Harry Potter and the Era of Hogwarts

Chapter 4 - Day of the Phoenix Part 2

August 15th, 963

Ah how all good things must come to an end. As I sat in my director's chair watching the duelers battle it out, I felt an almost palpable sense of foreboding wash over me. By no means could I discover the possible cause of the feeling, though I could distinguish the meaning clearly.

Danger! Danger! Run, quickly!

This was the message that flashed its self before each and every potentially lethal encounter with Tom, and even before the attack at Privet Drive. The entire phenomenon began with the sense of foreboding, it's cold, dark tentacles reaching through the body, centering on the stomach where more than butterflies flew. Then the survival instincts would kick in, just as the danger became apparent.

I wasn't disappointed.

Just as an unnatural cold began to settle over me my instincts kicked in and I was standing from my chair in a flash, taking out both of my wands with flicks of the wrists and readying them in a battle stance. Some started to look at me oddly, but others obviously felt it too and likewise stood. The duelers stopped their exchange of spells and jumped off the platform, looking for the source of the uneasy tension.

A black cloud settled over the sun, casting a sinister shadow over the town. Looking up I saw a black void soundlessly begin to open over the grounds. Dark robed figures silently descended to the ground. Hurriedly, I pointed out the figures to the rest of the attentive people and fired a curse.

“Abscido!” I shot at one of the figures.

The bright flash of yellow light drew attention to the figures. The vicious cutting curse had no effect on the creature, except to signal the beginning the attack. Beams and orbs flew of all colors at the figures from all around the grounds, sent by both residents and visitors alike. Few seemed to have any effect.

“Neco trucido!”

A wave of black energy flew from the end of my yew wand. Obviously a dark spell, its use was intended for mass killings. Fortunately, few had the required power or knowledge to use such a spell. The wave rocked the creatures that were slowly moving toward the ground, but was absorbed. I was shocked that the spell didn't work, but it did give me an idea to what it was. Very few creatures could not be killed by physical or magical means, but the unnatural cold and dark robes helped support the theory.

Dementors.

Quickly calling up my memory of the revelation that I would no longer be the Boy-Who-Lived, I aimed my wand at a few of the creatures who had touched down onto the ground.

“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” I shouted.

People stared in awe as a bright silvery stag leaped from my wand. Even I was amazed, my normal Patronus didn't glow that brightly. The stag, obviously sensing the Dementors leaped at the dark figures. The closest Dementor was thrown behind the stag as it violently head butted and swept above its antlers, tossed about like a rag doll. Others quickly caught on, and the few that could cast their own Patronuses at the Dementors.

It wasn't enough.

More and more of the Dementors glided to the ground, creating a loose division of the soul-sucking creatures. Screams began to break out around the grounds as their worst memories were dragged to the surface and their happy memories fed upon. I knew I had to drive them away, or they would begin to systematically suck the souls from everyone in the town. Finally the last figure, a much taller one, gracefully landed at the front of the group. It appeared to be a commander of sorts, though it simply seemed to survey the area for the moment. Digging deep into my knowledge I found a spell prefix to even further overcharge a spell. I switched to my Holly and Phoenix feather wand and aimed it at the Dementor formation.

“Procella Expecto Patronum!” I waited as the delay between the incantation and the finishing incantation began to rapidly charge my magical energy for one large wave of power, creating a hum of energy inside me. I continued to charge it for over five seconds before finally releasing it with a single word.

“Expedio.”

I felt a power like none other rush through my arm, lighting off nerves as it passed through magical channels not meant for the torrent of power. A blinding flash of light emanated from the end of my wand. A second later my world went black, a defense mechanism as my magical channels narrowed to prevent further drain on my magical core.

As I was in my darkness, completely oblivious to the world around me I thought about the spell prefix I just used. Like many other prefixes, it is a spell modifier. Some modifiers cause multiple beams of the same spell to be shot out at different angles, their power depending on if it is meant to share the power of a single beam or simply using the full power for all of them, or others to even magnify a single bolt into a wide wave. This one however, charges up magical energy to be released all at once in a single burst of power. The spell charges at a consistent rate based on the spell's power, so as to fine tune the quantity released power. The finishing incantation ends the spell by either releasing the power using Expedio, stopping the power build up but not releasing it with Desino, or finally to cancel the spell and dissolve the built up energy back into the magical core with Dilabor. While it wasn't what I had used at Privet Drive and the duel, it was a much more advanced technique designed for more power than simply pushing extra power to the spell. The prefix was not to be used lightly though, for even though it had a fail-safe from killing yourself by channeling too much power, it wouldn't stop magical exhaustion. Charging a spell as powerful as the Patronus Charm is simply amazing though, so I'm quite surprised and pleased I was able to charge it for the whole five seconds.

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As I regained consciousness I groaned. I wearily tried opening my eyes but the dimly lit room was too bright and I quickly screwed them shut in pain. As I did I heard hushed voices from somewhere near the right of the bed I was on, which I could feel exactly where every point of my body was touching, the small draft, and the fabric I was laying on.

“Shh, he's waking up. Loud voices might hurt him for a while, at least until he gets used to senses again. Right now they're all hypersensitive,” a female voice said quietly.

I could both feel and hear footsteps as another person walked next to my bed quietly, sitting down in a chair. The person smelled female, as also felt female characterized by the sweet smell of flowers and the light-footed walk.

“Hello, are you awake?” The girl whispered.

I hesitantly nodded, uncomfortable with the sensation of feeling each hair move around and tugged on my scalp. I would need to have the healer cast a mild dark spell that dulls the senses. Normally used during intervals between tortures, it can be extremely terrifying, and in this case it would help me while waiting for the hypersensitivity to dull. Another alternative which more widely used was a spell to completely deprive one of their senses, though each sense had to be done individually unless you had the power to use the total sense deprivation spell, though it wasn't as widely known.

“Do you need anything?” she asked.

I nodded again and mimed drinking a glass or goblet of water as well as writing on a piece of paper as well as I could without seeing myself.

“Okay,” the girl said.

I waited for a moment before a goblet was pressed against my lips and tilted slightly, letting a bit of the water slide into my mouth. I continued drinking and swallowing until the entire goblet was empty. I could hear as she set it on some sort of bedside table. A piece of hovering, non-bending parchment was placed in front of me and a quill was pressed into my hand. I assumed it was self-inking as I had no ink with which to dip it in. Slowly, I began to write to make sure it would be legible without my eyes to see it.

Sense dulling

Sensus pigrum totus

Touch eyes ears skin tongue nose with wand and cast. Exact order.

 

I pushed the parchment to the girl who gasped and gave it to her, companion who I suspect to be her Mistress in the healing arts. The older woman also gave an intake of breath and there was a short silence before the sound of the two ladies deliberating. Then the footsteps of one of them walked up to the edge of the bed, though the smell was a bit different. Instead of spring flowers it was more of a jasmine, mixed with potions.

“Are you sure this spell works?” the woman asked.

I nodded. Of course it works, though I suppose I'd be a bit wary of one of my patients gave me a spell.

“I'm sure it works Mistress, you should have seen him. He used spells I've never even heard of when the dark figures came,” the girl said.

I could hear the resigned agreement from the Mistress before a wand touched me on the eyes, the ears, the cheek; I stuck out my tongue for her to touch, and finally my nose. The wand smelled and tasted cedar, but that wasn't important.

“Sensus pigrum totus,” the Healing Mistress said.

Immediately my hypersensitivity was dulled and everything felt normal. The girl spoke again, this time at full volume. It sounded fine, if not a bit muffled.

“Did it work Mistress?” the girl asked.

“I believe so,” the Mistress replied.

I attempted opening my eyes once again and was rewarded as the room was only slightly bright, though the color was dulled and objects were a bit blurry. Slowly I turned to the two anxious witches, and smiled. To my surprise, the young girl was the one who I had saved from her companion. Moving delicately, I propped myself into a sitting position on some pillows the Healing Mistress just put behind me.

“Hello, feeling better dear?” the Healing Mistress asked kindly.

My reply, while not eloquent, was sufficient for one so well acquainted with recovering patients.

“Urgh,” was all I had to say.

The healer cracked a smile.

“I'll take that as a yes then,” she said, still smiling.

The healer was a rather pretty lady, about 5' 8” tall with short brown hair, warmth-filled blue eyes and fair skin.

“Thank you, you've done a wonderful job,” I managed to say after reconnecting my brain to my mouth.

The woman beamed at him for his compliment.

“Your welcome, but compliments won't get you out of bed. Perhaps tomorrow, but until then no walking without help,” The healer warned.

Bah! My plans were foiled by an exceptionally smart healer. Well I never expected them to work anyways. I'm sure a small scowl showed on my face, but I nodded anyways.

“Good! Then we won't have any problems. My name is Galena and this is my Apprentice, Rowena. She'll be taking care of you unless there is anything that needs my immediate attention. You also might wish to know that today is the 17th of August. Get lots of rest now!”

Galena walked out of the door which was to the left of the bed. The room was rather comfortable, with a few beds in it and oak walls. At the name of her Apprentice my suspicions began to grow as to who it was, but until I found her surname I couldn't be certain.

“Ah, hello then Rowena, it seems I found your name even without a dance. Since fair is fair, my name is Phineas, mil-ark!” I said, though the effect was ruined by a dry throat at the end.

Rowena just laughed at me and handed me the newly refilled water goblet. I greedily drank down the cool water, nearly sighing as the water slid down my throat making it wet once again. Clearing my throat a bit helped a bit, but it was obvious I wouldn't be singing any solos anytime soon…not that I did sing solos that is.

“Well that was awkward,” I said, smiling. “I'd also like to thank you for deciding to put up with me while the evil healer confines me to bed…even if I do need it.”

Rowena smiled.

“Your welcome Phineas, but it comes at a price you know,” Rowena teased.

At least, I think she's teasing. I made a show of gulping audibly before adopting a grim, determined look.

“What must I do for your services milady?” I asked.

Rowena looked around a bit, which looked entirely genuine, not just an act.

“What were those things that came from the sky at the fair grounds,” she asked curiously.

Ah curiosity, another probable bit of data that would give the indication that Rowena and Rowena Ravenclaw may be one and the same. I really hate to be the one to tell her though, as she probably thinks the kissed will recover. I sighed deeply and looked into her eyes.

“The creatures that invaded the fair grounds are among the foulest, darkest creatures that roam the earth. Dementors live on happy thoughts by draining them from a person, eventually leaving the person with only their worst memories, usually driving them mad. Besides this their worst weapon is called the Dementor's Kiss. They lower their hoods and clamp their mouths on ours, sucking our soul from the body through the mouth. The only known defense against them the Patronus Charm, which made of purely happy thoughts acts as a shield against them, driving them away,” I said in full lecture mode, one which I adopted during DA meetings.

Rowena looked horrified and her mouth hung open slightly. While at any other time, I might have found the expression comical, the grave circumstances under which the information were given I felt no humor, only grimness. She nodded a bit, digesting the information.

“So that white stag you shot at them was the Patronus Charm right?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Then why were other people's different animals?” she asked again.

I smiled a bit, she surely was curious one, even more so than Hermione.

“Each person's Patronus is different, usually symbolizing something that they think of as their protector. My stag symbolizes my father's Animagus form,” I said.

Rowena nodded again and appeared to commit the information to her memory.

“What about at the end before you fell unconscious, that rush of white light that threw the creatures into the air and out of the town. Scouts at the edge of the town say that the creatures glided away as fast as they could after being thrown,” Rowena asked.

I perked up at the fact that the Dementors were thrown away. I hadn't been awake at the time to see it.

“It was an over-charged Patronus Charm. I'd say around five times more powerful. I added a prefix to the incantation which charged energy for the spell until I completed the incantation, which can release the energy, stop charging, or release the charged energy back into the magical core,” I replied.

Rowena nodded and looked happy at the extra information.

“The closest creature…Dementor to your blast was destroyed. From what I heard it clutched its head before being thrown into the ground by the charm,” Rowena said.

My eyes widened a bit. I destroyed a Dementor? I suppose that could be true. Remus did say that it fed off the Patronus instead of the caster. Is it possible that the Dementor was overloaded? Amazing, I believe I'll have to do more research into the possibility. I simply nodded. We sat in silence for about ten minutes before she spoke again, catching me off guard.

“Will you teach me?” Rowena asked.

“Wha-oh of course I will. Once I manage to escape here that is. I'd say it'll be a week give or take a few days before my magical channels repair themselves sufficiently for me to cast the Patronus Charm,” I said to her.

Rowena just looked at me blankly as if I was speaking a foreign language. She probably just started a formal Apprenticeship on her fifteenth birthday and hadn't learned about magical cores, channels, and other related things, rather focusing on Potions, Anatomy, Charms, and physical healing spells.

“Magical channels are what your magic travels through on its route from the magical core, or where your magic is generated, to your hands, feet, body, mind, basically around the entire body, thus why magical people heal faster than Muggles. The widest of the channels run through your arms to your hands, where it's focused through a wand, staff, or other such device. Magical channels are much like muscles, the more you work them out, the stronger and bigger they are. The largest growth however, is when you use them to near their limits. With muscles, when you exercise micro tears are caused which in turn activate a protein to stimulate muscle growth. Magical channels are much the same, exercise causes them to grow, but like any muscle, if you strain them it damages them and they send pain, in the case of muscles, or narrow, in the case of magical channels. I channeled far too much magic through them and damaged them, so as a natural defense against more damage they narrow allowing less magic to run from the core,” I said once again, feeling like a teacher.

Rowena was enraptured though, and very pleased to be learning. Unlike her, I felt rather weary and felt like curling up in the bed. I really needed to perform some rituals to enhance my self. A few power increasing rituals which would allow my reserves to carry more magic, another to cause my core to replenish my reserves faster, perhaps some to enhance the senses, and to make myself stronger physically to the point I could crush a brick with my hand. That means I'll have to make a new ritual chamber, as I don't trust it on the second floor or first. I could just create a room under the basement with a secret entrance, yes; I believe I shall do so. Pulling myself out of my plans I slid into my bed farther.

“As much as I like teaching you Rowena, I believe I should rest now. I'm already feeling tired and Galena will be after us both if I don't get my rest,” I said.

Rowena nodded.

“Good night Phineas,” Rowena said.

“Good night Rowena,” I echoed as she walked from the room.

Just as she said that I noticed that it was just passing dusk outside from the window to the right of the room. Moving a pillow off the pile, I pushed myself down the bed and pulled the covers up. Closing my eyes I easily fell into a deep, restful sleep.

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August 18, 968

As I awoke from my peaceful night of sleep, I wondered where the Phoenixes had flown off to or if they had even came to Phoenix's Den. It was doubtful that they did, as it was obvious that they would most likely want to stay away from Dementors.

Thinking about the Dementors led to a subject I had been long denying. History. In my furious rush of interest in ancient magic I had completely left the knowledge I needed most off the curriculum. I vowed that when I returned home I would read the history books I had long left untouched. One can only hope its slightly less sleep inducing than a dose of Binns, but I am aiming to be optimistic about the subject.

I wasn't left long to my thoughts as Galena quietly opened the door, apparently to check on me. She was sufficiently startled when she saw me awake, though I'm at a loss to pass it off as my eyes or simply the fact I was awake. I smiled at her to ease her momentary fear.

“Good morning Galena, did you get a good nights rest?” I asked.

She smiled at me.

“In fact I did, but that still won't get you out of that bed any faster,” Galena replied.

I gave her a dark look but said nothing. Had there been a Hogwarts at this time I would have pegged her as a definite Slytherin House alumna. Of course, it didn't take much skill to pick up on the subtle hints I was nearly radiating. Galena repressed a small sigh.

“Fine, fine, I'll let you go after I give you a checkup,” Galena said.

I smiled at her. It was obvious the whole time she was going to release me from her care today, but she played along all the same. She ran her cedar wand over me a few times, nodding as it lit up in approving colors.

“Your clear, but, what about the Sense Dulling Charm I applied?” Galena asked.

I had forgotten about the curse, but it was no matter because it wore off every six hours.

“The Sense Dulling Curse wore off around six hours ago. Probably the reason why it isn't as widely used anymore, because of the short life,” I replied.

She nodded and handed me my wand holsters with the wands in them as well as my dress robe with the Fabric Phoenixes, all who cooed and tried to cry on me. I laughed at them and they flew around happily. Slowly, I swung my feet off the edge of the bed and pushed myself to my feet. I was a bit wobbly at first, but I soon regained my balance and I put the robe on. She walked me to the door of the room in case I fell and opened it, leading me through a hallway to a set of stairs.

“So Galena, how much do I owe you for the healing and care?” I asked.

“You don't need to worry about it; the Council is paying for everyone's healings. Either way I rarely charge residents for healing, only when expensive potions and products are used or there is a prolonged stay,” she said.

I nodded again.

“Thank you again, and pass along my thanks to your Apprentice too. Oh, and also, tell her I live at Number 6 Phoenix Song court, and to come to my house on August 25th at four in the afternoon if she wants lessons on the Patronus Charm,” I said.

She nodded and smiled, showing me to the door where I opened it and breathed in a lungful of fresh air.

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On my walk back home I could practically feel the life returning to me as my legs, stuck in a bed for three days finally had blood running through them. Slowly but surely, both my arms and legs regained their denied circulation and I increased my pace to a light jog.

All too quickly I reached the circular pathway up to my house and I reached the steps, slowing to a walk. As soon as I touched the door knob a light tingle went through my hand and the door unlocked. I walked the stairs up to my master bedroom and divested myself of the dress robe, instead dressing in a warm muggle sweater.

Retreating to the library to the safety and warmth of the leather seats, I curled up on one and pulled out a Magical Engineering book and began to read. The subject was rather interesting, if not a bit complex. Cutting out a hole in the floor would only be the easy part. Then tons of dirt had to be moved, possibly vanished while preventing the walls from caving in upon me. Finally conjuring stone walls and a floor, adding lighting, an Air Circulation Charm, and warding it for magical detection, magical interference, and other safety spells in case of a ritual gone wrong.

After a few hours of reading I stood, satisfied with the spells I had chosen. First, I carefully warmed up my magical channels in the training room, getting used to the extra capacity with which the magic had the ability to flow. Deciding to make the Ritual Room's entrance under the supply room I carefully marked off the section of stone with a flagrate distinguo for the stone cutting spell. Aiming my wand at the fiery box I made a jabbing motion.

“Calculus perseco et percutio.”

The fiery box disappeared and four glowing white lines with a transparent white fill between them took their place about a meter above the section. Slowly it began to move down, finally touching the stone, where the transparent filling stopped right above it while the four borders continued to move down, cutting it perfectly leaving a small gap between the now separate stone. When the white lines disappeared the glowing transparent filling moved down, disintegrating the rock until all that was left was rock dust, and the transparent box too disappeared.

Next was a spell to establish the floor plan, making sure only the dirt required was vanished, while keeping the rest of the dirt untouched, also making sure it doesn't cave in. Visualizing the plan I cast the spell, which would leave glowing walls of energy where the borders were. First the shaft descended into a hallway which ran along the edge of the house headed to the middle where the hallway turned right into a smaller room under the direct center of the house.

I began by vanishing the dirt, leaving blue, glowing walls in its place. As the vanishing spell could only vanish about three feet each time, it became a rather tedious process. Finally after almost two hours of work, not including the thirty minute lunch break, I was done with the vanishing. Walking back up to the beginning I began to conjure and affix stone blocks to the walls, floor, and ceiling, starting with the floor and working upwards. Each stone was about five feet by five feet, making the process rather repetitive, but still far better than vanishing the dirt.

Finally I was complete with the placing of the stone, taking another three hours to complete. Next I proceeded to melt together all of the edges, as to make it more structurally sound. Once that was complete I cancelled the charm which held the dirt back and all went well. I was finally complete with the room. A few more waves of my wand and permanent lighting lit the previously dim chamber and fresh air began to circulate from the outside. I also conjured a few chairs, a work table, a lockable door for the hallway, and a charmed stone to cover the shaft to the hallway.

The final step was to ward the room. A silencing charm was a must, as people could possibly hear the screams if the ritual was particularly painful. A barrier charm to notify anyone in the chamber at the time of anyone entering the hallway, magical detection suppressors to prevent anyone from detecting the magic performed in the room, a magical inhibitor to prevent any stray magical waves from escaping the room and finally strengthening charms on the walls, floor, ceiling, and door to prevent them from cracking and breaking from any magical explosions.

My work done, I made myself a quick dinner of a baked potato and ham before crawling into my emerald green sheets and falling to sleep.

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August 19, 963

The next morning I woke up refreshed from yesterday's tiring work. Today I would complete my first ritual; one which would give my magical reserves a far higher capacity than I normally would, and would continue to grow with age as if I had simply added an extension to the current reserves. In preparation I ate a large breakfast at The Phoenix's Egg, where I was greeted with slaps on my back and quick service. After my meal I bought the required potions ingredients; fire-toad slime, tricorn horn, blowfly wings, magical cobra scales, and a magpie feathers.

At home I mixed the ingredients together carefully in my potions lab, using a magical stopwatch and self-stirring spoon to ensure that the potion was brewed as exactly as possible. Two hours of brewing and I had finally completed the brew. Sealing the top of the cauldron I carefully levitated the potion down the shaft stairs, and onto the worktable at the right of the ritual room.

Using the marking spell I had used for the entrance, I drew a perfect circle in the middle of the room with another in the center. Another spell and the stone between the circles sunk down two inches. I poured the potion into the circle and every last drop was poured into it.

I stepped onto the island in the middle of the potion and began the chant to activate the ritual. As soon as I started the potion turned to a blue crystal. Halfway through the chant I cut my wrists with a knife I had bought in the town and it flowed onto the crystallized potion, being absorbed into it. A light blue glow began to emanate from the potion, and it began to rise upwards, affixing its self to the ceiling creating a circular wall of crystallized potion on all sides of me. I chanted the last words and the potion flashed bright red. I began to scream as pain spiked from inside my chest, worse than a Cruciatus and I sank to my knees before passing out from the pain

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After waking up in the Ritual Room I undid my modification to the floor and cleaned up the residual blood. Once this was all done I decided to finally pull out a book on History on which I had denied my time, instead building rooms, performing rituals, and reading other material. At first the subject was rather boring, talking of yet another Goblin Rebellion of 731, but it soon moved into far more interesting topics such as the rise of the Dark Wizard Thanatos in 843.

I read on like this for hours, taking notes on any recent events that may come up in a conversation. I particularly liked the Dwarf uprising of 910 when Dwarfs protested the lack of adequately sized furniture for sale. No wonder all of the furniture stores in Diagon Alley displayed both types of furniture in the front window. Finally I reached the 960's, reading about the various political decisions right up until August 963.

The pages were blurred.

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A/N: Finally, a place I could create a cliffhanger! Anyways I hope you enjoy the chapter, even though it might be of just slightly less quality than other chapters as I took less time to write this chapter than the others. If any of you have suggestions, please, notify me and I'll take them into consideration. I also ran some calculations, by the size that this story is turning out to be I estimate that at approximately 120,000 words, 20 chapters, the story will be done some time in June. Fun eh? Also make sure to sign up (and maybe post a bit?) on my Yahoo group which you can access by clicking homepage in my profile. Now, enough authorbabble, on with the review responses!

Skuld's Sentaro2: Don't worry about it; you still managed to review first. I'll also make sure to make up for the missed duels and dance with another event some other time.

Icy Tears: Yes, Harry has been enjoying himself, but also settling into his new time. In this chapter the plot has already started to be put into play. He's getting serious about his goals and he's already started attaining them.

Kimaru-Merlin: Maybe, with credit that is. You should ask which ideas first though.

shadow of the black abyss: Yes, I agree. I did the math on 3033 galleons in 1033 years and it only comes up to approximate 441,665 galleons without compound interest, with is too much to list. Perhaps in the next chapter I'll have him make some investments.

Kaaera: Sorry to disappoint you with the tournament, but I'll make it up to all of you with battle scenes and such. About Hogwarts, well, you'll just have to see!

Uten: I agree, I always like long stories take their time rather than somewhat medium stories that rush through everything. Though, I may 'skip' some time in later chapters as I have no intention of writing each day of each year. Also, I will try to start on some floor plans for the Number 6 Phoenix Song Drive, once I dig out an old home design program. The misspelling was completely unintentional, and I know its Privet Drive, it's just that before it recognized it as an address it changed it to Private.  

Lord of wolves: Its extremely possible I'll find another focus for Harry, and yes he will be learning druidic magic.

Dumbledore: the compound interest of 3033 galleons at 3% interest over 1033 years comes out to be 5.53x1016 galleons or 55,300,000,000,000,000 galleons. 55.3 Quadrillion galleons, less than many authors, but I may just have to kick it down a lot, perhaps 0.5%. The magic also a nice place to start, thanks!

Thefirstphoenix: I doubt that it would distract Voldemort much as he's an Occlumens. Read the response above about the money, and he might build a few 'safe-houses' for the future. And yes, Paul Gilmore did come off as a sheriff didn't he?

pyro-briar: Erm…yes…bow before your god…yeah. Anyways the Time of Acceptance won't be picked up again unless I do a complete rewrite in the future, for now I'm focusing on this story, and the Heir of Silvertounge to a lesser degree.

Eternamente: Don't worry about it, the voice in my head worries for my sanity too. I believe you'll like this story better, as it is my best work to date. The Heir of Silvertounge isn't as believable as this one, which Harry isn't too powerful, just a man on a mission.

Thank you to everyone else who reviewed, but make sure to make your questions interesting or I won't reply.

Lord Ravenclaw