Author's Note:
Hello, my dear readers!
Another chapter's here for your reading pleasure. And with only three days' gap. My muses have been showering ideas at me, as it seems. ;)
Some writer doodling, so read on.
If you already didn't notice, I used the paragraph that JKR made online in her site from the HBP, as the description of Caradoc Dearborn. I think Caradoc was older than James and Lily, but younger than Moody. I made him younger in my fic for two reasons:
1) I wanted to show him in the sorting, so that few curious eyes would notice.
2) I wanted the time difference between dimensions, so the above worked for me.
I'll be updating more frequently now. So, keep the reviews rolling, and check back within two-three days. I'm vying to end this by 10 or 12th July. Keep your fingers crossed that I pace myself right, and finish this mammoth fic before HBP.
Any question(s) that pops into your head, just ask away without any hesitation.
A BIG SHOUT OUT to the new readers: WELCOME to the story! :)
An important NOTE about this chapter. All of it came off my head, and you've to use your imagination. I tried my best to write in a way that you saw what I had in mind. So, let me know if you actually saw Caeli. ;)
On to the dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Thee-Unknown-Factor and Silver Warrior—a new and an old readers. Enjoy your own chapters:)
Also, Thanks to all the readers showed up. I'm so humbled that we've crossed 400. Oh Thank You All: Arch, Omair, missgranger, yorkvillebird, Mahjabeen, thephantom114, Carmella, monsterbookofmonsters, green eyes, Joe, siriuslyobsessed , hermionepotter141, MoA, Deidra, Allacaya, Souby, and Luce the Light. You all have made me very happy!-Huggles-
Another note, this chapter is fresh off the press, meaning not beta'd, because my beta takes about a week to do the chapters. So, if you see any mistake, it's entirely my fault. I'll be replacing the chapters with beta'd ones, as I get them back.
Now coming to some answers:
Arch, Nothing's really brewing in my journal except for some measly quizzes. ;) I'm busy writing this fic, which obviously would be good news for my readers. YEY for Wimbledon and winter. Man! You are lucky that NZ's not hot, because I'm steaming here. xX Take care!
Omair, Honestly speaking, I had trouble with this chapter. Really, went to and fro and then to and fro again! But, the final edit that I did, satisfied my curiosity levels. I know the time's ticking by, but then again, we'll have to give Harry and Ginny to get used to the quirks of Caeli, right. To make you happy, and forget about all that crap. Here's more for you!
missgranger, Heehee! You deserved a dedication for sure! And being a mystery writer, I always have something mysterious hidden somewhere, and I love to spring it on my readers. :) Happy reading!
yorkvillebird, No problems, my dear. Always there to please my readers. :)
Mahjabeen, Very glad to satisfy your reading-bud. I'm happy that you're enjoying the story. Omair's all adamant on Ginny's death for some reason. (Stupid prat!) However, I was just guessing, and Percy seems a perfect choice. ;) Such a pompous little— you get the drift. ;) Keep your fingers crossed for Caeli! You are right though, they'll be stronger together, not apart.
thephantom114, You deserved the dedication. Coming to your prediction, I totally agree. I know I'm going to be VERY sad, but I dread that it's bound to happen. About the sequel: I don't think so; I'm going to tie the loose ends here. But, if bribed properly, I may write some missing chapters, or even a touching Epilogue. Keep your fingers crossed... Can you believe, this was my first ever fic? I'll start small now. I've promised to myself that I won't be writing any Post-HBP fic, one-shots and filks would do. If the ladylove of Harry's revleaed in HBP, I'm planning on writing a fic for that ship, along with the R/Hr one I'm already on.
Carmella, Did you reviewed in the wrong fic? I was flamed in Intervallum, not here. Some jerk thought it was funny. However, I do commend your thoughts. I'm totally against failing. I say, 'if you can't give constructive criticism, please don't bother to review.' Thanks for dropping by and your kind words.
monsterbookofmonsters, Thankies. I'm glad you liked it. I'll definitely check your fic out, promise. After I finish this one, which will take another week or two.
green eyes, Yeah, you're right. I have a particular eye for canonian dialogues. ;) I'm glad that you're enjoying the fic. About Sirius' death, it really took me by surprise when it happened. My theory about it is that the viel's kind of a wzarding limbo. A place where the spirits travel to, after they are dislodged from the body as a person dies. I don't think JKR's going to leave it unexplained. Remember Sirius's mirror? I can bet hundred Galleons that Harry's going to repair it, and it will help him in some way—for contacting Sirius or not—I'm not sure. I think Sirius's not going to be back in physical form, not even as a Ghost; I can bet JKR's has thought of something. A portrait is too good to be true, so I think we'll see him in the future books but not as we have perceived or thought of it. -phew- Did any of that make sense? I hope it did. ;)
Joe, -lol-Need more Harry. Exactly! I started writing fics just because I needed more Harry! Thanks for dropping by, and I hope you keep on enjoying the fic.
siriuslyobsessed, Thanks, m'dear. I do love, Sirius, and Ginny as well. I think Ginny's been neglected by JKR for a reason. She'll be back with a bang in either Book 6 or 7. Mark my words! -lol- About Sirius, I can't bring him physically back, but I'll try my best to do something. Keep your fingers crossed. ;)
hermionepotter141, Thank You! Here's what you've been waiting for. I hope you like the current update.
MoA, -Heehee- I do recognize that innocent look. And I do intend to do something about it. -hintnudgehint- Stay tuned for them to get more than clues. ;)
Deidra, I'm ever so contented! Thanks for dropping by. Jolly good:D
Allacaya, Glad, that you liked it. Corner was one of those, who people lookover, because he seems so genuine and OK, but then turns out totally different person.
Souby, The mail was no trouble. I just wanted to notify all my old readers. And thanks for the compliment. I love JKR's work, and I hope someday I'm able to write something of my own and publish it. Let's keep our fingers crossed. ;)
Luce the Light, -Starts dancing with Luce- Here's another update, and soon too. ;) Let's break a leg, eh:D
So here's another one for all you lovely readers.
Chapter 28 – Caeli: Ursula's Haven
Harry had closed his eyes for the onslaught of pull that not only seemed to draw in his whole weight but every single particle of his body. It was as though he was going against a rushing twister, his cheeks flapping around his clenched teeth, his spectacles smoking with the building heat.
It was crudely similar to Portkey travel, except for the fact that there was no jerk around the navel; his whole body got tugged around by the pull, till he floated in an unknown mist, going through strange, pulsing tunnels.
Currently he was going through a grayish tunnel that pulsed ominously, and seemed to be made out of some liquid-looking substance. He closed his eyes and willed himself to be calm and not panic. He wasn't aware of the fact that Ginny was following him as well. She however, had her eyes closed shut, out of nerves.
Some more time passed and it was as though Harry had spent years traveling in that portal. His insides squirmed, as he thought, he would die if the rushing wind that seemed to bite at every part of his body continued for another second.
As if triggered by his thoughts, the speeding wind mellowed down to a light breeze. Harry opened his eyes, and saw brightness in front of him. Wherever he was sent, the destination didn't look far anymore.
He readied himself to be flung off the portal because he was traveling too fast, and even if the wind slowed his descent down, he didn't trust his own feet to take his weight after such a strange travel. Just as predicted he was tossed out of the portal. Seeing the green ground rushing towards him, he did what came first to his mind.
"Plumalio!" he incanted, just as he had seen his mother do, many years before.
He landed on the same grass, which has turned soft and fluffy with his spell. He sighed into the plump padding, sprawled beneath him. He closed his eyes and let his organs find their original positions inside his body. The way he had traveled, if he lost some important wiring on the way, he wouldn't be too surprised. However, he was not ready for a:
UUFFF!
Something, or rather someone had come crashing through the air and landed straight on his limp body. He had already been lying flat on his stomach, the new weight almost flattened him, crushing the few breathes that he had taken in this fresh atmosphere. "For crying out loud—"
For a second, few locks of red hair danced in front of his face, and then the weight shifted away. Harry became acutely aware of the person above him, and wanted to beat himself up for starting on such a stupid note.
He slowly moved around, while his body protested with numbness of its own. He clenched, and then unclenched his limbs to get some circulation going. After a while, he hoisted himself up on one elbow, and turned to confirm that it was Ginny. Dumbledore's words were coming back to him… It seems evident for both of you now.
"Sorry," said Ginny, in a breathless voice, "couldn't control my landing."
"No problem." Harry crossed his legs painfully. He was having trouble in getting his limbs back to working normally.
To Harry's amazement, she was sitting across from him, quite comfortably, tucking both of her feet on her right side. Her face was red as if she had painfully scrubbed it clean, that made Harry touch his own face. He felt the heat of his own skin emanating from it.
Ginny was looking around herself, finding an amazingly different world. Still, a thought nagged at her that there was something familiar about this place, even when she couldn't rightly place it.
They were sitting on an area that was mostly covered by soft, velvety grass along with clumps of wild flowerbeds. A violet sky loomed over them, which was continuously over flown by rainbow colored arches that emitted faint rays of light. Brightly colored trees were speckled in the distant forests, while wild flowers danced all about them.
A distant mountain towered from between what seemed to be a thick forest. Ginny turned around and saw that except for that forest no other prominent feature was visible from where they had dropped. And there was greenery wherever her eyes went.
There was no sign of life either, except for the plant-life around them. No sign of humans, any village or anything similar.
Harry seemed to be doing the thinking of his own when he finally stood up and stretched his limbs. He was relieved that his legs were not giving away as before. Perhaps, it had all been due to the travel. Dumbledore had informed him about the unpleasant things that can happen while traveling between worlds.
"Don't you feel any stiffness?" he asked her curiously.
"No…" She looked at him doubtfully, as she stood up brushing her robes. However, a look of concern crept into her face, when she noticed his reddish skin.
"You are red too," Harry added delicately, guessing her line of thought.
Ginny touched her face and felt the temperature. "Maybe a cooling charm will help?" She performed a mild version of it on herself, and felt for her skin again.
"You look okay now," Harry gave her the results, and did the same himself.
They stood awkwardly, not knowing how to start, and from where exactly.
"Why—"
"What—"
They had started speaking at the same time, and shared a nervous laugh to acknowledge it.
"Let's head for that mountain? Looks important enough, right?" Harry suggested and Ginny nodded.
They silently made for it, passing curious wild flowers that turned and twirled with every wave of the fresh breeze.
"What a ride, huh?" Harry said, after covering half the distance to the forest.
"Yeah…" Ginny looked lost, and Harry thought better to interrupt her train of thoughts.
"It can't be!" she bellowed in frustration, after some time.
"What can't be?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"That strange Sirius… and Michael… the one after you…"
"Yeah… I don't think it was Sirius though; it was someone else pretending to be him… I never thought about Michael as the one after me, I was betting on Colin for some reason." Harry fidgeted with his robes, and took off his glasses to give them the much needed wipe.
"He's been troubled for some reason, that I'm sure of," Ginny contemplated. "I agree on Sirius. Who could it be then?"
"I dunno…"
As if remembering something, Ginny said, "Here, your cloak." She handed it to him.
"How did you—"
"—get it?" Ginny finished his sentence.
Harry nodded, while feeling inside the cloak for making sure that everything was there.
"It was easy. You know, I have practice going through your things… Remember my first-year?" Ginny flushed, but Harry could easily see that she was putting a brave face over her own dark past. "I hope you don't mind… I only looked in your trunk.
"Actually, I saw Michael skipping class and heading outside to Hogwarts grounds, when I already knew where you were going… It all just seemed a bit dodgy… I couldn't think of any other way, except to borrow your cloak for following him."
"You could've asked Ron or Hermione to help you."
"They were… a little busy at that time…"—Harry looked at her questioningly—"They were talking quite civilly for the first time and I didn't want to interrupt. You know, they need to move on!" She sighed exasperatedly.
"You know about their—?"
"Of course! Who doesn't?" She shook her head, while Harry smiled.
"Anyway, I caught up to Michael near the Forbidden Forest. He was doing quite a job of concealing himself with Disillusionment Charm. If it weren't for the Marauder's Map—which I found inside the cloak, mind you—I wouldn't have spotted him.
"It was strange really; he kept on muttering to himself and looked more than on edge."
"Maybe he was being controlled? Voldemort,"—Harry felt a surge of glee at Ginny's unflinching stance—"can do a lot of damage. Who knows better than you…"
"Yes… this could be a possibility, because Michael wasn't bad at all, at least until I dated him."
That seemed to hit Harry rather badly as he looked away from her. "People are not always what they seem, Ginny… You get used sometimes and you aren't even aware of it until it blows right into your face…."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"
"It's not your fault," Harry said, coldly. He was instantly ashamed of himself. "I'm—"
"Please, Harry, you don't have to apologize for everything. I'm a big girl, I can handle things—"
"I still have it!" Harry burst in glee.
"What?"
"The mirror Lupin gave me." Harry took it out, but his face fell seeing it broken. "Did you—"
"I didn't even touch it," Ginny supplied, before even being asked.
"Reparo!" The surface of the broken mirror wriggled meltingly, but still a part remained in between, as if a piece was missing.
"Maybe it broke while we were traveling through the Gateway?" Ginny provided helpfully.
"Reckon so…" Harry looked at her searchingly, when he noticed that the sky was turning darker by the second. "Look."
Ginny also stared at the darkening sky; the rainbow arches seemed more distinct now as the sky around it turned blood-red from violet.
"Time flies here or this world has shorter days?" she pondered.
"Search me." Harry shrugged his shoulders. He put Lupin's mirror back, pocketed the Foe Glass along with the globe that Dumbledore had give him, and shrank everything else to fit his pocket.
They lit their wands as the sky turned totally black, except for the Aurora that decorated it.
They were almost near the clearing of the forest, which in light looked quite welcoming; but now, as the darkness settled in, the elongating shadows of the forest, twisting trails and exotic underbrush, thick and interlaced boughs, looked nothing but ominous.
"I'm thirsty," Ginny said suddenly.
"Let me conjure some water." Harry tried, but to no avail. "Dumbledore told me that every such world has a set of rules of their own. We'll have to explore this ones' by ourselves." He looked around. "Looking at the greenery, there ought to be some lake nearby."
"I hope so." Ginny looked at him forlornly.
"Harry, why are we even here." This was the first time that she let slip her dread. "We don't even know where we have to go…"
It was as if Harry's fear was realized because he too didn't know much why he was actually there, except for the scroll bit. "To get one of the Vita Scrolls, maybe?"
"And which one is that?"
"Dunno…"
"Exactly… How can we know? Do you see that forest? It looks so sinister in darkness, and I can bet, we'll have to pass it."
They stopped walking and stood just a few steps from a bunch of trees that seemed to be the beginning of the forest.
"I don't think there's any other way around it…" Harry squinted at the forest, hovering his wand a little higher. "Look about, Ginny, except for this forest, all we can see is flat land. Dumbledore told me that such worlds have their own characteristics. Maybe this one's just flat, and the center of it is that forest?"
"Looks like it…"
"We don't have any other option unless to search this whole lot out."
"It'll take ages…" Ginny sighed into her flexed hand. "If only we would've been given some clue!"
Except for 'Er…' Harry couldn't think of any proper response, so he remained silent.
Nonetheless, they started walking, first carefully and then leisurely into the dark forest. Harry noted that the trees were of strange color, bottle-green, deep-purple, mauve, even black.
Fallen leaves crunched beneath their feet and protruding, mossy roots made them jump once in a while. Ginny got some hope from the mossy growth that acutely shifted to the left side of the forest, giving them the sign of water nearby.
"Dumbledore must've a reason in sending us here." Ginny said, streaking towards left.
Harry agreed with her. "Right... And Michael looked bothered, not evil. What d'you reckon about that Sirius."
"Odd…? Whoever that person was, he didn't look evil, and I know evil when I see it…"
"Was he actually trying to help us?"
Before Ginny could answer, a sound interrupted their conversation. Harry put a finger on his lips to shush Ginny, and stopped to pinpoint the sound. It was as though, someone was giggling; it was coming from the illuminated clearing in front of them.
Harry silently took out his invisibility cloak and signaled Ginny to come inside it. She looked at him strangely but agreed on his suggestion. They easily fit into the cloak and without even rustling another leaf; they stepped onwards to the clearing.
What they saw next, almost took their breath away.
That particular clearing had a dominating tree that seemed as if spread almost to the sky. Its crowning and thick boughs loomed superiorly over the rest of the trees scattered below. The roots of the tree were so thick that they crept out of the ground, making twisting knots around the whole clearing. Just beyond the gigantic tree was a lake, which seemed to stretch out quite considerable distance. Only a faint band of trees were visible on the other side of the lake.
But this was all quite normal, what had made them gape in amazement was the creatures that were flopped beside the lakeshore.
They weren't like anything that Harry had ever seen. They were definitely female, which was evident from their giggles and feminine stature, and were five in number. All of them had long, light-green hair, and bright sparkling eyes. Their whole body seemed to be made of soft wood and leaves. They had flowing, shiny leaves in place of hair, while the rest of their body was covered with folds of leafy skin. They had lamp-like luminous eyes, short spiky nose, and well-formed lips. If they hadn't been so pleasant looking, Harry would've labeled them as some female species of Bowtruckels, but that was stretching it quite a bit.
Ginny grabbed Harry's shoulder, her eyes popping at the creatures. It was then that one of them steered around, and looked straight at them.
"That cloak wouldn't do, dearies. We can see you." A delicate voice came off her, while her bright green eyes crinkled with her smile. The rest of the four swiveled their heads at them.
Seeing them still stationary, another one of them moved towards them, smiling openly. "No need to be shocked, dearies. We're Wood Nymphs, and would never think of harming you.
"It's been ages since someone was along; isn't that right, girls?" she asked her fellows good-naturedly, who nodded their heads in unison.
"Er… my name's Ginny, and this is Harry." Getting over the shock, Ginny pulled out of the cloak, and made the introductions.
The Wood Nymphs seemed highly pleased that they had gotten over their shock. Friendly smiles were exchanged between all of them.
The one with the green eyes, who had talked to them first, started, "We are natives of here. Caeli, a wondrous place! I'm Selma, and this is Sheila," (she had brown eyes), "Sakina, Salima, and Sasha." The rest of the three had blue eyes.
Sheila came close and scrutinized Harry. "You seem awfully familiar—"
"Can we have some water?" Ginny interrupted.
"Oh, my bad!" Sheila motioned towards Sasha, who plucked a big leaf out of the nearest tree, and went towards the lake. She carefully stored some water into the leaf and brought it towards Ginny, while Salima did the same for Harry.
Harry's stomach growled with hunger after drinking the water. He could guess that only few hours had passed into their journey to this strange world; still, his breakfast seemed days away.
As if getting the message, Sakina brought some strange looking fruits out of a fissure of the tree adjacent to the giant tree. She offered the fruits in a leafy plate and told them to sit down.
"So, what brings you here?" Selma asked, after they had eaten considerably.
"We came here to look for something…" Harry trailed off, looking at Ginny. He wasn't sure that he should divulge in anything sensitive or not.
"Something valuable—"
Selma looked closely at Ginny, as if noticing her for the first time. "Ursula's shadow!" she bellowed, and started fanning herself, while gaping at Ginny.
At that same instant, light hit the top of the gigantic tree. It seemed that another day had started in the strange land called Caeli.
Harry's ears perked up with the mention of Ursula, and Ginny, too, looked quite piqued.
"This can't be!" Sheila exclaimed.
"Has she returned?" Sasha said timidly.
"Is this really her?" Sakina looked more than curious.
A sudden chatter ensued between the Wood Nymphs, as they shared anxious glances towards Ginny.
"What's wrong?" Ginny was trying her best to not look alarmed.
"Are you here to awake the dead?" Sheila asked, cryptically.
It was Harry's turn to raise his eyebrows. However, before he could show his disdain, the Nymphs huddled tighter, throwing furtive glances at Ginny.
The light was creeping through the thick branches of the huge tree, under which they were sitting, while the lake shimmered brilliantly in the daylight. Both of them noxed their wands.
"Are you a Weasley?" asked Selma abruptly, staring at Ginny.
"How did you know?" Ginny looked at her strangely.
"It is her!" Sheila shrieked, her eyes popping.
"It's about time." It seemed that Selma had gotten over her awe, as she smiled at Ginny. "We'd been waiting for a long time…"
"Three hundred years to be exact," Sasha provided, looking overcome.
"Sorry?" Ginny looked confused.
But Harry understood. Dumbledore had told him about Ursula and Weasley family's heritage. Ginny was the first female born after Ursula; maybe that made her the heir to the scroll.
"Don't you see? This is your own world, left for you by your great-great-grandmother. You're her heir," Selma explained.
"We don't have all the scrolls, except for one," Harry chipped in. "How can she be the heir of the scroll, which is not even totally here?"
"Dearies, one is already here; that makes two scrolls." Selma looked curiously at Harry. "Why are you here? You're not the heir…"
"Er—"
"He's needed here," Ginny interrupted. "A greater scheme is at play here… We need to find the scroll…"
"Aqua Scroll," Salima punctuated.
"D'you know where it is?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"'Course we do," Selma said, matter-of-factly, as if they should have known this all along.
"Come here." She motioned them nearer to the lake. And as they did, they saw an old boat floating nearby.
"There's an island up ahead." She aimed at the left side of the lake. "You need to get off that island, and fall into the gap that's connecting the water world with the dry world."
"Say that again?"
"The Aqua scroll's in there. That's all we know. We never go there, because of the Guardian…" Sasha shuddered.
"Is the guardian powerful, and mean?" Harry asked, hoping to be told otherwise.
"The guardian's powerful all right. But the heir has come,"—She looked at Ginny—"You don't have to worry, the guardian will recognize her blood."
"Well, there's only one way to find out," Harry said, looking at Ginny.
"Go and see, right?" Ginny nodded.
They moved towards the boat after thanking the Wood Nymphs, who gave them some more fruits, and a water-skin made out of an unknown material as a departing gift. "You'll need your energy," Selma rationalized.
"Is the island far?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"Not that far, but the days, and nights are short here; haven't you noticed?"
It was the first time Harry actually understood why he had felt so hungry few minutes ago after journeying for only few hours. Perhaps time did pass rapidly in Ursula's world. However, he didn't have much to spare.
He gingerly hopped into the boat, and helped Ginny in after testing its buoyancy. The boat was old and chipped and he hoped that would last the journey. He tried the rowing spell on the paddle, and found to his delight that it worked.
"At least, some things are still the same." Harry sighed.
"Yeah…" Ginny said distractedly. She performed the Four Point Spell after that; her wand whizzed around her hand, not stopping at any point. She stashed the wand away looking hopelessly at Harry.
"Be careful, dearies," was the parting shout by Selma.
Harry waved at her, and then smiled at Ginny reassuringly. "It isn't all that bad. At least we'll get the second scroll." Looking at her puzzled expression, Harry started filling her in on the information that Dumbledore had imparted to him about other worlds, and the importance of the Vita Scroll.
After which they settled down, helping themselves with some more fruits and water given by the Nymphs, while enjoying the colorful shrubbery, and trees that passed them by. Harry noticed that Ginny was doing some hard thinking, and that's why he didn't interrupt her.
The night fell again, and they lit their wands. In the wand-light, when he looked at Ginny, for some reason she seemed different to him. He was only trying to fathom the difference when their boat started to quiver erratically. They were blinded by white beams of light that were coming out of the river. The beam was somewhat circular; it was as though a huge spotlight was aimed at them from the deep lake, causing the eruption of water.
They only had time to exchange shocked looks, when the boat snapped into halves with a loud crack, and they were left on the mercy of the lake's now disturbing flow.
-x-X-x-
Next Chapter: (Aqua Scroll) Harry and Ginny comes face-to-face with the Scroll Guardian. So, will they get to scroll? -Coming Soon-
