Strange Dreams

26th of July, 1998.

Charlie took a deep breath. How he liked being back at Ennerdale. He walked his draconic companions over to the Sanctuary and released the dragons. He was glad that Qozul was there to introduce the newly arrived Crystalbacks. It would get very repetitive after a while and Charlie was glad it wasn't his job. He looked around as he headed back towards the house. Harry was standing not that far from the water. He was moving slowly and deliberately through several poses that looked easy to do. Charlie doubted that was the case though. "Good morning," he said as he got closer.

Harry stopped and moved into a neutral stance. "Good morning," he said.

Now that Charlie had gotten closer he could see how tired Harry looked. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

Harry sighed. He had avoided talking about his nightmares with everyone else. He knew that pushing Charlie away could cost him more than he was willing to lose. He walked up closer to Charlie and told him what was going on.

"What do you need from me?" Charlie asked as he wrapped his arms around Harry.

"A shoulder to cry on… a punching bag," Harry said.

"Teach me how to fight like you do," Charlie said. "I want to be able to keep up with you."

"It is tough training," Harry said. "You'll hate me."

"It'll be fine," Charlie said. He was fine… or at least that was what he told himself. He had been right in his assumption that the movements Harry performed were not easy to do. He was just really good at them.

Draco walked out of the house an hour or so later and laughed as Harry pushed Charlie to the ground. "Did he volunteer?" he asked once he had stopped laughing.

"He did," Harry said.

"Fool," Draco snorted.

"You do it then," Charlie said. "It's bloody hard."

Draco shrugged and walked up closer to Harry. He moved into the first stance and Charlie starred as Harry and Draco started exchanging strikes. He could see that Harry was going easy on his apprentice, but he was also pretty sure that Draco could do worse. In the end, Harry pulled back and bowed. "You're doing well," he told Draco.

Draco was breathing heavily, but he was smiling cockily. "I have a good teacher."

"Not what it sounded like back in Romania," Charlie said.

Draco shrugged. "I had some frustration to work out before it became obvious," he said. "Now I wouldn't trade this though I have a gripe with you," he told Harry. "You said Kato wasn't good at potions yet you sat the NEWT in the subject."

"I have no drive with potions," Harry said. "I'm never going to be great at them, a potential you have. However, I spent a lot of time with people who are good and I am a decent sounding board."

"So you basically self-studied potions so you and I can talk about them without me feeling like I'm talking to an idiot?" Draco said.

Harry chuckled. "Something like that," he said. "Though it wasn't just you that I had in mind, it does apply to you as well."

"We should be getting our grades soon right?" Draco said

"Any day now," Harry said. "Hermione is going to be ecstatic and floo over the moment she is holding hers. Neville is probably coming too."

"I'll live," Draco said.

"Ron'll send me a letter," Harry said. "He got accepted into the Auror program and is working his ass off to prove that he belongs there."

"A nice change from back when he'd leech off you and Granger," Draco said.

At some point, while they were talking Charlie had left. He returned with Harry's bow and quiver. "So, how do I use this?" he asked.

"You don't," Draco said.

Charlie gave him a flat look.

"No really," Draco said. "Try pulling that string. Trust me you have no idea how strong Harry is."

Charlie put the quiver down and tried his damnedest to pull the string. Unlike Draco he could budge it but not much more than that. He handed it to Harry. "You can use this?" he asked.

Harry took the bow and knocked an arrow. He drew the string back like it was nothing and aimed at one of the apple trees. He let the arrow go and it flew through one tree and into the next. "See if you can find the arrow," he told Charlie.

Draco just smiled. It was much more fun to be in the know. He understood why Harry did this the way he did now. "Do you think he'll find it?" he asked.

"If he looks in the tree," Harry said. "I should get some practice bows from the goblins. Did you still want to learn?"

Draco considered the offer for a moment. He'd probably never need it, and he was going the Healer route. "No, I'm fine," he said.

"Fine with what?" Charlie asked. He had returned with the arrow, or rather he was holding an apple that had the arrow sticking through it.

"I'm going to get some practice bows from the goblins," Harry said. "I asked Draco if he wanted one."

"I certainly do," Charlie said. "You can't teach me any of that fancy smancy magicka of yours I want to learn the other stuff."

Harry laughed and staggered slightly. He was feeling lightheaded. He could feel Charlie grabbing him.

"I think you need something to eat and a nap," Charlie said. He started pushing Harry towards the front door slowly.

"Please, let's stay outside," Harry said. "Winky can bring a blanket." He started pulling Chalie towards the lake. Winky was already there and spreading a blanket out in the grass. A few cushioning charms later and the blanket was as comfortable as could be. Harry sat down and smiled at Winky as she brought him food. "Thank you," he said.

They ate and spoke for a while. Charlie updated Harry on the dragons and they spoke of what else had been going on in Britain. Eventually, Harry nodded off and Charlie sat there looking out over the lake. He saw movement in the water. A Selkie child poked their head up and looked around. Charlie waved at them and they tentatively waved back. Ennerdale was slowly becoming a place for many different races to stay and flourish.

An owl flew in and dropped a letter addressed to Kato Peverell next to Harry. Charlie moved it aside before laying back. It was nice to be back. Despite not having been to Ennerdale that many times he could see this as home. He loved the wild nature and the lake. He knew his parents would be overjoyed if he moved back to Britain. He ran a hand through Harry's hair. Now he just needed to know if Harry was alright with him moving in. They slept in the same room when he was there, but that wasn't the same as making the space his own. He watched the clouds chase each other across the sky for a while before his eyes closed. It was a nice summer day and he was enjoying the breeze.

Suddenly Harry jerked awake. His breathing was erratic and he was sweating. Charlie sat up and rubbed his back. "Hey, how are you doing?" he asked worriedly. He moved slightly as Harry got to the edge of the blanket and threw up what he'd eaten earlier. His shoulders were shaking and Charlie looked at him with concern in his eyes

"Did you touch them?"

Harry looked towards the voice. "I didn't think I did," he said.

"Your magic could have been enough." It was the Matron. She was watching Harry with a concerned look on her face. "Has this been going on since that day?"

Harry nodded. "It has," he said.

"Then you must come with me," the Matron said. "What you have encountered is an ancient curse carried with our people. It affects the men who hurt us, but sometimes it isn't quite so good at picking its victims. Like them you are human, and while your similarities end there it was enough in this case."

Harry nodded slowly and got up on his feet.

"What is going on?" Charlie asked. He didn't know Mermish and didn't understand what was happening. He stood up and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder as he swayed slightly.

The Matron looked from Charlie to Harry. "Is this your mate?" she asked.

"Yes."

The Matron looked at Charlie for a moment. "Have the two of you copulated?" she asked.

"Yes, but not since I helped your people," Harry answered.

The matron nodded slowly. "Then he should be fine," she said. Her eyes widened slightly as Qozul flew in and landed next to them. "This is the dragon you spoke of?" she asked. She had heard stories of dragons as big beasts that ate Selkies, but she doubted this one would be so dangerous. "They are very pretty."

"This is Qozul," Harry said. "He is more or less my son. I raised him."

"You are different with him," the Matron said. "Your aura looks different."

"I am Dragonborn. Dovahkiin," Harry said. "I was born with a dragon's soul."

"That is good for us to know," the Matron said. "Please come with me. We can help. You need not suffer so."

Harry stepped away from Charlie and took the matron's hand. They walked out in the water.

Charlie just stood there watching until they were gone. He picked the letter up and folded the blanket. He wasn't quite sure what to do. He didn't know what the Selkie had said.

Remus was sitting in the kitchen with Leoline when Charlie walked in. "What did Harry do now?" he asked.

Charlie told Remus what had happened as he sat down by the table. He was confused and a little hurt. He cared about Harry, but Harry seemed so closed off at times.

"He probably didn't even realise that you couldn't understand them," Remus said. "He is exhausted. He can't sleep and he can't keep food down. I doubt it is anything personal. He just overlooked that detail. He isn't all-knowing."

Charlie smiled as Leoline managed to pull his bowl of pasta down into his lap. "I guess you are right," he said.

"I do wonder what the Selkies wanted though," Remus said. "They must have just finished with their funeral rights. They usually don't want anyone else around now." He cleaned his son up with a wave of his wand.

Charlie shrugged. He didn't know much about Selkies so there was nothing he could say. All he could do was hope that Harry would be better when he came back.

Down in the lake, Harry had been led to the central square of the village. The tribe was gathered all around. "You must lay down," the Matron said as she placed her hand on a big flat rock.

Harry moved forward and so did four Selkies. They each held a rope made from seaweed with a hoop in one end.

"We will have to bind you. The ritual is painful and you could hurt yourself," the Matron said.

Harry nodded and held his arms out. He trusted that the Selkies wouldn't hurt him after he had saved them and offered them shelter. The ropes were tightened around his wrists and he was lowered down on the rock before his feet were grabbed and bound down. He wondered briefly if the ropes would hold if he really wanted to get loose, but in the end that didn't matter. He wasn't planning on fighting them.

A soft wordless song rose in the crowd. The Matron moved forward while drawing a gruesome-looking dagger. She quickly cut Harry's shirt open and pulled it to the side. Her hand felt cold against his skin. The dagger was sharp as it cut into him. His blood joined with the water. He could ignore the pain but not the images appearing before him. Without thinking he tugged at the bonds holding him down when they did not give way he pulled harder. Why was he bound?

The dagger pressed against Harry's skin again. He tried to pull free.

He couldn't.

His eyes started glowing as his magic built up but found no release.

"He is too powerful," one of the guards said.

"Hold tight," the Matron ordered. She started chanting. One of her hands was firmly pressed against Harry's chest, pushing him down against the rock. She hoped he could hold on just a little bit longer. They were almost done. His magic was taking form before her. She could see a big dragon taking shape. Harry roared and she cut the last flourish into his skin. She moved back quickly as the dragon turned its head towards her. Big jaws opened and a mist of bubbles showered over her.

The guards drew their weapons.

"Stay back!" the Matron ordered.

"That is a beast about to attack," the guard said.

"No," the Matron said. "He won't attack." She swam closer to the dragon. "He is just protective." She saw a scale that looked dirty and broken. Carefully she reached out and pulled at it.

The scale crumbled to dust as the dragon disappeared.

Harry had stilled but his chest was rising and falling as he breathed. The Matron could tell that the curse of her people had lifted from him. She picked up a small bowl and applied a slave to his wounds. She needed to get him back to the surface. She had no idea how much longer his waterbreathing would last. She ordered the guards to let him go before lifting him up. "I shall return him to his mate," she said. She swam back up to the surface and walked towards the house.

Charlie came rushing out, but he wasn't alone. A woman with bushy brown hair was right behind him. "What happened?" she asked in Mermish.

"He was affected by a curse connected to harming our people. It wasn't meant to happen, but we do not control it. We have healed him, but he must be tired," the Matron said.

Hermione touched Harry's face. "You foolish and brave man," she said.

"I leave him in your capable hands," the Matron said as she held Harry out towards Charlie.

"Take him and I'll explain what I can," Hermione said.

Charlie took Harry and the Matron backed off before heading back to the water. He looked down at his boyfriend. His chest held silvery scars in long swirls that he was sure hadn't been there before. "What is going on?" he asked.

"I would wager a bet that the nightmares Harry has been having were brought about by a curse." She explained what the Matron had said.

"So, he should be alright now?" Charlie asked.

"He should be," Hermione said. She was sitting next to Harry in his bed. He had so many scars. "Don't scare us like this big brother," she said.

"I keep forgetting that," Charlie said. "He has more family than you'd think from just hearing his name."

"All those people who keep calling him the Boy-who-lived have no idea what kind of person he really is," Hermione said. "I want to know when he wakes up… you know if it is a reasonable hour." She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"Is everything alright now," Remus asked.

"According to the Matron he'll be fine," Hermione said. "You know you can call me over if you need help."

"It took me a while to remember that you also learnt Mermish," Remus said. "I wasn't really worried they would hurt him. They would have broken their vows to the goblins if they had. I just thought Charlie could use some support."

"Doesn't matter. I'm happy to help," Hermione said. "Though I will be heading to Bulgaria in September. It might become harder to just show up then." She smiled and sat down with Leoline. "For now though I guess I could read a little to you, Leoline," she said.

27th of July, 1998.

It was early in the morning. The sun had yet to rise. Harry rolled over and felt how something warm and heavy fell off his chest. He groaned as he moved around again. Charlie was sleeping soundly. Harry reached out and ran a hand over his shoulder. He raised his arm slowly and let the moonlight catch in the silver scars along his bicep. More scars to add to the collection he guessed. He moved closer to Charlie. He was still dead tired. At least the ritual had worked. Not that he remembered much of it. He could probably bring it up if he worked on it… not now though.

Hours later closer to noon the shower was running in Harry's private bathroom. Long fingers were slowly moving over tan skin.

There was a knock on the door. "Can I join you?"

Harry smiled. "Sure," he called. He was standing with his back to the door. He could hear it click open. It didn't take long before a soft puff of cold air followed Charlie in. He felt calloused hands run over his back. He was smiling as he turned around and pressed himself against Charlie's broad chest. "I'm sorry if I scared you," he whispered.

"Make it up to me," Charlie said jokingly. He didn't quite expect the smirk on Harry's face. He shuddered as Harry started placing kisses down his chest. He moaned and braced himself against the shower wall. His breathing picked up and the water felt almost cooling running down his chest. "Why did you stop," he growled frustrated.

"My oh my so bossy," Harry said. He backed off and reached up above his head. "Come on," he said as he pulled himself up. "Fuck me."

Charlie smirked as he walked forward. "Now who is bossy," he said and Harry groaned.

"You guys took a long time," Draco said. He was smirking as he looked up from the book he was reading.

"Long showers can be good for the soul," Harry said as he sat down. "You should try it sometime." He picked up the letter that had arrived the day before and opened it up. He started reading through it as Charlie settled down beside him. He moved so they were as close as he could get without looking up from the letter. He sighed. "We should go to this one," he said. "Draco, take a look at this. You want to be a healer. We need to get a better look at this."

"It is in Sri Lanka," Draco said. "A man that has been in a coma for three years woke up and everyone that gets near him ends up with terrible nightmares. Great right after we got rid of your dreams."

"I'll be fine. The ritual they used to get rid of them is a protection ritual as well. The marks I carry will protect me as well as my other training and we'll be using a combined mind unless that bothers you too much."

"That is what you use with Bill, right?" Draco asked. "Is that a good idea?"

"It is perfectly safe if that is what you are worried about," Harry said. "My connection with Bill runs deeper than we have to go."

"Is that because of the Hist?" Charlie asked.

Harry nodded. "We were connected then and it will never go away, but it is a strange kind of connection."

"Not like the Dragon Knight one?" Draco asked.

"No, the Hist connection is accidental and while we accepted it, it doesn't affect us that much unless we mind link. It just makes the link easier to create. I can make that happen with gems and some runes," Harry said.

"Okay, what is a Dragon Knight?" Charlie asked. He knew about Harry's connection with Bill already, and he wasn't sure what he thought of it. This Knight business was another matter entirely.

Harry looked at him for a moment. "I… a Dragon Knight is a person that the Dragonborn binds to their soul. It enables the Dragon Knight to learn thu'um based on the Dragonborn's knowledge. I am the one who figured out how to do it. I bound Rhavaniel to me. She could have died when I left if Katla wasn't there to take over for me."

"You could do this now?" Charlie asked.

"He offered me the possibility," Draco said. "I don't want to do it."

"The Dragon Knight could very possibly die if I do," Harry said. "I don't plan on dying, but you both know my history well enough to know that it is a possibility."

"If I did this… I'd be able to learn thu'um?" Charlie asked.

"Yes," Harry said. "But I want you to be extremely certain that it is what you want. I'm not going to just do it because you decide on a whim that you'd like the added power or closeness or something."

Charlie sat back. He wouldn't lie and say that a part of him wasn't just a little envious of the bond his older brother had accidentally formed with Harry because of the Hist, but was he really so desperate that he needed to become a Dragon Knight?

"We'll have to test that whole mindshare thing because it sounds insane," Draco said. "I prefer being the only person in my head."

"It doesn't… mind sharing doesn't really mean we share everything with each other; that would be very messy. It just gives a bit of a closer connection than simple telepathy. I can't really explain it," Harry said. He moved so he was lying with his head in Charlie's lap. He knew things might get tricky, but it was about time to get started on Draco's training.

"So the two of you are going to Sri Lanka?" Charlie said. "I guess I'll be fetching dragons on my own then."

Harry reached up. "Are you okay?" he asked. "I don't mean to leave you with the dragons."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine. It isn't like I have anything else to do and I wouldn't be any help where you are going," he said.

Harry gave him a concerned look. "What about Romania?" he asked.

"I was fired when I took the job at Dragon's Breath Cavern," Charlie said.

Harry sat up. He considered getting irritated for a moment before catching himself. He really had no right to berate Charlie. "You could have told me that earlier," he said. "I guess we both need to work on our communication skills." He got up and grabbed Charlie's hand. "Let's head out to the dragons. Draco might catch something with us around," he said.

Draco snorted before going back to his book. He doubted they would get anything of value done that day.

30th of July, 1998.

Two owls flew in towards Ennerdale by midday. Harry had been over to see Neville for a bit that morning to wish him a happy birthday.

Draco reached out as the owls got closer. The envelope was fancy with flourishing golden letters. He opened it up and pulled his grades out. He nodded slowly. At least his father shouldn't find anything to complain about. He folded the letter and headed for his room. While he didn't mind Granger, he didn't want to be around when she came to compare grades.

Outside Harry was looking down at his own results.

NASTILY EXHAUSTING WIZARDING TEST RESULTS

Pass Grades: Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades: Poor (P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

HARRY JAMES POTTER HAS ACHIEVED:

Arithmancy: E

Care of Magical Creatures: O

Charms: O

Defence Against the Dark Arts: O

Herbology: E

History of Magic: O

Potions: E

Study of Ancient Runes: O

Transfiguration: E

He chuckled. Well, that had gone as expected. He felt the wards ping. It looked like Hermione had arrived. He started walking towards the house, but he didn't get far before Hermione had reached him and switched their grades. He looked down at her paper. She had cleared all her classes with six outstanding. "Nice," he said.

"You too," Hermione said. "I accepted the liaison job for the goblins. Mom told me I was being silly. I guess she was right, I mean I am qualified so the fact that they are offering isn't that strange."

Harry shook his head. Hermione was very good at overthinking things. He knew his Clan, they would never hire someone just because of association with him. That wasn't how it worked at all, but it had been hard convincing Hermione of that.

"What about Neville?" Hermione asked.

"I was over earlier before the grades arrived," Harry said.

"I should go see him. Do you think it is okay to just drop in?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, yeah he was going to have people coming and going all day," Harry said. He'd be surprised if you didn't show… you do remember that it is his birthday right?"

"Right… I knew that I just got distracted," Hermione said. She gave him back his grades and took her own. "I'll see you later."

Knowing that she wasn't coming back that day, Harry headed over to the dragons. He needed a plan of action.

"Has she left?" Draco asked as he joined Harry.

Harry laughed. "She isn't dangerous you know," he said. He petted Qozul gently and removed old scales.

"I know that," Draco said before sitting down. "I just don't want to compare myself to her. She is really smart. I get it. I just don't want that comparison."

Harry nodded as he rubbed Qozul's belly. "I get that," he said. "Your career isn't really affected by those grades anyway so it isn't like it matters."

"What is your career choice really?" Draco asked.

"Oh, I'm a Warder, a Healer and a Dragon Keeper. I dabble in Curse-breaking and I am a mercenary of sorts," Harry said. "I could never keep to just one thing," he said. "That's why I'm suggesting that you narrow a bit more. If you become a Potion Master and a Healer, you could develop methods that I haven't even considered. I can do some of everything. Narrow your field and become better than me. I don't mind in the least."

"You aren't what I imagined," Draco pointed out.

"Things would have been different if I hadn't gone to Skyrim," Harry said. "I wouldn't have been this ambitious without Katla and the rest. I have no idea how things would have turned out if I had never gone."

"Not something we have to worry about though," Draco said. He sighed. "So how do we do that mind meld thing?"

Harry thought about it for a moment. Sure he could set up a ritual every time they needed to do it or… he could enchant something that Draco could wear when they needed to do it. "One moment," he said before disappearing. He rummaged through the jewellery he had brought and picked out a rather simple moonstone necklace. He returned outside and sat down next to Draco again. The little lights along his left hand started glowing as he formed the enchantments he needed. He held the necklace out once he was done. "Put this on. I'm not sure how well it will work, but I hope that it will work."

Draco took the necklace. He put it on and Harry noticed immediately as he did. Draco's eyes widened as he felt his Master's magic hanging right over his heart. He reached up and grabbed the necklace before connecting to it with his mind.

Harry stood back up. He apparated away. 'Still with me?' he asked.

'Yes,' Draco answered.

'Can you see through my eyes?' Harry asked. He waited a moment as Draco tried to figure out how to do what he had been asked. This kind of magic was very instinctual. There wasn't really a way to explain it.

'I see," Draco said. It was a little strange to look through someone else's eyes, but apart from his lack of control, it was similar to connecting to his familiar.

They walked into St Mungo's and Harry headed through the corridors. Draco watched as Harry brought up diagrams and charts. He could see those just fine. Then suddenly he was seeing shapes of different colours straight through the walls. 'What is that?' he asked.

'That is a thu'um,' Harry said. 'I take it, you can see it?'

'Yes,' Draco said.

'Disconnect now unless you want to be looking at yourself,' Harry said. 'According to Bill that is kind of unnerving.'

'Give me a moment,' Draco said.

Harry waited until he could no longer feel Draco's presence until he apparated back again. "What do you think?" he asked.

"I think that should work quite well," Draco said. "The connection runs through the necklace so I can just disconnect whenever I want to."

"I had a feeling you would prefer something that felt more tangible," Harry said. "We're doing a few more tests and then we're off."

2nd of August, 1998.

Kato and Draco stepped out of the Goblin-run bank located in Kandy, the Magical Capital, of Sri Lanka. The magical district was open and airy. The bank looked like most Dwemer made structures. It had taken them a little while to get everything handled at the bank. Now however they were equipped with translating gear so they wouldn't need to bring a guide along. The hospital had several low buildings along Mahaweli Ganga.

Draco was glad that they had opted to wear robes cut in Nirn style because it felt more like their clothes at least weren't that strange as their skin colour clearly stood out. A traditional British robe would have looked really out of place here. It was colourful and clean. He didn't see anyone with a wand, but he guessed they carried them somewhere unless other foci were more common around here. He wasn't sure how much magic differed between Europe and Asia.

"We will get rooms at the nearby Inn then we should head over to the Hospital to check in with them," Kato said. He moved through the crowd fluidly and quickly booked them a double room. It was a little tricky to use the translation gear, but he was pretty sure he'd work out the kinks with some use.

Rohala Ajantha was a set of beautiful buildings with white roofs and blue walls. The hospital looked old but well cared for.

Kato pushed the door open and stepped inside. Healers in mint green, tight-fitting robes walked with determined steps past them. He headed up to the front desk. "Healer Kato Peverell reporting in," he said calmly.

The woman by the desk raised an eyebrow and looked through some papers. "Healer Nimali is unavailable today," she said.

"Then I shall return tomorrow," Kato said. "Will you please inform Healer Nimali that I have arrived and will come back tomorrow?" He bowed and backed away from the desk so others could get help.

"Do you want me to stay behind tomorrow?" Draco asked while they walked back to the Inn.

"We'll set some temporary wards today and set you up with as much literature as we can manage. I don't know that much about this part of the world," Kato said. "The Dwemer handed me books that should give us some insight."

Draco nodded. He was getting the feeling that he was going to be doing a lot of research in the next few days. At least Kato was also going to teach him healing spells, both magicka ones and other spells.

3rd of August, 1998.

Draco sat on the floor with books all around him. He was wearing the mind necklace, but he wasn't connected to all of Kato's senses, just his hearing. Thankfully, the translation devices still worked. He wasn't sure it was his own or Kato's that allowed him to understand what was being said, but that wasn't really important right now.

Kato reached Rohala Ajantha and walked inside. He waited his turn. The case he was there to review wasn't going to get any worse. A man was sitting behind the desk that day. He gave Kato a bored glance as he approached. "I'm here to see Healer Nimali. My name is Kato Peverell."

"Go to building five," the man said.

"Thank you," Kato said. He walked outside and checked the map outside. Building five seemed to stand apart from the other buildings. Little white uniyala grew along the path to the water. A small smile played on Kato's lips as he walked. It was nice to be away again. He hoped nothing too dangerous was going on. The letter he had received didn't give enough information for him to make more than an educated guess.

The door to house five was warded. Kato placed his hand against the wards. They weren't goblin-made, but they were some pretty good wards. He pulsed magic against the door.

'Some of these things are really gruesome,' Draco commented.

'Injuries tend to be that way,' Kato noted.

The wards hummed as the door opened. A woman with long black hair tied up in a braid and chocolate-coloured eyes looked outside. "Healer Peverell?" she said.

"That is me," Kato said.

"Good come in," she said as she grabbed his arm and yanked him through the ward.

Kato caught himself as she let go and quickly followed her through a long corridor. At the end lay a room filled with sleeping people. Most seemed to be Healers though there were a few other people around as well.

"This is Tharindu," the Healer said. "He is the source of the curse that is keeping the rest dormant."

Kato walked closer to the bed. 'Ready Draco?' he said

'Ready,' Draco responded. He connected to the rest of Kato's senses. So this was the man they had come to take a look at. He watched the chart that appeared when Kato cast the first diagnostic spell. Everything looked normal.

"Those spells don't seem to work," the Healer said. "We have tried over two dozen different ones and not gotten anything."

Kato nodded slowly. He moved closer to the man and reached out with his mind carefully. A web of minds opened up to him and he pulled back. "They are all connected," he said softly. "Like a spider web."

"I would suggest you avoid touching any of them," the Healer said. "It doesn't necessarily pull you in, but it could happen. I have lost a lot of good colleges that way."

Kato nodded slowly. "I will have to study this further," he said. "My apprentice is anchoring me. If you have somewhere else you are needed please feel free to leave."

"I will check in on you Healer Peverell," the Healer said.

Kato nodded. He was already reaching out towards the web again. He was wondering if he couldn't figure out a way to disconnect people from it. He touched a thread carefully. Images played before him, but they were detached like he was looking at them through a window or on a TV screen.

'This is crazy,' Draco said. 'I can't find anything even remotely similar to this.'

'I can," Kato said. 'The Daedric Prince Mephala built webs to ensnare mortals. Their webs were more chaotic though. These don't feel like they belong to one of the Princes.'

'That is a good thing too, right?' Draco said.

'Yes,' Kato said. 'Our world doesn't have any protection against Daedra. If only one of them came here it would lead to disaster.' He reached for another thread and watched the dream that played. So far he couldn't find anything malevolent with what was going on. That didn't mean there wasn't something hiding, though. He certainly wasn't about to let his guard down.