In Another World

Chapter 3: Dimensions and Herbs
 
Back in Dumbledore’s office, Lupin, Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Kodac are in deep discussion about the werewolf, and how Kodac survived a six-story jump.
 
“I just jumped. I didn’t think about what could happen to me. I just thought about what could have happened if I didn’t do anything, or arrive too late,” Kodac told the group. Dumbledore stood up.
 
“I, for one, would like to see you jump six stories,” he said, and the others all nodded agreement.
 
Kodac went over to the window. Looking down, he thought it was unlikely he could jump it again. With a shrug, he leapt down.
 
Kodac landed as easily as before. Looking up, he could see the others looking down at him. Satisfied, Dumbledore conjured a knotted rope for Kodac to climb back up, saving him from another trip through the castle.
 
Kodac climbed through the window and closed it. Everyone was looking at him strangely. Dumbledore was looking through a book titled Other Dimensions. As he heard Kodac shut the window, Dumbledore looked up and closed the book.
 
“As I suspected, Seabring has one-and-a-half times the gravity that we do. In other words, Kodac’s body is used to falling faster, and so he is able to leap farther down safely than any of us could, without magic. That also means he is exceptionally strong here,” Dumbledore explained. “As to that werewolf, I believe it was sent by none other than Lord Voldemort.”
 
“That’s what I suspected, and what I suspected that you suspected, Professor,” Hermione chimed in.
 
Dumbledore nodded at her. “Lupin’s told me that the creature reeked of unnaturalness. Which suggests that it was created artificially, and supports our theory.”
 
“Lupin’s sense of smell is super-developed?” Kodac asked.
 
Lupin chuckled a little uneasily. “No, I was bitten by a werewolf when I small.”
 
Kodac nodded, then began to dig through a small pouch set on his belt, above his left hip.
 
“What are you doing, Kodac?” Ron inquired.
 
“Checking to see if I have any Urak,” came the answer.
 
“Urak?” Harry repeated, never hearing of the herb from Professor Sprout.
 
“Yes. It’s an herb that, when drank in a tea, cures the werewolf curse in a way that allows the victim to retain the abilities of the werewolf. The super-human strength, the sense of smell; and it also allows the victim to transform at will into his werewolf state, instead of forcefully every full moon,” Kodac explained. Then he smiled. “Ah, here is some.” He showed the group some roots of a strange circular plant. “This is my last batch. I was hoping to get some more today, but I had that charge in the cave. Werewolves rove the country-side in Seabring, so when traders and other travelers journey, they would need some Urak for themselves and any companions, in case any of them are bitten.”
 
Dumbledore was interested in the Urak. “May I?” he asked. Kodac nodded, then handed the roots over to Dumbledore. He examined it carefully, then handed it back, satisfied with something. “I was hoping it wasn’t damaged by the portal; but it wasn’t,” he explained.
 
Kodac handed it to Lupin, who, with a nod from Dumbledore, left the office for the kitchens to get the plant made into a tea. Before he reached the door, he turned around again and asked, “Which part of this goes into the tea?”
 
“All of it,” Kodac replied. With a nod of thanks and a brief smile, Lupin made his way to the kitchens.
 
“Well, I think I’ve detained you three long enough. However, I think we should find a way to help Kodac back to his homeland. Now, back to class,” Dumbledore told the Trio. Then, looking at Kodac, he said, “When the lunch bell rings, head to the Great Hall. There I’ll inform the students that you’ll be staying here. What I won’t say is how long, for until we find a way to counteract the portal, you’ll be stuck here in this dimension. Until then, you’re free to roam as you like.”
 
Bowing low, Kodac turned to leave, then forgot something. Looking back at the Professor, he inquired, “When is the lunch bell?”
 

* * * * *

 
Lupin almost ran down to the kitchens. He was anxious, as well as extremely happy, since he would soon be cured of his state.
 
He was so anxious that he, at first, walked right past the door to the kitchens. He backtracked, and tickled the giant green pear. It chuckled lightly, and then turned into a doorknob, which Lupin turned and pulled open.
 
 
Winky blinked in her chair. In the two years that she had been there, after what had happened when Barty Crouch, Jr., had told Dumbledore about his escape and how he had gotten there, she worked a little bit now and then. Lupin wasn’t able to get any of the others to make his tea, as they were very busy, and they respectfully declined. Lupin sighed, then walked over to Winky.
 
“Winky?” he called her.
 
“How may I help you, sir?” she replied.
 
“Could you make me some tea, please? Add these roots to it, would you?” Lupin asked.
 
“Sure. I’ll get on it now,” she whispered. Taking the Urak, she disappeared, and soon reappeared, with a steaming mug with the roots swimming in tea.
 
“Thanks, Winky,” Lupin bowed before taking the mug. Winky smiled, then returned to her chair.
 
Lupin, thinking it might be best to drink the tea quickly (which it would have been), he did his best to drink the scalding tea quickly. The roots had dissolved to small, easy-to-swallow pieces. As he swallowed them, they disintegrated farther.
 

* * * * *

 
Near the end of History of Magic, Professor Binns announced that he was giving them a two hundred-question test in the next class. Many of the students groaned. Hermione, as per her usual reaction to an upcoming test, was ready to go study at once. Harry smiled at her, thinking she was the most beautiful thing in the world. He turned away as Hermione looked at him.
 
“Harry, hurry and pack up, the bell is about to ring!” she whispered softly.
 

* * * * *

 
Kodac had spent most of the hour until lunch walking up and down the corridors and staircases. When he heard the bell ring, the door on his left opened and poured out students. Kodac recognized Harry, Ron, and Hermione at once. They didn’t see him, however, and went off chatting about the test that they were given. A hand touched his shoulder then, and, whipping around, Kodac saw that it was the older girl from before.
 
“Um, thank you, for helping me when that wolf attacked,” she said shyly, turning red.
 
“Think nothing of it, Miss. It was an honor,” Kodac replied with a smile and a bow. The girl blushed even more.
 
“Um, I’m Parvati Patil. I don’t think I ever caught your name?” she answered with another flash of red.
 
“I am Sir Kodac, of Seabring,” Kodac introduced him self. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Patil.”
 
He just had to say that, didn’t he? Parvati thought suddenly. “The pleasure is mine. Would you like to come to lunch with me?” she asked suddenly, before she could catch herself.
 

* * * * *

 
Dumbledore was standing outside the door to the Great Hall. His eyes twinkled as he saw Parvati and Kodac come down the stairs from the History of Magic corridor, arm in arm. As they came up to him, he asked Kodac to stop for a moment.
 

* * * * *

 
“Where were you?” Lavender asked Parvati as she sat down next to her.
 
“Thanking Kodac,” Parvati responded with another blush.
 
“Who’s Kod…Oh, that guy with the silver sword?” Lavender badgered. Parvati nodded, blushing scarlet. “Why are you blushing? I simply LOVE that bod of his,” she giggled.
 
“You do?” Parvati inquired.
 
Lavender nodded. “Why are you blushing?” she asked again. “You don’t have a crush on him,” she lowered her voice at this point, “do you?”
 
Parvati was saved from answering as Dumbledore stood at the Head Table. The students went quiet at once.
 
“Well, before we start, I would like to announce something. As I’m sure all you saw what happened this morning, the werewolf was slain by a young knight of tremendous skill, at great risk to himself. He will be staying with us until further noticed. I now introduce him to you. Sir Kodac, of Seabring, please, come in!” Dumbledore called loudly.
 
The doors opened, and in Kodac walked. He tried not to swagger, but it was a difficult battle. Dumbledore spoke again.
 
“Sir Kodac, please take a seat anywhere you like,” he offered.
 
Nodding almost imperceptibly, Kodac looked at all the faces staring at him or at his sword hilt. Seeing Parvati, Harry, Ron, and Hermione close together at one table, Kodac made his way over to them. He sat at the empty seat between Parvati and Harry. As he sat down, the babble slowly built back up again. Kodac suddenly noticed how ravenously hungry he was.
 
“That was cool, how you chopped off the head of that wolf!” a little boy across the table exclaimed softly to Kodac. Kodac smiled, and began to eat.
 
“Hungry, are you?” Harry kidded. With his mouth full of steak, Kodac nodded, then swallowed (with some difficulty), and stuffed in another large morsel of food. Parvati ate a little, and what she did eat she nearly dropped, as she was watching Kodac. Lavender elbowed her side, and Parvati’s head snapped around.
 
“I know he’s cute, Parvati, but it’s rude to stare,” she giggled softly. Parvati blushed again, and then took a swig of pumpkin juice. Luckily for Parvati, Kodac hadn’t heard.
 
Kodac finished his steak. After washing it down with pumpkin juice (which he found wonderfully refreshing, and rather good, too), he turned to answering the many questions nearby people were probably dieing to ask him.
 
“Where’s Seabring?” “Where did you get that sword?” “What is Seabring?” Kodac sighed. He halted them with his hand, and began.
 
“Seabring is a city surrounded by the protective walls of the castle. Outside, the country and it’s multiple forests tosses and turns, rather like a sea. I got this sword from King Abers himself, when he proclaimed me a knight of the realm. A knight is a special type of soldier, one that is usually completely covered in armor, equipped with a sword and a shield. I, however, prefer light mythril armor and no shield. The sword that I carry is of Elfish make. Elves are abound in the forests of my homeland. In battle, it shines with a light-blue light, and is powerful against evil and Dark creatures,” he patiently explained to the younger (and some of the older) students. Many more questions burst forth: “Who is King Abers?” “What is an Elf?” “What’s mythril?” Kodac sighed again, and went on. “King Abers is one of the greatest kings Seabring has had, and he remains on very good standing with his allies, such as the Elves. Elves are a fair and lithe folk, renown for their beauty, their magic, their light, easy-to-use swords, and their skill with bows and arrows. Mythril is a lightweight metal that’s harder than diamond. The suit I wear is a mythril mesh. A mesh is a type of armor that’s is built very close together, like a shirt. Dwarves are exceptionally skilled in making armor and heavy weapons, like axes and broad swords. Dwarves are a short, stocky people. They have a special hatred of orcs and goblins. They prefer to use weapons such as throwing axes, war axes, war hammers, and other very heavy weapons. They are immensely strong. They tend to live in mines and caves, working in forges to create their armor, weapons, and other goods. They are partially resistant to magic, which they cannot use. A long time ago, the Dwarves were at war with the Elves, and King Abers’ father, King Aberset, mediated them. It took many years, but an agreement was eventually reached.” Here, the main course disappeared and deserts took its place. The questions stopped as everyone began to eat the various foods. Kodac looked around a bit, then helped himself to the flaming black pudding.
 
Parvati had listened to Kodac’s explanations, admiring his patience. “I surely wouldn’t have had that much patience,” she said to herself.
 
“Did you say something?” Lavender asked between spoons-full of vanilla pudding. Parvati shook her head, and resumed watching Kodac.
 
Soon, the deserts too disappeared. The bell rang, much to everyone’s chagrin. As the ladies stood up to leave, Kodac stood up and didn’t move.
 
Harry noticed this. “What are you doing? You look like a fool,” he whispered up to Kodac.
 
“It is custom to stand when a lady leaves the table,” he replied. Parvati blushed as she grabbed her bag (Lavender thought that Parvati would blush at anything Kodac could say) as the Gryffindors headed for Herbology.
 
Professor Dumbledore smiled when he saw Kodac stand when the first girl had stood up to go. He knew of the customs of many medieval cultures, and he recognized this one. He walked over to Kodac, who was in deep thought, for he heard the word “Herbology” from one of the students.
 
“Headmaster,” Kodac began as Dumbledore approached, “What is Herbology?”
 
“Herbology is the study of herbs and other magical plants, taught by Professor Sprout,” he answered. “It is taught at the greenhouses. Since I see you have an herb pouch, as well as your a of herbs, would you like to see Professor Sprout after her classes?” Kodac nodded. Lupin touched him on the shoulder.
 
“Thank you for the Urak,” he said.