Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling while the Elder Scrolls series belong to Bethesda.

Author's Note:

So, I've spent a few hours reading this fan fic from start to "finish", and decided to make a few changes. Not to the general plotline, but mostly aesthetic. Keyword, mostly. Major changes include the removal of Harry's younger twin brothers, the change of "Harrison" to "Henry", fitting with his pseudo-Breton background, and changing "Charlus" to "Fleamont", fitting with his canonical grandparents, with the addition of my fan-fictional background of the Potters. Lesser changes were made to the narrative, nothing that changes the already established plot, but significant enough that I would suggest you readers to read this whole thing again from the start.

You may also have noticed that I have changed the story's image, and removed the "(REWRITE)" label from its title. Well, the original story has been permanently deleted from this site, but you can still read it in Archive of Our Own. It's there for "archiving purposes".

"Normal Speech"

"Thoughts / Mental speech"

"Other Language"

Chapter 37 – The Champion

Hogwarts School, Cadfield, Scotland (U.K.)

Michael was taken aback by the figure of his brother. When his parents had told him that Harry changed, he had not expected this kind of change. Harry's hair was as messy as it had been, but his face now was slightly gaunt, an odd change in his brother's physique. In this, he was more accepting of the current reality of things, but his fellow students were not quite believing that the man in front of Dumbledore could possibly be Harry Potter.

"Potter? Harry Potter?" said McGonagall, approaching the no longer child, eying from top to bottom. "Merlin's beard! What happened to you?"

"I've aged," he responded. "As you can see."

"That much is obvious!" she said. "But how?"

"How does one age, Professor?"

Dumbledore decided to step forward. "Mr. Potter's current predicament will be explained later. For now, we have here the fifth champion. But that raises an issue."

"Of course it raises an issue," barked Karkaroff. "Hogwarts has three champions!"

"That is something I hope to rectify," said Harry. "Is there truly no way for me to withdraw from this tournament."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. The contract which the Goblet establishes is binding and permanent. It must be fulfilled, and only then are the champions released from it."

"I see," muttered Harry. "Who is the proper champion of Hogwarts?"

"Cedric Diggory," answered the headmaster.

"Then, by which school were me and my brother chosen?"

"The pieces of parchment had two false institutions," answered Dumbledore. "You two being regarded as champions of Hogwarts, comes from both being students here."

"But I am not a student here. Well, not anymore, that is. Then who am supposed to represent?"

"Me, of course."

The voice had come from nowhere, but Harry recognized it instantly. Near them, a bright light emerged, momentarily blinding those near it. From within the light, appeared a female ghostly figure, floating a few centimetres above the floor. At this, Harry immediately knelt before the apparition.

"Lady Meridia."

The appearance of the Daedric Prince had not been expected by Harry, for even he was in question about how exactly had Meridia managed to enter this realm. The others however, were either stunned by this strange spirit, or frightened by its appearance.

"Rise, my champion" ordered Meridia. "Bask in my light."

"Harry," nearly whispered Dumbledore. "Who is this?"

"This is Meridia, one of the Princes of Oblivion," explained Harry. "Goddess of Light and Infinite Energies. One of the deities I worship."

"As it should be, champion," she declared. "I have been observing your works against the Worm Cult, and I find myself impressed by such devotion. This pleases Meridia."

"I thank you, my lady," said Harry. "But, may I ask… how is it that you are here? This is an entirely different realm of reality, separate from the Aurbis."

"The link between this universe and ours, together with the presence of Dawnbreaker, allow for my presence here," she declared. "Unbound by Compact or Covenant, I am absolute in this realm of existence. Although I find it… plain."

Harry nodded, and Dumbledore approached the apparition.

"Lady… Meridia, then Harry shall be your champion in this tournament?" he asked.

"Indeed mortal. The participation of my champion on this event works greatly in my favour, even if such a thing is beyond your understanding," she stated, turning to her champion. "Reman, display the glory of Meridia's chosen to these mortals, and you shall receive my favour."

"It shall be done, my Lady," he said.

The apparition of Meridia disappeared, the light in the room diminishing.

"Incredible…" whispered Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, I would return to Cyrodiil," said Harry. "Would you please inform my grandfather when the first event of the tournament takes place?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Of course."

Harry smiled, turning to his grandfather. "Do you stay, or return."

"I'll remain here for now," said Fleamont. "You go ahead."

Harry nodded, and in an instant, the young Cyrodiil vanished in a wave of purplish light, the magicka of the Aurbis not bound by the rules of the native wizards of Earth.

Solitude, Haafingar Hold, Skyrim

Having recalled himself back to Fort Reman, Harry entered the portal, and once on the other side, he immediately recalled himself into Solitude. Considering the days, he had spent hunting dragons, he at last had the opportunity to see if something important had happened.

"Greetings General," he said, upon entering the war room.

"Cyrodiil," replied Tullius. "I heard you were out there hunting dragons."

Harry nodded. "I was, yes. Any news from this side of Skyrim?"

"Quite. We're one step away from Windhelm."

"Huh? How so?"

"Due to a disaster which occurred up there, Winterhold has little to no defences," said the general. "Rikke and Sevan Telendas took control of the usable forts surrounding what remains of the city, and proceeded to depose the Jarl there."

So Winterhold was now theirs. That was very good. That meant he now could access the College without having to pass through rebel controlled territory.

"Who's the Jarl now?"

"Some sod called Kraldar," said Tullius. "Apparently, he is in good relations with the College there, unlike his predecessor."

"Smart man," affirmed Harry. "What your next move?"

"We're preparing to attack Eastmarch on all sides. Legate Fasendil in Riften is already preparing to march there, Cipius in Whiterun as well, while Rikke is joining Legate Hrollod at our camp in Eastmarch," explained Tullius. "Part of our forces in Dawnstar will also advance upon Windhelm, and once we're in with good conditions to lay siege upon Windhelm, I'll join Rikke at the camp."

Harry nodded. "I'm still seeking ways to stop these dragon attacks. I've found a few valuable allies, and I'm waiting for one of them to translate one of our findings. Hopefully, it will be soon."

"Very well. Oh, you have a new letter. It's in the desk."

Harry walked towards the desk, opening a drawer, and taking out another letter addressed to him. Oddly enough, it was from Victoria Vici. What in Oblivion did that woman want? He unsealed the letter, and read its contents, being surprised by the fact that he had been invited to her wedding in Solitude. Well, not exactly an invitation, but more of a request for him to attend, considering that the letter stated that the ceremony was open to the public.

However, it would take place in a few weeks from now, so he had no need to concern himself with it. For now, he had to focus on the dragons, and how to defeat the World-Eater.

Sky Haven Temple, The Reach, Skyrim

Harry climbed the steps into the old fortress, finding a rather peculiar sight in front of him. His old companion was sitting at the large stone "table", fully dressed in an old styled Akaviri armour, very likely from the Second Empire. He had seen sets of the armour used by the Blades of the Septims, but the style was rather different compared to this one.

The one Uthgerd was wearing, he had only seen in images from old books.

"You look good Uthgerd," he said, approaching his old friend. "I like your new style."

She turned around, greeting Harry. "Hello Henry. Delphine found several of these in the armoury. A bit more comfortable than my previous armour."

"So you like it?"

"Somewhat. Still, my new job requires me to wear it."

That had surprised Harry.

"New job? You've joined the Blades?"

Uthgerd nodded. "Delphine suggested it, and I accepted. Better to fall in battle against a dragon, than against a drunk fool in a bar brawl."

"Well said," approved Harry. "How goes Esbern's translation?"

"He says the important part is done," said Uthgerd. "He's right there."

She pointed at the wall, Esbern sitting in a small study he estsblished right next to Alduin's Wall. Harry nodded, and walked towards the old man, who noticed his approach.

"Ah, Dragonborn, you come at the right time," said the old man, getting up. "I believe I found what we were looking for."

"And?"

Esbern beckoned him to follow, leading Harry to the start of the wall.

"Now, see, this panel speaks of the time when Alduin and his Dagon Cult ruled over Skyrim. It then shows how the people rebelled against them, leading to the legendary Dragon Way," explained Esbern pointing to the engravings. "Here at the centre we have Alduin, falling from the skies. His defeat at the hands of the old Tongues, the ancient masters of the Voice."

"So, how did they defeat him?" asked Harry.

"According to this symbol here, the Akaviri indicate that Alduin was defeated by a Shout, but…"

"But?"

"They do not specify which Shout was used," he admitted. "The rest of the wall does not give any insight into it as well."

"So we're looking for a specific shout then…"

If the ancient Dragonguard had no idea which Shout had been used, then only a certain group could know.

It was time to return to High Hrothgar.

Author's Note:

The Akaviri armour and weapons found in the Sky Haven Temple resemble those present in ESO, as those are closer to the time of the Second Empire, compared to the Blades. Besides, I love the armour styles present in ESO, even though the opportunity to play it has not presented itself to me.