Harry Potter and the Magic of Books Part 23

The next week went well enough thanks to them setting up a collection of portkeys that took people back and forth from the portal stone to the base with a password. Various groups were sent out to different worlds with the help of several dozen male channelers. It was rather impressive how many people they could bring back just on the promise of a location safe from the breaking.

Sadly most of the groups took some losses as several groups proved more hostile than expected. Still, they were mapping the groups out and getting better at recruiting which meant that by the end of the week they had only lost eight wizards and twenty channelers of middling strength and little talent. In exchange they brought in over two thousand rather powerful female channelers and thirty five hundred more males that could channel as well as several warehouses full of ter’angreal and a storeroom with angreal and sa’angreal.

In short while raiding doomed worlds was certainly a useful idea, it was also problematic. By the end of the fourth week various factions in the female camp wanted to sever the males even if they were harmless while the dampening field was up. Needless to say none of the males appreciated this view at all. On top of that mess, various male channelers were complaining about not having better access to more untainted power. It was a powder keg ready to explode, everyone was making more demands, such as wanting to meet up with their factions on this world which couldn’t be allowed for various reasons. Still, Harry had managed to put a lid on everything by going through and using the Loliblade on everyone that wanted to be younger and was willing to copy their memories. The promise of a longer life kept most of the people on their best behavior at least until he left with the Loliblade.

Once that happened the factions went back to arguing and bitching and sniping at each other. In short it was a mess which is why no one was all that surprised when things came to violence a couple of days after Harry’s group left which cost the group another wizard before Arcturus said enough was a fucking enough and activated the female side of the dampening field.

Once the field was up the remaining wizards and witches laid into the group with stunners. From there it was just a matter of tossing all of the channelers into prisons so that they could go through one at a time and obliviate just about every channeler until they had little personality left though he left their knowledge of weaves. After that Arcturus used the gender flipping belt Harry had left and turned most of the males into females. From there it was a simple matter to use Kreacher and the sperm he’d stolen from Lews Therin to impregnate half of them.

0o0o0

Harry yawned as he reappeared in the living room with the rest of his group. “I’m looking forward to a burger.”

Tony laughed. “I could go for a couple of hamburgers and a milkshake.”

James said, “Let’s get some lunch then check on things. I have a feeling that Minerva wouldn’t mind spending nine years in another world exploring the new wizarding world before she comes back to teach at Hogwarts. Hagrid would be another person that could benefit from being reduced in age and sent back to school.”

Sirius said, “Madam Pomfrey might like to spend nine years learning different magic spells.”

Lily shook her head. “This is assuming that Arcturus actually managed to create a wizarding world worth anything.”

Tony said, “I’m curious what they managed to accomplish with my city designs.”

Anna said, “It’s worth looking into.”

Hermione glanced at the clock on the wall. “I should call my parents.”

Lily said, “That’s probably a good idea.”

Hermione headed to the kitchen to call her folks.

Harry smirked. “Either way, we should draw up some more plans now that we’re getting close to the main timeline. The main players are born, the stage is set which means we can interfere a lot more.”

Beth cackled as she rubbed her hands together. “How much do you think it would cost to flat out buy the entire Two Rivers area from the queen?”

Sirius asked, “Are we sure it’s worth it?”

“Considering the queen hasn’t sent a tax collector there in decades, I have a feeling that we’ll be able to buy it for a few chests of gold and gems or maybe a couple sets of heartstone plates. Besides, buying the land would let us make improvements to the area. We should buy out Taren Ferry while we’re at it.”

James said, “I guess it could be fun.”

Remus rubbed his chin. “We could probably enchant a town map to keep track of people or even a map of the surrounding area.”

“That would certainly help.”

Lily asked, “Putting aside plans to buy the town for a minute, how many people do you think we could take to Hogwarts with us?”

Moody shook his head. “That depends on how well the project went. We might get there and find nothing or get there and find it overflowing with wizards. Either way, I need to check in at the office now that my vacation is done.”

James laughed. “You’ve been stockpiling vacation days for decades, live a little.”

“I did and how I have to go back in and make sure no one killed themselves in my absence.”

Tony said, “Speaking of money, I don’t suppose someone can float me some startup cash?”

Harry said, “Sure, how much do you need?”

“Ten thousand?” Tony asked hopefully.

“I’ll get you a bunch of pirate coins and gems to sell, that should cover your start up costs.”

“Thanks.”

Nymphadora looked at the clock. “I should probably go visit my parents for a bit if we’re going to back to the Wheel of Time world tomorrow.”

James said, “Sounds good to me.”

0o0o0

McGonagall raised her eyebrows. “Let me get this straight, you’re jumping into a world that might have an entire society of wizards and witches because you put them there three thousand years ago?” She looked at Lily. “Did he lose his mind?”

Lily laughed. “He’s as sane as ever.”

“That’s not saying much.”

James mock pouted. “Hey, now.”

Lily patted James’ arm. “It’s okay, we still love you.” She turned back to look at McGonagall. “James’ sanity aside, the offer is actually legitimate.”

“If I go and don’t leave when Harry leaves, I’ll have eight or nine years to explore around and only a couple of days will pass in this world?” McGonagall asked.

“That’s the long and the short of it. I know that nine years away from Hogwarts is a while but it would give you the chance to take a break, practice your skills for real and maybe even pick up something new.”

McGonagall considered her options, she didn’t really see a problem with taking a nice long vacation from Hogwarts, especially since she’d still get to come back in September. Being able to travel around and enjoy life again had a certain amount of appeal. Her summers were normally spent relaxing with family but even that was bittersweet the last couple of years after her husband died. Besides, she was thirteen again, it was the perfect time to explore a strange new world and have some fun. “I bet we could talk Pomona and Poppy into jumping with us if you restored their youth.”

James nodded. “I don’t see a problem with that.”

“In that case, when do we leave?”

Lily glanced at the clock. “As soon as you can get Pomona and Poppy here and as soon as Nymphadora gets back from visiting with her parents.”

“I’ll call them on the floo. You should consider telling Albus about this opportunity, I have a feeling that he’d enjoy having another world to explore. Besides, it would give him a chance to clear his head and get out of the office.”

James considered the pros, another wizard on their side if the wizarding world in the book turned out to be insane, a chance for Albus to explore and have some fun and hopefully relax a bit and a chance to get Albus to focus on something other than Voldemort for a couple of years. “If you want to tell him about the idea, go for it. Feel free to use the fireplace.”

“Thank you.”

0o0o0

Albus stared at ‘his’ reflection in the mirror. In a weird way the strangest thing about his appearance was that ‘his’ nose was perfectly straight for the first time since his brother broke it all those years ago. Of course the lack of beard was a bit disconcerting but it wouldn’t really have fit with ‘his’ baseball sized breasts or the youthful look of ‘his’ face. “I wonder if they would let me study the magic bracelet.”

McGonagall finished adjusting Albus’s robes with her wand. “That should do it for your robes. As for the bracelet, they might as long as you can promise that your tests won’t damage it. Then again, they might not. If people knew they had the bracelet they’d be almost as hunted as Nicholas for his stone.”

“Perhaps.” He turned and walked out of the bathroom and back to the living room. He smiled at Sirius. “I’d be honored to join your adventure though I do wish you’d tell me where you found such an interesting magic item.”

Sirius laughed. “Of course not, it’s part of the mystery and thus the fun. Speaking of fun, we should be on our way as soon as Madam Pomfrey gets back with Hagrid.”

Albus asked, “Speaking of adventure, can you give us more detail about where we’re going?”

“The world knows of magic or at least the local style of magic. It’s set in the late middle ages or so for technology. Men that can use magic are tainted and doomed to go insane for the most part, don’t worry the taint doesn’t affect us. When we left, Arcturus Black was working on creating a town of magic users. It might have prospered, it might not have, thus the fun. Most of us will be jumping in and exploring for a day or two then jumping out. Some of you will be staying behind for the next eight years and change. At which we’ll pick you back up and only a day or two will have passed out here.”

“In other words we should be careful about using magic in front of people.”

Sirius shrugged. “You’ll be fine, you’re a girl, at least currently.”

Albus asked, “Who all is staying?”

“Provided the wizarding world is worth staying for, Minerva, Hagrid so he can complete his education, Moody because he wants to grow up, Nymphadora because she wants to work on her auror training with Moody off the books, Pomfrey because she’s interested in learning anything new they’ve come up with and Sprout because she’s curious about any strange plants.”

McGonagall said, “I’m looking forward to exploring the world a bit and getting out of the classroom for a while.”

Sirius grinned. “You’ve been teaching nonstop for decades, it’s okay to let your hair down.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” The more McGonagall thought about it the more she was looking forward to having some time off. She loved teaching but at the same time, she hadn’t taken enough time for herself in years.

0o0o0

Egwene al’Vere jumped in shock and dropped her water bucket when a large group of strangely dressed people appeared out of thin air in front of her. “Light!”

Harry grinned as he saw the nine year old girl with long dark hair. “Egwene al’Vere?”

“Ah, yes?” Egwene answered uncertainly. It wasn’t everyday that people appeared out of thin air that knew your name.

Harry said, “Ah, good, we’re in the right place. Is today the shearing?”

Egwene stared at Hagrid as she was the tallest girl she’d ever seen. “You’re tall.”

Hagrid smiled down at the child. Even with using the bracelet ‘he’ was still well over six foot. “Just a bit but don’t worry your pretty little head, you’re safe enough.”

Anna giggled. “Perfect.”

Beth glanced down at the bucket that their arrival had most likely caused the girl to drop. “Let’s go get your bucket filled up.”

“Ah… thank you,” Egwene said as Anna and Beth marched her off to help fill her bucket.

Albus glanced around at the locals as the twins walked off with a local. “A local festival?”

Hermione said, “It’s the day the sheep are sheared and the merchants come and buy the wool.”

Moody asked, “Where is the wizarding island?”

Sirius said, “A few thousand miles to the south. I’ve got a portkey that should take us close. We’ll fly the rest of the way.”

Remus glanced in the direction Anna and Beth wandered off. “What about the girls?”

“I’ll stay and make sure they’re staying out of trouble,” Nymphadora replied.

Harry shook his head. “Good luck with that.”

Lily said, “Let’s create some portkeys so we can return here if there’s a problem with the wizarding town.”

0o0o0

The first sight of the island took the group’s breath way. There were hundreds of people flying around above the wondrous city, everything from brooms and carpets to unassisted flight or at least apparently unassisted flight, it was a bit hard to tell from the distance they were at. Harry laughed. “I guess that answers the question of them surviving.”

James asked, “Shall we fly closer?”

Tony still wasn’t sure about riding a broom but his power armor was a bit too noticeable so it was shrunk and packed away unless he actually needed it. “We might as well.”

Instead of the humble beach they’d last seen when they left, the beach had been replaced by an even larger beach. The rock of the surrounding area had been fused into massive two hundred foot tall terraced cliffs with glasslike quarter dooms over each level. There were paths for the rainwater to flow and everything looked to have been crafted with loving detail. Past the beach was a series of terraced landings with ramps between the levels. There were various buildings made of a black stonelike substance and glasslike domes that looked remarkably sane considering the insanity of the building material. In short the port city didn’t look like anything that should exist in a medieval setting. It also didn’t didn’t look like the haphazard or at least individualistic construction most of them were used to from the wizarding world.

Sirius frowned slightly as a group of twenty women in their early twenties flew up to greet them on brooms. Each of them wore fabric that shifted through the rainbow at random, sometimes a color lasted almost five seconds in patches and other times shifted between multiple colors almost quicker than the eye could follow. “Hello?”

The lead girl said, “Welcome to Blackgate Port, you’ve been expected.”

“Is that a good thing?” Sirius asked.

The woman laughed. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to the council chambers.”

Lily whispered, “We might as well see how bad things are.”

Harry kept glancing between the various people flying around and the city as they followed the team of twenty woman toward a large tower. The layout looked a bit strange until you remembered that the wizards had brooms and other types of flight then it started to make more sense. “This place is awesome.”

The leader of the guards laughed as the other girls spread out into what was rather obviously a lobby. “This is a mere port city, you should see the capital. Feel free to leave your brooms on the stand or shrink them.” She turned and walked through the lobby and over to where two naked woman were standing at attention in front of a large ornate black metal door. “They’re here.”

The naked women smiled as he pulled ropes and the doors swung open as the crew finished putting their brooms away. “May we introduce Selena Potter, a.k.a the Lady of Death.”

A stunning almost six and a half foot tall woman with blazing red hair walked through the doors wearing a shimmering silk like gown that danced with dark smokey colors. “I have been waiting a very long time to meet you grandpa.”

Harry asked, “Grandpa?”

“Anna and Beth donated a lot of sperm and it was used to impregnate a decent number of people. My mother was the offspring of one of the original telepaths and Lews Therin.”

Harry blinked, “Wait, what? Lews Therin?”

“Apparently the founder harvested some of his genetic material when he first arrived.”

Sirius asked, “I probably shouldn’t be asking but how old are you?”

Selena mock pouted at Sirius. “Don’t you know that you’re not supposed to ask a lady her age?”

“You look like you’re in your twenties…”

“I’m three thousand four hundred and eighty one. I look good for my age don’t I?”

Albus blinked in surprise. “You’re how old?”

“Three thousand four hundred and eighty one years old, I’m one of the oldest channelers around.” She gestured toward the two naked girls. “You’re free the rest of the day.”

The two girls flashed a smile at Selena then snapped their fingers and vanished.

Albus stared at the woman. “Wizards typically don’t live that long.”

“Actually, when you take a wizard or a witch and give them channeling they live a very long time unless they die in battle or by misfortune. Some of the channelers lasted two thousand years. Some are still alive though they look rather ancient. That said my half sisters or cousins have held up the best of any of the island’s citizens.”

Sarah said, “You can blame that on the elf blood, we’re immortal or near enough.”

“Define near enough?”

“About 10,000 years to a human year after we hit maturity then factor in magic. So yeah, nigh immortal.”

“Good to know.” Selena looked over the group. “Let’s see, great grandma and grandpa Lily and James Potter, Mr. Tony Stark, Lady Hermione Granger, Miss McGonagall, Moody, Remus, Lord Black and I’m not sure about the rest of you I’m afraid. I don’t see the twins either.”

Hermione spoke up, “They’re making friends with some local talent.”

Albus raised an eyebrow as he looked Lily and James. “Something you want to tell me?”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Fine, we came back from the dead, deal with it, we have. Moving on, the red haired girl is Albus Dumbledore, the tall girl is Hagrid, the other two are Poppy and Pomona.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Now that you’re here, I’m guessing you’d like a summary of our history?” Selena asked.

Albus blinked in surprise as he hadn’t expected Lily to admit to coming back from the dead. He was going to have to ask about that later.

Harry nodded. “That would be useful.”