Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter either. It belongs to its creator J.K. Rowling and probably Warner Bros. too. I'm not too sure about that. This piece of literature is simply the work of a humble fan. I also credit Jim Butcher for various themes, subjects, or references that I may use.
Author Notes: This is a Harry Potter crossover with the Dresden Files the book series. All my knowledge of the Dresden Files comes from the books. I've never seen the TV series. For the timeline that will be stated later. Thanks to the folks at DLP for help with editing.
Awaken Sleeper.
Chapter Eight: Parable of the Prodigal – Part One
by: Water Mage
Harry ran a hand over head momentarily surprised when he didn't encounter his long locks. He had never had his hair cut so short before in his life. His fingers brushed against the short length. He could use magic to make it longer, but it was oddly surreal and refreshing for his forehead to be displayed without the scar that haunted him his whole life. A bell rang in the distance breaking through his thoughts. Laughter and the sound of countless conversations filled the air, as the doors to the school building burst open letting loose a swarm of children. Harry leaned against an oak tree, blending in with the numerous adults waiting on the school grounds. No one looked twice at him so he reasoned he didn't look too out place.
Aiden was easy to spot. The five year old with the reddish brown hair walked slower than his classmates as they streamed from the building. Harry called his name and Aiden's whole face lit when he caught sight of him. He didn't take a moment to pause before he was running across the distance separating them. A bright smile that echoed the one Harry wore covered his face as he jumped into his older brother's open arms.
"Whoa!" said Harry, rubbing Aiden's back. "You're getting heavy, kiddo."
Aiden just grinned in answer.
He lowered the boy back to the ground releasing him. He looked Aiden over. Harry hadn't seen him since the night of his birthday. For good reason. Their father didn't want Harry anywhere near the house, and he was going to honor that request. James didn't want to see his face, and Morgan only knows when his anger would finally fade. It damn sure wouldn't be anytime soon. Three and a half weeks and counting.
A woman started to approach them. No doubt she was Aiden's kindergarten teacher wanting to know what he was doing with a stranger. Harry swished his wand, silently casting a low-level Muggle Repelling Charm. The protective charm settled over their immediate space with a dim snap. The woman's face went thoughtful and unsure as she suddenly remembered that she had another place to be.
Aiden rubbed his arms. Harry blinked in surprise at the goose bumps he could see on the younger boy's skin. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked around them in confusion. Could he feel the magic that enclosed them? He was too young to be sensitive to magic. But Aiden wasn't a normal little boy, magical or not. It was one of the reasons that Harry was here.
"You can feel that?" asked Harry, gesturing with his hand.
Frowning, Aiden nodded absently and rubbed at his forearms.
Interesting. Harry dropped his hand on Aiden's shoulder and softly asked, "You know you're very special right?"
He shrugged in answer that could have meant either yes or no.
Harry sighed. This would go so much better if the other boy would verbally respond. "Things are going to be different from now on, Aiden. I haven't been around much and that's not going to change anytime soon. But I will be there for you, okay?"
Aiden slowly nodded not quite understanding. Harry kneeled down so they were eye level.
"Mum and Dad don't know how special you are, but they will when you get older," said Harry, seriously. "But I want you to do something for me. Mum and Dad have been very sad lately. I need you to talk for them. It will make them the happiest people in the world. Please, Aiden can you do that for me?"
Indecision warred in those hazel eyes. Aiden turned his gaze toward the ground, thinking. Harry really did want to see his parents happy. And for them to hear Aiden finally talk would make it so. His mother had sounded so tired the last time he had spoken to her on the phone. The fighting with James was wearing them both out. Fighting that originated from Harry's revelation. If Aiden agreed he would be the light that eased the tension. Hopefully they would forget their troubles in their shared wonder and thankfulness. Harry was betting on it. Was he using his brother so his duplicity could take a backseat? Maybe. But the end result would be worth it all around. Steps had to be taken to unite their fractured family.
It felt like ages, but was only moments, when Aiden flicked his gaze up to look at Harry. The serious expression as always looked odd on a face so young. Aiden stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the still crouching Harry's mid section.
"Okay, Harry," came the answer, muffled against his shirt. "No more quiet now."
Harry let an honest and pleased smile settle across his face. "Thanks, Aiden." He gripped Aiden's chin and tilted his face up. "I may not be around but I'll always be watching out for you, little brother. If you ever need me I'll be there."
"Promise?" asked Aiden, looking at him with big hazel eyes.
Harry nodded, half smiling. "Promise."
He spotted a tall form stepping out from a familiar silver car. James Potter adjusted his suit jacket and scanned the crowd of children and adults. Harry frowned. Usually their mother picked up Aiden from school. This called for a change of plans. He couldn't let his father see him.
"There's Dad, Aiden," said Harry, pointing. "It's time to go home."
The next bit was tricky. Harry disillusioned himself just as he dispelled the repelling charm. Magic washed over him like a flood of cold water, just as the temporary ward ended. Aiden looked around, searching. Harry stepped back and leaned against the tree. When under the Disillusionment Charm a body took on the appearance of whatever was behind it. So even if someone were to look straight at him they would only see the bark of the oak tree. Aiden gave up looking and walked across the lawn to where his waving father waited.
Harry watched the scene ahead with mixed emotions. A small part felt bad for asking his brother to break his silence. He was obviously keeping it for a reason. That was only a small part. Most of him watched the scene with rapt attention, hope flaring deep within his chest. He didn't expect his family to come back together overnight, but this would be a step in that direction.
Aiden ran up to James and the older man scooped him up into his arms. In that brief moment, watching the smile Aiden put on their father's face made him more envious than he could ever recall being. Quickly he dismissed the feeling burying it back where it came from. He had a weakness for his family, he knew that. But there was no way he was going down that self pity route. He was not the same little kid anymore jealous of his best friend for having a large family who loved him.
James put Aiden down on the ground and Harry watched as the boy's mouth moved, speaking before his father for the very first time in his life. Harry didn't hear the words but he saw the reaction it garnered well enough. James' face went slack with shock as he stared at his youngest son. A loud bark of laughter echoed through the air, and teacher, student, parent, all turned their heads as James Potter threw his arms around Aiden, picking him up, and spinning him around and around in the air. Aiden's delighted cries joined his father's joyful laughter. If one were to take a picture and put it on a Hallmark card it would sell millions. Harry smiled wistfully. Maybe what he had done to his family would take a backseat, and they could eventually heal the breach he caused. Or at the least build a bridge over it.
Harry took one last look at the sight of his happy father and brother. He had done enough. He spun on his heel and apparated. He appeared in his hotel room at the W. Housekeeping had obviously been by. The bed was made and the curtains were parted letting in the warm sunlight, and presenting a view of downtown D.C. He shrugged off his clothes and made his way to the bathroom. Four minutes later found him under the hot spray of the high pressure shower head. The hotel was costing him a pretty penny, but the amenities more than made up for the cost. He couldn't stay here forever though. Eventually he had to start looking for a place, maybe a nice apartment or something.
The sudden sound of a loud slam jerked him from his thoughts, and he moved from under the shower spray. Harry tensed, still as a statue as he listened. He cut the water and stepped out of the shower, silently moving as he creped from the bathroom. Water dripped down his body, as he tip toed into the room beyond. He picked up his wand from where it rested on the table in the room's center. He peered around slowly. The room was empty. There were no shadows to hide within the well lit room.
He scanned the room with his wand held at ready, listening so intently that he could even hear his heartbeat. Another noise broke the still silence. Harry threw open the room door wand whipping through the air. A gray haired woman dropped her bags and screamed, loud and terrified. Harry opened his mouth trying to stammer out an apology over her screaming. She jerked the door behind her open, and disappeared into the room across from his. The echoing slam shook the walls. Harry closed the door and sighed.
Merlin. He was really becoming a paranoid bastard. The little voice in the back of his mind chided him that paranoia had saved him quite a few times in the past. True. He made his way back to the bathroom. The hair on the back of his neck stood up, and he felt eyes on him. He wasn't alone. Instead of entering the bathroom, he spun around. Elaine sat at the rectangular table with her boot clad feet propped up on the tabletop, looking as if she had been sitting there for some time. Her eyes lingered on his naked body, and her lips quirked into a saucy smirk.
"Hello, Harry," she greeted him, gray eyes twinkling. "Bad time?"
Harry adopted a brazen smile and took a step forward unabashed. "I was just in the shower. I see you let yourself in. They call that breaking and entering where I'm from."
She shrugged with a slow roll of her shoulders. "It's an electronic lock, and I'm a wizard."
"And most electronics have a habit of malfunctioning around wizards and magic," stated Harry, cocking his head. "Did I get that right?"
"Bingo," she said half smiling, her eyes glinting with mirth. "Are you going to change?"
If she was hoping to embarrass him she had another thing coming. Harry mirrored her shrug from a moment ago. "Why should I? You came here for a show, so who am I to deny you." He made a show of looking her up and down. "Although I wouldn't say no to an equal show."
"How would you like this slap?"she responded flatly, her smile dropping. "Full on or backhand?"
Harry smiled widely, showing teeth. "What's a little pleasure without pain?"
Elaine narrowed her eyes. "We can test the pain part."
"You're no fun," laughed Harry, taking pleasure in seeing her fume.
She really was too easy to wind up. He thought Ron had thin skin, but Elaine beat him in defensiveness. He saw anger management classes somewhere in her future. In the almost four weeks they had been meeting, he enjoyed every second of it. Her touchy feelings were always enough to bring a smile to his face. It added flair to their conversations. He conjured a fluffy white towel and wrapped it around his waist. As much as he liked to tease her, important bits of him were getting a little cold. He had his pride after all.
"Stars," sighed Elaine, shaking her head. "You make that look so easy. I still don't understand how you can do it. Creating objects from nothing is beyond any wizard I know of."
This was something they often did when they got together. They shared magical knowledge between each other. Elaine true to her word answered all his questions dealing with magic, and was teaching him the knowledge he needed to thrive in the magical side of this world.
"I still don't understand why you can't do it," he said, looking momentarily perplexed. "Conjuration is just another aspect of transfiguration."
It was an expression that dominated his face frequently when they compared their two systems of magic. During their first week, after their soulgaze, they learned they both had very different ways of casting magic. Harry had been cautious at first, but relaxed as he got to know her better. He wasn't extremely forthcoming. Some things just weren't meant to be talked about casually. Dark spells that would make Lucius Malfoy orgasm remained hidden in the back of mind locked away tight, never to heard by another's ears.
"I wouldn't know where to begin trying to conjure something," she muttered thoughtfully, running a hand through her hair. "It's against the laws of physics and metaphysics."
Early on they learned that whatever spark or gene within Harry that lets him perform magic, that made him a wizard— wasn't the same ability that made Elaine a wizard. His wand was just a regular stick to her, which made sense with further thought. It was crafted for users who derived magic strictly from within them. Elaine, and wizards like her, took in the natural energy from life all around them, and used it to work their will.
Harry took a seat at the opposite end of the table. "You still haven't told me what brings you here unannounced. I thought I would see you later in the evening."
"I was in the area, so I figured I would tell you in person that I wouldn't be able to meet later."
Harry frowned. "Something come up? You've never cancelled before."
Elaine took her feet off the table and settled into the chair. "If you must know, yes something came up. I have business to handle."
"The normal kind or the magical kind of business?" he asked, curiously.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second before she answered, "The none of your business kind."
Harry caught her pause and grinned. "Its magic business and you know it," he retorted, smugly. "Cut the act. If you're doing something involving magic then I'm coming too. I'm bored anyway. It might be interesting. "
"No." She didn't hesitate with her reply this time.
Like he was going to take that for an answer. He shook his head, looking completely unapologetic. "I can be ready in a few minutes."
Elaine gritted her teeth. "I swear to God, Potter, if you so much as—"
"But you told me that anything that pertains to magic you would show me," he interrupted, too innocently. His face grew dark suddenly, and his smile took on a grim edge. "Are you a woman of your word or not? If you aren't then you can leave."
He waited. Would she leave? He was betting on her staying. After glimpsing his soul Elaine was the one to extend the olive branch. He originally reasoned that he would have had to be the one to make that move. Obviously there was something she saw that made him worth keeping him around. He didn't see why. After their soulgaze she had gone into a babbling stupor, briefly losing her grasp of sanity.
"Fine," she answered, begrudgingly.
Harry leaned forward, dripping water on the table. "Was that so hard?" he offered.
"Go get ready," she snapped, rolling her eyes.
Harry chuckled. He stood up and left to go get changed. He quickly got ready wondering what to expect. More than anything he was satisfied that his bet had played off. Just as Elaine had seen his soul, he had seen hers. He didn't go into a blubbering mess like she did, but he had gleaned enough to have surprising insight into the woman's character at times. And those times sometimes paid off.
He stepped back into the room and Elaine now sat on the edge of the table idly playing with a necklace around her neck. Harry caught a glimpse of a silver pentacle before she noticed him and tucked it inside her shirt. He filed that away for further investigation. Elaine was a complex puzzle, and he didn't think anyone knew what thoughts were behind those guarded gray eyes. Elaine stared at him thoughtfully as he neared her.
Harry crossed his arms and smirked. "You want to take a picture. Something to keep you going during those cold, lonely nights."
Elaine copied his smirk and replied equably, "I was just thinking that with your haircut and the dress pants, and nice shirt, you finally look your age."
He glanced down at what he was wearing. He had put on the dress pants because he ran out of laundry. Hence, the khaki slacks. The blue shirt was just lying around so he put it on, since he wanted to get dressed as quick as possible.
"Do you practice that attitude?" asked Harry, smothering a smile. "Or do you wake up that cranky? If so, I know the perfect solution. A good shagging—"
Elaine narrowed her eyes. "I wasn't joking about that slap earlier."
"Touchy," said Harry holding up his hands, not bothering hiding his smile this time.
She rolled her eyes and hopped off the table. Harry slipped his wand into his sleeve and followed after her. He kept a one sided conversation going from the elevator down to the street outside. She steadfastly ignored him and that just made him even more determined to break her demeanor. They climbed into one of the waiting taxis that idled in front of the building.
"Will you shut up!" hissed Elaine through clenched teeth, after rattling off some directions to the cab driver.
Harry feigned surprised, and looked down at his hands in wonder. "So I do exist! I was beginning to wonder."
Elaine shook her head and faced the window watching the passing scenery. "Does this mean you'll stop being so annoying?"
"And here I thought you were warming up to me," said Harry, amused. He looked around the unfamiliar street the cab drove down. "Where are we going anyway?"
"We're going to go see a guy about a thing," she replied vaguely.
"Could you possibly be any more cryptic," Harry drawled.
Elaine turned to him, smirking triumphantly. "Possibly." She tapped a finger against her chin. "Gee, I wonder how long I can drag this out. How much would it take to annoy you, hmm?"
"Okay, you got me," admitted Harry, rubbing the back of his neck and turning away. "Seriously, I'll rein it in for awhile. Now what's going on?"
"A guy took something that doesn't belong to him," she said after a moment's pause, no doubt savoring her minor victory. "I'm going to get it back."
Harry looked at her dubiously. "That's it?"
Elaine nodded. He was about to make a smart remark, but closed his mouth as his brain caught up with his mouth. This didn't sound like a run of the mill errand. He wanted to refute the magical nature of this whole endeavor, but he considered her wording. Elaine didn't say something belonging to her was stolen. Her wording was carefully blank of any claim of ownership. So who exactly was she getting the stolen item for and why?
"So," began Harry, casually. He looked out his window, but kept his eye on her reflection. "Any reason why you're doing someone else's dirty work?"
He watched her head snap toward his and the surprise showed clearly in her eyes. A memory tugged at his thoughts. It was there fluttering on the edge. Then with startling clarity he remembered. During their soulgaze, Elaine had been chained, shackled into the service of another. What favor could they have possibly done her for the price of her servitude?
"I'm right aren't I?" Harry prodded turning to her.
The cab driver coughed, and they both realized that they weren't alone. He subtly moved his arm from the driver's sight. His wand slid from his sleeve and with a sharp left flick, and a whispered word, the back of the cab was encased in an intangible barrier, as the Muffliato Charm took effect muffling their conversation from prying ears.
"What was that?" asked Elaine with a puzzled frown.
Harry tucked his wand back into his sleeve. "It's a privacy spell. We'll be able to talk without the driver hearing us. Our conversation will just be a muffled buzzing to his ears."
Elaine's eyebrows rose, astonished. "I learned some things from you in the soulgaze, but I'm still constantly surprised by what you can do."
"Uh uh," said Harry, wagging his finger at her. "Let's get back on topic. I asked you a question." He leaned back and crossed his arms.
Elaine tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and regarded him coolly. "You really need to apply for your Scooby Doo license. What are you a junior sleuth in your spare time?"
"I get by," he said evasively, shrugging. "Stop dodging the question."
She sighed. "Yes, I'm doing this for someone else."
"The same someone who you are indebt to?" he asked, but it came it out as more like a statement.
Elaine tensed suddenly as surprise flashed in her eyes. "How did you–" She cut off, realization dawning over her features. She narrowed her eyes and ground out, "What did you see during the soulgaze?"
"I saw enough to know that there are things you keep from me. You have secrets, and those secrets are protecting you," he said seriously, gazing at her stoic face that betrayed no emotion.
Her gaze was hard, searching, as she mentally weighed him with those intense gray eyes. A long moment passed. Elaine opened her mouth, and then closed it as the cab came to a sudden halt. The driver turned around and Harry cancelled the spell around them.
"We're here," barked out the cab driver. He jerked a thumb at the meter glowing on the dashboard. "That'll be thirty nine even."
Elaine shoved some bills in his hand and stepped out of the cab with Harry right behind her. A row of rundown looking buildings dominated the rather sad looking block. They definitely weren't in the nice part of town anymore. People walked down the sidewalks quickly as if they had any other place rather than here to be. Harry looked at Elaine.
"Please tell me this isn't a drug deal," he muttered, glancing at a woman in fishnets and heeled boots make her way across the street and into a waiting car.
"And if it was?" questioned Elaine, quirking an eyebrow.
"Then I need to make sure the dealer has change for a hundred," said Harry flatly.
She made a noise that might have been a laugh or a cough. Harry would like to think it was the former. They walked into a building with a spray painted glyph marring its steel door. Harry was itching to draw his wand as they navigated through an empty space of what used to be a bar, but looked like it had gone to seed and abandoned.
"Am I missing something?" Harry groused, stepping over a hole in the floor. "No one's here."
They came to a stop at a door and Elaine placed a finger against her lips signaling for him to stay silent. She didn't have to tell him twice. He closed his mouth and followed her lead. Softly she laid her palm against the door and closed her eyes. Harry had the unexpected feeling that she was becoming aware of what was beyond the door. Then like some cop straight out of police academy, Elaine reared back her foot and kicked the door in. She stepped into the room and Harry stared at the sight of one startled man, and two large looming men dressed in black suits. They peered at them behind thick black sunglasses.
Elaine smiled brightly. "Hi. I'm here for something that was stolen." She looked at the two men who took a step forward. Her hand came up and the slave bracelet on her wrist glittered brightly, and green light played in a tiny current along her hand that was splayed open, and pointing at them. "Don't take another step or they'll be mopping you up from the walls."
The taller of the two men reached for the inside of his jacket. Harry drew his wand and a hole was blasted in the wall before anyone realized he had moved. In that moment time itself seemed to stop as they all stared at Harry in shock.
Harry's face was blank as he trained his wand on the men. "Please, try that again. Please."
"I think that's your cue to leave boys," suggested Elaine, smirking.
Harry stepped to the side and kept a cautious eye on the men as they made their exit. That left only one guy left. The man was maybe mid thirties. He was short, all of five-foot six at the max, stocky, and his dark brown eyes kept darting from them to the door.
Elaine smiled humorlessly at the nervous older man. "Hello, Rodger. I got a tip that you would be here. I've been looking for you."
"I haven't done anything!" he denied hastily, taking a step backward.
Elaine cocked her head. "I didn't say you did." She took a step forward. "But we both know you did. You have something that doesn't belong to you, and I want it back."
Like a switch being turned on, Rodger abruptly straightened standing ramrod straight, and all the nervousness and fear he displayed a second ago was gone. Harry blinked. Oh he was good. He actually bought his act.
"So she sent her pet wizard after me, did she?" Rodger laughed derisively. "I figured she would have at least sent the knight."
"Please," shot back Elaine. "Ronald has more important things to do then come after the likes of you."
Rodger's contempt filled gaze flicked to Harry. "What's this, bring the boyfriend to work day?"
"She's not my girl," retorted Harry. "If I were you I would be wondering a little more about your safety instead of who my friend is shacking up with."
Elaine didn't take her eyes off of Rodger. "Where's the scepter?"
"That's for me to know and—"
"I think that might be it near his foot," interjected Harry, pointing to the gray briefcase propped up against the wall right beside Rodger.
"You were the kid who could never color inside the lines, huh Roger?" laughed Elaine. "I'll be taking the scepter."
Rodger stared her down. "Over my dead body."
"So be it," muttered Elaine. "Harry, wait outside."
His reply was instantaneous. "Screw that!"
"You better listen to your girlfriend, boy," taunted Rodger.
Elaine noticed Harry's thunderous expression. "Harry, please. This business doesn't concern you. This is between him and me. Your probably shouldn't even be here."
"Okay," he relented with a sigh after a long pause. He glared at Rodger who waved at him cheekily. "I'll be right outside."
Elaine nodded. "If I need you I'll call."
Harry left the room and Elaine closed it behind him. He was left standing alone with his thoughts. He had to strain his ears to hear the muffled voices of the conversation going on inside. He clenched his fist frustrated. Being left out of the action was not how these situations usually worked. What if she got in over her head?
Helping her was moot anyway. He was out here and she was in there. And did Elaine really need help? From what he had gathered in the brief time he had known her the woman could more than handle herself. He hadn't seen her really let loose, but he knew enough to know the wizards in this world used the forces of energy given form to work magic. Evocation and Thaumaturgy Elaine had called the two most common practices. He remembered them by Evocation equals explosive magic, and Thaumaturgy takes time and takes care to cast, the three t's.
There was a growl that sounded distinctly male followed by a feminine shout. White light seeped from the cracks in the doorframe immediately trailed by a flare of ghastly green light. The sound of crashing furniture and slamming objects tagged along after the lightshow. Harry tensed ready to intervene in any moment. His hand twitched as he restrained himself from throwing open the door.
"Can't believe I have to stay out here," he muttered aloud. "What am I the bloody doorman?"
This scepter had to be damn important for all this fuss. Now he knew that whoever Elaine was doing this for, whoever owned her was a she. Harry heard another dim shout and it took him a moment to realize that this shout was deeper and very different from either Rodger or Elaine. He sprung forward and burst through the door. His wand was out and crimson light blazed on its tip as his magic surged forth.
A ray of golden illumination flooded his sight and he reflexively closed his eyes as the room was bathed in light. There was a strangled scream and then a heavy crash. Harry forced his eyes open blinking back the spots that danced in his vision. Elaine's clothes looked a little rumpled but she looked alright. Rodger lay unmoving against the wall, still and unconscious. A gash on his forehead oozed blood. Standing above him was a new person. This man had white hair cut neat and conservative. He wore a pair of slacks and a tweed jacket. He turned his head and Harry was pinned by a pair of wise brown eyes.
"What in the bloody hell just happened?" demanded Harry.
The man looked at Harry, intrigued. "Is this the Harry you spoke of?"
"Yes," nodded Elaine, she bent over and picked up the briefcase. "Why did you come, Ronald? I thought you were busy with the Queen."
"Right as I finished my business with her mother our Lady requested that I help you," he answered. "It's my job to deal with traitorous scum like him anyway." He glared darkly at Rodger. "I was told to tell you to return to the Lady's court with the scepter." He looked directly at Harry. "She also requested that you bring your friend."
Elaine snuck a quick look at a baffled Harry. "Why?"
Ronald shrugged. "You know as well as I that the Sidhe need little reason behind any of their actions."
Harry cleared his throat loudly. "What are you two talking about?" he demanded. "What's with all the talk of royalty? Who are you and how did you even get in here?"
The old man laughed. "Oh, he has fire this one. My name is Ronald Reuel. I'm the Summer Knight. Champion to the three Queens of Summer, rulers of the Seelie faeries," he said imperiously, giving a little bow of his head.
"Ronald!" hissed Elaine, angrily. "He doesn't know."
"Anything? You haven't told him a thing?" questioned Ronald, frowning. He shook his head and looked at Elaine solemnly. "Well you better give him a crash course. You two have a meeting with the Summer Lady, and you know as well I that there is no escaping once one of the fae has an eye on you. She will meet him. I would do it sooner rather than later."
Harry looked at them with rising amounts of anger and irritation. "I'll start cursing you both if someone doesn't explain."
Elaine buried her hand in her long brown hair, pulling at the roots in aggravation. "I really didn't want to bring you deep into this." She took a deep breath and muttered a couple of swear words. "Okay, it's like this. There is a realm called the Nevernever that is basically a world of spirit. Nasty creatures and all sorts of things live there. The parts closest to our world are called Faerie and are ruled by the two courts of Summer and Winter. Ronald here is the Knight of Summer. It's a big job. Comes with a lot of power. And he's been at it a long time."
"Why Elaine is that respect I hear in your voice?" teased Ronald.
She rolled her eyes, but her small smile betrayed her. "The Sidhe courts have three Queens. The Queen Who Was – the Mother, the Queen Who Is – who is just the Queen, and the Queen Who Is to Come is called the Lady."
The conversation from earlier clicked in his mind and Harry put the pieces together on his own. Once he had this information. It was basically like fill in the blank and everything became suddenly clear in his mind.
"You work for the Summer Court," guessed Harry. "I guess this guy stole the scepter from… the Summer Lady, if I remember correctly."
Ronald nodded. "He's quick."
"And now the Summer Lady wants to meet with me," pondered Harry, thoughtfully. He turned to Elaine. "Do you think I should?"
Elaine sighed. "I think it would be a good idea to see what she wants. The Sidhe are cunning, and if she wants to see you its better to get it over with before they get crafty and try and trick you into a meeting. And getting tricked by one of the fae never turns out well."
He thought it over. It sounded like sound advice. If things did go south he had his wand and he could apparate. "I don't want to keep the Lady waiting."
"Are you sure?" asked Elaine.
Harry shrugged. "Mostly."
"Okay then," she replied softly. What happened next was like something from some dream or fantasy. Elaine grabbed at the air and whispered, "Aparturum."
She dragged her hands down and a great rip appeared in the air, as if she was tearing apart paper. But she was in fact tearing reality. Its edges were shimmering silver, and through the slit in space was a green forest and drifting sounds. Harry stared at the vertical rip in the air in wonder.
"You can just go into this Nevernever place just like that?" he asked, staring.
Elaine nodded. "If you have the magic and know the right spells then yeah."
"And we just step through..." said Harry, disbelief thick in his voice.
Elaine plunged into the shimmer and appeared on the other side. It looked easy enough. Didn't mean he was all gung ho in going through with it. The first and only time he went into an unknown world he had gotten stuck, and couldn't go home. He was still here, and now was about to go into even more foreign land.
Ronald noticed his deliberation. "Don't worry. Just remember the Sidhe aren't like us humans. They're a dangerous folk, and the nobles of the faeries. Keep on your toes kid. Don't take any offered food or drink. You'll be going down a slippery slope after that."
"That isn't the best endorsement," muttered Harry, dryly.
Ronald shrugged. "It's a wonderful place and they're a beautiful people, but they aren't human. Always remember that. Now you better hurry before Elaine's pathway closes. It's almost impossible to open a pathway into the same place into the Nevernever. Land is always changing."
Harry nodded and took the advice to heart. He stepped through the hole in reality and into the Nevernever. A cool wind brushed against him, filled with a quiet energy that played along his skin, as he moved from one world to the next. The rip closed behind him and he gazed around the new world he now stood on. A grassy field stretched ahead with a swift stream cutting before a line of rolling hills with gentle slopes. On his left was a climbing forest with impossibly tall trees with smooth silver barks, and upswept boughs holding pale green leaves that glinted gold underneath.
"The stars," Harry murmured, staring up at the glittering jewels in the sky. Instead of being silver they were a myriad of colors set against deep velvet night.
A soft hand touched his elbow and Elaine smiled knowingly. "It's beautiful. These are the lands controlled by Summer. Come on. This way. The Summer Lady's court is through the woods."
He walked at her side as they stepped through the trees. "So what's her name or do I call her the Summer Lady?"
Elaine chuckled. "Sorry. Her name is Aurora."
Strange noises filled the woods; alien noises completely were unlike any on Earth. Most of the sounds were haunting and made his hairs stand up, and others were melodic and soothing to his soul. They came upon a stream that passed through the forest. Elaine led them over a bridge and they walked down a well worn path that bordered a wall.
"There's the gate," she pointed out.
A tall and imposing man, clothed in gleaming armor and a massive helm stood before the gate, spear in hand. All Harry could see through the slits of the helm were a pair of dark amber eyes. "Hold!" he boomed.
Elaine bowed her head. "It's me, Orin. The password is: Khanite Falls."
Orin inclined his head and in his deep voice replied, "Enter. Welcome back to Solaria Garden, Elaine."
The guard moved aside and they entered through the gates that swung open on their own. They walked into a great glade with a pool in its center. Motes of light, faeries, played amongst the water's surface. Flowers of lilies, roses, and orchards grew all around this garden. People walked about appearing and disappearing through the trees beyond. They weren't people in the human sense. He saw a few centaurs and even satyr, their lower animal bodies standing out amidst the more human seeming other fae. A young girl ran by them with a bow in hand and a quiver tied behind her back. Harry caught a flash of bright green hair before she ducked through a wooden arch and out of sight.
"She's probably at court," said Elaine thoughtfully. "Come on."
Harry walked with her as they entered through the arch the girl ran through. Trees ran in parallel lines and men and woman mingled together in a rectangular clearing that reminded him of a hall, even though it was outdoors. The men were clothed in trousers and shirts, and the woman wore short summer dresses. Beautiful didn't come close to describe the beings. Their skin practically glowed and their pale hair shined under the globes of light that hovered above. They were hypnotically elegant and he had to tear his eyes off them, and blink quickly to regain focus.
"These are the Sidhe I'm guessing?" asked Harry.
Elaine nodded. "Bingo."
A man broke away from a trio of giggling women, who watched Elaine and Harry like predators watching prey. Which sounded about right. The man smiled at Elaine and Harry noticed his eyes were blue like the summer sky, and a vertical slit existed in the irises, like a feline. He looked closer and noticed that others had similar feline like eyes.
"Lord Talos," greeted Elaine, nodding respectfully.
He smiled. "Hello, Elaine. Ah, I see you got the message that she requested to meet your friend as well." He turned to Harry. "I am Talos, Lord Marshal of the Summer Court."
So that meant he was pretty important. "Well nice to meet you," replied Harry. "My name's Harry."
"Do you have the scepter, Elaine?" asked Talos.
Elaine held up the briefcase and presented it to the Sidhe lord. "Got it. Where's Aurora?"
"Ah, here she comes now," said Talos, taking the briefcase from Elaine and looking off.
A murmur swept through the crowd. The assembled Sidhe smiled as their lady passed through their ranks. A moment later he could see why they smiled. The Lady of the Summer Court radiance put her subjects to shame. Their Sidhe beauty was but a dim echo next to hers. Her features were perfect…and familiar. Her vivid, vertically slitted green eyes and Sidhe white hair had been different when they first met. He knew her like he knew the back of his hand. He had worshipped that body like a temple. He could never forget her writhed form beneath his or her stunning face twisted in pleasure. She knew it too. Her eyes didn't leave his as she approached them.
"Aurora," smiled Elaine, once the woman joined them. "I've brought the scepter."
"Thank you, Elaine," she said, not taking her inhuman eyes off Harry. Her lovely face was calm as she smiled softly at the conflicted wizard. "Hello, Harry. It's good to see you again."
Harry didn't know what to feel. Shock was the strongest. It filled every pore of his body. He shook his head, disbelieving.
"It's been awhile, Aurora," he said. "I'm guessing Dawn was never your real name."
If you have no clue as to how Harry and Aurora know each other go back and read the beginning of the last chapter again. Then it will make more sense. The next chapter will be the last one to be set pre-Summer Knight.