CHAPTER 3:

FLOWERS AND A TURK IN A CHURCH

Aerith brought them to a plump, elderly, but vivacious woman called Mirielle Dudley. Something about the woman reminded Harry of Professor Sprout, or at least her more pleasant qualities. He hadn't forgotten how she had treated him during the Tri-Wizard Tournament's early stages for 'stealing' Hufflepuff's glory. Or perhaps Molly Weasley when she wasn't being overbearing. She seemed maternal and yet impish.

Mirielle gladly gave them rooms, and also took some of Harry's gold and gems. Not too much, as she explained that, while she knew plenty of places to sell them, selling too much would not only glut the market and bring down the price, but get people to ask rather pointed questions about where Mirielle got them from, or even have criminals seek out the source. However, in exchange for the gold and gems he gave her, he and Delphi got rent for at least the next few months, as well as a decent supply of the local currency, known as 'Gil'. She'd also gotten him a bangle filled with Materia, namely a Restoration Materia and a Fire Materia.

Mirielle also gave him pointers where to find work. Working for Shinra was already a no-go: even if he didn't believe Aerith and Elmyra, he noted that not many people down here liked them, even those who worked for Shinra. Mirielle also pointed out that there was an anti-Shinra resistance group known as AVALANCHE, though some cells were basically terrorist groups, apparently. AVALANCHE had cells throughout the slums of Midgar, and even topside, but Harry wanted no part of them for now. Opposing Shinra was a good thing, yes, but if you started going after innocents to do so, then how were you any better than them?

Mirielle suggested doing work for the local Watch, the name for the organisations that protected each Sector of the slums against monsters and criminals. Harry wasn't so sure yet. Being an Unspeakable gave him plenty of useful skills and abilities, but exposing magic, at least without using Materia, could bring him attention from various corners, and not just Shinra. AVALANCHE, Don Corneo, and perhaps if Wutai truly had spies in Midgar's slums, they might target him and Delphi.

In addition, he was still worried about being stranded. He tried calling for Fawkes, and then Winky, in quick succession, but to no avail. The Communications Mirror didn't work, showing only static. He'd actually cried himself to sleep when the enormity of it hit him. He and Delphi were stranded on another world, with no way of communicating with his friends or loved ones, at least that he knew of. He was better for a good night's sleep, but even then, it weighed heavily on him. He wondered if his friends and loved ones would try to find him, and if they could. Hermione and Luna had the best chance: they were his comrades in the Unspeakables before Percy purged the Department of Mysteries of any dissenters. But could they?

Harry and Delphi's first breakfast in this new world was a solemn one, eaten at a café or what passed for one nearby. Mirielle had recommended it to them. Harry had to marvel at the life down here, even if it stank to high heaven in the slums proper. Despite that, these people were living their lives and fairly well.

Delphi was her usual withdrawn self. There was apparently a local orphanage known as the Leaf House whose kids had a local playgroup, but he wasn't sure how they'd react to her eyes. The closest thing she had to a friend her age back home was Teddy Lupin, and now, they were separated.

Still, just as he and Delphi were finished their meal, Aerith came up, a basket on her arm. "Hi," she greeted cheerfully. "How well did you sleep?"

"As well as we could, given the circumstances," Harry said. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, but…do you want to go for a walk with me? It might be dangerous, but the pair of us should be enough to keep any monsters off Delphi," the brown-haired young woman said.

"…Okay, if you say so," Harry said.

And so, the three of them ventured down a dusty road, lined with rocks and rubbish. Aerith passed the time with idle chatter, occasionally pointing out a landmark. But once they passed a train station, she began talking about another subject.

"It's not just my garden I take flowers from to sell," Aerith said. "There's a derelict church along this road where flowers grow. Aside from my garden, it's probably one of the only places in Midgar where flowers can grow. In fact, my garden is full of flowers I transplanted from the church."

"What a depressing place," Harry said. "Have you ever been away from Midgar before, Aerith?"

"Once," Aerith said. "My mother took me on a trip to Kalm." Her emerald eyes flicked up to the sky. "Oddly enough, I am a touch agoraphobic. But my boyfriend told me about his hometown, Gongaga."

"You have a boyfriend?" Harry asked.

"Yes. He's a SOLDIER First Class, Zack Fair." Her gaze went to the ground, watching the path. "But…I haven't heard from him in five years. Not since he went on a mission. Mom reckons he's dead, or found someone else." Her face fell. "I'd know it if he's dead."

"How would you know?" Harry asked.

"That's a story best kept for another time, once we get to the church. Besides, we have company."

The three peered at a couple of dumpy, crimson frog-like creatures dancing on two legs not far from them, with spiky backs, and malicious grins on their faces. "What are those things?" Delphi asked.

"Hedgehog Pies," Aerith said, reaching behind her back, and pulling out what looked like a baton, though with a click of a button, it extended into a staff. She fired off a bolt of lightning at them, and they screeched, before collapsing, dissolving into motes of emerald light. "Monsters are getting more and more numerous in Midgar these days. Come on, it isn't far…"

The dilapidated church had clearly seen better days. There was a hole in the roof, through which sunlight flowed in, and a hole in the wooden floor exposed soil through which a large flowerbed grew. Delphi hurried over to the flowers. "Aerith, how do these flowers grow so well?"

"Well, some people say it's because it's a holy place. But did you notice the river next to my house? It's charged with Mako Energy, and, believe it or not, runs directly under here." Aerith joined Delphi, as did Harry.

"Hmm…seems to be in good order, so far," Aerith said after a few minutes of scrutinising the flowers. "Zack actually gave me the idea to sell flowers. He fell here from the Sector 5 Reactor."

Harry peered up at the metal plate, just visible through the hole in the roof. "How did he survive that? How far up is the plate?"

"300 metres. And Zack survived because members of SOLDIER are given biological enhancements along with Mako Infusion. Though I'd like to think that the flowers also did their part. Anyway, none of these flowers are ready, but they will be soon." She walked over to one of the more intact pews, and sat down, Delphi sitting next to her, and Harry sitting down last. "I brought you here for another reason. I'm sure Mom would have stopped me from saying this at our house, and I don't want to say it in front of anyone else. A few people in Sector 5 know or suspect this, but it's not something I want to tell just anyone."

"So why tell us?" Harry asked. "We just met yesterday."

"For the same reason I knew you came from another world." Aerith looked to the hole in the roof, before saying, "I'm like you. I can use magic without Materia, or using a Limit Break or Wutai Ninjutsu."

"What's a Limit Break?" Delphi asked.

"When someone is pushed far enough, especially in conflict, they can temporarily break their limits, hence the name," Aerith said. "They can briefly perform supernatural feats of strength or even use magic, even without Materia."

"But you can use it without Materia," Harry said. "Does that make you a witch?"

"Perhaps by your world's standards. But let me ask you something…could you hear the voice of your planet?"

Harry stared at her. "Sorry, what?"

"…I didn't think so," Aerith said, before returning her gaze to the hole in the roof. "But I can. That marks me as a Cetra, sometimes known as an Ancient. Basically, we're humans capable of using magic at will, and able to commune with the Planet. My mother taught me as much as she could before she died. My birth mother, I mean. Ifalna. And even then, I only remember so much."

"…I guess we're not Cetra," Harry said.

"No, but…he said that the ritual that bound him to me might have been one," Delphi said.

"…He did?" Harry asked Delphi, knowing who she meant.

"…That's certainly possible," Aerith said. "Over two millennia ago, a great calamity came from the skies. The Cetra and the rest of humanity fought it, though some fled to other worlds, so my mother claimed. The Planet indicated that you were, distantly at least, related to the Cetra, both of you."

"That's why Shinra's so interested in you, then," Harry said, changing the subject a little. "It's because you can use magic without Materia."

"No. Not just that. Shinra believes that Cetra, being stewards of this world, are key to finding the 'Promised Land', a land they believe to be rich in Mako Energy," Aerith said solemnly. "In truth, the Promised Land is the Lifestream, for there is no greater reward for a Cetra to return to the Planet that nurtured them after death. Not that President Shinra believes that. He keeps tabs on me, and occasionally sends someone to pester me into returning, though they also double as a sort of unofficial bodyguard. Namely, members of the Department of Administrative Research…better known as the 'Turks'. Their official work is to act as bodyguards for the executives, as well as recruiters for SOLDIER, and maybe do some investigation for Shinra. They also do a lot of dirty work on the side besides. Espionage, assassination, even the odd abduction. Though if any approach me while you're around, don't antagonise them. A few of them are good people. But don't use any of your world's magic around them."

"Got it," Harry said.

As if on cue, they heard footsteps from the door. Aerith stood and turned around, before sighing. "…Speak of the devil," she murmured quietly.

Harry and Delphi also got off the pew, and turned to face the newcomer. The man was tall, burly, dark-skinned, and dressed in a severe suit. His head was shaved bald, save for a neat, short goatee. His eyes were hidden behind dark glasses.

"Good morning, Aerith," the man said, his voice a smooth, rich baritone.

Aerith sighed. "Have you got nothing better to do than to pester me, Rude?"

"…Rude?" Harry asked in bemused disbelief. "Is that really your name?"

Rude, after a moment, cleared his throat. "Yes. And I've heard all the jokes. You are?"

"Harry Potter. And this is my daughter, Delphi. We only just arrived in Midgar. Aerith's just been showing us around."

After a moment of peering at Delphi, the rather intimidating-looking man did something unexpected. He squatted down, meeting her eye level, even with her eyes hidden by her sunglasses. "Cool shades," he said, a faint smile touching his lips.

Harry tensed, in case Delphi's guardian angel emerged. But for now, he seemed quiescent, and given that the Turk was being gentle and reassuring, Harry hoped it would remain that way. "Yours are cool too, Mr Rude," Delphi said, albeit tentatively.

A brief, if quiet chuckle came from Rude, who stood. "Let me guess, Reno's still in trouble from the felafel stand incident?" Aerith asked, with a knowing smirk.

Rude nodded. "Because of the awful falafel, he became unlawfully awful(1)," he said, without even smiling or breaking his deadpan tone.

Delphi, despite the tense situation, giggled. Harry wondered if the Turk was just trying to put his daughter at ease. Still, he said, "Have you got a reason to be here, Mr Rude?"

"Just Rude. And I've been tasked with ensuring Miss Gainsborough's safety and wellbeing. As long as you and your daughter are not a threat to that safety, we're cool."

"So where's Cissnei?" Aerith asked. "Or is she on some classified mission?"

Rude nodded. "Okay," Harry said. "But just to make this clear, don't harass any of us. Otherwise, we will NOT be cool. Am I clear?"

"Harry…Rude's one of the nicer Turks, despite the name. So is Cissnei, so I was told," Aerith said.

Harry was still ill at ease. On the one hand, this guy was a consummate professional, and a rather scary one at that, looking like the stereotypical government agent, capable of all sorts of ruthless things. On the other hand, aside from Aerith's endorsement, Rude also went out of his way to be nice to Delphi, albeit in a laconic manner.

Rude, however, nodded to Harry. "Crystal."

Aerith sighed. "Good thing Reno wasn't here, he would have viewed it as a challenge."

A faint smirk touched Rude's lips, but he didn't comment on Aerith's words. Instead, he said, "I'll be outside."

After the dark-skinned man left, Aerith looked to Harry. "Harry, I get that you're protective, but I can hold my own. Besides, Rude's probably the nicest of the Turks that I have met. I haven't met Cissnei, but Zack told me about her. Reno…is a bit hotheaded, and Tseng…while he's polite, he's also very coldblooded. He's also the leader of the Turks now, ever since their old leader Verdot resigned."

"It's not right, Aerith," Harry said quietly. "Why do you allow this?"

"Because if I don't, who's to say they won't escalate? The Turks may do some pretty nasty things for Shinra, but they're mostly just people doing a job. But those in charge of Shinra? You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone with a conscience amongst the executives…"

In his office in the Shinra Building, Reeve Tuesti suddenly sneezed all over the Cait Sith robot he was working on. "Ach, did ye hafta do that, ye sassenach?" the cat-like automaton protested.

"Sorry," Reeve muttered in apology.

"I hear a lot of horror stories from the Turks about their bosses," Aerith said quietly. "Heidegger and Scarlet, the heads of Shinra's military and weapons development wings respectively, are ruthless warmongers, and Heidegger is the boss of the Turks to boot." She shuddered. "And then there's Professor Hojo. I knew him for as long as I can remember. Imagine every stereotypical mad scientist you've ever read about or seen in movies, and then think of that as real. He is a cruel man, wholly without ethics or morals or any smidgen of human decency. He is obsessed with pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, no matter what the cost to anyone. He…he also had my father, Professor Gast Faremis, murdered. And I suspect he even raped my mother more than once."

Harry stared at her in shock. "And you still tolerate the Turks keeping tabs on you?"

"Harry, I am not that powerful. Even if I wanted revenge, all it would take is them sending enough of the Turks or members of SOLDIER to take me down. My only leverage is that they need me alive to be able to lead them to the Promised Land. That, and President Shinra seems to think forcing my return is, for now, not a priority." Leaning in closer, she whispered, "And as long as they think I'm the only Cetra still around, you two should be safe."

"We can't hear the Planet, whatever that means," Harry said to Aerith.

"They don't know that, especially if you use magic without Materia in front of them." A little more loudly, she said, "Anyway, I think we're finished for the day. I'll come back in a couple of days to pick a few. Let's head on back…"

And so they did, meeting Rude outside briefly. He didn't accompany them, though Harry noted he followed them at a discreet and surprisingly respectful distance. Still, he found Aerith's words disturbing. The wizards and witches of his world had links to these Cetra? Was she telling the truth? And there was also Shinra's interest in her.

Harry knew he and Delphi were in a situation only somewhat less precarious than back home. He just hoped it wouldn't end badly…

CHAPTER 3 ANNOTATIONS:

So, there you have it. Harry's learned the truth from Aerith, and has met the Turks, one of them, anyway.

Aerith has entrusted Harry and Delphi with her true nature because she knows they are Cetra themselves, even if their bloodlines have been watered down somewhat by Potterverse wizarding bloodlines. That, and the Planet told her to.

She also told them about Zack because she wanted to point out to Harry that she's already spoken for. Yes, this is a Harry/Aerith story, but she will have about a month to get to know Harry before Zack dies, so by the time canon proper begins in early December, she'll be willing to give a closer relationship with Harry a go. She's actually already tempted, but is holding out for Zack.

As for Rude, I wanted to bring the Turks in early. Reno's an arsehole, I haven't seen enough of Cissnei yet in my Crisis Core playthrough, and Tseng, despite his superficial politeness, is too ruthless for my liking. I liked how Rude was portrayed in the remake, as a gentle animal lover when he's not on the clock, and while he's ultimately responsible for triggering the Sector 7 Plate release, he, like Reno, is far from happy about it. And in the first remake instalment at least, he also avoids hitting female characters too hard.

In this chapter, he's the current Turk on rotation as Aerith's minder. He approached Harry and Delphi to get the measure of them, and make a report back to Tseng. He doesn't know they're Cetra descendants, and he hasn't seen Delphi's eyes yet and seen the resemblance with a certain character, so he has nothing more suspicious to report apart from Aerith making new friends. Delphi's guardian angel didn't rouse because Rude wasn't threatening them. If anything, Rude went out of his way to reassure Delphi.

1. I couldn't resist a reference to a noodle incident involving Reno in Final Fantasy VII Machinabridged. WORDPLAY!