Shau'Hei

Chapter 1

Poor Traumatized Harry

When Harry finally woke from his drugged sleep he was sure he was hallucinating. Why else would he be in heaven unless he was dead…and he really didn't want to be dead. So he was hallucinating; it would certainly explain the deformed ghosts that were floating above him at the moment.

"Ah, you're awake, Doctor Porter. How do you feel?" Ghost number one asked, doing a quick medical check up on Harry. Harry didn't get a chance to answer the question, though because she just kept talking, "Well, it looks like everything's in order. You're belongings are in the locker, and you'll need this for when you leave." The 'ghost' (which Harry was pretty sure wasn't a ghost anymore) said while shoving a mask into Harry's hands.

Still dazed from the sleep gas, Harry floated his way to his locker. Why in the world was everything so white? It hurt his eyes and made it even harder to see without his glasses. He couldn't judge distance, and everything was one long white blur.

He vaguely remembered being pulled into the Avatar Base shortly before take off and being shoved into his little pod over there. But that felt like years ago, which was weird because it had only happened yesterday.

What on Merlin's Earth was going on here?

Everything around him was white, and that included his quidditch robes. When He'd just gotten off practice he had immediately rushed to the take off site. He hadn't had time to change unless he wanted to miss the launch.

Nothing about this made any sense to, where was he? Why was everything floating? Why had they kidnapped him? And why did everyone keep calling him Doctor Porter? He name was Potter, not Porter, and he was not a doctor.

He was still in a daze when everyone was herded out of the white sleeping chamber and into what looked to be the inside of some type of shuttle.

Harry was starting to get a bad feeling about this.

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Harry's bad feeling increased when the ship set down. The only reason Harry knew they had landed was the sudden rustling around him. People were putting their masks on, and that alarmed Harry even further. Why would they need gas masks? Just where had these stupid muggles taken him?

A nudge against his side jerked him from his thoughts and he rushed to pull his mask on, moments later the hanger door fell open and everyone started marching out. Like, literally marching.

Harry stared at them all in stunned silence, his panic wasn't diminishing in the least. Someone snapped at him to get a move on, and he quickly shuffled off the ship. That was when he got his first good look at his surroundings and what he found scared him more then Voldemort ever had.

"Welcome to Pandora." He heard someone say to one of the soldiers. This sent poor Harry over the edge and he swayed on his feet, his legs giving out from under him.

"Whoa!" Someone exclaimed from behind him and he felt a pair of strong arms snatch him up before he hit the pavement.

His vision spotted for one terrifying moment before Harry brought himself back under control. He found himself sprawled across the lap of a man in a wheel chair, and they were surrounded by at least six soldiers. "You okay there?" The man asked, concern in his eyes.

Harry hastily extracted himself, fiddling with his robes in nervousness. "Yes, thank you." He murmured. Anything else that might have been said was forestalled by some military man barking at them to move it…again. Harry sighed and followed the soldiers into the compound. They found their way to a small room where another officer was giving a lecture about the dangers of Pandora.

"Doctor Porter! Over here!" someone called when the debriefing was over, and Harry dutifully made his way over to the scrawny young man who was waving his hand around like a child on the first day of school. "It's good to see you again, and as I'm sure you know this is Jake Sully; Tom's brother." Whoever this was obviously thought he knew him.

Harry just nodded, not sure he wanted to try asking what was going on, with all the military personel running around he was afraid he might get shot for trespassing.

And that was not on his to-do list.

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The boy didn't seem to find Harry's silence odd as he lead them on a tour of the area, especially where they would be working.

With the Avatars.

Harry wasn't quite so upset anymore. The thought of getting to use one of these beautiful creatures to explore the planet Hermione and him had dreamed of for so long was like a dream come true and pushed any concerns he might have had firmly out the window.

Jake's and Norm's (their guide's name as Harry had just discovered) avatar's were huge. And while Harry's Avatar was also larger Harry himself it was quite a bit shorter then the others. Harry thought it was extremely unfair that even among giants Harry was still short.

While the scientists spoke Harry studied his avatar. It really was beautiful. Indigo skin with beautiful creamy markings all over that were almost luminecent in the sharp glow of the lab. The hair was blacker then Harry's, and long and perfectly plated, reaching well past it's hips to tickle his knees with two stray strands framing his face. It's eyes were shut, but even so, Harry could see that they were huge. His ears were thin, long, and curled inwards with a carefully tapered tip, and there was a long tail half as tall as the avatar itself.

Oh yes, this was going to be fun.

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After seeing the Avatar's Norm lead Harry and Jake into another section of the bio lab where they pushed Jake into a chair and told him to make his first video log. Apparently this Doctor Porter person Harry was masquerading as was already an expert on such things so Harry got out of that particular assignment for the moment.

Norm and his friend stood over to one side hunched over what Harry assumed were some very interesting papers, and Harry was left to entertain himself.

Hopping up on the table to Jake's left Harry watched him with undisguised curiosity. He had grown up more or less without technology, and seeing just how far muggles had progressed was astounding.

It wasn't all that surprising that they had managed to kill off a majority of Earth, he wondered if they regretted it? Considering that they just moved onto a new planet Harry somehow doubted it.

Magic was the only thing keeping Earth alive, and that was just barely. Wizarding communities were the only true green places left on earth, and if the muggles every discovered them, Harry was sure the wizarding world would become just as drab as the rest of that world.

Pandora, on the other hand, was a wonderland that this little 'Alice' couldn't wait to get out and explore.

He was brought out of his thoughts by Jake jerking back and looking over at the two scientists across from Harry. "-Is this right? I just say whatever to the video log?"

It was a good question, and one Harry would also like to know the answer to, since he was supposed to excel at it already. He thought it might be rather difficult to explain why he couldn't recollect how to talk to a camera.

Norm looked up, a smile on his lips, "Yeah, we've got to get into the habit of documenting everything. What we see, what we feel-it's all part of the science."

"Yeah, good science is good observation." Max Patel added, and wasn't he a man after Hermione's heart. Speaking of Hermione, she was probably frantic right about now.

"Plus it'll help keep you sane for the next six years." This made Harry pause. He had technically known that the flight to Pandora took years, but it hadn't seemed like that long to Harry. Had he really been missing for six years? If so, Hermione would be more then just a little frantic. And there was no telling what Ginny was thinking.

Harry had to bite back a groan, and judging by the way Mr. Sully was practically banging his head against the desk he must be having similar thoughts himself. Jake sighed, before straightening in his chair and adjusted his camera. "So, here I am…doing science."

Yeah, Jake had summed that up quite nicely.

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"Grace Augustine is a legend." Norm Chattered excitedly. Obviously the boy idolized the woman, "She's wrote the book," He continued, "I mean literally wrote the book, on Pandorian botany."

"That's cus she likes plants better then people." Max joked, directing his remarked to Jake, and Harry had to refrain from chuckling. "Course you already knew all this, Doctor." He said, now addressing Harry.

The wizard merely smiled, hoping he looked fairly knowledgeable…but intelligence wasn't exactly Harry's forte, so he wasn't completely convinced he had pulled it off.

Again no one seemed to find his reaction odd, which was a relief to poor Harry. "Here she is, Cinderella herself, back from the ball." Max stated as they came to a stop in what Norma had labeled as the "link room." Grace was a stern looking woman with red hair and a cigarette between her lips. Her sharp eyes turned on the small group at the man's voice, "Grace, I'd like you to meet Norm Spellman," Harry's eyes flicked to the young man, his eyebrows getting lost in his messing mop of black hair-what an interesting surname. "Jake Sully," He continued, "And I believe you've met Dr. Porter already."

"Dr. Porter, it's good to see you again."

Harry gave her a small smile and took her hand in a tentative handshake, the woman's grip was firm. Harry had no idea how to respond, luckily he didn't have to, "I look forward to working with you." She added before turning her focus on Norm.

Harry let out a tiny sigh of relief when the woman's attention was directed elsewhere-that woman was scary.

"Norm, I hear good things about you. How's your Na'vi?"

Norm didn't seem to share Harry's sentiments regarding the scientist and immediately launched into a stream of unfamiliar words. The language was a strange combination of guttural and lyrical sounds, some of which sounded remarkably like growling.

Harry wasn't the only one with no idea what was being said if Jakes expression was anything to go by, and not for the first time Harry wondered what his story was.

"Uh, Grace," Their guide interrupted tentatively, "This is Jake Sully." Dr. Patel seemed to have lost a bit of his confidence and Harry couldn't blame him when Grace turned a truly venomous look on the man in the wheelchair.

Jake obviously tried to ignore the look by politely extending his hand, "Ma'am-" His attempt at breaking the ice failed epically.

"Yeah yeah, I know who you are." Grace said coldly, talking right over the man and outright ignoring the hand-which Jake slowly retracted. "I don't need you." she continued, a little harshly in Harry's opinion, "I need your brother, you know, the PhD who trained for three years for this mission."

Harry didn't know the full story, but it didn't take a genius to know Jake wouldn't be on Pandora at all if his brother was at all capable to come.

The woman's downright hostile tone and disrespectful words had Harry's eyes narrowing at her.

His suspicions were proven true when Jake responded, "He's dead." Jake's voice was void of any and all emotion, but his eyes were burning, "I know it's a big inconvenience for you." He snarled.

Oh yes, Jake Sully was pissed.

It obviously threw Grace back, but she covered it up quickly, giving the seated man an appraising look. "How much lab training have you had?" she asked shrewdly.

"I dissected a frog once." Jake answered honestly, causing Harry to stifle a snicker. It was more then Harry had done; he hadn't made it quite that far in his muggle education before entering Hogwarts.

"Ya see, ya see!" Grace snarled, "They're just pissing on us without even the courtesy of calling it rain."

Harry did start snickering then as Grace stormed off, loudly voicing her opinions on the blockheads leading the Pandorian Expedition.

Norm was giving Harry a funny look, and Jake had cracked a smile at Harry's obvious mirth. Soon Harry had dissolved into helpless giggles.

By the time Harry had gotten himself back under control Max had returned and all three of Harry's companions were watching him with a mixture of bemusement and indulgence.

Harry flushed slightly under the attention, no matter how often he was stared at he would never be used to it. Unfortunately being the boy-who-lived, and the defeater of Voldimort, not to mention a world famous quidditch player, often left Harry in the spotlight to be all but worshipped.

"Sorry." He murmured sheepishly.

Jake grinned at him and Max just brushed it off. "Come on, I'll show you your rooms."

It turned out that each of the avatar drivers were awarded their own quarters. It wasn't much, just a small generic white bedroom with an attached bath and sitting room.

As soon as the door shut behind him Harry shrugged out of his quidditch robes before dropping onto his bed; his mind blissfully blank.

He stared at the ceiling for a long time without seeing anything before he finally drifted to sleep.

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As a wizard Harry had experienced many forms of travel, most of which were instantaneous. All were very unique experiences with varying effects; such as the dizzying spinning which accompanied Floo travel, or the claustrophobic sensation induced by apparation. And lets not forget the harsh landings he received from port keys throwing him at the ground or the freedom granted him from flying. All were very effective ways of transporting yourself from one place to another.

None could compare to the wild ride he received when transferring his soul from one body to another.

The moment he settled into his new Pandorian skin he felt something snap into place. It was sharp and abrupt, leaving him panting and disoriented with a bad case of vertigo.

It was another few confusing moments before he realized just what had happened.

His magic had somehow connected with this new body. It should have been impossible, he shouldn't have even been able to use his magic in his avatar body since his core should have remained with his human form.

Harry wasn't sure how he felt about this, he really shouldn't be so surprised. After all, since when has the laws of nature (and any other laws anyone had discovered throughout history) ever applied to him?

Regardless, he had been surprised. He was also a little worried as well; because if his magical core was now in this body, what would that mean for his human form?

He wished Hermione were there, she would know what to do. And if she didn't, she would soon find out.

Yes, he needed to talk to Hermione. He just wasn't sure how to go about doing that.

Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a commotion going on around him and when he opened his eyes it was to complete and utter chaos.

Something large and blue stumbled passed him, leaving a trail of destruction in it's wake. Shortly following this was another blue creature, hurrying after the first. This one was muttering and apologizing while ripping all sorts of wires from it's body in order to chase after the first.

Harry was forgotten in the confusion, but that was fine with him. It gave him a little while to sort out his thoughts…and body.

It was very bizarre to look down at his hand, only to not see his hand. His fingers were longer and blue, and he seemed to be missing a few fingers. Experimentally he wiggled his toes, smiling in amusement when his tail twitched instead. Okay, so this might be more of an adventure then he thought.

After a few minutes he was able to make his way out of the room into the sunlight. It felt marvelous. Looking around he was able to see a number of avatars about the garden. Some were off playing ball, others were training. And a small group were clustered near a long line of native plants. Harry kind of recognized them.

It was strange to look at those almost familiar faces. If he hadn't known better he would have said it was magic. But, maybe it was. The magic of science?

It was to this small group that Harry headed for. He was smiling when he reached them. He didn't seem to be the only one who was enjoying himself, the others were all smiling as well. Which was a bit of a marvel in itself since Grace and Jake didn't seem to get along at all.

Jake grinned at him when he arrived, "You've got to try this." He enthused, handing a large fruit to the smaller man. Harry smiled and took the fruit, only to freeze when a light breeze swept through his hospital gown.

Dread filled him, and all the blood drained from his face in a split second. It happened again, and the feeling of 'wrongness' only increased. Unfortunately Harry had a sneaking suspicion he knew just what was wrong. What was missing.

In a move so fast no one could have anticipated it Harry spun and violently reached up to grab the front of Grace's tank top to drag her down to his level before growling in her face, "What did you do to me? Where the bloody hell are my bits?" His accent, which no one had noticed since he rarely spoke higher then a murmur, was clearly present.

Grace's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden man handling, and her hands latched onto his in an attempt to pry him loose. "Excuse me?" She coughed in surprise. Everyone else in the garden were to shocked by the sudden violent streak from the usually placid girl.

"My bits." His hissed in her face, "Where are my bits."

Grace's eyes narrowed, her tugging at Harry's hands wasn't getting her anywhere, "I haven't a clue what you're talking about Ms. Porter but-"

Harry interrupted her with a snarl, "I'm not Ms Porter, you bint. I'm not even a girl."

This had everyone in the vicinity thoroughly confused, "I don't know what's gotten into you Doctor, but this is not amusing." Grace growled back, still trying to yank the other avatar's hands off her clothes.

"I'm not a doctor." Harry explained evenly, but his eyes were burning, "My name is Harry Potter and I'm a boy."

Snickering could be heard from Harry's left and his head snapped in that direction. His eyes narrowed at Jake's avatar form, "You think this is funny, do you?" He hissed again, "How would you like it if I chopped off what made you a man? You wouldn't be chuckling then, now would you?"

Jake's jaw snapped shut, and his hand's rushed to protectively cup his jewels.

Harry glared at him for a moment more before turning back to the gob smacked Grace.

"You're serious?" Harry didn't say anything, he didn't need too since his glare spoke for him. "But, how? Where's Doctor Porter?"

Irritated, Harry shoved the woman away, "How should I bloody well know?" His accent was heavy on his tongue and his tail was whipping behind him lethally. "I've never even met the woman. I was just there to watch the take off but some ruddy guard snatched me out of the crowd and stuffed me in a box."

"Why didn't you say anything when you got here then? This is no place for civilians, and you're no scientist either." Grace berated him.

Harry sneered at her, doing a very good imitation of Malfoy if he did say so himself. Before he could say anything a string of gunshots rang in the distance followed by two or three explosions. Harry waited until the sound had stopped before looking at Grace pointedly, "That is why I didn't say anything. I may be short, but I'm not stupid. This place is simply crawling with trigger-happy Neanderthals."

He knew he had a point, and he could tell she knew it too.

There was a few minutes of strained silence before Grace sank to the ground, her face planted firmly in her thin blue hand.

Harry watched her for a few minutes and when it became apparent he was going to be ignored for a while he took control of the situation, "Now, as I was saying…what happened to my bits?"

Grace rubbed her eyes tiredly, "Doctor Porter is a woman, Mr. Potter. This avatar was designed for her, born of her DNA, and only she should be capable of connecting with it." Harry shrugged unapologetically.

"Looks like it worked fine for me."

Grace sent a glare up at him. "As I was saying, that avatar was designed specifically for Doctor Porter. And since Doctor Porter is a woman, her avatar is also a woman."

Harry frowned, not at all liking where this was going.

"Yeah, well, he's here now isn't he?" Jake cut in, bringing the scientist's attention to him, "Think of it this way, Harry here is like me. Doctor Porter will not be arriving for another six years, and you'll be down one researcher."

Grace was obviously not impressed by the man's cocky grin, but Harry found he was starting to like the smug git.

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