Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.
Hi all,
Here's the promised second chapter for the week. Harry makes contact with the fae realm and continues working on his projects.
Chapter 56
"There's nothing to worry about."
Harry sat in his room that evening, the weight of the fae communication stone in his palm, contemplating the risks and possibilities that lay ahead.
Even if the stone linked him to a hostile individual, they couldn't reach him here, and he could easily turn it off. However, using it only once would be a waste of the points he spent on it. The process of connecting to the fae realm depleted the majority of the stone's magic, and there was no clear way to recharge it.
The stone fit comfortably in his palm. It's strange appearance resembled something out of science fiction rather than a product of magic. Harry's fingers danced over the surface, tracing the peculiar texture that felt like a fusion of plastic and a soft, spongy material. With only two buttons adorning the front, along with a small speaker and a twisted aerial reaching skyward, the stone's appearance left him bewildered. The Source had to be trolling him to come up with such an odd design.
He took a breath, pressed the button. He heard static for several seconds before a male voice appeared on the line, sounding muffled.
"Who is this? How did you contact me without first obtaining permission? Why can't I see you?" The man spoke harshly.
It wasn't the best first impression. What could he possibly say in response? "I am using an item that connects me to a person in the fae realm."
"A fae communication stone? They are rare. Are you affiliated with the Source?"
"I have no idea who that is," Harry lied. "Is it a person or an organisation?"
The man ignored his question.
"Where did you get your hands on one?" he demanded, his curiosity tinged with suspicion.
"That doesn't matter at the moment. Who am I speaking with?"
There was silence on the other end, as if they were considering whether to answer. "My name is Peverell. How about you?"
The name struck a chord with Harry, evoking a sense of familiarity that lingered in the recesses of his memory. "I'm Harry."
"Where are you calling from? Maintaining this connection is costing me a lot of magic."
Harry hesitated. "Europe."
Peverell released a startled exclamation. "How is that possible? I demand that you tell me where you got the stone from."
Harry frowned. "Or I could just hang up. Who are you to make demands of me?"
"Wait! I apologise. I was just surprised that I was speaking to someone from Earth." There was a pause. "Have you heard of the name Peverell before?"
"It sounds familiar."
"Then you must be a wizard. It surprises me that people still recognise the Peverell name."
"How else would I use this stone?" Harry asked, confused.
"It doesn't require magic to use," Peverell replied. "The stone contains the magic needed."
"That makes sense. By the way, what device are you using to speak? How is the stone able to connect to it?"
"We communicate via a scrying pool. They connect to a household, and the fae realm boasts an extensive network of them. A fae communication stone hacks into the network, but it's not very precise."
A network? It sounded like what he was trying to achieve with the two-way mirrors. He had almost completed the initial design and was on the verge of manufacturing one.
"How does one establish a connection with someone else?" Harry asked curiously.
"Each scrying pool requires a password and permission from the owner to connect," Peverell explained. "Before we proceed, here is the password for mine."
The man relayed a chain of seemingly random words, and Harry scrambled for a quill and paper to write it down, even though it was a futile endeavour. "I don't have access to your scrying network."
"Since you have found a fae stone, it's possible that you will discover other items that have a connection to the fae realm. In any case, I have nothing to lose by giving it to you."
Harry could still detect an unasked question in Peverell's tone. He clearly wanted to know how he came across items from the Source. He wasn't about to satisfy the man's curiosity. How could he trust someone he hadn't met before and couldn't see in person? He also came from the Fae realm, which he distrusted on principle.
"How does the fae realm work?" Harry inquired. "Is everyone living there a deity?"
"You know more about the fae realm than you let on," Peverell said, snorting. "No, they are considered gods in this place, and the vast majority of them are assholes. They oppress others due to their greed and desire for power. Although things have improved since the Source's first appearance because they are afraid of its power."
"What is the Source?"
"Nobody knows. Which makes it all the more terrifying, I suppose."
Harry thought about what to ask next. "Have you heard of a deity named Modor?"
"No," Peverell replied. "You must have met them if you speak their name. Through a ritual? I doubt it was a pleasant experience."
Modor probably went by a different name in the Fae realm, Harry realised. After all, it was a name that people gave her. "Let me just say that I don't want to meet her anytime soon."
"I'm not surprised," Peverell replied. There was a moment of silence before he cursed. "Dammit, the connection to your realm is depleting all of the magic from my scrying pool. We don't have much time left."
"Ah, that's unfortunate."
"Listen, make sure to contact me again if you find a method," Peverell said quickly. "Also, if you come across the Deathly Hallows, be sure to collect them. There are three of them, but they are dangerous, so exercise caution when handling them. You can use them to summon…"
Peverell's voice was cut off, and the stone in his hand dimmed. The connection was lost.
Harry threw the stone onto the bed and reflected on everything he had learned from the man. He couldn't be certain that anything he said was true, but some of the details sounded plausible. But his final words were suspicious. He mentioned using the hallows to summon something, possibly himself. It meant Peverell could be a deity, and he didn't trust them at all.
Why did he need the Deathly Hallows, though? What exactly were they, and who were the Peverells? Harry wasn't in a hurry, so he could go about his research at his own pace.
30th July
Harry's tongue poked out in concentration as he meticulously traced the intricate path across the surface with his runic pen. Every stroke required a level of precision that demanded his full attention. A single bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, but he paid it no mind, completely absorbed in his task. A monocle was placed over one of his eyes, giving him enhanced vision similar to a microscope lens but with a few extra features.
It was called the focus monocle, a reward for setting up the gem-crafting station in his workshop. The specialised tool granted him microscopic vision, akin to a microscope lens but with added features.
Among its capabilities, the monocle boasted an X-ray function that allowed him to see through objects of a specific density. Although it could be used for more nefarious purposes, he was a pure soul who would never do such a thing. He was primarily using it at the time to ensure that his current project could be completed, which required extreme precision.
While he hadn't yet delved into the new craft, he was exploring due to Tonks' busy schedule, the focus monocle found various applications in his endeavours. One such application was assisting him in creating spell cards using a new inscription layering technique he was learning.
Harry had been putting off making new spell cards until he mastered this technique, which increased the utility and power of the spells he could create.
Harry was connecting two separate arrays imprinted on different surfaces using the double-tier array, which was a reward he earned for reaching level eleven. The distance between these two surfaces could not be greater than a millimetre. Using the spell cards as an example, it was the same as stacking two of them on top of each other, with the two only slightly thicker than the one.
The design of the double-tier array was deceptively simple, resembling a structure with stacked floors supported by four main pillars at each corner. These pillars served as the crucial points of connection, ensuring the seamless integration of the two arrays. Although he described it as straightforward, it added a layer of complexity to his designs, demanding meticulous care and time during the inscription process. He would have to be more careful with how he used them because he didn't want to spend all of his time creating more.
As the final lines converged to complete the array, Harry let out a relieved sigh and set down his pen. Retrieving the Source, he reviewed the new message, a smile tugging at his lips upon confirmation of the spell card's successful completion. This step had taken far too long to complete successfully.
He had underestimated the difficulty of layering two cards together. With this technique, the spell cards required a lot more magic to function properly, which caused some issues with the sequences he had previously used. Even with the special runic ink he had made for the purpose, it was no longer sufficient to hold the magic in the array and it could potentially blow up in his face.
Recognising the need for an updated conduit sequence to handle the increased magical load, Harry set about designing a new system over several days. Using the versatility of the parseltongue runic language, he created a conduit sequence that outperformed his previous design by more than three hundred percent, ensuring the safe and optimal flow of magic within his arrays.
"Is anybody home?" Sirius's voice boomed from downstairs, abruptly pulling Harry out of his thoughts.
Harry grinned mischievously at the spell card in his hand. "Perfect timing, Sirius."
Descending the stairs, he found Sirius, Remus, and Lauren talking with Tonks, who had emerged from the crafting room, where she had been working on her own project. Tonks had taken to sleeping in Harry's spare bedroom upstairs, her devotion to her work keeping her glued to the workshop.
Her approach to crafting was markedly different from Harry's meticulous planning. She often dove headfirst into inscribing arrays without a schematic, a practice that sometimes led to explosive outcomes. Fortunately, Harry incorporated numerous safeguards in the gem-crafting room, anticipating Tonks's exuberance and ensuring a measure of safety in her creative endeavours. Despite the precautions, her presence could be a distraction, prompting Harry to seek solace in his trunk workshop to find some peace and quiet.
"Harry, you little genius!" Sirius exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace him. "I can't believe the improvements you've made to the two-way mirrors!"
He had invited them over because he had made significant progress on the two-way mirrors, and he felt they deserved to see how he had evolved them first.
"There's still a lot to work on," Harry replied as Sirius released him. "I'll need to coin a new name for them. Once the final design is complete, they'll function as an entire network of mirrors."
Remus and Lauren approached him and offered warm greetings.
"You've wasted no time in enhancing them," Remus remarked with admiration. "Lily would be immensely proud of your ingenuity."
Harry's spirits lifted after his comment. "I've hit a roadblock with my main project, which afforded me ample time to focus on this."
The adults exchanged a knowing look among themselves. Harry noticed the exchange and was curious what it was about.
"What's the main thing holding you back with the mirrors?" Remus asked.
"I'm constrained by the number of mirrors I can link before hitting storage capacity," Harry confessed, frustration evident as he ran a hand through his hair. "I've got a concept in mind, but it requires extensive refinement before I can implement it."
"Storage capacity? Is it a matter of magical limitations?" Lauren asked.
Harry nodded. "At the moment, the mirrors serve as the physical medium for enchantments, allowing them to be connected to other mirrors in the network. This is where the limitation exists, as it can only hold so many enchantments."
Tonks interjected with a suggestion. "What about incorporating gems to expand the capacity?"
Most gems could hold a lot more magic than other materials, so arrays could be inscribed into them if you were skilled enough. They were typically fashioned into jewellery and were much smaller and more discreet than other objects containing the same number of enchantments. That's why he wanted to use them for the Allure-Dampener he was researching.
"It's too expensive," Harry explained. "My aim is to ensure affordability for widespread adoption."
"That is correct," Remus said. "The market would be limited because many countries with wizard communities, such as America, communicate via regular phones. They employ techniques to mitigate the negative effects of having electronic devices in close proximity to magic. The primary markets will be Europe and some Asian countries, where the two societies don't interact as much.
The enchantments in Harry's workshop bridged the gap between magic and electronics, a testament to the potential for broader integration. He hadn't researched the subject himself because he had hired an enchanter to do the work. But it was a subject that he intended to pursue in the future.
"But they are an essential item," Lauren commented. "Every wizard and witch would want to have one."
"What about the owls?!" Tonks exclaimed. "Won't somebody think about the owls?"
Laughter erupted as Tonks playfully transformed her nose into a beak and flapped her arms like an owl. The laughter grew louder when Hedwig swooped in and began pecking her, defending her species' honour, prompting Tonks to profusely apologise. Hedwig, satisfied that her point had been made, returned to her perch with a regal air.
Remus snorted. "Tonks is right. The mirrors could potentially disrupt the post-owl service."
Hedwig barked.
"I could never replace you, Hedwig," Harry reassured her, receiving an imperious nod in response as the owl tucked her head back under her wing.
"The mirrors might face resistance from the traditionalists in the Wizengamot," Sirius predicted.
"Especially with those who have business interests in post-owls," Remus added.
"Do you have one of the new mirrors made already?" Sirius asked.
Harry grabbed a mirror and handed it to Sirius. Despite their resemblance to the two-way mirrors, these newer versions bore additional bulk due to the number of arrays on the back. They worked similarly to the old mirrors in that you could contact someone simply by saying their name, but he added a few features to make them more functional and secure.
He had enhanced their functionality and safety by incorporating features like a contact directory for managing contacts, a privacy option to prevent unsolicited contact, and a voice-only mode for added discretion.
"How many mirrors can be linked together?" Sirius asked, inspecting the prototype closely.
"Eleven is the current limit," Harry said. "I want to remove the limitation and connect all mirrors together, forming a network similar to phones."
"You don't have to establish an all-inclusive network right away," Remus pointed out. "I am sure there are many people who wouldn't mind the limitation. They could stay connected with their most important contacts, such as family and friends."
Harry didn't hesitate to reject his suggestion. "It's too messy. If you have a lot of contacts, you may need to buy multiple mirrors. I would rather address the mirror's limitations before releasing it to the market. I'm not in a rush."
Remus smiled. "You're the boss."
"But in the meantime, you could make some mirrors for us," Sirius said, giving him puppy eyes.
"Stop it," Harry sighed. "I already planned to make some for family and friends."
"I want one, too," Tonks added, raising her hand. "Plus two for my parents. Hell, I will pay for them. I assume they take a long time to make, and the materials aren't cheap."
"I will place an order for thirty of them," Sirius announced. "I will take ten, and you can distribute the rest however you want."
He was on the verge of protesting, but Sirius quelled his objections with a single look. 'You deserve fair compensation for your hard work, Harry. Let me know the appropriate price and I'll ensure the galleons find their way to your vault."
Harry conceded without further argument. He glanced down and realised he was still holding his new spell card, which needed to be tested. "Sirius, could you do me a favour?"
Though wary, Sirius agreed after Harry assured him of the card's harmlessness. They ventured outside, positioning themselves with a safe distance between them, while the others watched.
'Why am I always the guinea pig for your experiments?' Sirius grumbled.
Harry's response was a nonchalant shrug. "Because it's hilarious?"
"Get on with it,' Sirius urged, a hint of annoyance in his voice. 'If this backfires, I'll have my revenge."
"That will be difficult after I hit you with this," Harry retorted and threw the card.
Sirius was stunned and collapsed to the ground the moment the card made contact. However, the card's effects were still unfinished. Ropes appeared, wrapping around his prone form and securing him tightly.
"Amazing!" When the others saw what had happened, they cheered, and Harry bowed to them with a flourish.
He called it the Incarcerate spell card, which stunned and bound the person with rope. It may be overkill to add the ropes, but if Harry was fighting multiple opponents, it would require an extra step for his opponent to help a restrained person rejoin the battle. The extra second it takes may mean the difference between life and death.
The nonviolent conflict resolution demonstrated Harry's innovative approach to spell cards. With the ability to layer cards for combined effects, he had opened up a new world of possibilities. While these spells lacked the power of traditional casting, they did provide unique tactical advantages.
Harry was still considering selling the spell card to the Aurors so that they could catch criminals more easily. It wouldn't replace traditional spellcasting, but it would be useful in situations where they were unable to use their wand, such as when disarmed. The only issue is that they would need to learn how to inject magic into them.
Remus stepped in to revive Sirius, who, upon awakening, squirmed in his bindings. 'Get me out of this!'
"I think you are just fine there," Tonks teased.
"Lauren!" Sirius faked tears as he looked up at his girlfriend.
"You're a big baby," Lauren sighed, dispelling the ropes with her wand.
"I'd have preferred a bit of pain over this embarrassment," Sirius grumbled, shooting a playful warning glance at Harry. "Watch your back, pup!"
"Remember, Harry's birthday is tomorrow," Remus interjected. "He gets a pass for today's mischief."
"Are you looking forward to it, Harry?" Lauren asked.
"My grandparents are very tight-lipped about it," Harry observed, narrowing his eyes at them with suspicion. "Come to think of it, so is everyone else around here."
"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it will be quite an event," Sirius chimed in with a wink.
Gabrielle made her entrance to the house as Harry was in the middle of his lunch. Fawkes perched on her shoulder, a purple stain adorning his beak from some unknown substance. She carried a magazine in her hands, its title concealed from his view.
"I caught this little troublemaker in our vineyards munching on our grapes," Gabrielle said.
"Hey, Gabi." Harry greeted her with a kiss before she took a seat at the table. "I'll have to ensure the thief faces the appropriate consequences."
Fawkes paid no mind to Harry's words, instead flitting over to the counter where the bowl of fruit was placed. He started eating the fruit as if he hadn't already been snacking on grapes earlier.
"Doesn't Fawkes seem a bit off to you?" Gabrielle voiced her concern. "And why is he eating so much? He devoured a bunch of grapes from our vineyards and is still ravenous. Is this normal behaviour for him?"
"No," Harry replied, worry creasing his brow as he glanced at Fawkes.
Now that she mentioned it, some of his red feathers appeared less vibrant. It couldn't be the prelude to another burning day, as he had already had one last year, which sent Harry to the infirmary. He didn't want a repeat of that experience.
"Are you okay, Fawkes?" Harry asked.
Fawkes looked up briefly and nodded before returning his attention to the fruit, offering no further communication via their bond.
As Harry's unease mounted, he abandoned his unfinished meal. "Perhaps I should have him examined by an expert."
"Don't fret too much. It's likely nothing serious," Gabrielle reassured him. "And I'm sure someone will come along to have a look at Fawkes soon."
Harry's suspicions sharpened. "What do you know?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Gabrielle deflected, cheekily swiping some chicken from his plate.
"Yeah right." Harry snorted. "So, what's in that magazine?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Gabrielle said, handing it over. "My article made it to print."
"The Magizoologist Digest," Harry said, reading the title. The front cover depicted Gabrielle and Mr. Lovegood, with the grove on her property in the background. "You're featured on the front page. Congratulations."
"Merci. I couldn't have done it without you," Gabrielle acknowledged gratefully.
"How did you write the article so quickly? Have you obtained results from your experiments already?"
Gabrielle nodded. "It is terrifying how quickly corruption spreads in a unicorn without a grove to cleanse it."
Gabrielle and Xenophilius Lovegood had been conducting experiments to support Harry's claim that the Nightmares were caused by corrupted unicorns. They had obtained permission from the unicorn herd on her property to conduct the experiments on them, but they had to be careful not to go too far or they would create their own Nightmare.
Harry flipped through the pages until he came across her article and began reading.
The Origins of Nightmares.
Gabrielle Delacour and Xenophilius Lovegood
Nightmares have long been regarded as some of the most dangerous magical creatures in existence, rivalled only by the likes of Nundu and Chimaera. When these malevolent beings manifest, magical authorities face significant challenges in containing and neutralising them, often at great cost. A mere gaze from a Nightmare can plunge a victim into a nightmarish coma, from which they may never awaken. Efforts to cure those afflicted with this nightmarish curse have proved futile, leading some Mind-Healers to insanity when attempting to probe the depths of their tormented minds.
The origins of Nightmares have remained shrouded in mystery, but there have been speculations linking them to unicorns due to their striking physical similarities. However, this conjecture remained unsubstantiated until an individual, choosing to remain unnamed, made a groundbreaking discovery, shedding light on their true nature. Through rigorous experimentation and verification, it has been unequivocally confirmed that Nightmares are indeed connected to unicorns, albeit in an unexpected manner.
Nightmares are born from corrupted unicorns. These creatures, renowned for their purity and immunity to dark magic, are paradoxically vulnerable to corruption in its myriad forms. From seemingly innocuous contaminants like dirt to the vilest of dark magic, any trace of corruption left unchecked within a unicorn can lead to its transformation into a Nightmare. The unicorns possess a means of self-purification, reverting them to their pristine state, a process believed to occur within the enigmatic sanctuaries known as Unicorn Groves.
They are sanctuaries that have evaded the discovery of wizards, accessible only to the unicorns themselves. The unicorns emerge cleansed of all accumulated corruption after passing through these sacred groves, as witnessed. Alarming observations reveal a rapid accumulation of corruption among unicorns, necessitating their frequent visits to these groves for cleansing and restoration.
In light of these revelations, we're advocating for the protection of Unicorn Groves as protected magical reserves. It's critical to ensuring that the unicorns' cleansing process continues and that no more Nightmares are created.
Harry read through the rest of the article, which delved into the experiments conducted by Gabrielle and Xenophilius. As he lifted his gaze from the last words, he caught Gabrielle's gaze fixed on him, eager for his feedback on her work.
"Well, I may not be an expert, but this is an exceptional piece," Harry commended, his smile a testament to his approval. "It absolutely merits its front-page placement."
Gabrielle beamed. "The article has sparked considerable interest within the magizoologist community. Many inquiries have flooded in seeking further insights, but Mr. Lovegood is overseeing the responses, given my status as a minor."
"That's fantastic. May I keep the magazine?"
"Of course."
Harry changed the subject. "So, what can you divulge about my birthday plans for tomorrow? Any surprises awaiting me? And did you happen to procure a gift for me?"
"I'm afraid that's classified information," Gabrielle teased, her playful evasion hinting at hidden surprises in store for Harry's special day.
July 31st
The next morning, Harry bounded down the stairs, his heart brimming with anticipation for the birthday surprises his grandparents had in store. However, as he entered the kitchen, his excitement dwindled into disappointment. His grandparents sat at the table as if it were any ordinary day, devoid of the festive air he had expected. No surprises awaited him. Disheartened, he mechanically poured himself a bowl of cereal and settled at the table, the silence heavy around him until his grandparents finally spoke.
"Happy Birthday, Harry," they chimed in unison.
"Thanks," Harry replied, his hopes for a grand celebration slowly fading. He waited for more, but Charlus buried himself behind the newspaper, and Minerva was engrossed in writing a letter.
As he neared the end of his cereal, they broke the silence once more.
"You better pack a suitcase," Charlus interjected. "We're off to the ministry soon."
"What?"
"Pack plenty of summer clothes," Minerva added. "It's going to be hot where we're headed. Don't forget your swimsuit."
"Wait a minute," Harry protested. "Where exactly am I going?"
"Did we forget to mention it?" Charlus exchanged a glance with his wife.
"I believe we did," Minerva replied, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Harry, we're whisking you away to Greece for a week to celebrate your birthday. Some of your friends will be joining us."
"Really?" Harry's eyes widened with surprise. "Who else is coming?"
"Your girlfriends, and a few others," Charlus counted on his fingers. "Fleur, Astoria, Hermione, Blaise, Neville, Sirius, Lauren, Remus, Tonks, and Luna."
"That many?" Harry was taken aback. "Why Greece, though?"
Minerva smiled. "We've noticed your struggle for inspiration with your new project. We thought a change of scenery might help, especially with some hands-on research."
It dawned on Harry. "The Sirens? But how will I meet one? They're known for avoiding humans."
"Thanks to Gabrielle and Xenophilius," Charlus explained. "A renowned magizoologist took notice of the article. As a gesture of appreciation, he's arranged for you to meet a Siren."
"Who is it?"
"Newt Scamander."
Harry's excitement surged. "That's incredible."
"Get packing. We leave in an hour," Minerva instructed. "Bring your companions too. Fawkes seems a bit under the weather, doesn't he?"
He now understood what Gabrielle had been talking about yesterday. Harry bolted out of the kitchen and raced up the stairs to pack his luggage. After much deliberation, he opted for his workshop trunk, stuffing it with half his wardrobe and essential supplies.
They arrived at the ministry an hour later, with Hedwig, Fawkes, and Nagini in tow, to find their friends waiting for them in the lobby. After brief greetings, they made their way to the International Portkey Office, where their journey was set to commence.
"Luna, did you sort out the issue with your familiar?" Harry inquired, noticing Luna cradling the Crumple-Horned Snorkack.
"They had no choice but to agree," Luna replied, affectionately stroking her companion.
Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Luna refused to leave without Cuddles. Who knew she could be so stubborn?"
"I knew it!" Astoria raised her hand. "Luna can be a pain in the—"
"Don't finish that sentence," Minerva interrupted.
Luna smiled brightly. "Yes, I frequently cause pain in people's bottoms. Thank you for the compliment, Astoria."
Sirius laughed. "Can I adopt you, Luna? You're a riot."
"Hmm, I'll have to ask Daddy."
As they queued up at the office, they were instructed to stand on the platform and grasp a large ring resembling a hula-hoop. Despite their sizable group, they managed to huddle together, clutching the portkey tightly.
"The portkey to Athens, Greece. Departure is at 0900 hours. Activating in ten seconds. Hold on tight," the ministry worker announced.
A familiar tug behind his navel signalled the portkey activation, propelling them into a swift, disorienting journey. Harry managed to stay upright until a jostle from another one of his companions sent him sprawling.
"Welcome to Athens. Please vacate the platform in a timely manner."
So, what do you think? What kind of adventures will Harry have in Greece?
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