Chapter 9
NICK HURR- Yeah, I can understand why you say that.
Ltbutterfly287- Because my go to race is Argonian. That's honestly the only reason aside from me liking the Argonians as a race. Not because of what you said.
WhiteElfElder- Soon. To do some meetups with other characters.
- They will. Yes, the reaction of the Altmer and other elven races at seeing the sad state of the House Elves.
Eragon95159- No, I'm not going to do something like that. Sorry.
Dumbledore's office
"So this is your office?" Asked Serana as she eyed the large and expansive room that was Dumbledore's office. The old wizard had led both her and the Dragonborn to one of the highest towers in the castle, leading them to his personnel chambers, which had the entrance being hidden behind a stone gargoyle. Something that Dumbledore rectified after speaking a word, most likely a passcode. "Seems pretty cozy."
"Thank you." Said Dumbledore as he sat down on his office chair before looking at both Serana and the Dragonborn as they stood before him. "Now, I believe that I have an explanation to give to you both."
"You do, indeed." Said the Dragonborn as he crossed his arms. "Tell us. How do you know of our friend's adoptive son?" Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment before speaking up.
"First, I believe some context will help us all solve everything about our situation." Said Dumbledore, looking at both Serana and the Dragonborn with a serious look on his face. When they saw it, the two looked at each other before they nodded to Dumbledore, signaling him to do so. "Thank you. I promise you all that what I will say will provide light to our situation. Perhaps in ways we haven't considered." With that, Dumbledore began his history lesson.
"Nearly two decades ago, there was an awful conflict that happened in my world." Said Dumbledore as he told his tale. "A conflict, though small in scale, was nonetheless devastating to my world. A dark wizard by the name of Voldemort began a coup against the wizarding world. My world."
"A dark wizard?" Asked the Dragonborn, curious.
"Yes." Said Dumbledore. "It means he practiced magic that that was mainly used to cause harm, to exert control, or even kill people and creatures. Those that practice such magic freely and without regard to the law nor restraint to the magic they use are known as Dark Wizards and Witches. Due to the corrupting influence and danger that dark magic can have towards both the user and the people around them, the Wizarding World's various governing entities made the practice and usage of such magic illegal. Both to protect my people from it as well as those around them." Dumbledore then sighed. "Unfortunately, some do not see the wisdom in forbidding such magic or are simply too tempted with the power it gives them."
"Hence Dark Wizards." Said Serana as she crossed her arms, a neutral expression on her face. "People who use dark magic to do harm?"
"Of sorts." Said Dumbledore. "While I agree that the term Dark Wizard and Witch has been affiliated with those that utilize their magic for harmful and often times illegal purposes, technically speaking, anyone that utilizes the Dark Arts of Magic in any way or shape. Even if they have permission to do so. Although, I will admit it's probably for the best that affiliation is made. Better for the minds of children and people that way." The Dragonborn and Serana couldn't help but agree with that. No reasonable mage in their world would like to be compared to the various monsters and thugs in their world that also utilize as well. Only for more dastardly and even petty crimes while they utilize magic for more…productive means.
"And this Voldemort started a revolution?" Asked the Dragonborn, causing Dumbledore to nod.
"Indeed." Said Dumbledore, his voice full of weariness and a little hint of regret as well. "Through his charm, his power in the wizarding arts, and simply appealing to the greed and desperation of others, Voldemort gathered an army of followers and then waged war on both Muggle kind and the wizarding governing body in Great Britain?"
"Muggles?" Asked the Dragonborn. Though it was obvious to him that Great Britain was some kind of land with how Dumbledore talked about it, Muggles was something he didn't know about.
"Muggles." Said Dumbledore before explaining. "That is a term people of the wizarding world, specifically in Great Britain, use to describe those that were born by two non-magical parents and unable to utilize magic in any way." Upon hearing that, Serana frowned along with the Dragonborn, not liking the term at all. It seemed…insulting.
"Then why not refer to them as that?" Asked Serana. "Non-magical people? Why make a new term for them?"
"Truth be told, I have no idea how it started." Said Dumbledore honestly, understanding where they were coming from. Though the term Muggles can be indeed seen as somewhat offensive to some, in fact Dumbledore knew a handful of people that utilize it as an insulting way as well as being used that way in the past, its now been used as a way as a simple means to describe non-magical people. Although he won't deny that those that find it offensive have merit to their stance. "Many centuries ago, wizarding kind was persecuted by those that have no ability to utilize magic. Some out of fear. Others out of envy. Perhaps it came from that time. A time when wizarding kind were hunted down by non-magical means."
"I see." Said the Dragonborn, somewhat satisfied with the explanation. "Much as I would like to hear more about this and argue about this term, let's get back to the subject regarding Voldemort." Serana just nodded in agreement, wanting to get back on topic as well. Even if she was still not satisfied with the whole Muggle term situation. It reminded her too much of certain stigma regarding Vampires, who had quite a lot of terms for them by non-Vampires. Many, if not all, insulting.
"Of course." Said Dumbledore before going on to explain about Voldemort. "With his army of dark followers, prominent of which were the Death Eaters, his most devout followers of Dark Wizards and Witches, Voldemort sowed chaos across Great Britain. Dozens, even hundreds, both Wizards and Muggles alike, were killed by Voldemort and his followers. Many of which were not quick and done in a manner that killed them slowly. We fought back, but Voldemort's followers far outnumbered us. Many brave souls. Many young souls lost their lives fighting against Voldemort and his evil." Both Serana and the Dragonborn can hear the regret and pain Dumbledore had regarding this. He obviously lost many friends and allies in this war against Voldemort and it brought him much pain and regret. They can sympathize. They too lost friends and family in various ways. From the Skyrim Civil War and to various crises affected Tamriel.
"How was he stopped?" Asked the Dragonborn. Dumbledore took a deep breath before speaking.
"A miracle happened. A costly one." Said Dumbledore before explaining. "A year before the end of the conflict, a prophecy was made. It spoke of a boy born from those that defied the Dark Lord Voldemort three times that had the power to not only be equal to Voldemort in power, but be the one that defeat him for good. To those that knew that wished to stop Voldemort, it brought hope. To those that followed Voldemort, including himself, it brought fear." Upon hearing that, both Serana and the Dragonborn were getting a feeling of dread coming to them. They knew enough of Dark Lords to know that they will go to any means to stop a threat to their lives and power. Dumbledore, seeing the looks of realization coming to his two guests, asked them if they wanted him to continue. When they said yes, he did so.
"There were only two possible candidates that matched the description of the prophecy." Said Dumbledore with a grim face. "One of those candidates was a boy named Neville Longbottom. The other was named Harry Potter." That caused both Serana and the Dragonborn to widen their eyes in shock at this revelation.
"The boy that our friend found." Said the Dragonborn, causing Dumbledore to nod.
"What your friend found and adopted is the very savior of my world." Said Dumbledore. "For, when he was but a babe, he defeated Voldemort."
"What?" Asked the Dragonborn in shock, stunned to hear Harry defeated a Dark Wizard as just a babe. Such a thing sounded impossible. Something Serana agreed on.
"How can a baby beat this Dark Lord of yours?" Asked Serana, founding Harry defeating a wizard, much less a dark one, as a baby to be absurd. "I mean, no offense, but that Dark Lord of yours has to be the most incompetent Dark Lord I ever heard of if he let a baby beat him."
"I can understand your incredulity of how Voldemort was beaten, so allow me to explain." Said Dumbledore. "Harry himself didn't land the blow that defeated Voldemort. Rather it was Voldemort himself that caused his own downfall. You see, Voldemort intended on killing Harry after killing his birth parents, but his own magic was deflected back to him, destroying his body and thus ending the war he created. For, without their master, his followers either went into hiding, were arrested with ease, or willingly turned themselves in. Some, of course, fought on, their loyalty to Voldemort so strong that not even his death can stop their onslaught, but for the most part, the war ended on the day Voldemort tried to kill a newborn." Once Dumbledore was done explaining his story, Serana and the Dragonborn took time to process his story. Needless to say, it was a lot to take in and the two felt so many emotions coming at them at once.
One of those emotions was rage. Rage and disgust at Voldemort for trying to kill a newborn after killing his parents. Sympathy and sadness for Harry and his parents after they learned the truth. And also realization. Realization at why Harry's mother made a deal with Hermaeus Mora in the first place.
She didn't make a deal with Hermaeus Mora for power like so many other people do when dealing with Daedric Princes. She did so because she wanted to protect her son from a Dark Wizard that planned to kill him and her entire family. And Hermaeus Mora, being the opportunist he was, used her desperation to his advantage. As if the two didn't need more reason to despise the Daedric Prince.
After sometime of processing all this, the Dragonborn and Serana looked at Dumbledore.
"I must admit, I didn't expect any of this come from this trip." Said the Dragonborn as he looked at Dumbledore. "I expected something dangerous for Harry when Hermaeus Mora sent us through that portal so that we can see for ourselves just how dangerous it was for our friend's son. I didn't expect anything remotely like what you spoke of, Dumbledore."
"I reckon so." Said Dumbledore as he nodded at what the Dragonborn just said. "Given what you told me about this Hermaeus Mora, its understandable you would be assume such a thing from such a despicable being. Which makes me all the more sad and perhaps even disappointed that Lily and James Potter made a deal with a such a being to save their son. Even if I understand why they did so."
"That's the names of Harry's birth parents?" Asked Serana as she looked at Dumbledore, having processed everything said so far.
"Correct." Said Dumbledore. "They were some of the finest people that I have had the pleasure of meeting with. Upstanding and righteous individuals that stood fast against Voldemort and his evil. They refused to, even for a moment, yield to Voldemort. They openly defied him three times in the war and only stopped fighting when Lily became pregnant. They abhorred the Dark Arts and Voldemort's beliefs. Which is why I can't fathom they would make a deal with a such a dark creature as this Hermaeus Mora. Even if it was to save their child. Never has either of them shown any curiosity to the Dark Arts before beyond academic curiosity and the need to study the magic of their foes. And I would have known if they were tempted with falling to the Dark Arts while they were studying here at Hogwarts as students, much less while they were fighting against Voldemort."
"Perhaps it was not done so willingly." Said the Dragonborn, catching Dumbledore's attention. "Hermaeus Mora and the Daedric Princes have always taken advantage of the weak and desperate. Perhaps Hermaeus Mora talked to the Potters before your Voldemort attacked. Perhaps even as he was doing so."
"It also helps that a parent that truly loves their child will do anything to keep them safe. Even if it means making a deal with the devil." Said Serana as she crossed her arms across her chest, a slight bitterness in her voice as she recalled her parents and how they failed to be actual parents to her. While she didn't have any experience with loving parents, she had experience with parents that were filled with hate and what lengths they'll go to in order to spite the person they hate. A loving parent shouldn't be too different in the lengths they'll go for their goals, right?
"I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case." Said Dumbledore with a hum as he stroked his beard. "I also wouldn't be surprised if this Hermaeus Mora knew about the prophecy and thus used the Potter's desperation to twist the prophecy to his advantage."
"What do you mean? Isn't this Voldemort destroyed?" Asked Serana with a frown. "Isn't the prophecy complete?"
"I'm afraid not." Said Dumbledore with a hint of frustration. "Only Voldemort's physical body was destroyed that night. His spirit, however, lives on. You see, Voldemort desired immortality above all else. Thus, he delved deep into the Dark Arts to find a way to achieve it. While there are indeed many ways to prolong one's life, to the point of becoming immortal even, they were not what Voldemort desired. Either they depended on a source too much for Voldemort's liking or he did not wish to become something other than human. Eventually, he found a way." Dumbledore took a deep breath before explaining further. "By splitting pieces of his very soul into objects, Voldemort has found a way to cheat death and become immortal. Horcruxes as we call them. It's these pieces that enabled him to survive that day and is the reason why I know that the prophecy is not yet finished. Despite what the Wizarding World would like to believe." Upon hearing that, the Dragonborn realized then what Hermaeus Mora wanted from Harry.
Hermaeus Mora must have wanted something from this realm that much was obvious, what wasn't obvious was how he could acquire it with Harry over the Dragonborn. Now the Argonian knew.
Harry was popular in this Wizarding World. To them, he was their savior from the Dark Wizard and he will do so again when this Voldemort returns to wreck havoc in their world. That popularity will help Harry in doing whatever task that Hermaeus Mora wanted him to do. After all, why would anyone suspect that their savior was in league with a Daedric Prince, something they likely never heard of before.
And should Harry encounter any resistance or trouble that he couldn't with himself, Brelyna or the Dragonborn himself would be there to take care of it. That was the reason Harry was sent to Winterhold. So that they get attached to him and wish him to protect him from harm, no matter what.
"Damn you Hermaeus Mora." Thought the Dragonborn as he was reminded, yet again, of the ruthlessness and callousness of a Daedric Prince. To make matters even worse, once Harry learns about all this, he'll go along with all this. Not because of the fame or even revenge against the Dark Wizard that slew his parents, but because he wanted to stop this Voldemort from harming any more families. He was like Brelyna and himself in that regard. And, as much as Brelyna would hate him for this, but he approved of the boy's morals. Even if he rather the boy do so when he was older. Much older than what he was now.
Looking at Dumbledore, the Dragonborn sighed before speaking up.
"It seems that we have no choice but to play along Hermaeus Mora's desires." Said the Dragonborn, causing Serana to frown in frustration, knowing he was right. Dumbledore just grimly nodded at that before the Dragonborn spoke up again. "Since Hermaeus Mora desires Harry to be sent here, would it be too much to ask for you to keep an eye on him when he comes here? To protect him if we cannot?"
"Of course." Said Dumbledore with a nod. "In fact, I think I have a most wonderful idea for Harry. One that benefits all parties. When Harry turns eleven, he will be able to attend Hogwarts, where he will learn the history and ways of my world. Something that this Hermaeus Mora is interested in. And if it doesn't, Hogwarts is home to many ancient and powerful artifacts and secrets."
"Secrets that Hermaeus Mora would no doubt want." Said the Dragonborn, seeing where Dumbledore was getting at.
"So, you want our friend's son to attend your school when he's eleven over the school his mother is attending and probably wants him to attend?" Asked Serana with a raised eyebrow.
"If he wishes." Said Dumbledore. "He can always decline, but I doubt this Daedric Prince of yours will allow it."
"No he won't." Thought the Dragonborn as he thought of Hermaeus Mora. Humming a bit, the Dragonborn spoke up.
"We'll need to think about this further as well as discuss this with our friend." Said the Dragonborn. "Until then, we bid you farewell, Dumbledore. This had been a…enlightening talk."
"Indeed." Said Dumbledore with a smile as Serana and the Dragonborn got up. "Good luck and I hope to see you again. Under more…pleasant circumstances." The two simply looked at Dumbledore before nodding and leaving the man alone. As they walked away, they thought of Brelyna and how she would react to all this.