Control

By Fatpunk

Chapter 12

The Hospital

Harry lay on the bed his breathing steady in the warm morning. The crisp sheets encased him, while the smell of antiseptic invaded his nose. It was this smell that finally woke him. He slowly opened his eyes examining the blurry world around him. On his left sat two smaller figures with a taller on standing behind them, children surely, his friends (plus one other). On his right a white topped figure sat in a comfortable wing backed chair.

Daphne stood seeing the movement from the patient "Harry," she breathed before grabbing his glasses and placing them on his face.

With the world coming into view Harry identified everyone in the room. Daphne was now standing at his side while Hermione sat, seemingly in shock. Standing behind Hermione, rather close behind in fact, was Terry and sitting quietly in the wing-backed chair was the headmaster.

"Hey guys. How long have you been waiting?" Harry asked quietly, his throat a little sore.

"Bout a week Harry!" Daphne scolded "you've had us so worried" she finished tears coming to her eyes.

"I'm sorry Daph, I really didn't want to be here either" Harry replied with a smile, receiving one in return.

"Good to see you awake Harry" Hermione said quietly moving to stand beside Harry's bed.

"Well children, now that you see Mr. Potter is awake and in good health perhaps you could return to your classes now so that Mr Potter and I may speak together" Dumbledore announced to the group, dismissing them from the hospital wing.

Once they left and Dumbledore was alone with Harry the inquisition began.

"Well Harry, what happened between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret. So naturally everyone knows" the professor said with a smile, receiving one in return.

"Professor, the Stone is it okay? What about Flamel? Did the Daph's owl reach you?" Harry asked in a rush, realising he didn't know what happened.

The professor chuckled "my, my, you did do things well didn't you? Now the Stone was unfortunately destroyed in the fight between you and Quirrell and as such Nicolas and his wife will pass on to the next great adventure. And no I didn't get Miss Greengrass' owl, must have passed in transit, but I felt the protections around the stone were broken and returned immediately."

"But professor, why did you move the stone in the first place? Surely you knew the stone was safest at Gringotts, so why move the stone at all?" Harry asked.

"Well Harry, although I'm not sure you should know, I think you have earnt the right to know. The reason the stone was move was, in part to do with the properties of the philosopher's stone. Unknown to most people is that the stone only works for its creator; we also knew that Voldemort was alive, in a manner of speaking, and was looking to return to human form. Nicolas and I decided that we could try to lure Voldemort to the depths of Hogwarts and I would try to exorcise him from this plane of existence." Dumbledore looked down for a moment seemingly realising his failure and finally admitting it to himself "I never knew Quirrell had fallen to the dark arts, nor did I know that Voldemort had possessed the poor young man. I put the school and its students at risk and I never saw the dangers."

"Perhaps you needed more eyes to watch the game" Harry suggested "when I saw professor McGonagall she didn't seem to understand the dangers at all."

Dumbledore was thoughtful "I shall take your suggestion under advise Mr Potter. It appears like a tactic that works for you" he finished with a smile.

"It does indeed professor," Harry then paused considering how to ask his next question "professor when I was younger I found a letter from my parents. They told me why they went into hiding, the prophecy. The said they knew of a prophecy but not what it said or whether it did apply to them at all. I think that I deserve to know why my parents died professor and they said you would be the one to ask."

The headmaster was surprised he didn't think Harry would know the prophecy existed let alone it referred to him. "You are right, Harry, there was a prophecy that referred to you among others. Voldemort was able to discover part of the prophecy but not its entirety. While you may wish to know what it said I feel that at this stage you would be better served to focus on your studies rather than something you have no control over."

Harry thought for a moment and decided that while the reason was weak the professor was correct in that Harry couldn't do anything about it. There were other things Harry wanted to take care of though "okay professor I can understand that, however, I wonder if I could meet with Mr Flamel, I want to speak to him about what has happened."

Dumbledore smiled "I think I can arrange that Mr Potter, but for now I shall leave you in the care of Madam Pomfery, Good day" he finished excusing himself from the hospital wing.

Harry had an extended stay in the Hogwarts infirmary, meaning he was caught trying to escape three times and his stay was extended each time. He spent the time reading books from the first compartment of his trunk. He read books on famous shape shifters, metamorphmagi and animagi in particular. He also found professor Dumbledore had arranged a meeting between Nicolas Flamel and Harry. It was this meeting that Harry was really waiting for. As Dumbledore had mentioned he needed to focus on his studies and there was a lot in the Wizarding world Harry needed to learn. What he needed was a mentor or teacher to really take him under their wing.

He had also read a book on magical bonding in particular the bond between teacher and apprentice. In the days before t was common to send a child to Hogwarts or another magic school the apprentice bond was common to help a young witch or wizard to learn control over their magic. It would allow the teacher to take control of the student's magic in extreme cases, especially when the magic was out of control. Harry had deduced from his readings that the bond could work the other way, he could share his magic with his teacher in an extreme situation. This meant that because magic was tied to a person's life Harry could share his magic with Flamel keeping him alive long enough to build a new philosophers stone. This was all academic if Flamel didn't want to continue or, more importantly, Harry didn't get the feeling he could trust the aged wizard. While his plan was set it wasn't cast in stone and he would decide what to do later.

The meeting was arranged for the day Harry was released from the hospital wing. The headmaster directed Harry into his office the stone gargoyle gave the password (pineapple lumps) and directed Harry to a seat.

"Now Harry, if you'll excuse me for a moment I will inform Nicolas that you're here" Dumbledore explained.

Harry nodded in agreement observing the office. On the inside wall was a small fire place, obviously not for floo travel but useful for conversations. Beside it and all around were shelves upon shelves of books covering every possible topic. Another wall held a collection of strange silver instruments in enclosed cabinets. The third wall held dozens and dozens of dozing portraits, previous headmasters at the prestigious school. On the final wall of the office were two large windows between them was an empty perch, the home of the headmaster's familiar.

Harry waited, taking in his surroundings looking out for anything interesting…well less interesting. Everything in the room spoke of mystery and intrigue. Nothing seemed normal. Surely the headmaster of a school would need school roles, potion ingredient invoices, school book requisition forms? Nothing in the office really suggested Dumbledore actually ran a school. Maybe magical schools just didn't operate like that. Maybe they operated completely on donations. Maybe Harry just didn't know and that was exactly why Harry needed someone to teach him.

"Harry," called Professor Dumbledore startling Harry out of his musing "I would like you to meet a good friend of mine Nicolas Flamel."

An old man stepped forward leaning heavily on a chest high cane, Harry wondered if it was staff but it didn't contain any jewels or exposed magical bindings like Harry's. Flamel was a short man and it was exaggerated by his stooping over. His deep purple robes were immaculately tailored while at the same time defined understated elegance. Harry felt somewhat underdressed in his standard Hogwarts robes and messy black hair.

"Now, if you'll excuse us Albus I think this conversation should be kept private" Flamel said once the introductions were finished.

"Of course Nicolas, if you need me just call an elf and ask them to find me" he answered turning to the door.

"Before you go, Albus, could you freeze the portraits?" Flamel asked, smiling at what must be an inside joke.

Dumbledore smiled back and waved his wand before proceeding down the stairwell.

The pair stood in silence for a moment before Flamel opened "My Lord Potter" bowing his head slightly.

Harry was surprised by the honorific and it showed on his face "Mr Flamel surely you are more deserving of that title than me?"

Flamel chuckled "While I may be old I am only a Master of Magic you, however, are a Lord of Magic. My control over the arts was helped by a number of rituals I undertook when I was younger, your control is natural. It is also part of my duty as a Master of Magic to assist any Lord of Magic in their training and ruling should they so desire" he explained.

Harry thought for a moment, his own magic was saying Flamel could be trusted while at the same time he felt it would be wrong to rob the old man of his rest.

Harry decided to leave the choice to Flamel. "If you had the choice would hang around to help?"

"Abrupt aren't you son?" Flamel asked "Would I choice life over death? That is a hard choice after more than six centuries I have lived a long and full life child. My wife and I have accepted our fate, though reluctantly I must say, we never had the chance to pass on our knowledge of both magic and life, we never had any children, perhaps that chance is what we have been waiting for all our lives. Would we take the chance? I don't know. I would have to speak with my wife. In any case it is purely academic we only have enough elixir for another month and it would take the better part of six months to create a new stone" Flamel answered.

Harry was quiet for a moment it was the opportunity Harry wanted presented on a plate. "Have you heard of the apprentice bond?" Harry asked knowing the answer and getting the nod "the bond is used to stabilise an apprentice's magic but it could easily work the other way. If you are agreeable I wish to ask if you would consider taking me on as an apprentice?"

"And what of my wife?" Flamel asked in return.

"If you are true soul mates completed a full magical soul binding you would be able to share the magic on to you wife that way. I think I would learn just as much about life from her as you." Harry replied.

This caused Flamel to laugh "too true Lord Potter, too true. I will present the offer to my wife and send you an answer before the end of school."

"Thank you Mr Flamel for you consideration. Before you leave I would like to apologise for the loss of the Stone in the first place. Had I not went after the Stone it may not have been lost" Harry replied becoming sombre at the end.

"Apology accepted Lord Potter. It may not have made a difference but the fact you are willing to take responsibility for the results of you actions brings me some comfort. It was a pleasure to meet you Lord Potter and I will consider your offer."

"Thank you Mr Flamel, and please call me Harry."

"As you wish Harry."

There were only a few days left before school finished. Harry and the girls had passed their exams with flying colours. They were also spending more time with Terry, Hermione especially. Terry hadn't asked too many questions either; even if he did Harry wasn't ready with any answers. He wasn't sure where Terry stood or how much he should trust the Ravenclaw. The conversation with Flamel hadn't gone any further either, he was still waiting for a reply and was hoping for one any day.

The day school finished Harry had packed everything into his trunk. He had also done some reading on magical bonding and power sharing. The subject was fascinating but without any practical application it was somewhat unfulfilling. Harry was sitting with Hermione, Daphne and Terry in the Guardian's room, there was just hours until the train left. The group was just sitting quietly together considering what the holidays would bring.

"Guys we should go get down to the train, we want to get a good seat" Hermione said starting the move back to their common rooms to get their trunks.

Walking across the front lawn towards Hogsmead station Harry spied Hedwig flying in from over the forbidden forest and held his arm out for a perch.

"Hey girl," Harry cooed stroking the white plumage of Hedwig's breast "what you got for me?" he continued taking the parchment from her leg.

Harry spotted the wax seal holding the parchment together and placed the letter in his robe inside pocket.

"What's the letter Harry" Daphne asked.

"It looks like a reply to a question I asked a friend, Daph. Hopefully its good news" Harry replied.

Daphne nodded and fell silent knowing Harry wouldn't share any more.

The group loaded onto the train taking a compartment near the end of the train. They settled in and closed the door and magically blacked the windows out.

As the country side flew by and Hogsmead fell into the distance Harry pulled the letter out of his robe pocket. The tight but flowing script caused Harry difficulty reading but he was able to decipher the text.

Harry,

I have discussed your proposal with my wife and we are in agreement. Your proposal has merit. We are not in agreement, however, that you can provide what you offer.

My wife wants to trust you, as do I, but through all my research I cannot find any reference to a power sharing apprenticeship.

I wish to speak to you again, this time with my wife to find out what would happen in the ritual and what effects and obligations there would be. The wax seal on this envelop will provide a portkey to my estate should you accept. To activate it re-melt the wax and press your family signet ring it the wet wax.

My wife and I truly hope what you offer can be delivered. We hope our next meeting can make this dream a reality. We hope for a last chance to make a tangible difference.

Sincerely

Nicolas Flamel.

Harry stared at the letter, rereading it again twice more. Did Harry have a book Flamel had never seen? Was the knowledge unknown to the oldest man alive? The only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone was unaware of the complete apprentice as it was described? Or maybe that would be Harry's first lesson under his new teacher.

The rest of the journey to London was quiet. Malfoy broke his silence, pestering the group with words of warning. Weasley did the same but somewhat less eloquently. The twins arrived and talked for some time, mainly considering non-magical pranks that could be pulled by the average prankster with no ministry reprisals. Hermione protested vigorously until Terry pointed out that the different skill set needed could be useful in later life.

The train finally pulled into Kings Cross Station and the group lead their way to the barrier to the rest of the world. An elderly wizard stood next to the wrought iron gate controlling the exit of the students. The small groups of ones and twos passed through the gate. Sometimes larger, young families could go through all at once. Daphne and Terry decided to leave from the platform with their parents, both families had portkeys. Finally the enviable question was asked by Daphne.

"Harry, how are you getting home?"

"And where is your home, for that matter?" Terry asked not really knowing the subject was taboo.

"I have a secure Gringotts portkey to take me home. Works from pretty much everywhere but Hogwarts actually" Harry replied "as for where home is its something of a family secret. The only people who can be told are those living there permanently, or extended family. So sorry but I can't tell you."

Terry nodded his head in acceptance though his eyes said he wasn't really satisfied with the answer.

"Well Harry, can you stay with me till I meet my parents then" Hermione asked to break the growing silence. "I'd ask you, Terry, but Harry's going this way anyway" she added in reply to Terry's look.

"Sure Mione, lets go" Harry answered lifting his trunk "I'll write when ever I can guys, so till next time we meet" Harry said waving reply.

Daphne stepped up to Mione first hugging her first before moving on to Harry. She hugged Harry a bit longer and gave him a kiss on the check. "Be good Harry," before adding "if you can"

At the same time Hermione did much the same with Terry but without the kiss.

Harry walked side by side with Hermione while they looked for Hermione's parents. Harry spotted a tall straight haired man walking next to a woman with bushy brown hair. Harry pointed out the pair and Hermione led them over.

"Mum, Dad, this is my friend Harry Potter. Harry, this is my Mum and Dad."
"Mr Granger. Mrs Granger." Harry said shaking the couples' hands.

"Harry, Hermione has spoken about often in her letters home."

"Much of it exaggerated I'm sure" Harry replied with a smile.

The older man nodded in reply. "Well, we must be going Harry," Mrs Granger answered "how are you getting home Harry?"

"I'm taking a portkey home once I get somewhere private" Harry replied.

"Well you keep safe then Harry. Maybe we'll see you again some time soon" the elder woman answered.

Harry walked around the corner and activated his family portkey. The tugging sensation around his navel signalled Harry's departure while the reappearance of solid ground told Harry of his arrival. Harry looked around the entrance hall for Camelot and breathed deeply, enjoying the feeling of being home.

"Master Harry is home" squeaked the small voice of a House Elf.

"Hello nanny, It's good to be home" Harry replied.

"Would Master Harry care for some tea?" Nanny asked.
"That would be good. Could you please bring it back to the library?" Harry replied.

Making his way to the impressive and expansive library thinking to him self that both Hermione and Daphne would love. Harry sat down in the large leather armchair, enjoying the luxuries of home.

Nanny returned with Harry's tea and placed it on the side table before saying "it's good to have you home Master Harry"

Harry smiled "It's good to be home Nanny" he replied.

Harry pulled out the letter from Flamel and took his trunk from his pocket placing it on the floor beside him, enlarging it as he went. From the trunk Harry went to Merlin's compartment and took out the book on magical bond. He opened the book and began rereading the passage on the apprentice bond. Nearing the end of the passage Harry found an important quote:

The standard apprentice bond is a legal arrangement rather than a magical one. For the stronger wizard it can be dangerous in the early stages of their magical training. A lack of skill and underdeveloped moral structure in of youth can cause dangerous situation both unintentional and deliberate.

This is especially prevalent in young mages. The tremendous power that they have at their disposal can cause lapses in judgement. This risk can be mitigated by a formal magical apprenticeship bond. This bond can only be formed between two mages, either natural or ritualised, and to my knowledge this is the only book that details the process of forming a magical apprentice bond.

'So there was the answer' Harry thought 'the author of this book was probably right. That would be why Flamel had never read about the bonding.'

Harry decided that first thing the next morning he would activate the portkey Flamel provided and travel to see the old couple.

Harry woke early, had breakfast and prepared the portkey. He took the magical bonds book out of his trunk and placed it in an inside pocket and activated the portkey.

It was a somewhat jerky ride and Harry was thumped down onto the floor.

"Good Morning Harry. My wife and I noticed the portkey activate and took the liberty of preparing you some tea" Flamel greeted.

"Thank you Mr Flamel. That was a rather bumpy ride in" Harry commented.

"Yes the first time through the wards aren't the smoothest, add to that the reformed portkey…" Flamel replied trailing off.

"Don't lie Nicolas!" came a shout from a door to the side. Walking in the side entrance a shorter and rather old lady entered carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. "While the ride is bumpy, Nicolas likes too make it worse so the guest is on the floor on entry. It helps fill his need to prank people" she finished.

"She always spoils my fun," Nicolas whispered to Harry conspiratorially.

"Yes but after 6 odd centuries one would think you were used to it" Harry replied.

Nicolas smiled and watched his wife sit in the arm chair next to him. Once she was settled Nicolas began his questions.

"Well Harry, we come to the reason you are here. In all my research I have not found any reference to power sharing apprentice bonds. The only reference to power sharing I have ever seen is in soul mate bonds were the life and death of a couple came be prolonged or prevented by the connection between two souls."

"The book I have says they are not sure anyone else has written about this bond" Harry explained "it also says that it can only be done between two mages."

"Have you brought the book with you Harry?" Nicolas asked.

"I have," Harry replied, reaching into his inside pocket and drawing out the book. Harry stood and walked the few steps over to the old man.

Nicolas opened the book leafing through the pages. "Well this book would seem to give all the answers" Nicolas said slowly "tell me Harry, do you know who wrote this book?" he asked.

Harry thought for a moment "no I don't believe I've ever checked the author. I usually just grab in out and start reading" Harry replied.

Nicolas smiled "well Harry, this book is possibly the most authoritive book of magic ever written. There has only ever been a rumour of its existence though out the ages. It is simply called 'Magic' and it was written by Merlin. I'd say we can trust its contents are accurate, it just a question of whether we can perform the magic."

And there ends the first instalment of Control. In the next book I plan to carry on from the bonding ritual and going through summer.

I am currently of the option that running though each individual year would take me too long so I'm looking at shorting a few years into one but I'm not sure how to do it. Therefore I'm going to do some thinking and possibly do a separate on off piece before I carry on.

Thanks to everyone for listing.

Peace out