Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
Albus Dumbledore and Nymphadora Tonks sat in the living room of Number Four Privet Drive. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley were not home. Shacklebolt walked in with Harry, Dudley, Riker, and Celeste.
"Dudley you should go upstairs," said Harry.
Dudley ran up the stairs. Albus cast a spell in the general area of the steps.
"Please explain who these two are," said Albus.
"They say they are the ones that saved Harry," said Shacklebolt.
"I find that hard to believe," said the old man.
"We have certain talents, well mostly me," said Celeste.
"Oh? What are those?" Albus's eyes twinkled as he looked at them. He then was knocked backwards, but stayed in his chair, barely.
"Do not try me," said Celeste sharply.
Shacklebolt immediately pointed a wand at her. His wand tip started to glow red before she with a contemptuous glance focused on his wand and crushed it.
Nymphadora aimed her wand, but didn't start to cast a spell.
"Explain please," said Riker. It wasn't really asking.
"He launched a quite strong mental assault on my mind. Got through two outer layers before I realized what he was doing. I got angry," said Celeste.
"I do apologize my dear. I haven't seen such a strong mental defense in a very very long time. I believe you can stand down Nymphadora," said Albus.
Nymphadora put her wand away warily. "Don't say that name," she grumbled quietly, almost too quietly to hear.
"You admit you use legilemency on her? You know that is illegal," said Shacklebolt.
"I thought it necessary. I still don't understand how she could do that and not feel of magic."
"I'm a telepath and telekinetic, for the most part. I have no idea what you are speaking of when you talk about magic," said Celeste.
"Very curious indeed," said Albus thoughtfully. He then turned to Riker. "What might your ability be then?"
"I give her and various others orders. I'm a minor telepath as well."
"And who do you represent then?" asked Albus.
"No one you know about, but one we cooperate with frequently expressed an interest in Harry remaining alive and healthy."
Celeste looked over to Nymphadora again. "Your one of the other ones we were asked to aid."
"Why is that?" asked Tonks.
"One of the people we are working with is a shape shifter. They are quite rare. You were noticed a month or so back, well that and this whole terrorist activity," said Celeste.
"You know another shape shifter?" asked Tonks skeptically.
"Yes."
"I'd like to meet them sometime."
"That is likely to happen, at least if you still want it to later."
Tonks nodded.
"There is another issue. I hesitate bringing it up, but it has to be dealt with. We only found out about it about ten minutes before Shacklebolt found us. Harry has something in his scar," said Riker.
"We aren't talking about that now," said Albus.
"Why? It's Harry's life."
"I agree. Tell me now," said Harry.
"You have a second soul in your scar. A very evil man is how it was described to me. One of our experts didn't understand how it was tied. Given that we don't understand magic, I'm guessing that is the key," said Riker.
Harry snapped his head and then body around to face the Headmaster. "You knew. The whole time you knew."
"Yes Harry, I knew. I don't know how to fix it Harry," he said softly.
"I have a piece of Voldemort in my head and you don't know how to fix it?" exclaimed Harry.
"We aren't completely out of ideas. If we have to, we will get the gang together and try to crush the upstart," said Celeste.
"We also aren't out of allies, but I have to wonder if you have exhausted the resources here," said Riker.
"No. People must not know," said Albus.
"Why?" asked Shacklebolt.
"Yes, why. This sounds really kind of important," said Tonks.
"Voldemort made soul anchors. Harry brought me one after he faced the Basilisk," said Albus tiredly.
"The diary. That is how he survived? Wait, am I'm how he survived?"
"Yours can't have been the full ritual. It's not a true one, which is good, but it also puts us completely into the unknown," said Albus.
"How many?" asked Shacklebolt.
"I'm not sure. My best guess is seven, but I honestly don't know, and if Voldemort comes back and finds out they are known he will hide them all and we are doomed. This must not get out. I wouldn't be mentioning it at all if they hadn't figured part of it out," said Albus.
"Why?" asked Celeste curiously.
"Because there is no way to find them," said Albus.
Celeste blinked. "I'm almost certain enough telepaths could find them anywhere. They, for lack of a better word, stink. Harry's own essence masks that one a bit till I get close, but it is still something I could find, now that I know what I'm looking for."
"Really?" asked Albus.
"Yes, though if we are dealing with something so foul, I want more backup than just my sister and Cally."
"We need to get Harry somewhere secure. How long would it take you to bring enough you felt comfortable going after more of these things?" asked Albus.
"Your going to need an elite curse breaking team, minimum. This is Voldemort we are talking about," said Nymphadora.
"We can keep Harry safe, I suppose. Well Harry and Nymphadora, at least if they will keep certain secrets," offered Riker curiously.
"And how would you do that?" asked Albus tiredly.
"Sorry, I'm bending rules now. They agree to not reveal where they were and we will keep them safe. If we could possibly have one of these curse breakers, we might even fix his problem," said RIker.
"Prove to me you can keep him safe," said Albus.
Harry vanished.
"What did you do? Where is he?" asked Albus.
"Right where we started. Shall I recall him?" asked Celeste.
"Yes," said Albus in a clipped tone.
"Don't do that," exclaimed Harry.
"Your not harmed are you?" asked Celeste.
"No, that was the best form of magical transportation ever, but it was still annoying."
"I could talk to Bill, and get a recommendation from him. Possibly the Goblins would agree to help. Voldemore is no friend of theirs either," said Nymphadora.
"Perhaps, but he is in Egypt I think. It will take time to organize an international portkey and find him," said Albus.
"If Nymphadora permits," said Celeste.
"Don't call me that," said Nymphadora.
"Then what shall I call you?" asked Celeste.
"Tonks. Just Tonks."
"If Tonk's permits me to read her and maybe a very light merge, I can likely take us to very near him and bring all of us back," said Celeste.
"What does that mean? You know legilimency?" asked Tonks.
"No, but I would gain some of your thoughts. I will not do it if you do not permit it, but it is the easiest way to reach this Bill."
"What the heck? At least your asking." She glared at the headmaster.
Piper appeared beside her sister, brunette hair in a long ponytail. "Thought WIll here could use some backup if you go wandering off."
"Thanks sis."
"And she goes through the wards like they aren't even here," muttered Albus.
Celeste held out her hand to Nymphadora, who took it with a smile. "Focus on Egypt, where it is in this world. Focus also on what you know of Bill. Let's see if we can find him."
"Alright."
Celeste blushed furiously.
Tonks blushed more furiously and added, "Sorry about that."
"I shall not mention it. I think we have enough to begin." They vanished.
-=oOo=-
They appeared on the desert in Egypt. Tonks conjured a ball of light.
"Handy. I can't do that," said Celeste.
"I think that is Gringotts Egypt branch in the distance. Want to walk, or I could apparate us I suppose, or you could repeat that."
"How about this?" asked Celeste, who was still holding her hand. They rose nearly fifty foot into the sky and then dashed for the building, landing behind a seemingly vacant building on the other side of the street.
"That was so cool," said Nymphadora.
"Yes, flight is fun. I don't get to do it enough. Took forever to figure out and get good at."
They walked in. Celeste slipped behind Nymphadora. The tellers were all busy. Tonks just took the shortest and they waited their turn.
"How can Gringotts Egypt help you?" asked the teller about ten minutes later.
"I need to speak with an employee. I wish a recommendation from him as to which Gringotts team may be best for a particular job," said Tonks.
"Which Employee?"
"Bill Weasley. I went to school with him. I figure he would be a good one to consult."
"You do know that all Gringotts employees are the highest standard."
"Of course, but I figured he might be able to give me some advice as to the best."
"Very well, I shall see if he is available for a brief interruption."
"Thanks."
They waited about fifteen minutes for Bill to come out. When he did he asked, "Tonks, whatever are you doing here? How did you even get here?"
"Can we talk somewhere privately? It is important, and yes, it could involve hiring Gringotts, like I told the teller."
"Sure." He turned to the teller. "I request two unpaid hours off."
"Granted. Should you get us a profitable job, Gringotts may even pay you for this time."
"Come on, we will go to my house."
They left the bank. Bill then apparated Tonks there, and came back for Celeste, who seemed dubious about the whole thing but agreed.
She almost fell onto his living room floor and would have, had not Bill caught her.
"You do that willingly? I'd just walk. That is the most horrible experience I've ever had with going somewhere," exclaimed Celeste.
"Tonks, why are you with a muggle, let alone bringing her into a Wizarding bank?" asked Bill.
"She is not a muggle. She may not be a Witch, but she is certainly not a muggle. Listen Bill, is this room secure? I mean really secure, as in you trust the words here not to get out, because if they do people could easily die, and a lot of them," said Tonks.
"Alright. One of those conversations them. Give me a minute."
Bill pulled out his wand and started casting spell after spell in an intricate pattern. Ten minutes later he said, "We are as secure as I can make us, which is pretty secure. What is this about?"
"Voldemort apparently made something called soul anchors. Harry, well the headmaster said it isn't one of those. He couldn't have possibly completed the ceremony, but it is the closest to it. It's in his head. There are others."
"I legally have to tell Gringotts who will have to inform others. This is bad Tonks. This is really bad. That is the darkest of dark magic."
"Will they help Harry? Can they help Harry? We have some others. Celeste is one. We just met them. They were wanting someone with magic who might know something to come with them. They were going to take Harry and I somewhere safe."
"Well that's a lot to take in. Gringotts isn't going to kill Harry, not unless there is no other way. They are not monsters. Personally, if I had one of those in my head, I'd take death if I couldn't get it removed."
"Do you know who we should talk to?" asked Tonks.
"I'll summon the master curse breaker. He has to be told anyway." Bill cast a patronus that seemed to take the form of a bird, before it dashed away.
Ten minutes later there was a knock on his door. Bill opened it.
"I cannot cross. Lower your temporary warding, unless you want me to," said the surely elderly goblin.
Bill pulled out his wand and quickly dismissed it, then let the goblin in.
"Now put it back up. If you are summoning me here out of nowhere, you presumably have reason."
Bill quickly but more carefully redid his work. The elderly goblin looked on minutely but then nodded before they went in to join the others.
"Now explain."
"Garnok, it seems that Voldemort made Horcruxes. I forget, did you say how many?" asked Bill.
"Albus guessed seven, but he doesn't know," said Celeste.
"And it seems that Harry has some kind of soul fragment or something in his scar," said Bill.
"We may be able to fix it, but there is much we do not understand. In no circumstances will we permit you to harm him, without us at least trying," said Celeste.
"I'm not going to harm the boy, but I will need to examine him, soon, preferably."
"I can take us back. Do you need to leave a message?" asked Celeste.
"Your referring to Britain? If so I'll check in there and they can send a message," said Garnok.
"Okay, well, this will be slightly easier if we put all our hands together."
"And the wards here?" asked Garnok.
"Don't seem to affect me," said Celeste.
Garnok raised an eyebrow in curiosity. She held out her hand. Tonks put hers on top. Bill added his. Garnok joined theirs from the bottom. Her well flared and suddenly they were in the Dursley's living room.
"Remarkable, and a security nightmare." He got his orientation and then sought out Harry. "Lay down. I have work to do to see what mess this old fool behind me let go this long."
"Hello Garnok," said Albus politely.
Harry hesitated.
"Lay down Harry. Garnok is very good at his job. Give him a chance," said Albus.
Harry did so hesitantly.
Garnok started chanting and moving his hands as lines of magic formed around him, them wrapped around the scar in Harry's head before displaying a pattern of symbols and curves and then vanishing.
"Difficult, but it might be possible." He ignored Harry's pained look and turned back to Celeste. "What do you know of this?"
"Not enough. We can certainly attack the mind behind it. It is not something we would ordinarily do, and we want help here or wherever we do it to make sure Harry comes through it in one piece. In theory we can kill whatever it is, but there is a lot we don't know," admitted Celeste.
"Can you teach what you just did to bring us here, or at least how to block it?" asked Garnok.
"Possibly, to one degree or another. Most species have some psychic potential," said Piper.
Shacklebolt looked at her oddly, but said nothing.
"What is your price for trying?" asked Garnok.
"In the ideal case, you bring who you need, come with us, you don't mention where you were or how you got there, and you do what you can to help Harry," said Riker.
"So, just silence on something? We can do that. When would you know?" asked Garnok.
"Probably within a week," said Celeste.
"Aren't we missing someone? Hermione, was I believe her name," said Piper.
"How do you know of Ms. Granger?" asked Albus.
"We know people," said Piper mysteriously.
"Why do you want Hermione?" asked Harry.
"We want to make sure she is safe," said Riker.
"I doubt she is in any especial danger currently," said Albus.
"Couldn't the same people who sent those things for me, go for Hermione?" asked Harry.
"He has a point," said Shacklebolt.
The door opened.
"What is this?" exclaimed Vernon. Petunia was behind him.
"It seems we must take this elsewhere. Vernon, someone sent two very dangerous creature to attack Harry. They may possibly come back. The wards should stop them if you are inside the house. So either stay inside or go somewhere else," said Albus.
"Let's go for a walk then," said Riker.
"I found another good spot, if we want to go there," offered Piper.
"I need to go to Gringotts. This branch will do."
"Get out!" exclaimed Vernon.
"Let's just move from here first, then we will make a new plan," said Riker.
"Alright," said Piper. Her well flared and all of them vanished leaving a dumbfounded Vernon and Petunia.
They appeared up on a very beautiful beach.
"Where are we?" asked Riker.
"It's a nearby uninhabited island. I forgot the name," said Piper.
"I need to go check on Hermione, but I need to get a new wand first. Tonks, do you know where Hermione lives?" asked Shacklebolt.
"No."
"I want to know what secret they are hiding before we go too much further. I can go collect Hermione and perhaps tell her parents to go somewhere else after as well," said Albus.
"You can't tell anyone about us, at least beyond the narrow group that is going to work together to fix this mess," said Riker.
"I am quite good at keeping secrets," said Albus.
"Too good," complained Harry.
"Fair enough. Continue," said Albus.
"As crazy as it may sound. We aren't from well your world. Others found out about Tonks and one member of our group is also a shape shifter and has an interest. We found out from a friend that Hermione and Harry were important and should be kept alive and healthy," said Riker.
"Nonsense. I am not an idiot," said Albus.
Riker shrugged. "We can of course prove it. Once Garnok brings who he needs we will take Harry, Hermione, and Tonks with us to more of our own skilled people and do our best to work together to heal him." His com badge chimed. He tapped it.
"Jadzia to Riker."
"Riker here."
"We have located Hermione Granger."
"Is she safe?" asked RIker.
"Yes."
"Good. Continue monitoring. Do you have any luck with our other task?"
"It is on schedule."
"Understood."
"Okay, how am I getting to Gringotts? I can create a portkey but it would be inbound and tracked," said Garnok.
Riker touched his com badge. "Can you beam down a pad with a map?"
"I'll get it to you shortly," said Jadzia.
A couple minutes later one appeared in front of Riker on the ground. He picked it up, figured out where they were before asking. "Where is Gringotts bank?"
"Well it is in London, near the Leaky cauldron," said Tonks.
"Well here is London. Care to help me narrow it down?" asked RIker. Albus and Garnok crowded around and they figured out more or less where Gringotts would be, and then the device updated, and Diagon alley appeared on the map.
"Impossible," said Albus.
"How are you getting past the wards?" asked Garnok.
"I have a good team. I assume they got part of our secondary plan online and decided to put resources where we were looking," said Riker.
Garnok touched the image of Gringott's on the tiny screen. "There."
"Getting beamed would be easier, though we can do it," said Piper.
Riker tapped his com badge again. "Can you beam this group to someplace not too visible near Gringotts?"
"Unfortunately not. There is something there. L'Nea was trying to explain, but I wouldn't trust a transport into that area," said Jadzia.
"Then I guess we will do the port. Let me study the tablet for a moment. There is something," said Celeste.
"Your being affected by the muggle repelling wards from here. Why?" asked Garnok.
Tonks held out her hand to Celeste. "Take it. If you're touching me, it should neutralize those kind of wards."
Celeste did so, then Piper took her other hand.
"Whoa, that is better. That is really annoying. Of course we can port there. I hate stuff that messes with our perception."
"Agreed," added Piper.
They joined hands again and ported to Gringotts. Albus took Harry and went to Hermione's house, but not before making and giving Garnok a portkey to there.
-=oOo=-
It was Garnok, Bill, and two others that represented Gringotts on this trip. Harry, Hermione, and Tonks were also there on the bridge of Falcon.
"Plot dimensional course to Babylon 5. That is where our help should be. Engage when ready," said Riker.
Lafiel and Jinto were in the pilot's seats.
"Dimensional drive is now coming online. Tests have passed. Initial unlock complete. Programming complete. Beginning transit," said Lafiel.
"We should be there in a couple hours," said Jinto.
"I still can't believe all this is possible. Harry, we have to be the first witch or wizard traveling in space, let alone across dimensions!" gushed Hermione.
Harry suddenly screamed.
"Doctor to the bridge. Medical emergency," said Riker.
Celeste, and Piper took Harry's hands, and Cally took Celeste's. Hermione enfolded Harry as well. Blood started leaking from Harry's scar. Celeste and Piper's wells started to flaring.
"All stop," said Riker.
"Stopping," said Lafiel.
"No, go, keep going. Don't stop," said Celeste.
"Okay, resume," said Riker.
"Resuming," added Lafiel.
Hermione gasped as smoke and black blood came out of his scar and just vanished into nothing. The doctor ran through the door with his medical bag over his shoulder. He pulled out a tricorder and quickly started scanning.
"We need to get him to sick bay. There is work yet to do. Help me move him," said Bashir.
Bashir took one side and Bill got the other before Hermione could offer. Hermione and the others followed them to sick bay. Bashir pull out a tool that he used that put a thin high energy beam into the scar, which caused more blood to leak out. He opened sterile absorbent pads and started wiping the blood away, before grabbing another tool and using it to carefully seal the wound.
"I think your healed Harry," said Bashir.
"How?" asked Garnok from the entrance.
L'Nea walked in. Her blue elf like form drawing the eye. "I think it is quite simple. That was maybe one of seven or thereabouts, but it was also one of one. A soul can never truly be separate. When we crossed dimensions we put an impossible strain on the piece in Harry's head. It lost. I should have honestly anticipated this, but then this is a very esoteric area, even for me. Good thinking Celeste, Cally, Piper. Your connecting with Harry may have helped keep him in one piece."
"I think I feel a lot better," said Harry. He turned to Celeste and the others. "Thanks."
"You should feel better. Don't use any magic, particularly not on this vessel. Your magic is apt to need time to settle and stabilize and might seem overpowered for awhile or who knows what. Just don't use any till we are away from breakable things," said Garnok.
"Alright."
Riker was at the back near the door now. "Doctor, we are clear to continue our journey then?"
"Medically Harry seems fine. Had we known this would happen we could have planned for it way better. Somehow, I'm going to have to write a report that makes this information available without sounding like I'm insane," said Bashir.
"I'm sure you will manage it doctor," said Riker with amusement.
"Gee thanks."
-=oOo=-
Back on the bridge about an hour later, Harry was back where he was, though this time Hermione was possessively holding his hand.
"Transiting back to real space," said Lafiel as the ship emerged from the dimensional sea.
"Distance to Babylon 5?" asked Riker.
"About thirty more minutes in hyperspace," said Jinto.
"Proceed."
"Verifying state of dimensional drive. All checks complete. Initiating repose. Bringing the jump engines online. Startup is normal. Opening hyperspace window and transiting to hyperspace," said Lafiel.
"Can you explain at all?" asked Garnok curiously.
"We do careful calculations to get as close as we can in the dimensional sea, but there are a lot of unknowns that do not become known until we emerge in the target universe. It's a lot better than random, but it is what it is. We just correct for it," said RIker.
"What is this Babylon 5 then?"
L'Nea tapped a few keys and a three dimensional model of Babylon 5 appeared. She said, "It is a self contained world five miles long located in neutral territory. It is a place of commerce and diplomacy for over a quarter million humans and aliens. Some called it a shining beacon in space; all alone in the night."
"Muggles built that," he said softly.
"Yes, they did. Given the technology they were working with, it is quite impressive," added L'Nea.
"We likely are not staying long. Had I known we didn't need all this help to heal Harry, I'd have probably taken fewer. Please keep all of this a secret. Most on your planet won't believe you anyway, and it might needlessly affect your development," said Riker.
Piper smiled, then grabbed Celeste's hand. "Mom is annoyed with toddler Kosh and is going to leave him at the station for Sheridan and Delenn to care for, while she skips out with us."
"You're able to communicate even through hyperspace?" asked Riker.
"Not two ways, well unless we really push it maybe, but mom caught our arrival and kind of forced it a bit," said Celeste.
"We aren't sure who else will be able to come. I suspect Lyta may, just to get away from it all. Byron might as well. Those two seem an item now," added Piper.
"More family?" asked Bill.
"No, those two are from this universe."
"I think I may be detecting a distress call. Request transit back to real space to localize," said L'Nea.
"Do it," said Riker.
"Transiting."
"Confirmed. There is activity near Earth. Mars I think."
"Inform the others. Get us there. Best speed," said Riker.
"Message sent," said Sobaash.
"Transiting back to hyperspace and increasing speed to maximum. Seven minutes," said Lafiel.
"Unlock all weapons systems. You know your jobs people. Lafiel, Jinto, are you good for combat?"
"We are," replied Lafiel.
Riker touched a button. "All hands. Battle Stations. I repeat Battle Stations. Ekuryua to the bridge. Doctor, we don't yet know what we are facing, just that it is near Earth."
"Weapons systems are online and functioning. I'll bring the battle computers into Lafiel and Jinto's link once they need them," said Sobaash.
"Is there anything we can do?" asked Tonks.
"Probably best not to use magic, until we understand how it may affect things. The fields you create are very odd," said L'Nea.
They waited impatiently until Lafiel announced, "Transiting back. Warp engines coming online."
"Our mothers and Lyta are coming. We require ship's power briefly," said Piper.
"Do it."
They joined hands, including Cally, before the lights dimmed slightly and a small pop was heard, then suddenly four more people were on the bridge.
"Situation?" asked Rowan.
"It looks like the Drakh are being fought off by a bunch of Earth ships just outside of Mars," said Samson.
"The Agamemnon is part of the fight," added Sobaash.
"Tell them we are here to help and engage."
"They have a bio weapon. Their capital ships. The computer just discovered it. They must be destroyed," said Jadzia.
"Take them out with prejudice. Hold nothing back," said Riker.
"Understood," said Jinto and Lafiel at once as their focus suddenly became absolute.
"Get me Agamemnon."
"I"m a little busy," said Agamemnon's Captain.,
"Understood. The Drakh capital ships contain a bio weapons of some kind."
"Virus," added L'nea.
"A virus. We are giving them our absolute priority and suggest you do as well."
"Understood. Agamemnon out."
Their Polaron cannons began obliterating the alien ships even as one after another torpedo launched out taking out other ships. Some of their fighters tried to screen the capital ships but Rowan and the others grabbed them and smashed them into other ships, rather than allowing it.
"Can you confirm the intent is genocide, at least of all life on this planet?" asked Riker.
"Yes. They certainly have enough for Earth too," said Jadzia.
"No quarter is to be given. Destroy them all," said Riker.
"We understand," said Jinto.
"We are burning through torpedoes faster than they are ships. Help should be here about two or three minutes after we run out," said Sobaash.
"Can't be helped. Do what you have to do to minimize the chance any of that lands on Mars," said Riker.
"Permission to remotely launch our shuttles and runabouts and use them," requested Jadzia.
Ekuryua sat at a station by Jadzia and connected to the interface there. "I will help," she said simply.
"Do it," said RIker.
"Launching shuttles first. They are easier to come by," said Jadzia.
They could see the small ship briefly accelerate to warp before destroying not one, but two ships next to each other.
They second and third shuttle only managed one each, while the combination of torpedoes and canons managed two more in that interval. They last shuttle got lucky and destroyed three that had clustered together.
The Enterprise D and E emerged from hyperspace along with a half dozen Jem'Hadar fighters.
"Tactical net is online. They have the update," said Sobaash.
They immediately began launching their own torpedoes and firing phasers. Five minutes later it was over.
Picard appeared on screen. "We are beginning sweeping operations. What else can you tell us?"
"Not much. We got here in the middle too. Shall I try to conference in Agamemnon?"
"Please."
"I have them. Adding them," said Samson.
"Do you have anything to add about how this all began?" asked Riker.
"Not really. The upgraded defense net caught them. They ignored our hails and just started attacking.. I assume right now the goal is to prevent any debris from touching Mars that might contain virus particles or pods."
"Correct."
"I suggest we split up among different ships and actively sweep for debris," said Rowan.
"Agreed." Riker turned back to the screen. "Would you mind if Rowan or another came to your ships and helped?"
"No. Please do."
Phoebe appeared beside the captain. The others spread out as well. They got to work.
Faile appeared on screen. "I'm still at Babylon 5, with my own ship. The Jem'Hadar will replenish your torpedoes. My ship can construct more."
"Our thanks," said Riker.
"None required. I just thought we would save you the time. We have been building them here. Our cargo bay is packed."
"It still helps. I do begin to wonder if we aren't going to have a choice but to eliminate the Shadows. This is getting tiresome," said Riker.
"I certainly agree with that. Take care."
"We will. Falcon out."
Riker turned to Jinto and Lafiel. "Is there anything that requires them to remain, or Ekuryua?"
"No, I can pilot at this speed, or Jadzia can do it manually," said Sobaash.
"All three of you are relieved. If in doubt, go see the doctor and rest."
"Thank you," said Jinto even as he offered his shoulder to Lafiel. Tonks walked with them to the sick bay. Sobaash sat down in the pilot's seat slipped on an interface diadem of his own and resumed their work.
-=oOo=-
They met aboard the Enterprise E in the briefing room six hours later.
"I won't keep anyone long. All your work has been exemplary. WIll, do you need anything else? I know the Jem'Hadar vessels resupplied you."
"We destroyed all four of our standard shuttles. We don't use them often. I don't suppose you could replace them or have any runabouts we could get instead?"
"I can give you two of our runabouts."
"That works. Thanks. That will give us a total of four, which is better anyway. The shuttles barely got used," said Riker.
"What do you think of their torpedoes?" asked Picard curiously.
"Honestly, ours may be better, but it isn't by much. I figure it is better for us to keep using these if we can get them. That way, when we are fighting together we have weapons with different weaknesses," said Riker.
"That would seem a logical conclusion. I believe I will study the technology when I get time," said Data.
"What about he virus?"
"It is a nanotech virus. The samples we collected verify this. It doesn't appear to have been adapted to humans yet. It is within the range of the transporters to filter, though it will take approximately two weeks to work out the details," said Data.
"I didn't know that when I ordered no quarter," said Riker.
"It was the correct decision in any case. Viral warfare is bad. I'm going to post the Enterprise D here if they permit it. I'm hoping none got through, but they could easily have already released this elsewhere."
Picard turned to the Captain of the Agamemnon. "Do you approve of the posting, and do you have anything to add?"
"I'm fine with it. I'll have to run it up the chain of command, but I can't imagine them refusing. I don't want to jinx us, but I'm glad that, so far at least, it appears we have containment."
"I'd like Phoebe and Lyta to help me with Falcon's work in this cleanup," said Rowan.
"Is that sufficient?" asked Picard.
"Based on what we know yes. It may be more than needed, but there are a lot of unknowns."
"We may need to find a way to send a message that is better understood to the Shadows and their allies," said Picard.
"We will," said Riker.
"Dismissed."
-=oOo=-
On the way back to Harry's Earth Tonks asked Riker, "So, once we at least keep Voldemort from coming back, do you have a sign up card somewhere?"
"You would also be welcome in our domain," said the Elder.
"I wouldn't turn you down, but your lack of skills is a problem. No Academy and skills I can work with. You would have a lot to learn. In truth Jinto might not have gotten aboard this ship if Lafiel didn't have the required skills. He has since worked very hard to narrow that gap. Both have actually," said Riker.
"So what? No?" asked Tonks.
"How about, if you really mean it, I can give you a recommendation to Starfleet Academy. I can't promise you will come back to this ship, but they would work to place you someplace you wanted to be," said Riker.
"You mean it?" asked Tonks.
"Yes, you have two very useful skills, your magic and your ability to change shape. I don't know your skills enough to recommend them, though I could talk to your superior if you want. Either way, I see more than enough to recommend you to the Academy."
"Why? I mean, is it the shape shifting thing?" asked Tonks, ignoring she was in the middle of the bridge to ask a semi personal question.
"The biggest thing I see is you were where the trouble was. Were you even on duty then?"
"No. The Headmaster has a small group. Shack and I may be aurors, but we are kind of trying to help protect Harry, since we know he is under threat."
"So you are doing the right thing without being paid?" asked RIker.
"She certainly was," added Celeste.
RIker nodded. "That is the key thing I look for before giving a recommendation. We can train the rest, but fundamental ethics is hard to train."
"Oh," said Tonks thoughtfully.
"Is there room for two?" asked Bill hopefully.
"Same deal. Both of you would be so much better with proper training. Some of what you know may allow you to test out of some of it, but there is enough to justify the Academy. You can't go back home and tell everyone about all this. You can't tell them ever."
"What about Goblins? If we made recommendations, could you review them?" asked Garnok.
"If your asking if we care about your species the answer is no. I'm a little warier offering open ended recruitment in some convoluted way to a civilization that does not have faster than light travel. I will, however, bring you or someone here to make your case, or make recommendations for those here, provided you keep our secrets," said Riker.
"I presume the reason is similar to our reason for the statue of secrecy, where any of us can get into a very great deal of trouble if we show muggles magic, because they may persecute us or demand us to solve all their problems," said Garnok.
"More or less. The creation of faster than light technology does not mean a species has the necessary wisdom. They could just be good at science. It is, however, a very sad fact that most of the species without the necessary wisdom generally manage to kill themselves off before getting that far."
"We could have done that," said Bill thoughtfully.
"Can you explain?" asked Riker.
"I don't know muggle science, but I know they have terrible weapons that can destroy whole cities or the entire world. We have, I'm not proud to say, a curse that allows one to control another. In theory using it means a one way trip to Azkaban. In practice, it was used frequently in Voldemort's last rise. Many people we know who are guilty said they were under it to get out of jail. Many of the same guilty used it to force people to spy, or to kill, or to even slaughter whole families. It is a horrible curse, and only a very refined will can resist it. Practice is said to help too. I don't know. I do know that it wouldn't surprise me if one side or another got desperate and controlled any muggle necessary to kill their enemies. They probably wouldn't even understand what they were ordering. I'm not sure I do either, but I know it is bad," said Bill.
"We have thought about that too. Gringotts branches around the world have helped ward some facilities. There is no reason for you to have known that," said Garnok.
"Good," said Riker.
"My problem is people like them can just walk through our best efforts. What Bill had setup at his house was a decent set of wards, for temporary ones. A strong enough wizard could possibly blow them aside. They completely ignored them," said Garnok.
"You wouldn't be the first person to point out the tactical nightmare of having people with such skills working for bad purposes. There have been many that have pointed it out. We have instead focused on trying to gain allies," said Riker.
Garnok nodded. "I will need to speak with Lord Ragnok frankly about all this and get his advice. It may be that he himself wants to speak to your government."
"He will agree to keep the secret?"
"Gringotts keeps its word."
Riker nodded.
Harry glanced at Hermione with a curious expression. "We will find a way to ask later, once our studies are complete," said Hermione softly.
RIker nevertheless nodded.
"I want to learn how to fly, maybe using magic," said Tonks softly.
"We can try to work on it," offered Piper.
"That would be great."
"Flying, you mean like on a broom?" asked Bill.
"Nope," said Tonks in amusement.
"Wizarding flight, without an artifact? That's a legend," said Bill.
"I'm fairly sure it existed. I believe Goblins were the last to practice the skill, but it was close to two thousand years ago. I regret that I have found no useful records," said Garnok.
"I'd still love to look at what you do have," said Bill.
"I'll arrange it for those interested."
"It occurs to me, that I technically should be involved in raising Kosh," said L'Nea.
"Don't bother. He is mentally mostly there and very annoying at times with his I'm wiser than you crap. Seriously, he can barely crawl," said Rowan.
"But he is healthy and such?" asked RIker.
"I think he has embraced sulking. His old form was powerful and strong. Now he is a toddler and has to grow up again to get any of that back," said Rowan.
Blond Q appeared. "Yes, that's pretty much it. I just wanted to thank you for the most amusing thing the continuum has seen in several hundred years."
"Checking up on us?" asked Riker with amusement.
"I still have Q duty. Q can be excessive at times, so I review his work from time to time, and ran across this thread, which other than name dropping isn't his work. Still, it is quite interesting. I see you haven't figured out how Q made those two types of wine, not fully at least."
"A hint would be greatly appreciated," added Sobaash.
"I can't really hint this without giving it away, though it is not as if it is a dangerous secret, though it is a useful one. How about I give it to you, in exchange for all the entertainment with baby Kosh? You do have to keep it a secret though."
"I feel like I'd be giving up a favor of tactical importance, but then again you wouldn't make a frivolous trade on a matter of tactical importance," said Riker.
"Mostly correct."
RIker looked at him curiously for a moment, and then said, "I have no objections. Does anyone?"
"Please. The Empress is going to want a bottle," said Lafiel.
"You drank it then," said Riker.
Lafiel's cheeks blushed. "The others helped."
"Alright." Q snapped his fingers and a bottle appeared. "This is much like your replicators created, well after your recent refinements. You could do a bit better with a purely natural process, but you wouldn't find the biggest missing piece. This is, incidentally the kind regular humans can drink." He handed it to Rowan.
"You are quite good at passing energy from yourself to others, correct?"
"Yes. Is that the missing piece somehow?"
"Not exactly but it is very close. Try it. Focus on what you want, feelings, and all. The drink should bring energy, health, maybe a bit of happiness."
"Is it like the Patroness?" asked Harry.
"Possibly. You could give that version a try as well," said Q.
Rowan leaned back in her chair even as she held the bottle with both hands. Her hands seemed to glow faintly as the energy was slowly absorbed through the glass into the wine inside.
"Did I do it?" asked Rowan.
"Your not going to beat Q's skills anytime soon. He has a lot of practice. Still, you will get better, and that is your first step. Good luck with the rest of your mission." He vanished.
"He just appears and hands you a likely priceless secret," said Garnok in wonder.
"I wasn't here for the others. I want to drink some of this, but we are almost there aren't we?" asked Rowan.
"We are only a few minutes out," said Jinto.
"I'll go put it away, no matter how curious I am," said Rowan.
"We could go end the threat of this so called Dark Lord and celebrate with that, though I suppose we should label that one for well non Abh, and make one for them too, or rather another one for them too," said Riker.
Lafiel blushed.
"Julian would probably want to scan that anyway, so why not go to sick bay? He can replicate one of the others and scan that one," suggested Jadzia.
"Alright."
-=oOo=-
"We are approaching the planet. I was wondering if there was a specific place to go," said Lafiel.
"Hogwarts," said Harry without thinking.
"I agree. That was and is the center of much. Can you find it?" asked Garnok.
"We can. Our phased array is still present on the moon. Between the two of us, we can find almost anything. I'm passing coordinates for Hogwarts to Lafiel and Jinto," said Jadzia.
"Bring the cloak online," said Riker.
"Cloaking device is online and operating normally. I still want one," said Samson.
"Next time we get free time, we are working on that. Hopefully we can convince the Klingons," said Riker.
"That would be great. I'd love to build our own," said Jadzia.
"Agreed," added L'Nea.
"Not that your work isn't very impressive," added Riker to the Elder.
"We both have capable engineers. There are changes going into the Jem'Hadar fleet thanks to Faile's suggestions based on your ships," said the Elder.
"We never spent much time talking shape shifting. How does yours work? I think I can mimic you," said Tonks. Tonks shifted into a perfect copy of the founder.
"You cannot mimic clothing then?" asked the elder.
"Sorry, nope," replied Tonks in a perfect imitation of the elder's voice.
The elder shifted to a perfect copy of her, including uniform.
"That is so cool. I mean I can tell we are quite different, but it is really cool," said Tonks enthusiastically, before morphing back. The elder morphed back as well.
"Faile can fly," added Rowan.
"You mean with telekinesis?" asked Tonks.
"She can do that too, but no, she can morph into a perfect copy of a sparrow hawk and fly without telekinesis. It is very impressive," said Rowan.
"It is. She spent a long time perfecting that. Rowan here helped," said the Elder.
"Dang. I can't do non human forms, well other than noses and such."
"Are you sure?" asked the Founder curiously.
"Well so far. I get that I might have created my own limitation."
The Elder nodded.
"We are now in orbit over Hogwarts. It's a bit extended because of the amount of space debris," said Lafiel.
"They do need to clean up their mess, but I suppose they don't have any easy way to do it," noted L'Nea.
"The real question is, do we work from here, move the ship down or just head down to Hogwarts?" asked Riker.
"Closer is certainly less work, usually," said Rowan.
"Closer it is. Tonks, Bill, Garnok. How would you approach this?"
"If you can put Bill and I down somewhere nearby, we can talk with the headmaster," said Tonks.
"How about if we add Rowan to the list, so there is someone with a communicator?"
They nodded.
-=oOo=-
"We are in the forbidden forest," noted Bill.
"Your a big boy. We will manage," said Tonks.
Bill smirked, when suddenly there was a rustle. A centaur walked out of the woods.
Bill bowed then said simply, "Hello."
"My names is Firenze. I bid you greetings."
"Greetings Firenze. We apologize if we intrude. We don't plan to be here long."
Firenze nodded, then turned to Rowan. Her silver hair and eyes remained stunning as ever. Her current physical age was about twenty and she had already regained her lithe figure from her pregnancy.
"The stars welcome you. You have come so very far to stand here on this day in this place, and yet your journey just begins. You are here to fight the darkness, are you not?"
"I am. I don't understand how you could possibly know that."
"Centaurs are very good at predicting what can be predicted of the future," said Bill.
"That's new. I did not know that was possible," said Rowan.
"Call the old one. There is much to discuss. The tribe is debating asking for sanctuary from those above," said Firenze.
"I figured we could just walk there, but that works. Tonks do you want to do the honors?"
Tonks cast her patronus, which took the form of a jack rabbit, and then whispered in its ears, before the silver mist like form shot off.
"That was incredible. Truly it was," said Rowan.
"It is just a patronus," said Tonks absently.
"No, it is precious. Can you all do that? I can think of numerous uses, mostly in mind healing. It was great."
"A small percentage of witches and wizards can. I can as well, but most can't," said Bill.
"Most do not bother to make the effort," said Firenze.
"Fair," agreed Bill.
The headmaster appeared in a ball of phoenix fire with Fawkes flying off afterward.
"I didn't think you would be back so quickly. Is Harry well?"
"He is fine. They fixed him up like five minutes after we took off," said Tonks cheerily.
"Really?" asked the headmaster in surprise.
"It was an utter surprise to most everyone and probably a serious risk to Harry's life. L'Nea figured out the reason shortly after. Basically, a piece is still a part of the whole, and when we got far enough away, it severed. I reviewed my daughter's memory of the event. It was quite chaotic, but all is well," said Rowan.
"The dark one split what must be kept whole?" asked Firenze warily.
"He did. That is a secret that must be kept, and I would greatly like to see that memory sometime, but first, why are you here?" asked Albus.
"We were ready to start on the rest. I hope we are here before the ankle biters get back," said Tonks.
"The students arrive back four days from now," said the Headmaster with amusement.
"Then we can call the others down and get started?" asked Rowan.
"You may."
Rowan tapped her com badge. "Rowan to Falcon. You are clear to beam the landing party down."
"Understood. Stand by," said Riker.
-=oOo=-
The bridge crew, minus Sobaash, Samson, Ekuryua, along with those from this world beamed down.
"We should get started," said Garnok.
"I think we have a ways to walk," said the Headmaster thoughtfully.
They were walking for ten minutes when they accidentally ran into a clearing of very large spiders.
"Oh dear," said Albus as he brought out his wand and swept them all back.
"Why do you have a massive number of acromantula in range of children?" asked Garnok curiously.
"I thought there were a few. Hagrid and his pets. This is quite unacceptable. We will have to come back and deal with them sometime," said Albus.
"Why not do it now?" asked Lafiel.
Riker tapped his com badge. "Sobaash, do you see these spiders the headmaster here is keeping at bay?"
"We do. Do you have a preference for what to do with them?"
"Can you find anyplace nearby to trap them?"
"They have some value for their silk. If you trap them, Gringotts will move them someplace else," said Garnok.
"If someone else can keep them busy, I will build a cage," said the Headmaster.
"We will handle it," said Rowan.
The spiders just stopped, as all the telepaths there exerted control against them.
"Handy. Can you sustain that?"
"It is a lot to multitask, so we'd appreciate if you would hurry," said Rowan.
The others from Falcon drew phasers.
The headmaster waved his wand causing the earth to transform into a giant steel cage with bars far too small for the acromantula escape. The door to the cage was open. The telepaths quickly floated all the acromantula in that they had frozen before the door snapped shut.
Garnok pulled out a bit of scroll from his bag and wrote a note. He handed it to Bill, who nodded and apparated away.
"Bill will bring back a team to move them. He will join us later. I assume your transfiguration will hold a couple hours," said Garnok.
"It should last about a day," said the headmaster. Garnok nodded.
"I still can't believe that is possible for a regular human," said Riker.
"Magic can do many things. There are limitations of course, but many things," said the Headmaster.
"Just how lethal are those?" asked Jinto worriedly.
"One of them can easily kill a person. They are also resistant to direct attacks," said Tonks.
An even bigger spider walked up. "Let my children go!" it roared.
"And sentient it seems. What a mess," said Riker.
The Headmaster sighed. "Hold them a bit for me please?"
The spiders froze, as the Headmaster opened the cage and then floated the king spider in, before closing it. Rowan and the others let them go again.
"We will keep them where they can't kill anyone and trade some of their silk for food, though there is other food as well, just nothing sentient," said Garnok.
Riker nodded.
"Will you have any problem moving them?" asked L'Nea.
"No. I'm sure they will just make the Headmaster's cage into a portkey and drop them right where they are going to end up. It might break the transfiguration, but it should last long enough," said Garnok.
"Why don't we stay to make sure it happens safely. I don't want to leave and someone be hurt," said Riker.
"If you like," said the Headmaster. He then walked over to Harry and asked, "Mind if I check things a bit?"
Harry shrugged.
The headmaster spent several minutes checking our Harry.
"Well?" asked Harry.
"Good overall. I'm glad you haven't apparently done any magic since then. There is some damage. It's fixable. I want to take Harry up to Madam Pomfrey, and she might call in an expert, but again, fixable. Don't use magic yet," said Albus.
"How long?" asked Hermione.
"Two weeks at a guess? That is a tiny price to pay to get rid of that."
"It really is. I should have double checked, but he seemed fine," said Garnok.
"It's subtle. You'd have to be looking fairly closely. It might have healed on its own, but at this point I'm taking no chances," said Albus.