Chapter 11
Astyr fell to his cot, exhausted. Men all around did likewise. He had busied himself all day doing work. He polished the shiny brass fittings all over the ship, and had found himself among the yards replacing sail ties. He felt contented after his day and the aching in his muscles was good. He fell into the darkness of sleep, sinking into his mattress with thoughts of his Harry permeating his brain.
Astyr looked around at the dreamscape. He didn't recognize it at all. He stood in a forest clearing. All around him were colossal trees whose branches were warped and twisted. The spaces between tree trunks were small and a person would barely be able to slip among them. Some leaves on the ground seemed to have a silvery substance on them. It gleamed and dripped like mercury.
Astyr walked farther into the clearing, avoiding the few trees that defiantly grew in the semi-open space. He was surprised as he rounded one of these to find Harry. But then, why not dream of him? He certainly occupied his thoughts enough during the day. Maybe this was beginning to become an unhealthy obsession.
Astyr grinned to himself. He slowly crept up on the seemingly stunned boy-who-lived. He wrapped his arms around him in a warm way, hugging him close and breathing on his ear. He let out a breath, letting it tickle his neck. He sighed it out as their bodies contacted and he smiled in pleasure.
"Harry…" He murmured to him deliciously.
"Astyr!"
Harry's previously stiffened body relaxed into him. He was relieved.
"Oh Astyr I couldn't find you. I was terrified that you had left me!"
"Ill never leave you, love."
"But you did!" He whined indignantly, wishing the world were fair.
Astyr just shook his head into his shoulder. He changed the subject.
"Where are we?"
"The Forbidden Forest."
"Ooo. Sounds forbidding."
"Yes…"
"Is this a particular part of the Forbidden Forest?" He teased lightly, turning Harry around to see his eyes.
"Yes. This is where the unicorn died."
Astyr stilled. It was a terrible crime to kill a unicorn. Not even other animals would do it. They were too pure, too loving and too innocent. The laws at home were severe about such a thing and as a result, Fray had the biggest unicorn population in the world. The island was extremely magical and they seemed to thrive there.
"Who…Who killed it?"
"Voldemort. He wanted her blood. I watched him drink upon her, and I saw the light leave her eyes…"
Harry's tone was sad and pained. Astyr had once read a book about a sorcerer who had captured a number of animals and a few humans. Before their eyes, the man had tortured a unicorn to death. The story went that every single creature there went insane as it saw such a glorious thing being abused. They ran around the countryside, killing men. Every one of them believed man had to be truly evil to be capable of doing that. The king of that land had regretfully killed the prisoners. It was not safe to do otherwise.
"Harry…I'm sorry."
"Its fine. It was a long time ago."
"Why are we here?"
"I don't know. Dreams are funny. They take us places we don't realize we remember."
Astyr found himself lost in Harry's eyes as he looked up. They stayed like that for more than a minute, soaking up each other's personalities. They wouldn't usually be able to do it but here there was no one to stop them or watch them. They only had nervous inhibitions and resolved to look away when the other did.
Harry gazed at those powerful hazel orbs. He saw the intelligence and interest in them. He saw the passion and feeling. He felt truly at home, at peace with where he was. Somehow, he knew Astyr wouldn't hurt him willingly. He took a step closer, closing the gap between them.
Astyr loved Harry's eyes. He was nervous about what Harry was seeing in his own but could only let himself get pulled into the brilliant green before him. They were pure. Harry was pure and wonderful. Astyr wanted nothing more than to hug him close, feel his body once more. Then his wishes were answered. Harry took a step forward.
Astyr opened his arms automatically and Harry fell into them, gasping into Astyr's shoulder. He hadn't thought Astyr would let him. He hadn't thought Astyr would even accept him. But he had.
They felt each others' racing hearts and let out their breaths. They hugged hard, trying to get closer than they possibly could, unwilling to be apart. The slowly sank to the ground because Harry's legs had long since given out and Astyr wanted to comfort him. They sat, Harry on top and still clutching tightly. Astyr crooned in his ear. They spent the rest of the dream like that, rocking slightly and feeling each other's presence.
They awoke content.
Harry set out at dawn. He wanted to catch up to Astyr and berate him for leaving. He grabbed half of his men and directed them straight inland. They chose horses, apparition and portkeying being less than conducive for a thorough search. They raced over hills and valleys, stopping only to ask if the populace had seen their quarry. Harry did not allow them to know who he was but that did not prevent the people from being awed by the large party of men.
They spelled their horses to be stronger, faster, and to eat up the land tirelessly. The peasants and citizens told many stories. They spoke of merchants on the road that may have matched Astyr's description but the truth ended in old men, herdsmen, and even women. Eventually they only asked what the people had seen to which they replied a number of stories, none including Astyr.
Finding no evidence of Astyr's coming, Harry switched directions. He found himself among mountains, forests, and rivers. As they moved, they ate, not wanting to waste time. Harry spent 2 weeks scouring the land, plagued nightly by dreams of his prince.
As he was about to pass the border into a western country, Remus caught up to him. He came on an exhausted horse, looking worn and underfed. He staggered into their camp early in the morning, just as they were about to set out.
"Harry." He said softly to a man, causing him to run to find the Commander.
"Remus! What are you doing here?"
"I thought I might find you here. This is the only pass you might take. Listen Harry. You must stop this madness. You will not find him. Scrying has not worked, blood magic, black magic, and even physical searching; nothing has found him."
"I have to find him! He might be hurt or captured. He might be enslaved, imperioed, assassinated…"
"Harry. Astyr left on his own. He chose to leave! He did not wish to worry anyone. Harry, this is his world. His life. His will."
"But Remus…" Harry's voice dropped to a whisper, "I cannot lose him. I love him, Remus! I cannot lose…"
"Oh Harry, I am so sorry. I'm sorry but you have to let go."
"Why have you come?" Harry sounded defeated and worn.
"I have been called."
"You?"
"We have been called." He amended.
"By the council?"
"By the Circlet."
"Then we must go...Men!" He addressed the packing soldiers, "You are going home."
The men cheered. They had not been home in more than a month and wished to return to their families. All of them had families in different worlds and Harry would get each to his own.
"Sir. Astyr…" Gary was worried about his young friend.
"Yes, Gary. You may stay. You will be my contact here. Find him. Keep him safe. I charge you with the finding and killing of his original assassin and his employer." Gary grinned and hopped up onto his horse. He would return to the capital, send the rest of the men home, and begin his search.
"Harry…We must go now."
"Yes Remy. We must."
With that, Harry summoned his magic. He drew a circle in the air and chanted in his head. As he concentrated, each of his men disappeared.
The last to go, Vera smiled and said, "Good luck." Before she popped away.
Harry smiled tightly but did not pause. He sent Oshald to Hogwarts. Then Cole went, and then Frank. Finally, Remus vanished.
Alone, Harry sighed. He paused a moment in his casting and looked around, willing Astyr to come out. When nothing was forthcoming, He left the world.
Astyr let out a surprised breath. Shit. A pulling in his gut made him clench his teeth. The men around him playing dice looked at him oddly, waiting for his throw of the dice. He slowly relaxed as the pulling settled. A strange feeling remained but everything seemed intact. He dropped the dice.
"Snake eyes! Oh that is unlucky! Better next throw, eh lad?"
"Yea…" Astyr replied as the dice settled ominously.
He dismissed the feeling and went back to the game. He refused to lose so easily.
Harry groaned as Astyr's fingers found another hard muscle and began working on it. He was laying flat on his stomach in the hospital wing and was determined not to notice the bright white walls and the potion smell.
"You're so tense. What are you doing that is so frustrating?"
"I…Ohhh. It's the stupid Circlet of Power. They have been calling meetings everyday for the last week. I am about ready to march in there, take over, and demand a treaty within an hour."
"And what will you use to get them to agree?"
"The lives of their unborn children." Harry growled.
"Ah. What exactly are they fighting over?"
"They want the right to rob uninhabited planets of their natural resources. It is complete foolishness."
"What exactly is the Circlet of Power? My father mentioned it often but I didn't listen."
"It is a group of wizards. Specifically, they are the top dogs of the most powerful worlds I have visited. Actually, it can be rather amusing. They have such different cultures and yet they manage to have one defining characteristic."
"Which is?"
"They all have the heads up their asses."
"You don't really mean that…?"
Harry sighed and sat up. "No. I suppose I don't. I chose them because I liked them. But this argument is pointless. Steeling these resources would destroy the economy. And the robbed worlds of course would be denied necessary elements for living evolution. They argue that these things could cure diseases but that would mess with their own evolution. It is all a bunch of bullshit. And it gets worse. Once this is done, new arguments will be opened regarding trading between worlds and then exchange of peoples and blah blah blah…"
Harry sat back with a thump.
Astyr chuckled. Harry was not having a fun time. These dreams had become normal for both of them. They had once addressed the possibility that they were real. After some thought, they decided that they might be but also that it was subject to unreal change. For instance, they could dream up what they wanted at will, or make the other say something they didn't intend to.
Astyr avoided telling Harry where he was though he didn't know if that was a subconscious block or real strategy. Whatever the reason, they were content with each other and glad for this tenuous contact. They had become close and didn't really know if it would translate to the real world. Their relationship status went unaddressed and waited for an answer.
They established a slight routine. First, they would come to the dream and find one another. It took some time but they eventually met. The surroundings were based on one of their memories and the owner was required to explain it. The only time this had not happened was when they arrived at a very dark and spooky graveyard that had Harry tightlipped and pale and caused both to toss in their sleep restlessly.
They would then find the comfort zone before settling. Sometimes they would hold one another as in the forest dream. Sometimes they would talk from meters apart. Mostly, they were close but friendly. They didn't take anything too fast, unsure about how it would be received, but also wishing that progress would be made out in the real world. The dreams remained otherworldly and surreal for both of them, but they were remembered and analyzed upon awakening.
"Why don't you leave it to them? If they make a stupid mistake, go and fix it and berate them for it."
"I would love to do that but I would only be making myself more of an icon. If I leave and come to fix mistakes, I am God. If I sit through their arguments and correct them, I am a leader."
"If you are God, you get to smite people."
Harry laughed at Astyr's impish look.
"If I am God, I am followed by pesky worshippers and blamed for petty mistakes."
"As opposed to stalked by fans and asked to fix petty mistakes?"
"Point. Okay. I'll think about it. How is your life these days, you illustrious Sparkle?"
"Well, I have made new friends and had new adventures. I am about to set out on a particularly daring quest…Life is good."
"Such luck! Be careful. I wouldn't want to lose you to some behemoth."
"Lose me? You have me?"
Harry sighed, "Point."
"Don't worry Shag. I will be fine."
Those were the last words Harry heard before he awoke in the room he was assigned to for the circlet. He thought for a minute before agreeing with Astyr. He got up and prepared for the meeting.
"Entering; Harry Potter, Emperor."
"Please be seated." Harry intoned traditionally, rolling his eyes.
"May I have permission to open this session, Emperor?"
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake these men of their ridiculous insistence on titles. Well today he would exert his power so he supposed it was fitting.
"No, Gaius, you may not."
The circlet looked to him in surprise.
"I will open it. You are all foolish. This entire discussion is pointless. The long-term consequences are fatal and I will not support this debate. I will no longer preside over this circlet, over your worlds and over this idiocy. There is no reason behind your madness, only political movement. I strongly advise you to take the well being of you citizens into account. I am leaving now. I expect you all to either get a clue or kill yourselves. I might come to help you when your worlds are failing but I will not greet any of you kindly. Good Bye."
Before the horrified eyes of the gathered mages, Harry, their emperor and most powerful member, disappeared.
Okay, so he had been a little harsh, Harry acknowledged as he touched down with a grin in front of the ministry of magic. But he was free! Free from ever attending those boring debates. Remus would keep him updated, he knew. He had seen his amused expression across the table as he made his announcement.
Harry trotted over to a phone booth, dialing the magic code. When the disimpassioned voice asked his business, Harry wickedly stated, "To fuck a hippogriff"
He happily pinned his button to his shirt and waltzed into the atrium. He would enjoy every minute of shocking the ministry with his arrival. He walked over to the desk where a young woman demanded to see his wand. Harry obliged and handed it over.
"13 inches, willow. Dragon heartstring. Everything seems to be in order Mr…Ha….HARRY POTTER!"
"Yes, thank you." Harry held out his hand politely for his wand.
"You….You!"
"Yes. Me." He said amusedly.
"I…You…Potter…."
The woman fainted. The other people in the atrium didn't seem to notice.
Harry swiped up his wand and proceeded to the elevator. He stepped in, noticing that it was packed with people. He entered and punched his floor. The doors closed and one man took an interest in the boy standing next to him. He looked to his face just as Harry unconsciously flipped his hair out of his eyes, momentarily revealing his scar.
"Ah. So you have got one of those too, eh? My son has been begging for one. They are all the new rage I hear. He says everyone at school has them. He goes to Hogwarts, just like Mr. Potter did!" The man said it proudly, lifting his chin. "He will become great someday. He is in Gryffindor. He plays on the team and everything. Do you think I should get him a scar?"
"Err…"
"I suppose I will. It will be a Christmas present. He will be very happy with it, I think."
"Sure."
Harry hadn't known that he was this idolized. Things had really gotten bad since he was gone.
"This is me." Harry excused himself and walked quickly down the corridor.
The man gaped after him. It wasn't everyday that someone visited the minister's floor. It was the first below ground level and only those with high enough status or with express permission were allowed to even touch the minister's floor button.
Harry strode confidently to the office door at the end of the hall. He knocked and waited with a slight smile.
"I'm busy Tracy. Come back later."
"But 'Mione, I came all this way to see you. I was a world away and it takes energy to jump so far."
"HARRY!" Came the squeal and the door was yanked open.
Harry was engulfed by Hermione's perfume and hair as she hugged him. He laughed and twirled her a little before settling and drawing away.
"You look wonderful. The high life has been treating you well, I see."
"There just hasn't been as much trouble without you around. It seems to follow you."
"Indeed. How is Draco? Last I checked, he was in trouble enough."
"And I still am. Have you come to bail me out Scarhead?"
The comment came from the languid form of Draco Malfoy as he lounged in a seat before the Minister's lush desk.
"No, I leave you to deal with your own scum, Ferretface." Harry retorted.
Malfoy got up and approached The Boy Who Lived, looking him up and down.
"Long time no see."
"Yea."
Suddenly, they embraced, causing Hermione to smile slightly. They pulled back respectfully and began to talk about the war. Hermione rang for some tea and joined in, offering the viewpoint from the British government. Apparently Draco was there requesting supplies for his armies as he fought the dark invasion in France. Hermione and Draco concluded their business and the three of them left for the leaky cauldron, grabbing jackets on their way out.
The three made a stunning sight as they traveled through the ministry. The French General and war veteran, Draco Malfoy, and the first female Minister of Magic, Hermione Granger, flanked Harry Potter, the-boy-who-defeated-the-Dark-Lord. Everyone who saw them stopped to stare as they walked past. As they flooed to the pub, Tom, the barkeep, was happy to host them, ushering them into a private room. They settled down and started to catch up.
"So Dray. Meet any new men lately?"
"Why, Potter? Interested? No, I am regrettably single. I have little time to devote towards such frivolities."
"And you, 'Mione? Anyone catch your fancy?"
"Perhaps. He is a muggle who I often see in my local coffee shop. I don't know how to approach him though. What am I supposed to say? 'Hi, I'm a witch. No I don't have a job…Well, except for running the wizarding world. It really is quite hard.'"
"I dunno 'Mione. You could say you are into politics."
"I'm just nervous, Harry. I haven't dated anyone since Ron died. I feel old. I am even doing an old person's job. I've already been widowed, for merlin's sake."
"'Mione, you are barely 20. Don't worry about it. How about you, Mr. Hero? Meet anyone that isn't obsessed with your toe nails?"
Draco smirked expectantly.
"I've gone and fallen in love but I doubt we'll get together."
"What!? You, Witch Weekly's stud-muffin of the year, in love? Do my ears deceive me? How could you not get together?"
"Well, it's complicated. He left randomly one night. He just up and decided he wanted to explore the world. I don't think I even factored into his staying there. Plus, all he really sees in me is Facis. The great and conquering hero."
"Were you ever intimate with him?" Draco inquired slyly.
"No. But we were friends. I don't really understand it. I dream with him every night."
"Wait, you dream with him? How does that work?"
Hermione picked up on the distinction quickly.
"I think we share our dreams."
"It's official. Potter has gone loopy."
"Hush Draco. I'm sure it makes sense to him. Right Harry?"
"…"
Draco smirked triumphantly when no response was forthcoming.
Harry sighed.
"We are close friends. I don't really know what to think. He is the most amazing person I have ever met and I really don't want to screw it up."
"Aw Harry. You really are in love." Hermione said sweetly, touching Harry's hand.
"Gee, thanks for the insight, 'Mione. Really helpful." Harry looked down into his beer mug.
"Well sorry. I don't know what to say. He seems perfect though, doesn't he? I mean, he doesn't worship your toe nails, does he?"
"No."
"See Potter? There is hope. I can't believe you found someone you would prefer over me."
"Well, Malfoy, he may not worship my toe nails, but he doesn't despise them either." Harry said defensively.
"Ah. A bipartisan sycophant. I should have known." Draco smirked, leaning back in his chair.
Harry rolled his eyes. He quickly steered the conversation away, asking after his favorite quidditch teams and the next world cup. He would deal with Astyr alone. His friends could offer little advice. Only Fate seemed to help him much when it came to relationship problems.
Gary grimaced when he found the right pub. He walked inside. It had taken a lot of bribery, threatening, and interrogating, but he felt he was on the right track, dingy as it may be.
He walked up to the barkeep and asked in a low tone, "Seen any kids come through? Looking for work or maybe just for a place to stay?"
"Hmm? Nah. Alls I ever gets is sea folk lookin' fer a job. Gets plenty o' them, I do. But I reckon you're after that princely feller. That fray kid. I aint got any royalty in this house!"
He guffawed loudly, much to Gary's disgust.
"How about just an inexperienced boy? He would want work. I've heard he came through here?"
"Yea theres was one. Or two. But they all are lookin after the same job. Berk's ship were here a few weeks ago. Alls them boys were after a spot on his ship. Only took one though."
"Where did it go?"
"Straight out. I betcher it went to the island de mort. I heard a sailor talkin' bouts some king needin' an artifact. Berk's always goes for them dangrus jobs."
"Thanks."
Gary tipped him and ran down towards the wharf. There was no time to waste. He had to somehow get a ship that would travel to a mythological island. He sped up a little.
Berk grinned at Astyr as he walked towards him. They had become good friends once they realized that each was a sensible and intelligent man. Berk enjoyed the young man's spark and they had taken to sharing a debate or two during the long hours of the day. He was only slightly put out when his friend insisted on going to bed before anyone else.
"Why?" he had asked when the boy had warned him about his sleeping habits.
"Well that should be obvious, my dear captain. I have a love in my dreams."
Whether he meant he loved his dreams or that perhaps he had a fantasy lover, Berk had not been able to discern. He watched as the kid tripped inelegantly over a cleat and caught himself as the deck pitched slightly. When he was focused, he could get around the boat faster than any other Berk had ever seen. But when he was not paying attention or wasn't worried or in danger, he swayed like a drunk and was taken off guard by every wave.
"Captain!" Astyr had finally made it.
"Hello, Harry."
"I hear we are leaving known waters today."
"Yes. That would be the case."
Undeterred by his companion's unresponsiveness, Astyr forged on, "Exactly where are we going in the unknown?"
"The Island De Mort."
"Death's abode, eh?"
Berk was startled by his cheery tone.
"Yes. It has been described as such."
"Surrounded by perpetual black clouds, big tall volcano in the middle, savage man-eating demons?"
"Yes." He replied in amusement, enjoying his reaction.
"What's the objective?"
"A fleece, I think. Or maybe it was a goblet? I truly can't recall. Something about a curse. And maybe a locked up princess…"
Astyr loved it when Berk made a joke. He kept a perfectly straight face and never let on that it was humorous at all. He made you think he meant every word he said. The first time he had fallen victim to his captain's mocking, he'd stopped short in shock and gaped at him in disbelief.
Now he grinned and responded, "Nothing to do with the fabled Ruby of Death, I suppose?"
"Oh, that must have been it. I get my adventures confused."
"Can I get off?"
"No."
He just grinned cheekily and said, "Damn." And walked away.
A/N there are some pitfalls that, as a writer, I don't ever want to run into. One, When people are talking, I don't want to over describe anything but more importantly, I don't want a conversation to lose character. When two people are engaging in repartee, It's hard to give the impression of a fast pace without losing some detail. I don't want to sound like I'm talking to myself. If this chapter has any conversations that sound like I'm talking to myself, please tell me.
