"Now, how do I craft armor?" Harry asked a few books he'd set aside while practicing his leatherworking. The four tomes were heavy, leather-bound books and should have most everything Harry needed to know about crafting armor within them. Some trial and error with iron should get him the basics down. Then it was only a matter of learning how to apply the Basilisk Scales to the creation process. He was certain his translated Creature Craft Journal had a section involving shields and armor.
"Basilisk Scale Mail sounds kinda cool." Harry chuckled to himself. He wrote a quick note on a spare piece of parchment to get his own measurements as well as Tonks', Penny's, and Fleur's so he could make each of them a Basilisk leather vest. Harry didn't think anything was out to get him at the moment. But that Diary of Voldemort's had proven the mad Wizard still had ways to cause trouble. Plus, he still remembered what Hagrid had said about the Dark Wizard.
"Some say he died; codswallop in my opinion. Nope, I'm sure he's still out there somewhere; too tired to carry on."
"Better safe than sorry." Harry nodded to himself as he picked up the first tome.
-Albania-
"Yes, you've actually done well, Flint." Voldemort chuckled darkly at his only servant.
"Th-thank you, My Lord." Stephen Flint trembled from his kneeling position.
"Re'em Blood, Dragon Blood, Salamander Blood, all three are finally in my possession." Voldemort hissed as he held up the small bottles of each. "Strengthening Solution, Blood-Replenishing Potion, Everlasting Elixirs, and the Potion of All Potential… Yes, this will take some time, but soon enough I'll be free of these Squibs. Free to slowly recover in a Homunculus body, and once I have that it will be merely a matter of time…" The Dark Wizard hissed out.
"U-um a-about that, M-My Lord." Stephen trembled out. "I ha-haven't yet been able to f-find any Thaumatagoria in any Apothecary."
"Then why are you still here?" Voldemort turned his hate-filled red eyes on his terrified servant. "GET OUT AND FIND IT!" Stephen tripped and stumbled over himself in terror as he scrambled away from Voldemort. The tell-tale crack of Apparation followed not long after. "Worthless fool." He hissed out. There was no time to deal with him yet. He had Potions and Elixirs to brew with what he did have. The base ingredient for the Homunculus body he would craft was the cremated ashes of seven Wizards. A dark smirk pulled at the lips of his current host body. Voldemort had plenty of experience with burning the corpses of those foolish enough to get in his way. Once the body was crafted he'd possess it and then the powerful Potions and Elixirs he would brew would come into play.
"Soon… I'll be able to use a wand again." Voldemort intoned. "I'll need to be careful as I regain my lost Magic. While I'm still weakened like this I can't yet call upon those who are beholden to me." A hissing from nearby caught Voldemort's attention. "Ah, Nagini, I trust you had a good hunt." The large snake hissed back at him and Voldemort could only grin. "Yes, once he is no longer useful you may have him."
A malicious chuckling filled the small, warded, stone cottage.
Harry groaned as he left Potions and headed out of the Dungeons. One would think that after more than two years of being a right prick, that Snape would give it a rest. Apparently the greasy, Potions Professor wouldn't be doing that. Even producing flawless Potions only got Harry 'Acceptable' or on rare occasions an 'Exceeds Expectations' in the class. As it stood, Harry had no chance of proceeding to the N.E.W.T. Classes come Sixth Year. Though to be perfectly honest, Harry didn't much care. Potions simply didn't interest him as much as other Branches of Magic. Harry was beginning to wonder if staying for the full seven year course would be worth it.
"Ah, Harry, good to see you." Remus smiled at the teen. It was time for another of their after-class practice sessions. "Are you ready to try the Patronus Charm again?"
"Yeah, I think I have a powerful happy memory now." Harry nodded as the two headed into the empty Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
"Well that's a step in the right direction." Remus encouraged his surrogate nephew with a smile. "Whenever you're ready, Harry."
"Right." Harry pulled out his Holly and Phoenix Feather Wand and recalled the joy he felt when being with his girlfriends over the Yule Break. The love they held for each other. The affection they shared. The gifts he'd been given by them. Harry's heart felt warm just recalling the memories they'd made together. With these memories at the forefront of his mind, Harry cast the Charm. "Expecto Patronum!"
From the tip of Harry's wand a bright silvery-white form emerged. It twisted and twined through the air with a serpentine body. The length and size of the Patronus was impressive for a first time corporeal cast. The Guardian that Harry had conjured was easily five meters long. For a moment Remus thought Harry's Patronus was a snake of some kind. Only when the Guardian stopped twisting and moving through the air did Remus and Harry get a good look at it.
"My word…" Remus breathed out as he looked at Harry's Patronus. The silvery-white Guardian was no snake. It was an Eastern Dragon! A long sinuous body, four limbs with five toes bearing claws, two long whiskers came from its snout, it sported a pair of antler-like horns, and down its long back was a line of glowing white fur.
"I did it…" Harry breathed out happily as he saw his corporeal Patronus for the first time. "Isn't it uncommon to have a Magical Creature as your Patronus?"
"Indeed, Harry, rather rare to be sure." Remus confirmed with the teen.
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