Hermione glanced at her watch, glaring at the time. Waiting for someone was never fun, especially when she was sitting on possibly life changing information. Her gaze switched to the doors, and turned almost begging. Since Harry had come back after talking with Dumbledore last week, Hermione had been searching the Black Library, avoiding the deadly books, searching for any trace of something that could help her childhood friend. Harry Potter, probable savior of the wizarding world, was sinking further and further into depression. Not that she blamed the green eyed wizard. As she closed her eyes, flashes of the past two weeks came back to her. The veil that predicted only death, the threasals that were the symbols of death, none of the images were pleasant. Which is why she was here.
Opening her eyes, she stared lovingly around her, the Black Library was one of the largest she had seen, rivaling only the Hogwarts Library. This was where she found the slightest trace of what she was looking for. Glancing at the clothe bound book, she would not have guessed that the harmless looking book would hold the keys that she needed. Legends from Long Ago seemed to be about as likely to be a savior as the young boy entering the library now, meeting her.
Harry Potter was barely living. Not only had he recently lost the only person to ever be a father to him in his memory, but that same day, in almost the same hour, he learnt that he had to find someway of beating a mass murderer named Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort. He had barely slept the nights since, as he was constantly haunted by dreams of either his death, or his godfather's.
Harry had a prophecy proving that the final battle would be either him or Voldemort winning. That was why Hermione had been in the library all this time. He had told her about the prophecy, including the only thing that could turn the situation in his favour, a power that Voldemort would know not. He had gotten Hermione's note only few minutes previously, saying to meet him in the library. He could only assume that she had found something. Staring at the brunette across from him, and waited for her to speak.
"I think I might have found the power he knows not." Silence fell over them as Harry absorbed her last statement.
"What do you mean?" He spoke, his voice sounding weak.
"Well, according to Legends from Long Ago -"
"You're referring to a legend?"
She sighed, knowing that this might be hard to sell to him. "Yes, just like the Chamber of Secrets was a legend, I found this one, which seems to be based mostly in fact; however I think the powers were over-exaggerated. The legend speaks of a secret sect, with the power over all of the elements. Fire, Air, Earth and Water. They rarely taught outsiders."
"So how is this idea a result?"
"I haven't finished. They died off about two centuries ago." Harry shot her a questioning look, and she responded with a glare. "If you would allow me to finish, they had died off, however, there is word of a missing member. I've narrowed down the area that the member would be in, but I cannot go myself."
Harry blinked in astonishment. "You're telling me that you have once again found something that has been lost for centuries in a week." Hermione nodded.
"The missing person should be in the mountainous plains in the Middle East, probably around the magical version of Thebes."
"How did they survive, they would have to be over two hundred years old."
"I have no idea; my only guess is that the powers make you immortal."
"This is a wonderful plan and all Hermione; however, I think you have forgotten something. I'm kind of stuck at Headquarters, and can't leave on my own."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione grinned, "Must you assume the worst of me. I have figured out your escape plan, as well as how you are going to get to Thebes. Have you no faith in me?"
Harry grinned widely, for the first time in what felt like months. "So oh wise one, tell me, how do I escape?"
It took only two days for the duo to implement Hermione's plan. As the first rays of sunshine were peaking into the hidden home that was Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry was gone, and in his place was a bundle of leaves Hermione had conjured. Harry, after having packed all of his worldly belongings (Invisibility cloak, wand, two extra changes of clothing, a map of the area he would travel and his photo album), slipped out of the household through his window, closing it with his foot. Hermione had warned him not to use magic unless he truly needed it. This is why he was handing on to the rafters of the house for dear life. Slipping slightly, he firmed his resolve, and swung his body onto the roof. He normally would have been worried about being seen; only Hermione had cast a time-release disillusionment charm on himself.
Harry glanced down and swallowed heavily. The height was nothing compared to how high he had gotten on his broom. However, that was on a broom, and this was free-fall, and would make or break (literally) whether or not he would be able to continue his crazy adventure. He took a deep breath, gathered his Gryffindor courage, and he jumped.
Keeping his eyes on the rapidly approaching ground, he tensed himself, trusting that the charms that Hermione cast on him would work. He hit the ground and rolled. Getting up, he took stock of his body, a common occurrence for one Harry James Potter, and began running towards downtown London, careful to avoid anything solid. He may be invisible, but he could still be felt.
Finding the Leaky Cauldron was simple and quick. He entered the small pub and exited out the other side. So far, he felt as if he was not being followed, but did not have the experience to be entirely certain. He walked briskly to the tall gleaming building down the street. Gringotts normally would not be on his list of things to do, but Hermione had researched the cost of an international portkey, and found them to be a bit outside of what change Harry had currently.
After a few moments, Harry exited the building, grinning. The goblins had given him a large cloak, effectively hiding him from on lookers. The goblins also had provided him with a cover, having another walk around like Harry Potter, who would wander the shops until mysteriously vanishing, in case there was someone following him. Making his way to the portkey shop, he opened the door. The shopkeeper looked at him, and his eyes widened.
"What can I help you with today, sir?" The man asked, looking slightly fearful. Since the ministry had officially declared Voldemort back, a man covering his face was bad news.
"I wish for a portkey to Thebes." Harry spoke, imitating the Bloody Baron like he had when he was in his first year. The man blinked.
"I can do that for you, however it will cost a fair amount." The man named off a price. Harry grinned to himself. The price was still fairly expensive, only he now had the scary man discount, making it half price.
"That will be acceptable." Harry intoned, "When can it be done?"
"I need about five minutes to confirm with the opposing end in Turkey, but after that it will be only about another minute." The shopkeeper mumbled, hoping that he would survive this experience.
"Acceptable. Begin." The shopkeeper burst into action at the words. Harry stood, waiting patiently, going over the plans that Hermione had made. He took out the topographical map, and glanced at it. According to Hermione, the missing member of the Sect of Balance would probably be in a mountain, which should be somewhere around a body of water. Spotting a spring of water on the map, Harry marked that mountain as the first he would search.
"Sir, your portkey is ready. It will go off in a minute." The shopkeeper said, before turning away from the man and exiting to a back room. Harry took the small object and waited for the familiar tug on his navel.
Hermione hid from the rest of the household in one of the darker corners of the Black Library. She was waiting for the signaling sound that Harry had been found missing. Sighing, she wished that she could travel with her friend. However she was needed here, for when the Weasley's returned from visiting Charlie. She was also here because of all that she read about the missing member of the sect, she realized that if she traveled with Harry, the member would not accept him as an apprentice. Harry needed to figure this out himself.
"He's gone!" A voice cried in the hall. The sound had been made. She made her way to the fireplace, holding the book carefully in her hands. It was for the best. They could not know where Harry was going, or why. She closed her eyes and tossed the book Legends through the Ages into the fireplace, along with all of her notes, except one. It was a note to her, telling her what she had done, giving no idea of where Harry was. She wrapped her hand around her wand, clutching it tightly.
She pointed the stick to her head, and concentrated on the memories of finding the book. She whispered the incantation, a bright white light hitting her head. Her last thought before collapsing was that she hoped she had done the right thing.
Harry landed with a loud thud as he hit the ground hard. His cloak came off slightly, making his clothing visible. He attempted to clear his head, and at the same time, take account of his body. Nothing seemed broken.
A voice spoke, words he did not understand or comprehend. The voice spoke a second time, before growling and shooting a spell at the young wizard. Harry didn't have enough energy to dodge, so he let it hit him. The voice spoke a third time, and this time Harry understood.
"Get up, ignorant swine! Another portkey will be coming in at any second, and I prefer not having to clean up your bloodstains." Harry got up quickly, his head spinning. He apologized to the man before walking out of the portkey area. He turned to exit the building and realized that he was outside. Glancing around, he saw a market, similar to Diagon Alley. There was a difference in the market, but he could not determine what it was. Walking forward, he walked down the street, stopping only to show someone the map and ask for directions. He picked up breakfast of sorts, even though the sun was high enough for it to be considered lunch. He forgot about the different time zones.
Following the instructions lead him to the outskirts of the town. He ducked off the road and took off the large bulky cloak. He tucked it into his pack before walking back on the road. He walked slowly, savoring the time that he was not watched carefully. No one that had seen him recognized him. He looked around again and frowned. Nothing looked like the direction giver said it would. He stopped another traveler, going the opposite way, and asked for directions.
The man he stopped looked at him in horror. "You want to go to the haunted mountain?" He cried, staring at Harry as if he was crazy.
"Yeah, I do. How do I get there?" Harry said, condescendingly. The man gave Harry another incredulous look before giving Harry the instructions, somewhat in shock. Harry nodded, repeating the instructions back to him, and thanked him.
"Before you go, I must warn you. The mountain that you wish to travel is entirely haunted. The village at the base of the mountain claims that a woman cries come from the mountains at sundown and when the moon is full. However, when they send up search parties, no one is ever found." The man's eyes widened. "My brother-in-law, he went up the mountain alone, against the law, and found something that no one else ever found. They found him at the base of the mountain, his clothes were burnt, and he was covered in dust. Stranger, I do not know why you wish to go up the mountain, but I beg of you to be careful if you must."
Harry stared at him in shock. "I'll try to be careful." Harry said, thinking what has Hermione gotten me into now? The man nodded at Harry before continuing on his way, satisfied that he would not send a foreigner off into peril unknowingly. Harry watched the man's back as he faded into the distance. He shook himself, claiming that the stories he told him were just superstition nonsense. He continued to follow the path that the man had shown him, and made haste. He arrived at the base of the mountain by nightfall. He made a quick camp at the base of the path and fell asleep with relative ease. Judging how high the mountain looked, he would be able to arrive at the top by the next day.
When he woke up the next morning, there was a serpent waiting for him on his chest. He screamed out loud and attempted to back up, only to find that he was cornered. He slept with his head towards the mountain.
=Stupid human.= the snake said. It took Harry a few moments for him to comprehend that the snake was indeed talking about him, and that his ability to understand snake speech was still working.
=What are you doing?= Harry asked, getting up. The snake appeared to roll its eyes.
=Stupid human. I am speaking to you.=
=How did you know I can speak parseltongue?=
=You speak it in your sleep.= Harry blinked, unaware of this new discovery. Could it have something to do with his dream? What did he dream about?