Catcher
Chapter 9; The Prophecy and Promise.
{Hogwarts}
Ron and Hermione sat in the Great Hall and as they stared at their breakfast without an attempt to eat it, they listened to the conversations around them. Most were centred on this weekends Hogsmead trip on the last day of July mainly so students could replenish supplies and relax after the work they had been doing.
As sixth years they had been studying in all their classes available as well as Hermione and her boyfriend having to do the Defence Teachers job when it came to the Gryffindors. They had covered what they could think of but a month wasn't a long time so they had stayed away from creatures and used Harry's training last year to teach defensive magic like shields.
The thought of the D.A. last year brought tears to her eyes as she thought of Harry, and she was brought back to the memories of the night just past, watching those Muggles being killed without a chance and then sitting through the image again at the meetings. She really didn't want to think about her old friend, she just wished it wasn't true. Unfortunately the feeling she had got in a dream in the library once about a week ago that Harry was happy but angry and wanted revenge, presumably for Sirius death kept coming back to her and she began to realise that maybe he really had turned into an enemy, she shuddered at the thought.
The student's conversations slowly died which normally signalled that there was a member of staff standing calling for silence. The remainder of the Golden Trio as so many had called them looked up to see the headmaster standing and what seemed to be bracing himself for an unpleasant task.
He glanced around at the quiet faces of every student almost trying to find out if someone was missing. The twinkle of his eyes was completely gone and he looked older somehow, but Hermione couldn't work out why.
"Recent events have given the need for me to address older matters. Last night a Muggle Navy base was attacked by a dark wizard. You will not find this in the papers but I felt the need for you to know. You may have noticed that I said 'a' dark wizard," he closed his eyes briefly as if trying to soften the blow to himself at the next words, Ron and Hermione knew what was coming, "This single Wizard is Harry Potter," a gasp ran through the hall especially from the older Gryffindors and the younger students who idolised the Boy-Who-Lived.
The Headmaster was almost shaking with the attempt to control his anger and sadness, he felt that he had lost something dear to him like his own Grandson even though he knew that there was no relation between himself and the boy. "I will remind you of the warrant issued by the Ministry of Magic on Mr. Potter. If you are found helping him the consequences are beyond terrible. The punishment is beyond my control. I will say this though. Harry Potter used to be an ally to the side of the light, seen as our savour and our hope. He was a friend to many here and many not here. That was before he killed hundreds of Muggles without mercy or restraint and cost the country an extreme amount of resources. He is no longer someone to turn to with faith. He will show you little or no mercy. Please think about your actions from this point on." With that he slumped into his chair and Professor McGonagall laid her hand on his shoulder knowing that he couldn't carry on with his own inner turmoil to stop him, so she stood to address the students on the upcoming trip to Hogsmead.
As the murmurs stopped again she caught the sight of Ron and Hermione heading out the door and Albus writing a note. He silently summoned an owl from his office to deliver it and she was slightly surprised to see that she recognised the creature.
"I am sure that I need not remind you of the upcoming trip into Hogsmead," she said to the students, "normal rules apply however I must warn you extra precautions are being taken that we did not produce. The neighbouring Muggle Base is currently patrolling the town and I will warn you only once. Do not annoy them, they are armed with weapons I doubt any of you could protect yourselves from and also they are still on high alert from last night's events. They took a personal insult to last night and I am grateful that the Government did not pull their protection completely. They are also increasing work that is almost complete so it will be complete by the start of the normal year. They are increasing the amount of patrols including aeroplanes and I urge you not to go anywhere near the Military base. They are not something to underestimate or to play with." She looked purposely at the older Slytherins. "Stay away from them or you may very well get hurt."
With that she sighed and sat and watched as the students either carried on eating or left all talking either about the attack last night or the upcoming trip.
* * *
Ron and Hermione were heading back to their common room when an owl flew down the corridor to them. Hermione took the note from the bird and stroked it absently as Ron looked as if an electrical bolt had shocked him. "Hedwig" he breathed out. Hermione gasped as she realised it was true and looked into the eyes of her old friend's beloved pet. The bird leaned into the hand stroking her, then pecked at the note in Hermione's hand. She read it.
"Miss. Granger,
I request yours and Mr. Weasley's presence in my office as soon as possible, there is some news that I need to tell you. If you are wondering about Hedwig she came to my office after Harry's disappearance, she can no longer find Harry and I believe that the old Harry would be delighted to know that you could look after her if you would.
Albus Dumbledore."
The both headed towards the office as Ron read the note and Hermione regarded the bird on her shoulder. She realised that she wanted Harry back and this seemed to help fill the hole Harry had left with his decision.
They reached the office and Ron told the Guard the password, 'Chocolate Eclairs' and they climbed the stairs to find the headmaster sitting behind the desk and the new Minister sitting in front of it. They took a seat as the headmaster asked them to.
Hermione looked into the Headmaster's eyes and could see why he looked so old, his eyes were almost dead and he had heavy bags under his eyes. He seemed to have lost the all-knowing aura that always accompanied him wherever he went.
"Hermione," he paused as if to ask permission to use her given name, he carried on after she nodded her permission, "I am afraid I have just received some more bad news, it seems it was delayed due to the clean up and searches after last night. I am sorry to tell you that your parents have been murdered. They died last night a couple of hours after the attack, probably whilst we were in the Order meeting. I am sorry to say that Harry's magical Aura was the only Signature that was found in you house, evidence points to the fact that he must have killed your parents." He stopped and waved his hand to summon some tea for the crippled girl in front of him leaning on her boyfriend as tears started to form.
"We will take our leave, you may stay her as long as you want and there is a room just through that door that you can stay in today and tonight. Mr. Weasley may stay also, I trust you both. Good day, if you need anything just call for an elf. And please call me Albus." Ron nodded at him and forced a smile as he caught Hermione in an embrace. "I believe that the Ministry is setting up protection for you family Ron."
"Thank you," Ron said to both adults as he held Hermione. With that the adults left to a meeting with the Muggles next door.
Hedwig gracefully landed on Hermione's lap and Hermione looked shock at her as images of Harry fell to the front of her memory.
"How could he," she muttered to herself as the tears flowed down her face, "He killed them, after everything we went through together, after we loved him as a brother. This is how that bastard repays us." Ron was slightly shocked at her words, but he agreed with them and felt betrayal and worry for both Hermione and his own family who could be next on his psychotic friend's list. "I'll kill him." Hermione whispered and Ron's shock grew.
"Hermione," he started but she stopped him as she carried on.
"I'll kill that idiot traitor, he's just the same as Wormtail!" She yelled at the room and then yelped as the owl on her lap took off with a furious screech and dug her talons into the leg she was standing on.
Hermione's anger erupted as the energy seemed to be sapped out by her grief as she yelled at the bird to go back to it's traitorous master. Ron watched the birds retreating form with slight anger as Hermione fell into him and he led her to the bed next door to sleep.
When he was sure his girlfriend was sleeping he looked toward the window that Hedwig had left through and spoke quietly, "I will get you for this, traitor, you betrayed us, you killed Hermione's only family, I will never rest until your dead. For those muggles I will never let you rest in Azkaban, you will die. I'll never let her stoop to your level, I'll kill you myself."
* * *
{The Sea Dragon}
Harry stood next to the Captain of the Sea Dragon near the helm. The ship was even more beautiful when one stood on the deck and looked at the great white sails full of wind. The ship cut through the slightly rough sea, the bow ploughing through the crest spraying ice cold water lightly across the forecastle. The deck was wide enough to easily fit most of the Hogwarts students and the raised Quarterdeck could easily fit another fifty men. At the moment only Harry, Valice and Alandria stood on it with the Captain, Tom Spike. At the moment Valice was steering the great ship, after he had bugged the Captain for at least ten minutes. The three Order members wore general sea combats, Dark blue almost black loose fitting combat gear with a long dark trench clock that surprisingly didn't hinder the fighter's movement but moved with ease.
The Captain wore the uniform of an Officer of the Atlantian Royal Sea Guard. He also wore the insignia of a Captain, which was four stripes laying two above and two below a Sea Dragon, which he recognised as the flying sea creatures that spent so much time in the waters around the domes.
After a while of staring at the sea, which Harry was surprised didn't make him sick, Harry began to wander out across the ship. Deep in thought he found himself on the wet forecastle. The ship pitched over a large wave and came down on the next sending a massive wall of water across the bow. Not bothering to try to dodge the water he used his elemental powers over water to redirect the water around him, and for a split second he stood in a cocoon of water. When the water had passed he glanced back at the helm to see the worried faces of the Captain and his mentors. Obviously they had no faith in him if they thought he would allow himself to get wet. He smirked slightly and turned to lean on the gunwhale at the very front of the ship.
Looking down at the water he watched as it rose and fell over ten metres as the ship was pushed to her limits to get them to there destination. He felt the pull at his mind, he had had the feeling since they had set out just after dawn, an hour ago. He felt like something had happened to a friend, he felt anger towards him but couldn't really grab onto it enough to tell him where it was from. He did know though that something bad had happened other than the attack they had watched. One of his friends was really furious at him.
"Well," he thought to himself as he pulled up a wall of light around this feeling to shut it off, "if they are so eager to give up on me, why should I stop them, let them feel that way, why should I have anything to do with them!"
With that thought he turned and took in the sight over the pitching stern and saw the great domes of Atlanta behind them as they raced away from it on a stern wind. They had explained early in the trip that while they were still in visual range of the domes, Atlanta herself would aid them by changing the winds into a more favourable wind. Harry knew this was good as the wind around the area was heading in the opposite direction and they would have been forced to tack. Moving side on to the wind in Order to move toward the wind in a zigzagging line.
He walked back to the helm to talk to Tom as the man had insisted they call him as technically as members of the Order they were senior to him. That fact Harry wasn't that happy with so he had readily agreed as long as the man didn't call him Sir like the rest of the crew did.
"How long till we get to the portal, Tom?" Harry asked as he got to the helm. He had been told earlier that they would have to travel to get to a point where both worlds, this one and Kristoshia, had sea in the same place as they needed to reappear in water or else the ship would be destroyed, it changed every day as the world turned differently.
"At this speed and course," he walked over to the map and looked at it, tracing long fingers over the pencil markings on it. "I reckon about just this side of an hour, but as you know the wind is almost head on without the weather control. We are out of the control of the City in fifteen minutes, after that we are going to have to tack the rest of the way. I think three hours is a good guess."
"Couldn't we get an Air Elemental to alter the winds so we get there quicker?"
The Captain laughed slightly, "You catch on quicker then most," Harry blushed at the slight compliment, "normally we do, however we don't have enough Air Elementals on board to change it enough. You decided to bring a crew with no Air Elementals."
"I can do it!" Harry responded slightly offended.
Another laugh greeted this, "You are only a trainee kid, I doubt you could do that, we need a least two fully trained wizards." Harry only didn't respond as he liked the man and his jolly ways and because he saw Alandria's shaking head behind Tom.
Harry left the conversation and followed Alandria to the side of the ship to see the Domes trailing further behind them, only just visible now on the horizon.
"Come on Harry, you can prove yourself just before they try to turn, I want to see the look on his face when he finds out just how wrong he is." Harry saw the childish smirk that only Alandria could wear, it reminded him slightly of the childish twinkle in his old headmaster's eyes, but he closed that thought behind a firm wall, it only served to depress him.
"I need to talk to you, about two things really. First is the quickest so I'll say that first." She continued, "Kristoshia is a completely non- magical world or at least not the way you know it. The only real magic there is a few magical creatures, we can pick up their presence but our systems don't seem to know what they are. The people know about magic and can do some things, especially the Solem's of Kristoshia, the royal family. Unfortunately the evil powers seem to own every part of the world apart from the main city that you saw being attacked, I think by the time we get there it will have fallen."
She looked sad for a moment. "But the real reason I mentioned this is because you can't use magic there, not only because you would be found but because the air itself is so starved of it. All our magic would fail, but not before it draws all the evil on the planet to you. We think that you might be able to use you crysti ability on a passive scale, you know let the thought come to you rather then seeking them. Well we'll need those skills because time is short."
"Do you understand that?" He nodded for her to continue, "Good because that the easy to understand part. The second topic is the Prophecy, you heard of one on Earth I believe about only you being able to defeat Voldemort, its true you can. But that is a minor concept compared. You see the one you heard of last night from the Maesters is no longer known. Basically it's said that two people would be found, both born on the Anniversary of Magic. One, the Lightning Child or known as the Heir of Magic, the other is the Dragon Child also known as the Summoner. As you heard last night, they will join forces and fight together, but if one dies the other will fail to the ruin of all light. The other thing is that they will be found as the Zalot's Order falls. It is not widely known but the Zalots are returning to the magic stream, they are leaving the Order and taking our long lives with them. We will remain as the Atlantian Order as our exposure to them gives us another two hundred or so years.
"The point is the Order is soon to fall and we must find the two Lords as they are to be known. The prophecy hints at four unknown powers rising. Though not known as yet, we believe that the powers shown by the young prince of Kristoshia almost rival your levels which would make him the most likely to fill one spot. As one of the Maesters has dreamt of the boys Initiation we have to retrieve him before he is killed. You might be interested to know that his birthday was exactly a year after yours."
She paused to let this sink in before continuing, "Yes that would mean that it is likely that your are the second child, as is obvious as the Lightning child," She glanced at his scar on his forehead." You have already shown one unknown power, your animagus form has never been seen before and it is obviously very magical.
"But I talk too much, basically it is imperative that neither of you are killed, as it would mean that all the worlds would collapse. We have seen a rise in dark magic across all worlds even those not extensively populated. Except for one which we seem to not be able to visit, but the topic is wavering, what I want to say is," she look directly at him. "You have become like a son to me, watch out for yourself and for the prince, I think you will become like brothers in time."
With that she caught Harry in a hug and after a while they walked back to the helm. Obviously Valice had heard the conversation whilst steering but the Captain hadn't heard a word. Harry looked enquiringly at him, before Valice pointed at his wand to show that he had cast a deafening spell on the man to stop him from hearing. Harry grinned in amusement, but was started from his thoughts as the Captain made an announcement as he pointed out a dial on the helm's centre, which showed a lever pointing at zero.
"The winds dead, we are in the extremes where the two winds cancel each other out." As they silently glided through the limbo, the sails flapping uselessly from their restraints. Harry glanced back at the dome and saw that during the conversation they had completely disappeared below the horizon. He looked back around as he heard Tom mutter "Sonorus!" as he pointed his wand at his throat. He turned to look out over his ship and declared, "Bracing Stations, Bracing Stations!" with his magically amplified voice.
The crew snapped alert and rushed to several ropes around them. Alandria nodded to Harry and whispered into his ear.
"Wait till you see the wind back the sails then do it!" Harry nodded happily before taking a step back away from the helm so he could better see the look on the Captain's face when he worked out what was happening. He listened to the still water ripple around the ship and the light talk coming from the experienced crew. He looked up at the sails as he began to draw the vast amount of power he could command to him, he felt it gather around him. He watched the sails as they flapped past the masts towards him, and heard distantly as the Captain opened his mouth to breathe as he begun to give the first helm Order to start the turn of the ship.
Harry smirked as he pulled the winds, which were gathering around the ship as it passed out of the limbo, around the stern then almost threw them at the back of the ship. He knew to keep it controlled but he wanted to make a statement to the Captain. Just as the sails fully reached towards the stern and the first word reached the Captains mouth the sails snapped back past the masts to reach forwards as Harry's powers pushed the wind into them.
The ship groaned at the sudden change of speed and Valice had to plant his feet firmly to keep the helm in the same place, The ship almost flew forwards and the Captain almost fell over with the shock before looking at his crew that knew what should have happened but didn't. Slowly Alandria and Valice began to laugh at the confused expressions over the crew's faces and their own squads and finally Tom looked around to see the faint glow around Harry.
"Told you so!" Harry's voice showed no strain and Harry felt nothing but the power flowing through him in a gentle caress.
He laughed as the Captain muttered a few choice words, as he realised what he was seeing. "Impossible!"
"That would be one point to you my lad!" He smiled at the trainee that probably could out power all of his crew put together. "In that case," he walked the short distance to his map and studied it with his finger then looked up. He yelled at his crew and the Order's squads. "Prepare for Trans- World Portal, Half an Hour to jump!" The men below him looked shocked for a second especially when a few saw the boy behind him slightly glowing but other then that looking completely relaxed and calm. Then they pulled themselves together and headed around to their jobs, stowing gear and such as the Order went below decks to get their equipment.
Harry, while making sure that the wind remained under his control, checked on his own weapons. He had yet to be taught Archery so he didn't wear the Bow and Arrows that most would wear if they were to meet a Pirate ship or enemy. He checked his daggers, one on each side of his belt. The left sheath was larger as it housed his Katana as well, a fighting sword not many could learn with but he felt natural with. He also wore a small dagger on each wrist that he could flip into his hand at the shortest notice and also one short sword strapped to his outer right leg outside his trousers. His favourite weapons were a set of Ninja Stars clasped to the front of his belt. Coloured black to camouflage, as they flew they were barely noticeable to someone without a keen eye. He had learned to use them in his second week, to make up for his lack of ability still present in Wandless Magic. Even if he had progressed in Elemental he knew he still wasn't up to his maximum and it drained him more then he thought it would normally. Once he had declared to himself that all his weapons were in place he let his Trench coat fall back over himself to cover all his weapons.
Alandria commented on the seemingly unarmed boy. "You know you could trick the enemy into thinking you were just a sweet innocent boy, that couldn't hurt a fly." Harry snorted at the comment knowing that he could use it to his advantage one day. He contented himself with playing with the winds as they swept around him making small whirlwinds and mini tornadoes where his wind circled around behind the ship.
* * *
A/N: That was a long chapter especially since my computer kept wiping the start every time I tried to write it. But I kept with it. It is now twice as long as I intended, but I was going to put the next chapter with it but it seems that I might as well add that later as the next chapter.
Bracing Stations; Means the jobs that the crew needs to do in order to turn the sails on a tall ship. Think Victory or the MayFlower. I do know what I am talking about, I have spent weeks on a Tall Ship.
Forecastle; Is a raise platform at the front of a ship.
Quarterdeck; Is a raised platform at the back of a ship.
Bow; Is the front of the ship.
Stern; Is the back of the ship.
Just thought that might clear up a few problems.
Thanks to my reviewers and enjoy your last days of school/college/Uni. Personally I will enjoy my last four days this year of college
Ashione; Ok maybe it was a slight cliffie but at least Harry didn't die again, he might do later though (lol)
Gual1 and Slimpun; Sorry he's a guy, that's what I intended, I cant write soppy love stories.
Yana5 and SilverKnight7; All will be explained later, in the next few chapters, probably chapter 11 or 12, or there abouts. It has to do with Kristoshia
I am planing a slight 'accident' for Draco Malfoy. Sorry to all you Draco fans, but I need a guinea pig and he is the perfect choice, don't worry he wont die, or perhaps he will, please vote on whether I keep him alive or not (use the reviews). If you want a hint to what will happen to him look through the chapter. Please DON'T write it in your reviews though, it will spoil the surprise. If you want to tell me your idea send me an email. I will update soon, I promise!
Chapter 9; The Prophecy and Promise.
{Hogwarts}
Ron and Hermione sat in the Great Hall and as they stared at their breakfast without an attempt to eat it, they listened to the conversations around them. Most were centred on this weekends Hogsmead trip on the last day of July mainly so students could replenish supplies and relax after the work they had been doing.
As sixth years they had been studying in all their classes available as well as Hermione and her boyfriend having to do the Defence Teachers job when it came to the Gryffindors. They had covered what they could think of but a month wasn't a long time so they had stayed away from creatures and used Harry's training last year to teach defensive magic like shields.
The thought of the D.A. last year brought tears to her eyes as she thought of Harry, and she was brought back to the memories of the night just past, watching those Muggles being killed without a chance and then sitting through the image again at the meetings. She really didn't want to think about her old friend, she just wished it wasn't true. Unfortunately the feeling she had got in a dream in the library once about a week ago that Harry was happy but angry and wanted revenge, presumably for Sirius death kept coming back to her and she began to realise that maybe he really had turned into an enemy, she shuddered at the thought.
The student's conversations slowly died which normally signalled that there was a member of staff standing calling for silence. The remainder of the Golden Trio as so many had called them looked up to see the headmaster standing and what seemed to be bracing himself for an unpleasant task.
He glanced around at the quiet faces of every student almost trying to find out if someone was missing. The twinkle of his eyes was completely gone and he looked older somehow, but Hermione couldn't work out why.
"Recent events have given the need for me to address older matters. Last night a Muggle Navy base was attacked by a dark wizard. You will not find this in the papers but I felt the need for you to know. You may have noticed that I said 'a' dark wizard," he closed his eyes briefly as if trying to soften the blow to himself at the next words, Ron and Hermione knew what was coming, "This single Wizard is Harry Potter," a gasp ran through the hall especially from the older Gryffindors and the younger students who idolised the Boy-Who-Lived.
The Headmaster was almost shaking with the attempt to control his anger and sadness, he felt that he had lost something dear to him like his own Grandson even though he knew that there was no relation between himself and the boy. "I will remind you of the warrant issued by the Ministry of Magic on Mr. Potter. If you are found helping him the consequences are beyond terrible. The punishment is beyond my control. I will say this though. Harry Potter used to be an ally to the side of the light, seen as our savour and our hope. He was a friend to many here and many not here. That was before he killed hundreds of Muggles without mercy or restraint and cost the country an extreme amount of resources. He is no longer someone to turn to with faith. He will show you little or no mercy. Please think about your actions from this point on." With that he slumped into his chair and Professor McGonagall laid her hand on his shoulder knowing that he couldn't carry on with his own inner turmoil to stop him, so she stood to address the students on the upcoming trip to Hogsmead.
As the murmurs stopped again she caught the sight of Ron and Hermione heading out the door and Albus writing a note. He silently summoned an owl from his office to deliver it and she was slightly surprised to see that she recognised the creature.
"I am sure that I need not remind you of the upcoming trip into Hogsmead," she said to the students, "normal rules apply however I must warn you extra precautions are being taken that we did not produce. The neighbouring Muggle Base is currently patrolling the town and I will warn you only once. Do not annoy them, they are armed with weapons I doubt any of you could protect yourselves from and also they are still on high alert from last night's events. They took a personal insult to last night and I am grateful that the Government did not pull their protection completely. They are also increasing work that is almost complete so it will be complete by the start of the normal year. They are increasing the amount of patrols including aeroplanes and I urge you not to go anywhere near the Military base. They are not something to underestimate or to play with." She looked purposely at the older Slytherins. "Stay away from them or you may very well get hurt."
With that she sighed and sat and watched as the students either carried on eating or left all talking either about the attack last night or the upcoming trip.
* * *
Ron and Hermione were heading back to their common room when an owl flew down the corridor to them. Hermione took the note from the bird and stroked it absently as Ron looked as if an electrical bolt had shocked him. "Hedwig" he breathed out. Hermione gasped as she realised it was true and looked into the eyes of her old friend's beloved pet. The bird leaned into the hand stroking her, then pecked at the note in Hermione's hand. She read it.
"Miss. Granger,
I request yours and Mr. Weasley's presence in my office as soon as possible, there is some news that I need to tell you. If you are wondering about Hedwig she came to my office after Harry's disappearance, she can no longer find Harry and I believe that the old Harry would be delighted to know that you could look after her if you would.
Albus Dumbledore."
The both headed towards the office as Ron read the note and Hermione regarded the bird on her shoulder. She realised that she wanted Harry back and this seemed to help fill the hole Harry had left with his decision.
They reached the office and Ron told the Guard the password, 'Chocolate Eclairs' and they climbed the stairs to find the headmaster sitting behind the desk and the new Minister sitting in front of it. They took a seat as the headmaster asked them to.
Hermione looked into the Headmaster's eyes and could see why he looked so old, his eyes were almost dead and he had heavy bags under his eyes. He seemed to have lost the all-knowing aura that always accompanied him wherever he went.
"Hermione," he paused as if to ask permission to use her given name, he carried on after she nodded her permission, "I am afraid I have just received some more bad news, it seems it was delayed due to the clean up and searches after last night. I am sorry to tell you that your parents have been murdered. They died last night a couple of hours after the attack, probably whilst we were in the Order meeting. I am sorry to say that Harry's magical Aura was the only Signature that was found in you house, evidence points to the fact that he must have killed your parents." He stopped and waved his hand to summon some tea for the crippled girl in front of him leaning on her boyfriend as tears started to form.
"We will take our leave, you may stay her as long as you want and there is a room just through that door that you can stay in today and tonight. Mr. Weasley may stay also, I trust you both. Good day, if you need anything just call for an elf. And please call me Albus." Ron nodded at him and forced a smile as he caught Hermione in an embrace. "I believe that the Ministry is setting up protection for you family Ron."
"Thank you," Ron said to both adults as he held Hermione. With that the adults left to a meeting with the Muggles next door.
Hedwig gracefully landed on Hermione's lap and Hermione looked shock at her as images of Harry fell to the front of her memory.
"How could he," she muttered to herself as the tears flowed down her face, "He killed them, after everything we went through together, after we loved him as a brother. This is how that bastard repays us." Ron was slightly shocked at her words, but he agreed with them and felt betrayal and worry for both Hermione and his own family who could be next on his psychotic friend's list. "I'll kill him." Hermione whispered and Ron's shock grew.
"Hermione," he started but she stopped him as she carried on.
"I'll kill that idiot traitor, he's just the same as Wormtail!" She yelled at the room and then yelped as the owl on her lap took off with a furious screech and dug her talons into the leg she was standing on.
Hermione's anger erupted as the energy seemed to be sapped out by her grief as she yelled at the bird to go back to it's traitorous master. Ron watched the birds retreating form with slight anger as Hermione fell into him and he led her to the bed next door to sleep.
When he was sure his girlfriend was sleeping he looked toward the window that Hedwig had left through and spoke quietly, "I will get you for this, traitor, you betrayed us, you killed Hermione's only family, I will never rest until your dead. For those muggles I will never let you rest in Azkaban, you will die. I'll never let her stoop to your level, I'll kill you myself."
* * *
{The Sea Dragon}
Harry stood next to the Captain of the Sea Dragon near the helm. The ship was even more beautiful when one stood on the deck and looked at the great white sails full of wind. The ship cut through the slightly rough sea, the bow ploughing through the crest spraying ice cold water lightly across the forecastle. The deck was wide enough to easily fit most of the Hogwarts students and the raised Quarterdeck could easily fit another fifty men. At the moment only Harry, Valice and Alandria stood on it with the Captain, Tom Spike. At the moment Valice was steering the great ship, after he had bugged the Captain for at least ten minutes. The three Order members wore general sea combats, Dark blue almost black loose fitting combat gear with a long dark trench clock that surprisingly didn't hinder the fighter's movement but moved with ease.
The Captain wore the uniform of an Officer of the Atlantian Royal Sea Guard. He also wore the insignia of a Captain, which was four stripes laying two above and two below a Sea Dragon, which he recognised as the flying sea creatures that spent so much time in the waters around the domes.
After a while of staring at the sea, which Harry was surprised didn't make him sick, Harry began to wander out across the ship. Deep in thought he found himself on the wet forecastle. The ship pitched over a large wave and came down on the next sending a massive wall of water across the bow. Not bothering to try to dodge the water he used his elemental powers over water to redirect the water around him, and for a split second he stood in a cocoon of water. When the water had passed he glanced back at the helm to see the worried faces of the Captain and his mentors. Obviously they had no faith in him if they thought he would allow himself to get wet. He smirked slightly and turned to lean on the gunwhale at the very front of the ship.
Looking down at the water he watched as it rose and fell over ten metres as the ship was pushed to her limits to get them to there destination. He felt the pull at his mind, he had had the feeling since they had set out just after dawn, an hour ago. He felt like something had happened to a friend, he felt anger towards him but couldn't really grab onto it enough to tell him where it was from. He did know though that something bad had happened other than the attack they had watched. One of his friends was really furious at him.
"Well," he thought to himself as he pulled up a wall of light around this feeling to shut it off, "if they are so eager to give up on me, why should I stop them, let them feel that way, why should I have anything to do with them!"
With that thought he turned and took in the sight over the pitching stern and saw the great domes of Atlanta behind them as they raced away from it on a stern wind. They had explained early in the trip that while they were still in visual range of the domes, Atlanta herself would aid them by changing the winds into a more favourable wind. Harry knew this was good as the wind around the area was heading in the opposite direction and they would have been forced to tack. Moving side on to the wind in Order to move toward the wind in a zigzagging line.
He walked back to the helm to talk to Tom as the man had insisted they call him as technically as members of the Order they were senior to him. That fact Harry wasn't that happy with so he had readily agreed as long as the man didn't call him Sir like the rest of the crew did.
"How long till we get to the portal, Tom?" Harry asked as he got to the helm. He had been told earlier that they would have to travel to get to a point where both worlds, this one and Kristoshia, had sea in the same place as they needed to reappear in water or else the ship would be destroyed, it changed every day as the world turned differently.
"At this speed and course," he walked over to the map and looked at it, tracing long fingers over the pencil markings on it. "I reckon about just this side of an hour, but as you know the wind is almost head on without the weather control. We are out of the control of the City in fifteen minutes, after that we are going to have to tack the rest of the way. I think three hours is a good guess."
"Couldn't we get an Air Elemental to alter the winds so we get there quicker?"
The Captain laughed slightly, "You catch on quicker then most," Harry blushed at the slight compliment, "normally we do, however we don't have enough Air Elementals on board to change it enough. You decided to bring a crew with no Air Elementals."
"I can do it!" Harry responded slightly offended.
Another laugh greeted this, "You are only a trainee kid, I doubt you could do that, we need a least two fully trained wizards." Harry only didn't respond as he liked the man and his jolly ways and because he saw Alandria's shaking head behind Tom.
Harry left the conversation and followed Alandria to the side of the ship to see the Domes trailing further behind them, only just visible now on the horizon.
"Come on Harry, you can prove yourself just before they try to turn, I want to see the look on his face when he finds out just how wrong he is." Harry saw the childish smirk that only Alandria could wear, it reminded him slightly of the childish twinkle in his old headmaster's eyes, but he closed that thought behind a firm wall, it only served to depress him.
"I need to talk to you, about two things really. First is the quickest so I'll say that first." She continued, "Kristoshia is a completely non- magical world or at least not the way you know it. The only real magic there is a few magical creatures, we can pick up their presence but our systems don't seem to know what they are. The people know about magic and can do some things, especially the Solem's of Kristoshia, the royal family. Unfortunately the evil powers seem to own every part of the world apart from the main city that you saw being attacked, I think by the time we get there it will have fallen."
She looked sad for a moment. "But the real reason I mentioned this is because you can't use magic there, not only because you would be found but because the air itself is so starved of it. All our magic would fail, but not before it draws all the evil on the planet to you. We think that you might be able to use you crysti ability on a passive scale, you know let the thought come to you rather then seeking them. Well we'll need those skills because time is short."
"Do you understand that?" He nodded for her to continue, "Good because that the easy to understand part. The second topic is the Prophecy, you heard of one on Earth I believe about only you being able to defeat Voldemort, its true you can. But that is a minor concept compared. You see the one you heard of last night from the Maesters is no longer known. Basically it's said that two people would be found, both born on the Anniversary of Magic. One, the Lightning Child or known as the Heir of Magic, the other is the Dragon Child also known as the Summoner. As you heard last night, they will join forces and fight together, but if one dies the other will fail to the ruin of all light. The other thing is that they will be found as the Zalot's Order falls. It is not widely known but the Zalots are returning to the magic stream, they are leaving the Order and taking our long lives with them. We will remain as the Atlantian Order as our exposure to them gives us another two hundred or so years.
"The point is the Order is soon to fall and we must find the two Lords as they are to be known. The prophecy hints at four unknown powers rising. Though not known as yet, we believe that the powers shown by the young prince of Kristoshia almost rival your levels which would make him the most likely to fill one spot. As one of the Maesters has dreamt of the boys Initiation we have to retrieve him before he is killed. You might be interested to know that his birthday was exactly a year after yours."
She paused to let this sink in before continuing, "Yes that would mean that it is likely that your are the second child, as is obvious as the Lightning child," She glanced at his scar on his forehead." You have already shown one unknown power, your animagus form has never been seen before and it is obviously very magical.
"But I talk too much, basically it is imperative that neither of you are killed, as it would mean that all the worlds would collapse. We have seen a rise in dark magic across all worlds even those not extensively populated. Except for one which we seem to not be able to visit, but the topic is wavering, what I want to say is," she look directly at him. "You have become like a son to me, watch out for yourself and for the prince, I think you will become like brothers in time."
With that she caught Harry in a hug and after a while they walked back to the helm. Obviously Valice had heard the conversation whilst steering but the Captain hadn't heard a word. Harry looked enquiringly at him, before Valice pointed at his wand to show that he had cast a deafening spell on the man to stop him from hearing. Harry grinned in amusement, but was started from his thoughts as the Captain made an announcement as he pointed out a dial on the helm's centre, which showed a lever pointing at zero.
"The winds dead, we are in the extremes where the two winds cancel each other out." As they silently glided through the limbo, the sails flapping uselessly from their restraints. Harry glanced back at the dome and saw that during the conversation they had completely disappeared below the horizon. He looked back around as he heard Tom mutter "Sonorus!" as he pointed his wand at his throat. He turned to look out over his ship and declared, "Bracing Stations, Bracing Stations!" with his magically amplified voice.
The crew snapped alert and rushed to several ropes around them. Alandria nodded to Harry and whispered into his ear.
"Wait till you see the wind back the sails then do it!" Harry nodded happily before taking a step back away from the helm so he could better see the look on the Captain's face when he worked out what was happening. He listened to the still water ripple around the ship and the light talk coming from the experienced crew. He looked up at the sails as he began to draw the vast amount of power he could command to him, he felt it gather around him. He watched the sails as they flapped past the masts towards him, and heard distantly as the Captain opened his mouth to breathe as he begun to give the first helm Order to start the turn of the ship.
Harry smirked as he pulled the winds, which were gathering around the ship as it passed out of the limbo, around the stern then almost threw them at the back of the ship. He knew to keep it controlled but he wanted to make a statement to the Captain. Just as the sails fully reached towards the stern and the first word reached the Captains mouth the sails snapped back past the masts to reach forwards as Harry's powers pushed the wind into them.
The ship groaned at the sudden change of speed and Valice had to plant his feet firmly to keep the helm in the same place, The ship almost flew forwards and the Captain almost fell over with the shock before looking at his crew that knew what should have happened but didn't. Slowly Alandria and Valice began to laugh at the confused expressions over the crew's faces and their own squads and finally Tom looked around to see the faint glow around Harry.
"Told you so!" Harry's voice showed no strain and Harry felt nothing but the power flowing through him in a gentle caress.
He laughed as the Captain muttered a few choice words, as he realised what he was seeing. "Impossible!"
"That would be one point to you my lad!" He smiled at the trainee that probably could out power all of his crew put together. "In that case," he walked the short distance to his map and studied it with his finger then looked up. He yelled at his crew and the Order's squads. "Prepare for Trans- World Portal, Half an Hour to jump!" The men below him looked shocked for a second especially when a few saw the boy behind him slightly glowing but other then that looking completely relaxed and calm. Then they pulled themselves together and headed around to their jobs, stowing gear and such as the Order went below decks to get their equipment.
Harry, while making sure that the wind remained under his control, checked on his own weapons. He had yet to be taught Archery so he didn't wear the Bow and Arrows that most would wear if they were to meet a Pirate ship or enemy. He checked his daggers, one on each side of his belt. The left sheath was larger as it housed his Katana as well, a fighting sword not many could learn with but he felt natural with. He also wore a small dagger on each wrist that he could flip into his hand at the shortest notice and also one short sword strapped to his outer right leg outside his trousers. His favourite weapons were a set of Ninja Stars clasped to the front of his belt. Coloured black to camouflage, as they flew they were barely noticeable to someone without a keen eye. He had learned to use them in his second week, to make up for his lack of ability still present in Wandless Magic. Even if he had progressed in Elemental he knew he still wasn't up to his maximum and it drained him more then he thought it would normally. Once he had declared to himself that all his weapons were in place he let his Trench coat fall back over himself to cover all his weapons.
Alandria commented on the seemingly unarmed boy. "You know you could trick the enemy into thinking you were just a sweet innocent boy, that couldn't hurt a fly." Harry snorted at the comment knowing that he could use it to his advantage one day. He contented himself with playing with the winds as they swept around him making small whirlwinds and mini tornadoes where his wind circled around behind the ship.
* * *
A/N: That was a long chapter especially since my computer kept wiping the start every time I tried to write it. But I kept with it. It is now twice as long as I intended, but I was going to put the next chapter with it but it seems that I might as well add that later as the next chapter.
Bracing Stations; Means the jobs that the crew needs to do in order to turn the sails on a tall ship. Think Victory or the MayFlower. I do know what I am talking about, I have spent weeks on a Tall Ship.
Forecastle; Is a raise platform at the front of a ship.
Quarterdeck; Is a raised platform at the back of a ship.
Bow; Is the front of the ship.
Stern; Is the back of the ship.
Just thought that might clear up a few problems.
Thanks to my reviewers and enjoy your last days of school/college/Uni. Personally I will enjoy my last four days this year of college
Ashione; Ok maybe it was a slight cliffie but at least Harry didn't die again, he might do later though (lol)
Gual1 and Slimpun; Sorry he's a guy, that's what I intended, I cant write soppy love stories.
Yana5 and SilverKnight7; All will be explained later, in the next few chapters, probably chapter 11 or 12, or there abouts. It has to do with Kristoshia
I am planing a slight 'accident' for Draco Malfoy. Sorry to all you Draco fans, but I need a guinea pig and he is the perfect choice, don't worry he wont die, or perhaps he will, please vote on whether I keep him alive or not (use the reviews). If you want a hint to what will happen to him look through the chapter. Please DON'T write it in your reviews though, it will spoil the surprise. If you want to tell me your idea send me an email. I will update soon, I promise!