Beyond All We See.
"It was one of the darkest hours Earth has ever known. Heroes rose to try and defend innocents, and they had been reduced to solid stone. Legions of unholy terrors had been brought into the world. Fear, uncertainty, superstition, they went around every corner. I had been just one move away from bringing every human on this planet underneath my heel."
Elle took a deep breath and paused for a few seconds. Her eyes flared with intensity when she recalled this event in her life.
"My legions rose. And heroes fell. Soon, the world would be mine and soon I would have enough power to claim the world for my own and take revenge on those who condemned me to an eternal torment. But, there was but one man, one foolish, stubborn man who defied me."
"That's me!" Nicolas chimed in. He received a look from Elle that many married men were all too familiar with. "Sorry, continue."
"Yes, this young wizard performed a death defying last ditch effort to stop my plans of bringing the world under my heel," Elle said. "I thought he would be just another foolish sorcerer who would serve as an example of those who defied me. But, I stalled, just enough, feeling my victory was assured. And I gave my speech, while he withered upon the ground."
Well, everything could have worked up until that point.
"Classic mistake," I said.
"Mmm, hmm," Astra agreed. "Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by wasting time to monologue. Biggest big bad mistake you can make."
In retrospect, Elle agreed. Although agreed things worked out better in the end. If I read her expression right.
"It was a glorious monologue ,though," Nicolas said. "It moved me. And my determination to prevent the world from utter Armageddon also moved me. To prove all those that doubted me wrong. Because, I had already been called a few things by the other wizards of that day. None of them suitable for proper company. Or even improper company. Elle gave her beautiful, wonderful speech, about how she will finally gain vengeance on all those who wronged her."
"I was still a bit sore about the entire being banished to Hell thing, so naturally I felt it important to take it out on humanity," Elle said.
"To be fair, we have it coming," I said.
"Sadly, I'm inclined to agree," Nicolas said. "But, I had something to prove, much like she did. We were both set to show the world something. And after a series of death-defying and aerodramatatic acrobatics which I have not been capable of in a good, oh about two hundred or so years, but back then, I was rather spry, I disabled Elle's portal spells and sent her legions back to where they came."
"And then this idiot did something that it took me ages to forgive," Elle said. "With the portal distabalized, I nearly fell to my doom. I had been in his debt, and I hated it. But, I had to accept it. And I was amused how this silly man succeeded where all of these textbook heroes failed to even put a dent in my schemes."
"And with Elle's help, I managed to gain the confidence I needed to complete the Philosopher's Stone!" Nicolas yelled. "Who's the crackpot now?"
No comment.
"So, your first attempt to take over the world?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, first of, about seven or eight," Elle said. "Maybe, I'm not sure if a couple of them count. One of them was a direct retaliation for almost getting decapitated in the French Revolution."
"That was more of a wrong place, wrong time thing," Nicolas said. "Say what you will about Marie Antoinette, but she could throw a hell of a party. Although, she never had a really good head on her shoulders. Although I heard the most absurd rumor, she came back for a short time from the dead."
"She did," Astra said nonchalantly.
Given that Astra was responsible for that particular resurrection, she would know.
"Do you want to elaborate on that?" Nicolas asked.
"Not really," Astra said.
"She did have good parties though," Zari said. "Although, I think this is a subject which Harry isn't too fond of speaking about."
"No, I'm not," I admitted. "Hey, Harry, do us a solid, and seduce Marie Antoinette, so we can get her onto our time ship and deal with her. Sure thing, Captain, no sweat. Put my particular skill set of charming any and all women to good use. Oh, and by the way, her head still is detached from her body. So mind it falling in your lap when you start doing your thing!"
Everyone gave me a look like I was insane. They were right.
"Gives a new meaning to the term giving someone head," Astra said. I responded by the look of abject horror. Astra just smiled. "Yeah, I know, I had to say it."
"You were up to some really…interesting things, weren't you?" Sirius asked.
"Oh, don't get me started," I told him.
"So, her head fell off when she started to…"
"We didn't get that far!" I interjected.
Sirius nodded in response.
"Because, that seems like a real mood killer," Sirius said.
"You don't say," I said.
"Mental stuff indeed," Sirius said.
"That's nothing,' Zari said. "We have stories. That would make us sound insane."
"Perhaps we should leave these stories for another time," Nicolas said.
Wisest thing anyone said, thank you Flamel.
"Well, I can tell you more about the past and you can tell me more about your interesting future," Elle said. "I have to say, that gets me excited to teach at Hogwarts."
"So, I can expect you to begin after the winter holidays," Rowena said.
She just sat back and looked amused at hearing some of these stories.
I was glad to hear this. I was hoping to get rid of Binns. The bastard had tenure from hell, but I had the Elder Wand. So I had the advantage.
"I think we need a dinner break," Nicolas said. "If you don't mind staying here and indulging an old man for a little bit longer."
None of us had a problem with that. Whatever the Flamels were cooking, it smelled pretty good.
"Mr. Black, I heard about the Map you made as a student," Rowena said.
"Yes, the Map, well it was a team effort, it took us a year and a half to get the charm work right," Sirius said.
"You know a fair amount of Hogwarts and it's grounds, and it's changed in the past several centuries," Rowena said. "I was wondering if you would like to work at Hogwarts."
"I'm not the teaching type, Lady Ravenclaw," Sirius said.
"Rowena," she told him firmly.
"And then, you have to call me Sirius, because Mr. Black makes me feel old," Sirius said before he turned to myself and Astra. "And I kindly ask you not to make the obvious comments."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said.
"It's not for a teaching job," Rowena said. "I am in need of a new Caretaker. Mr. Filch is not right for the job."
I can tell Rowena was being diplomatic by the look on her face.
"You don't say," Nicolas murmured.
"He never did seem right for the job," Sirius said. "Always hated students. And he's…well a squib. Nothing wrong with that. But it can't be healthy, being around all of that magic and never being able to perform it."
"It's a tragedy," Rowena said. "And the fact he works at a school, constantly surrounded by reminders of the magical education he could never have, the abilities he could never hold, it has made him quite bitter. I had a chat with him and he owed Dumbledore a favor so he agreed to work at Hogwarts."
I am not surprised.
"Did he say what kind of favor?"
"I didn't pry," Rowena said. "He agreed to resign effective immediately. He was paid for his services and given the standard retirement benefits. I was hoping you could take the job. And if you wish, I could hire Mr. Lupin to assist you. We will accommodate his monthly problem."
"Well, I'm going to have to talk to Remus, although it will give me something to do," Sirius said. "I never thought I would get out of Azkaban. I thought I would die there or go insane. Like so many others have."
"There are other responsibilities for the Caretaker that you and Mr. Lupin can undertake that Mr. Filch was not capable of doing so," Rowena said. "The house elves can handle most of the cleaning."
Elle shuddered at the mention of house elves.
"Problem?" I asked her.
"Oh, just thinking about what those terrors were like when they were free," Elle said. "I'll cover that in class. There's always every generation at least one Muggleborn who thinks they are doing a good thing by trying to free the house elves. Because they're more oppressed victims. Sure,they'll docile right now, and they have been conditioned over generations to serve humanity. Give them enough time though, and they will return to their old blood thirsty ways."
"How do you know?" I asked her.
"Because, I used them for my second attempt to take over the world, back when they were free," Elle said. "And those backstabbing bastards betrayed me and tried to take over the world themselves. I had to swallow my pride and go straight to that pompous bitch Morgan le Fay for help. And I hated that."
"Oh, Lady Morgana, I do remember her," Flamel said.
"She's kind of cool," Astra sain in awe.
"She's really not," Elle said.
Elle looked about ready to flip. Ariana started to hum. She had been so quiet, I almost forgot she was here.
"Fine, Lady Morgana is not cool," Nicolas said.
"Thankfully, we enslaved them, and turned them into the docile little house elves you see today," Elle said. "There would be shell shock if someone managed to free them, but in a few years, they would return to their old instincts. And would try and decimate humanity."
Elle shifted a little bit.
"You couldn't have known," I told her.
"Oh, I should have," Elle said. "If there's a way to send them back home, I would. Of course, their former realm is lost to time."
Why do I think this is a project I might get involved in, sometime in the future?
"That shifty bastard Cringle was the worst of them," Elle said. "Escaped before Morgana and I caught him and his crew."
"Cringle and his lot feld up North," Nicolas said. "I beat him in a game of HORSE and he was forced to deliver presents to children for the next five hundred years, every Christmas. I think he actually got the better deal out of it, given how famous he became over it"
Well it's official, I was learning more about magical history than I ever did with Binns.
"So, house elves should be enslaved for the good of humanity," I said. "Good to know."
"To make a long story short, yes," Elle said. "There's a good reason why elves should not be allowed to roam free."
"Same reason why I don't trust those damn goblins," Nicolas said. "Started too many rebellions. The only thing I kept at that bank was that dummy stone Albus used."
"Mr. Flamel, you've seen some interesting things in your day, haven't you?" Astra asked.
"That's debatable," Nicolas said. "And it's Nicolas. Or Tricky Nicky if you prefer."
Elle sighed, and Sirius looked kind of amused. Even Ariana smiled a small smile.
"He's been trying to make that one work for at least the last seventy-five years," Elle said. "Never does."
Astra just smiled.
"You must have come across the Fountain of Fair Fortune," Astra said.
"Well, my dear, you should call it by it's proper name, the Fountain of Imperium," Nicolas said. "And you should know that it's not a matter of where it is, but when."
"And have you seen it?" I asked.
"I came close," Nicolas said. "In fact, it was myself and Beedle who came just a second away from finding the Fountain."
"Beedle the Bard?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know why you're surprised, pup," Nicolas said. "I knew a lot of interesting people and a lot of eccentric people in my day. Our little adventure inspired him to write his tale. Although he did take a few liberties. And we never actually touched the fountain. Doubt either of us would be worthy to tap into its gifts."
"The Fountain could purge a Horcrux from a living being, couldn't it?" Astra asked.
"Well, that's oddly specific," Nicolas said. "If someone had the misfortune of being used as a Horcurx, and somehow lived, and the Fountain judged them worthy, the fountain could in theory amplify their magic enough to expell the Horcrux for their body. Or turn them into some kind of Super-Dementor who absorbs the souls of everything on Earth until it's left into a dead husk. Could go either way."
"Your mother's charm would be powerful enough," Ariana said as she looked myself and Astra in the eye. "Especially once you removed the bindings protecting your unworthy relatives."
"I don't follow you, dear," Nicolas said.
"Harry understands," Ariana said. "She will understand as well. Once Harry finds her."
Astra smiled when she spoke. Astra realized something as well.
"The Fountain will amplify it," Astra said. "It's brilliant."
"And we need to find the damn thing first," I said. "Do you have an idea when we could?"
Astra shrugged. Ariana just hummed and casually took a piece of paper to play with. Nicolas snapped his fingers.
"Of course, the note," Nicolas said. "I wrote myself a note. It's one of the reasons why I am running out of time, because I never had to write myself notes. Another sign that the Elixir is losing it's touch. I'm an old fool. Let's see. It was extremely important I tell you something."
I raised my eyebrow and Nicolas ruffled through some clutter on the counter before he pulled out a note.
"My granddaughter insisted you visit her, on the night of the Winter Solistice," Nicolas said.
"Granddaughter?" I asked him. "I wasn't aware you had children."
"Biologically, we don't," Elle said.
"It's complicated," Nicolas said. "We took her mother in, when she was young. Poor thing, lost and exiled from her own dimension. Elle felt a connection to her, much like we took in Ariana."
"Yes, although she's gone, vaporized by a magical experiment gone wrong," Elle said. "The poor thing was screaming for months, the only thing she could say was her Mummy was in the stars, before she just went silent."
I wondered. The pieces were fitting together.
"She really thinks you need to meet with her, on this exact date, on this exact time," Nicolas said. "I don't know why, there must be a reason."
"What's her name?"
"Luna."
Zari, Astra, and I exchanged slightly nervous looks with each other. I honestly had no idea what we were getting ourselves into with this request. I really did not expect to encounter Luna until next year at Hogwarts. But ,that's the problem. You never really should expect Luna Lovegood. She just happens.
"Two days," I said. "I'm going to meet with her in two days."
"If you will," Flamel told me. "It will make her Christmas."
I can only imagine. Only, I really can't, because again, this is Luna Lovegood. She just happens.
I would be heading over the Clearwater residence, to teach Penny Occlumency. Again, while the only two people who would read a minor's mind without parental consent were indisposed, I was taking no chances. I headed over when I almost ran headline into a very miffed Tonks. I could tell because her hair alternated between three different colors as she snorted.
"Problem?" I asked her.
"I don't get men."
To be fair, I don't either a lot of the time. Still I raised my eyebrow.
"Why?" I asked her.
"Well there's this junior secretary, working for Fudge, and he's been chatting me up a lot over the past few weeks,' Tonks said. "Bit of a dweeb, but you can't blame the guy for trying. But, then he had to go there."
Tonks cleared her throat.
"Oh, Tonks, you don't have to change for me. In fact, I would like to see you in your natural form, how you are supposed to be!"
Tonks rolled her eyes in response.
"Honestly, like boys, men, a couple of women too, haven't been trying to use that one on me since I matured," Tonks said. "They think it's something new and fresh that I haven't heard before. They think that I'm going to just jump on the horse and ride, because they want to see my natural form. They don't want me to change, except by saying that they do want me to change. Because they don't understand I have these super amazing powers. They think that's what I want to hear. Well, it's old and kind of insulting!"
"Um, no offense, but do you have a natural form?" I asked her.
Tonks just shrugged.
"I shape-shifted in the womb. Gave Mum the morning sickness from hell. Come to think of it, that's probably why she named me Nymphadora. Likely out of some kind of subconscious revenge. I have forms that I feel more comfortable in, but it's not like I even know what my natural form is. And being in the same base form, day after day, oh it seems so bloody boring. And they think they can slip into my knickers, because they pull out the natural form card. I like my powers, thank you very much!"
"And you're very creative with them," I said. "You should be proud. It's a rare gift."
"Yeah, and we got men on one side, thinking that they have an easy shot, if they try and play the natural form card," Tonks said. "And some women think that I have it easy. It took years of practice to hold some of these forms. And if I have wild emotions, it goes out of control. So I have to keep my emotions in check. And it took years of Mum teaching me and coaching me to get that under track."
"You really got it nailed down," I said. "And you're damn good at what you do."
"Damn straight, wish people would stop thinking I'm ashamed of my powers," Tonks said. "And we just backed underneath some mistletoe, didn't we?"
Sure enough, there was mistletoe hanging over our heads.
"Bugger, it's magical," Tonks said. "It will follow us around all day, no matter where we go unless we kiss."
"Well, we better get it over with," I said. "Aren't you due at work soon?"
"Yes," Tonks said. "Okay, on three. One, two thr….mmmph!"
I caught Nymphadora at the count with a big kiss on her lips. She had been surprised and found herself returning the kiss. And she caught herself moaning as he held it. Ten seconds but I put enough of my power into it to get her going. The shuddering woman almost slumped against the wall.
"Damn," she said.
"And just think that wasn't even what I'll be fully capable of, later," I told her.
"You shouldn't be that good," Tonks said. "Wait, did I get Harry Potter's first kiss?"
I just smiled at her.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yes, I would like to know! This is vital information that I might use to rub in people's faces later on!"
"Better get it together, Nym," I told her. "Your hair is changing colors."
Nymphadora realized that her hair was not only changing colors, but her bust size was getting out of control and she seemed one misstep away from having a wardrobe malfunction. I had seen them up close more than a few times in the past timeline.
She took deep breaths, managing to stop her hair from going out of control and her chest from doubling as flotation devices. And before they ripped through her robes as well.
There's a part of me that's rather disappointed. Although those are some nice robes, so a shame if they got ripped.
"Well, I'll let you get a hold of yourself," I said. "Catch you later, Nym."
I left and I could have sworn I heard a frustrated moan coming from Tonks when I left. Ah, the sounds of a thirsty and frustrated woman, how I missed thee.
Granted, I could not do anything for a long time. But, I sure could share my obvious frustration at that fact with other people. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
I could have sworn I heard the screams of "damn you, Potter" as I left. And I braced myself for potential retribution somewhere down the line.
Or at least an attempt.
"There are two schools of shielding the mind. One is to bombard the person trying to extract information with so many superficial thoughts they'll just give up. Memories which mean little to the grand scheme of things, that sort of thing. Or you can create a more elaborate mindscape which just completely blocks out any enemy full stop. The mindscape method can lead to a battle of wills. If your will is stronger, it will force the person out and make them regret their life decisions. Most people prefer the superficial thoughts method, but you need to make sure to understand the tell-tale signs of an attempted intrusion into the memory."
Penny nodded and understood what I said.
"I prefer the second school," I told her. "I will lower my layers. Just focus and try and look into my eyes. I will guide you in so you can see."
"I…I'm not sure if I can do this."
"Trust me, Penny. Just take a deep breath and do it."
Penny stared into my green eyes. She gasped when staring directly into my eyes.
"It's a Fortress. Made of ice. And I'm starting to get cold. It's making me c-c-cold!"
Penny shivered when inside of my mind and her teeth chattered. I gently nudged her out and let her warm back up.
"A very powerful mind can overwhelm a person and make those who read their mind regret trying," I said. "There is a third school which I'm admittedly not fond of. Where a sufficient Legilmens repeatedly bombards the mind of the person they are teaching with brute force. The school of thought is eventually the person will be able to create mental defenses, providing they have the proper grounding and the proper instruction. Although this is dangerous, as it can leave any natural defenses of the mind, obliterated and the poor person might start broadcasting their thoughts, making them easier to pick up. One could not clear their mind even if they wanted to, although trying to clear your mind is the last thing you want to do."
"Because, you are focusing on those thoughts to hide them and you accidentally bring them up to the surface, thus leaving you more open," Penny said. "You really have to be a dick or hate the person you're teaching to teach them like that."
I smiled knowingly. Boy, did I know it all about the type of wanker who would teach someone to shield their mind by yelling "Clear your mind, Potter."
"Couldn't have said it better myself. Ten points to Ravenclaw."
Penny smiled at me.
"I'm going to gently enter your mind," I said. "See if you can feel it. And try and build up a defense to edge me out."
Penny nodded.
"Ready?"
"Keep in mind, an enemy will not ask for consent. But, since we got to build you up to deal with potential enemies, the more gentle approach works."
I slipped into her mind. Rather benign memories slipped into my mind. Penny riding her first bike. Penny enjoying a birthday party. Going camping with her parents. Getting her Hogwarts letter. Penny and I slowly kissing while we undressed each other.
Wait not so much a memory, as a dream. And I was older in the dream. Penny almost jumped up. I gently rested a hand on her leg and pulled her back down to the bed.
"I didn't mean for you to see that one," Penny said. "Sorry! You must think I'm…well I know you're older, but you're still physically young, so I don't understand. I swear though I only had that dream after you told me about the entire time travel thing."
I believed her. She looked a bit embarrassed. Although thoughts were nothing to be ashamed about.
"Well, a memory like that could trip someone up, or a dream," I said.
"Can you weave false memories into your real memories?" Penny asked.
"A sufficiently trained mind can do that," I told her. "Want to do it again?"
Penny bit down on her lip and nodded.
"Three, two, one go."
Penny managed to throw as many of those superficial memories and thoughts that she could at me. It caused my head to twinge as she thought as fast as she could at me. Memories started to slip through. I saw a memory of Penny in the shower.
Well she pulled back after I could get the finer details of that one.
"A bit better this time," I told her. "Although, you still let some slip through."
"One more time?" she asked me.
Penny scooted a little bit closer to me. Our faces were just inches apart. I nodded. She gazed into my eyes.
Third time's the charm for Penelope Clearwater. She kept on weaving a barrier of memories which took me through a journey through her mind and kept her from getting to the more important thoughts which she buried underneath. I edged closer and found her lips close in on mine.
It distracted me from looking through her thoughts. Although I doubted it would work against an enemy.
Penny moaned as she moved closer towards me. Her ample breasts pressed against my chest. The scent of her hair intoxicated me, and I slowly pressed my hands on her waist. Her shirt rode up slightly, and I marveled at her toned midsection. Her beautiful navel looked so kissable.
Her soft lips continued to press against mine. She was almost on top of me. I slowly and regretfully pulled away from her.
"Penny, we should stop," I told her. "Before we do something I'll regret."
This would sound more convincing if my hand was not squeezing her bum right about now. Right on cue, a small jolt of energy passed through both of us and made Penny almost jump back.
"And that's what happens, when you try to be cute with a witch or wizard before their first maturity," I told her.
"I know…I just…I was so deep into my mind, my thoughts, my fantasies," Penny said. "Felt like static electricity."
"Well, yes, you weren't really taking advantage of me in a malicious way," I told her. "Therefore, it was just a little shock. A little warning shock, just to remind us we shouldn't take this too far."
Penny looked in my eyes. I could tell she was nervous about looking anywhere else.
"You have strong urges, don't you?" Penny asked. "And a body that can't fulfill them."
"I have to keep myself occupied," I said.
"And aging potion won't work," Penny said smartly. "Aging yourself for more than a couple of months will lead to long term physical and neurological effects."
"Yes, another ten points to Ravenclaw," I teased her.
"So, we can't touch too much," Penny said. "But, you can look right?"
"Yes," I agreed. "But, I prefer to unwrap you properly when I can do it properly. And when I'm ready to enjoy all of your gifts. Although some of those memories gave me tantalizing peaks."
Penny cleared her head by shaking it. While accidentally on purpose causing her breasts to shake. Suddenly, I am thirsty and want some milk.
"I'm sure they did," Penny said. 'Speaking of which, I need a shower."
"I would like nothing better than to join you, but, I don't think I could keep my hands off of you and I would rather not zap you again," I told her. "Although, I could give you a more accurate visual image of my future self, if you would like."
"That's okay," Penny said. 'I prefer to unwrap you and enjoy everything properly when it's time."
Subconsciously, Penny licked her lips. Always the brainy ones.
Two years, seven months, and twelve days to go. Nine hundred and fifty five days. I can make it.
My trip to the Lovegood Residence, I honestly had no clue what to expect. It could be any number of things, including many even my mind could not fathom.
Astra joined me, as did Zari, and Daphne, along with Elle and Nicolas. Sirius would have joined us, but he's spending the full moon with Lupin. We walked up to the house
"So, Luna?" Daphne asked. "Luna Lovegood?"
There was cool tension. Daphne had always been cool towards Luna. No hatred, but Daphne was not fond of Luna preferring pudding over ice cream. Serious business there.
"Yes, Luna Lovegood," I told her and I could hear Astra softly groaning.
"I…I know she's your friend," Astra said. "Or was your friend. Not sure if she will be again. And don't get me wrong, she's a perfectly nice person. And I like her more than other…people you were friends with before."
It's cute when Astra tries to be diplomatic. And when she goes out of her way never to utter certain people's name.
"But, she's just odd. I don't know how to deal with her sometimes."
Ah, Astra hated not being in control. That explains it.
"Luna's an acquired taste," I told her.
"That's one way of putting it," Astra said.
"That's the most diplomatic way of putting it," Daphne agreed.
"My granddaughter, she is what Harry said, an acquired taste," Nicolas said. "Although, she's not in the best state. She lost her mother just this past year. Saw her die.
"And she was left with her father as her sole guardian," Elle said.
Oh, yes, Xenophilius Lovegood. Well his paper started as satire, poking fun at the absurdity of the Wizarding World. Guy loses his wife, goes off the deep end, it's kind of tragic. Then he starts taking what he writes about too seriously. And Luna ends up buying into it as well.
"I don't have anything against Luna, questionable dessert preferences aside," Daphne said. "It's just she's not the first person I would go out of my way to hang out with. There's something about her that creeps me out."
"Well, given what she's seen, it's a bit creepy," I agreed. "She did want to meet me."
"Yes," Zari agreed. "So, what's the deal between you two?"
"You know, I'm not sure," I said. "I should assume Luna knows something, but we should be careful what we say, just in case."
Nicolas went to knock on the door but found it opened.
"We better head inside," Nicolas said. "And keep your wand out."
"Yes, I'm aware of how to defend myself against a possible attack," Elle said.
The Flamels lead the charge as we stepped inside. I could hear a humming sound. It started low, and it started to grow.
"So, Luna?" Zari asked.
"Most certainly," I said.
Luna had been in front of the stove with a package of hot dogs and was casually boiling them. She had pieces of bread spread out in jam. She wore a tie-dye shirt and zebra pants, along with no shoes.
"Luna?" Elle asked. "Are you trying to boil hot dogs on the stove?"
"Well, I have to eat something for dinner," Luna said. "And Daddy says he might not be back before Christmas."
"Your father's gone?" Nicolas asked.
"Well, yes, he had to go though," Luna said. "Something about Elvis and Bigfoot eloping."
Perenelle and Nicolas exchanged dark looks with each other.
"I'll be having another talk with that man," Nicolas said. "We brought dinner for you."
Elle and Nicolas produced a basket and put it on the table. Luna sniffed it and smiled..
"Oooh, good!" Luna cheered. "Oh, Nicolas Flamel, you just saved Christmas!"
"That makes a few I saved, several hundred I ruined, and a couple hundred I outright stole," Nicolas said. "And I guess the rest of them, I had no particular hand in affecting in anyway."
"It's a pretty good track record, all things considered," I said.
Luna turned to me.
"You're Harry Potter!'
"And you're Luna Lovegood," I responded.
"At the moment, yes," Luna agreed. "And that's Astra Logue, Zari Tarazi, and Daphne Greengrass. I'm so glad you could meet with me."
"Why did you want to meet with me?" I asked.
"El mayarah," Luna replied.
Well, she got my attention.
"It's been a long year," Luna said. "Mummy left me and went to the stars. Daddy has been chasing rabbits all over the world. But I knew that on this night, I would have to meet Harry Potter. And I am. And there's one more thing I have to do before we can get down to business."
"And what's that?" I asked.
Luna leaned in and kissed me on the lips. It had been so random and unexpected. So Luna.
"There, I did it, now I can move on with my life," Luna said.
"That's why you called him over?" Astra asked."For that?"
I gently gripped Astra's hand.
"Well, the kiss was on my bucket list, but now we can all move forward, to infinity and beyond," Luna said. "The stars are pretty tonight, aren't they? They remind me of fireflies. And the fireflies will lead the way, won't they?"
Astra, Daphne, Zari, and I exchanged looks of utter bafflement. It's Luna. Just roll with it.
Yeah, I said it. I said the thing! Everyone cheer!
"And they will lead their way to your brightest star, the star of hope," Luna continued. "She told me it would happen soon. She told me last night."
"You heard someone last night?" Elle asked. "You haven't been hearing voices?"
"Only since the Cloaks took parts of my brain after Mummy went to the stars," Luna said in a dreamy, and yet sad manner.
That's the third time, someone mentioned the Cloaks. Daphne's eye twitched and I cut her off.
"I'm sorry about your mother," I said.
"You are, aren't you?" Luna asked "But you shouldn't be, should you? You should stay focused on matters closer to the ground. She's closer, isn't she?"
"Could you tell us what you're talking about?" Zari asked. "Please."
"I could, but it would get us all in trouble," Luna said.
"Is someone after you?" Nicolas asked sharply.
"We can help you, sweetie," Elle said.
"Well, they got what they want so I think they'll leave me alone now," Luna said. "They couldn't find Mummy's box. We're all still safe."
I had met Luna when she obviously calmed down a bit and was almost normal. At least compared to this. Her thoughts seemed all over the pace and her speech pattern was more off the wall. And yet, despite the insanity, I began to piece together everything she was talking about.
I wondered. I really did.
I looked outside and could hear something. A faint hum. Like the hum Luna was doing when we came in. Bright lights shined outside and pointed the way. It made a path.
"Oh, it's so pretty at night," Luna said. "And tonight's a special night. I knew you would want to see it, Harry Potter. Because, she told me."
"Who told you?" Astra asked.
Luna started to hum the same song which I could hear from the garden. The moon rose up.
"Follow the fireflies," I told them.
"Harry, I know you like Luna," Astra whispered. "I…understand she's gone through some things. And I feel really bad, what she's going through. She lost her mother. That never really goes away. But, you know this is crazy, right?"
"She mentioned the Cloaks," Daphne said. "You know, that crazy conspiracy theory that Astoria thinks is real."
"Oh, it's sad, people claim an uncomfortable truth is often a conspiracy theory, because they refuse to believe bad things happen in the shadows," Luna said. "Astra, don't feel sorry for me. I'll be fine, like you're fine right now. It might be a long time before I find my way. But tonight is the night you find hope."
"Ariana mentioned the cloaks as well," I said to Daphne.
"It just seems insane," Daphne said.
"Maybe," Astra said. "A long time ago, some thought a round Earth was insane."
Some still do, but let's not go down that particular rabbit hole right now.
"Astra!" Daphne said sharply.
"I'm not saying I believe it, it's just we've seen far stranger," Astra said.
"We should focus on this," I told them. "Follow the Fireflies."
I followed. Astra, Daphne, and Zari followed me. Elle and Nicolas came from behind, and Luna brought up the rear, just humming along as the garden grew brighter and brighter.
Inside the garden, I came across a small pond which glowed in the moonlight. The magic coming from it is almost hypnotic. And the hum got even louder when I closed in on the pond. I sensed something.
Something familiar. Something calming. Something wonderful.
I gazed in the pond and saw my older self reflected back to me. Astra did as well.
"I understand," I said.
"That makes one of us," Astra said. "This isn't the Fountain."
"No," I agreed. "But, it's some kind of portal."
"It's showing us, although older," Astra said. "Is this another magical thing like the mirror?"
"Not exactly," Elle interjected. "It reflects not what you see, but what is within. It can be just as intoxicating as the Mirror of Erised. The longer one stays, the harder it is gather the strength to leave. Although there are magical wonders beneath which are beyond anything anyone has ever seen."
"Schmuck bait in other words," Astra said.
"I'm going in," I told her.
"Harry!" Zari yelled. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"The best," I told her.
The beautiful and stunning song coming from above almost dragged me in. Astra held me by the arm and Daphne gently grabbed my other hand.
"Luna, why did you lead him out here?" Astra asked.
"I'm not trying to get him killed, maim, or force him to live on the Jersey Shore," Luna said. "Harry Potter is strong enough to withstand the pool's effects and free those held captive inside."
"He is," Elle said. "Although, he only has eight hours to rise from it, or the portal will be sealed."
"Is there really any reason for you to go down there, though?" Astra asked.
"Kara's down there."
This stopped Astra dead in her tracks. I had a very strong feeling about this.
At the very least, Kara was down there. Exactly how she managed to enter this strange realm, instead of ending up in the Phantom Zone or Earth, I had no idea.
"Kara is down there?" Astra asked. "How? Why?"
"Questions we'll answer later," I told her. "I'm going in."
My face was up against the water. I sensed danger, but also the best chance I had in finding Kara.
"You're not going without me," Astra said.
'It's dangerous."
"And you're going," Astra said.
"Now's not the time," I warned her.
"I'll go with you as well," Elle said. "If your companion is down there, then this is your best chance to reunite with her."
Time ran out. I could feel Kara, although I could not touch her. Exactly how she got down here, when she got down here, and why, there were many questions I hoped to answer.
"Eight hours," Nicolas said.
"I know, when the full moon fades, so does this portal," Elle said. "I'm aware of it."
"I don't intend to outlive you," Nicolas said.
"I know," Elle said. "And you won't."
"Everything will be fine," Luna said. "Harry won't fail. She has faith in him. We all do."
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Luna. I hope to live up to it.
"Now or never," I told them.
The humming stopped. Hopefully it is not an omen. Despite the cold December weather, the water in the pond was warm to the touch. This might not be one of the more reckless things I ever did. It is up there.
Kara Zor-El, Supergirl to many, is one of about seven people I would risk diving into such a dangerous portal to save into a dangerous magical realm to save. She saved me from a very dark place a long time ago, after the war with Voldemort. And I can never properly repay the favor, although I will repay some of the debt with interest tonight by bringing her home. I threw all caution to the wind and jumped straight in.
Astra and Elle followed me just seconds later. The clock ticked. I was confident Zari and Nicolas could hold down the fort in case anything bad had been summoned by us going into the portal.
Failure was not an option.
To Be Continued.
