To Train A Bad-Ass
By Stargatesg1fan1 Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within.
Women Bonded to Harry Potter in This Story
Ros is Played by Esme Bianco Leaf is Played by Kae Alexander Ygritte is Played by Rose Leslie Missandei is Played by Nathalie Emmanuel Daenerys 'Daeny' Targaryen is Played by Emilia Clarke Melisandre is played by Catrice Van Houten
Margaery Tyrell is played by Natalie Dormer Sansa Stark is played by Sophie Turner Tyene Sand is played by Rosabell Laurenti Sellers Myrcella Baratheon Lannister is played by Nell Tiger Free Cersei Lannister is played by Lena Heady
Arya Svit Kona is played by Sienna Guillory Hermione Granger is played by Emma Watson
Chapter 36
Hogwarts
Harry stood on the docks floating over the black lake. The canon had just gone off. His fellow competitors were already in the lake. He wasn't going to lie. Fleur had looked pretty tasty in her bathing suit. Invisible to all and out of phase beside him stood Hermione. Hermione's HFR was Harry's hostage at the bottom of the lake.
"What is Harry Potter doing just standing there?" Bagman called out to the crowds.
Harry had closed his eyes and was concentrating. His eyes then flashed open glowing green with power. He lifted into the air as his body seemed to shimmer with moats of flickering light. Every magical present felt their hair stand up and their magical cores scream to them that they were witnessing greatness. Hermione was also flying beside her partner no less brilliant looking which only he could see. The new flight technique they had developed was based off of the Alteran ascended powers they had learned to tap into. This was their preferred method for personal flight because they had a great deal of control when they flew this way. Harry loved to fly. Not needing a broom to do it was even better.
"I don't believe it. Potter is flying without a broom," Bagman announced.
Harry flew out over the lake until he was directly over the Merpeople village. He looked down at the water. His wand surged forward and began transfiguring the water below into an aluminum cylinder with a bottom. He transfigured the cylinder deeper and deeper until it reached the bottom of the lake. The column was directly next to the floating hostages. Harry charmed the column to be transparent. Harry and Hermione descended down into the air filled column.
"Nicely done," Hermione complimented her fiancé.
"Thank you," Harry sent back mentally.
When the reached the bottom of the column, Harry transfigured an opening in the side covered by a force-field. The force-field was being generated by Harry's probe and was of the Alteran design that allowed people to pass through but not the water. Harry sent a cutting charm at the seaweed binding Hermione's HFR to a stone as the merpeople watched stunned. He then summed her HFR form. HFR-Hermione came awake the moment her lover caught her. By this point the Harion which was keeping track of the entire underwater event informed Harry that Fleur had been prevented from rescuing her hostage. Another cutting and summoning spell saw Gabrielle Delacour in Harry's other arm. To the little girl's shock, Harry then flew back up the aluminum tunnel and back out into open air. The transfiguration vanished on the tunnel just as Harry set down on the docks. A grateful Fleur was waiting.
"Zank you 'Arry," Fleur said grateful as she wrapped him in a hug before returning to hug her sister.
The crowd was cheering.
"Unbelievable. A flawless performance by Harry Potter once again. He rescued his hostage and Ms. Delacour's hostage before the other two champions have even made it halfway to their hostages," Bagman called over the crowd.
"This Task was cute," Hermione thought to Harry patronizingly. "You have trained so hard to defeat dark lords and dark creatures that this simply can't compare. It's like the obstacle course around the stone in first year."
"You're right. It is about that challenging," Harry mused. "You might want to put a shirt on Harry. Fleur isn't the only girl appreciating your chiseled
figure," Hermione took note. "Yes love," Harry replied before summoning a shirt from his belongings and putting it on much
to the disappointment of many a young lady and some not so young ladies.
Harry hadn't even really noticed the cold thanks to the Ascended powers he was able to tap into. An Ascended could survive in the vacuum of space or worse conditions with no trouble. After Cedric returned with Cho Chang and Victor returned with Daphne Greengrass, the scores were
announced. Harry again got tens from everyone except Karakov who gave him an 8. The boos for Karakov were loud and vehement. Harry was still in the lead.
"Let's stick around for the after-party instead of using the HFRs," Hermione suggested as she walked on his arm back up towards the school.
"Sounds like fun," Harry agreed. "Later you and I can have our own after-after party. The other girls weren't the only ones
admiring my man without a shirt," Hermione said with a grin. "Will you model a swimsuit for me?" Harry asked.
"What swimsuit did you have in mind?" Hermione asked. Harry sent a mental image of a swimsuit that could barely be called as such. "I would love to."
Alagaesia
Harry, Arya, and Saphira were seated at stone benches on the shore of a dark lake hundreds of feet below Tronjheim. The cavern that housed the lake was thousands of feet across. Kvistor, one of Harry's guards assigned by Orik after the attack earlier, had grown up in the village nearby. The village consisted of low stone huts. Kvistor had explained a bit about the culture of the deep dwellers that lived in the village. The deep dwellers were dwarves who had shunned the surface world for enclosed spaces. More lived beneath Farthen Dur than anywhere else because they could come out into Farthen Dur without having to go into the outside world. It was here that Harry, Arya, and Saphira waited while Orik prepared things for when he must confront the other clan leaders with whatever evidence he was able to gather the next morning about the assassination attempt.
"My people love the outdoors so much we live in trees," Arya said. "These dwarves so fear it they have buried themselves far underground. Their culture is so different than mine."
"I cannot understand it either," Saphira agreed. "It is a strange group." "From what I gather event amongst dwarves who prefer their tunnels this group is considered
strange," Harry mused.
Even Alagaesia with a much smaller population than Earth had its strange groups. Harry had a slight thought about going for a swim with Arya and Saphira in the dark lake. But he quickly discarded that idea. He could feel Saphira's preoccupation of speaking with the Eldunari.
"I wonder how Galbatorix would react if I cloned bodies for all of my Eldunari and returned the Eldunari to those cloned bodies before attacking," Harry mused. "No. That would make things too easy."
"I can feel our child growing within me," Arya sent with contentment in her thoughts. Harry extended his senses to Arya's belly searching out the same feeling. When he found the
sense of their child, Harry's probe alerted him to a particular fact he hadn't realized before.
"There are two children growing within you, a boy and a girl," Harry revealed.
"Truly?" Arya asked with wonder. "Twin births are exceedingly rare amongst elves."
"But not rare when I'm the father apparently," Harry thought. Harry already had several sets of twins. "Yes, truly," Harry answered Arya.
"Perhaps we should wait to tell my parents until after they have been reunited, maybe right after. They might be so overwhelmed by being reunited and still happy from that. I do not know how they will react to news of my pregnancy otherwise," Arya admitted.
"Amongst humans if a human woman falls with child out of wedlock great shame is brought upon both mother and father. There is usually a rush to wed before that. Is there something similar amongst your people?" Harry asked.
"No. Children are seen as a blessing no matter if the father and mother are paired off or in any formal relationship. There is never a rush to our version of marriage. Our race's fertility is so low that we do not even bother with trying to prevent birth in most cases unless the male or female really does not want a child. You must be very virile to overcome the low fertility of my race," Arya said.
Harry sensed Arya's approval at his virility.
"Do you want to stop at two children or would you wish more?" Harry asked.
"I have never thought much of it at my age. Even just having one or two children seemed a dream. Having more seemed beyond the fertility of my race. Allow me to think on it," Arya said. "What of you?"
Harry already had many children in Westeros. He also thought he would have children some day with Hermione. He was fine with whatever number of children he had as long as he didn't go overboard with each of the ladies. He didn't really want more than three children per partner and was fine with less. In Arya's case her children would be in direct line for the elven throne. Of course that wasn't a huge issue given boy or girl could rule.
"I am unopposed to staying with two or having more," Harry said. "I will have to adapt the spell meant to prevent birth or the matter will be taken out of our hands after our children are born," Harry mused.
"Yes. That should definitely be looked into. Perhaps Leaf can assist you," Arya suggested.
"Indeed," Harry agreed.
Rhaezael was already working out a solution. The nanite link could be used to prevent contraception. The two lovers talked of a future together for a while longer before a messenger from Orik let them know Orik wished to see them. When they arrived in his chambers they found three bloodied and bound dwarves piled in a corner. More dwarves were standing talking when Harry, Arya, and Saphira arrived.
"To make a long tale short we have tracked the daggers used by the assassins back to a city held by Durgrimst Az Sweldn rak Anhuin," Orik explained. "We were able to use a clever spell to trace the path of the assassins back to a storeroom in part of Tronjheim. It was in the store room where we found these three. We caught them by surprise before they could kill themselves. We broke the minds of two of them and left the third for the other clanleaders to question. They are Vargrimstn, disgraced warriors who are clanless. They equipped the assassins and took their orders directly from Grimstborith Vermund of Az Sweldn rak Anhuin."
"I see," Harry said. "What is your plan to deal with them? I assume you are still hoping to avoid a clan war."
"We must convince the other clans of what Az Sweldn rak Anhuin has done before any action is taken. A can war between the other clans and Az Sweldn rak Anhuin wouldn't be as bad as a warrior between our nation split into several factions," Orik explained. "How long would it take you to construct another illusionary table you showed us during the blood oath celebration? I wish for you to share your memories of the attack with the other clan leaders that way. Though, perhaps call it something different than illusionary table. The use of the word illusion makes it seem misleading."
"It won't take me long if I begin now," Harry said. "Very well," Orik said.
Harry left to an adjacent chamber to begin constructing the table. It took him an hour to make it. Saphira and Arya watched curiously. Well Arya wached in curiosity. Saphira slept.
Later that Morning
Harry watched the clan leaders file into the conference room. Instead of letting an HFR sit in on the meeting for him, Harry was actually present this time. Three doors down from the clan meet Orik had positioned a hundred of his warriors without the other clan leaders knowing. Arya was also present with them connected with Harry's mind.
Clan Leader Gannel rose from his chair to proceed over that day's meeting, saying, "Greetings my fellow clan chief. Rumors, or rumors of rumors, have reached my ears since we last met. I
propose we delay our most serious debates to discuss these disturbing rumors." "I have no objection Grimstborith Gannel," Iorunn said. The other clan chiefs agree.
"Yesterday while we lunched, knurlan throughout the tunnels beneath the southern quadrant of Tronjheim heard a great disturbance. Upon investigating for a possible cave-in evidence of a mighty fight was found," Gannel explained. "There were scorch marks. Fourteen bodies were found. All signs indicate that the fight was recent. Our spellcasters endeavor to reconstruct what happened. Yet there is little hope of achieving this considering the bodies were cloaked in devious enchantments to allow them to likely take whoever they fought unawares. Do any of you possess further knowledge of this incident?"
"I believe I may be able to shed light on this incident," Orik said. "But I warn that my explanation must be a lengthy one."
"Please do so," Gannel invited.
Orik began by speaking of the history of the dwarf race and of Alagaesia in general. He spoke of the rise of the Riders and the fall of the Riders leading to the current era. He spoke of the dwarves not being tied to the dragons as Riders to the detriment of the dwarven race. He painted a picture of Eragon's deeds and how he was the only hope to defeat Galbatorix. Harry thought he saw where Orik was going with this. Orik then explained the attack and started to detail the evidence that had been gathered. Vermund tried objecting to the circumstantial nature of the evidence several times. Orik agreed and then moved on.
"I was of the same opinion as you Grimstborith Vermund. Last night, my spellcasters traced the path of the assassins back to a dusty storeroom where three dwarves were apprehended. After breaking the minds of two of the three we determined the identity of their master. I name you Grimstborith Vermund as the Oath-Breaker and traitor to your race. You are the one who tried to murder Eragon and Saphira," Orik said.
The other clan leaders erupted in shouting.
Eventually Gannel calmed them down and said, "Grimstborith Vermund, can you refute these charges?"
"I deny them and challenge any to prove them to the satisfaction of a reader of law," Vermund replied.
"It is time to present your evidence," Gannel told Orik. "We have five readers of law here today who will make sure we do not stray beyond the boundaries of the law."
The clan chiefs all agreed. What followed was Orik presenting evidence that ended with the three disgraced warriors being brought in. Their minds were invaded by the combined efforts of
magicians from all the clans. They confirmed Orik's accusations. It was then Harry's turn to use the pensieve table to project his memories of the attack.
"Are you satisfied at the quality of evidence presented here?" Gannel asked the readers.
"We are," One of the readers said.
"What say you Vermund?" Gannel asked.
"If this dragon Rider is a knurla in all but blood as Orik has said then he is no guest and we may treat him as any enemy from another clan," Vermund replied.
"Orik, Nado, Iorunn, if you will come with me please," Gannel said.
The named dwarves stepped off to the side to confer with the readers. A few minutes later the group returned to the table.
It was Iorunn who explained, "The readers are unanimous in this. Even though Eragon is a sworn member of Durgrimst Ingeitum he also holds positions of importance beyond our realm. He is the head dragon Rider. He is a friend of high influence with Queen Islanzadi and her race. Eragon is due the same hospitality any visiting Ambassador or Monarch receives."
"He is our guest," Nado confirmed. "What have you to say now Vermund?" Gannel asked.
"I say this. If any clan turns an axe towards Az Sweldn rak Anhuin we shall consider it an act of war and response appropriately. If any tries to imprison me we shall consider it an act of war. You shall rend our nation asunder. I suggest letting today's conversation waft away in the wind and turn our talk to who shall next rule our country," Vermund said.
It was Freowin who broke the silence by slapping the table and saying, "We cannot maintain our honor as knurlan if we ignore your trespass. You have shamed our race."
"What did you think to accomplish?" Hadfala asked. "You would doom us to be overrun by Galbatorix."
Vermund did not answer.
"I propose this as a punishment," Orik said. "Let us banish Az Sweldn rak Anhuin from our hearts and minds until they choose to replace Vermund with a more moderate clan chief and until they admit their villainy repenting to the clan meet. Even if this takes a thousand years we can wait."
Vermund paled at that. The clan chiefs quickly voted to back up the proposal.
"Begone Vargrimstn Vermund. May none of Az Sweldn rak Anhuin trouble the clanmeet until you have met the conditions we have set forth. Even should that happen you will be Vargrimstn until your dying day," Gannel declared.
"It is all of you who have shamed our race. The Dragon Riders killed all of my clan except Anhuin and her guards. You have all lost your beards," Vermund spat.
The other clan chiefs ignored him as if he didn't exist. He continued shouting at the clan chiefs for some time. They continued to ignore him. Finally he gave up and left with those of his clan who he had brought with him.
"I believe that we must now decide upon Hrothgar's successor," Orik said. "I call upon the meet to decide if we are ready. My vote is aye."
The vote was unanimous to have the vote.
After they had returned to his quarters, Arya who had been listening in through her mate's thoughts said, "I do not think Vermund shall remain clan chief for long."
"Aye, you are right. Many of his clan will not be happy what he did in their name," Orik said. "Perhaps they will realize that they have let their hatred for Riders fester. It is not the fault of all Riders what Galbatorix and the Forswarn did. Now I must spend the next three days before the vote is cast defending the supporters I already have and gaining more."
Harry thought perhaps he could help.
As each of the clan chiefs deliberated on the next king of their people one by one they received some sort of sign that suggested to them that Orik should be the next king. In several cases while they were praying they received a message in their mind spoken in what sounded like the voice of a god that Orik would lead them into the new age. Several of them had dreams suggesting as much. For others it was subtler things. These were all the doing of probes directed by Rhaezael. Each of the clan chiefs had strong mental defenses. So, none suspected any outside influence from a mortal practitioner. Those mental defenses could not hope to stop the technology available to Rhaezael. Harry did not feel bad about this. He did not outright control the clan chiefs as he was perfectly capable of doing. He subtly nudged them using their beliefs.
Harry also debated how to best punish Vermund on his own. Banishment was of course a very effective punishment. Yet Harry wanted something more. He very briefly considered casting a curse which would make Vermund's dick fall off. But no matter how much he disliked someone, Harry couldn't bring himself to curse another man with that particular curse. So, instead he cast a curse which would cause Vermund to smell bad permanently and another spell that would keep the dwarf from being able to sit comfortably on his butt no matter how comfortable his seat was. It wasn't a lot. Yet Harry thought it was good enough.
In Orbit of Prima
Hermione stood on the bridge of her starship Archimedes enjoying the silence. The only other being present was the ship's AI in HFR form. The AI was named Athena after the goddess of wisdom and took on the form of a beautiful blonde woman. Athena was currently in HFR form though was able to project herself throughout the ship using both soft-light and hard-light holograms. Athena let Hermione enjoy the moment.
"I have my own starship!" Hermione thought to herself with glee.
Hermione had made sure to thoroughly thank her fiancé for the wonderful gift. She would continue to do so for some time to come. Hermione was trying to decide what to do now. She had many options available to her. Several months back Harry had dispatched hyperspace probes to scan the many star systems surrounding Earth and Prima in order to get a map of the local part of their galaxy. Many inhabited star systems had been found. There were many diverse species just within the local region of their galaxy.
"What would you like to do Captain?" Athena asked sensing from Hermione's body language that Hermione had reached a decision.
"Proceed to this star system," Hermione said as she brought up a holographic map of the local region of the galaxy and pointed to a particular star system. "I would like to make first contact."
The civilization in question was at a level of technology similar to Earth. They did not yet have starship technology. Very few civilizations in their region of the galaxy did.
"Of course," Athena said.
The Archimedes leapt into hyperspace.
Prima
"Why didn't Harry want to go with you to meet these Bruna?" Emma asked as she enjoyed her salad while having lunch with her daughter.
"I think he did. But he's trying to give me my space so that I can stretch my legs on my own," Hermione explained. "All the intel suggested that the Bruna were a peaceful race in general."
"I suppose I can your desire to do that," Emma said. "I think I would still rather have Dan there." "How are you and daddy getting on here?" Hermione asked.
"Wonderfully," Emma admitted. "This planet is so beautiful, so untouched. Dan and I took our puddlejumper out yesterday and used it to explore the local area. We got to watch all kinds of wildlife up close without spooking them thanks to the invisibility cloak. I don't think we would have gotten so close if the silencing runes you had thought to put on the jumpers weren't there."
Harry had gifted each family a puddlejumper to use on Prima much like having a car.
"I could easily see myself coming to Prima and rarely returning to Earth," Hermione admitted.
"I could too," Emma agreed. "But the ability to go back and forth at will is nice. I think I would miss Earth culture a little bit. It is what is familiar. I mean I know we no longer need to work to survive thanks to all of this advanced technology. But I still find myself feeling a little lazy for now going and working as a dentist."
"I can understand that. Maybe it is time to pick up some hobbies," Hermione suggested.
"I think you are right," Emma mused. "Perhaps I'll see if Lily wants to join me for some more nature viewing. I really enjoyed that. Getting to see all the different wildlife both alien and familiar was fun."
"That sounds like a plan. Any other hobbies on your horizon?" Hermione asked. "I'll have to think about it some more," Emma said. The two women chatted for some time about life. It was a good visit.
The votes of the clanmeet for choosing a new king went in Orik's favor as Harry had known they would. There were still a couple of dwarves that went against the whispers of their "gods" and chose Nado. Yet with Orik winning the vast majority of votes his victory could not be contested. Orik was the new king of the dwarves.
Path-Hermione was taking a rare opportunity to actually physically look in on her local counterpart as the Local-Hermione was exploring on her starship. She turned when she sensed a familiar presence behind her. Path-Harry stood on the bridge of the Archimedes.
"What brings you here?" Path-Hermione asked her husband.
"The same thing I imagine brings you here. The locals are getting very interesting," Harry said as he took note of Local-Hermione.
Path-Hermione could sense his arousal and the brief thoughts that flashed through his mind as he saw the two of them together. Inwardly she smiled. He always had such deliciously naughty thoughts.
"Local me and local you are getting quite powerful," Path-Hermione mused. "For a second there I thought they were going to sense my presence."
"They are growing quite skilled at tapping into their ascended powers whenever they want to without actually ascending. Who knows. Maybe they will find a way to access the higher planes of their universe than what previous ascended have figured out before," Harry mused. "Any thoughts on whether or not they will return to the home universe of the Furlings that came here?"
"I think they might someday. But for now they seem content to explore the three realities they exist in," Hermione mused. "The Furling ship was an interesting twist. We don't often come across that."
"I know," Harry agreed.
"I find it interesting that Local-Harry seems to be content with the number of women he has partnered with," Hermione commented on.
"Well of course. Unless you are actually a sex god with the aura to match having too many partners becomes problematic, something the local me seems to have figured out fairly early on," Harry said.
The couple was silent for several moments as they digested that part of the conversation and let their Ascended senses soak in the local universe.
"I quite like our lives," Hermione said referring to the fact that Harry had many women with him. "But it is also nice to be able to experience other perspectives."
"That it is," Harry agreed. "Come on. Let's go experience some of the other parts of these three realities first-hand," He said as he took her hand.
Hermione nodded and left with her husband. For the two of them this was like a really good date. To be able to walk the multiverse without restraint was very exhilarating. They were young enough that they hadn't completely lost their sense of wander that many of the older Ascended had about the multiverse. With their ability to reset their thoughts to always experience that new feeling using nano-technology hopefully they would never get that mindset.
Prima
"I still can't believe we are on another world," Susan said as she laid on the beach next to Hermione and Luna.
The three witches were lying topless on a beech in the tropic region of the virtually uninhabited world. Neville and Harry were out in the surf attempting to surf. Harry was occasionally cheating by using his ability to fly to help.
"It does seem pretty fantastical at times," Hermione said with a grin.
"I never want to leave the beach," Luna declared happily. "Thank you so much for including us on your planet."
"You're welcome. We couldn't leave our friends out," Hermione said.
The girls had also already thanked Harry many times for what he had done for their families. Susan's parents and Luna's mother had been returned to life thanks to a little time travel. Luna's father had been returned to an age where he matched that of Pandora. They all had homes on Prima.
"It makes me not want to go back to Hogwarts after having seen what you are capable of here in this place with your starship," Susan said.
"I asked Harry about that," Hermione said. "I asked him why we bother. He said to enjoy the experience while we are still young. Soon enough we'll be graduated and not have that luxury."
"Yes. Soon enough we'll be making babies. Being a mum will take up quite a bit of time," Luna said.
"We're too young to bring that up," Susan said.
"Some of us aren't as young as others," Luna said knowlingly while looking at the way Hermione was eying Harry.
Hermione was biting her lip before glancing at her friends and saying, "While I think it is important for Harry to continue his line it is no longer as desperate as it once was. He is no longer the last Potter. I would still love to have his babies some day. We are going to wait a few years."
"Probably a good idea. I know my parents are back. But Auntie and I are still as close as ever. She has encouraged me to wait a bit as well. But she knows we are sexually active with Neville. She is pretty realistic about things," Susan said.
"My mum knows too. She knew pretty quickly after she returned. She seems ok with it," Luna said.
The girls continued to chat and hang out enjoying their day at the beach. Neville and Harry were having their own conversation out in the waves in between attempts to surf.
"This is really a beautiful place," Neville said as he gazed around at the world.
"It is. But having company to enjoy it makes it even moreso," Harry said as he glanced at his Hermione.
Luna and Susan were also very beautiful. But Hermione was the only woman for him in this universe.
"What do you think they are talking about?" Neville asked.
"You don't want to know," Harry said with a grin as he tapped his ear making Neville remember that his friend had the hearing of a high elf.
Neville, Luna, and Susan were privy to some of the secrets of what Harry had been up to. "That just makes me even more curious," Neville said with a laugh. "Have you given any thougth to what you want to do after Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"I've had thoughts. But nothing concrete. I mean there are so many avenues to take. You telling me about your adventures has kind of made me want to try some exploring," Neville admitted.
"Your shares in my company will mean you probably never need to work again, you or the girls if you remain together," Harry said. "You, Luna, and Susan are welcome to join Hermione and I on our adventures. We intend to explore this universe and maybe eventually others."
"That sounds fun," Neville said. "I'll talk to the girls about it." "Smart man," Harry said with a grin. Farthen Dur
Harry, Arya, and Saphira stood next to Orik outside the central chamber of Tronjheim as the Drums of Derva sounded to summon the dwarves for the coronation of their new king. Hundreds of dwarves lined the many levels so they could see their new king along with Saphira and Eragon.
"It is not often we crown a new king. In peacetimes we would have waited several months for the coronation to give all dwarves who wished to time to travel here for the weeks of feasting and games. We cannot do that in these circumstances," Orik explained. "Could you not delay the feasting and games part or have the feasting and games combined with a celebration to mark our defeating the empire?" Arya suggested.
"That is likely what we will do," Orik said.
The drum beats came to an end. Trumpets took up the music along with a chorus of chanting dwarves. Harry, Arya, and Saphira moved to the ring of clan leaders and other notables surrounding the room. The reconstructed star sapphire in its scaffoldoing stood in the center. The granite throne had been relocated from beneath Tronjeim onto a raised dais next to the sapphire. Thousands of dwarf warriors stood in two large blocks all the way to the eastern gate. Orik's wife Hvedra stood at the front of this gathering. Orik walked step by step from the eastern gate while the trumpets and chorus played music. This procession took half an hour. Orik was dressed as befitting a king. Twelve dwarf children divided between the two genders followed him carrying orbs of stone from twelve differet types. Pink rose petals floated down from the top of Tronjheim.
When the music stopped Orik knelt before the granite throne. Gannel, clan chief of Durgrimst Quan, came forward carrying a staff topped with a crystal. Gannel smote the staff upon the floor and began to speak in dwarvish. Harry mostly tuned it out until until the language shifted from Dwarvish to the Ancient Language.
"Guntera, creator of heavens and the earth and the boundless sea, hear now the cry of your faithful servant!" Gannel called.
Gannel continued with pleas to the dwarf god and asked that Orik's rule be blessed. Suddenly a figure appeared outlined by the falling rose petals not falling around it. The creature was massive and became visible. Harry became aware of its presence in the room. Harry's probe told him this was a higher dimensional being similar to the ascended yet not quite as powerful. The dwarves fell to their knees. The invoked Guntera questioned Orik three times and received the same answer three times. Guntera must have been satisfied for he extended his hands on either side of Orik's head and caused the crown Hrothgar had warn to appear on Orik's head. Then Guntera vanished.
Gannel proclaimed Orik the new king in dwarvish. Orik rose and took his throne before his people called, "Nal, Grimstnzborith Orik!"
This was a repeated cheer as the dwarves made much noise. Then one by one the clan chiefs publically swore fealty to Orik. This was followed by the guild leaders doing the same. Harry watched. Some would expect him to do the same as a member of Orik's clan. But Harry was the head Rider. He would not be swearing his fealty to any. The next part of the ceremony was where all dwarves present that chose to could come before the king and pledge their loyalty. Orik was also given many gifts. When Harry, Saphira, and Arya were given the opportunity they went before Orik.
"This is the start of our gift," Arya said as she handed Orik an armband. "This armband has spells laid upon it which will protect you. Should any assassin try to throw a spear or shoot an arrow at you then they will miss. No poison shall harm you. You could drink it from your cup and the spells will neutralize it. Many hostile spells will also be stopped."
It was a combined effort of Harry and Arya that enchanted the armband. "I thank you," Orik said as he slipped the armband on showing his trust for the trio. "Now the next part," Harry said as he, Saphira, and Arya all went over to touch the star sapphire.
Arya's part in this was mostly for show. While she did add a little bit of her personal energy to the spell, that energy wasn't actually required. Harry extended his magic into the gem. He felt Saphira trying to push her magic into it as well. The Eldunari joined her. Normally dragons couldn't consciously control their magic. But the magic inside the dragons reached out eager to work with that cast by Saphira's Rider. The gem flared with a brilliant light. All but the three magic users touching the gem were forced to look away. It only lasted maybe twenty seconds. When they looked back the wooden scaffolding that had held the gem together had disappeared. In its place was a gem made whole. But the shade of the gem was a darker red. There were veins of what looked like gold flowing inside the gem, something that never could have occurred naturally. The veins of gold actually glowed with another-wordly light. The star sapphire rose into the air until it hovered in place where it was set before. The ceiling seemed to flow around the gem holding it into place before it turned transparent and into what clearly became diamond. The star sapphire was now set in diamond.
"So that none may break it so easily in the future we create the watch-lights to guard the gem," Harry called out as three spheres about the size of Saphira's dragon egg when Eragon had first found it materialized into being.
The watch-lights were different colors. One was golden light. One was blue light. And the last light was the whitest purest light any had ever beheld. The three watch-lights hovered in a slowly rotating circle around the underside of the star saphhire. The light from the watch-lights seemed to enhance the glow coming from the star sapphire. The dwarves broke into a resounding cheer. Despite the fact that the majority of the festivities would take place after the war, there was still a feast that night. Harry sat next to Orik with Arya on his other side.
"The being that appeared which you called Guntera, has he ever failed to appear and bless a ruler?" Harry asked Orik at one point.
"Aye. He has," Orik said. "We call them the Heretic Kings and Heretic Queens. These knurlan failed to obtain Guntera's blessing yet insisted upon taking the throne. Their time on the throne has always been short and unhappy. If Guntera had failed to bless me I would have renounced the throne then and there. Our nation cannot afford such internal conflict as would be caused if that happened. Not at a time like this," He added.
"I think you will make a good ruler," Arya said. Orik merely grunted and took another sip of his drink.
Harry came awake from his dream-state to sense that Arya was also conscious in the bed next to him.
"What has you awake?" Harry asked as Arya rolled over and laid her head upon his chest, pressing herself against his side.
Arya cuddles were wonderful.
"I had a dream of a world not quite like this one. In it you were reporting to Nasuada and discussing returning to Ellesmera to see Oromis and Glaedr about the Eldunari," Arya explained. "It was disturbing because in that world you were subordinate to Nasuada. You must have sworn fealty to her."
"Leaf calls them Greendreams. It is something her people are especially skilled at. I've been having them for some time about the world that could have been, or rather one of the worlds. There are many possibilities. Leaf must have decided to share the with you," Harry explained.
"It was so disturbing to see you subordinate to Nasuada," Arya said. "You are the head Rider. You should not be subordinate to any king or queen. Although she may have many of the powers of a queen, Nasuada isn't even that."
"I agree. It would have happened here due to the ploys of the Varden's council of elders had I not been stronger or less experienced," Harry said.
"I am glad that it did not. Will you return to Oromis about the Eldunari?" Arya asked.
"It seems rather unnecessary at this point considering I already have the Eldunari and they can teach me much. I have built a golem for Oromis to use so that he can extend his influence beyond the boundaries of the wards surrounding Du Weldenvarden. Even now the device Oromis will need to control the golem is making its way to Du Weldenvarden. He will be able to remain nearby and offer his advice along with interact with the outside world without putting himself at risk," Harry explained.
"That could prove very useful even if you have the Eldunari," Arya agreed.
"Having both of my teachers nearby will feel good," Harry said while thinking of Brom and Oromis.
The couple was silent for several moments before Arya's hand slid down to cup his manhood. "I know what else will make you feel good," Arya said.
She turned her head and brought her mouth to his. Arya kissed him while slowly massaging his growing hardness. She rose and repositioned herself so that she was straddling him. All she was
wearing was a long tunic top that came down to her hips granting him plenty of access. Soon, no more words were needed.
Earth
"That was a good movie," Hermione said as she walked next to Harry out of the theater in Crawley.
They walked towards the restaurant where they planned to eat dinner.
"It was," Harry agreed. "It's nice to get out and do something so normal as go to a movie. With all the abnormal things we have done over the past few years I was beginning to question if we could still do normal."
"You'll hear no complaints from me Harry. I think our life is amazing," Hermione said as she walked with her arms wrapped around his right arm. "As long as I am with you."
Harry stopped long enough to kiss her. It wasn't full of passion but rather tenderness. Harry was learning to cherish every quiet moment like this he spent with his fiancé. The quiet moment was broken by the sound of screams.
Harry spun to face the direction of the scream while putting Hermione behind him. His quick count picked out thirteen Death Eaters and another two dozen werewolves fully transformed attacking the crowded shopping district of Crawley. Muggles were on the ground screaming from crucios or were being mauled by werewolves.
"Harry," Hermione said in alarm.
"You should apparate to the Ministry auror office directly and get assistance," Harry said. "We're going to need the obliviators here."
"I won't leave you," Hermione said despite knowing her lover was trained for this. "There are too many of them."
"I will be fine," Harry said. "Go."
Hermione watched as Harry walked towards the attackers. One of his swords appeared in his hand. He began to glow drawing the attention of all to him. Harry's left hand whipped out towards a pair of Death Eaters standing close together attacking two muggle teens with the cruciatus. Lightning surged from his fingertips and tore into the two Death Eaters, killing them nearly instantly. His hand continued this time catching a Death Eater and a werewolf up in a telekinetic grip. The two enemies smashed together with enough force to break every bone in their body. Curses were flying at Harry now. He dodged using his superhuman speed, closed on a werewolf and decapcitated the creature with a single smooth stroke.
Hermione suddenly remembered her cell phone. She immediately called up Amelia and hastily described to her what was going on. She had taken cover behind a building so the Death Eaters and werewolves wouldn't notice her. She need not have worried. All of their attention was on Harry. Everyone's attention was on Harry. He was a whirlwind of death as he ripped through Voldemort's forces with impunity. Any spell that actually came close to his skin was deflected by either a shield or by a summoned enemy combatant into the path of it. Amelia and a dozen red robed aurors apparated in just as Harry decapitated Rodolphus Lestrange who had been leading the group. Fenrir Greybacks head laid next to Rodolphus' corpse. Harry was breathing harshly and covered in the blood of his enemies. He was still glowing radiating waves of magic.
"Call in the obliviators," Amelia told Shacklebolt before striding towards Harry, her wand out looking for danger. "Are you alright Harry?"
"I am unharmed Amelia," Harry said.
"The same can't be said for this lot," Auror Macklvich said in awe as he and his fellow aurors surveyed the damage.
The aurors had spread out and began casting wide area stunners on the muggles as was standard procedure. They tended to the wounded where they could. But within thirty seconds the medical team from St. Mungos arrived along with the obliviators. Harry approached the group of muggles that had been quarantined by the medical personnel. All were unconscious. There were several dozen of them.
"They're all infected with Lycanthropy," Healer Brunswick told Harry sadly as her boss reported the situation to Amelia.
"What will happen to them?" Hermione asked.
"We can't cure them. They'll be told about the magical world and spelled to secrecy. They will probably fall in with existing packs," Brunswick explained.
"No," Harry said as his eyes flared with power.
Harry held out his hands. Magic flew from his finger tips as tendrils of visible power into each new werewolf. The Lycanthropy curse was incredibly complex and would fight back against attempts to heal it. But Harry had a neural link directly to one of the most powerful AIs in many realities. Using the power of his starship, Harry was able to figure out the best way to modify the curse. He could heal it. But he could also use it to improve the lives of these people. Moments later the power tendrils withdrew.
"What did you do?" Hermione asked.
"I modified the curse. They will not be able to spread it," Harry explained. "And they will be able to change at will while retaining their human minds."
The healers gasped.
"Amazing," Amelia said. "We will still need to keep them quarantined for a few full moons to test it. But this could be life-changing for the wizarding world."
"Can this be done for other Lychanthropes?" Healer Murphy, the head healer on the scene, asked.
"I believe so. But I will have to be the one to do it," Harry said. "Contact me when you have a willing Lycanthrope who wants to be modified. My number was just texted to you."
Healer Murphy checked his cell phone and sure enough there was a new phone number there. Harry and Hermione stuck around for a short while longer to help out before leaving. Hermione was very hot for Harry after watching him in action.