Disclaimer: I own neither Harry Potter nor Dragon Age.


The Circle Tower was a massive spire standing what must have been nearly two hundred feet high, but Harry wondered how much of it was actually used. The pointed tip looked like it was purely for decoration and to make the building seem more impressive and that looked like it was at least a fourth of its overall height.

His quartet was quickly led inside, and sure enough it was even more stone construction, though Harry had to admit the quality was quite good. Magic likely had helped with that. The ceilings were very high too- at least fifteen feet, maybe closer to twenty. It was yet another thing that seemed ostentatious and unnecessary- as well as being one thing this world's mages may have had in common with the ones he'd known as a younger man back home.

There were a few templars running around in the entry hallway, as well as a couple off to the left laying down in what looked to be a make shift triage. Off to the right, there was a massive barred door and three templars standing watch over it.

Only one of the men in plate armor wasn't wearing a helmet, a middle aged man with a hint of grey in his hair and beard, and he was also the one issuing orders. "I want two men stationed in front of the doors at all times. Do not open the doors without my express consent, is that clear?"

"Yes sir."

"The doors being barred is not a good sign," Leliana said as they approached the lead templar.

"Why would you expect things to go easily?" Sirius chuckled.

"Now we wait and pray," the templar said as he turned to the group. "Who are you? I explicitly told Carroll not to bring anyone across the lake. We're dealing with a very delicate situation. You must leave for your own safety."

Sirius stepped forward with a casual smile. "Unfortunately, my good man, we're here on Grey Warden business, and we need to speak with the mages about the Blight."

"I am weary of the Grey Wardens' ceaseless need for men to fight the darkspawn, but it is their right," the templar replied. "Allow me to introduce myself: I am Knight Commander Greagoir. You'll find no allies here, though. My templars can spare no men, and the mages are... indisposed. I shall speak plainly: the tower is no longer under our control. Abominations and demons stalk the tower's halls. The Circle is lost. The tower has fallen."

"What are abominations?" Sirius asked.

"Creatures of the fade can use mages to enter our world. A mage in such a spirit's clutches is changed, his flesh twisted, his mind shattered."

"Do you think this has happened to all of the mages?" Sirius prodded. "Isn't it possible there are some survivors, fighting back against those things?"

"Anything is possible, I suppose," Greagoir shook his head. "But even skilled mages can be bested by abominations. They took us by surprise. We were prepared to deal with one or two abominations, but not the horde that fell upon us."

"So what are you planning on doing?" Sirius asked. Leliana sighed next to him, obviously knowing something about what would come next.

"I would destroy the tower, raze it to the ground, but I cannot risk more of my men. The doors remain shut and they will protect us for now. You have to understand," the templar sighed. "It was not just mages but templars also that were on the other side. But I had no choice. The abominations must remain contained at all costs. We do not mean for the doors to remain closed forever. Everything in the tower must be eliminated.

"I have sent word to Denerim, calling for reinforcements and the Right of Annulment," he added.

"What is that?" Harry asked, taking a deep breath to keep his anger down.

"The Right of Annulment gives templars the authority to neutralize the mages' Circle. Completely."

Harry bit his tongue at that, barely able to keep himself from growling. It seemed like this world treated its mages much the way the wizards of his own world had once feared, leading to the creation of the statute of secrecy. If he saw a witch burning, Harry knew that he would not be able to keep his temper from running away with him.

"The mages within the tower may already be dead," Leliana said. "Trying to mount a rescue mission would be quite the challenge."

"Never tell me the odds," Harry muttered to himself.

"The situation is dire," Greagoir continued. "There is no alternative- everything in the tower must be destroyed so that it can be made safe again. If any are still alive inside, the Maker himself must have shielded them. It is too painful to hope for survivors and find... nothing."

"Let us in, and we will find and rescue the survivors," Harry said as he took a step forward.

"I assure you, an abomination is a force to be reckoned with," the templar argued, "and you will face many more than one. Not to mention the fact that none of you appears to be properly equipped."

"I've been through worse situations," Harry shrugged. "Grey Wardens have mages of their own, which is why I'm not all decked out in armor."

Greagoir looked unconvinced, but shook his head and stepped to the side. "A word of caution- once you cross that threshold, there is no turning back. The great doors must remain barred. I will open them for no one until I have proof that it is safe. I will only believe it is over if the First Enchanter stands before me and tells me it is so. If Irving has fallen, then the Circle is lost and must be destroyed. May Andraste lend you her courage, whatever you may decide."

Giving him a nod, Harry walked past and headed for the large doors. Two of the templars motioned them to the fore and allowed them past, but he could hear that the entrance was immediately closed and secured after his group had gone inside.

The hallway they were in curved to the left, and Harry wondered if it would lead all the way around the Circle Tower. It had been rather cylindrical in shape after all. To the right side, there were a number of doorways leading into rooms, the closest of which was open and revealed a sort of communal living space. Harry could see several bunk beds, chests and desks.

"Maybe I should scout ahead," Sirius suggested.

"See if Padfoot can sniff out any enemies," Harry nodded. "Not a bad idea."

"Disillusion me after I change."

"Don't tell me you're out of practice, young man," Harry replied, making his godfather snort.

"The transformation always undoes the spell," he answered. "You would know that if you'd ever bothered to learn the skill. So, that's one thing I've still got on you, and my natural charm makes two."

"Alright then, get on with it." Sirius shifted into Padfoot and Harry cast the spell to turn the old dog invisible. "Be careful, and come back here before you get in trouble."

Padfoot whined quietly and stalked off.

"This is too cruel, to abandon people to abominations," Leliana said quietly as they waited for the scout to return. "I would not subject even an animal to such a cruel fate."

"The mages have given up their own freedom," Morrigan sneered. "They deserve to meet such a fitting end if they would not thrown off their shackles."

"If it's anything like my world, they were likely brought here as children," Harry argued.

"Most are discovered when they are very young," Leliana confirmed. "It is rare to find someone with magical ability who is able to remain hidden, especially as children have not yet learned to keep their magic under control."

"That sounds very familiar," Harry agreed. "Anyway, Morrigan, just because you never had to suffer under the yoke of the templars, you should not assume that every mage has had such a choice. My parents were murdered when I was barely a year old, and I obviously had no choice but to go live with the evil bastards that I was sent to. When you're only four or five years old and you have no real power, you do what you have to in order to survive."

"And what of when they have grown and developed their powers?" Morrigan asked. "What of those who remain in chains even when they have the skills to free themselves?"

"I will have to learn a bit more of how this world works." Harry took a deep breath to calm himself, hoping that Sirius wouldn't run into any trouble and would return soon. "Personally, as someone who grew up practically a slave, I would do whatever it took to insure my freedom. But I cannot speak for everyone, and I do not know all the challenges mages face here."

A bark announced his presence just before Sirius transformed back. "The hall is clear until we get to a closed door. I could smell humans- living humans- beyond it. No enemies in the rooms off to the side either, so we're safe for now."

"I'd like to take a peak into the rooms on the way," Harry said.

"Then let's go," Leliana suggested.

The group searched through the rooms along the outside wall, and Morrigan suggested to Harry that he take one of the spellbooks. "This one looks like it holds all the basic information on the most commonly used spells from all four schools of magic. It would be a good place for you to start learning more of this world's magic. Also, 'tis likely the book won't be missed if the mages have been killed by abominations anyway."

"Good idea," Harry agreed, slipping it into his trusty pouch. "I have a feeling that there will be some other ways to learn some new spells even faster, but you and I can talk about that when we're not about to stroll into danger."

A few moments later, they reached the door at the end of the hall where Sirius said he smelled survivors on the other side. Harry slid his wand into his hand. "Everyone be ready- we don't know what we'll find."

As Sirius pushed the door open, Harry's wand tracked instantaneously towards the movement on the other side of the room. Several people, including a few children, were running away from a vaguely humanoid shape that appeared to be made out of lava. An older grey haired woman, a mage clearly due to her staff that she waved, cast a spell that froze and destroyed the monster.

"Come no further," she said as she turned to face the newcomers. "Who are you?"

"We're here on Grey Warden business," Sirius replied.

"The Grey Wardens were all killed at Ostagar."

"Why do you think that?" Harry asked.

"I was there."

"If you survived, then maybe you shouldn't assume that no one else did," Sirius answered.

"That is true, although I don't remember seeing any of you there," she said. "I am Wynne. May I have your names, strangers?"

"I'm Sirius Black, this is my godson Harry Potter, and these two lovely ladies are Leliana and Morrigan."

"Greetings to you all, but I have to ask how you made it past the templars."

"The leader, fellow by the name of Greagoir seemed to think you were all dead," Sirius replied. "Harry convinced him to let us try search for survivors and try to cleanse this place."

"He was calling for the Rite of Annulment," Leliana added, causing Wynne to gasp. "Knight Commander Greagoir said that we must bring the First Enchanter back safely for him to believe that the Circle is safe. If we are not successful soon, none of us may survive."

"What exactly happened here?" Harry asked.

"When he returned from the battle at Ostagar, a mage named Uldred tried to take over the Circle. That led to a revolt. As you can see, things didn't go as he planned, though I am not sure what became of Uldred. I will not lose the Circle to one man's pride and stupidity."

"Then you should come with us," Leliana suggested.

"I erected a barrier over the door to the rest of the Tower so nothing from inside could attack the children." Wynne pointed to the shimmering light covering the doorway opposite them. "You will not be able to enter the Tower as long as the barrier holds, but I will dispel it if you will join me to help save the Circle."

"Will the others be safe here?" Sirius asked.

"Petra and Kinnon will stay here to watch over the others," Wynne replied. "If we slay all the fiends we encounter, then they should remain safe in the meanwhile."

"Fine then, let's go," Harry said.

"You want us to assist this preachy schoolmistress?" Morrigan scoffed. "To rescue these pathetic excuses for mages?"

"I will do all I can to save as many mages as possible," Harry replied. "No matter the circumstances. If you had ever seen someone try to burn a child at the stake for being born with an ability while fools around them shrieked about witchcraft being the devil's work, you would understand."

"Fine," she grumbled. "But I stand by the point that those who will not fight for freedom do not deserve it."

"Petra, Kinnon, look after the others until I return," Wynne said.

"Are you sure you are alright?" Petra replied. "You were hurt badly earlier. Maybe I should come along."

"The others need your protection more, my dear; I will be alright," Wynne said before turning back to Harry. "If you are ready, then let us go end this."

"Alright," he nodded. "Lower the barrier and we'll fight our way through whatever awaits."

Wynne agreed with a nod.

Petra pulled Harry aside for a moment. "Look after her, will you?"

"She seems capable enough," he frowned.

"I'm not sure if she's up to this," the younger witch replied. "I was on my way towards the library when I heard screaming and I saw a demon come around the corner. I was certain it would be the death of me; but then Wynne was there in front of me, shielding me. She battled the monster, and when it was over the demon was dead, but Wynne wasn't moving either. I was afraid that... she was gone. As I moved to try to help her, she stirred and coughed. She hasn't seemed any worse off since then, but I worry that she may have been injured worse than I saw."

"I will do my best to keep an eye on her," Harry said.

"Thank you."

He nodded and moved to join the others at the door that Wynne had previously barred.

The group was now five as they headed down a twisting hallway towards what she announced was a library and teaching area. Before they could enter that room, Harry called them to halt for a moment. "Hey Sirius, how are you with animation charms?"

"More than a little out of practice," his godfather winced. "Why?"

"I keep seeing all these stone statues of what appear to be knights with swords and shields," Harry pointed to the nearest such decoration. "I think we should have something that isn't in danger of dying lead the way."

"Why don't you do that and I'll focus on using any debris left behind to keep the pressure on any foes we run into," Sirius suggested.

"Alright." Harry turned to one of the statues and waved his wand, bringing it to life (or something resembling it anyway) while the others stood astonished.

"I have never seen such magic before," Wynne announced. "Who are you?"

"That's a long story," he replied. "Why don't we work on getting through this alive first?"

"Fine," she sighed.

"Good. Where do your magical strengths lie, Wynne?"

"I am best suited to healing and protective magics," she answered. "I am what is known as a Spirit Healer."

'She's the medic,' Harry thought with a chuckle. "Alright, why don't you stay in the rear, watching our backs and supporting the rest of us where necessary. Morrigan, take my right flank. Leliana, take the left side. Sirius, shield if we run into anything really nasty."

"Sounds like a plan," Sirius agreed.

"And you, my sculpted friend, may take the lead," Harry said, waving the statue forward. He pushed the door open with a flick of his wand and let the stone guardian stomp forward.

They soon came upon three twisted humanoid things- Wynne's cry of 'abominations' gave Harry a name for them- and the monsters charged forward heedless of danger, even as the statue raised its shield and sword, Leliana began pelting them with arrows and Morrigan cast some sort of frost based magic that chilled the area. Meanwhile, Sirius fired a cutting curse that sliced an arm off one of the monstrosities. Harry focused on directing the animated stone warrior and watched for any more dangers to come. The first combat encounter in the Circle was soon over.

"Is everyone alright?" Leliana asked once their foes had all been fallen.

"Not even a scratch," Sirius cheerfully replied.

"There will be more," Wynne counseled. "Keep your guards up."

Sure enough, a second group of enemies charged towards them before they could make it past all of the towering bookcases. Once again, there were a few of the abominations along with another of the things that looked like humanoid lava.

"A rage demon!" Wynne shouted.

Thankfully, Sirius was ready for the blast of flame the creature had thrown at them, and his shield charm deflected the elemental damage away. Morrigan again used an ice based spell, targeting the rage demon, while Harry sent the statue to block the path of the charging abominations and then fired an exploding curse at the one furthest to his left. As it was destroyed with a shower of gore, Leliana's aim was now clear and she quickly put two arrows into the rage demon, felling it. The last of the abominations was no match for the group.

They moved further through the library, once again coming to a door.

"Let me give it a sniff before we move on," Sirius suggested. Harry nodded and Padfoot once again appeared, moving towards the door. He paused for a moment and went back to where their defeated foes had fallen, clearly taking the time to get the scent of both of the types of monsters they had already encountered, then trotted back to the door. A moment later, Sirius was back. "There are some of both of these foul things beyond the door, but the odor of the abominations was stronger."

"I haven't come across a shapeshifter before," Wynne piped up. "Where did you learn such magic? I haven't heard of it being taught in any of the Circles."

"The Grey Wardens have less strict views on magic," Harry replied. He would once again have to thank Daphne for helping to bring out his more devious side. "To defeat the darkspawn, sometimes whatever is necessary must be done. Therefore, even mages from outside the Circles have been members over the many years."

"Thus, techniques from apostates have found their way," Wynne finished, not quite with a question in her tone. "I suppose Dalish keepers have their own types of magic that we do not know either."

"I've never met one of those, but I think I'd like to," Harry said with a curious look. "I suppose we should focus though. I'll handle the abominations. Sirius, be ready to shield, and the rest of you, try to aim for the... what were they called?"

"Rage demons," Morrigan answered. "But I would suggest an alternate plan. If we stay back and have the statue you're controlling open the door, then we can make our foes funnel through the doorway to get to us. 'Twould be a weakness for them that we could exploit."

"Good idea," Sirius said. "But we can improve on it even more. Harry, you summon the door out of our way, and I'll hit them with a blasting curse."

"Are you sure?" Harry cocked an eyebrow at his godfather.

"It's my turn," the old dog pouted, making Harry chuckle.

"Fine, fine," he grinned. "Ladies, feel free to pick off whatever is left over, and I'll be taking care of our defenses in case anything is still standing."

The quintet fanned out, with Harry in the middle. "Ready? Accio door!"

As he waved his wand, the door was yanked off its hinges and came flying towards him. Harry turned and flicked with his wrist, levitating it up and out of the way as the creatures charged forward, letting out some sort of unnatural battle cry. Another of the balls of flame came from a rage demon, and Harry reflected it with a shield charm just as Sirius' blasting curse exploded right in the middle of the surging monsters. It destroyed all of the abominations while the two rage demons in the rear shrieked in what Harry had to assume was pain.

Morrigan and Wynne both used ice based spells again and Leliana added a couple of arrows into the creatures before they fell.

"Nice work everybody," Harry said.

"The room beyond is the outer library," Wynne remarked. "It holds the stairs that lead up to the second floor."

"How many more floors will we need to go through?" Sirius asked.

"There are three more floors roughly the same size as this one before we reach the Harrowing Chamber at the top," Wynne replied. "I wouldn't be surprised if the demons become stronger the higher we climb. You should all prepare yourselves for more of these creatures, and likely even worse things still to come."

"Lovely," Morrigan snorted.

"Indeed," Harry agreed before walking over to his animated statue and tapping it on the back. "Lead on, my stone friend."


Author's Note: I've been having a bit of writer's block lately, but I'm hoping to push through it and get more writing done soon. Hope you're all doing well. :)