If anyone had been asked about Harry Potter, they would never have suggested that he was having conversations with someone whilst he slept. Even if he had been asked directly, he would have said that he had good dreams. It certainly seemed as such when it started, some twelve years ago. But as the years went on Harry began to recognise that the voice speaking to him in his sleep was someone, probably in another universe. He had wanted to study quantum mechanics to prove it but ended up going to Hogwarts, and being worse off for it.
Eventually, they became each other's confidants. He would tell her of the goings on of Hogwarts and she would tell him of her life in an estranged Royal Family. Eventually, they started to become as close as was possible when you only spoke to each other in your minds as you slept. It made Harry wish they could meet in person. "Hello James, been a while."
Harry smirked in his mindscape as it started taking form, "Sorry about that, La. It's been a hectic few months here."
The concern that "La" had on hearing that could be felt by Harry, "You doing okay?" she asked. "It's not like you to go silent on me for months."
Harry did what he could to send her reassurance, "I'm fine now. Remember when I theorized that we were in different universes and that it may be possible to transit between them?" he asked, feeling an affirmative, "Well… looks like I was right. Not sure if me and my friends are in the same universe as you, but we're definitely not in England any more."
"I'm sorry James," La replied. "But look on the bright side! No more Dursleys!"
Harry chuckled, "You know just how to brighten my night, La." he said before turning concerned himself, "How about you? What's wrong? I can practically feel your tension."
La sighed, "I have to find my brother." she replied, continuing before Harry could interrupt. "If my Father gets his wish, I'll end up killing my brother and uncle."
Harry sent his sympathies as best he could, but there was little he could do here, he knew that. But something was nagging at him. Pushing that aside for a moment, he asked her, "You going to be okay when you find him?"
La waved off his concern, "I've got a few people coming with me. Hopefully I can convince the new guy to go non-lethal on him, but yeah. I think I'll be alright." she said before she said something that rocked him, "Zuko doesn't deserve it. But at least he's out of Ozai's reach right now."
Harry couldn't believe it, "Azula? Princess Azula?" he asked in disbelief.
La, or rather Azula, sent him a questioning feeling, "How did you know that?"
Harry's lips twitched, "My full birth name is Harry James Potter. We met this morning." he said. When he felt her disbelief, he thought for a moment. "Ask me who my Third Year Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor was in the morning. You'll see I'm right."
Azula was stunned, to say the least. Not only had she finally met the single person who had helped her the most in her whole life, but he was going to help her with this new problem. "So… how do you want to play this?" she asked. "I assume you don't want it bandied about that we can communicate, even with limitations."
Harry hummed, "That would be smart." he said, "Even Voldemort and Dumbledore didn't know about it so I doubt having our enemies here know about it would be a good idea. Luna might suspect something, but it's Luna. I don't want to know how she knows anything."
Azula chuckled, "She seemed like that sort of person when I met her tonight. Is she coming along?"
Harry chuckled, "She is. And she will be a source of joy in our mission, or at least, of humour. Just… don't make fun of any creatures she talks about."
Azula hummed, "Noted." she mused before turning introspective, "I wonder if there's a way to make this ability of ours useful outside of sleep? Like if we get separated and need to find each other?"
Harry thought for a while, "No reason why not. It will just take us figuring out how to control this outside of sleep." he said before yawning. "But, we've got a lot to do tomorrow and we both need some rest. Goodnight Azula."
"Goodnight Harry," Azula replied through a yawn herself. Neither would know it, but that night, they would sleep with smiles on their faces.
When Harry woke the next morning, he did so feeling lighter than he ever had. It was no secret between the others that Harry had been having a rough few months, what with Umbridge, Voldemort, Dumbledore, and this dimensional shift. So for him to descend the stairs in the morning, practically skipping down the stairs and humming something of a jaunty tune, it surprised everyone, though Ron was the one who commented, "Merlin Harry, only Luna is this energetic before a morning cup of tea." he said, the girl in question flitting around like a rabbit on sugar at the moment, "What's got you this excited?"
Harry wasn't sure how to explain it. Thankfully, or not, Hermione took that out of his hands, "He's about to spend who knows how long nearly alone with a pretty girl who also just happens to have a similar experience to what he had back in Britain. The Hell do you think has him in a good mood?"
Harry just rolled his eyes and set about eating the breakfast that Luna set in front of him. "Her Highness merely wishes for assistance in her endeavour." he retorted before sending a look at Hermione, "I would think that you would be glad that I'm not going off unprepared and not in charge."
Hermione didn't say anything, but it allowed Harry to finish eating. He was ready when he finished, but had to wait for Luna to finish cleaning the breakfast dishes. She was very meticulous and if her practice in the DA back at Hogwarts was anything to go by, it was far safer to avoid interrupting her. Instead, Harry dressed and packed a small bag of supplies for himself. Nothing too crazy since Azula hadn't mentioned that they would need to make their own way, but enough just in case things got messy. Which with him around was a guarantee.
It was closer to midday than Harry would have liked when they made it to the docks of Caldera. Thankfully, Azula was standing on the ship they would use and she stood out. It was then, in the broad daylight and out of the dingy atmosphere of the bar that Harry noticed something about his longtime mental companion: she was beautiful. Perhaps this shouldn't have been that much of a revelation to him, she was a princess and she had oft complained about boys propositioning her when she was in her version of school, but it took all of his self-control to not ogle her. Along with a healthy dose of remembering that he was Harry, nothing special. At least, in his mind. Boy, that was a difficult thing to tell himself when she turned and saw them and smiled at them bright enough to make the sun seem dim.
Azula had been seeing to the final preparations when she just happened to turn her head slightly to look along the dock and catch sight of Harry and his friends. Seeing Harry there brought a smile to her face, one that was sorely needed. Sure, she still wasn't sure that Harry was the James she had been conversing with for the last twelve years while she slept, but he seemed similar enough that she was willing to hope so. Plus it helped that he was easy on the eyes. And at that moment, anyone would be better than the servants her father had assigned her for this mission that he assigned her. "Harry and friends, come on aboard!" she called to them.
They did so, Harry being the first to land on the deck, "Pleasure to serve at your Highness' command." he said, bowing his head slightly.
Azula waved him off, but before she could say anything, one of the elderly women onboard the ship approached them, "Princess, it is unbecoming of someone of your station to be associating with people like them. Let the guard escort them off the ship and we can be off."
Azula merely raised an eyebrow before looking at Harry and gesturing at him. Understanding at once, Harry shot his hand forward towards the sea and summoned his lightning to his will. The thunder from the bolt was enough to rattle some windows nearby. The woman looked stunned while Harry just looked at his hand with furrowed brows. Azula, on the other hand, just looked at the old woman, "Next time, I'll instruct Harry to aim for you. Do not presume to know better than me on every matter."
The elder scuttled off with a small look of fear on her face, probably the most she had ever openly worn, Harry mused. Azula, though, turned to look at him, "Sorry about that. I get that sort of thing a lot. It gets tiring, but I have to put up with my father's people. At least for a time." she said before motioning a couple of soldiers to her side. "Take those two below decks to find their quarters and get settled," she ordered, gesturing to Ron and Luna, "Harry and I have some matters to discuss in confidence."
The soldiers, likely assuming that the matters were regarding training, considering the show Harry had just put on, nodded and took Ron and Luna away while Azula led Harry through the ship silently. Neither were prepared for a misstep, especially so soon into the mission so let the silence hang until they reached Azula's personal quarters.
When they entered, Azula sat at her desk while Harry stood facing her. For a moment, Azula composed herself, not entirely sure how to broach the topic. Eventually, she sighed, "This is going to sound incredibly strange unless I was given the correct information…"
Harry smirked, he knew now that he was right. "Third Year DADA Professor?" he asked, drawing a shocked look from Azula, "Remus Lupin, as I told you two years ago."
Azula let out a sigh of relief, "You know: I'm glad I'm not crazy." she muttered.
That caused Harry to chuckle, "We're all a little crazy." he replied, "In fact, Luna said to me a while ago that she was just as sane as I was. Which considering the Prophet at the time…"
Azula pursed her lips and stood up suddenly, walking to the only source of natural light in the room and looking outside. "There is a large part of me that wishes that the situation was reversed." she remarked, drawing a curious look from Harry, "I so wish to introduce a lot of those fools where you were to my lightning or fire. That you never lost it speaks to who you are."
Harry wasn't sure how to feel about that. Nobody had ever been that protective of him. At least, not in living memory, his mother definitely, but all he had of her was that Dementor induced memory from that night. Azula ploughed on though, "The past is the past though, all we can do is move forward."
Harry hummed and joined her by the porthole, "And? What is our path?" he asked quietly.
Azula sighed and, unconsciously, leaned against him for support, "I'm not sure." she whispered back. Harry being too stunned at the relatively intimate gesture, just listened, "Ideally, both Uncle Iroh and Zuko listen to me about what the Fire Lord has planned and join me in helping to restore the balance of things to the world. But if all I get out of them is that they'll end their hunt for the Avatar, I'll take it."
Harry hummed and squeezed her shoulder, "We'll get them to see reason Azula. You've told me before that your Uncle is a reasonable man and that your brother follows his lead. Eventually."
Azula didn't say anything in response to that for a while and Harry was content to let the silence hang while he sorted out his emotions. Unbeknownst to him, Azula was doing the same.
The trip would take seven days according to Azula, which, since the twin elderly women were avoiding them, was just fine by Harry. Five days in, Harry and Azula sat on the deck, sipping tea and quietly talking, while they watched as Luna sparred with some of the guards that were accompanying them. "We'll pick up Ty Lee and Mai after we talk to Uncle Iroh and Zuko. Which, if Zuko joins with us, will mean that him and Mai will provide us with quite a bit of entertainment."
Harry smirked, "Oh? One or the other becomes flustered around the other?"
This time, Azula smirked and leaned back in her seat, "Both of them, it's quite funny really." she replied. "I think we'll need to see to it that they take separate tents."
Harry snorted, "You know that won't stop them. If they're determined, they'll find a way."
Azula laughed, but watched in amazement as Luna flipped over a guard before throwing him into two of his friends, "Agni… I'm actually terrified to introduce her to Ty Lee. I think Ba Sing Se will hear them…"
Harry smiled at the thought as Luna threw the remaining guard to the deck with enough force that he was sure that the man was going to be seeing stars for a while. "Good, she needs a friend with similar interests." he replied before nodding at Luna as she approached them, "Good work Luna, though you might want to ease up a bit so you'll always have willing victims, I mean, sparring partners.
Luna smirked, "I'll try to keep that in mind," she replied before taking a seat next to Azula, "Why don't you two spar while I catch my breath?"
Harry had a sneaking suspicion that there was a different reason why she suggested that, the glint in her eyes being a dead giveaway to him, but Azula answered before he could, "Sure, why not? You up for a spar Harry?"
Harry found himself unable to escape the situation, though he had no real desire to do so, and acquiesced. They both shed their outer layers, leaving only a tunic and trousers on to facilitate the spar while preserving their modesty. The display of firebending that ensued was nothing short of impressive and flashy, leaving the Fire Nation soldiers aboard the ship awestruck. Harry remained as unpredictable as ever while Azula executed her moves with meticulous precision. Rivers of sweat poured off them both as they circled each other in combat without either gaining much advantage over the other; any advantages were quickly mitigated. At last, after what seemed like hours to the spectators, the spar went the way that all things must go and came to an end; it was Harry who set events in motion towards its conclusion, as is often his way.
Harry swept his feet around, as he had done several times already and Azula jumped, as she had done several times already. However, instead of flames coming from his feet, he exhaled flames, causing Azula to lean back to avoid them. But without a firm footing, she only found herself landing on the deck. Or she would have, had Harry not reached out and caught her. "You alright?" he asked.
Azula could only nod, she didn't trust her voice in that moment as he gently hauled her upright. She wasn't mad, like what the other Fire Nationals thought, far from it. She just didn't know what she was feeling when he held her hand or why he caused these feelings in the first place. Though judging by Harry's face and the fact that he had yet to release her hand suggested to her that he was experiencing something similar.
Eventually, they separated. Though it took Luna coming up to them, congratulating them on an entertaining spar to break them out of their spell. They listened to the congratulatory words for as long as they needed to before politely excusing themselves, Harry to the kitchens and Azula to her quarters. Both needed time to think.
For her part, by the time Azula reached her quarters, she had come to a couple of conclusions: firstly: Luna set them up. She was sure of it. That woman had a plan and she wasn't sure what all it entailed. Secondly: she felt something for the green-eyed boy. She didn't know whether it was lust or something else, but it was there, gnawing at her mind.
Flopping onto her bed, she covered her face with her hands and groaned. Now that she brought it to the fore of her mind, she couldn't stop thinking about him. By Angi… she hoped that if they met in their mindspace tonight, she'd be able to hide what was now at the front of her mind. Otherwise, this was going to be one awkward night.
Harry sighed as he laid down on his bed, after the spar that Luna spurred on, he had been all out of sorts. First, he could hardly control his heart rate, then, even after heading to the kitchens to essentially meditate while helping the cook, he still couldn't calm his mind enough to form a cohesive thought.
Oh, and Azula was avoiding him.
Great.
Oh, tonight was going to be stiff and stilted…
Harry sighed, Hermione often accused Ron of having the emotional depth of a teaspoon, now he would probably be accused of the same. It wore him thin, but he supposed things like this were never straightforward.
Before he could shut his eyes, a knock on his door roused him from his bed. Rising and opening his door, he just managed to keep his shock and surprise off his face at the sight of Azula standing there. "Am I disturbing you?" she quietly asked.
Harry shook his head, "No. Never." he replied, stepping back enough to let her in.
Azula entered the room and Harry shut the door quickly behind her, knowing full well what would happen if gossipers saw the Princess entering his quarters late at night. When he turned around, she looked the most vulnerable that Harry suspected she ever displayed to anyone, considering what she had told him about her life. "What do you think about this morning's spar?" she asked.
Immediately, Harry recognised that she wasn't asking about how it went, that was obvious, but how he felt after. After a moment, he sighed, "I don't know how to put it into words." he finally said.
Azula nodded before sitting on his bed, "Probably understandable, considering what you've told me about your life."
Harry sighed and sat next to her, "I hid some stuff." he whispered.
That was the last thing Azula wanted to hear. The stuff she knew about already was enough to make her ill. But hearing that those were the cherry-picked incidents? She was suddenly glad that she skipped the last meal. "I'll just have to keep you close to me, won't I?" she remarked, not joking in the slightest.
Harry chuckled, however, and leaned in, "As if you could get rid of me." he replied.
Azula smiled and squeezed his hand. A gesture that Harry reciprocated. Yes, she thought, perhaps everything will be alright now.
Blood was everywhere and Azula paid little attention to her surroundings. The only thing in her focus was the screaming Harry as he clutched his face. Everything was not alright now.