Journey to Hammerhal
The next day from being informed of Harry's status, Sirius used the enchanted medallion that Dumbledore had created to summon the rest of the Order of the Phoenix to Grimmauld Place.
Harry's friends had insisted on attending the meeting and the adults had reluctantly agreed.
"Harriet is our friend" Luna had declared "She is one of the first people at Hogwarts that didn't mind the rumours the rest of the students spread about me. I want to help her".
"Yeah!" Ron had pumped his fist to support Luna's statement.
"Sigh! Okay. But all of you had to promise me not to interrupt the reunion until we have a plan!" Sirius had pointed with his fingers at the children.
The persons inside the home filled it with little space to sit or stand.
Nymphadora Tonks was a woman with the ability to shape and change her body, with her short hair coloured in vibrant purples and blues. She was cousin of Sirius and had followed his style by wearing short-sleeved shirt, ripped jeans, and leather boots. She had started a relationship with Remus Lupin
Moody, Nymphadora, Sirius and Remus were sitting in a dust-filled couch. The former Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall had been offered a chair to seat her old bones. She wore her grey hair in a tight bun atop her head and wore glasses. She had a brooch on her neck and an expression of sadness. The death of the Headmaster had affected her greatly. The friendship she had with the man had ended abruptly and due to his body being missing it prevented her for mourning his death.
Other members stood in the living room hearing what Sirius had to tell them.
Once the group had told the rest of the adults about the new information relied by Dobby, the rest descended in various simultaneous conversations. Only one man had remained silent during the time. He clapped his hands a couple of times and that attracted the attention of everyone.
"That's enough" He declared with a bored tone of voice "I find the notion of Potter's daughter still being alive preposterous. There's no evidence to suggest the house-elf tells the truth. And even if he did, why had he not gone and retrieve her already?!".
The man that had spoken was Severus Snape. Professor of Potions at Hogwarts and former spy infiltrated inside the forces of the Dark Lord Voldemort. He was a man with greasy black hair that seemed like he had never showered before. Snape wore a robe black as coal with his arms folded making him resemble a bat. His aquiline nose and steely grey eyes made an imposing and unfriendly visage.
Ron glared at the man and whispered insults and accusations at the adult trying to not be heard. The rest of the adults, meanwhile started to grow doubts about the truth of Sirius reveal.
"Dobby doesn't lie! The Great Harriet Potter is a still alive! Dobby can't go search for The Great and Beautiful Harry Potter because Dobby feels a barrier that doesn't allow him to help and rescue Missy Harry Potter! Man with Bat face should be sorry for doubting Dobby! Dobby wants The Only Great Witch Harriet Potter safe with friends!".
"It's alright Dobby, we believe you" Hermione said in reassurance, the rest of Harry's friends nodding along and agreeing with her. The aforementioned house-elf felt his eyes filled with tears but abstained from crying.
"What about Apparition?" The headmistress asked.
"Impossible. We tried and the barrier that Dobby mentioned doesn't budge. It seems it doesn't distinguish if the person is human or not" Sirius objected.
"Well, that's helpful. Knowing we can't Apparete in the place" Moody scowled" So I guess we'll have to follow the girls' footsteps and go the way she went".
At the mention of the Death Chamber, some of the adults grew frightened faces. They had heard, known, or been informed about the rumours and believes the Department of Mysteries had about the archway and how it had been used in the past. The idea of being killed once they stepped inside made their enthusiasm diminish.
"What's with those faces! Don't tell me you are thinking about it!" Sirius grew angry and got up from his seat with a jump.
"Black you have to understand-" One man said. He was a tall man of dark skin and gentle eyes. He rose a hand to try and calm the raging godfather without success.
"Don't tell me to understand! My goddaughter is missing! She lost her parents because some asshole believed in a prophecy concerning his demise! She has fought alone, surrounded by enemies, and living with a couple of relatives that hate her and you tell me to abandon her! I thought all of you would help me! Kingsley! Please don't tell me to calm down and abandon Harry!".
The aforementioned man, the one that had tried to comfort the grieving man sighed in defeat. His clothes consisted of blue robes engraved with golden linings. He wore a hat that covered his bald head and brown eyes. Kingsley Shacklebot was a member of the Order that had joined last year at the request of Dumbledore due to his numerous accomplishments in the defeat of Voldemort loyal followers.
"If none of you will help me, I will go alone! I won't lose Harry! I had been wrongly accused of a crime I didn't commit and it's my fault she suffered for eleven years with the Dursleys. I will rescue her and none of you can convince me otherwise!".
Sirius tried to storm out of the room to go and take his things so he could go to Harry but Snape put himself in his path. Sirius glared.
"Snivelus, what do you think-!".
"Stop Black. Going alone will not help Potter in any way" He sighed and casted his eyes to the ground in defeat" I will come with you".
Sirius had no time to look surprised because the rest of the assembly started to join the professor declaration.
"Me too!" Ron said.
"I will go rescue my best friend!" Hermione declared with a nod.
"We too" Neville pointed at himself and Luna.
"Bloody hell! You're all nuts! I want to go to" Tonks said.
"I will join you. Nymphadora is young and will need her trainer to teach her some things she still doesn't know" Moody formed a crooked smile in his scarred face, the prosthetic magical eye spinning in its socket.
"Don't call me Nymphadora!" She declared. The rest of the room laughed outside Snape.
"You don't think you'll get rid of your best friend that easily, right Padfoot?" Remus grinned. He hugged his friend using his right arm to put it around his shoulders and the two hugged.
Remus Lupin was one of the three friends Harry's dad had formed in Hogwarts. Sirius had been accused of selling out Harry's parents that had got him imprisoned. But it was Peter Pettigrew that betrayed them, due to his cowardice. It was not until two years ago that the truth and Harry had been allowed to live with her godfather and have a normal family.
Remus meanwhile had to deal with his own problems. He was a werewolf and thus, lesser in the eyes of wizarding Britain and the reason he had not been capable of having Harry's custody.
He promised from that point on to do everything he could to aid the girl in everything she asked for.
"Thanks, Moony. Everyone" The man said. The mood increased in the house.
"Then, our next move is to prepare for the trip" Moody declared.
"Yes. Clothes, magic items and tents in case we need to make camp" Shacklebot said.
"We will need to contact Amelia if we want permission to visit the chamber" Remus said to the rest.
"I will talk to her about it" Moody nodded at the suggestion.
Dobby had looked at the humans and jumped up and down in joy. Knowing Harry was so loved by them made him happy. He needed to stay to take care of Grimmauld Place while they went in search of the girl.
"It's settled, then" McGonagall began "Once Amelia confirms the date you will go and rescue Harry".
XXX
Belion Altorhelm had seen the girl the day Sigmar had talked to her and was a little unhappy that a mere human had been able to have a conversation with Him. The next day, when the girl had gone to have her lessons with the aelf Lehaanna he had seen her exiting a bedroom inside the Sigmaron dressed in a dress accompanied by a couple of maids.
The news of the visitor had reached all corners of the castle and rumours had begun to spread. Some thought she was a wealthy noblewoman; others a powerful sorcerer and one or two maids had dared to suggest she was a potential bride for the God-King.
The Stormcast Eternal had frowned when that though intruded his mind. No woman, man or creature was worthy of being Great God-King Sigmar's equal. His Holy Visage made him broke in tears at His magnificence but had abstained from making his opinion known to the rest of the soldiers reunited in the meeting room.
They had been convoked by Their Lord and made to wait. The chamber was decorated with paintings of Sigmar various battles and the times he met with the other Gods.
"Have you heard about the girl?" Verona Highskies had started. She was a woman of great stature that had a sword strapped down her shoulder. Her ears were pointed, and her black hair was cut short.
"Yeah. I have seen her. She doesn't seem older than seventeen. What is a kid doing here?" Tiryan Valer had said next. He was a man with his flaming red hair tied up in a topknot and wielded a battle-hammer hanging from his belt.
"I don't know but-" What Urias Gorath was going to say next had to wait because the doors chose that moment to open. Silence reigned over the chamber and the soldiers stood to attention.
Entering the room, the God called Sigmar, and the mysterious girl named Harry entered. He was dressed in his armour and the girl had changed clothes to a white shirt and a pair of leather trousers. Her hair was once again tied in a ponytail and her glasses framed a couple of vibrant green eyes that reminded Belion of Cyclestone.
"Lord Sigmar! All praise the God-King!" The man saluted.
"All praise the God-King!" The rest of his fellows declared.
Sigmar raised a hand, and the group dropped their raised hands in greeting.
"I thank you all for coming here" He began" I want all of you to meet Harriet James Potter. She had come from a place outside the Cosmos Arcane due to a battle she had against an evil sorcerer. Util she can go back; you must keep her safe".
"Hi" She waved her hand with a strained smile of embarrassment. They looked surprised to know she came from outside the Realms but understood the implied danger of this information spreading.
"I ask you to accompany my friend on her journey to her new home until further notice. The secret of the mission is necessary, so the forces of Chaos don't notice her presence "He ordered his men" Harry, meet you escorts to Hammerhal".
"Yes, My Lord!" They answered
"We will accompany Lady Harriet to Hammerhal as You Will It!" Verona spoke next.
"Thank you all for your help. Please don't need to be so formal with me, call me Harry".
Releasing a humming sound of approval, the God looked at Harry and smiled.
"It has been a wonderful and interesting experience to meet you Harry. I will tell you if I find a way to help you return home".
"Thank you, Your Highness" She bowed in courtesy.
"Please Harry, there's no need" He reassured her" Have a safe trip".
Hugging the girl for the first time and surprising his warriors with the gesture, the God exited the room.
Once a couple of seconds of silence passed, Belion decided to speak.
"Please come with us Lady Harriet" He opened the door and let the girl exit the room first" We will go to one of the Gates of Azyr and use it to go to Hammerhal".
The girl nodded and followed the guards to their destination.
XXX
"I can't believe they made us come back to Hogwarts!" Ron ranted to his friends while walking through a hallway.
"Please Ron stop it!" Hermione said" They had said we can go too. Just that until they have everything we must wait. I'm sure they will not go rescue Harry without us. We are her friends".
The group had arrived using the Floo system. The fireplace of Dumbledore office had lighted a vibrant green and the children had materialized from it with McGonagall throwing them out of the room and ordering them to go eat lunch.
"I'm just nervous" Ron explained" I want to go to the Department of Mysteries right now and enter that weird door. I hope Harry is okay…".
Neville embraced the boy in his right arm and dragged him along. They had now exited the Great Hall after filling their stomachs. They had left Luna with Ron's sister and the two had left to go to the library. Once in front of a moving portrait depicting a rotund woman wearing a flowery dress in a forest they paused.
"Hello dearies, password?" She asked.
"Open Sesame" Neville answered.
"Correct" The portrait moved to one side showing the entrance to their bedrooms and the group entered.
Not far away, in the shadows, a blonde boy wearing green left the scene after spying on their conversation. Not one of them had noticed him.
XXX
The Realmgate Harry and the Stormcast Eternals had used was framed in gold and silver. Glowing runes filled the frame of the gate and at the top, the symbol for the Realm of Aqshy greeted them. Arches of magical lightning travelled and connected with the stone without hitting anyone.
Once at the other side of the gate, Harry felt the scorching heat of the Realm. She wished her companions had water with them and wondered how they didn't cook themselves inside their armour.
"Welcome to the Great Parch, Lady Harriet" The woman with short black hair and elven ears declared" We will go to Hammerhal now. If you have any questions please ask away. My name is Verona Highskies".
"Hello Verona. I don't have any for now. Let's go to Hammerhal, I don't know how much more I can this heat without passing out".
The soldiers nodded and began walking, Harry following them close behind. She carried a small backpack made of leather that she carried draped through one shoulder. Lehaanna had recommended her to obtain a job and gain money so she could pay her future expenses.
The group walked through the scorching heat and the rising temperature with more difficulty than the golden warriors. The group stopped every half hour to let Harry drink from a pouch and surveyed their surroundings with attentive eyes.
"I just want to ask one thing, if you don't mind?" Harry said to Belion.
"Yes?".
"I know of humans, aelves and duardin but what type of soldier are you?".
"We are Stormcast Eternals, warriors forged by God-King Sigmar to battle His enemies. We came from different tribes and cities and were rescued by Him during a moment in battle where we were in mortal danger. Our armour is made from sigmarite and the powers we were imbued made it so that every time we die, we return to Azyr and can be restored to battle another day" He declared.
"Wow… So, you can die but resurrect every time?".
"No" He said remorsefully "There's so many times before we can no longer fight. But while we draw breath the monsters that plague the Mortal Realms will know no respite" He declared with righteous conviction.
"Damn. That sucks. A group of your people rescued me when I appeared in Shyish".
The man looked at her at the mention of the place.
"You arrived at the Realm of Death first? It's a miracle made by Sigmar you stayed alive long enough for us to come".
"I am too stubborn" She said as her answer.
The man grunted and returned to walking in silence.
Harry saw lakes of lava flow from crack in the ground and a volcano erupt in the distance. A mountain peak at their right and the sea on the left was their only point of reference while traveling.
One had said to her that the waters of the Crescent Sea were close to Hammerhal Aqsha. It was not long before the Stormcast paused once more.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"You must blend in with the people traveling to Hammerhal. The fact you are accompanied by us will be suspicious if we don't spin a convincing story" Verona explained.
Once close to Harry, the woman took a couple of specks of dirt and rubbed it in her face. She closed her eyes so as to not be blinded in case some entered her eye. A couple of gashes were made in her clothes and her hair was dishevelled. Once finished, the woman nodded in satisfaction and the group resumed their journey.
XXX
Draco Malfoy had a crush on Harry since their first year and his friends knew it. They had teased him about it and his attitude every time he crossed paths with the girl. He had told his mother about it the moment the news of her disappearance were made public.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Draco" She had said to him. He had reassured her he wasn't bothered by it and went back to living his life.
His father had been arrested the same day. When news of the battle in the Department of Mysteries had made first page in the newspapers, the detained Death Eaters had been made to drink Veritaserum to make sure they were not being coerced to do Voldemort's biding.
So, instead of walking away scoot free like last time it happened, Lucious Malfoy had been dragged to his cell screaming his lungs out about filling a formal report and complaint demanding his release.
Draco' mother had been devastated, but had coped with the sentence by feeling reassurance in that her son was still innocent. If Voldemort had won the battle, her son would have been forced to take what was once called the Dark Mark. A symbol in the form of a tattoo that all the Death Eaters wore on their arms and that was used to be summoned by their master.
Draco's aunt on the other hand had been stunned and dragged back to the prison of Azkaban to live there for the rest of her life.
Malfoy had been wandering lost in thought in the many hallways of Hogwarts when he heard Harry's friends have a heated discussion. It was then, Ron dropped the news on the boy without noticing.
Harry was still alive. He had felt his heart soar in happiness and licked his lips in anticipation. Harry was a very pretty girl in his opinion and the many fantastical stories the wizarding world had created about her had been his obsession when he was younger.
He had been furious when last year, the girl had tried to ask Cedric Digory to come with her to the Yule Ball that had been celebrated in winter. And then, the girl had ended up going with Longbottom.
Her supposed death was probably a way to make her disappear maybe so she could get away from the wizarding world. Now it made sense!
He wanted her. Draco had fantasized with her but had not acted upon it. But now it was different. He would follow her friends in secret, see what they were up to, take Harry from wherever she had been hiding and make her his.
XXX
The sound of moving caravans and the footsteps of a hundred persons walking in groups filled her ears.
It was not long when Harry finally saw the city.
It was incredible. A Realmgate the size of a city greeted them above the golden walls of the city of Hammerhal Aqsha. At the other side of the portal, a greenery extended towards the horizon. The forest indicated that the gateway was connected to Ghyran. A bridge of stone crossed the portal and allowed communication with the other side.
The top of the stone buildings was painted a sky-blue colour and the decorations that were engraved in its surfaces indicated the wealth of the people inside it.
Guards watched the outside of the great city, and a set of double gates gave entrance to her new home.
In front of them, a group of persons of different ethnicities walked with tired feet carrying luggage, carts, and their various wares. Soldiers inspected carriages and allowed entrance to any who seek refuge inside.
"Welcome! Please wait until it is your turn! One group at a time! Wait, so we can inspect your possessions!" One human soldier announced "Welcome to Hammerhal, the Twin-Tailed City!"
The moment they saw Harry and the Stormcast they grew worried.
"What are Stormcast doing here?" A woman murmured to her companion.
"I don't know. They don't seem to be members from the Hallowed Knights" The other woman beside her answered.
"Who is that girl?" A boy asked his father.
"She seems to have been rescued by them…" An old man reflected.
"But she is alone" His daughter, a middle-aged woman rebuked.
"Don't tell me another Chaos Warband has killed her entire town!" A frightened teenage girl suggested.
"Poor thing!" The old man said.
Harry ignored their whispers like when she was back in Britain and a smile of fondness threatened to make its way across her face. She decided to put an act and look miserable. If they were providing her cover story for Harry all the better.
Once inside the city, she watched as a couple of flying boats carrying more Stormcast Eternals made their way further inside. They wore silver plates of armour, and the chainmail of their clothes glittered a pale gold.
It seemed different groups of Stormcast wore different colours on their armour. It reminded her of the School Houses Hogwarts used.
The different races still populated her surroundings. Scantily clad women with pointed ears walked with swords on their hips, a man in what could only be called steampunk clothes conversed with a man pointing at a rudimentary firearm, the vegetation coming from Ghyran found itself having difficulties taking root on the soil of Aqshy and a pair of children used wooden swords to fight with each other.
Harry and her temporary guards reached the long bridge that travelled across the Realmgate. A set of stair elevated the structure atop a vast canyon where the earth opened to show rivers of lava flowing beneath it. They paused and Belion directed his voice towards her.
"I'm afraid this is as far away as we can take you. If you want a place to sleep, you should look in Hammerhal Ghyra, it will allow you to be safer than in Aqshy. Take this, it will help you pay for your stay at an inn".
He made sure to see if anyone was looking at them and gave her a bag filled with coins.
"Thank you Lord Belion" She bowed" It's been a pleasure".
The man nodded and with a hand gesture the group moved further inside the city. Harry wondered where they were going but abstained from asking.
The smell of ash and burning plants filled her nostrils. Harry then, after a brief pause, began her journey in search of lodgings.