Harry's Pack
Chapter 7: The High Realm
The plan worked out flawlessly more than a week later. They had magically opened the lock to the cell, releasing themselves as well as the 10 or so other prisoners who'd shared the cell with them. However, despite the Pack's attempts to help them, the prisoner's had scattered and fled through the labyrinth of tunnels.
Saddened by the knowledge that the others would certainly be captured, the 9 shifted to wolf form (Draco had been taught that week.). With Draco guiding them, the Pack made their way swiftly and silently through the many twists and turns of Malfoy Manor.
Half an hour after they'd escaped from the cell, the Pack arrived safely at the front doors. As planned, they sprinted off across the grounds, looking like no more than non-descript blurs.
Reaching the edge of the Malfoy property (which then lead into a rather large forest filled with lots of nasty little things and covered in the wards Draco had mentioned.), the Pack wasted no time in shifting back into human form. With ease, Harry transformed all their ratty, bloodstained clothes into clean Muggle clothing and cleaned them up at the same time.
Draco was now dressed in a pair of semi-tight dark blue jeans with a black T-shirt that read, "One by One the Garden Gnomes Are Stealing my Sanity!" He wore a pair of black Nikes and his platinum blonde hair had been tousled. Finishing the outfit was a black leather jacket.
Rose wore a faded blue jean skirt and a pink off-the-shoulder shirt. Scrawled in white across the shirt were the words, "The Cutest Kittens Have the Sharpest Claws" with a small black kitten below the words. Sh also wore a pair of blue thong-sandals and a form-fitting blue jean jacket.
Neville wore a pair of white cargo pants as well as a white and red T-shirt-jersey with "Leo" across the back. He also wore black Nikes and a black leather jacket.
Luna wore a light green, ankle length Bohemian-esque skirt and a blouse-like white shirt with loose, flowing sleeves. Matching green sandals adorned her feet and –to her delight- her radish earrings dangled merrily from her ears.
Ron wore a pair of dark blue, semi-tight jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt. Overtop the shirt we wore a black, button up T-shirt with flames depicted crawling up from the hem. His shoes, too, were black Nikes and he wore a black leather jacket. A black, backwards baseball cap covered his Weasley red hair.
Hermione wore a pair of black, studded jeans and a white cashmere sweater with a scoop neck. Harry had also sleek-end out her bushy hair, making it lighter so as to be less recognizable. She wore a pair of purple-tinted sunglasses and a pair of white running shoes.
Emrys was dressed in blue jeans and a matching T-shirt. A small depiction of the Muggle cartoon characters Blue and Magenta (?) from "Blue's Clues" dominated the shirt. A blue baseball cap was placed to cover the slight point to his ears and he also wore the black Nikes and leather jacket like the older boys of the Pack.
Harry was dressed in semi-loose black cargo pants and a white T-shirt. Written in black across the shirt were the words, "If I Throw a Stick, Will You Chase It?" A black, non-descript baseball cap hung low on his forehead, hiding his scar and dark, black sunglasses covered his eyes. He, too, wore the same shoes and jacket of the other males in the Pack.
Ginny was dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a white cotton T-shirt with a blue jean jacket over top. She wore a pair of white and blue Nikes with a white bandana over her hair and a pair of blue-tinted sunglasses.
Harry allowed them only the briefest of moments to admire their new clothes before he called for the Knight Bus, using a wand he'd stolen from on of their former guards. Seconds later, the large, purple triple-decker appeared.
(1)"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name's Stan and I'll be your conductor this eve-"
"We're kind of in a hurry," Harry cut in politely, though his voice was firm.
Stan looked startled a moment about being interrupted, but asked, "Where to, sirs and misses?"
Calmly, Harry said, "New Glade Forest, if you'd please."
Stan stepped aside for them, saying, "Alright then, Mr.…?"
"Evan Black," Harry lied smoothly and instantly.
"That'll be firteen sickles for each o' ya."
From his pocket, Harry extracted wizarding money stolen form Lucius Malfoy-courtesy of Draco. Paying the –outrageous- amount, the Pack each took a bed for the ride to New Glade Forest.
Emrys had managed to explain to them that there was a portal in the forest through which they could reach the Realm. From there, you'd be dropped into the Elven Castle in a room like the Great Hall of Hogwarts (so that should you be an unwelcome guest, the elves could send you back through.).
"I can't believe we're really out," Ginny whispered, her amazed voice so soft only the rest of the Pack-who'd crammed themselves onto two side-by-side beds to be close to each other- could here.
"Well, you'd better start believing it love, 'cause it's true," Harry replied, placing his arm around Ginny's shoulder before a large grin spread across his face and he said, "We're free!"
The others remained silent, processing this for a few moments before large smiles spread slowly onto their faces. Within moments, the smiles grew to giddy giggles and chuckles. These soon grew into full-blown laughs of happiness.
They received many strange looks from the other passengers, some whispering behind their hands to their neighbours, but they ignored it. It didn't matter.
They were free!
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"Thank you, Stan," Harry said cordially about an hour later as they exited the triple-decker bus.
Stan gave a cheery salute, and then the bus was gone. Simultaneously, the Pack turned to the forest before them.
It was made up of large, old trees, belying the 'New' part of its name. The bark was made of a shimmering silver and the leaves varied in colors and tones from golden yellow to hunter green, to white and so many others. It was a magical forest, protected from most Muggle eyes-only the most inquisitive of Muggles could find it-and then only if they knew what they were looking for.
"This is it," Ron breathed as the nine of them gazed at the forest in awe.
"We'll be where he can't get us," Hermione whispered tremulously, eyes filled with a mixture of fear and excitement, mirroring the rest of the Pack's.
Harry nodded softly for no reason in particular, and then, with an adventurous grin, asked, "Ready, guys?"
The others laughed at Harry's penchant for mischief, but all gave him their affirmative answers. Holding hands unabashedly, the Pack walked into the portal.
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They arrived in a large, silvery coloured room a little bigger than the Great Hall. From between the cracks in the silver stones that made the castle, vines of ivy crept forth.
There were tables set up in this Hall like in Hogwarts, except that this room held six as opposed to Hogwarts four. There was also a dais in this hall, with two tables placed lengthwise along it. Three thrones-two large ones and a smaller replica filled the space between the two tables.
Settled comfortably about the room-some standing in circles and some lazing about on the benches- were many different species, all intermingling peacefully together. There were humans, elves, giants, vampires, crossbreeds and many others.
The Pack only had a moment to take this all in, however, because almost the instant they'd stepped through the portal, multiple spells had been shot at them. Harry and Ginny were the only two who'd been able to get shield spells up in time, but Ron an Hermione had both managed to get only partially hit in their wand arms, while Emrys had been shoved to safety behind the alphas.
Harry's eyes flashed slightly in anger, as he demanded, "What the hell is your problem? We're here in peace!"
"Who are you?" demanded a harsh, male voice.
It was a 6foot tall brunette man who'd spoken. He had broad shoulders and a muscular build. Brown eyes filled with sorrow and tragedy stared out from a chiseled face. Gripped loosely, but expertly, in one hand was a wand that was trained upon the Pack.
Emrys pulled himself away from the safety of Harry's shield, staring adoringly at the brow-haired man. In a soft, hopeful voice that carried through the Hall, he cried, "Daddy!"
The brunette's gaze dropped to Emrys and his eyes widened in astonishment as he incredulously whispered, "Emrys?"
The boy gave a vigorous nod and darted out from behind Harry. Harry and Ginny quickly dropped their shields, just in time for Emrys and his father to collide in a desperate hug less than two feet away.
From the steps of the dais came a choked, half-sob, half-laugh. Staring at the pair, with tears streaming down her face, was a female elf. She had fair, waist-length blonde hair and soft green eyes. Slightly pointed ears peeked out from beneath her loose hair.
Emrys' tearful cry of "Mommy!" brought the elf from the dais, racing toward her son and husband. The three clung to each other in the middle of the room in a huddle of tears and laughter.
With the rest of the Hall's occupants occupied by the return of their lost Prince, the four conscious Pack members revived their fallen members. The eight now stood facing the Hall's occupants warily, wands held loosely but at the ready.
The man- Emrys' father-stood, extricating himself from the huddle, straightening himself fully. The elf stood too, wiping the tears from her face gently. Emrys stood between them, tear-streaked face glowing with a happy smile, one hand each held possessively in one of his parent's own.
The elf spoke first, her voice heavy with gratitude, "You brought our baby back to us."
Harry gave a slight, half-bow, answering, "Emrys has become one of us in the short time we've known him. It was our honor to return him to his home."
Emrys grinned and piped up, "The Pack saved me, mommy. They loves me and I loves them!"
The elf gave Emrys a small, confused smile, asking , "Who's 'the Pack', darling?"
"We are," Harry cut in, "I'm Harry Potter, the alpha male of the Pack."
"Ginevra Weasley, alpha female."
"Ronald Weasley, beta male"
"Hermione Granger, beta female."
"Neville Longbottom."
"Luna Lovegood."
"Draco Malfoy."
"Rosemary Richards."
The elf smiled and gave a slight curtsy, saying, "The Elven Court is in your debt. I am Queen Marday."
"And I'm King Reginald," the man said, "And we give you many thanks for saving our son and returning him to us."
Harry shook his head with a small smile, saying, "Emrys has become part of the Pack. Often times, we've called him our cub."
Queen Marday smiled, "You still have our thanks, young one. When he took our child, we didn't think we'd ever be able to get Emrys back. And now, because of the nine of you, we're all back together again."
Harry then said, "The pleasure was ours, Your Majesties. However, we do have a favour to ask of you."
"Anything!" the king promised instantly.
Harry gave a light chuckle, replying, "I think maybe you should hear the full story and the request before you commit to anything, Your Majesty."
"Well yes, that must be best," King Reginald said sheepishly.
"Why don't we find a more comfortable, private place for this discussion?" Marday cut in sensibly.
The group moved to a room a few hallways away from the Hall. The King and Queen led them into a small room, decorated in hunter greens, blacks and silvers. There was a dark, mahogany, circular table in the middle, surrounded by comfortable-looking, matching chairs. They each took a seat in the order of: Marday, Emrys, Reginald-an empty chair-, Neville, Luna, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Rose and another empty chair.
With a deep breath, Harry launched into his life story up until that morning. After him, the others did the same. None of them left anything out, telling all the grizzly tales, not in an emotionless voice, but one that clearly said they'd come through their experiences and were stronger for them. After the last tale, Harry made his request.
""Your Majesties, as you've heard, we're not exactly safe in the human world, nor do we really wish to be there." Harry's voice was calm and collected as he spoke, "On behalf of the Pack, we ask that you allow us to stay on here in your world until we can come up with a place to train. We need to be in a place where we aren't constantly under the watch of…unwelcome eyes."
Husband and wife shared the look only married couples could pull off. They seemed to being having a silent conversation through their eyes. This lasted a few moments, the Pack remaining obediently silent after Harry's first, warning look. Finally, Reginald began to speak.
"Young ones," he smiled softly, "It would be our honor for you to stay here with us for as long as you need a safe haven."
"Thank you," Harry said sincerely, "You don't know how much this means to us."
Marday smiled softly, "That is not all, young Harry. We would also like to offer you the use of the Elven Court's tutor/trainers. As well, we'd like to pledge to you our allegiance to the Light."
"Your help, Your Majesties, leaves me speechless with our thanks," Harry said feelingly, "And your allegiance is greatly appreciated. The side of the light thanks you for your support."
"Your Majesties," Ginny interrupted tentatively, licking her lips nervously, "I-I'd like to ask one more favour of you."
The Queen nodded for Ginny to go on, and she continued timidly, "I-I'd like to send an owl out through the portal, j-just to let my family know we're okay."
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On June 20th, 1996 an owl, carrying four letters flew into the Order Headquarters. The first, to the entire Order, read simply:
The Order,
Voldemort is less 7 captors and 1 would-be supporter today.
H.P, G.W, R.W, H.G, N.L, L.L, D.M and R.R
The second, to the Weasley's, read;
To the Weasleys,
I kept my promise, I got Ron and Ginny out. We're in a safe place now and you needn't worry about us.-Harry
Mum, Dad and brothers- we miss you terribly, but there are things we must do before we can come home. WE will return, but not until we're ready.
Take care of yourselves. All our love,
Ron and Ginny.
The third:
Dumbledore,
We are safe and will remain here until we deem otherwise. Please provide protection for Mrs. Malfoy who has been controlled for too long by her husband's tyranny, and don't bother her with questions-she doesn't know where we are either.
Yours,
H.P, G.W, R.W, H.G, N.L, L.L, D.M and R.R
P.S. You're forgiven for your mistakes as long as I'm forgiven mine-H. P
The fourth:
Moony,
As you've probably already heard by now, we're safe. No one else knows where we are, and only three other people here know our true identities. If you'd like to be with us, walk into New Glade Forest, you'll find us in moments. But, please, keep this to yourself if you don't come. I'm trusting you to trust my judgement.
'Love you,
Harry.
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Hello my loverlies! I'm very upset with you guys-no one reviewed my last chapter! But than again, it could just be because it doesn't look like it's updated and ya'll didn't realize it…whatever, it's cool!
Anyway, I have to go because I have homework! Blah! But ya'll have to review this time or it the next one ain't goin' up!
'My Love,
Red