Labyrinth AU. Jareth is Jareth. There is no one else more fitting for the role of the Goblin King.
He had four more hours to find his best friends little sister in the Goblin King's castle and win her back. Ron had - in a fit of anger - wished her away and Jareth - the Goblin King - had come and taken her. After offering Ron all of his dreams - which his friends was tempted to take, Harry had made a deal with the Goblin King and was allowed to run the Labyrinth and win her back in 13 hours. He had been quite successful this far and fought his way through the outskirts of the Labyrinth. He even made some friends - Ludo, Sir Didymus, his mighty steed Ambrosius and the dwarf Hoggle. But now he just made the mistake to eat the peach his friend had given him. He should have known that Jareth wouldn't play fair.
He leaned against the tree stump to steady himself because everything around him started to spin in a mad swirl of colours. He closed his eyes for a moment and, after reopening them, found himself in a strange ballroom filled with colourful, foreign beings. Fay. He was dressed in a fancy, slightly outdated costume and was aimlessly walking around the ballroom. Searching for something or someone. But his thoughts were hazy and he did not remember why he was here at all.
Suddenly, a handsome man with white blonde hair and a blue costume appeared amidst the masses, piercing his eyes with a pair of unmatched ones. His lips were moving and a beautiful song haunted his ears. I'll place the moon within your heart.
Harry blinked and the handsome stranger vanished in the masses. Quickly, the teen wandered through the crowds of dancing people until he suddenly stood in front of the handsome stranger who was no one else but the Goblin King.
He gave Harry a charming smile and pulled him into his arms for a dance while still singing this strange, hauntingly beautiful song. As the world falls down. Falling down. Something was not right. But he could not put his finger on it. Falling in love.
The Goblin King spun him round and round until his head hurt. The strange Fay surrounded them, whispering and laughing. Makes no sense at all. Harry pulled away and fought his way through the masses until he came to the edge of the room. A glass wall blocked him from leaving anywhere. He put his hands against the cold, smooth surface, pushing but it didn't move. Makes no sense to fall. Falling. A clock chimed twelve times and suddenly he remembered. He grabbed a nearby chair and smashed it into the wall. A strong wind pulled him down and he was falling. Falling down.
"Give me the girl!", Harry said after finally reaching the castle in time.
"Harry, beware. I have been generous up 'til now. I can be cruel."
"Generous? What have you done that's generous?" The boy asked the Goblin King outraged.
"Everything! Everything that you and your friend wanted I have done. Your friend asked me that the girl be taken. I took her. He cowered before me, I was frightening. You asked me for a deal to run in his stead. I gave you the chance. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations. Isn't that generous?"
The strange song returned to his mind. As the world falls down. Falling in love. Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered. I have fought my way here to the castle, beyond the goblin city, to take back the girl that you have stolen. My will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom as great…"
"Stop! Look what I'm offering you. Your dreams." Jareth opened his palm and offered him a crystal. A crystal he was so very tempted to take.
"My kingdom as great... my kingdom as great... damn, I can never remember that line." Harry mumbled.
"I ask for so little. Just fear me. Love me. Do as I say, and I shall be your slave."
Harry looked up and into the Goblin King's mismatched eyes. I am sorry! He mouthed and his heart started beating rapidly.
"You have no power over me!"
A defeated look appeared in the Goblin King's eyes. He threw the globe high into the air and everything around him started spinning. Harry tried to catch the crystal but his hand found only emptiness instead. An owl ascended from where the Goblin King had stood only moments prior and flapped its wings in Harry's face. A strong wind pulled him backwards and suddenly the boy found himself back in the Burrow, the Weasleys home in Devonshire. The girl - Ginny - was lying on the couch in the living room, sleeping peacefully. Ron was sitting on a chair, obviously surprised to see his friend but also relieved to have his sister back.
Harry sighed deeply.
"He does not deserve your victory, Harry. He would wish her away again in a heartbeat." A voice whispered into his ear. A voice that sounded so much like the Goblin King. "You threw away your happiness to save his neck. What will happen now?" The teen closed his eyes and imagined himself to be in the Labyrinth again. Surrounded by his friends. Dancing with the Goblin King.
Somewhere outside a barn owl screeched and flew into the darkness of the night.
"It's only forever, Harry, not long at all! And I will find you!"