Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or The Last Kingdom. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.

Note: Glad to be back. I feel like I need to say something here that a few people are probably going to be thinking later on in this story. Age differences don't really matter in the grand scheme of things here. The show doesn't really do a good job of showing it, but a lot of the 'couples' in it are twenty to thirty years apart in age. Not justifying or condemning anything, but as certain characters get introduced going forward I feel like it's important to remind everyone that this is taking place in a long gone time where such things were not really out of place or thought on overmuch. Sorry for the text block, but I didn't want a bunch of backlash later for something that could be headed off.

Chapter Three - A Ransom And A School

Ragnar and Sigrid were understandably skeptical, but when Harry explained exactly what accidental magic was and how it often revealed itself in times of need they were ecstatic. There was great honor in birthing a skald after all. There was much congratulations and shared hugs between them all, and even Uhtred received his fair share as the boy who had tried to protect her from Sven. Ragnar presented him with a pendant of his own that very night in thanks, the hammer of Thor. To his credit, the boy treated it as the treasure that it was.

Things went pretty smoothly on the farmstead for the next few weeks. Ragnar, Harry, and Young Ragnar farmed, trained, and drank. Uhtred and Brida chored and continued playing in their free time with Thyra. Though one difference prevaded the home, Thyra began her magic lessons. Many were the evenings that found the fire haired girl and her uncle cross legged before the fire in deep meditation.

It was a trick that he'd learned in the wilds, focusing internally for the feel of your magic. It helped with learning to cast small wandless spells, but the major benefit was that it made wand casting almost effortless once you got it down. If Hogwarts had implemented the practice into their curriculum it could have cut the education time down by half. Of course the Board of Governers probably would have rioted once the lost revenue became apparent.

Towards the end of the third week two things happened of great interest. First, during their nightly meditation, Harry instructed Thyra to focus her mind on her favorite creature in the world and think happy thoughts. He wanted to see if she could conjure an image of it in the air, but instead the hearth pulled all of its flames between the two and a horse of flickering red came into being, cantering around their still forms and whinnying joyfully.

The little girl squealed with delight, and moved to touch its flickering plumage, only for Harry to gently take her hand and cast a finite on the creation. Its form dispersed back into its previous place warming the home. "Fire is still dangerous, Thyra, but that was fantastic."

"Really, Uncle Harry?"

"Yes." He leaned forward to ruffle her hair happily. "Now get off to bed. Your mother is going to want help shearing the sheep in the morning."

"Okay!" She scampered out of her place and rushed to the stairs leading to the second level of the hall where their beds were all housed.

It wasn't too long before the woman herself and her husband sat beside him and brought up the second point of interest. "We've had word from Jarl Ubba." Sigrid mentioned as Ragnar retrieved a few drinking horns and handed them out. "Uhtred's uncle at Bebbanburg has asked to ransom for his return."

"How does he even know about the boy?" Harry asked curiously.

"We do not know for sure," Ragnar took a draft from his horn, "but we suspect Kjartan told him. The bastard had to go somewhere after his banishment after all. What do you think?"

"Well, as family he has a right to the lad." the wizard noted, "and you took him for eventual ransom originally. I do not see the problem."

"We are very fond of him." Sigrid noted. "And so are you."

"That is not an excuse to hold him back if he could be happier elsewhere." Harry took a drink from his own horn. "There is nothing saying we have to accept the price offered or give him back at all, but it doesn't hurt us to go to a meeting with the man and take his measure."

The others agreed with him, and then Sigrid asked the question that had brought her into the conversation, "How is my daughter doing in her training? That horse was impressive."

"You saw that then?"

"It was hard not to. Well?"

Harry sighed into his horn, "Thyra is a natural with fire magic. I honestly expected an emotional block in that regard after what happened with Sven but she's taken to these lessons even faster than…" he trailed off, having almost mentioned Hermione's name. He had no urge to go down that road. Ragnar and Sigrid shared a knowing look at that event; they'd long ago come to the conclusion that their younger friend had lost a love.

Rallying himself to continue, Harry said, "Anyway, she's doing great, but in order for me to teach her further Thyra is going to need a wand."

"Like yours then?" Sigrid had seen her friend use it on several occasions.

"Yes and no. Mine is one of a kind, and she will need one made. I have some knowledge of wandcraft from my later adventures in my past, but I will need more before we can safely build her one."

Rather curious at this turn of events Ragnar asked, "Where would we get such knowledge?"

Harry smiled at that question. "I can only think of one place, and it is one that I've been hoping to eventually visit for some time now. The school from which I learned magic stands in Scotland. I would go there and retrieve what wand lore I can find."

"Good, we have a plan." Sigrid drained her horn of mead and stood, wiping her hands on her skirts. "You two will take Uhtred to the ransom meeting and Thyra and I will get the boat ready. Between the four of us, a light crew, and your magic we can get it out on the sea very easily, and then it's a short trip to Scotland."

Harry blinked, "I-I was planning to go alone. I could apparate myself there in but a few seconds."

"Don't be ridiculous, Harry. All of this is for our daughter so of course we'll be involved, and It will be a good experience for all of us to see the place that trained you. It is also high time Thyra got back on the water. I do not want her to forget the sea. We have tenants that can look after our lands while we are gone. Don't you worry, we'll have everything packed and ready by the time you return."

As the tall woman bustled off Harry drained his own horn and reiterated to his brother, "That is one fine woman you have there."

"And don't I know it." The big man chuckled merrily. "Now come and train with me. The meeting is tomorrow and I don't want my arm rusty if that damned Northumbrian lord tries something funny."

The Next Day

True to Ragnar's words, the meeting occurred just after noon. A thinned out section of the forest had been chosen as the venue and both parties arrived without too great a fuss. Ragnar and Harry had brought Uhtred of course, but they'd been joined as well by Ravn, Ubba and Ubba's household guard. Strangely enough, that included the puppet Northumbrian king the Jarl controlled. He probably wanted the visage of legitimacy when dealing with Uhtred's uncle, Aelfric.

It seemed they were wise to come in number as Aelfric himself had brought no less than twenty armed men with him, as well as a few priests. And as the men set about seeing to their horses, provisions, and clearing the space in the middle of the clearing for chairs, it was to them that Uhtred walked. More specifically one priest in particular who gazed upon the lad with clear fondness and familiarity.

Their conversation seemed interesting so Harry cast a spell that would let him pick it up.

"Father Beocca!" The boy was clearly delighted to see him.

"Hello Uhtred, you are looking well. How have you been treated?"

They were only a few feet away now. "They've fed me well and not worked me too hard.

"Praise god." The priest nodded and took notice of the pendant hanging from his neck. "What is that then? Can I see it?" The last was directed to the northmen who just waved him on. The priest, Beocca, fingered it in his hand for a moment before leaning in so supposedly only Uhtred would be able to hear him (magic truly was awesome) "You cannot go back to Bebbanburg. You must escape."

"What?"

"Do not interrupt me, Uhtred, I beg of you just listen. Your uncle has taken the place of your father. He wants to be the ealdorman, more than that he wants to be a king, and to become that he plans to kill you the moment he has you back in his clutches. You must flee to Wessex the moment you get the chance. I will be there waiting for you in the service of King Aethelred and his brother Prince Alfred. They are good men, good Christian men, and they will look after you." He gestured to the pouch in his belt, "I have all the documents here from the library that prove you are the heir to Bebbanburg and you must get to Wessex to claim them."

"Hey now, that's enough chatter." Ragnar had apparently grown suspicious of the quiet words and had made his way over to the pair. "One more word and I'll have your ballsack for a coin purse, priest."

Clearly reading the warning, Beocca only added, "God be with you, Uhtred." And hustled back to the other priests.

"What did he say?" Ragnar asked the lad.

"He asked if you were feeding me." Was all Uhtred said as he moved back to the horses.

The earl gazed at his brother and raised a brow. "The uncle wants to buy him so he can kill him and take his position." Harry answered simply. "The priest was trying to warn him."

"Hm. For a priest, he doesn't seem so bad."

"Only decent one I've met here so far." Harry agreed. "So what do you want to do?"

"The boy saved my daughter's innocence, Harry, and we are all fond of him. I think we'll keep him. But that's no reason not to see just how far Aelfric is willing to go to get him."

"Agreed. Let's get to it then." By that point the Northumbrian and Ubba were both moving to the clearing and the others soon followed.

Thus began over twenty minutes of bidding. The Danes wanted three hundred pieces of silver for a lord returned, to which Aelfric declared he was the true lord, not his nephew, and that he would pay one hundred and twenty pieces. Ravn came back with two hundred and he stayed firm at one hundred twenty. Finally Ubba questioned Aelfric's loyalty to the oaths he'd given the Danes and the man finally caved and agreed to two hundred pieces of silver.

That was about the point Ragnar whispered in Ubba's ear and said he'd pay three hundred himself to keep the lad and free him. A price that the jarl heartily agreed to, as thanks to his position he would get half of the price offered. That meant that really all Ragnar had to pay was one hundred and fifty pieces directly to the jarl, and the rest he'd probably invest back into his own fields.

Aelfric was enraged, he threatened repercussions for this dishonor, up until Ubba threatened to remove their protections of his lands from other raiders. Then he quieted right down and moved back to his own men.

As everyone else started mounting up Harry couldn't help looking back at the priests. Beocca was no longer amongst them, meaning he must have already kept to his word and made his escape to go and serve the king and prince. If that Prince Alfred was the Alfred Harry remembered from Hermione's history books, Alfred the Great, then that was sure to be an interesting job.

The group started off and Ragnar's crowd broke off from the rest to make their way back to the homestead where Sigrid was no doubt waiting for them all. With luck the ship was already packed and waiting.

As they rode though, it became clear that Uhtred was curious about his circumstances. So from his place riding in front of Ragnar he asked, "Am I not for ransom anymore?"

Ragnar huffed, "You heard Ubba, I bought you."

"For how much?"

"Too much, boy. Perhaps I'll sacrifice you to Odin." He joked. "Even then, I admit I might have overpaid. But we like you, Uhtred, and we're going to keep you."

"Does that mean I'm a Dane now?" He asked hopefully.

Harry rode up next to them, "About as much as I am, which is more than most."

"Aye." Ragnar agreed. "You are now Uhtred Ragnarsson. You're a son to me, as Harry is my brother."

"Really?" the boy asked hopefully.

"Yes, Uhtred, welcome to the family." Harry acknowledged. "But know that family looks out for each other. I am your uncle, Ragnar is your father, Sigrid is your mother, and Thyra is your sister. You must always look after Thyra especially. It is the job of a big brother to protect his sister in particular."

"I will." Uhtred promised with an intensity that drove the adults in their line to open, joyous, laughter. They carried on that way all the way home and on to the docks where indeed the women folk had gotten Ragnar's ship ready. It was time for the wizard to go home…

Six Hours Later

"Ro!"

Godric burst into Rowena's office once more and for the life of her the headmistress couldn't think why she kept refusing to put a lock on her door. "What is it Godric?" She asked as she placed her latest book on her desk.

"Sails on the horizon!" He exclaimed, "They've passed our wards."

Rowena blinked at that. Their wards were the best in the world. Hand placed by all four of them and learned at the feet of Merlin himself. "Only a wizard trained by our school could pass the ward lines, even at sea." She mused. "What does the vessel look like?"

"Danes for sure and they're heading this way."

"Hm…" The headmistress thought over the situation for several moments, tapping her fingers on the top of her desk as she did. Then she said, "Be ready to meet them at the gate. I'll ready the castle defenses while Helena hides the students below, but you need to ascertain what exactly it is they seek."

Godric wrapped his hand around the grip of his sword and swore, "By my name and power no hostile forces will breach these walls. I'll be at the gate."

The big man moved off and Rowena moved over to the wall scale mural on the other side of the room that detailed the many floors of Hogwarts. She placed her hands upon it, focused her will, and all around came the sounds of steel shutters and metal bars closing. As of now the school was on lockdown.

Outside

Harry thanked the gods for the favorable conditions that sped their journey along. Between his magic bolstering the sails, the Ragnar's, himself, Sigrid, and a handful of trusted warriors on the oars, and the overall smoothness of the water, the trip by sea hadn't taken near as long as he'd feared. Now, the rise ahead approached and he could see the castle standing proudly at its head. It said something interesting that only Thyra could also see it until he pushed some of his power into the others (minus the other warriors of course. He trusted them, but there was no need to spread further knowledge of this location to those that didn't need it.).

They beached the ship and ordered the warriors to guard the craft as their family made their way up the great path leading up to the gates. The closer they came, the tighter Harry's chest became. Hogwarts had been the first true home he'd ever known and now he was returning as a man with a student of his own. He didn't know how passage of time in the future worked in his circumstance but he hoped McGonagall was watching somehow, and that she was proud.

It didn't take long to reach the gates of the school and the wizard was honestly surprised to find them open and waiting. Though based on the chain mail clad warrior in the pointy hat waiting for them all in the middle of the courtyard he shouldn't have been.

"Name yourselves strangers!" He roared in a very thickly accented voice, "And declare your purpose!"

Harry supposed they did look rather suspect, clad as they were in mail, arms, and hooded cloaks that both shrouded their features and protected them from the highland rain, but that was no reason to be rude to one's many, many, many times over great grandson. Oh yes, the former boy who lived recognized both that hat and the sword on the stranger's waist. He waved the others back, placed his hand upon his own weapon, and stepped forward to meet Godric Gryffindor.

"We are travelers in search of knowledge." He began. "I am called, Harry."

"There is no knowledge here, Dane." (ironic considering the fact that Godric looked even more Dane-like than him) "Begone from this place."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Godric. I have a student in need of training, and to provide it I need access to your library."

"How do you know my name?" The bigger man growled.

"Come at me and find out." Harry drew his blade, "If you win I'll tell you everything you want to know."

"Harry," Sigrid scolded, "we did not come here for a fight."

"True, but I know Godric (from the stories in the Gryffindor common room) and he'll not back down from a challenge. I think once he's on the ground things will move a lot smoother." The warrior was clearly not going to just let them in so this was a good way, in Harry's mind, to move the situation along.

Gryffindor seemed to think so as well, for he drew his weapon and charged. Harry did the same and they met in the middle. Their blades clashed, and Harry winced as a chip of his own fell away from contact with the superior weapon and then he was apparating away as Godric fired off a series of cutting curses with the wand in his off hand. The time traveler appeared behind the man and kicked his wrist, sending the offending stick spinning across the rain slicked ground, only to apparate again to the other end of the courtyard rather than sacrifice anymore of his own weapon to the goblin forged blade.

The founder made as though to retrieve his wand but Harry sent a low level blasting hex to the ground in front of it that sent it far beyond the reach of either of them. Godric took one look at the situation and charged his foe once more, showing startling gymnastic ability for a man of his size as he dodged and weaved between the bludgeoning hexes Harry sent his way until he was finally able to get in close enough for bladework.

The time traveler tried to apparate away again but at the last moment the founder gripped his arm and a rune carved into the back of his gauntlet began to glow, "Not this time ya jackrabbit." The future dweller's apparition faded away before it could take effect and Godric brought his sword down for a killing blow, only to blink in surprise as he finished the arc with an empty hand. His sword was now pressed easily to the back of his neck with his foe's own tapping arrogantly against his groin. "I win."

Godric took in the situation in a moment. The politely clapping travelers, two of which could only be children by their height, the genial nature of the man that now had him dead to rights, and finally the fact that his beloved sword had been summoned from his own hand to that of his attacker. At once he burst into laughter, swatted the weapons away, and wrapped his former foe in a bear hug.

"Grandson!" He roared with delight, and spun them both in a circle before setting him down. "That's who ye are right? You summoned my sword after all."

Harry, now chuckling easily himself, said, "Add a lot more generations there and you'd be right, but grandson sounds fine to me. Yes, Godric Gryffindor I am of your line."

"However did ye get here? Did Helga finish tinkering with her time turner project in the future then?"

The other wizard paused at that. Hufflepuff created the time turner? He'd always thought it was Ravenclaw. Shaking out of that mind jumble he answered, "I guess she did, but my method of travel was a lot different. Suffice it to say I met with a likely god that decided he did not yet want me and sent me here instead."

"Aye, ye'd not be the first. My own teacher Merlin did indeed meet one such as that in the Lady of the Lake long ago." He clapped Harry on the shoulder, "Now introduce me to your friends and then we can get into the specifics of why you are truly here."

Harry did so, and the big man delighted in meeting his 'grandson's' family, especially the children. Eventually though they were interrupted by the grinding of some metal gears and bars before the doors to the great hall burst open and a clearly pissed off black haired woman came storming out.

"Godric ye fool, what is taking so long?" She stomped over to them all, and Godric had the good sense to look a bit chagrined as the two children on his shoulders laughed at his misfortune. Harry however could only stare. Who knew Rowena Ravenclaw was such a looker? Her portrait back in his time certainly didn't do her justice.

The woman's form was svelte and fit, her dress a blue so dark it could have been purple, hair as dark as night, and skin white as marble. As she gazed calculatingly at him Harry took note of her deep purple irises. It was clear she was putting everything together in an instant. He was quick to bow.

"My lady Rowena Ravenclaw, many were the tales of your beauty and intelligence, but clearly they have all been written by fools as they all come short to the pure vision that stands before me."

"My, my, my." Rowena laughed merrily as she raised a hand for the new wizard to gently press his lips to, "I see they raise pure charmers where you come from. Or should that be when?"

"I… try to avoid mentioning the time travel thing."

"Very intelligent of you. But can I assume there is a reason you have invaded my home and assaulted my dunderhead of a brother?" The way her head tilted after asking that question sent Harry's blood soaring.

"Is not putting my eyes upon thee reason enough?"

"You truly are a flirt, sir."

"Harry, please," he folded the offered hand in his own, "and is it working?"

"Hem hem!" The two turned and beheld a rather amusing sight, Sigrid stood with her arms crossed in impatience, her foot tapping relentlessly on the cobbled ground. Beside her stood Thyra, her little hood thrown back, copying her mother's pose to a T, and behind them all stood Godric, looking absolutely mortified at what he was seeing. Ragnar was just smirking knowingly.

"We are here for Thyra, Harry, remember? You can seduce this woman at a later date."

"Yeah!" Thyra agreed, clearly not knowing what was really going on. "I'm the only girl you should care about right now."

"Of course, little one." Harry crossed he yard and swept her up happily in his arms and up to rest on his shoulders. Turning back to Rowena he said, "This is Thyra, my niece and student. I'm here to find out everything I need to know to build her a wand. I also wouldn't mind perusing your library for useful spells."

The headmistress nodded happily. "We are here to educate the young, and you are clearly doing just that. Come, and I will show you what you wish to know." The group moved forward towards the large double doors, and once they were through Rowena whispered "We should talk more. You are… fascinating."

Note: I included the Rowena subplot because it was fun, but even though she and Harry might get into some fun and shenanigans she will not be one of his two main love interests. Sorry, but the other person I have in mind works better. Plus, Rowena would alway be more interested in the search for knowledge than love in my opinion.

Note: Gonna be heading into a bit of a time skip after this with likely flashbacks to help explain other points.