Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Harry Potter or Forgotten Realms. They belong to their respective creator's, namely J. K. Rowling and Ed Greenwood, I am just borrowing them for a while.
AN: Well I have updated my first few chapters. Corrected some names and added a few more details that I missed when I first uploaded it. If you read the first chapters before 6-24-04 and don't wish to reread them than all you really need to know is that the correct name of the realm Harry is now in is Faerûn, Lehao is correctly spelled Lhaeo, Sylune is correctly spelled Sylûne, and I think that is about it.
I would also like to thank Volleypickle16, and David M. Potter for being the first to review my story. Please keep it up. I can't wait to hear what others think of my story.
Chapter 2
............... News ...............
Hermione and the Weasley family were all in Grimmauld place, the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny knew something was up, and it had to do with Harry. It had been three days since his birthday. It was now August 3rd and they still hadn't heard any thing from him. They had each sent him a letter and gift but they had been returned after no one was there to receive them. They knew that Professor Dumbledore and Remus Lupin knew something, but they would not tell them anything more than that it would be fine. They should learn more tonight though. They had been given permission to attend the meeting as it was going to explain what was going on with Harry, and it was about to start.
It was going to be a large meeting, with all of the Order members present. There for it was being held in the largest living room. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny entered the room and, as they were nearly the last ones to arrive they sat near the doorway next to Remus Lupin who smiled at them. Further into the room they saw Tonks talking with Shacklebolt and Ron and Ginny's father Arthur Weasley. On the other side of the room they saw Fred, George, Bill and Charlie. Ever since the twins had left school and opened their new prank shop they had been involved with the Order. It wasn't clear just what they did specificly but Hermione, Ron, and Ginny had already had some ideas. There shop was in Diagon Alley was the perfect place to keep a watch on the things happening there, plus 'some of the newer pranks will do wonders to the enemy' they had been told by the twins. The older Weasley's nodded to the younger ones as they looked over. The last few Order members entered the room and sat down in the empty seats. Professor Dumbledore was the last one to enter and he immediately went over to the chair at the head of the room. "Well now that we are all here let us begin..."
Suddenly a soft whining was heard near the ceiling. Everyone but Mrs. Weasley looked up. She instead looked over to her always-pranking twins, Fred and George. But as soon as she saw that they were as genuinely intrigued and confused as everyone else she too looked up to the ceiling. Just then, what looked to be couple flakes of snow appeared and started to swirl outward. More and more snowflakes appeared and joined the already swirling cloud. Then the whining stopped along with the swirling and all the snowflakes colleted together, condensing tight. The snow then completely disappeared and in its place was a snowy owl most of the Order members knew.
"Hedwig!" Ginny exclaimed. Hedwig hooted and headed over to the Hogwarts Headmaster. Professor Dumbledore took the envelope addressed to him and the rest of the Order. She then headed over to Remus who also took a letter. There Hedwig settled down on the back of Remus's chair. Professor Dumbledore opened the letter he had gotten from Hedwig. In it he found two letters one addressed solely to him and one addressed to the Order of the Phoenix on the top of this it had a short note saying that it was to be read to the whole order. Professor opened this letter first. "Well I believe that this is from young Harry Potter and so we will see what he has to say before I continue with the meeting where we were going to discuss what had happened with him anyways. So then on with the letter."
To the members of The Order of the Phoenix,
Well, I don't know when this letter will get to the Order. I also
didn't know how much Professor Dumbledore or Remus Lupin told you
about the night of my birthday. Seeing as the two were there when
this all happened I will leave out a few of the details to make this
letter a little shorter. I will focus instead on that which they
don't know too much about and let them fill in the rest. At my
relatives I had been eating very little. Not because I didn't want to
eat but because I was unable to get much food. A short while before
midnight on July 30th Professor Dumbledore and Remus came to take me
back to Hogwarts as it is safer than even Grimmauld place. Well I had
another visitor as well. Lady Mystra, the Goddess of Magic. Well as
you can believe we were all shocked. She unlocked the power within me
that is what she said anyways. Don't ask me to much about that. I'm
still not quite sure what she meant by it. The only thing that has
changed is that I can now feel or sense how strong a witch or wizards'
magic is. After this she gave Hedwig the ability to travel and carry
messages between the realms then sent Hedwig and myself to another
realm completely so that I could get training with my unlocked powers.
So that is where I am now. I met the people who will be training me.
They are great, and I think you will be happy to know, Mrs. Weasley
and Madam Pomfrey, that though I was, as Remus put it, "Nearly starved
to death." Those here, Storm and Sylûne mostly, are taking great care
of me. I have gained back most of my weight and feel a lot better.
So don't worry about me. I will be sure to keep in contact. Well
that is about all I'm going to write right now. I do ask that you
explain everything to a few people. They have a right to know and
will be able to convince people of what ever story you come up with to
explain why I'm not at school this year. I want to know that story
too by the way and please ask me before you actually tell it to
anyone. Please tell all of this to Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville
Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood. They already know about Sirius and
everything else as they were in the Ministry with me. Only Neville
and Luna don't know anything about the Order and it is not really my
place to tell them of it. I will be sending them letters as well and
so will ask if they are not told. I hope to hear from you soon.
Hedwig will pop back and forth every so often with letters to let you
know how I am doing. I am hoping to hear about everything that is
going on there while I am gone.
Sincerely Yours,
Harry James Potter
Once Professor Dumbledore was done reading the open portion of the letter to the whole Order he quickly read the section addressed solely to him.
For Professor Dumbledore only,
Professor, I would appreciate it if you kept all information about
Sirius possibly being alive quiet for now. I don't know if I will be
able to do anything about it but I'm working on it. I have told Remus
more about this in his letter and he may tell you if you ask him. I
will also be telling Ron, Hermione, and Ginny and having them tell
Neville and Luna.
On another note, I still don't know what to think about the whole
prophesy thing. I'm still angry that you didn't tell me sooner, that
you didn't help me during the school year, that... well I know you know
what I'm trying to say. I still admire you greatly but there is a
wall there now; a wall I really don't like but it is there none the
less. The short time I have been here has given me new insights, and
better understanding, but I'm not sure I can yet give you my full
trust again. I truly hope that we can work this out between us. Good
day to you Professor, and stay well.
Harry
After he was done he spoke again. "Well it seems that Remus and I have some points to clarify..." At this Dumbledore told the Order and the three students everything that had happened that Harry hadn't said. When he was done he sat back in his chair. "I believe that is all for this part of the meeting. If Ms. Granger, Ms. Weasley, and Mr. Weasley would be so kind as to leave the room we may continue with the meeting.
The three students got up and headed for the door. Hedwig gave a hoot and flew after them as they headed out of the living room and in to the kitchen. They all sat down at the table and Hedwig landed in the middle of the group. Walking over to Ron who took the letter. They all looked at each other then silently Ron opened the letter and began to read.
Hey Ron/Hermione/Ginny,
Most of what is in this letter is meant to be shared. Neville and
Luna deserve to know every thing as well.
The three students looked at each other. "Well Ron, what are you waiting for? Read It!" The youngest Weasley said to her brother. "Right." Ron replied and he began to read the letter his best friend had sent.
I hope every thing is going well with you, yea I know stupid way to
start. A lot has happened to me and I really don't want to go into to
much detail as most of it can be told to you by the letters I sent the
Order and Remus, as well as asking Remus or Professor Dumbledore. I
recommend Remus because lets face it he is a lot easier to get
information out of than the Headmaster. Also because he will have
some information I don't plan on writing again. As I write this
letter I am already beginning to feel exhausted. The reason for this
is my bloody muggle relatives. I hardly got any food over the summer.
And if any of you start feeling sorry for me or feel ashamed that you
didn't help me hear this, I never told you so you couldn't have known.
There was nothing you could have done anyways. Ok to continue, the
night of my birthday I was visited by Mystra, Goddess of Magic who
unlocked my full power and then sent me to another realm. Yes that is
what I said. I am in a completely different realm. They call it
theFaerûn, the Land of Forgotten Realms, and I am supposed to get
training from some of the Lady Mystra's Chosen. It is all explained
in the letter I sent the Order. One of the things I didn't put in
that letter though was that there might be a way to get Sirius back.
Everything I know about it so far is written in Remus's letter. I did
tell him that I wanted him to tell you about it. Since you can get
that information without me having to write it again let me continue.
I have met the people who are going to train me. They are so cool.
Storm and Sylûne are sisters and both of them as well as Elminster are
going to train me. They are Chosen of Mystra. I think I may also be
learning from Lhaeo who is a scribe. He reads books even more that
Hermione I think. I really don't know what he might be teaching me.
Actually I don't really have much of a clue as to what the others will
be teaching me either. I do know that they perform magic differently
here. Maybe I'll learn how to do magic like they do. Anyways I
really hope to hear back from you once you get all the information.
You will have to send it with Hedwig as she can travel and transport
messages between the realms. That is part of a gift that Mystra gave
us. She will not be able to be intercepted as she can turn into snow
at will, truthfully as I write this I have yet to see it, but I truly
believe that she can, and she and I can speak to each other. I can't
understand owl. It is more like we are talking through our voices,
feelings, and thoughts. It was quite an interesting experience the
first time we talked this way, which was actually her reminding me
that I could send you letters still. Anyways I think that will be all
for this letter. It actually got to be longer than the one for the
Order. I hope to hear from you soon.
Your Friend
Harry
Hermione and Ginny looked over at Ron as he finished reading the letter from Harry out loud to them. "Wow." Ron looked at his sister, "That's an understatement." He said to her. "There is so much stuff yet to know. I want to look up as much as I can while we are still here on the Faerûn and Mystra. And we still need to get the rest of the information from Remus." Hermione said.
Hey Remus,
I told Professor Dumbledore not to tell anyone about the possibility
of getting Sirius back. I will be telling Ron, Hermione, and Ginny a
little and I hope you will tell them more. Professor Dumbledore may
ask but it is your choice if you tell him everything I am going to
tell you right now. I met Elminster, who Mystra called El. He is
looking through some books and I think he has an idea of just what I
will have to do. From what he has told me so far it will take a lot
of magical and physical strength. It is also likely to be a long
process. He has told me some about how Sirius is able to still be
alive and it worries me a little. Here is the gist of it. If a
living being enters the land of the dead they will be unable to die.
Over time they will slowly loose much of their strength if they remain
in the land of the dead, but as I have said they won't die. They can
eat the food, still not quite sure how there is food there, and it can
help somewhat but not for good. To regain all their strength they
must leave the land of the dead altogether. That is all I know right
now but I will tell you more when I find out. I hope you will share
this with the others.
Write back soon through Hedwig. She is the only one who can reach me.
Your Friend,
Harry
Remus was in a bit of a daze as he finished the letter. Mrs. Weasley, who had sat near him and saw him open and read the letter noticed this and gave him a slight nudge. Remus smiled at her and gave her a slight nod of thank you then returned his focus to the meeting. He would have to take the time to read the letter again more slowly, but that would have to wait.
The meeting continued late into the night and in the kitchen the three Hogwarts students had a meeting of their own. "There is so much to look up. I'll be right back." Hermione said as she got up from the table and ran up to her room. She came back down just a few moments later with a large stack of very old books. "I know I read something in one of these books about other realms. Help me look." She said as she set the books down. "What?! It's the middle of the summer and you want us to do research? We don't even have all the information yet. Can't it at least wait till we talk to Professor Lupin?" Ron said to her. "It sounds like the meeting is going to take a while. I agree with Hermione that we should see what we can find. Then we can ask the Professor what Harry said to him. It probably won't be until tomorrow morning anyways with the rate they are going in there." Ginny said trying to stop her brother and her friend from fighting. "Thank you Ginny." Hermione said. "Alright fine, we'll look." Ron said grudgingly. He took one of the books and began skimming through it quickly. "Be sure not to miss it Ron, going at that speed." "I won't Hermione." The two girls took their own books and began reading through them, trying to find something that would help.
The Order meeting didn't get out until after midnight and Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had already headed up to be after looking for hours at the books. Remus was glad for this. He had yet to reread the letter and though he had already decided to tell the students, and Dumbledore if he asked, all of what Harry had told him about Sirius, he wasn't quite ready to do it at this moment. He also wanted to know if they had found anything out about where Harry was. He knew that Hermione would have had them looking through books as soon as they got out of the meeting. He smiled at that thought. Yes he was curious as to what they had found, if anything.
...............Flashback...............
The three of them had been looking through books for a few hours now and still hadn't found anything. "Hey, I think I found it!" Ginny suddenly exclaimed. The others immediately put there books down and focused on the youngest one of their small group. "Well go on and read it to us Gin." Her brother said. Ginny nodded and began to read.
There are believed to be many realms outside of our own, though few
have ever been known to pass between them. A realm is like another
world but it is not another planet. Other realms can only be reached
through very strong magic. The only known wizard to successfully
travel to and from another realm was Merlin. He made it to what is
known as Faerûn, or the Land of Forgotten Realms for being closely
connected to other realms. The reason for the name Faerûn has itself
been forgotten over time as well.
Very little is known about Faerûn. It is believed that it is what
many call 'The playground of the Gods'. Many of the Gods and
Goddesses worshiped in ancient times in our own realm are believed to
reside in Faerûn. This list of Gods and Goddesses includes Mystra,
Goddess of Magic, who was once worshiped in all of the wizard cultures
of our realm in the past. It is also believed that Merlin was able to
access many realms easily form this realm but had great difficulty
accessing those same realms from our own, this being one reason Faerûn
is known as the Land of Forgotten Realms. This is all that is known
about other realms.
"That's it? It just ends like that?" Ron asked. "Yep." His sister replied. "Well it's a start anyways." Hermione said. "A start. The book just said that that was all that's known about other realms." Ron said to her. "I know that and it is a very reliable source so we won't be looking for anything about other realms or Faerûn in particular for a while. I do want to find out more about Mystra, and just what she was like when she was being worshiped here in ancient times." Hermione said to Ron getting agitated with him. "Oh." He replied softly seeing the look she was giving him.
"But not tonight. I don't know about you two but I'm really tired. I'm going to bed. We can talk to Professor Lupin about the letter in the morning." Ginny said. She got up from the table and headed upstairs and into the room she shared with Hermione. Ron and Hermione looked at each other and in silent agreement stacked the books and headed up to bed themselves. Hedwig, who had remained with them all evening, went with Ron as he went into the room he usually shared with Harry. She still had a perch set next to Harry's unused bed. As she took up her place there Ron went over to Pig's cage, Pig being out hunting at the moment, and brought Hedwig back some owl treats. Then the two of them settled down to sleep.
...............End Flashback...............
Remus walked into the kitchen to get a bite to eat. When he was finished he went up to his room and sat down to reexamine the letter. He was happy that they may get Sirius back but he was worried about Harry too, and what he may have to do to achieve their goal. If it took so much power just what was it going to do to Harry. He had only just had his full strength unlocked. Would he be able to control it and perform the task to get Sirius back and be fine in the end? Remus hoped that Harry would not rush things. If a living being couldn't die in the land of the dead then Sirius could wait until Harry was fully ready for the feat.
Remus went over to the small desk in his room and wrote a reply to Harry. When he was finished he sealed it, and got it ready for Hedwig to take to Harry tomorrow. After this it was already past two in the morning so he went to bed promising himself that he would tell Professor Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny everything about Sirius in the morning.
Like Remus, Dumbledore too was up late thinking about Harry and Sirius. Just what had the young man found out? He had always believed that once you entered the land of the dead, no matter how, than you were dead. But Mystra had told them the opposite. Sirius wasn't dead, and there was a way to get him back. But how? Would Harry be able to do what ever it would take? He knew he would try anyways. Harry loved Sirius like a son loves his father. He was the only true family that the young man had. He would defiantly do anything he could to get the man back.
As he was thinking about Harry and his family an idea came to Dumbledore's mind on how to explain why Harry would not be at Hogwarts this year. Harry's parents had been prominent in the wizarding world. This was one of the reasons Voldemort went after them. Before they had died it had been rumored that they had many friends among the strong wizards and witches of other countries. Dumbledore knew this to be mostly false. They did have one or two close friends in New Zealand who were as strong as both of Harry's parents had been. This would be the perfect cover for Harry.
Dumbledore would tell Remus, Hermione, the Weasley's, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood that the cover story would be that Harry's parents had always wanted Harry to take some time to learn from some of their international friends, and so that is where he was at the moment. He would be studying for Sixth year exams while he was also learning from his parent's friends and would take those exams when he returned for the beginning of his Seventh year at Hogwarts.
As all the teachers already knew why Harry was really gone and had a way to keep in contact with him, Harry would still be able to get all of the information covered in the classes this year. Dumbledore would also make sure that Harry was able to take the Sixth year exams. He would be sure to send Harry his books before the end of the summer. Dumbledore sat down and wrote a letter to the Ministry and one to Harry letting both know why Harry would not be going to Hogwarts for Sixth year and that he would still be expected to take the Sixth year exams when he returned or he wouldn't be able to go through Seventh year. Once he was done, Dumbledore set about to figuring out how he was going to tell Neville and Luna everything Harry had asked him to. He decided that he would go ahead and tell them all about the Order of the Phoenix. He would bring them in next week.
After the bathroom rush was done every one went down to breakfast. In the kitchen were the remaining Weasley's and the Order members who were staying in Grimmauld place at the moment. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny entered the kitchen, closely followed by Hedwig, and sat down at the table for breakfast. While they were eating Remus walked in and sat down near the three students. Professor Dumbledore, who was also currently eating breakfast looked over to Remus and caught his eyes, Remus replied with a slight nod and looking at the students expectant faces, amazed that they had been able to keep quiet for this long, said "In the study in an hour." Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Professor Dumbledore all gave a slight nod and continued with their breakfasts, and previous conversations.
When Professor Dumbledore had finished his breakfast he stood up and made an announcement, those in the kitchen being the ones closest to Harry they would be the ones asked where he was. "I would like to let everyone know the plan for explaining Harry's absence over the coming year." Every one looked over to the Headmaster. "It will be explained that Harry's parents had wanted Harry to study with some of their friends in another country and that is what he is doing this year. It will also be made known that he will be expected to take the Sixth year exams over next summer or at the beginning of his Seventh year. I will be sending him his course books to study while he is 'Out of Country' for his training. I believe that the best place for him to 'be training' would be New Zealand. Please be sure to have this story correct for those that may ask you where Harry is. Oh Hedwig, if you would take this letter and return again to me at Hogwarts soon I will have Harry's needed books." Hedwig hooted once at the Headmaster in understanding and he headed out of the kitchen. Remus had agreed to tell him about Sirius when he told Ron, Hermione, and Ginny and so he would meet them in the study. He did have plenty to take care of for the new school year at Hogwarts, even if it was a month away still. He still had to contact Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. He would be doing that to day, so he hoped that they could get done with the main information quickly.
Ginny and Hermione had finished their breakfasts and were about to head over to the study. Ron was just about to begin his fourth helping when the two girls grabbed him from behind and dragged him from the table. All the while he was complaining and everyone else in the room just laughed at his predicament. No one seemed willing to help him get back to the table for more food.
"Fine I'm coming, quit pulling already." Ron said to the two girls. "You think we should release him?" Hermione asked. "Nah. It's so rare for me to get him this way." They continued on to the study, Ron struggling all the way to get out of the two girls grasps. Once they reached the study they released him laughing. "You know I'm going to get you two for this." Ron huffed as he went over and unceremoniously plopped down into one of the chairs.
Not long after they had gotten comfortable Professor Lupin walked into the room followed by Professor Dumbledore. "So... Um Professor Lupin, what did Harry have to say about Sirius?" Hermione asked once the two men were sitting down in comfortable chairs. At this Remus Lupin told all present about the letter that Harry had sent him and what it had said.
"So basicly, when Sirius passed through the veil he went to the land of the dead," Ginny started, "But if someone living goes into the land of the dead without dieing first than they remain alive and can't die in the land of the dead. Right?" Hermione finished. "Yes, that is what Harry said in his letter." Remus replied. The group continued to discus what Harry had said and Hermione, Ron, and Ginny shared what they had found on Faerûn, the Land of Forgotten Realms.
After a while Dumbledore got up to leave. "Well as we have gone over all that we know at this point and I still have much to do at Hogworts I will be going now. Have a good day everyone." Saying this Dumbledore smiled and left the room. "Yes I do believe that that is all we know at this time." Remus said. "Yes well, be that as it may, Professor Lupin, I plan to rectify that. I want to look up all I can about Mystra. The more we know the better we can help Harry." Hermione said. "Hermione," the former Professor said, "Ron and Ginny too, please call me Remus. I am no longer a Professor and I would like to call you my friends."
"Of course we're you're friends, Pro... Remus." Ginny said "We would be honored if we could call you friend as well." "Of course. It would please me greatly." Remus replied smiling. The other three in the room returned his smile.
As Remus left the study, Hermione started to get up to get some bookes from her room. Suddenly Remus came back with a letter in his hand. "Hedwig please take this to Harry for me." Hedwig hooted once as he tied the letter onto her ankle with the one from Professor Dumbledore. "Oh yes, I want to right to Harry telling him what we found." Hermione said. She went over to the desk in the study and sat down. Bringing out a quill and partchment she began writing.
"Well as you all have something to do I will be leaving now. I am going to go and get Harry's books from Dumbledore and see if I can get his Firebolt back. But don't you tell him that, any of you." Remus said while he was stairing at Ron. "I want it to be a surprise if I can arrange to get it sent to him." With this Remus left the students and Ron and Ginny went over to the desk to get write their own letters now that Hermione was done.
Sirius was lost. He didn't have any idea where he was. He remembered falling. He had been battling his hated cousin, Bellatrix, at the Ministry. Harry had gone there thinking he was in trouble and Sirius had found out. It had been a trap to catch Harry. It almost worked to, but Sirius, Remus, and other Order members had gone to get them back. They had all wound up fighting in a large circular room with many benches in stepped layers around the whole thing, and a black veil in one wall. Sirius had wound up confronted by Bellatrix and their battle had led them all around the room. Sirius had lost where he was in the room and Bellatrix had shot him with a stunning curse. He tripped and fell, and fell, and fell. He had woken up here.
Only thing was he didn't know where here was. He thought that he must have fallen through that veil. He knew he wasn't a prisoner of Voldemort. If he had been he would be in a confined cell getting tortured to hurt Harry. As it was he was in a seemingly endless room. It was dark but not so dark that he needed to light his wand to see. There was nothing to see anyways. So he had started walking. He was still walking and it had seemed like he had been for days. He still hadn't found anything.
After more days of walking he really wanted to get out of this endless, dim, empty room. If only there was a door he may finally figure out where he was. Suddenly there was a door in front of him. Sirius praised his luck and went to the door. Opening it he saw what looked to be the outside world, but all the colors seemed to be muted, or faded. Sirius wasn't sure what was going on.
"Welcome." Sirius spun toward the voice of a young man. He recognized him immediately. This was Cedric Diggory. The student who had been with Harry during the end of the Goblet of Fire Tournament. But Cedric had been killed after being transported with Harry to a graveyard. That was where Voldemort was resurrected by Wormtail who latter killed Cedric while Harry had watched helplessly.
"Your dead!" Sirius said to the young man. "Yes. You are in the land of the dead." Cedric said to him. "WHAT?! I'M DEAD!?!" Sirius yelled. "I didn't say that. You passed through the veil that separates the land of the dead from that of the living. You are not dead. And while you are here you will be unable to die. But the longer you stay the weaker you will get." Sirius looked at the young man before him. Is there a way for me to get out of here then?" "I wouldn't really know. I'm new here still. You would have to ask some of the older residents. I don't even know why you came out here." "What do you mean 'why I came out here'?" "Well like I said I'm still new here. Though this is the area of British wizards and witches. You are also in the right time frame era. That is the 1900's. Perhaps you will find some friends here who can help you. I will be on my way now." At this Cedric turned and walked away. "Wait..." Sirius yelled but Cedric was already gone.
Sirius supposed that he should begin looking for some one who was familiar. He never had many friends. The only ones he could think of that would be here were James and Lily Potter, Harry's parents. Sirius started walking again.