Coming together
Chapter 8:
The next couple weeks, in Harry's opinion, were some of the best in his life.
Every morning he would wake up at the crack of dawn and go down to the Dining Hall to have breakfast. For the first few days, Murtagh would insist upon getting Harry's meals for him, as he wished to ensure Harry had the correct amount of food in his diet, so his stomach could grow to its proper size. It only took Harry a few days before he had had enough and had plucked up the courage to calmly explain to Murtagh that, while he appreciated the concern, he still found this embarrassing. Murtagh had agreed to stop organizing his meals for him. However, he also compiled a list, detailing what foods would be best for improving his diet and, more importantly, the exact quantity of food he should eat. Murtagh "requested" that Harry follow this, so that his body would gain the maximum amount of nutrients and the right amount for his stomach to grow. Harry had reluctantly agreed to this, as he knew that Murtagh only wanted to help him.
The relationship between him and his father, while still strained at times, was healing. They made it a habit of talking to each other every night, just the two of them, so they could get to know each other a little better. They found that they had a lot in common, in that they only wanted to fit in without people judging them for things that were out of their control.
They spent the mornings in the east training-yard. They had discovered that he, like Murtagh, was seemingly a natural at sword-fighting. Though at first he had shown a preference to thin agile swords, he also showed potential in short-swords, long-swords and hand-and-a-half swords. The only type of sword that Harry did not seem to be capable of wilding was a broad-sword. Though, this could be due to his smaller and agile body.
Murtagh had at first been hesitant to reenter the training-yard with Harry, even after he and Eragon had spent practically an entire night healing the teen of his damaged bones. Harry could still remember the day after he had been healed.
It was breakfast, and Harry had just finished eating. The riders were beginning to go and get ready for that day's training, and he had wanted to talk to Murtagh about his own training.
He walked up to the council table, where his father was just finishing his breakfast. He cleared his throat.
"Hey, umm, Father?"
Murtagh looked up at him.
"Yes, can I help you with something?"
"Yeah," Harry replied. "I was wondering, now that you've errr, healed me, do you think we could umm, do some more sword training?"
Murtagh's face turned to the expression which Harry was beginning to call his "I don't want to upset Harry, but I don't want to hurt him", expression.
"Are you sure it is safe?" Murtagh asked. "After all, you have only just had injuries that were years old healed. Do you really wish to risk getting new ones?"
"Yes." Harry replied. "Don't worry, I can heal from them."
"But what if we have a repeat of what happened last time?"
Harry resisted the urge to role his eyes.
"Again, I can heal, especially with your magic. Please, stop worrying about me, I've suffered from worse."
"I can't help but worry about you." Murtagh muttered. He then sighed. "Very well, if that is what you wish."
Once they reached the training-yard, Murtagh once again led him through his stretches. Then, they once again picked blunted training-swords. Then, slowly, they began.
Harry found that, this time around, it was much easier to move. He had not realized how his bones were effecting him until they had been healed. Before, he had always felt some sort of dull ache throughout his body. He had gotten so used to it, that he had not noticed it until it was gone.
Now, he felt much more flexible. He seemed to be able to move much faster, and seemed to tire a lot less sooner. He could also breathe much easier, and was much more balanced.
At first, Murtagh was very, very hesitant to give it even a fraction of his all. But after many, many requests from Harry to stop treating him like a china doll, and assurances that he would be fine, the older man finally began to increase the difficulty. Though this time, he was also very slow in increasing just how much he put into the fight.
This time, Murtagh was able to control his instincts enough to not accidentally hurt his son, all up to after about an hour or two. However, this time, the resulting injury was not as dramatic, though Murtagh's reaction was still a bit over dramatized, in Harry's opinion.
This time, it happened when Harry had dodged an attack to his shoulder by ducking and rolling. Just as he was quickly getting up, Murtagh was swinging again. They ended up colliding. The result from the force of Harry's movement, combined with the force of the moving sword, was Harry's arm breaking.
Miraculously, he managed to keep a grip of his sword, and merely winced at the impact. However, Murtagh was less successful in keeping a grip.
He instantly dropped his sword and ran to Harry's side.
"Are you alright?" He asked desperately. "I knew this was a bad idea."
"Father, calm down." Harry said calmly. "I am fine. It's nothing a little magic can't fix, hint, hint."
"Oh, right." Murtagh replied.
He muttered the words for healing and within seconds, Harry's arm was no longer broken.
"You see, I'm fine." Harry said. "Nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about?" Murtagh asked incredulously.
"These are wounds you can heal." Harry replied. "At least it wasn't as bad as last time."
He looked his father dead in the eye.
"You need to stop worrying about me so much. I'm not saying you can't worry about me at all, it actually feels kind of nice in some strange way, I'm just saying that you need to stop being such a hover-parent."
"I am not..." Murtagh began, but Harry held up a hand to cut him off.
"Yes, you are. I'm not made of glass. I'm going to get hurt, I'm going to get hurt. These injuries just help me grow and improve. How do you expect me to become better at fighting if I don't get hurt?"
Murtagh looked down.
"I'm... I'm sorry. I guess that, I am so focused on protecting you, that I keep forgetting that you can protect yourself."
Harry smiled.
"Hey, I'm not saying that you can't be protective. Again, it actually feels kind of nice to have an adult that cares. Just, please stop being such a mother-hen."
Murtagh's lips twitched in a small smile.
"I'll try."
Harry smiled.
"Now, can we get back to training?"
Harry had also become closer to Eragon. While Murtagh was the one to teach him how to use a sword, the younger brother was the one to introduce Harry to the ancient language. He said that it was a fair trade for Harry letting him read his school books and see what could and what couldn't be adapted to be used without a wand by the riders. He also argued that he, too, wanted to get to know Harry.
Harry could still remember the first time Eragon had shown him the very, very large library. It was even larger than the one at Hogwarts. He could practically imagine Hermione's reaction to it. If she took one step into the Rider's library, they most likely wouldn't see her for a month at least.
However, unlike the Hogwarts library, this one had a small courtyard with quite a lovely garden.
First, Eragon had him learn some basic words and phrases in the ancient language. He was very careful in ensuring Harry learnt how to speak these basic phrases before teaching him any form of magic.
Harry found the Ancient Language quite interesting, though at times it was hard to pronounce. Despite this, Harry had quickly learnt a small handful of words and phrases in the Ancient Language.
Once he had mastered that skill, Eragon had given him an extensive lecture on the dangers of overworking himself and attempting something that was beyond his capabilities. He also warned him of what could happen if he was not careful with his words, when speaking in the Ancient Language, and to not recklessly use his magic. When Harry had asked him if he had had personal experience with such mistakes, the Rider had gone quiet for a few seconds and had looked down in embarrassment before muttering to himself and suddenly changing the subject.
Once that was done, he took Harry out into the garden. He had then grabbed a small rock and placed it into the wizard's palm.
"Now," Eragon began. "Do you remember the word I taught you to levitate?"
"Yes." Harry replied.
"Alright." Eragon replied. "I want you to focus on your energy, and channel it into the word, concentrating on making the stone levitate."
And so Harry concentrated on his energy and thought about the word. At first, he thought it would be easy, as he had learnt how to levitate something in first year. However, that had been with a wand. With this, he had to channel his energy without his conduit.
Hence, why the stone only shook, instead of levitating.
"That is alright." Eragon said. "It will take you a few times before you can master it. You just have to be patient, as I am sure you would know from your previous studies."
"Yeah," Harry replied, smiling. "I just have to get used to not channeling my magic through a wand."
This was how Harry spent his afternoons, in either the library or in the garden with Eragon teaching him the Ancient Language while Murtagh took care of the Rider's training.
As it turned out, after adjusting to not using a wand, he was quite skilled with using the ancient Language. Perhaps it had something to do with him being a wizard, and therefore having natural talent with magic, but for some reason it just came naturally to him.
The only problem that he seemed to be having, was the protection of his mind. No matter how much he meditated and concentrated, he could not seem to be capable of blocking his mind from outward attacks. They all found this strange, as Murtagh was considered to have the best guarded mind in all of Alagaësia. Harry was terrified that his failure in this area that his father excelled in would cause the man to become disappointed in him. However, Murtagh was quick to reassure him that this would never be the case.
The magical training also assisted in Harry becoming closer to Eragon. The Rider evidently felt the same, as it was not long until he was telling Harry that it would be alright for him to call him Uncle. Harry had smiled at this. It felt nice to have an uncle who was pretty much the opposite of Uncle Vernon.
When he wasn't busy training with his Father or Uncle, he was spending time with his new friends.
Brinla was a free-spirited young woman, with a kind heart and a tendency to want to help people. She would often show a lot of concern for him whenever he accidentally revealed something about his past, and then she would try to cheer him up. Harry found her company to be enjoyable and he soon felt that he could talk to her about his troubles and not feel uncomfortable, much as he did with Hedwig. Once, he had even commented that she reminded him of his owl friend, but also said that he meant it in a positive way. She had laughed, smiled and thanked him for the complement. Her Dragon, a male named Arnamuith, was just as light-hearted, though a bit more reserved than his Rider.
Hurzomna, like many elves, was for the most part stoic and calm. Harry quickly learnt that he also had a bit of a vicious streak, but only to those who angered him. Thankfully, Harry seemed to be firmly on his good side. His dragon, a female called Volmea, was slightly kinder, but still unforgiving when it came to those who upset her Rider.
Every meal, they would sit together and talk, learning more about each other. It felt nice, to talk to people whom he did not have to worry only saw him as "The Boy Who Lived". Though he did still like his old friends, Ron and Hermione, and still thought about them almost every day, he could not deny that he found it easier to connect to his new friends. Perhaps because, to Harry, both Brinla and Hurzomna seemed more mature, and they could somewhat understand him better than either Ron or Hermione could.
While his life seemed to be going well now, there was still a dark shadow looming over his happiness.
Sirius and Remus.
Though they spoke via the mirrors every day, Harry still could not help but worry about them. Dumbledore was still hunting them all over the country. If they got court, Sirius would most likely either be sent back to Azkaban, or worse, be subjected to the dementor's kiss. And Remus, as his accomplice, could very well suffer the same fate.
Though he had voiced his concerns multiple times, both wizards assured him that there was nothing to worry about and that they had a plan. However, when Harry asked them exactly what the plan was, they would always avoid the question and change the subject. It was honestly getting annoying. All he wanted to know was what they were planning.
His wish was soon granted.
It was just after breakfast. By Harry's calculations, it was July 30th, the day before his birthday.
He and Murtagh were walking down the halls to the training-yard as usual.
However, unlike usual, Murtagh suddenly stiffened.
"Father, is something wrong?" Harry asked.
Murtagh frowned, as if concentrating. Then, his lips twitched into his usual small smile.
"No, nothing is wrong." He replied. "Something has just gone through the wards."
Harry frowned.
"What is it?"
Murtagh turned and went down another corridor, heading to the front entrance.
"Oh, nothing. Only, well, I suppose you could consider it an early birthday present."
Harry quickly sped up to follow him.
"What is it?" He asked, curious.
"You'll see." Murtagh replied.
Soon, they exited the large front doors of the Academy, to be met with a very surprising sight.
Only about a hundred feet or so, the figure of a very familiar Hippogriff had touched down. However, the biggest surprise were the two figures who dismounted from it.
"Sirius? Remus?" Harry yelled, running up to them in excitement.
As soon as he reached them, Sirius swept the younger wizard in a tight embrace.
"Hey, nice to see you too." Sirius said, grinning.
Sirius let him go, only for Remus to have his turn in hugging him. Once the werewolf had let him go, he looked at the two men in confusion.
"How did you get here?" He asked.
"I helped them."
He turned to see that Murtagh had joined them.
Suddenly, Harry was aware of his surroundings. He instantly turned to Buckbeak and bowed to him, Murtagh following suit. Once the hippogriff bowed in return, they rose and turned back to the wizards.
"How did you get here?" Harry repeated.
"On Buckbeak." Sirius replied, grinning.
"Yes, I'm aware of that." Harry retorted. "I mean, how did you find this place?"
"I provided them with directions." Murtagh replied.
Harry turned to his Father in surprise.
"How?"
"Well," Murtagh began. "Just after your race against Saphira, when you were testing your broom against the other riders, I was going to my room when I noticed that mirror of yours was glowing and making a strange sound."
"And imagine our surprise when we saw this guy, when we were trying to contact you." Sirius continued.
"Anyway," Remus continued. "We started to talk, Murtagh told us about how you were going, and we told him about being hunted by Dumbledore."
"I was of course concerned." Murtagh said. "For I knew how much you cared for them. They needed to go somewhere that could not be found by Dumbledore, and I thought that this would be the perfect place, as it is untraceable unless you are willingly assisted by myself or Eragon. So, I..."
Murtagh was broken off as Harry crashed into him in a very tight embrace. Luckily, he was able to keep his balance.
"Thank you." Harry said, his head buried in Murtagh's chest. "Thank you, thank you thank you."
Murtagh patted Harry on the head, still surprised from the contact.
"It was the least I could do." He said.
They were both startled by the sound of footsteps. They turned to see Eragon approaching them, his face a mixture of amusement and frustration.
"More visitors?" Eragon began. "And it would appear you were aware of their arrival Murtagh."
"Of course." Murtagh replied. "It was I whom directed them here."
Eragon sighed in frustration.
"Please do not tell me I have to make the Riders hide in the main building again?"
"No." Murtagh replied.
"Well," Eragon said. "At least they look far too old to be your long-lost-offspring."
"Oh, did you hear that Moony?" Sirius asked dramatically. "He thinks I look old. I don't look old, do I?"
Harry chuckled and Remus sighed in annoyance at his friend's antics.
"No," Murtagh replied. "These are friends of Harry, and they used to be friends of Lily and James Potter."
He gestured towards the two wizards.
"This is Remus Lupin and Sirius Black."
"Don't let his name confuse you." Remus muttered. "This man, is almost never serious."
"On the contrary," Sirius retorted. "I'm always serious."
Both Harry and Eragon snorted in amusement and Murtagh seemed to be trying really hard not to roll his eyes.
"Why do I feel like that line is rehearsed?" He muttered.
The red rider cleared his throat and gestured to his brother.
"And this, is my brother, Eragon Shadeslayer."
"It is nice to meet you." Eragon said to the two grown wizards. "Harry has spoken much of you."
"And he's told us a lot about you too." Remus replied, smiling.
Sirius narrowed his eyes at the rider, scrutinizing him.
"So, this is where Harry gets his reckless streak from."
"What?" Both Eragon and Harry spluttered. "I do not have a reckless streak." They said at the same time.
"Oh really?" Murtagh asked, raising an eyebrow. "Leaving your home to go on a revenge quest against beasts you hardly know, with no one but an old man and a young dragon for assistance..."
"Going out of your way to investigate a mysterious corridor, then proceeding to go down said corridor with nothing but your two fellow first-year friends as back up..." Sirius continued.
"Attempting to go through a large, deadly desert in as short of an amount of time as possible, just so you could save a girl you hardly knew..."
"Going into a secret chamber and fighting a thousand year old basilisk, with no one but your friend and an idiot of a teacher..."
"Alright, we get it!" Harry interjected.
Eragon cleared his throat.
"Anyway, perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private."
"Yes," Murtagh agreed. "Let us all go to my study."
"First," Sirius interjected. "Buckbeak is probably very tired after our long journey. Is there somewhere he can rest?"
"Yes, of course." Eragon replied. "Your umm..."
"Hippogriff." Harry whispered.
"Yes, your hippogriff," Eragon continued. "Is free to explore the fields, as long as he does not cause to much trouble."
"Hey," Remus replied. "As long as none of the dragons or anyone else annoys him, he won't annoy them."
And so, Sirius let Buckbeak loose on the grounds of the rider's academy and the two riders and three wizards proceeded into the main building.
Once they had reached Murtagh's study, they filled Eragon in on the situation. The rider was now looking from Sirius, to Remus, to Murtagh, and finally, to Harry.
"I of course have no problems with the two of you staying here." He began. "After all, it would seem that you are no longer safe in England, and Harry cares a great deal for you. Any friend of his is welcome."
The three wizards smiled at this.
"Thank you." Sirius replied.
"There's just one thing," Remus continued. "I'm not sure if Harry has informed you, but... I have a... Condition, which makes me..."
"Yes, Harry has informed us of you being a... Werewolf, was it?"
Harry nodded.
Eragon continued.
"I am sure that we could arrange something for you."
"Thank you." Remus sighed in relief.
"So," Eragon said. "I must go check on the riders. Murtagh, perhaps you and Harry could show our new arrivals around."
Murtagh nodded. Harry jumped to his feet in excitement.
"Come on, this place is so amazing. And unlike Hogwarts, it's not built like the worlds longest-running prank."
And so father and son showed the two wizards around the Rider's academy, from the training yards, to the large library, to the living quarters, to the many halls. They decided that it would be best for them to take up residence near where Murtagh and Harry slept. The rider was resigned to the fact that his living conditions were now not as private as he had been used to. After all, this was for Harry, and he was willing to sacrifice his own privacy for his son's comfort.
At dinner that night, Eragon introduced the two men as friends of Harry, who have been granted permission to stay at the rider's academy as their home-land was unsafe for them. Thankfully, he did not get into specifics. The riders were muttering to each other, of course, but for the most part they did not seem overly hostile.
Later that evening, he and Harry were having one of their late-night conversations, as they always did, when he brought up something that he had been dying to mention.
"So," He began. "What do you wish to do tomorrow?"
Harry blinked.
"Errr, the usual I guess. Maybe we could show Sirius and Remus some of what you and Uncle Eragon have taught me..."
"That is not what I meant." Murtagh interrupted. "Tomorrow is your birthday."
Harry shrugged.
"Yeah, and?"
"And?" Murtagh asked incredulously.
Harry shrugged again.
"It's really no big deal."
Murtagh sucked in a calming breath. Then he realized.
"You have never celebrated your birthday, have you?"
Harry shook his head.
"The only reason why I know when my birthday is, is because the Dursleys had to put it down when signing me up for primary school, and I accidentally saw them filling out the forms."
Murtagh sighed. Part of him wasn't surprised this was the case.
"Really, it's no big deal." Harry repeated. "I've only really gotten anything for my birthday in the past few years, since I've started Hogwarts. But I don't see what's so special about it."
"Oh, Harry." Murtagh began. "The day that you were born was, quite possibly, both the happiest and saddest day of my life."
"Oh." Harry replied, blinking. "Still, is it okay if we don't make a big deal out of it? I mean, a couple presents sounds okay. And hey, weren't you going to have me tested by the dragon eggs on my birthday?"
"If that is what you wish." Murtagh replied.
Harry smiled.
"That would be perfect."
"Shall I go and inform Eragon, Sirius and Remus of your wish?"
"Sure." Harry replied, smiling. "I already accidentally told Brinla and Hurzomna about my birthday, but I've also asked for them to not make a big deal out of it."
Murtagh gently squeezed Harry's shoulder. He so wanted to hug him, but their hugs were still either spontaneous or awkward.
"Well, good night." Murtagh said, standing.
"Night." Harry replied, crawling into his bed.
It only took Murtagh about half an hour to gather Eragon, Sirius and Remus in his study.
"Hey, what's with the late-night meeting?" Sirius asked, yawning.
"I have gathered you here to discuss Harry's birthday tomorrow." Murtagh began.
Sirius was instantly awake.
"Oh, great. I've been planning so much, fireworks, a giant cake, still haven't gotten him a mountain of long over-due presents..."
"Harry does not wish for a large celebration." Murtagh interrupted.
The three men blinked in surprise.
"What?" Sirius asked.
Murtagh sighed.
"He has never celebrated his birthday properly..."
"Well, that means we should make it extra special."
Murtagh shook his head.
"No, he has told me he would prefer a smaller celebration with only a few presents. The biggest thing he wants is to be tested."
"Oh, yes, we did plan to test him on his birthday." Eragon said.
"Tested? What do you mean tested?" Sirius asked.
Eragon and Murtagh exchanged a look.
"Tested to see if any of the dragon eggs will hatch for him, making him a rider." Murtagh finally said.
Both Sirius and Remus blinked in surprise.
"Wait, a dragon rider? You mean like the two of you?" Sirius asked.
The two riders nodded.
"Don't you think he's a bit young?" Remus asked.
"Actually, most of our new riders are around his age." Eragon retorted.
"Are you sure he's ready?" Sirius retorted.
"It was what he wanted." Murtagh replied. "We gave him the option, and it was his choice to make. And anyway, I believe that he has more than proved himself ready."
"If he became a rider, then he will have a constant companion, someone who will be bonded to him in both mind and soul. Someone who he can confide in and who will be loyal to him no matter what." Eragon continued.
The two wizards exchanged a long look. Finally, Remus sighed.
"If this is what Harry wants." He said.
Murtagh smiled.
"It's not even certain that he will become a rider." He said.
"Though he has more than proved himself worthy." Eragon retorted.
"Well, we shall know this time tomorrow."
And with that, the four men parted for their respective rooms.