Terribly sorry this took so long, I got sidetracked. My uncle went to
Venezuela and bought the first two Harry Potter books in Spanish, and it
takes me about a half an hour to read one page. But anyway.........
RATING: PG it could go up later, but for now, there's nothing too terrible future chapters.
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and friends don't belong to me, because, quite frankly, if they did, I wouldn't be posting this right now. However, Alexandrea is mine and so is Echidna and both Trinities and almost everything else that you don't recognize.
SUMMARY: After a mysterious light takes Harry Potter away from Privet Drive and he doesn't seem to be returning, he is presumed dead. Then exactly a year after his disappearance the Dragon Prince appears.
CHAPTER FOUR: In Which Many Things Occur Including a Trip to Avalon and a Funeral
a.k.a
Avalon and Echidna
"I was looking for you to ask you if you were interested in going to Avalon?"
~*~*~*
"Are you seriously asking me this?!" Harry demanded, "is the Pope Catholic?"
"What" Alexandréa asked shortly, pained confusion etched on her face.
"Never mind" Harry said quickly, "Do you know how many times I have looked for a book on it? I could never find one!"
"Yes, I know" the Queen said, smiling mischievously.
"You TOOK the book out of the Edelwon, didn't you?" Harry accused her indignantly.
"Maybe," she said mysteriously, "Or maybe, there wasn't even a book ON Avalon."
"Oh, I'm appalled," Harry said in mock disgust.
"Well, it's something only the Trinity of Light knows about," she said positively tickled. Then, she stood up and walking into a spacious part of the room, "Coming?"
Harry scramble out of his seat and moved to stand next to her.
"Alright, now hold my hand and on the count of three, we'll go." She said closing her eyes. "One, two, three..."
Suddenly a flash of light, and the surroundings changed from the dim and ancient Edelwon to a gray misty shore.
"This is Avalon?" Harry said perplexed, he had been expecting something more along the lines of a grand archway into a magical realm.
"Hush, be patient, we have a bit of a walk until you can see anything spectacular," the Queen reprimanded.
"Yes, mother," Harry said, annoyed at the manner in which she addressed him.
"Well, if you act like a child, I'll treat you like one. Anyway, let's get going, you're in for quite a surprise!" She said, her tone slowly changing from parental lecture to glee.
"So what is this place?" He asked as they started trudging through wet sand that was positively ruining his boots.
"It is Paradise, that's all you're getting out of me until we reach the High Palace of—never mind." She said cutting herself off.
Harry swore under his breath, being the bad sport that he was.
"Oh, come on Harry, where's you sense of spontaneity, your love of surprises? Hmm?" Andréa asked, harassing him.
Harry gave a low growl, and Réa laughed.
"Fear not, gehail, only a few more minutes and you'll find out."
A few more minutes actually turned out to be a half an hour. Harry felt like they had been walking on a hamster wheel, with the environment never changing: always a gray stony beach, but Alexandréa seemed to know exactly what was going on. Finally though, she stepped aside, so that she and Harry were shoulder-to-shoulder, and there rising from the mist was a enormous majestic palace that put the Elven Palace (which had made Hogwarts look like a seedy little flat) to shame. Several steps closer and there stood a huge archway and enormous gates that gave off the impression of ancient royalty.
Alexandréa stood in front of the gates for a moment, which puzzled Harry, until he realized that the gates were Scanning her, making sure that she (and he, Harry supposed) was worthy of admittance. Soon enough the gates sprung open, and as that happened, the mist in the courtyard lifted, revealing plush green grass, vibrantly blossoming flowers and ancient trees that towered to provide shade.
"Welcome, Harry" Andréa said pushing him through the gates, "to the High Palace of Merlin."
"Merlin?!"
"Yes, he is the ruler," the queen said patiently.
"But Merlin's dead!" Harry said, confused, "Wait, Avalon isn't heaven, is it? because that would mean that we're dead!"
"No, Avalon isn't heaven...exactly," she said neutrally.
"Then what?" Harry demanded as they began to walk the crooked pathway that lead to the entrance of the palace.
"You'll see!" The Phoenix said with a mysterious smile, quickening her pace slightly.
Finally, they reached the door to the palace, which swung open without being touched.
Upon entrance, they were not greeted with the usual entrance hall, but rather a long wide corridor with a grand throne at the end of it. On the throne reclined a man who looked like he was about sixty. In front of the man, Alexandréa curtsied deeply, and upon seeing her do so, Harry bowed.
"Alexandréa, please get up, and tell your Dragon to do so as well!" the man sitting on the throne demanded in a wise voice.
"Of course, dear sir," Andréa said moving into her usual erect position in unison with Harry.
"Harry Potter, this is Merlin, King of Avalon; Merlin, I present you Harry Potter, The Dragon Prince and Heir to the Throne of Light." Alexandréa said with regal pride.
"A pleasure meeting you, boy!" The legendary sorcerer said, stepping off of his platformed throne to shake Harry's hand, "Welcome to Avalon!"
"Thank you, sire," Harry said, still in a bit of a shock.
Moving on to Alexandréa, Merlin smiled and gave her a hug, "You've been away entirely to long, my dear; your parents shall be thrilled to see you!"
The queen smiled and hugged the man back, but gave an alarmed look at what Merlin was saying. "Not another word, sir, my Dragon does not know Avalon!" she said in a pacifying voice.
"Ah yes, you'd best tell him; later though, I must ask you to meet my Council and me in the Screening Room, we have much to discuss. It seems you are not the only one who had named an Heir," Merlin proclaimed, suddenly seeming much older.
"Not Echidna? Please tell me..." But by the look on the Magician's face, Andréa did not bother to continue.
"Who is—"
"You will find out at the meeting this evening, Alexander," Merlin cut off.
"Alexander?" Harry asked, puzzled.
The phoenix smiled softly, "It is Greek for 'protector of mankind,' gehail; it is the name all of the Dragons take when they are proclaimed the Heir to the Phoenix Throne. You will take it on the night of your coronation. Anyway, let's focus on what we're here for."
"Yes!" Harry said eagerly, not as upset as he should have been at the thought of changing his name, "What in the name of the Trinity is Avalon?"
Réa laughed, "Avalon," she stated, "is paradise. It is a place for heroes of great power connected to Merlin in some way to come after their supposed death. When they arrive in Avalon they are restored to the form they were when they were the happiest or the strongest. They are given bliss that they probably did not receive in their human life. They are also able to watch over their loved ones as they go through life. I shall now give you a tour of the island." She turned and walked out of the palace, after noticing that Merlin had disappeared.
"Wait up!" Harry called as she dashed out of the palace, leaving him in a glazed stupor. "Why does this affect me? I don't know anyone connected to Merlin!"
When he finally reached her, a normal man would be gasping for breath, luckily, Harry wasn't normal. They were at the entrance of a little town that glistened in the sun, it appeared to be made entirely of white.
"What..."
"Avalon City, this is where your parents live," she said as if that were an entirely normal thing to say to Harry Potter.
"My WHAT?!" Harry shouted stunned.
"You heard me; now let's journey on!" She said with a wide, giddy smile, leaving Harry in her dust for about the third time that day.
Finally they reached a medium sized home in the very center of the town, white like all the rest, but this one seemed particularly wonderful to the two people standing outside of the door.
"It would appear," Alexandréa said after a peal of laughter was heard, "that the Potters are hosting a party."
"The ..." Harry stated at the name of the owners of the house.
"Yes," she said calmly as she rang the doorbell.
It was eternity in two minutes it took for the door to be answered. Finally, it opened to reveal a woman in her early twenties with shoulder- length red hair wearing dark jeans and a cream turtleneck. Her emerald green eyes light up at the sight of Andréa, who was standing in front of Harry, therefore obstructing him from view.
"Réa, darling! It's been ages!" She exclaimed giving her a hug, and in doing so, she saw who was behind the woman.
"Oh my God!" she screamed after letting Alexandréa go. "James! Sirius! Get over here now!" she called into the house.
"Harry, my dearest, come here," she said walking over to him, she then proceed to squeeze the life out of him. Seeing her and feeling her hug him, Harry felt like a part of him had been completed. It was very similar, I'm sure, to when an adopted child meets their birth mother after years of never knowing her. It filled him with satisfaction and wonder, but the woman before him felt like someone that could eventually become a dear friend but never reach becoming a replacement for the woman who essentially raised him. Because, while she wasn't there on Harry's first day of school, or had been there to throw him birthday parties and buy him his first tie and take him to the petting zoo and other things he had missed out, that is what Alexandréa was, the woman who raised him.
So Harry closed his eyes, returned his mother's hug back and smiled, softly greeting: "Hello, Lily."
By that time James and Sirius came over.
"Son?" James asked in shock.
Lily gave Harry an extra squeeze before letting him go and greet his father.
"Hey, James!" Harry said awkwardly as he stood in front of his birth father. Suddenly he was caught in an embrace.
"Harry, you don't know how long I've waited for this day!" James whispered hoarsely.
Only after Harry started making choking noises (actual choking noises, as in—literally choking), did James let go.
Next in line was a man that Harry had waited forever to see again. This version of the man however, was about 16 years younger and a lot healthier looking. He gave Harry a bright smile, when the young man looked his way.
"Hey there, sport," Sirius grinned.
Harry burst out into a huge smile and yelped, "Sirius," and dashed over to give is godfather a hug.
After a moment or two, Sirius broke the hug to pull Harry to arms length, "Let's have a look!" He said kindly and the proceeded to examine Harry, uncannily resembling a mother hen. Then he said in a sadder tone, as if the though had just struck him, "I'm sorry I couldn't reach you through the mirror, kid, but, no mirrors on Avalon. And I DID try to smuggle it in, you know, for the record."
Harry just smiled softly sadly and laughed bitterly, "It's alright; it wouldn't have worked anyway."
This precious moment was broken when a man with red hair walked over and said boisterously, "Lily, James, why don't you bring the reunion inside; there's a chill in the air!"
So with these words the newly reunited family entered the Potter home and enjoyed the rest of the evening until Alexandréa notified the guests and the occupants of the house that it was time for the members of his council to meet with Merlin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A woman shroud in black stared viciously at a being that was once a man.
"Because of you," the woman said in a whisper that could freeze fire, "the Nathestis knows what you are, and they now have the advantage; fool!"
"I am sorry, Rrhane, I am sorry, please have mercy!" The usually formidable being begged.
"Why do you ask such a question, when you know I do not have mercy? Why do you beg, when you know I have no compassion? Have you deceived me all throughout your training? Are you truly a fool, who has pretended to be worthy of my skill? Or is this stupidity only momentary?
"No, Tom, I will not show you mercy and I will only forgive you to maintain Balance. But I caution you, gehail," here the man flinched, " never to make a mistake such as this ever again" and with those words she held her hand out and the thing that she was speaking too screamed an unearthly cry of pain. And fathomless blue eyes that burned with hell fire smiled.
And with that vision cleared from the giant and only mirror in Avalon, leaving plain glass in its wake.
"Who on earth was that?" Harry asked, almost frightened, after all, he knew that voice and had seen those eyes.
"That, my Dragon, is Echidna [the 'ch' is pronounced 'k']: the Daimon Queen," the same voice from the vision said, except in a much kinder, but still just as grim tone.
"And what exactly is the Daimon Queen?" Harry asked still alarmed by the similarities between the vile woman and his own teacher.
The teacher in question sighed. "As she said in the vision, there is something known as Balance, it is the staple of the Universe, it is what keeps us from Chaos. Both Light and Dark respect it, for without Balance everything would perish including the principles of Light and Dark. The essence of the Balance is that everything is equal to its direct opposite. Therefore Light is equal to Dark So the Trinity of Light is equal to what is called Trinity of Dark. As Echidna mentioned, we are their Nathestis and they are ours. The Dark Trinity includes The Daimon, The Basilisk and The Scorpion. For now you are opposite The Basilisk, and Gareth is opposite The Scorpion."
"So we are just as powerful as the Dark?" Harry asked in a desperate tone.
Alexandréa seemed resigned as she answered, "Yes."
"Then...I can't defeat them?" depression was setting in.
"No, not really, but there will be times when it seems you have. You will never fully defeat Tom, and once he is King, will not always be the one in the lane of fire, just as you will not be. You can stop and delay his plans, but you can never fully kill him. And just as the Phoenix guides the Light, the Daimon guides the Dark. It's confusing until you experience it." She stated calmly.
"So who is Tom?" Harry asked, knowing the answer, but unreasonably hoping that he was wrong.
"Tom Riddle, known as Lord Voldemort; I recall that the two of you are friends," Merlin spoke dryly.
Harry swore under his breath, using a myriad of languages to vent his frustrated anger.
"Yes well, because of this development, you cannot return to your realm as the Dragon Prince. We must keep your position and your identity under wraps; you will go as a stranger under an alias in order to maintain the advantage over the Nathestis. I am sorry." The Phoenix Queen commanded.
"It's fine, I understand." Harry said trying to smile, but found he was unable.
"Yes, well, we must return to the Elven Realms and take care of several things before you return. But don't worry you, can come back to Avalon as often as you like." Alexandréa said kindly.
They bid everyone good-bye and returned back to their home, seemly seconds before they had left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was draped in black. It was crowded past capacity and people were flowing out of the castle past the lake. Almost the entire wizarding world was there. And those that were not were tuned into the WWN, for today they were paying homage to a fallen hero, one who had survived were others had not, a beacon of hope and a symbol of Light. They were mourning a boy who never lived the life of a child. Today was the 31st of July, exactly a year after he went missing and Harry Potter was officially proclaimed dead.
Speaking at the funeral, which had started at exactly noon, was Albus Dumbledore (as a mentor), Hermione Granger (as a friend), Ronald Weasley (as a friend and brother), Remus Lupin (as the closest thing to a living guardian), and Kingsley Shacklebolt (as the head of the search and ministry representative).
Dumbledore had just finished his speech on what a fantastic example Harry Potter was to the wizarding world and how if they were all a bit more like him, then the Light would stand a chance.
Hermione stood to speak next. She stood tall, gliding to the podium in graceful elegance. She looked stunning until a further examination was taken, revealing lack of sleep and bloodshot eyes.
"Harry Potter was a phenomenal person," Hermione sad in a strong voice weighted with sadness, "But all of you here know that. You know of his brave acts, how he stopped Voldemort time and time again and know that he survived where no other had. You all know that Harry Potter was a mighty being who was a glorious and valiant hero.
"But he wasn't.
"Harry Potter never set out to be a hero, nor did he ever take pride in the fact that he was. But he was too kind and giving not to be one. He would die trying to save the innocent. Be it the little girl in a death eater raid or Sirius Black. His heart broke at the death of anyone around him.
"I think that Harry hated death so much and was so adamant about protecting other people because those that he loved were always dying through no fault of his own. First his parents, then his godfather. So because of this, Harry wanted to preserve the love of other people. He wanted to protect a gift that he did not have.
"But he did have love.
"I loved him, and Ron loved him, and Remus loved him, and so did the Weasleys and Professor Dumbledore. And if Harry were alive today" here Hermione's voice cracked, "I would make sure that he knew that, because I think that, especially after fourth year, Harry felt very alone. After all, if you had an entire world depending on you, wouldn't you?
"But Harry rarely complained, and he only did when his temper got the better of him.
"Harry wasn't a saint, because, quite frankly, being a saint takes way too much work and even the exalted Harry Potter wasn't up to the task, but he was pretty close to it.
"One of the wonderful things about him was that Harry was giving and so eager to share, because for years he had nothing TO share and no one to share it with. Always eager to let Ron ride on his new Firebolt or to lend his invisibility cloak. Never stealing the spotlight when it wasn't his to take, and gladly giving it up when it was. He would step in and take the blame even if it wasn't entirely his fault, if it meant soiling my reputation or putting other people in danger.
"But the thing about Harry that I'll miss the most, I think, is walking onto the train and seeing him there getting into an argument with Ron. Seeing him race down to breakfast with his tie draped around his neck because he overslept, watching him lose miserably at chess with Ron, seeing him laugh when Ron and I get into a spat and his smile. I'll miss his shoulder that was always there for me to cry on, and his bewildered look when I explain something to rapidly. I'll miss his snippy comments about the defense professor and his irritated moodiness and his eyes and fretting over him as he lies asleep in the hospital wing after defying death..." And then, with tears streaming down her face, Hermione looked and whispered. "Gosh, I guess I'll just miss you, Harry Potter"
With that Hermione left the podium and Ron rose to speech wearing new dress robes that Fred and George had mysteriously bought for him.
After two more hours the funeral was over and people left to mourn in private, but none with the passion that his closest friends had.
So caught up was every single person that left the hall in their own sadness and tears, that they did not notice a figure shroud in dark green giving an anguished look at those he loved dearly before disappearing, planning on returning to that very place the first of September. After all, he was the new defense professor.
TBC
Hoookay. That was long. As per request of one of my darling reviewers jeanbgab057
Speaking of reviewers, Be one today!! [insert cheesy smile here]
I want at LEAST five reviews before I post the next chapter. Also I wasn't PLANNING on putting Harry's coronation in the next chapter, but if you REALLY want it in there.........I'll do it, but you have to TELL me, so you have to REVIEW. Also, I have Ron's speech written, but I didn't include because I thought that would be overkill, and I didn't find Hermione's too spectacular. If you want to read that and everyone else's speech I'll put up a special little chappie for them all, but you'd have to REVIEW to let me know.
And tentatively for the next chapter, attack on Diagon Alley and start of term were I will describe Harry's beautifulness. And another question: do you think I should have Alexandréa go with Harry to Hogwarts as his sister or something.........I am torn! I don't want here to become too Mary Sue like, so REVIEW and TELL me.
Dat is all.
Thank you.
REVIEW.
RATING: PG it could go up later, but for now, there's nothing too terrible future chapters.
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and friends don't belong to me, because, quite frankly, if they did, I wouldn't be posting this right now. However, Alexandrea is mine and so is Echidna and both Trinities and almost everything else that you don't recognize.
SUMMARY: After a mysterious light takes Harry Potter away from Privet Drive and he doesn't seem to be returning, he is presumed dead. Then exactly a year after his disappearance the Dragon Prince appears.
CHAPTER FOUR: In Which Many Things Occur Including a Trip to Avalon and a Funeral
a.k.a
Avalon and Echidna
"I was looking for you to ask you if you were interested in going to Avalon?"
~*~*~*
"Are you seriously asking me this?!" Harry demanded, "is the Pope Catholic?"
"What" Alexandréa asked shortly, pained confusion etched on her face.
"Never mind" Harry said quickly, "Do you know how many times I have looked for a book on it? I could never find one!"
"Yes, I know" the Queen said, smiling mischievously.
"You TOOK the book out of the Edelwon, didn't you?" Harry accused her indignantly.
"Maybe," she said mysteriously, "Or maybe, there wasn't even a book ON Avalon."
"Oh, I'm appalled," Harry said in mock disgust.
"Well, it's something only the Trinity of Light knows about," she said positively tickled. Then, she stood up and walking into a spacious part of the room, "Coming?"
Harry scramble out of his seat and moved to stand next to her.
"Alright, now hold my hand and on the count of three, we'll go." She said closing her eyes. "One, two, three..."
Suddenly a flash of light, and the surroundings changed from the dim and ancient Edelwon to a gray misty shore.
"This is Avalon?" Harry said perplexed, he had been expecting something more along the lines of a grand archway into a magical realm.
"Hush, be patient, we have a bit of a walk until you can see anything spectacular," the Queen reprimanded.
"Yes, mother," Harry said, annoyed at the manner in which she addressed him.
"Well, if you act like a child, I'll treat you like one. Anyway, let's get going, you're in for quite a surprise!" She said, her tone slowly changing from parental lecture to glee.
"So what is this place?" He asked as they started trudging through wet sand that was positively ruining his boots.
"It is Paradise, that's all you're getting out of me until we reach the High Palace of—never mind." She said cutting herself off.
Harry swore under his breath, being the bad sport that he was.
"Oh, come on Harry, where's you sense of spontaneity, your love of surprises? Hmm?" Andréa asked, harassing him.
Harry gave a low growl, and Réa laughed.
"Fear not, gehail, only a few more minutes and you'll find out."
A few more minutes actually turned out to be a half an hour. Harry felt like they had been walking on a hamster wheel, with the environment never changing: always a gray stony beach, but Alexandréa seemed to know exactly what was going on. Finally though, she stepped aside, so that she and Harry were shoulder-to-shoulder, and there rising from the mist was a enormous majestic palace that put the Elven Palace (which had made Hogwarts look like a seedy little flat) to shame. Several steps closer and there stood a huge archway and enormous gates that gave off the impression of ancient royalty.
Alexandréa stood in front of the gates for a moment, which puzzled Harry, until he realized that the gates were Scanning her, making sure that she (and he, Harry supposed) was worthy of admittance. Soon enough the gates sprung open, and as that happened, the mist in the courtyard lifted, revealing plush green grass, vibrantly blossoming flowers and ancient trees that towered to provide shade.
"Welcome, Harry" Andréa said pushing him through the gates, "to the High Palace of Merlin."
"Merlin?!"
"Yes, he is the ruler," the queen said patiently.
"But Merlin's dead!" Harry said, confused, "Wait, Avalon isn't heaven, is it? because that would mean that we're dead!"
"No, Avalon isn't heaven...exactly," she said neutrally.
"Then what?" Harry demanded as they began to walk the crooked pathway that lead to the entrance of the palace.
"You'll see!" The Phoenix said with a mysterious smile, quickening her pace slightly.
Finally, they reached the door to the palace, which swung open without being touched.
Upon entrance, they were not greeted with the usual entrance hall, but rather a long wide corridor with a grand throne at the end of it. On the throne reclined a man who looked like he was about sixty. In front of the man, Alexandréa curtsied deeply, and upon seeing her do so, Harry bowed.
"Alexandréa, please get up, and tell your Dragon to do so as well!" the man sitting on the throne demanded in a wise voice.
"Of course, dear sir," Andréa said moving into her usual erect position in unison with Harry.
"Harry Potter, this is Merlin, King of Avalon; Merlin, I present you Harry Potter, The Dragon Prince and Heir to the Throne of Light." Alexandréa said with regal pride.
"A pleasure meeting you, boy!" The legendary sorcerer said, stepping off of his platformed throne to shake Harry's hand, "Welcome to Avalon!"
"Thank you, sire," Harry said, still in a bit of a shock.
Moving on to Alexandréa, Merlin smiled and gave her a hug, "You've been away entirely to long, my dear; your parents shall be thrilled to see you!"
The queen smiled and hugged the man back, but gave an alarmed look at what Merlin was saying. "Not another word, sir, my Dragon does not know Avalon!" she said in a pacifying voice.
"Ah yes, you'd best tell him; later though, I must ask you to meet my Council and me in the Screening Room, we have much to discuss. It seems you are not the only one who had named an Heir," Merlin proclaimed, suddenly seeming much older.
"Not Echidna? Please tell me..." But by the look on the Magician's face, Andréa did not bother to continue.
"Who is—"
"You will find out at the meeting this evening, Alexander," Merlin cut off.
"Alexander?" Harry asked, puzzled.
The phoenix smiled softly, "It is Greek for 'protector of mankind,' gehail; it is the name all of the Dragons take when they are proclaimed the Heir to the Phoenix Throne. You will take it on the night of your coronation. Anyway, let's focus on what we're here for."
"Yes!" Harry said eagerly, not as upset as he should have been at the thought of changing his name, "What in the name of the Trinity is Avalon?"
Réa laughed, "Avalon," she stated, "is paradise. It is a place for heroes of great power connected to Merlin in some way to come after their supposed death. When they arrive in Avalon they are restored to the form they were when they were the happiest or the strongest. They are given bliss that they probably did not receive in their human life. They are also able to watch over their loved ones as they go through life. I shall now give you a tour of the island." She turned and walked out of the palace, after noticing that Merlin had disappeared.
"Wait up!" Harry called as she dashed out of the palace, leaving him in a glazed stupor. "Why does this affect me? I don't know anyone connected to Merlin!"
When he finally reached her, a normal man would be gasping for breath, luckily, Harry wasn't normal. They were at the entrance of a little town that glistened in the sun, it appeared to be made entirely of white.
"What..."
"Avalon City, this is where your parents live," she said as if that were an entirely normal thing to say to Harry Potter.
"My WHAT?!" Harry shouted stunned.
"You heard me; now let's journey on!" She said with a wide, giddy smile, leaving Harry in her dust for about the third time that day.
Finally they reached a medium sized home in the very center of the town, white like all the rest, but this one seemed particularly wonderful to the two people standing outside of the door.
"It would appear," Alexandréa said after a peal of laughter was heard, "that the Potters are hosting a party."
"The ..." Harry stated at the name of the owners of the house.
"Yes," she said calmly as she rang the doorbell.
It was eternity in two minutes it took for the door to be answered. Finally, it opened to reveal a woman in her early twenties with shoulder- length red hair wearing dark jeans and a cream turtleneck. Her emerald green eyes light up at the sight of Andréa, who was standing in front of Harry, therefore obstructing him from view.
"Réa, darling! It's been ages!" She exclaimed giving her a hug, and in doing so, she saw who was behind the woman.
"Oh my God!" she screamed after letting Alexandréa go. "James! Sirius! Get over here now!" she called into the house.
"Harry, my dearest, come here," she said walking over to him, she then proceed to squeeze the life out of him. Seeing her and feeling her hug him, Harry felt like a part of him had been completed. It was very similar, I'm sure, to when an adopted child meets their birth mother after years of never knowing her. It filled him with satisfaction and wonder, but the woman before him felt like someone that could eventually become a dear friend but never reach becoming a replacement for the woman who essentially raised him. Because, while she wasn't there on Harry's first day of school, or had been there to throw him birthday parties and buy him his first tie and take him to the petting zoo and other things he had missed out, that is what Alexandréa was, the woman who raised him.
So Harry closed his eyes, returned his mother's hug back and smiled, softly greeting: "Hello, Lily."
By that time James and Sirius came over.
"Son?" James asked in shock.
Lily gave Harry an extra squeeze before letting him go and greet his father.
"Hey, James!" Harry said awkwardly as he stood in front of his birth father. Suddenly he was caught in an embrace.
"Harry, you don't know how long I've waited for this day!" James whispered hoarsely.
Only after Harry started making choking noises (actual choking noises, as in—literally choking), did James let go.
Next in line was a man that Harry had waited forever to see again. This version of the man however, was about 16 years younger and a lot healthier looking. He gave Harry a bright smile, when the young man looked his way.
"Hey there, sport," Sirius grinned.
Harry burst out into a huge smile and yelped, "Sirius," and dashed over to give is godfather a hug.
After a moment or two, Sirius broke the hug to pull Harry to arms length, "Let's have a look!" He said kindly and the proceeded to examine Harry, uncannily resembling a mother hen. Then he said in a sadder tone, as if the though had just struck him, "I'm sorry I couldn't reach you through the mirror, kid, but, no mirrors on Avalon. And I DID try to smuggle it in, you know, for the record."
Harry just smiled softly sadly and laughed bitterly, "It's alright; it wouldn't have worked anyway."
This precious moment was broken when a man with red hair walked over and said boisterously, "Lily, James, why don't you bring the reunion inside; there's a chill in the air!"
So with these words the newly reunited family entered the Potter home and enjoyed the rest of the evening until Alexandréa notified the guests and the occupants of the house that it was time for the members of his council to meet with Merlin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A woman shroud in black stared viciously at a being that was once a man.
"Because of you," the woman said in a whisper that could freeze fire, "the Nathestis knows what you are, and they now have the advantage; fool!"
"I am sorry, Rrhane, I am sorry, please have mercy!" The usually formidable being begged.
"Why do you ask such a question, when you know I do not have mercy? Why do you beg, when you know I have no compassion? Have you deceived me all throughout your training? Are you truly a fool, who has pretended to be worthy of my skill? Or is this stupidity only momentary?
"No, Tom, I will not show you mercy and I will only forgive you to maintain Balance. But I caution you, gehail," here the man flinched, " never to make a mistake such as this ever again" and with those words she held her hand out and the thing that she was speaking too screamed an unearthly cry of pain. And fathomless blue eyes that burned with hell fire smiled.
And with that vision cleared from the giant and only mirror in Avalon, leaving plain glass in its wake.
"Who on earth was that?" Harry asked, almost frightened, after all, he knew that voice and had seen those eyes.
"That, my Dragon, is Echidna [the 'ch' is pronounced 'k']: the Daimon Queen," the same voice from the vision said, except in a much kinder, but still just as grim tone.
"And what exactly is the Daimon Queen?" Harry asked still alarmed by the similarities between the vile woman and his own teacher.
The teacher in question sighed. "As she said in the vision, there is something known as Balance, it is the staple of the Universe, it is what keeps us from Chaos. Both Light and Dark respect it, for without Balance everything would perish including the principles of Light and Dark. The essence of the Balance is that everything is equal to its direct opposite. Therefore Light is equal to Dark So the Trinity of Light is equal to what is called Trinity of Dark. As Echidna mentioned, we are their Nathestis and they are ours. The Dark Trinity includes The Daimon, The Basilisk and The Scorpion. For now you are opposite The Basilisk, and Gareth is opposite The Scorpion."
"So we are just as powerful as the Dark?" Harry asked in a desperate tone.
Alexandréa seemed resigned as she answered, "Yes."
"Then...I can't defeat them?" depression was setting in.
"No, not really, but there will be times when it seems you have. You will never fully defeat Tom, and once he is King, will not always be the one in the lane of fire, just as you will not be. You can stop and delay his plans, but you can never fully kill him. And just as the Phoenix guides the Light, the Daimon guides the Dark. It's confusing until you experience it." She stated calmly.
"So who is Tom?" Harry asked, knowing the answer, but unreasonably hoping that he was wrong.
"Tom Riddle, known as Lord Voldemort; I recall that the two of you are friends," Merlin spoke dryly.
Harry swore under his breath, using a myriad of languages to vent his frustrated anger.
"Yes well, because of this development, you cannot return to your realm as the Dragon Prince. We must keep your position and your identity under wraps; you will go as a stranger under an alias in order to maintain the advantage over the Nathestis. I am sorry." The Phoenix Queen commanded.
"It's fine, I understand." Harry said trying to smile, but found he was unable.
"Yes, well, we must return to the Elven Realms and take care of several things before you return. But don't worry you, can come back to Avalon as often as you like." Alexandréa said kindly.
They bid everyone good-bye and returned back to their home, seemly seconds before they had left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was draped in black. It was crowded past capacity and people were flowing out of the castle past the lake. Almost the entire wizarding world was there. And those that were not were tuned into the WWN, for today they were paying homage to a fallen hero, one who had survived were others had not, a beacon of hope and a symbol of Light. They were mourning a boy who never lived the life of a child. Today was the 31st of July, exactly a year after he went missing and Harry Potter was officially proclaimed dead.
Speaking at the funeral, which had started at exactly noon, was Albus Dumbledore (as a mentor), Hermione Granger (as a friend), Ronald Weasley (as a friend and brother), Remus Lupin (as the closest thing to a living guardian), and Kingsley Shacklebolt (as the head of the search and ministry representative).
Dumbledore had just finished his speech on what a fantastic example Harry Potter was to the wizarding world and how if they were all a bit more like him, then the Light would stand a chance.
Hermione stood to speak next. She stood tall, gliding to the podium in graceful elegance. She looked stunning until a further examination was taken, revealing lack of sleep and bloodshot eyes.
"Harry Potter was a phenomenal person," Hermione sad in a strong voice weighted with sadness, "But all of you here know that. You know of his brave acts, how he stopped Voldemort time and time again and know that he survived where no other had. You all know that Harry Potter was a mighty being who was a glorious and valiant hero.
"But he wasn't.
"Harry Potter never set out to be a hero, nor did he ever take pride in the fact that he was. But he was too kind and giving not to be one. He would die trying to save the innocent. Be it the little girl in a death eater raid or Sirius Black. His heart broke at the death of anyone around him.
"I think that Harry hated death so much and was so adamant about protecting other people because those that he loved were always dying through no fault of his own. First his parents, then his godfather. So because of this, Harry wanted to preserve the love of other people. He wanted to protect a gift that he did not have.
"But he did have love.
"I loved him, and Ron loved him, and Remus loved him, and so did the Weasleys and Professor Dumbledore. And if Harry were alive today" here Hermione's voice cracked, "I would make sure that he knew that, because I think that, especially after fourth year, Harry felt very alone. After all, if you had an entire world depending on you, wouldn't you?
"But Harry rarely complained, and he only did when his temper got the better of him.
"Harry wasn't a saint, because, quite frankly, being a saint takes way too much work and even the exalted Harry Potter wasn't up to the task, but he was pretty close to it.
"One of the wonderful things about him was that Harry was giving and so eager to share, because for years he had nothing TO share and no one to share it with. Always eager to let Ron ride on his new Firebolt or to lend his invisibility cloak. Never stealing the spotlight when it wasn't his to take, and gladly giving it up when it was. He would step in and take the blame even if it wasn't entirely his fault, if it meant soiling my reputation or putting other people in danger.
"But the thing about Harry that I'll miss the most, I think, is walking onto the train and seeing him there getting into an argument with Ron. Seeing him race down to breakfast with his tie draped around his neck because he overslept, watching him lose miserably at chess with Ron, seeing him laugh when Ron and I get into a spat and his smile. I'll miss his shoulder that was always there for me to cry on, and his bewildered look when I explain something to rapidly. I'll miss his snippy comments about the defense professor and his irritated moodiness and his eyes and fretting over him as he lies asleep in the hospital wing after defying death..." And then, with tears streaming down her face, Hermione looked and whispered. "Gosh, I guess I'll just miss you, Harry Potter"
With that Hermione left the podium and Ron rose to speech wearing new dress robes that Fred and George had mysteriously bought for him.
After two more hours the funeral was over and people left to mourn in private, but none with the passion that his closest friends had.
So caught up was every single person that left the hall in their own sadness and tears, that they did not notice a figure shroud in dark green giving an anguished look at those he loved dearly before disappearing, planning on returning to that very place the first of September. After all, he was the new defense professor.
TBC
Hoookay. That was long. As per request of one of my darling reviewers jeanbgab057
Speaking of reviewers, Be one today!! [insert cheesy smile here]
I want at LEAST five reviews before I post the next chapter. Also I wasn't PLANNING on putting Harry's coronation in the next chapter, but if you REALLY want it in there.........I'll do it, but you have to TELL me, so you have to REVIEW. Also, I have Ron's speech written, but I didn't include because I thought that would be overkill, and I didn't find Hermione's too spectacular. If you want to read that and everyone else's speech I'll put up a special little chappie for them all, but you'd have to REVIEW to let me know.
And tentatively for the next chapter, attack on Diagon Alley and start of term were I will describe Harry's beautifulness. And another question: do you think I should have Alexandréa go with Harry to Hogwarts as his sister or something.........I am torn! I don't want here to become too Mary Sue like, so REVIEW and TELL me.
Dat is all.
Thank you.
REVIEW.
