Chapter 11

Harry Potter and Elfridge, the head House Elf of the Potter Family left for Ether Castle in Northern France. After Harry recovered from his magical maturity ritual, Elfridge decided to increase his training at the Ether Castle. He choose this Potter property because of its vast size and large training center. Ether Castle came into the Potter's heritage via the Ether family line. Harry and Elfridge entered the large property and Elfridge decided to just to explain the basis and show him where the training will be taken place for the next two weeks. The Ether Castle was enormous and so the basics were just necessary to get the new regime underway.

Elfridge pointed out Harry's room where he was staying in which consisted of a cozy guest room in one of the lower levels near the training area. After a nice dinner, Harry went to bed early trying to think of the benefits for what he would about to endure with this next step of training.

At the break of dawn, Harry rose and dressed in a pair of light weight matching dark gray training clothes and comfortable tennis shoes. Next, he glanced at his training schedule for the day that Elfridge posted on his door the night before.

Time Activity

6:00 AM – 6:30 AM Breakfast

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Practical Shadow magic

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Shadow apparition practice

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Shadow magic defense

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Lunch

12:00 PM – 01:00 PM Shadow magic duel/attack mode

01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Blacksmith / Weaponry basics

02:00 PM – 05:00 PM Mage Crafting –staff

Next couple days went by like this and then Elfridge had Harry learn how to weave in between Shadows to remain undetected with stealth magic and then integrate that into combat scenarios. After Harry managed to weave in between shadows with remaining undetected, Elfridge taught him how to use shadow magic to defend and attack with duel-like operations. This was especially useful for night-time fights with dark wizards to catch them off guard and to use shadows to conceal yourself from attackers.

Next, Harry learned how to make weapons from a goblin, Gallrock, who taught him how to fuse steel, iron, and other precious metals with magic to make weapons any goblin would be proud to use in a fight.

Gallrock's intention was for Harry to make formidable weapons to use in any fight if necessary. Dueling with a wand is one thing, but most wizards do not learn how to use muggle weapons in a fight. That is where swords, daggers, and a staff come into play.

Harry worked particularly hard on his weapon-making studies. He started out with small-hand-held weapons like daggers. Then he transitioned to making a staff. In the olden days, powerful wizards had the option between a wand and a staff. According to the goblin Gallrock, his magical core as well as his other natural talents were enough to wield a staff. Historically speaking, wizards who wielded staffs named 'mages' or 'warlocks'. Harry did not think of himself personally as that, but he was happy to have another powerful weapon to add to his growing collection.

Finally, during the last waning weeks of summer break, Harry learned how to use Ancient Runes in a variety of helpful ways for combat. Despite Harry's magical maturity, and his unblocked natural powers, Harry still had to go slow with ancient rune magic. This type of magic was finicky and powerful at the same time. It had to work by a steady and practiced hand. Just because Harry read all of the books in his parents' library on the subject, did not mean he was an expert in the matter. Ancient Runes theory was one thing, but practicing was another beast onto itself.

The next day, Ethridge had Harry start out with Ancient Rune blocks. Blocks were a combination of two or more runes put together with a single intent. They were more powerful and needed an equally powerful Intent (single magical command) behind it for the block to work. Luckily, with Harry's near perfect memory and magical maturity to boot, he was in prime condition to move forward with his education in ancient runes.

Harry used his new education and power in ancient runes to personalize his combat style and dueling. These rune block could help him in multiple ways: placing a more powerful shield to prevent your weak side from being exposed in combat situations and enhancing complex spells with more power.

After going through the last few weeks of summer, Harry was almost ready to go back to Hogwarts. He worked with Elfridge and all of his recent studies have paid off. Harry owled his head of house Professor M. to see if he could test a year ahead so he could be a fourth year. Harry wanted to be a fourth year so he could finish Hogwarts sooner and prep for his OWLs. The sooner he could get out of Hogwarts, the sooner he could work in the real world.

Last day before going back to Hogwarts was used to review what he learned under the last few grueling weeks. On the top floor of the Ether estate, there was a singular room at the end of the hallway that Harry found to be pulsing with ancient magic. Harry felt drawn to it for weeks. Harry researched what he could find on wards and found that it was a blood ward. The only way to break the ward was to pierce his skin with a goblin made dagger and let the blood drip onto the pulsing ward. If the blood ward accepts your drop of blood, no harm would come to you.

On the last day before leaving for Hogwarts in the morning, Harry said goodnight to Elfridge and then snuck away to the top floor. After the last of the blood ward melted away, Harry was given permission to enter the room. Inside, the room was pretty bland, wood flooring with a couple of chairs and extra space for storage. In the middle of the room was a pedestal, on top of it was glass sphere. Harry could feel his heart beating out of his chest he was felt drawn to it as if it was telling him to pick it up…Harry reached out a shaky hand and felt his fingers grasp the prophecy and picked it up. He almost dropped it when he heard an ancient male's voice speaking…

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord is born…

The boy's bloodline is seeped with power from two ancient family lineages

Only he will be able to defeat the Dark Lord with natural power

With his gifts he will strike fear and dread into the hearts of the wicked

He will assist other countries' to defeat evil before it spreads

The boy will become an accomplished wizard and enjoy the fruits of his labor

Harry let out a strangled gasp as he put the prophecy back down on the pedestal. It told him what he secretly feared was true all along and why his parents died to protect him. A million questions began flooding through his brain causing him think irrational and anxious thoughts while he tried to sort out this new information. This was the real prophecy that the Ether castle was keeping secret from its enemies. Only Harry could defeat the Dark Lord, yet it also contained the aftermath of upcoming war if all went well. Defeating one Dark Lord sounded like enough for one person to handle, but multiple evil wizards? Harry wasn't too sure. And why in Merlin's name does it always have to be him?!