On the Path of a War Mage
Disclaimer
Anything you see and you recognise, namley Harry Potter and characters from his world, dont belong to me. Anything you see and don't recognise most likley comes from my rather odd imagination so is belongs to me (poor poor things).
Summary
Harry needs to get away from it all this summer but finds himself taken away from it all far sooner than he expected. H's quickly pulled into another world and forced to master new powers and skills just to survive... Post HBPChapter 5 – "Merlin!"
Harry stood, mouth hanging open, eyes fixed with a slightly wild gaze, frozen as he stared ahead. The object of his fascination stood before him complete with silvery white beard, wizened crinkled face and the strangest eyes imaginable. The man before him bore an exact resemblance to the portraits scattering Hogwarts of the father of modern wizardry and magic, the great Merlin himself. A small part of Harry's brain told him it was impossible that the person in front of him was Merlin, as he should have died long ago. Another part of his brain began giggling uncontrollably at this thought as everything else in this place seemed impossible but it was definitely happening. Not for the first time Harry hoped it was a strange dream he would wake up for anytime now.
Before Harry's rapidly escalating thoughts could spiral any further out of control the could-be-Merlin? Broke them by coughing lightly.
"Good day my child, perhaps you could step this way and we could have a cup of tea and a chat before Accepted Kyara introduces you to your room." The strangely feral eyes glinted dangerously but the smile seemed genuine.
Harry cautiously stepped forward through the doorway and into the oddest room he had seen so far. Well it wasn't that it was odd exactly. It had four walls, a floor and a ceiling, complete with a cushioned throne like chair and a distinctly Victorian sofa. Pictures were hung on the faintly glowing wall depicting various styles and eras of landscape and soft rush mats lined the floor. A heavily carved dark wood desk stood in the far corner with a strikingly modern swivel chair and a small protrusion from the wall acting like an angled light. It was in a way the most normal room he had seen so far, excluding the eccentric mishmash of dates, which is why it was the strangest, it had corners for Merlin's-sake, albeit slightly rounded ones.
The could-be-Merlin beckoned for him to sit in the comfy looking sofa. Lowering himself onto the studded green leather he found was unfortunately incredibly hard, shuffling slightly he managed to get an opulent silk cushion behind his back and sunk in happily. The other man settled himself on the throne like chair and put his feet up on a sudden bulge from the floor complete with rush matting.
"Well my child, first things first, yes indeed my name is Merlin and I am who you would associate with that name. I assure you I am most definitely alive and you are most definitely not dreaming. Hmm that should answer some of your questions for the beginning." The wizened man said briskly while Harry's mouth flapped open and closed somewhat like a gold fish.
"Bbbut… I mean… well…" was all the confused teenager could manage.
"Now then child this is obviously very confusing, I don't blame you for finding this hard. I myself have taken many a long age to begin to pick apart the mysteries of this order. I will explain only the basics because I know that you will remember very little from this meeting. Alas it is the untrained minds great weakness to protect itself by leaking knowledge. Now I will endeavour to begin my tail at the beginning which is a true gift as few mentors know so much as I do." He continued, pausing slightly staring fixedly at Harry with his unnerving eyes.
Harry nodded slightly at the old mans enquiring glance hoping that was what was required as he leaned back, thinking this was definitely a most confusing dream. Or he was dead, could you dream when your dead? Still he was interested in spite of the confusion, at least if he heard the man out he'd have a better idea just how random his subconscious mind was
"A long time ago when the world was much younger and not as we know it now a young woman strode the path to become a mage. Back then there were no schools as such only a master to teach and an apprentice to learn. These then belonged themselves to one of the great colleges of magic, which ruled the Divided Lands. They would only teach those deemed of sufficient magical gift or from families of great political power and so many young gifted missed out on reaching they're full potential and so often lost themselves or even worse, turned rouge."
"This college system was not a good place to develop young minds with its politics and mind games and powerful students of poor background often felt the brunt of this. The young woman who began our story was one such of these and unique in history as having blood from all of the divided lands and its peoples and so all their powers. She was fought over by the colleges and so, of all and none, she broke free and became a rouge."
"Meanwhile a king of the time, who was but a weak mage but with royal bloodline and so political power, sought to usurp the college control believing blood rather than power justified control. Soon many of those considered weak in power flocked together seeking a future for themselves in a world ruled by those greater in might. Many of the rouges flocked to his banner, some in lust for power and some in hope for a better future. This created a full scale war which threatened to tear the Divided Lands apart with each of the three warring within itself and with the others and everyone forced to choose sides."
"One mage stood apart though, the Lady I spoke of first. She saw the corruption gripping hold of the Divided Lands and saw the truth of it. Power is a deadly thing and must be used with great care less you seek for more of it than you can hold. She fought to stop this war and gathered about herself those she saved from certain death. She gave those souls a choice – to fight with her to stop this folly or to continue and inevitably die. Many chose to continue, seeing no end to the chaos and gripped in the tide of bloodshed, but some, like me and my comrades, choose to stand by her side and fight. Thus the Order of Orobis was founded."
"Eventually the Order was left with only one choice; to truly divide the Divided Lands. It was an amazing feat of magic, the like of which I have never seen before or since, but it left the world torn asunder, divided into 3 worlds each guarded by The Sun which traversed the dimensions separating each. There we have made our home forever guarding the Divided Lands and endeavouring to prevent their destruction."
Harry who had been quietly sitting, entranced by the story unfolded by the wizened man was jolted back into reality with the last statement.
"You mean we're on the sun, you've got to be joking, wouldn't we be burnt to death?" His voice rang out against the sudden stillness of the room and the eyes of his mentor. The Great Merlin was obviously not used to being interrupted by a mere child. With a deadly glare spoiled only by the slight tugging at the corner of his mouth the legendary wizard continued.
"We make our home inside the sun, it's hot rays guarding us against physical attack, which so far only our world and those astounding muggle scientists has threatened to achieve. Inside the sun we live in this beast that floats near the surface, drawing light and warmth from its rays to sustain us. Morganna she is, this beast we call home, named by me after a woman I once loved but lost. She is dear to us all and though we venture far and wide in pursuit of this task of guardianship we will always return to her embrace." At these worlds the walls pulsed steadily with warmth. Harry could clearly feel that Morganna loved the old man.
Merlin seemed to content to pause his story there, waiting for the questions queuing in Harry's head. After allowing the old man half a minute to continue if he wanted Harry started going through his list hopefully.
"How come your still alive then, are the other founders still alive, and this lady you speak of, is she here too?" Harry asked feeling proud of himself for limiting his rush to small groups.
Merlin glanced over a large curly pipe that had seemingly appeared from nowhere in the course of Harry's asking. Blowing a rather impressive stream of purple smoke that danced a merry jig around the cluttered room he answered with a slow sad voice.
"I am still alive as my Mistress chose me among my peers to become the Guide to the Order. When we were but newly formed she saw the need to extend its guardianship far into the future. She knew that though the battle was won this time it was the result of that freedom that the peoples of the Divided Lands would ever seek to grow in strength and prowess. They would also seek knowledge held in other worlds to rejoin and gain powers over all. Seeing this she bound herself and the power of the other founders into the Orbus stone giving it the ability to discern those areas where danger threatened and those who could fight should they make the choice. Sacrificing themselves to give the order the power to continue the fight for the Divided lands and leaving me here to guide the new recruits."
With this Harry seized onto a question he'd been holding close for a while. "What about Voldemort, will you deal with him?" He asked hopefully.
The old man tuned to him quizzically, one furry caterpillar of an eyebrow raised high, "who is this Voldemort, we have had few forays into earth's atmosphere for many long years. The last apprentice gained from there spoke of a terror known as Grindelwald who was recently defeated leaving all at peace. Alas I hear little of my home world, though occasionally student who are fond of me liberate me some reminder of my home-world." He ended dreamily staring round the room the twinkle in his eyes dimming slightly.
"Voldemort is a dark wizard that's terrorising earth, he's trying to take over and…" he hesitated drawing in a shuddering breath forcing down the feelings surging out of control, urgency straining his features, "…he's killed loads of people, important people..." the pause hung dead in the air as he resisted adding 'my people'. "I don't think we'll make it this time." He finished, drawing long deep breaths to compose himself, forcing his mind from those dangerous waters.
Merlin's impressive eyebrows scrunched together as a look of concern flitted across his face, calming it quickly his face returned to its normal slightly mischievous look. "Fear not young man, should this problem escalate it is sure to be noted by Orobis quickly enough. I am sorry for the loss of those you cared for." He added his eyes, for once, dulled with sadness.
"But you don't understand…" Harry said pushing himself to his feet, "I'm the one that's got to do it, it's in the prophecy, its me or him." Then suddenly realisation crashed down on Harry, he should have said no, only Voldemort could kill him. He'd doomed his world and sold himself to this 'order'. He suddenly hoped against hope that this was a dream, though, with the frustrating certainty of an oncoming freight train, he was beginning to believe it wasn't.
Merlin's feline eyes met his with curiosity, sorrow and a little bit of empathy. "There is nothing you or I can do young one, you have chosen and that is the way it must be. Perhaps this prophecy will be fulfilled at a later date when you are trained up in our ways. Perhaps that is how it is meant to be. Though I find it strange, this prophecy you speak of, prophecy is one of our methods of controlling a problem and comes directly from the Orobis itself. It is odd that the prophecy was issued but no warning came from the Searchers. Fear not, I will pursue this child. Now I think it would be best to get you to your room and to sleep."
Harry stared at the old man who at present reminded him painfully of Dumbledore and nodded his acceptance, willing back the 1001 other questions fuelled by his anger and helplessness. The old man was not to blame after all, someone was, he wasn't sure who but he'd find out and then get angry. Besides as he felt his frustration recede it was replaced by a wave of exhaustion, he hadn't really had time to rest since the funeral… since that fateful night really, now he just wanted to collapse.
Merlin ushered Harry towards where Harry guessed the doorway was. The old mans eye's suddenly hardened as though remembering some distant thought.
"I should probably warn you boy that should you speak to any instructor in the tone of voice you used earlier things will not be well with you. This is a place of ancient cultures and disciplines and certain standards are expected. As I am your mentor, this happened in private and it is your first day this will be excused. But understand this, I am being lenient, perhaps against my better judgement, you have been through much too young, draw on this experience and be strong and you will gain much. I will speak to you again." With that Merlin gently pushed him out of the room and left him in the exit corridor.
Waking forward slowly feeling colder than eh had a moment before he opened the door thinking to himself maybe he was getting the hang of this. Relief flushed over him as he was met by Kyara's grinning face.
A/N
Another chapter done finally and my longest so far too. Probably took me the longest to write too, still having finally finished I've got a few more ideas of potential twists later, hopefully they're not too obvious. I have still have got to fully work into the balance the happenings of HBP but it should make the story slightly more interesting particularly when I figure out just what to do with Snape and Draco…
Finger Fish