Fic Challenge #29
Title: Harry Who?
Summary: Harry Potter meets.... ANOTHER FANDOM! It’s Doctor Who!
Characters/Pairings: Harry Potter, The Doctor (Eleven), Captain Jack Harkness, Godric Gryffindor, and a bunch of OCs.
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy
Beta: peyton07
Rating/Warnings: PG-13 for violence?
Word Count: 4253
My note: So, this started out as some little 800 word thing, and somehow developed into this monstrosity. Enjoy, I hope I did both fandoms justice!
The chill of Christmas was in the air. Harry Potter was walking through the gentle snowfall while shopping for presents for his friends. He’d found brilliant things for Ron and Hermione and several others of his closer friends, but the perfect gift for Ginny was still eluding him. He sighed gently, treading down another street and looking in the window. The storefront was decorated for the season with holly crammed into every corner. There were toys for children in the forefront, right at their eye height. Undeniably, there were hundreds of parents who had been pulled through by a begging child wanting their presents immediately. Farther up in the set was trendy clothing, which surely brought the teenagers in. Further still were domestic items like pots, pans, cauldrons, and numerous other around the house objects. Harry ran his hand through his unruly hair. There was nothing here that Ginny would even think about getting, much less actually want or appreciate for the holiday.
“Looking for the perfect gift, eh?”
“W-what?” Harry looked up, shocked out of his reverie. “Yeah, I am actually. My girlfriend… you see she’s got this great family and brilliant friends. Everyone has known for a month now what they were getting for her. Clearly what I get has to be that much better, or it won’t stand out.” Harry shoved his hands in his pockets while glancing at the reflection of the tall, well-dressed man next to him. The stranger was wearing a pair of tailored pants, boots, a button-down shirt with suspenders, a crisp jacket and a proper bow tie. Harry felt his heat sink. This bloke clearly had it all together while he was only average, yet again. Somehow the decision to wear the old Gryffindor scarf just made him look like he was twelve again which was just rubbish.
“Don’t worry.” The stranger clapped Harry on the back. “Things that are meant to be will be. I mean, I see things in a rather wibbly, wobbly way which most people just don’t get.”
Harry finally took the time and looked the man in the face instead of glancing at his reflection. “Maybe that’s a better way to see it.” He extended a hand. “I’m Harry.”
The other man smiled brightly and shook Harry’s hand. “I’m the Doctor.”
Well, there was something Harry hadn’t heard in a while. Wait, no, that was even odder. A doctor in Diagon Alley? Shouldn’t the man have been a healer instead? “You’re not from these parts, are you?” Well that at least was a diplomatic way to handle the whole thing.
“Why, no!” The Doctor smiled, then grew serious. “Is it that obvious?” He looked down himself, trying to evaluate what was out of place. “Hold on a tic, is that…” He leaned forward and reached for Harry’s scarf, pulling it forward to see the Gryffindor Crest embroidered on the bottom. “Oh. Oh my. Well, that does explain a lot.” Without another word, the Doctor turned on a dime and walked briskly down the alleyway.
“Hey! Hey wait!” Harry took off after the strange man and chased him through a few streets only to see him enter a blue police box. Being who he was, however, Harry didn’t miss a beat. He charged right up to the box and threw the door open. “NOW SEE HERE!” He shouted, only to be stopped by the realization that the box was bigger on the inside.
“Well come on then. If you’ve come this far, you might as well stay the whole way.” The Doctor pulled Harry in by the scarf and shut the door behind him.
“But… it’s bigger on the inside. Magic? It doesn’t feel like magic, though.”
“Oh simple!” The Doctor smiled brightly and walked up to the control panel. “It’s another dimension!”
“Sure.” Harry looked around, confused. “Another dimension, well of course.” The dark haired lad looked around with green eyes wide. There was just simply no way this was possible, and then of course the Police Box started making a strange noise.
“You don’t mind if we pop out for a bit, do you? I know you’re good with ending wars and all and I do need a little favor. Well that and I have some errands to run. No? Good.” The Doctor smiled and straightened his bowtie again as the TARDIS left Diagon Alley. “You see, there is this thing called the Pandorica and I’m not quite sure what it’s for yet. It is in a time with wizards, much like yourself,” The Doctor turned to evaluate how the former Hogwarts student was taking the sudden overload of information. “And there are fixed points in time, things which must happen no matter what which is why I need you. You see I knew you would be curious and have to follow, the same way that I know that you’ll be able to help me once we get there. It’s no pressure though, because if this doesn’t work the world as we know it will just fall apart.”
Harry stared at the other man with the suspenders and strange footwear. “What are you on about, really? What are you a doctor of, exactly?” Harry finally broke out of his stupor a bit and walked further into the TARDIS.
“Oh this and that, it’s not important really.” The Doctor waved his hand in the air as if that was going to solve every problem. “I’m glad you’re dressed warmly. It’s going to be a bit chilly where we are going.” With a series of bumps and jolts, the TARDIS sat down.
“So, where are we?”
“Oh, the same place we were before. The more important question is, when are we?” The Doctor opened the door, letting the cold air flood through the box.
“So, when are we?” Harry went over to the door and stepped out, looking around slowly. It looked like the typical English countryside in winter. A coating of snow hung over everything as people were wrapped tightly and moving from one place to the next. “Doctor?”
“Oh, about,” he checked his watch. “A thousand years ago.”
Harry proceeded to ignore the Doctor and take in everything that was around him. He peeked out from behind a tree, realizing that there was no way possible this couldn’t be true. The people that were walking were dressed in clothing from another time entirely. “Doctor, how do they not see us as sticking out? Our clothes are so …”
“Different, yes well, you see that’s all part of the benefit of moving around time and space with the TARDIS.”
“YOU THERE!” A gruff man shouted at them, storming over and looking very authoritative. He glowered at Harry. “Why have you not reported? You aren’t a coward are you?”
“Reported to what?” Harry blinked rapidly, glancing over to his companion for a bit of explanation.
“Entirely my fault, sir.” The Doctor held up a bit of psychic paper which stated he was the current Minister of Magic or something equivalent. “If there is any blame to place, it is on me. I was just questioning about the current events, but surely you must know more as a local.” The Doctor smiled at the new adventurer.
“My apologies, sir,” the gruff man said. “I didn’t recognize you at first. He is waiting for everyone to gather, and since your friend here,” he motioned to Harry, “was wearing his colors, I figured that he was away from his post.”
The Doctor reached over and put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “No worries, my good friend. Why don’t you take us to him? By the way, what is your name?”
“Archibald, sir. One of the captains of his army.” The gruff man’s fair hair fell around his face in total disarray. “Right this way is the way we are going.” Archibald was a man of few words but great action.
“What does he mean ‘his colors’?” Harry asked in a whisper, leaning over to the Doctor.
The response he got was the display of his scarf. “Can you think of anyone else who used these colors?”
“Well, they’re the colors of Gryffindor House.” Harry stopped in his tracks. “We’re going to meet Godric Gryffindor!?” Collecting his wits again, Harry ran to meet up with the other two. He watched as they drew closer to a camp emblazoned with scarlet and gold. He couldn’t help but marvel how brilliant the whole thing was. Here was Harry Potter, one of the most well known Gryffindors, moments away from meeting the creator of his House. His stomach turned violently most likely due to adrenaline. “What are we doing here seriously?”
“Oh come on, young one,” Archibald said, turning about to look at Harry. “Master Godric’s honor has been questioned by that tramp, Brandy. “
“I don’t suppose that would be Brandy Bertram, would it?”
“Aye, sir, it would be.” Archibald nodded.
“Doctor.” He straightened his bowtie and smiled.
The fair haired man smiled. “Doctor, eh? Well in that case, come with me, we could really use your help!”
Harry smirked as the Doctor was all but dragged off by Archibald. This however meant that he was left to rather fend for himself and look around. There was scarlet and gold everywhere and lions roaring from any one of the many tents, poles, or banners flying high. He was only left to his own devices for several minutes. One of Archibald’s Captains came to collect him shortly. The man was amazingly attractive in his military style garb and offered his name as “Captain Jack”. The man left as quickly as he came and although Harry had never had a romantic thought about another male in his whole life, he had the strange feeling that Jack could change that in an instant. Harry shook his head almost violently to clear it - minutes ago he was shopping for Ginny and now this. Focus Harry! he thought to himself. He had been given his own rather shabby cot. Deciding that the best adventure was the kind that was truly put to the test, he carefully took off his scarf. He placed it on the cot along with a few odds and ends that were clearly his as if to claim the space as his own. Since there was nobody particularly looking for him or even at him regardless of his time-dated clothing, Harry stole out into the night and back into the town which was not far away at all.
Once safely out into the now-wilderness, Harry began to poke around into every corner. He paid no attention to the fact that it was night and probably looked like some entirely mad thief. In fact, if it weren’t for those actions he wouldn’t have quite seriously stepped on the dark haired girl.
She bit back a yelp and shoved Harry violently. “Watch it!” she hissed, pulling her coat around herself.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Harry’s cheeks flushed. “Are you ok? Did I hurt you?”
She huffed, standing up straight and looking very proud. “I’m fine, thank you very much.” She looked around a little bit as if to observe her surroundings. “Have you heard?”
Harry blinked. He’d heard plenty of things that night, but what she meant was entirely out of context. “Um, no, what?”
“I’m looking for Gryffindor’s werewolves. The Mighty Brandy told me of them. They are in his camp, I know it. I have to find them.” The slight girl swept the dark hair back from her eyes.
“Um, are you quite sure you’re informed correctly?” Bells went off in Harry’s head about the name Brandy but played it off casually. “I was there before and saw nothing of the sort.”
“Well, that doesn’t matter about before, the full moon is tonight, right now. We’ll have to act quickly.” Thankfully the girl’s wit was with her. All she really needed was a chance to see the camp to evaluate the condition of the opposition and report back. The reason or excuse was irrelevant.
“Why don’t you come back with me? I’ll show you,” Harry offered, really quite expecting the girl to run the other way at full speed.
Her eyes lit up, and she looked almost cocky. “Yes, brilliant. I’ll get in the camp and see firsthand.”
Suddenly Harry wasn’t sure about this, but it was a little late to turn back now. “When they ask about your name, what should I tell them?”
“Tell them to call me Darby.”
Harry nodded once and turned on a heel heading back to Gryffindor’s camp. “Well Darby, will you be disappointed when there aren’t any werewolves?”
“You mean if,” she countered. “And no. I’ll report back to my Mistress, and she will act as she pleases regardless of my information.” Darby pulled the threadbare coat around herself, trying to keep the chill from reaching inside.
Regardless of the brief amount of time Harry had spent at the camp, he showed Darby all around. They went from one end to the other, inside and out. In fact, they went everywhere but Godric’s private quarters, which even Darby, agreed were too small to properly house even a single werewolf. Darby was quite intense in her search, insisting to leave almost no rock unturned. She stayed most of the night, in fact becoming quite distressed when the first rays of the day peeked over the horizon. “I must go!” she whispered, running for the edge of camp. “Hopefully I shall be able to avert this. Until we meet again, Harry.”
“Who was that?” The Doctor peeked out from behind a tent. “Making more friends?” The Doctor investigated the post he was leaning on. “Oh, this isn’t good.” He recognized that it was split and likely to come crashing down at any moment. With one deft move, he pulled out the Sonic Screwdriver and reinforced the wood.
“That’s an odd looking wand.” Harry blinked at the Screwdriver, not quite comprehending its true nature. “And you’re very good with silent spells.”
“Yes, well. OH! Look!” The Doctor pointed to where a red haired man stepped out from a tent. He had a bushy beard, which along with his hair looked a bit like a mane. His bright green eyes were surveying the land in front of him, preparing for the day.
Along with a powerful build, the man had a powerful voice. “Welcome!” He bellowed out over the people milling about outside the tents. “Today, we march on toward the land of Bertram. I know that there have been many issues with Brandy and her people, but we must remember that she too is a witch. Let’s meet her with peace and a calm head, and hopefully we can explain to her our quest. Remember that we are going north to meet with three other very skilled teachers and powerful individuals. We will build a school where you and your children can attend and harness their abilities. They will not be hunted or persecuted. Just like the rest of, we simply want to learn and make our home a better place. That is why you all have joined with me, and it’s no small feat that we are attempting. You are all strong. Brave. Bold. Courageous. Do not lose that now in a time of conflict. Keep the passion we all share, and soon enough we will be laying the brickwork of a grand castle where we can all stay.” A cheer rose from the crowd as many faces looked relieved again.
“Hogwarts,” Harry said suddenly as all the pieces fell into place.
“Oh yes,” The Doctor smiled. “If they don’t make it there, well, the school never gets built. That’s where you come on.” He paused. “Where is your scarf? You’ll be needing that!”
Harry looked shocked for a moment and then ran off to gather his items. Meanwhile the crowd collected and prepared to meet the people of Bertram to resolve whatever issue was going on, though Harry had yet to figure that part out.
The scarlet and gold looked like a huge dragon weaving through the countryside. People came from houses and markets and even from behind trees just to watch the Lion Standard move forwards. The closer they moved towards the bordering country the fewer and fewer people were seen in any capacity. The ones that were seen looked rather haggled, destitute and certainly unhappy. A mother held her child who was crying loudly. The Doctor looked entirely pained and heaved a sigh, hanging his head. It wasn’t much longer before white clad scouts appeared along the ridge, Bertram’s followers.
Brandy Bertram sat primly atop a chair being carried by four strong young men, young enough in fact to really be boys. “Hello Godric.” She all but sneered from atop her caravan. “So pleasant to see you again. I assume you have come to challenge my leadership? You want my people for your silly school. Well you can’t have them. They’re mine, and that’s the end of it.” The boys put down the palate, and as she stepped off, she traced along the cheek of one of the more handsome boys. Her long fingernail scraped across his skin as he held perfectly still. Once she took a step past him, however, he shuddered while attempting to keep his composure.
“This is not about you or me, Brandy. It’s about what is best for the people. Education leads to people who trust their followers more. You need to trust me and let them go,” Godric pleaded with her, knowing it was futile.
Brandy looked like she could shoot fire from her eyes. Instead taking a step forward, she spit at Godric. That single action explained so much. “A duel, Godric. But not you and I. I think you know we’re far too important. Send your Champion.” Brandy waved an idle hand, covered by white gossamer. She was a stunning sight, jet black hair against her all white standard.
Godric withdrew, sighing. Rounding back to his people he simply stated, “This is not what I want, but it is what must be. Who will fight on my behalf? Your family will be taken care of, I promise it.”
Harry’s blood was boiling. This was not right. He’d survived death numerous times, and somehow felt this was vital as well. He didn’t know what possessed him to step up, this was not his place or time, but the roar within him could not be ignored. “I will.”
“What?” A duo of voices rang out as Archibald and Captain Jack looked at the former Hogwarts student. The Doctor just smiled.
“You have a wand?” Godric asked, ignoring the responses of his trusted advisors. Harry withdrew it, holding it up for Godric to see. “Good lad. You feel ready?”
“I have no choice, sir. It must be done, and I’m willing to do it.” He felt a distinct fear and anticipation race through his veins. The next several minutes passed as a haze, but the next he knew he was at a long strip of ground, much like the Dueling Club years ago, and at the other end was Darby.
“Why?” Harry asked, looking at the girl who couldn’t possibly be his age.
“My mother says I must. So, I must.” Darby blushed, eyes darting as she was uncomfortable with the situation.
“Darby, you don’t have to.” The girl cast a spell which went zinging past Harry’s ear as he moved to avoid it. Her technique was elementary at best and she was very afraid. “You can put the wand down. We can both walk away. Hogwarts is the best thing to ever happen to witches and wizards, you have no idea!”
Darby glared, regaining some level of composure. “OH yes, great for boys but a girl like me? What could I ever hope to accomplish?”
“Darby! Some of the smartest, most talented people I know are witches! They’ve helped me through a tough spot; this doesn’t have to end in a fight!” Harry was shocked as he sent minor spells. He was simply trying to buy time in a parry and repost manner. He genuinely wanted to talk Darby out of the situation and resolve the issue if at all possible.
“If I left right now, if I went with you, could I go to the school?” The girl faltered, clearly looking for a way out of the situation.
“Yes. A hundred times yes. You are brave, Father Godric would undoubtedly take you with him, but not if you keep fighting! None of us want this!”
Darby stood still for several seconds. She looked over her shoulder at her mother, Brandy, and turned back to Harry. “Done.” With her wand down and clearly not in a position to cast a spell, she walked over to Harry. He hugged her briefly before the Doctor came to collect her.
“Come on, Darby. We’d best get you tucked away and quickly,” He glanced over his shoulder at the woman in white who had turned the same color of her wardrobe.
“How. Dare. YOU!” Brandy whipped around knocking people out of her way in a full rage. “You wretched little wench. How dare you turn from me and go to them!” Brandy Bertram pulled out her wand and pointed it at Harry. “AVADA KEDAVRA!” The jet of green light split the air, shooting right at the dark haired boy. Falling to the ground with a thud Harry couldn’t breathe. Captain Jack lay over him, shielding him from the spell. Once again, Harry Potter had dodged death.
“MOTHER!” Darby screamed. “How could you kill someone? Are you really so distrusting? Do you really have to hate Gryffindor that much? They are people too! They just want to live their lives without being ridiculed and over run by people like you!”
It was only moments before people were lifting Captain Jack from atop Harry and carrying him aside. The Doctor rushed to Harry’s side, pulling him into a sitting position. “Are you ok?”
“Physically, I’m fine.” Harry blinked owlishly once or twice then looked over to Brandy Bertram. The people that she had treated so cruelly were circled around her, angry and fearful. The boy whose check she had caressed earlier reached out and grabbed the wand in her hand. “I’m going with them too.” He snapped the wood in half and threw the pieces onto the ground. With one movement he went to find Darby among the scarlet and gold.
An interesting thing happened then. Once Brandy’s follower’s passed Harry and the Doctor, their clothing turned to scarlet and gold and had lions emblazoned on the chest. “Welcome!” Godric boomed yet again from the crowd. “Welcome, my bold lions. You are always welcome to travel with us. Gather what you need! We leave when the sun reaches the highest point in the sky.”
Brandy Bertram watched as person after person passed across the unspoken line to join Godric Gryffindor. One of her most loyal followers reached to help her up, but Brandy shook her off. She stood on her own and turned heel, heading back into the woods that were not far behind them.
The Doctor leaned down to whisper in Harry’s ear. “That’s the last anyone will see of her, Harry. You’ve done brilliantly. Come on, we have to go talk to Jack.”
“But… he’s dead.” Harry looked up at the Doctor as he stood then brushed himself off. The Doctor simply winked. Death was never something he dealt with very well.
Captain Jack was laid out on a pallet in a tent. The Doctor shooed everybody out except Harry and waited. “Three… two… one…” Jack sat up suddenly sucking in air. “Oh my god, that never gets any easier!” He worked to catch his breath for a moment and smiled. “Harry! Great job, you did brilliantly!”
The dark haired boy blushed up to his ears. “Thank you.” He was so caught off guard by Jack yet again, he didn’t even think about the fact that Jack should be dead.
The Doctor kissed Jack on the forehead with clear elation. “Brilliant! Jack, you take care of this, I have to get Harry back. There is a little shop I want to take him to before we get him back home. Take care, Jack!”
“Bye Captain Jack.” Harry smiled at the military man.
“Good bye, Harry.”
“Stop flirting, Jack.” The Doctor looked cross as he propelled Harry to the door.
“What?” Jack looked confused but still wore that impish grin.
The Doctor took Harry back to the TARDIS. “So, let me explain to you why Captain Jack can’t die…” Shortly after the conversation began they were in a tiny shop in France, then back to Diagon Alley. “Be good, Harry. Make sure she knows just how much you love her.”
Harry nodded, looking at the beautiful necklace. It was far too rare an item to be purchased locally, an antique obviously, which would thrill Ginny. The Doctor had taken him to the perfect place where the shop owner was very kind and seemed to owe the Doctor a favor. Since the Doctor had swept Harry away without prior notice he had offered the jewelry as an apology. “Thank you, Doctor. Be safe.”
The Doctor nodded in return. He smiled, and as he stepped back into the TARDIS announced “Geronimo!”
4253/50 + 4253/500
85 + 8.5 = 94 points holy crap that’s a lot of writing!
Summary: Harry Potter meets.... ANOTHER FANDOM! It’s Doctor Who!
Characters/Pairings: Harry Potter, The Doctor (Eleven), Captain Jack Harkness, Godric Gryffindor, and a bunch of OCs.
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy
Beta: peyton07
Rating/Warnings: PG-13 for violence?
Word Count: 4253
My note: So, this started out as some little 800 word thing, and somehow developed into this monstrosity. Enjoy, I hope I did both fandoms justice!
The chill of Christmas was in the air. Harry Potter was walking through the gentle snowfall while shopping for presents for his friends. He’d found brilliant things for Ron and Hermione and several others of his closer friends, but the perfect gift for Ginny was still eluding him. He sighed gently, treading down another street and looking in the window. The storefront was decorated for the season with holly crammed into every corner. There were toys for children in the forefront, right at their eye height. Undeniably, there were hundreds of parents who had been pulled through by a begging child wanting their presents immediately. Farther up in the set was trendy clothing, which surely brought the teenagers in. Further still were domestic items like pots, pans, cauldrons, and numerous other around the house objects. Harry ran his hand through his unruly hair. There was nothing here that Ginny would even think about getting, much less actually want or appreciate for the holiday.
“Looking for the perfect gift, eh?”
“W-what?” Harry looked up, shocked out of his reverie. “Yeah, I am actually. My girlfriend… you see she’s got this great family and brilliant friends. Everyone has known for a month now what they were getting for her. Clearly what I get has to be that much better, or it won’t stand out.” Harry shoved his hands in his pockets while glancing at the reflection of the tall, well-dressed man next to him. The stranger was wearing a pair of tailored pants, boots, a button-down shirt with suspenders, a crisp jacket and a proper bow tie. Harry felt his heat sink. This bloke clearly had it all together while he was only average, yet again. Somehow the decision to wear the old Gryffindor scarf just made him look like he was twelve again which was just rubbish.
“Don’t worry.” The stranger clapped Harry on the back. “Things that are meant to be will be. I mean, I see things in a rather wibbly, wobbly way which most people just don’t get.”
Harry finally took the time and looked the man in the face instead of glancing at his reflection. “Maybe that’s a better way to see it.” He extended a hand. “I’m Harry.”
The other man smiled brightly and shook Harry’s hand. “I’m the Doctor.”
Well, there was something Harry hadn’t heard in a while. Wait, no, that was even odder. A doctor in Diagon Alley? Shouldn’t the man have been a healer instead? “You’re not from these parts, are you?” Well that at least was a diplomatic way to handle the whole thing.
“Why, no!” The Doctor smiled, then grew serious. “Is it that obvious?” He looked down himself, trying to evaluate what was out of place. “Hold on a tic, is that…” He leaned forward and reached for Harry’s scarf, pulling it forward to see the Gryffindor Crest embroidered on the bottom. “Oh. Oh my. Well, that does explain a lot.” Without another word, the Doctor turned on a dime and walked briskly down the alleyway.
“Hey! Hey wait!” Harry took off after the strange man and chased him through a few streets only to see him enter a blue police box. Being who he was, however, Harry didn’t miss a beat. He charged right up to the box and threw the door open. “NOW SEE HERE!” He shouted, only to be stopped by the realization that the box was bigger on the inside.
“Well come on then. If you’ve come this far, you might as well stay the whole way.” The Doctor pulled Harry in by the scarf and shut the door behind him.
“But… it’s bigger on the inside. Magic? It doesn’t feel like magic, though.”
“Oh simple!” The Doctor smiled brightly and walked up to the control panel. “It’s another dimension!”
“Sure.” Harry looked around, confused. “Another dimension, well of course.” The dark haired lad looked around with green eyes wide. There was just simply no way this was possible, and then of course the Police Box started making a strange noise.
“You don’t mind if we pop out for a bit, do you? I know you’re good with ending wars and all and I do need a little favor. Well that and I have some errands to run. No? Good.” The Doctor smiled and straightened his bowtie again as the TARDIS left Diagon Alley. “You see, there is this thing called the Pandorica and I’m not quite sure what it’s for yet. It is in a time with wizards, much like yourself,” The Doctor turned to evaluate how the former Hogwarts student was taking the sudden overload of information. “And there are fixed points in time, things which must happen no matter what which is why I need you. You see I knew you would be curious and have to follow, the same way that I know that you’ll be able to help me once we get there. It’s no pressure though, because if this doesn’t work the world as we know it will just fall apart.”
Harry stared at the other man with the suspenders and strange footwear. “What are you on about, really? What are you a doctor of, exactly?” Harry finally broke out of his stupor a bit and walked further into the TARDIS.
“Oh this and that, it’s not important really.” The Doctor waved his hand in the air as if that was going to solve every problem. “I’m glad you’re dressed warmly. It’s going to be a bit chilly where we are going.” With a series of bumps and jolts, the TARDIS sat down.
“So, where are we?”
“Oh, the same place we were before. The more important question is, when are we?” The Doctor opened the door, letting the cold air flood through the box.
“So, when are we?” Harry went over to the door and stepped out, looking around slowly. It looked like the typical English countryside in winter. A coating of snow hung over everything as people were wrapped tightly and moving from one place to the next. “Doctor?”
“Oh, about,” he checked his watch. “A thousand years ago.”
Harry proceeded to ignore the Doctor and take in everything that was around him. He peeked out from behind a tree, realizing that there was no way possible this couldn’t be true. The people that were walking were dressed in clothing from another time entirely. “Doctor, how do they not see us as sticking out? Our clothes are so …”
“Different, yes well, you see that’s all part of the benefit of moving around time and space with the TARDIS.”
“YOU THERE!” A gruff man shouted at them, storming over and looking very authoritative. He glowered at Harry. “Why have you not reported? You aren’t a coward are you?”
“Reported to what?” Harry blinked rapidly, glancing over to his companion for a bit of explanation.
“Entirely my fault, sir.” The Doctor held up a bit of psychic paper which stated he was the current Minister of Magic or something equivalent. “If there is any blame to place, it is on me. I was just questioning about the current events, but surely you must know more as a local.” The Doctor smiled at the new adventurer.
“My apologies, sir,” the gruff man said. “I didn’t recognize you at first. He is waiting for everyone to gather, and since your friend here,” he motioned to Harry, “was wearing his colors, I figured that he was away from his post.”
The Doctor reached over and put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “No worries, my good friend. Why don’t you take us to him? By the way, what is your name?”
“Archibald, sir. One of the captains of his army.” The gruff man’s fair hair fell around his face in total disarray. “Right this way is the way we are going.” Archibald was a man of few words but great action.
“What does he mean ‘his colors’?” Harry asked in a whisper, leaning over to the Doctor.
The response he got was the display of his scarf. “Can you think of anyone else who used these colors?”
“Well, they’re the colors of Gryffindor House.” Harry stopped in his tracks. “We’re going to meet Godric Gryffindor!?” Collecting his wits again, Harry ran to meet up with the other two. He watched as they drew closer to a camp emblazoned with scarlet and gold. He couldn’t help but marvel how brilliant the whole thing was. Here was Harry Potter, one of the most well known Gryffindors, moments away from meeting the creator of his House. His stomach turned violently most likely due to adrenaline. “What are we doing here seriously?”
“Oh come on, young one,” Archibald said, turning about to look at Harry. “Master Godric’s honor has been questioned by that tramp, Brandy. “
“I don’t suppose that would be Brandy Bertram, would it?”
“Aye, sir, it would be.” Archibald nodded.
“Doctor.” He straightened his bowtie and smiled.
The fair haired man smiled. “Doctor, eh? Well in that case, come with me, we could really use your help!”
Harry smirked as the Doctor was all but dragged off by Archibald. This however meant that he was left to rather fend for himself and look around. There was scarlet and gold everywhere and lions roaring from any one of the many tents, poles, or banners flying high. He was only left to his own devices for several minutes. One of Archibald’s Captains came to collect him shortly. The man was amazingly attractive in his military style garb and offered his name as “Captain Jack”. The man left as quickly as he came and although Harry had never had a romantic thought about another male in his whole life, he had the strange feeling that Jack could change that in an instant. Harry shook his head almost violently to clear it - minutes ago he was shopping for Ginny and now this. Focus Harry! he thought to himself. He had been given his own rather shabby cot. Deciding that the best adventure was the kind that was truly put to the test, he carefully took off his scarf. He placed it on the cot along with a few odds and ends that were clearly his as if to claim the space as his own. Since there was nobody particularly looking for him or even at him regardless of his time-dated clothing, Harry stole out into the night and back into the town which was not far away at all.
Once safely out into the now-wilderness, Harry began to poke around into every corner. He paid no attention to the fact that it was night and probably looked like some entirely mad thief. In fact, if it weren’t for those actions he wouldn’t have quite seriously stepped on the dark haired girl.
She bit back a yelp and shoved Harry violently. “Watch it!” she hissed, pulling her coat around herself.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Harry’s cheeks flushed. “Are you ok? Did I hurt you?”
She huffed, standing up straight and looking very proud. “I’m fine, thank you very much.” She looked around a little bit as if to observe her surroundings. “Have you heard?”
Harry blinked. He’d heard plenty of things that night, but what she meant was entirely out of context. “Um, no, what?”
“I’m looking for Gryffindor’s werewolves. The Mighty Brandy told me of them. They are in his camp, I know it. I have to find them.” The slight girl swept the dark hair back from her eyes.
“Um, are you quite sure you’re informed correctly?” Bells went off in Harry’s head about the name Brandy but played it off casually. “I was there before and saw nothing of the sort.”
“Well, that doesn’t matter about before, the full moon is tonight, right now. We’ll have to act quickly.” Thankfully the girl’s wit was with her. All she really needed was a chance to see the camp to evaluate the condition of the opposition and report back. The reason or excuse was irrelevant.
“Why don’t you come back with me? I’ll show you,” Harry offered, really quite expecting the girl to run the other way at full speed.
Her eyes lit up, and she looked almost cocky. “Yes, brilliant. I’ll get in the camp and see firsthand.”
Suddenly Harry wasn’t sure about this, but it was a little late to turn back now. “When they ask about your name, what should I tell them?”
“Tell them to call me Darby.”
Harry nodded once and turned on a heel heading back to Gryffindor’s camp. “Well Darby, will you be disappointed when there aren’t any werewolves?”
“You mean if,” she countered. “And no. I’ll report back to my Mistress, and she will act as she pleases regardless of my information.” Darby pulled the threadbare coat around herself, trying to keep the chill from reaching inside.
Regardless of the brief amount of time Harry had spent at the camp, he showed Darby all around. They went from one end to the other, inside and out. In fact, they went everywhere but Godric’s private quarters, which even Darby, agreed were too small to properly house even a single werewolf. Darby was quite intense in her search, insisting to leave almost no rock unturned. She stayed most of the night, in fact becoming quite distressed when the first rays of the day peeked over the horizon. “I must go!” she whispered, running for the edge of camp. “Hopefully I shall be able to avert this. Until we meet again, Harry.”
“Who was that?” The Doctor peeked out from behind a tent. “Making more friends?” The Doctor investigated the post he was leaning on. “Oh, this isn’t good.” He recognized that it was split and likely to come crashing down at any moment. With one deft move, he pulled out the Sonic Screwdriver and reinforced the wood.
“That’s an odd looking wand.” Harry blinked at the Screwdriver, not quite comprehending its true nature. “And you’re very good with silent spells.”
“Yes, well. OH! Look!” The Doctor pointed to where a red haired man stepped out from a tent. He had a bushy beard, which along with his hair looked a bit like a mane. His bright green eyes were surveying the land in front of him, preparing for the day.
Along with a powerful build, the man had a powerful voice. “Welcome!” He bellowed out over the people milling about outside the tents. “Today, we march on toward the land of Bertram. I know that there have been many issues with Brandy and her people, but we must remember that she too is a witch. Let’s meet her with peace and a calm head, and hopefully we can explain to her our quest. Remember that we are going north to meet with three other very skilled teachers and powerful individuals. We will build a school where you and your children can attend and harness their abilities. They will not be hunted or persecuted. Just like the rest of, we simply want to learn and make our home a better place. That is why you all have joined with me, and it’s no small feat that we are attempting. You are all strong. Brave. Bold. Courageous. Do not lose that now in a time of conflict. Keep the passion we all share, and soon enough we will be laying the brickwork of a grand castle where we can all stay.” A cheer rose from the crowd as many faces looked relieved again.
“Hogwarts,” Harry said suddenly as all the pieces fell into place.
“Oh yes,” The Doctor smiled. “If they don’t make it there, well, the school never gets built. That’s where you come on.” He paused. “Where is your scarf? You’ll be needing that!”
Harry looked shocked for a moment and then ran off to gather his items. Meanwhile the crowd collected and prepared to meet the people of Bertram to resolve whatever issue was going on, though Harry had yet to figure that part out.
The scarlet and gold looked like a huge dragon weaving through the countryside. People came from houses and markets and even from behind trees just to watch the Lion Standard move forwards. The closer they moved towards the bordering country the fewer and fewer people were seen in any capacity. The ones that were seen looked rather haggled, destitute and certainly unhappy. A mother held her child who was crying loudly. The Doctor looked entirely pained and heaved a sigh, hanging his head. It wasn’t much longer before white clad scouts appeared along the ridge, Bertram’s followers.
Brandy Bertram sat primly atop a chair being carried by four strong young men, young enough in fact to really be boys. “Hello Godric.” She all but sneered from atop her caravan. “So pleasant to see you again. I assume you have come to challenge my leadership? You want my people for your silly school. Well you can’t have them. They’re mine, and that’s the end of it.” The boys put down the palate, and as she stepped off, she traced along the cheek of one of the more handsome boys. Her long fingernail scraped across his skin as he held perfectly still. Once she took a step past him, however, he shuddered while attempting to keep his composure.
“This is not about you or me, Brandy. It’s about what is best for the people. Education leads to people who trust their followers more. You need to trust me and let them go,” Godric pleaded with her, knowing it was futile.
Brandy looked like she could shoot fire from her eyes. Instead taking a step forward, she spit at Godric. That single action explained so much. “A duel, Godric. But not you and I. I think you know we’re far too important. Send your Champion.” Brandy waved an idle hand, covered by white gossamer. She was a stunning sight, jet black hair against her all white standard.
Godric withdrew, sighing. Rounding back to his people he simply stated, “This is not what I want, but it is what must be. Who will fight on my behalf? Your family will be taken care of, I promise it.”
Harry’s blood was boiling. This was not right. He’d survived death numerous times, and somehow felt this was vital as well. He didn’t know what possessed him to step up, this was not his place or time, but the roar within him could not be ignored. “I will.”
“What?” A duo of voices rang out as Archibald and Captain Jack looked at the former Hogwarts student. The Doctor just smiled.
“You have a wand?” Godric asked, ignoring the responses of his trusted advisors. Harry withdrew it, holding it up for Godric to see. “Good lad. You feel ready?”
“I have no choice, sir. It must be done, and I’m willing to do it.” He felt a distinct fear and anticipation race through his veins. The next several minutes passed as a haze, but the next he knew he was at a long strip of ground, much like the Dueling Club years ago, and at the other end was Darby.
“Why?” Harry asked, looking at the girl who couldn’t possibly be his age.
“My mother says I must. So, I must.” Darby blushed, eyes darting as she was uncomfortable with the situation.
“Darby, you don’t have to.” The girl cast a spell which went zinging past Harry’s ear as he moved to avoid it. Her technique was elementary at best and she was very afraid. “You can put the wand down. We can both walk away. Hogwarts is the best thing to ever happen to witches and wizards, you have no idea!”
Darby glared, regaining some level of composure. “OH yes, great for boys but a girl like me? What could I ever hope to accomplish?”
“Darby! Some of the smartest, most talented people I know are witches! They’ve helped me through a tough spot; this doesn’t have to end in a fight!” Harry was shocked as he sent minor spells. He was simply trying to buy time in a parry and repost manner. He genuinely wanted to talk Darby out of the situation and resolve the issue if at all possible.
“If I left right now, if I went with you, could I go to the school?” The girl faltered, clearly looking for a way out of the situation.
“Yes. A hundred times yes. You are brave, Father Godric would undoubtedly take you with him, but not if you keep fighting! None of us want this!”
Darby stood still for several seconds. She looked over her shoulder at her mother, Brandy, and turned back to Harry. “Done.” With her wand down and clearly not in a position to cast a spell, she walked over to Harry. He hugged her briefly before the Doctor came to collect her.
“Come on, Darby. We’d best get you tucked away and quickly,” He glanced over his shoulder at the woman in white who had turned the same color of her wardrobe.
“How. Dare. YOU!” Brandy whipped around knocking people out of her way in a full rage. “You wretched little wench. How dare you turn from me and go to them!” Brandy Bertram pulled out her wand and pointed it at Harry. “AVADA KEDAVRA!” The jet of green light split the air, shooting right at the dark haired boy. Falling to the ground with a thud Harry couldn’t breathe. Captain Jack lay over him, shielding him from the spell. Once again, Harry Potter had dodged death.
“MOTHER!” Darby screamed. “How could you kill someone? Are you really so distrusting? Do you really have to hate Gryffindor that much? They are people too! They just want to live their lives without being ridiculed and over run by people like you!”
It was only moments before people were lifting Captain Jack from atop Harry and carrying him aside. The Doctor rushed to Harry’s side, pulling him into a sitting position. “Are you ok?”
“Physically, I’m fine.” Harry blinked owlishly once or twice then looked over to Brandy Bertram. The people that she had treated so cruelly were circled around her, angry and fearful. The boy whose check she had caressed earlier reached out and grabbed the wand in her hand. “I’m going with them too.” He snapped the wood in half and threw the pieces onto the ground. With one movement he went to find Darby among the scarlet and gold.
An interesting thing happened then. Once Brandy’s follower’s passed Harry and the Doctor, their clothing turned to scarlet and gold and had lions emblazoned on the chest. “Welcome!” Godric boomed yet again from the crowd. “Welcome, my bold lions. You are always welcome to travel with us. Gather what you need! We leave when the sun reaches the highest point in the sky.”
Brandy Bertram watched as person after person passed across the unspoken line to join Godric Gryffindor. One of her most loyal followers reached to help her up, but Brandy shook her off. She stood on her own and turned heel, heading back into the woods that were not far behind them.
The Doctor leaned down to whisper in Harry’s ear. “That’s the last anyone will see of her, Harry. You’ve done brilliantly. Come on, we have to go talk to Jack.”
“But… he’s dead.” Harry looked up at the Doctor as he stood then brushed himself off. The Doctor simply winked. Death was never something he dealt with very well.
Captain Jack was laid out on a pallet in a tent. The Doctor shooed everybody out except Harry and waited. “Three… two… one…” Jack sat up suddenly sucking in air. “Oh my god, that never gets any easier!” He worked to catch his breath for a moment and smiled. “Harry! Great job, you did brilliantly!”
The dark haired boy blushed up to his ears. “Thank you.” He was so caught off guard by Jack yet again, he didn’t even think about the fact that Jack should be dead.
The Doctor kissed Jack on the forehead with clear elation. “Brilliant! Jack, you take care of this, I have to get Harry back. There is a little shop I want to take him to before we get him back home. Take care, Jack!”
“Bye Captain Jack.” Harry smiled at the military man.
“Good bye, Harry.”
“Stop flirting, Jack.” The Doctor looked cross as he propelled Harry to the door.
“What?” Jack looked confused but still wore that impish grin.
The Doctor took Harry back to the TARDIS. “So, let me explain to you why Captain Jack can’t die…” Shortly after the conversation began they were in a tiny shop in France, then back to Diagon Alley. “Be good, Harry. Make sure she knows just how much you love her.”
Harry nodded, looking at the beautiful necklace. It was far too rare an item to be purchased locally, an antique obviously, which would thrill Ginny. The Doctor had taken him to the perfect place where the shop owner was very kind and seemed to owe the Doctor a favor. Since the Doctor had swept Harry away without prior notice he had offered the jewelry as an apology. “Thank you, Doctor. Be safe.”
The Doctor nodded in return. He smiled, and as he stepped back into the TARDIS announced “Geronimo!”
4253/50 + 4253/500
85 + 8.5 = 94 points holy crap that’s a lot of writing!