Chapter 33
When Harry woke up, Fleur and the girls whisked him off to Atlantis. Gemma assured him that Hermione, Lisa and the other rescued girls were well taken care of.
There was no sunbathing this time. Instead they were exploring the city. Harry was getting a bit annoyed though.
"She's literally got nothing to do! She's the one who pushed me into this whole deal. She's the reason we came to Atlantis." Harry said irritably as the group of six walked down a deserted corridor.
"Harry, Ganos wouldn't do this intentionally." Gemma tried to reassure him.
"I agree." Harry said firmly. "That is what worries me. She has no commitments on her time and no dislike for me. Which means something is preventing her from coming to me."
"Could she have been kidnapped again?" Tracey asked.
"It is possible." Harry nodded. "I will have to try and reach her myself."
"You've learnt how to ascend already?" Daphne was amazed.
"Nah… well… I suppose I could if I wanted to." Harry said thoughtfully. "What I really do is more like astral projection. Toyotama-hime has been teaching me."
"Can you teach us?" Pansy asked excitedly.
Harry smirked at her. "Planning on visiting certain long-nosed quadrupeds?"
She managed to scowl and blush at the same time.
The following day Harry was seated, cross-legged on the floor in one of the bedrooms at the muggle house in Glasgow and attempting to reach Ganos. The girls were also in the house but they were downstairs watching some movies.
"You can stop trying. You won't reach her."
Harry opened his eyes to see a white man in his fifties, dressed in white, standing in front of him. "And you would be…?"
"The one telling you that Ganos will not be returning." The man appeared emotionless.
"Why?"
"It is not your concern."
"Ganos is my friend. It damn well is." Harry responded, emulating the man's calmness.
"If you continue to try and reach her we will take more permanent steps."
"Nothing you say will stop me. Only Ganos herself can tell me to stop."
"Very well."
The man raised his hand but Harry simply turned and walked out the door, locking it behind him. The man actually showed a bit of surprise when nothing happened. He tried to leave but found he was trapped. He couldn't leave the mortal plane.
"Awww."
Harry ignored the disappointed groans of the girls as he turned off the TV. He pulled up the ottoman and sat on it to face them. They were instantly alert and attentive as they recognised Harry was serious and something had happened.
"Caught myself an Alteran." He informed them without expression. "Threatened to do something 'permanent' if I didn't stop trying to reach Ganos."
"How dare they!" Pansy was on her feet for half a second before she was pulled back down by Fleur.
"What is your next move?" Fleur asked.
"My new prisoner is going to stay where he is for now. I, on the other hand, need to go wake Merlin up."
Needless to say, a statement like that meant the girls followed.
"We're going to need hours in the bath after this." Gemma groaned as she followed David out of Harry's ship. "Sand gets everywhere."
"Harry's little club did good work on our clothes." David assured her as the others exited behind her, Harry and Tonks coming last.
Harry had taken them to a planet that was mostly made of desert.
"Dave, it doesn't matter how good the charms, a woman will always hog the bathroom. Ow!" Harry rubbed his head as Tonks glared at him.
"Come on, let's finish before Harry gets himself killed by one of his own bodyguards." Pansy grumbled.
It was a short walk to a nearby cave for the group. They paused for a few minutes whilst Harry deactivated the planet's stargate and then headed in.
They easily found the stasis chamber and Merlin.
"Harry... if you let him out... will he last longer than five minutes?" Tonks asked worriedly. "He looks like he should have been mummified."
"The Greatest Wizard in British history and that's your opening line?" Harry chuckled. "Look, it even says right here, 'Merlin, Arch-Mage of the Round'."
"Did Ganos write that?" Gemma asked. "He must have really impressed her."
"She didn't agree with everything he did, but she did agree he was trying to do the right thing." Harry admitted as he placed a hand next to the chamber.
Seconds later the ancient man inside fell forward into Harry's arms.
"Everyone grab a hold of me." Harry instructed before calling for Ember and vanishing in flames.
"Morning Moros."
The old man cracked his eyes open cautiously. "Who are you that you know that name?" He asked croakily.
"A friend of Ganos Lal. And unless you want to be mobbed in public then I suggest you don't go by Merlin."
The old man gingerly sat up and took in his surroundings. He was seated in a bed in a very opulent room. Well... 'opulent' compared to his last bedroom which was bare stone.
This room had an exceptionally soft bed, carpeted floors, wooden bookcases and... a young boy with a phoenix on his shoulder.
"You know my name, but I do not recall being given yours." He looked at him like he was a young Arthur, his rascal of a student.
"Harry Potter. My full title is: High King Harry of Albion. Something like that." Harry shrugged.
"Chirp!"
"And this is my little bud, Ember." He turned his head and nudged her playfully with his nose.
"Tell me, what events so dire are approaching that Ganos would see me freed?"
Harry picked a cup off the side table and handed it to him. "Ganos didn't send me. She told me about you and how to get you if you were needed. I freed you because I need your help to rescue Ganos. The other Alterans are holding her captive."
"And what is your relationship with Ganos Lal?"
"Friend, student... personal attack dog." Harry said the last one grumpily.
Moros clearly didn't believe him. "Ganos was assigned to stop me from interfering on this plane. She is the one who imprisoned me."
"But she didn't kill you. She met me when I took my first space flight. As I was young and 'inventive', she decided I would be the one to defend the planet and galaxies from threats like the Goa'uld, Wraith and Ori."
Moros swung his legs out from the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, he was now very attentive. "You cannot be even twenty years. If you still have the Goa'uld to defeat then you cannot have encountered the Wraith. The Ori would make both of those enemies moot."
"I'm fifteen. I haven't started to deal with the Goa'uld or the Wraith. The Ori are just reports to me. Never met or seen evidence of them for myself.
"Like I said, I woke you up to help me free Ganos."
"I would have to ascend." Moros scowled. "That would put me at the mercy of the other Ascended."
"I don't want you to mount a rescue mission." Harry shook his head. "I need your advice on how they will react and respond. I want them to free her."
Moros looked at Harry with disgust. "You want the Saangraal."
Harry just rolled his eyes. "ADVICE! You senile old fool!" Harry yelled as he stood. "I have captured one of the Alterans. He threatened me so I imprisoned him."
"You captured an ascended being?" Moros scoffed.
Harry dropped onto the chair in defeat. "Are you going to be of any use or should I just shove you back in the freezer?"
Moros stood and raised his hand at Harry as though grasping his throat. "Do not think you can use me or command me like a lap dog boy."
"High. King. Of. Albion." Harry gave him a dry look. He then held his hand and summoned Caledfywch. "British magic doesn't work on me."
"You passed my tests?" Moros asked with wide eyes.
"You mean the brain teasers? We use those things to entertain kids. Hell! The room to one of the school dorms in this castle requires you to answer them just to get in!"
"But, the knight-"
"You came from a time when all the nobles were trained with the sword. Where exactly was the challenge?"
Moros sat back down woodenly. "How long was I asleep?"
"Nearly a thousand years. It is currently 1995 anno domini... or 'Year of Our Lord'. Humans who don't have magic have developed technology to fly hundreds of people through the skies, bring people back from the brink of death, keep a heart beating even if the person should be dead, communicate instantaneously with each other from one side of the planet to the other... and destroy entire cities with the push of a button." Harry finished with distaste.
"And the rest of the galaxy? How much have you reached and explored?"
"Non-magicals haven't made it past the moon. And they've only done that once or twice. I have been to one or two planets in this galaxy but I mainly focus on the Pegasus Galaxy, I use Atlantis as my second home and explore the planets and systems there whilst learning about the Wraith. They are sleeping at the minute."
"Sleeping?"
"They have some sort of hibernation cycle. A few stay awake and send out hunting parties to gather food for the hives."
Moros laid back on the bed, his feet still on the floor. Harry thought it was an amusing sight as it wasn't something he saw people like Albus do. Of course, he was glad the man was wearing pyjamas.
"Why am I not more tired?" Moros wondered, not moving from his new position. "I am old. Nearly ninety. I was headed for my death bed when Ganos caught me."
"One of my friends and advisors is pushing a hundred and twenty. Another is over six hundred. There are at least two women who are past one fifty. We gave you some potions to bolster your body."
Moros lifted just his head to peer at Harry. "And you didn't wake me for the Sangraal?"
"Why don't you get dressed? I'll send someone to answer a few more questions and then I'll show you the ascended I imprisoned. Then you can decide if I would even need that weapon to defeat the Ori."
Harry stood up and gave Moros an appraising look. "I'll also see if I can't scrounge up a barber."
Harry and Ember vanished in flame leaving a confused Moros. "What is a 'barber'?"
"How do gang!"
"Harry!" Came from the usual crowd at Desmond's.
"Aw, there's my little Angel." Shirley beamed as the now nine year old Gabrielle ran up and hugged her.
"Hi Aunty Shirley." She said happily.
"Sev." Porkpie managed not to squeak. Severus Snape may no longer look like the 'Bat of the Dungeons' but Porkpie still remembered the first day that he saw 'Death' enter the small barber's shop.
"And who are these two lovely ladies?" Desmond smiled at Tonks and Yoshiko.
"Ah, well, this is the big surprise!" Harry grinned as he put around a similarly grinning Yoshiko and turned them so everyone could see her. "I would like to introduce Mrs Yoshiko Snape."
Porkpie burst out laughing. "Good one Harry!"
"Ahem." Yoshiko wiggled her hand at the man, showing her engagement and wedding ring. The engagement ring was really a wedding gift from Harry and a pointed reminder to both Severus and Yoshiko that he was still miffed at not being invited to the wedding.
Porkpie paled. "It's the end of days."
"Shirley, could I use your phone?" Matthew asked calmly. "I believe a call to Maudsley would be prudent, just to make sure they aren't missing anyone." He explained as he looked at the young looking woman warily.
"Hush Matthew." Shirley was a bit embarrassed. She certainly didn't want to explain that Maudsley was the name of the local mental hospital.
"So, Des, I have a business proposition for you." Harry smiled at the older man.
"You haven't worked through that down payment you made when we first met." Desmond chuckled. "We worked it out to at least a hundred visits."
"And only if we overcharged." Shirley added.
"Well, how would you like to be on retainer as my official barber?"
"Harry-kun, you are doing this backwards." Yoshiko sighed as she pushed him to the side. "Husband?"
Severus pulled his wand and began placing privacy wards.
"Is he conducting?" Porkpie asked.
"It is secure." He nodded to his wife.
"In short, magic is real." Yoshiko grinned before morphing into her kitsune form.
"I thought it'd be years before I was here again."
"You could live here and commute to London or Scotland." Harry smiled at the awe and wonder on his little group of friend's faces. They were standing on one of the beaches of Guyana, the sea behind them, the sand beneath their feet and the rainforest in front of them. "You could retire within a decade or hire an assistant and be a manager."
"Harry-kun, give them some time." Yoshiko said as she sidled up to him. "Go back home, Sev and I will take responsibility for them and Gabby." She looked to where Shirley was holding the girl at her waist, even though she was nearing ten, she was quite dainty.
Harry looked at the kitsune and nodded. Yoshiko had become something of big sister to him, Toyotama was happily filling the role of eldest sister for both of them.
In other words, they liked to mock and tease him. Especially about his terrible Japanese skills.
Harry returned to Hogwarts only to find Moros sitting grumpily in an armchair with Fred, George and Sirius bound and gagged on the floor.
"Did you have to assign these sycophants to me?"
Harry looked at the three captives with confusion. "I didn't. I asked Nick and Albus to talk to you."
Harry waved his wand at the three and they were free. He looked to Sirius for an explanation.
The old Marauder just shrugged and plopped on the couch. "The old coot managed to annoy Albus. The only other person to do that is you. Nick sent us in as punishment."
"You were acting?" Moros sat forward glowering.
Fred laughed as he and his brother joined the senior prankster on the couch. "His godson is the King of Britain. He knows at least three phoenixes. His old headmaster was the highest ranking wizard in the world."
"You might be a legend." George continued. "But you were never a living legend like his Majesty."
"I am not a legend." Harry grumbled as he conjured a chair for himself.
George was about to argue but a quick look from Sirius silenced him. Harry didn't notice.
"Did you manage to learn anything from Albus and Nicholas before you managed to annoy them?" Harry asked.
Moros held up a piece of wood that was wrapped in leather around the sides and back and had a glass front. It looked like an empty picture frame, in reality it was the latest gadget from the Pottery Club. The equivalent of a laptop. "Flamel gave me this. I have been reading the current news reports.
"Nothing I've read says you have been past your moon. You barely understand the nature of the atom. You are embroiled in war and persecution. And you have only just determined that half your chemicals are destroying the planet's atmosphere." He recited snarkily.
"Ok." Harry said calmly. "So what can you tell me about the ascended Alterans? Do you know anything that will help me get Ganos back?"
"You have a severe case of narcissism." Moros said in disgust.
"Because he wants to help his friend?" George asked, looking to his brother in confusion. "Isn't that the opposite of narcissism?"
Fred opened his mouth to respond but Moros spoke up.
"He wants to help his friend. He wants me to tell him my secrets."
"All I heard in that lot was 'me' and 'my'." Sirius shrugged. "Pup, he's not going to be of any use to you. I recommend you either shove him back in the box or let him go and tell the world that Merlin lives."
"Either way, you have bigger fish to fry." George added.
"Yeah, hand him off to Professor Dumbledore or someone else. Focus on Ganos." Fred agreed.
"EMBER!" Sirius yelled out. "Harry needs some fun time!" He added slightly quieter as the always attentive phoenix flamed in. Harry had zero time to protest.
"You are close to forcing our hand, Harry Potter."
The sound of five female screams preceded an angry squawk and the sound of rushing flame.
"He's gone." Harry said calmly.
The naked girls were breathing heavily as they tried to calm themselves. They had been relaxing on Atlantis on the balcony of their private apartment, just sunbathing, when a strange black man appeared.
"I want wards around our apartments Harry." Gemma snarled furiously.
"And I want ten minutes alone with that pervert." Pansy looked murderous.
But so did the other girls... Harry wasn't sure it mattered considering how angry Ember had looked.
"I don't really need you anymore. So here's the deal. You use your powers and heal my friend. Then you can leave."
Harry was standing in front of one of the cells in the prison on the moon. Its occupant was the first ascended that threatened him.
"We do not interfere in mortal affairs." Came the frequently repeated response.
"Then consider yourself imprisoned for life for threats of war."
"The other ascended will come. They will deal with you and free me."
"They don't even know where you are. I doubt they know what happened to you. Besides, you weren't much of a threat, so why would they be?"
"And what will you do when the Ori come? When the Wraith awaken and learn of your planet full of food?"
"The Wraith are still asleep. I'll have them sorted long before they next wake up. As for the Ori, they don't know about us and probably won't for thousands of years. Considering I can match you now, do you really think they'll be a problem later?"
The man smirked. "We made plans of our own. By now, another of my people has approached you. When he does not return my people will awaken the Wraith and provide them and the Ori the location of your planet."
Harry looked at the man and sighed. He was only physically fifteen. He felt like he was a hundred. He turned and walked off.
Severus Snape had to fight to keep his calm and unconcerned expression as he sipped his tea. He was sat in the King's private rooms.
Not really a rare occurrence.
But the reason he was here was. Harry had requested his most trusted advisors. Nicholas Flamel, Perenelle Flamel, Toyotama-hime, Albus Dumbledore, Filius Flitwick, Sirius Black, Yoshiko Snape and... himself.
Harry had sent out handwritten requests, delivered by Ember, every individual received one and it begged their attendance as his respected and trusted advisors.
It was a position Severus would never had believed he would be in. Trusted and respected by a Potter.
Once they were assembled, Harry had several others brought in. There was Prime Minister Burns, President Lancet, Teyla Emmagan, Kasuf and Moros... otherwise known as 'Merlin'.
"A dangerous threat of war has been levelled against me personally." Harry said gravely as he paced. "But the beings that made the threat, the Ancient Alterans, have no care for collateral damage. They have threatened to awaken the Wraith and turn the Ori on us. Both are beyond the current means of Earth and this galaxy to defend against."
Burns spoke up first. "If I may, a threat usually comes with a demand, one that will possibly prevent the threat being enacted. Could you tell us what the threat is?"
"They simply said I should stop looking for my friend Ganos. I believe they have imprisoned her so she cannot reach me." Harry scowled.
Lancet frowned. "Without meaning to sound callous, is there a reason for this woman to be so important?" He saw the outraged looks on the others faces, despite Harry's one of understanding. "If she is not family and not of vital importance to the safety of the people, would it be possible to agree to distance ourselves from her so long as they can provide and prove assurances of her own freedoms and safety?"
"It's not that simple." Filius said grimly. He had been Harry's first port of call after he arrived back at Hogwarts. "The only real information Ganos gave His Majesty was the location of Atlantis. In reality, she has only discussed abstract concepts with him and pushed him to reach beyond his current abilities.
"For all the information and technology in Atlantis, Harry uses a negligible amount. He has created space crafts and portals that are beyond anything the Alterans made, he has already defeated the most powerful of enemies in this galaxy and he isn't even fifteen yet."
"Whilst I will withhold judgement on the 'superiority' of your ships and portals until I have seen them, I have to say that the attitudes and actions you have reported are not consistent with the people I knew." Moros frowned. "Granted, they were arrogant and self-righteous, but... to actively threaten the innocent of an entire galaxy?"
"Two galaxies." Teyla spoke up, she had a look of fire in her eyes. "The Wraith will tear through my galaxy before they come for this one."
"It just seems so... " Moros growled in frustration. "We made humans!" He said angrily. "You are our children! It was the very reason I became mortal again. To protect you. It makes no sense to me."
"Harry-kun is a threat to them." Toyatama-hime spoke up quietly. "He can imprison them. If he can do that, he can kill them."
"I need to speak to the Ascended you captured." Moros decided. "I won't have them destroying our legacy like this."
"Thank you." Harry said gratefully. "But, we need plans and contingencies to deal with the Wraith and the Ori."
"These Ori, do we have anything that could harm them?" Lancet enquired.
"Magic." Nicholas said bluntly. "The Ori are merely another faction of the Ascended Alterans. Just like the British and Americans are two factions of humans.
"This means we can use magic to defend against them."
"But not necessarily their followers, who are mortal humans." Moros quickly added.
"How quickly could the Ori reach us?" Teyla asked. "The Wraith are already in my galaxy."
"They would send their mortal slaves in first." Moros nodded. "This would give us breathing room as they will need to build a fleet capable of inter-galactic travel."
"Your Majesty..." Severus spoke up hesitantly. "The Wraith are asleep. Simultaneous covert strikes would mean near zero losses on our part."
"I'm not sure what the other governments would have to say about that." David Burns breathed out. He sipped his tea... wishing for something stronger.
"They wouldn't have anything to say if these Alterans unleash the Wraith on us." Yoshiko scoffed. "They would be dead."
"I really don't want to go down in history as being guilty of genocide." Harry sighed as he dropped into his armchair.
"Negotiation is not really an option." Moros mirrored Harry's defeated demeanour. "Once the hive detects us they will all wake up. They will simply see us as food and eat."
"Hive mind."
Everyone looked at the now very thoughtful king.
"Wha-" "Shh!"
The President tried not to be offended, he was just shushed by a being several centuries older than him. Even if Yoshiko wasn't the oldest in the room.
"Is it possible to disconnect one of them from the hive?" Harry looked at Moros intently.
"Yes, but they will instantly be missed and therefore alerted to our presence."
Harry just grinned. "It won't matter. It will already be too late."
