After splitting ways from the Avatar's group in the morning, Azula led them toward Ba Sing Se, assuming that Zuko would seek out allies. "We'll take the mountain road," she said, "Better than being out in that desert on foot. Even with Ostrich-Horses, it would take over a week to cross. This way might be slower, but we're also not going to be in danger of heat exhaustion."

They all nodded, understanding the sense in the plan. However, Ron spoke up, "And when we get there? How are we going to search for him?"

Azula shrugged, "I'd prefer not to have any enemy entanglements, but what can't be helped; can't be helped." she replied, rubbing her chin, "I have no idea if War Minister Qin has failed already or if he hasn't even deployed his so-called "super weapon"."

Everyone looked at her in curiosity and she grimaced, "It's a giant drill."

Harry turned to her with a raised eyebrow, "Now, when you say that it is a giant drill, you mean…"

Azula groaned, "That it's compensating for the fact that the Minister is a sixty-year-old bachelor? Yes. Yes I do." she replied, drawing a chuckle from Iroh. Azula glared at him in response, "If it's there when we arrive, you tell me that's not what comes to mind!"

If anything, that made Iroh laugh harder, "I remember the Minister when he was a Captain under me." he remarked through the tears, "I can completely believe it."

That drew a chuckle out of everyone and they set out, making good speed across the mountain road. That night, as they were setting up camp in a clearing they had found, Harry suddenly turned and faced the row of trees nearest to them. Luna noticed and followed his eyes before cocking one of her eyebrows. Azula noticed this odd behaviour and laid a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Harry? What is it?"

Harry furrowed his brow, "I'm not sure." he finally admitted, "It's like I sense something I haven't felt in months."

Before Azula could question him further, Ron appeared upside down, obviously hanging from a tree branch, "Harry! Luna! Catch!" he shouted before throwing a pair of sticks their way.

Luna was closer to the tree containing Ron, but it took her a moment to catch the stick thrown her way as it bounced from hand to hand. Harry, on the other hand, with the ease of his years as a Seeker at Hogwarts, simply reached out and caught the stick in the palm of his hand perfectly.

A whoosh of wind and a glow surrounded them. Though where Luna was surrounded by a golden glow, Harry's was green with tinges of red. "Well, bugger me sideways…" Harry breathed.

Azula was about to repeat her question when many things happened at more or less the same time. Harry pulling her into a crouching position was certainly a surprise. Her uncle yelping in shock was another. But what surprised Azula the most was, when she looked to see what had surprised her uncle, she discovered him tied up! And that, when she looked at Luna, she was pointing the stick at Uncle, and by extension, herself and Harry as they were in the way; she had a satisfied smirk on her face. "Well that answers three questions." the blond remarked, making a motion with the stick and making the ropes holding Uncle disappear, "Magic still works through us and no one has experienced it before."

Ron, having flipped onto the ground by now, walked up with a raised eyebrow and holding a stick of his own. "And what was the third question? You've only mentioned the answers to two of them: Does Magic exist and what is known about it?"

Luna's smirk only grew as she placed the stick behind her ear, "Harry's reflexes haven't dulled."

Harry just rolled his eyes as he helped Azula stand, though her knees were certainly jelly so he had to keep a hold of her, "Next time, Luna, can you not conduct your test in a way that could be seen as an Assassination Attempt?"

Luna's smirk only grew devious. "Have to keep the future Consort to the Fire Lord on his toes and ready for anything that comes his way." she replied, drawing splutters from both him and Azula, "What? Am I wrong on either count?"

Azula rubbed the bridge of her nose, already feeling a headache start to form. "Not… really?" she ground out, eventually. "But did we need such a display now?"

Luna just smiled enigmatically before working on setting up her tent, waving her stick and setting it up without physically doing anything more strenuous than waving her wrist about. Harry just shook his head. Everything that just happened was so Luna that he didn't even think to think about it, valuing his sanity over desiring answers. He just looked at his stick before smiling, "Never thought we'd find a wand here." he muttered.

Ron hummed, "I can feel that it's nothing like my old one, but it's better than nothing." he said.

Harry hummed, "Chin up, Ron." he replied, "You actually found wands. In time, you'll find better ones for us."

Ron smirked, "The Wand chooses the Wizard." he said in an aged voice, clearly imitating someone, before shuddering, "I'll start sounding like the old coot before long."

Harry started snickering before suddenly dropping to his knees and standing back up after blue-white light sped past him and smacked into Ron, drawing a yelp out of him. "Dammit Luna!" Ron shouted.

Azula just shut her eyes and rubbed them, "This woman is going to be the death of me."

Harry smirked, "Remind me to tell the story of the toad-like woman and Luna's retribution."

They continued like that for a little over two weeks, they would have been faster, had they not kept up on their respective training. That took a few hours out of their travels a day. But they finally made it to the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. Or, more specifically, the chief Fire Nation War Camp for the forces attempting to take the city. Azula appeared exceedingly tense throughout the journey up. From what Harry knew, the War Minister was an odious man with delusions of grandeur. That was something with which he could work with, considering his years of dealing with the Malfoys and Snape. That still did not explain why Azula was so tense.

"Your Highness honours us with your presence." The greying man before them remarked by way of greeting.

Azula's face fell into a frown, "War Minister Qin. I had presumed you would have been in Ba Sing Se by now. At least, that is what you inferred from your reports." She replied tersely.

The Minister's face seized a brief moment of panic before he replied. "A minor miscalculation in the necessary preparations. We're prepared to begin by morning, however."

Azula narrowed her eyes, "And how do I know that is not also a 'minor miscalculation' as you put it."

The Minister stood straighter, "Your Highness, the drill is here, ready for deployment. It merely arrived hours too late to begin today."

Azula cocked her head to the side. "Then, at noon tomorrow, Ty Lee, Mai and I will oversee the deployment of the drill. Personally." She replied. When the Minister tried to stammer a response, she continued, "And General Iroh and the rest of my entourage will oversee you. Personally."

The Minister then looked to the rest of her party and blanched on seeing General Iroh. He did not, however, make any objections but instead, made a hasty, if well-mannered, retreat.

The next morning, Azula was still in a poor mood. It was clear to everyone who came across her that morning that she still thought the Minister's plan was stupid. The only reason she was going along with it was the fact that she could not countermand her father.

At least, not yet.

Harry, unlike everyone else, was wholly unaffected by Azula's mood. He could feel the eyes of many of the soldiers on him, however, and it was that which unnerved him. Since they weren't due to begin the deployment until after midday, however, Azula invited him to a sparring session to work off their energy and nerves, which Harry accepted. Emerald and Azure flames intermingled with each other and drew quite the crowd. Even the War Minister couldn't help but observe. One would have been forgiven, if they had not seen the prelude, to believe it was a fight where both combatants intended to kill, rather than a spar. Their mastery of Fire was on clear display as they used moves that would have killed the average soldier, or even many of the elite members of the Imperial Guard, including the users of such moves. Yet they were suffering nothing more intense than a slight elevation of their heart rates, if their flushed appearances were any indication.

This particular spar, unlike their first, had no clear victor, if that had been an objective in the first place. Both Harry and Azula had each other on the ground for a moment before they both relaxed and began catching their breath. "You're learning my tricks," Harry remarked between gulps of air.

Azula rolled onto her side to look at him, her arm propping up her head as her chest heaved, "Helps that we're on the same side." she replied, "And I've always been a fast learner."

Harry smirked as he turned to look at her, "So I need to stay on my toes then. Good to know." He replied, drawing a smile from Azula, though her eyes were laughing.

They were interrupted, however, by the arrival of Iroh. "That was an impressive display, though I wonder if it was prudent to expend that energy now, rather than hold onto it for this afternoon?"

Azula huffed as Harry helped her to her feet, "Perhaps, perhaps not. But since Harry isn't coming and he looked about ready to blast someone's head off, to say nothing of my own temper, I thought it prudent to be able to enter the operation with a clear head."

That caused Iroh to smirk, "It is always prudent to have a clear mind before going into battle. Then you avoid making mistakes that would cost you more than you wish to pay."

The War Minister couldn't help but butt in at that, "Yes. Perhaps if you had been more clear-headed five years ago, we wouldn't have to conquer Ba Sing Se."

Iroh frowned as he turned to the War Minister, "How many of our soldiers live today because my son died? How many more might have lived if I had avoided Ba Sing Se?" he retorted, then he crossed his arms, "Perhaps the Fire Nation is not meant to Conquer Ba Sing Se, perhaps there is another way."

Harry could only agree, considering what he knew about the city and how it survived in this war. War Minister Qin, it seemed, had another view, "Careful General." he replied, "You speak very close to Treason."

Harry bit his cheek, but Azula intervened, "I am too tired to deal with this." she stated, "I'm heading for my tent to rest for a few hours. Minister, make sure your drill is ready in time." she ordered before turning to Harry and outstretching her hand, "Would you escort me, Harry?"

Harry knew that Azula needed no such escort. Just as he knew that she was aware that, by asking for his escort in particular, she was stating that she had no trust in the Minister or his troops. Though, by the glint in her eye, there might be another reason for the request. "As my Princess commands," he replied, bowing over her hand.

Judging by the grin on Iroh's face, they both knew what he, and likely everyone else, was thinking. Not that he would be disappointed if it went that way. Quite the opposite, he would be very pleased if it ended up going that way, he just didn't think it would. Azula was clearly, to him at least, quite tired. He was as well, he was just used to running on fumes and not getting anywhere near enough sleep, something that Azula had been quite persistent about curbing with… mixed success.

On their return to her tent, Azula pulled her hairpiece out and set it aside her cot before pulling Harry onto it with her and falling fast asleep. He couldn't move out of her grip even if he wanted to, which, positioned as he was, he didn't. and, since he was already rather comfortable and tired himself, he soon found himself entering the land of nod.

They were still sleeping peacefully hours later when Ty Lee had been volunteered to retrieve the Princess. When Ty Lee entered the tent, however, she had to quickly stifle a giggle and squeal that threatened to surface. They lay on top of the blankets and with their legs intertwined, holding each other tightly. Azula's hair was draped over the both of them while the Princess also had her chin resting on the top of Harry's head. It was very cute.

And that was something that Ty Lee never thought she would ever think about a situation involving Azula. Unfortunately, however, they had a job to do so she had to ruin this perfect scene.

Walking over to Harry's side, she gently shook him, unwilling to risk doing the same to Azula, regardless of how friendly she was with her. Harry, however, sleepily batted away her hand without ever opening his eyes. Ty Lee shook her head and rolled her eyes before shaking him a bit more forcefully, only to receive a similar response. Finally, she employed a trick she used on several of her sisters, back at home: she dunked her hand in a bowl of water that was nearby, ostensibly for washing up, before lightly running her fingers along Harry's exposed neck.

That certainly got a reaction. Specifically, Harry whipped his head around to glare at Ty Lee, "What?" he growled while Azula yelped.

Ty Lee waved her hand, "I need the Princess so the deployment can get underway." she said before looking at Azula. "You okay?"

Harry gazed at Azula, she was rubbing her chest as if it was irritated. "I'm fine." she replied before looking at Harry, "You need to start shaving. You've got a bit of stubble on your chin and it scratched my cleavage when you whipped your head up."

Harry turned a bright red considering where his face had been for the last few hours. However, he nodded. Ty Lee, on the other hand, began smirking like the cat that got the canary. "I bet that wasn't the only place he scratched up," she said in a sing-songy voice.

Azula just rolled her eyes as she shooed Ty Lee out, "Go. I'll be there in a few moments."

Ty Lee bowed, then left the two of them. Harry lacked any motivation to rise, at least, until Azula got up and removed her sweat-stained tunic. He must have made some sort of sound, for Azula turned to face him with a raised eyebrow and nary a stitch of clothing above her waist. "You're going to see this anyway, might as well start getting used to it."

If Harry could see himself at that instant, he was certain that there was not much, if any, blood circulating in his body save for his face. "Warn me!" he strangled out, "It's a damn good thing I'm not going with you because I'd be too distracted!"

Azula smirked and walked over to him before leaning over him and getting into his face, "Is that so?" she whispered seductively.

Harry just groaned, "Hello? Beautiful woman, on full display in front of a boy no older than sixteen? What do you think is going through my mind?"

If anything, Azula's smirk grew larger, if that had been possible. "Oh, I can think of a few things," she whispered, hand trailing over his waist.

It took all of Harry's willpower to shut his eyes and not surrender to his desires at that moment. Something that Azula seemed to be very aware of. Finally, though, she withdrew, "We'll talk tonight about it." she said as she began dressing in her armour. She made to leave before stopping at the tent flap, "I'm glad I have that effect on you, Harry. You might want to wait a little bit before going out there, though, just saying." she said with a grin on her face.

With that, she left. Harry wondered, for a moment, what she meant until he rolled slightly and felt his trousers suddenly feeling tighter than they normally did.

It was several minutes later when he finally emerged from the tent. Thankfully, Azula had already started the assault; he doubted he could withstand further teasing from her without taking her away for a while and letting their passions take over. When he joined the Minister and Iroh at a ridge line looking towards Ba Sing Se, Iroh gave him a knowing look, "Ah, the flame of youth. It burns rather brightly, wouldn't you agree, Harry?"

Harry snorted, "Certainly a fire in my veins now." he muttered.

Minister Qin made some sort of strangled noise while Iroh chuckled, "Reminds me of when my Nala was chasing after me." he mused, drawing himself into reminiscences. "Ah, those were the days."

Harry smirked, "I can assure you, General, there is no chasing going on. Her Highness and I are right where we want to be." he replied, bringing a spyglass to his good eye. The drill seemed to be proceeding well, and an Earthbender team had been taken out already, by the looks of things. "Who were they, I wonder?" he mused.

Iroh harrumphed, "Terra Team, if their insignias haven't changed in the last few years." he replied, "Supposedly, the best Earthbenders Ba Sing Se has to offer."

Harry snorted, he didn't see Toph out there so chalked it up to boastings. Then he noticed the drill slow down significantly and looked to the front of it, "Avatar's group is here." he said, without a hint of emotion.

Iroh didn't visibly react, though Harry suspected that if it had just been them, Iroh would have been banging his head against something out of frustration. Didn't they know that Ba Sing Se was effectively under siege? And that bringing two of the Fire Nation's more prized targets together would be irresistible? Harry's suspicions would be accurate, at least, in regards to the Minister, "The Avatar? In Ba Sing Se? How delightful! Now our supply lines will simplify greatly."

Harry took a deep breath to steady himself. Exhaling, however, proved more interesting as he blew a jet of Emerald flame at least twenty feet high. Everyone around them stopped and stared, but eventually, the silence was broken by Iroh, "There is an old proverb: Do not poke the Dragon, for you are flammable, and go well with sauce."

Harry sent a grateful look towards Iroh before turning his attention to Qin, "You've not seen the Avatar in combat. I have. Though I will freely admit that I've never seen the Avatar State in play, you could ask the Northern Fleets how that went."

Qin and the soldiers listening in paled, and Harry continued, "The kid's got power in spades, but is reckless, undisciplined, and, above all, lucky. Anyone thinking their fight is easier because they're facing a twelve-year-old boy is in for a rude awakening." he said before crossing his arms, "And that's before you consider his companions, Masters in their own fields, regardless of the fact that the oldest amongst them is about the same age as Her Highness."

Qin visibly quailed, "What are you saying?" he asked.

Harry grimaced, "I'm saying that Her Highness has already lost, she just might not be aware of it."

A loud and sudden rush of noise soon permeated the air around them. Harry grimaced when it did, "Now she is."

It was about an hour later before the drill team returned to the camp, though the girls left immediately for the nearby river to clean themselves. Ty Lee and Mai were the first to return, freshly washed and their hair still damp. As soon as they sat down by the fire, they also noticed the major difference, "Where'd the Minister and the soldiers go?" Ty Lee asked.

Iroh leaned back from his ministrations tending their fire and looked at the girls, "The War Minister was so convinced of himself and his success that he decided to run back to the Fire Lord to get ahead of the failure." he replied, "Most of the soldiers went with him."

Ron couldn't help the snort that escaped him, "I've seen the type before." he replied to the look Mai sent his way, "Though normally we hear 'When my Father hears of this!' before the cowards depart."

Mai hummed, understanding that there was a tale there to which she was not privy. Yet. Then she noticed the other oddity, "Where's Harry?"

Iroh shrugged, "Gathering firewood, last I knew." he replied as Ty Lee sat in Luna's lap so the blonde could brush her hair. "Though it is incredibly likely that he is, in fact, blowing off some steam. The War Minister was a very…irksome man."

They sat around the fire for a while, merely conversing about relatively innocuous topics. Like Ron and Luna talking about their tavern back in Caldera or Mai talking about what it was like in Omashu. Eventually, Azula showed up, carrying a stack of firewood. Importantly, however, without Harry. Ordinarily, Ron and Luna wouldn't have given it much thought, except that when Iroh raised his eyebrow, in clear question, Azula turned a bright red and couldn't look her uncle in the eye. It didn't help Azula when Ty Lee took a good look at her friend, "OH!" She squealed, "Your Aura's all pink! Details!"

Azula groaned as she dropped the firewood near the fire, "Ty Lee, can we not? At least, in front of my uncle?"

That sharpened everyone's attention and they all turned to stare at her. Ron was the one to break the silence, "No, Luna. Neither you nor I will write to either Sirius or Remus to tell them that Harry got laid. Harry can do it himself."

Luna smirked enigmatically, "Why, Ron," she grinned, "You presume that such an event would be something that Harry would tell Sirius." she remarked before laughing.

Ron merely rolled his eyes. He would have countered with something if Azula hadn't begun clutching her head and screaming out Harry's name. They were just able to get to her side to catch her when she went limp, breathing heavily. When she noticed everyone looking at her anxiously, Azula spoke with a quivering voice, one that nobody had ever heard come from her, "Harry got pulled down and then knocked out by some Earth Kingdom forces. They didn't appear to be the regular army."

"Dai Li," Iroh pronounced with a grimace on his face. "Harry is in Ba Sing Se. And a prisoner."

The three younger Fire Nationals all took on expressions of horror. Ron and Luna, conversely, donned expressions of grim determination. "So. We get into Ba Sing Se, find Harry and get the blazes out of there." Ron summed up.

Iroh's expression didn't change, "Ba Sing Se is, unfortunately, massive. Several hundred thousand people all crammed together and terrified of the Dai Li." he replied, shaking his head, "It will not be easy."

If anything, Ron's expression grew to match Iroh's, "General, nothing around Harry is easy. And I have no doubts about the validity of the Princess' vision." he replied. "I just hope he's not going to be in too bad a way when we retrieve him."

Luna sent Ron a look that caused the redhead to shiver. He knew that look. "Right… It involves Harry. The worst-case scenario is going to be too mild for what we find."

Iroh merely shook his head. That talk he'd been putting off with Azula was coming back to bite him in the backside. "First we must get inside Ba Sing Se. Tomorrow." he said aloud while his mind turned to other problems. "We must take careful steps when undertaking this mission. Carelessness can stem from fatigue. Get some rest. All of you."

With Mai and Ty Lee attending to Azula, and Ron and Luna retiring for the evening, Iroh directed his attention to the Walled City. First, it took his son from him, now it takes his future nephew-in-law from them. That was not, however, the source of the sense of foreboding that haunted him. No, he had a feeling he would not be leaving Ba Sing Se a free man. But for his niece and her beloved, that was a price he was willing to pay. Perhaps that wasn't what he would have said a couple of months ago, but the last few weeks opened his eyes to what his brother had thrown to the wayside without even knowing it, and what he had turned his back on in haste. He'd be damned if he let that go without a fight.

And a fight, they would get.