Disclaimer: See chapter one. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not.

Chapter 4: Meeting the Neighbors

"Harry! Lad! Rise and Shine! We have company!" Came Merlin's voice.

Aslan?

Harry hurried through his morning routine and bounded down the
stairs. Sitting at the table was a tall, stately person of unknown
age. Harry would have guessed about 25, but he couldn't be sure. The
man was wearing a homespun tunic and tan breeches over which he wore
a blue tabard with the symbol of a golden rampant lion.

"Harry, my lad. Come and meet King Peter. He is here to look you
over."

Harry blinked. A king? Huh? What?

King Peter smiled. "Now Merlin. Don't frighten him. I am just Peter
to my friends."

0o0o0o0

Harry was in awe of King Peter. The man, although a king, was very easy to talk to. He did use formal English with a lot of thees, thous and for-soothes which drove Harry to distraction, but Harry could understand the gist of what he was saying. When Peter learned that Susan Pevensies had became his guardian, the man was overjoyed with the news. He asked Harry all sorts of questions about the lady.

"Why do you want to know these things, sir?" Harry asked, a little suspiciously.

Peter rubbed his chin in thought. "Well, didst she never speak of her family?" he countered. Harry gave a slight nod, not really sure where this was going.

"Forsooth, she is my sister. When Narnia was in its last days, she didst forsake Aslan and renounced her time in Narnia. So she was unable to come to Aslan's Country with the rest of us. Tis a sad thing to walk through life bereft of family and faith."

That statement Harry could relate to as he too walked alone. He had been very grateful that Miss Susan had taken him away from his abusive relatives and given him a true home.

Before Peter left, he arranged a schedule for training. "Aslan wants thee to be as well-trained and as knowledgeable as possible. So expect several noteworthy instructors for training, myself among them."

"But when will I have the time? I mean I do have to return to school?" Harry asked feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Peter smiled. "Are we not in Aslan's Country? Time has no meaning here. He is allowing thee an opportunity to become the man thou wert meant to be. Use it well."

And Harry did just that. It didn't take long for him to go through his studies from first year to fifth. Merlin saw to that for he was an exacting taskmaster. Although Harry did have a few problems with potions. Snape hadn't made learning potions appealing, the snarky professor just about killed any interest he may have had in the art. Merlin at least made the lessons interesting. "Even mistakes have their uses in learning, my boy," the aged wizard would say. "They teach us not to repeat them but also, they open new possibilities as well."

0o0o0o0

"Harry! Lad! Your tutors are here!" Merlin called out.

Harry looked up from weeding the garden to see four people waiting for him. Brushing off the dirt from his clothing, he stepped closer curious about the four figures in shadow. He didn't quite recognize them but he did have the feeling that he should.

"Harry," Merlin explained. "These fine people are the four founders of Hogwarts and your tutors. You will give them the same respect and attention as you would me."

"Yes sir." Harry tried to dust off the dirt as he stared at them. 'Just great. He thought, 'they would come when it was my chore to weed the garden. Bloody Hell.' Harry fought down the urge to hex the amused look off his mentor's face.

Harry's head was reeling. He felt so bewildered. Not only was he staying with Merlin, the four founders of Hogswart were to be his tutors. So who else was going to show up? His parents? King Arthur? He snorted to himself. 'Yeah right. According to Merlin: 'Anything is possible in Aslan's Country'.'

0o0o0o0

Harry was hiding in the ancient apple tree at the far end of Merlin's orchard, trying to come to terms with everything. So many things just didn't make sense. He knew he was here to study and learn but there was more to it, wasn't there? He knew he should be thankful for the time he was spending with Merlin, but it seemed all like a dream.

"Child of Merlin," came a deep, rumbling voice breaking into Harry's thoughts.

"Aslan?" Harry hurriedly climbed out of the tree. The golden lion studied Harry for a moment, making the young wizard nervous.

"You are troubled, child of Merlin."

"Y-yes Sir. Am I dead?"

A loud rumbling sound could be heard. Harry could've sworn Aslan was
laughing at him.

"No, Child of Merlin. You are not dead. You have to return to your world and play out the role Fate has dealt you. I brought you to my country to give you time."

"When do you think I will be returning?"

Aslan didn't answer him but look up into the cloudless sky. When he finally turned his amber gaze back to Harry, he gave a slight nod. "You will know, Child of Merlin. For now, you have much to learn."

"Will I see my parents or Sirius?"

"In time, Child of Merlin. As for your godfather, you will know what to do in time."

Harry blinked and almost swore under his breathe hoping Aslan didn't quite make out the choice words he was uttering.

"Come Child of Merlin," Aslan chuckled softly. "You need a day off from your studies. Climb on my back."

Harry smiled and did as the lion commanded. Soon the majestic lion was cavorting across the endless meadow like a young cub with Harry on his back. Aslan jumped high into the cloudless sky with carefree abandon as a laughing Harry, threw his arms out wide. This was better than flying, Quidditch and magic all rolled together!

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Aslan brought Harry back to Merlin's Keep. "Remember Child of Merlin, even adults have moments that can't be described by words. Never forget what it is to be a child."

Harry dismounted, burying his hands and face into the lion's mane, listening for a moment to the sound of the deep purring emitting from the lion's thick chest. In that moment, everything was right in his world that words just could be expressed, knowing that someone cared.

Merlin was waiting for him at the supper table when Harry entered the cottage.

"Enjoyed your day with Aslan, child?"

Stunned for a moment, Harry stuttered, "H-how. . . ?"

Merlin smiled and shrugged. With a wave of his hand at the food laden table, he said. "Come and eat and tell me about your day."

0o0o0o0

Sorry for the long delay in updating. Life has been a trip and a half. Between family matters, road trips, and health issues, not to mention sewing and everyday living, writing had to take a back seat. Well, Frau and I are back. Hopefully we can update more.

For those interested, I have started a yahoo group (GFFans). You can find the url on my profile. It's kinda dead at the moment, but I hope people will start chatting on it soon.

Thanks for all the lovely reviews. Yes, you will see more of Peter and the founders. I just wanted to introduce them first. Next chapter will be in more detail, hopefully.

Until next time. --GF and The Frau