29 Chapter 29

"Expecto Patronum" he said. A white mist formed from his wand but disappeared quickly. Next to him, Daphne repeated the same but wasn't successful either.

"I have never struggled to learn a spell, ever" said Harry irritably, taking a seat.

"I have to agree it is quite hard" replied Daphne, sitting opposite to him.

They had both started practicing the Patronus charm, but it was proving to be exceptionally difficult. The charm needed a happy memory, but no matter how much Harry tried, he just couldn't get it. They had been trying for a month now, with no success. Nothing much had happened during the month. A manhunt was organised to track down Pettigrew. The sensors around Britain were tightened so that he could not leave the country. So far, there was no luck in finding him.

"It's so frustrating!" yelled Harry. "I have some happy memories. Why can't I do it?"

They both sat quietly for several minutes, when Daphne spoke out saying, "What if we are looking at this the wrong way? What if the happy memory alone isn't enough? What if there is the emotional component that is required?"

Harry sat up straight. "Just like how the Unforgivable curses need emotion to power them?" he asked.

"Exactly" replied Daphne. "Let's give it a try"

Harry closed his eyes and thought back to when he was happiest, but unfortunately, it was proving to be very difficult. He had spent a whole month on this spell! How could he not get it right? He opened his eyes out of frustration and looked at Daphne. She had her eyes closed and was meditating.

His happiest memories had been with Daphne. She was the bright spot in his life; the one who was always there for him and loved him. Sirius and Amelia cared about him too; his devoted elves who loved him always, without a cause. And finally, his beloved thunderbird familiar, his brother. He always had Aquila. He let the emotions of happiness and love he had for them fill him up. Daphne, Aquila, Sirius, Amelia, and others – he loved them all. He thought about his parents; how much his dad loved him. How his mother used to tease his father by calling him the most whipped dad on the planet, looking at the way James would shamelessly play with Harry for the baby's amusement in the weirdest ways. His mother hadn't been anything less. He thought about all the love they had showered on him when he was just a baby. Tears leaked from his eyes as he thought about them all as he whispered "Expecto Patronum"

Something large and silvery shot out of his wand. It wasn't defined, so Harry pumped in more emotion into the spell. He thought about the moment when Daphne had given him the photo album, their first kiss –

The silvery mass expanded. A beak showed up, followed by a face and neck, wings, more wings, a tail and finally another pair of wings. His Patronus was a Thunderbird.

"Aquila" whispered Harry, his voice thick with emotion.

"He's beautiful" said Daphne, coming to stand beside him.

The large thunderbird Patronus came forward for Harry to touch it. Harry extended his hand and touched its neck. It stood more than twelve feet in height, towering over them. Harry could feel happiness and love radiating from it. The touch felt so different, as if he was connecting to his soul. After several seconds, it disappeared.

"What's the secret?" asked Daphne.

Harry breathed deeply to get his voice under control. "You were right. It needs powerful emotions to power it. You need to feel the happiness and love, only then would you be able to create a fully corporeal Patronus. You might want to take your time, though. Let the emotions fill you" he said in a shaky voice.

Daphne nodded and thought about it. Harry watched as her face slowly flushed. A large smile formed on her face, just as a lone tear slipped down her cheek. After more than two minutes, she whispered "Expecto Patronum"

A silvery mass erupted from her wand as well. Daphne opened her eyes and concentrated. Nearly a minute later, after great effort, it started changing. Giant paws started forming, along with a tail. A body soon took shape, and finally, a face appeared as well. It too was large, more than six feet in height. It had spots on its body, along with an inflamed neck. Daphne's Patronus was a Nundu.

Daphne extended her hand, and the big cat came forward to touch it. A silvery tongue licked her fingers and Daphne giggled. She petted it until it disappeared.

"Your Patronus is a nundu" whispered Harry, astonished.

Nundu, while considered by many as the most dangerous magical creature in existence, wasn't labelled as a dark creature, unlike the basilisk or a dementor. Nundus preferred to stay isolated, and not interact much. There had been rare instances where the big cats had not harmed witches and wizards at all, even though they were highly destructive. So the magical governments gave explicit instructions to its citizens to avoid the deadly cat as much as possible. It was decided to leave the creatures in their natural habitat and not disturb them. In fact, just like how dragons were sacred to the Chinese, snakes were sacred to Indians, Nundus were sacred to many magical African tribes. They were deadly, cunning, intelligent and silent. They attacked only when provoked or for prey, otherwise were known to be peaceful and people avoided them at all costs just by their reputation alone. It was quite fitting that it was Daphne's Patronus.

"I can't believe it" she said. "I never expected it to be something so powerful. I guess Ollivander was right."

"Ollivander?" asked Harry sharply. "What did he say?"

"My wand is Aspen and Dragon Heartstring" explained Daphne. "He explained that it was a powerful and deadly combination. It seems Aspen wands create fine duellists, not to mention an affinity for charms. He also said that those who truly mastered Aspen wands turned out to be revolutionaries, so he said I would do great things in the future."

Harry looked at his wand and said, "My wand is Yew and Nundu heartstring". Daphne's head snapped up. "Yes, nundu; that's why I was surprised to find out that your Patronus was one as well. Ollivander said the same to me; that I would do great things in life. Let's not prove him wrong."

HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP

A few days later, Harry stood in his study, surrounded by his painted ancestors. He was holding the sword of his ancestor, Godric Gryffindor.

"I can't believe you finally found it" said the portrait of William Potter. "I remember searching for it myself, and I never found it. The sorting hat had to give it to you, you say?"

"Yes" replied Harry, examining the sword. "He said that Godric had told the hat to give this to a Potter who embodied what Hogwarts stood for; and apparently, it's me."

"Well go on" said Dorea Potter nee Black eagerly. "Let's see if the family magic accepts you."

Harry nodded and took a deep breath. He reinforced his mental shields and pressed his palm to the very bottom of the blade and slashed it. A deep gash appeared on his palm, and he let the drops of blood fall on the sword.

After nine drops, there was a flash of light, and Harry thought he heard a lion's roar. Harry was surrounded by a golden aura, as if magic itself was testing to see if he was worthy. He remained resolute, holding his head high. After a minute, the aura seeped into his skin, just as he said, "I, Hadrian James Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, scion of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor, do hear by solemnly swear, by wearing this ring to uphold the values and traditions of the Gryffindor family. As Lord Gryffindor, I swear to bring back my family's honour and strive for the betterment of my magical brethren. This I swear, so mote it be!"

The entire study was filled with golden light which slowly seeped into Harry's body. A golden ring, with a large ruby encrusted on top with a roaring lion appeared on Harry's right middle finger. He closed his eyes, as knowledge of Gryffindor properties and places of hiding entered his mind. Harry organised them using Occlumency, so that he could access them later.

"Audaces fortuna iuvat" he whispered. It was the Gryffindor family motto, which meant 'Fortune favors the bold"

Harry opened his eyes to look at Godric's sword, now clean of blood, glowing in his hand. It suddenly disappeared, but he knew that it would appear to him when he called for it.

The various portraits all over the castle started applauding for the new Lord Gryffindor, something which the Potters over the generations had been trying to achieve.

"Congratulations, Lord Potter-Gryffindor" said the portrait of Charlus Potter, beaming with pride at his grandson. "So, anything you can tell us?"

The other portraits listened eagerly. Harry smiled and said, "Well, it looks like Salazar wasn't the only one to have a secret chamber at Hogwarts"

HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP

A man who seemed to be in his twenties, appeared in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, regally stepping forward from the Apparition point. Instead of checking in as a visitor was supposed to, he strode to another entrance, which was deserted. He opened a door and walked with confidence, just as the features on his face changed. After a minute, he found a desk at the end of a corridor. He went there and tapped it three times with his wand.

"Welcome to the Department of Mysteries. State your name and intention for visiting us" said a cool voice.

"Lord Hadrian James Potter, here to listen to a prophecy that concerns me, given by Sybill Trelawney to Albus Dumbledore" he said in a calm voice.

There was silence for a few seconds, and the voice said, "Please wait for an Unspeakable to verify your identity and escort you to the Hall of Prophesies. The Department of Mysteries wishes you a good day."

"Good day indeed" whispered Harry.

It was a minute later that an Unspeakable Apparated in front of Harry. Harry calmly stood there, as the Unspeakable looked at him. "I'm Unspeakable Bode, are you Lord Potter?" he asked.

Harry, in turn, flashed his Head of House ring, which suddenly appeared on his right ring finger. The Unspeakable looked at it closely, and saw the griffins and shield, along with the Potter motto "Natus Vincere", meaning 'Born to Conquer', on the large red diamond ring.

He nodded and turned. The Unspeakable went to a blank section of the wall and tapped his wand on it. A metal disc appeared, with various runes on it. The man discreetly tapped various runes on it and spun the disc. This type of ward was nothing new to Harry, as he had dealt with it at Potter Castle. They were quite effective, as there was no fixed pattern. You had to know which runes powered the ward and disable it properly. If a wrong sequence was entered, the chamber would lock itself, tightening security.

After Unspeakable Bode was done, a door materialised. He opened it and said, "Please follow me, Lord Potter."

Harry nodded, and after walking along a corridor and through another door, found himself in the Hall of Prophesies. Tens of thousands of orbs were present, filling the entire room. They walked in silence to Row 97, where the Unspeakable said, "This it is; a prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney to Albus Dumbledore, concerning the Dark Lord and Hadrian Potter. Only you would be able to retrieve it. Once you're done, place it back in its hold. I'll be back once you're done listening to it." He then left, leaving Harry alone.

Harry looked at the prophecy orb and carefully took it from the shelf. He erected a privacy ward around himself. He tapped his wand on the orb, and he saw Sybill Trelawney say –

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches . . . born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies . . . and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have the power the Dark Lord knows not . . . and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives . . . The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies . . ."

Harry grimly placed the sphere back in its hold. The contents had been just as he had suspected. He would either have to kill Voldemort or be killed by him. And there was no way he was going to let that monster live. He would have to increase his training. He would have to be ready for the final battle.

He walked back to the door and knocked. The Unspeakable nodded to him and took him back to the entrance. Harry nodded to the man and stepped back to the atrium. On the way, he morphed back to an adult, and once he reached the Atrium, Disapparated back to Potter Castle with a silent crack.

HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP

The woman looked from on top of the building, disillusioned. Her employer had paid her a good amount to get this job done. She was clearly one of the best in her field. So far, her target was proving to be frustrating in that it was very difficult to assassinate him covertly. Therefore, this was the plan. One of her contacts had mentioned that he was in Diagon Alley. It was irritating that she had to do it in such a public fashion, but her employer did not care, he just wanted the target dead. She turned to look around and spotted him, leaving an expensive restaurant with a young man. She didn't know who the young man who appeared to be in his twenties was as her contact couldn't identify him, but it didn't matter to her. Her target was in sight. She pointed her wand in his direction. She needed precision, and there was an instrument that gave her wand that precise balance. She just had to grab hold of the handle and say the incantation, and the wand would fire. She didn't have to worry about missing the target. But the problem with the device was that it was stationery, so it couldn't be used in actual fights. But it would serve her purpose for now.

She took aim and adjusted her wand slightly. Perfect. She grabbed her wand handle and scrounged the necessary hate and whispered "Avada Kedavra"

The green curse headed directly for its target. Her employer would be pleased.

HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP

Hadrian Potter and Sirius Black left the restaurant, arguing about the Quidditch match they had watched on what was now called the E-Mirror last night; 'E' standing for 'Entertainment'. Harry again had morphed to look like a man in his twenties.

"I don't know why you don't like that manoeuvre, Padfoot. It works!" said Harry, looking at his godfather.

"Maybe so, but that doesn't discount the fact that if a bludger were to hit your face, you're doomed" replied Sirius. "I mean, you're already diving at fast speed, and if the bludger hit you, you would be thrown off the broom and tell the snitch goodbye"

Harry snorted and turned back to face the street to look around and said, "That's the point, Padfoot. The Wronski Feint is done to deter the other seeker. Besides, if you can dodge that bludger and execute the feint, you're a gen - "

But he stopped in mid-sentence as a green jet of light was headed directly for Sirius. Flicking his wand to his hand, he conjured marble in a fraction of a second. The killing curse impacted the marble stone, and the conjured stone cracked as the curse hit it. He looked at the source but didn't find anything, but he could sense magical energy - Disillusionment charm.

Harry immediately turned on the spot and Apparated to the top of the building and started firing curses. The assassin, who wasn't expecting to be found so quickly, dodged and pulled out her secondary wand and started casting spells as well. Harry dodged them all, and immediately put up anti-Apparition and anti-portkey wards. They were the simpler kind, not long lasting, but were effective. He could hear panicking people from below as the people in the alley panicked at seeing the spell fire.

The assassin tried to Apparate, but found out that she couldn't. She tried the portkey that was ingrained in her clothes but found that she couldn't use it. The man in front of her had put up the wards during the time she had fired spells at him. She had never found herself in a situation; she was a stealth assassin, not a duellist. After a few seconds, she found her wand leaving her hand. She was immediately hit by several binding charms, just as she heard several cracks around her.

"MLEP! PUT YOUR WANDS DOWN!" said a voice, as several people surrounded the scene.

Harry calmly flicked his wand back in his holster and flashed his ring. "I'm Lord Hadrian Potter under disguise. This woman just attempted to assassinate Lord Sirius Black. As you can see, I've subdued her" he said.

Sirius Apparated on top of the building too; Harry's wards prevented anyone from leaving, not entering. "HARRY!" he shouted, as he hugged his godson. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.

Harry morphed back to his usual self and turned to his godfather. "I'm fine Sirius. But I must say it was a close call for you" he said, looking at the bound form of the assassin.

As the members of the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol moved in to secure the assassin, an Auror came up to question Harry and asked "Lord Black, Lord Potter. What happened here?"

Harry gave the man a good summary of what had happened. He told him about finding a killing curse headed their way, how he had conjured marble, how he had Apparated to the roof and started firing spells at the disillusioned assassin, how the assassin had retaliated which had given him time to cast the wards to prevent her escape and had finally subdued her.

The Auror had his jaw open in shock. "Forgive me, but aren't you just a thirteen-year-old boy?" he asked dumbfounded. "To think you can Apparate as this age, duel an adult and win, and not to mention cast anti-Apparition and anti-portkey wards, however basic during a duel is astounding! You might want to consider a career as an Auror"

Harry chuckled. "While my father might have liked it, I don't think it's for me. But thank you for your assessment, Auror. I appreciate it."

The rest of the MLEP took the still bound woman and Disapparated, while some of them gathered her wands for evidence.

The Auror looked back at Harry and said, "We will contact you soon for the investigation, Lord Potter. And I would like to inform you beforehand that you might be asked to pay a fine for illegal Apparition; though you can gain a license at the Department of Magical Transportation since you're emancipated and can Apparate. It depends on if you pass the test though."

He then nodded to both Harry and Sirius and left the building with a crack.

Harry and Sirius looked at each other, and with two cracks, Disapparated back to Black Manor. "I can't believe he would try such a direct approach" said Sirius, as he sat on the couch in the informal drawing room.

"That shows Lucius Malfoy was desperate" said Harry. "The other stealthier methods of assassination probably didn't work. And you've got to admit, this certainly could have worked. By hiring an assassin, he didn't have to get his hands dirty."

"It will be difficult to pin it on him, though" said Sirius darkly. "Secrecy oaths would prevent us from finding out that it was him, so Legilimency and Veritaseum are probably useless."

"There are other ways to make her talk" said Harry lightly. "The only reason I know for sure it's Lucius is because dear Draco blabbed. How that brat ended up in Slytherin, I'll never know. Salazar would be in tears had he been here."

Sirius snorted. They sat in silence for a few minutes, when Sirius was alerted by the wards that someone had flooed into the manor. A minute later, Amelia entered the room, with a grim look on her face. She being the head of the DMLE did not unusually involve herself with such enquiries, but this was a high profile target.

"Lord Black" she said in a formal voice. "I would like to request permission for bringing two Aurors with me for the formal enquiry. The wards, if you don't mind."

Sirius stood up, and said formally, "Of course, Madam Bones". He went to the entrance hall, and after a minute, two Aurors entered the manor. After they all sat in the formal drawing room, Amelia began.

"Can you please describe the event?" she asked, a dicta quill writing down everything, next to her.

Sirius looked at his fiancée. "Hadrian and I were out for lunch, as he wanted to shop for his school supplies. We exited The Grand Elixir Restaurant at about half-past two in the afternoon. We were on our way to look at the new Firebolt broom as we had finished our shopping when I saw a jet of green light coming towards me. But suddenly, a block of thick marble was conjured in front of me, and as the curse hit it, the stone cracked. The block of marble impacted me, and I fell down. By the time I got up, I could see spell fire on top of a building. I Apparated there and found the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol there, along with Hadrian, questioning him. It was explained to me that it was an assassination attempt, with me as the target" said Sirius.

"Lord Potter" said Amelia. "Can you describe what happened from your perspective?"

Harry nodded and began. "As my godfather said, we were walking to Quality Quidditch Supplies when I saw a curse being fired from on top of a building. I immediately recognised it to be the killing curse, so I knew a shield was useless, so I conjured a block of marble. The curse hit the marble, and I immediately Apparated to the top of the building and started firing spells at the place I thought the disillusioned assassin was present. I was successful in removing her disillusionment charm, when she started firing curses at me. I used that to my advantage and cast the basic anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards which prevented her from escaping. Several seconds later, I had her subdued, and that's when the MLEP arrived."

Amelia nodded. "Thank you both for your cooperation. Lord Potter, I'm afraid you would have to pay 25 Galleons for Apparating without a license. I would suggest you take the test if you do know how to Apparate. You can get the license early since you're emancipated."

"Any progress in the investigation?" asked Sirius. Amelia sighed and told them.

With that Amelia left along with her two Aurors. An hour later, Harry and Sirius were in his study, watching a play based on one of the stories mentioned in The Tales of Beedle the Bard on the new E-Mirror installed there, as they both were still on edge. Suddenly, there was an alert on the mirror, so Sirius frowned and waved his hand. Another channel appeared – The Magical Daily News.

"This is a special report" said the reporter. "We have received information from inside the Department of Magical Law Enforcement that a little more than an hour ago, there had been an assassination attempt on Lord Sirius Black, the Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, in Diagon Alley, when he was helping his godson Lord Hadrian Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter shop for his school supplies."

"The details are sketchy, but Madam Amelia Bones, Director of Magical Law Enforcement has released a press statement. Here it is."

The reporter's face minimised and went to the edge of the mirror, while Amelia's face occupied the remaining space. Harry was very happy that the Magical Daily Press had adapted very quickly to the new magical technology. From the amount of sales and views of both the Magical Daily newspapers and the mirrors, he knew both his business ventures were very profitable.

"More than an hour ago" said Amelia, looking at the crystal suspended in front of her and a couple of reporters, "Lord Sirius Black was attacked by an assassin in Diagon Alley. The assassin was perched on top of a building and fired a killing curse at him. Lord Hadrian Potter, who was with Lord Black saw the movement and conjured a block of marble in front of his godfather. The unforgivable curse impacted the block, and it cracked. The marble then hit Lord Black, but nothing else happened to him. Lord Potter then Apparated to the top of the building and overpowered the assassin, just as the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol appeared at the scene. I personally questioned Lords Black and Potter about the incident. But when we unbound the assassin to question her, she consumed poison that was later found to be under her tongue. She died of a very fast reacting poison, while not strong was effective. The bezoar which we administered to her was useless. She has been confirmed dead, and we are looking for any clues as to find out who could have employed her. Lord Black and Lord Potter are both not injured. Thank you."

The reporter came back and continued, "It has not been ascertained as to who could have hired the assassin to kill Lord Black, but speculations have arisen that say that Lord Lucius Malfoy, the Head of the Noble of Malfoy had threatened Lord Potter at Hogwarts a few months ago. Lord Malfoy seems to have been involved in the opening of the Chamber of Secrets, which lead to the Basilisk attacks at Hogwarts which resulted in various students at Hogwarts being petrified until Lord Hadrian Potter killed the creature. We are not sure about the involvement of anyone else, but we can safely say that it is going to be difficult with the death of the assassin."

"Madam Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of the British Ministry of Magic has been greatly appreciated by many to have kept her professional composure and followed her duties accordingly, even though she is engaged to Lord Sirius Black, who was almost assassinated. She also didn't bend the rules for Lord Hadrian Potter, who has been fined 25 Galleons for Apparating without a license. As the viewers can guess, many have been astounded by Lord Potter's ability. Apparition at the age of thirteen, and to put up wards and defeat an assassin is quite extraordinary. But then again, we are talking about a boy who killed a seventy-foot long basilisk with a sword, so we probably shouldn't be too surprised. For more news, stay tuned. This is Steve Green, for the Magical Daily News."

Harry smirked. It was time for him to strike back. He was a Potter; he didn't sit idly by. He would conquer, he would always conquer. "Born to Conquer" he repeated, which was the Potter family motto.