One Tin Soldier

Chapter 26: All the Secrets

A week after Halloween, Harry was studying in the library with Luna when Professor McGonagall came looking for him.

"Lord Potter, the headmaster informed me that you are carrying a sword. He wants it confiscated and turned over to him," she demanded tartly extending her hand.

Harry sighed. This was getting ridiculous. "Madam, as I have told him repeatedly, I do not carry a sword. And even if I did, I would still refuse to give the headmaster the time of day, let alone any weapon I might have."

How insulting! Muramasa was as many levels above a simple sword as a lion is above an alley cat. Besides, Muramasa has fully bonded with him and he refused to hand over part of his soul to anyone. Muramasa purred in the back of his mind as Harry refused to yield him to the professor's demands.

"Be that as it may, we canna allow students tae carry lethal weapons in tha school," she countered, once more holding out her hand imperiously. "I'm waiting Mr. Potter."

Harry stood, ignoring her out-stretched hand and looked her coldly in the eye. "Madam, every student in this school carries a lethal weapon. Including you and the rest of the staff here. As such I fail to see the reason for your demand."

"I beg your pardon? I most certainly do not carry a weapon!"

"Do you, or do you not, carry a wand, madam? Do you not teach spells and curses with them? And do not feed me that gibberish about the difference between 'light' and 'dark' magic.

"Surely you know that magic is all about intent? A light spell can do just as much harm as a dark one, if the intent to harm is there. Is not spell casting supposedly forbidden in the hallways for this reason? When you start demanding everyone turn in their wands, then I will think about it. And for the last time, I do not carry a sword!"

"I'll nae be lectured to by a student, Mr. Potter!" she snapped, her Scottish burr growing stronger with her anger at his defiance. "I am still waiting."

Harry gathered up the books and notes he'd been studying. "And wait you shall. I refuse to be bullied into trying to give up something I don't have, Madam!

"I shall say this only once: The headmaster is confused, possibly senile. I do NOT carry a sword. What I do have is a soul-bonded katana spirit. To allow it to be touched by anyone that isn't his proper master is a deadly insult that will result in the offender's blood being shed. My honor would demand nothing less for me to call blood feud on the fool, and meet them on the dueling platform. Good day Madam."

"I am not through with you Mr. Potter!" the professor called after him. "Detention! Fifty points from Gryffindor!"

Harry left the library with a dismissive wave, leaving behind dumbstruck students who had witnessed the confrontation.

~~

Albus Dumbledore frowned as he got Minerva's latest report. Harry still refused to turn over that damn sword! He couldn't deny that he was very curious and wanted to examine it. He had, after all, witnessed that orange-haired teen wield his huge blade with ease.

Albus was sure Harry's sword came from the same magical source. He needed to study it further, surely such a powerful sword would better serve in his hands in defense of the Light. However, not even the threat of expulsion could make Harry give it up it seemed.

Albus was now certain that those strange men were Japanese, and that caused him to frown even more.

Japan's magical community closely guarded its secrets. The magic they used was some of the most powerful and restricted he had heard of. If it wasn't permitted for outsiders, then how did Harry learn it?