A Message Received
Thanks for your comments/reviews since my last posting, and also, a shout-out to those who have added the story to your alert list, c2, or favourite list, it's almost as good as a review, 'ya know!
Chapter posted May 24, 2010 (Happy Victoria Day, to my Canadian readers! FYI to others, this is Queen Victoria's birthday today, hence the reason for our holiday. It always falls on the weekend before May 24th. Victoria would be 191 years old if she were still somehow alive.)
Caution: Coarse language, spoilers for "Order of the Phoenix", and "James Cameron's 'Avatar'"
/Italicized text/ - Na'vi native language.
-CHAPTER XXXV-
A MESSAGE RECEIVED
Or, Voldemort's mission to the ministry doesn't go as planned
Monday passed with Harry spending part of the day in class. He got more than a few questions as they queued up for potions, but he gave non-answers. What business was it of theirs, what he was doing with his time? The Slytherins seemed less interested in provoking him… maybe it had to do with the fact he was single-handedly destroying any chance of Gryffindor winning the house cup that year.
The class went without incident, and at the end, Matt and Harry's strengthening potion looked as good as Hermione's (It was a potion which required more than one class session to complete). Rather startling, he had earned another 'A' on his essay on the various varieties of venom antidotes.
"I take it you'll be… elsewhere this afternoon," Hermione guessed, as they headed up toward the Great Hall.
"Yeah. I'm taking lunch you know where, then I'm back to—where I spent my day yesterday," answered Harry, very much aware there were others within earshot.
"Will we see you at supper?"
"Doubt it. I'll likely pop in later, but not for long."
"You're planning on skipping class again?" Seamus muttered.
"Yeah, I do. I've quit Divination, and I won't put up with a useless teacher with some sort of vendetta against me. I'll sit my OWL at the end of the year, and hope she goes elsewhere."
"You're costing us a load of house points, Potter. Every class you miss, never mind skipping detentions!"
"Does it look like I really give a shit about house points?" Harry snapped, "There's shit going on you don't know about, stuff that's far more important than petty house-rivalries. Matt, let's go." They stormed off, with Ron and Hermione close behind, leaving Seamus and Dean behind, wondering what Harry meant.
Once back in the dormitory, Harry again passed through the door into the trunk.
"Right, guys. I'm going back to Pandora. As I said, I might come back for a bit during supper, but it's not definite. I don't need to say it, but… keep your heads down."
"We know, mate," said Ron, then, "Wait… I don't have a class after lunch… not until DADA."
"Ron… I'm not ready to bring you guys through yet. This weekend… you're gonna learn how to cast a bubble-head charm."
"Or get started early," said Hermione. Harry could see the wheels turning in her mind already.
"Good. If you guys want to join me there, you'll need to know how to do it. Matt. You have the wand motion right… give it a try." Matt only nodded, producing his wand. He gestured at his face, muttering the incantation. This time, the bubble appeared, and stayed.
"Good, very good. You won't need the exo-pack today." They were already into the dining room, pulling up seats.
"Matt… bring your fourth year Dark Arts Defence text book. We'll work on that material for the afternoon, since that's the class we're supposed to be in."
"Right." Matt thought for a moment, then said, "How does Umbridge plan on both inspecting the other teachers, AND teach her own classes?"
"Well, she doesn't have classes all the time," answered Bill, "I'd know, considering I have to stand watch over the woman's classes."
"Sorry," said Harry.
"As it stands, she doesn't have a class following lunch."
"Come with us then. My only warning, be ready for anything. I've seen only a fraction of their world."
"Harry. I'm a curse-breaker. That comes with the territory," Bill reminded.
Once lunch was over with, the three of them travelled through the second trunk, then into the third.
"Ready to see Pandora?" questioned Harry.
"When you are." Bill gestured at his face with his wand, producing a bubble-head charm. Matt had already done so.
"Grab my arms, guys." The three of them vanished with a noisy POP.
Bill had to blink several times to get used to the brightness. He found himself very high in the branches of a tree. The branch itself was enormous.
"Merlin, Harry… where are we?"
"This is the natives' village."
"They live in a tree?" Bill arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah. And it's awesome, the biggest tree I've ever seen. Come on, I'll introduce you to a few people."
"They're okay with us being here?"
"Very much so. I think I'm the first 'sky person' they've been able to trust implicitly—they refer to humans as 'sky people', because they came from the sky. As far as I know, they don't include us in that description. They know I'm not here to interfere or impose. The only thing I might want from a place like this, is a bit of peace and comfort."
"Harry's in love with the place, I think," Matt snickered.
"Is that so?"
"Maybe," said Harry, "Can't you feel the magic humming around you?" Bill paused for a moment, then nodded. "You're right… very strong. Like I'm coming up to some powerful wards."
"It's like that everywhere, Bill. I mean, here's a little stronger, but I think it's because this is the clan's home. There's another place I went, the magic was almost intoxicating, it was so strong."
"I think I can see why you've become drawn to this world, Harry. Just remember, you have a life in our world, not here. It won't do to spend all your time here."
"But that's just it, Bill!" Harry exclaimed, "What life do I TRULY have in our world? Everyone has ridiculous expectations of me, to be their saviour, their scapegoat the next? I've dealt with Voldemort once already, and here I am, having to deal with him a second time! Maybe I don't feel like living a nightmare a second time over!" Several screeches from above made him look up. A banshee had thrust its head through the branches, wondering what the noise was.
"What the hell is that?" questioned Bill, getting his first look at a native animal of Pandora.
"It's an Ikran, as the Na'vi call it. A mountain banshee in English. That one's likely someone's ride. The ones people are bonded to roost up here," Harry explained. It was a nice distraction, he came to realize. Harry conjured up a chunk of meat such as had been served the previous night, and tossed it to the animal, who gulped it down in one swallow.
"C'mon, let's go below. Best not go down through the tree, since the elders haven't met you yet," said Harry, "Side along."
They appeared moments later at the base of the tree, with a noisy CRACK. Most clan members knew by now Harry was able to move from place to place in such a manner, and so the few in the immediate area weren't significantly startled by their appearance. Introductions to the elders went smoothly, and like Matt, Bill was welcomed into the village. The Na'vi were somewhat startled by Bill's hair—they had not seen a human with red hair before.
Bill spent the next hour with Matt and Harry, as Harry continued to teach Matt the lower-year material. Bill helped out where he could, as they practiced on the shore of a large lake a stone's throw from Hometree. Noting the time, Bill simply vanished with a slight POP, and returned to the trunk.
That evening had been some of the most fun Harry had in quite some time, with Bill showing off some rather advanced magic for the villagers. He and Harry had both demonstrated their Patroni, much to the amazement of everyone. To Harry, his stag actually looked a little more intense. Perhaps it was the strength of the ambient magic. Then again, he'd noticed a slight increase in the power of his spells. Would that carry over back in his own world, he had to wonder. Jake and Neytiri, along with Grace, had already retreated into the upper part of the tree, and slowly but surely, the other villagers were following suit.
"You plan on staying here again?" questioned Bill.
"Yeah." Harry had conjured up a few comfortable blankets and some pillows. "Stay with us?"
"Harry… I think you know the answer to that one."
"I just wish… Cedric could see this. It feels wrong, him not being able to be here with us."
"It'll get sorted, mate," said Bill, "We'll get him back eventually."
Mo'at and Eytukan were among those still awake, and heard the whispered conversation.
/If there is a way, we must help them,/ said Eytukan.
/It is not our place to interfere, Eytukan. If Eywa wills it, then so it must be./
"Harry?" Harry heard the voice, distant, amongst his dream of flying with the Ikran. The second night in a row, his dreams were pleasant, not clouded with the horrors of the 'first time around'.
"Harry, wake up." A little more clear this time.
"Jake?" Harry yawned, trying to shake the fog out of his head.
"Harry… something's wrong in your trunk."
"What!" Much more awake now, he dragged Matt and Bill to him, and not thinking, also grabbed what he thought was Jake's arm. They disapparated with a very loud CRACK.
"Ow…" Harry heard Jake say, and the sound of someone being sick.
"Harry! What the hell?" Bill exclaimed, leaping to his feet, wand out.
"Ditto," Matt muttered.
"Harry? Come—" Hermione stopped dead. "Who… WHAT are you?"
"Err… Harry…" said Bill, finally putting his wand away. Harry was finally awake enough to realize what he'd done.
"Fuck."
"No… it's, it's okay," said Jake, although it was clear he wasn't breathing as easy. "That felt… very wrong," he managed. Harry was already checking himself over. "Am I missing anything, guys?"
"Yeah, a clump of hair in the back."
"Fuck, splinched myself."
"You did what?" Jake questioned, finally looking at Harry. He was looking quite green—whether it was from being sick, or from the atmosphere, it was questionable.
"Harry, who… or what is this?" Hermione demanded again. She looked rather frazzled, likely from being woken suddenly herself. Voices were wafting in from the main trunk.
"Hermione, this is Jake… he… this is one of the natives from Pandora," Harry said, matter-of-factly, "Now. What's going on that was so urgent you had to drag a friend out of bed to come get me?"
"The whole Order's been assembled. Voldemort struck in several places just after midnight, they won't tell me any more than that, just to come find you."
"Jake… you all right to stay here? I can have Bill take you back to Hometree."
"N-no, it's good. I'll feel it later, but… it's fine."
"Where's Neytiri?"
"Still asleep."
"Come on, then… best to introduce you to a few people."
"What did you mean by 'splinched'?"
"I left a clump of hair behind when we apparated." That got a raised eyebrow from Jake.
"That was one of the most fucked up feelings I ever felt. I almost 'woke up'."
"I'm sorry, didn't mean to drag you along… but I was half-asleep, it also explains why I splinched myself. That's something I don't do very often—at least until recently." The five of them were passing through the second corridor, Jake having to stoop so not to hit his head on the ceiling. Hermione kept giving sideways glances at him, and Harry knew she'd have a barrage of questions when she had a chance.
The study was abuzz with activity when they arrived. The room fell silent, seeing Jake.
"Eh… hi," he managed.
"D'you mind waiting there?" Harry gestured to the couches in the sunken part of the room. "Bloody hell, full Order meeting."
"I'll look after him," said Hermione.
"Hermione, he's probably not up for a million questions at this hour." The room broke out into whispers and muttering, as the initial shock wore off.
"It's all right, I can manage."
"I'll get you a pepper-up potion… Matt… you know where they are right?"
"Got it."
"Great." Harry took a seat at the table, while Matt left the room. "What happened?"
"Harry, we need to move your relatives somewhere safe," said Dumbledore.
"And you want to bring them here," Harry muttered, "Great. Just great. Again, what happened?"
"Voldemort struck a number of different targets just after midnight. That's as much as we understand it," answered the headmaster.
"My relatives were included."
"They were. Your cousin has been taken to St. Mungo's suffering from the effects of the Cruciatus curse. It'll likely be a few days before we can move them."
"Bill… go add them to the floo. Although I'm probably gonna regret that later."
"Harry, you can't hate them that much," said Sirius.
"No, it's not me I'm worried about. Where's Jiro and Zack?"
"We didn't disturb them," answered George.
"It's Jiro I'm worried about. In their world, apparently my relatives treated my with much more depravity then here. I'll need to have a discussion with him, probably sooner rather than later." Just then, Matt walked back into the study, bringing a pepper up potion. He gave it to Jake, then returned to the table.
"If there's any good that might come of this," said Lily from her portrait, "I might have a word with my tart of a sister." That got a snort and a smirk from Harry, and Jake did a double-take. A moving, talking portrait? Now there was something you didn't see every day!
"What about the other attacks?" questioned Harry. Bill, meanwhile, was knelt in front of the fireplace, adding Harry's relatives to the floo access. He was about to add Harry's aunt, when the floo roared to life, and Professor Snape stepped out of it. He tottered forward a step or two, then thumped to the floor, unconscious.
"Professor!" Hermione gasped.
"Mr. Weasley, please floo to the hospital wing and fetch Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore directed. Bill nodded, and activated the floo, vanishing in the green flames. Jake was shocked beyond belief, watching this unfold. A man had just appeared in the fire, then fell unconscious. Then someone had just vanished in the fire? What the hell? He realized a this point he wouldn't be getting any answers. Hermione was already kneeling at the dark-robed wizard's side. The man was actually twitching, even though he was unconscious.
"He's been cursed many times," said Hermione.
"Voldemort must've been enraged to go that far," said Harry, "The attacks… he went after something, the attacks were likely just a diversion."
"And you would be right, Potter," spoke Moody, "There was an attack at the ministry. Like you warned would happen, he got into the Department of Mysteries."
"So my message has been delivered," said Harry, quietly.
"Harry, you pissed him off, that's not a good thing," Remus chided, "He's unpredictable at the best of times, you may have made it worse!"
"Did Fudge see him this time?"
"No, he was gone before Fudge was called to the ministry," said Tonks, "More than a dozen Aurors were killed this morning." Just then, the floo roared to life again, and Bill stepped out of it. He was immediately followed by Madam Pomfrey, who brought her medical bag with her. She started, seeing Jake, but her eyes flicked immediately to the incapacitated professor.
"Oh dear," she said, kneeling beside Professor Snape, "This is extreme exposure to the Cruciatus curse." She reached into her medical bag, and drew out a potion. She opened the professor's mouth, and poured it in, messaging his throat, getting him to swallow it. "Mr. Weasley, would you mind lending a hand? He needs to be moved to the infirmary so I may better treat him," said Madam Pomfrey. Bill only gave a nod, then levitated Professor Snape's unconscious form. They disappeared through the floo, with Madam Pomfrey immediately following.
"What about the other targets?" questioned Harry.
"All Muggle. Six families attacked, we were able to prevent the deaths of one, but that was it," answered Tonks, "The Ministry's investigating."
"They'll try and pin it on Sirius, like they did last time," said Harry, shaking his head. He blew out a breath. "Gods, I can't escape this mess, even for a night."
"Harry, we're sorry… but you asked to be warned if something happens."
"I know, Sirius, and in the end it was good you let me know, no matter WHAT time it was… it's just frustrating. Voldemort is moving faster than he did last time, and the ministry still chooses to ignore it."
"It's probably best if Mr. Weasley stays here. He knows where you're at when you're visiting your new friends, I take it," said Dumbledore. Harry nodded in agreement, and said, "Yeah, probably best." It was clear he wasn't happy about it, but at the same time, he understood it was the best course of action. "What we need, is a way for you guys to contact me without having to chase after me."
"I might have something to help," said Sirius, "If I could get to my vault."
"Sirius…"
"I can help him get there," Remus offered.
"I have a pair of two way mirrors."
"I know. That would be perfect," said Harry, "Just… be careful. And until we get those, I'll have Bill stay here. He knows where I'm at most of the time."
"We have something else that can help," said Jake, finally daring to throw himself into the conversation, "I'll have to talk to Grace, but we have small radio transmitters you can secure around your neck, something like a necklace."
"That would be perfect," said Harry.
"Who are you exactly?" questioned Tonks.
"Everyone, this is Jake Sully, one of my new friends from Pandora. It was a good thing he knew where we were in the end, I guess."
"Harry, we just wanted to make sure you were informed. If you'd like, why not take your friend back to his world?"
"I'll check in later then."
"Just leave your clone," Matt suggested.
"Good thinking." With a slight shift and a blink, the doppelganger appeared.
"Stay here with the meeting. I'm taking Jake and Matt back to Pandora." The clone gave a nod, and Harry stood up, Matt immediately following suit. The clone took Harry's spot.
"If anything, he can pass on anything important."
"The mirrors are still important," said the clone.
"Yes, agreed."
"You've got no idea how absolutely crazy that looks," said Jake.
"What?" Both Harry and the clone said, simultaneously.
"Oh Merlin," said Fred.
"We've been outdone again," said his twin, as they cried mock-tears. Harry smirked, and said, "Right, fine."
"How long will this potion you gave me last?"
"A couple of hours—shit. Matt… fetch me another pepper-up potion."
"Got it."
"When we get back to Hometree, I'll cast a sleeping charm on you. But when your… well… when you wake up… you'll need to take another pepper-up potion."
"Leave that one with Grace. She'll make sure I take it when I wake up."
"Good enough for me." He remembered his aunt hadn't been added to the floo, and so knelt in front of the fireplace. "Addendum, Petunia Dursley." The fireplace shimmered green for a moment. "All right. Let's go then."
Less than a minute later, they were back in the common area of Hometree. It was still deserted. Jake took a deep breath, and exhaled. "Earth air was difficult to breathe."
"No doubt," said Harry, "Again, sorry about that, holy shit… I just… you said there was trouble in my trunk, I thought the worst. Being half-awake, I forgot you were in avatar form. You're okay?"
"Yeah, fine."
"Okay. I'll pop back over to the research station and leave this with Grace." Harry indicated the pepper-up potion.
"That stuff tastes like shit, by the way. You said something about a sleeping charm or something, right?"
"This'll work better," said Matt, passing him another potion.
"Good idea," Harry agreed, "Drink that after you lay down, it'll make you sleep. I wouldn't suggest using all of it… half of it will probably do. In the mean time, we'll leave a pepper-up potion with Grace. It'll get you through the day later."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you later then," said Jake. He headed for the spiral ramp leading to the upper parts of the tree.
"Let's drop this off at the research station then," said Harry. They vanished with a slight POP.
"Is Jake going to sleep?" questioned Grace, as soon as she saw them arrive.
"Yeah. I gave him a sleeping potion to help him rest quickly. Make sure he takes this when he wakes up from his real sleep. It'll give him a boost and help him make it through the day."
"It's safe?"
"No known side-effects. Wizards have been using the stuff for centuries," Harry explained.
"Good enough for me, I suppose," said Grace, "Although I'd love to get a sample under the microscope."
"Please don't open that. I'll give you one later, if you remind me." Harry could hear a link module opening in the other compartment. "Jake's back, I think… We're gonna get back to sleep."
"Yeah, go… we'll see you later this morning."
When Harry woke up again, he found himself snuggled up against Matt, who was still sound asleep. Some of the villagers were up and about, with the fire crackling at the centre of the room. He suddenly realized why he'd woken up. His clone had just woke up too. 'Attend class today?' came the mental question.
'No. I'll be there shortly and we can merge.', Harry sent back. He then prodded Matt. "Matt… gotta get up."
"S'too soon," Matt muttered.
"We got class today, mate." Immediately following, Harry's stomach let out a low growl. "And it's time for breakfast."
"Right."
"Mr. Potter!" Harry wheeled to see Grace storming into the common area, a nasty scowl on her face, her ears tucked back, much like an angry cat would do. She was PISSED, and Harry knew it. "Just what the HELL were you thinking, taking one of us into your world? Don't you realize how EXPENSIVE this shit is?"
"Grace… it was an accident," said Harry, trying to douse the fire.
"I don't care! You could have destroyed his avatar!"
"But we didn't. I forgot he was in his avatar body."
"Look," Grace said, a little more calmly, "We spend millions of dollars on machines and research, so we can be here. You still don't know everything behind what we're doing."
"Is Jake okay?"
"Fine, thanks for asking," said Jake, walking into the common area, Neytiri in tow. He frowned at Grace. /Why don't you yell a little louder? I don't think the Ikran heard you well enough./ There were a few laughs and snickers from some of those seated around the fire.
/We had this discussion already this morning, Jake./
/And I don't think those around us appreciate this kind of disturbance./ "You blast me for not knowing how to handle myself, how to behave here? NOW who's the hypocrite?"
"Guys! Enough. Look, I'm sorry, it was an accident. Look at it this way, at least I know you can survive in my world, perhaps a little uncomfortably, but you won't keel over and die just from being there," Harry pointed out.
"We still don't know the long term effects, Harry," Grace rebutted. "Just be a little more careful next time."
"When I told her what happened, she wanted to come give you hell right there and then. I didn't think that would go over well," said Jake.
"No, not really. Now… I need to get back into the trunk for breakfast. I'll be attending classes today, so I probably won't be back in until sunset." Harry banished the pillows and blankets as they stood up. "Have a good day, guys."
"Kìyevame," said Neytiri.
"Sorry?"
"It means, 'good bye, see you soon'," Jake translated.
"See you soon," said Harry, as he and Matt linked arms. They vanished with a loud POP.
Charms was one of the classes Harry had no issue with, and it passed by without incident. Harry had been able to complete the in-class task very early in the period, and spent the remainder of it tutoring Matt with lower-year material. He was somewhat relieved Umbridge had not chosen to inspect the class.
That relief was short-lived as they entered Transfiguration. Professor Umbridge was seated in a corner of the room, with a clipboard in hand, appearing ready to take notes. Interesting, her hair seemed to have taken on a purple tinge in some places. 'Hmm… was it Peeves, or the twins?' thought Harry.
"This ought to be good," Ron smirked, as the four of them took their usual seats.
"That'll do," said Professor McGonagall, as she marched into the room. She ignored Umbridge altogether, but instructed Seamus to return the homework. "Miss Brown, please take this box of mice–don't be silly, girl, they won't hurt you—and hand one to each student—"
"Hem hem," said Professor Umbridge, making Harry want to strangle the woman right there and then. Professor McGonagall simply ignored her. Seamus silently handed Harry and Matt their essays back—both were relieved to have scored an 'A', although Matt's was marked in a number of places.
"Right then, everyone, listen closely—Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again I shall put you in detention—most of you have now successfully vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have got the gist of the spell. Today, we shall be—"
"Hem hem," said Professor Umbridge.
"Yes?" said Professor McGonagall, turning to face the High Inquisitor. Her face said it all: she did not like this intrusion on the part of another teacher one bit.
"I was just wondering, Professor, whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspe—"
"Obviously I received it, or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom," answered Professor McGonagall, turning back to the lesson. A good number of students smirked and shared looks of glee. This was gonna be good! McGonagall continued, outlaying the objectives of the lesson. At least, until Umbridge interrupted her again ("Hem hem.")
"I wonder," Professor McGonagall snapped, turning on Professor Umbridge, "How you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."
Professor Umbridge looked like she'd just been slapped. She said nothing, but straightened the parchment on her clipboard, and began scribbling furiously. Professor McGonagall was not moved by this behaviour, but continued the lesson.
"As I was saying: the Vanishing Spell becomes more difficult with the complexity of the animal to be Vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. This is not, therefore, magic you can accomplish with you mind on your dinner. So—you know the incantation, let me see what you can do."
"Right," said Harry, "This is a tricky one. Just like she said, it's the same principle, it just requires much more focus. Watch closely." Harry gestured at the mouse with his wand. "Evanesco!" The mouse promptly vanished. Matt drew his wand, and practiced the wand movements several times, with Harry carefully correcting him. "Remember, this is advanced stuff for you, but you can do it. You already know how to do the bubble-head charm, that's NEWT level."
"Right. Evanesco," said Matt, gesturing at the mouse. It vanished, save for its hind legs and tail. Harry let out a laugh, gesturing at the visible part of the mouse. There was a small POP, and the mouse reappeared.
"Where does it actually go?"
"You've seen me splinch myself, right?" questioned Harry, in a low voice. Matt nodded. "It's a similar principle. If your cast isn't strong enough—your intent, that is, parts get left behind."
"Five points to Gryffindor, for a spot-on explanation, Mr. Potter," said Professor McGonagall, then, "You've vanished your mouse?"
"Yes professor."
"And an additional five points, then. Mr. Tyson, let's try again then…"
Professor Umbridge didn't move from her corner during the lesson, but wrote many notes on her clipboard. When the lesson ended with the bell, only then did she dare approach the Professor's desk.
"And Mr. Potter, stay behind," she said, as the group was about to leave, "—no, the rest of you may go."
"No," said Harry, "If you have something to say to me, Professor, you'll say it with witnesses present."
"I must ask where you've been spending time outside of class, Mr. Potter."
"And I must ask, Professor Umbridge, what business is it of yours?" Harry shot back. Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes at this, but Harry figured it was only a half-effort.
"Students aren't permitted to leave the school grounds unless they have permission from the—"
"Unless they have a guardian's permission, Professor. Since I have adult rights, I don't NEED a guardian's permission. Am I right, Professor McGonagall?"
"Indeed, Mr. Potter, that is the rule."
"So why, Professor Umbridge, are you questioning me on what I can and can't do? Or is it yet another lame attempt to 'catch me out of bounds'?"
"That'll be—"
"See, Professor, I know who sent the Dementors on me back at my relatives' place. You better hope I can't prove it."
"Is that a threat, Mr. Potter?"
"No, it's a promise. I'll put it in Queen's English for you. I hate your guts, Professor. Lockhart was a better teacher than you are."
"I think another weeks' detentions might serve you well."
"Detention? What detention?" said Harry, with a thin smile, his eyes dancing dangerously. Professor McGonagall furrowed her brows at this, but said nothing. "Good day, Professor McGonagall," he finished, giving his head-of-house a weak smile.
"yes, off with the four of you."
"I didn't—" Professor Umbridge began, but the four students were off before she could finish.
Harry mentally groaned as the group arrived at the edge of the forest for Care of Magical Creatures. 'Right, she inspected both classes, back to back,' he remembered. Professor Umbridge was already there with her clipboard, speaking with Professor Grubbly-Plank. He'd heard this discussion the first time around.
Once class got under way, she wandered about, asking questions from the students individually, and testing their knowledge of magical creatures. Harry smiled inwardly, knowing that as with last time, the class didn't let Hagrid down. The change, however, came at the end of class, when Professor Umbridge continued to interview Professor Grubbly-Plank, and more specifically, when she asked Goyle about accidents during class. Goyle gave a stupid grin as before, but Malfoy didn't move to fill in the details.
"That was Draco," Pansy Parkinson jumped in with the answer, "He was attacked by a hippogriff."
"My own fault, Pansy," answered Draco, quickly. Pansy looked like she had been slapped. 'Why was Draco defending that oaf of a professor?' she thought. Harry had to grin at this. Draco was doing the right thing this time around.
"Well I thank you very much, Professor Grubbly-Plank, I think that's all I need here. You will be receiving the results of your inspection within ten days."
"Jolly good," said the professor, and Professor Umbridge set off back across the lawn to the castle.(1)
"Harry. Maybe we really need to think about setting up the Defence Association," said Hermione, over supper, "No one's learning anything from that awful woman."
"I know, Hermione. I need to speak with a couple of people back in Pandora once I finish supper. I won't be dragging shit into their world without permission—that's why the others are banging heads with them, I think."
"You're still thinking of moving the fourth part of the trunk there?" questioned Bill.
"If we're to use the Chamber of Secrets, yeah. I can also then set up a more proper connection between it and Pandora, so we're not imposing on the Muggle scientists. I don't think they appreciated us barging in at whatever ungodly hour it was this morning."
"Yes, about that, Harry," said Sirius, sliding what looked like a pocket mirror across the table, "You'll want to keep that with you all the time. I have its mate."
"Perfect."
"Harry! Just the guy I wanted to see," said Jiro, pulling up a seat across from him, "We hear you've landed in another world. It true?"
"Yeah. But I'm not ready to take many of you there yet… the world's not all that safe. The environment itself is toxic without a bubble-head charm."
"I know how to cast that, Harry."
"Guys, just hold off until the weekend. Then I can have someone from the other side come and have a chat with everyone here, explain some of the dangers and so on. I really would rather not lose anyone there, if you get what I mean."
"But, well, what's it like?"
"It's like, everything's been scaled up to double the size. And the magic there, it's insanely strong."
"And the individual who joined you this morning was one of the natives?" queried Remus.
"Yeah. That was Jake, but he's kind of special. I won't tell you how, it's his secret to tell. But pretty much, that's what they're like."
"They were, unique," said Hermione.
"Get used to them, they'll likely be joining us from time to time, once I can find a way to make it more comfortable for them to be here."
"Because of their atmosphere," Jiro guessed.
"Their world is about twenty percent smaller than Earth. Lower gravity and so on. So the atmosphere would be a part of the issue."
"You could probably charm something that could automatically apply a feather-weight charm to the wearer," Hermione mused, "The difference between our atmospheres might be a little more difficult… but we could try coming up with an alternate for the bubble-head charm." She gestured at herself with her wand, producing said charm. "Ron's almost got it, I've been tutoring him during lunch."
"Good work. Once he gets it right, the both of you can come with us."
"But—" Jiro protested, but Harry held up a hand. "There are more reasons than just learning the bubble-head charm. One of which being, I don't want you opening your mouth and offending these people."
"Harry, I try, okay?"
"I know, you're actually getting a little better at holding your tongue… just… just wait until I can get Norm or Grace to come have a chat with everyone. Hermione and Ron have been my best friends since I started Hogwarts, I trust them implicitly. That also goes for Matt and Bill, and Cedric."
"This weekend, then."
"I should warn everyone, it'll likely be early, like six or seven in the morning."
"Have them come for breakfast, then," suggested Sirius, "I'm sure Molly won't mind making breakfast for a few more."
"No, no doubt there," said Harry, with a smile.
"And Harry, I'll see if I can find anything about modifying the bubble-head charm for your friends."
"They're called Na'vi," said Harry, "And it's unlikely they'll really want to visit here. Not that I won't offer."
As soon as he got back to Hometree, he sought out Jake and Neytiri, them being the first people he encountered on Pandora.
"I need to speak with your mother and father," Harry explained.
"Harry, you not need to ask to speak with mother and father," said Neytiri, "They welcome you as a friend."
"It's only polite."
"Come then, they should be in the common area. Will you be staying with us again tonight?"
"If no one minds. I can't put a finger on it, but I feel comfortable here… more so than sleeping in my own bed, believe it or not." That got a smile from Neytiri.
"Likely your magic interacting with the natural magic here, I bet," said Matt.
"It feels very different, I'll say that. It's like, a feeling I've not felt much in my life," said Harry, as they ascended the spiral ramp, leading up to the common area.
"Na'vi culture focuses much on family and community," said Jake, "That's one thing I've learned real fast."
"Family… now there's one thing I've not really had… at least not until I met the Weasleys—Bill's the oldest of their children."
"That would explain the feeling, then, Harry," said Matt. They entered the common area, where a good number of the clan had gathered as was the usual in the evening.
"Mother, father," spoke Neytiri, "HarryPotter has something to ask."
"You did not have to seek out my daughter, to speak with us," said Mo'at.
"I felt it better safe than sorry," answered Harry, "But I have something to ask. I wish to bring something here… something from my world. It would make it easier to connect here directly, but it's also rather large. I didn't want to just do it and upset your people by doing so."
"How big is it, Harry?" questioned Jake.
"You know your research modules?" Jake nodded. "About the size of one of those." Neytiri explained that quickly to her parents, in her own language. Mo'at and Eytukan discussed it for a few moments, then Mo'at turned to Harry. "We will allow you to bring your object into our world, but remember this, we are trusting you to not disrupt the balance here."
"Which is why I'm asking if you might have a suggestion where to put it."
"Beside the research station," said Matt, "We can put a disillusionment charm on it, right?"
"Brilliant. I'd rather the 'sky people' not get too nosy." Looking at Mo'at and Eytukan, Harry said, "Thank you for allowing this. There is stuff going on in my world, where, the object I'm bringing here—I'd rather it not be found."
"Best hiding place ever," Matt smirked, "Out of this world!" That garnered a swat from Harry. "Hey!"
"You must eat with us," said Tsu'tey.
"I actually already had supper," said Harry, "We just came from there. I'd be honoured to stay though."
"At least try a little, it's my kill," said Jake.
"Your first?" Matt guessed. Jake nodded.
"Well done," Harry praised, as a few villagers shifted over and made room for them to sit down.
"You must fly with us tomorrow," said Tsu'tey, "JakeSully will take Iknimaya." He gave Jake a nasty smirk. The amount of open hostility between them was palpable.
"Sure," Harry agreed, "Guess I sort of promised I'd come fly with you, but… things have happened in my own world." He blew out a breath. How much did he tell of his trouble back at Hogwarts?
"What is Ikin—something?" questioned Matt.
"Iknimaya," said Neytiri, "it means 'stairway to heaven'. Every young Na'vi hunter must bond with Ikran, it is one of the final trials to becoming one of the people."
"If he doesn't get himself killed in the process," said Grace, sourly, who was sitting on the opposite side of the fire.
"I'll be here then. I'll send my twin to class back in my own world. Matt, probably better if you attend class as well. If toad-face decides to inspect a class and you're not there…"
"Yeah, I know."
"I'm surprised Umbridge hasn't tried to expel me yet. But I know that'll come eventually."
"Who is this Umbridge?" questioned Neytiri, carefully pronouncing the dreaded teacher's name.
"She's a teacher at my school. The Ministry of Magic assigned her in hopes of discrediting me and the headmaster. She's been making my life at Hogwarts difficult. It actually ties in to why I need to move the container object here. The woman refuses to teach us anything useful this year, so I'm setting up an extra study group to fill in the gap."
"Will you be moving the door from our research station?" questioned Grace.
"As soon as the container is moved here. I will do it early tomorrow, before we leave for… for Iknimaya," said Harry, cracking a weak smile at having pronounced the word properly.
For yet another night, Harry found sleep amongst the Omaticaya clan. Whether it was magic, their connection with each other, or the tremendous feeling of family and belonging, it was something the Boy-Who-Lived longed for deep inside. For a little while, at least, he was able to satisfy it. The question was, how long would that last?
AUTHOR NOTES: I will point out here, there will be no Na'vi slash, sorry to disappoint, if you were expecting it. Not that I don't think it could happen, but for this story, in the 'Avatar' universe, you'll only find canon pairings—and they definitely won't be a focus. However, my mind does wonder what some Harry/Jake… um… erotica… might be like… *smirks* Or maybe Harry/Tsu'tey… or not…
I'm also taking a bit of artistic license here with regards to Na'vi being able to breathe Earth air at all. At least I didn't have it where they just arrived and could breathe with no problems. Of course, Harry will work on a solution to that, just in case our new blue friends might decide to visit Harry's world more frequently.
Also, a heads-up that I may not have a new chapter out on Friday, as I may be quite busy. But regular postings will continue, for the next little while at least. I'm working four chapters ahead, and the material's coming pretty easy. So next posting will likely be in a week's time.
Finally, I'm still wondering what Dean was doing to the mouse that made McGonagall give him such a sharp warning. *snickers*
(1) Parts of this taken from p. 286 – 287, "Order of the Phoenix", Canadian soft-cover edition. Adjusted to fit the changes in the plot arc.