Episode Seven
Part One
Gwen wanted desperately to figure out how her world switching was working. She thought, perhaps her trance had been a clue. She decided to look for some Norse mythology while she was at Hogwarts. She had been living here for a few days and it might be awhile before she returned to the college world again.
However, there were no books in the Hogwart's library about Norse mythology and if there were they had all been signed out by other students working on reports for Professor Binns. She tried to remember as much about Yggdrasil as she could.
It was the world tree and there were three sections on it. One branch of the tree was reserved for the dead, one for the living and one for the giant gods. Other than that, nothing. She was drawing a blank. Maybe it had something to do with the different worlds within the tree and somehow they must be connected to her worlds.
She sighed, confused and alone again. Though she didn't like to think it neither world had everything she wanted. She could live in both and be comfortable, but there would always be something missing. Something she couldn't place yet.
She had since told Harry about her dream as he was really the only one she was close to at Hogwarts. He thought over it for awhile, but couldn't make heads or tails of it. "It's strange." He said, gazing at her over a pile of Divination homework that she was helping him with. "So, this other you is a part of another world? A dream world?"
"Yes, but now I'm not sure which the dream world is. I thought it was Hogwarts, but I'm inclined to think less so the more time I spend here."
"Have you told your mother yet?"
Gwen looked at him as if she'd been betrayed. While the thought had never occurred to her and it seemed like a good idea, she couldn't fathom that her mother would help. Beorc LeFey was a muggle and possibly the most frustrating mother to ever live.
Part Two
Gwen spent the rest of the afternoon trying to compose a letter to her mother, the same mother she had in the real world. Her mother was the only constant in both worlds. She acted the same neurotic way, looking the same and always called Gwen by her given name: Guenivere.
Perhaps Beorc did know more than Gwen thought she might. Her mother did surprise her sometimes with an uncommonly sweet gesture, or a random hug. Maybe she would surprise her again with some hidden knowledge. Besides, it couldn't hurt asking.
She addressed the letter and with Harry's permission tied it to Hedwig's leg for delivery. "Thanks Hedwig. Don't leave until she feeds you well." She added with a smile.
"Well, that settles that." She said to Harry.
He took her hand softly in his. "I hope it works out for you."
"Oh, me too." She said. She realized Harry was holding her hand and she started to shiver. She was half afraid she'd have another trance, and half scared at the great Harry Potter touching her.
He noticed, but instead of taking his hand away he squeezed it tighter. "But mostly I hope you find that this is the real world and that you can stay here permanently."
She gazed at him a long time, trying to come up with a response, but none came. She smiled, thinking that the silence between them was richer than any words she could think to say. She wasn't aware of it at the time, but Harry was thinking the same thing.
