Disclaimer: Harry Potter and any characters within the movie or books belong to NBCUniversal. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley are their characters and anything you recognize belongs to them. I own my original characters and my plot. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement. Also, I am not profiting off this work other than the practice of writing.
9. Preparing to Travel.
The winter dragged on and Hermione fell into a routine of healing the injured, learning about new medical procedures from Doctor Rogerson, and meeting up with Harry in her Occlumency library. The TARDIS sat silently in the new wing composed of the bookshelves and books that contained information about the current universe. The blue police box was inviting her to open the door and go in. She couldn't help but wonder if the multidimensional factors of the TARDIS would properly work within the magic space of her mind.
One evening as she went to bed, she finally gave into the impulses she had fought for a fortnight or more. She tried to calm the butterflies accumulating in her gut, "There's nothing to be afraid of. Just go up and knock on the door, after all this is my mind, my library."
She took a deep breath as her avatar walked up to the door. Her hand shook, as she turned the knob slowly and peeked inside. She felt a sense of nostalgia. Her father was a big fan of the show and she grew up watching episodes with him. When she looked inside the interior of the TARDIS, it was an interior she couldn't remember ever seeing. It had a golden interior with a multitude of small domelike circles running up the walls and meeting in middle where they formed a dome. The lower deck was underneath a metal grating floor where she assumed more of the vehicles functions took place. The grating seemed far too industrial for the more midcentury modern style she'd associated with the BBC show. In the center of the ship was the almost UFO style oval command center with its clear plastic or glass tubes and what she could call a piston. Its size really didn't disappoint. She was a witch after all and undetectable extension charms were used frequently. She held in a girlish giggle that came straight from her inner child, "Wow, it really is bigger on the inside."
"Good evening, Ms. Granger," A man's voice came from behind the center console. She was surprised to see a man who looked like Barty Crouch Jr when she side stepped to see him better. The kissed Death Eater was wearing something he never would have worn as a wizard. It was a tan colored trench coat over a blue pinstriped suit with a burgundy colored tie and white sand shoes. He had short brown hair combed to one side. Hermione was taken aback when she saw his eyes, they were the same emerald color as Eralina's but not just the iris was the color; it was the entire eye.
"Who-what are you?" Hermione wasn't sure how she created the mental apparition but something about him was otherworldly.
The man smiled, which didn't seem as maniacal as the lip licking smile of the fanatic responsible for bringing back the Voldemort in her 4th year. His was more calculated and detached. He really was more like the Doctor than the Death Eater he resembled, "I suppose that is the most logical of questions. Then one has to ask oneself why we need to label things we do not understand. I find it interesting with every one of my interactions with new individuals the end result tends to come to the same conclusion. However, the appearance I have taken may be familiar to you as the 10th Doctor." At her blank look, he sighed, "Very well, if you need to know who I am, you may call me Talib."
Hermione stood silently as she stared at Talib. She hadn't heard such a long winded response to a question since before she dropped Professor Trelawney's Divination Class. Her mind stuttered over his 10th Doctor statement, as the Doctor Who series ended in 1989 in her universe with the 7th Doctor. There was the 1996 special with the 8th Doctor, but no one really wanted to remember that odd regeneration. How could he look like a 10th Doctor? Had the two universes differed where Doctor Who went further into the 90s? Instead, she shoved those questions down and held out her hand, "Nice to meet you, but are you always so long winded in your replies to a question?"
Talib smirked then nodded, "Point taken, Ms. Granger. I shall reduce the length of my answers to a more manageable one."
Hermione sat on an old 19th century loveseat complete with stained wood and red velvet seats that manifested inside the TARDIS. She didn't think much of it as she could conjure any such seats. She was still in her mind, so such conjurations just manifested without much need for magic. Instead, she focused on the man or god before her, who had more proverbial question marks about him than the ones the 5th Doctor wore. She cleared her throat, "That I can appreciate. So, why are you in my library? What do you want?"
"I have some questions for you. You see, I am a purveyor of knowledge. Some might say I trade in it or collect it much like Thoth; he was one of my most favorite personas. The Egyptians favored him more than the Romans did Jesus. However, I fear humanity is far from learning the truth. They always twist the knowledge I share with them into something unrecognizable. It is a sad thing that can occur when knowledge becomes legend and religion. You, however, are new to this universe. When I learned from Roger that time-travelers from an alternate universe arrived, I couldn't help but meddle. I am so bored stuck in the Millennium Enterprise underneath Stonehenge. The crystal nodes linked to the Earth's electromagnetic fields, which is good since modern electricity will not be discovered for at least another 700 years." He sighed and looked down at the switches and dials on the console, "There I go again. I guess I just like to hear myself talk. This universe's Talib is busy running around as a Benedictine Monk, and here I am reaching out to the mind of a Witch from another universe. I must know what is your universe like? How different is it with magic?"
Hermione's mind spun. She was at a loss while acclimating the information the being before her threw out. He was somehow trapped in a ship underneath Stonehenge. Was there a similar ship in her universe? How could he have such advanced technology during the Crusades? It sounded like he'd been trapped there for a while. She hoped it wasn't one of those chicken or egg paradoxes. Was the ship hidden under Stonehenge because it was such an important sight in the future? Was the ship there first and the Stone Age Culture built the monoliths atop it to mark it? That second question was a silly thought because really how such a ship could be buried in Ancient Britain before 5000 BC, she would never know. Her mind whirled because such a ship existing in the current time was just as unlikely. She could feel her overworked brain start to pound. The impossibility of the god before her was going to give her a migraine. Then it stalled and she gasped, "You're not from this universe either, are you?"
The green eyes just peered at her and a papyrus scroll and reed quill appeared in his hands, "You know your questions are not really answering mine. However, I guess I can answer yours with hope that you will start to answer my own." He looked up from whatever he was writing on the scroll, "I am from a pocket universe that exists within a single amulet. Since the universe was created with the magic of the amulet, time in that universe passed much faster than in the universe outside of it. The Universe was much darker than this one. My younger brother was but a puppet to Alvaherebos' will. He created his Alundrians and chased after Nieva after destroying the Earth Realm. Nieva was far trickier than he could anticipate and she evolved her alchemy to science and created a humanoid species that she hoped could replace her White Pines. She named them Nievarians. My brother started attacking the thirteen gods and goddesses. I escaped death at his hands by hiding as a satellite, which continued to orbit Earth even though no life remained on the planet. It didn't stop him from coming after me and I ended up crashed. Roger and Brianna escaped from an Alundrian controlled planet and stole the ship. They found me and integrated me into the ship. I was uploaded into the ships mainframe and I became the new computer. I helped them create a trans-dimensional temporal warp drive."
She just stared at him while he looked back down at the scroll and continued to write with the antiquated instrument on such an ancient form of paper. She stared off and repeated everything he said in her mind. She gasped when it pieced together like a puzzle, "The Doctor and his Nurse wife. They are this Brianna and Rodger you speak of. That explains why they are so advanced. They are from your universe and not this one."
He looked up at her and noticed her scrutiny of his current writing instruments, "Too archaic?" She just nodded and he snapped his fingers and they turned into some kind of touch screen device that looked to come straight out of a science fiction movie. Hermione gasped and he raised an eyebrow, "Too advanced then." He snapped his finger again and held a yellow legal pad and a biro. When he noticed that she was no longer scrutinizing his writing implements, he continued, "Yes, well we live in a multiverse. Only a few know of the concept and of those most of them are tree kind. The creators of DC comics understood this. They were tapping into universal knowledge when they found their outlet. It's the great thing about continuing my work is trying to share the truth about Mother. Fictional works get it closer than Religion."
Hermione furrowed her brow. Was this god responsible for all of the modern religions? Talib answered her unspoken question, "I had nothing to do with Scientology and the LDS. Those were created by greedy humans, who I think were corrupted by Alvaherebos." Talib paused and looked over his notes, "Now what was it that we were discussing again?"
Hermione tipped her head to the side. She really wasn't sure what conversation they were having. Talib really was incapable of staying on task. "How is it that you have brought this thing into my head in the first place?"
"Oh that? Well I'm the god of knowledge and I came here for an exchange of knowledge. You could ask me about anything about everything. I carry a vast database of not only human history but their expansion into what they referred to as the galactic empires. Well, technically they were genetically modified humans concocted at the hands of Tukdra and Nieva, but they started off as humans. I digress, out of all of that, you just want to know how I manage to slip passed your strong shields?"
Hermione wanted to laugh at the Doctor wrapped god in front of her. Surely, she was overworking herself. How else would she find herself in such a confusing place? "I get the feeling something more than magic is at work. How could you connect to me if you really are a consciousness inside of some hidden ship being powered by the magical lay lines of the planet? I could understand how you are using quartz crystals to harness the energy as a power source. We use crystals to power rituals in the Department of Mysteries all the time. What I don't understand is why someone like you would be interested in appearing in my mind. Not to mention, what kind of mechanism you have used to reach it."
The god sighed, "You know, you really are not cooperating."
"You invade my library with an interactive TARDIS in the appearance of a kissed Death Eater from my universe and call yourself the 10th Doctor. There is no such thing as the 10th Doctor, you know. You then ask me questions about my universe, as if I would have had time to analyze the intricate differences between mine and this one. I'm still acclimating to the time difference. How do you expect me to answer your questions?"
Talib rubbed the plastic end of the brio against his lip, "I can see where you are coming from. I guess I'll just have to use the Nanotech to collect data. After they are done analyzing your molecular differences, then perhaps I can continue my study after you return to your universe. There are so many of them out there, but there are so few where magic is as prevalent as it is in your universe. The evolution of magic in your universe is so fascinating. Not to mention the golden time energy merging with your aura. It's like you're evolving into something as well. You are slowly becoming something more. I'm not sure if you are prepared for your next evolution Ms. Granger. You're on the precipice of something fascinating. I can't help but wonder what will push you over that edge."
Hermione grabbed at her hair turning it into a mess of frizzy curls. He was just too much. She didn't even get a chance to respond before he smiled at her, "I will have to tell Roger to give you a pair of the contacts. I really think your mind would do wonders with the Solamoon Megacorp archives. The library wing within your mind is only a small piece of the knowledge contained within. They will also sync to me and I'll be able to study your universe better upon your return. Yes, an excellent experiment, I think."
Before Hermione could ask him exactly what he meant in his monologue the whirling and whooshing sound invaded her head and the TARDIS disappeared leaving her behind. She was once again in her library and the blue box that had invaded that new wing was no more. She heard a scoff from the Snape corner of her mind and all she could do was groan. When would things grow simpler? Why did these encounters only lead to more questions than answers?
In the morning, Hermione noticed that the village was a buzz of activity. She left her canvas shelter and saw the main gates were open. All of the carts they had used to travel on those many months ago were lined up. She stood by the tower and saw Questa and Aalish going over a list. The closer she got, she noticed Questa's head look up at her and smile.
"Ah, Lady Granger, did you sleep well?"
"I had some…interesting dreams. What's going on here?" Hermione motioned behind her with her left hand.
"Winter has broken and now we are preparing to leave for Constantinople. We are to leave in two days." Questa looked back to the list. "You are in charge of the medical group, so we need to start breaking down the tents with exception of the main tent until the morning we leave. Please, alert your assistants to start packing your carts."
"Of course, I'll attend to that right away." Hermione gave a slight bow and turned to go scout out where her carts were. As she got closer to the gate, she heard the stern voice of Eralina to her left, which drew her to toward the commotion.
"Morning, m'lady, the men are progress-" Dax was grabbed by the collar of his vest and dragged out of sight of the men.
"A word with you," Eralina forcefully let go of his collar leaving him to stumble to keep his feet, "What are you doing by not pairing the men in their assigned tasks?"
"Wait, what are you talking about?" He adjusted his collar. Hermione could tell he was completely confused.
"Four carts down that way," She pointed toward the end of the line of carts, "was a young man who goes by the name Liam. He was putting hay bales into a cart by himself. You know that they are to work in pairs to avoid accidents." Hermione may be fairly new to the group, but even she knew that rule. It was driven into her, Harry and Ron's mind when they were given assignments in the army.
Dax averted his gaze and stood uncomfortably as he tried to explain to Eralina. Hermione thought the sight of this large man getting admonished by a petite pregnant girl was an odd sight in any century. "Well about that. You see none of the men wanted to work with the boy because, well they say he's a jinx. Now, I know there isn't any truth to it. However, every time I assign someone to him, they end up getting hurt by the lad's inexperience, to put it lightly."
Hermione watched as Eralina folded her arms and tapped her right foot in visible anger, "Regardless, it all stems from his age, and you know it. How many young men have we had just like him in all of our past battles? They have all eventually become generals. I want you to personally train him. I want you to make him the man he is supposed to be and not what the men say he is. Is that understood?"
Dax stood in abject attention, "Yes, m'lady. When I'm done with him, he'll be as great as General Augustino."
Hermione watched as Eralina's body relaxes and her shoulder drop. Who was this General Augustino?
"I miss that man. Such a great leader he turned out to be." Eralina looked away and smiled. He must have been special if she lost all anger at Dax.
"I heard his kin are still in the Italian Army. Maybe we'll meet a couple when we get to Constantinople." Dax smiled as he wiped sweat from his brow. Hermione couldn't help but notice how much Eralina really had him scared.
"I hope so. I would love to have another Augustino within our ranks again." She uncrossed her arms and gave a shooing motion with her hand, "Continue on with the preparation, and remember that I am serious about Liam's training."
"Yes, m'lady." Dax bowed then walked back to the carts. Hermione had really grown to understand Eralina the last few months. She was a complex being. She loved all under her care. She took up the mantle that her brother cast aside despite her own doubts. She has proven to be a competent leader. Hermione was sure Eralina would give her own life if it meant saving the lives of her family and friends, but with her current condition she is even more protective.
Hermione walked out of the gate, found her carts, and inspected them for any damage the winter may have caused. The carts looked new and untouched. It appeared as Heather has already been through the carts and restored them. She turned to go back to her tent to get things packed away when she saw Eralina leaping from large rock to large rock up a cliff. Hermione couldn't help but wonder how someone that pregnant could do something of that scale so effortlessly? She watched as Eralina reached a ledge where the archer Sigmund sat, his feet were dangling over the edge. Hermione wondered what was going on, but she's been prying too much into their personal business and she still had work to do.
Later that afternoon, she was boxing up some of the bedding she had for her patients when she heard a slight cough behind her. She tuned to see who it was she and saw the smiling face of Harry. She smiled back at him, "Oh, hello! Come to help me pack up?"
"Well, I can if you wish it, but I was told to come fetch you. Eralina wants to see the three of us." Harry adjusted his glasses as he held the canvas flap back. He was dressed in his casual wear of a dark long sleeve shirt, brown pants and a leather belt around his waist.
"All of us? Did she say why?" Hermione didn't relish the uncomfortable encounter she was expecting around Ron.
Harry shook his head and stood outside the tent, "She didn't specify."
Hermione was a tad nervous at what Eralina wanted. She turned to her helpers and nodded to them. She then followed Harry to the Keep and entered the large wooden doors. They walked past the stairs that lead to the roof and into the main chamber of the small castle. They found Ron already standing in the chamber. Eralina was sitting in a large, throne like chair in her full armor with her helm extended and locked into place. To her left, Dax stood in his full armor as was Questa with Aalish who stood next to her mother with a smirk. Sigmund stood behind the throne and Heather sat at Eralina's feet.
"Welcome my friends. I suppose you are wondering why we have gathered you three here and why we are dressed in such a manner." Eralina stood and examined their faces. Hermione gave a quick look over at Ron. He looked like he lost some weight and his clothing fit him better. Maybe the training with Dax was actually working.
"Well, I am a bit curious yes." Harry replied to Eralina.
Hermione watched as Eralina smirked. "Well young Mr. Potter let me elaborate. Throughout time we have come to recognize that there are certain humans who possess such extraordinary qualities that we take under our wing. When we do such, we help foster those qualities and bring them into maturity."
Hermione interjected, "Forgive me for interrupting, but earlier today I heard you mention to Dax a General Augustino. Was he such an individual?" She watched as Eralina smiled then nodded.
"Precisely, Lady Granger. When he joined our ranks so many years ago, we had rescued him from a village under siege, much like how we found this village. He traveled with us and eventually he worked his way through the ranks. When an opportunity arose, he became one our finest generals. So, as it was with him, so it is with you three. We know your arrival in our time was nothing you had control over, yet your contributions have been of exceeding value and unlimited appreciation. So, to recognize your efforts and prepare you for the coming trials ahead, we are promoting you three to the rank of Captain, with all the benefits that come with the title."
Dax, Questa, and Sigmund went behind the throne and brought out three armor stands with three distinct chest plates, Helms and lower hip guards along with chainmail shirts. On each chest plate was a painted shield with the Hogwarts crest at the top. The shield on each plate was the same but different from each other. On Hermione's she had a griffin in the top right, as did Harry and Ron, and on the bottom left they each had a wand. Where they differed is the top left of Hermione's was a book that had a medical insignia and the bottom right was an hour glass. On Harry's his bottom right was a lightning bolt and the top left was a stone. On Ron's top left were three rings and his bottom right was a weasel in side profile.
Dax walked to a shocked looking Ron and smiled, "Captain Weasley, when I first saw you and heard your name I mocked you. However, over these past few months you have proven yourself a dedicated student and have become a skilled fighter with both sword and wand. It is my honor to present you this armor. May it protect you for all your days." Dax turned and gave Hermione a knowing glance before returning to his spot. What has Ron told him?
Sigmund came down with Harry's armor and smiled at him. "Welcome to the fold, Captain." He turned away and went back to his spot. Hermione looked over at a wide eyed Harry. She had learned that Sigmund didn't speak more than a few words and for him to welcome Harry and present his armor it really was a special occasion.
Lastly was Questa with Aalish walking towards Hermione. Both women were smiling as they set the armor down in front of her. "Lady Granger, the last few months I know have been a trying one for you and your medical skills. You were put into a position where any normal human would crumble, but you exceeded all my expectations. It is our honor to give you this armor, may it too protect you for all your days." Questa side stepped the armor as she and Aalish gave Hermione, then Harry, and lastly Ron an embrace. "Welcome to the fold brothers and sister!"
Eralina lead the applause as she stood. "Well-spoken my friends! Now Heather has an extra gift she wanted you to have."
Heather stood and walked to all three. Hermione smiled at the small 12 year old as she stopped in front of them. "First, let me apologize to you all. When you first arrived I didn't trust you as far as I could toss you. However over the months I have grown to understand you and learn more about you. So first let me start off by removing the amber I put into you those many months back." Raising her right hand Hermione noticed a large amount of amber mist flow from all three of them.
"Forgive me Heather, what were you planning to do with that much mist?" Hermione's heart raced at the thought of that much mist in them.
Heather looked down for a moment, "Well it was to monitor you movements, and in case you were a threat I would surround you and crush you." Lifting her head she smiled, "However don't worry I have removed it all."
All three looked at each other then back at Heather. "Well that's a relief." Ron exclaimed.
Heather smiled slightly, "For extra protection I have infused my mists into you armor. It will never harm you and will protect you far better and longer than traditional steel. Wear them with pride and know all my love is with you always."
Hermione looked at her armor then back to Harry and Ron. She wondered what the next set of trial awaited them and if they would survive them.
