Chapter X

Ancient city, 35 light-years from Earth

The sun rose over the Ancient city. With it awakened the members of SG-1, rejuvenated from their encounter with the night stalker they had met just six hours prior. The 'beds' that had appeared the night before disappeared back into the ceiling after releasing the five earthlings held in their confines. At the door, they were met by the grinning young man who had saved their collective rears the night before.

"So, O'Neill of the U.S. of A., care to properly introduce your team?" he asked, amused.

"Well, this here," he said, indicating the former First Prime of Apophis, "is Teal'c. The blonde behind me is Captain Samantha Carter. Absolute genius, she is, she rigged a replacement DHD for Earth 'cause we didn't have one.

"The guy with glasses is Dr. Daniel Jackson, he's the guy who figured out how to reopen the Stargate.

"The last guy isn't actually a part of my team. The other members of his team were killed by that... thing."

"The wolf-weasel?"

"Yeah, that," O'Neill confirmed, barely holding back a laugh. "So, who're you?"

"My name is Harrison James Potter, I'm the... protector... of this place."

"Why was that task assigned to a child, Harrison James Potter?" Teal'c queried.

"Because there is no one else capable of doing so."

At the confused looks from the others, he elaborated. "The technology here relies on a specific gene sequence in the DNA of the person attempting to use it. Without that gene, it won't even power on. Most of the stuff will remain usable once it's on, but the more dangerous stuff, like the defense systems, need the gene sequence to even be operated."

"You're the only one with that gene sequence?" Captain Carter asked.

Harrison sighed. "I'm the only one, period."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I am the only one of my kind left in this sector of the galaxy."

-o-

After the revelation in the medical bay, SG-1 and their addition until they found a way home followed their host to a meeting area, where they got down to business.

"What brings you to this world?" They were asked.

"SG-10 was sent as part of a routine scouting mission. When they failed to check in for over a day, we, that is, SG-1, were sent to check up on them. Unfortunately, there seems to be something frying our non-hardened electrical equipment. Like our radios. So we can't go home."

"Why not?"

"Our stargate is protected from unwanted intruders by a metal barrier, only a few micrometers from the event horizon. Anything solid coming through while it is closed can't reform, effectively disintegrating it."

"So, since your radios don't work, you can't tell them you are you, so they won't know to take the shield down," Harry summarized succinctly.

"Oops."

"Oops? Why oops? You didn't do anything."

"Actually, yeah, I did," he admitted sheepishly. "I set up a field that would make small devices, like Goa'uld hand devices, melt so their personal shields don't activate. I might be able to send a message, if you like, once I deactivate the field so you can get home."

"That is much appreciated, Harrison," Jonathan 'Jack' O'Neill proclaimed. "Hey, while we're at it, would it be possible to work out a trade deal? Our program's mandate is to acquire technologies and resources to defend our home planet from our enemies, namely the snakeheads."

"It is a worthy goal. I will consider a trade agreement. This is all moot, though, if we can't get you back home."

"Point. Let's get to it, then."

-o-

Stargate Command, Colorado Springs

"Unscheduled off-world activation!"

"What have we got, sergeant?" General Hammond asked.

"We're receiving a transmission, sir."

"Put it on speakers."

"-I repeat, this is Lieutenant Colonel Jack O'Neill, do you read me?"

"We read you, colonel. Let me be the first to say it is a relief to hear from you."

"Sorry for worrying you, sir, but our radios were fried by an energy field generated by a facility on the planet. We'd like to arrange a pick-up."

"Very well. Head to P5X-112. SG-8 and SG-9 will meet you there in four hours."

"Thank you, sir. Over and out."

-o-

"So, kid, What're your plans for the next while?"

"I guess just stay here, watch, wait, and guard the legacy," Harry said with a shrug.

"Why not go somewhere else? Somewhere you can live a normal life?" O'Neill asked.

"I cannot leave the Legacy unguarded. If it were to fall into the wrong hands..."

"And only you can guard it?" the Tau'ri soldier asked dubiously.

"I am the only person known who possesses the ability to interface with the control chair to its fullest extent, so yes."

"Can't you hide it somehow? Move this 'legacy' to a place where it's not as easy to find?"

"It doesn't work that way," the young man said with a sad smile. "The only way to move it is to use it, and, due to its nature, that would be a certain death sentence for the user."

"So the answer is 'no,' then," O'Neill said with a sigh.

"Feel free to stop by every once in a while. As I said before, anyone who fights the Goa'uld is welcome here."

"We'll take you up on that. Goodbye, Harry."

"Goodbye."

Daniel Jackson entered the seven symbols of their destination, and SG-1 departed.

-o-

Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton

'It is time to strike again,' Voldemort mused. 'They are unbalanced. Perhaps... yes. It is time for Hogwarts to fall.'

"Severus! I have a task for you."

-o-

Council Chamber, Gringotts London

Deep within the goblin tunnels below Gringotts Bank London, a meeting was held. The leaders of the Goblin Nation had convened to discuss a matter of utmost importance.

"What was this 'eye-change' described to you, William Weasley?"

"The individual who reported it stated that the victim's eyes had become shrouded within shadow, with the darkness fighting for dominance."

"How far along," the Goblin King queried, "was the struggle?"

"The witness did not say. She was seeking an opinion on how to undo the possession, and seemed to not know the true nature of this situation."

"Good. The fewer who know, the fewer will be tempted to risk the Others' wrath." Murmurs of agreement echoed the chamber.

After half an hour of deliberation, King Bloodclaw proclaimed, "Prepare the ritual circle. One more abomination removed and sacrificed is one more day we can rest easy."

-o-

Gringotts Main, Diagon Alley

"You asked to see me?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Bill stated. "It has to do with Nathan. What do you know about horcruxes?"
Hermione gasped in horror. "He- he has one in him?"
"Yes. The goblins are preparing a ritual to extract it and destroy the fragment. How do you know of these abominations?"

"Voldemort made several to keep himself alive. We- my friends and I- have been trying to find them so they can be destroyed."

"How many have you found so far?" Bill demanded.

"One is already destroyed-"
"By what?"

"A basilisk fang, years ago. Why?"

"Only something that is able to inflict damage that even magic cannot repair can destroy a horcrux, like… a basilisk's venom, can destroy the soul fragment contained within. How many others are there?"

"We've found three others so far. A ring, heirloom of the Gaunt family; a locket, also belonging to the Gaunt family before Voldemort corrupted it; and a diadem, found in Hogwarts' Room of Requirement."

"Bring them with you when you take Nathan to Gringotts. The goblin ritual masters may be able to make something to track down the rest and destroy them."

"Thank you!" Hermione cried out happily. "Thank you!"