The Mysterious Traveler

(2nd Version)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Avatar: The Last Airbender!

Chapter Twenty-Four:

Another

Severus studied the man, recognizing him as the man who incapacitated him. He was dressed in robes of a commoner, arms resting on his knees which were folded beneath him, with a sword just within reach, and a stare that would made anyone else look away in fear. His face hinted at battle scars that the rest of his robes concealed from view.

But it was his eyes that attracted him the most. Not for their color, but for the deep look they held. A firm gaze that showcased how strong and wary he was.

"How do I know you are who you say you are?" the white-haired man demanded.

Severus closed his eyes and sighed, "You've clearly heard of me. So that means you're aware of what I can do."

The man nodded, "Only rumors. I'll need proof."

"Then allow me to demonstrate."

The man remained quiet, deep in thought before he stood and approached him. He bent down by his knees and stared deep into his eyes, "If you so much as attempt to escape or attack me, my men will make sure you'll never make it out of the camp. Understood?"

Severus returned his stare and nodded, "Not easy to demonstrate while tied to a pole."

The man scoffed, "Then it's good you know how to get out of them." He walked away and exited the tent, while Severus frowned at him as the ropes fell from his hands. Standing up, he pushed his thumb back into his place and followed.

Pushing back the thick cloth, he breathed in the fresh air of the cool night, with the storm passing in the distance as the moon shined freely onto the ground. Looking around, he saw a series of tents set up in an organized fashion, with pathways separating them. There were others around them too, men and women who were going about their business, oblivious to his presence.

"You promised a demonstration."

Severus turned towards the man, who was staring at him with arms behind his back, which he guessed held a hidden weapon. Taking his stance, he prepared himself and put his energy into a small, harmless spell that he knew and whispered the chant under his breath, casting it into the air. His body felt slightly weaken after completing the spell but kept himself from showing it.

People started to gather around him, curious about the mysterious stranger they had brought back to their camp.

Looking back at the man, he received a nodded of approval.

"I've proven to you who I am," he stated.

"And so you have," the man replied. "You can perform acts of miracles as they claim. However, I do not approve."

Severus was at a loss, not knowing how to answer back.

"Jeong," the female from earlier spoke out, approaching him. "He's the only one who can help-"

"He's still a boy!" the man known as Jeong declared. "I can see the anger in his eyes. He has yet to learn of discipline."

"Then at least let him give us guidance in how to help her."

Anger rose up in Severus, impatient to the situation he was currently in.

"What are you talking about?!" his voice was hostile, something Jeong took notice of.

"The boy has proven my concerns. He cannot help her."

"Who?!" Severus demanded.

"My daughter," the woman answered. "Please, you must help her. You're the only one who can."

Severus turned to her, "How could I possibly be of any help?"

"Because-".

"Mother? Is that him?" a voice called out from behind.

Severus saw a young girl appear by the woman's side, staring at him with curiosity and awe.

"Is he the one who knows how to help me?" she asked.

The woman smiled at her as she bent down, rubbing her head as she whispered into her ear.

Severus studied the girl, believing her to be between fourteen and fifteen years old. Her hair was black, her skin light, a scar on her right arm, and blue eyes. She wore Fire Nation clothes, though he figured was just a disguise.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

The woman rose and bowed, "I am Kori. This here is my daughter, Kiri."

The girl smiled at him as she bowed, "Pleased to meet you, Mysterious Traveler. I look forward to my training with you."

"Training?!" he gasped. "I don't know what you think I can do to help you train, but I am no teacher."

"On that, we agree," Jeong growled. "He is in no position to train your daughter in his ways, Kori. He's just a boy himself, still journeying down his own path."

"But he's the only one who can," Kori pleaded. "If he's learned how to control his power, then it can be passed on to her. Please, Mysterious Traveler! I beg you to at least teach her how to control it!"

"Control what?!" he shouted, scaring the girl behind her father. "Firebending?! I can't cast any of the elements, muggle!"

"No!" Kori shook his head. "Not firebending. My family has never had the power to do it-"

"Then what?!"

Suddenly, several gasping and concerned voices caught their attention as they turned to the source, their eyes widening at the scene before them. Severus felt his heart stop for a split second as his brain trying to make sense of what was happening. His sanity immediately being called into question.

The girl sitting on the ground, her knees against her chest as rocks and leaves floated around her. She sobbed, even as her mother gathered her in his arms. The physical contact immediately made the floating objects fall to the ground.

Severus stared at the two, his eyes on the girl as he tried to process everything.

"She- How-" was all he could muster up in his state of mind.

Kori looked at him as he held his daughter against her chest, "Please! Help her!"

Jeong stepped forward, "He is not what she needs."

"No, he can help her!"

Severus shook his head as he slowly started to regain control, "She's a witch!"

Kori glared at him, "My daughter is no such evil thing!"

"How long has she been able to do this?!" he blurted out. "Have there been others like her?!"

Jeong raised an eyebrow at him, "So, you've never run across like yourself before, but yet you know what to classify her."

"Jeong, my daughter is not-"

He raised his hand, "I believe he meant no insult, Kori. The name he used is common to his ears and do not mean to dishonor her."

"How long has she been able to do this?!" he repeated himself.

Kori's face softened, "For about three months now. Ever since we've heard about you, I knew we had to find you. Only you can help her."

As everything started to calm in his mind, excitement and joy flowed through him as he slowly realized the meaning of what he had seen. But with that realization came more questions than he had answers.

"Have you run across anyone else?!" he demanded. "Anyone like her?!"

Kori frowned before shaking her head.

Jeong rubbed his beard, deep in thought.

Severus struggled to control himself as he pushed his hands into his hair and paced around, his heart racing at the revelation.

"There has to be more! We can't just be the only ones! There has to be!"

"Alex?"

Severus stopped as he recognized the voice and felt the excitement immediately evaporate.

Oh, no!

"ALEX!" a combination of three different voices cried out together.

He felt something slam into him and force him onto the ground, a lot of weight holding him down. Opening his eyes, he met blue orbs staring back at him with relief and happiness.

Kiri giggled somewhere above him.

"Thank goodness, we found you!" Katara cried out.

"But you still owe us for making us walk through a freaking storm to find you," Sokka yawned. "So sleepy."

"But at least we found you," Aang smiled.

Feeling his cheeks heat up, he threw the three of them off and quickly got up, now covered in mud again. He heard Kiri's giggling again and turned to see the girl throwing her head back from laughter.

"So, what's going on here?" Sokka asked. "And who these people?"

Jeong was looking at Aang, studying him in the same matter he did with Severus.

"It's a long story," Severus replied. "And while we're still on the subject, I wish to know more about her."

Katara frowned, "But why her?"

Severus approached Kori, "Tell me everything."

Jeong hummed, getting their attention as he walked to a campfire.

"Perhaps it is best we sit down."

Dun! Dun! DUN!