Harry opened his eyes to an unfamiliar face standing over him. Quickly looking over his immediate surroundings, he realized that he was in no immediate danger and relaxed. While the womanly face above him was fixed in a stern frown, and her aura was blinding, she didn't appear to be intent on harming him. In fact, it looked like she was worried about him. He tried to sit up, but immediately collapsed back on the ground, shaking. He felt completely exhausted, as if he had just run a marathon carrying a hundred-pound backpack at a full out sprint. The woman spoke,
"Easy, Mr. Potter. You have completely exhausted your magical reservoir, and it will take some time to recuperate." The woman appeared to be holding a short stick, and to be over 60 years old. She spoke with a British accent, wore dark green robes and a witch's hat, and she wasn't visibly armed with a weapon. However, Harry could sense a capability and power about her, as if she had encountered many obstacles and overcome every one. He had no idea where she had come from, why she knew his name, or why he had "exhausted his magical reservoir", what ever that meant. He had a distinct feeling that this was not someone to mess with, but he didn't like to left in the dark. Finding his sword nearby, he used it to help him ease into a standing position. He was tall enough to look the woman in the eyes, who looked shocked to see him standing. It was time for him to get some answers to his questions.
-oO0o0Oo-
McGonagall could not believe that the warrior standing in front of her was Harry Potter. Although he did wear glasses, have his mother's green eyes and his father's messy hair, the similarities ended there. If she hadn't known that he was born on July 31st, 1994, she would have assumed he would have been a third year, he was tall, strong, and carried himself with a maturity that wasn't present in other kids his age. He had summoned lighting, accidently or not, and had fought expertly with a sword. In addition, he didn't have the scar that Albus had said he would, instead, there were lightning marks on his plams, the same color gold as the flecks in his eyes. And he was able to stand up mere moments after a complete drainage of energy that would put an adult wizard into a coma for at least a week. Clearly, Harry Potter was not what she or Albus had expected, and that was probably for the better. When Albus tried to meddle with things, someone usually got hurt. She was pulled out of her reminiscing by a question.
"How do you know my name?" the boy was wary, never taking his eyes off her, and already she could see that he could stand without completely resting his weight on his sword. She wondered at his remarkable recovery time. What had happened to Harry Potter after that fateful night 11 years ago? Was this the power that the Dark Lord knew not? She answered,
"I am Professor McGonagall, I am the Transfiguration teacher and Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the school where your parents studied."
"You know my parents?" Harry said, a mixture of hope, curiosity, and suspicion coloring his voice.
"I taught them when they were at school, and later, during the war, I would count myself as one of their friends. We were all members of the Order of the Phoenix, and it was a dismal time after they perished," she said, her voice kind and tinged with sadness.
"They are dead? Then who dropped me off here? And why did you not take me in if you knew them so well?" he asked. She could see in his face a long held hope being dashed apart.
"Do you know nothing of your background?" she asked, surprised.
"No. I was dropped off as a toddler by a strange man who left without saying a word. The only way we know my name was because it was written on my baby clothes," he said. His sadness was now turning into anger. McGonagall resolved to give Albus a good tongue lashing for not telling Harry's caregivers any information when she returned to Hogwarts. She sighed,
"You truly know nothing? I suppose I will have to start from the beginning, then. There may be news that you don't want to here, so be prepared." She conjured a pair of chairs, and Harry's eyebrows raised in surprise before he sat down and began to clean his sword. She settled down, and began. "It usually takes some time for people to accept this, but I will be blunt. You are a wizard, and are in fact a descendant from a long line of witches and wizards. Your father, James, and mother, Lily, were two of the most talented witches and wizards of their age, and it would be no surprise if you inherited their same level of skill. However, not all wizards are good, and one wizard went dark and began calling himself Lord Voldemort. He believed that muggles, non-magical people, and those wizards and witches of muggle descent were unworthy and began to kill them off. He gathered followers, called Death Eaters, and tried to take over Britain. Your mother and father opposed him, along with other members of the Order of the Phoenix. Eventually, Voldemort came to your house and killed your mother and father before trying to kill you. Now the spell he used, no one has ever survived, except you. In trying to kill you he destroyed himself and most of your house. Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, found you in the wreckage and brought you here to keep you safe. Why he left without telling you all this is beyond me, but he does have his quirks. I am here because you have been accepted at Hogwarts, and you have yet to reply if you wished to attend."
-oO0o0Oo-
The clearing was silent. All the campers had left, to get their wounds treated at the infirmary or to engage in their favorite activities. Harry sat, in a chair that had appeared out of thin air, and digested the information he had just been given. All his life he had believed that he had some connection to the Greek gods, and now to be told that he was of an entirely different group, maybe even species, was a shock. He had always hoped that one day a god would claim him, but now he was revealed as the outsider the campers all thought he was. Coupled with the fact that his parents were dead and his remaining family nowhere to be found, Harry reflected that this day had started out so well, only to end terribly. He was startled when McGonagall laid a hand on his shoulder. Her face was kind, as if she knew what he was going through.
"When I was a young girl, my mother told my father she was a witch, and although they both loved each other, their trust between them was broken. Because we lived in a muggle village, my siblings and I had to hide our magic, so when I received my Hogwarts letter, I didn't know what to think. My mother insisted I go, and there I found an entire world where I was accepted as who I was. That's why I became a teacher at Hogwarts, so that I could share that world with people like you." Her voice was soft, and Harry could tell that she was being sincere. "If you like, I can show you that world before you make your decision to attend. I'm sure Dumbledore could be persuaded to make an exception from the normal procedure, considering your situation." She held out a parchment envelope to Harry, with green writing on the front and a red wax seal with a lion, eagle, badger, and snake adorning the back. Fingers trembling, he grasped the envelope and read the letter.
-oO0o0Oo-
McGonagall watched as a new hope dawned in Harry's eyes while he read the words that could change his life. She knew that Harry had faced challenges in his life, and Hogwarts would still have challenges, but he would also have a chance to make friends and be accepted for who he was. As the gold-flecked looked up at her, she could see the glistening of unshed tears. To have your hopes dashed and then an entire new world revealed to you in the space of a few moments would have been hard on anyone, and she was reminded that he was not as old as he appeared. He turned away, and when he addressed her, he seemed to have regained his composure and a new inner strength.
"That won't be necessary," he said, holding up the letter, "I accept."
-oO0o0Oo-
Harry stood on the Long Island beach and the edge of one world, and looked out, as if he could see the new world that awaited him. He heard a familiar clip-clop of hooves on the sand and turned to find Chiron staring out at the ocean beside him.
"This is where I first saw you, you know," he said, turning toward Harry, "It seems only fitting that I will be seeing you off from the same place."
"I'll come back every summer," Harry said, "Professor McGonagall just thought it would be easier if I stayed in Britain for the rest of the summer instead of traveling internationally four times in one month."
"It is a precious few who return from their journeys, whether they find glory or defeat," Chiron said, smiling sadly, "But then again, you never were ordinary." Harry didn't know how to respond, and so they stood in silence as the sun set over the horizon. As the sky refracted the sun's rays, Harry voiced what had been bothering him ever since Professor McGonagall had arrived.
"Chiron, Professor McGonagall believes we are ordinary mortals," Harry said, "Do I reveal the truth to her?"
"No two people in this world are alike, Harry," Chiron said, "I believe that McGonagall should be allowed to know, but some others you meet will take your secrets and hold them against you. Be sparring with who you tell, as the more people who know, the less safe you, and all of us, are. But if you find someone who you believe to be trustworthy, don't be afraid to open up. The last thing I want for you is to be lonely in two worlds."
"Wise advice, Mr. Chiron," McGonagall said, walking up beside them, "You would do well to remember his words, Mr. Potter. Are you ready to depart?" Both Chiron and Harry were wondering how they had not noticed her approach.
"In a moment," Harry said, hefting his backpack and adjusting his glasses. His possessions were few to begin with, and he owned few items that he wanted to carry with him on an intercontinental journey. Packing had taken no time at all, and now all that was left was to say goodbye to his mentor and only friend at Camp Half-Blood.
"A good hero is never without his weapons," Chiron said, handing him Harry's favorite sword, bow, and arrows, "Although you will be dealing with forces I have yet to encounter, I find that few are prepared to deal with a capable swordsman or archer. I asked the Hesphatus Cabin to modify the bow to your capabilities, and the sword will be able to do damage to both monsters and mortals. I'd hate to see such hard work go to waste." Harry attached the sword to his belt and slung the bow and quiver over his shoulder, his heart swelling with emotion.
"Thank you, Chiron," Harry said, remembering all the things his mentor had supported him with, "For everything."
"Remember your triumphs and overcome your failures," Chiron said, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder, "I'm sure you will do me proud, and that is all I can ask for." He turned to Professor McGonagall, "Thank you for giving Harry this opportunity, and I hope that we will be able to have a longer conversation in the future."
"You are most certainly welcome," McGonagall replied, "I'm sure that we will both have interesting stories to share."
"Indeed," Chiron said, "Now Harry, your adventure awaits."
"Hold tight to your things, Mr. Potter, and try not to move too much," McGonagall said, moving to stand beside him. Before Harry had time to wonder how they would be getting to Britain, and what she meant by that, McGonagall placed her hand on his shoulder, turned on her heel, and Long Island vanished in a blur of color.
-oO0o0Oo-
AN:
All rights belong to the wonderful J. K. Rowling and Rick Riordan for the original stories.
Next stop, Britain!
In response to your reviews, I will try to update at least every weekend and one time during the week, but that may be delayed if I feel that my writing is not up to my standards.
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