘He's so good in a crisis. Everyone feels better because he's here,' Ginny thought. Dumbledore and Remus chose that moment to arrive. "I trust everyone is being cared for, Madam Pomfrey. Is there anything you require?" the Headmaster asked. The adults put their heads together and began discussing the plans to take care of Ron and Hermione. Harry stood in the middle while they conferred around him, hoping that his best friends would be all right. He felt so helpless. Apparently a specialist from St. Mungo's was expected soon. Madam Pomfrey was confident that they hadn't suffered any lasting injury. Both patients had concussions. Dumbledore and Remus spoke with the Weasleys for a few more minutes and then left. Visibly relieved, Harry moved back to Ginny and said, "You rescued them, Ginny. Well done." He smiled down at her. Still so relieved that she wasn't hurt, his eyes searched her face as he continued, "It's so good to see you. It feels like it has been so long. So much as happened. But I guess it was only yesterday afternoon that I left the Burrow. When things calm down, I have so much to tell you." The corners of his eyes were crinkling as he grinned at her. She felt like her insides were melting. She smiled softly in return, sipping her tea. "I can't wait to hear. We got your letter right before…" Her voice trailed off and her gaze moved from Harry's face to something over his shoulder. "Harry," said Cho standing behind him in her hospital dressing gown. "What's happened?" Harry and Ginny's hug hadn't gone unnoticed. Harry jumped at the sight of Cho but recovered himself quickly enough to say, "The Burrow was attacked this morning or maybe there was some sort of weird accident. It's all being sorted out now. Should you be out of bed? Where's your brother?" Madam Pomfrey answered the first question for her. "NO, she should not be out of bed. Please escort Miss Chang back to her place, Harry. You need complete bed rest and calm, young lady. Don't let me see you wandering again!" Cho smiled up at Harry and took his arm. Ginny watched them walk away. He looked back over his shoulder at her, but she couldn't read his expression. ‘Does he want Cho to lead him around? Does he like her?' She couldn't tell. Feeling unsettled at the sight of Cho leaning her head briefly against his shoulder, she reminded herself that friendship was all Harry had ever offered. ‘Get a grip, Ginny or you'll make a fool of yourself following him around like you used to,' she lectured herself. She heard her mother say, "I understand that we have to wait for the specialist, but can't you tell me anything more?" Mr. Weasley patted her arm and said, "We won't have long to wait to find out what the specialist thinks, dear." Hermione stirred and let out a low moan. "That can't be good," said Harry, having returned to the Weasley family as soon as he could. Hermione appeared to be wakening. Her forehead was wrinkled into a deep frown as though she was in pain. She made another groaning noise. "Ah..." said Madam Pomfrey as if she had been expecting this. "Seems like someone is waking up. Miss Granger, try to open your eyes." Hermione's eyes fluttered open, but she still looked like she was in pain. Madam Pomfrey lifted a potion bottle to her lips. In a few moments, her expression eased. Everyone gave a collective sigh of relief. "We were so worried, Hermione," started Ginny. Hermione looked confused. "Where am I? Hogwarts?" She spotted Ron in the next bed and gasped. "Ron? Oh my…" Before anyone could stop her, she swung her feet out of the bed and started toward Ron. She took one step before crumpling to the cold stone floor. Arthur picked her up gently and put her back under her covers. "Please…" she protested. Madam Pomfrey stepped forward, practically clucking, "That will be enough of that, Miss Granger. You won't do Mr. Weasley any good if you're unconscious again. Here, take these and stay under those blankets." She handed Hermione two potions bottles. "What are those, Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked, thinking Hermione would probably like to know what she was being asked to take. "The large bottle is a Strengthening Potion and the small blue bottle is a Calming Draught," the matron said, looking at Harry as though he had a lot of nerve questioning her methods. Patting his friend on the hand as he spoke, Harry reassured her. "Ron will be all right, Hermione. He's had a nasty hit on the head, same as you, but he should be coming around soon." For her sake, he forced a smile as she struggled to swallow the liquid in both bottles. "That's right, take your medicine like a good girl." When she had finished the last of the potions, she seemed much more able to speak. Everyone was looking at her expectantly. She closed her eyes briefly and then looked around at their concerned faces. Finally, she said quietly, "The last thing I remember is being in the kitchen at the Burrow…we heard noises like there were people in the living room and Ron thought it was the twins so he went toward the door calling to them, then there was a loud bang. What happened? Is this some ‘Wheezing' experiment gone wrong?" "You just told us more than we knew, Hermione. Lay back and rest. You've had a concussion," said Ginny. A loud moan came from Ron. "What the…bloody hell!" Everyone's attention shifted to him as he began to come around. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut as he woke up to the extreme pain in his head. The Weasleys crowded around him quietly. Harry stayed with Hermione to keep her from following. Madam Pomfrey pushed through the crowd around his bed with the same potions she'd given to Hermione. "There you are Mr. Weasley. Decided to join us at last?" Ron let out another groan. "My head…" was the only thing he said. "I daresay your head is going to mend," Madam Pomfrey said with a smile. "Can you hear me, young man? Sit up and take both of these potions." Another group sigh came from the Weasley clan. Ron drank his potions and sank back on his pillow still keeping his eyes tightly closed. "Hermione?" Ron asked quietly. "She's here, Ron. She's going to be just fine," Ginny said, taking his hand in hers. "Looks like you will be, too." She turned around to see Harry grinning at them. Hermione managed a weak smile. Ron closed his eyes again and put his head back down for some more rest. Bill Weasley had quietly joined them as Ginny was speaking. He gave his mother a hug and asked, "How are they? Is Ron okay?" "He'll be all right, dear. We're waiting for the specialist. Hermione and he have come around already." Mrs. Weasley motioned to Ron's girlfriend who was lying on her pillow, pale but composed. "What happened at the Burrow? How did you get involved?" "I've just come from there. Aurors are still investigating. They think that Death Eaters attacked the Burrow triggering the wards. That's what alerted me to come and bring help. Either there was so many of them that the anti-intruder ward overreacted, so to speak, or they tried some magic of their own that caused the explosion. In any case, all five of them are dead. They were probably knocked out first, and then died of smoke inhalation. What about Ron?" "Madam Pomfrey thinks he has a concussion. He's just resting now. What sort of damage is there at the Burrow?" she asked. Smiling down at his petite mother, Bill answered, "It should be repaired by the time you get home." "How is that possible?" asked Ginny. "The fire. The kitchen was full of smoke. Smoke was coming out of all of the downstairs windows." "Smoke, yes. Fire, no. The explosion or the smoke set off the fire prevention wards so the damage was minimal. The furniture and things are being repaired. I left Fred, George and their friend Lee Jordan working on setting things right. You all have enough to worry about here," Bill answered with a big smile. Mrs. Weasley looked a little skeptical at the thought of the twins redecorating their living room. Mr. Weasley spoke up, "I'm sure the boys will do a good job. So all the extra wards we put up when we knew Harry was coming to stay worked really well." He sounded pleased. "You wouldn't have needed them if Harry Potter would just learn to stay away from people," shouted Charles Chang from across the room, pointing at Harry. Bill shouted, "Who are you? Sod off!" Moving to stand next to her oldest brother, Ginny yelled, "Yeah, sod off, Chang! If it weren't for Harry, we'd all be under Voldemort's control!" Hermione cried out weakly. "Who do you think you are?" Mr. Weasley said more calmly, "Let's never forget that Harry is his main target. He needs our help!" Cho was out of bed again, tugging on her brother's arm. Charles shook her off and shouted something unintelligible back at the Weasleys. Bill and Ginny were screaming at the same time. As the shouting match continued, Harry couldn't make out anything they were saying. His ears were ringing. Madam Pomfrey was hurrying toward them. Mrs. Weasley lips became a thin line, her eyes narrowed and her hands were on her hips. "Enough!" she said, with the voice of authority that had helped her raise six boys. "Harry is always welcome at the Burrow, young man. We're proud to call him a part of our family." She smiled fiercely at Harry and patted his arm. Harry was warmed by her words, but in his heart he knew Charles Chang had a point. The beds in this infirmary were filling up because of him. Voldemort was targeting his friends. Anger swelled up within him. He struggled to contain it. His blood was pounding in his ears, but he managed to say, "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I will...I think I'll go for a walk." As he strode toward the exit he could hear Madam Pomfrey threatening to kick everyone out of the infirmary if they didn't quiet down. When he reached the door, he felt a soft hand in his. Looking down into Ginny's face, some of his anger melted away. She looked up at him so trustingly. She wasn't afraid to be near him. He stopped. "Ginny, you should stay with your family. They need you now. I just need to clear my head." "You can't tell me what to do, Harry. I'm coming with you." she answered. She could be stubborn. "I'll come with you, too, Harry," said Bill, who was now standing behind them. Ginny grinned at her brother and turned back to Harry with a triumphant look. Harry shook his head at her, his anger evaporating some more at their show of support. He smiled at them both and said, "I know a place by the lake." The sun was shining brightly. It would have been a hot day except for the breeze blowing off the lake. The breeze made the water ripple with sparkling waves. The giant squid poked a tendril up every now and then. The three didn't speak much as they took a long walk along the shore to a spot Harry liked overlooking the lake with a view of the school in the distance. From so far away Hogwarts looked peaceful and serene, like a castle in a fairy tale. As they settled under the shade of a tree, Harry used his wand to conjure a large quilt and a picnic basket. Ginny looked taken aback, but her surprise was that Harry had used his wand, not that he had conjured food. She'd seen that plenty of times this summer. Bill laughed. "Now if that basket has some cold butterbeer, I'll be a happy man." Harry handed Bill and Ginny each a bottle before opening his own. Bill looked at Ginny sipping her drink and said, "Are you corrupting my little sister with butterbeer, Potter?" Both Harry and Ginny blushed. Remembering Charles Chang just the day before yelling at him to stay away from his sister made Harry rethink what Bill's motives were in accompanying them on this walk. ‘Maybe he thinks it's not safe for Ginny to be near me - even here at Hogwarts. Did he come along to warn me to stay away from her?' he wondered. Ginny recovered enough to speak, "Don't go all big brother on me, Bill. I can drink a butterbeer if I want. AND I can hold my own against boys who want to corrupt me as you put it." Her voice was getting louder as she spoke. She sounded a lot like Mrs. Weasley. "Don't get in a temper, little one. I can't help but look out for you." She didn't seem appeased. He continued on a more serious note, "You took care of everyone this morning, pulling them out of that smoke filled room." At those words, Ginny gave him a hug. As he held his sister close, Bill looked meaningfully over her shoulder into Harry's eyes as if to say, ‘See how precious she is? We can't let anything happen to her. She needs protection.' Harry nodded his silent agreement. Their meal passed pleasantly without much conversation. Bill told a story about the giant squid playing a sort of water polo game against twenty students at a time during his Hogwarts days. Harry told them about the night before, rescuing Professor Lupin from the cave and finding the sword. After they finished eating, Ginny wandered off a short way to pick wildflowers for Hermione, Ron and Cho. Harry didn't join her, sensing Bill wanted a chance to talk. After a long silence, Harry decided to start the conversation himself, no use pretending. "I'll do anything I can to keep your family safe, Bill." "Does that include Ginny?" Bill asked. "Of course, she's a Weasley." Harry felt self-conscious. "Are you her boyfriend, then?" asked Bill. He noticed they were quite comfortable holding hands while they walked. Harry looked at the ground. "Dean Thomas, one of my roommates is her boyfriend. I don't have a girlfriend. Maybe it's better that way." "Is that because her brother ordered you away? Was Cho Chang your girlfriend? Is that why she was attacked?" asked Bill. "Cho and I went out once, but she was dating someone else at the end of last year. In July, she wrote me a letter. That may be why she was attacked. I'm not interested in Cho." As he answered, his eyes unconsciously following Ginny as she picked flowers. Following his gaze, Bill continued, "But you're interested in Ginny, despite the Dean thing. Who is this Dean? Why haven't I ever met him?" Lowering his voice, he challenged Harry with, "Any fool could see you have a thing for Ginny. You can't take your eyes off of her." Panicking that Bill would say that to his sister, Harry decided he'd better make a strong denial. "Please don't tell Ginny that. We're just friends, close friends." Bill didn't say anything. He was looking intently at Harry who seemed lost in thought at the moment. Back in the infirmary when they were arguing with Cho's brother, Harry had begun to radiate power. It came off him in waves as though he couldn't control it. Ginny must surely have felt it, but she didn't shrink away. She followed him anyway. Maybe he was out of line questioning Harry, but he had to make sure she was protected. Still following her daisy picking progress with his eyes, Harry continued, "I assure you Dean Thomas exists, and he's her boyfriend. They've been dating since last spring. They were together just yesterday in Diagon Alley. Ginny and I are just friends which is great... I promise I'll do what I can to keep her safe. You're not going to ask me to stay away from her like Charles Chang did, are you?" Bill listened carefully while he spoke. He sounded so desperate. Despite his denial, Harry had it bad for Ginny. When Harry finished, Bill replied, "No, I'm not like that git back there. You don't have to worry about me. And I won't say anything to Ginny if you promise to help keep her safe. And you already have, so we're cool." "Well, you are cool, Bill," said Ginny who had just rejoined them holding a large bouquet of wildflowers. "I'm not so sure about Harry though," she said as she trickled little white flowers over his head. "He wears flowers in his hair." She giggled softly, her face alight with a wide smile. Harry just let the flowers fall around him and smiled back at her. "Shall we go check on the patients?" he asked as he stood up and stretched. Waving his hand, he banished the remains of their picnic without thinking about it. She took his hand and they left. They spent the rest of the afternoon in the infirmary keeping Hermione, Ron and Cho company and trying not to worry. At teatime, Dumbledore and Remus reappeared to check on the patients and to reclaim Harry. Ginny and Bill asked to come along so they could see Harry's new sword. They settled into Dumbledore's office with hot tea and biscuits. Bill and Ginny hadn't heard what McGonagall said about the symbols on the sword so Harry told them what he remembered about it. "You work at Gringotts, don't you, Bill?" Harry asked. "What kind of charm makes it possible for only certain people to enter a vault? Why could no one enter the trust vault before now?" Bill wasn't surprised that Harry was curious. He'd heard about the Potter trust. "I'm not giving away any trade secrets. Blood charms have been around for centuries. Before more modern wards were invented, blood charms were used to prevent entry to most dwellings. We still use them at Gringotts on a variety of accounts. A trust account is one of them. In fact, with a trust that is centuries old, like the Potter trust, the blood charm would be incredibly strong, unbreakable. Only you, or your guardian, would be able to enter." A centuries old vault, a lineage going back hundreds of years, all this made Harry think. He'd grown up believing he had no one but the Dursleys who spent most of their time disowning him. They suffered his presence unwillingly and always made sure he understood that he was a freak, not really a part of their family. Of course, he didn't aspire to be a Dursley. They had nothing in common. He'd found a better home at Hogwarts and with the Weasleys. Yet here was the news that he was part of a long line of Potters. The box by the window had been held by centuries of Potters, just like him. He was a part of them, and they were a part of him. These thoughts humbled him and elevated him at the same time. He couldn't wait to see the other contents of the vault. Maybe Professor Lupin would take him there soon. While Harry was deep in thought, Bill and Ginny said goodbye and left for the infirmary. Dumbledore asked, "Do you still have the letter, Harry?" Harry had forgotten all about the letter from his parents' vault. ‘This is just like the mirror. I set it aside and forgot about it even though it could have saved a life. Why do I keep doing this? This letter could be really important,' Harry wondered to himself staring at the unopened envelope. On the front was written - For Harry on his Sixteenth Birthday. Remus spoke, "I found this letter in your parents' vault along with a letter addressed to Sirius which instructed him to give you the carved wooden box and this letter on your sixteenth birthday. When I found them, your birthday had already passed. I'm sorry these are getting to you so late. The letter from your parents and the box are charmed so only you can open them." Harry tore open the letter. A single page was inside. On it was written - Happy Sixteenth Birthday, Harry! Tap this with your wand. Love, Mum and Dad. Harry showed the page to Dumbledore and Remus. "Maybe it's charmed with a memory like Tom Riddles' diary. Your mother was truly gifted with Charms. Go ahead and try it," urged Dumbledore. Harry tapped the paper with his wand. The paper glowed brightly and he disappeared. Harry found himself in a soft chair in a comfortable sitting room that was unfamiliar to him. Seated opposite him were two familiar people. James and Lily Potter were sitting together on a sofa and smiling at each other. His father had an arm draped over his mother's shoulder. She said to him, "Stare at the chair." He laughed and turned toward Harry without quite making eye contact. Harry watched them in stunned silence. From his experience with Pensieves and Tom Riddle's enchanted diary, he knew they couldn't see or speak with him. He was simply witnessing a memory they had preserved for the occasion. His father cleared his throat, and said, "Hello, Harry. If you're seeing this, then you probably grew up only hearing about us from your godfather, that reprobate Sirius. I am your father, James Potter and this is your beautiful mother, Lily." Lily punched his arm lightly. "I can speak for myself. Happy Birthday, Harry! Wish we could be with you to celebrate. We hoped to spend our lives together. If you are watching this, that didn't happen. I hope you've had a happy childhood. We love you and want you to have the best of everything. We know Sirius loves you just as much so I am sure you have had lots of love and maybe a little too much fun sometimes," she laughed. Her eyes sparkled at the thought of what Sirius would be like as a parent. "Explain the trust," interrupted James. "It's your family trust, so you should explain it, James," she said. His father began, "The Potter family trust is centuries old and consists of many holdings which can only be passed on to the eldest male in direct descent. That means you. The deeds and records for the real estate holdings are kept in the trust vault at Gringotts. You'll also find cash, jewelry and various old family artifacts including some art and furnishings. Some of these are extremely old. Now that you are sixteen, you'll have access to this vault. You won't be considered a full adult wizard until you turn seventeen at which time you can withdraw money from the vault. At that point you can decide whether to keep your juvenile trust vault open or have the remaining cash transferred to the main vault." "Sirius will help him figure all this stuff out, James. Tell him about the box. It's his sixteenth birthday." Lily lifted the box off the table. "This box has been in the family for centuries. With each generation, the eldest male heir, the person who stands to inherit, tries to open the box on his sixteenth birthday. It obviously has a preservation charm on it because even though it's made out of wood, it is the only thing that survived the burning of Potter manor in 1648. It is supposed to have a blood charm on it as well as a power charm. Legend has it that the Potter family will produce an heir with enough power by the time he turns sixteen to open the box. It never opened for me. As far as I know it has never opened for anyone. We don't even know what's inside. It could be nothing. But it is a pretty box and kind of an intriguing mystery. I wish I could be there to see you try. I would love to know what's in the box. Whatever it is, it's important enough to be handed on to the next generation for all this time." James stopped. "Let's just talk to him or something. He grew up without hearing your voice," he said to Lily sweetly as if missing the sound of her voice would be a huge loss. Lily laughed. "As you can see, Harry, your father has a great deal of irresistible charm. I'm sure you've heard plenty of stories about us from Sirius," she hesitated before adding, "and Peter and Remus, of course. Let me tell you about what you were like when you were a baby. That's something only we really know. I knew you were magical from almost the day you were born. From the first your father and I would do anything to get you to smile. You are probably pretty good on a broomstick, too, because you always loved to fly. Your dad used to float you around this room when you were only a toddler and it only made you giggle. In fact it was all I could do to keep Sirius and your father from taking you flying on a broomstick." At this comment, James looked a little guilty. His eyes widened and he looked at his feet. Then he looked up at the chair and gave a wink. His mother continued speaking, "You were a sweet baby, never fussy, always looking around and alert like you were taking everything in. You have your father's hair and my eyes, and Sirius' sense of humor. Your godfather could always get you to laugh, even when you were tiny," she finished, starting to ramble a little. "We're almost out of time," said James, pointing at a clock on the mantle. "Say goodbye, Lily." Tears were shining in his mother's eyes, but she smiled as she said, "I'm so glad you're my son, Harry. I'm more proud of you than you'll ever know. I love you very much." She buried her face in James' shoulder. "We're both proud of you, Harry. I'm sorry we couldn't be there for you growing up. Remember that no matter what has happened, we love you." He continued into his wife's hair, "He's sleeping upstairs, you know. He may never even see this." Her head popped up and she gave her husband a swift kiss on the cheek. She turned to the chair and said, "Happy Sixteenth Birthday, Harry! And…" just as he was pulled out of the memory. His face was covered with tears he hadn't noticed as he landed back in the chair in Dumbledore's office. Tears for what might have been, if only…he quickly wiped his face with the sleeve of his robe. Remus and Dumbledore waited for him to recover. Fawkes landed on Harry's shoulder to comfort him. Harry finally said, "It was mainly personal. They talked about the Potter trust, which must be the vault where you picked up this letter and the box. What were you hoping would be explained, Professor?" Dumbledore put his long fingers together and said, "Since the box and the letter came together, I was hoping they would know something about the Potter's connection to Merlin. What did your parents say about the box, Harry?" Harry explained what his father had said and added, "He said that no one had ever been able to open the box before, but they continued to hand it down to the next generation anyway. He didn't say anything about Myrrdin or Merlin." He hesitated, then added, "I opened the box without any trouble, Professor. What does it mean?" "It means you are a powerful wizard, Harry, as well as the Potter heir. Not exactly new information, is it? As to what use you can make of the contents of the box, I cannot say. This was meant for you. Its contents are a puzzle for you to solve. Of course, I'll help you any way I can. You've only to ask, Harry." Professor Dumbledore handed the box back to him, looking straight into his green eyes. He hoped that this gesture of support and confidence would help rebuild some of the trust that was lost last year. He'd only meant to protect the boy by keeping him out of the action and ignorant of the prophecy, but he knew Harry wasn't quite certain of him yet. He'd have to earn his trust, show him that he could rely on him. As Harry took the box from the Headmaster, he was struck by the contrast between last year and this. Back then Dumbledore wouldn't meet his eyes, and refused to explain anything. He'd been shut up at the Dursleys and treated like a difficult child. Now he appeared to be willing to accept Harry as a person capable of rational choices. Harry ran his fingers along the carving on the box. Perhaps its contents contained clues to his long lost family. It was a connection to them at any rate. Why had some ancestor of his, long ago, carefully preserved a large ruby, a black phoenix statue, a round gold band and an old book? What made these things important enough to hand them down for centuries? Would he ever know? It was his mystery to solve. He was old enough and strong enough to find his own path, but it would be easier if he didn't have to make his way completely on his own. He had so much to learn. Remembering the resolution he'd made earlier in the summer, that he wouldn't let anyone plan his life for him, Harry decided to accept Dumbledore's help. He looked back up at the aging wizard with a smile and a nod. A/N: My thanks go to Hollow Godric for beta reading this chapter - twice. Every now and then my fluff-o-meter gets stuck on ten and needs a swift kick to return to normal. I appreciate his help. I also want to thank people for the thoughtful and intelligent reviews. I appreciate those as well.
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