Through the Veil
Chapter 01: Apocalypse Now
***Disclaimer***
The X-Men and Harry Potter franchise(s) belong to their respective owners. This is a work of pure parody, and appreciation from a mere fan. No profit is sought or accepted from the use of these trademarked properties, and the following is written under any/all terms of fair use as may exist covering creative use.
Summary: Yet another foray into my usual trop of Master of Death (MoD/MOD) Harry getting who's incredibly powerful, bordering on stupidly powerful, ending up in a situation he's uncomfortable with, and going from there. This will be rambling, has no outline, and no set resolution.
There may be a partial crossover with (an) other series(s) depending on my mood the day I complete a particular chapter, but it should be readily identifiable.
Parings: None at Present; I've not yet decided on whether to make this anything, but there will likely be slash references as I plan on incorporating at least one gay character into this.
Time Frame: Initially Set 2009
Location(s) Relevant to this Chapter: Earth; U.K.
oo0oo 0o0o0
It had been twelve years since the Battle of Hogwarts. Twelve years since the death of so many, and the survivors being scarred by the realities of war. There were so many orphans, entire families lost, so many new people afflicted with lycanthropy, lost limbs, and an economy that was in shambles with the wholesale slaughter of the goblins by dark forces…it had been a brutal decade.
What the Hogwarts Defenders didn't know what that simultaneous to the attack by the Dark Lord's forces to engage Harry Potter, the madman had sent teams across the countryside to wreak havoc and sew utter discord while reaping total destruction where possible. St. Mungos was lost to a fiendfyre surprise attack, St. Cristopher's Home to the Elderly likewise; there were whole sections of the Muggle UK stretching from Inverness to Plymouth which were molten slag the muggles were just now reclaiming and fixing.
UK Gas, Co. had suffered a catastrophic loss as the main provider of natural gas for the countries as the litigation had made the firm insolvent over "their" lines causing the damage…but wizards new better.
Voldemort's retreating forces had unleashed hellfire across the countryside as they fell back and fled the country to continental Europe where their numbers fragmented and ultimately succumbed to infighting.
The Golden Trio remained friends to this day, but they'd drifted apart as each person went on to lead separate lives. Hermione had cajoled both Harry and Ron into returning to Hogwarts to finish their formal education, and had even been able to convince Harry to seek a mastery or two post-Hogwarts.
Ron had barely managed to finish Hogwarts without needing remedial courses, and had been snapped up as a Hit Wizard within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement under the reconstituted British Ministry of Magic; he was otherwise content if a bit bitter that Harry refused to join him instead of pursuing "books" as he liked to tell it.
Hermione had completed her A Levels and not only been admitted to Muggle University, specializing in law, but had passed the Bar and been employed as a Crown Prosecutor for London, acting as a back-channel between Muggle Law Enforcement and the DMLE.
Harry though, once given the time to truly flex his intellectual muscle, had taken to the higher mysteries like a duck to water. He'd sought and received a Double Mastery in Enchantment, with the magical equivalent of a minor (Journeyman Certificate) in Magical Engineering, and Spell Crafting, with a further JC in Alchemy. It seemed as though once he accepted Snape for who and what he was, a broken man bitter with his past who was trying to serve the greater good, Harry was able to focus in on Potions which he developed into a deep appreciation and talent for Alchemy.
While Harry was happy with his present accomplishments, and he was always amused to see them making the paper as though the wizarding community didn't have more pressing or newsworthy articles to report, he nonetheless had decided early on to keep his Mastery of the Deathly Hallows to himself; he instinctively knew that he would regret the public coming to learn of his possession of the legendary artifacts when upon returning to Grimauld Place after the Battle of Hogwarts, Holly Wand, in hand he discovered the Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone sitting on his bed.
He'd spent the better part of a month trying everything he knew and every way he could think of to get rid of the damn things. A conversation in Prof. Flitwick's Charms Level 7 Class, several months later, had sparked his desire to learn how to study magic a bit more intimately and as he desired to understand the enchantments on these relics he'd pursued the subjects he had, apart from the Engineering JC which was purely to compliment his major fields of study.
He'd completed his Hogwarts education in the Spring of 1999, and had entered the Tintagel Institute for his Mastery Studies, which he completed in 4 short years of intense study and apprenticeship. In 2003 Harry had, with the help and accompaniment of Kreacher, set off in a small yacht he'd crafted and enchanted to explore the magic and culture of the world in the hopes of better understanding the reading's he'd received from the Deathly Hallows. His journey had taken him to the Aztec and Incan remnants to study their worship by death, and from there he'd felt the strongest pull of all to Fairfax Virginia, USA as the modern capital of death.
After three and a half years of "drifting," as Hermione called it, Harry had returned to the UK, promptly set about remodeling the Black Townhouse, and had surprisingly been scooped up into a lucrative career as a high value consultant with the Department of Mysteries, studying the veil of Death.
He'd been in this position for the last two and half years, and was beginning to make strides in identifying the enchantments on the Stonework of the arch of the veil.
***Department of Mysteries, Employee Breakroom***
"Budge up Harry and let a man join ya," Michael Crawford said as he joined Harry at the table, moving a few of his papers, and sat his mug of tea down. "What're ya working on today anyway mate?"
"Jesus Crawford be careful now, I've been working on these sketches for months," Harry said as he waived his hand and several rolls of parchment close to Michael rolled up and zoomed into an open trunk beside Harry.
"Oh come off it man; people's been studying that damn thing for over 200 years now and no one's closer to understanding it. I'll never understand why we moved it here in the first place from the 'henge…waste of space since the Ministry don't use it anymore with Azkaban an all."
Harry, being the saintly fellow that he was, held back a biting retort as to his contributions to the department and work over the past years that Michael had just shat on as worthly, calmly took a sip of his water and replied, "be that as it may Michael, this thing pre-dates the druids and earliest known records of magicals by thousands of years. It's of a type of rock that is unique and I've been unable to identify with my enchanted equipment. Even the muggle databases are unable to identify this type of rock as terrestrial."
"What do terriers have to do with anything," Michael interjected as he bit messily into his ham sandwich and lunch.
With a roll of his eyes Harry ignored the almost Ron like voracity in devouring food Michael was displaying and continued, "not terrestrial…meaning not from Earth. I've got a working hypothesis that the rock of the arch is not from this planet and the type of magic it is able to channel and utilize is vastly different from the type of magic that we are able to access."
"Bah," Michael said spewing bits of lettuce and mayonnaise. "Magic is magic is magic; don't matter one bit where it comes from, but that it is there. You gotta quit asking all these why's Harry if you want to advance; s'why I'm Junior Department Lead for Enchantments, and you're still an Initiate…just go with the flow and don't buck the system and you'll do fine."
He reached into his robe, with a rather thick glob of mayo/mustard/godknowswhat dangling and smeared from his hand to produce a roll of parchment he tossed to Harry.
Catching the parchment with his finely honed seeker reflexes, Harry read the missive, a Departmental Memo, with caution as it was delivered from such an idiot there was no telling whether it was meant for him or not.
***Department of Magical Mysteries and Research***
TO: Master Harry Potter, (Arch Assignment)
FROM: Chad Michael Masterson, (Ord. Merl. 3rd) Department Lead, Enchantments & Spell Development Division
RE: Pre-Quarterly Report Update
o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o
Master Potter,
It is almost time again to submit your quarterly review of progress on all assignments. I would remind you that you are to follow the protocol(s) in place when submitting your report and source to reputable authorities only instead of conjecture or utilizing non-magical "authorities."
The reports that I've received thus far from Jr. Lead Crawford are, while not troubling, nonetheless concerning that you're pursuing the theories and avenues you are to the lengths you have, and tread fairly close to the line on what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior for a member of this department. This is of course omitting the almost criminal violation of the International Statute of Secrecy caused by your delivering a sample of the Arch Stone to Muggles for their "analysis."
While the progress you've made on this assignment so far is somewhat measurable, your methods are questionable and our Conner McMasters, Department Head, has instructed that your work performance conform to existing standards to assure quality control of the informational product we produce.
While this is not going to be included in your personnel file, I would be very appreciative if you would attend a remedial orientation course prior to your next annual personnel evaluation to refresh you on the policies and procedures of this department, and that you immediately begin conforming your working protocols and procedures to the standards adopted, for your safety, by the Department.
Kindest regards…..
Harry stopped reading after that, disinterested in the opinion of that particular idiot as he was.
"Look mate," Michael said seeing Harry banish the memo, along with his other work, to his trunk before shrinking it and returning it to the bracelet around his wrist where he stored several enchanted items, "this is a 'cush job you got and will be able to ride out. In ten years you'll be Department Head and ten after that you'll be either Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot or Minister for Magic. Just go with it," he said slurping down a large Sudson Slugworth Seltzer.
"Michael, I've started making progress on the arch…to truly understanding it," Harry said as he rose before giving him his full and undivided attention in the break room. "I've identified whole runic sets which've never been documented by any civilization on this planet, and wizarding archives go back tens of thousands of years longer than muggles. I've found star-coordinates for planets our ancestors couldn't have known existed which have just been identified by muggles, all over this thing. I've utilized muggle science, which despite protestations is a sound authority for identifying innately muggle objects such as rock, and I've been able to determine nothing inherently magical about the Arch. It's all in these runes, somehow, and how the Rocks seeming react to magic differently than terrestrial rocks."
"Look kid I'm not one to tell you how to handle your business, but if you keep on like you are trying to equate muggle science with magic, it won't end well for you, Hero or not."
"I appreciate your concern and care Michael, but it's that attitude which is holding this department back from a breakthrough; I could leave at any time and study this independently with the connections I have, but instead I'm trying to share what I discover because that's just who I am. I've got no reason to be here apart from my honestly wanting to contribute and help advance magicals to a new century of thought and development."
"Worry about these pet projects later then Harry and tow the line. I suspect nothing major is going to happen to you here whether you carry on or not s'long as ol 'Shack is Minister."
"You may be right," Harry said as he began to exit the room, "but I want my being here to rest on my own merits and the value the department sees in me for what I'm presently doing…not for what I've done before."
"Crazy kid," Michael said as he returned to eating with gusto.
***Ministry of Magic, Minister's Office, 2012***
"I don't give a damn what Potter's done in the past Minister, he's flaunting Ministry Guidelines, Departmental Policy, and subverting my authority among the various Department Leads that are working to keep Britain at the forefront of Magical Discovery and Ability," Connor McMasters raged to Minister for Magic Kingsley Shaklebolt.
"Be that as it may Mr. McMasters," Shack replied to the irate Department Head, "I have personally reviewed Mr. Potter's work reports, and those reviewing his work and can only come to the conclusion that Mr. Potter's methods, though unorthodox, are yielding results; or am I incorrect in interpreting the results of his enchantment which broke the crypto linguistic barrier which was preventing our employees from previously being able to decode the symbols of the Veil Arch," the Minister asked as he sat back in his chair with an arched brow.
"Minister, I say this with all due respect to you and to Mr. Potter's record of service during the War, but you're letting your past affiliation to Mr. Potter blind you to the massive breach in protocol's Potter has engaged in. He's using unreliable and unverifiable muggle means to form conclusions and run testing parameters that my employees can neither follow nor verify, and worse he's submitting his findings in a fashion that I cannot check. One mistake in what he's doing could lead to irreparable harm to the chain of command, as well as protocols, which have kept this Ministry standing for over 1,000 years. I must insist you allow for his termination Minister."
"Oh really," came the deep rumble of Shack's no-nonsense voice.
"Yes," Connor said as he sat before the Minister. "Sir, the boy's no doubt brilliant. I've seen his enchantments, his spell crafting, and I've seen him do things with and without a wand I've never imagined, but his job here isn't to be amazing. His job here isn't to merge the muggle and magical worlds. His job is to follow the rules and regulations we maintain so he can complete an assigned task, and he's failed to do that. I can't measure his progress, truly, nor can I gage his failures, as his methodology is so intermixed with muggle things that I've got no frame of reference. I cannot in good conscience allow for him to grift through my department for another year. It's time he was let go."
Shack growled slightly as he cleared his throat and made several attempts to start speaking before he caught himself and took a few calming breaths to center himself before he continued.
He flicked his wand lazily toward a cabinet in the corner, and from a drawer sprang hundreds upon hundreds of letters in a fountain of parchment, some old and some new.
"Do you know what these are Connor," Shack asked the confused man as drawer after drawer opened and began to empty themselves of these, similar contents, of letters.
"No Sir," came the reply.
"These are letters the Ministry has received over the course of Mr. Potter's tenure here, all in some way conveying their appreciation not only to Harry directly for his actions in the War, but in their support of the Ministry in whatever Harry was doing. The first year he worked in the Ministry is the first year I was able to pass a balanced budget, which led to the complete overhaul and refurbishment of major wizarding districts. I've had no complaints from the Wizengamot as all I had to do was remind constituents that Harry Potter worked here, and that he trusted the Ministry to do what was right. I got major reform legislation for Dark Creatures with the assistance of Hermione Granger because Harry reached out to her in his third year here; the muggles are footing the entire bill for Wolfsbane, Blood Replinisher for the Vampires, and damn near three quarters of our civilian defense budget which has allowed for a complete and total restricting of our tax system for the first time since the Great Secret was enacted."
Connor began sweating a little as Shack stood up and began throwing letters at him.
"The vast majority of these letters are from people thanking the Ministry for following the advice of Mr. Potter for bringing in the Muggles to pay for key welfare programs, and there's currently a 10 foot tall pile of application packets for Hogwarts Alumni to be considered for the Joint Muggle-Wizard Rapid Response Task Force of Her Majesty's Armed Forces Mr. Potter casually brought up at a meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister three years ago while he was on a guided tour."
"You're telling me you want me to get rid of a man who turns to gold anything he touches, who the public is absolutely enamored with, and who they see as the second coming," Shack all but screamed.
"I know it isn't popular Sir, but it is what must be done to ensure the integrity of my Department," Connor stubbornly replied secure in the knowledge that Shack didn't have the votes necessary to replace him yet.
"It's that stubbornness and inability to see the need for change and progress that stifled this Ministry and which flourished during the Fudge Administration Mr. McMasters," Shack said with a wave of his wand which caused the letters and documents to return to their point of origin. "And it is for that reason that I want you to see this, which I will be laying squarely at your feet at tomorrow's press conference," Shack said as he slid a letter across the desk for Connor to read.
***Letter of Resignation***
Shack,
It's taken me almost six years of careful study and consideration, but I've done it. I've cracked the code and now understand the design, function, and true abilities of the Arch of Death…which is a horrible misnomer.
I intend to test my theory, and if successful, will be able to breach the dimensional divide via the Archway.
I would normally run this level of experiment and control past Connor or one of his underlings, but as the key to my coming to this discovery were purely muggle in origin, and as my research is therefore "tainted" I have retracted all of my notes, reports, and briefings from the official record, and will be maintaining my findings privately. No one will miss unread reports anyway.
As it stands, if my theory is correct, I, my house elf Kreacher, and a vast array of the Potter Holdings will traverse the dimensional divide and appear in another realm from which I will attempt to return home; having studied the arch as I have, and having become intimately familiar with the magical resonance of my home as I have, I'm confident that one day I shall return.
I will be taking those pesky items with me as I believe I may be able to destroy them, and their hold on me, in a reality I, and they, are not native to.
As to McMasters and his petulance; one of the greatest discoveries of magic laid at his feet which could have revolutionized magical travel, exploration, and potentially opened up the possibility of colonization of extra-terrestrial worlds, free from muggle influence and reach, had he been so kind as to remove his head from his ass and accept the validity of some, if not all, of the muggle scientific method and their achievements instead of taking every measurable step to stop me from my discoveries.
I hope you understand why I am retaining my work product solely Shack, but everything I've done…every conclusion I've come to, could be recreated if you do as I've done and consult the Muggles.
As I could very well be walking to my death with the destruction of the Hallows, I'm tendering my resignation. Have fun trying to explain where I've gone and why to the public without me. This letter has been specifically enchanted to deliver itself once I've successfully crossed the dimensional barrier.
Good luck old man! Hopefully I'll see you soon.
Warmest Regards,
HJP
P.S. Please tell Connor to Bite me and my Accomplished Ass. Thank you.
An ashen Connor sat the parchment down on the Minister's desk.
"We have to stop him," he started only to be interrupted by the Minister.
"We can't…he's already gone as are all of his notes, his findings, and twenty-five percent of the wealth and god knows how many unique and priceless items of knowledge of Britain," Shack replied.
Connor seized and vomited to the side of his chair into a hastily conjured waste bin.
"I'll be ruined if this gets out Minister; his letter makes out like I've chased him off."
"It does, doesn't it," came the gleeful reply of the Minister eager to replace an incompetent, but connected, Department Head.
"I've already received inquiries from the Prophet, Quibbler, the Journal of Magical Innovation, and Spellcrafters Quarterly seeking verification to their copy of the letter you've just read. I've confirmed them all as authentic. I'd say you have around 3 hours before a special edition would hit the presses, and maybe a further hour to try and insulate yourself and your home from reprisals. I would suggest you resign now, so you're not an easy target here in the Ministry, and get a head start on the villagers before they come after you with torches and pitchforks. The removal of Potter's finances alone has caused the destabilization of the galleon from which the goblins are predicting at least 12 percent inflation until we can match the loss through new mining operations, not to mention taxes will have to be raised to offset the charitable giving Mr. Potter oversaw for public programs."
Connor vomited again, and not to subtly began to shit himself which he vanished along with his projectile waste.
"You've got to save me Minister; I've got no family to fall back on and no other skills…I've been a loyal employee of the Ministry. Reassign me, but I can't survive this alone," he begged.
"You're a self-serving and arrogant bastard Connor, and you're reaping what you've sewn. You held Ministry protocol over Potter's head for years to demean his work and tried to use it to beat him into submission to feel like a bigger man. Congratulations on this blowing up spectacularly. You have an hour to sign this," Shack said as he slid a pre-drafted letter of resignation to Connor, "and vacate the building before I will fire you and Order you from the building. One way saves you face and allows you the chance to rebuild your image at a later time, the other will, reluctantly," Shack said with a smirk, "be issued and no restriction on force authorized. The choice is yours."
***Through the Veil***
En Sabah Nur had found ship and formed his paradise along the Nile some 60 years prior. With the life the young mutant had lead he'd been successful in bringing about his version of the promised land. His subjects lived in a city of his own design and technological integration, enjoying electric lighting, indoor plumbing, and medicines which were not available anywhere else in the world. He was slowly working on expanding his reach to finding more brothers and sisters which sometimes danced at the edge of his senses; but until he could join all the gods into his Holy City, he was attempting to enforce as much order and paradise here on Earth as he could.
It was here, in his land of Cana, that he grew accustomed to the praise and worship that the humans provided to him. It was here that En Sabah Nur, a mere 10 years ago, had made his final trip into Ship and receiving a final download of information on the Celestials, had emerged as Ra, to these humans, but Apocalypse to his enemies.
It was 20 miles from the massive walls of the city of Cana, in the shadow of rough mountains among a herd of sheep that Harry and Kreacher appeared in a vortex of color and static discharge.
Looking around at the barren landscape, Kreacher looked to Harry then back to the flock before them.
"Kreacher believes we are no longer in Kansas Master."
"I swear to God and all that is Holy I will never let you watch muggle cinema again. You saw that movie once, 10 years ago, and it's your favorite phrase you old bat," Harry said with a smirk as he took out his wand and began casting disillusionment spells and concealment charms upon himself and Kreacher.
"Master, I sense we are no longer in England," Kreacher volunteered after reaching out and connecting to the magic of the Earth.
Reaching out his own senses, and aura briefly flaring, Harry connected to the magic of the Earth as well and tasted the local flavor.
"Sand, sweat, and tears….that's how Bill always described Egypt. I wouldn't be surprised if we were in North Africa or the Middle East somewhere Kreacher," Harry said as he led the two of them over toward a rocky outcrop which they could duck behind and begin retrieving supplies from his magical trunk(s).
After taking a charm from his bracelet and enlarging it into a trunk, Harry summoned forth a pair of enchanted coms which he passed to Kreacher.
"Alright Officer Black," Harry said placing one of the long distance communication earpieces into his ear," I want standard recon on this operation; no showing off like you did in Chile. Scout ahead and find us a nice quiet area off the beaten paths so we can set up basecamp," Harry ordered.
"Kreacher can't help that amorous women love him; Master is just jealous of his interpersonal skills lacking when compared to how Kreacher throws down."
"Go before I hit you," Harry said as he swatted at Kreacher playfully. " Keep your channel locked and go no further than 5 miles from me. Ensure your tracker watch is on you at all times, are we clear," Harry asked indicating the custom craft he'd enchanted some years ago to allow he and Kreacher to find one another within 5 miles range, and know a general direction when further apart.
Kreacher saluted and immediately popped to the top of the hill above the outcropping and began popping his way in a circle around the area which allowed his map to feed the topographical and geological information to a "mapping sphere" Harry had developed as part of his Master's Thesis.
Summoning one of the blank spheres from a container in his trunk, Harry linked the sphere to the tracking watch and watched as the clear glass ball began to fill with dense fog, light at first, then thicker and darker, the more Kreacher completed of his explorations until finally, after 20 minutes of waiting, Kreacher returned and Harry summoned a sheet of pre-charmed parchment, and laid the sphere upon it.
"Would you like the honors Kreacher," Harry asked.
"Master honors Kreacher," came the reply as the little elf strode to the parchment and sphere Harry had laid on the ground, and with a quick and deliberate movement, stomped and shattered the sphere, allowing the smoke to sink into the four corners of the parchment as the glass began to liquify and stretch to cover the entirety of the parchment, front and back.
"You need a more frequent conduit for your aggression Kreacher," Harry quipped.
"Master needs to get laid half as often as Kreacher and then, maybe then, Master can understand just how relaxed Kreacher always is."
"Touché you horny old bastard."
Harry picked up the map that began to form, showing real-time information on the five mile area that Kreacher had popped to including the black dots of Humans, congregated at the foot of the mountains around a mile away, with a single human dot coming toward their location, three orange dots for animals running away from the human, likely dogs or something similar, and curiously a few purple dots which would normally represent magical creatures, but which were flashing white, meaning unknown or uncategorized. Harry looked to himself, and saw his customary red for magical, but at the same time he was flashing white.
"Strange," he began. "That's the first time one of these enchantments has ever been unable to categorize me."
"Perhaps Master should consider the effects of successfully traveling through the veil may have had on Sir."
"True; and I will. In the meantime, let's pop to the top of this ridge as a muggle is nearly at us,' Harry recommended as they both disappeared from the area, taking all traces of their arrival and existence with them.
Both reappeared nearly instantaneously at the top of the ridge Kreacher had started his journey on, as Harry began securing his trunk to his bracelet once more.
Harry conjured a table and chairs for himself and Kreacher and a small pavilion type tent to protect the duo from the harshness of the sun, as he laid the map down on the table and scrolled through to try and get a read on what they were faced with.
"When Kreacher was scouting, in this area," Kreacher said as he indicated an area near a river, "Kreacher sensed heavy, wild, magic and few humans. However, there is something in the North which may be dangerous Master. Kreacher could feel it even though it is far away. This valley may be good place to make camp, even if temporary."
Harry reviewed the map and the location near natural resources, and knew Kreacher had, once again, likely sensed out a perfect camp. Years of travel with the elf had taught him not to ignore the elf's senses.
"Alright Kreacher, I see a cave here, slightly elevated above the flood plane of the river. I'll give you the base camp trunk, and you start setting things up as you normally do. I'll come alone and begin warding the area shortly thereafter, but I can tell from this map the humans we almost encountered are likely traveling a route to water that will take them closer to us than I'd care to experience at the moment."
Harry proceeded to remove a different gem from his bracelet, a sapphire, which when removed from its facet, began enlarging and turning into a military style footlocker Harry gave to Kreacher who knew how to properly handle and set up base camp after years of dealing with Harry and his preferences.
"I will be down in 30 minutes or so Kreacher; go ahead and check the river for water quality and fish. Beware of Crocodiles if we are in Africa."
"Yes Master," Kreacher said as he popped off with taking the trunk with him.
Harry continued to study the map and watched the movements of the muggles, the flickering of the occasional flashing white and purple dots confusing him and piquing his curiosity before he banished the map to Kreacher, and disappeared with a soft, barely audible, pop and reappeared, still disillusioned, around 100 yards from the settlement of muggles and magical creatures.
***Village***
"Run along and tend to the flocks with your brother Ramael," said an older man with a great beard.
'Yes father; I will go and tend the flock with Japheth," came the reply.
Harry cast a few discrete listening charms and pulled out and switched on his communicator's translation charms recognizing some type of mix between early Sumerian, Hebrew, and Arabic.
Making his way closer to the tent in the center of the village, Harry summoned a few rocks and enchanted them to relay sound to a mated stone, and discretely banished one stone to the center of the tent where the village elder seamed to be and pocketed the mated stone before disappearing to base camp.
***Base Camp***
Harry arrived and saw that the tent and charmed defense turrets were up and in place along with several of the creature comforts of home such as sconce lighting and Harry's work benches arranged along the far wall of the cave.
Kreacher was levitating large stones into a central area to form a furnace for Harry's metal working needs.
"I see you've unpacked in record time Kreacher; take a break while I throw up a few wards…take this and link it up to the audiosieve if you will," Harry said as he threw the listening stone to Kreacher.
"At once Master," Kreacher said as he popped away.
Harry squared his shoulders and centered himself before reaching out with his magic and connecting with that of the Earth, and finding a rather potent connection, spread his wand in circular motion tracing the mouth of the cave incanting, "Protegum totalum; Repellum Muggle; Repellum Creaturum; Repellum Insectum; Repellum Sive Pergrinus; Repellum Elveni; Fateri Harry Potter; Fateri Kreacher Black; Fateri Caeli; Fateri Lux; Fateri Ventus; Fateri Amicus; Repellum Hostem."
Beads of sweat began dipping half way down Harry face as he had to repeat this same chain of spells at each corner of the mouth of the cave until Harry was satisfied that the lines of magic overlaid sufficiently to hide the mouth of the cave.
Kreacher popped near Harry with a small table with lemonade, and a chair so Harry could rest.
"Master works too hard and does too much too soon," Kreacher lightly chided.
"And Kreacher loves to be the mother hen," Harry teased as he accepted a tall glass of the lemonade. "Would you fetch me the map Kreacher," Harry asked as Kreacher blinked out of existence and back with the glass covered map in hand. "Showoff," Harry teased as Kreacher handed over the map.
Harry again began to scan the map, and tapped it with his wand a few times until pockets of iron began to show in gray veiny blobs among the hills, and various other minerals were identified by color along the rout of the river and within the bounds of the map as it was presently.
Kreacher leaned over Harry's shoulder, as he was want to do, and casually commented, "looks like there's deposits of coal and iron surrounding; I've not seen so many pockets of gold since we discovered that meteor crater in Honduras."
"I know," Harry said. "However, we need to find out what country we're in so we can try to blend in a bit better. I've got my British Passport and a few others from Commonwealth Countries that gave me dual citizenship upon the death of Voldemort the second time."
"Master, why don't you take a break and we can make a portkey beacon tomorrow before we go exploring to see exactly where we are," Kreacher suggested.
Harry thought over everything and examined the map again trying to remember if there was anything similar to the areas that he'd known from his travels.
"I think you're right Kreacher; we've secured camp and I'm tired from our travels. Let's off to bed; I'll look forward to one of your legendary breakfasts in the morning," Harry said as he and Kreacher disappeared into the flap of the tent.
***Cana***
At the same time as Harry was installing his wards, En Sabah Nur, also known as Ra, and worshipped as the Sun God by the inhabitants of Cana, suddenly looked up and toward the south sensing another powerful god nearby; one which he didn't know and one which didn't hold to his sway…it was a being which excluded power shocking to Ra, and left his thought scattered from the topics his four seraphim were discussing from his Priests and Counsel.
"Enough," Ra commanded and all speaking ceased. "I sense a presence of another god; make ready the city and form a ranging party. We must find my brother in the desert," Ra said as he rose and left the room to prepare himself for a long ranging.
"Great Ra it will be as you command," the high priest replied as he began to make preparation for the priests to assemble the Generals of Egypt in order to search for Setesh at their god's command and make the city ready to host two gods upon Ra's return.
***Base Camp, 24 hours later***
"Harry Potter Sir shall rise and shine, breakfast is waiting on your workbench and Kreacher be having trouble setting the chono-graphy Master created," the elf said somewhat nervously even though he knew Harry would not be upset with him for small errors.
"Chronograph," Harry said speaking of a trinket Harry had picked up in a wizard shop which was basically a map of the world which would display the local time and pinpoint location of the device. It was a standard item of equipment Harry and Kreacher had used over the years, once they'd found it, to help them keep track of their time and location as they were exploring various magical and muggle sites.
:It is not working correctly," Kreacher replied.
"And what's wrong with it," Harry continued, "you've got to remember that we've crossed dimensions….its likely some of our equipment will need a bit of fine tuning," Harry said as he sleepily walked from his room, down the Hall, and out of the tent and into the mouth of the cave to examine the Chronograph.
Seeing the local geography reflected by the device as having them somewhere near the Nile in Egypt, Harry's attention was drawn to the top of the device which showed the present date, and the source of Kreacher's confusion: May 11, 3,000 B.C.E..
"Well, that's odd," Harry said as he took a few of the magical scanners and detection rods from the peg board of his workbench and began giving the Chronograph a diagnostic like he'd done countless times before.
"Kreacher thinks we still not in Kansas Master," the elf said as he popped in bringing Harry some of the fresh squeezed juice from the produce trunk.
"I swear to God I will spell your shoes into ruby pumps again Kreacher," Harry said as he took a sip of the heavenly nectar.
"Master is too slow today," Kreacher said as he popped away and returned with his own breakfast to join Harry as was their custom.
The two sat in a comfortable silence as they leisurely ate their breakfast and Harry continued his examination of the spells and physical components of the Chronograph.
After around 30 minutes Harry was able to conclude that the machine was operating as it was enchanted to do, and that the trip through the veil contained a time shifting element Harry had not prepared for.
"It seems," he slowly began as he returned his tools to their proper place, "that in traveling through the Arch, we didn't travel as liner from point to point as I predicted."
Kreacher gave him a pointed look that he should speak more plainly.
"Apparently we traveled to the past of this world…around 5,012 years from our perspective."
Kreacher calmly sipped his coffee, and buttered his scone, before uttering, in his truly British unflappable fashion, "I've got my programs," Harry rolled his eyes at Kreacher's obsession with cinema and soap operas, "and Master's energy to survive on. Don't die and we'll be alright. I suggest we leave this country as soon as practical to set up a permanent and fortified sanctuary."
Harry, around the second year of their journey across the globe, had stumbled across a manticore den in Saudi Arabia, and had been ripped to pieces by them after his holly wand had broken.
Needless to say, he was as shocked as Kreacher was when he "woke up" after the Manticores had departed, healthy, whole, and with his holly wand repaired and in his front pocket.
It was then he'd discovered some of the more lasting effects of the title Master of Death and when he'd begun his quest in earnest to truly understand the magic of death and his search for greater meaning. Upon his resurrection, and in the following weeks, Harry also observed that Kreacher, once old and cranky due to body aches, was beginning to look and feel younger and younger as his magic began to sync with Harry's.
Kreacher had likewise suffered a misstep once into a dragon pit in Romania, and after being devour, and Harry subsequently slaying the beast in his rage, found himself resurrected the following day in his favorite chair he watched his programs in. The parts harvested from the dragon were still preserved and in storage for whenever Harry needed his alchemy skills to be put to use.
"I think that would be wise Kreacher," Harry began. "Pull out an atlas and find us a nice quiet place we can claim for the time being. The question is, which continent should we choose?"
"Let's learn a little bit more about our neighbors before we go. Wasn't this an important time period to Master's peoples? We could make our way to Alexandria and see what is contained in their library; we may even be able to find Atlantis," Kreacher offered.
"We're a long way to go until Alexandria is founded Kreacher; but having a nice villa in the Mediterranean would be lovely," Harry replied.
"Kreacher would like to work on his tan; and it wouldn't hurt to have a vineyard," he said with a smirk as he popped away and returned from the tent with a world atlas.
Harry banished their breakfast trays back to the kitchen in the tent, and with a flick of his hand the atlas began opening in a flourish of turning pages to the Mediterranean.
Harry observed the areas of the Mediterranean, but there was something niggling at the back of his senses telling him they were meant to stay, for some time, here in Egypt.
"I wouldn't mind visiting the areas with you sometime later, but I can't shake the sense that we're supposed to put down roots here," Harry said as he summoned one of his notebooks dedicated to architectural design, and one of his notebooks on climate control and warding.
"It's so hot though," Kreacher complained.
Harry chuckled a bit.
"I know old friend, but I'll make sure we can manage with those charms I picked up in Athens," Harry said as he caught the notebook containing environmental charms and the like.
"What we need," Harry said as he sat his architectural book down between him and Kreacher, "is a nice fortified villa that will fit into this time period, while still allowing us to have the comforts we've come to enjoy.
Harry walked to the mouth of the cave and observed the large valley formed along the shores of what he now knew were the banks of the Nile in the distance, and a short distance North would lie the foundations for the future city of Cairo.
He stepped from the protections he'd enacted into the early morning sun, and cast a few detection charms at the soil, and seeing the soil was rich and fertile, set about measuring the valley.
Kreacher popped into existence beside him shortly after the results of the spell were made known to Harry, dressed in his gardening overalls and carrying miniature spades, trowels, and seeds and saplings..
"I see you're eager to start," Harry said with a chuckle. "I've not even decided on what to plant yet."
"Of course you have Master Harry! We're in ancient Egypt…you'll be planting Figs, Grapes, a small patch of grains for breads, and Olives for oil," Kreacher said in a no nonsense way.
"In addition to the massive farms you've got running in the agricultural trunk," Harry asked with a smirk.
"Of course," Kreacher said quite giddy. "More work means more fun, and a House Elf's work is never done!"
Harry stopped to consider what Kreacher had said, and it held merit. He would need locals to assist in the running of his trading to fit into the local scene, but he needed to lay the groundwork now so that could happen. So he did what he thought best; he summoned his architectural book from the bench and began flipping through it until he found the section on enchanted walls he was looking for.
"If we were to guess I'm willing to bet this land is more limestone than Granite, as was our Egypt, but some of my scans indicate a viable source of lime even within this valley; that mountain contains a massive amount of iron and coal just below the surface, so with a little effort and the right spells cast, we could mix up a bit of reinforced concrete and block off that canyon to mark our Southern boundary, the same with the East and Western Canyons, and I can lay the foundations for an enchanted wall and port for commerce along the banks of the river."
Harry cast a wandless podium charm which held his book in place and protected it from the elements.
"You alright handling the gardening while I start on warding this valley, the canyons, and start the processes of opening the mines we will need," Harry asked knowing Kreacher was giddy to start tending to the fields.
"Kreacher is," the elf eagerly replied.
"Then here's the plan," Harry started. "There are just over 2,000 acres in this valley counting the canyons and off shoots according to my spell," Harry began. "Save five acres around the mouth of this cave to hold our production plant(s) and workshops for glass production, wine, and oil production. I'll enchant the interior of the buildings to house the spaces we need and we'll automate all we can."
"Wise master, wise indeed…may Kreacher go yet," the eager elf asked with theatric bows.
Ignoring the antics of his friend, Harry continued on, "we'll also section off around 10 acres there," Harry pointed toward his lift indicating the mouth of a stream which fed to the Nile, "for a main house and storage facility for the finished product which we can further fortify as needed."
"Wonderful Master; Brilliant Master! None can compare to master's greatness," Kreacher humorously groveled.
Harry rolled his eyes before rolling up his sleeves.
"I figure the mining and processing of the lime, iron, and coal with take around 3- 5 months, so I'm going to work on making this region unplottable and lay down the basic enchantments and wards that will push for muggle aversion…so I've got a busy two weeks or so don't you think Kreacher," Harry asked the fidgeting elf.
"Master can do it in half the time, like that time in China. May Kreacher go now," the elf all but begged.
"You may," Harry said as Kreacher popped away and began laying out a grid for olive and fig groves, the pastures of grains which would be sewn, and his pride and joy of a vineyard. "Crazy bastard's always been obsessed with wine," Harry chuckled as he set about warding the large stretch of land touching the Nile as it was the largest and longest continual distance he would have to protected before his walls would eventually go up.
"I think," Harry said to himself, "I'll have just enough daylight to ward the entire area and set up a rudimentary port for my yacht. These are going to be interesting days to come."
***Three days later***
The Host of Ra had been scouring the deserts making steady progress south along the east and western banks of the Nile to assist their Lord in his quest to find his brother. Their God was taking the Eastern Bank with his seraphim and covering more land than the host could cover were they to search together.
Had Ra taken the western bank, he would have easily sensed Harry's magic and warding of the fertile valley on the second day when the host passed near his construction, but as it stands he had sensed the faint traces of a native mutant some 200 miles to the East which would take him and his seraphim two weeks to return from, but by then Harry's enchantments would have completely merged with the native magic of the planet and fail to register to Ra's senses.
It was a happy coincidence Harry would never know of, and it was almost as if some higher power were pulling the strings of events to happen as they did…or it could be that the Potter Luck was striking while the figurative iron was hot, and giving Harry every advantage he needed to prepare himself a home and refuge from the monsters which lurked in the area.
With provisions running low, the host would have no choice but to return to Cana and report to their Lord that they'd seen no sight of his brother and request that they be given leave to sail the Nile to extend their search area.
However, believing that the (now deceased) mutant he found in the East to be the source he'd sensed, Ra would call off the search for his brother, and order an official state of mourning which would last the next year.
***One Year Later***
Harry and Kreacher had managed to ward the entire valley, which they had named Riverview Terrace for the farming techniques Kreacher had employed, and Harry had built a Romanesque Villa, with steel reinforced concrete walls, heavily enchanted of course, to serve as his home base of operations.
It was in the middle of the courtyard of the villa, which he'd named Ventis Aestate, ("Ventis"), near the lap-pool deep, fountain that Harry had begun constructing his portkey anchor obelisk that would allow him to anchor permanent portkeys to so that he and Kreacher could begin mapping the region and world.
Harry was surveying the work he'd finished and drew a small notebook from his pocket that had his master checklist of chores for the villa, and put a checkmark next to the courtyard anchor.
"Kreacher," Harry called.
"Yes Master," the elf replied as he popped into existence a few feet from Harry.
"How has the growth and fertilizer potion been working? Have the crops taken to it?"
"Yes Master," the elf began. "we have first harvest on grapes in a weeks time, and they be ready for pressing in new press Master finished. Oak barrels are charred and standing by. Grains be plentiful and harvestable on a weekly basis. Stores are almost full, and with minor losses Kreacher believes he has perfected the mash process and will be running first run of mash through still master made," Kreacher recited as he counted off his report using his fingers.
"Olives trees were fully mature six months ago, and monthly harvests are yielding several hundreds of pounds of edible fruit on top of product to be pressed. With enchantments Master laid down in production plant, we will have the ability to pickle/preserve 400 pounds of olives and produce approximately 300 gallons of olive oil per month," Kreacher finished.
"I see," Harry began as they walked into the mapping room off the courtyard, "and how much longer do you think you'll need on setting up the greenhouses for the magical plants," Harry asked as he examined a large map Harry had specially enchanted to show a more detailed, and interactive, view of 100 square miles of their location.
"Kreacher has already taken the raw materials Master made and combined into greenhouse 1-3," he began, "but Master will have to set the foundations for the dangerous plants in 3-5 to ensure bad plants not escape."
"Is that something that needs to happen this week, or next week after we've barreled the wine," Harry asked examining the local nomads that were camped out on the opposite of his valley, some 5 miles to the South.
Kreacher frowned in thought as he replied, "it can wait Master, but the sooner we can move those dangerous plants to new greenhouses, the sooner I can rotate crops in the trunks and begin sugar beet and sugar cane production," Kreacher replied.
"We've got to find you some help," Harry replied to an indignant Kreacher.
"Kreacher is fine Master; Kreacher is strong and able. Kreacher does not need help," the little elf stated with affront.
Harry looked away from the tribe of around 40 that were near them to Kreacher before he replied.
"It's time we reached out to these shepherds," Harry began as he pointed to the clan on the other side of the mountain. "I've been watching them, discreetly, and they're a hardworking and good people. I'm sure if we offer them shelter and the safety of our walls, they would gladly work for us and help us till our fields."
"They are Muggles Master; Kreacher be weary of Muggles."
"We were all muggles at some time Kreacher until the Fae taught a few magic," Harry said referencing a folk story of how wizards had come to be from the muggles as was commonly told in Ireland. "They lost seven members of their tribe this last year, and we could use the healthy and strong to help tend the fields and begin processing the wine…as well as acting as merchants when we send our products up river; I certainly don't plan on leaving here anytime soon to deal with the muggles and would rather we had our own, loyal, muggles to carry out the business. Plus," Harry started to smile, "we agreed after a year we'd consider getting cows. We need more people for cows, hogs, and Deer. I'm ready for a damn steak Kreacher. I want my steak," Harry yelled in a joking manner.
"Master be doing fine with the protein and greens Kreacher makes," came the grumbled reply.
"Kreacher you've been feeding me nothing but vegetables since our supplies ran thin 6 months ago. I've got entirely too much fiber in my diet and am damn well lucky to have finished the plumbing systems when I did with all the damn grass you feed me," Harry said in exasperation. "Which reminds me, we need to set up an automated system to process wood pulp for paper products."
"Running low on TP Master," Kreacher asked only to receive a scowl in return.
"Get the stables ready for these people's sheep and air out the guest house," Harry said as Kreacher began to cackle before popping away.
***The Next Day***
The tribe of Enid was situated around the fire as the clan's elder gave out the daily assignments. From the little girls tasked with fetching water from the well to the mothers grinding the few grains that remained, to the young men sent to tend the flocks, it was looking to be another day of hard labor when suddenly the flames rose high with a roar and turned green.
A face appeared and began speaking to the clan in almost a whisper.
"Clan of Enid, Children of Yakub! I have seen your struggles and heard your prayers. I am sending to you one of my followers which will take you into his home and take you from tending flocks and teach you to tend to fields. His land shall be unto you and your descendants as a land of milk and honey; you shall obey his law as though it were my law, and you shall do his work as through him my will is done. Pack your tents, and heard your flocks into the canyon to the north of you whereupon you shall find your salvation."
"Oh spirit, we are unworthy of your presence and kindness," the clan elder spoke in a reverent tone of disbelief and gratitude, "but who shall we say sent us when we find this man? I have offered many prayers to Setesh but dare not offend you by calling my Lord by the wrong name," he offered in supplication.
"Your prayers have been heard, and by this token you shall represent me," the voice spoke as a bejeweled medallion with the symbol of Setesh appeared around the neck of the prostrate elder. "After settling in, you shall build an altar to your Lord and offer your prayers and supplications twice daily; once in the morning before you tend the fields, and once before bed as you rest at night. So it is decreed," the voice finished as the flames died down and became a smoldering pile of ash.
Inside Harry's Villa
"Master doesn't think that was a bit over the top," Kreacher asked with a frown.
"These are simple people Kreacher. I couldn't tell them I'm a wizard or that wants to make sure no more of their people starve to death. They'd fear me, resent me, and eventually try to turn on me. However, if we use their own superstitions to our advantage, by pointing out that I was someone their Lord favored, then we can work together and they won't be jealous of our magic or abilities," Harry stated.
"On that note, it will likely take them a few days to get here and get settled in. Why don't you help me build a small shrine to "Setesh" in the gardens of the guest house so our new friends will have plenty of room and won't disrupt our little themed oasis," Harry said knowing that Kreacher was a bit OCD when it came to certain things.
"Yes Master; let's do get right on that," he said as he popped away and began clearing some of the trees from the forest area they'd grown for wood harvesting in the eastern canyon.
"I swear, to whichever deity is listening," Harry began, "that elf needs to calm down; but whoever you are, wherever you are, please let me help these people and keep us safe."
Harry apparated away as thunder rolled as though his wish were heard and his prayer would be answered.
***One Week Later***
The children of Yakub, members of Clan Enid, had ventured from their home and the safety of their well and traveled with all of their belongings, their sheep and goats, into the mountains as their Lord had commanded them. They ventured along the path at a slow pace forward, and to the shock of the clan, the talisman that the clan elder wore, would point out the way.
It was slow progress moving nearly 50 people and 100 head of livestock, plus their entire lives and possessions, but to hearty dessert dwellers such as they it was bearable.
On the morning of the seventh day, the talisman began to glow green with a slow pulse that was akin to the beating of a heart. As they journeyed further the beating and pulses grew more rapid until finally the talisman was wreathed in green fire and the Clan approached massive and smooth walls of a stone. There, prominently hanging, was a massive 20 foot seal of Setesh and the flaming green talisman flew from the neck of the elder and lodged in the eye socket of the add animal headed deity.
"The talisman," shouted the elder as it firmly lodged into place and a seam began to form in green fire splitting the massive wall in to before receding back by some magic and allowing a formidable arch to form that the clan could pass through.
"The Lord is good," came shouts from the women, "his works are merciful and he makes a difficult path clear," came their cries of joy.
"Yes," elder Enuid replied, "the Lord is good indeed. Forward everyone, tarry not lest we offend the gods. Sing praise to our Lord as we pass this gate, and until we reach our host," he said as he led the way and the joyous song which filled the canyon walls as the small clan made their way into their promised land.
Harr, disillusioned in the turret at the top of the wall, waited until the last member of the clan had passed before he summoned the talisman, sealed the gate, and banished the talisman back to Enuid.
Harry's Villa; 2 Hours Later
The clan had approached the massive, and strange, structure slowly with reverence as they observed the lush gardens, plentiful fountains, and fields of plenty surrounding the estate.
"Surely this is the realm of a great man to our Lord," Cassandra, wife of Enuid spoke.
"You speak the truth wife. A temple such as this must truly be a blessing of our Lord," he replied.
"A man approaches," cried one of his daughters.
Harry, wearing a light white cloak charmed to conceal his features and distort his voice, approached them from the path which lead to the olive grove.
"Welcome friends, and peace be upon you," he began. "Welcome to Ventis, my home, a land I hope we can all abide in. My name is Harry of House Potter, and I am a wizard blessed by Setesh as protector and pharaoh of these lands. I see that you wear the talisman of Lord Setesh Elder Enuid; are you the clan Leder?"
Taking measured if cautious steps toward Harry, Enuid presented himself and the talisman for Harry's inspection.
"I am the chosen of fire by our Lord, Great Harry of House Potter. Our god has directed we leave our well and home to travel to these your lands," he looked around at the lush splendor, "which overflow with milk and honey." He prostrated himself before Harry as did his clan upon seeing his actions. "We are your humble servants to command to the glory of Setesh, and his ways."
Harry looked at the prostrate individuals and began to self-levitate in order to cement in these people's mind who was ultimately in charge, as he windlessly cast the same green flame charm and voice modulating spells and commanded in the same voice as Setesh, "My avatar is this man. In him you will find my reward and my scorn. Heed to his call and you shall forever have my favor. Where before you were strangers wandering the land, now you shall take up the plow and sickle, seeking to grow your love for me as I grow these plants for you. Heed my words and harken to my voice children of Yakub! For so long as you seek my pleasure, you shall reside in this place. So it is spoken, so shall it be," Harry finished as he descended.
The women trembled in fear, at first, but the more Harry spoke the more at ease they seamed to be. After landing, Harry landed and scanned the minds of the individuals before him and from the crowd noticed there was one young woman that showed a calm and serene presence, instead of the fear and awe of her family.
Harry approached her, noticing that while she appeared rather plain, she could be a very pretty lady if given the chance to abandon her nomadic lifestyle.
"And what are you called," he asked roughly as the translation spell he was utilizing didn't exactly translate what he desired to say from English to Ancient Egyptian.
"I am called Rachel my Lord," she replied in a melodic voice.
"I look forward to knowing you and your family for sometime to come Rachel, and am pleased your clan made the journey to my home. Your language is not native to me; I am utilizing the powers of Setesh to speak to you now. However, there is a way I can more naturally speak to you, if you will allow."
"What must I do, "the woman said as she stood up and brushed herself off.
"Grant me permission to read your mind, and transfer your knowledge of your language to myself," came Harry's calm reply.
"My Lord, I happily volunteer," a middle aged man stood and volunteered, placing himself between harry and Rachel.
Harry, sensing these two were related, assumed this man to be Rachel's Father and smiled before explaining why the procedure would likely be less painful if done between himself and Rachel.
"I appreciate your candor and willingness my friend, however have no fear. No harm shall befall Rachel. I have examined her with my magic and she is more suited to receive my magics in a less invasive way than you would; were I to attempt this on you friend, I'd no doubt succeed….however, it may leave you in great pain for a number of days and I do not wish to harm you or anyone else here. It seems Setesh has foreseen my need and sent me a helper to meet my needs before they even arose," Harry said with a smile.
"Praise Setesh," Enuid said as the members which had stood sensing a possible confrontation between Harry and Joseph, father of Rachel, as being possible began to again prostrate themselves in prayer and reverence.
"I will consent my Lord," Rachel said with some amusement at a man requesting anything of her.
"Thank you," Harry replied as he turned and walked over to Enuid and Cassandra and helping them up lowered his hood and spoke kindly to them.
"Would you please follow me to the guest houses," Harry said offering his arm to Cassandra.
"I received knowledge of your arrival before Lord Setesh sent for you," Harry began, "and so I immediately started construction of your own, semi-private, homes," Harry said as he led a group down a path leading toward the Rivergate, and docks in the distance.
"Originally," he continued, "I was going to try and house you all in homes bore from the mountains which surround this valley, but upon reflection, I didn't believe living in such a dark and cramped space would be comfortable for you. In the end, I decided that building you a more permanent type of dwelling, similar to the style of housing from my homeland, would be more convenient and efficient."
"What do you mean Lord Harry," asked Cassandra.
Harry smiled and patted her arm as they continued through the olive groves and vineyard until, in the distance, structures could be seen rising parallel to the base of the mountain with the heavily fortified RiverWall/RiverGate down a sloping hill from the (Row)homes.
There was a small park of flowers, fountains, and fruit bearing trees designed to provide both shade and a nice green spae.
"This is the village of Rivergate," Harry began, "and these homes will be unlike anything you are accustomed to, or familiar with. I ask you please to make yourselves to home, but living here will require you to change your lives and practices somewhat. I will ask that you all become comfortable in your new homes, but please refrain from utilizing more than the bedrooms or wash-rooms until I can properly demonstrate how each item in the home is to be used," he said.
"We came as servants, yet we shall live more comfortable than kings," one of the clan members said as she gossiped with her cousin.
"I miss our home, but this seems like paradise," came the voice of another.
"For those of you who may never have been to a city before," Harry continued casting a silent spell to ensure his voice carried among the group, "these are called houses. There are multiple levels to each one, and they have been built to the same specifications for your use and enjoyment." The group had been walking and talking at a calm pace, but finally they were within 1,000 yards of the village, and the details of the rowhouses could be seen.
"The homes are made from fired bricks and a substance called cement, which is a special mixture of ingredients that makes for a very sturdy and resilient structure that should last for generations," Harry continued. "As we get closer you will see I've included windows, charmed against light damage to protect from accidents, but if you will notice there are stairs leading to a full basement, each with a space we will explore called a "safe room", food storage, and living space. The ground floor," he said pointing to the space at eye level, "is designed to provide relaxation space, family space, dining space, and a kitchen I will teach you how to use.
"The next level up contains rooms for sleeping, bathing, personal hygiene, and each home has enough room for a small shrine to Setesh," Harry said, leaving out that each shrine was a collection vessel for the ambient magic even muggles possessed to college their prayers to help power the household charms which would manage the indoor plumbing, refrigeration, and climate control wards.
"Amazing," "Praise Setesh," and crying were some of the responses which followed Harry's descriptions.
"We are truly unworthy of your generosity Lord Potter," Enuid began. "We are a simple people, and can live in our tents as our family has for generations; this is too much and we have done nothing to earn this," he said attempting to preserve his pride.
"Brother Enuid," Harry replied as they approached the stoop of one of the buildings he'd marked as No. 07, with a small shield containing Setesh's Symbol, to denote the home belonged to Enuid and Cassandra, "you are no longer strangers wandering in the land of Egypt…you and your family have come home," he said sweeping his arms wide to indicate the entire clan trailing behind them. "These fields will be worked by your hands, your children's and their children's children's hands. Our Lord has supplied a need before it arose; let us not look to question his wisdom," Harry replied.
"Praise Setesh," Cassandra said with tears streaking her face as she bowed her head and left Harry's side to join her husband.
"I would like to take the Elders of the Clan into this home," Harry said indicating the home given for Enuid and Cassandra, "so that I can explain to you how to operate these dwellings, and so you may share this knowledge with your families, as the areas we will visit are sadly too small to take everyone at once."
"What are those," one of the people in the crowd asked before Harry could disappear into the home to explain the function of the (gas) lighting, stoves, food storage system(s), plumbing, and climate control devices.
"What are you asking about," Harry called out stepping off the stoop and down a few steps to see what was being pointed to.
Realizing the people were pointing to a row of multi colored barns, Harry chuckled a bit.
"Those are called barns," he began with a chuckle, "and they hold the tools and supplies you will utilize in your new lives as farmers. I wish for you all to rest and relax for a week before we begin your training on farming and utilizing the special tools I have which you're unlikely to have come across before," Harry said. "For your own safety," Harry said in a very serious voice, "please do not explore these buildings until I've had time to train your elders in the proper access of these buildings and the use of the tools and supplies they contain. Some items are magical by nature, in your homes and in these barns, and I cannot be with you every moment of the day. I want you all to be safe and content here, so until I am convinced you are properly trained in the work you are to do, I ask you not stray too far from this village as it is very unlikely any injury you may sustain here would be life threatening; I cannot say the same should you abuse the tools or devices in those sheds," he concluded to the solemn looks of the crows before taking the elders inside.
The elders were all gone for over an hour when they returned; the women praising their god for the "showers. tubs, and wood burning-stoves" the men for the climate control wards and fans. Everyone was shocked at the function of the water closet, and the presence of so much water in each of their homes.
Harry had answered each question they had regarding the home, which is why it had taken so long to give the tour, and had instructed them on the need for ritualistic and hygienic "purification" which each person was to perform at the start of the day, and in the evenings, as well as how to maintain proper purity after using the water closet to "please our Lord."
Harry and Kreacher had spent days learning the process of making anti-bacterial soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and body washes to use as a marketable resource when the small community began trading their wares, and what better way to test their product than on a captive market?
The women had been more interested in the 'potions' than had the men, until Harry had explained that it was a command of their Lord that they be clean before work, after work, and that these products were a gift from Setesh, and that he desired they be used.
It had been amusing for Harry to have conjured an illusionary male in restroom to demonstrate the proper procedures and functions so the elders could learn by example; same with the kitchen and other areas.
"This is too much," Cassandra said to Enuid after they'd divided up the homes and sent people to explore with the elders and learn the new rules laid down by their Lord. "We are truly in paradise."
"Aye," Enuid replied as he and his wife of 25 years ventured up from the foyer of their home into their new bedroom suite. "Perhaps we should shower," he began as his wife raised her eyebrow, "just to be sure we both know how this works; after all, I would hate for you to become trapped in this glass case," Enuid said with as lecherous a grin as a toothless man could provide.
"By the gods you are still a flirt," she said as she and her husband disrobed and cautiously entered the shower for the first time.
It was a scene playing out in every home as the new purity rules were observed to please Lord Setesh, before the families joined together and cooked their first meals in their homes.
***Two weeks Later***
Harry's Private Potion's Lab
Harry had spent the last two weeks helping the Yakubi, as he'd taken to calling them, settle into their homes and their new roles and life here in the Valley. He'd spent the better the first three days answering questions about how the people should live in their homes and how to properly utilize the resources they provided; he'd gotten quite a chuckle at the awe the women had at the charmed and magically constructed washer/dryer units he'd adapted from a more primitive, and thus charmable, muggle variety from the 1950's he'd had designs for in one of his books on enchantment.
He was currently looking over the results of the physical's he'd had all of the Yakubi submit to prior to assessing them for work duties, and was brewing a variety of nutrient, vitamin, and health potions to correct several problem's he'd uncovered concerning the poor health these nomads had experienced.
Kreacher had been introduced to the Elders at first at the start of the second week, and then he was personally introduced by Harry over the course of a day to the other families and people that lived in the Valley. It was explained that he was a special helper and partner of Harry and that he was to be afforded the same respect that they showed to their own family, and to Harry aa he was a member of Harry's Household.
"Master," Kreacher spoke from the door to the laboratory, "Muggles have taken to the fields in the shifts you assigned, and Kreacher is having cooking class with women today to explain proper ways to light ovens, maintain fires, and cook healthy meals. Kreacher also took the liberty of starting butter and cheese production with a few of the younger children so we have steady supply of butter, cream, cheese, and fresh milk."
"Good work old friend," Harry replied. "I think we're more than on the way to setting up our little community….don't you," he looked up from the book he was using to guide his hand for the final potion he was brewing to help the Yakubi.
"They are settling in well," Kreacher replied. "Kreacher looks forward to having helpers in the production plants."
"Are you going to be able to manage the increase in production until we get you a crew together," Harry asked looking up from his book and focusing his attention on Kreacher.
"Kreacher be fine," the elf said with a shrug. "however, master should consider delay in commerce until proper guards can be trained and people trained to travel the waters. Perhaps, we should make portkey shelter near a settlement big enough to send in wagon and sales party near big cities," he offered knowing Harry was planning on dredging the harbor and attempting to teach the Yakubi how to create and man barges at some point.
Harry went back to putting the final touches on this particular potion, derived from an alchemical formula, which found major defects or impurities in the body and corrected them, i.e. cataracts, missing teeth, missing digits, STD's/STI's, etc..
"Once again old friend you've found a solution to a problem I didn't even know we had. I wasn't going to start on teaching the Yakubi how to sail until we'd had a chance to train them up as merchants a bit first. You've found an elegant solution to how we could solve our logistical and travel problems."
Kreacher popped away as someone had called for him.
Harry returned to his potion and knew the next few weeks of cleansing and treating the injuries of the Yakubi, as best he could, would have to be his priority.
-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-0o-
City of Ra, Same Time
Ra sat on his throne listening to the petitions of court today, but his mind was elsewhere…attempting to 'feel' the same presence he had before of what he was sure was another just as powerful as he.
He had sought the knowledge of ship once more, attempting to use the advance craft's scanners to no avail, having not been in the vessel since he had initially been merged with the artificial intelligence and had the craft's information downloaded into his mind, unknowingly changing a bit more each time he chose to meld with the machine instead of learning the information by more traditional means.
"And my Lord the citizens beg of you to allow for a greater share of crops, as the current drought is affecting vital staples; we are also running dangerously low on oil for lamps and cooking," his chief priest said after summarizing the remaining petitioners of farmers.
Staring at the man with disinterest, he summoned forth ten pounds of sand from the nearby window which overlooked the desert and he utilized his power to create a bag from the air and converted the molecular structure of the sand to that of gold-dust, which he settled into the bag.
"Here is enough treasure to travel to Crete and purchase supplies for my people. Have the chief guildsmen travel to negotiate fair dealings for my Kingdom, and we shall reward the Grecians with more trade in the future," he finished handing an, exceptionally heavy, bag of gold to the priest to distribute as necessary to effectuate his will.
"I am finished for the day," he said as he stood and vacated his throne. His golden silk cape and ornamentals billowed behind him as he walked the palace halls at a brisk pace contemplating his quandary; the elusive brother in the desert.
Reaching the balcony he'd built so long ago to greet the scores of people in his city he overlooked the main boulevard of the god's and saw, for the first time, how dingy…how….dull everything looked.
Where once stone gleamed in the sun, and the aqueducts delivered precious water to the residents and gardens alike, the streets seemed to be covered in sand.
Ra closed his eyes and concentrated as the sand began to disappear, along with the roughness of the city until it gleamed in the mid-day sun as it had the first day he'd built it.
I will find you brother, he thought as he observed the city continuing to clean and repair itself without him consciously directing the efforts. I will find you, and I will add your power to my own.
-To Be Continued-
Reviews are welcome, I love when people follow me. Lol
This in published without a Beta; if you find an error, feel free to PM me and I will try to correct it. Standard Disclaimers apply.
Read and Review to let me know what you think.
Chapter Date: 09/05/2017.
Author's Commentary:
I envision this being an interesting meeting between Harry, his followers, and ultimately a struggle between magic and mutant.
This is version of Apocalypse is, I consider him, relatively "young," and inexperienced which is why I've set the timeframe of the story as I have.
If you want to adopt this, or any other, ficlet, please let me know.
This felt like a good place to stop considering I'm 30 pages and nearly 14,000 words in.
This is likely not a oneshot.
Thanks for the read. #Review and #Recommend.