Chapter Five: A New Day
Primals around the world surveyed their domains feeling the mother crystal truly active for the first time in eons gave them pause which had the added effect of calming their beast peoples of the world. It felt as if the universe itself was holding its breath in anticipation.
In the Twelveswood Ramuh awoke for the first time in many an eon after the destruction Bahamut had wrought. He watched as the boy stood in front of the elder dragon primal and prepared to meet his death head-on. Then he saw the destruction wrought by the Garlean Ship in the opening moments of the fight then he saw the child no more than 15 seasons old stop and reflect the heated plasma from touching the small village of Little Solace he could see the toll it took on the boy and finally he saw the Sylphs welcome him with open arms and he whispered projecting though to all his servants 'This one belongs! Welcome him and any who are with him, if they are of the mind ask them to come to me. Then he sent out a thought and, Leviathan, Garuda, and one who surprised him greatly Hydaelyn in the form of a young woman who looked much like Minfilia Warde
'Why have you summoned us here Old one' Garuda demanded and others snarled their agreements.
'He has summoned you here at my behest' Hydaelyn spoke surely 'A boy soon to be sixteen seasons old has traversed the void and come to us'
"Know this we do lady Hydaelyn' Leviathan answered formally 'we all felt his power before he was transfused with your power, he could destroy the world you were foolish to give him any. The "civilized" Races are not to be trusted.'
'He is different' Ramuh stated 'on his own, he is nearly as powerful as any of us.'
'Yes, yes, he is" Hydaelyn agreed "however, he had the chance to drain me dry. I had not thought to limit his access to power given what he was using the power for. He forged a self-sustaining shield of will and aether around Little Solace. He felt the power he had harnessed was too much for any one mortal being to have access to he and then let go Damaging himself rather than using any for healing himself or personal gain'
'I will test his mettle' a low gravelly voice spoke and a black form on a horse materialized
'You will be surprised' Hydaelyn said Smiling 'I did not think you would come!'
'He…' the being stopped speaking as if he was choosing his words carefully "He Intrigues me and reminds me of something but I cannot put my finger on what exactly that is. I promise to bring no harm to him" the Dark being left as he came nary a whisper on the wind
-Eorzean Odyssey-
Lahabrea sneered at whatever the avatar of the crystal was, doing it was enough to affect even the Ascians. Emet Selch saw his brother's face "Relax Brother I am sure it is nothing or are you truly worried that the boy is dangerous."
"His Power is immense; I know you felt it." The younger Ascian stated, "I have not felt that level of power since."
"The loss of the thirteenth." Emet Selch said sadly "He does smell of that world but yet he has power and is here so clearly, he cannot be. For now, we will do as we always have, Watch and nudge events in our favor. If you feel he is a threat, observe him"
-Eorzean Odyssey-
As dawn filtered into Nopica's alter Miounne opened her eyes to see the young boy and mistress Y'shtola wrapped in an intimate embrace she almost could not tell where one began and the other ended 'they will be good for one another she thought to herself while moving to leave the room she was not surprised seeing the circle of knowing camped out in the clearing outside their room What did surprise her was the Sultana of Ul'dah, The admiral and the Elder seed seer were all on beds that had been salvaged from her business.
Her business was in shambles most of the city was in shambles. her thoughts wandered far afield until she was just passing the doors of the alter back into the city proper. Her feet took her automatically to the one place she knew no longer existed. When she got there, she was surprised at how much they had cleared away she could see that while the walls were well and truly destroyed the base of the building was still intact. she passed near the carpenter's guild and noted many of her "children" were sleeping in well-appointed bedrolls and blankets surrounded by the forces of the three great companies without knowing she was holding it in she released a shaky breath.
"We set the men to watch them last night," Pipin Tarupin said Interrupting her thoughts. "The companies have agreed that the units here will work in concert to repair the city. Other units will go on to Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa"
She turned in surprise "Master Tarupin, I assumed you would be abed at this hour given how active you have been in these last few weeks."
"I slept Mother, Trust me father ordered me to bed…" he tapered off looking at the wreckage "But the nightmares… the dead and the dying friend and foe alike weigh heavily on my mind, heart and soul."
"That makes you far better than those imperials my friend" a feminine voice broke the silence turning her head she saw Minfilia wrapped in Thancred's arms and Thancred was sporting some of the worst bedhead that she had ever seen Mother Miounne tried for a moment but gave up quickly after the first snort left her mouth and became a belly full of laughter Pipin looked at her like she was odd for a moment before looking at Thancred.
"Thancred my friend perhaps you should go find a comb or Miounne will be laughing at you all day" Pipin barked trying to contain his own laughter.
Minfilia taking pity on her newly minted boy went to a nearby well and wet her hands then returned and ran her wet hands through his hair. Sort of smoothing it out causing everyone to laugh. Which started the process of the children waking. As they wiped the sleep from their eyes and looked around, they saw Mother Miounne who they were worried would die soon all the children nearly forty of them had surrounded the matron. Tears in their eyes surrounded the woman each seeking hugs and reassurance in turn. "Master Pipin we must find supplies these children and the populous need to be fed"
-Eorzean Odyssey-
Consciousness came very slowly to the Elder Seedseer the spirits of the Twelveswood whispered to her the land was in pain from the wounds that Bahamut had inflicted as she rose, she saw the other leaders still asleep as were the rest of the circle of knowing. Except for Thancred and Minfilia whose bedrolls were empty but had been slept in. she wended her way through the sea of sleeping people to the room where the young man who had touched so many lives lay sleeping.
He did not realize just how many lives he had touched yesterday the people of Gridania had been inspired by his deeds even late in the day it seemed that the city had thrummed with an energy she had never felt in all her years. She entered the room and saw a healer sleeping in a chair next to… young Harry James and Mistress Y'shtola. 'He will be good for her and she for him' sighing gently the leader of Gridania turned away from their room and went out into the city there were things that needed doing.
As the day progressed the other leaders of the alliance and the circle of knowing awoke to stop in and check on both their newest friend and finding him in bed snuggling with Y'shtola Rhul brought smiles to their faces and allowed them to go about their day
As the Day wore on however the healers were beginning to become concerned at least Y'shtola should have awakened finally around supper time Harry felt before he saw that he was not dreaming last night and whispered: "Merlin, Hermione would kill me if she could see me now."
"No, she wouldn't, she would have to get through me first" Y'shtola mumbled sleepily "How are you feeling?" She enquired rolling into his embrace
Harry did quickly go through his wake-up self-test. He was not wounded, nothing was broken and his scar was completely healed "Better, hungry but better. How are you and how did you end up in bed with me… not that I mind I could definitely get used to this for the rest of my life." Harry said a smile coming to his face.
"How I came to be in your bed is a story for later. You scared the life out of me last night the wounds that were healed were years old you had more scars than general Raubahn and more broken bones than most pugilists I have met. I was watching you die right in front of me." Y'shtola exclaimed holding on to him tight almost as tight as Mrs. Weasely but this felt a bit different like a Hermione hug only more possessive "I can't be your partner if you are dead so we have to agree with what is an acceptable risk"
Harry nodded as she spoke, "I pushed it yesterday the magic of this world was foreign to me it clashed with my internal magic." Harry spoke quietly looking for the words "you have to understand yesterday was the first time I had ever been anywhere close to what I term as Magically exhausted when I saw Mother Miounne and the children amongst the wreckage and fire I did not know if she had family or children." Harry stopped for a moment "Where I come from there is a creature, a demon really. We call them Dementors. They make you relive your worst memories… My worst memory was the day my mother died… I was 15 months old it is the only memory I have of her. Yesterday I dug deeper into my magic than ever before even if she was not my mother, I could save her."
"You would do it again wouldn't you?" Y'shtola asked already knowing the answer.
"I think yesterday was a one-off. I used more magic yesterday than I have used in my life." Harry smiled again "The headmaster of my school Albus Dumbledore likes to say we are what our choices make us. I choose to try to do what is right rather than what is easy. Hopefully going forward, I won't have to do the impossible."
"You will have to be more specific. Just about all the magic you did last night would be classified as impossible that is why everyone was studying you." Y'shtola felt she had to choose her next words carefully "Your Power at little Solace was past what even we expect to see from Primal's."
"That is why you and Urianger were arguing he wanted to get you and everyone away from me" Harry scowled "I don't know what a primal is. I would do what I did there for anyone I did not hate and depending on the circumstance I might do it for someone I hate."
"Imagine a being a god if you will that is the sum of the hopes and fears of a people being made manifest and wreaking vast amounts of destruction on the localized area" she then thought of a better example, "the Empire thought they could summon and control Bahamut a few days ago he is the king of all primal's. You had a good view with Master Louisoix to see exactly how that went."
"If he had not sent me away, I figured I was dead anyway I was going to fight like a demon before dying. My godfather and adopted uncles' bodies were destroyed and at the time I had nowhere else to go" Y'shtola pinned him with a glare "Hey it was before I met you, I was alone with no earthly idea where I was. For most of my life, I was thrown into the deep end of the pool and Bahamut was decimating everyone. Whoever thought that was a good idea to summon him needs to be fired; out of a cannon into a volcano." Harry paused again "Look I promise to be as careful as I can given the circumstances, I might find myself in. My education is not complete I still had two years of school before they would deem me an adult."
"How old are you, Harry?" Y'shtola asked causing Harry to do the math in his head
"Well assuming time flows there as it does here it is June 22, 1996. That means in 38 days I will be 16 years old and entering my sixth year of school." Seeing her look of incredulity, he felt he needed to say something further "Please don't expect me to ask you your age, Where I am from there are just certain things a man never asks a woman if he wants to live to procreate. I will not ask you your age or how much you weigh. Nor will I comment on your weight. If you ever ask me if something makes your butt look big, I will not answer that either. If I ever comment on an outfit you are wearing for survival purposes, I will say it looks great on you."
It all came out so fast that Y'shtola laughed as she stepped out of bed the shirt riding just below her butt covering the top of her tail but showcasing her very shapely legs and said in a very sultry voice "How does this make me look?"
Harry did a double take "If I am dreaming do not wake me up the only thing that would look better would be you out of that shirt." Harry blushed and felt his groin tighten a little more "You are beautiful and I am fortunate to be able to see such beauty."
"Can you change my clothes back; I liked that outfit" She asked gently running her fingers through his hair "Please"
"Not if you keep doing that looking all gorgeous like that" Harry admitted as made a gesture her clothing flowed into the form of a sexy Hogwarts uniform "I stand corrected that is definitely a look I could get behind." Hearing her snort, he motioned again this time her clothes became her own "Sorry" he said looking embarrassed.
"Never apologize for thinking that I look beautiful," She said slowly emphasizing the entire sentence and then remembering his question "I am 22 years old," she said confidently noticing Harry's face fall "I am too old for you?"
"No, where I am from, I would be too young for you… non-magical society." Harry admitted thinking of some of the things he had heard "In the magical society I could very well enter into a betrothal contract with you and once I was 17, we could marry at your leisure. Age is just a number for us."
"Is that what you want?" Y'shtola asked hoping he would not reject her
"I want to be worthy of being your friend, lover, and yes one day husband just as this one city was not built in a day; our relationship will not be built in a day. We have some time it would seem."
-Eorzean Odyssey-
Nophica watched the two during their intimate interlude. 'Clearly, seduction will not be the path' she thought to herself. She was interrupted from her reverie when a hand fell on her shoulder "Alissyn it is not polite to spy. We have other people who need us." Myarri Haleth had caught her red-handed
"Yes, healer Haleth, I apologize but Harry Potter is very attractive," Nophica said lightly all the while inside she was seething 'might have to establish myself more with the conjurer's guild if only to remove Myarri Haleth as an unexpected obstacle' "A girl can dream can't she"
"If I were single, I would agree but I am old enough to be his mother and I have a child of my own." Myarri said to the young healer "now off with you we have hundreds of wounded to tend to today."
Nopica hearing the dismissal and mindful of her cover nodded "Yes Healer Haleth. I will get right on it"
Nodding to the healer intern she went into the room as Harry and Y'shtola were just coming up from a kiss "Mistress Y'shtola, Master Potter if I could have a moment of your time. I would like to give Master Potter a checkup." She looked expectantly at Harry and was pleasantly surprised when Harry sat down on a chair. "You gave us quite a scare last night, we have fielded many inquiries about your health." She then cast the diagnostic on Harry. Humming and tutting for a few moments "On the plus side you are not dying from a fever anymore. The negative side is you are still malnourished and I cannot identify two substances that circulate through your blood."
"Phoenix Tears and Basilisk Venom," Harry said automatically when he saw the looks of confusion "Which confuses you the basilisk or the phoenix?"
"Basilisks have four legs and serpentine bodies ranging from the size of a Lallafell and approaching the size of a medium-sized dragon" Y'shtola informed him "while they have poisonous breath weapon, I do not understand how it got into your blood?"
"Where I am from the basilisks are deadly serpents with many a poisonous fang and can petrify or kill a person if they are unfortunate enough to meet their gaze. I had the misfortune to have to fight one that was nearly 70 feet long and 8 feet in diameter I killed it with the sword of one of my ancestors" he paused to gather his thoughts when the sword of Godric Gryffindor appeared in his hand.
-Eorzean Odyssey-
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, his mood had soured in the wake of the deaths of Harry Potter, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black. The days after the fight at the ministry saw Fawkes disappear after the burning day only to return and suffer through another burning day and had been sleeping for the better part of the week. In the wake of Hermione Granger's verbal takedown, he had holed up in his office with no contact with any of his subordinates. This was largely due to an emotional Minerva McGonagall turning him into a bedpan it was the longest 24 hours of his life. He honestly could not blame anyone for their rage regarding what had happened.
As a result, he never returned to either of his other positions of power and was told just yesterday by the board that on the last day of this term he would no longer be headmaster. He was raised from his musings by a knock on the door. The remaining members of the Order of the phoenix filtered in from the Weasley he saw sadness and rage in equal measure. from the others, he saw disappointment. then a younger crowd stalked into his office.
"My friends this will be the last time we will meet. I hope that the Order will not be needed again in your lifetimes." Albus began his sadness at what he was about to say next would further drive a wedge between him and those he truly cared about "I had hoped to pass the headship of the order to Harry Potter as he was the best of us." A lone tear coursed down his cheek. "I made a horrible mistake this year. Lord Voldemort and Harry shared a mental bond due to a leech that lived in his scar. The mistake I made was allowing a man who could not separate his hatred for father from the son"
"We know this headmaster; we were there after every session." Hermione spits out "While we are glad the order won't be needed anymore. We have other things to do if there is nothing else, we have to pack for the train tomorrow. Enjoy your Retirement Professor Dumbledore."
"Thank you, Miss Granger, for your good wishes." The headmaster said softly "I hope that when you reach my age you will remember how I handled this year and that memory prevents you from making the same mistakes. As of this moment, I like my mentor before me, pass the leadership of the Order of the Phoenix to Hermione Granger." Albus counted to ten and was surprised that Molly Weasely did not explode on him."
Hermione stopped and looked around the office at the other members and saw the same pain in their eyes that she and her friends "No, it should have been Harry " she was surprised when Fawkes grabbed the Sword of Gryffindor from its mount and rested it in her hands she was further surprised when the sword disappeared from her hands and Fawkes trilled and nuzzled her head and she was assaulted by visions of a battlefield with fleeing soldiers, an old man and Harry James Potter poking his head out of his invisibility cloak and she could see him draw the line in the sand only for Fawkes to appear and mark Harry. She then saw Harry get teleported away Hermione gasped at the revelation. And the flood of feelings coming from Fawkes "Thank you, Fawkes, is he really alive?" Fawkes warbled and she saw another moment in time as Harry erected a shield of a type she had never seen.
"I don't know how he did it but somehow fortune or fate smiled upon him. Harry Potter survived and he is not in this reality but he is alive and I think the Sword of Godric Gryffindor has gone to the Gryffindor who is most in need," Hermione said wonder filling her voice. turning back to the adults "Okay Professor Dumbledore I will accept I would like some time over the summer to consider what the order's role is to be in times of peace." She reached for her friend's hand and mouthed 'we will talk when we are alone"
The meeting wrapped up shortly thereafter "Miss Granger, Hermione could I trouble you for a few hours in the weeks to come? I would like to discuss the order and its place in peacetime."
Hermione nodded as she left the students of Dumbledore's army parting for her and then following her down the stairs.
"Harry my boy where ever you are I hope you find both the peace and love you were denied here," Albus said quietly to his now empty office.
-Eorzean Odyssey-
Harry looked at the sword in his hand and could have sworn he heard Hermione's voice and the trilling of Fawkes, the voice of Mother Crystal, and the voice he had only heard in the presence of dementors; the voice of his mother all layered into one 'you may need it to need it '
"Harry is it normal for swords to just appear in your hand like that?" Y'shtola asked.
"No!" Harry mumbled "Maybe, could be, yes? The first time I had this sword I drew it from the brim of an old hat. A few short minutes before I killed the basilisk"
"I sense there is a story there," Myarri Haleth said reminding them both she was there "I for one would love to hear it maybe later though. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would not believe that yesterday you were on death's door. Light duty for a few days let your magic rest for a bit now off with the both of you. Others want to talk to you."
A horrified look crossed Harry's face which caused Y'shtola to laugh "It is not that bad between what you did at little Solace and then here in the city. People will want to thank you I am sure the orphans will be at the head of the line since you saved their mother."
"Mother Miounne?" Harry asked
"Yes, she takes care of the orphanage and most of the children in the city; an orphan or not, and many of those who grew up in the city have no small love for her" Y'shtola explained gently as they left the well and wandered toward the edge of the city where the Carline Canopy once where they saw tents had been erected a makeshift kitchen and hospital. They also saw that the Great Companies and what Y'shtola explained were the free companies of Eorzea assisted surprisingly by a veritable army of Sylphs and a few reptilian bipeds. "Well, I never thought I would see cooperation from among the Beastmen tribes"
"I take it that doesn't happen often?" Harry snorted "or perhaps never?"
Y'shtola quirked an eye "first time in known history."
"Master Harry, Mistress Y'shtola; the council of Eorzea, the leaders of the free companies, and emissaries from the beastman tribes would like the counsel of the Circle of Knowing" Pipin had said sneaking up on them. "After you have seen mother and have been fed."
"I suppose it would be frowned upon if ignored the summons and helped out rebuilding?" Harry asked surveying the damage and cleanup "I mean seriously Pipin what if anything do I have in the way of wisdom for the council."
Y'shtola looked at Harry and thought back to what Myarri Haleth had said the night before he had been abused, she had seen the marks. Add to that he was in an entirely new environment old habits had crept to the surface. "You offer fresh eyes, a different point of view, courage, and a willingness to bridge the gaps. Most of all you offer the ability to be decisive and act… even if it is detrimental to your well-being." She stopped seeing Harry was crimson with embarrassment "Harry only you and Master Louisoix dared stand before Bahamut. The master saw something in you and he chose you. I don't know what exactly your life entailed before coming here I do know that some behaviors are learned and hopefully, I can help you unlearn them. Now let's get some food and see the council. I have plans for you Harry Potter."
"And those plans would be what exactly, Mistress Rhul?" Harry asked a wry smile gracing his lips.
"That would be telling now would it not Master Potter?" Y'shtola said impishly grabbing his hand she dragged him toward the kitchen tent as they crossed the square the crowd which had been milling about working on repairs stopped what they were doing and followed the pair to the tables where the council was already meeting.
Kan-E-Senna watched as the young pair approached their table followed at a respectful distance by the crowd. She could see mother Miounne come out of the Kitchen tent and the children …orphans of Gridania all gathered around her. She looked to the general, the admiral, and the Sultana all of whom nodded she stood with the remaining council standing as one they went around the table.
Harry who had been talking with Pipin and Y'shtola had looked up and was about to say something when he saw the serious expression on the Eorzean councils' faces and his face fell which caused the elder Seedseer to frown "Harry James Potter I don't know what thought is going through your head right this instance. However, from what I know of you it is the wrong thing. In the short time, you have been with us you have done great things. While some may call you a hero, I can hear your retort without you ever speaking it." She paused looking to Y'shtola "Mistress Rhul, might you have a few words to say?"
"I do, your grace!" Y'shtola said softly looking fondly at Harry "Harry though you do not see it you are a hero." She raised a finger to his lips stalling any argument "If you do not believe me look behind you. Look to the combined forces of the great companies, to the people who saw you … one man Conquer plasma fire and save one who is a mother to many. But if you must have confirmation look to the children gathered around mother look at their eyes it is easy to see you are their hero."
"There is a problem with being a hero… there is nowhere to go but down." Harry said bitterly wondering if he could convey what he needed to say. Y'shtola did not understand what he meant he could see it plain as day on her face. "If they see me as a hero here and now, a paragon of justice and virtue. What will happen the first time I am late trying to help someone or worse yet I mess up and someone dies? What then?"
It was Papalymo of all people who came to his rescue "Perhaps we should eat and discuss other matters of state. It might help if we were to educate Harry here on our world rather than just trotting him out to the masses."
Harry smiles a smile that did not meet his eyes "you all should take your ease I am going to go for a walk. Y'shtola Normally I would ask you to come with me I promise I am not going far Just over to the Aetherite the hum of the crystal calms me and I need to gather my thoughts" he said as he leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth something that caused the all the little girls in the crowd to sigh and all the little boys who had not yet discovered the pleasure of having an attractive young woman in your life to cringe. "Your eminences with your permission?"
"Aye Lad take all the time you need." The admiral said the others agreeing
Y'shtola was at a loss she could not understand the downside to being thought of as a hero
Harry gave Y'shtola a hug and made his way over to Mother Miounne when a Lallafel child a young girl walked up and pulled on his pant leg causing him to stop she mouthed something and Harry not able to hear with all the other noise around knelt and was surprised when the youngster threw her arms around his neck and whispered "Thank you for saving our mother!" Harry lost the will to move as the child hugged him for all she could.
"That is what big brothers do for little sisters." Harry whispered back as he picked the girl up and wandered over to Miounne the crowd of children parting "And what sons do for mothers."
Author notes: Next chapter will have a time jump.
