The next morning, Harry portkeyed to the chamber of secrets. He exercised as usual. His workout was paying off. His body looked better than it ever was. He did not look all bluff with muscles like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He looked more like an athletic swimmer. His height had grown. He was nearly 5 feet 3 inches, compared to his 5 feet height, before the chamber incident. He had grown three inches in less than three months. He looked better than ever. He had seen some older girls ogling him in Diagon Alley as well as his Krav Maga classes. His swimming camp had separate batches for boys and girls. On the note of classes, he could now perform the basics of Krav Maga perfectly. He was sure that if he got in close combat with anyone in the wizarding world, that, he currently knew, they would likely lose. Witches and wizards relied heavily on magic. Few would do any exercise at all, and they were quidditch players mostly. Krav Maga was one of the most effective close-quarter combat skills in the world. Originated from a combination of techniques sourced from Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Aikido, and Karate, known for its focus on real-world situations and its extreme efficiency in incapacitating the opponent.
He was now a decent swimmer. On his magical study, he was confident that he could achieve an O in Runes and an E in Arithmancy if he gave the third year exams at the moment. Salazar and Helga were excellent teachers. They knew even to make what could have been the longest, boring lecture interesting. His Occlumency was aiding him to remember things much better now he had started the mind place. Salazar said that once he achieved this stage, he would get a near-photographic memory and perfect recall. The next stage would not give him anything, to say at least, just make his mind an impenetrable fortress. He had decided to make a smaller version of Hogwarts, with three floors instead of seven and a single dungeon. Most importantly he had already replicated the chamber. There was where all his memories were. Behind the wall with the Hogwarts crest, with all rooms like the actual chamber, just containing memories instead of other things.
After the usual workout and spell casting, he decided to address the elephant in his mind. He told the two founders everything that had transpired the previous day. Salazar was extremely proud of his masterful handling of the situation despite his anger. "Did you know that Black was the secret keeper?" He asked them. "Did you know that he was the reason my parents are dead?"
"Yes," Salazar answered. "Why did you not tell me."
"We decided against it because we did not want to see you lose Faith. Faith in friendship. Your parents were betrayed by their best friend. We did not want you to start questioning your friendships. You will need them in the future." Harry looked away. He had run through scenarios in his head indeed, about Ron turning out a death eater in disguise, Weasley's selling him to death eaters for money, Hermione being the Daughter of Voldemort- a stupid scenario but one nonetheless. They were right. His trust in friendships had wavered. To think that his father was betrayed by a person he so trusted was shocking for him.
"Harry, look here. There is nothing wrong with being cautious. But doing stupid things due to a mere possibility is. I am not saying that all people are good. Many will backstab you if they are put in a position of death or would gain something from it. It is up to you to choose them wisely." Helga said gently.
"How do I do it?"
"Trust your gut and heart, child. They will show you the right path than your brain sometimes, but always give it a thought too." Helga replied. Harry nodded. He had no reason to be wary of his friends. He knew they were good. But every secret won't be shared with them. His most important secrets will be kept to himself.
"Oh, I forgot to mention that Fudge is putting Dementors in school for protection against Black," Harry added, remembering that he would need to learn to defend himself against them. He would not be taking risks. He did not fancy having his soul sucked out. Thank you very much.
"I beg your pardon!?" Salazar said in disbelief.
"Fudge is putting Dementors in school for protection against Black," Harry repeated. What followed was a string of curses that would have made a sailor jealous. "The moronic, idiotic fool. That intellectually Malnourished cunt! The fuckwit was dropped on his head. I tell you both! Dementors! Which sane person puts soul-sucking demons in a school? I will kill him. Wait till I get my hands on him. He won't put dementors around my school. I..."
"SALAZAR SLYTHERIN! CALM YOURSELF!" Helga finally shouted. Salazar's mouth snapped shut.
"Thank you. Now, how can I defend myself against them? I wish to be prepared because as much as Salazar rants here, he won't be able to do anything." Salazar glared but, he was ignored. Helga nodded at him and started a lecture.
"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk on this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places. They glory in decay and despair. They drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them. Get too near a Dementor, and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself... soulless and evil. You will be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life."*
Helga shivered and continued, "There is only one spell that truly works against them, the Patronus charm. It is a projection of extremely positive thoughts, like happiness or love. Most relate it to happiness, but love is the most powerful emotion there is, so powerful that the Ancient Greeks personified it as a goddess, Aphrodite. If cast perfectly, it takes the form of a guardian, most likely an animal. If not, it is a wispy shield. It is an extremely tough spell, taught for charms mastery and auror course. We have discussed it before when we explained magic to you. The incantation is Expecto Patronum. Select a positive memory and immerse yourself in it. Feel the emotions and cast the spell. I have faith you can do it.
Harry thought about the first time he saw Hogwarts, the thoughts of entering a new world, the thoughts of magic. Expecto Patronum. Something indeed happened. a glow like a Lumos formed at the tip of his wand. It was not even a shield. "The memory wasn't good. Select another." Salazar said.
Harry thought of his first time on a broom. The exhilaration, the joy of the wind rushing through his hair. "Expecto Patronum" he intoned. This was better than his first time. But was not even a shield, just a very bright glow. It was a tough spell, according to them, but he was Harry Potter. He would do it.
'Think Harry, think. Your happiest memory, even if you don't have many. think when you felt the most happiness, most loved. Wait. Yes. If this does not work, nothing would.'
Salazar said, "See Harry. If you can't do it, no problem. It is an extremely tough charm. Do not drain yourself, child. It will harm you. Even several Aurors have troub..." Harry shut him out and remembered the memory.
"Such things make me and your father proud beyond words, Harry." He remembered his mother saying. "Live up to your name Harry, make us proud." Her hug, the warmth he felt in his mother's arms, her kissing his forehead. He remembered it all. "EXPECTO PATRONUM"
A bright silver light filled the chamber. It began taking form. It sprouted horns, wings, and Legs. Soon a Dragon stood in front of him. Not just any dragon, A great Horned Hebridean Black. The most dangerous dragon ever. The symbol of the Potters. The last Potter had a Great Horned Hebridean Black as his Patronus.
Harry felt proud of himself. A rare feeling in the past, but now it was much more frequent. The Dursleys had reduced his self-worth by their mental abuse. But with the aid of Helga, harry had come over it. Now he was more proud of his accomplishments. He turned to the portraits. Salazar was gaping at the Patronus, so was Helga.
"He... He produced a corporeal Patronus on-on his third try. How- how is it possible, Helga?" Salazar stammered. By now, Harry's Patronus had faded.
"Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus." Helga whispered. Never tickle a sleeping dragon. Fitting, for the boy. Loyal to his friends, intelligent, fierce, a force of nature, unbending to anyone, and dangerous if provoked. Extremely so. His Patronus said it. Then again, the boy had killed a 60 meters long Basilisk at the age of 12. It should not be surprising.
"Can you cast it again?" Salazar questioned. Harry nodded and cast again. The dragon formed. It was beautiful. The horns were pronounced with its dangerous spiked tail. It looked, Majestic.
"You know, I never expected that you would get the corporeal Patronus this week, let alone this very hour. The memory you used must be very powerful. Can I know what did you use?"
"The only memory of my mom telling me that she loved me," Harry answered. It was the truth, a partial one but the truth nonetheless.
Salazar looked away. "I am sorry, I should not have pried," Salazar said.
"It's okay. But I am tired. Can we continue in the evening?" They nodded. Patronus was a draining spell. Extremely so. Harry used the time turner to go back. Now that a killer was on loose, he could not afford to be out of the public eye.
He reached his room and took a nap till 7 in the morning before going to breakfast downstairs. The place was in an uproar. 'So the Prophet has arrived. Let's see.'
The headlines were "NOTORIOUS MASS MURDERER, SIRIUS BLACK ESCAPES FROM AZKABAN."
He read the article. It was nothing he did not know. The Muggles were told, that Black was armed with a gun. It wrote about Aurors patrolling places like Hogsmeade, Diagon and Knockturn Alley, Godric's Hollow, St. Mungo's Hospital and the public should cooperate with them. Underneath it, there was a photo of Black. He looked extremely haggard and was screaming. He got up after finishing his breakfast and went to buy the rest of his things. The rune carving kit was the most important of them. He bought the highest quality. He also went and bought a couple of copper Cauldrons. He saw Professor McGonagall leading two children who looked like first years and a man through the Alley. Probably muggleborns. He waved at her, and she called him.
"Good morning Mr. Potter. Fancy seeing you here. How are you? And what happened to your glasses?"
"Professor McGonagall! Good morning. I am doing fine. And I got contact lens instead of glasses." He shot her a grin. "These must be new students. Muggleborns, I presume." At her nod, he turned to them and smiled. "Let me welcome you to the wizarding world... "
"Jennifer, Jennifer Carter, this is my twin brother, Jason Carter. We just got to know about all new things. We never knew about magic before the letter came. First, we thought it was a joke, then she came to our house and turned the table into a lion. Mum got soooo scared. I hope I am good with magic. I can not wait to learn new things. Who are you? Which year are you in? Do I need to learn anything else than the school books? How are the exams? How..." The girl, Jennifer, sounded like Hermione. She said all this in a single breath.
"Then I hope you both enjoy it here. I am Potter, Harry Potter." Harry interrupted her before she could go overboard. "I will enter the third year. For the books, well, a few extra won't hurt. Ask your professor. She will also explain the exams to you. Professor, I will leave you with them. Hope to see you both in Gryffindor!" Before he left, he whispered in Professor McGonagall's year, "Are you sure her last name is not Granger? She sounds like Hermione too much." She snorted. "I thought it was only me." She whispered.
He went back to the chamber after lunch. "I am back."
"Oh joy," Salazar muttered, sarcasm dripping off his voice. "Harry! Did you eat before coming?" Helga asked in a mothering tone. She was like that. Mothering him every day, making sure he ate, rested enough, etc. Harry simply nodded. "What are we doing today?"
"First Arithmancy. Then transfiguration. And if time permits, we will start your Mage sight practice. It will take you a few months to use it as you have to start gradually imbibing your eyes with magic to develop it." Helga answered.
Before afternoon they had sent Dumbledore the statement for the Prophet. It was carefully worded. Salazar and Helga had convinced Harry to make peace with his fame. It was necessary. The fame was a part of him, he could not run away from it, so it was best to embrace and use it to his advantage. Harry did not like it, but the reasoning and logic had made him agree. This would be the first time he would embrace the concept of the Boy-Who-Lived and use his fame. 'It was for a good purpose. There could have been worse uses for it.'
The next day the prophet was,
EMERGENCY WIZENGAMOT SESSION TODAY, FUNDS FOR DMLE MAY BE INCREASED
THE BOY-WHO LIVED REACTS.
HOUSE POTTER TO DONATE 50,000 G TO AID BLACK'S CAPTURE
In light of mass murderer Sirius Black's Azkaban escape, on the night of 1st August, Minister Cornelius Fudge called for an emergency session of Wizengamot, that will take place today. The minister's office says that increasing funds on the DMLE is vital. That is the very agenda for today's meeting.
The funds for the DMLE have been decreased in the last decade as it was peacetime for Wizarding Britain. Madame Bones, The head of DMLE, has always asked for more funds for the DMLE since her accession to the post 6 years ago. She says, "I was always concerned that the funds of the DMLE were too less. Even though it was peacetime, a country must be ready for any adversity. Now Sirius Black's escape has highlighted the need for increasing auror forces as they are spread too thin. I hope that the funds for the DMLE are increased so that such future situations and the current one can be handled."
Another surprise is that for the first time, Harry Potter has spoken to the media. His message was
Dear witches and wizards,
My name is Harry James Potter, The Heir of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. Today I communicate to you by the means of the Daily Prophet. Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison, a feat never heard of before. The man is dangerous if he can escape a high-security prison even after 12 years of company with the dementors. He was a Death Eater. Such people are a danger to the community so are those who support them. Black has killed 13 people with a single spell, according to reports.
I urge you all to be cautious. Be on guard. I am sure the ministry is doing its best to capture the betrayer of the Potter Family and to ensure the safety of citizens but it may not be enough. I urge you all to cooperate and help them the best you can. In such times I feel that the auror and hit-wizards should have enough funds to pull operations to capture the notorious mass murderer and protect the people. Currently, Aurors are spread thin throughout the country looking for Black. I am still a student and learning magic. I am unable to aid them physically or magically as I am not qualified enough yet. So I have decided to do my part and give the DMLE 50,000G as a donation to aid them to capture Sirius Black. I also hope that today, the esteemed Wizengamot body passes the request for more fund allocations to DMLE. Truthfully, I can't see anything to lose from protecting the country, better, unless someone wants to protect a Death Eater, or is a criminal. It is always necessary to have a ready force to fight any crisis that may arise, such as these. It may not be wartime, but dangers are always there. If today, more funds, are provided to DMLE, I am sure that such a situation in the future will be prevented, and Magical Britain will become much safer."
Yes! You read it. Harry Potter has spoken in favor of increasing the funds for the DMLE. The young man has donated 50,000G just so, he can do his part in keeping us safe. It also came to our notice that Harry Potter is a brilliant student and stood first in his year. He has also been reported to take down a Troll, and a budding dark wizard, as the Prophet reported two years ago. We need more noble young men like Mr. Potter. We hope here at the Daily Prophet that Sirius Black is caught soon.
Maddison Fawley
Reporter, Daily Prophet
For more information on Harry Potter, the Boy-Who lived, pg2
For more information on budget cuts for DMLE, pg2
For more information on incidents two years ago, pg4
For more information on Sirius Black, pg3
The article was good. It painted him in a good light. It basically ensured that most on the Wizengamot would vote for the bill now. Unless someone wanted to say that they were criminals or supported death eaters. Even he would be on guard. Black may come after him for vengeance. He would have to talk to Salazar and Helga to increase his combat training. For now, he was content that the dementors won't be a problem. He had a fully corporeal Patronus.