A/N: And here's the next chapter! Let's see how Norberta's getting along
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Godzilla. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 47: Shift in the Winds
Asulmagus continued his training with Mothra in defending him mind. Along the way, he discovered he'd developed the ability communicate telepathically, whether this was a side effect of the training or rather his abilities simply developing over time he didn't know. Eventually, it came time for him to return of England.
He headed to Diagon Alley, and collected his supplies for the next school year, this time with Sirius accompanying him. Sirius regaled him with stories of him time at Hogwarts, and in turn Harry told him both more of his own experiences both at Hogwarts and as a kaiju as well as about the pranks the twins had pulled.
Later, while Sirius was busy getting the last few things in order for the Quidditch World Cup, Harry went to visit Norberta again. Drake was glad to have him come by.
"It's good you're here, Mr. Potter," said Drake, "Norberta's been excited recently, saying she wanted to show you something. I've managed to get you listed as a volunteer handler, so no one should look askance at your presence".
They headed out into the grounds of the preserve itself, and Harry watched as the dragons they passed were whispering to each other. Apparently he'd begun to get a bit of a reputation around here. Soon enough, they reached Norberta's lair.
"Big Brother!" cheered Norberta, "you came! Come on, you need to see this!"
"What is it?" asked Harry, "are you alright?"
Norberta led them inside, and then turned to face them again.
"Look, I can do something neat!" said Norberta.
She lifted one forepaw, and a look of concentration crossed her face. A few moments later, an orb of light appeared in her grasp.
"See?" said Norberta, "isn't it neat?"
Harry blinked in surprise. Magic… she was doing magic! She lowered her paw to the ground, and began batting her ball of magic around like a cat with a toy.
"Norberta… you," said Harry in shock.
"It seems your actions are affecting the world, Harry," said Drake, "old knowledge is being uncovered, things forgotten, remembered".
Norberta paused in her game, and cocked her head.
"Is something wrong?" asked Norberta.
"No, nothing's wrong," said Harry, "but please be careful who you show this to. You're using magic, and there are people out there who would want to hurt you if they knew you were capable of this".
Norberta nodded, and then stepped closer.
"Okay, I'll be careful... but if they try that, you'll help me, right?" asked Norberta.
"Of course I will," said Harry, lightly patting her foreleg, "you're my little sister, after all".
"And I'd do everything in my power to help you, as well," said Drake.
Norberta smiled at her big brother and the caretaker, and sat down on her haunches.
"Tell me a story, Big Brother," said Norberta, "tell me about where you live when you're not hiding yourself!"
"It's a place simply referred to as Monster Island," said Harry. "I live there alongside the more permanent residents, Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Angirius, Manda. and others. Godzilla act as our leader. Some call him the King of Monsters, but unless there's something of great importance going on he's actually fairly casual about things. Mothra acts as a wise advisor, helping those in need to guidance. Rodan acts as scout much of the time, being one of the better fliers among us. In fact, he's the one who taught me to fly. There are many other around the world, but I don't know them as well".
"What about the battles you've fought?" asked Norberta, "I heard you fought another monster earlier this year!"
"Well, my first real battle was outside of Osaka, Japan," said Harry, "a hostile kaiju known as Hedora showed up and we had to take it out. Later, I was flying over London when I saw Gezora attacking the city. I knocked him out and carried him back out to sea. Apparently someone was controlling him. A couple years ago, only a few months after you hatched, Battra showed up near Hogwarts to test my resolve. Most recently, Gigan showed up to try and capture me for 'study'… and there will likely be more trouble in the future".
Norberta looked at her big brother in awe, and wondered what it would be like to go to her brother's home. Of course, next to her brother and his family, she'd be tiny by comparison. Eventually,, and unforntunately, it came for Harry to leave, though Norberta wished he didn't have to. She'd just have to be ready to see him next time he could visit!
That night, Norberta dreamt of travelling to her brother's home, meeting his family. She dreamt that she was able to live there, be like him. She wished she could be like him, She wished, she wished, she Wished.
As much as the wizards of the world think they understand and control it, Magic is still a literal force of nature. While it can be directed, channeled towards the user's intent, in the end it flows as it desires. For years, the magic of the world had been weakening, the actions taken by certain individuals and wizarding society in general had dammed to flow. But the actions of Asulmagus, rediscovering forgotten magic and allowing it to be used again had changed that. The dam was cracking, more and more magic leaking through into the world.
As is well known, magic can do great and terrible things. In general, the greater the effect of the spell, the more complex it is to cast. There are a few exceptions. In particular, among these forgotten magic is a spell that can do almost anything its caster desires, and requires nothing more than a significant input of magical energy as well as the caster's intent. The caster must be someone with the sheer capacity to store the energy, and then pour it all into speaking their heart's desire.
As anyone who's spent any time researching magical creatures can tell you, dragons are extremely powerful magical creatures. But for many years they'd not been able to properly tap into their magic to its fullest extent. Norberta however, hatched after Asulmagus came to be. She entered the world after these bindings upon her kind had already begun to weaken. While she was now able to draw upon her magic, she did not as of yet quite have the power required for her to wish her desires into becoming reality. That did not mean it had no effect, though. Her thoughts were carried away on the wind, her desire clear and her intent true. Her thoughts collided with the dam, but could not get through… however, a new crack appeared in this barrier, and the world's magic began to flow a little bit stronger. On the other side of the world, Mothra felt Norberta's pure hearted desire resonate across the soul of the world.
Back within Norberta's dreams, she saw a giant moth, far larger than her, watching over her, simply observing placidly for a moment before speaking.
"Are you certain that is what you desire, child?" asked Mothra, "To take that path is to accept for yourself a life of conflict, you would be called upon time and time again to shield the world".
"I want to be with my brother!" replied Norberta, "I want to help him!"
"Give it more thought, I urge you," said Mothra, "you are young, a child. I do not wish to see you drawn into our conflicts needlessly".
"So? My brother was still a child when you allowed him to join you!" countered Norberta.
"You speak the truth in a way, but there is a difference," said Mothra, "Asulmagus was chosen by the whims of Fate and Magic to fulfill this role. By the time I met him, he was already part of our kind. If I had to power to turn back the clock, then perhaps I could have changed his fate, given him a happy life with his birth family. But I cannot and would not risk meddling with time. His path has been set, and now he aids us in shielding the world. Do you feel he would want you to be drawn to our battles?"
"But I… want to help protect him the world, be with my family," said Norberta.
"I understand your desire," said Mothra, "but know that if you choose this path, you will be bound to it for the rest of your days, perhaps as long as our world exists. Becoming one of us is not a decision to make lightly. There are other ways you may aid the world. Rest now, child of fire and wind, and think on my words".
A/N: And there we go! I'll put it out here right now, I don't plan on making Norberta into a Kaiju. Her destiny lies elsewhere. In any case, next time: The Quidditch World Cup, See you then!