Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Inc., Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Raincoast, and any other affiliated party.
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Chapter 4: To Ravenclaw
It was a very subdued environment that Harry and Hermione returned to in the palace. Without speaking a word to any of their subjects, they slowly carried a sleeping James up to the West Wing where the Royal nursery and their bedroom were. When they arrived there, Lin was nearly hysterical.
"Oh James!" she wailed, when Harry and Hermione walked in carrying her sleeping twin. Tears were streaming down her eyes and her body was shaking. As Hermione laid James down on his bed, Lin went to their side, her tear full eyes filled with worry and terror. "Mum, Dad, is he going to be OK? If anything happened to James..." Lin swallowed a sob and burst into more tears.
Hermione kneeled down and hugged Lin close to her. Harry also crouched down and stroked Lin's hair as Lin sobbed in Hermione's arms.
"He'll be all right," whispered Hermione, assuring both Lin and herself. "He's a strong boy, he'll be all right." Hermione wiped away a tear that trickled down her cheek. Lin said nothing, and simply continued crying until she to eventually fell asleep.
As soon as Harry noticed that Lin was asleep, he gently lifted her out of Hermione's arms and put her into bed. He bent over and kissed her forehead and whispered, "Good night, Angel." He then did the same to Virginia, whom had blissfully slept through the whole ordeal, and gently led Hermione to their bedroom.
* * *
That night, Harry awoke to the sound of soft sobbing next to him. He looked over and saw Hermione crying.
"Hermione?" he whispered. "What is it Love?" He gently wiped the tears away from her face.
"James," whispered Hermione as she choked back a sob. "He could've died today. Our son could've died today, Harry."
Harry said nothing. Harry remembered so clearly earlier that day, when he felt as if his heart had stopped when he had seen James out in the battle zone. He pulled Hermione closer to him as she burst into another round of sobs.
"Harry," whispered Hermione. "Do you really want our children to grow up and become Mage Knights?" There was so much worry and concern in her voice that Harry didn't know what to say. Harry knew that James had his heart set on becoming a Mage Knight, especially after the events of that day. He also knew that Lin would most likely follow her twin into whatever he chose. Harry was well aware of the extreme dangers that Mage Knights faced on a daily basis. And if indeed Voldemort was going to return, than the dangers would be magnified.
"That would be up for them to decide," said Harry. "If our children want to become Mage Knights, than that would be their choice, not ours."
Hermione nodded. For a few minutes there was complete silence. Finally Hermione spoke, "I'm scared, Harry."
Harry knew exactly what Hermione was talking about. "I know. So am I."
"He can't be coming back, Harry," whispered Hermione, her voice shaking. "We've already defeated him twice. How many more times do we have to fight him?"
"I don't know," said Harry, his voice trembling as well. "Twice, we've defeated Voldemort and yet he still returns, when we least expect it. It's like a never-ending cycle. But at least now we can give that cycle a name, even if it is 'Tempest'." Both of them shuddered at the name. "I'm scared as well, but I also firmly have faith that we will be able to pull through."
Hermione nodded. She shifted deeper into Harry's arms and laid her head on Harry's chest. Her fear started to subside and Hermione felt herself relax. Harry's arms were her comfort zone; she always felt the safest when she was lying in Harry's arms. She often wondered how a lowly muggle-born peasant girl like herself could have gained the love of the most amazing man in all of Magiterran. Sure he was the king of Gryffindor and amongst the greatest of the Mage Knights but to Hermione he was always and forever her best friend, lover, and husband.
Hermione looked up into the green eyes of her husband that she loved so much. The two pools of emerald shone with so much love for her that Hermione nearly started crying again. "I love you," she whispered, feeling the need to assure herself for the dark times that were coming once again.
"I love you too," whispered Harry. He lowered his lips down to Hermione's and they kissed with an urgency of needing to assure each other that they would always be together, no matter how dark the times would become. The night silently crept along as passion was exchanged, skin was felt, and husband and wife joined together like they had many nights before.
* * *
The next day, there was a council held at Hogwarts. It was a meeting held in top secret, and the only people who were attending were people who either already knew about Tempest's return, or were suspecting it. Those present that day were Dumbledore, Harry, Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Snape, McGonagall, Ron, and Ginny.
"This is perhaps one of the greatest crisis the Alliance has ever faced," said Dumbledore as he opened the meeting. "All of us here are fully aware of what Voldemort is capable of. And we have reliable sources surrounding the power of Tempest. If Voldemort were to come back, with the full power of Tempest, than not only Magiterran but the world will face its doom."
Ron knew the consequences of the news of the Dark Lord's return very well. However, there was one question he had that was simply itching to come out: "So what does this all have to do with the attack on Godric's Hollow?"
"It's the Dark Lord's pattern," said Snape while sneering at Ron. "Whenever the Dark Lord or his followers embarked on a campaign of sorts, he sent in his assassins to eliminate potential threats to the campaign. In this case, the greatest threats to the Dark Lord mostly reside in the Gryffindor Capitol."
"True," said Remus.
"This Crystal of Tempest," said Ginny. "Can't we go to Durmstrang try to find it at the battle site before these cultists do?"
"Think fool," hissed Snape. "If the cultists were going to attack without finding the crystal first the attack would've come six years ago. The reason why they attacked now is because they have just found the crystal and are preparing to use it to bring the Dark Lord back!" Ginny looked a little embarrassed but she and Ron still glared at Snape.
"The question is about preventing Voldemort's return or not," said Sirius. "He's coming back, we can't do anything about that. The question is how do we defeat him when he does."
"Which means that there is only one answer," said Dumbledore. "We must find the remaining six rings of the One Deity."
Harry and Hermione glanced down at the gold and scarlet bands around their fingers. They looked up into each other's eyes and nodded. "We'll go search for them," said Harry.
"I wouldn't have entrusted the job to anyone else," said Dumbldedore, the twinkle back in his eye. "However, this operation must be kept a secret and that would not be possible in great numbers. Therefore I suggest that you take only one more individual on your quest."
Harry and Hermione both nodded and said, "Ron," at the exact same time Ron said, "Me." The three stared at each other and grinned.
"Very well," said Dumbledore. "Since we don't have any clear idea where the rings are, my suggestion is that you head to where Lily Evans learned of their existence, in the holy city of Deis Rowena. Floo powder can take you as far as Deis Uno, the capitol of the Kingdom of Ravenclaw, but from there it is a treacherous journey on foot through the Northern Mountains."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron nodded. Remus suddenly spoke up and said, "You should also take your families with you."
"What? What for?" said Harry. He and Hermione were clearly confused by Remus's suggestion. Ron opened his mouth to say something sarcastic but though better of it and shut his mouth.
"Camouflage," said Remus. "If you make it look like a family vacation, than no one, especially the cultists, would think that you were on some secret mission. You should simply leave them in Deis Uno while the three of you head to Deis Rowena. Nobody ever watches the mountain passes."
The three started discussing Remus's suggestion amongst themselves. Finally Hermione said, "OK, we'll do that."
* * *
Meanwhile, James had more or less recovered from the trauma he had experienced the previous day and was out near the lake, playing with his sisters and Christopher.
"You should've seen me," he declared. "I was like lightning, swooping down there to save the day!"
"James you could've been killed!" cried Lin. "I was so worried! Don't ever do that again!"
James didn't make a comeback like he usually did; he completely understood that Lin was right. He had nearly been killed.
"Yeah I know," he said. "I'm sorry. I was stupid." He picked up a small rock and threw it into the lake.
"Yes you were stupid," said Lin. "I've known that for a long time." James glared at her but said nothing.
At around that moment Rubeus Hagrid, the giant Hogwarts groundskeeper came toward them carrying a large crate. Virginia and Christopher (whom were very close) looked up from the sandcastle they were making. Hagrid was one of the few people whom Virginia wasn't shy around, despite his large size. She stood up and ran over to him crying, "Hagrid!"
"Hey, li'le 'irginia," said Hagrid as he picked up a giggling Virginia in a strong bear hug. Christopher also leapt onto Hagrid, clearly happy to see his favorite giant. Lin and James were meanwhile staring apprehensively at that crate Hagrid had brought.
"Um, Hagrid," said Lin, "What's that?"
"Aw, this?" said Hagrid, pointing at the crate. "This 'ere are meh new beauts."
The crate wobbled a little indicating that there was something alive inside. James swallowed and said, "And what exactly may those 'beauts' be?"
"Glad yeh asked," said Hagrid, his face filled with glee. He pried the lid of the crate open. Lin and James apprehensively glanced inside.
Inside the crate were about a dozen tiny creatures that looked like some ugly cross between a crab and scorpion with black exoskelotons. Lin yelped and sprang back when one of the creatures suddenly propelled itself out of the crate with a burst of flame from what must've been its rear end. Hagrid chuckled as he caught the creature and shoved it back into the crate.
"I call 'em Blast-ended Skrewts," said Hagrid. "Ain't they beautiful?"
"Um, yes," said Lin, perhaps a little too slowly. Hagrid didn't seem to notice as he was gently pulling a gleeful Virginia and Christopher off his shoulders.
"Want ta help meh feed 'em?" asked Hagrid. "I have no idea wha' they eat but we'll figure it ou' if yeh give meh time."
Lin seemed horrified by the idea and even the adventurous James seemed terrified. He decided to try to change the subject: "So what are the grown ups talking about?"
"That is top secret," said Hagrid. "You ain't suppose' ta know that yeh parents are taking yeh all ta Ravenclaw." Hagrid suddenly clamped his hand over his mouth and mumbled, "I shouldn't a' told yeh tha'."
"We're going to Ravenclaw?" said Lin, excited all of a sudden. "Oh James, we can go see all those temples of the One Deity. And there're are so many libraries there."
Virginia, whom also liked books, excitedly said, "Libraries? Yaaaay!"
James rolled his eyes. "Lin, you'd be happy anywhere so long as there was a library. I for one want to see how Ravenclaw Mage Knights are different from Gryffindor ones."
"Are Mage Knights all you ever think about?" said Lin. James stuck his tongue out at her.
"My Unca Percy wives in Ravenclaw," said Christopher.
"Will we see Chris's Uncle Percy?" asked Virginia.
"Oh, yeh'll be seein' lots a him," said Hagrid. "Yeh parents are leaving yeh there while they head towar' Deis Rowena..." Hagrid must've said too much since he started muttering, "I shouldn't a said that. I should not 'ave said that."
Lin was completely startled. Her Mum and Dad were going to leave them and go to some other place. She was about to confront Hagrid with what he had just said when James suddenly clamped her mouth shut and innocently asked, "What? What was that Hagrid?"
"Nothing, Nothing at all," said Hagrid, a little too quickly.
Lin stared at James while James grinned at her. When Hagrid was out of ear shot, she hissed, "All right James, what are you thinking."
"Just a little planning for a new adventure," said James with a devilish grin. He proceeded to whisper his plan into Lin's ear.
* * *
"Well, lets go," said Harry as the troupe gathered in front of the fireplace in Hogwarts. The troupe consisted of Harry, Hermione, Ron, Margaret, Ginny, James, Lin, Virginia, and Christopher.
"Awre we weally going to see Unca Percy?" asked Christopher.
"Yes we are, Chris," said Margaret as she picked her little son up. "And your Aunt Penelope as well." She tossed some Floo Powder on to the flames and shouted, "Deis Uno Palace!" before disappearing into the flames.
Virginia was a alarmed to see Margaret and Christopher suddenly disappear. "Chris," she moaned, clearly worried about her little friend.
"Hey, he'll be OK," said Ginny. "In fact Virginia, lets go follow them, that is if your Mum and Dad don't mind me taking you with me."
"Go right ahead," said Hermione.
Ginny smiled and offered her namesake her hand. Virginia timidly took Ginny's hand and Ginny shouted, "Deis Uno Palace!" The two disappeared in the flames.
"I should go next," said Hermione. She looked toward Lin and asked, "Do you want to go with me, Lily?"
Lin rolled her eyes. "Mum, I know how Floo Powder works."
"OK," said Hermione. Just remember to tuck your arms when you go in." Hermione briefly kissed Harry before she shouted, "Deis Uno Palace!" and disappeared into the flames.
Lin was about to walk into the flames when she suddenly turned toward James and started whispering into his ear. "Are you sure that that plan of yours is a good idea?" she hissed quietly so that Harry and Ron couldn't hear.
"Relax," whispered James. We probably won't have go with until at least tomorrow. Trust me, sis," James gave his twin sister the famous Potter grin.
Lin still looked a little doubtful but she said nothing and simply walked back to the fireplace. She shouted, "Deis Uno Palace!" and disappeared.
"What was that about?" asked Harry.
James simply grinned and said, "Oh nothing important Dad. At least I don't think its that important."
Harry raised a skeptical eyebrow at James while Ron started laughing. "You gotta admit Harry, he's your son all right." Ron was still laughing as he stepped into the fireplace and shouted "Deis Uno Palace!" and was whooshed away by the Floo Powder.
Harry turned back to James and said, "So are planning another stunt of sorts?"
James grinned and said, "Aw, come on Dad. Do you really think I would be planning some stunt?"
"Yes."
"Well I'm not telling," said James. He shouted, "Deis Uno Palace!" and disappeared into the Floo network.
Harry shook his head before he too shouted, "Deis Uno Palace!" and disappeared into the flames.
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A/N There you have it, my next chapter. Please review and tell me if you liked it or not. Constructive Criticism is appreciated. But flames will simply be ignored or sent right back to the flamer.
For those of you who wished to know, "Magiterran" is Latin for "Magic- Earth" ("Magi" = "Magic", "terra" = "earth"). At lest I think it was Latin, maybe it was Greek. Also the URL, http://members.fortunecity.com/ecrpotter/map.html contains a map of Magiterran so you can follow the adventures of the Mage Knights.
Well I sure hope this story is shaping up well. Next: We see Deis Uno, the capitol of the Kingdom of Ravenclaw and there are some appearances by one Percy Weasley and possibly some more Weasleys. And what is James's plan?