Harry Potter and the Pirates of the Caribbean
Chapter Eleven! Wow, it feels unrealistic that's I've made it this far! The tale is definitely past it's halfway point right now, so rejoice! Ready to see how things are going to work out with Will and Jack? ...Well, sadly, that's not going to be brought up in this chapter. We've waited too long to see Mr. Flamel, so he's more important than Will Turner at this point.
I want to give a shout-out to SPEEDIE02.. Thanks for reading from the very begining! I really appreciate the support!
Chapter Eleven: A Delve Into the Wizarding World
"You both are over four hundred-years old?" Jack asked incredulously.
"Yes, I am. Pernelle is as well," the man said with a nodded, adjusting himself in his seat to make himself more comfortable.
Harry gave the man an odd look, "How is that possible? How can you be older than four hundred?"
The man gave a chuckle, "Well, Wizards have a longer life span than human do to begin with. However, I have a special elixir that Pernelle and I drink from once a day to keep from aging so quickly. We probably age one-fiftieth the time you do. We're not immortal as the legend says. Nothing can truly be immortal."
Harry nodded slowly, "What about Adele? Does he drink from an identical elixir as well?"
"No, Adele is cursed. I'm not exactly the sure who cursed him, but the effects of the curse cause him to be reborn. He is the finest example of reincarnation."
Jack gave the man an odd look, "Reincarnation? He's reincarnated?"
"From my understanding, when he dies, he's reborn. His accumulated years are more than mine. I'm not certain of his age, but he is definitely older than I. Adele did not intentionally make his life longer. The story I heard was that he planned to commit suicide, and just before he did, a spell was placed upon by a lover that would immediately reincarnate him. It's my understand that something went wrong and he dies at a certain age and is reborn later, memories of his previous lives intact."
"Where did you hear all of this?" Sirius asked.
The man chortled, "When you've been around as long as I have, you hear a lot of things. How much of it is true? Now, that's the question you should be asking, because I would like to know myself." The man paused before turning to Jack, "Just why is Adele chasing after you?"
Jack looked at the man, deciding whether or not he should answer the question. After a moment, he opened his mouth to speak, "He told me the location of a certain stone. He told me this so I was able to get my ship."
The older man bit his lip, "Might I ask if there was a name to this stone?"
"Yes.. I believe he called it the Sorcerer's Stone," Jack answered.
The older couple gave a grave look to each other. The old woman raised a worried hand to her mouth as she looked to her husband, "Nicholas.. He's found it. How could he find it?"
The man sighed, "No worries, Pernelle. It makes no difference whether or not he's found it. He can't use it." He looked to the Pirates, "What did you do with that information, Captain Sparrow?"
"He gave it to me to trade to Davey Jones for my ship," Jack answered, pulling out the small bottle of rum. He was a bit parched at the moment.
Pernelle gasped again, "Nicholas!"
The man raised a hand to silence the woman, "He can't use it either. Not with the wards I have on it."
There was a silence as the man was in deep thought, "My question is how he found it. There is no documentation on the location of my stone. It's on an uncharted Isle and it's under dozens on wards to make it untraceable to anyone myself and my dear Pernelle." The man paused again, "Where did he say it was located?"
Jack pulled the bottle away from his lips, wiped his mouth, and placed the bottle back on his person, "About forty-six miles due east from the Isla De Muerte. Once you land, take 120 paces southwest, third cave, down three miles... Then it get my memory gets a little fuzzy about the rest of it." He gave a hiccup.
The man rolled his eyes, "Well, with your obvious drinking problem, I'm surprised that much survived."
Jack let the insult roll off his back. He had a nice buzz going.
"Why are you so worried about the stone? Did you make it?" Harry asked, his left eyebrow cocked.
"Yes.. As a matter of fact, I did. I made the stone while on a search for immortality. Pernelle and I wanted so badly to prolong our lives. Well, once I finally made the stone, we learned that the stone not extended our lives, it broke curses and turned certain metals to gold. I'm not ever sure if that's all it can do. I haven't experimented much with it. I had to flee France and eventually England because of searchers of the stone."
"Why did you come here with the stone? You didn't think people would track you down here?" Sirius asked, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"No.. I knew Wizards would look for me.. They always have. You three are not the first to find me, either. That's why I don't keep the stone with me anymore. I keep it in an unplottable cave. Usually, I give the headstrong Wizard a fake map to it and while they are looking for the place, I pack up and leave." The man gave a chuckle, "None of them have ever forced me to go with them, surprisingly."
The man sighed, "So, enough about the stone for now.. Let's talk about your problem. You claim to have fallen through a veil of some kind and woke up in the past with no intact memories?"
Harry nodded, "That's the gist of it."
The man placed a hand on his chin, "I remember hearing that the British ministry was working on something like that when I worked for the Elite Task Force in France."
Sirius's eyes widened, "You've heard of this? Do you know what we should do?! I–"
Sirius was interrupted when the old man raised a hand to the man.
"Calm down. I didn't say anything like that. The last I heard of anything about this was when I was visiting France about seventy years ago. When I was researching the stone, I had a desk job there. One I finished the stone, the French ministry promised to keep my stone secret if I worked on said Task force. However, the information about it leaked about fifty years in, and Pernelle and I fled to England. I was interested in joining their Ministry, but I was bound to the French Ministry, and it was around the time that France and Britain were warring."
Jack gave loud yawn and propped his feet on the small foot stool in front of him, "Your life story is very interesting and all, but, what did you hear about said veil, love?"
"Well, I heard from a colleague of mine that England was experimenting with new ways of executing traitors and rogue wizards. They had had a few problems with their officials getting caught passing information to the French. Usually Wizards don't like executing each other, but they wanted to dispose of them instead of leaving them to rot in Azkaban. You know, to make an example of them. Well, friend of mine told me he had gotten some inside information that they were creating a new method of getting rid of unwanted Wizards discreetly without killing them."
"They never intended to kill those who fell through?" Harry asked quietly.
"That's the thing. What I was told was this thing was still being worked on. Their intention was to make all who pass lose their memories and start anew in some other time, where they wouldn't be a problem to those around anymore. People guilty of many petty crimes. They figured that the people would adapt to where they landed and wouldn't cause anymore problems. However, when they tested it, some people would die going through. The spell would literally blend their brains into goo and they would be dead once they made it to the other side. It's been seventy years... For all I know, England has finished the thing and it's in working order."
Harry bit his lip and looked down at his cup of tea. He remembered when he fell through, the hands with their icy clutch on his skull. He remembered their reaching into his consciousness and ripping away at who he was.
"I'm surprised you remember who you are after fall though. It seems that the wizards would have made sure to erase all memories," the old man said with a shrug.
"I fought against it. I forced it to leave my mind. I remembered very little when I awoke. Just my name and a few bare facts. Like that Sirius was my Godfather. Sirius was unconscious when he fell through. He only remembered one word when I spoke to him."
"What was word was that?"
"Mirror," Sirius answered. "And later on, I found this mirror in a concealed pocket of my robes. Here.." Sirius reached into his pocket and pulled the mirror out. He had brought it with him in hopes that they did find Flamel and he could tell them what it was.
The grey-haired man took the mirror. He lifted it to his face, "There is no reflection.. It appears to be some kind of two-way mirror that children play with."
Sirius cocked an eyebrow, "Two-way mirror? How would it work?"
Nicholas chuckled," Well, there are two in a set. Each child has one and when they are apart and want to speak to each other, they simply raise the mirror and speak their friend's name. Pernelle used to have several she'd use to keep up with a few friends a few centuries ago."
"So.. All I have to do is speak the name of a friend and I'll see them?" Sirius asked, taking the mirror back from the man.
"No. It has to be the name of the person who is in possession of the mirror at the time," the man paused for a moment after seeing the hope in the two wizard's eyes, "Please remember it's just a child's play thing. It might not work, seeing as the two mirrors are not in the same time period."
"But.. It could be worth a shot, right?" Sirius asked, looking into the mirror.
"Of course. Go ahead and try. I assume you remember a name?"
"Just one. I remember the name of Harry's father. If it were my mirror, it would make perfect sense for him to have the other." Sirius raised the mirror, "James Potter."
The mirror gave a faint sheen, but nothing happened. Sirius repeated the name twice before giving up.
"No matter, either he doesn't have it with him or he is not the one with the other mirror. I'm sure this James Potter was not the only friend you had back on the other side–" The man paused when a thought popped into his mind, "What were you two doing the English ministry that day you both fell through?"
Harry was caught off-guard by the question, "What do you mean?"
"Well, the Ministry certainly isn't going to leave a weapon like in the open where just anyone can get to it. It's going to be kept hidden where only high ranking officials can use it. Now, answer the question, what were you two doing in that part of the Ministry?"
Harry sighed, "I don't remember.. All I do remember is that Sirius fell through the view, Remus Lupin held me back and I fought away to follow after him."
"Remus Lupin?" the man asked curiously.
"A.. friend of Sirius's," Harry answered cautiously.
"I see.. Was there a problem? Was the man here being executed and forced through the veil? Is it possible that your parents work there and you three were merely snooping? Did something happened and Sirius fell through?"
Harry shook his head miserably, "No clue."
"I do not know the inner-workings of the English Ministry, but if it is anything like the French Ministry, there are several different hierarchies. At the bottom is where only the selected people work. That is where secret Ministry projects are ran. It's where secret executions are made. It's where the prophesies are kept. Away from the public, but not entirely out of reach. Could you have possibly been looking for a prophesy?"
Harry considered this for a minute while Sirius merely shrugged. The prospect of looking for a prophesy sounded a bit too far-fetched for him to believe, but it felt right. "I'm not sure.. It's possible," he answered finally.
The old man sighed, "Well, I think the best thing for us to do is try to get you boys back your memories... But there are only two possible things that I can think of that might work."
"If it's going to require that we spend more than one more night here, you two are on your own. Adele is already closing in, "Jack spoke up finally.
The man turned his head and glared at Jack, "If Adele wanted to kill you, he'd have done it already. How long has he been chasing you?"
"Nearly four weeks. He popped over to my ship and had a word with me. I broke his wand and he left."
Nicholas merely chuckled, "He wasn't just there to tell you he was coming after you. He was there for information. I bet you everything I own that he invaded your mind and found out your plan. I assure you he knew before you left that you were going to find me. I believe he wants to find me too. He wants the stone. He needs it to break the curse that is on him."
"But.. Why wouldn't he want to live forever? It seems like more like a gift than a curse," Harry wondered aloud.
Nicholas sighed, "Maybe for most. Sometimes living for so long can be a burden. I can't count how many times Pernelle and I thought about abandoning the potion and just living out our natural lives. Besides, you must remember that Adele had attempted suicide. We don't know why, but obviously he didn't want to live anymore. That curse keeps him alive, suffering for whatever reason. However, it's possible that he could have had a change of heart and wants to live, and he wants the stone for some other reason, as well."
There was a long silence as the older couple finished their tea.
"However, back to the point. The best way to break the curse, I believe would be to get my stone. Each of you could sleep with it one night under your pillow and it should work to bring back your memories. It really depends on the strength of the curse, but it should work."
"How do you know it will work?" Sirius asked, not lavishing the idea of sleeping with a hard gem under his head.
"Well, to be honest I don't know for sure. I'm basing my opinion on an experience I had in the year 1723. I was on the run from a group of people seeking the stone. I was almost out of sight when one of either jinxes hit me. It was a simple confusion memory charm. However, I managed to make it to a cave and stay the night there. I slept on my knapsack, carrying the stone, and when I awoke, everything was back in order."
"Could the jinx have just worn off while you were sleeping, old man?" Jack asked slightly slurred.
"Not this one. It was powerful enough to keep me down for weeks."
Harry felt a surge of excitement, "Where is this stone? Can we go get it?"
"I keep on an uncharted island in an unplottable cave. It stays in a basin of water. See, that's how I've lived so long. The stone changes the water into an elixir that slows down life. I believe we could get there within the week if we leave tomorrow morning."
"Hold it.. Hold it, "Jack slurred, standing up from where he was sitting. "If what you say is true, then Adele could be here already. He could guess we'd be going to the Island where this thing is held and set up a trap for us there. We would walk right into it. Before we decide that's what we want to do, what is the other course of action you mentioned?"
"The other course would be to floo to the closet Wizarding Ministry and plea for someone to lift the curse on those two. It is quicker, but there is almost no guarantee it will work. They will figure that you two were criminals that have begun to remember things and treat you as such. Elected officials and government workers are all very predictable," he paused for a moment, "It's really amazing you two have been able to bring memories back to each other."
"So, what's the plan then, Flamel?" Jack asked, not wanting to be here much longer. He wasn't quite ready to go to the Hotel and face Will. Hell, he was still considering if he should just slip away with the two Wizards back to the ship and just head out tonight.
"Well, I suggest we leave early tomorrow morning and head on out," he turned to his wife, "Is that a problem for you, Pernelle, my dear?"
She smiled lightly, "No, dear. Just be safe."
"Then, I'll be ready to leave tomorrow morning. You three are welcome to stay here tonight, if you wish."
Jack opened his mouth to accept the offer, but Sirius with a smirk spoke, "No thank you, sir. We have an Inn waiting for us at the end of the road."
Jack gave the man a glare and pulled out his second bottle of rum and drank hungrily from it.
"Very well, see three in the morning!" He said standing. He showed the three to the door.
They thanked him for the information. Harry was excited that he would soon be back to who he used to be. No more confusion about who he was. He'd learn of the people he'd been dreaming of, and remember the good and the bad.
As they approached the Inn, they were greeted by the Keeper who was shutting down for the night. He pointed them in the direction of their rooms and led them over.
They thanked the man and he left. Sirius sighed and knocked lightly on the door. As the door swung open, Harry cried out as Jack grabbed Harry about the shoulders and forced him against the opposite wall. Harry's eyes widened when he felt Jack stare him in the eye.
"Don't leave," he said, an order.
Will walked out of the room next to Sirius. "Jack, what the hell are you doing?!" the brunette yelled angrily.
"Get off of him, Jack! If you don't get off of him, Harry and I will abandon you. We'll take Nicholas Flamel and you'll be Adele's mercy!"
Harry stood there confused. He had not idea what the man wanted. He just stared at the drunken pirate that pinned him against the wall.
"Don't leave, Harry.. I'm serious."
"He's drunk, young man," Will said, reaching over to pull Jack away from Harry.
"Touch me and I will kill you, William Turner," Jack spat, not removing his eyes from Harry.
Will pulled back his hand as if he had touch something hot.
"Captain Sparrow.. I'm not going anywhere.." Harry whispered, trying not to enrage the man further.
"No. That's not what I mean. Will is a lost cause, but I don't want you to go either."
Harry stared into the heavily inebriated man's eyes. He didn't understand where this outburst had come from, and it was making him feel very embarrassed.
"I can't promise you that.." Harry whispered, "I know I'll want to go back to my family once I remember the--"
Harry's words were interrupted when Jack firmly pressed his lips to Harry's. Sirius was instantly enraged and pulled the two apart. Will, on the other hand, stared blankly as the man he had loved pressed his lips against another.
To Be Continued..
Oooooh! Scandalous! What's gonna happen? Why is Jack suddenly so desperate not to let Harry go? ..Eh, it's food for thought until I can write the next chapter.
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