Disclaimer: I own the plot, though I apologize if it's been done before. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.
There and Back Again
Chapter 9: Good Morning! …Well, Not ReallyBy Jess S
Mornings were always interesting at Hogwarts. How could they not be? Throw a bunch of teenagers into close quarters and something has to happen to at least one of them each morning. And the Gryffindors could always count on the Weasley twins to provide entertainment; although this was the last year they'd be here to do so.
This morning, a shriek from one of the dormitories above his woke Ron Weasley just in time for breakfast. He didn't bother going to see what had happened, after all, it sounded like it'd come from one of the Seventh Year dormitories, which was easy game for the twins.
The youngest of the Weasley brothers called, yawned as he forced himself out of bed. Upon seeing that his best friend's drapes were still closed, he called out to him. "Harry, mate, time to get up!"
He didn't wait to see if his call was answered, Harry always got up, unless he wasn't feeling well, in which case he shouldn't, especially if it was because of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. That didn't mean that he wasn't concerned, however, when his friend hadn't even attempted to rise by the time he was showered, dressed and ready to leave for breakfast.
"Harry," the redhead asked, making his way over to the bed, "you okay in there?" He frowned when he again received no response, reaching out to pull the curtains back, "Harry?"
He blinked at the site the withdrawal of the curtains revealed.
~ * ~
"I just don't understand what happened!" Mr. Weasley shook his head, "Not that I'm not grateful, but still... You-Know-Who can't have expected a snake to get in, can he?"
"'Reckon he sent it as a lookout," Moody growled, his magical eye rolling this way and that. "He's not had any luck so far, has he?"
Professor Dumbledore sighed, "We seemed to have overlooked that possibility," he shook his head, "Voldemort is a Parselmouth and a Legilimens, it's not surprising that he might consider sending a snake in as a spy... You disagree, Severus?"
The Potions Master sighed, before nodding. "You are overlooking another possibility."
"Which is?"
"The Dark Lord is a Parselmouth, and the Heir of Salazar Slytherin," Snape began, shaking his head. "Therefore, it would not surprise me if his Animagus form would be that of a snake."
A heavy silence hung around the room for several moments, to be broken by Mrs. Weasley.
"Y-You-Know-Who is an Animagus?" she inquired, her eyes wide as she turned to meet her husband's gaze. "And if Arthur hadn't been there...."
"He could have taken the prophecy," Dumbledore nodded, "yes."
"But that still doesn't make any sense!" Sirius Black objected. "If that was Voldemort himself, why didn't he attack? No offense to Arthur, but I highly doubt Voldemort would've considered him a threat..."
Mr. Weasley nodded, sighing deeply before shaking his head. "I don't know... Something stopped him... But what?"
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded, frowning. "What could startle or frighten Voldemort," he ignored the unanimous flinches around him, "into flight?"
"I didn't see anything," Mr. Weasley shook his head, "Suddenly he was poised to attack, then he stopped, and when I started throwing hexes at him, he fled...but if he hadn't stopped, I wouldn't have had time to defend myself..."
After several moments of thought, Dumbledore nodded, "Well, luckily we may be able to find out..." When everyone looked at him, he rose from his chair, making his way to the back of the room and opening the cabinet that held his Pensieve. But he didn't take the shallow basin out, instead choosing to reach for something on a higher shelf. Instead, he took out what looked like a crystal ball, a very old one, before making his way back over to them. He set the ball on his desk, carefully situated on a stand that he'd apparently brought out with it, before making his way over to the fire place, and taking some white powder out of a dish atop the mantle. The fire, which had been dull embers before, suddenly roared to life when the dust was tossed upon it. Only then did the Headmaster speak, "Althea Vatis."
A little over a minute later, a woman's head appeared in the fire. Her face bore the semblance of one who was used to concentrating often, yet the affect was ruined by the smile that lit her elderly face, "Albus, how nice to see you! To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"
"I'm afraid we are in need of the talents of an accomplished seer, my dear," Dumbledore replied, "I had hoped you could take a look into some recent events for us."
"Oh, gladly," she nodded, still smiling. "It's not like I have anything else to do." Here, she shook her head, sighing. "Retirement has its perks, but I do believe I'm getting rather bored... Shall I come over now, then?"
"If it isn't any trouble..."
"Oh, not at all! I told you; I'm insufferably bored... Be over in a moment." Then her head disappeared from the fire, while the School's Headmaster moved away, back over to his desk.
Once there, Dumbledore waved his wand before him, muttering something under his breath before pointing to the vacant space in front of his desk. There, another chair appeared.
A moment later, the fire roared in a violet display of bright-green flames, before receding to reveal the witch the Headmaster had called a few moments before. She was a tiny thing, barely five feet tall, with long white hair done up atop her head and held their by many strings of pale blue beads, which made her bright, sparklingly eyes all the more noticeable, set in withered face. She had undoubtedly been lovely in her youth, but that beauty had mostly faded away, to be replaced by elegance. "Good morning," she smiled to all of them, apparently not the least bit concerned by Professor Snape's withering look.
"Please, have a seat," Dumbledore gestured to the seat he'd just made, smiling as he turned his attention to the Order members, who were still sitting in curious silence. "This is Althea Vatis, a seer, who has been my friend for many years. She once served as Hogwarts Divination Professor, although I believe she retired at the end of your first year, Minerva, so none of you would recognize her."
"No," Professor McGonagall shook her head, "but you do look familiar, it's a pleasure to meet you, Professor."
"Oh, none of that, my dear," the seer shook her head, "I haven't been a professor in over thirty years. No, just Althea, or 'Thea, if you prefer, please." She smiled as she sat down. "So how is Hogwarts nowadays?"
"Well enough," the Headmaster replied, before sighing. "The Ministry has been becoming rather bothersome. How have you been?"
"Bored." She replied easily, before suddenly smiling. "Although this summer was rather interesting, I must say."
"How so?" Dumbledore inquired, undoubtedly wondering if she was referring to Voldemort's return, although that seemed unlikely. Althea came from a very long line of dedicated Light followers. Therefore, the rise of a Dark Lord wouldn't be something she'd be pleased by...
"Why, Mr. Potter's adventure, of course."
~ * ~
"He's not there, Hermione!" the redhead repeated, for what could very well be the hundredth time in the last half hour.
"Oh, Ron," the Gryffindor genius shook her head amusedly, "what does it matter? So maybe he left early for breakfast. Why would that matter?"
"He left early?" Ron blinked, apparently confused by the concept. "Why? They don't serve any earlier then when we usually leave...that's why we leave then."
Hermione rolled her eyes, before turning her attention to Neville, who'd just come through the portrait hole, apparently returning from breakfast. "Good morning, Neville."
"Morning, Hermione, Ron," their year mate replied, nodding to them as he raised his hand to cover a yawn as he made his way towards the boys dormitories.
"Hey, Neville," Ron called, stopping his room mate, "did you see Harry down at breakfast?"
Neville frowned, considering it, before shaking his head. "No, I don't think so, Ron. There weren't that many people down there. But a lot of people came in when I was leaving, so he might've been there. But I didn't see him."
"Alright, thanks, Neville," Hermione nodded to him, smiling pleasantly. The smile faded once the boy was out of sight. "So he's not at breakfast, then..."
"See!" Ron insisted, "I knew something was wrong!"
The brunette rolled her eyes, "Don't jump to conclusions, Ron. Maybe he went to the library, to study."
"I know Harry changed a bit this summer, 'Mione," Ron replied, shaking his head. "But he's not you.... And besides, I thought we weren't allowed in there before Madam Pince has finished her breakfast?"
"Oh, that's right," Hermione nodded, "I'd forgotten that most people weren't."
"I take it you are, then?"
The girl didn't reply, as she was apparently turning ideas over in her head while she made her way out of the common room. Ron followed her, waiting for whatever idea she came up with next. If there was anyone that could solve this mystery, it'd be Hermione.
She stopped so abruptly that Ron nearly ran into her.
He took a step back as she turned towards him. "What?"
"Ron...Did you try the Marauders Map?"
~ * ~
"Be termarale mae le, melda nin?" {Are you feeling better, beloved?}
Harry smiled as he turned from the view of the lake to the no less breathtaking view of his treasured wife. "Tuure…" {Much...} he nodded, while gesturing to the seat beside him on the balcony.
But the Elf shook her head, smiling slightly. "The Ar-Feiniel just brought breakfast for us. We shouldn't let it go to waste."
"Laa," the wizard agreed, rising and taking hold of the hand she offered.
The pair made their way inside, and both had to shake their heads at the small banquet that awaited them. They'd already found that asking the House Elves to 'not go overboard' really didn't do much good. The 'little dears', as Violet sometimes referred to them, loved work far too much...
Both knew that there wasn't any way they could eat all of the food that had been prepared for them. And they would feel bad for sending a lot of it back, but really, what else could they do?
As they sat down next to each other, and began filling their plates, Harry turned upon hearing a sigh from his partner. "Melda nin?" he inquired, frowning in concern as he poured a glass of grape juice for her, then one for himself. "Man ta raika?" {What's wrong?}
"Ilnat," {Nothing,} she shook her head, smiling slightly as she met his eyes. "Na nin er noale siman kena Rúmil ar Camthalion luu enyala..." {I was just wondering if we'd see Rúmil and Camthalion any time soon...}
"They have seen twenty-two centuries, and more then a half of their twenty-third. They are not children, my love." Harry commented lightly, while he unhurriedly poured a healthy helping of thick maple syrup on his pancakes, inadvertently mimicking the way his foster-mother had educated him in the art of tipping water into her mirror, long ago.
"I know…" The violet-eyed lady sighed once again, nodding her thanks as she accepted the vessel, to douse her own breakfast with the sweet substance.
They sat there for some time after that, eating in silence. They had much to discuss, but debate, they knew, was rarely fruitful when carried out on a whim. What was to be said needed to be charily considered before being brought into the open. It was this keen patience that often made Elves seem so much wiser then mortals, for it was a insight that only time and the experiences it wrought could teach, and this was a patience that only those who are accustom to the concept of eternal life, could wield.
~ * ~
"Pardon?" Dumbledore blinked, the frown on his face mirrored almost universally around the room.
"Mr. Potter's journey..." the Seer blinked, frowning. "He didn't tell you?"
"No," the Headmaster's frown deepened, "I was under the impression that, aside from his family's move to the city, Mr. Potter's summer was quite uneventful."
"Indeed..." Vatis sighed, shaking her head. "Well, that certainly complicates things..."
"How so?" Mrs. Weasley inquired, obviously worried.
The seer sighed again. "If he's chosen to leave you unaware of his… new abilities, it is not my place to say...."
"Why?" Professor Snape demanded, "He's just a br--child. If he's hiding something, we should know."
Vatis laughed, rising. "Well, that's the thing, you see. He's not a child anymore...far from it..." she offered them a deep nod, before making her way over to the fireplace, and taking a handful of Floo powder from the dish on the mantle. "And I'm afraid I can't offer you anymore help then that..." the Seer told them, as she tossed the powder onto the fire, before stepping into it. "Vatis Mansion."
And in a blast of green flame, she was gone.
~ * ~
"Mortality…" The younger of the Míriel twins' shook his head. "Mortality… Who would've thought that it could be something that simple?!"
Camthalion shrugged. "It is quite clever, considering our peoples outlook on life and whatnot. I highly doubt anyone who hadn't befriended mortals, or spent time around Elerossë before, would have even come close… Though death might've been a good answer too…"
"Death and mortality technically aren't the same thing though, right?" Rúmil offered, shaking his head as he and his brother trailed after the sphinx whose riddle they were currently discussing. "It doesn't take the full picture into consideration."
"Uma…" his brother nodded, his eyes not straying from the sphinx. She was keeping the same steady, monotonous pace she'd held for the last few hours, but he didn't want to risk losing sight of her. Not when they were so close to attaining their goal.
And indeed, their objective was not far off at all, as they realized only moments later, upon reaching the shores of a lake. This was no ordinary lake, they would know that even if they sphinx had not led them here. To call this lake ordinary would be akin to calling the Golden Wood a typically wooded area.
The shimmering, silvery water was inexplicably placid, a portrait of serenity far too perfect to be of its own accord. The facsimile of Varda's fruit could be seen gracing the surface of the lake with golden hews even as it was truly set in the darkening sky. In the center of the lake, a small island resided, boasting silvery trees alien to those across the water from themselves, where the newcomers stood.
Their guide nodded to the island, while gracefully moving into the elegant pose Egyptian architects had ordered impersonated centuries before. " Andon dio Tinda Orne, the Isle of the Silver Trees, the lone entrance to the Elven realm of this world."
"So we just have to get over to that island, and there'll be doorway waiting there for us?" Rúmil inquired, skepticism obvious in both his stance and tone.
"No," the Sphinx offered that same, mysterious and somewhat unsettling smile, once again. She looked down at the ground between her paws, which then began to glow. When it faded, a relatively large emerald rested there. She nodded to it, before looking over at the isle once again. "There you will find a puzzle, one which is nearly whole, but missing this piece. Once whole, it will function much like the Portkeys the mortal men of magic in this world are so fond of."
"So we have to complete the puzzle…" Camthalion summarized, nodding towards the gem, "by adding that to it."
She continued, taking no notice of his query. "When the dusk's last rays reach the lake, the bridge to the isle shall appear, you will have mere moments to set foot upon it, for only those who have seen it appear may walk it."
"Ok…" Rumil nodded, "the bridge is here, then?" he inquired, knowing that she'd vowed to guide them to the gate, so it only made sense that she'd brought them to the right place.
Once again, their guide merely nodded, her eyes still on the scenery, or more precisely, on the setting sun.
"Is there anything else?" Camthalion asked, as he and his brother followed here example, in watching the sun sink into the horizon.
"The gateway shall be open when the moon does not dwarf the stars in splendor." She offered before nodding to bridge that suddenly appeared before them, flickering in the twilight. "Now go."
After grabbing the puzzle piece she'd given them, they did as she'd bidden them. Their natural speed, honed into a powerful asset by centuries of training and use, easily granting them the time to set foot on the bridge before true twilight set in, and the bridge was unseen once more.
"Best of luck, fair ones…" The sphinx offered quietly, her human side suddenly giving the impression of being far more earthly as she offered a warmer smile, while watching the two elves run towards the island, their feet never hitting the surface of the water they seemed to be running on.
~ * ~
"Should we tell them?"
Harry was drawn out of his inner musings for the first time in the last twenty minutes by his wife's question. He glanced over at her once again, "The Kala O'laisi?"
"No," Violet shook her head, "Just Hermione, Ron…and perhaps Malfoy…"
"Hmm, perhaps…" he raised an eyebrow, "What brought this on, if I may ask? The Valar know I'd love to be able to tell my loved ones, but…"
"They're your best friends, Harry. And we'll probably need their help in keeping the members of the DA from becoming suspicious."
"Well, I highly doubt being friendly towards Malfoy could make us look any less suspicious, but that is true…" Galadriel's foster son nodded.
His Elven companion snorted softly, "Please tell me that you aren't holding on to such childish grudges after so many centuries of tutelage under my uncle, Lord Elrond and the Lady's auspice."
"Hardly," the wizard laughed. "If I were, do you really think I would have welcomed him, even with reservations, to the DA. And my fifteen-year-old self would never have even thought of inviting Draco Malfoy in for tea."
"That is true…" Violet smiled slightly in relief, before allowing her face to return to its more serious composure. She was silent for several moments before she turned her namesake gaze back to him. "Do you want to hide, my love?" the Elven maiden inquired softly, holding his gaze gently, but nonetheless completely.
That was one of striking psychological feats he'd noticed many of his foster kin were capable of, an amazing ability to hold the attention of others; absolutely, without seeming to take any freedoms away from their captives. The propensity was more noticeable among the Elven ladies, but many males made good use of their starlit gazes as well. It was a skill that he himself now possessed, though many had told him he'd already been capable of it long before coming to them, they'd just helped bring it out. He didn't really believe that could be true…regardless of the fact that everyone who had told him such ranked very highly in his regard.
"Of course not," he shook his head firmly, an action that he hoped would show his response just as much as it forced his mind back to the present. After a moment, he sighed. "It's just…I don't know how to explain it…It's…"
"Complicated?" Violate offered with an amused grin.
The wizard considered this a moment, before nodding. "Yes…it's like…" he shook his head once again. "They're my childhood, and though they're still very dear to me--"
"It's not the same," the Elven maiden nodded, before bringing his hands together wither her smaller, more delicate pair. "You grew up far away from them, with nothing but memories of a few cherished, but nonetheless short years…What makes matters worse is that those years, not even half a decade, took place nearly three millennia past in your mind, millennia that were mere months to them." She shook her head, bringing one of her gentle hands up to the side of his face. "Of course it's hard…"
One of her hands moved to the back of his head, just below the dark hairline. At the same time, her other hand still held one of his prisoner between their hearts as she gracefully ascended onto the tips of her toes to kiss him. It wasn't passionate; it was chaste and sweet. It was a kiss that did exactly what it was intended to do; comfort and reassure.
She pulled away a moment later, though only a few spare inches/centimeters now separated them. "And I'm here to help, melda nin. We did not come to make this harder for you…"
"I know…" Harry replied quietly.
Given the choice, they might have stayed there for quite some time afterward. Or they may very well have chosen to express their lover for each other once again. As it was, they didn't get the chance. They moved apart quickly, Violet turning around to look at what her husband could already see, as they heard the door to the room click shut softly.
"Well," silver-gray eyes slid over them carefully, taking in their still clasped hands and slightly rumpled appearances. "This is certainly interesting…"
Harry sighed quietly, exchanging a glance with his wife before looking back to the elegantly robed blonde that was leaning almost lazily back against the door. The Valar, they thought, certainly had to have a unique sense of humor, considering the fact that of all the people they could choose, Draco Malfoy had to be first…
End of Chapter 9.
Translations:
Vatis - a prophet/seer or a bard/poet
Andon dio Tinda Orne - Great Gate of the Silver Trees
AN: Well, looks like they'll have to be here again. FF.net Administration said we're not allowed to put them in separate updates, which is really stupid, but, oh well...
REVIEW RESPONSES (from Chapter 8):
Jessyka - Yes, it would be, wouldn't it? ^_^
Rachel A. Prongs - Thank you. I know… ^_^
A-man - LOL, thank you.
*shrugs* That happens…and with my updating schedule (or lack there of), it's not hard to do, I'm sure.
^_^* LOL, you have to remember; this is a LotRs/HP crossover still. The scenes from Middle Earth usually show one of two things:
1. What's happening there/How far along the story is
2. The relationship between the two world à time-wise = there is none.
Of course, sometimes they're just fillers, but they do have a general purpose…
Thank you, I'll try to update sooner…the next ones already half way there! (It was origionally going to be part of this chapter, but this cliffhanger was far to nice to pass up. ^_^ )
Jewel Gardens - *sigh* I wouldn't use it, if I could find a more complete source (dictionary-format) for Tolkien's version…but I can't. I've been trying to cut back a bit, though.
*makes a face* I read the beginning of it…then my brother wanted to borrow it…then my sister-in-law…then her friend…now my mom has it…I'm not entirely sure she's even reading it devotedly, but I can't find it (she hid it…we do stuff like that…) But it's getting a bit annoying…I'll probably go out and buy a 2nd copy soon. It certainly looks fabulous…Though I probably won't be able to read it until near the end of next month. I have exams coming up…ugh…
:-D Thank you! :-D
Sirius22 - Thanks, I'm glad you like it. ^_^
LOL…Yes, that will be interesting…LOL…
*smirks* It's not as far off as you might think…The last (pure) LotRs scene I showed, was when Gandalf fought (and lost to) Saruman. Therefore, if I want to get HP involved with the LotRs storyline, I don't have a lot of time…
Phoenix Flight - I'm glad. ^_^
*sigh* I know…I had actually thought of that a while back, but you're the first person to mention it here…I've been too lazy to do back and change it here (plus FF.net hasn't been working all that well…) I'll eventually go back and edit the previous chapters, but for now, if you read the story in some of the newer fan fiction sites (so far, just forever fandom,) the title's been changed.
Rum n'Coke - Thank you, I'm
glad…
*sigh* I'm trying to fix that… I've been following a timeline someone else wrote (and posted online), which, in retrospect, doesn't make much sense…
Translations? There all over the place, online. Just run a search. It can be a lot of fun…Pure Tolkien Elvish is hard to find, though…
Julian1 - *BLUSHES* Thank you very, very much. I'm glad you like it so much… ^_^
Sorry about the wait. -_-*
ArwenMGranger - Thanks ^_^
LOL, I know, that was kind of the point.
Raclswt - I'm glad. ^_^
LOL, that wouldn't be very surprising, would it?
Rogue1615 - *shrugs* No biggie…
Yup! Yup! ^_^*
*sighs* *looks up at response to A-man* *highlights* *copies* *pastes:*
You have to remember; this is a LotRs/HP crossover still. The scenes from Middle Earth usually show one of two things:
1. What's happening there/How far along the story is
2. The relationship between the two world à time-wise = there is none.
Of course, sometimes they're just fillers, but they do have a general purpose…
No, it isn't all that fair, is it? But, then again, it wouldn't have been fair for her to hold him back to her world when she knew long before she fell in love with him (and while she was falling in love with him, etc.,) that he planned to go back to his (mortal) world… *shrugs* That's all I'll say on the matter now.
Thanks for reviewing! ^_^
Hoshi-tachi - ^_^* really, I don't mind… I like reviews of all kind! …well, with the obvious exception of flames…I don't like those…Anyway…
You can? Really? That's awful! *sigh* I hope you can't sympathize with her for too long…
*Smirks* Yes, that will definitely be fun.
Usually I wouldn't answer a plot question directly, but I truly
believe that deserves a flat out no.
Maggie - LOL,
that's good to hear.
Umm…#1 that should be in the next chapter… #2 Harry is almost 3000
years older then them…not 20…^_^*
*cough**cough* I'll keep that in mind for a later date…though I
agree, it could be funny…it doesn't fit with the plot quite yet… #1 They
couldn't have had children on Middle Earth, because of the curse. #2…They
haven't had much of a chance here…#3 Neither are irresponsible enough for that
to happen unintentionally…
Lady PhoenixFyre - That's good to hear, thank you. ^_^
Oh yes, I plan on continuing for at least several chapters (I still have at least a dozen chapters outlined.)
Hmm…I hadn't thought of FictionAlley.org…I didn't know they were open to crossovers…I signed up this afternoon, and I'm going to try and post the prologue (to this fic) after I post it on FF.net…Once I figure how to the sight itself works! It looks great so far. Thanks for recommending it. (And, of course, reviewing! Reviews are (almost) always good!) ^_^
Enya the Fairy Queen - Hello. ^_^
*sigh* Yes, I'm continueing… I have almost the entire fic mapped out. So it's not a matter of whether or not I'm continuing, it's a matter of when I'll get the time to write, edit, re-edit, reply to reviews, and post… Unfortunately, I have school on week days, and work on weekends…So I don't have a lot of time on my hands. To make matters worse, March is exam month…ugh…
LOL, actually, that was a good idea for this chapter. It was origionally much longer, but I decided that shortening it was probably a good idea…
Thank you, I'm glad you like it so much. ^_^
Thanks to:
Star estrella
Stayblue
Insanechildfanfic
Makoto-18
RickW22
Possesed Angel
HAZZAGRIFF
Arensia
Kateydidnt
Litine
Just annother stupid idiot
AN: Hmm, twenty-seven reviews, not bad…Of course, the last chapter received fifty, but you can't win them all I suppose.
As I told a few of you, I have exams coming up, which means updates may be fewer and farther between then usual, but reviews would definitely help. I don't like exams or studying for them…so encouragement would really be appreciate in both that and the work I do manage to put into my fics. Thank you.
Bye! ^_^
~ Jess S