Chapter Seven: The Crownless King
Nimi moaned slightly as she came to. Something seemed off… runnig a mental scan of herself, checking for any injured body parts, she was shocked to notice she didn't have a headache. Continuing her mental scan and noting that she felt better than she had in a long time, she began to take in her surroundings. She was tucked into an unfamiliar bed, though the pillows had a scent to them that stirred her memory, a scent of pine trees and fresh air and freshly-washed linen. The walls of wherever she was were beige in colour, and were mildly lit by a fire in a small fireplace.
And then came the shock of her life as she turned to her right to see, slumped and asleep in a chair next to the bed, Harry Potter. For a moment she froze, unable to move, and then the imposter woke up. "Nimi?" he breathed hopefully, his eyes catching on her face. "It's really you, isn't it."
"You have no right to call me that," she whispered, ashamed of how broken her voice sounded but unable to do anything to fix it. "And you have no right, no right to pretend to be someone like H-Harry Potter. He was a million times the man you'll ever be, you Death Eating bastard." Her last words were hissed out, and the man had the nerve to laugh.
"It is you," he whispered. "Nimi, can't you feel it?" And now that her head was a little more clear, she found that she could- that tingle in the back of her mind that was unmistakeably Harry. The scent suddenly clicked in her mind- that was Harry's scent on the pillows, Harry's scent through and through. She allowed herself to dare to hope for a moment before quashing it.
"You're dead," she whispered, tears filling her eyes to her utter shame. "I'm just dreaming. It's just another dream…" She had had many of these dreams, though she didn't say so aloud. They all seemed so real- until she woke up.
"What's the last thing you remember?"
She opened her mouth relfexively to say 'getting into bed', but paused as memories rushed passed. Pulling on her slippers, walking down the hallway… falling backwards into a golden portal, collapsing when her headache became too much… her dream…It was just like in her dream, when she had seen herself walking down the hallway and collapsing. Wait. It she had fallen through some sort of portal, a portal that looked oddly like what Harry had fallen through… did that mean…
She looked up at Harry with wonderment in her eyes, and he smiled, tears in his own. "Hey 'Mi," he said quietly. "I missed you." That was all the prompt she needed. Before she truly could comprehend what was happening she had thrown herself into his arms and was sobbing into his shirt with abandon.
She breathed in his scent, the scent she had smelled on the pillows. Any doubts in the back of her mind disappeared; she would never think to dream it, and no Death Eaters would think to copy that. He was here, and he was wonderfully real and solid… he was here. Her Harry was alive.
It took several moments for the tears to stop, and even then she couldn't bring herself 5to let go of Harry, her hands fisted in her robe and her face against his chest, the occasional sob still coming out as Harry rubbed her back reassuringly. "I missed you so much," she managed to whisper hoarsely. "I thought you were dead."
"And I thought you were," he said, his voice rumbling reassuringly through his chest. "When I woke up and I couldn't reach you…" He shivered, and she felt her grip on his robes tighten involuntarily. "I'm so glad you're alive."
"I'm glad you're alive too. I think that if I had gone much longer without you, I would have lost it. I was having these horrible headaches…"
A frown creased Harry's face. "I was having headaches too. Do you think it has something to do with our bond?" Nimi sighed and buried her face deeper against his chest.
"I don't know and I don't care. I'm just so glad you're alright…" Nothing else was said, and in a few minutes Nimi felt herself drifting off. Harry opened his mouth to speak and looked down, only to find her peacefully asleep against his chest. With a chuckle he unclenched her fists from his robe and tucked her into the bed, gently wiping away a few strands of loose hair.
"Sleep well, Nimi. I'll see you in the morning." Walking over to the couch, he sat down and pulled out the newspapers he had been planning to read to find out about Remus Lupin. Might as well make use of time. When Lily poked her head into her 'uncle's' about an hour later, she was surprised to see the strange woman asleep on the couch and Orion asleep on the couch, his head leaning on the back and a newspaper open in his laugh. She pulled the extra blanket off the foot of the bed and put it over her guardian, rolling uo the newspaper and setting it on the end table before going quietly back to the Ravenclaw Common Room and bed.
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"My Lord," a weak voice whispered, "Interesting matters have begun at Hogwarts."
"Really?' a high-pitched voice asked, sounding impatient. "This better be worth my time, Wormtail."
The first man whimpered before speaking again. "My Lord, the Lord of Azkaban, Orion Jamison, is the new Defense teacher. His niece, he adopted her recently, has been Sorted into Ravenclaw, and she's just turned ten."
"Is that all you have to say, Wormtail?" There was a cold, irritated edge to the voice, and the first panicked.
"N-no, my Lord! I-in the middle of the feast, a-a young woman dropped from the ceiling. Sh-she had brown hair, light and dark too, long and curly, and she was wearing white, sir… I couldn't recognize her, but Jamison paled and ran over to her and carried her out of the Hall… all the others looked confused, sir."
There was silence for a moment, before the cold voice said "Very well Wormtai. You may go." There was a whimper of thanks and a sound of scurrying feet, and then the Riddle House was silent once more as Lord Voldemort sat by the fireplace to brood.
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"Really Sirius, I don't see-"
"Albus," Sirius said coldly, "My daughter is dead. I really don't give a damn what you think. You cannot have Azkaban. Get out."
"But-"
"GET OUT!" After the Minister left Sirius relaxed back into the chair and put a hand ver his eyes. She was dead. His daughter was dead. The girl he had barely gotten a chance to know was gone.
Absentmindedly running a hand through his hair, he again picked up the reports of the Azkabanian Treasury. There didn't seem to be anything odd, except for a well-protected trunk with a Grim carved on the top. With a heavy sigh he left the office and walked downthe hall to the Treasury.
Opening the door, he forced himself not to gasp at the piles of gold found there. He always had that reaction, even if this was his fifth or so time visiting the Treasury. Turning to his left he saw the trunk and began to try to open it.
Several hours later, he had given up. Nothing he had had to throw at it had worked. Sighing, he absentmindedly set his hand on the trunk and gasped when it glowed gold before clicking open. Praising his good fortune, he noted that the first thing on top was a letter in famliliar handwriting. With a gulp he opened it and began to read.
Dad,
If you're reading this then I am dead, most likely by the hand of renegade Death Eaters. You see, I never told you because I didn't want you to worry, but the man at Remus' speech had the Dark Mark. Don't freak out; I love you very much, and I want you to be happy.
As such, I am most definitely not going to contest Harry's will, so everything he said holds true for me. I would also like to add one thing: I hereby transfer Lordship of Azkaban to the Fillibuster-Black family line through way of Sirius Black and Meliara Fillibuster-Black. This shouldn't be a problem, since I have a sneaking suspicion Mel is pregnant.
I love you Dad, very much. Every thing in this trunk belongs to you and Mum… and I'll see you on the other side. I'll say hello to the Potters for you, and I hope that I don't see you for a good long time- don't you go dieing on me Daddy.
Love,
Nimi Stardreamer-Black, Lady of Caer Azkaban and the Druid Isles, former Primary Advisor and High War Admiral to Lord Harry Potter of Caer Azkaban and the Druid Isles, Order of Merlin, First Class
Sirius shakily wiped a tear from his eye. He missed her so much… but right now, he needed to talk to his wife…
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When Nimi woke up, she didn't open her eyes. It was all just a dream. When I open my eyes, he won't be there. He's dead, Nimi. Get over it. With much trepidation she opened her eyes, only to find herself in the bed she had awoke in last night and Harry nowhere in sight.
Pulling back the blankets she got out of the bed and walked over to the couch, where she could see a shock of black hair. Unknowingly a smile lit her face as she watched his chest slowly rise and fall. She could not describe what she felt at that moment, just watching Harry being there, alive, breathing. Everything was perfect.
It was in that moment that Harry woke up. "Hey," he yawned, stretching his arms. "How're you?"
"Perfect," she said quietly. A sudden thought occurred to her. "Where are we, though?"
He sighed, and rana hand through his hair. "Er. That's a rather long story. You see, we're actually kind of in a parallel universe, I think…" Finding thoughts easier than words, he quickly sent her mental images of all he'd been doing since he'd been here.
"So, Orion Jamison," she said a moment later, surprise in her eyes, "My parents aren't married here?"
Harry shook his head. "Nope. They both work here, and they're both in the Order, but I don't think Mel succeded in running away from her famlily here. I don't think she's dark, but judging by her accent I think she just came here recently."
Nimi nodded. "Makes sense, I suppose. I assume you were working on Remus last night?" Nod. "Right, so we need to figure out that and find out where the Noble Dead are. You were right in thinking the War Room would be a big help; we should head there this weekend. When is your first class?"
Harry's eyes widened and he looked at his watch before relaxing. "Not for another two hours. We should probably talk to Albus… and figure out what to tell him." He saw Nimi stiffen and hurriedly added "He's much better here, 'Mi. I promise."
She nodded. "If he does anything to hurt you Harry, I won't be responsible for my actions. But what should we tell him? We can't exactly tell him that we're bonded, but I don't think I need to take a new form since I don't exist here… and the name Nimi Stardreamer should work. We could tell him that I fell through a portal when I was being chased by Death Eaters… that'd work."
"I don't see why it wouldn't- but we need a reason for you to stay at the castle, because I am not letting you out of my sight any more than I have to. Let's see…" He thought for a moment, and then his eyes brightened. "You can apply for the History position! It's always beena hobby of yours, and you know quite a lot-"
"You do too," she pointed out. "You know everything I knew up to that point. That's a good idea, though. I do love history… and teaching would be fun. Then I would get to stay here and meet the mysterious Lily."
Harry chuckled. "I think you would like her. For now though, let's go talk to Albus. And I should probably become Orion again…" A moment later his form had changed to that of the DADA professor and they had set ff towards Albus' office.
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"Well, Miss… Stardreamer? I would like to welcome you to the positon of History of Magic Professor. Here is a class schedule, although I believe it would be best for you to have at least the next two days off to develop a lesson plan."
Nimi shook her head. "It's pronounced 'star-DREAM-er' actually. I'd still like to hold my classes if that's alright, sir. I can get to know the students, at least, and see what they're interested in learning. I always appreciated when my teachers did that for me, even if I had no idea what to ask about."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well then. I shall see you at breakfast, Miss Stardreamer, and I shall announce your appointment to the students then."
"Farewell, sir," Nimi said with a nod, leaving the office to find Harry waiting outside of it. ""You're looking at the new History Professor," she said with a smile that turned into a laugh when Harry picked her up and spun her around.
"That's great, 'Mi! Now let's go to breakfast… food that is not eggs is good." She laughed and accompanied him doen to the Great Hall. They were still laughing when they entered it, and as silence fell, they fell quiet as well. Nimi was suddenly glad that Harry had had her change her robes and hide her circlet; she didn't want to think about how much more attention she'd be getting.
In the silence she and Harry made their way to the Head table and sat down, and when conversation started up again one of the focal points was wondering how they had managed to step without making a sound.
Snape turned to look at Nimi, as he was seated next to her with his wife on the other side. "May I assume you are the new History professor?"
She nodded and held out her hand. "My name's Nimi Stardreamer, sir. A pleasure to meet you. Might you be Severus Snape?" He shook her hand and nodded. "I've heard very much about you, sir. I thought that your work on the Confounding Potion was just brilliant."
"Why, thank you," Snape said, sounding surprised. "I am amazed one so young as you could comprehend it."
"Well, I am only fifteen sir, but I passed my NEWTS last year. One thing did strike me as odd though. I understand that adding the pussywillow tale after four stirs counteracts the puffskein poison, but wouldn't that allow the boomslang skin to fester?"
The Potions Master looked intrigued, and soon a detailed conversation between he and Nimi had sprung up, with Harry occasionally inserting comments. Snape seemed impressed with their knowledge of his subject, and the conversation would have probably gone for a good time longer if Dumbledore hadn't risen to make an announcement.
"Hello again. I am sorry to interrupt your breakfasts, but I would like to welcome our new History Professor, Miss Nimi Stardreamer. Please also note that if you have a free period marked on your schedule with a star denoting History, you do need to attend History. Thank you."
"Well, I guess that's our cue to leave, Orion," she said to Harry with a smile. "It's been nice talking to you, Professor Snape. I hope to do so again sometime."
"That would be nice. Please, call me Severus." She nodded in acquiescence and she and harry exited the Hall together- but not before Harry shot Lily a look that clearly stated 'I promise we'll talk later'.
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Harry
"Hello, class, and welcome to your first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson of your Fourth Year." He had no idea why they had given him Fourth Year Gryffindors and Slytherins first thing, or even why the DADA classes now had two Houses instead of one, but oh well. He could go with it. "Today, we are going to be studying the Patronus Charm… but first, I'd like to answer any questions you may have."
Nearly all of the hands in the class immediately shot up, and Harry sighed. It was going to be a long day. "Yes, Miss…."
"Johnanssen, sir. I was wondering how you can be our Defense Teacher when you look like a Seventh Year, sir."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, it makes sense that I look like a Seventh Year, since I just turned seventeen. But I passed my NEWT's last year with honours on Defense, and I had O's in every subject. So… yeah. Yes, Mr…"
"Quintze. I thought that there;s only one Lord of Azkaban, and that he was immortal. So, er, how,"
Harry smiled. "Well, you should be learning all about that; I believe Professor Stardreamer told me she'd be having a unit on that."
"Do you know her?" a voice called out from the back of the classroom.
"I do. She's my best friend, and her parents are my godparents. Does anyone have questions pertaining to our curriculum?" Every hand in the room went down. "No? Then onto the Patronus Charm. Can anyone tell me what the Patronus Charm is?"
A Slytherin boy raised his hand. "Yes, Mr…"
"Zabini, sir." Now that the boy mentioned it, Harry could see similarities between him and the Parseltongue he knew vaguely back in his own world; they must be brothers. "The Patronus Charm is used to ward off Dementors and Lethifolds. It creates a sort of barrier between you and the attacker, and takes the form of something you associate with protection, usually an animal."
Harry nodded. "An excellent description. Ten points to Slytherin. Now, a demonstration." Focusing on when Nimi had appeared in the hall, he pushed aside the reflex to simply allow his Patronus to appear and then remembered that he could use the Rune now without suspect. "Expecto Patronum," he said quietly, pointing at the far wall. It was an odd sensation, having the likeness of Padfoor emerge from his fingers, but a nice one. The class gasped.
"This spell should be performed with a wand, but as Lord Azkaban I can focus my magic through the Rune of Azkaban, on my palm." He displayed it; the Slytherins seemed for the most part unimpressed, and several Gryffindors were amazed. "Er, right. Now, to create a Patronus…"
Nimi
She was sitting on her desk, reading Professor Binns sibject notes when her first class of the day entered. The bell rang and she barely noticed, shaking her head in disgust. In fact, it took a Ravenclaw Sixth Year physically walking up to her desk and tapping her on the shoulder for her to notice the class.
"Hm?" she asked, and then looked out at the teenagers (most of whom were at least a year older than her) and blushed. "Er, right. Sorry." She stood and cleared her throat. "My name is Nimi Stardreamer. I passed my NEWT's last year with perfect marks in every subject and honours in History. I am fifteen years old. My best friend is Orion Jamison, your new Defense Professor. Any questions?" No one raised their hands. "Very well. History has always been a hobby of mine… preoccupation more like. I find it intriguing, and these notes are horrifying. How any of you managed to pass your History OWL with knowledge only of goblin rebellions is beyond me.
"I have yet to create a lesson plan as before today I was not aware I would be teaching, but I wanted to hold class today anyways, not only to get to know you but to get a measure of what you'd like to learn. As such, you will need to take out a piece of parchment and a quill and write down what era of history you're interested in learning about. There are obviously parameters I have to cover, but in History, there can be a lot of leniency over what I cover so long as I hit major points."
Several moments later she got the sheets back. "Alright. So pre-Ministry Britain seems a large topic… let's see what else… 'History stinks'. Thank you for that comment, Mr. Creevey. It's really too kind." The boy blushed and looked amazed that she had known it was him. It was just a simple counting trick utilizing the way they'd passed them back in.. not so difficult. She sighed. Today would be a long day.
AN: And anonther chapter finished! The next chapter of AV needs about another two pages and then it's done… yay! Finally. Also, I have the first chapter of a rewrite of TKM done, so when I finish a bit more I'll post it.
As for the magical theory, Lady Gallatea Ravenclaw was closest to understanding: Due to the fact that Nimi and Harry are bonded, their minds are connected in a way. Both of them are tugging on their magic to bring the other to them; in Harry's case, he wants to go back, but he thinks that it's impossible, and Nimi's dead. Nimi doesn't know that he is gone, she thinks he is dead. Therefore, Harry has more of a pull (and because he is more powerful), and he was able to pull Nimi into the dimension with him. This wouldn't have been possible without their bond. Kudos!
A couple of minor points: Harry isn't magically stronger than Nimi (because of their link, they're of equal power) but there is more pressure on his side of the link. I think that at this point in the fanfic it's too early to tell, but I may have left a hint; I'm honestly not sure. Any other ideas to elaborate on hers, or anything else from the Lady herself?
Aerin
