HP: The Artisan's Path Chapter 104

Hi all, 

Here’s the second chapter for the week.

Chapter 104

5th August

Harry was in his workshop, putting the finishing touches on his gauntlet. 

It only required some minute adjustments to some of the rune arrays. He'd spent the last week refining every detail, ensuring it functioned precisely as intended.

Octo handed him a runic pen, and Harry thanked the miniature construct. He had discovered Octo enjoyed helping him in his workshop, no matter how small the task. It felt like it could read his thoughts, offering him tools before he even had to ask.

It felt like he had been locked up in his workshop forever, scarcely coming up to breathe the fresh air. 

Since the incident at the Comic-Con, Harry hadn't ventured outside the guild, with his grandparents and MACUSA fearing he would get attacked again. MACUSA had questioned him extensively on why the invaders were so interested in him, but he had feigned ignorance. The fewer people who knew about his Demiguise form, the better. It was already concerning enough that the Beast-kin were aware of it.

At least the attack had revealed that the invaders were Animagi, which meant Harry and his grandfather didn't have to reveal the information themselves and explain how they knew. The knowledge that the invaders could be hiding among them had driven MACUSA into paranoia, massively increasing security at their most important locations.

It was also driving them closer to a war with the invaders. They were in constant talks with ICW countries, but for the moment, all of them were handling the invaders in their territories on their own terms. After Harry's suggestion about searching for major rifts, six more groups of invaders had been discovered, now totalling eight. It wouldn't be easy to rout them, since they had entrenched themselves, and had access to gates to bring more manpower through.

The increasing tensions drove home the importance of understanding the Beast-kin and finding a weakness they could exploit.

Harry had wanted to question Lynx further, but the girl had remained in her Lynx form for the past ten days. She had mentioned that she needed to recharge her magic, whatever that meant. He had tried communicating with her in her animal form, but so far, she hadn't shown any interest. She mainly hung out with him and his girlfriends or explored the guild. Harry had explained her presence as a pet Gabrielle had picked up, and since her obsession with creatures was well known, it wasn't questioned.

His grandparents had been less than thrilled with the arrangement. After their experiences with Modor, neither Potter was eager to become entangled with another deity, regardless of how innocent she might appear. But they were willing to go along with it for now, and would formally start the process of adopting the girl. The fact that she had saved Harry's life at the convention earned her some goodwill. 

"That should do it," Harry murmured, setting down the runic pen.

He flexed his wrist, and the gauntlet adjusted itself, conforming perfectly to his arm. The sensation was strange but not uncomfortable. It felt almost like a second skin, moving with him rather than restricting his movement. He'd designed it to be lightweight yet durable, without sacrificing comfort.

As he finished the final calibrations, he felt the Source symbol warm on his hand. He retrieved the book from his inventory and opened it to see several messages waiting for him.

========== 

The host has completed a task! 

The Source's Gauntlet 

Reward: 200,000 General Experience + 50,000 bonus for additional features.

The Source's Gauntlet (Superior Artifact) 

Description: This enchanting masterpiece combines multiple magical technologies into a single form. The silver gauntlet extends from wrist to mid-forearm. Its primary function is twofold: it serves as an advanced spell card delivery system, allowing for near-instantaneous access to the host's arsenal, and provides direct access to the host's inventory and status information. Additional features include a built-in shield charm that activates automatically when detecting incoming spells, and a communication function that can connect to any two-way mirror communication device. 

========== 

The host has levelled up to 20! 

Level 20: 51700 / 1000000 

Artisan Rank: 645 > 505

The host has acquired all components from the previous four levels to receive his next reward. 

Reward: Sovereign Earth

========== 

Harry blinked, reading the next message with growing astonishment.

==========

Sovereign Earth

The host has been granted ownership of a floating island once belonging to Galahad. The island's size is directly tied to the Cursed Vaults—each vault completed releases energy that strengthens and expands the rift powering the island. The island will expand in proportion to the size of the rift's expansion.

The island is currently positioned in international waters between France and England, beyond Muggle detection. The island is situated away from commercial flight paths and has a repealing ward that ensures there are no collisions. A barrier encircles it, shielding the inhabitants from the cold and thin atmosphere outside.

Workshop Integration: The host's workshop has been replicated on the island. All three workshops have been fitted with built-in Vanishing Cabinets for seamless travel between locations. These cabinets are located in the transport room that only the host can access.

Current Features:

• Basic wardstone with protections similar to Potter Manor.

• Powered by a massive rift buried in the heart of the island.

• Stable atmospheric conditions within the barrier.

• Anti-detection measures.

• Self-sustaining magical ecosystem.

Future Upgrade Tasks (Locked)

• Adding more powerful wards and functions  (Requires: Wind Vault completion).

• Building additional structures and a home (Requires: Earth Vault completion).

• Designing a control tower for navigation  (Requires: Fire Vault completion).

• Building a Fae Realm gate (Requires: Province Vault completion).

• Expanding the island's size (Automatic with each vault completion).

==========

"This is brilliant," Harry whispered to himself. "But also completely insane."

Octo tilted its head as if questioning Harry's statement.

Harry closed the Source, his mind churning with possibilities. A bloody floating island? That once belonged to Galahad? The implications were staggering. Not only would it provide a secure location for his more sensitive projects, but it could also serve as a sanctuary if things went pear-shaped.

He paced the length of his workshop, trying to process what he'd just learned. With each step, new questions bubbled to the surface. How big was it? What sort of wards protected it? And most importantly, how had Galahad managed to create a floating landmass in the first place?

But even as his excitement built, a sense of unease crept in. How would he keep this a secret? How would he find the time to visit the island without others noticing his absence? 

He'd need to be careful about who he told. His girlfriends and closest friends needed to know. His grandparents as well. But beyond that inner circle, knowledge of Sovereign Earth needed to remain strictly limited. 

He would need to come up with an explanation on how he ended up with a floating island. Without getting his story straight, he needed to keep the island to himself for now. 

"Come on," Harry said, placing Octo on his shoulder. "Let's check out the island."

He searched the workshop, looking for any sign of a concealed entrance. Eventually, he found it at the back wall—a small symbol of a cabinet imprinted on the surface, barely visible unless you knew what to look for. When he pressed his hand against it, a door materialised on the wall.

Harry stepped through into a circular chamber. Two Vanishing Cabinets stood against the far wall, each with a small sign indicating its destination—one to the workshop in France, the other to the island workshop. Harry noted that the room had space for additional cabinets, which made him wonder if there were plans for more destinations in the future.

He opened the cabinet leading to Sovereign Earth and stepped inside. The familiar disorienting sensation of cabinet travel washed over him, and a moment later, he emerged into an identical circular room.

Stepping out, he found himself in a workshop that mirrored the other two almost exactly. It had the same layout, the same dimensions, and the same number of enchanting stations. The only difference was the lack of personal touches.

Eager to see the island itself, Harry headed for the exit. He pushed open the door and stepped outside, sunlight momentarily blinding him.

As his eyes adjusted, the view took his breath away. The workshop was perched on a cliff edge, overlooking a landscape that couldn't possibly exist in the natural world. The island stretched before him, perhaps half a kilometre across, its surface a patchwork of lush meadows, small copses of trees, and crystalline pools. The edge of the island simply ended in open air, with nothing but sky beyond.

And what a sky it was. Cloud formations drifted below the island, giving the impression that he was standing on the roof of the world. 

"This is mine," Harry said aloud, still not quite believing it. "This is actually mine."

Harry took a deep breath of the crisp, clean air. Despite the altitude, the temperature was perfect—neither too hot nor too cold. The barrier must be regulating not just the pressure but the entire environment.

He began walking, eager to explore every inch of his new domain. As he did, his mind was already filled with plans—where to place additional buildings, how to improve the wards, and how he would build the control tower so he had the freedom to traverse the world in his flying kingdom.

The biggest implications, however, came with the fact that he could build a gate on the island once he completed the Province fault. It would give him the ability to travel to the Fae Realm. He couldn’t even imagine himself going there, as there were untold dangers. What was the Source wanting from him? There had to be a reason why it would give him the ability to

One thing stood out to him. He needed to find the remainder of the Cursed Vaults when he returned to Hogwarts. He already had so many ideas for the island, giving him a proper incentive to tackle the remaining vaults. The Wind Vault would be his priority, since he would obtain its location once he completed the guild commission. 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Harry returned to the guild and found a secluded testing area behind one of the guild's workshops. 

"Right then," Harry muttered. “Let’s put you to the test.”

He made a quick flicking motion with his wrist, focusing on his spell card inventory. Instantly, a compartment on the gauntlet slid open, revealing his collection of cards organised exactly as he'd designed. 

He mentally selected a Fireball card from his storage. The gauntlet responded instantly, the card materialising between his fingers faster than he could blink. The spell card storage worked separately from the inventory, allowing for rapid deployment in combat situations. While the inventory could retrieve any item, it wasn't designed for the split-second timing needed in a duel.

"Brilliant," he grinned.

A second compartment slid open with another mental command, revealing a small screen with a touchscreen interface. It had several options, including access to his inventory and displaying his status.

He selected his inventory. The gauntlet's interface was intuitive, dividing his possessions into logical categories that made finding specific items remarkably simple. A separate section handled larger and heavier objects that would materialise on the ground rather than in his hand. It had been a major headache to get right, preventing him from finishing the gauntlets sooner.

He tested the function, retrieving and returning a book. It worked flawlessly.

Finally, he tested the communication function. 

"Daphne Greengrass," he stated clearly.

The gauntlet’s surface transformed into a mirrored sheen. A moment later, Daphne’s face appeared on the surface as she answered the call. Her eyes widened in surprise before quickly shifting to excitement.

"Harry! I've been looking everywhere for you," she said. "When did you finish the gauntlet?"

"Just now. What's got you so excited?"

"Where are you? It's easier to explain in person."

"Behind Workshop Three."

"Don't move. I'll be right there."

Less than two minutes later, Daphne hurried into the clearing, clutching a notebook. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and Harry could tell she'd been working hard, judging by her dishevelled state.

"Look at this," she said without preamble, opening the notebook. "I've been studying those Leshy corpses from the island."

Harry leaned closer, examining her meticulous notes. "What am I looking at?"

"Baba Yaga's magical signature," Daphne explained, pointing to a complex arithmetic diagram. "It took me a long time to convert it into a formula. Her magic is constantly shifting, as if it were sentient, which makes it nearly impossible to research.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “This is amazing. It looks like gibberish to me.”

Daphne smiled. “Hermione helped me a lot. I don’t like to admit it, but she’s better with theoretical work.”

“But you have her beat in potions,” Harry pointed out. “We all have our strengths. So, how did you manage to break her magical signature down?”

"Her magic has a weakness, which I discovered completely by accident. In folklore, iron counters fae magic, and it seems to be the same in this case. When I touched Baba Yaga’s lingering magic with a knife, it went completely inert. If we had known this earlier, we would have had a much easier time destroying the Leshies."

"So, stabbing them with iron weapons?" Harry asked.

"Theoretically, yes," Daphne replied. 

"What about guns?" Harry mused. "Bullets would be bloody effective against these wooden monstrosities. Imagine Baba Yaga's face when her creatures get riddled with holes.”

Daphne wrinkled her nose in disgust, She didn’t like guns. “Be serious, Harry.”

“I’m deadly serious. Do you think the weakness applies to the other fae?”

“I don’t know. It seems a little too easy. But it does raise an interesting point. The folklore regarding fae must have originated from somewhere. Maybe someone encountered fae in the past and stumbled upon their weakness by accident.”

Harry nodded. "I'll ask Lynx about it once she returns to her human form. She might know whether this iron vulnerability is widespread or specific to certain types of fae."

"What about the Americans?" Daphne asked. "This information could help them prepare against any future Baba Yaga attacks."

Harry considered this for a moment. "There's no point sharing it until we've tested it properly. We need proof that it works on actual living specimens."

"Exactly what I was thinking," Daphne agreed. "There might be other factors I haven't considered. The last thing we want is to give them faulty information that gets someone killed."

"Right," Harry said, standing up. "Let's talk to my grandparents first. They might have some ideas on how to approach this.”

Harry started walking when he paused, something occurring to him. "If she has a weakness for iron, why is she helping the Russians improve their magi-tech? Seems counterintuitive."

"She was likely forced to," Daphne replied. "She wanted access to the island, but didn't want to confront the Americans herself because of her weakness."

Harry agreed with her assessment to a certain extent. But she forgot that Baba Yaga had attacked the island herself. The deity was likely angered at failing to obtain the island for herself, and she didn't consider the danger.

He shook his head. It was all speculation until they could properly test Daphne's research.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Harry returned to his room later that evening, having spent the rest of the day working on the bow artifact. He wanted to complete the guild request before returning for his third year. The commission had been put on hold for too long, and with the promise of the Wind Vault's location as a reward, he couldn't afford to procrastinate any longer. 

Harry had spoken with his grandparents about Daphne's discovery. They told him to leave the matter of testing her theory with them.

He suspected his grandfather and Seraphine were quietly building alliances with other European ICW countries beyond the official channels. Since Russia was their close neighbour, the European nations likely viewed Baba Yaga as a considerable threat. 

If Harry were in their position, he would prioritise sending operatives into Russia to gather reliable intelligence on the Russian Magical Federation. The current information about their activities, structure, and particularly their influence over the non-magical government remained frustratingly sparse. Simple questions lacked answers: How deeply had Baba Yaga infiltrated their magical government? Were Russian officials willing participants or unwitting pawns? 

Harry pushed open his bedroom door, tired but satisfied with the progress he'd made on the bow. It had been hard to focus when all he could think about was his new property but he managed to get some work done. 

He stopped abruptly in the doorway. Lynx sat cross-legged on his bed, back in her human form, devouring an apple.

"It's about time," Harry said, closing the door behind him. "Have you remained in your animal form to purposely vex me?"

Lynx rolled her eyes. "Get over yourself. Not everything is about you."

She tossed the apple core into the bin and wiped her sticky fingers on his bedspread, ignoring his disapproval.

"Why is it necessary to recharge your magic in such a roundabout manner?" Harry asked, settling into the chair by his desk. "Doesn't your magic recharge like normal wizards?"

"Normal wizards," Lynx scoffed. "My magic works differently from yours. Without worshippers and the Fae Realm's magical environment, my magic regenerates at a snail's pace."

Harry's interest was piqued. "Do all deities have the same restriction?"

"Yes. As long as they don't have worshippers."

Harry frowned. Baba Yaga had likely gathered a large group of worshippers since coming to Earth, so he couldn't use that against her. The Russian wizards probably functioned as her worshippers, whether they knew it or not. That would explain her ability to maintain such impressive power despite being cut off from the Fae Realm. 

"Have you heard of Baba Yaga?" Harry asked.

Lynx’s lips thinned into a hard line. "How do you know about that crone? What is she up to?"

Harry explained Baba Yaga's attempts to capture the island from the Americans, and her subsequent return to meet with the Beast-kin. Throughout his explanation, Lynx's expression grew increasingly troubled.

"Things are moving faster than I imagined," Lynx muttered, more to herself than to Harry. "I thought I was the only deity on Earth."

"Would you like to explain that comment?" Harry pressed.

"Not now," Lynx said, waving her hand dismissively. Her attention seemed focused inward, processing the implications of Harry's news. "You said she met with the Beast-kin? I find it hard to believe they would work with that malignant crone. Even in the Fae Realm, she is one of the worst deities around."

"Did you know about her weakness to iron?"

Lynx shook her head.

"Does the same weakness apply to other Fae?" 

"I can't speak for all fae, but no, it doesn't," Lynx replied. "Deities may have specific weaknesses, but nothing universal. You did well to find her weakness so quickly."

"What's your weakness?" Harry asked bluntly.

Lynx poked out her tongue. "Not telling."

Harry brought the conversation back to the previous topic. “Why do you need to remain in your animagus form to recharge your magic?”

“It’s simple. The form requires less magic to maintain, which means my magic regenerates faster. I need all the help I can get.”

Harry considered her words. Something about her answer didn't add up, but he didn't have enough knowledge to question it further. On the surface, the logic was sound. For his Demiguise form, it didn't cost him magic to maintain it or to use its invisibility. And her form was a non-magical creature, unlike his.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling she was holding something back. Why would a deity, even a weakened one, struggle so much with magical reserves? Unless being in this realm drained her more than she was letting on.

Dismissing the topic for now, Harry considered what he should ask her next. He had plenty of time over the past week to consider his questions. There was so much about the Fae Realm that he wanted to understand.

"Why is our magic tied to the Fae Realm?" Harry asked. "Why do wizards have magical conduits? How can deities tap into our magic and manipulate it? Such as with family magic?"

Lynx jumped off the bed. "Sorry, I can't answer those questions."

"Why not? Is this some secret the fae need to keep to themselves?"

"Nope. But my circumstances are much worse than I first imagined. I didn't think it would take me so long to recover my magic. So, I'm going to be more transactional in the information that I share with you. Do something for me, and I will let you ask your questions."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

"I need worshippers," Lynx said. When Harry's expression soured, she hastily added, "It doesn't have to be humans, although they work the best. It can be magical creatures as well. And I need a place to build a temple and a space for them to live. Once I have enough of them, I will no longer have to worry about my magic reserves."

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm being conned?"

"Hey," Lynx protested, placing her hands on her hips. "I helped you out. I only became so weak because I was protecting you. It's not going to be so easy to do so in the future if the Beast-kin learns about my weakness."

"How is it possible for magical creatures to worship you?" Harry asked.

"Well, I need intelligent creatures. Creatures like Dragons and Phoenixes are the best. Goblins and House Elves as well."

"Is that all?" Harry asked dryly. "What about Veela? They are technically magical creatures, although I wouldn't let my girlfriend hear me say that."

"Yes!" Lynx clapped her hands. "They would work as well. Maybe your girlfriend will be interested in becoming a worshipper?"

"No way in hell. I was only joking."

"It's not such a bad deal. It's not like it only benefits me. They will get something in return."

"What do they get?"

"It depends on the creature," Lynx replied. "It's primarily about enhancing abilities they already possess. For example, I could enhance Gabrielle's Allure, or make her flames even hotter."

Harry grimaced. A Veela's flames were already destructive enough. He imagined what someone like Seraphine could do if her flames were further enhanced. The thought was terrifying.

"How does this worshipping even work?" Harry asked. "Is it the same as what Modor did to my ancestors? Can you change a wizard's magic without their consent?"

"Not exactly," Lynx said. "Technically, I will have some control over their magic, as we need to exchange magic for the connection to work. But unlike Modor, I will draw up a binding magical contract that will explicitly state what I can and can't do with it. If I break the contract, I will receive a severe magical backlash.”

"So, I help you get worshippers, and you answer my questions in exchange?"

"Yep. For every worshipper, I will answer one question. More if you find me some land to build a temple on."

Harry turned this over in his mind. A temple would require land, resources, and most importantly, secrecy. The magical world wasn't ready to learn about deities walking among them. The idea raised too many questions—where would he build it? How would he explain it? And more pressingly, could he trust Lynx?

"Let me think about it," Harry said, walking over to his bed and lying down. "It's not a decision I can make lightly. For the moment, refrain from using your magic too much."

"What if the Beast-kin returns?" Lynx asked.

"I'll take more precautions," Harry said. "And I'm not completely helpless."

Lynx snorted but didn't argue. Harry stared at the ceiling, considering the implications of what she'd proposed. He'd just received a floating island that needed developing. If he agreed to help Lynx, Sovereign Earth might be the perfect location for her temple—isolated, secure, and completely under his control.

But first, he needed to know more about what he was getting into. The last thing he wanted was to inadvertently help create another deity problem like the one his family had struggled with for generations. 

Harry couldn't rely solely on Lynx's account of events. Her perspective was undoubtedly biased, coloured by her self-interest. She might be telling the truth, but likely not the whole truth. For all he knew, she could be manipulating him towards some obscure goal that served her own agenda.

Capturing one of the Beast-kin for questioning seemed the best approach. A bit of Veritaserum would loosen their tongue, revealing what they knew about Lynx and her standing in the Fae Realm. But how would he go about it? 

He needed to speak to his grandparents, although he knew what his grandfather would say about Lynx’s offer. It was too good to be true. But there was no harm in gathering information first. 

Harry's thoughts drifted to the Source itself. It had guided him towards Lynx, whether deliberately or by chance. Was the Source truly trying to reform the deity system in the Fae Realm, as Lynx claimed? And if so, what role did it expect him to play in it?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

12th August

Harry finished folding his clothes and placing them in his trunk. Unlike his usual packing habits, he took care to ensure everything had its proper place. Otherwise, he would be scolded by his grandmother. Somehow, she always knew when he was being lazy.

"Is that everything?" Susan asked.

Harry nodded, glancing around the room one final time. "Think so. Looks like we've left the place as tidy as we found it."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Daphne opened it to reveal Elizabeth Chen standing in the doorway.

"All packed, I see," Elizabeth said, stepping into the room. "I wanted to catch you before you board the aircraft."

"Is there a problem?" Harry asked, closing his trunk. “Is something wrong with Spidey?”

The Americans had negotiated with Harry to keep Spidey in Boston so they could continue researching it. They were desperate to understand the technology, hoping to create their own version or apply the principles to other projects. Harry didn't particularly mind this arrangement—he'd already completed his research.

They had formally acknowledged that Spidey belonged to Harry, given that he was the only person the construct responded to. The arrangement was structured as a loan, with specific terms outlining how they could interact with the construct. MACUSA had offered Harry substantial compensation for allowing them continued access.

It had taken considerable time to convince Spidey to remain behind, however. The construct seemed reluctant to be separated. Harry had spent nearly three hours in the warehouse with Spidey, carefully explaining the situation and providing specific instructions about who could approach it and what they were permitted to do. Once Spidey was returned to him, he would relocate him to his island.

"Not at all," Elizabeth said. "I wanted to tell you that I'll be accompanying you to Europe. I need to visit the Artisan Guild Headquarters."

Harry snorted. “You're not on the best speaking terms at the moment.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I realise that. I'm hoping to seek their cooperation against the Fae invaders."

"What sort of cooperation?"

"We need all the help we can get," Elizabeth explained. "Specifically, I'm interested in recruiting some Runic Knights. Their expertise would be invaluable in our current situation. Unlike us Americans, who rely primarily on ranged weapons, they are better trained and have superior defences. Their runic armour is a thing of beauty.”

"And you want me to help you with that," Harry said. It wasn't a question.

Elizabeth smiled. "Your connection to the Knights through Sheena, combined with your popularity after winning the competition, could help overcome the tension between our guilds."

"I can get you in the door," Harry replied. "But that's it. I’m going to be busy with training."

"Fair enough," Elizabeth conceded. "That's all I'm asking for."

“We’re stopping in France for a day or two,” Harry added. “There are some matters I need to attend to.”

“No problem. It will give me a chance to play tourist.” 

As Elizabeth left, Charlus and Minerva entered, carrying their luggage.

"Everything ready?" Charlus asked, looking around at the assembled teenagers.

"Just about," Harry confirmed. "What about Lynx? Have you sorted out her situation?"

Minerva nodded. "The paperwork is almost complete. As far as the authorities are concerned, we're adopting a distant relative's orphaned child. The French Ministry has been surprisingly accommodating."

"Probably because of Gabrielle's father," Daphne pointed out. "Being Minister of Magic has its perks."

"Papa was happy to help,” Gabrielle said. “He's quite curious about Lynx, though.” 

"Where is she, anyway?" Blaise asked, looking around.

"Hiding in my case," Gabrielle replied. "She'll travel with the other creatures. It's easier to maintain our story as my pet that way."

"I'll miss America,” Blaise sighed. “The food here is amazing."

"And unhealthy," Susan laughed. "Is that a potbelly I detect under your robes?"

Blaise blanched. "Don’t be ridiculous. I haven’t gained a pound.”

"Time to go," Charlus announced, checking his watch. 

They gathered their belongings and made their way to the departure area. 

As they boarded the Thunderbird, Harry glanced back at the American Artisan Guild one last time. He had learned much during his stay and experienced so many things. It was a shame that he had been confined to the guild for the last two weeks, but he enjoyed himself immensely nonetheless.

The ramp closed behind them, sealing them inside the aircraft for their journey home.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry obtains a lead on Lewis’ whereabouts and begins his Knight training.

Thanks for reading.