A/N: Please, please, please forgive me for not updating this sooner! I know you're all very angry with me, but I've been so busy with this little thing called a life and an education. Blasted things are always getting in my way.
In Which Harry Performs a Spot of Magic
"How do you know he's a wizard?"
Everyone stopped talking and arguing the moment the question escaped Shiara's lips. All eyes turned to Harry, who had been fiddling with his wand as Morwen, Telemain, Queen Cimorene, King Mendanbar, Prince Daystar, Shiara, and King Kazul discussed what he was doing here, what to do with him, and who exactly was this messy-haired wizard from another world.
"That's a very good question, Shiara. I've been wondering myself," growled Kazul, her neck swiveling to gaze at Cimorene. "How do you know he's a wizard?"
Cimorene opened her mouth to respond, but she only made it as far as to move her jaw up and down. "We don't," she said finally.
"You just took him at his word?" Shiara inquired disbelievingly.
"Well, we didn't take him at his word, but Morwen's and Telemain's," said Mendanbar.
"And I apologize," said Morwen. "Telemain and I were so surprised at our discovery that we might've been a bit out of character."
"And if he truly were," Kazul pointed out, "I'd be having a sneezing fit."
"So, Harry, why don't you prove you're a wizard?" Daystar suggested.
Harry jumped, having been pulled into the conversation for the first time since he had arrived in Kazul's lair. He had quickly grown used to Kazul's presence, seeing as she apparently had no interest in eating him and he had faced bigger dragons before. At the moment, he had been pondering his situation and how to get out of it. It was, after all, the middle of the school year, and he couldn't help but worry about all he was missing. However, these ponderings had just been interrupted by Daystar's query.
"Prove that I'm a wizard?" Harry repeated.
"That's a very good idea, Daystar!" said Telemain excitedly. "I've been curious
to discover whether or not Harry's form of magic can function properly in the unique structure of the Enchanted Forest and the lands surrounding it, let alone when he's not in his natural environment."
"Well, do some sort of magic!" Shiara urged impatiently. Harry glanced up at Shiara. Cimorene and the others had explained to Harry that Shiara was a fire-witch, a very temperamental group of spell-casters with just as temperamental magic. He wasn't quite sure he wanted to get on her bad side.
"Er, what sort of magic should I do?" asked Harry, uncertain. Like Telemain, he didn't even know if he could actually cast anything.
"I don't know; anything!" the fire-witch cried, throwing up her arms in frustration.
"Calm down, Shiara," said Daystar.
"Why don't you summon that helmet over here," the King of the Dragons proposed, gesturing one huge talon at a solid gold helmet hanging on the wall. "That's a simple enough spell to do."
"Well, I can try," said Harry, still unsure of himself. He had gone through all that training with Hermione so he knew he could summon the helmet if he were back in his "natural environment." But here in this strange world?
Harry abruptly stood, determined to prove that he was a wizard, and not one that was out to absorb all magic, at that. He pointed his wand at the helmet and shouted, "Accio helmet!" For a moment, nothing happened. Disappointed, Harry lowered his wand, and everyone turned to stare at him. Suddenly, the helmet began to move, then wriggle violently against the wall until it sailed off of its post and right into Harry's middle, knocking the air out of him.
"Oh no! Are you alright?" asked Daystar.
"I'm fine," Harry wheezed.
"Fascinating!" Telemain exclaimed. "What a unique process. First you level a magically-enhanced wooden instrument at the desired object, then you must pronounce an incantation! Tell me, Harry, is it required that you declare your enchantment every time you wish to execute it?"
"Shush! That's not important, Telemain," Morwen scolded her husband, and he quailed beneath her wrath. She turned back to Harry. "Are you okay?" At Harry's nod, she continued, "I suppose that settles it. He's neither magician nor wizard, but something different all together."
"But why is he here?" Cimorene asked. This time, all eyes were on her. "He's obviously not from our world, so where is he from, and what is he doing here?"
They turned to face Harry.
He shook his head, as confused as the rest of them. "I don't know," he said. "One moment I'm playing Quidditch – popular wizard sport where I come from," Harry quickly added at their bewildered looks. "And the next I'm here." And then something hit him. What if… "Was it…no it couldn't have been…"
"Couldn't have been what, Harry?" Morwen pressed.
"Voldemort," he said. "But why would he want me here?"
"Voldemort?" Cimorene asked.
Harry nodded. "He's a dark wizard, probably something like what you think of wizards here." He briefly explained his entire story: about Voldemort coming to kill his family that one Halloween, but how the Dark Wizard who killed anyone he wanted to couldn't kill a little baby. "And now he's come back, and he's after me. Maybe he's the one who wants me here."
"But why?" asked Mendanbar.
Harry shook his head. "I don't know. I really don't."
"The boy is catching on," hissed a dark figure. She had been watching the entire exchange through a crystal ball that rested on a particularly evil-looking pedestal that seemed eerily to be made of bones. The image of the Enchanted Forest's royal family and friends faded from the crystal and was replaced with a bright, swirling mist which threw glimmers of light on the face of the dark figure. "But the 'Boy Who Lived' doesn't stand a chance on my playing field! Antorell! Come here, boy."
"Yes, milady?" asked the daft-headed wizard as he appeared in her chamber.
"Go keep a watch on this…boy," she said, a smirk showing itself from the shadows of her hood. "But don't do anything stupid."
"Yes, milady," Antorell replied, bowing himself out.
And she laughed, the pure evilness of it chilling the blood of all who listened. "You're mine now, Harry Potter."
*%*%*%*%*%
Next chapter: In Which Ron and Hermione Do Some Questing
Would you look at that! This story is actually developing a plot! I'm really, really, really sorry for not posting in such a long time, and I apologize especially to Firefox who's probably ready to beat me over the head with a stick or some other hurtful object. I'll try to have the next chapter at least by Christmas. I'm a busy, busy girl you know.
Thanks to all those who reviewed!
Herald Mistylenna – Was it interesting enough for you?
Kaylin –I'm sure by now you're quite insane, but that's alright.
b - I'll try to work on that; thanks for pointing it out. Was I little better this chapter?
Firefox – another poem sounds nice, but you don't have to. It might help me review a little faster, though… =~_^=
Elenrihil – I haven't given up on you! See, here's the next chapter. Did you enjoy it?^^
goddessofvenus19 – A kiss? Nah, it focuses too much on Harry for anything to really develop between Ron and Hermione. Though it was fun to make them fight…I dunno, maybe something'll happen. =~_^=
and…
Tam BreoSaight – No, no there's not. That's part of the reason why I wrote this one!^^
Now, all you people whom I thanked, review! Everyone who I didn't thank because you didn't review the last chapter, review, review! Everyone who hasn't reviewed yet, review, even if it is to just let me know you read it or flame me. You don't have to tell me my story's great, just make it known that you read it, pleeeeeease?
HeH
