Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 55 - Mother Maia

~~~***~~~

It was odd, really, walking out the castle doors for the last time. Oh, he knew he'd be back, someday. His godfather was headmaster after all; there would be plenty of opportunities to visit. Years from now his son would learn to be a man here as had he, but this was different. He was leaving home, the only true home he'd ever known. It was the end of something grand and the beginning of something new, something unknown. A few weeks ago he had made fun of Ron for saying that things wouldn't be the same. Now, Harry felt those words in his heart more than ever. Perhaps his greatest hope for change was that it would be a time of peace.

Holding Gabriella's hand, he looked back at the large wooden doors to the castle. He just stared blankly, examining their grain and colour. He'd passed through them countless times, never truly appreciating the Hogwarts crest above the entrance. The four houses joined by the great letter H. Such different types of people, sorted by a hat because that's what it was enchanted to do, but the distinctions were not so clear cut and the divisions which were once so absolute were now beginning to blur. It would be a new beginning for Hogwarts, and a new age for the Wizarding world.

Beneath the crest was a motto in Latin that he once knew, but it had faded into the back of his memory, an obscure remnant of class lessons and rules that was now lost. It was Latin after all. Today, he read it again for what seemed like the first time.

"Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus," he said out loud. He turned to Gabriella and said, "Do you know what it means?"

"Don't be silly, it's Latin after all. 'Never tickle a sleeping dragon.' A wise motto, though I've never really met one that's ticklish. Tûzkár, maybe, when he was younger."

Harry held up his hand and looked at his forearm. The mark of the Votary was clear and the dragon, the Hungarian Horntail Asha, was distinct. He sighed. The Daily Prophet was calling him one of the greatest wizards of all time, comparing him to the likes of Dumbledore and even Merlin. It was rubbish. Harry didn't have half the skills Dumbledore had in his small finger and he knew it. It didn't matter. The Prophet declared him ruler over the dragons. The Wizarding world still had no clue that the dragons were not ruled by any wizard and that Harry only had a relationship with just one small part of the dragon kingdom. There was no telling what the other dragons around the world would do. By Singehorn's wishes, that had now become the Votary's mission.

"Do you think they can keep their word?" he asked. "Can there ever be peace between wizards and dragons?"

"Ron's dad will try with the Ministry in the U.K., and Sirius will try to make it happen here. That's a start."

"But inviting the Hebredians to watch the school's Quidditch matches," Harry shook his head, smiling. "How crazy is that?"

"Hermione told me that Ron's been talking about starting an all dragon team. She thinks Fred and George gave him the idea." She shrugged.

Harry just rolled his eyes. He stepped over to the doors and touched them one last time to say good-bye and then the two made their way down the castle steps. The sun was warm and summer was in full swing. They walked by Hagrid's hut and Harry stopped for a moment as his memories there lingered. Hagrid was gone, off with Olympe to discuss relations between wizards and giants. This time not because there was a war to be had and sides to be chosen, but because it was an opportunity for greater understanding between two very different peoples, who in many ways were very much alike. Hagrid was living proof of that.

When they walked through the open gate toward Hogsmeade, they paused to say a prayer one last time at the marker that was now set there for Pansy and for all those that had lost their lives because of the evil kindled by just one wizard. Harry asked that he could live the rest of his days and never see such hatred again, but both Dakhil and Dumbledore had spoken of other evils, other darknesses that would step up to fill the void. He could only hope that it would take time.

Once in Hogsmeade, they stopped by Fred and George's shop and were surprised to see Draco there. The shop smelled of fresh paint and wet lacquer mixed with the scent of freshly opened boxes. Wearing a workman's apron, Draco was putting some strange gadgets on shelves near the front of the store. He looked every bit as if her were a common employee, albeit with perfect hair.

There were a number of customers clamouring about. Buzzing, ringing and the occasional explosion filled the air, creating a somewhat chaotic atmosphere as Fred, working behind the register, kept taking people's money.

"Draco?" asked Gabriella. "I thought you'd had enough of Hogsmeade?"

"Surely even you are aware, Gabriella," Draco drawled, standing upright and wiping his hands on his apron, "that Mother's ribbon cutting is tomorrow."

"And you're in here putting boxes away?"

"Just helping out a fellow outcast is all."

"Fred, where's George?" asked Harry over the top of three younger girls, examining love potions. Fred glanced at him briefly, held up a finger and took a galleon from a rather old lady as he handed her a small paper bag.

"Remember, Ms. Tumbledon," said Fred, speaking somewhat louder than normal, "no more than once a day." Harry stepped over to the counter.

"What was that?" he asked.

"Senseless Sandies - cookies that make you non-senseable. You can't be seen, touched, heard, tasted, or smelled. They only last thirty minutes, but the side effects are pretty nasty if you use them too often.

"She wants to disappear?" asked Harry.

"No, she wants her husband to disappear," answered Fred. "Says it's the only peace and quiet she gets all day. As for George... well he's, erm, out."

"Out?" Harry said sceptically. "Okay, I get it. Out. Well remind him about the ceremony for Singehorn. You two are going, right?"

"Two?" Fred asked. "Which two?" He looked over to Draco who had returned to stocking shelves near the front window. "I mean, why would you think that--"

"You two," said Harry in exasperation. "I already know Draco's going." He turned toward the window. "Draco, when are you leaving for the Carpathians?"

"We're leaving early," said Draco over his back. "As soon as Mother's big show is over. You're right Gabriella, I've had enough of this hellhole. Why I would ever want to see this place again is--" He stopped himself for some reason. It was as if he'd lost the thread of what he wanted to say, but he quickly found it again. "Oh, Harry. She wanted me to thank you for not coming. The less non-Narcissa publicity the better."

"Okay... you can speed out of here, but we're taking our time," said Harry grabbing Gabriella's hand just as she reached out to touch the Untouchable Underwear. He walked her toward the door. "We'll see you all there, I guess. Erm, give our best to George... when he's not out anymore."

"Hey, Potter," said Draco, just before the two exited. "We'll be hanging out at Dakhil's. Getting things in order... you know. If you want to come by, drop me an owl first, okay?"

"What? You and Blaise need some privacy?" Harry smiled.

Draco's jaw immediately clenched and the front plate glass window shattered. Gabriella's eyes opened wide, wondering why Draco was so upset. Draco pulled his wand and with a single wave the glass was repaired. He took in a deep breath.

"Just owl me, got it?"

"Sure, Draco. I can respect that." Harry waved at Fred who was busily taking another customer's money and stepped out onto the sidewalk with Gabriella.

"That was strange," said Harry. "It was just a little joke. And what's with the 'George is out' routine?"

"He's probably with Cho," said Gabriella casually. Harry suddenly stopped walking. Gabriella looked back at him. "What? Does that bother you?" she asked.

"B-Bother me? No. No it doesn't... bother... me. I mean... That would explain... Three times I've been over to her parents to visit. You know? Three times I saw Jamie, but not Cho. She was... George? Really? Do you think?"

"They were getting a bit giddy together at the wedding. Maybe."

"George?" Harry tapped his fingers against the side of his leg as he considered the implications, completely forgetting Draco's strange behaviour. Then he smiled and began to walk. "George." He pulled his wand to Apparate... "Thank Merlin it wasn't Fred." He chuckled and then his eyes twinkled at Gabriella. "You know, Cho always did have good taste in men." There was a swish... and he disappeared.

Their trip to Greece was playful, romantic and restful. It was everything their last journey across Europe wasn't. They made time to take in the sights they hadn't seen and to simply enjoy each other's company. It had been over a year since they were truly alone together for any significant amount of time. In those moments of intimacy, Harry began to fall in love with Gabriella all over again. They were learning more about each other and it was strengthening their bond, a bond which had already withstood the crucible of fire and water.

At first when people called them by Mr. and Mrs. Potter, it made Harry think of his parents, but now he was growing into that skin, becoming comfortable with what that name meant, knowing that they would live and love and grow old together. He began to daydream about their future together and the life they would share. It was becoming clear, as they made their way toward Greece, that Gabriella thrived near the water. He didn't mind. He was beginning to take a liking to beaches, though he rarely entered the sea. A life near the water wouldn't be so bad. Sirius had offered Harry the castle in Greece, saying that the walls needed to hear laughter and love. Harry had declined, but now he wasn't so sure. Her joy of the salten spray was becoming his joy. Perhaps Greece would be the perfect place to begin their life together.

Nearing the end of their travels, Harry and Gabriella were sunning themselves on a beach in Italy, somewhere south San Vincenzo. They'd spent too much time in the sun and it would soon be setting, but they were soaking in the opportunity to rest without interruption. The beach was a sandy flat that stretched on forever in both directions with not a person in sight. The day had been warm, but as the sun lowered toward the horizon the breeze began to pick up and the waves began to crash more fiercely against the shore. There was a distinct marine smell in the air that reminded Harry of... He shook his head. It couldn't be. He lifted his eyes to the sea.

Harry saw her at once, a beautiful woman stepping out of the surf. She was somewhat large, but striking in appearance. Her black hair draped down upon her bare torso below which she wore a shimmering emerald wrap.

"Maia!" he gasped to Gabriella. "She's come."

"Harry!" the nymph called out. "I thought those were your toes I saw earlier. Too scared to jump in?" She looked back over her shoulder. "The waves are a bit big today." She stepped closer. "You're not afraid of the water, are you? I feel like you've been avoiding me."

Both Harry and Gabriella took to their feet as if they were soldiers and the commanding general had just walked into their barracks.

"Oooh. Darling Harry." Maia clucked her tongue, looking Harry up and down. "You may want to be careful about getting too much sun where it rarely shines." She smiled, revealing that their gesture of respect had pleased her. She waved her hand in the air. "Sit... sit." A lounge chair made of some thatched material appeared at her side and she sat toward the sun. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

"So tell me, Child of the House of Hayk," she said without raising her head or opening her eyes. "Harry may not dabble much in the surf, but I've seen you. You like these waters, don't you?" Gabriella didn't hesitate.

"Yes, Maia," she said earnestly. "Though the waters near Tripoli are still my favourite. More so now. Harry's eyes remind me of my home."

"Yes," Maia nodded, "I can see that." Her wrap began to brighten as a brilliant green weaved its way into the fabric until the colours matched those of the waters off of Tripoli. "But you haven't travelled nearly enough... the Keys off the coast of Florida, the Great Barrier Reef, oh and Maldives - one of my favourites." As she sighted each place, her wrap changed colours of green and turquoise and vivid blue, and then she sighed contentedly. "You simply must see them all."

"I... I can't wait," Gabriella said suddenly sounding nervous. There was something in the way Maia said the last words that was bothering her. "I'm sure, after the ceremony of Singehorn, we'll begin our travels."

"Sure," said Harry, "We can--"

"Now, now," interrupted Maia. "Let's not ruin a perfectly wonderful day. No need to prattle on." She still lounged back without opening her eyes. "Gabriella, you know perfectly well what I'm talking about. We made a deal."

"But--"

"No. No buts. Melusina was going to turn you to dust. This man's love and your pledge to be a daughter of the sea... Well, the time has come. Really, you must see them all."

"What are you talking about?" asked Harry, his mouth becoming dry. Pinpricks of tingling sweat appeared on his palms. "We're not going anywhere."

"Correct, love," said Maia. "Only Gabriella."

"What?" snapped Harry. "No! What right do you have to--"

"Right?" hissed Maia, grinding her teeth. The waves of the ocean rose high and crashed down, spraying them all, but Harry pulled his wand and repelled the water. "You pretend your memory fails you," she said. "I would have thought better."

"What are you talking about?"

"I saved them both! That gives me the right!" said Maia, rising to her feet and looking fiercely at Harry. "I can see your eyes betray you. You remember. Do you deny it?" Harry thought back to when he was below the surface with Draco. Melusina was challenging Draco's life and Harry was finding it hard to defend his friend in any way that would meaningfully satisfy her.

~~~***~~~

How long they had been below the surface of the water, Harry couldn't tell. Draco's muffled screams had continued for an eternity until there was nothing left to scream. His voice had left him, but the pain remained in his eyes and across his face. The waters were dark and cool upon their bare skin, but they could breathe, if that's what they were doing. The nymphs had refused to tell them anything about Patrick, though Harry sensed he was near and that he was safe. It was the same connection he had had with Dakhil. They also had refused to unbind Harry's hands, fearing that he might use magic, but said that he was free to go. He wouldn't leave Draco alone, facing the wrath of Melusina as he was, and this seemed to please Maia who, for the most part, sat in the background disinterested, sipping tea from some strange flask and filing her nails.

The questions were endless and no answer would satisfy Melusina. She would swim so close you could taste her scent in the water. Her eyes would flash yellow, like two burning suns, but the orbs held no warmth. They were filled with anger, or hatred, or resentment, Harry couldn't tell which and, every so often, their attention turned to Harry and his own failings over the past year. When that happened, it felt as if a thousand wasps had landed on his naked body, stinging him all at once. Only then would Maia silently rise up, and only then would Melusina back away.

His mind couldn't help but plot in Melusina's destruction, perhaps out of anger, but he would have preferred to think that it was out of necessity to rescue his friend. If his hands hadn't been tied, he most certainly would have tried, all thought of forgiveness forgotten. It was only when Maia had said that Gabriella had returned safely to her brother on the surface that the anger in his heart had ebbed. Maia had said that her fate was secured with the daughters of the waters which, at the time, sounded like a good thing. For Draco, however, the fates appeared to be leading to a wholly different ending. During a particularly vicious line of questioning, Melusina began to attack Draco's hatred for his father.

"You're wrong, sister. His love for his father is clearly there," said Maia, briefly looking up from her nails. When Draco would try to find it, Melusina would throw all the evil things his father had done to him - the drugs, the torture at Voldemort's hands, being turned to a vampire. The anger would rise in Draco's heart and pain would rack his body.

"Draco, let it go," said Harry at last, trying to break the cycle. "You have to forgive him."

"From fire to-- water," Draco muttered, grimacing in between. "I clung to life for this?" He spat toward Melusina, with no effect. "Fire and water. I hate them both. Fire and water." He began to repeat this over and over and then, without cause, stopped. Harry could see that Draco had surrendered. He had resigned himself to his fate. He looked up at Melusina and refused to answer any more questions. Harry could sense the surge of her punishment, but Draco didn't wince.

"Kill me," he said. "I'm through. Harry, get Patrick and go." Melusina smiled and raised her hand above his head. It began to glow.

"No!" Harry yelled. Melusina was surprised at the outburst.

"You care so much for this blotch?" she asked.

"There is a connection there," added Maia. "Surely, my dear sister, you can feel its power."

"Nonsense," retorted Melusina. "Nothing more than passing curiosity."

"And the others?" asked Maia. "I have no doubt, you can hear them calling from the surface."

"Yes, yes," snapped Melusina, growing more frustrated. "It's becoming meddlesome, but not beyond my power to control."

Harry could see by the irritation in her expression that whoever was calling above was interfering with her plans for Draco. He would add his own to the voice, or voices above.

"You ask if I care, Melusina," swimming toward her. "You already know the answer to that question. You both do. He has become a part of who I am and what I have become. He has helped me push back the greatest darkness the age has known. He deserves your thanks, not your vitriol." At this Maia became interested once again and she swam over to join them, slipping in between Melusina and Harry, her back toward her sister who was miffed at the insertion.

"Words are easy, Harry," she said with a smile, caressing his cheek with her finger. "Are you willing to sacrifice?"

"I would give my li--"

"Tsk, tsk," she interrupted. "That is no longer ours to garner. No... what would you give in exchange?" She fondled his caduceus earring with her hand and then slid down his neck to the leather thong and silver disk that hung there. "What trinket would you part with? What of the ring on your finger, or the stone beneath your flesh?" Her hand slipped over Harry's chest and came to rest just over the Heart of Asha. Would you surrender your power, or your most prized possession to set your dearest friend free?"

For a moment, Harry hesitated. He wasn't sure that they were truly his to give. They were the property of the dragons and Harry was simply their keeper. Yet, if it was within his ability to give them away to save Draco's life... he would. If it wasn't, Maia would have to ask for something else and Harry had no worldly possession that he wouldn't gladly give away to save Draco's life. As he pondered, Maia became inpatient, shrugged and began to turn away.

"Wait!" said Harry. "Yes... yes I would--"

"Harry, stop!" cried Draco. "You're thinking like a Gryffindor. It's a trap. She's holding all the cards to a game only she knows the rules to. Think it through."

"Sister," said Maia, "I really must get to my nails. Do what you must, but you know the rules."

"Yes, I know the rules!" said Melusina indignantly. She glanced up at the surface and muttered something to herself.

"There's no time, Draco!" yelled Harry. "Maia, take of mine what you will, but spare his life."

"So be it," said Maia smiling, she waved her hand and a bubble appeared in the water. Within in it they could see Dean preparing to jump into the water. "Did you notice this other, sister? He appears willing to sacrifice himself for his friend. Draco, you said that nobody cared, that you were a loner, and yet you have so many friends willing to die for you."

"No!" yelled Draco, seeing Dean prepare to jump into the lake. "Don't let him. Take me now! Don't let him in the water! Take me!"

Melusina screamed in disgust and disappeared. A swirl of bubbles surrounded Draco and the ties about his hands floated away. Suddenly, he was launched upward to the water's surface like a cannonball.

"Self sacrifice," said Maia with a sly smile. "There's so little left of it in the world." She began to swim away, but Harry called to her.

"Well?" he asked. "What do you want? What must I give you?"

"What do I want?" said Maia still smiling. "I want to leave this stupid river, but first I must gather up your friend. What must you give me? Well, nothing for now, but I'll decide soon enough... soon enough."

She disappeared into the darkness and emerged with a small baby wrapped in her arms.

"Here is your friend - your protégé, your mentor; the darkness that consumed the world and the light that set it free. I would watch this one, dearest Harry," she said, handing him the child. "There is a power here the world has never known. I must be going."

"Who is this?" asked Harry in confusion. "Where's Patrick?"

"Harry, dear. He's in your arms. Now, be a good lad and make it to the surface before it's too late." She pulled him against her body and kissed his mouth. "You know, I had a feeling about you. I think you're one of my favourites." She patted the baby's head and vanished into water.

~~~***~~~

Now, standing with Gabriella on the beach next to Maia, Harry wished all the more that she would simply vanish again, but it was clear she had no intention of going anywhere until Gabriella joined her.

"You agreed, Gabriella," said Maia with a smile, "to be a daughter of the sea. And Harry, to save Draco you promised to give up your most prized possession whenever asked. Now that time has come because tomorrow would have been too late. Not to worry though. I won't keep her forever. If you're still around, you can have her back in ten or fifteen years."

"Fifteen years! No!" argued Harry. "It's a trick. You- You fooled me."

"Does it matter, Harry?" asked Gabriella calmly. "Was it not worth it to save Draco's life?"

"You're not actually thinking of going through with this! Fifteen years!"

"We may not have fully understood our agreements, but we gave our word. I would hate to consider the consequences if... one does not deny a sea goddess."

Suddenly, Harry reached for Gabriella, pulling her close. He held her in his arms and squeezed. His hopes and dreams of a future had suddenly come crashing down around him. His body shuddered as Gabriella began to cry.

"I'll find a way to get you back, I swear. Until I do, I'll wait for you," he whispered in her ear. "Every sunset, every sunrise, I'll stand by the ocean, waiting for you to return."

"I- I can't ask you to do that." She sniffed.

"You didn't." He reached up and brushed the hair from her eyes, and wiped a falling tear from her cheek. The wind had died away, but the surf continued to crash upon the beach. He looked deep into her dark eyes just as the sun touched the horizon. "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?"

"Maybe once," she said, trying to hoist a smile upon her face. Suddenly she kissed him hard and then let go.

Without saying a word Maia took her by the hand and the two began to walk toward the surf which had suddenly calmed. When she was knee deep, Gabriella turned back to look at Harry. Tears were streaming down her face, but he couldn't help but think she was as beautiful as ever. Her long black hair hung down to her waist around which appeared a copper brown wrap that shimmered with the glittering waves. He stood there, knowing that she took with her his heart and soul, and that he would wait for all eternity for her to return.

Silently, Harry stood and continued to watch the sea after they disappeared beneath its surface. The wind picked up, tossing bits of sand into the air, and his eyes began to sting, but he refused to surrender his vigil. Day turned to night and the stars began to shimmer off the water's surface. Eventually, there were no more tears to be had and his heart grew numb. Tearing his gaze from the horizon, he summoned his robes, slipped them on, and looked at the emptiness about him. He wasn't sure what he was searching for, a ribbon or a jewel, some trinket of remembrance. Whatever it might have been all trace of his love had disappeared. He spun in a slow circle, like a dog chasing its tail, unsure what he should do next. Finally, he stopped and looked up at the swirling mist of fire that still hung in the sky. Emotionless, Harry raised his wand and Apparated to the front doors of Sirius' castle.

He knew his godfather was there. Torches burned brightly on either side of the great wooden doors. He didn't know why he just didn't walk in. Instead, he lifted the great iron ring and knocked three times, the sound reverberating across the countryside. His face expressionless, Harry just stared at the door's wood grain. He'd never really considered it before, the ribbons of darkness and light that melded together, joining to create something so strong and yet quite beautiful. He fingered the surface, imagining his skin entwined with hers, until at last he heard steps. There was an incantation and the doors opened. Sirius, wearing a long white bath robe, had clearly been sleeping. He was about to curse when he realized who was at the door.

"Harry?" he asked, looking at his godson. Harry's face was red and his eyes were swollen, but his expression was blank and his eyes were distant, looking off into some other universe. Sirius stepped out through the door and put his hands on Harry's shoulders, but the young wizard remained wooden and didn't react. "What is it? What's wrong?" He looked about for Gabriella, but she was no where to be found.

"Where's Gabriella?" he asked, still holding Harry's shoulders.

Harry just stood there, silent. Where had she gone? Maybe... maybe it was just a bad dream. Yes, that was it - a bad dream that he would soon wake up from. He blinked hard, closing his eyes tight and thinking that, perhaps, when he opened them he would be back upon the beach with Gabriella at his side. But when they opened, the only thing he saw was Sirius's greying beard.

"Harry?" he asked again, this time with more concern, more insistence for an answer. "What's happened? Where's Gabriella?"

Harry's body began to shake. His knees buckled and he fell into Sirius' arms. His godfather brought him inside and sat with him on a large carpet in the entranceway. The air had disappeared from Harry's lungs and he began to pull in huge breaths, but nothing helped. Finally, he buried his head into his godfather's shoulder and sobbed.

"They took her from me!" he cried out in agony. "Oh, god! Noooo... NOOOO!" He slammed his fist repeatedly on his own thigh. "My Gabriella... she's gone! Sirius, she's gone!"

~~~***~~~

Author's Note: This was going to be the last chapter, when all of a sudden Maia, the sea goddess that Gabriella had seen under the lake at the falls appeared. I think maybe a review asking for a story of what had happened under the lake summoned her. OMG! What can I say? It's not my fault. The good news is there'll be more chapters!