Part of him wanted to just believe that the whole experience was just a rather bizarre dream. Talking dragons, talking dragonflies with arms, and Avalon altogether seemed like something he would dream about.
That however, did nothing to prevent Harry from stopping and checking the time as he made his way towards Lupin's office. Turns out that he had only spent seven or so hours inside that strange room on the seventh floor when he thought that seven or so days had passed.
Though when one took into account his luck since arriving at Hogwarts and combined it with the recent events not so long ago… Knowing himself Harry wouldn't be all that surprised if this strange dream did end up being real and he really did have dark magic in his scar.
Shaking his head clear of these thoughts the green eyed boy took the last few steps up to the DADA office and paused in the open door as he saw Lupin proceeding to pack things up.
"Hello Harry, I saw you coming."
The boy watched as his Werewolf professor absently waved his wand in his direction and jumped slightly as a box next to him closed up. Looking back at the tawny haired man the green eyed teen took note that he was busy flipping through a book that was open on his desk.
Another glance showed that the Marauders map was open on it and taking a few steps closer he noticed that said map looked slightly thicker than normal.
"You've been sacked?"
Harry looked at Remus as the man seemed to close the book and went back to packing a few things.
"No, no, I've resigned actually, looks like somebody let slip the nature of my condition. This time tomorrow the owls will start arriving and parents will not want a, um… well someone like me teaching their children."
Looking up from his bag the werewolf took in the sight of the rather uncertain teen in front of him and absently noted he looked slightly different than before. Quickly he shook the thoughts out of his mind and before Harry could speak up voiced his own thoughts.
"Before you say anything Harry know that… Dumbledore has already risked enough, besides… After all the recent revelations and knowing Sirius' current state someone has to be there to make sure that he actually recovers."
With another wave of his wand the former DADA professor closed his trunk and proceeded to almost turn around before pausing and noticing something wrong with the teen's face.
"What's wrong Harry?"
The green eyed teen blinked for a moment as he took note of Remus' hesitant use of the Headmaster's name before frowning. Instantly his mind raced back to the recent revelations in question and he spoke.
"None of it made any difference, Pettigrew escaped."
The werewolf looked at the teen for a moment but couldn't help himself from smirking as he leaned forward.
"Didn't make any difference, Harry, it made all the difference in the world. You uncovered the truth, saved an innocent man from a terrible fate heh, made a great deal of difference."
That said Remus turned back to the last item he had to grab which was, unsurprisingly, another book. What was surprising however was when he went and placed said book down on his desk and on top of the map.
"If there is one thing I'm proud of it's how much you've learned this year… and now that I'm no longer your teacher I feel no guilt whatsoever by giving these things to you. The first of which is something you already know, the Marauders Map, the second thing however is something your father had written."
Any thoughts or guilt Harry had at that moment were instantly forgotten as he focused his attention on the book.
"As you no doubt guessed after seeing both Sirius and Pettigrew change, your father was also an animagus, a deer to be exact. Even if it's not much, I thought you might be interested in following his footsteps by becoming one yourself, even if the required potion to make it easier isn't with it."
That said Remus turned around and proceeded to grab his bag and walk around the other side of the desk.
"I've no doubts that you will possibly find a way around this, that said I've written down some notes on how to use meditation for help. Other than that well… let's just say that old Moony will make sure that Padfoot is alright and until then, Mischief Managed."
The werewolf waved his wand one last time and the teen watched as the map folded itself up and the ink disappeared. With a simple nod the man looked at the teen and let out a conspicuous wink before walking to the door.
"Oh and Harry, if you do think about it please keep quiet about that book. Becoming an animagus and not registering would be breaking the rules, it's also something the Ministry doesn't track unless you mess up."
Harry blinked for a moment as he looked at Remus walk away and absently grabbed both the map and book before walking to the exit. That said he watched as the former DADA teacher walked out of the classroom with what looked like a pep in his step.
For some reason he can't help but think that he would be hearing from Moony the Marauder much sooner than expected.
-|:-:|- Scene Shift - Forge & Gred -|:-:|-
Watching from the sidelines a pair of red headed twins watched as their idol walked out of the school from their hiding place. "Whelp Fred, I do believe that we have our mission now?"
"Indeed we do George, indeed we do."
Fread and George Weasley looked at each other silently as they walked towards the Great Hall looking all the like that nothing was wrong. That said the two of them were tense as their minds kept wandering back to the meeting they had with the infamous Moony.
They had been incredibly shocked when Professor Lupin had walked into their little prankster hideout without even knocking. A few seconds of staring at each other later and the man had simply raised a bunch of parchment up and said a very familiar phrase.
Little to say the twins had been left sputtering upon seeing the man had the Marauder's Map and also knew the password. Any thoughts however were instantly forgotten as the man quickly told them point blank that he was none-other than Moony.
What followed was a brief conversation on how he acquired the map but also some rather disturbing information. Not only had a fully grown man been sleeping in their brother's bed's and their rooms for the past few years but he was also a Death Eater.
If that wasn't enough to confuse them then the fact that Sirius Black was innocent, Black was Padfoot, and Harry Potter was the son of Prongs was more than enough to throw them for a loop.
Things then got very serious as Remus put out several suspicions he had about Dumbledore and that had led to a whole lot of other things as well. Little to say by the time the werewolf had left both Fred and George Weasley were both shocked and exhausted.
Now the twins were firmly agents of Moony and were going to do everything they could to keep an eye on Harry for the man, without looking like they were. They even had some notes on how to recreate the Marauder's Map and were planning on how to gather the required materials to make it.
Coincidently the two also had several other goals now, such as becoming animagi, and that list was growing as they started to look around the castle with a new perspective. It was… surprisingly… they were… alright no matter how much the twins looked at it there was no way to put a positive twist on this.
"Forge." "I know Gred." "We have a lot of work ahead of us." "Agreed."
Looking at each other the twins knew that whatever was going to happen going forward they were going to need a lot of headache potions.
"Whelp…" "First thing first…" "Check out that package…" "On the table with…" "Ickle Harrykins name written…" "On it. Afterwards though…" "Infiltration of the…" "Old Goat's lair."
That said the twins proceeded to do just that already having a suspicion of what was inside and who had sent it.
-|:-:|- Dragon Realms -|:-:|-
"Are you sure about this?"
Cynder nodded as she looked at the Guardians who had just finished asking her about what had happened. Just as she suspected there was a series of grumbling and knowing sighs from just about everyone in the room.
Just about the only reason that nobody was actually panicking was because Hedwig was still with them. In fact just looking at the Snowy revealed that the owl was positively bored with everything from her perch on the statue.
"So… are we really just going to sit aside and do nothing?"
Looking over at Spyro the rest of the dragons could only shrug in response before Volteer spoke.
"While it may be possible for us to reunite with young Harry, Spyro, one must remember that he comes from another world beyond Convexity. Unfortunately without knowing the exact mana signature of the world he originates from nore what their own portal to other realms is like we have no way of going to him."
"That's not even mentioning how one would even be able to return to the Dragon Realms, nor how one would even navigate the Dark Corridors that exist between them. Without the required equipment one would be lost, or worse, and even then the items in question are rare already to begin with."
"There used to be more some time ago but due to a catastrophic event known as the…"
With that the Lightning Guardian was lost in tangent on something and the other's just decided that it wasn't worth listening to. That said Cyril let out a brief hum before glancing at Terrador before both Guardians turned their attention towards Spyro.
Said purple dragon caught their attention before letting out a sigh and proceeding to walk towards the side chamber that held the Pool of Visions. Coincidently Volteer was broken out of his current topic of magical keys and talking mice as he noticed the others walking off.
With a shrug he proceeded after them and soon enough Spyro was busy staring into the Vision Pool and frowning. Every now and then he would flinch and the other's would look at each other curiously before the silence was broken by Sparx.
"So… I take it we've got nothing else to do for the time being… any idea on what's wrong with the kid yet?"
A brief glance at the others and there was some grumbling as they looked at the purple dragon once more before Ice Guardian spoke.
"Unfortunately we don't have any clue yet besides the few scans and what things young Harry had spoken of. However we are limited on our time in the Night Archives and there are still quite a few books that have yet to be looked over."
At this the dragonfly couldn't help but grimace before reluctantly nodding as he remembered the odd time limit they had to abide with. It was strangely enough a security feature to try and prevent anyone from getting too involved with the dark magic contained within.
Considering that most magic inside the Night Archives was considered Black Magic, with a rare few exceptions, that was understandable. As such everyone could only spend at most two or so hours each day inside the hidden chamber and had to undergo a minor cleansing ritual upon leaving for safety.
Then again it might be a long shot seeing as how they were dealing with magic from another world. It wasn't like the answer was just going to pop up in something as simple as a bedtime story their parent's told them…
For a moment Sparx couldn't help but frown as this train of thought tickled something inside his memories. Before he could chaise it any further though his brother let out a slow moan and took a step back.
"Spyro…"
"I'm fine, just a bit of strain from trying to stretch the pool further than it was expected to go."
Cynder spoke up but the purple dragon managed to beat her to the punch by answering her question. That said Spyro seemed rather tired and couldn't help but want to take a break after whatever it was that he saw.
"Anyways… give it a few days but he should return sometime soon. Afterwards however… it looks like we have two to four years or so before things pick up yet again."
There was silence as everyone digested this bit of information before a rather important bit registered for them.
"Wait… you mean we actually have time to prepare for a new adventure for once?"
The stunned silence was broken by Sparx but nobody was quite sure how to respond at this unexpected boon. They actually had time, time to prepare for the adventure that would end up affecting the fate of two worlds.
-|:-:|- Time Skip - Ten Days | Little Surry -|:-:|-
It had been ten days since the incident with Lupin and having been given back the Marauders Map and the Animagus book. Ten days in which Harry had managed to prevent anyone from realizing that he had been given something absolutely precious to him.
It was now the first day of his summer vacation and a quick glance at the calendar showed that he had two long months before being able to leave the Durslies again. That said he was determined to, at the very least, make it at least half way through the transformation.
Say what you will but his mediocre grades were mostly a result because he didn't really apply himself in his studies. Some of it was because he had to deal with the Durslies who got upset when he outshined his cousin, the other part was so as not to upset his friends like Ron or the ever so smart Hermione.
Finally part of him would firmly blame it on the dark magic residing inside his scar actively hampering him.
Now though after taking a long hard look at this book and how invested his father was in this, Harry couldn't help but feel like he was disappointing James Potter. Here he was done with his third year and by that time his father and Sirius had already started becoming Animagi, and would spend most of their fourth year perfecting it.
With a huff the green eyed teenager layed down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling while gripping the book. It was almost ten at night and here he was wasting his time struggling to figure out what he needed to do and unwilling to ask for help.
Part of him wanted to go to Hermione or even Professor McGonagall for help but both brought on problems that he didn't want to deal with. Little to say he did not want to either register or deal with someone badgering him about going to the adults who seemed to have little interest in his supposed safety.
He still hasn't forgotten about the fiasco that was his first year nor the resulting chaos that happened in the following years. At the same time Harry didn't want the information somehow making its way to the Headmaster.
Say what you will but the green eyed teen was weary of the old man who seemed determined to meddle with his life for some reason. Like he wouldn't go looking up the same spells used to protect, and failed, his parents when given a chance.
Sure he had to use his invisibility cloak and look in the restricted section at night but just the simplified information about the Fidelius Spell alone was enough for him to realize that something was up.
Shaking his head the black haired teen let out a quiet sigh while wondering what he was going to do. He was finished with the book for now and didn't feel like looking at the map for the umpteenth time.
Honestly at this point Harry had a headache, no real way of knowing what to do, and very few people he could approach for help. The twins, probably would help him out if they find out who his father was but he honestly wasn't that much of a prankster like them.
As for the other's… he was still a bit steamed at Hermione's stunt with having Siriou's gift confiscated like that even if he could understand her worry. That's not to mention his previous thought about her badgering him about registering or even going behind his back to tell someone.
Ron on the other hand, much as the guy was his first friend, even he had to admit that the red head was just too lazy and pig-headed at times. If he was being honest with himself Harry really didn't see that friendship lasting all that long after school was finished even with all the life threatening adventures that seemed determined to muck it up.
His other friends… to be honest the only real other friend he could actually place was Nevil and Hagrid but that was it for humans. Hedwig was the only other friend he had at this point and she currently was back with Cynder, Spyro, and the Guardians.
Thoroughly irritated now the black haired teen let out a sigh and couldn't help but let his thought's drift.
He had spent most of his time back at Hogwarts attempting to do the meditation exercises like Remus had written down in an attempt to find his animagus form. Thing is, he had the sneaking suspicion that it had already been revealed to him via that rather vivid dream.
After that however he was supposed to supposedly either do some research on it or, if unable to like he was, focus on trying to transform. Unfortunately for him he was unable to really concentrate on this as his mind kept drifting to dark places as he listened to the unfortunately familiar sounds of Private Drive.
So with a huff of air he attempted to get comfortable in the bed and at least get some rest for the early day he had tomorrow. That said he couldn't help but speak aloud that one thought that had been constantly bugging him for the past few days.
"It's not like I have a way of going back to the Dragon Realms or-"
Despite being rhetorical and spoken in a soft voice to not disturb anyone the green eyed teen suddenly felt like something had hooked itself behind his naval before he could finish. The feeling was so familiar that he couldn't make any noise and only had a brief moment to realize that his bracelet was giving off a soft blue color.
The next second he was in a swirl of blue and white and spinning like mad before suddenly being hit with a weird twisting sensation. He was then suddenly plunged briefly into darkness before color returned but this time the color was pink and yellow.
Harry only had a moment to brace before he was suddenly spit out into a corridor and just barely managed to prevent himself from throwing up. Once the disorientation passed he only had a moment to look up at the familiar draconic face of Spyro before passing out.
As for the purple dragon himself, he only let out a huff and couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sudden reappearance. Honestly this wasn't even the first time he had something unexpected happen in front of him and didn't doubt it would be the last time either.
That said he did take note of the book that had appeared as well and without preamble use some magic to pick both it and the young dragon up. A few minutes later he deposited both items in the correct room before returning to his own chambers for the time being.
-|:-:|- Dragon Realms | Morning -|:-:|-
"Yeah, I just deposited him inside his chamber some time in the middle of the night before returning to my own."
Cynder nodded as both she, Spyro, and Sparx walked down the hallway towards Harry's chamber. It really said something that the entire group was reacting calmly to this unexpected development.
That said the dragoness couldn't help but snort upon hearing a yelp followed by a sudden thump just upon arriving at the correct door. When opened the group saw the sprawled out form of the black and white dragon who let out a groan from his position on the floor.
"Morning sleeping beauty, had a nice night of sleep?"
The dragonfly flew close to the teenage dragon who only looked at him before letting out a snort and rolling over. Other than that Harry did his best not to react as the yellow bug chuckled and flew back over his adoptive brother and Cynder.
"And there goes my hope that this was nothing more than a dream."
That said the purple dragon rolled his eyes and shared a brief glance at his companion before smirking and walking off. The dark dragoness couldn't help but shake her head at this before turning her attention back towards Harry. Who apparently was busy being cuddled by his familiar and carefully petting her with his paw in exasperation.
Upon seeing this the green eyed dragoness couldn't help but blink as she had only looked away for a brief moment and Hedwig wasn't even in the room then. A second of starting later and she simply decided that it was probably not worth the headache of trying to figure it out.
"So… seeing as how this wasn't some sort of random fluke and that you've returned after eleven days it's safe to say that you're not stuck here. Any idea on how that's possible or are you just as clueless as the rest of us?"
Seeing the teens look of irritation the dragoness couldn't help but chuckle at the sight before shaking her head at the sight of it. Honestly Cynder was finally starting to understand something of what the Guardians must have dealt with during both her and Spyro's time at that age.
That said, the she dragon was definitely of the mind that this was both amusing and highly exasperating. Honestly, it appeared as if Harry's teenage years were going to be just as filled with headaches and frustrations like hers, Spyros, and Sparxe's.
Shaking her head clear of these thoughts the black dragoness gave the young teen a look and he let out a tired sigh.
"I honestly have no clue, all I know is that it has something to do with a bracelet… I don't honestly remember putting on, and that time seems a bit wonky for some reason when this happens. Oh, I should also mention that whatever method I have to travel between worlds seems to induce the transformation for me as well, so that's rather convenient."
Blinking for a moment at this the Cynder looked at the sight of the greened eyed dragon in front of her but was unable to spot any bracelet on him. Then again this probably had something to do with magic from Harry's world which would be rather interesting to study.
On a side note she couldn't help but grimace as yet another box was ticked off in the Purple Dragon list with time itself being affected. Honestly she should probably bring it up with someone soon but part of her didn't want to bring up what could only be a possibility that could ruin the young dragons already complicated life.
Though she might not have a choice in the manner either way and seeing as Harry's luck is rather similar to hers and Spyro's in their childhood and teenage years…
"Cynder, I see that our guest has returned like Spyro said."
All thoughts were interrupted when all turned their attention towards Cyril as he stiffly walked into the room. The Ice Guardian took a moment to study the three occupants of the room before nodding as decided something.
"While I detest having to rely upon other's it would be ignoble of me not to realize the potential that this opportunity has."
At this Harry had to blink as he exchanged a brief look with both Hedwig and Cynder, both of whom also looked confused at the blue dragon's current actions. This however did nothing to deter the Ice Guardian who simply gave them a cold look and spoke.
"Tell me Potter, what type of currency does your world use and explain the current financial state your people are in."
crai22: So... Miota currently is passed out after drinking almost two thirds of his body weight in alcohol and I am so not going to feel sorry for him with the upcoming monster of a hangover. Therefore in a surprising turn of events I currently have a... guest filling in for him today. Everyone give a big hand of applause for the One Eyed, One Horned Purple People Eater, or as he calls himself Phil.
Phil: Just get on with it already, and get this blasted collar off of me as well.
crai22: Yeah no. Your description literally has you as a people eater and I am taking no chances in this case.
Phil: … I... *SNARL*, fine. So I did a little research before this and noticed something off about this chapter, why is it shorter than the last ones?
crai22: Yeah... I wanted to go somewhere with this but managed to write myself into a corner towards the end.
Phil: So it would seem... care to explain the whole Portkey thing?
crai22: That was ironically part of the the way I wrote myself into a corner, anyways thanks for asking about it Phil. The short explanation has to due with how Portkey's work in this story and the nature of the walls between realities. In this case a Portkey travels through the mystical energy wall between the real world and the space between dimensions.
We can actually catch a glimpse of this energy when Spyro travels to Convexity to confront Cynder, where one see's pink clouds swirling and converging on a signal point. Thus the white and blue normally seen in Portkey travel is the unnamed energy wall protecting Harry's world, the pink and yellow is Portkey travel through the Aether in Spyro's world.
Coincidently when traveling between worlds all light is lost and this is the main reason that we couldn't see the transformation between human and dragon.
Phil: That's not what I was asking about...
crai22: Really, that is literally the only thing involving Portkey's in this chapter what else is there to know?
Phil: What I want to know is, how does a simple-
Deadpool: I'M BACK BA- *BOOM!*
