Harry Potter and the Dreamers 1
Vyor
My influence grows!
So I figured I might as well start something on here for random things I've written.
Starting with this:
Harry Potter and the Dreamers, CHP 1
A Kidnapping and a Half
“... What is that?” Hellock asked after a moment, the stupefied look on his face drawing a laugh from his interrogation target.
“It’s a child, duh.” Yenessa snarked back, eyes rolling. “Isn’t he cute? And he has these adorable glasses!” She continued with a squeal, petting the unconscious child in her arms. “He had the worst company too, so Banal just being near their house hurt me. I still don’t understand how he stood it!”
“... You kidnapped a child from their home…” Hellock started blandly, “A home that was so Banal any fae would die from living there… and you…” The troll just sighed, hands over his face, “Keala, how is it I haven’t strangled her yet?”
A snort from the pale skinned, black eyed woman hiding in the corner of the room, “You don’t want to know the answer to that I’m afraid.” She whispered out, “The scar on his head, did you cause that, Yenessa?”
“Mmmnope!” The feathered pooka said with a grin, “Was there when I found him. In his bed. Asleep.”
The troll groaned, leaning over and cupping his face as a small and grouchy looking man took one look inside the room, saw the Pooka, and left; wanting absolutely no part of this developing dumpster fire.
The Satyr next to him, on the other hand, happily pranced into the room to look over the kid, “So what type of Kith is he? Or do you think he’s a Sidhe?” He asked in good cheer, half hugging the Pooka as the smell of wine filled the room.
“He might be a Sidhe, I saw his hair grow back abnormally fast when it was cut so he’s definitely going to undergo Chrysalis soon.” Yenessa nodded happily, “And when he does, I’ll raise him like my own child.”
“Oh god no!” Randy said from the other room, “He’d end up all farblunjet!*”
“I concur.” Hellock agreed, the sluagh in the corner nodding along with him, “I don’t think anyone in the country wants to have two of you around; half the court would enter Bedlam just from your presences.”
Yanessa waved them off, “You’re just jealous that I found him first. Anyway, I’d let Randy try and inspire him, he’s clearly a Dougal sidhe, he uses glasses after all!”
The noise, naturally, had begun to wake the child; who did not exactly look upset about being surrounded by monsters, even if one of them looked like a ghoul out of a nightmare. “Huh, this is a new dream.” He said with a blink, trying to get out of the Pooka’s hold, “Is this when you try to eat me?”
“See? He’s perfect!” Yanessa squealed, hopping up and down. “Not even scared of getting eaten, clearly he’s a proper Sidhe that will one day take over his house and help revive this dying world!”
“... What?”
***
“So you think I’m a… fairy?” Harry Potter asked, head tilted. “I don’t think I look like a fairy. Neither do you!” He said accusatively, pointing at the half drunk Jik, “You look like a goatman.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I am a goatman or I’d be upset.” Jik pouted, “I’m a satyr, thank you very much. And that’s a type of fairy.” The horned man crossed his arms.
“Oh don’t be like that.” Yanessa teased, “And yes, we-” She was interrupted by Hellock, “You.”; something she promptly ignored and continued on, “do think you’re a fairy! A sidhe specifically.”
At Harry’s questioning face, the small grump spoke up, “A sidhe is basically royalty, like the british queen and her family. It’s a whole lotta drek if you ask me, but they pay me in good Glamor, so I can’t complain. To their faces. Much.”
“Oh… so what do they look like?” Harry asked, “Do they have horns or wings or scary claws?”
“No, they look like humans, just prettier.” Jik started, “Like, really pretty. Jaw droppingly gorgeous. So pretty people make songs about them.”
Keala shrugged, “I prefer my fellow sluagh, they make better company.” She whispered over weak tea, “You know that if he turns out to be a mortal we’ll be in quite some trouble, yes?” Her hand waved, “Even now, I’m sure the rumors are stirring.”
“I’d claim I was discreet, but I’d be called on that instantly.” Yanessa started, wide grin showing she wasn’t the least bit ashamed, “But even if he is a mortal, he’s clearly not a normal one! Hair doesn’t grow like that for a normal mortal.”
Yanessa’s hand waved then, the pooka turning more fully towards Harry, “So how old are you Harry?”
“I’m 5.” He replied, awkwardly sitting on a lumpy chair, “I’m almost 6!”
“Oh, we’ll have to do something for that!” Yanessa said with a clap, “Birthdays are special, extra special. Oh, we should throw a party! But what presents to get… Oh, what do you like to do for fun, Harry?” She asked, leaning in; trying to engage with him, make him smile.
“Um, I don’t really know?” He said, cringing, “I guess I like to read? Aunt and Uncle never really let me do things…” The wave of Banality that poured forth from him made the group shudder, but Yanessa didn’t let her smile drop.
“Well, I guess we need to fix that then!” She said exuberantly, hugging Harry tightly, “I’m so, so sorry you had to go through that. Even if you aren’t a fairy, I still wouldn’t regret taking you out of that place. You don’t deserve that type of treatment.”
Hellock sighed, “Much as I hate to agree with her, she is right. You didn’t and don’t deserve to live under such conditions.” His head shook, “Family doesn’t do that to family, they just don’t.”
“Yes,” Came a quiet hiss, “Even the Unseelie would not subject a child to such torment. The loss of someone’s wonder and imagination so young would be a tragic waste.” Keala shrugged softly, “A later death of such at their hands, however, would be an acceptable price in their eyes; foolish and self destructive I think.”
Harry just frowned, “So what do you eat if you don’t eat people?” He asked, curiosity brimming behind restrained energy.
“The same things you eat, more or less.” Jik answered, “Sluagh like rotting and decaying foods though, and Trolls prefer meat… though that’s only because they need the protein.”
“Eww.” Harry said with a disgusted look, “That sounds gross.”
A snort from Keala, “It is not to everyone’s taste; unfortunate really. Our meal budget would be much lessened if it were…”
“See, this is why I like you.” Yanessa started, pointing at her fellow female, “You can take a joke and constructive criticism!”
“I feel that is why you are still alive…” Came a sardonic and dry reply. “Most would have snapped by now, I feel.”
“Precisely.” Yanessa said with a nod, “Anyway Harry, wanna live with us? Can’t be worse than where you would normally live. We even have adventures!”
Before Harry could answer, there was a pained groan from Hellock, “We aren’t taking them until and unless they bloom into a warrior and a fae. Or at least a mage of some kind.”
The glasses wearing boy pouted before saying, “I… guess I could live with you? I should get my stuff though… they’ll throw it out if they find out I’m missing.”
That just got him another hug from Yanessa, “Oh dear boy, I’ll get it for you. I’ll slip in all sneaky at night, take your stuff from your tiny cupboard room, and be out like I was never there at all. Easy!” Harry nodded into her shoulder, hugging the bird shifter back tightly.
“... Thanks.” He mumbled before yawning. “I’m… tired.” He complained, “I dun wanna sleep, I want to learn more about you…”
Hellock snorted, “You can ask whatever you want in the morning…” He started before adding, “Not from Kaela though, her you’d need to pay for answers.”
“Don’t scare him away.~” Said sluagh purred, “I take payment in stories too, I just make you pay me in wine.” She said with a laugh.
The troll sighed, “One of these days, Keala, one of these days I will get you back for that.” He said, slight grin on his lips belying the threat; one which made the nightmare inducing fae laugh.
“Come, Harry.” Kaela ordered as she stood, “I suppose I shall let you bed in my demesne for tonight; the others lack a spare as of now and you would best wish to avoid sleeping with them.”
Hellock coughed, “I’d say I was offended, but no she’s right. I move around too much and you might get, um, crushed by me.”
Yanessa nodded rapidly, “Flat as a pancake, he rolled over onto me when we were camping in the same tent once and I had to stab him to get him off!”
“No you didn’t, you just thought it was funnier that way.” The troll sighed.
“I didn’t want him in my bed anyway, he’d probably get it dirty.” Randy half growled. “And I’m pretty sure Jik has a girl he’s seduced in his bed anyway.”
“Hey!” Jik started, “Tonight it’s a man, thank you very much.” He sniffed imperiously, “I don’t discriminate on who I find pretty.”
“... You realize he’s five, right?” Hellock asked as Kaela sighed and started shooing Harry down the halls.
“Gotta learn sometime!” Jik replied with a laugh, “Besides, it’s not like I said what we were planning to do tonight… which is surprisingly tame now that I think about it. Man’s had a long day, so it was mostly going to be cuddling…” The satyrs head tilted, “I should get some hot chocolate on the way home…” He pondered aloud, drawing more sighs from Hellock as Kaela came back.
“A touch of glamor and he was out like a light.” She stated easily as she ghosted her way back to her seat, “Also, we have a visitor at our door, could you get it open for me Yanessa?”
“Wait what?” The pooka asked before the door rang out with a soft knocking noise. “I will never understand how you do that.” She noted before calling out, “Coming!” And darting to the door, opening it with a smile, “Welcome to Casa De La Kaela, what can I do ya for?”
“... I do think you mean De La Casa.” The bearded old man replied with a blink, “But you would be… oh, of course, a pooka. I assume you were the one that took young Harry from his home?”
“Yep.~” Yanessa said, popping the ‘p’ with a relish, “I’m Yanessa, who’re you?”
With a smile and a bow, his tall hat drooping to the side, he said, “I am Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class and headmaster of Hogwarts. May I come in?” He asked gently.
“Hmm, I dunno, are you here to take Harry back to that awful and abusive place?” Yanessa asked with a squint that was almost a glare, “Because if you are, I have to say no.”
Dumbledore started, “Abusive!?” He asked, eyes wide and voice slowly taking an angry edge, “How… abusive are we speaking?”
“They had him living under a cupboard under the stairs, the horrid woman living there tried to shave him bald, and they treated him as one would a slave.” Yanessa listed off, “Oh, and he wasn’t allowed any friends or any real hobbies.”
There was a twitch in the old wizard’s eye now, he suspected it wouldn’t go away anytime soon, “I see.” He started, “I will not bring him back there anymore than is needed to insure his safety.” He swore, voice full of barely restrained rage.
After studying his face for a moment, Yanessa smiled widely again and moved out of the way, “Come on in then.” She stated, “Hey Jik, put on some tea! We have pleasant company!” She called out, Dumbledore bowing to the pooka before moving inside.
“Thank you for your hospitality and your concern for Harry’s wellbeing.” He said with a smile, “I’ll admit I haven’t been able to keep as close an eye on him as I’d have liked, it would put far too much attention on the house…”
“Oh no, I get it.” Yanessa said as she led him to the rest of the group, “If you knew he was taken so fast and could find him like this, then you must have some magic watching him or something. So he must have some enemies or whatever. And since you didn’t stop me as I grabbed him, it would have only been an alarm or tracking thingy, something subtle so other people don’t notice.”
Albus nodded easily, “Quite. I had someone watching him as well, I think your people would refer to them as an ‘enchanted’ human, but they had to remain a distance away personally to avoid attention as well.” Another eye twitch as he bowed to the others, “But I see some things will need to change.”
“I agree.” Kaela whispered, “What purpose is there for him to go back there? You mentioned something about his safety but… ah. Ah, ah ahhh.” She started, smile widening as she realized something, “This is that Harry. I see.” She said as though that explained everything… only to continue as Hellock promised her a case of her favorite wine if she actually elaborated, “Harry Potter, son of two dead mages and possibly killer of a dark lord of some kind; I have my doubts on that though. Definitely a mage, still possibly a fae; jury is still out on that.”
“... So the worry is that servants of this dark lord would come for him.” Hellock started, “But what does that have to do with being in that other house? Some type of blood magic?”
With a nod and a sigh, Albus leaned back and spoke, “Yes, he was protected by his mother’s sacrifice. Her dying to protect him caused Voldemort’s killing curse to rebound back upon him.” Suddenly, the man looked twice his age as he slumped; an impressive feat with how old he already looked. “I left him with his aunt to ensure that the protection would constantly renew itself, as being with a blood relation should do.”
Pulling at his beard, his voice was full of regret, “I tied a few protective enchantments into the link, concealment spells and a small tracking spell that only I can make use of. It would all break on his 18th birthday, but by then I’d hoped he’d learn enough magic to protect himself…”
Jik nodded, “Ya… ya I get that. Family is supposed to love each other, so you assumed that would hold true. Didn’t work out but…” The satyr shrugged, “Can’t exactly blame you for your decision, I’d have probably assumed the same thing.” A cup of tea was in his hands as he moved over to the wizened wizard, gently steaming, “What matters at this point, is what we do now.”
Dumbledore sighed again as he took the tea, “Yes, yes, you’re right. I can’t in good conscience have Harry live there long term; even if I threatened them into compliance and into being good people they would still abuse him, with neglect if nothing else. But he does have to be there at least for a few weeks of the year to renew his protections.” He explained.
“Mmm…” Hellock hummed in thought before shrugging, “Alright, simple enough. I’ll be his bodyguard for those weeks and if they try anything I make them go night night.” He suggested before Yanessa spoke up.
“Ya no, way too banal. You’d lose yourself in just a few days.” The pooka stated, “I’m sure Albus knows someone that wouldn’t suffer like that?”
Said wizard nodded, “I know a few, even.” He started, “One even tried to warn me about the Dursley’s… disposition, but neither of us knew just how poor they’d be. We assumed it would just be moderately unpleasant, not abusive. She’d make a fine choice as well…”
“It’s settled then.” Yanessa said with a firm nod, “He’ll stay with us for most of the year and then with a properly cowed and threatened Dursleys for a week or three for part of it; at least until he turns 18. Worst case comes we induct him into a Sidhe house that fits his temperament for protection and further learning.”
“... Sometimes I forget you can plan ahead.” Hellock noted, a shudder going down his spine.
“I assure you, that is quite intentional.” Yanessa replied, her grin just making the shudder worse for the man before her, something she enjoyed very much. “That said, Harry is asleep right now and I, frankly, am exhausted. Carrying around a child through the Dreaming is hard work and it’s been a long day. So I am going home.”
Dumbledore blinked before snorting, swallowing his tea and standing up, “If you wish, I could escort you, as payment for your kindness.” He offered, taking a small tome out of his pocket and floating it over to Kaela, “And for payment in regards to the use of your home, an alchemical treatise written by myself. I don’t know if you have a copy or not but if you do…”
“I do not.” Kaela replied, taking the book out of the air. “Thank you, it is not often an outsider respects our ways.”
“I try.” Albus replied, “As for Jik, the nocker, and the troll… I owe you a favor each I believe. I do hope you don’t abuse such.”
“They won’t.” Yanessa replied, taking a proffered arm, “They’re good people.”
“I would hope so.” Albus replied, making his way towards the door, “I am leaving Harry with them… though under closer observation than before.”
“Of course, I wouldn't expect anything different.” And with that, they vanished into the depths of Dreams.
*Translation: Mixed up.
So... thoughts? Comments? Angry hate mail?
Starting with this:
Harry Potter and the Dreamers, CHP 1
A Kidnapping and a Half
“... What is that?” Hellock asked after a moment, the stupefied look on his face drawing a laugh from his interrogation target.
“It’s a child, duh.” Yenessa snarked back, eyes rolling. “Isn’t he cute? And he has these adorable glasses!” She continued with a squeal, petting the unconscious child in her arms. “He had the worst company too, so Banal just being near their house hurt me. I still don’t understand how he stood it!”
“... You kidnapped a child from their home…” Hellock started blandly, “A home that was so Banal any fae would die from living there… and you…” The troll just sighed, hands over his face, “Keala, how is it I haven’t strangled her yet?”
A snort from the pale skinned, black eyed woman hiding in the corner of the room, “You don’t want to know the answer to that I’m afraid.” She whispered out, “The scar on his head, did you cause that, Yenessa?”
“Mmmnope!” The feathered pooka said with a grin, “Was there when I found him. In his bed. Asleep.”
The troll groaned, leaning over and cupping his face as a small and grouchy looking man took one look inside the room, saw the Pooka, and left; wanting absolutely no part of this developing dumpster fire.
The Satyr next to him, on the other hand, happily pranced into the room to look over the kid, “So what type of Kith is he? Or do you think he’s a Sidhe?” He asked in good cheer, half hugging the Pooka as the smell of wine filled the room.
“He might be a Sidhe, I saw his hair grow back abnormally fast when it was cut so he’s definitely going to undergo Chrysalis soon.” Yenessa nodded happily, “And when he does, I’ll raise him like my own child.”
“Oh god no!” Randy said from the other room, “He’d end up all farblunjet!*”
“I concur.” Hellock agreed, the sluagh in the corner nodding along with him, “I don’t think anyone in the country wants to have two of you around; half the court would enter Bedlam just from your presences.”
Yanessa waved them off, “You’re just jealous that I found him first. Anyway, I’d let Randy try and inspire him, he’s clearly a Dougal sidhe, he uses glasses after all!”
The noise, naturally, had begun to wake the child; who did not exactly look upset about being surrounded by monsters, even if one of them looked like a ghoul out of a nightmare. “Huh, this is a new dream.” He said with a blink, trying to get out of the Pooka’s hold, “Is this when you try to eat me?”
“See? He’s perfect!” Yanessa squealed, hopping up and down. “Not even scared of getting eaten, clearly he’s a proper Sidhe that will one day take over his house and help revive this dying world!”
“... What?”
***
“So you think I’m a… fairy?” Harry Potter asked, head tilted. “I don’t think I look like a fairy. Neither do you!” He said accusatively, pointing at the half drunk Jik, “You look like a goatman.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I am a goatman or I’d be upset.” Jik pouted, “I’m a satyr, thank you very much. And that’s a type of fairy.” The horned man crossed his arms.
“Oh don’t be like that.” Yanessa teased, “And yes, we-” She was interrupted by Hellock, “You.”; something she promptly ignored and continued on, “do think you’re a fairy! A sidhe specifically.”
At Harry’s questioning face, the small grump spoke up, “A sidhe is basically royalty, like the british queen and her family. It’s a whole lotta drek if you ask me, but they pay me in good Glamor, so I can’t complain. To their faces. Much.”
“Oh… so what do they look like?” Harry asked, “Do they have horns or wings or scary claws?”
“No, they look like humans, just prettier.” Jik started, “Like, really pretty. Jaw droppingly gorgeous. So pretty people make songs about them.”
Keala shrugged, “I prefer my fellow sluagh, they make better company.” She whispered over weak tea, “You know that if he turns out to be a mortal we’ll be in quite some trouble, yes?” Her hand waved, “Even now, I’m sure the rumors are stirring.”
“I’d claim I was discreet, but I’d be called on that instantly.” Yanessa started, wide grin showing she wasn’t the least bit ashamed, “But even if he is a mortal, he’s clearly not a normal one! Hair doesn’t grow like that for a normal mortal.”
Yanessa’s hand waved then, the pooka turning more fully towards Harry, “So how old are you Harry?”
“I’m 5.” He replied, awkwardly sitting on a lumpy chair, “I’m almost 6!”
“Oh, we’ll have to do something for that!” Yanessa said with a clap, “Birthdays are special, extra special. Oh, we should throw a party! But what presents to get… Oh, what do you like to do for fun, Harry?” She asked, leaning in; trying to engage with him, make him smile.
“Um, I don’t really know?” He said, cringing, “I guess I like to read? Aunt and Uncle never really let me do things…” The wave of Banality that poured forth from him made the group shudder, but Yanessa didn’t let her smile drop.
“Well, I guess we need to fix that then!” She said exuberantly, hugging Harry tightly, “I’m so, so sorry you had to go through that. Even if you aren’t a fairy, I still wouldn’t regret taking you out of that place. You don’t deserve that type of treatment.”
Hellock sighed, “Much as I hate to agree with her, she is right. You didn’t and don’t deserve to live under such conditions.” His head shook, “Family doesn’t do that to family, they just don’t.”
“Yes,” Came a quiet hiss, “Even the Unseelie would not subject a child to such torment. The loss of someone’s wonder and imagination so young would be a tragic waste.” Keala shrugged softly, “A later death of such at their hands, however, would be an acceptable price in their eyes; foolish and self destructive I think.”
Harry just frowned, “So what do you eat if you don’t eat people?” He asked, curiosity brimming behind restrained energy.
“The same things you eat, more or less.” Jik answered, “Sluagh like rotting and decaying foods though, and Trolls prefer meat… though that’s only because they need the protein.”
“Eww.” Harry said with a disgusted look, “That sounds gross.”
A snort from Keala, “It is not to everyone’s taste; unfortunate really. Our meal budget would be much lessened if it were…”
“See, this is why I like you.” Yanessa started, pointing at her fellow female, “You can take a joke and constructive criticism!”
“I feel that is why you are still alive…” Came a sardonic and dry reply. “Most would have snapped by now, I feel.”
“Precisely.” Yanessa said with a nod, “Anyway Harry, wanna live with us? Can’t be worse than where you would normally live. We even have adventures!”
Before Harry could answer, there was a pained groan from Hellock, “We aren’t taking them until and unless they bloom into a warrior and a fae. Or at least a mage of some kind.”
The glasses wearing boy pouted before saying, “I… guess I could live with you? I should get my stuff though… they’ll throw it out if they find out I’m missing.”
That just got him another hug from Yanessa, “Oh dear boy, I’ll get it for you. I’ll slip in all sneaky at night, take your stuff from your tiny cupboard room, and be out like I was never there at all. Easy!” Harry nodded into her shoulder, hugging the bird shifter back tightly.
“... Thanks.” He mumbled before yawning. “I’m… tired.” He complained, “I dun wanna sleep, I want to learn more about you…”
Hellock snorted, “You can ask whatever you want in the morning…” He started before adding, “Not from Kaela though, her you’d need to pay for answers.”
“Don’t scare him away.~” Said sluagh purred, “I take payment in stories too, I just make you pay me in wine.” She said with a laugh.
The troll sighed, “One of these days, Keala, one of these days I will get you back for that.” He said, slight grin on his lips belying the threat; one which made the nightmare inducing fae laugh.
“Come, Harry.” Kaela ordered as she stood, “I suppose I shall let you bed in my demesne for tonight; the others lack a spare as of now and you would best wish to avoid sleeping with them.”
Hellock coughed, “I’d say I was offended, but no she’s right. I move around too much and you might get, um, crushed by me.”
Yanessa nodded rapidly, “Flat as a pancake, he rolled over onto me when we were camping in the same tent once and I had to stab him to get him off!”
“No you didn’t, you just thought it was funnier that way.” The troll sighed.
“I didn’t want him in my bed anyway, he’d probably get it dirty.” Randy half growled. “And I’m pretty sure Jik has a girl he’s seduced in his bed anyway.”
“Hey!” Jik started, “Tonight it’s a man, thank you very much.” He sniffed imperiously, “I don’t discriminate on who I find pretty.”
“... You realize he’s five, right?” Hellock asked as Kaela sighed and started shooing Harry down the halls.
“Gotta learn sometime!” Jik replied with a laugh, “Besides, it’s not like I said what we were planning to do tonight… which is surprisingly tame now that I think about it. Man’s had a long day, so it was mostly going to be cuddling…” The satyrs head tilted, “I should get some hot chocolate on the way home…” He pondered aloud, drawing more sighs from Hellock as Kaela came back.
“A touch of glamor and he was out like a light.” She stated easily as she ghosted her way back to her seat, “Also, we have a visitor at our door, could you get it open for me Yanessa?”
“Wait what?” The pooka asked before the door rang out with a soft knocking noise. “I will never understand how you do that.” She noted before calling out, “Coming!” And darting to the door, opening it with a smile, “Welcome to Casa De La Kaela, what can I do ya for?”
“... I do think you mean De La Casa.” The bearded old man replied with a blink, “But you would be… oh, of course, a pooka. I assume you were the one that took young Harry from his home?”
“Yep.~” Yanessa said, popping the ‘p’ with a relish, “I’m Yanessa, who’re you?”
With a smile and a bow, his tall hat drooping to the side, he said, “I am Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class and headmaster of Hogwarts. May I come in?” He asked gently.
“Hmm, I dunno, are you here to take Harry back to that awful and abusive place?” Yanessa asked with a squint that was almost a glare, “Because if you are, I have to say no.”
Dumbledore started, “Abusive!?” He asked, eyes wide and voice slowly taking an angry edge, “How… abusive are we speaking?”
“They had him living under a cupboard under the stairs, the horrid woman living there tried to shave him bald, and they treated him as one would a slave.” Yanessa listed off, “Oh, and he wasn’t allowed any friends or any real hobbies.”
There was a twitch in the old wizard’s eye now, he suspected it wouldn’t go away anytime soon, “I see.” He started, “I will not bring him back there anymore than is needed to insure his safety.” He swore, voice full of barely restrained rage.
After studying his face for a moment, Yanessa smiled widely again and moved out of the way, “Come on in then.” She stated, “Hey Jik, put on some tea! We have pleasant company!” She called out, Dumbledore bowing to the pooka before moving inside.
“Thank you for your hospitality and your concern for Harry’s wellbeing.” He said with a smile, “I’ll admit I haven’t been able to keep as close an eye on him as I’d have liked, it would put far too much attention on the house…”
“Oh no, I get it.” Yanessa said as she led him to the rest of the group, “If you knew he was taken so fast and could find him like this, then you must have some magic watching him or something. So he must have some enemies or whatever. And since you didn’t stop me as I grabbed him, it would have only been an alarm or tracking thingy, something subtle so other people don’t notice.”
Albus nodded easily, “Quite. I had someone watching him as well, I think your people would refer to them as an ‘enchanted’ human, but they had to remain a distance away personally to avoid attention as well.” Another eye twitch as he bowed to the others, “But I see some things will need to change.”
“I agree.” Kaela whispered, “What purpose is there for him to go back there? You mentioned something about his safety but… ah. Ah, ah ahhh.” She started, smile widening as she realized something, “This is that Harry. I see.” She said as though that explained everything… only to continue as Hellock promised her a case of her favorite wine if she actually elaborated, “Harry Potter, son of two dead mages and possibly killer of a dark lord of some kind; I have my doubts on that though. Definitely a mage, still possibly a fae; jury is still out on that.”
“... So the worry is that servants of this dark lord would come for him.” Hellock started, “But what does that have to do with being in that other house? Some type of blood magic?”
With a nod and a sigh, Albus leaned back and spoke, “Yes, he was protected by his mother’s sacrifice. Her dying to protect him caused Voldemort’s killing curse to rebound back upon him.” Suddenly, the man looked twice his age as he slumped; an impressive feat with how old he already looked. “I left him with his aunt to ensure that the protection would constantly renew itself, as being with a blood relation should do.”
Pulling at his beard, his voice was full of regret, “I tied a few protective enchantments into the link, concealment spells and a small tracking spell that only I can make use of. It would all break on his 18th birthday, but by then I’d hoped he’d learn enough magic to protect himself…”
Jik nodded, “Ya… ya I get that. Family is supposed to love each other, so you assumed that would hold true. Didn’t work out but…” The satyr shrugged, “Can’t exactly blame you for your decision, I’d have probably assumed the same thing.” A cup of tea was in his hands as he moved over to the wizened wizard, gently steaming, “What matters at this point, is what we do now.”
Dumbledore sighed again as he took the tea, “Yes, yes, you’re right. I can’t in good conscience have Harry live there long term; even if I threatened them into compliance and into being good people they would still abuse him, with neglect if nothing else. But he does have to be there at least for a few weeks of the year to renew his protections.” He explained.
“Mmm…” Hellock hummed in thought before shrugging, “Alright, simple enough. I’ll be his bodyguard for those weeks and if they try anything I make them go night night.” He suggested before Yanessa spoke up.
“Ya no, way too banal. You’d lose yourself in just a few days.” The pooka stated, “I’m sure Albus knows someone that wouldn’t suffer like that?”
Said wizard nodded, “I know a few, even.” He started, “One even tried to warn me about the Dursley’s… disposition, but neither of us knew just how poor they’d be. We assumed it would just be moderately unpleasant, not abusive. She’d make a fine choice as well…”
“It’s settled then.” Yanessa said with a firm nod, “He’ll stay with us for most of the year and then with a properly cowed and threatened Dursleys for a week or three for part of it; at least until he turns 18. Worst case comes we induct him into a Sidhe house that fits his temperament for protection and further learning.”
“... Sometimes I forget you can plan ahead.” Hellock noted, a shudder going down his spine.
“I assure you, that is quite intentional.” Yanessa replied, her grin just making the shudder worse for the man before her, something she enjoyed very much. “That said, Harry is asleep right now and I, frankly, am exhausted. Carrying around a child through the Dreaming is hard work and it’s been a long day. So I am going home.”
Dumbledore blinked before snorting, swallowing his tea and standing up, “If you wish, I could escort you, as payment for your kindness.” He offered, taking a small tome out of his pocket and floating it over to Kaela, “And for payment in regards to the use of your home, an alchemical treatise written by myself. I don’t know if you have a copy or not but if you do…”
“I do not.” Kaela replied, taking the book out of the air. “Thank you, it is not often an outsider respects our ways.”
“I try.” Albus replied, “As for Jik, the nocker, and the troll… I owe you a favor each I believe. I do hope you don’t abuse such.”
“They won’t.” Yanessa replied, taking a proffered arm, “They’re good people.”
“I would hope so.” Albus replied, making his way towards the door, “I am leaving Harry with them… though under closer observation than before.”
“Of course, I wouldn't expect anything different.” And with that, they vanished into the depths of Dreams.
*Translation: Mixed up.
So... thoughts? Comments? Angry hate mail?