The Power Within

                            By Draconis Warlock

                                   Chapter Two

It took a while to explain to Hermione the deal that he made with Mad-Eye, but he was right, she was all for learning knew things from a seasoned Auror. Neither one of them knew who this mysterious "Tara" person was yet, but they figured they would find out sooner or later. Moreover, if Mad Eye trusted her, they surely could.

At the moment, the two teenagers were not focusing their attention on just who "Tara" was or was not. Their primary concern was waiting on what was going to happen within the next five minutes. It would have been funny if the situation wasn't so serious. Both teenagers were sitting on each side of the couch, not daring to look at one another.

They were both embarrassed because Dumbledore told them both that each of them would share every experience in their life if the spell went right. They were also told that this spell would unlock the "adult" part of there magic, as well as add thirty-five percent more to it.

When Hermione asked why all wizards didn't do this, if it gave them more power, Dumbledore gave the evasive answer that "not everyone can".

Both teenagers had various things that they didn't want to share. Harry's was how he was treated as a child—he didn't want to appear weak in front of Hermione. His other fear was that she would have find out that he thought that she was beautiful and could possibly treat her as more than a friend.

On Hermione's part, she was afraid that once he found out that she was in love with him, then he wouldn't want to be friends anymore. She knew it wasn't rational. But then again, love wasn't very rational. She just hoped with all her might that he wouldn't just outright laugh at her. There were a lot of other embarrassing things in her life she didn't feel exactly comfortable letting him know—but it would all be worth it at the end.

When Dumbledore came in, he almost—almost—smiled at how nervous they looked. When Hermione asked the question as to why every witch or wizard didn't do this, he evaded the question. He evaded it, because the answer would have made them even more nervous. The answer was simple.

The people doing it had to be soul mates and that was very rare.

He was also carrying a small box in his left hand when he came in. Dumbledore conjured himself a chair and sat down so that he was directly in front of them. "In this box, there are two rings. I hope you are not offended, Ms. Granger, but both of them have the Potter Family Crest on them."

"No, sir. That's fine," she replied, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice. She knew instantly that she would be proud to wear Harry' crest.

"What are the rings for, Professor?"

"Well, they signify your bonding. But I must warn you. Once they are put on, they can not be taken off. This will be very final."

Since both of them wanted to do it anyway, they both reached hesitantly toward the box that Dumbledore had opened. Both were magnificently crafted and had the letter "P" in old English, set in solid gold. It was easy to tell whose was whose. One looked very feminine and other was clearly made for a male. They each looked at the rings with a smile.

"Now, as for the ceremony. Hermione, just place Harry's ring on his ring finger. And Harry, you do the same for Hermione." The old Headmaster watched as they did this, and then performed the spell without warning.

The last thing the teenagers heard before they blacked out was, "Proprius Potentia" There was a blinding flash of blue light as the teenagers slumped, unconscious, into the cushions of the sofa. However, after they were out and still glowing they each said two names.

Hermione said: Ginny Weasley. And Harry surprised Albus the most by giving a Slytherin girl's name: Blaise Zabini.

                              

It was two hours later that Author Weasley, Molly Weasley and Professor Dumbledore were sitting around the kitchen table at Grimmauld place. They all had very serious faces, because it was a very serious matter indeed. The Weasleys could hardly believe what the Headmaster said happened after he had cast the spell.

They all knew from the history books that if there was a flash of blue after the spell was cast, that meant that the soul mates were very special. They were special because they had the potential to become Mages, with enough training. Moreover, the only Mage that anyone knew about was Albus Dumbledore, and that was kept as a secret among the Order Members. What the members didn't know was that the earlier a Mage potential showed signs, the more powerful they would be. Albus showed his potential at the age of twenty.

However, Harry and Hermione… Well, they would be very powerful.

However, just because they had power and potential, they still needed to train and learn the spells, not to mention practice them. So far, they were to be treated just like any other student. Albeit with a little more training than most.

The things that shocked the Weasleys the most, and why Dumbledore called them here, was that when Harry and Hermione were asleep, they softly called out to Ginny and Blaise. And Albus had to explain just what that meant to the girl's parents. Then he had to make a fire-call to Blaise's parents, one of which was muggle.

Therefore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts began to explain the true implications of both Harry and Hermione stating Ginny and Blaise's name in their slumber, simultaneously at that. He knew that it would be hard for them to take in. Like always, he started off with questions first.

"Do either of you know what a Mage Protector is?"

Both of them shook their head in a negative fashion.

"Well, to put in bluntly, it is someone who watches out for Mages while they are in training, and even after training. They do not have the same amount of power as a Mage does, but they are very powerful in there own right. They are just about three quarters as powerful as a Mage. And let me tell you: that is very powerful. With the right training, a Mage Protector could give me a run for my money," he added in an amused voice.

"But what does this have to do with our Ginny?" Molly asked in a trembling voice. She wasn't ready for her baby to have this much responsibility.

Albus didn't know any other way to put it. "When Hermione called her name while she was unconscious, Ginny was named her Mage Protector, just as Blaise is Harry's Protector. Neither Harry nor Hermione had any choice in the matter of choosing. A lot goes with that title. Some of it you may not like. But not even I could stop this if I wanted too."

For the first time, Dumbledore really didn't know what to do in front of the crying woman. Then she said something that completely surprised him—and that was saying something when it came to Dumbledore.

"Well, I'm just glad she was bonded to one of those two and not someone else. When will she become a Mage Protector, as you call it? She didn't seem any different this morning."

"Sometime after Harry and Hermione wake up, I believe." Then he completely changed the subject. "Would you like a lemon drop?"

3:30 PM, July 31st

Harry was having one of the best dreams that he could ever remember having. He was dreaming that he and Hermione were snuggled up to each other in the same bed. In fact, he could almost smell the jasmine scented shampoo that she was fond of using.

It was at that moment that he realized that the dream was just a little too vivid. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the peaceful face of his 'Mione sleeping not but a few inches away. To him, this girl was definitely a vision—and speaking of visions…

All of the sudden memories were flashing through his mind. They were going as quick as lightning but he could understand every single one of them. All of the sudden he knew everything about Hermione from when she was just an infant, all the way up to now. It seemed like there was nothing that he did not know. And there was something else. Something very important.

"Holy shit. She's in love with me," he mumbled quietly.

Harry watched as a tiny smirk appeared on Hermione's face while her eyes were still closed. "Well, Mr. Potter, that wasn't exactly the wake up call I was hoping for. Really, I was sort of hoping for an 'I love you'"

"I love you, 'Mione," he replied, placing a light kiss on her lips.

I could get used to this, Hermione thought. But, oh, he has been through so much. However, Hermione would act like it didn't effect her, even if it tore her up inside. She knew he hated pity and she most certainly didn't want to embarrass him, because she too had seen ever one of his memories.

"You do know that we have to make a promise to each other, don't you?"

"And what is that, my love?"

That sentenced made her heart melt, but she decided not to make a big deal out of it. "Even though we know everything about one another now, we can't go telling other people embarrassing stories. And if you do that to me, just remember, I remember a lot of embarrassing one's about you!" she replied with an almost evil glint in her eyes, but he could still see that she was just teasing.

Harry just groaned, like someone had taken away his favorite toy. "You're such a kill joy," he added with mock seriousness.

It was just then there was the sound of a throat clearing in the doorway. Harry looked down at his and Hermione's bodies and thanked what ever gods there were that they were at least clothed.

There, standing in the doorway was the Headmaster and Ginny Weasley. He knew why the Headmaster would be there, but he had no clue as to why Ginny was there. But the strange thing was the feeling that he was getting from Ginny. It was almost as if he closed his eyes he would know exactly where she was. He could feel her power!

"Now, I think that I should explain why young Ms. Weasley is here. You will notice the gold ring with the symbol of the griffin on it. It symbolizes that she is a Mage Protector. Now for the whole story…"

It took about as long as it did with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Albus was glad that he had it out of the way. "So, to some it up, she is almost exactly like you, but with less power… Moreover, it is her duty to protect Hermione in all ways. However, all three of you will have to spend a very abundant amount of time together. If you don't, you will not like the consciences."

"What would happen?" Hermione was always the first to ask the questions.

"You can spend up to two days apart. But on the third day you will grow anxious. On the fourth day, you'll feel sick to your stomach. And on day number five you could very well become catatonic.

"When you arrive at Hogwarts, there will be a separate room for the four of you to share, so that you may spend time with one another. Also, you will find that physical contact acts as a soothing balm when one of you is agitated."

He was surprised that none of the teenagers caught on to the fact that he said "four" and not "three". However, he knew that Blaise would be there soon enough. In addition, if his research he had done were correct, Harry would feel her as soon as she used her portkey into Grimmauld Place.

Hermione raised her hand and ignored Harry rolling his eyes at her.

"Yes, Ms. Granger."

"Actually Professor, I have a question about protocol. I have read about this in 4th year and it stated that whenever two soul mates merge that it is the same as marriage in the Wizarding world, but you get to keep your last names. Is that true? Am I Harry's wife?" She asked this with a bit of awe.

Dumbledore had the slightest smile on his face before he answered. "That is correct; you are now legally married to Harry. However, you will not have to share his name until you are ready. In addition, since you shared a piece of soul with Ginny, she is the closest thing to being a sister as one can get without blood. Nevertheless, I think that there is one more thing that you need to know about. However, I will tell you about that later.

"What about--"

Harry didn't finish, because his head snapped up and towards the door. His eyes were piercing and alert. He didn't feel that he was in any danger. He just—he just couldn't explain it. It was like a piece of himself had appeared somewhere in the house. But his scar didn't hurt, so that possibly ruled Voldemort out.

That was when he looked up at Dumbledore and he noticed he had that damn twinkle in his eyes again. "Why don't you go down stairs and say hello to your new Protector, Harry.

"I have a Protector like Hermione?"

"Didn't you listen to him at all, Harry? Honestly," Hermione replied with a roll of the eyes.

"She is also your wife, like Hermione."

Harry's face had a shell-shocked look on it when the Headmaster said that. He had two wives. He chanced a look over at Hermione, expecting her to be pissed, but he got a surprise. She had a damn smirk on her face.

Harry had the good grace to look sheepish as he made his way into the hall. That's when he noticed that his ring started to grow warm, so he looked down at it. What he saw shocked him a bit. The crest had changed. It now had a cobra circling the lion with its fangs bared. A deadly looking snake at that. Harry didn't know how he felt about that, but he had to admit it looked positively wicked.

He hadn't run into anyone on the way down the stairs as he went to the common room this time. That was where his senses were leading him. When he made it to the common room, he got the first view of his visitor; she was standing in front of the flames, just watching them as they burned.

Harry began to think the girl with long raven Hair would never turn around. She just stood as still as stone. But then, all of the sudden, she started to speak. "You know, most Slytherins think that you are just some spoiled attention seeking prat that always goes hunting for glory."

The girl's voice was melodious and beautiful, even if he didn't like the words coming out of her mouth at the moment. "Is that a fact?" he asked dryly.

"I used to think the same thing, you know. It seemed like you got all the attention. Almost all the teachers favored you. I thought that you must have been spoiled rotten at home just because of who you are." Still she didn't turn around. Still her voice was completely even.

Harry just gave a snort at that assumption. It would have almost been funny if it didn't suck so much. He wouldn't wish his old home life on anyone.

"I can't believe how wrong I was. I can't believe that I actually considered that you had it easy. You didn't even want the fame; it was just pushed at you." Harry got a shock when she turned around.

Blaise was crying.

Without thinking about what he was doing he crossed the distanced and enveloped her in a hug. In that moment, he saw things that he wished that he hadn't. There was beatings and pain magic used against her for as long as she could remember. And there were not nearly enough happy moments in this sixteen year old girl's life. Her life was hell.

"No more, Blaise," he whispered in her ear. "From this time on you will live with me. You will always be safe here if I have anything to say about it. No wife of mine will ever live like you did," he told her, and he actually meant it. Calling her his wife just seemed natural.

Blaise pulled back and let out a bark of a laugh before she spoke. "Some Protector I am. I'm bawling like a baby." On the inside, she was jumping up and down in childish joy. He accepted me as his wife! Even though I have to share him with Hermione. However, she's beautiful, just like he's handsome…

"It does a person good to cry now and again."

She nodded, as if she agreed.

Harry couldn't help but notice how beautiful Blaise's face was and how her eyes were so light blue that they could almost pass for ice. "I guess it means that I'm going to be a little more powerful than some people."

"I'm not talking about Power. However, since you mentioned it, yes, you will be very powerful. Possibly more powerful than Dumbledore with the right training," Harry scoffed at that. "Don't you scoff at me, I'm telling you the truth, but we're getting off the subject."

"You think that you are famous now? Just wait until you go into public the next time. My idiot father has already bragged to them that I am your Protector. You and Hermione are the first recognized Mages in centuries. People are going to notice you more than ever; me as well, since I'm married to you both."

"And the same goes for Hermione. She won't be the shy wallflower any longer. She will be front page news, just like Ginny and me. I'm not telling you this to spook you; I just want you to be prepared."

Harry just placed his hands on his face and groaned. "Maybe I should skip going to Diagon Alley today."

Blaise looked a little pensive, but asked her question anyway. "Do you want some advice?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "Go to Diagon Alley with your head held high. It will give the people hope. And since there is a war going on, that is exactly what they need."

"Bravo, Ms. Zabini. That was excellent advice." It didn't surprise Harry a bit that the Headmaster was listening in. "Harry, you are going to have to come to grips with the fact that you are a symbol of hope to the wizarding world, and today is the perfect time to start."

"I think he's right, boy. The only people coming will just be me, you and Zabini. The rest will go tomorrow. Tonks will take the rest of you lot tomorrow."

There were a few groans of disappointment at that, but not too many.

Then Moody pulled out a portkey that was an old book and made them touch it and all of them disappeared from Grimmauld Place.

If Harry was truthful with himself he would tell himself he was really excited about this trip. He hadn't been to Diagon Alley since his third year and he was curious as to how it had changed. He had felt like a prisoner for the last couple of years and this was his chance to be free.

When they landed in the middle off the alley behind the Leaky Cauldron, he noticed that Blaise was looking at him with an amused smirk. It was at that point that he remembered that she could feel his emotions. But for some reason, this didn't bother him one bit.

Before Moody tapped the bricks with his wand, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out two letters, both containing the books they would need for the school year. He handed one to each of them and then he planned on asking them where to go, but changed his mind as he turned to Harry.

Harry was getting kind of nervous by the scrutinizing way Moody was looking at him. "You told me you wanted to do anything you could to protect yourself and watch your back. I can tell you right now that it will cost a lot of galleons to do that. Are you sure you want to take all my advice?" he growled out.

"Yes, sir. It's better safe than sorry."

"Good answer, kid. Now, off to Gringotts."

"What was he talking about Harry?"

"He's preparing me for war."

As they entered Gringotts, Harry started to notice that there were a lot of people staring at him. He guessed he did stick out, since he was wearing muggle clothes, but he didn't really think that was the reason they were staring at him. To top it off, there were about seven people in front of him, waiting to talk to the teller.

Harry just kept repeating Blaise's advice. Keep your head held high. So that's what he did, trying his best to look important. He wiped his hand through his hair in frustration from waiting and he heard many people gasp and his name being whispered around when they saw his scar.

Oh, this is bloody marvelous. He cursed himself. Or maybe it wasn't so bad.

About to ten seconds later a Goblin was standing in front of him. It took him a moment to recognize him, but he did. "Griphook, how are you today?"

Harry actually thought that the Goblin looked surprised that he remembered his name. Then he gave him a smile. At least Harry hoped it was a smile and not a death threat. A person could never tell with goblin expressions.

"Ah, it is good to see you Harry Potter, sir. Is there anything that we can do for you today?" Harry was dimly aware of the envious looks he was getting from people for cutting in front of them.

"Yes there is, actually. I need two things. I need to go to my vault and asses how much I have and then I might have a question or two for you." Harry replied, trying to sound as adult as possible.

"While you and Zabini are here, I have a few things to do in the Alley. Don't go outside until I get back." Moody growled out.

Both teenagers just nodded.

After Moody left, Griphook started speaking again. "If you will follow me sir, I will show you to your new vault."

"New vault?"

"Oh, yes sir. The old one became far too small."

Now that shocked Harry more than a little, but he tried not to show it as Griphook led them down to the cart that was supposed to take him to his vault. The trip went as always, it was a blast for Harry. Though, Blaise looked a little green around the gills.

However, Harry did notice that they were going deeper than normal in the underground. Every once in a while, Harry could have sworn that he saw a dragon breathing fire, but the cart was going to fast to really tell. Finally they stopped and Griphook jumped out of the cart, handing the lamp to Harry first to make sure h didn't drop it.

When Harry got out, he handed the lamp back to Griphook and turned back to Blaise and held his hand out. The girl was still looking a little sickly. She gratefully took his hand and got out of the cart as well. "Thanks," she muttered. "I think I'll stick to a broom when I want to go that fast."

Harry just gave her a little smile. After all, he liked the way she clung to him on the ride. It was sort of like going to a scary movie, or at least that was what he heard, considering he had never been to a movie theater.

It was at that point that he remembered that Griphook had never asked him for his key. "Won't you need my key?"

"No need, sir. Only a Goblin can open this vault. There is no key required."

With that statement, Griphook walked up to the vault and Harry noticed that it looked a lot like the one that Hagrid had got the Sorcerer's Stone out of in his first year. In addition, just like last time Griphook ran his long pointed finger down the middle and dozens upon dozens of locks unlatched and moved until the door finally opened up.

When Harry and Blaise finally stepped into the vault, neither could hardly believe what they saw. The place was huge. It was probably twice the size of the Gryffindor Common Room. Not only that, ninety percent of the space was filled with gold galleons and various other jewels. Neither Harry nor Blaise had ever seen that many galleons in their life, and Blaise came from a very wealthy family.

As soon as they took a few steps into the vault, there was a bright flash and a letter addressed to Harry fell near his feet. Harry reached down and picked it up, and looked at Blaise. She just gave him a shrug, as if to tell him to go ahead and open it. 

So, open it he did. The letter was from Nicholas Flamel, the acclaimed alchemist. Harry wondered what he was up to this time. Then he figured the only way to find out was to read it.

To Harry Potter,

                 Well, if you are reading this then you have just seen what I have left you. That's quite a lot of galleons, isn't it? Well, let me tell you, it was not hard to collect that many galleons. If you lived to be over six hundred years old, you would probably be able to collect that many as well.

The reason that I left you all that I own is simple. I wanted to thank you for keeping my Sorcerer's Stone out of the hands of Tom Riddle (Voldemort). If he would have gotten a hold of it, things would have turned disastrous much more quickly.

As I'm sure you heard; I was not only just a very rich wizard. But I was also an alchemist. With that said, in the corner of the vault is a gold lined case. Inside it is one of my minor and successful experiments. I call it "vis vires", which means "Strength" in Latin, if you didn't know. There are four vials of this that I will leave up to you to choose who to give them too. My only request is that you and your Hermione drink one vial apiece. It will increase your strength and speed by sixty percent (and this is permanent), and you will need this in the coming war.

It is a blue colored liquid.

The second is my pride and joy. It could very well be very dangerous in the wrong hands. This potion was milked from a Mind Rock. I haven't really got a name for it, because I couldn't make up my mind. So I will just tell you what the red potion does.

It gives you a sixty percent increase in brain activity. You will be able to comprehend things easier and learning will become more natural for you. Nevertheless, make no mistake, you will still have to learn things the old-fashioned way you'll just have faster progress.

Now, that was only the first of what the potion (or what I like to call milk) from the stone can do. The second is very advanced. I do not know if you are old enough to understand the full implication of what the second potion will do.  However, I will tell you anyway.

The second effect has to do with languages. It took me twenty years to perfect this alchemy potion. What it basically does is let you know every language there is. This even includes Parseltongue as well as other human languages. Again, I only wish you to share this red potion with Hermione.

Now, I want to talk to you about Ron. You are probably wondering why I haven't left him anything. The truth is—I did. He now has his own Gringotts vault with over fifty million Galleons in it. And while I was at it (and since I no longer need it); I set it up so that each of the Weasleys had the same amount. Although, I never told Albus about this.

One more thing. Take some advice from a man that has been around a long time. If you are going to get the people on your side to help you with the war, you are going to have to enter the political arena. I know that you hate your fame, but if you want the people on your side, then you are going to have to use it.

I'll leave it to you to figure out how.

From eternity,

                 Nicholas Flamel

P.S.

Tell Albus when we meet again, on the other side; he had better bring that box of chocolate frogs he owes me and the gummy bears.

Harry decided right then and there that Mr. Flamel was every bit eccentric as the Headmaster. With that thought in mind, he walked over to the far, far side of the room where there were two wooden cases that were lined in gold. One had a red Griffin etched into it and the other had a Blue one etched into it. Both were beautiful cases.

"What did the letter say?"

Harry handed it to her absentmindedly, and then he reached over and opened the case with the blue Griffin on it. Sure enough, there were four normal sized vials that were filled with blue liquid in them. Harry was feeling a little reckless and turned to Blaise, just as she finished the letter. She had a shocked look on her face, which was to be expected. To be given gifts from the most famous Alchemist in the world was a great honor. But Harry was still feeling reckless.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

Blaise just looked at him. "I know everything you've done in your entire life. What do you think?" she asked in an amused, sarcastic tone.

"I think that we should drink the strength potion now."

"You're actually going to give me one of the vials?" she asked with a hint of awe. She was sure that he would give one to Ginny and maybe a few of his friends at school.

"You are my Protector and wife, aren't you?"

Blaise thought her heart might burst when Harry said that, she felt so proud. "Damn straight, I am."

Therefore, without further ado, Harry took out two of the blue potions, handing one to Blaise. Blaise uncorked the vial at the same time Harry did and looked at him. "Cheers, mate" Then she downed it as fast as she could, feeling a bit reckless as she did so as well.

Harry had done the same thing.

"I don't feel any different," Blaise commented.

"I don't eith--"

His comment was cut off when he started feeling a strange, very strange, sensation course through his body. It was far from painful. It was more like an intensified tingling that went through every part of his body. And from the look on Blaise's face, she was feeling the same thing. Then, all of the sudden, there was a feeling of a rush, and both teenagers flushed deeply from the feeling of the adrenalin they just felt.

"That was…" Blaise trailed off.

"Yeah, that was definitely interesting."

Blaise just nodded, she wasn't used to the feeling she was feeling at the moment. She felt like she had more energy than she ever had in her life. She felt like she could run ten miles and not even get tired.

"Look, Blaise. I don't think we should test anything we may be able to do until we get back to Headquarters. It might be safer that way."

"Yeah, you're right."

Harry then pulled out his money pouch and filled it with close to two hundred Galleons. It was a little heavy, but a plan was starting to go through his head. He stuffed the letter from Nicholas in his back pocket and then did a shrinking spell on the cases and placed them both in his shirt pocket. They were ready to leave then.

Blaise had to get her some money and he had to talk to a Goblin in accounting. He was about to have a busy day. As they walked out of the vault, thy noticed their steps were a lot lighter and it wasn't just because they were in a good mood.

It didn't take long for Blaise to get her Galleons.

.