Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, I don't own any of it. Still.
This story is a crossover between Stargate Atlantis and Harry Potter.
Warnings: This story contains slash, impertinence in the face of authority and Marge Dursley. If any of those offend you, don't read on.
Thanks to Phoenix Catcher for his assistance. Check out his stories. I especially recommend Cast Between Worlds. He recently updated and his newest chapter is awesome! I encourage you all to harass him to update again soon!
Wow, I got 40 reviews for the first chapter of this story! That is awesome! Therefore I have decided to update again, ahead of schedule.
For those of you that also read my other story, A Desperate Loneliness, don't worry... I won't neglect it.
Anyway. Enjoy the newest Chapter and...
Please review!
Of Misery and Mystery
Chapter Two
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard had not really understood what Harry meant when he warned that time was not his ally. However, as the hours stretched into days and days into more days, John understood that he was not going to simply become accustomed to this pain. The fire in his body hurt with the same fierceness as when he first felt it. He told them everything about Harry and they decided he wasn't trustworthy. So John accepted their judgment, and the suffering it perpetrated. He did not complain when they took him off active duty. They came to visit him, dutifully, even after Dr. Beckett allowed him to return to his quarters. The visiting dwindled down as the days passed until his only frequent visitor was Teyla Emmagen. She took breakfast with him in his quarters every morning. They didn't talk much. In the evening, they conversed sometimes, but more frequently Teyla told him stories that she'd heard growing up.
The gut wrenching pain was not his only symptom from whatever had transpired between himself and Harry. Every time he slept he was plagued with terrible nightmares. Some of them were from his past, some he remembered after he awoke, some he did not and some where so terrible that John could not imagine that they came from any part of him.
John couldn't decide which was worse between the pain and the nightmares, but he frequently felt so exhausted that he slept more often than not. And he began to despair that the rest of his life would be like this. Every now and then he heard an echo in his mind. John? Harry called to him. Sometimes, Harry screamed in his mind. WHY WILL YOU NOT ANSWER ME? Usually, when John did not respond, Harry left him in peace, but there had been a time or two where John had gone to Dr. Beckett and asked to be sedated claiming the pain was bad. The sedative put John to sleep, and sometimes he thought he preferred the nightmares to the inexplicable guilt that ignoring Harry was creating.
John sighed and shifted in his bed. He'd taken to sleeping atop a sheet, with no other blankets or pillows and only a pair of shorts. His skin was too sensitive to permit much else. He fell asleep, twenty days after Harry had first saved him from the wraith, staring at the ceiling and wondering where Harry was and what he was doing? Was he feeling this pain too? He woke well into the night when Harry called to him with a clarity that startled John out of his sleep.
John?
John closed his eyes and exhaled harshly, forcing himself to ignore Harry. They had agreed that Harry was not to be trusted. He curled up into a tight ball, ignoring the pain it caused him, and for the first time since this had begun, he wept. He gasped for breath as his hysteria spiraled out of control and after a few minutes, he lost consciousness.
He woke slowly to voices at his bedside.
"John…"
"Do only what must be done and no more."
"No."
"No?"
"I will not leave him here."
"Don't be foolish."
"I will not leave him here, Prince."
"Of all the stubborn, hot headed-"
"Look at the state they have left him in! They would accept his death over the offer of help from a stranger!"
John opened his eyes slowly. A young man with green eyes and messy dark hair sat on the edge of his bed. Behind him, a tall man with cold dark eyes and chin length dark hair watched them both, his expression illustrating his displeasure. John turned back to the younger man.
"Harry?"
For a moment, the recognition brought a smile to Harry's face, but then he tilted his head and asked, "John, why have you been ignoring me?"
John sat up carefully, wincing only a few times, "They don't trust you."
"And what about you?"
"I've been wrong before," John admitted, his eyes moving back to the older man. While Harry was dressed in jeans and a sweater, the older man looked like he'd fallen out of another century, "Who is this?"
"We call him Prince. He's my friend."
Prince scowled fiercely, "Enough nattering. Give him the bloody potion."
Harry offered a cored vial full of a dark green liquid to John. Curiously, John uncorked the vial and sniffed the potion. It smelled like rotting flowers. He glanced at Harry.
"What is this?"
"It'll help," Harry promised.
John plugged his nose and downed the potion. He grimaced at the horrible taste, it was worse than it smelled. Almost immediately, the pain began to ebb. After that, John swallowed everything Harry gave him with out comment. John swung his legs around and planted his feet on the ground. He felt no pain. He stood slowly and grinned. His smile calmed as his gaze met Harry's.
"Thank you."
"I'd not thank him yet, he has designs to kidnap you."
Harry ignored Prince and addressed John, "I want you to come back with me."
John's eyes widened in surprise, "What? Where? Why?"
Prince rolled his eyes, "Merlin, he natters on more than you, Harry."
Harry grinned cheekily before responding to John, "I want you to come home with me."
"And where is home?"
"Earth," Harry admitted, "England, if you want me to be specific."
"Why? How?"
"Is it a muggle trait to ask more than one question at a time?" Prince inquired drolly.
"Muggle? What's that mean?"
Harry cleared his throat and aimed a warning glance at Prince, "Don't worry about the how. Will you come?"
"Why?" John asked.
Prince watched the exchange with growing amusement. Harry was becoming flustered with the barrage of questions being hurled at him. It was sometime since he had seen the younger man so uncomfortable and he greatly enjoyed it. Harry looked hopefully to Prince once or twice, but the older man only grinned maliciously. Harry's muggle was a force to be reckoned with.
"John, please," Harry all but pleaded, "Just trust me."
"I-"
"This is twice now that I have come to your aid. What more can I do to show you my goodwill?"
"Answer my questions."
Prince snorted.
Harry pointedly ignored Prince, "We will travel through the Atlantis Stargate to Earth. I have a Gate in England at my disposal."
"You have a Stargate?" John asked dubiously, "Where did you find it?"
"It's not as nice as the one in the SGC, but it serves its purpose."
"You know about the SGC? Okay. What are you?"
"That's such a broad question…" Harry replied evasively, a bit of mirth in his tone.
"You're clearly not human. You can talk in my mind and all that," he shook his head, "Are you descendents of the Ancients?"
"I am of the same blood as the builders of this city," Harry admitted reluctantly.
Prince's eyes narrowed at him in disapproval, but he did not speak. He crossed his arms and glowered.
"And that's how you could communicate with me?"
Harry nodded.
"Why did I feel your pain?"
"I didn't close the link between our minds quickly enough."
"Why are you interested in me? Why do you want me to return to Earth with you?"
"I need you near me," he whispered.
"Harry!" Prince pulled him upright and tilted his chin up, studying his green eyes. He shook his head in irritation, "You are not in your rational mind. We must take our leave now."
"I cannot."
"You do not have another option. There is nowhere safe for him."
"Number twelve."
"Don't be an idiot."
"The school?"
"No!" Prince snarled.
"Excuse me-" John began.
"Silence!" Prince snapped.
"Number four," Harry whispered.
Prince tilted his head, "But you despise them."
Harry shrugged.
"This is an unintelligent plan. He is safe here."
"But I-"
"He is safe here," Prince repeatedly gently, "I understand you are upset that they allowed him to continue to suffer so. If you take him with us it may very well be much worse for him."
Harry nodded slowly, but with obvious reluctance, "You're right. We should return home," he closed his eyes, shaking his head fiercely, "Let's go."
"Harry, what's going on?" John demanded.
Harry avoided his gaze, "I have to go. You know how to contact me if you need me."
John concentrated. What, like this? He thought with all his energy in Harry's direction.
Harry jerked back, as if struck. His eyes rolled back and he trembled, before collapsing onto the ground. Prince fell to his knees beside him.
"Shit!"
John's eyes widened, "Harry?" Harry?
Harry jerked once more before his eyes flew open. His gaze met John's. John blinked and when his eyes opened again, he was somewhere else completely. It seemed like a normal enough place, except there was an odd hazy quality to it.
Harry sat before a large desk covered in all sorts of odd trinkets. On the other side of the desk sat an old man with a long beard, half moon spectacles and bright purple robes.
"Harry?" John called.
"Grindelwald hurt me terribly," the man admitted without any pretext, "I was confused for a very long time. I forgot everything that happened before I entered dormata. I came to believe the things I had allowed others to assume about me."
Harry tilted his head, "Albus, what are you trying to tell me?"
"It's about you and Severus."
John reached out for Harry, but his hand passed through empty air, "What the hell is this?" He backed away. The scene in front of his swirled for a moment. John closed his eyes tightly and when he opened them again, he was somewhere else entirely.
"WHO DID THIS TO HER? WHO?"
Harry stood over a squat woman dressed in pink. She was shaking in terror, but her expression was one of deep loathing. A group of people stood off to the side, most staring at the woman with disgust, but a few were staring at Harry in concern.
"ANSWER ME!"
"No one did, Mr. Potter. She did it to herself."
"Harry?" John called, "HARRY? Where am I? What's going?"
"That is a lie!"
She smiled and cleared her throat softly, "Nonsense, Mr. Potter, I have never had a problem with telling lies."
The color drained from Harry's face.
He backed away from the scene and it changed again.
There was barely enough light to see. Harry lay on his stomach, his hands over his head to protect his face. He inched forward in the dirt, amongst the bodies and pieces of bodies. He was covered in blood.
"Oh my god," John stared in horror, "I don't want to see this! Whatever this is!" He turned his face away and saw something completely different.
"Forgive me, Luna, but I can see no alternative than to send you into hiding abroad."
A young woman with blonde hair caught Harry's hands, "To where?"
"I have a friend in America."
"HARRY?"
"Hermione!"
Harry jogged over to a brown haired girl and plucked a book from her arms before pulling her into a hug. She laughed.
"Harry! What is it?"
"I-"he paused and his smile seemed to widen, "Something strange happened."
"Well, yes, you were visiting Luna." Hermione commented.
"I saw someone."
She tilted her head, her brown eyes bright with interest, "What do you mean, you saw someone?"
"I felt something when I saw him. His name is John."
Hermione caught his hand, "Harry, I don't understand what you're going on about."
"I'm connected to him."
"How so?"
JOHN, WHERE ARE YOU?
"Harry!" John called.
"He's-"
JOHN?
"Harry! Can you hear me?" John closed his eyes and focused his thoughts towards Harry. Harry?
Harry?
HARRY?
"Oww. You can open your eyes now."
John opened his eyes slowly. He was once again in Atlantis. Prince and Harry were staring at him. Harry's eyes were bloodshot and there was a trail of dried blood from his nose. Prince was half supporting Harry and seemed to be the only thing keeping the younger man on his feet.
"What… What was that?"
"I warned you not to go wandering in my mind, John."
"Those were your memories?"
Harry nodded.
"But how?"
"Silence!" Prince snapped, he seemed to be ready to continue, but Harry interrupted him.
"Prince, I will speak with John privately for a moment on the balcony and then we will take our leave."
Prince's gaze followed Harry's gesture to the balcony and he nodded curtly, "Do not dawdle. Deal with your muggle and let us be off," Prince snarled irritably.
Harry and John moved out to the balcony and Harry gently shut the doors behind them. He leaned on the railing and stared at the water below for a moment, until John came to stand beside him.
"Harry, what is going on?"
"When the time is right, John."
John frowned, "And when will that be?"
Harry turned to John, but avoided his gaze, "Goodbye, for now."
The door opened quickly, and a man with brown hair and soft blue eyes stood on the threshold and caught Harry's gaze. Inside the room, Prince was conversing with a young man with brilliant red hair. They both looked deeply concerned.
"Remus?"
Remus stepped onto the balcony, "Harry, we have to leave right now."
Harry's eyes widened, "What did you and Ron find?"
"Someone here knows the Old Tongue."
Harry inhaled in surprise, "No."
Prince and Ron joined them on the balcony. Prince exhaled sharply, his anger was obvious, but there was a hint of fear beneath it.
"Prince?" Harry asked tentatively, his eyes glued to John.
"We cannot risk it. He'll have to come with us."
"What??" John demanded.
"Do not speak," Prince snarled.
John opened his mouth, but a voice floated in from the hallway and startled him into silence.
"-weird energy readings from Colonel Sheppard's room. It's probably a glitch."
That was all the warning they had before the door opened and Dr. Rodney McKay entered, followed by two marines. Prince raised a slim, smooth stick made of dark wood.
"Stupefy!"
One of the marines crumpled to the ground. Harry pushed John to the ground and disappeared as the remaining marines opened fire. Ron moved out of the line of fire, his eyes closed as he murmured under his breath. The majority of the bullets missed their target. John looked up as Prince aimed his stick again.
"Stupefy!"
Rodney hit the ground. John tried to move towards him, but in place of Harry, Remus physically prevented him.
"Stay still! He's only stunned."
The firing stopped. One of the marines had caught Harry and was holding him at gun point.
"Lower your weapons!"
"Stand down, marine!" John called, getting to his feet.
The marine spared a short glance for the Colonel. He reached for his radio. Harry elbowed him in the gut and shoved him backwards. He whirled around, raising his stick. The marine recovered and fired his weapon before Harry could. His aim was off. He missed Harry completely and the bullet kept going. It struck Remus in the shoulder and the force of it sent him over the rail of the balcony.
"NO!"
Prince darted forward to grab Harry, but he wasn't fast enough and Harry vaulted over the railing and plunged after Remus. Ron dealt with the marine, stunning them, while Prince and John watched Harry fall at an accelerated rate until he reached Remus. John griped the railing tightly to control the trembling in his hands. He couldn't look away. Harry was unable to stop them completely, but they hit the water at an acceptable speed. Mere moments later, Harry flew out of the water holding Remus to his chest. John gasped in surprise, but neither Prince nor Ron offered a reaction. Harry and Remus floated up to the balcony and Prince took charge of Remus. He gently probed the wound with his stick and poured a few sweet smelling vials of liquid down Remus's throat.
Harry backed away from them, bumping into John. John caught him before he collapsed.
"Harry?"
He stared at Remus, his face pale and his hands shaking. Ron caught Harry's hand.
"Hey. Remus is made of stronger stuff than that."
John didn't take notice of it until he heard Ron speak, but all four men sounded British. Could it be possible there was a secret community of people descended from the Ancients living in Britain?
Harry nodded slowly, but his eyes remained glued to Remus. Remus was still unconscious. Prince growled and aimed his stick at the man's face.
"Ennervate!"
Remus opened his eyes slowly, and looked around for a moment, before he noticed his wound.
"I got shot."
"Oh, really, did you?" Prince remarked snidely, "How is the pain?"
"I feel none."
"I have given the wound no treatment except to stop the blood flow."
"It went clean through, then?"
Prince hesitated, "I do not have the time or skill or remove the bullet."
Remus nodded, examining the wound with distaste, "I understand. Was anyone else hurt?"
Ron shook his head, "No, they're just unconscious."
Remus frowned, "Why am I wet?"
Harry cleared his throat, "You fell."
Remus's sharp brown eyes noticed Harry's wet clothes, "You went after me. Are you okay?"
Harry nodded silently.
Prince took command of the situation, "Ron, take point. Remus, you're responsible for the muggle. Harry, concentrate on getting the Gate dialed. We have fifteen minutes left."
Stepping around the unconscious marines, Ron led the group through Atlantis. The few people they passed, he easily neutralized. They reached the Gate room in good time, but there was a small army of armed muggles between them and the Gate. Prince stepped in front of Harry and Ron in front of John and Remus. Both Prince and Ron drew their strange sticks, shifting in the position easily identifiable as defensive. Remus and Harry both held their sticks, but took no position.
Dr. Elizabeth Weir stepped forward, keeping her hands visible to show she was unarmed, "We'd like a diplomatic solution to this conflict. If you will release Colonel Sheppard-"
"We will not," Prince snarled, "relinquish this man to you. Step aside."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Prince.
Prince sneered, "Hecomes with us or I will obliviate him. He has seen too much. I cannot imagine you will allow me to obliviate him or allow him remain here with an unknown entity lurking about, therefore we must take him."
"By all means," Harry smiled gently.
"Harry," John said quietly, "I cannot go with you. My place is here."
Prince replied equally quietly, but rather maliciously, "No one asked your opinion."
John ignored him, keeping his gaze on Harry, "Harry, please."
Harry sighed, "Its better this way. You don't want him playing with your memories, John, especially not when he's rushed or angry. He'll risk making you forget too much instead of accidentally letting a bit remain."
"Harry-" John objected.
Dr. Weir did not falter, "No. You-"
Harry held up his hand, tightly fisting his strange stick, "Atlantis, protect us!"
A shimmering blue shield appeared around him. He drew Prince, Ron, Remus and John to him and the shield expanded to include them. When John tried to step away, Remus took hold of him and held him still with out exerting himself. Dr. Weir was unable to hide her concern. Prince sneered at her.
"You will let us pass."
"Elizabeth," John spoke gently, "You cannot stop this. It will only escalate. Enough people have already been hurt because of this."
Harry waved his arm and a wormhole formed. Dr. Weir's eyes widened.
"Who are you?"
"We are not to be trifled with!" Prince snarled, "And you need not be concerned with anything aside from that."
John spoke again, desperate to calm the situation, "I am safe with them. Let them pass."
"John-"
"I have to go," he said simply, "I have to know what this all means."
Dr. Weir reached for him, but her hand bounced harmlessly off an invisible shield. John smiled sadly.
"Atlantis is protecting us."
"Where are you going?" She tried.
"We cannot delay any longer," Prince snapped, "Step aside or be removed."
"They won't hurt me."
"John-"
"You would do well to not attempt to confine things that do not belong to you," Harry snarled so suddenly at Dr. Weir that even Prince was startled, "Serpensortia!" Harry raised his hand and a long snake sprung forth from it. Ignoring the fear and confusion in front of him, Harry knelt beside the snake and hissed, "Restrain them."
The snake's head bobbed twice. Harry lifted the snake and flung it at Dr. Weir, only it was no longer a single snake and Dr. Weir was not the only target. In mere moments, every person that stood between them and the gate as held to the ground by a tangle of snakes.
"Do not harm them," Harry commanded the snakes.
"What…" John stared at the scene before him, especially unnerved by the terrified expression on Dr. Weir's face.
Prince took firm hold of his elbow and John was transferred from Remus to Prince, "Remain silent."
John began to object, but Harry's harsh expression robed the very words away. He nodded to Ron and Remus and they went through the Gate first. Prince escorted John up the Gate. He pushed the muggle through, before turning to glance at Harry.
"No! John!"
Harry knelt beside Elizabeth Weir.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Harry," Prince commanded, "come."
Harry nodded to Prince. He stood and looked down at Elizabeth Weir, "He is mine."