Will and the Word
Chapter Three
Harry drifted in darkness peaceful, without pain occasionally he felt a hand touching him he could hear the voices but did not recognize them. Slowly he began to glow in the darkness and many of the wounds he had sustained in the fight began to heal. The magic that was native to this world felt different but it was rich positively intoxicating
"Open your eyes, Harry," Hermione said 'that can't be where they are all gone, I gave them…' he thought. "you gave us the peace of the grave and now you are between moments both alive and dead."
"Come on mate open those gorgeous green eyes that Ginny Loves so much" Ron Weasely snarked
"Please Harry open your eyes." Ginny asked her voice almost pleading.
"Maybe he is afraid in doing so he will lose us all over again," Neville said
He was fine hearing all for them he even smiled as now it felt like a game only for it to crushed "Harry my love opens your eyes we only have a moment then we will be but a memory." Her voice, Luna his Luna asked and though it hurt him he could not deny her anything his eyes opened slowly and they were in the great hall it was only them a small meal prepared for each. Harry's stomach lurched.
"Gods, I missed you all!" Harry declared
"We know mate that is why we are here now," Ron said stuffing his mouth full of food.
"We have been watching since we were taken," Hermione said laying a delicate hand on her best friend she wilted a bit when he flinched from her touch. "The last 18 months have not been kind to you brother."
"It is no more than I deserve I could not save any of you." Harry griped
"Harry James that is not true" Luna snapped pointing at Hermione "First-year troll in the girls' bathroom," then pointing at Ginny "Second year Tom Riddles Diary in the Chamber of Secrets" pointing back to Hermione "Third year 150 Dementors in the forbidden forest. In the fifth and sixth year you saved all of us by teaching us. It was our time hon if it would not be Voldemort, it would have been a lorry or some other ignominious death."
He felt two hands on his shoulders and looked up into the eyes of the only other person who might understand how he felt his godbrother Neville Longbottom "Lay down your burden brother, when you think of us think of the good times. Do not carry the weight of the dead." Neville then hugged him before vanishing from sight. So, it was with each member until it was just Luna and him.
"Harry my love even if you stayed. You would have outlived everyone the Hallows became one with you granting you that which Voldemort coveted." Luna said sadly "you would have watched me grow old and die at least like this I will always be young in your mind."
"Luna you are killing me here." Harry whined, "you are saying I am immortal but I do not want to be."
"Tough luck Harry but with that immortality comes to a whole new world to explore, new friends to make, and new adventures to be had." A voice in the shadows said causing harry to go for his wand. "You don't need that anymore where you are now is far more magic rich. You like Ignotus met me on your feet like a friend. In keeping with that friendship, I brought you somewhere that you can rest and heal. What you do with your life is your choice. Come Luna it is time to go."
"Harry, I loved you in life and love you still. When the time comes do not use me as an excuse not to love." Luna said giving a final hug "Dumbledore used to say that death was the next great adventure. I think he was right. Maybe one of us will finally find a crumple-horned Snorkack."
Harry smiled for the first time in forever "I love you, Luna Lovegood."
"Love you too My green-eyed guy," she said hugging him and then turning to skip away "Harry love, open your eyes." Finding he could not disobey her he did.
They had reached the new cottage and transferred the boy into the waiting bed he started moaning and thrashing and they heard him moan "Luna! No don't go," a moment later his eyes opened and he sat up Beldaran noticed they were the most amazing shade of green she had ever seen. The light caught them just so. Then he closed them and drew his knees to his chest laying his head on his knees "Where am I? How did I get here? Who are all of you?" Harry asked his voice a whisper in the dusk
"I am Beldaran. You were brought to us by means we will discuss another time" Beldaran explained laying a hand on his shoulder feeling him stiffen she wondered again what could have happened to make him shy away from human contact "I would ask you to lay down that I might send your wounds and perhaps make you a bowl of stew. While I am doing this feel free to talk or not, I will be here until you are healthy again." She turned and passed from the cottage.
"Any Cloth that is used to clean up my blood, please burn it," Harry asked quietly before acquiescing to her request and laying down. His eyes growing heavy
"Well, normally we would clean them as my Aunt does not like to waste supplies." Beldaran asked confused by his request "My family is enjoying a late dinner would you like something to eat."
Harry was about to say no when his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl "I was going to say no I don't want to be a burden on your family."
"You won't be," she said with a frown as she left the cottage. Upon entering her aunt and uncle's cottage she spoke "He is awake and grieving I am going to try to get him to eat and to open up." She said to her family who including both sets of twins were gathered around sharing. She grabbed two bowls and some bread before returning to their cottage where she noticed some of the boys' wounds had disappeared "I won't pry, I will not force you to talk but currently, you have me at a disadvantage."
Harry raised his tear-streaked face "Disadvantage miss? You bloody well saw me half-naked. I would say I am the one at the disadvantage."
Beldaran blushed "I saw you completely naked I have treated most of your wounds. You have me at a disadvantage as you know my name and I do not know yours." Beldaran said
"Oh, Sorry Miss Beldaran forgot my manners," Harry said apologetically "My name is Harry James Potter. If I were to get technical it should be Potter-Black but I am not a pretentious git so Harry Potter will do."
"Well then if we are being concise, I suppose my Full name would Beldaran of Riva," She said trying to gauge his reaction.
"That sounded very much like you might be royalty, are you by chance a princess?" Harry asked because he feared he may have offended her
"Yes, I am second born of King Belgarion of Riva, the God Slayer, Overlord of the West, and all that nonsense. But most importantly I am a sorceress my many time's great grandparents and great aunt are training me." She looked at him defiantly "My father was raised in Sendaria and he grew up knowing the value of hard work. He took great pains to instill the same in my brother and I. I am not a vapidly spoiled Princess who needs saving."
"Wow Sounds like your Dad had it worse than I did, Where I am from, I was the boy-who-lived" harry admitted "Assuming he killed a god I am assuming he must have been Evil and Twisted so he was probably destined to be the one to defeat said, god. Being overlord of the west sounds like the other nations made him do because there are two kinds of overlords the ones who don't want the responsibilities or the ones who want to rule with an iron fist. With your sunny disposition and excellent bedside manner, I am going to bet your father would rather not be overlord of the west."
"the Boy-who-lived? who thought that up?" Beldaran asked wondering at the reason for such a name. the stopped "if I am being too invasive or if you are tired, I can leave you alone.
"17 and a half years ago my mother performed a ritual that bound some very powerful protections to me and when a madman hellbent on world domination came looking to kill me my mother would not stop defending me so he killed her and then tried to use what is known as the killing curse to kill me. It rebounded reducing his body to ashes reducing him to wraith until his followers captured me and used my blood in a ritual to give him a new body. So, you can probably see why I am a little uptight about my blood."
"I can understand. I will dispose of them now. However, Until I deem you are healthy. I am your healer and you are under my care. Although since the necessity spoke to me, I think we might be together longer."
"I should be fine in a day or three" Harry admitted with a wry grin "But my old Healer Madam Pomfrey would be unhappy with me if I went against any healers' commands."
"Well, you are better trained than my brother or father then" Beldaran laughed handing Harry a bowl of delicious smelling stew and a slab of bread. "Here, my aunt Polgara made this for dinner."
A thought hit Harry like a thunderbolt "Beldaran you should go have dinner with your family I promise I will eat and go right back to bed." Harry rambled seeing her look of confusion "I would give anything for one more meal with my Luna and our friends. Go eat with your family, enjoy your time with them you never know when they could be taken away. Go I will be okay here."
"Okay if you insist. Promise me you will be here when I get back. My family is looking forward to meeting you" She said as she looked at him expectantly "Please!"
Raising his hand "I, Harry James Potter, swear on my life and magic that I will not leave this cottage until my healer says I am well." His hand flashed and as his oath was released it was like a crystalline bell was rung and he was the epicenter
Beldaran was dumbfounded "you…"
Then Harry felt several powerful presences outside the cottage and could hear the conversation taking place "Do you think they are okay" … "they are both alive" …" The power behind that was astronomical" … "it was also very loud" …" Beldaran, do you mind if we come in."
Harry looked at Beldaran "I am sorry where I came, we would only have had the light show … Was not expecting the sound to accompany it." Then he answered for her. "Please enter this your home, not mine."