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.
Author Note: Well I'm sorry that I didn't update sooner. My life has been very hectic and writers block can really stink. Anyways I'm back now and will try to update more often. Now on to replies...
Nogoalielikeme: Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
David M. Potter: Thanks. I'm having a great time writing this story. Its nice to know other people are enjoying it just as much.
Wytil: Thanks for the comments and for the info. Definitely do not want to forget the AU. Nope, definitely not.
Twins-rule: Its possible. Harry will be getting over that way later. We'll just have to see.
Volleypickle16: Thanks. I'm glad I can bring him back.
Anarath Mortanius: The land of the dead where Sirius is currently is under Mystra. That is why she knew he was still alive. That is also why it will take a lot of power for Harry to get there and back, as well as why it takes so much magical and physical strength. As for Harry being a Chosen, it will be explained more completely in this chapter.
Insanechildfanfic: Thanks.
TheDragonBard: Thanks for the comments. I don't really like it when a story drags, so I am trying not to do that with my own. It will likely slow down later though.
Ok not that that is out of the way... On with the story!
Chapter 3
............... The Life of Information ..............
Rise, and be not afraid. I have no need to be feared. I am more of a goddess than that. Look upon me, and know Magic. I am Mystra. Priests may prattle of this god or that, but over what mortals call "magic" – because they understand it not – there is no other. I am the Weaver, the Road Ascending, the One True Way.
When you feel lonely, or lost, and think dark magics raised against you, remember this moment. Feel the weight of my power, as it flows – not turned against you, but so vast that it could sweep you away, cries unheard, in an effortless instant. My power, bent upon you as I regard you now... and touched and awed by it, you yet live. I am always here, all about you. You are never truly alone. I flow where ever life flows, wherever winds blow and water runs and the sun and moon chase each other, for there is magic in all things. Word of Mystra, Silverfall by Ed Greenwood
Luna and her father were off hunting for Maronobacks this summer. They were supposed to be hiding in the swampy lands of Scotland. The Lovegoods currently were resting for the evening in a tent they had set up when they first arrived at what was now their base of operations. It was getting late in the evening and they were done searching for the day.
Luna's father, Haven Lovegood, was currently fixing dinner while Luna was looking through books for more information on the elusive Maronobacks. Suddenly an owl flew into the tent and landed on the dinner table looking between Luna and her father. The owl, seeing that neither Lovegood noticed it, flew over to the one without a knife in their hands.
Luna heard a hoot and looked up to see an owl with its leg stuck out looking at her pointedly. Seeming to say that it was about time someone noticed him. She took the letter that was attached to the protruding leg and opened it up. "Father." Luna said in her usual dreamy voice, "We have a letter." Haven came over and read the letter over Luna's shoulder while she read it to herself.
Dear Mr. And Ms. Lovegood,
Some things have come up concerning Ms. Lovegood and her school friends. For everyone's safety I would like to move Luna to a hidden location for the rest of the summer before she returns to school for her fifth year with the rest of her friends. Ms. Lovegood, be sure to have your belongings for school as well as for the rest of the summer. You and your friends will be going to Diagon Ally after you receive your Hogwarts letter.
The feather included in this letter is a portkey to my office, as my fireplace is on a very tight restriction and you are unable to access it from just any fireplace. Simply have your father activate the portkey with his wand. I hope to see you here soon.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Order Of Merlin First Class
Haven picked up the feather that had fallen out of the letter when Luna had first opened it. "Well Luna dear, it seems you will be going away sooner that usual. We will just have to search for the Maronobacks another time. Go and get your trunk packed quickly now."
The owl left as Luna walked into her bedroom which was located just off the kitchen room of the magically enlarged tent. She packed her trunk full of everything she would need for the rest of the summer and the school year to follow. Once she was finished she pulled her now heavy trunk into the kitchen and then on to the rug in the living room. "I'm finished father." Luna called out in her dreamy voice.
"Good dear, so is dinner. I'll activate the portkey when we're finished eating. Come and sit down." Luna joined her father at the dinning room table where the two ate their dinner while chatting about their current standings in the search for the elusive Maronobacks.
They finished about a half hour later and said their goodbyes as Haven Lovegood activated the portkey. With the feather in one hand and a trunk handle in the other, Luna Lovegood and her belongings disappeared with a 'pop'.
Neville was out in the garden behind the house he and his grandmother lived in. To de-gnome. It really wasn't that bad. It gave him a chance to be outside working with, or rather for, the plants that he loved. He was truly a herbologist at heart.
Neville finished quickly and went inside when his grandmother called him for dinner. While they ate the conversation was minimal. That was until an owl flew into the kitchen and landed in front of the Neville, and conversation became non-existent.
The young man took the letter from the owl, which took a bite of bread from Neville's plate and flew off. Looking at the letter, he could clearly see the Hogwarts seal. The letter was quickly opened.
Dear Mrs. And Mr. Longbottom,
Some things have come up concerning Mr. Longbottom and his school friends. For every ones safety, I would like to move Neville to a hidden location for the rest of the summer before returning to school for his sixth year. Neville, be sure to have your belongings for school as well as for the rest of the summer. You and your friends will be going to Diagon Alley with guards after you receive your Hogwarts letter.
The feather included in this letter is a portkey to my office for as you should know, many floo locations are not very secure. Simply have your grandmother activate it. I hope to see you here soon.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Order of Merlin, First Class
Neville's grandmother took the letter from the young man when he looked up at her speechless. When she had started reading the letter Neville noticed the feather that had fallen onto the table.
"I have to go pack." Neville said still in a daze, as he stood up from the table with the feather clutched in his hands. He quickly packed his trunk full of clothes and his school supplies. He found Trevor on his bed and put him in his carrying case. After checking to make sure he had his new wand still on him, Neville went back to the kitchen where his grandmother was clearing the table and charming the sink to wash the dishes.
"Well, I can understand why this is being done. I want you and your friends to be safe. Are you ready?" She asked. Neville nodded and grabbed Trevor's case and his trunk handle tightly in one hand and the feather in the other. "Very well then. Off you go. Be safe now and know that I love you dear." And so saying Neville's grandmother activated the feather portkey and Neville and his belongings disappeared with a 'pop'.
Dumbledore sat behind the desk in his office working on paper work for the coming school year. Suddenly a 'pop' was heard and Luna Lovegood stood in front of the old Headmaster. "Ah, right on time. If you would take a seat we will get started in a moment." Dumbledore conjured up two plush looking chairs, one which was immediately sat upon by Luna.
Suddenly another 'pop' was heard and Neville Longbottom stood in front of Dumbledore who smiled warmly and motioned to the second chair. After Neville took the seat the Headmaster began. He told them all about their being a secret Order, called The Order of the Phoenix, fighting Voldemort and that Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasley's where involved in the fight, and since the battle at the ministry the two of them would become targets as well. He told them how Harry had been sent to another realm by a higher power for training, and the story they would be telling people so no one would get suspicious. He told them about the Headquarters of the Order being where the two of them, along with the other students, would be staying until school started.
This was all told to the two students in the space of an hour. After which Dumbledore had them prepare themselves for another portkey journey to the Headquarters. "If you have any questions about this you can ask your friends. I am sure they will explain things for you better than an old man can." He said smiling as he prepared the portkey. "Now grab hold and we shall be off."
Luna and Neville had said not a word as they had been told all the information about Harry and the Order. Neville still in a bit of a daze from all the shock and Luna in the same out of focus mentality that her friends knew hid her keen intelligence and observant mind. Now they simply took hold of their belongings and the lion paperweight in Dumbledore's hand that had just been made into a portkey. The Headmaster activated the portkey with his wand and the tree of them disappeared from his office with a 'pop'.
Harry was sitting in the 'Library' of Elminster's tower with Lhaeo. 'Library, ha. Isn't that supposed to mean it would be neat, books stacked in shelves, parchment in its place?' Harry thought as he tried to find information pertaining to the land of the dead, and Mystra's Realm in particular.
It was quite a difficult feat to say the least, as everything was stacked haphazardly all over the place. On tables, chairs, stools, inside and on top of bookcases and cupboards, and generally all over the floor. That plus there was absolutely no order to any of it. Hermione would have had a fit if she ever found out about it. Then she would get started on ordering everything and putting it in its proper place. Not without help of course. That is what Ron and Harry would be there for, to help her with her books. Harry smiled at the thought. He was going to miss them all. It was a really good thing that they could write still. It would help his keep in touch. He didn't want to lose his friends.
'Which reminds me, I wonder what they are up to. I haven't heard back from anyone yet.' Harry thought as he was looking through a particularly old piece of parchment. Hedwig had only been gone for about two days and Harry was hoping she would be back soon. He really wanted to get to know the friend he had never been able to talk to before.
It was another two days before Hedwig returned with a small package and a note. Harry was currently sitting at the desk in his room writing what he had found out of Mystra's realm from the parchment roll open in front of him. His notes were already full of information that he had been gathering since he had sent the letters to his friends and the Order.
Harry looked up as Hedwig flew through the open window to land on the bed with a small package in her beak. She dropped the package onto the bed and quickly leaped up onto the headboard. As she did, the package that she had dropped began to grow.
"Hey girl how was the trip?" Harry asked as he watched the package grow on his bed.
"Wonderful. It was so much fun traveling that way. Though I decided that if I do it out side I'm doing it high in the air so I don't attract attention like I did today." The snowy white owl replied with a combination of hoots, whistles, and mind speech.
"Well I'm glad you enjoyed it. How is everyone doing? And what is this?" Harry had by this time gotten to the package on the bed and began opening it.
"Oh everyone's fine. They were all excited and surprised by my entrance. It was fun to see all their expressions when I appeared during their meeting. As for the package you'll just have to open it to find out now won't you. I'm off for some food." Hedwig said to him as she flew out the window again.
"Alright then. Lets see what we have here." Harry said to the now empty room as he started pulling things out of the large box that was now on his bed. First out were a handful of letters. The ones on the top seemed to be from his friends and he decided to read those latter once he saw the last two letters, a large one from Dumbledore, and what he assumed were his OWL results due to the Ministry seal on the envelope. He would read that first.
Dear Harry,
I am glad to read that you are all right, and have met good people who will help you. The entire Order has been told of your new location and training and what will be told to the rest of the world as to where you have gone. This is written out for you on the second parchment in this letter. If you wish to change any part of it let me know and I will see how we can fit it in.
At this point Harry read over the second sheet of parchment. It told all about how he would be studying with some of his parent's friends in New Zealand for the year as per his parent's silent requests to Dumbledore. Most of that was not true of course, Dumbledore wrote. His parents had had friends in New Zealand but they had died quietly of old age before he even started school at Hogwarts. His parent's had also never intended him to go to them for training. Those who asked would be told that he would be studying for his 6th year exams and taking them when he returned in a year for his 7th year at Hogwarts, all of this would be true and Harry suspected that his books for 6th year were in the box currently sitting on his bed.
Now as for the third parchment, it contains you list of 6th year books and potion ingredients that are contained inside of the box.
'Well how did I know that.' Harry smiled slightly.
Whet ever else is inside the box is from your friends for your birthday. I have also sent along your OWL results. They have been opened so that we could find out which classes you were able to take and send the appropriate books. Congratulations Harry. Stay well and keep in touch.
Albus Dumbledore
Harry looked over the last sheet of parchment to see what he would be studying. "Newt level Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, DADA, advanced if I want it, hmm, that's interesting, and Potions." He read aloud. "What Newt Potions?! That shouldn't be right." Harry looked for the Ministry letter that contained his OWL results. He opened it slowly noticing that it indeed had already been opened by the loose wax seal. 'Well I suppose it has to be good for me to get into all those Newt classes right?' Harry said to try and reassure himself. 'Right so just open it already.'
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are happy to inform you of your results on the Ordinary Wizarding Level tests. They are as follows.
Care of Magical Creatures
Practical – E
Theory – O
Overall – O
Divination
Practical – D
Overall – D
Astronomy
Practical – A
Overall – A
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Practical – O
Theory – O
Overall – O
Transfiguration
Practical – E
Theory – O
Overall – O
Potions
Practical – E
Theory – O
Overall – O
History of Magic
Theory – T
Number of OWL's taken from overall grades are as follows. E – 1 OWL, O – 2 OWL, O – 3 OWL (NOTE: Very rarely given. Given in this case for a Corporeal Patronus). Overall number of OWL's you received, 9 OWL's. Congratulations on your OWL's Mr. Potter and enjoy you 6th year.
Sincerely Griselda Marchbanks
Head Examiner, Wizarding Examinations Authority
Harry was surprised to say the least. Shell shocked would be a more accurate way to describe it actually. So much so that he didn't even hear Storm knock on his door and come in when she didn't receive an answer after a while.
"What has you so stunned Harry?" Storm asked as she laid a hand on his shoulder, making him jump at the unexpected connection when he had thought he was alone. "What?... Oh, I didn't see... What did you say?" Harry asked, finally getting over his shock at the scores he had managed.
Storm laughed. "I was wondering what you were getting up to up here?'
"Oh. Hedwig came back with letters and birthday gifts from my friends as well as the test results from my last school year. Which is why I was so shocked actually." Harry said.
"Really and why is that?" Sylûne asked as she came in carrying a tray of food for lunch. "Well I never thought I would get some of the grades that I did. It was quite a surprise." Harry replied.
"You said something about gifts? What did you get for your birthday?" Storm asked. "Come on Harry, let us see." Sylûne said enthusiastically while she set the tray of food on a table beside the bed. For the rest of lunch Harry, Storm, and Sylûne went through Harry's birthday gifts while eating from the tray brought in for lunch.
From Hermione, Harry of course got a book. 'Advanced Defense: Everything you should know to survive Dark Times By Vinessa Thumbeatter'. From Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George he got a gold snitch with an engraving inlaid in silver.
'To Harry PotterYoungest Seeker in a Century
&
Truest Friend Forever'With a small 'RGFGW' underneath, which Harry determined to mean 'Ron, Ginny, Fred, George Weasley'.
Harry also got a second gift form Fred and George. It was a book full of pictures of pranks from all their years at Hogwarts as well as their younger years. They had a whole chapter full of pictures just on the pranks played on Umbridge as well as quite a few chapters just for the Slytherines. They even had a picture of Malfoy the bouncing ferret and Harry was dieing to know just how they got a picture of that.
Harry, Storm, and Sylûne had a great time going through the book and on the last page with pictures on it was a note.
To our third Co-Owner of WWW Harry,
The book you now hold in your hands has two brothers over here in this realm. One will be going to Hogwarts with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, and we, the Great Gred and Forge, hold the other. Any time a picture is put into one book the other two will receive a copy of the picture as well so that they will always coincide. Any notes in the book will not transfer unfortunately, we couldn't figure out how to do that and keep the one for the pictures. They just wouldn't both hold, so you only get the pictures.
Now for this to work you had to have a camera so there is one in the box and a directions manual. Be sure to keep us up to date with things going on at your end and we'll all do the same.
Gred & Forge Weasley
Co-Owners, Weasley Wizarding Wheezes
Harry quickly found the camera and its direction manual deciding that it was a great idea and this way his friends would be able to see him and vice versa. Upon seeing how involved the manual was he decided to read it later that night after going through his other gifts. Storm and Sylûne had also read the note and they too decided to be taking many pictures of Harry while he was here. The pranks in the book were good too. This would be so much fun. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Harry didn't see the great big grins that quickly formed and just as quickly disappeared again on the faces of the two sisters at the idea of pranks, as his head was stuck in the box along with his arms."A little help here." Harry said with his head and arms still in the box up to his shoulders. "This box has to have an enlarging charm on the inside. I can barely reach the bottom." Storm and Sylûne had by this time pulled Harry out of the box with two boxes tied together in his hands. As he watched, the bottom of the box, which looked to be empty, moved up to the top and disappeared, revealing another section of the box that was full of items.
"Cool. I was wondering how they every thing in there." Harry said. "Come on open the boxes. I want to see what you got." Sylûne said with excitement. Storm laughed at her sisters playfulness. "My word what has gotten into you?"
Sylûne playfully glared back at Storm, "Nothing's gotten into me, thank you very much. I just like seeing all these things from Harry's realm. Its fun, so don't spoil it."
"Alright, alright." Storm said waving her hands in front of her as if to ward off her glaring sister. The whole time Harry sat with the boxes in his lap laughing at the two of them. That was until Sylûne turned on him with her hands on her hips, glaring at him as if to say 'well, get on with it already', which is exactly what he did.
Opening the top box he found a large birthday cake with the words 'Happy Birthday Harry' written in green icing and surrounded by 16 candles. "Oh that looks delicious Harry. Blow out the candles and lets have some dessert." Storm said while handing him a knife and some plates. "Sure thing." Harry replied, and he did just that.
While the three were eating the cake Harry opened the second box and pulled out a Cloak with a note attached.
Dear Harry,
This is a hand made cloak with many spells woven into it. As I have been nominated to write this explaining every thing, don't ask me why, I just think its 'cus mum wouldn't tell you what it does but just that she misses you and wants you to write, yada yada yada, I will tell you what exactly you are getting here. You know you are truly part of the family by the way she acts. Any ways back to the cloak. Mum wove the cloak and Dad, Charlie and I put in the spells while she was weaving. The spells are for long-lasting, water repellant, temperature adjustment (it will be warm or cool depending on outside conditions), and it has a camouflage spell to make it blend into the surroundings (just know that this is not infallible). We hope you will use this well and keep safe.
Well wishes and Love from
Bill, Charlie, Arthur, and Molly Weasley
Harry took a long look at the cloak and could tell that it was really well made, which was to be expected coming from the hands of Molly Weasley and the rest. He knew that it would be getting a lot of use.
The next thing Harry pulled out of the box was a gift from Remus. Opening it, his jaw dropped. It was a book on becoming an Animagus. Harry opened the cover and saw on the inside a note on one side and two pictures on the other. Looking at the pictures he saw that the first one was of Harry and Sirius during last Christmas. They were sitting together on the couch chit chatting and laughing back and forth with each other. Harry remembered that and smiled fondly.
The second picture was a laughing Harry being chased by a blue haired, pink feathered, bubble blowing Sirius with Ron, Hermione, Remus, and the twins in the background laughing uproariously at the scene in front of them. Harry laughed at seeing a picture of that and wondered who took it. It had been great and Sirius had commended Harry on a prank well done, once he had calmed down that is.
When Storm and Sylûne had heard Harry laugh they came and took a closer look at what Harry had in his hands and he then had to explain to them all about the prank. Reading the note he saw that is was a joint gift from Remus and Sirius that they had been working on for a while. They wrote the book as a composition of all the Animagus information they could find in various books and put together in this one. They planed on publishing it once Sirius' name was cleared and Harry had the first and original copy of the book. It had notes and stories of Sirius and James Potter's attempts in it that the published version would not have.
When he was done giving the book a quick once over, deciding that he would start to read it tonight, he went back to the box on his bed and began pulling out all his school books, potions supplies, and the first set of homework for his classes. As he pulled them out he organized his new school books along with his past year books and the book he had gotten as gifts over the years on to his book shelf near his desk. All of his potions equipment and supplies he set onto his desk. He decided to transfigure a good worktable for his room later. During this time Storm and Sylûne had been going though the camera manual, learning how to use it and so on.
After all that was done he went back to the box to see if he had missed any thing. What Harry saw in the bottom of the box set his heart on fire. It was his Firebolt. Harry reached into the box and reverently pulled the broom out. Removing the box from his bed with his empty left hand, Harry gently placed the broom down in the now empty space.
"What is that Harry?" Storm asked from where she was now reading the book titles on his now organized bookshelf. In doing so she caught the attention of Sylûne who was checking out the potion ingredients with interest. When Harry didn't answer the two of them they went over to his side to see that he was reading another note. They assumed that it had been attached to the broom that was now lying in state on Harry's bed.
Dear Harry,
This piece of your life was removed from the former High Inquisitor Umbridge's Office after her disappearance. Being that it was unnecessarily removed from your care and ownership, and for unjust reasons, it is being returned to you. Before it's return it was checked for spells and curses not meant to be there and, unfortunately, many were found and had to be removed. On a related note your lifetime ban of Quidditch has been removed and you are free to play when and where you would like. All of Madam Umbridge's other decries have also been revoked and found unnecessary and in some cases unconstitutional. It was also found that Madam Umbridge used illegal methods in her detentions and if you were forced to undergo any of this you will be asked to testify against her in a trial once she has been found. As you are currently unreachable a recording crystal will be sent to take your testimony. That explanation will wait until it is time. On a last note I ask to know when you last saw Madam Umbridge so that we may bring her to justice.
Enjoy your training Harry and keep in touch.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Order of Merlin, First Class
As Harry finished reading the note he smiled. "Yes! Hey, have either of you ever flown on a broom before?" He asked the two curious women behind him. "No I can't say as we have. Is that what the broom is for?" Sylûne asked. "Yep."
While Harry was explaining all about the broom, Quidditch, and flying to the two, Elminster walked in to the room. "So just what have ye three been up to all day?" He asked startling all three broom holders.
"Oh, El. We've been looking through all of Harry's birthday gifts and school supplies. It's quite a collection he has here." Sylûne replied. "I see. Well ye do indeed have quite a few books here lad. And I see that ye have been researching about the realms of the dead. What have ye found out lad?" El asked Harry while looking over his bookshelf.
"Well from what I have figured out there is a realm for the dead for each of the Gods and presided over separately by them. There is also a realm for those who are truly evil and who the God or Goddess' realm that they should be going to do not wish them there. For example when Voldemort dies he won't likely go to Mystra's realm but to the true realm of the dead, where as far as I could determine, those sent there suffer the evils they inflicted upon others in their life. I didn't actually look really closely into that as I really don't want to know what those souls go through." Harry started. El, Sylûne, Storm, and Lhaeo, who had come in just as he was beginning, nodded. They had all by this time pulled up chairs and sat down around the fireplace.
"The rest I looked into was about Mystra's realm. From what I can figure from your books, my books, and what the Lady herself said when she came to visit me, is that all who practice her magic in my realm will end up in hers, while any who worship her and/or practice her magic in this realm will end up in hers." Harry continued. "Indeed it seems you have much information and the right of it so far as we all know lad." Elminster said to him. "Then why did I have to do all this research?" Harry asked a little put out that they could have just told him. "As you will be doing the magic and the traveling to get you Godfather back, you are the one who must know all of this in you heart. Us telling you would not have done that but you finding it on your own does." Sylûne said to him. "Oh. Ok. Well anyways, the veil that Sirius fell through is a gateway that a wizard opened and was apparently never able to close or left open on purpose. It was likely created the same way that I will create the one I will go through to get Sirius back and therefore, what I learned from the spell information and Lady Mystra, is that once someone goes through it, if they are alive they will remain that way. Getting weaker the longer they are in Mystra's realm but unable to die. They will continue to grow weak until there is nothing left of them and their soul and body completely disappear. If that happens to the person who created and opened the gateway then the gateway will forever remain open. Which is what I assume happened to whoever opened the gateway or veil that now lies in the Department of Mysteries in my own realm." Harry finished.
"Indeed that is all true. Now how will you be getting you Godfather back Harry?" Lhaeo asked. "Well when I'm stronger I plan on opening a gateway and traveling to find him. I can assume from knowing him that he will search out my parents and stay with them so when I pass through the gateway I will search them out as well. I also plan on placing a location signal that I can track to find the gateway again and return back here." Harry replied.
"That sounds like a great plan but you are correct. We do need to start training you on your increased power. As a chosen of your realm you powers and connection to Mystra are different than our own." Storm said. "While we can draw from the Lady's Fire and use it directly, you cannot. Instead you are gifted with a great amount of your own magical energy to draw from. We will begin your training in the morning."
"Just what am I going to be learning?" Harry asked the four sitting around him. "Indeed a good question lad. I myself will be teaching you how to reach and harness your significant energy and will be training you in wandless, itemless, incantation, and wordless magics. Sylûne will be testing you to see if you have any inclination towards elemental incantations as she is one of the few who can do such. Storm will be teaching you differing forms of physical combat and Lhaeo will continue to help you research anything you need." Elminster said to Harry. "Wow, that's a lot." "Indeed." El chuckled.
By this time it was getting dark outside and the five decided that it was time for dinner. The retreated to the kitchen and dinning area of the tower and sat down to the meal that had been slow cooking in the kitchen hearth for most of the day. After which Harry and Lhaeo both retired for the night while the other three went on their separate ways, running the errands they needed to get done. Storm visited the Lord and Lady of Shadowdale to prepare for the annual Midnight gathering. An annual party that had been a local tradition for many years now.
Sylûne went over to a comfortable chair and opened her mind to contact her sisters in the way that only the Chosen of Mystra could do. She wanted to talk to her sisters The Simbul, Witch-Queen of Aglarond, and Alustriel, High Lady and Queen of Silverymoon. Sylûne, Storm, and Elminster hoped they would at least agree to meet this new Chosen, Harry Potter.
El on the other hand had too many matters to watch over to even list here fully. Checking on the evil wizards in the next kingdom over, those who were always trying to kill him, as well as checking all his contacts for any information that he may need in the time to come were just a few of the things he did that night.
How long had he been walking, hours, days, years. Sirius really couldn't tell. He had been asking for directions to the Potter residence ever since he had talked to Cedric Diggory. He knew he was getting close he had passed by some other people he had known that had died during the first war against Voldemort. They had been telling him how to get to the Potter Manor, where he was sure he would find James and Lily. He just hoped that they would forgive him.
Some time later, he still didn't know just how long, Sirius arrived at what looked to be a large manor house. He recognized it as the Potter Manor that he had lived in with James while they were still in Hogwarts, before James and Lily had married and moved to Godric's Hollow. Before they had had Harry. Before James' parents had been killed by Voldemort in their seventh year. It looked just the same and Sirius hoped that if he ever got the chance to see Harry again he would tell him how to find it as only his blood could.
'Well its now or never.' Sirius took a deep breath and went through the archway dictating the entrance to the grounds and the Potter Manor Proper. Slowly walking up the path, he used the time to calm his nerves. When he finally reached the front door he was more nervous and apprehensive than he had been when he started, but he still raised his hand to knock on the door.
When the door started to open, Sirius didn't know how to react. What would they say? What would he do? The front door opened full and holding the door open was a young woman with long red hair and emerald green eyes. Lily.
"Sirius?! Is it really you?" Lily asked
"Who's at the door dear. Why don't you invite them in for lunch." The voice of a man said in the background. Sirius looked past Lily when he first heard the voice and swallowed painfully. "James" he whispered.
Lily remained looking at Sirius, noticing something in his presence. She then proceeded to jump onto him giving him a gigantic hug while he recovered from his surprise. "James get out here." Lily yelled over her shoulder.
James ran into the front hall to see that his wife was attached to a man with black hair who seemed to be shocked as he was trying to figure out what to do with his hands. James didn't know who the man was as he couldn't see his face, but from the way Lily was acting he knew that is must be some one they had know well. The man looked up when he heard James step up close to the doorway. And James gasped.
"Sirius??" James asked.
Sirius nodded his head with a little bit of difficulty as Lily was still hugging him tightly. Though James did note that he had found something to do with his hands in hugging Lily back. "Yea James it me."
"What are you doing here, you're not dead?" James said. "That can wait till we are comfortable come and sit down you two. Are you hungry Sirius? We have lunch done and waiting in the kitchen." Lily said letting Sirius out of the hug and pulling him into the house and to the kitchen.
"Yea I am, thanks guys." Sirius said softly, following Lily with James following behind. Once they were sitting and eating a wonderfully cooked yet light meal for lunch Sirius began to relax.
"So what happened? How did you get here? How is Harry? What happened after we died? How's Remus? What ever happened to the traitor? What..." James trailed off as Sirius raised his hand.
"Slow down James. I'll answers your questions as best you can. But I don't think you are going to like it. How do you know that I'm not dead by they way. I'm not even sure. I mean it sure seams that I'm dead. How can you all be so sure. The Diggory boy said the same thing when I saw him. How do you know?" Sirius started.
"Well that is actually an easy question to answer." Lily said. "It is like another sense. Those who are dead can tell when they run into someone who is not."
"Oh. Ok. Well to answer your questions I think I should start at the beginning. When I realized Wormtail had betrayed you I left to get you out of there, but I was too late. I ran into Hagrid caring Harry out of the runes and asked him to give me Harry. He wouldn't. Said that Dumbledore wanted him. I didn't understand but I told him to take my motorcycle and after they left I went after Peter. When I found him he decided to set me up. He yelled at me about betraying you and then blew up the street, killing some muggles and faking his death. That is when the Aurors showed up and took me to Azkaban. No trial, no questions, just the dementors and the knowledge that Wormtail had betrayed us all." Sirius said.
Lily gasped "How long were you in there. I can't believe they didn't even give you a trial. What happened to Harry? How is he?" She asked upset at what she had heard. James just sat there numb with his mouth hanging open slightly.
"I'll get to that Lily, just let me finish." Sirius said. He then proceeded to tell the rest of the history that he knew. How he had been in Azkaban for 12 years, and his escape. Everything he had learned about Harry, what had happened over the next two years and how he wound up with Lily and James sitting on their couch.
When he was finished he looked away. "I know I was never there for Harry. All I can say is I'm sorry. I know your not happy with me but I thought you should know everything if you didn't already. I'll just be going now." Sirius made as if to get up when James stopped him.
"Why would you be leaving? We're not upset with you. You were taken prisoner with out a cause; your not being with Harry is not your fault. Sirius, stay." James said smiling. Sirius looked at James and returned the smile sadly.
"Well now that you have finished I believe we should tell you some things as well. James you start." Lily said as she got more comfortable on the couch with James. She lay down with her head on James' leg, looking his strait in the eye as she said this. "Yea your right of course. So you fell through the gateway, or veil, at the Department of Mysteries, and walked here right?" James asked Sirius to make sure he had the facts right.
"Yea. As far as I can remember. I was fighting with Bitch-atrix," James snorted at this and Lily rolled her eyes, "and she hit me with a red curse. I'm not sure what it was but it wasn't Crucio or the Stunning curse. Anyways I had lost track of where we were in the room and when the curse hit me I fell through. At least I believe that is what happened. I think I may have even heard Harry and Remus yelling. But I don't remember anything after that until I woke up in what I can only assume was a passage way to get here." Sirius replied. "Then I asked people for directions and found you two and here we are."
"Yes, here we are." Lily replied. "Well its gotten quite late. We should get to bed." She continued smiling slyly. She got up off the couch and began to walk away when Sirius stopped her. "Hey now! You were going to answer some of my questions. You can't walk out on that now Lily." Sirius said in a mock angry tone.
Lily smiled "Oh very well, I'll be right back Sirius." She turned around again and went into the kitchen. James laughed softly. "Its good to see you again Padfoot. Even if the circumstances aren't the best."
"Its great to see the two of you too Prongs. I have missed you both so much." Sirius replied with emotion. It was then that Lily returned with a tray on which sat a large forest green tea pot and three soft green tea cups, as well as all the fixings; cream, sugar, honey, and scones.
"I always did love your scones Lily." Sirius said "So what can you tell me about everything." He asked. So the rest of the evening was spent with James and Lily explaining everything to Sirius as they sat in the living room by a cozy fire sipping tea.