Harry fought against what was dragging him but it was much stronger than he was. All around Harry were the fluttering colors. It looked like the Northern Lights Luna had mentioned seeing on her trips to Sweden to find a Crumple Horned Snorkack.
Harry placed his hands on the slimy surface that was wrapped around him. He channeled his magic through his palms and hit it with a blasting curse. This caused the tentacle, or whatever it was, to let him go.
Harry stood on a ribbon of light. A grotesque thing screamed in pain. The red tentacle that had grabbed him looked to be a tongue. Dark green blood was dripping off of the end. It looked like it had eyes all over its body.
As the monstrosity advanced on him, Harry pulled out his wand. A chain of blasting, cutting, and organ rupturing curses sped their way towards the beast. When a bone vanishing hex hit it, the carapace vanished and a cutting curse shredded its brain.
Harry looked around. Where was he? Harry stowed his wand and extended his senses. Spinning around he saw what appeared to be a human looking at him with his arms folded. The man was wearing a brown coat, had green eyes and red hair.
Harry asked, "Where am I?"
"How did you get here?" The man looked intrigued.
"I was dragged here by that thing." Harry pointed to the corpse of what he fought.
The man nodded. "I see. You might be able to help."
"Help with what?" Harry was wary of this entity.
The man nodded. "Yes, you will be able to help quite a bit."
Before Harry could react, the ribbon of light he was standing on grew brighter and snapped. Harry began to fall.
As a bleak landscape appeared beneath him, his exposed skin began to burn like he had been hit with stinging curses. His wand was smoking. Harry put it away. A bubblehead charm activated and Harry could breathe again. Harry pulled on gloves and activated one feature of his robes. They became impermeable and protected his skin. Harry cast a featherweight charm and began controlling his descent with magic. Landing atop a spire of rock, he surveyed what was around him.
There were no plants, no grass, no water. Great. He had landed in the middle of a wasteland.
Harry heard a roar and he saw another beast begin charging its way towards him. It was smaller than what he had faced. Harry waited and hit it with the same chain of spells he had the one that had dragged him through the Veil. The smaller beast fell. Harry looked around. There didn't seem to be any other threats. Harry held out his hand. "Point me civilization."
A green arrow sprung up, spun and pointed to Harry's right. "All right. Let's find out where that guy sent me." Harry began walking. He would occasionally apparate across ravines. He would have flown, but he didn't want to ruin his broom. It wasn't like he could go to Diagon to buy a new one. Harry discovered that Dobby had made sure that there was plenty of food and water in his satchel under stasis charms. After a few days travel, Harry was resting and he saw a dust trail in the distance. Harry used a supersensory charm and saw a rather odd looking vehicle. Harry apparated closer. It was a bus or van of some sort. It had six wheels and what looked like eight grasshopper legs made of metal. Harry apparated again to an overhang. He dropped as it passed his overhang. Using a sticking charm, he adhered himself to the roof. It had to be going somewhere. It was also headed in the direction that his charm had indicated. A few times Harry had seen large things that looked like pillbugs making their way to his conveyance. Harry hit a few with over-powered blasting hexes. This caused some of them to turn and eat the dead creature.
"Great, so they are cannibals." Harry shook his head. What was wrong with this place?
A pair of silver eyes opened. That was Kei energy, but different. She looked around. Since there were people awake, she didn't want to use her nen'i. Besides, if a Military Artist was guarding the bus, who was she to complain?
As a few more days passed, Harry was amazed at what the vehicle could get around.
His eyes practically bugged out of his head at what he saw as they rounded a turn. The rising sun showed the massive construction. It was big, it was moving, and it looked like a city on legs. Harry blinked repeatedly as he processed this information. The vehicle had been a big clue, as had those creatures, but now Harry knew he was not anywhere on earth.
As they drew near, Harry could feel a powerful magical force around the city. He could also feel numerous magical signatures. There were more than all of Hogwarts. There were also normal humans mixed in. Maybe magic wasn't hidden and was well known. That would help him blend in.
The vehicle drove into an opening at the base of one of the legs. Harry was amazed at what he saw. He quickly disillusioned himself before anyone would see him. As he saw people disembark, Harry knew he would fit in. However, seeing a boy with blue hair was a shock to Harry. A small girl slipped and hit Harry, ending his disillusion. Harry helped her stand. She had silver hair and eyes. A pink shimmer was seen in the girl's long hair. "Are you alright?"
The girl looked at him oddly. "I do not know. My name is Felli Loss."
Before Harry could respond, an older boy came up. There was a familial resemblance. He hugged the small girl. "Felli! It is so good to see that you arrived in Zuellni."
The girl looked irritated. "Kalian. How are you doing brother?"
Harry took the time to walk away. Two pairs of silver eyes watched him leave. One was curious, the other dismissive.
As Harry made his way around the city, he noticed that most of the populace was all in their upper teens or early twenties. Harry decided that he needed two things. Money and information. Information was top priority.
Harry found his way to a small library. Looking at the history of the world, he discovered that sometime in the past, something called Contaminoids had appeared and began spreading. Their strengths had led to people who could harness something similar to magic, called Kei in this world, being trained how to combat them. Harry sat back. He also looked up Zuellni. It was a mobile academic city, useful in training Kei users and normal humans alike. After reading for most of the day, Harry left the library and took a walk. The city's movement was slow, and slightly offsetting to Harry. He figured he would get used to it.
As the sun was setting, he was walking and saw the young girl who had bumped into him earlier. She was now wearing a white coat and skirt. She seemed depressed. Pink light was emanating from her hair. What looked to be flower petals drifted and dissipated in the breeze. She turned to face Harry as he stood watching the display.
"It's not nice to stare."
Harry smiled. "It looked pretty. There is so little beauty outside the city. I apologize if you found it insulting."
The girl blinked again. She went back to staring at the water.
Harry walked closer. "Mind if I sit?"
The girl shrugged. "It doesn't matter."
Harry sat close enough to the girl that they could talk. "What seems to be the problem?"
"Why would you care?"
Harry shrugged. "I just don't like seeing kids sad."
The girl turned to Harry. "I'm sixteen!"
Harry blinked. Maybe people aged differently here.
Harry could see the hurt in her eyes. "I apologize. I didn't know. I am too. You seem sad about something. Do you want to talk about it?"
The girl was quiet for a long moment before she began speaking. "It's my brother. He's the Student Council President."
Harry thought back over his recently gained knowledge. That meant he controlled the city.
"He convinced my parents to enroll me here at Zuellni so I could learn to control my nen'i."
Harry resolved to look up nen'i the next day. He had only read about kei. Harry nodded. "Let me guess, now that you are here he's trying to order you around?"
A nod was the girl's only response.
Harry thought for a moment. She had powerful reserves compared to others he had felt. "Is it because you have more nen'i than is usual?"
The girl looked at Harry in shock, and then nodded.
Harry continued, "What did he do?"
"He enrolled me in the Military Arts program. I don't want to, but I have no choice. My brother is both manipulative and smart."
Harry looked at the younger girl. "When someone with more power than you forces you into a situation, fighting back is difficult." Harry smiled. "But, it can be done."
Felli looked at the odd black-haired boy. "What do you mean?"
Harry shrugged. "Two red-haired menaces once taught me that sometimes if you can't beat someone; make them wish they had never gone against you. He's your brother right?"
Felli nodded.
"Then you know what his buttons are. If he wants you to go left, go right. Join a club that he disapproves of, heck, kick him in the shins from time to time."
This caused the stoic girl's mouth to twitch upwards.
Harry looked out over the water. "I know very well that life throws situations at us that don't always make sense or aren't ideal. The only thing you can do is keep trying. Sometimes you will succeed, but if you always get back up from your failures, you haven't lost."
Felli turned to the odd boy. "What is your name?"
Harry turned to the smaller girl. "Harry Potter."
Felli stood. "Thanks for the talk Harry Potter." As she reached the edge of the bridge, she turned. "I never thought I would meet someone who could use both kei and nen'i. It is supposed to be impossible. Don't let my brother find out."
Harry nodded.
"Do you mind if I find you again if I need to talk?"
Harry shrugged. "Fine by me."
Harry found a small park and slept in one of the trees. It was a more comfortable bed than he had after some of the fights with Riddle.
The next day, Harry returned to the library and looked up nen'i and kei in greater detail. It seemed it was close to magic, but had stricter limits on what it could or couldn't do. Some of the techniques were very interesting and resonated well with the battle magic he had learned. Harry had used abilities from both types. Although he was curious about psychrometry. He wondered if it could be learned.
After he had seen the various forms of currency, Harry transfigured some paper to have the necessary imagery. He poured enough power into it that it should last for a very long time. Harry bought a small building that was badly damaged. Apparently there had been a municipal battle around a month ago, and it hadn't been repaired. The owner had left Zuellni and sold it to the bank. It was a small shop with an apartment overhead. It even had a small yard behind it.
After dark, Harry cast a few repair spells and the building was quickly back in good shape. He placed an illusion over it seeming like it was under construction so no one would ask too many questions. In the back of the shop, Harry found a rather well furnished kitchen. Apparently, it was a café of some sort. Repaired tables and chairs clustered in the space.
Harry conjured himself a mattress and fell asleep.
Over the next few days, Harry bought supplies. Luna had suggested that Harry should become a professional chef. Harry smiled. Dobby had taught him quite a bit about cooking. He had even used some elfin magic to pass on things that couldn't be described, like what smells showed that something was done, or what a final product should taste like.
Harry had always used slight transfiguration in his cooking. He changed the meat to be tender, the breads to be more flavorful. After he had erected some wards to keep his magic use secret, Harry took the day and enchanted some beverage containers to make the water actually taste good. The chemicals used to sanitize it made it like water from a pool.
As Harry was planting both an herb and vegetable garden, pink petals spun in the air by his head. He heard Felli's voice. "I found you. I didn't think it would be difficult, but it was. Can I come by after class? My brother is being is being controlling again."
Harry was intrigued by the spinning petals. "Sure. That works."
Felli walked through the gate and was amazed at what she saw. The previously overgrown space radiated love and care.
"This is amazing Harry. What are you growing?"
Harry shrugged. "Just some herbs and vegetables. Nothing too special."
Felli nodded. She then noticed that here, her mind didn't seem assaulted. It was as if the world was muted somehow.
Harry planted another tomato. Pale hands took the spade and dug a hole. Harry pointed to a spot about a handwith away. "The next one goes there."
Once the plants were all in the ground, Harry and Felli went into the shop.
Felli washed her hands and watched as Harry made a platter of sandwiches.
Harry sat back at the table. "So what is your brother doing now?"
Felli huffed. "I'll show you." Felli pulled out a small white box. "Restoration."
Harry felt a brief pulse of odd magic and the little box shifted into a scepter. It had what looked like petals running the length.
"Kalian had this made for me and wants me to join a platoon. I don't like fighting."
Harry smiled. "I didn't like it either. But I was forced into it."
Seeing Felli's confused look Harry shook his head. "Try the sandwich."
Felli took a bite and was shocked. It was amazing. Felli quickly finished it off.
Harry was smiling at the girl's reaction. "So I take it that you like it?"
Felli nodded and held out her plate. Harry put another down.
"I'm planning on opening a sandwich shop. There aren't really any around."
Felli took more time on her second sandwich and asked, "What do you think I should do?"
Harry shrugged. "Your brother is in control of the city. Can he assign you to a platoon?"
Felli shook her head. "No. I wish I could kick him. I tried, but it hurts. He just laughed."
Harry smirked. "Give me a moment." Harry took a simple piece of string he had bought to tie up future orders. He held it in his hands and a green glow surrounded it.
Felli was shocked. Harry was imbuing both nen'i and kei into the string. What was he doing? How was that possible?
Harry handed the girl the string. "Tie that around your ankle. Then kick him. The reaction will be better."
Felli looked confused.
"Just trust me."
Felli put the string in her pocket. "If you open a shop, I will order a sandwich a day. That is better than anything the school can make. Can you deliver it to me at school?"
Harry smiled. "Sure."
A few days later, Harry opened the Marauder's Den. The first day was a lot of people trying out the new restaurant. Before he opened, Harry had to make a delivery. He apparated to the campus. A cluster of petals appeared a few minutes later. "Harry. I will be there in a moment."
Harry waited and Felli came walking out of a building. "I'm glad you remembered."
Harry exchanged a wrapped sandwich for a few bills. "Of course. I do have to get back to work Felli. Same time tomorrow?"
Felli nodded, her mouth began watering at the smells the simple sandwich was emanating. It was slightly warm. It should have cooled in the interim.
Harry popped back into the back room of the shop. When he re-opened the doors, the crowd was still there. Harry smirked. He had handed out samples the previous day. It looked like the plan had worked.
After a few hours, Harry actually had run out of food to sell. This disappointed the crowd. Harry promised to have more tomorrow.
After visiting the baker for more bread to be delivered the next day, Harry also made agreements with a vegetable grocer, butcher, and a cheese shop. They all had been given samples of his work and were enthusiastic about being linked to the shop.
Pink petals visited Harry as he cleaned his café saying that whatever he had done with the thread was enough to cause Kalian to jump up and down, holding his shin for at least fifteen minutes. The girl's voice seemed satisfied.
Life progressed like that for some time. The butcher began pestering Harry about his techniques to turn his simple meats into what graced the sandwiches. It was the same with his other suppliers. Harry would just smile and say it was a family secret.
One day, during his delivery to the Academy, Kalian was with Felli. Harry had sandwiches for other students as well. After selling his wares to the students, Harry gave Felli her order.
Kalian spoke up. His voice was warm and genial. Harry had been told on many occasions her brother's level of manipulation. "Might I ask if I could purchase one as well?"
Felli had overheard her brother saying that he had wanted to try one of Harry's sandwiches. At Felli's request, Harry had made an extra special sandwich for Kalian. It stayed in his satchel under stasis charms until this would happen.
Harry felt around in the pack, and pulled out what he had prepared for the boy. "I'm afraid that I only have the one. The student who ordered it hasn't shown up. It was a special order and is rather spicy. I could sell it to you."
The boy waved it off and handed over the money. "Spicy doesn't bother me. A lot of the students place orders through your shop, but you only deliver fifty per day. May I ask why?"
Harry smiled. "That way I can make deliveries, run my shop, and cater to the clientele that I have."
"You could hire a delivery person."
Harry shook his head. "I'm still getting my business on its feet. Maybe in the near future. Besides, I like talking to the students. Sometimes I get ideas to make things better. A delivery person wouldn't do that." Harry turned to Felli. "In fact, Felli here suggested that I start delivering some of my specialty drinks. I'm still working on the best way to do that."
Kalian turned a calculating gaze on the boy. "What if we moved your business closer to the school?"
Harry smiled. "It took some time to find good suppliers. I already have business agreements with some of my neighbors. They deliver at a set time every day. Increasing that distance would cost more for them and me. With what goes into preparing my ingredients, I wouldn't want to find new ones and possibly not get the same results and have to charge more. Besides, the Den overlooks the lake. It's great for the customers. They love being able to sit, eat, and relax. They might not like a change of scenery."
"Are the students not your customers as well?"
Harry smiled. "Of course they are. But it is the students who appreciate the location the best. In fact, ask the twelfth platoon about it. They are there almost every day. They say that it's nice to get away for a bit after training. Other platoons visit and say the same thing. Is relaxation not important for both students and warriors? They would lose that benefit if I moved my business. That is if I even was able to maintain the same level of customers."
From the look on Kalian's face, and Felli's subtle nod, Harry had shut down every avenue that Kalian might use to get what he wanted.
Harry decided to throw the boy a bone. "Tell Felli what kind of meal you want tomorrow. She has a standing order she put in before I even opened. I'll toss yours on as a favor to her."
Harry nodded to Felli. "See you tomorrow."
Kalian noted his sister's blush and turned to face the black haired teen. Who was this Harry? What was the boy doing to his sister? His mind was drawn from those questions as the heat of the sandwich took him by surprise. Kalian took off running, looking for something, anything, to take the burning away. What he didn't know was that Harry had transfigured some of the spices into pure capsaicin. Kalian was in for a rough day and even worse night.
Later that week, after Harry had finished for the day, Kallian and his secretaries were still sitting at a table.
Felli ignored her brother's presence, walked in, and sat down at a table with her name on a card. Harry gave her a glass of his latest concoction. He was trying various powders to add to the water to make chocolate milk. Tranfiguring existing drink mixes was cheaper than buying the expensive substance. Felli was his taste tester. She insisted on it.
Kalian watched the interaction with curiosity. Regular customers said that it was a normal occurrence. They said that Harry insisted that he and Felli were just friends. The view was peaceful. Something about the way things were set up gave the small restaurant a very homey feeling. The patrons didn't even complain when Harry explained that today had been busier than he had expected and that all he had left were drinks. Regardless of the hustle and bustle, everyone was still relaxed. Kalian hadn't felt so peaceful since he left the Trade City Santo Brug. His nen'i using secretary seemed like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. He saw his normally stoic sister actually seem like a normal girl. At least, until she noticed he was looking at her. Even the normally wound up and serious members of the 16th platoon were smiling and not serious. When Kalian spoke to them, they said that most of the platoons would come here frequently, and every platoon visited at least once a month. Maybe Harry had been right. All of the students knew that there was only one sernium mine left for the city. They needed a place to unwind.
While Kalian had decided to not have Harry move closer to school, they still couldn't find any information on him. Kalian knew that Harry had come to Zuellni on the same travelling bus as Felli, but he wasn't on the passenger list. Any questions he asked his sister about the sandwich maker were met with a cold and aloof stare. Usually followed by a rather solid kick to the shins. Kalian wondered how the girl's kicks had become so much harder. If he didn't know any better, she was using augmented kei energy. That was impossible for a nen'i user like his sister.
Kalian finished his drink and stood. He would solve the mystery of Harry Potter.
