Chapter 11: The Unreal Land
Beta version will be updated when kibaikasu is through it.
A/N: Completely redone with some fresh ideas. Hope you like it.
FROM NOW ON THE STORY MOVES AHEAD WITH NEW CHAPTERS.
Arienne the snake nodded once and faded in air, leaving a thoroughly confused and tired Harry.
A few seconds later a knock was herd on the door. He called for them to come in.
Chapter: The Unreal Land
They entered and stood near Harry, Jean checked for Harry's pulses and Ollivander performed the general diagnostic spell. "Pulses are normal, what do you think Monsieur Ollivander?"
"Core is stable. And no other complications, congratulation Mr. Potter, objective successful. You can use your magic without restrain and threat to your life." Ollivander cheered. Harry sighed in relief, now that he was under no obligation to comply with unknown magical people no matter what they claim, it felt better.
He flexed his arms and legs to free the joints. "Yeah it feels better, and more flexible. I can move better."
Jean nodded, "Good. Now you change back to your clothes. We will wait outside." They exited the room, leaving Harry alone. He quickly changed back in his clothes and went out. The two elder wizards were waiting patiently for him.
Ollivander turned to him, "All set Mr. Potter." Harry nodded affirmative. "Well lets return shall we." He lead them out of the safe house back towards the port-key point.
Harry came out of the safe house and looked around. The sky looked just as it was when they had arrived. Entire area looked like some war fields, the lands were bare and charred at places, large fissures and craters dotted the ground like Zeus had just battled on the lands. Waves that he had been emanating had created ripples on the lands; it looked like sea waves had been captured in stone. He could even see smoke coming from some far off places.
"Yeah you almost activated some of the ancient dormant volcanoes; the power you showed was not seen since the time of Merlin. Great things are expected from you Mr. Potter. I hope you use what got aptly." Ollivander and Jean were also looking at pillars of smoke rising from some of the volcanoes. Harry noticed the condition of the platform and the stones around, "Your stones can… can they still function?" The absorbing pillars, some turned to dust, some standing regally even through the heavy onslaught but heavily marred. Surprisingly the platform only looked like soot covered razed at some places.
"If I find the dwarfs nearby then maybe. Though I'm quite sure they can't be repaired at least not completely." Ollivander sighed. Harry knew it will be great loss but it was unavoidable.
"This is my problem, Harry. Let's move on, its late already." Ollivander produced the pocket watch port-key and motioned for all to touch. Harry touched the 'nefarious' thing distastefully and they all whizzed out of the land spinning with high torque. Harry unfortunately had to taste the dusty wooden floor of Ollivander's shop.
He got up and spat all the dust in his mouth. "Honestly don't you have other means to travel? What about those brooms that witches use to fly?"
Jean laughed, "Yes we do have brooms, Harry. But they are slower and not suitable to travel such long distances."
The door bell jingled announcing the arrival of ladies, "You took longer than informed. 'arry 'ow are you now?" Apolline asked with concern.
"Better than before, Madam Delacour, I am grateful to you and entire family's help and support." Harry returned her gesture and thanked to all at the same time.
"Oh don't mention it. It was the least we can do." Apolline gave him an affectionate hug.
Harry for some unknown reason didn't feel aroused rather for him it was a mother's love. In a way he was grateful that it remained that way, or else he wouldn't be able look in that women's or her husband's eyes ever.
Ollivander who had ducked down the counter emerged back holding a very old and crudest shaped wand Harry had ever seen until now. "Mr. Potter, I would like to confirm my test for the second time if you agree. This is an any-wand, not my creation. It's origins is unknown but this wand is very unique in its own nature. This will respond to any wizard or witch irrespective of their affinities. It has been in my family for long. Now on to working, you hold this wand and pass some of your energy through it. This will make the tip glow. Now on the spectrum scale if the glow tends towards red then your core is unstable and you will feel spasm of pain throughout your body. So the bluer the better. And also it confirms your strength."
Harry took the wand calmly. It was made of jagged wood, displaying every bit of years it has seen, on the contrary smooth to touch. He took a deep a breath in and dug in himself in search of the pool of curious energy. He felt a sudden surge of unknown thrusting through his wand arm and wrapping the wood in itself. He opened his to see a brilliant shape of violet ball formed upon the tip which glowed with a dull throb like pulse. Awed by the sight no one tried to even breathe in fear of making it disappear. Slowly Harry curbed the energy flow and allowed the light to die.
Ollivander caught in wonder whispered, "Curious… but amazing." He took the wand back from Harry, "Well Mr. Potter, it confirms our results. Now for equipping you with a wand I would suggest you come back tomorrow so that you are well rested and recovered."
Harry agreed to it, "Yeah sure. I will visit around noon, will that be fine?"
"As you wish Mr. Potter. I will look for you. Madam Curte, Monsieur and Madam Delacour, and Miss Delacours please do visit again." he bowed them out of the shop.
"Thank you Mr. Ollivander. Wait what of your costs and reimbursements from my rituals." Harry went for his pouch of coins.
"You don't pay for it Mr. Potter, you will only pay for your wand tomorrow." Ollivander amiably dismissed the matter.
"I will pay for my troubles, sir. I insist." Harry didn't budge. Embarrassment
"It's been taken care of." Ollivander vaguely hinted.
"I see" Harry knew what he meant and exited the shop with a final nod to Ollivander.
"Fleur said zere was a good ice cream parlor nearby, let's go zere; common 'urry up." Gabrielle 'subtly' suggested to which Harry's abdomen fiercely agreed. He sheepishly scratched back of his head in embarrassment. The group merrily excused Harry and reached Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and chose to sit outdoors. A waitress came to them, "Good evening Ma'ams, Sirs and welcome to the Florean's Ice cream parlor. May I take your orders please?" She had bubblegum pink hair that bounced above her shoulder, a pen stuck between her rose red lips; standard sun yellow uniform with a black and white stripped apron, and long slender legs flounced with pride. Her striking ebony eyes looked up from her notepad and connected with the emerald green pair. She couldn't help but search deep within those eyes, like they were calling her.
"Excuse me… 'ello… 'EY" a hungry Gabrielle wasn't one you would like to confront, "you can undress 'im wiz your eyes later first get me my order. A chocolate sundae wiz chopped nuts and make eet triple scoop."
The waitress blushed hard and tore her eyes from Harry and glared coldly at Gabrielle, "Yes ma'am. And what of yours sir?" she sweetly asked Harry.
"Anything such a lovely hostess as yourself suggests." Harry replied cordially making the girl's blush match her hair. She smiled brightly in return, "Right on, Sir." She then quickly took rest of the order and hurried off with a skip in her step.
"Mr Delacour, do you mind if I ask you something?" Harry gained Jean's attention.
"Certainly you may Harry."
"Why… I mean who exactly paid the expenses of Mr. Ollivander's services?" Harry asked intently.
Jean gave a wan smile, "Harry let me make one thing absolutely certain. You are not a guest for us, you are a family member so don't think even a second that a few galleons would measure our love for you. Whoever paid whatever paid shouldn't concern you. Even if we have to spend every last knut of ours to help you then we will without a pause. Please Harry you will shame us if try to pay us back. You are James' son so our son also." Apolline pressed Harry's hand affectionately and smiled warmly.
Harry nodded in understanding, but he would certainly pay back even if not in money. The evening was spent in joy and harmony like a perfect family gathering with bonus of excellent ice-cream. Though Harry got separate napkin with a name and address and a saucy wink from Sue their hostess.
At about quarter to seven they returned to the white mansion. "Mr. Delacour, I thank you whole heartedly for your help. But I think I should return back, it's been two days since I met with my team they must be anxious for me."
"Yes, of course, they must be." Jean agreed, "But Harry remember tomorrow you will get your wand. And one important thing before you go, Harry."
"Yes sir?"
"There's an important rule of our community, we can't reveal anything about magic to any muggle or non magical people. So you can't talk about anything that happens in this part of world to anyone on the counter part unless they already about the magical society. It's our duty to follow this basic rule irrespective of your connection to the magic."
Harry nodded in agreement and he didn't want to be considered off his rockers or an anomaly among his peers, "Sure sir I will keep it in my mind. Oh and before I forget where can I find my car which I parked at your portico?"
Apoline interrupted Jean from answering, "Fleur will be happy to guide you." She smiled dazzlingly at her daughter. The said girl glanced incredulously at her 'ever so helpful' mother before stomping ahead of Harry towards the entrance, not waiting for any response.
Harry just stood there in his silent shock and amusement at the way things were going. He liked Apolline and her conviviality.
"I'm not going to send you a golden invitation, so for god's sake will you hurry up." Fleur stood impatiently by the door with a frown creased on her smooth skin.
"I should hurry up." Harry shook Jean's hand again and hurried towards the short tempered veela. They exited the foyer and stood by the fountain, "So where is my car." Harry looked for any hints of a Mercedes standing nearby.
Fleur smirked and snapped her fingers, "Tippy". Out no where a car popped into existence and skidded to halt right in front Harry. Shinning like a newly polished gemstone, even dust shied from its gleam. An elf stepped out of the car and bowed deeply to both Harry and Fleur, "Your car is ready Sir." He gave Harry the keys.
"Thanks for the … maintenance, but please don't do any stunts without my permission." Harry hastily pocketed the keys.
"Great I shall be leaving, night Fleur." He moved to shake her hand but she pulled him in a hug with a smile and whispered in his ear softly, "We are not professional associates Harry, because I consider you a friend. So we don't shake other's hand coldly."
Harry lost himself in that simple gesture when the light air whizzed past his ears but he quickly regained himself and hugged her back with an identical smile, "Next time I won't repeat this mistake. Now what do you say, Bon-nuit?"
Fleur laughed at his attempted French, but returned the gesture, "Bon nuit." Harry jumped in the driver seat and turned the engine on with a low rumble; he put it in gear and slowly drove it out of the mansion entrance.
Harry had been driving for fifteen minutes with 3D map of Paris guiding him. The elf had apparently installed some cool features. "Enjoying cool gears are we?" a voice hissed beside him. He applied the brakes at full force, and the car skidded to a complete halt. Harry glared at the snake which was peacefully coiled on the other seat flicking its tongue in out characteristically. "What the fuck are you doing here?" Harry hissed back.
"Touché" Arriene mocked, "such affable welcomes you give. Really you moved my heart." Harry kept on glaring at her but the snake ignored, "now that we are comfortable, onto what I have come for." She looked excited if at all a snake could show it, "I have something for you."
Harry paid no attention whatever she had wanted he just wanted one thing, "Let me make one thing clear, I'm really in no mood to entertain any of your crazy schemes. I have some important work scheduled. So perhaps next time. It was a pleasure meeting you." He opened the gate for the snake to move out.
Arriene started glowing white all over. Her shape became distorted as if it was morphing into another animal. Where there was a snout a beak probed out, it overall started inflating with more tentacles emerging out of different places. Two of them transformed into claws and legs, other shaped in wide powerful wings. Last the worm tail swapped for a regal long feathered tail. Colours started covering the white sheen, a dark navy blue went for the body followed with smooth midnight black for the tail and wings scarred with blades of white. The eyes were same cold blue as of before.
She ruffled her feathers with pride peppering the car with golden dust falling form wings. 'What do think?'
For Harry who now believed in magic, this was still out of world. He was dumbstruck at the sight enough to forget his discontentment with the very creature who had caused him it. Also he missed the fact that the creature was talking to him through his mind.
'I think you like it enough.' The creature trilled with amusement. 'This is Phoenix form, I hope you know what a phoenix is.' Harry nodded absently. 'Good now onto to my work.' She burst in flames which within a fraction of second covered the whole car.
Harry got blinded temporarily, and when the light returned to him he found himself in an open-sky hall sort of place. He was standing alone without any trace of other life in vicinity except an aged yet thriving with life tree. The hall was made up of marble pillars tracing its boundaries. Beyond that there was nothing absolute blank space. Light seemed to come out nowhere and everywhere. It was truly an unearthly place to exist.
"Which means am I dead." This was illusory for he had not felt the flames even a bit. But then when do you feel just before death.
"No you are not."
Harry felt a presence behind him, he turned about to come into contact with the same cold blue eyes that he could recognize anywhere. "Arriene"
But there was a major difference. Instead of a regal bird there stood the epitome or rather the perfection of God's creation. A beauty unseen in the mortal lands, truly picture perfect of the goddess Aphrodite that people tried to imagine. Golden curls cascaded down smooth creamy shoulder, overflowing on the heavenly silk wrapping her from within. Her expression projected power with wisdom of eons. She held herself with pride and strength which commanded respect from any and everyone before her. She was not someone to question or cross with.
"Welcome, Harry James Potter, to land of middle. And yes I'm Arriene my familiar must have told you of me. I'm the guardian of this place."
Harry steeled his gaze and curbed all random emotion from showing, "What is this place if I'm not dead?"
"The land of middle. A plane between worlds of mortals and beyond." Arriene walked towards to the tree.
"Like platform between mortal lands and Heaven and Hell." Harry proposed.
Arriene turned back and smiled, "No, there is nothing such as Heaven or Hell. There are just planes of Material and Immaterial. You may say it like body and soul. One is material and other is not."
Chapter Ends…
A\N: Next Update will be quicker; I just have to put it on the screen from my brain.
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