15. "You don't have to leave." "Yes, I do."

All around the Kingdom of Ys, mayhem was spreading. Every able bodied warrior was in mortal combat with a Kelpie. Mermen and mermaids defended their home from the invading demons.

Harry had to slow down his pace to avoid all the flying magical blasts and galloping water shapeshifters. Ahead of him, Alana was actually picking up the pace. From the path she was taking, it was clear that she was swimming to the largest tower of the whole city.

Fortunately for Harry, the soldiers here had tunnel vision during combat. Since his form was more in line with a merman, he was relatively ignored by the residents. The Kelpies were busy attempting to decimate the defenders of Ys.

Harry lost her as she turned the corner. Looking around, he heard the sounds of battle. With some trepidation, he swam to a large ornate door that was ajar. Peeking inside, he saw an injured older merman clutching his bleeding sides.

In front of him, Alana was fighting fiercely against what he could only describe as the Loch Ness monster. Alana was deflecting its large fangs with a shield. Raising her blade up high, she tried to stab into its throat.

In retaliation, the monster flung her across the room, towards Harry. Her back slammed in the wall by the door, leaving a crater. Harry rushed to support her body. From the dazed look in her eyes, she was disoriented.

"Get up, Alana. It's still coming towards us", Harry said urgently, but she was still out of it.

"Too loud", a voice rang in his ears. "Why all this disturbance?" It sounded harrowing and fairly annoyed. The throaty growl was something suited to a beast.

"Who's there?" Harry spoke far more bravely than he felt.

The voice rumbled in almost mirth, "I have only heard rumors of those that could communicate with my kind. Who are you boy?"

"I'm-"

"No. I shall hear this face to face." When the voice finished, a rumble shook the whole structure. From beneath the sandy terrain beneath them, a creature shot out. It was a mighty snake, whose length easily wrapped around the whole tower. Its head had two coiled ram horns and its serpentine eyes took up the whole window as it peered at the Potter child.

Steadily, Harry stood up and looked it in the eyes. "I'm Harry Potter. And all this noise is due to the battle outside", Harry pointed to all the chaos going on throughout the city. "The Kelpies attacked and the biggest one is right here!"

The horned snake shifted its vision towards the Loch Ness monster who was watching them with bloodied fangs. If the horned snake could snicker, it would have. "I see it's you pretenders. Your kind never learns. This one's great form shall eliminate you!"

And the horned snake pulled back its head and raced forwards. The Loch Ness monster fought valiantly. But its neck was in the fangs of the horned snake. Despite the Loch's size, the snake was so much greater. In a mess of bone and teeth, the water demon was devoured.

"That was quite good. But it was just a morsel." The horned snake looked over the battle raging in the city and smiled a toothy grin, "Yes that will do."

Eyes wide, all three people in the room watched as the snake descended from above like an angry deity and devoured every single Kelpie.

"Yes that was most satisfying, boy. You have the thanks of this one, Cerastes." With a nod, the giant snake returned to the sandy throes of the ground.

"Young wizard, we thank you for your services. The people of Ys are in your debt." The merman, who he believed was king, said grandly. "Come join us in the celebrations."

And like that Harry was pulled into the merriment. He experienced underwater music, dancing, and general partying. Raising a bowl of some kind of steam fruit, he jumped only a little when a dainty hand clicked another bowl against his.

"What am I going to do with you? I look away for a moment and you get yourself involved in an underwater conflict. I suppose I should expect nothing less from my courageous friend." The Pale Lady watched the partying going around them. There was something mystical in her glance. Harry could see the waves reflected in her dark eyes. Even more eye catching was the way her hair bobbed back and forth in the water.

The Pale Lady swirled her finger in the water and gently flicked the bubbles that formed at him. It was enough to snap him back to attention.

"Trouble seems to find me all the time", he admitted as he tried to brush pass his blatant staring. "But I'm glad. Look at all them, they're so happy and free now", Harry said fondly and softly.

"Take this instant to heart, Harry. At your weakest and coldest moments, you need to remember that there is worth and purpose in your life and actions. Happy endings are rarely given. You're going to grow frustrated or maybe betrayed, but just remember this day. This day you became a hero by merit not chance."

Wrapping his legs in his arms, Harry couldn't stop the smile that etched on his features. Despite what the Dursleys said, Harry James Potter was someone. Unlike the wizarding world, he knew he was so much more than the Boy-Who-Lived. "I think it's time I go."

Hearing his statement, Alana swam his direction, "Must you go now? You're welcomed to stay as long as you like."

"Thank you, but I don't think my relatives would like it. I have housework to do."

Alana nodded in understanding, swimming away, she spoke to the king. Both had a conversation that he couldn't understand, but from the delighted expression on the Pale Lady, he was the only one.

Getting up, Harry humbly took the bundle that Alana gave to him. Inside was a blue orb, fish tank, and a full blade labeled Joyeuse. Alana smiled and all said their goodbyes.

The Pale Lady took him by the shoulder and walked. After taking a single step, Harry found himself back in the backyard. From the look of things, and the lack of his relatives' yelling, he hadn't been gone too long.

Well the weeds weren't going to clear themselves.