When Dumbledore arrived with Harry, Chuyat was waiting for them.
" Greetings Dumbledore" he said, while gesturing to him to follow. " I will explain the ritual , since you are going to participate in Harry's retrieval anyway. " Dumbledore was prepared so he merely nodded showing his agreement. Darkness was well set arond them, fires easily visible in the distance. Chuyat continued his explanatory speech.
" The fire you see from here is actually an occult barrier my people set up for this occasion. The outer shell, so to speak, is actually a containment quadrant, while inside is a portal designed in the shape of pentagram. It is designed to let us pass in the spirit realm, while the quadrant is designed to keep in anything that might come thorough after us or with us. It is a standard procedure for this kind of thing, as our past experiences have made us to be extremely cautious."
Dumbledore was impressed with their setup and skill. He always appreciated serious approach to magic. Many young wizards have perished by being careless and in hurry. His friends were not and it gave him hope for Harry. They were already near the place where the rite was supposed to occur. Chuyat hurried forward to check with his people if everything was ready. He soon gestured to Dumbledore to enter the pentagram, which glowed with bright flames that made it's outline. Same was with the quadrant as well. Chuyat's people were situated outside the quadrant, four per it's point, sixteen of them. The pentagram was reserved for Chuyat, Dumbledore and Harry. Following Chuyat's instruction, Dumbledore levitated Harry's body in the centre of the mystical star, while Chuyat took position on the upper point and Dumledore in the left lower point. It seemed odd, but that's the way it worked. Chuyat decided to explain further proceedings.
" Dumbledore, listen carefully. My colleagues are starting to chant the spell necessary to start the ritual and erect the containment barrier, while we are going to drink a special potion that will allow us to enter the spirit realm. This pentagram is already imbued with necessary spells and power to open a doorway for us to pass. Harry is in the centre as he is our target, and will automatically return to his body on the way back. You are already aware that things out there will be highly unusual and strange, but also know this – we will not be seeing the same things , while we may see each other we will be seeing different enviroment in which we will be moving around. Do not let that distract you, and if you notice something approaching you or looking like someone you knew , be cautious, since most of the good natured stuff out there will not even notice you, opposite is with the dark , malicious energies and entities. "
Dumbledore merely nodded in the sign that he understood his warnings. He wasn't exactly a novice with this stuff. He could hear the chanting now, and power was rising around him. He did not let that disturb his concentration. Seeing Chuyat drink his potion he did the same. Now fires changed in colour, becoming ethereal blue white , more like lightning now, while pentagram begun pulsing in deep purple beat, like a heart of giant below his feet. Power begun to build in shorter , stronger bursts, pulsing faster and faster. His heart begun to match the rythm of power, while blood rushed to his head. His eyes were beginning to see shapes in the air , forming a bright dome around him. It was very similar to protective barriers at home, seen under his mage sight, but more chaotic, animals, stars, trees, clouds-everything and nothing, sharp then blurry , sound not heard but seen. All of it pulsed and meshed around them, mesmerizing him, making impossible to look away. And suddenlly all of that froze for the second , and then exploded like a mini nova and everything rushed towards him, blinding him and overloading his all other senses and suddenly he was lying on the pavement of King's Cross train station.
Dumbledore was blinking furiously trying to get his bearings. The ritual was quite intense experience for him , it made him little disoriented and slightly nauseous, just as if he was exposed to the toxic fumes of some failed potion and was drugged senseless. The feeling of disorientation passed away, his strength returning to his limbs. The station seemed deserted, but for the red train on it and shapes floating arond, more like shadows of the ghosts instead of the ghosts themselves. The station itself was not strange, but somehow colours were there yet not, like two pictures that are transpatrent and laid one over another but slightly mismatched. Suddenly he realised that one thing was missing, no sound at all. Now remembering the warning from Chuyat, he relised he was seeing something connected to his regular life. But where was Harry ? In the end he decided to follow his instinct and walked thorough the barrier into the muggle London. He was surprised again. It was not the modern London he was seeing, but London from the beginning of the twentieth century, people, now visible, wore old fashioned cloaks and canes with ciliders upon their heads, women in high collared dresses with broad hats and embroidery upon their clothes as well. He realised he was seeing the London as it was when he was much younger and when wizard fashion easily matched that of muggles- that time was perfect for young wizard or a witch to enter the muggle pub or opera hall, yet not to be noticed as different from regulr folk. Dumbledore remembered those times fondly, how he enjojed exploring muggle world in all of it's glory. Carriages were not alien to wizards, but first automobiles were a scandalous achievment- muggle magic , some said. And Albus even tried to drive, but not succesfully, he was rattled easly by the explosions of the machine. It was almost perfect rendition of the London, but whenever he ventured to close to the people or the buildings they would loose the colour and shape, becoming more like smoke. He decided to move around, looking for any signof Harry or Chuyat. He soon found a small park where children played, but stayed away from them, he did not want to draw attention on himself . He found Chuyat sitting under the tree, an old oak, autumn leaves , in yellows and reds , falling on the ground.
He rose slowly, " Hello Dumbledore, you have found me already." That statement amused Albus somewhat, and he responded in kind. " And I was not supposed to, was I ? "
Chuyat begun walking. " No, you were not supposed to meet me so soon. By the way I can see you rather clearly and I am also seeing the same thing as you around us, the muggle London from the beginning of the twentieth century, wich means only one thing."
Dumbledore was worried. He did not like where this was going. " Are you saying that we are being manipulated by someone or something ? "
Chuyat nodded affirmatively. " Yes, exactly so. And it is very powerful, considering it managed to impose your perception over mine. And , no, I do not know who or what is it, since I have never heard of something like this ever happening. "
Dumbledore understood that they were esentially tapping in the dark. " So how do we proceed from here? "
Chuyat was silent for a while, frown marred his visage. " My best guess is that you are the one to guide us to Harry, since you found me. Best thing to do is that you concentrate on him, try to reach him, while I will follow you. You know him better than I do anyway. "
Dumbledore was already on it. If he was seeing London from his memories, than he must remember Harry from the past. First as he was born, then when he was a toddler at Godric's Hollow, and later at the Dursleys doorstep. Finally his happy face at Hogwarts, first year full of new friends and wonder of magic. Second year was sign of dark times ahead, but Harry persevered and prevailed in the end. It amused him greatly to tell him that only a true Gryffindor could have drawn that sword out of Sorting Hat. That was the most beautiful doubletruth , it did not mean just the member of the Hogwarts House, it meant that only true blood descendant of Godric could wield his weapon. What an irony, scion of Gryffindor with the tongue of Slytherin.
The third year was a great test for Harry, a test of character- he did have capacity for hate and anger but also for mercy-the only quality Tom was devoid of. Two boys, so alike, yet such a crucial difference. It was amazing how similar childhoods they had, yet they were as day and night. He thanked gods that he didn't have a new Dark Lord in the making.
The last two yars at Hogwarts proved quite disastrous. Tom proved himself capable of penetrating his defenses , it was clear that his time was coming to an end. He only hoped he could still live long enough to recitfy his mistakes.
While his mind wandered, the enviroment shifted bringing them in the area that h immediately recognised as Little Whinging, Privet Drive Nr. Four. He stopped at once, observing the representation of Dursley household.
Sun was high in the skies, beating mercilessly on them, heat causing them to sweat. Birds chirped, cats miled arond, neighbours going about their bussines. It seemed so real.
" This is the place Chuyat. Harry grew up in this house."
" I see. You do understand that this is not an ordinary illusion, everything is too real- sond, colour, even neighbours. Yet it should be less defined, blurred, and we shuold not be seeing the same thing. Someone is playing around, and surely it is not Harry-he simply does not have the power nor knowledge ."
" I see what you mean, but we don't have much choice. I belive whoever it is or whatever it is, they wanted us to find him quickly , maybe they wanted to help him."
" Highly unlikely, but as you said, we don't have a choice. Do you know where exactly he might be? "
" Yes, follow me."
Thus Dumbledore entered the house, Chuyat right behind him. They passed through the back and in the garden. And Harry was there, digging rocks, huffing heavily, obviously tired from hard work under the hot glare of the sun. But he made no movement as they approached.
Dumbledore was worried, so he spoke to Chuyat again. " What is wrong? Why he does not notice us? "
" It is not that simple Albus. This is hi smemory, a private place we were not supposed to be in. He is caught in a repetitive loop of sorts, not an unusual thing, most people retreat in this kind of place, where they feel safe, no worries, just mindles tasks to preform. It is away to deal with terrible shocks, similar to coma actually."
" And how we are supposed to bring him out of this?"
" Well, we have to somehow distract him long enough to impose oursleves in his memory, so we can communicate with him and convince him to go with us. Now watch this. " And Chuyat threw a stone towards Harry and it bounced back , deflected by some invisible barrier.
" What was that?"
" Our problem Dumbledore. We can't approach Harry through this barrier. It's too strong for me,certainly for you as well. And someone clearly put it there. "
" Harry maybe ? "
" I don't think so. It is very powerful, and to perfect. He might have erected something like this on instinct, but not as well as this. "
" Is there any other way to reach him in there ? "
" Yes. See upwards. "
Dumbledore rose his eyes skywards, and immediately noticed a shape flying. Big hawk, gliding on the currents, slowly making circles above them. " I presume this is your spirit guide ? "
" Yes, Magrath has been with me for many years. Spirit guides have greater abilities in this place and can do many things we cannot. Unfortunately, not even he is able to reach Harry. But I think you can do something about it."
" What is it ? "
" Think of your familiar, the phoenix. "
" Of course. Fawkes is immortal mystical being, his spiritual powers are immense, and he is my bonded familiar, I should be abel to call him even here." And he started humming a song, similar to Fawkes's trilling. For a while nothing happened, but suddenly Fawkes appeared in the brightflames and took his perch at Dumbledore's right shoulder.
" Hello Albus" he spoke in calm, clear and deep voice, " it is a true pleasure to meet you here. "
Dumledore just stared in wonder, unable to speak at first. " A wonder, we can understand each other here. I always knew you could understand people, and was sad we could not understand you in turn. "
Fawkes merely ruffled his feathers and responded in kind voice. " Rules are different here, besides, you did understand me, just not so clearly as here. I assume you want me to get Harry out of there? "
" Yes, Fawkes if you please. "
Fawkes merely turned his gaze upon Harry and dissapeared in the burst of flame. Only to return back, an impression of scowl upon his head. " This is most strange Albus. I could not reach him. And by all things I should have. "
Chuyat was curious about that. Dumbledore explained about phoenix tears and how Fawkes once healed Harry, creating a link between them, faint, but enough for Fawkes to reach him anywhere in the existence, so to speak. Dumbledore was clearly worried, even frightened. Anything powerful to block a phoenix,must be out of this world on he powerscale, a godlike being. Closest thing he ever encountered to this day wer the demonic forces of Grindenwald, but even they could not do this.
Suddenly, something caused the shrubs to part. They turned their gazes there, only to see a serpent slythering, it's tongue flickering around. It glided graciously towards them. It was all black, scales glistening in the sun, yet it was obvious it was not an ordinary snake – it had only one eye, red ruby with no iris, it glowed with inner light that had sort of hypnotic quality , you had to look and could not look away once in it's focus.Then it spoke, releasing the power of and thunder and earthquake, forcing theme on their knees.
" So, the mortals have finally arrived. You have come for the boy no doubt , but you came rather quickly . It must be that She guided you here. Nevermind. What should we do now, hmmm? "
Chuyat was the first to answer. " I dont know who or what are you, but I assure you, we do not mean any harm. We just want Harry to return to his body. There are many people willing to hurt him while he can not defend himself."
" I know that already. " This time, serpent sounded annoyed, but it's voice was now in normal tone,male, little sarcastic.
" I do not know what manner of being this thing is, but it is not a snake for sure. I cannot properly perceve it. " It was Fawkes who spoke these words, nervously observing the entity, it was customary for a phoenix to dislike the serpents.
The serpent just laughed, a trace of malice and mockery in it's voice. " So the bird is percepitve after all. As expected, you are an immortal after all, but do not presume to judge me your limited view of the universe."
It was Dumledore who spoke next, careful to not offend the serpent, who was obviously powerful enough to harm them with so much as an eyeblink.
" Why are you here, interfering with Harry ? He is just a boy, of no value to someone like you – a being of your power was not encountered since the time of Merlin. "
The serpent regarded Albus calmly before responding. " Heh, a wise old man. Such a cliche, if there ever was one. True, he is of no true value to me, but for the sake of curiosity on my behalf, and a bet too. The final outcome is a small thing to consider, but for you it may mean a line between the victory or doom. I grow tired of this talk, yes, take the boy with you, it is time for game to go on."
Suddenly , everything around them was swept away in the storm of shapes and colours, like a painting being washed away. And they to were caught in this storm, till they passed out. Darkness claimed all.