This is the new Version of No Longer Alone, a crossover between Harry Potter and Valdemar. If you want to read the previous version, you can, but it will have little bearing on this story, apart from sharing a similar-ish plot-line. And so, on to the Prologue!
The forest was filled with life, that night. The beasts of the earth were filled with peace and remained undisturbed as a small group of humans traversed an un-beaten path. The birds sang as if to welcome the travelers home.
A short young man with black hair led the group of six along the trail. He and all the others but one rode astride gleaming white horses with intelligent blue eyes. The one who did not was also the only one not dressed in a white uniform; she rode a beautiful chestnut, and her uniform was a calming green. The group chatted and laughed as they travelled, and it was obvious to their observer that they were all great friends.
The observer lost sight of the group as the youth in the lead suddenly turned off of the path to follow a near-invisible deer trail, and the others quickly fell silent and followed him. They soon came out of the forest to a large hill in a clearing. The group dismounted their steeds, and left them to graze as the climbed to the top of the hill. The view from the hilltop was spectacular; a person could see a panorama of the forest on either side of them, and directly ahead stood a magnificent castle.
"It's been a long time since we were home." The youth said, breaking the silence that had descended upon the group since it had left the path. "I had missed this place so much, but now... I almost dread returning. We are all very different from when we left."
The red-headed young woman at his side touched his shoulder. "Yes, we are all different. We have all changed, and those who used to know us well will find that we are not the same people they once knew. This is when we will find out who our real friends of this world are; they will accept us as we are, accept the different people we have become. I suspect many students will have a hard time with that." She turned to the blond youth on her other side. "You two will, I think, have the hardest time of us all."
The blond snorted. "Beloved, that is the greatest understatement I have heard in a long time. If I am not rejected as my father's son offhand, that would be incredible. If our great leader is not pressured into becoming the saviour of this world, that would be a miracle. But both together? My dear, you might as well wish for a star."
The brunette on the leader's other side commented, "Why would they think you to be your father's son? You are a Herald now."
The leader turned to her and answered. "Yes, dearheart. We are all Heralds, but the people of this world do not know what that means. They do not understand that a Herald cannot be anything other than honorable. They cannot even begin to comprehend the reason why it is impossible for us to be corrupt. So no matter what we say, our little Dragon will be viewed through rose-tinted glasses. Our word that he is not like that, even our sworn word as a Herald, will have no sway over these people." He turned to look at the blond man, even though he addressed the woman at his side. "He must prove himself through his actions, again and again and again."
The oldest of the group, a tall man whose dark hair had white streaks running through it, added, "Even them, Draco, some will not believe. Some will never believe."
Draco nodded. "Speaking from experience, Severus?" He asked wryly.
"Yes." Severus answered shortly. The matronly woman in green at his side touched his arm gently, and he relaxed into her touch and smiled at her.
Silence fell over the group until the brunette woman pointed up and exclaimed, "A firebird! I didn't think you had any in this world!"
The leader laughed and explained, "Dearheart, that's Fawkes. He is a Phoenix that is bonded to Dumbledore, headmaster of the school we see ahead of us. That castle is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Fawkes is probably on the lookout for us. Let's see if he'll come down. Would you mind, Draco?"
The blond nodded and closed his eyes. He quickly reopened them and said, "He'll be right down. He says the Dumbledore is anxious to see you again."
"He would be!" The redhead at Draco's side swore vehemently. "With everything he's done..."
"Easy, Ginny." Draco cut into her tirade. "That's all in the past, my love. Control your temper, or you might bring the forest down around us!" He said jokingly, but his words rang with an element of warning as well. Any further discussion was cut off as Fawkes flew down to land on Draco's outstretched arm. He preened as everyone gathered around, admiring his beautiful plumage.
"You're right, beloved. This Fawkes is not like the firebirds back home. There is something more... sentient about him." The brunette remarked to the leader of the group. "He is beautiful. Draco... would he mind if I petted him?"
Draco laughed. "Not at all, Ali! He says that he like his crest to be scratched gently."
Ali reached over and gently scratched as instructed. Fawkes let out a trill and leaned into her touch. Everyone grinned as a radiant smile appeared on her face. "He makes beautiful music!"
"Yes he does. However, it is almost evening, and if we want to make it to the castle in time for dinner, we must be on our way. Draco, will he let Dumbledore know we are coming?"
Draco looked into the bird's eyes, and nodded. "Yes, he will head directly to his bonded with news of our arrival."
"Excellent. Thank you."
Draco launched Fawkes into the sky, and almost as one, the group turned to gather their horses; the leader hesitated for a brief moment, gazing upon Hogwarts.
"There were times I never thought I would make it back. Sometimes I didn't want to make it back..." He whispered. Ali came and stood next to him.
"I know, beloved. I have held you as you grieved for the injustice of it all. You, more than anyone else, have been wronged by this world and the people in it. But you also know that there is value in this world, and beauty. And you fight for that- for what little innocence still remains. You fight so that others whose innocence has not been tainted do not have to. You fight so that others do not have to live the life that you have. You fight becuase you are a Herald, and because everything within you cries out for justice."
He smiled at her. "You're right, of course. You know me better than I know myself." He looked at the others, who were already waiting for them. Their two white horses stood quietly at the bottom of the hill, awaiting their riders. "Come on, the others are waiting." He said, and gently grabbed her hand. Together they ran down the hill, smiling and laughing. They vaulted into their saddles, and guided their horses to the rest of the group.
The leader gave one last look back toward the hill, and at Hogwarts beyond it. After nearly five years, Harry Potter was finally returning to Hogwarts.