Chapter 23
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Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
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This time on The Magic of Amber: Jurassic Park gets ready to open, the team decides where to go next and more drama on the islands…
-oOo-
November 22, 1993
Bethmale, France
Harry turned the Land Rover down the dirt road. He stopped to wait for Sirius to close the gate. They were on the edge of a small farm village about to head off into a wild area of the French Pyrenees. After going over what Anders knew, they had decided that Beauxbatons was the better option with winter coming. K'was Nun was rumoured to be somewhere in northern Alberta or the Northwest Territories. Both were known to be very unforgiving in the winter and it was already late in the year. It could take weeks or more to find the place since they had no records where it was.
So, instead they had used the information the Greengrass grimoires to find Beauxbatons in the French Pyrenees. It was still the low tens in the valley this time of the year and only a light layer of snow could be seen on the high peaks before them.
When Sirius got back in the car, he patted his bag. "Alright, let's get as far in as we can before we go on foot."
"This would be excellent to have our reindeer," Karl said, looking around.
"Nothing for it now, Karl. We will do as we need," Anders said.
That was something different on this adventure. They had decided to take Karl and Anders with them. Though they were still amateurs at using their wands, they were experienced hunters and dealing with magical creatures.
"How far does this road go again?" Harry asked as he started up the dirt road.
"Should take us a few miles in. If the old map was right, the boundary line should be at the base of that mountain and the old school and settlement should be in the valley beyond that," Sirius said.
"We need to be careful. Graphorns and trolls were known to live in the area," Anders told them.
"That's better than selmas and lindworms," Sirius whinged.
"Have you ever met a graphorn?" Harry asked, honestly curious. Hagrid had said they could be extremely dangerous, but he had never met one. Trolls he knew he could handle.
"Well, no, but they can't be as bad as that lindworm," Sirius said.
"Do you have to say that?" Harry asked, knowing his luck. He felt like they were poking fate.
The Land Rover gave a particularly hard bounce as he hit a pothole.
Karl gave an oomph behind him.
"Easy, pup. No need to bruise us yet," Sirius told him.
"I prefer reindeer," Karl said as Anders said something that had a tone of a swear in Norwegian. Harry grinned at Karl's discomfort.
It was nearly an hour in before they came to a spot in the road where a large tree had been felled. They were probably halfway to the peak now. He pulled off to a small clearing near the tree and got out. The temperature had dropped, even with the sun fully up in the sky.
Anders and Sirius got out and walked towards the tree with him. Harry was looking at the way it was broken as the men started to discuss if they should move it or not. Karl was back at the car getting his rifle and other stuff ready.
Harry reached up to undo the clasp on his sword.
"What do you think, Harry? Should we keep going? The map shows this old logging road going further up," Sirius was asking. Anders was starting to look at the base of the tree as well.
"I don't know if that is a good idea," Harry said. He looked around. The forest was quiet, but that could be that it was close to winter settling in and he didn't know if any birds stayed year-round or not.
"I agree. That was not just felled by a storm," Anders said. He was looking into the trees as well. Karl came up and handed his father his gun. Anders nodded his thanks.
Sirius looked at the tree, then the stump. There was signs of a disturbance and other broken trees just up the slope. They were all still green with pine needles and the smell of resin was thick in the air. "This didn't happen that long ago," Karl said.
"A few days. A week at most," Anders agreed.
"Is that blood on that tree?" Harry asked, indicating a dried coppery substance on a few trees just above the broken ones.
Sirius looked a little uncomfortable. He pulled out his wand. "Have you figured out how to cast those animal sensing spells so they can follow us?" Sirius questioned.
Harry nodded. "I need something to cast it on. It should last a few hours," he told them. He had tried it a few times now.
Sirius held out his arm for his watch, while Karl and Anders held out their hands for some rings. Harry cast the charm on each of them. "It will vibrate if anything big or mean comes near. It won't bother you for birds or anything small, like a rabbit."
"Thank you," Anders said. "We should get our packs."
About twenty minutes later they were walking around the fallen tree. They had small day packs with everything they needed for two weeks. That would have been impossible without Sirius and him having enchanted the bags with extension charms. Karl almost had the spell, but it was rather advanced.
They all looked nervously around them as they walked up the road. A trail to skirt the mountain was supposed to be about another mile up. Either way, they were going to be in the wilderness for a few days. The only good thing was that now that they knew where the car was, apparating back would be easy. He was tempted to try and apparate to the side of the mountain, but they didn't know if any wards were still up or where they might be. He doubted they would allow someone to just apparate in if they were still active.
They didn't really talk until they found the trail head. It was a little more elaborate than Harry had expected. He could feel the magic around it. The trail was about twelve feet wide and moss covered. It went through a high stone arch that made a way through the wards. Through the trees on either side, they could see granite obelisks about every fifty feet or so. Each was about six feet tall, covered in runes and radiating power.
"Well, I guess we found it," Sirius said.
"This feels different than back home," Karl commented, moving towards the closest ward stone. "There is much power here."
"I wouldn't, if I was you," Harry warned. "We don't know if they will let you touch them."
Anders said something in Norwegian before nodding at the arch. "I think going through the arch is the only safe way."
"I agree. Weapons ready. We have a few more hours of light and I would like to be in the valley on the far side," Sirius said as he looked towards the sun.
"What are we waiting for?" Karl said as he clicked the safety off on his rifle and started up the path. The look he gave Harry had him thinking the boy was trying to prove something. Given the way he still looked at Lex, Harry was starting to feel less sure of having the Greengrasses with them, but it was nice to have a backup.
Harry shook his head. "And you call me a reckless Gryffindor," Harry snarked to his godfather as Anders followed his son.
"You are," Sirius replied. "Keep an eye on him. I feel he wants to prove something and that could get him killed."
"Bloody great. Why am I always the babysitter?" he griped.
"Well, must get you trained up somehow. By the way, when are you and Lex going to make a baby?"
Harry blushed some. "You're a bloody dick."
Sirius just gave him a cheeky grin.
-oOo-
November 23, 1993
Isla Nublar, Costa Rica
Lex was sitting at her desk in her room of her grandpa's bungalow. She was reading down the lines of code to ensure she got her mother's last equations in correctly. Charlotte was laying on her bed swishing the redwood wand in her hand.
"Wingardium Leviosar," Charlotte said. A moment later she aggravatedly griped, "Why do I only get this half the time? I've been doing this a month now!"
"It's Leviosa. Ah. Not ar," Lex corrected as she saved her work and exited out of the program.
Charlotte huffed. "This is so stupid. Why does it matter if I say Leviosa and not Leviosar?"
Lex shrugged. "I don't think it does. Harry and Sirius say it's more about training your mind and magic. If you can get it without saying it right, then I don't think they will care."
"I'd rather be doing biology or working on my math homework," Charlotte complained.
"You don't have to use magic that much, but you should learn to control it. Harry thinks it will be important that we blend in," Lex commented. She moved to upload the updated program to the server that Mr Arnold had given her for doing trials. She turned around to Charlotte when the counter said thirty-three minutes.
"Did you do anything bad?" Charlotte asked.
Lex grinned. "I flipped Timmy's cereal onto his head one morning when he was annoying me."
Charlotte laughed. "I bet he loved that."
Lex laughed too. "He was pretty surprised. Mom wasn't very happy though."
The girl on the bed grinned before flopping down. "Is there anything else besides these few beginner spells? I need to get this done before I do my other homework."
"You really don't like magic, do you?" Lex asked.
Charlotte's hand came up and she made a 'so-so' motion. "It's neat, but I want to learn to make the dinosaurs. Dad had me enrolled into an elite school and I was going to graduate at least a year early. I already have recruiters from Berkley, Yale and CalTech contacting me."
Lex smiled. "I want to go to Worchester Polytech or CalTech too. They have really good computer departments."
Charlotte looked up at her. "But aren't you really embracing being a witch? I mean you're with Harry and he's a wizard."
Lex shrugged. "Harry doesn't care. I like my computers and math too much. Plus, I struggle with some magic. I find transfiguration and charms that effect physical objects to work best for me. Harry says some witches are like that, and Sirius said sometimes it can be like family magic."
Charlotte gave her a look. "You mean magic passes down through the family?"
"I guess. I figure it's like genetics. Things like hair color, eye color and appearance can pass between people. Why not magic?" Lex said.
Charlotte thought for a moment. "Ok, I can see that. Can you make the stupid paper levitate?"
Lex grinned. She had this spell down. Turning, she took her wand off the desk. Pointing it to the paper before Charlotte, she incanted, "Wingardium Leviosa."
The paper started to lift. Charlotte huffed again. Just to be a pain, she moved her wand, and the paper started to move around the room. Charlotte grabbed a loose sheet of paper, balled it up and threw it at her. "Twat! Now you're showing off."
Lex laughed as she tried to block it. "I've been doing this for a few months now. Harry's been teaching me some more advanced stuff, but I still struggle with that."
"Why does Daphne and Astoria get this almost right away?" Charlotte complained.
Lex made a disgusted face. "They grew up with magic, just not with wands."
Charlotte gave her a curious look. "You don't like them, do you?"
Lex crinkled her nose. "Do I have to answer that truthfully?"
"Yes," the younger girl said. Well, not that much younger. Charlotte was fourteen now.
"I want them to go back to Norway. Thank God Harry is so oblivious, but they keep trying to get him to notice them," Lex angrily said.
"I noticed. He's really handsome, but a little intense," Charlotte said.
"Bitch! Stay away from my man," Lex said, throwing the balled-up piece of paper back at her.
Charlotte laughed. "Easy, Lex. I don't like Harry like that. What do you know about Owen?"
Lex smiled back. She hadn't seen Charlotte look at Harry like that. Harry was starting to treat her more like he did Tim, like a younger sibling. "The dinosaurs like him almost as much as they like Harry. It's like their magic just calls to them."
Charlotte looked pensive. "Can magic do that?"
"I think so. I mean look at Harry and Rexy. Can you think of any other way than magic for that big guy to like him and not try to eat him?"
"That is wicked. I thought he was going to eat me the first time Harry brought him to the compound where we train," Charlotte said.
Lex laughed. "The Greengrasses wanted to shoot him when Harry ran up to him. Rexy was roaring and everything. Harry was laughing his head off to see them all so shocked."
Charlotte giggled. "I can see that."
"It was rather funny," Lex said.
"And what about Karl?" Charlotte asked.
Lex took in a sharp breath to keep her anger down. "If he doesn't stop trying to show up Harry, I'm going to deck him. I think Harry wants to run his Sword of Gryffindor through his asshole."
"I can see that too," Charlotte said with a grimace.
Lex had a small smile on her face. "Or he'll let Rexy have a snack. He doesn't need two arms, right?"
"You are so bad," Charlotte laughed as she threw the paper back. Lex blocked it.
"I blame my boyfriend," she shot back.
"I blame him too. You used to be so nice," Charlotte grinned.
"I know, I was, wasn't I?" Lex grinned back.
Her computer beeped. She turned back to the screen. A message had popped up for an email from her best friend back home. She would open it later. Charlotte was here now.
"Hey, Lex?" Charlotte asked.
"What's up, Charlotte?" she responded.
Charlotte looked a little unsure. "What do you think of Owen?"
Lex rose an eyebrow. "Do you like him?"
"Uhm, maybe," Charlotte said.
Lex grinned. "Like like like him?"
"Yes!" Charlotte just about screamed.
Lex laughed at her. "I think he's pretty cool. He idolizes Harry and like I said, he gets the dinosaurs just like Harry does. I think once Harry thinks he's advanced enough to cast that animal communication spell he did on Rexy that he will teach Owen."
Charlotte nodded. "I think I really like him. But I don't look like much. Not like you and Daphne," she said, rolling over onto her back and looking down at herself.
"I think you are pretty," Lex told her.
"But I look so plain. Dad would never let me wear anything like you do and I hate dresses," Charlotte told her.
Lex grinned. "Well, I have some things that might fit you, if you want."
Charlotte tipped her head to look at Lex upside down. "Really?"
Lex grinned at her. "Do you want to get Owen before Daphne or Astoria decide they can't get Harry?"
Charlotte had a mischievous grin on her face before looking uncertain. "I couldn't pull off those short shirts and shorts like you do. Do you dress like that so that Harry likes you more?"
Lex shook her head. "I dress like this because its fucking hot and humid most of the time. Harry just likes what he sees."
Charlotte giggle. "He does look at you like he wants to take you off somewhere to make out all the time."
Lex had a smug grin. "Good thing I like to makeout all the time too. Come here. We can find something while the new program loads. I want to try it out before we have to meet mom and Tim for dinner."
Charlotte was a little unsure, but Lex was determined to give Charlotte a go at Owen if she wanted. She was determined herself to let the Greengrass twits know that Harry was off limits. Maybe Charlotte could help with that?
-oOo-
Same day…
Pyrenees, France
The trail past the ward stones soon climbed above the trees. Only stone cairns and the signs of a well-worn path let them know they were still going in the right direction. It was windy and longer than they had expected. By the time the sun was getting low in the sky, they had found a rock ledge to set up camp on just after the trail dropped into the trees again. It over looked a valley that was full of the pine forest that dominated the southern slopes. The north facing slopes on the other side of the valley were more a grassy scrubland. The valley took a sharp turn south a few miles up.
They had setup camp, with two of them on guard at a time. A few times they had heard something large in the woods. That night Harry was positive he had seen a troll looking at them from just outside their fire ring. Harry didn't know why it hadn't attacked them, but it didn't.
When the morning came, they made a hasty breakfast before setting out. The path quickly turned down slope, following alongside a stream. Harry swore the large rocks were set like a stair, but a person would have to be twelve feet tall to use them correctly. Sirius was sure it was just a natural thing.
Karl and Anders were on alert, their fingers never far from their triggers.
The foreboding of something watching them grew as they walked into the forest at the base of the valley. Again, they heard something large in the woods. It was late morning when they finally turned south. The forest was still all around them, so Harry couldn't tell how far they were to Beauxbatons, but for the first time his creature detection charm was shaking his watch.
He stopped and held it up. Karl and Anders had their guns raised and ready to fire. "I know, pup. Mine is going off too."
"What do you think it is?" Karl asked as he looked through the trees. They grew close together here and the branches of the pines over lapped. They were thick enough to only let them see maybe fifty feet on each side of the path.
"I don't know, but it has to be something big and not friendly," Harry replied.
"Keep moving," Anders told them.
Harry reached up and withdrew his sword. He wasn't going to be caught off guard. They walked around a bend and stopped. Harry's mouth dropped open to see who was blocking their path.
Five of the largest men he had ever seen stood in a small clearing. The path went right past them, and Harry didn't trust they wouldn't get lost it the trees if they tried to run or go around them. Two of them had huge crossbows pointed at them. The one in the middle had a sword that was larger than a greatsword, while the other two held battle axes with blades half the size of Harry. The one to the left had a double-bladed axe, while the one to the right had a single blade with a large spike on the back.
They were all dressed in furry cloaks with what could have been troll skin vests and pants with thick woven shirts. Thick beards covered their faces. Two of them were braided while the others had round trimmed beards.
Harry wasn't shocked by the giant men. No, Harry was looking at the man on the right with a crossbow.
"C'est assez loin, étrangers. Indiquez ici votre entreprise," the one in the middle asked in a deep voice. Harry could recognize it was French but had no clue what they were saying.
"Hagrid?" Harry said before he caught himself.
The big man Harry thought was Hagrid rose his crossbow. "Comment connais tu mon nom?"
Sirius held up his hands. He only had his wand in his hand. Knowing French, Sirius replied quickly. Karl and Anders moved a little closer. "Do you understand French?" Mr Greengrass enquired in a whisper.
Harry shook his head.
After a few minutes, the five giant men lowered their weapons, but didn't look any friendlier. "What did they say?" Mr Greengrass asked.
"It appears they are the protectors of Beauxbatons. When the last wizards left, they were asked to protect the lands when the ward stones were setup. They want us to go with them to meet the gurg," Sirius told them.
"Are they giants?" Karl asked, looking dubiously at the men.
Harry shook his head. "Half-giants."
"How can you be sure?" Mr Greengrass asked.
"Giants are more than double their heights and would have sooner tried to kill and eat us than talk to us," Harry replied. "Besides, that looks like Hagrid, and I know he was a half giant."
"What are we going to do, papa?" Karl asked.
"I say we go with them. I don't really feel like fighting someone with arms bigger than me," Sirius told them.
Harry nodded to Sirius unasked question. What was the worst that could happen? They had to apparate out of here? Harry hadn't felt anything that would prevent that, and they could easily grab Karl and Mr Greengrass. Harry reached over and pushed Karl's rifle towards the ground. "We go with them."
"I don't like this," Karl said, looking at the men with mistrust.
"I don't either, but we are on their lands," Mr Greengrass said.
With everyone's agreement, Sirius turned back to them and there was another short conversation. After a few, the one with the giant sword turned. Harry put his sword and wand away as they followed. The others fell in behind them as they made a single line to go down the narrow trail.
As they walked through the woods, Harry could feel something else had joined them. Looking back, he saw a giant graphorn walking next to Hagrid. The thing moved like a predator ready to strike as it looked at them. Harry met its gaze, not really fearing it after all the things he had fought in the last few months. He knew its hide would be as magically resistant as the half-giants around him, but it didn't seem to be as large a threat as the axes that were half his size.
The big giant patted the side of the grey beast. It leaned into the touch before turning its attention back to Harry.
None of them talked as they walked. About a half-hour later the smell of wood smoke filled the air. "I think we are getting close," Sirius said from behind him.
"It smells like a lot of houses," Mr Greengrass commented.
Karl said something to his father in Norwegian. The big man before them turned to give them a look and they quieted down. Turning a corner in the path, the forest suddenly opened. A large grassy area, perhaps a hundred yards wide, surrounded a high circular wall. Logs as thick as he was and twenty feet tall made the base of the wall. Above it, a sloped grassy berm was topped by a palisade. The wall itself must have been a half mile across. Smoke could be seen wafting over the walls, and he saw a half dozen or so other half-giants with crossbows looking down at them.
Harry had never seen so many of the half-men before. The only ones he knew of before were Hagrid and the headmistress of Beauxbatons, Olympe Maxim. Looking at the size of the settlement, Harry suspected there must be dozens if not more.
His eyes rose in surprise to see sheep the size of draft horses grazing in the grass outside the walls. Two dogs the size of Fang were panting in the grass next to a young half-giant. The girl must have been close to ten feet tall and her face had the appearance of a young teen. Her thick, dark hair was braided and had a few large sunflowers in it.
Next to her was the largest woman he had ever seen. She was larger than he remembered Headmistress Maxim, and only the giant of a man with the huge sword was bigger than her in their group. Like the girl next to her, she was wearing a dress made of course sheep's wool that had been dyed green and embroidered with flower designs in bright yarns. The huge Shepard's crook in her hand was as thick as his arm.
For once, Sirius didn't make any smart remarks. All four of them were ready for action, unsure what to think of all this. They were led halfway around the walls to a wooden gate house. Just over the trees to the west Harry caught sight of a half-destroyed castle. He had no doubt it was Beauxbatons. He didn't really get a chance to get a better look before they were walking through the gates.
Inside they were met by dozens of the half-giants. The adults ranged in height from about ten feet tall to the almost fourteen of the large one leading them. He noticed young men and woman to grey bearded and haired elders. Perhaps a dozen children or more, ranging from young kids to early teens, were looking at them too. The houses that lined the main street were like the long houses that the Greengrasses had used. Harry knew that giants originally preferred the northern climates, and it seemed that some of the old Celtic influences were still large here. As were the houses. They had to be to allow these giant people to live here. Harry counted a dozen of the long houses, all arranged in squares, before they were led into the centre of the village. A great hall dominated the square. Outside the door were two more half-giants. This time though they were in chainmail. The rings were the size of his fist. The giant swords the held in scabbards were the same size as the one leading them. Each had a graphorn at their sides. The large beasts rose and let out growls that Harry wanted to respond too. He didn't let any of the dinosaurs scare him and he wasn't going to let some overgrown lion-like beast scare him.
The one leading them nodded and led them through the doors. The guards eyed them and the graphorns didn't seem to like Harry. The others stayed outside.
Inside the largest of the long houses Harry was interested to see the ceilings were twenty feet high. Beds, benches and other alcoves were built into the walls with curtains or wooden panels used to close them off. A table capable of sitting a dozen of the half-giants dominated the centre of the room with two fire pits on either end. Towards the back of the building was a large chair, and on the chair sat the broadest half-giant he had ever seen. His hair was black, his beard full and trimmed, his black eyes regarding them like they were flees. The look had Harry's hairs standing on the back of his neck and he felt like challenging the man.
Maybe Lex was right, he was spending too much time with Rexy.
Out of the four of them, the giant man's eyes were on Harry. His free hand went to the haft of a double-bladed axe.
Harry wished he could understand what was being said. He was going to have to ask for a tutor in Spanish and French when they got back home. After a few minutes, Sirius pulled out his wand. "Keep all your wands and weapons away," Sirius told them. "I am going to cast a translation spell on you."
"Why didn't you do that before?" Harry questioned the man.
Sirius gave him a sheepish grin. "I thought it funny how you were miming with that girl at the counter of the gas station, and I can only do it if I know the language."
Karl looked as amused as Harry did, which wasn't much. Mr Greengrass didn't take his eyes off the big man on the throne like chair. "This is Gurg Rolmith. I don't feel like getting into a fight just now, so don't piss him off."
Sirius held Harry's eye for a moment, as though telling Harry specifically. Harry didn't start fights. Not intentionally. He waited for Harry to nod before casting the spell. He did it for all of them and then at the gurg.
"Is it done, wizard?" the gurg asked.
Harry was surprised that they would use that term, knowing giants used it for their tribes and half-giants never wanted to admit they were where they came from.
"It is done. All my friends can understand you now," Sirius said.
The gurg looked at Harry. "Why are you here?"
"To see Beauxbatons and find out if there are any other wizards or witches," Harry replied.
The gurg regarded him. "Why are you here? My shaman says you smell of funny dragons and magic. I sense you are dangerous."
Harry rose an eyebrow. He wasn't that surprised when a curtain opened to the side of the big man. A woman moved out into the fire light. "They all smell of funny dragons, but that one is different," she said to Harry.
"Do you bring these dragons here? Do you seek to destroy us?" the gurg demanded as he stood up. Harry had to crane his neck. Reflexively his wand came to his left hand and his right grabbed this sword handle as he crouched, ready to fight.
"Listen, you bloody wanker," Harry said angrily. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. We just wanted to see what was in Beauxbatons and find if there were more wizards. The funny dragons are called dinosaurs."
The gurg glared at him and the giant graphorn at his side got up. It growled at them. Sirius looked apprehensive but stopped Karl from pulling his gun off his shoulder.
The woman stepped forward. Harry stood his ground. He wasn't going to be bullied. She looked at him, shaking the gurg's hand off her when she went to lean over. Harry didn't take his eyes off the big guy as she investigated his face. Her breath smelled a bit, and she needed a bath.
After a moment, she said, "You talk with the funny dragons?"
Harry was a little taken aback and shook his head before he looked to her. Her dark eyes had a feeling as though she was looking away into infinity. It was like how Luna used to look at him at times. It unnerved him enough that he took a step back.
It was quiet while she waited for an answer. "Ah, yeah," he said. "Some of them."
She nodded her head. "This man is not a danger. I do not smell danger on him, but he is dangerous. It would be wise to respect his power. He is a hunter and has been blooded. They all have, great gurg."
She stood up and moved back towards her alcove she had been in.
Harry watched her go, feeling she had seen much more than she had said. When he looked back to the gurg, he was still standing and palming the grip of his sword. At least it was pointing towards the ground still.
"You will be welcomed and given food and bed. Tomorrow, you seek out the shamans at Beauxbatons. If they agree, you stay. If not, you leave," the gurg pronounced.
"Thank you, great gurg," Sirius said. He put a hand on Harry's and took it off his sword grip.
-oOo-
Later that day…
Isla Sorna, Costa Rica
Owen was tagging along with Muldoon. He was flying out to Isla Sorna to talk with the scientist and handlers about the pterosaurs that would be moved to Isla Sorna just after the new year's when the dome would be complete.
As he followed the muscular man, he watched as Muldoon moved. Like Harry, he was a hunter and had the confidence and movement of someone that could be dangerous at any moment. He wanted to be like them.
After a moment, Owen couldn't help but look around. A storm was coming in. Thunder could be heard off in the distance and dark clouds could be seen over the center of the island. Owen wanted to go there at some point but had been told that only the researchers from Isla Sorna were allowed past the paddocks. Most of the center of the island was wild, from what he heard.
"Owen, we are going to be allowed onto the main factory floor today. You are to stay with me. We are going to look at the latest generation of some of Wu's creations and then take a ride out to the aviary here," Muldoon told him.
"Ok, mister Muldoon. What are we going to see?" he asked.
Muldoon reached into a pocket on his shirt and took out a notebook. "A new sauropod they think is saltasaurus and an oviraptor. They want me to see if there is anything to be concerned with."
"Wicked. Are they going to be released into the park soon?"
Muldoon shook his head. "Now that Hammond has gotten the go ahead from the board, Wu and his team are developing the next set to go to Japan. They are asking me if I want to oversee it, but I think I have enough to do at Jurassic Park."
Owen gave a huge smile. "There is going to be two parks?"
Muldoon looked at him as they reached the glass door to the main building. "That is still a secret. Very few know of it."
Owen made to act like he was zipping his mouth. Muldoon gave him a smile before opening the door. Owen rushed to follow him in.
Inside, they were waived through when Muldoon showed his badge. When they went through the lobby, they walked into an office area that was busy with staff. Most looked like scientists, but he saw others that looked like workers and managers. At the far side of the offices Muldoon let him into a white room with cleanroom clothes.
"Put these on," Muldoon told him.
Owen looked at the pants and shirt. It was like a doctor's or nurse's scrubs. Once he put them on over his clothes, they stepped into another chamber. "Hold your breath and close your eyes."
Owen did as some strange fog was blown on them from above. It was cool and left his skin feeling clammy. "It's supposed to be an anti-bacterial treatment."
Owen nodded, not fully understanding what that was all about. Just before they went in, he was told to put a hair net over his head.
When they stepped out into the area that Muldoon had called the factory, Owen suddenly got what the man had meant. There were dozens of cells with robotic arms and nests. Each area had four nests, work benches and all the equipment he had been told was needed to make dinosaurs. Many of the cells were currently dark, but a half dozen were operational. Signs with the skeletal head and name of each dinosaur in the cell hung at a post.
A pretty woman in blue scrubs met them. "It's nice to see you today, Robert. Henry is in cell thirteen. The newest batch of the latest genomes have been hatching this morning, and they are doing a check up on them."
"Good to see you too, Renee. This is Owen," Muldoon said. "Owen, Renee Zellweger."
She nodded at him before leading them further into the floor. Cell thirteen was almost at the end of the row and was busy with a dozen people, crying baby dinosaurs and a mechanical arm that was busy turning eggs in one of the nests. He wanted to go in and see the new dinosaurs, but it was too busy.
"I want that bloodwork taken straight to sequencing. We need to know if the modifications for this two-point-oh batch worked. Mindy, have the vets get cages ready. We'll move the assets to rearing as soon as possible," Dr Wu ordered before he turned back to a computer he was sitting at.
"You can stay here, if you want," Muldoon said. Owen noticed the man wasn't as pleased to see the activity and the way the baby dinosaurs were being handled. He walked in to talk with Dr Wu.
Owen watched for a few minutes before he heard another robotic arm moving behind him. He turned to see cell twenty-seven. On the post were signs for 'Velociraptor 3.7', 'Protoceratops 1.4' and 'Troodon 1.3'.
Owen didn't know what the numbers represented. He stepped a little closer to watch the arm turn the eggs. A technician was walking around the cell with a clipboard. She marked down a few things and started when she saw him.
"What are you doing here? You're a little young to be a worker," she asked.
Owen gave her a smile. "Mr Muldoon took me along. We're going to see the Pteranodons and tapejara in few."
"Ah, one of the kids that is here on a semester abroad. Listen, kid, don't touch anything. I have to go check on the other cells," she told him.
There was a small crack from an egg near him. She looked down and studied the egg for a few. "Probably another hour or two before it breaks through. Don't touch anything. I'll be right back."
"Sure," Owen said, his eyes not coming off the egg. Once she walked away, he made sure she went into another cell about four down. Behind him everyone was busy with the new dinosaurs and a few more that looked to be breaking out of their shells. Curious at the cracking sound before him, he made sure no one was watching him then he stepped up to the nest. The sign on it said 'Velociraptor 3.7'.
Curious, he looked at the bulge in the egg where something was breaking out. There was a spiderweb of cracks around the bulge. Feeling even more curious, he moved closer, putting his hands on the edge of the plexiglass and leaning over to get a better look.
The bulge moved and the cracks around it grew and opened before settling back down. He had never seen anything hatch before, so this was fascinating. It happened a few more times, then suddenly the bulge gave way, and the cracks broke open. A small head poked out.
Owen just watched as it stopped its movement and seemed to take its first breaths. There was a small chirping cry. Owen didn't think about it as his hands moved inside the nest. He was drawn to the dinosaur. It gave out a few more chirping cries before struggling to break open the egg more.
Owen moved to help it, captivated by its blue colouring down the top of its head.
It was almost completely out when a strong hand grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?" Muldoon said angrily.
Owen started. "It was hatching," he said.
"That is a raptor. You don't want to get involved with them," Muldoon warned.
The thing chirped again. It drew his attention away from Muldoon. It had gotten out of the egg and was laying on the fresh straw. Its breathing was rapid. Owen was captivated by the blue marking on it, as well as the lines. Harry's t-rex was a powerful hunter. Something about this screamed lithe hunter.
"Are you listening to me?" Muldoon asked.
"Yeah. Yeah," Owen said. He was captivated by the raptor.
"How disappointing," another man said. "I had hoped this batch would have feathers. The genome suggests they should have them."
"She's beautiful," Owen said.
"Oh, bloody hell. Not you too," Muldoon said.
"What do you mean?" Dr Wu asked.
"I think Owen here just found his family, or whatever they call it," Muldoon said.
The little thing was now trying to stand up. It chirped wildly every time it caught sight of Owen.
"You mean familiar? Like Harry and Rexy?" Owen asked in delight.
"Well, I've not seen any other clutch do that with someone else," Muldoon growled.
Owen reached in to help the little guy stand. It leaned into his hand. Owen could feel something pass between them.
"Interesting. I've been wanting to study that link," Dr Wu said. "Can you describe what you are feeling?"
Owen smiled. "It's like it knows me."
Muldoon snorted. "Great. I guess we have to let this clutch live?"
"Hammond wanted more," Wu responded. "Owen, can you describe exactly what you are feeling?"
Owen just knew he had found a lost part of himself he hadn't known he was missing.
-oOo-
That night…
Pyrenees, France
Harry found himself sitting on a log at a table obviously made for children. The larger ones were too big for them unless they used a highchair or booster seat. Thus, they sat at the kid's table. In a way he found that a little amusing at the way Sirius grumbled about it. Karl and Mr Greengrass took it a little more stoically.
Looking around the large longhouse they were in, Harry was conflicted at their company. Hagrid was sitting at the table, a small girl (the size of Harry) was bouncing happily on his knee. A woman was ladling an aromatic stew into bowls in the centre of the house.
"You said you know me?" the large half-giant asked.
"You look a lot like someone I knew," Harry told him. Harry was happy for the translation spell on his watch.
"As we told the gurg, we aren't originally from around here," Sirius added.
"Few would forget mon 'Agrid," the large woman said as she put a bowl down before Hagrid and the girl. She playfully tapped Hagrid's hand when he went to take up the spoon. "That's for Mrogan."
"Mine daddy," the girl said with a giggle, which turned into a laugh as Hagrid tickled her.
"Not at my table," the woman scolded. Harry had a challenging time pronouncing Aurelie.
Hagrid chuckled as the girl settled down and took up her spoon. Aurelie put a bowl before Karl and him before going back to get more. Harry looked at the bowl. It was the size of a medium mixing bowl. The lamb stew smelled delicious though.
"Where do you come from?" Hagrid asked.
"My son and I were the last wardens of the Durmstrang Preserve. All the families have left now, and we are training under Sirius and Harry to learn proper wand casting," Mr Greengrass said.
Hagrid scratched his chin as his daughter took a large piece of bread. "I've heard of that. Used to be seven preserves, from what our shamans tell us. It's sad to hear that Durmstrang fell, but you are the first wizards I have heard about visiting here in forever."
Harry frowned. They had hoped to find others, though this half-giant village was a nice find.
Mr Greengrass looked a little sad. "Yes. My family and others have defended the preserve for many generations. I only left for fear that we would all die out if we stayed."
"It is good to see little people that do not hunt us or try to use those new contraptions to capture us," Aurelie said as she brought over bowls for Sirius and Mr Greengrass. "I get worried every time 'Agrid goes out to the wards."
Hagrid took her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss the back of it. "I am one of the wardens, mon chere. It is my job. It keeps you and Mrogan and the one in you safe."
She blushed to have Hagrid show her such affection before strangers. "I still worry. Now eat up. We still need wood for the night and the pens checked."
"Yes, mon chere," Hagrid said with a chuckle.
"Papa is being sweet to maman again?" their daughter asked.
"Your papa is always sweet. Now, what is this talk of Durmstrang? I don't think there has been word in many years," she said, putting a bowl before Hagrid and sitting herself with her own.
"I am afraid the wards grow weak, and we don't have the blood and magic to keep them strong anymore. I am hoping to return and keep up our sacred family's oath to protect it, but don't think we will before the wards fail," Mr Greengrass said.
"That will be a day or morning should we lose more of our heritage," Hagrid said a little sadly. "I hear there are still dragons and other creatures there."
He hadn't realized how hungry he was. The stew was fantastic. Harry had to smile as he ate. The Hagrid he knew was still partly there. He wondered if Hagrid knew how to cook now too, or if his rock cakes would be just as inedible as before?
"There are dragons. We fought one over the summer," Karl said.
"You didn't kill it, did you?" Hagrid asked worriedly. The graphorn, which had been happily sleeping by the fire, lifted its head to look at them at Hagrid's concern.
"No. We stunned it and moved it back into the wards," Sirius told him. He shared a small smile with Harry, obviously remembering the man they both had known.
Hagrid let out a long breath. "Very few creatures left since the Inquisition. Very few wizards and others. We only know of the goblins that still have their mines and holds to the east, in the high mountains."
Everyone at the table perked up. "Goblins are still around?" Harry asked first.
"Aye. We trade with them. Aurelie is one of our speakers when we venture that way," Hagrid said with some pride towards his wife.
"Tricky little ones. They always try to get the best deal and you need to be cautious of their double talk. Once agreed, they will never go back on their word, you just need to be careful how they interpret the best way to go about it though," Aurelie said. "I notice that you have a goblin blade, young one. How did you earn it? Or do you know of another enclave outside of Rognarth?"
Harry shook his head. "We all thought the goblins were dead. Sirius and I have been here about eight months and haven't been able to find anything on them. Sirius and I found the goblin forged blades when we first went to Hogwarts."
This got the two half-giants' attention. "Hogwarts? Is it still standing?"
Sirius shook his head. "We found one of the ghosts that said it fell in the early seventeen hundreds and no one ever came back. Harry knew of a secret chamber that was still there. The swords we have once belonged to long ago relatives."
Harry was wondering if he should maybe offer a small knife or something to the half-giants for their hospitality. He was sure the goblins would trade handsomely for it. He also wanted to talk with the goblins. Maybe they could shore up the wards around Durmstrang and check out Hogwarts? Harry didn't want the magical world to really get out. The more he learned about what the Inquisition had done, the more protective he was starting to feel. Especially after how Owen had been found.
"Have you heard from any of the other preserves?" Karl asked. "We are talking about going to Canada in the spring."
Hagrid scratched at his beard again as his wife shared a look at him. "You need to go to Beauxbatons tomorrow and talk with the shamans. They know more about this than I do."
"I am not sure my sister will be as pleased to see the wizards," Aurelie said.
"Runthag has approved of them. I don't see Olympe rejecting them," Hagrid said.
Harry's eyes went a little wide. What were the chances?
"Olympe is not as accepting as Runthag," Aurelia said. "Besides, she has to have forgiven us by now."
Hagrid looked to be frowning under his beard as Mrogan was just watching all the adults.
-oOo-
C'est assez loin, étrangers. Indiquez ici votre entreprise, = That is far enough, strangers. State your business here.
Comment connais tu mon nom? = How do you know my name.
-oOo-
Next time on The Magic of Amber: Beauxbatons, more wizards and their luck runs out…