Chapter 3

(Little AN: One of the reviews brought this concern up so I will spoil only this much. No, Harry will not be the lapdog of either side nor will he ever truly be considered a "green" or "black". At times, it might seem like he leans towards one side but you'll understand why later. Some of the worst GOT fanfics I've read have been from people who heavily favor one side. You need some moderation or else you'll ruin the plot and characters to appease the fix-it fantasies. This isn't a fix-it fanfic. Please bear with me. That's all.)

Harry sat at one of the library's secluded desks while he brushed Fawkes and fed him some of his favorite treats. Stasis frozen meat cubes. What kind of meat? You don't need to know. Fawkes squawked once before flashing away with the plate holding the rest of the treats. 'Damn flaming chicken. I really should've seen that coming.' Fawkes had been too well-behaved and it was all a ruse to get him to lower his guard. Fawkes 1 - Harry 0.

He got up from the chair and proceeded to head out for some fresh air. It was nighttime and the library was empty except for a few lectures going on in the main conference room. His reading session was a waste of time except for learning more about the noble houses that made up the Seven Kingdoms. Their sigils, mottos, and basic alliances would all probably come in handy later. At least he hoped so or these sessions would have been for nothing. Essos and the other continents would have to wait for the meantime. The books had provided no meaningful information and he was ready to call it quits. There were no maesters with the Valyrian link as far as he could tell. Oldtown was immense so if they were holed up elsewhere then Harry would have to rely on luck to run into them. Another day wasted but he could handle the pain.

As Harry made his way out he stopped as the sounds of quiet sobbing came from a nearby table. Passing by a couple bookshelves revealed a crying white-haired child who was trying to hide beneath a large book. It was dark outside and this kid clearly wasn't an acolyte or maester. Upon a closer look, he realized that this must be one of the Targaryens or at least a dragonseed. More likely that it was an actual Targaryen seeing as the child or teen was dressed like a noble. He could just barely feel magic stirring within him. The amounts were comparable to a squib but Harry didn't really give it importance. Squibs were usually outcasts and mistreated due to their muggle-like status. They could only look on at something they would never be able to do. The selectiveness of Magic could be so cruel sometimes.

Was this Targaryen maybe also some kind of outcast within his family? Only one way to find out.

"Hey kid, it's dark outside. I'm sure your parents will start to worry if you don't make your way back now." The white-haired teen looked up in surprise and quickly became angry with his presence. Harry was surprised to see that he was missing an eye. Unless he was wearing the eyepatch because he too liked living life in the high oceans. If so, then Harry approved of the outfit and would be happy to share his knowledge of the sea with him.

"Kid? I am one of the princes to the Iron Throne. You will address me as Prince Aemond, Son of King Viserys or I will have your tongue cut out." 'Wow what a vicious child,' Harry thought.

"Alright alright, take it easy. Kid. Just heard someone crying like a little girl and wanted to see if there was a maiden I could offer some aid. To my surprise, it turns out to be a Targaryen prince. Who would have thought?" Harry inwardly laughed as Aemond's face flushed red in anger. To Harry's legitimate surprise, Aemond actually drew his sword and swung it at him. The speed was too slow for Harry's magic-enhanced senses but he didn't expect this murderous intent from the previously crying kid. After some more easy dodges, he finally kicked Aemond in the back when he put too much of his weight into a swing. Aemond quickly got back up after eating whatever the floor was made of. His frustrated face gave way to a look of fear after the thrashing he received. Aemond's terrified face signaled the return of his common sense and the realization that this was an opponent he was not going to beat.

"Guards! Guards!" Aemond screams out in panic as a group of Hightower knights immediately run around the corner with their swords drawn. Harry made sure it was just them and that no other person was nearby to spectate what he was about to do. While they were rushing him, he lashed out with a psychic attack on their minds which commanded them to freeze until he decided otherwise. Aemond's expectant face slowly died as he looked between Harry and his frozen knights.

"What are you all doing?! He is right there! Cut him down now! I commanded you all to mo..ve" Aemond finally realized that the state of his sworn shields wasn't because they were disobeying him but rather something this mysterious stranger did.

"Don't worry about them, I didn't hurt them. They will move just fine whenever I'm done here which is pretty much now." Harry makes a huge show of taking a long look at an imaginary watch. Not that they would know what that was.

"Ho- how? You are a sorcerer just like those old stories about Old Valyria! Are you a Valyrian too? Who are you?" Aemond exclaimed in surprise.

"Harry Potter, at your service. Don't know much about this Valyria but I'm just a simple sorcerer making his way through here. Now Valyrian links do interest me though. Please be a dear and don't tell anyone what you saw here. Nobody will believe you, I can assure you. Now, I have important things to do like finding some hiding grey rats." Harry mockingly bowed before waving goodbye. He meant it too as Harry cursed the kid with the Cassandra affliction. If he ever tried to tell anyone what really happened, he would be dismissed as a liar. Nasty and very effective while also being very hard to detect. Harry didn't really want to mess with the mind of someone belonging to a magical royal family. He didn't want to incur the wrath of the entire kingdom in case the Targaryens discovered that someone tampered with the mind of one of their own.

"Maester? What would a powerful sorcerer like you be looking for a maester? There was plenty here a while ago, none of them were hiding."

"Yeah, I know but I need the ones with the Valyrian link in the chain around their neck. I checked this entire place and I couldn't find a single one. And that's as far as I am willing to look for them. I won't be scouring the entirety of Oldtown for the next couple of months just on the off chance I nab one of them." Harry conjured an image in the air of the Valyrian link in the chain and how it was presented in the book.

"Wooow. Yes, the Valyrian link signifies the study of the Higher Mysteries. It all makes sense now. Of course, you would be looking for one. You won't find one here in the Citadel, they aren't well respected and are frequently sent off to unimportant castles. I know of one here in Oldtown that I can help you find. My father loves to discuss the old ways of Valyria with the few who pursue this study. The one here now is Maester Krazn Aemond looks to have finally calmed down from the previous terror he was feeling and was now looking at Harry with admiration.

"All right, let's get a move on. Your guards will return to your home so that no one becomes suspicious. You'll have more than sufficient protection as you can testify personally. And on the way tell me why you were crying. I'm bored right now and Targaryen dirty laundry seems like something interesting. The unseen side of the most powerful family in Westeros." Aemond sighed before brightening back up at the thought of going on an adventure with an actual sorcerer. This was a bedtime story come true.

'Maester Krazn huh? A simple vendor with a stall in the Scribe's heart. The man he was looking all over turned out to be...whatever.'

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Aemond and Harry made their way down the dark streets while under the cover of their hoods. The night sky illuminated the way towards one of the residential parts of Oldtown. Harry made sure to extend his notice-me-not towards Aemond so that they could go undisturbed by the patrolling city guards or anybody really. There was the occasional lurking stranger in shadowy corners probably waiting to catch some poor sap unawares.

"How are the guards ignoring us? They don't know who I am because of this hood yet they pass right by us without so much as a glance?" Aemond was puzzled by their behavior and stopped recounting his story.

"Sorcerer, remember? They aren't able to perceive us because I don't allow them to. Now where did you leave off?" The story was actually quite tragic but also very interesting which was a plus as Harry loved a good tragic story. Aemond took a moment to digest what I said before shaking off his wonder, to my great amusement.

"Oh yeah, the cowards tried to claim Vhagar before even attempting to actually tame her. Rhaena said it belonged to her because her mother had been the previous rider. Dragons aren't passed down and anyone can attempt to tame one if there isn't a rider. Vhagar chose me and not her. They took my eye away with a knife in the ensuing fight and my father punished no one except for me just because I called that whore's children what they really are. Bastards. I was sent away from the capital by my Mother to her family's lands to see if my eye could be saved. Unfortunately, the maesters here could only confirm what the Grand Maester also stated. My eye is now lost forever and I can still feel it burn sometimes. My brother, Aegon, is also furious with me because I blamed him for letting me know about the true nature of Rhaenyra's children. What was I supposed to do? Let my father punish my mother in front of everyone? I could not stand to see them delight in my mother's shame. I would sooner raze the entire realm with Vhagar than allow anyone to lay a finger on her." Aemond's previously angry face turned loving and reminiscent.

"Yes, I would also protect my mother's image against any who would attempt to dishonor it. A good son should always be there for his mother and I'm sure your mother appreciates all you do for her. Hmmm, are they actually bastards though? I don't see why the king would punish his trueborn children just for insulting a bastard." Harry was worried as he recognized the poisonous hatred Aemond exuded at the mere thought of these people. The seed of hatred was growing rapidly and he couldn't blame him. Aemond found himself powerless against the power of the monarchy and the desires of everyone around him. If he stuck around then Harry would make sure to help curb Aemond's increasingly unstable mind. The love he felt for his mother seemed to be the only anchor left in his life.

"The whore on Dragonstone has always been favored by my father. Even over his firstborn son so much that he refused to change the line of succession to its rightful place. Men have always retained priority in the succession over women. My father is breaking the very same tradition that saw him placed on the Iron throne and all because Rhaenyra reminds him of his dead queen. Mother is far better in every way than that weak woman who died on her second childbirth. The king has two strong male heirs and a beautiful daughter but he still disrespects my mother every time Rhaenyra comes around. He willfully blinds himself to the reality of the situation, Targaryens with Strong looks. What a spectacle she makes of the Targaryen line every time she brings her bastards along. Couldn't she at least hide them like every other dignified lord? Thankfully, her secret paramour Harwin Strong died in that fire or who knows what else they would've done to shame us all. Even the Seven hates that house." Aemond is huffing and puffing by the time he is done.

"Now that's something I would like to see for myself. You Targaryens and Velaryons all have white hair so it would be pretty suspicious if one of you popped out black-haired children. Just remember not to let this vengeance consume you. Believe me, I would know... Since you are now here, where is your dragon? I feel a large magical source near a clearing far north of here. I'm guessing that would be your fire-breathing ride?" Harry didn't really care about whether someone was born under wedlock and he also wondered where Vhagar was if Aemond had truly claimed her. The books made note of the close bond between Targaryen and their dragon.

"Yes, how di- nevermind sorcerer right?"

"Yep."

"I will never get used to seeing it happen before me. Yes, I did leave my dragon in a personal dragon pit my mother had built for our family when visiting Oldtown. Vhagar gets a bit restless at times and can let out powerful flames. It wouldn't be any good if Vhagar were to accidentally burn down the city during one of her moods. She is an old war dragon and needs to let loose with her instincts." Harry marveled at this new piece of information before noticing the similarities between the directions and their current location.

"You have got to be kidding me. He is staying at this inn too." Aemond looked at him oddly before walking towards the woman who was tidying up the entrance.

"Wench, we are looking-" Harry cut him off before Aemond found a reason to have this woman beheaded. The woman would obviously react negatively seeing as she didn't recognize the boy under the hood.

"What my companion here meant is that we are looking for someone we believe is staying at this inn. We would appreciate it if you told us what room he is staying in." Harry smiled at her while grabbing Aemond's hood and pulling down his face.

"No, we don't give out the information of our customers. Now leave this inn or I will call-"

"I order you to give-" Aemond's voice quieted down to muffled noises.

"Tell me what room the maester Krazn is staying in," Harry commanded while transfiguring Aemond's mouth off his face and casting a compulsion charm on the working woman. Harry could see Aemond's frantic attempts to uncover his mouth. Okay, maybe he went a little too far with this one. He was just tired and didn't want to let the situation spiral out of control which would happen once Aemond revealed his identity. Harry did not feel like obliviating an entire district of people.

"Third room on the second floor to your right." The lady says with a smile while continuing her work. Harry dragged Aemond along with him and returned his mouth to him. Aemond took several gulps of air and was relieved to feel the return of his mouth.

"I didn't want you to blow our cover remember? I need to talk to this maester without the whole of the Seven Kingdoms knowing about it." Harry said with mild annoyance.

"Alright, sorry. You didn't have to remove my mouth, I felt like I couldn't breathe for the longest time. It was horrible." Harry just ruffled his head while blowing the door open. He was out of patience and he was done asking properly for tonight.

"So much for that lecture" Aemond muttered while looking away as he noticed Harry's annoyed glare. They both then walked into the room to find their grey rat sleeping on his desk in pajamas.

Krazn who had been sleeping on his desk woke up to the loud bang of his door being blown off its hinges. He looked up and found himself staring at Prince Aemond Targaryen and the noble from a couple days ago while he sat there in his underwear. He was lost for words as to why his door was gone and why the two were together especially this late at night. He was certain that no amount of Higher Mysteries could ever help him understand what in the seven hells was happening here.

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"Well of course my Lord, I'll be happy to help but we could've instead held this session in the Library. And not relieve this inn of the door to this room. They will throw me out if they find the destroyed door and I don't have the coin to pay for the damages." Krazn bowed his head in respect while leaving the implied question hanging in the air.

"Prince Aemond here would be happy to pay for it so don't worry about that. Right, Aemond?" Harry gripped Aemond's shoulder as to let him know the correct answer.

"I would be most pleased, yes. Although I do think knocking would have been the more civilized response I understand that some of us come from lesser beginnings." Aemond snapped back in annoyance while muttering about freeloading wizards.

"You see maester Krazn, Prince Aemond has been appropriately raised and gives to the needy like the Seven tell us to. A man of the gods, such devotion is hard to come by even more so in a prince but not Aemond. No. I like to think that it's my influence which has set him on the correct path." Harry received a hard kick to the shin in response.

"Very well, my Lords. I happen to have some books here and know of a way to obtain what you might be looking for. I will humbly ask if we can reconvene tomorrow. Perhaps when this old body of mine is appropriately rested and... properly dressed?" Krazn interrupted the two who he noted were oddly familiar with each other. He couldn't recall seeing this man hanging around the royal family when he answered King Visery's summons for historical discussions.

"Of course, Krazn. Are these books somewhere in the Citadel or do you have them here in this room? I would prefer if we instead met up in my room. I've never been too fond of big crowds and public areas." Harry asked.

"I have them here in this room. It will be no problem if we meet in your room, my lord. I understand if you would like some privacy to discuss sensitive matters like this." Krazn said while pointing to a chest that held his valued belongings.

"Good, please meet me in my room early in the morning. I will appropriately pay for your services if you can help with what I need. I will now be taking my leave. Come along, kid." Harry said before stopping as he felt his condition overwhelm the iron grasp he previously was holding it with. Aemond and Krazn took a step back as Harry coughed up a disgusting amount of blood all over the floor.

"I understand, my lord. I think I know what you may be looking for. If you want we can start now as your condition is of the utmost urgency. Although, I will say this. I have not come across any remedy that can cure a condition as serious as the one you are experiencing. It is a wonder you are standing with the amount of blood you coughed up just now." Harry waved him off and stopped him from gathering his books.

"No, it's fine. I can hold back and monitor my condition just fine on my own. I'm not as mundane as I look, you know. Right, Aemond?" Harry decided to be more upfront with Krazn before dragging him in further. He snapped his fingers and the blood on the floor vanished leaving it clear of the unsightly mess. He also decided to spare Aemond his coin and just repaired the door while he was at it. Harry then grabbed Aemond and apparated away towards the place where he sensed the guards were set free from his command.

Maester Krazn now had an idea of how this unlikely duo met. A sorcerer would naturally find themselves attracted to magic and what better than the remnants of it, Dragons. He was stunned as he had never seen magic be used so casually before. Maester Krazn had the pleasure of visiting Essos back during his youth but the magic he saw didn't vary in use. Here he just witnessed a man bend reality and disappear into thin air. The fire he once held for the Higher Mysteries came roaring back and he regretted postponing the session. Not only because he was eager to see more but also because he could not fall asleep no matter how much he tossed and turned.

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Aemond's world spun for a moment before it slowed down as he leaned for support against a wall. He looked around and noticed he was back inside the inn, specifically Harry's room. He was still reeling from the ability to travel between two places instantaneously and the nausea that followed the trip. He had felt as though he was being squeezed through a small tunnel for the smallest of moments before being launched out into an uncontrolled spiral. Harry kept true to his promise that he would allow Aemond to join him on his search for the ingredients. He had been getting ready to depart and had even taken the measure to force his uncle not to assign him a guard for the day when he was once again suddenly spirited away without warning.

"Morning kid. This day isn't getting any younger and if you want to join me then I hope you can keep up. Here take this cup of coffee and bottoms up." Harry then ruffled his neatly combed hair as he looked at the odd beverage in his hand. Harry's disregard for royal customs took some getting used to but Aemond found the gestures affectionate in their own special way. Before he could think on this further, a knock at the door announced the arrival of the maester.

"Relax, now go get the door while I set the table for us." Aemond opened the door and found a now properly dressed Krazn wheeling in a cart of books.

"Good morning, my lords. I am pleased to see that you will be joining us as well, Prince Aemond. I took the liberty of only bringing books related to mystical plants which are believed to possess medicinal properties. I do believe this is what you are searching for?" Maester Krazn said as he opened the first book off the cart.

"Very observant, Krazn. Any plants which are related to rebirth, purity, and renewing, will also work." If he could get his hands on a couple of these plants then he was sure he could put together something passable especially now that Fawkes was here to provide some tears. Without them, this would have been undoubtedly much more difficult to pull off.

"You are in luck, my lord. There are a few plants that match the description of what you are looking for. Uh, Prince Aemond, are you feeling alright?" Maester Krazn stopped rummaging through his notes when he noticed Aemond slightly trembling in his seat.

"Oh me, yeah. I'm just feeling somewhat motivated for the day. Continue with what you were saying regarding your findings." Aemond felt as if he was sitting on the most uncomfortable seat in the world. He found it impossible to focus on what the maester was saying. He felt as though he could challenge Sir Criston Cole to a duel right this very moment and come out on top.

"Yes, please go on Krazn. You know how energetic the young are especially at this time of day." Harry laughed at the sight of Aemond shaking in his seat as if ants were crawling up his legs.

"Please excuse I will be right back. You can go on without me, I have to take care of some important royal business." Aemond said before quickly bolting out of the room.

"Of course, as I was saying. Most of the information I will be using comes from "Shrubbery, Being a History on the Flora of the Valyrian Freehold." Maester Mikkellion translated these texts from the High Valyrian glyphs left behind by the dragonlord and part-time botanist, Jaehaelor Mataeryon. The two plants I would like to point out are the silk grasses and purple mangos of Old Valryia. Not many know this but there are a few surviving staches of them left in the world. I only happen to know of one here in Westeros and that is thanks to a friend of mine within the Alchemist's guild."

"The purple mangos are said to be so densely nourishing that Valryians soldiers need only eat one before long journeys. I noted the purity aspect which you were after as well within the pages. The texts tell us that only those of pure heart could consume this plant or else suffer immensely before the Stranger shows them mercy. The silk grasses are also described as being very nourishing and only available to the nobles. Both of these plants are deeply associated with vitality which is what I have come to understand you need, my lord." Maester Krazn passed the open book to Harry before looking into another.

"This will be enough, Krazn. You have outperformed yourself and given me much-needed aid once again. How is it that you would like to be paid? Mountains of gold, higher position within the Citadel, or maybe a wife?" Harry added the last one just in case Krazn wanted to give it a try. He still found the whole chastity vow very restricting and outdated. It wouldn't pose much of a challenge for Harry to 'convince' the Citadel to make an exception for Krazn.

"I will admit, I did not think much about what I wanted out of this. I was only doing my duty and satisfying my curiosity but if you insist I will think of something. Before this old head of mine forgets, I have gone ahead and sent a message to my old friend in Kingslanding. He is a wisdom of the Alchemists and will be of more help with obtaining these plants. This is as far as I come. Everything beyond this point is outside my expertise I'm afraid. If there is anything else I can do for you then you need only ask, my lord." Maester Krazn bowed before getting up from his chair.

"No that will be alright, Krazn. I could not ask for better help and I doubt any exists. Think of what it is you want and I will do my best to see it happen. You are free to go but please take this as a small show of gratitude." Krazn reaches out and grabs the silky red pouch. Opening the pouch revealed a large amount of gold dragons with a small note on top.

"You di-" Harry stopped the maester before he could say what they both knew was a lie.

"Don't refuse my gratitude. I will take offense to this rejection of a heartfelt gift. Have a good rest of your day, Krazn." With this Krazn finally obliged before departing with his belongings. Harry liked the maester and marveled at his good fortune to have run into such a man. A man truly dedicated to discovering more about magic and his studies. Only these kinds of people would find the answers to the mysteries they chased.

"Kingslanding, huh?" Harry turned around and found a much more composed prince.

"Finally done with the important royal business? I wouldn't want to keep you from your important royal duties just to attend to these peasant matters of mine."

"It was that beverage you gave me wasn't it?" Aemond accused him.

"Oh come on, I know you liked it. Just don't drink the whole thing at once and it's not really meant for kids. The wonders of caffeine are wasted on you." Harry lectured while serving himself a much-needed cup.

"It was okay, but are you truly heading to Kingslanding next?" Aemond felt dread at the thought of going back so soon. His mother said she would call for him whenever everyone cooled off and he didn't like the thought of disobeying her.

"Don't worry, I will conceal us and we aren't exactly going there to meet out in the open. Our destination will be a wisdom of the Alchemist's guild. Krazn gave me the location of the entrances to their underground lairs and I'm not too keen on asking for the King's permission." Harry filled Aemond in on the plan before they departed.

"I just don't know how I feel about leaving Vhagar alone for an extended period. How long are you planning to stay with the Alchemists?" Harry finally understood the issue he overlooked in his excitement.

"Oh, don't worry. We won't be taking long and we'll take a more pleasant ride than my apparition. Fawkes!" Harry called out.

Aemond jumped and reached for his sword as a loud explosion of fire appeared out of thin air to reveal a bird. A majestic red bird who was perpetually covered in flames.

"Aemond meet my familiar and phoenix, Fawkes. Fawkes meet the young prince, Aemond Targaryen." Fawkes cawed out in greeting before flying over onto Aemond's shoulder. To Aemond's surprise, the fire did not burn him. He observed how his clothes and skin remained unharmed while the phoenix took the moment to stare into his soul. Fawkes must have seen something he did not like as he trilled out a sad note. What followed was the most amazing song Aemond had the pleasure of hearing. None of the royal musicians could ever compare to the song of this odd bird. He closed his eyes and felt as though there was an invisible burden being lifted off his shoulders. His worries and any negative emotions faded as he felt truly relaxed for the first time in a long time.

"Even after all this time, Fawkes manages to lift my spirits with his lament. I haven't come across any mentions of them in the Citadel's books so I'm not sure if you are aware of their legend. The Phoenix Lament is a beautiful song that brings comfort to the soul while striking fear into the hearts of the impure. I'll let you recover and then we can head out. The first time is always the most memorable." Aemond found it hard to listen but understood nonetheless. He had forgotten when was the last time he had lived life without being constantly on edge. Being prepared for war and conflict with the blacks had caused Aemond to forget what this was like.

(AN: Please leave a review on what I can improve upon. Next chapter- Meeting the Royal Family. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. And as always, enjoy.)