91. "What the hell!"

Harry unceremoniously awoke when he felt the cold of the stone floor on his back. He was no longer in the enjoyable embrace of soft blankets and softer pillows. His new surroundings prompted Harry to close his eyes out of something nearing spite.

"Good luck with that buddy. No matter how much you close your eyes, you're here until the boss' business with you is finished," a mirthful tone rang in the halls. Standing on a decorative bust was a Raven with something close to a smile.

Harry did not groan, but it was a near thing. If there had been any doubt, he was now sure that this was Dream's castle. Matthew was a messenger raven for Dream and he had met the bird on and off again for quite awhile.

"Oi, are you just going to sit there and try to get some beauty sleep or are you going to follow me?" Matthew began to flap his wings and fly down the corridor.

Reluctance seeping through his very bones, Harry rose from the ground and followed Matthew. The castle was a labyrinth in its own right. Then there was the perpetual haze that seemed to cloud his thinking. He found himself growing listless as he traveled with Matthew. His mind only cleared once they entered Dream's office.

"I brought the kid, boss," Matthew greeted Death casually as he landed on the desk.

Dream stood, hidden partially by thick and dark curtains. He pushed away the portions that obscured his face and eyed Harry, "Welcome back, Magic. There is much to prepare for."

This was news to Harry. There was little he could think that Dream would have of him. The man hadn't appeared too interested in him since the end of Tom.

"It has been long enough for your adjustment. You much set up your station for your upcoming duties," Dream continued.

"I don't want a station much less duties."

A cool wind swept Dream's features as he arched his back and stared longingly out the window, "Nevertheless you must do it, Magic. Though you may have my favor for my freedom, however unintentional, and the joy you bring to my eldest sister, you will not scamper from your given duty."

Though faced away, the light of Dream's eyes glowed with a dark menace that warned Harry of the severity of his folly. Harry unsteadily licked his lips, "What does magic have to do with any of this?"

Now Dream laughed a laugh that rivaled the standing ovation of a masterpiece play, "What is magic but the foundation of every fantasy? What is magic but the whimsy of a child's daydreams? What is magic if not the bridge of dark thoughts and reality? No Magic, your place is here in the Dreaming."

This startled Harry, yet in his heart of hearts he knew this to be true, "What is my duty?"

"In the simplest of terms, you are an equalizer. You must both contain and encourage the spread of your very essence throughout all of reality."

"I… understand."

For the first time since the conversation began, Dream turned to fully face Harry in the eyes, "Very good. You will do."

Dream waved his hand dismissing Harry. There was no magic yet Harry was no longer in Dream's direct presence. Now he stood in front of an oak door that reached the very ceilings of the high castle roof. Intricate and curved patterns were etched masterfully on the surface. In the center of the door was text written in elegant cursive that read: 'It is in every moment of magic that we discover another terrible beauty of our world.'

"Are you just going to stare at it buddy? You must be new around here with that love struck look of yours. Magic, wasn't it? The name's Merv and welcome to the Dreaming, I guess," a grouchy voice greeted.

Harry saw a pumpkin headed man, smoking off all things, walk towards him. It was absolutely fascinating.

Merv puffed a cloud of smoke, "Yeah, yeah I have a pumpkin head. Get used to it kid. You'll be seeing a lot weird crap around here. Anyway, you're going in anytime soon? I still have to clean this nice little corner of beauty."

"You clean?" Harry asked baffled.

Merv rolled his eyes, "Yep, that's my 'duty' as the big guy likes to call it. Just consider me the dreamiest handyman around. I sweep, wipe, dust, and construct, the whole nine yards. And let me tell you it's a killer for my old bones."

"It must be," Harry agreed. It sounded like a right pain with how expansive the castle seemed.

Cracking his back, Merv shoved his hands in the pockets of his overalls, "Worst thing is that the big guy can do all of that in a snap of the fingers. I don't know what he needs me for."

"Why bother? I mean I wouldn't want to do all of that. My relatives used to dump all of those kind things on me and I couldn't stand it. Can't you just, I don't know, leave?" Harry suggested.

Now Merv stared at him intently and then shrugged, "Who's knows, kid? Maybe I have nothing better to do, or maybe I owe Dream a thing or two, or I don't have anywhere else to go. But this is my thing now and I'll be damned if anyone says I don't do a good job." He inhaled another puff and pulled out a set of keys on a key ring. Flipping through the set he detached one and tossed them Harry's way, "Since you standing there all slack jawed, you must not have a key yet. These are yours, so don't lose them."

Harry eyed the key and noticed that the door had no keyhole, but it was now opened. From the outside, he saw that the room was a dull white with enough space to fit multiple cottages inside.

Merv peered into the room and whistled, "Well aren't you a special one? The sky's the limit for your room. Just jot down what you want for your own little slice of heaven and I'll make that room something worth looking it."

The thought bought an unexpected amount of glee in Harry, "I'll take you up on that offer. And just call me Harry."