Gathering
Harry sat, brooding. There was an interesting magical object in front of him, and yet he just couldn't stop brooding. The scuffle with Niklaus played-out in the wizard's mind in a loop, from beginning to end, and he didn't like what he remembered. Harry had been trained by an Original, a man who had not held back punches and had worked Harry to the bone, and given close to half a decade Harry had finally adapted and become stronger.
He was a hunter, Merlin be damned, and yet he had almost been killed by his 'prey'.
Harry sighed; he had grown weak over the years. He had lost his edge. He had become too much of a scholar of magic and not enough of a warrior, and yet, even now that the realisation had hit, Harry still couldn't resist the allure to try and understand every concept where magic was concerned, which was the reason one of Connor's stakes, carved with a mark Harry had never seen before, revolved slowly before him.
The stake was an excellent bit of magic. It had the sense to it much like Harry would feel within a charmed or cursed object, only the stake was a whole lot more powerful. Harry flicked his wand, the stake revolving a little faster because of the motion. The wizard studied the stake intently, taking in the finely crafted carving, the evenly spaced lines, and the length of the stake itself. It looked just about the right sized to be used like a dagger. But Harry didn't focus too much on the physical attributes of the stake, and instead the symbolic.
Connor's magic was inherent. It didn't have an effect on the outside world, but on the hunter himself; Connor was stronger, a little faster, agile, and he could heal fast but not fast enough that it was akin to the healing rate of vampires or werewolves. Even the tattoo Connor had spoken of was on him and other hunters like him, and Harry theorised that he could see it because all hunters shared some sort of connection—much like the witches of this world who all drew power from nature shared that connection. But the stake went against the pattern. The power Harry could feel from it was strong enough that Harry was sure it had some effect on the real world, and most likely vampires since Connor was born to dispose of as many as possible.
Harry wanted to test the stake, to see what effect it would have on vampires, but more than anything, Harry wanted to recreate how the stake had been charmed. A symbol. Harry had never thought about it before, never even considered the possibility that he might be able to charm objects with carvings, but then again, Harry had tried to retain as much information as possible with the magic of his home world, while also trying to invent new spells.
If he attempted something like this though, it would be big. It would be his own branch of magic. Harry smiled a little, excited about the possibility of crafting a new magic system, but soon he frowned. There were too many things to be done for him to be pent up in his lab all day trying to create Symbolic Magic. No time at all, he thought. He still had to work on the specifics of what Expression was so he could use it to craft a Veil of Death-like contraption, and add to that studying the hunter and preparing for when Niklaus decided to attack.
Too much to do, and Harry wasn't too sure about the amount of time he had to work with. The wizard shook his head, first was the most important: Niklaus. How the wizard would deal with imprisoning the Original, and also the wards Harry would put up to imprison him indefinitely.
Harry got to his feet and paced; whatever he was going to do, it had to be fast. Harry still had the deal with the witches, which now that Harry thought was still pretty vague. What measure was innocence? These hybrids Harry was intent to killing if they got in his way, were somewhat innocent. They were pawns ruled by the sire bond. Did it mean then, that if Harry killed at least twelve of the hybrids, he would be aiding the ritual?
It was a worrisome thought, which was why he felt he needed a lot more information about Expression. Perhaps it was time to call the witches again. Harry took a breath then raised his wand. Every fibre of his being said no, everything in him said this would make things somehow worse, but Harry felt he needed to.
Harry gave his wand a flick, ending the ward keeping the all ghosts except Lexi out. He took another breath. "Anna," Harry said, and it wasn't a moment before the witch girl appeared.
She smiled a little. "It's been a while, wizard."
Harry nodded. "Quite," he said, "and as you can see, I've been keeping to my end."
"Barely," said Anna. "Why did you call me, Harry?"
Harry took a seat, getting comfortable and watching the young looking witch with a piercing gaze. Did Harry trust her? No, not in the slightest; Harry just couldn't stop the feeling that there would be some horrible repercussion because of the information he would want today. But it was information he needed, at least at this point it looked like it.
"Expression," said Harry and even as the girl's face scrunched Harry continued, "I want you to tell me what you know about it."
Anna stayed silent, her eyes losing their innocence, and instead showing maturity as she thought. She frowned. "Why would you want to know about it?" she asked. "Your magic is not of this world. You would not be able to use it."
"I know," said Harry. "But I find that if I knew more, I would be better suited to stop the deaths of these 'innocents'."
"Just continue with what you've been doing," said Anna.
"It's not all that effective though, is it? Especially with Niklaus in town," said Harry. He didn't know much about these witches to successfully bargain with them, but he hoped the loathing for Niklaus was universal.
"The Hybrid," said Anna with ab air of neutrality. Harry nodded. "Why would he be here?"
"The mayor," said Harry. "Circumstances forced her to act as any mother would, and she called the only person she believed could help her son. Suffice it to say that Niklaus Mikaelson is probably out to kill me, Rebekah might join the fray, so things are about to get hectic in Mystic Falls. I might even have to kill some people. What I need to know from you are the specifics of this ritual in the very least," said Harry his eyes not wavering from the girl who watched him in turn. "I need to know who I can and can't kill."
She was quiet for the longest time. "You've warded yourself against us," she changed the subject rather overtly; she didn't give Harry too much time to even nod. "One has to wonder what you're hiding."
Harry was caught a little off-guard by the statement. He had yet to hide anything, but the wards were a preventative measure. Harry knew he was going to piss them off when he started dabbling with Expression, and he didn't want angry witches having free reign in his house. But Harry couldn't go and tell her that now could he? With Niklaus in town Harry did not need his mind going astray focusing on other battles, he needed to focus solely on imprisoning the hybrid while making sure his word to the witches was kept. Harry thought quickly of a way to change the conversation. A moment passed, and he found it.
He smirked. "If you won't tell me just say so, Anna. I have more alive witches I could ask. Like the Bennett witch perhaps?" Harry shrugged, smirking wide as a small amount of panic showed in Anna's eyes. "I'm sure she would tell me if she knew that the spirits who stripped her of her powers didn't want me to know."
Harry got slight confusion from Anna, but it was gone too quick for Harry to have made sense of it. The girl turned cold, looking much like the older ghosts. "You gave us your word, Harry Potter, and we hope it will be kept."
"It will," said Harry. "But next time don't make it sound like a threat. Don't forget, you may be dead, but magic still affects you all the same."
"And you too, Harry Potter," said Anna before vanishing into thin air. Harry got to his feet and quickly got started on charms to keep all ghosts except Lexi out again.
Stupid Potter, said his mind voice shaking its head. Now you've just gone and told them that we're up to something.
"She was suspicious in the first place," Harry said defensively, though he knew deep down that he had just made things worse. The witches would be watching him now, which, even though Harry could see ghosts, was eerie. Harry sighed. He had to make quick business of this issue with Niklaus, before the witches got any ideas of maybe possessing him or something like that. Harry really had no idea of the extent of dead witches' magic, especially if they were pissed off thinking he was dealing in dark magic.
Harry needed to get started on something close to a battle plan. He left his study, going to the guest room Connor was using as his own. Harry knocked, and it was only a moment before the door opened. Connor was shirtless, his entire chest lined by sweat. Harry raised a brow.
"Exercising," Connor answered the unasked question. "When things go bad, I want to be in shape."
Something you should be doing as well, Harry's own mind said. The wizard ignored it, instead saying what he had disturbed the man for in the first place. "I'm going to be leaving for a few hours," Harry said. "Do want anything?"
"A phone," said Connor. "I need to call a friend."
"Technology doesn't all that well with my magic," said Harry. "I suppose I could give you the car and you can fly to the nearest town to use a phone." Harry frowned. "It's a bit much, I know, but what I have to do is important and I can't Apparate you myself," said Harry when he noticed Connor's surprised expression.
"Your car can fly?" Harry nodded, then realised that flying cars were not something the witches of this world often did. They were too serious with their magic. Harry doubted if many of the older generations had had any fun with the power they had been given.
"I much prefer a broom, myself, but cars are easier to enchant," Harry said, only furthering the risen eyebrows of the hunter.
Connor shook his head. "Now you're just messing with me," he said and Harry snorted.
"Didn't you wonder why I had so many brooms in my lab?" Harry asked.
Connor shrugged. "I just thought you were hoarder or something," and Harry outright laughed at that.
"Everything I have in that lab is because they hold a certain interest to me."
"Noted," said Connor.
"The keys are downstairs, next to the doors," said Harry. "It's pretty easy to drive, much like a regular car. You put it in the extra gear for flight. I'll disable the charm that keeps you in, and I should warn you not to attack the hybrids guarding us. It'll be a good first try at utilising what you've already learnt."
"I'll try," said the hunter, "but no promises."
"I hope you do," said Harry before disabling the charms, then turning on the spot.
Harry appeared in the sheriff's office to find that it was empty, but unlike last time, Harry decided to wait. He didn't feel like being drugged again. He waited, amusing himself with thoughts of Connor and how much trust Harry was putting in the man in giving his car. Connor was still a wildcard, one Harry hadn't known too long, and the same could be said vice versa. The man could very well betray him at the drop of a hat. Harry let out a soft sigh, it was worrying, but to build friendships one needed to show they could trust. This was Harry doing so, no matter how bad the end results could be, especially if the hunter found out it had been Harry who had led the vampires to his home base.
The door clicked and Harry hastily tapped his head, disillusioning himself. The sheriff walked in finishing off a conversation about a couple who had been found dead in the woods forest near Harry's house, all signs pointed to an animal attack they were saying. Guilt flooded Harry. Niklaus had lost an arm. He would have needed blood to get it quickly killed, and therefore he would have taken the first human he happened across. Harry couldn't help thinking the fault all his, which explained the barely Anna had shot at him when they had been speaking. But Harry pushed down the guilt, there was absolutely no time for it.
The sheriff finally ended the little chat and hefted herself to her chair. She sat rather heavily on it and let out a sigh.
"One of those days?" Harry said appearing from thin air; the woman's hand went automatically for her holster. Harry's arm acted of its own volition, his mind as well; the wand started at the motion of a Disarming Jinx, while his mind thought of the incantation. The spell shot out of Harry's wand just as dawning realisation hit the sheriff; the spell hit sending the sheriff's chair sliding back and the gun she was pulling out flying towards Harry. The wizard caught it with ease, his heart already hammering. Harry was surprised to find he was already on his feet.
Harry quickly lowered his arm and had the decency to look abashed. He put the gun on the table. "Sorry," he said, laying the sheriff's gun on the table. "Very sorry about that, but you were reaching for your gun and I was trying to protect myself."
"It's fine," she answered, though she didn't sound as though she meant it. She took the gun—Harry's hand itched to shoot another Disarming Jinx—and shoved it into her holster. "Have you never been told how rude it is to invite yourself into someone else's office?" the sheriff asked annoyed.
"I have," Harry said. "But the last time I went through procedure, I ended up drugged and within the home of one, Niklaus Mikaelson. You'll understand that I won't be exercising that common decency when it comes to your office anymore."
"I heard about that," she said, sounding a little put out, "and just so you know, I had no part in it."
"I thought as much," said Harry. "You don't strike me as one to act without reason, and no matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn't find reason for you to drug me. Which is why I'm here," said Harry. "I'm going to try and imprison Niklaus Mikaelson."
She looked shocked. Even though she didn't gape in surprise at Harry's statement, the surprise shone brightly in her eyes. For a minute she was quiet, looking at Harry with an expectant look, as though she expected the wizard to retract his former statement.
She finally snorted. "Imprison Klaus? Do you know how many times the people of this town have tried?"
"No," Harry said with a shake of the head. "But even if they were infinite, they don't have my power."
"You're cocky," she noted, not looking impressed. "That's bound to get you killed."
"I have nothing to fear in death," Harry said, but I have something to fear in that veil, he added in thought. "After all, it is nothing but the next great adventure," and the wizard smiled at the words of what Harry still considered a great man.
The sheriff shook her head, looking disbelieving. "If you have all this power you spoke off, then what do you want with me?"
"I want you to protect the town," Harry said, "which would mean bringing your police force into the masquerade." Harry looked to have shocked her again, and this time she gaped. "What you will have on your hands is a war between two powerful people," said Harry his tone serious, "one of whom doesn't care how many people will die in the fray, and as luck would have it, the same man is the one with the army."
"The hybrids," she said softly, "but they're here to protect Tyler Lockwood."
"Their plans will change," said Harry. "I don't know whether your daughter has told you or not, but last night, after I was drugged, Niklaus and I fought. He almost killed me, I admit, but I took his arm. He would have needed blood to heal it quickly."
She made the connection quickly. "He killed those kids?"
Harry nodded. "I can see I don't need to tell you how dangerous a man Niklaus is," said Harry. "I implore you to help me put a stop to him before more people die."
She hesitated, thinking what Harry had told her over; whatever her thoughts they seemed to be in conflict, she still wasn't too good in Occlumency for tells to be showing like that Harry noted, but he didn't comment. He needed her to agree.
"We can't tell the station," she said finally, and Harry's heart was hammering at this point. He desperately needed allies, and that he only had two, one of whom was a ghost who couldn't interact with the physical world, was not good at all. Harry felt that he had every right to be worried, if he couldn't get on the same page with the sheriff, one of the most powerful Muggles in this town, then what he could do was limited.
Harry let out a silent sigh when he got the answer, it wasn't a, no, but it would mean he had to compromise. He would have to change his plans. He could do that.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Caroline. If we tell them about vampires and all the other creatures in Mystic Falls, they might find out about Caroline."
"I can protect her," Harry said.
Sheriff Forbes shook her head. "You're going after Klaus, I can't trust you to look after her as well. You'll be biased towards one of those tasks, and with the look in your eyes I have a feeling it will be Klaus."
"So you won't help me?" Harry asked.
"I didn't say that." She stayed quiet, looking Harry over. The wizard got the impression that she was gauging whether she could trust him or not. "There has to be another way," she said. Harry raised a brow, she looked like she had thought of something, but there still lay conflict in her eyes. "We could lace the town's water supply with Vervain. It will mean that they can't drink from the townspeople."
"It's a start," Harry said, though he had been wishing for more along the lines of his own personal army within the police force. "If you could manage that post-haste it would be most appreciated," said Harry.
"I'll need to speak with the council first," she said. Harry shook his head, not getting what she was implying. "A council Mayor Lockwood is a part off," she added and comprehension hit. She had called Niklaus into town, and she would most likely want him to stay in order for the Original to keep protecting his son. She wouldn't agree to this. But, Harry thought, there would surely be others in the council. Other who would want the hybrid here—no Harry quickly interjected, he couldn't point fingers directly at Niklaus, with his arrival was the arrival of all the hybrids. The council might put two and two together and start actively hunting the hybrids, another thing Harry couldn't have.
A plan formed. "Tell them you suspect this death was the work of a vampire, and that the town should be protected. Mayor Lockwood wouldn't be able to go against that without seeming suspicious." The sheriff nodded, Harry stood. "I will be leaving then, I have other matters to attend to."
Sheriff Forbes nodded, and Harry turned on the spot. He didn't appear in his house this time, but outside the Mystic Grill, he quickly disillusioned himself then removed his scent. He had a lot of ground to cover without his compass. He started walking around, looking for at least one of the vampires of this town. Lexi had been gone two hours after their conversation about everything had ended, and Harry didn't like it. He needed the ring, but he couldn't call it to me until he was in its range.
Harry looked around, walking for what felt like hours when a thought finally came to him. He knew where one of them lived, Harry turned on the spot but slammed into a wall. He staggered, but he knew the feeling too well. Someone was blocking him from Apparating to the former witch's house.
"Bugger," said Harry under his breath. This was definitely the work of the witches. Search it was them. Harry continued in his search, moving around with his eyes scanning around, dodging a few people as he went around the town. An hour, he renewed the gust-like spell which took away his scent and kept on moving. When hunger pangs started, and Harry thought about calling it an afternoon, he spotted someone: The Ripper.
The man walked deftly toward something, his gait just enough that Harry could follow. The wizard did just that. Harry didn't expect that the man would tell him anything, especially not after their first meeting. The wizard just needed to get close enough to his ring that he could call it, that was all that matter at this point.
A minute into his tailing the Ripper stopped, frowning as he looked around in confusion. Harry tapped himself with his wand, blanketing himself with a Quieting Charm. After another minute the Ripper shook his head and continued walking, this time at a faster pace. Harry followed, his wand kept firmly in his hand. He wouldn't be caught off-guard again. Next time he fought, he would win.
The two walked, and finally the Ripper turned into a nice looking suburban house. Walking closer Harry could see through the window, it was a gathering inside, and one with all the vampires all together, with them was Lexi, Alaric, Matt and another boy Harry had not seen before. Harry was interested; he refreshed the charm for the scent and layered another Quieting Charm.
"How did you powwow with your old friend go?" asked Damon Salvatore, his voice drifting outside to Harry.
"Informative," said the Ripper. "It turns out He fought with Klaus, and fought hard enough that he has Klaus spooked. Klaus thinks He could actually succeed at killing him, and I don't I think the explanation is unneeded of what will happened to us if He succeeds."
"Harry won't kill him," said Lexi. "I've told him what will happen if he kills Klaus and he agreed to change his plans."
Lexi's message was repeated by Alaric, though from what Harry could see from the room there was one other who looked at Lexi as though he could hear her. The medium perhaps? Harry thought.
"I think it goes without saying that we don't trust your friend, Lexi," said Damon looking where he thought the ghost might be, which was totally off the mark. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't he playing house with hunter who almost killed Tyler? Twice?"
Caroline frowned at that. But asked, "Lexi, hasn't he told you what that's about?"
"Yeah," said Matt. "Harry didn't look like he liked it when the guy was questioning me about Elena."
"She says no," this time it was the medium who spoke. "She says she hasn't had time to ask yet. She says she's supposed to be getting the ring back."
"And like I told you before, tell Him to come get it himself. I can't for the chance to sink my teeth into him," Damon muttered.
"That would be a mistake," said Alaric. "If Klaus is scared of the guy we should be too. Stay on the side of caution," the corporeal ghost added when Damon shot a scowl his way.
Damon sighed. "This would be so much easier if we had our own witch," said Damon with what Harry thought a healthy amount of exasperation.
"Bonnie's working on it," said Elena Gilbert. "She says Professor Shane is helping her, teaching her a new kind of magic. She just doesn't have control of it yet."
"She also mentioned that Shane knows a lot," added Caroline, "and by a lot I mean everything."
"We need to find this Professor Shane," said the Ripper. "Maybe he will be able to shed a little light on Him."
"Since our inside woman hasn't been all that forthcoming," added Damon sounding put out.
"Harry's my friend," said Lexi with an icy tone. "Don't think I'll betray him for you Damon, don't forget that you killed me."
The message wasn't relayed, both Alaric and the Medium looked between Damon and Lexi; there was an awkwardness which only the two could feel, but the vampire seemed to sense something was wrong and they stared at the two for a comment. Neither spoke, Harry decided it was time step in.
He took a breath, this was about the most stupid plan he had ever had, but it was worth a try. He conjured a compass in full likeness to the one he had lost to Niklaus, only this one pointed north; the wizard then Apparated a small distance away from the house, still within hearing distance, and all at once removed the charms on his person. He began walking, moving fearlessly into a den filled with vampire, at times looking at his compass.
He walked up to the house, aware of the silence as he did, and knocked with his left hand, which still clutched the conjured compass. He knocked, and after a moment he heard footsteps. Harry could feel his heart begin beating rapidly, what he was trying now was really the definition of stupid, but it was worth a try.
The door opened, revealing a very surprised Elena Gilbert. "You," she said, even the one word surprised.
"Me," said Harry, at his voice most of the vampires appeared behind Elena, all looking tense. "I wonder if I may come in."
"What are you doing here?" it was Lexi who asked, she had appeared beside the wizard and was looking at him with confusion.
"That," said Harry as he felt the call of his ring washing over him. He called back, opening his hand; the ring jumped from Damon's finger faster than the vampire could anticipate. The wizard dropped the compass, which promptly disappeared, and caught the ring. "It's been a few hours, I thought Damon Salvatore would have given you trouble." Harry smiled even as a scowl, from Damon most probably for the ring, was sent his way. "But now that I'm here, and I sort of overheard that you were talking about Niklaus and me, I thought I might put my two cents into the matter."
There was a lengthy silence, all looking at him as if he had grown an extra head, which Harry could fully understand: he had threatened most of them, his actions had caused the almost death of Caroline's boyfriend. But Harry quickly defended himself that he had planned that they would win; he had planned that a coven of four could easily take one hunter.
"I give you my word I will not try to kill one of you, provided you all act in kind," said Harry. It didn't work much, he still had all of them, and the Ripper most of all, looked on edge, as though they were just waiting to attack. "As Lexi can attest, I always keep my word, speaking of which."
Harry opened the hand with the ring and focused, the little ring rose from his hand, floating in the air, then began to slowly revolving. It spun once, twice, then on the third time Harry felt a piece of him leave, his power. Not so much that he was exhausted, but enough that he felt its absence.
"Lexi," it was said not by Harry but by the Ripper, there lay unadulterated happiness in the man's eyes as he looked at the new corporeal ghost. Harry smiled, closing his hand; had he known this would be the result if he used the ring then he would have done it a long time ago. But the wizard had overestimated his abilities, thinking he knew all he could know about the Deathly Hollows.
He was wrong, and his mistake had caused one of his few friends to walk in what she truly thought was punishment.
"I would leave you all to catch up," Harry said, "but I don't think I will get the chance to find you again, so can I come in? We really should talk."
Eyes shifted from Harry to Lexi, who looked to be silently pleading to the others to at least hear her friend out. She was hesitant, but finally Elena said yes, and moved the barest inch back to permit the wizard entry. Harry brightened, then turned on the spot, appearing in the living room.
"You'll have to forgive my rudeness to Apparating in," said Harry as the vampires lined in, the humans following a second later. "But we haven't gotten to the point in our relationship where we can trust each other."
"And I wonder whose fault that is," muttered Caroline with a glare sent Harry's way.
"You're angry about your boyfriend," Harry stated in a way that it almost sounded like a guess. "My apologies for that."
"Can we skip the chitchat, and what you want to say and leave?" said Doman clearly annoyed. The ensemble of vampires stood at strategic positions, Harry noticed: Damon and Stefan were at the forefront, with Caroline between them. Behind her was Matt and the medium, and behind them was Elena Gilbert and Alaric. Lexi stood in no-man's-land, between the vampires and Harry who stood with his wand still at his side. "Before the urge to kill you finally overwhelms me," said the man.
"Okay," said Harry, getting his thoughts quickly in order. "I feel that a struggle between myself and Niklaus is about to start, and from what I've overheard it seems he and I are of the same mind. This, unfortunately, means war. You lot are in the middle of it. Lexi, when I had started to think of ways I could kill the hybrid, informed me of the unfortunate implication of killing him., and I agreed that I would handle matters non-mortally. Niklaus will most likely come to you looking for allies, and you being a part of his pedigree means you would be likely to agree to save your own lives. I am giving you the option of neutrality. I will not say what my plans are to get Niklaus out of the picture, but I will say that they do not involve you, and a whole lot of others, dying."
"So you want us out of a fight that could have us rid of you?" asked Damon.
"I suppose you could say that," said Harry. "But you have to consider, the only thing I have done so far is curse most of you" –and he looked at Caroline in a way that said, 'I still haven't forgotten about you'- "and insured you were a step closer to getting a man who has the potential and cunning to kill half if not all of you given time."
"A man you took away," said Stefan.
Harry shrugged. "The hunter is of interest to me," said Harry. "I couldn't just let him die with that interest being sated." Harry let out a sigh, looking at the distrustful eyes set on him. "My actions are reprehensible when they are looked at by another's eyes, I would guess, but no less they serve a greater purpose. I plead to you all to head my warning. I can feel the worst about to come, and I fear when I am too caught up in it all, I will do just about anything to survive."
Harry turned on the spot.
The wizard appeared and ran his wand through the air. The house was still empty, Connor still out. Not that Harry minded. He walked up to his study, lazily tossing and catching his ring as he walked. Harry flicked his wand and opened the lab doors. He walked in and towards his seat. The wizard took it, his ring still going up and coming down at set intervals.
He threw it up, and the ring stopped mid-air. It was not his magic, but the magic of the ring itself. Harry for his life couldn't hope to even manage this simple act of wandless magic, but his status as the Master of Death afforded him power over the Hallows; he could feel their call and respond in kind, calling the Hallows to himself; he could see those hidden behind the Cloak of Invisibility as though they were made of solid darkness; he could call ghosts; and with the Elder Wand as his source of power, Harry could perform spells far more powerful than he could have ever managed with the Phoenix Tail-Feather wand.
The ring spun once, twice, and three times. Harry felt another part of himself leave, he felt a part of him dislodge and become attached to something else. Harry let out a breath, bringing people back was discomforting, he couldn't guess he could do it more than three times this day, and he didn't know anything further less he lose all of himself.
Harry smiled as he caught sight of the woman standing before him, looking around, taking the room in with interest. She was tall and dark-skinned, and with loud, curly hair. She smiled a bright smile when her eyes finally landed on Harry, she let out a laugh.
"Well if it isn't the man from another world," she said.
"Hello, Bree," said Harry. "Long time no see."
"Very long time," she said. "Not that I minded, of course, you have no idea how many witches I've come across. How much I've learned."
"No longer the weakling then?"
She smirked, a malicious sort of smirk. The windows shook, the tables shook, everything shook. A rattle filled the air, splinters forming across Harry's desk. Harry rolled back his chair, and it wasn't a second later that the table exploded; a shield formed around Harry as splinters flew at him, buffing them off. Bree stood where she had, still with her smirk, and not even one splinter on her person.
"You know I can't repair that right?" said Harry. "Too many enchantment to fortify the table and ensure that it couldn't break or wear." Harry sighed. "It took me a month to charm," said Harry.
"You're missing the point," said Bree, a little put out.
"I know, I know, you're powerful, well, a lot more powerful than you were before," said Harry. "But you could have just told me all this, you didn't need to destroy my table."
"It's a table, Harry."
Harry sighed. "It is," the wizard said. He swished his wand, collecting all the splinters and vanishing them. "You're alive, if you haven't noticed," said Harry.
"I have," said Bree. "I should tell you right now, Harry. The witches on the Other Side, they talk about you, and they don't like you much. The feeling has sort off rubbed off on me. Why am I here?"
"To change the world," said Harry, reflecting a large smirk, "and win a war."