Azula groaned internally, there was a reason she was drinking in this seedy bar in Cadera's underworld, she just didn't want to remember it. Her Father wasn't convinced that Zuko was doing his best to die for all their sakes and was planning on sending her out to… accelerate the process. Azula rolled her eyes as she downed another shot of whatever swill this place passed for alcohol. It's been nearly three years. Honestly, Father should just accept that ZuZu was too stubborn to simply die and bring him back. It would save so many headaches. Including the one building behind her eyes that would affect her tomorrow with her hangover.

Suddenly, she felt something on her shoulder and, with a little shock, saw that it was a man's wrist, his hand trailing southward, "Now…" he slurred, "Whass a prurdy little lady lake you doing in a place like thissss…"

Suddenly, a firm hand turned her unwanted companion, "This one's not worth the effort." the deep voice said, "Now let me get you something to drink."

The already drunk man threw her to the side, the surprise at being thrown being the only reason she flew into a table. However, that commotion paled compared to her "rescuer" completing his spin of the drunk and thrusting his other hand forward, towards the drunk's abdomen. Azula could feel her eyebrows raise when she saw lightning shoot out of his fingers and drop the drunkard, never to rise again under his own power.

The man, no taller than her which made her think that he might just be her age, turned to the barmaid and tossed a gold piece to her, "Sorry about the mess." before turning to Azula. "You alright miss?"

Azula batted away the hand held out to help her up, "I'm fine, and could have taken him just fine."

The boy, she realised, shrugged, "I'm sure, but figured that it would be cleaner if I intervened." he replied before gesturing to her, "Besides, be a shame if you broke a nail."

Azula smirked, she liked him already. Perhaps he'd be useful in the upcoming mission Father was planning for her. "Who are you?" she asked.

The boy smirked, "Potter, Harry Potter." he replied, "And I already know who you are, Princess Azula." he whispered to her.

'Oh yeah, he's going with me.' Azula thought. She followed him to a booth which had a couple of glasses and a bottle of something, "So," Harry began, "What brings you to the Horntail?" he asked as he poured a pair of drinks and shoved one in front of her.

Azula raised an eyebrow as she raised her glass, "Oh, do I need a reason to drink?" she asked before letting the amber liquid slide down her throat.

Harry merely shrugged, "Looked like you came to drink for a purpose. Takes one to know one I'm told and I've got plenty to drink away." he replied before knocking back the entire glass and pouring himself another.

She had to admit, he chose his booze well, it was rather nice and she was surprised at his gumption at knocking back an entire glass. So she went with a half-truth. "Do you know how much shit goes on at the Palace that sends a lesser man around the bend?" she asked, rhetorically.

Harry smirked and chuckled, "A shit ton, as we'd say." he replied. "Though I'm fairly certain I've been through a comparable situation."

Azula raised her eyebrow, "Father wants me to kill my brother." she said, unsure why she said it. Perhaps the drink was stronger than she expected, or maybe she was drugged, she wasn't sure.

Harry, on the other hand, leaned back, "Singled out for Torture and punishment for speaking the truth." he replied, lifting his hand.

Azula could see the scars covering it, unsure why someone would carve on a hand. On seeing her expression, Harry sighed, "My back's covered with similar scars, though those are much older. Parting gifts, shall we say, from my "guardians" back home."

For some reason, Azula felt a burning urge to find these guardians and… deal with them. In a way. "I presume you escaped since it sounds as if they wouldn't approve of you being here," she remarked, knowing that her position wasn't that dissimilar.

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Pot, Kettle." he replied. "But yes, they can't reach me here and I've been here with my friends for a month and a half."

Azula was curious now, but Harry looked out a window, "You best get going. Not wise to appear before the Fire Lord with a killer hangover." he mused before passing her a vial. "Quaff that in the morning when you wake up and you'll be right as rain."

Azula noticed the sinking moon and knew she had an hour to get back to the palace before anyone noticed. With a nod to Harry, she left silently.

It didn't take long before her seat was filled, "Cozing up to Royalty, Harry Potter?" the blond girl remarked, "You've changed."

Harry sent an exasperated look at his new companion, "It was a single drink Luna. You know, perhaps better than anyone, that I can recognise when someone needs to spill their guts and the only way to do that is over a stiff drink."

Luna did know. It was what led them to establish a bar in the first place. Well… that, and the ability to make money in this strange place. Speaking of, Luna slid the gold piece over to him, "We still keeping the pretence that you're just another patron for how much longer?"

Harry didn't respond for a moment, but when he lifted his eyes from his drink, Luna was surprised at his firm tone. "I get the feeling I'm due for another adventure soon."


They didn't see Azula for the whole day, but when night fell, she soon came through the door with an expression that Harry was sure that he had worn when he flew against that dragon that gave the bar its name. "Bloody Hell mate," Ronald Weasley remarked from his seat beside him, "What's she doing here?"

Harry smirked, "We shared a drink last night, well, I guess it'd be this morning." he replied, waving her over, "Oi! Budge over will ya?"

Ron rolled his eyes but did so, allowing Azula to glide into a seat beside Harry with grace. "Friends of yours Harry?" she asked.

Harry nodded, "In a sense." he replied before gesturing to Ron, "Around the table: Beside me is Ronald Weasley, then we have Hermione Granger, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and finally Luna Lovegood." he said before looking at each of them, "I'm sure the Crown Princess of the Fire Nation needs no introduction."

Sirius snorted, "Some drink Harry."

Remus elbowed Sirius before addressing their newcomer, "Well, Harry vouches for you, so that works for me." he said before looking at her curiously, "You came in here searching for someone or something in particular. Harry, perhaps?"

Azula smirked, "Most astute Mister Lupin." she replied before looking at Harry, "I feel as though I got your measure last we met. And I could use someone like you on a mission I'm undertaking."

Harry raised an eyebrow, but Hermione spoke his thoughts, "And what was that measure? You've had a single drink with Harry," she remarked before sending a glare at him, "We've known him for years so understand that we are apprehensive if you claim to know him."

Azula turned to face the girl, "Loyal, stubborn, unwavering in the face of adversity. Ringing any bells?" she asked, seeing comprehension on her face.

Harry interrupted before he and Ron got in the middle of a girl fight, "The mission you mentioned last night?"

Azula nodded, "Though slightly altered, yes. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to my thick-headed brother, but I have no intention of killing him."

Harry hummed while the others looked shocked, "And what of the Avatar? Whispers make their way around Blacktown about the young boy that the Prince is chasing. And if the rumours coming down about the Fleet sent to the North are true…" he said, leaving the question unsaid.

Azula grimaced before leaning in, "One ship survived, just. Command sent the survivors to asylums because of the mutterings. Though I don't think they're mad."

Harry leaned back and hummed. That was certainly worse than the rumours had you believe. "The only good thing that came out of this was that we no longer have to deal with Zhao." Azula continued.

Harry nodded, mulling over everything in his head when Hermione spoke again, "What good would we be in this? Only Harry can bend."

Azula cocked her head to the side, "That'd be enough. I've got a couple of friends I'm going to see about getting involved and neither of them are benders. You'd all be welcome, though I'd be more put out if I didn't have Harry. Considering what I've seen of his ability so far." she remarked, drawing everyone's gaze, "What? Lightning is difficult and only really seen in the Royal Family. So that Harry can do it means that I'd rather have him watching my back than most of the Army."

Luna held back a snort as she drank, she knew where this was going to go and found it all amusing. Harry, on the other hand, chose to accelerate matters, "I presume we'll need to meet you at the docks tomorrow?"

Azula nodded and Harry raised his glass, "Then, you shall have at least my skills at your disposal."

Azula smiled, "Then I shall see you and any other who wishes to be a part of this mission before midday." she said before standing, "I need to finish overseeing preparations. Good night all."

Nodding to her, and receiving a bow in return, Harry watched her leave. He finished his drink in silence before heading upstairs. Before he could turn in for the night, a knock on his door drew his attention. He had a feeling about who it was and wasn't surprised to see Hermione standing at his door when he opened it, "Going off to another war Harry?" she asked archly.

Harry sighed, "At least I got a choice in the matter, Hermione." he replied before letting her into his room, "You coming?"

Hermione shook her head, "Someone's got to keep the Lotus informed about movements here and besides, do you really trust Remus and Sirius alone?" she replied.

Harry shrugged, "Remus, sure. Sirius, not so much." he said. Then he sat on his bed, "Why is it really that you came here?"

Hermione rubbed her eyes, suddenly looking much older than she was. "I have a feeling. Stupid really, considering Divination. But I feel like we're in the endgame."

Harry looked out the window, "There are only seven months to the Comet. That "Roku" seemed most concerned by it."

Hermione hummed before heading for the door, "Luna and Ron will be going with you. Try to keep them out of trouble."

Harry smirked, "Ron? Easy task. Luna? I'm staying out of that one."

Hermione didn't even pause, "Wasn't expecting you to!"

Harry could only chuckle as he lay down and shut his eyes. He knew all of his friends could be protective, but Luna could take that to a whole other level. That woman was terrifying when she wanted to be. Harry got a few minutes of sleep before a familiar sensation overcame him and a familiar presence made itself known to his mind: "Hello James, been a while."

Harry felt his amusement in this mindscape, "Sorry about that, La. It's been a hectic few months here."