Hello again, thank you very much for reading Chapter 1.
The story and mysteries begin in this chapter!
See you soon and happy reading!
My one and only universe
Chapter 2: "Safe travels, Mr. Harry Potter"
With the closing of the small door behind him, Harry was plunged into impenetrable darkness and an absolute silence. For the past month, he had immersed himself in studies of parallel universes and time travel. A singular conclusion had emerged: there existed a kind of inter-world, a neutral zone nestled within the folds of space-time. And that, he surmised, was his current location. Taking a deep breath, he drew his wand and murmured "Lumos", hoping to cast a little light on his surroundings. He waited for the faint glow that should have chased away the darkness, but it never appeared. Harry sighed. One theory put forth by a wizarding scholar had just been confirmed: Magic was suppressed in this weird world. He would have to rely on his own wits and resources.
Regaining his bearings, Harry groped around to understand his surroundings. His searching hands eventually found a sort of wall, cold and rough to touch. Carefully, he advanced, one cautious step at a time, suitcase in hand.
"Good," he muttered, straining his eyes in the hope of making out something before him.
Strangely, the air had shifted from how it was a few moments ago: it was colder now, aggressive even, making his lungs burn with each breath he took.
The silence unnerved him. It was an alien feeling to be so cut off from his senses. The most discomforting aspect was the absence of sound. Without his senses to guide him, he lost track of time and could not ascertain whether he had been walking for mere minutes or several hours.
Then there was a faint noise.
Harry halted abruptly, his ears perked, waiting for any semblance of sound. He wondered if he had imagined it, but the faint noise recurred after another two or three minutes. Frozen in place, Harry waited. The noise gradually neared until he could gauge that its source was only about ten paces away. Not knowing what to expect, he readied himself for a possible confrontation.
A loud crack echoed, taking him by surprise, and a harsh light suddenly enveloped him, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut. The intensity gradually receded, and he could finally take stock of his surroundings:
He was in a dimly lit corridor, its walls constructed from a type of grey stone. Every ten meters, there were small, handleless doors that were a shade lighter than the rest of the corridor. He could now identify the origin of the sounds he had heard: standing before him was a creature, half-human, half-house elf. Roughly the size of Dobby, it had an oversized head sprouting three hairs as long as its arm. A prominent nose and small eyes gave its face an unsightly appearance, and a long beard that reached its waist completed the unusual picture. The creature was clad in a simple white robe and supported itself with a cane clutched tightly in its left hand. In its right hand, it held an enormous book and a cluster of keys dangled from its waist, nearly reaching its lower legs. Apart from the abrupt light that seemed to have activated out of nowhere, the diminutive being wore an oil lamp on its belt that emanated a comforting glow.
As the creature drew closer to Harry, the young wizard realized that the tinkling of keys was what he had heard earlier. This small man had been moving in his direction all along.
The dwarf-like figure, his beard smoothing under his touch, continued his approach, emitting grunts of seeming annoyance.
"Mr. Harry Potter, I was expecting you much earlier," the creature said, his voice unexpectedly deep for his small stature.
Harry cocked an eyebrow upon hearing the creature speak. Unsure of how to respond, he chose to exercise diplomacy.
"Hello. I see introductions have already been made... Sir..."
The small creature approached the young wizard, studying him while rapidly stroking his beard.
"As Trapper Elves, we are quite aware of the happenings around here. We should keep moving; lingering here isn't wise," the Trapper Elf said, strolling past Harry.
Intrigued, Harry fell into stride alongside him.
"Where exactly are we?" Harry asked, positioning himself to match the elf's pace.
The Trapper Elf grumbled louder.
"Ah! You believe you can cause a disruption in our world without even knowing where you are! Your kind ought to educate yourselves more before foolishly venturing here... Anyway..."
Harry chose not to respond, anticipating that the elf would continue. Oddly, he felt a sense of safety with the diminutive creature. Despite not knowing why, the elf seemed trustworthy.
"We're in the Archi-world, lad," the Elf explained. "Each of these doors you see are portals to other universes similar to yours. The farther you move away from your original door, the more the universe differs both spatially and temporally."
Harry nodded, taking in his surroundings. He recalled reading something similar in his research. Once in the inter-world, it was theoretically impossible to locate his original universe among countless other possibilities.
His musings were interrupted by a scream. Reflexively, he pulled out his wand, aiming it behind him, while the Elf turned swiftly, holding his oil lamp aloft to illuminate as far as possible. The sound Harry had heard was inhuman, reminiscent of a Dragon's cry.
"Unusual occurrences are common here. It's a unique place where reality and illusion intermingle. Be cautious," warned the Elf, resuming his journey. He glanced at Harry, noticing the raised wand, and merely shrugged, rolling his eyes.
After a moment, Harry fell back in step with the Elf.
"Are you here to guide me, sir?" asked Harry, maintaining his vigilance.
Initially, his question was met with a harsh cough. Harry thought the Elf was choking, but he quickly recovered.
"Guide you, and then what..." the Elf muttered to himself, though loud enough for Harry to hear. "Let's just say you're not the first Harry Potter I've encountered, and if there's one thing we Trapper Elves have learned, it's that Harry Potters should be dealt with swiftly before they cause too much trouble."
Harry halted, absorbing this revelation.
"Other Harry Potters?" he asked, bewildered.
The Elf broke into hearty laughter. The sound, more akin to an insect's buzz than laughter, sent a chill down Harry's spine.
"The same reaction every time, you lot are predictable, you know? You always think you're the first to arrive, but many have preceded you... And yes, remember, many universes are similar, so it's normal for other 'Harry Potters' to have had the same idea as you... Anyway, we're not far now. Let's rest here while I explain the rules."
He gestured towards a small crevice in the rock wall and settled down. He placed his lamp beside him and pulled the hefty book from his waist closer. From his pocket, he extracted a pair of small round glasses that faintly resembled Harry's own. Still taken aback, Harry joined him and made himself comfortable next to the dwarf-like figure. He heard the Elf muttering "Well, well..." as he leafed through the pages of his massive book. Harry caught glimpses of strange, unfamiliar scripts on the pages.
"Ah! Here!" the Elf finally exclaimed. "Currently, three universes are available to you. I will explain the imperative and paramount rules for inter-dimensional travel. Listen carefully, Mr. Harry Potter."
Harry nodded in acknowledgment. The small being held up one gnarled finger.
"First, you can only visit a world where a dimensional door is open. Once the door is opened, it becomes inaccessible for the next hundred years."
Harry was somewhat aware of this stipulation. He had discovered his own door two years prior while seeking a method to annihilate Voldemort. The individual who had presented it to him, a certain Crowel Barbensi, a dubious wizard indeed, had informed him that the door had initially belonged to his great-great-grandfather. The man had opened the door and was engulfed by a radiant white light. Since then, no one had been able to open the door, and it was deemed a dark magic artifact. It was only after extensive research and experimentation that Harry understood the door's true purpose.
Without further delay, the Trapper Elf proceeded to outline the rules, raising a second finger.
"It's impossible for the same person, or object, to coexist in the same world. If such an anomaly occurs, one of them will be randomly eradicated to ensure singularity."
"How would I know if, say, I already exist in a world?" inquired Harry, quickly grasping the implications.
The Elf nodded and tapped his book.
"We Trapper Elves are the guardians of the Archi-world. We can detect the subtle differences between each universe. Everything is cataloged here, in this book," he said, dusting off the cover. "Of course, the data is updated every twenty-five of your years, so there may be slight inaccuracies..."
Harry found his confidence waning as he listened.
"In the three universes I've selected for you, Harry Potter does not exist," the Elf continued, referring to a particular page in his book. "However, if you confirm that you have the same phoenix feather wand and invisibility cloak as your counterparts, you won't be able to bring them along."
Harry sprung to his feet.
"My wand and my cloak? I'd have to leave them here?" he questioned.
The Elf shrugged nonchalantly.
"Think of it as a toll, a sort of transit fee. As you might have inferred, magic cannot be used in the Archi-world. This world feeds on magic to sustain its existence. Therefore, your wand and cloak will serve to prolong this universe's life."
Harry swallowed hard. The idea of parting with his wand and cloak, knowing they would be consumed by this universe, was unsettling... The Elf didn't allow him to ponder further, already forming a three with his fingers.
"Third and final rule: Always remember that you are now an outsider. You do not belong to the world you are about to enter." His eyes locked onto Harry's, and the boy seemed entranced by his penetrating gaze. "A universe functions like a human body and will strive to expel any anomalies disturbing its system. Never deplete your magic, or you'll be simply devoured."
Harry processed the revelation. He wasn't surprised; he knew that inter-world travel wasn't a cakewalk. But the risks were apparent. If he wasn't vigilant, he could be "devoured," as per the small creature's warning. The Trapper Elf shrugged dismissively.
"You can't turn back now anyway, your choice is more or less made. But if your resolve isn't strong enough, you can always wander around here, in the Archi-world, like us Trapper Elves."
Harry seized the opportunity to probe further.
"What do you do here, sir? I mean, are you alone?" He knew it was a touchy subject, and he sensed that the creature was not particularly forthcoming. He tried to be tactful and not offend his guide.
In typical fashion, the Elf responded initially with a shrug. He took his time, cracked his back, and reopened the book on his lap. He flipped through the pages for a while before answering.
"We're not so different from your... house... elves," he said with a grimace. "But now we're stuck here. The Archi-world is less cruel than it seems, we've grown to appreciate it, over time. You just need to be a bit cautious. And besides, we are the only ones to have mapped this world," he concluded with a note of pride in his voice.
The Elf sprang to his feet with an agility Harry hadn't expected. Paradoxically, he leaned on his cane the next moment. Harry smiled. This old chap was far more intriguing than he'd first thought. The Elf gestured for him to follow, and they continued their slow journey through the cavernous passage. The small creature appeared disinclined to converse for the moment, content to lead the way in silence, his lamp held aloft. Unconsciously, Harry clenched his wand in his right hand. The words of the Trapper Elf were etched in his mind: If he desired to switch worlds, he had to part with both his wand and his invisibility cloak. The thought of relinquishing these items, which had become akin to friends to him, was deeply distressing.
The Elf's arm, holding the oil lamp, obstructed his path, and Harry barely had time to see his finger against his lips signaling for silence as he was about to ask what was happening. Complying, Harry sealed his lips and surveyed his surroundings. At first, he discerned nothing until he detected a slender shadow in his peripheral vision. It was against the wall, moving stealthily, soundlessly. Beside him, Harry noticed the Elf had ceased breathing and was intently observing the creature.
The shadow eventually dissipated, leaving no trace of its presence, and the guide finally exhaled. Resuming his stride without uttering a word, he continued along the path. Believing the danger to have passed, Harry seized the opportunity to voice his concerns.
"What was that creature?" he asked, his voice a mere whisper, not wanting to lure the entity back with a louder tone.
"In this realm, it's known as a 'Damned.' Should you encounter one, stay absolutely still. Consider that a bit of advice."
Harry mentally filed away the information, hoping he wouldn't ever have to apply it. They continued their journey without further disruption for another ten minutes until the Elf halted before a door.
"We're here," he announced, his lamp casting a light upon the door and the surrounding corridor, "This is the first door, the other two are just beside it."
Placing his lamp on the ground, he retrieved his book and swiftly flipped it open to a particular page.
"Let's see..." he murmured, his finger tracing lines on the page, "Ah, here it is, Universe B56852Z-bis. Current year: 2051. This is our first option. Your counterpart from this world passed away five years prior; you should be able to seamlessly fit in there."
Harry's eyebrow arched at the information. 2051 was far from his time and hardly piqued his interest. Noticing Harry's lack of enthusiasm, the Elf gestured at another door.
"Then we have Universe A32514A-1. This time, it's a trip to your past, the year 1975. Your parents aren't present in this universe, so compatibility issues are unlikely. However, the situation is quite volatile; Voldemort is on the rise."
Unease crept into Harry's mind. What if none of these universes were suitable? What were his options? Venture into a futuristic world? Relive his past? Neither appealed to him. Indicating the third door, he pressed on.
"And this one?" he asked, uncertainty slipping into his voice.
The Elf scoured his page for a moment.
"Universe G76541V-Bis. Once again, it's in your past, the year 1998. In this world, you were never born. Interestingly, unlike many other worlds, this one isn't at war."
Harry sighed inwardly. 1998 was a mere five years prior for him; this option felt the most compatible. In his own timeline, had there not been a war, Ginny would've been in her seventh year at Hogwarts in 1998. Ginny... She was his primary motivation for leaving his world; he longed to see her one more time.
He was so close now, yet found himself questioning his right to interfere with another world. He didn't know... What he did know was that he was weary of perpetual conflict. Fatigued by his fame and the expectations that came with it. Having fulfilled his purpose, he yearned for tranquility... The prospect of a new universe held more than mere hope for him.
"Have you decided?" asked the Elf, his patience visibly waning.
Harry lifted his gaze, his resolve firm.
"The third one, the 1998 universe," he declared with newfound confidence.
The Elf nodded in agreement, and together they positioned themselves before the chosen door. Pointing at the suitcase Harry had been carrying, he reminded him of the protocol.
"I'll need to confiscate your wand and cloak before you proceed. I'll also inspect the contents of your suitcase as a precaution."
Unfazed, Harry opened his suitcase. The Elf withdrew several items, carefully examining each. Many were mementos from his old world, particularly photographs of his friends.
After evaluating the last photo album, the Elf returned it to the suitcase. Lastly, he retrieved Harry's fabled invisibility cloak, which had been instrumental in his previous adventures.
"That's a fine cloak, Mr. Harry Potter. I can see why it's valuable to you."
Harry took a moment before responding, a grimace replacing his usual smile.
"How can I trust you? How do I know that I really have to leave my wand and cloak with you?" Harry challenged, his tone more confrontational than usual.
The Elf shrugged, a habitual response to challenging questions.
"You'll have to take my word for it. However, I do have something that might sway your opinion." From his pocket, he produced a small Golden Snitch and extended it to the young wizard.
Harry examined the petite golden sphere. It remained motionless, likely due to the absence of magic in this realm. He met the Elf's gaze with a questioning look.
"This Snitch was gifted to me by another Harry Potter, around 30 years ago. He was slightly older than you, and we had... complications navigating one of the corridors we just traversed." A nostalgic smile played on his lips as his gaze drifted. "He left this Golden Snitch with me before stepping through a door, calling it a symbol of his determination and courage."
Harry nodded in understanding. If he were to select a representation of himself, it would undoubtedly be the Golden Snitch. He chose to believe the Elf's story - he wanted to believe it. He returned the Snitch and offered up his wand. A subtle vibration pulsed from the wand, as if bidding him farewell, causing a pang in Harry's heart. The Elf regarded the two objects before presenting the Golden Snitch to Harry once more.
"Keep it. It may serve you well one day."
He then carefully stored the wand and, after neatly folding it, the cloak.
"Time to bid farewell, Harry Potter." With those words, the Elf extracted a small key from his keychain and inserted it into the dimensional door. He turned the key, alternating between left and right.
Engrossed in the procedure, Harry noticed the precision in the Elf's movements. The sound of a click confirmed the process was complete. The Elf stepped back, waving Harry forward.
"Safe travels, Mr. Harry Potter."
Harry gripped his suitcase and moved to push open the door. Just before initiating the action, he paused and turned to the Elf.
"I don't even know your name," he admitted, a hint of naivety creeping into his voice.
The Elf shrugged, eliciting a smile from Harry.
"Dramung, my name is Dramung."
Harry's smile broadened, a sparkle in his eyes. He didn't wait another moment, pushing the door open. He was instantly enveloped in a blinding white light and vanished a moment later.
Dramung was left alone in the dim corridor. The door had completely vanished, leaving a wall in its place. He exhaled a sigh.
"Poor lad," he muttered, stroking his beard. "Quite the character, that Harry Potter."
Harry blinked open his eyes as if awakening from a lengthy slumber. Bathed in gentle sunbeams, he felt a soothing warmth upon his face. His senses returned to him gradually. His last memory was of crossing a threshold, and now he found himself here... but where exactly was here? And more critically, was he intact?
His hands moved quickly, patting down his limbs and taking stock: head - intact, arms - present, legs - unharmed, torso - undamaged. He righted his glasses, his finger traced the familiar lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead, and he groped at his side for his suitcase.
His immediate quest was to ascertain his whereabouts. Undoubtedly, he was outdoors, situated in a diminutive alleyway. The murmur of a crowd could be discerned a short distance away. Encircling him stood an array of time-worn buildings, their reddish brick facades hinting at age and history.
Rising to his feet, he briskly dusted off the thin layer of grime that clung to his robe.
Everything seemed in order, he thought, he was vertical at least...
Stretching his stiff muscles to dispel the lingering tendrils of sleep, he steered himself towards the sound of the throng. As he meandered through more narrow alleys, realization dawned...
His eyes widened in recognition, this place was unique, unmistakable: he was on Diagon Alley! Almost a mirror image of the one in his own world, he recognized most of the storefronts. Nestled at the end of the lane was Flourish and Blotts, the famed bookstore where he'd procured his school textbooks. A tad further on stood the pet store where he first encountered his loyal owl, Hedwig. Further still, the robe and cauldron emporium beckoned!
Inhaling deeply, Harry felt a sense of home. This place, so familiar, yet alien, seemed perfect. Observing the hustle and bustle of the main street, he deduced that it must be the end of summer and families were engaged in back-to-school shopping. His intuition was corroborated when he spotted the date on a nearby newspaper: August 25, 1998. His fist clenched in a surge of elation: he seemed to have landed in the right place at the right time.
He urgently needed to attend to his affairs: secure a room for the night (most likely at the Leaky Cauldron), and of paramount importance, retrieve a magic wand and fresh attire...
In his possession was a small purse of Galleons, which would suffice for now. The next crucial task: gauge the state of this world. He purchased the newspaper bearing the day's date and settled down in the bustling square.
Fearful of what he might unearth, he hesitated to delve into the paper's contents... He exhaled slowly, marshalled his courage, and abruptly unfolded the newsprint, eyes firmly shut. The sound of stifled giggles wafted to him from nearby, likely someone observing his little spectacle...
Eyes slowly opening, he scanned the front page...
No deaths.
No injuries.
No war.
He perused the page repeatedly, making sure, but all the news seemed "normal." His heart hammered in his chest. He dared not conceive of it: a world where Voldemort had failed to exert his dominance and power.
His fist clenched of its own accord, and he recognized the fortuity of stumbling upon a world such as this... a world like...
His mind abruptly ceased its workings, his gaze solidified. Eyes bulging, he seemed incapable of crediting what they beheld.
He had just glimpsed her. Ginny.
End of Chapter 2.
Chapter 3 will be posted in a few days. Chapter 3 will be published in a few days. What will Harry find in this world? See you soon !
