Harry Potter and the Sword of Eternal Flame

By: Alex Lyons3

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and everything in the wonderful world of Hogwarts. Disney owns Gargoyles and Demona.

Author's Note: In order to understand this you have to read Harry Potter and the Soul Shifter, my Year six fan fiction. I'm taking a few liberties with the full moon in this chapter, due to the fact that I wanted Lupin to be a wolf before the gargoyles woke up. The full moon for July 24th, 2002 actually came up at about 4:04 a.m. Which either means that it came up before the sun rose on July 24th or before the sun rose on July 25th. All you Astronomers out there can figure that one out. As I said in The Soul Shifter, Harry started school back in '97, so Seventh Year is 2002-2003.

Chapter 1: Dumbledore's News

It was a rather dreary July day in Manhattan, Harry Potter (The Boy Who Lived) was standing outside in the fading sunlight, his eyes squinted as he awaited his father, Brooklyn, to awaken from his stone nap. Last night had been particularly nasty for the clan of gargoyles that lived atop the Eyrie Building in their ancestral home Castle Wyvern. Brooklyn had been shot and had been unconscious when the others had brought him back. He had amazingly returned to consciousness again just before the sun rose that day.

Harry thought back to when he and Hermione had first arrived here at the castle. While it didn't have nearly as many rooms or as much space as Hogwarts for two sixteen year olds to explore, it still was pretty awesome. Brooklyn had to ease Mr. Xanatos' and Lupin's fears about Lupin staying with them. Harry grinned slightly at that memory. It had been exceptionally tough to talk Lupin into coming and now it had become difficult to keep Lupin here. They'd heard it all before, 'I might bite someone! I might forget to take my potion! I don't want to hurt anyone!' It had nearly caused Brooklyn to tear his hair out. He finally left the room snarling, his eyes glowing like twin super novas.

Goliath, the leader of the clan and quite possibly the most distrustful of Harry, Hermione and Lupin, came in with a puzzled look on his face. He asked them what was wrong and Harry had explained that his dad was trying to get Lupin to stay, but Lupin was too worried about turning into a werewolf and biting someone. Harry had been worried that Goliath would have said that Lupin was free to leave, but instead he just cocked his head to the side and told Lupin that he could not go. One reason, though not the first that Goliath put out there, was that he could hurt someone that had no idea that he was a werewolf. The first reason was, however, very thoughtful of Goliath and showed that he did actually pay attention to each of his clan members and what each found important to them. Since Brooklyn was insistent that Lupin stay then Lupin would stay and under no surcumstances ever consider leaving again. Goliath and Mr. Xanatos had come up with something that would work on two different levels. The first plan was if there were wizards or Puck about, since an uncontrolled werewolf in the castle would be dangerous to Alex's well being they would just have Lupin tied with magical binding which the wolf could not struggle out of and take him to a room that had been modified so as to keep Lupin inside. There were no knobs on the inside of the room and on the outside it locked with a huge bolt, much like a bank vault. The room was sparsely furnished with only a solid wood bed sitting off in the corner and a chair close by. If there were no magic users in the castle, however, Lupin would be restrained by Goliath, who had tangled with a werewolf once before, and a special muzzle would be put on him while he was taken down to his room. Though, neither Goliath nor Xanatos thought they'd need to use it as long as Brooklyn was around to make the potion.

Soon after that, Brooklyn had taken Harry, Hermione and Lupin into a room adjacent to Lupin's special room. It was a store cupboard for all the potions ingredients that were needed for the Wolfsbane Potion, the room next to it was the work room where the potion could be brewed. Hermione had asked how it was possible for Brooklyn to brew such a potion since a gargoyle's nose was so sensitive. He showed them some plugs and explained that in order for creatures such as himself to brew potions, they had to use these special nose plugs, or have a really stopped up head. Brooklyn had been aghast to find out that Lupin had never even been offered nose plugs. He had set out to rectify this and bought Lupin a pair of nose plugs from a dealer somewhere in the city whom was one of the only people he knew. He then showed Lupin how to make the Wolfsbane Potion. Apparently, had Lupin had nose plugs when he was in school he could have done rings around Snape. He caught on quickly now that the stench of the potion workroom could no longer get in the way of his thinking. Since they had gotten here after the full moon they had been unable to use the Wolfsbane Potion that Lupin had concocted. Until now, the full moon had risen before the sun had gone down and while Lupin was a wolf he was pretty much himself. Luckily, Puck had been close at hand just in case things didn't go accordingly, but everything seemed to be perfect and now, with Owen watching carefully, Lupin was playing with Alex, who laughed when ever the large doggy licked his hands to keep them away from his nose.

The sun finally set and the roaring yawns of several gargoyles awakening into the night with the full moon, bright and yellow, almost at its apex, as their backdrop. Harry watched his father shake the remnants of stone skin from his wings and hair. Brooklyn then turned and grinned when he spied Harry.

"Now I know what Miss Maza means when she says she never gets tired of watching that." Harry said, grinning back, "I've only watched you wake only a hand full of times and I have yet to get tired of it."

Brooklyn hopped down from his parapet. "Well, I'm glad. It is nice to wake up to someone waiting for me for a change." Brooklyn grinned. "So, how's Moony doing?"

"Great! He's playing with Alex. Hermione is with Jess and Fox. They've taken her shopping." Harry answered the unasked question with a disgusted look on his face. "I swear, I think they just took her out so they could go shopping, after all, Hermione's closet isn't nearly as full as their's are...yet."

Brooklyn chuckled, "Well, your mother always did want a little girl. She loves you, make no mistake about that, but you can't really dress boys up in little frilly dresses with out someone having a fit...like the father for example."

Harry looked at his dad with a brow raised, "Did mom ever try to dress me in a dress?" He asked unbelieving.

Brooklyn chuckled, "No. Thank God, but she did one day rather wistfully announced that she wished that she had a little girl because she'd go into a department store, like Madame Makin's and see all sorts of pretty little witch's robes and want to buy them, but have no one to buy them for. She has Hermione now, but she can't buy Hermione anything like that really."

"You want more kids?" Harry asked innocently.

Brooklyn cut his eyes over to Harry, "Why?" He asked, drawing out the word.

Harry shrugged, "Just wondering." Harry said nonchalantly, "After all, it isn't as though you couldn't have more. You and mom are in your early twenties and I just figured that mom would be bugging you about it."

"Truthfully, Harry, had we not been applying for the same position at Hogwarts I don't think we'd ever have met. We barely know each other. The relationship is kind of new. Even though, we've got our past lives to go on, we still don't really know what to expect from each other. As I explained a while back, Harry, I'm totally the opposite of James Potter."

"True. I've notice, since I've lived amongst your clan. You like to tell jokes, not play them on people. You don't ruffle your hair so it looks wind swept." Harry said, starting to list all of the differences between James Potter and Brooklyn of Wyvern. "You care about people even if you hate their guts. You were quite nice to Snape when you chatted with him by Floo. I mean, I think I'm more proud that you're my dad, than I would be if you were really James Potter standing before me. Mom should have known this side of you."

Brooklyn looked deeply touched and then grabbed Harry up in a fierce hug that nearly cracked some of Harry's ribs. "Thanks Harry." He finally choked out. "Come on, I think I can smell breakfast."

Harry chuckled, "You're worse than Ron!"

Brooklyn laughed, but said nothing as the two of them walked down the stairs towards the kitchen.

Hermione was back from her shopping spree and to Harry's surprise Ron was sitting there happily chatting with Hermione, Broadway and Angela. However, the biggest surprise of them all was that Professor Dumbledore, in his midnight blue robes and tall red wizard's hat was standing there in the kitchen talking with Goliath as easily as if he were talking to Hagrid.

"Hey, Harry!" Ron said bounding out of his chair, over to Harry enthusiastically. "Man, I've missed you! I'm not even allowed to send my owl out with a letter. Mum nearly had a fit when I asked to borrow Erold."

"Why would you want to send Erold out? He'd have to fly clear a crossed an ocean." Harry asked.

"Well, I wanted to send your present early, so you'd get it on time, but Professor Dumbledore wanted to bring me here with him. Said you could use some more company. I guess you've been at it again, huh, Hermione? Boring poor Harry to death as usual?" Ron asked teasingly.

"Hmpf!" Was Hermione's only reply before turning to Angela once again.

Harry and Ron just chuckled at her. "Well, no, actually Hermione has been taken away from me so much that she hardly has time to bore me before our Potion Review Lessons with Brooklyn and Lupin begin. She's usually out shopping with Jess and Fox for new school supplies and clothes."

"By the way Harry, where is Lupin?" Ron asked looking about for their Ex-Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.

"In the sitting room, where the telly is at. Come on!" Harry said leading the way towards the room passing Lexington on the way.

Lexington watched the two of them go down the hall.

"Who was that with Harry?" Lex asked no one in particular.

"That was our friend from school, Ron Weasley." Hermione said turning to Lex.

"Ah! Hey, Brook, you think you can handle three of them now?" Lex quipped slyly.

"I can handle you can't I?" Brooklyn asked digging into his omelette. Hermione giggled at the indignant look on Lex's face. Lex stalked off.

"I'm going to the tv room! Where I'm appreciated!" He said loudly.

"Yeah, you do that! Moony does need a new chew toy, after all!" Brooklyn called after him loudly.

Dumbledore chuckled good naturedly. "I see that things are going according to plan, for the most part."

"Indeed, Albus!" Brooklyn said, pushing his plate away, which he was nearly finished with his omelette anyway. "Any news about Voldemort?"

"You, just like your counterpart, do not waist time with pretty words. Yes, there is grave news." Dumbledore said seriously.

Brooklyn shot a look to Hermione, which Hermione interpreted correctly and quickly left the room. Brooklyn then looked to Dumbledore with the question every mind wanted to know in his eyes.

"You are not to come back to Hogwarts. The danger is too great for both you and Jess. Neither of you are to come back, I've already put in an ad for your replacement." Dumbledore said gravely.

"I see." Brooklyn said, leaning back, "So, any body applied yet?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "No one seems to want the job of Defense teacher this year."

"I think I might know of someone, but I'll have to find her." Brooklyn said, thinking to himself.

"Very well, then, I'll let you find your replacement. I'm truly amazed that you didn't argue with me about it this time." Dumbledore said seriously.

"I lost the last argument, remember? I dare not argue with you again!" Brooklyn said a bit of a cheeky grin on his face. However, it turned again to seriousness. "What other news is there Albus? I know there has to be more!"

Albus' eyes were down cast.

"I talked to Snape just a few weeks ago! He said nothing about me and Jess being sacked! Albus?!" Brooklyn said, now nearing anger with the older man.

"Just last week Voldemort got a hold of Severus. He tortured him, but as you know, Severus is not a weak man by any standard. He got away, I don't know how yet, but he did! We did a test to check for Unforgivables being used on him. He had none. Not even the Imperius Curse. He had gotten away from Voldemort and his Death Eaters with his own will. He is still in the hospital wing and I dare not let him out until we are all sure that he's doing fine." Albus drew a shuddering breath. "I can not let you back into Hogwarts simply because Voldemort will try to kill you again. He knows that he can not kill Jess, but you are as easy as saying the Killing Curse itself. You are too important to Harry for me to allow you back. Harry needs to know you are safe and there is no safer place than here at home under all the wards of this castle."

Brooklyn chuckled, "I knew you'd feel the wards."

"Yes." Albus said quietly, "Most impressive, just as good as those put on Hogwarts."

Brooklyn nodded. "I helped make them. They are strong and now that I am allowed to do magic I'm reinforcing them."

"Good!" Albus said, quite pleased. "I'm glad that you are not allowing your talents to be squandered. How is Remus, anyway?"

"I suppose we should go see for ourselves. However, you do know that Harry would be worried about me, much like Sirius. He might start having dreams again, about me this time." Brooklyn said as they headed towards the tv room.

"I have insisted that Mister Weasley and Miss Granger are to remind Harry that I am here to let him know if anything goes amiss with you." Albus said.

"That's good to hear." Brooklyn thought a moment. "You know, Albus, Harry might want a way to communicate with me during school. Did anyone go through Sirius' stuff or does no one think it necessary to go through?"

Albus nodded, "We did go through it. Another reason as to why I'm here. He wrote in his will that I give Harry this." Dumbledore held up a small mirror.

"Ah! That's it! Thank you, Albus! Harry broke his, but I fixed it on the ride over. Of course, it really is no good with out the other." Brooklyn said as he took it from Albus fingering the glass happily.

"Kind of like a walkie-talkie, I'd imagine!" Albus said.

Brooklyn nodded as they reached the door to the tv room. He opened it where three young wizarding teenagers sprawled out on the couch. Lex was in the corner, helping Lupin with Alex, since the baby had poor Lupin's tail in a vise like grip. Albus chuckled at the sight.

"I see Remus is doing fine." Albus said happily.

Brooklyn nodded, "I bought him some nose plugs earlier and he's been using them to learn how to make the Wolfsbane Potion. He really is quite good at it once you get that highly sensitive nose of his handled."

"I never thought of nose plugs." Albus said looking shocked.

"Well, at that time, I doubt there were many gargoyles about, were there?" Brooklyn said, knowing the answer already.

"No, of course not." Albus said looking back in at the chaotic scene before him. "Well, I must be off. Do be careful, Brooklyn, the consequences are too catastrophic for anyone to tamper with. Good evening to you."

Dumbledore turned and was suddenly gone with out a trace. Brooklyn shook his head and entered the room.

"What did Professor Dumbledore want?" Hermione asked inquisitively.

Brooklyn sighed, "I'm afraid that I am incapable of going back to Hogwarts this school year, due to the fact that Voldemort," Ron winced horribly, but Brooklyn took no notice, "will be looking for ways to get at Harry. Jess and I are the easiest targets to hurt since we would be doing the majority of the fighting if it came to that." Brooklyn sighed again and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, "We can not go back to Hogwarts with you."

The three of them looked shocked. Harry looked livid and ran from the room. Ron made as though to go after him, but Brooklyn stopped him.

"Let me. I don't want you getting hurt." Brooklyn said and left the room and with out even thinking about it pulled out Slytherin's old wand. "Lead me to Harry Potter, Slytherin."

Once again, a green-gold ball of misty light came shooting out of the wand and then quickly zoomed out of sight and into the court yard. Brooklyn followed the vapor trail that the ball always left behind. Sitting, with his back to one of the walls on what little grass there was up here, was Harry. Brooklyn gulped and extinguished the light. He sat down besides Harry.

"Why don't you want to come back?" Harry said, sobbing angrily.

"Who said that I didn't want to come back?" Brooklyn asked looking at Harry's hunched form.

"You..." Harry started, but couldn't get his thoughts coherent enough to finish the sentence. However he was thinking along the lines of, 'If you want to come along, why not argue the point with Dumbledore.'

"Harry, listen. I can't argue with Dumbledore." Brooklyn said as though he were reading Harry's thoughts. "I've tried that once already and lost. I assure you I have no chance of winning this argument anymore than I did the last time we argued."

"So your saying your not even going to try?" Harry said bitterly.

"If I could come. If Voldemort didn't want to kill you so much, that he'd kill both me and Jess, not that we'd care mind you, just to get at you. I'd come. However, there are a few more reasons as to why Dumbledore will not let me back. One being that this wand I carry is very powerful, if Voldemort ever got his hands on it and was capable of controlling it's powers then the world would fall fairly easily to him. Another being that Voldemort could use me or Jess as bait, much like he did with Remus last year, to get you to come to him unprotected."

"You'd be inside the school! He couldn't get you there!" Harry said, looking at Brooklyn angrily.

"He got into the school once. He can do it again." Brooklyn stated calmly. He looked at Harry, his eyes betraying the great sadness that he felt. "I can not come even though I wish I could! It was the same, sixteen years ago when Dumbledore demanded that your mother and I go into hiding and use a Secret Keeper to keep us from being found. I argued that you and Lily should go and I'd keep to myself. Of course, Dumbledore would here nothing of it and won the argument. I would have rather died, trying to protect you both than have you grow up as an orphan."

"You asked to be the Secret Keeper?" Harry asked astounded.

"I did. Since, Dumbledore would not hear of me staying out in the open, I chose Sirius to be our Secret Keeper, but he insisted that we use Peter. Ah well!! What's done is done and most likely for the best. Oh yes! Dumbledore gave me this," Brooklyn said pulling the other mirror out of a pouch on his belt.

"They found it!?" Harry said enthusiastically. Brooklyn nodded.

"Now we can keep in touch no matter where I am." Brooklyn said happily.

A loud screech filled the air. "Uh-oh!!" Brooklyn said, getting to his feet and rushing inside, "Sounds like Alex just got a hold of Moony's nose!"

Harry was soon running after his father, happier now because he could now talk to him when ever they were apart.