The Unwelcome Intruder
Harry woke the next day feeling unusually refreshed. The restful sleep had done wonders for his state of mind, and as he dressed, he felt a sense of readiness for whatever the day would bring. Talon, ever vigilant, had already prepared Harry's clothes for the day and stood ready by the door, waiting to accompany him.
Together, they made their way down to the dining hall, where the smell of breakfast greeted them. The hall was quiet, with only the soft clinking of dishes and the muted conversation of the Custodians filling the space. As Harry entered, he saw the Five Custodians—Valeria, Emma, Theron, Lira, and Caelum—already seated at the long table, their expressions serious and focused.
Harry nodded in greeting as he took his place at the table, with Talon standing dutifully by his side. The Custodians acknowledged him with slight nods, and after a few moments of silence, Valeria spoke.
"We've secured the intruder," Valeria began, her voice carrying the weight of the situation. "They were found near the portal and have been placed in the dungeons for now. Garmr discovered them in a cave within the forest, close to the portal site."
Theron leaned forward, his gaze steady. "We did not want to reveal too much before we had a chance to assess the situation, but the intruder is in stable condition. We believe it's best if you see them for yourself, Harry."
Harry kept his expression neutral, though curiosity and a hint of unease stirred within him. The Custodians were withholding the identity of the intruder, which only added to the sense of foreboding. Who could have possibly come through the portal? And why now?
"I see," Harry replied calmly, masking the questions racing through his mind. "Let's finish breakfast, then we can head down to the dungeons."
The Custodians agreed, and the conversation shifted to more mundane topics as they ate. Harry kept his focus on his meal, though his thoughts were preoccupied with what awaited him in the dungeons. Talon, ever observant, noticed the tension in Harry's posture but remained silent, standing by as a steadfast presence.
Once breakfast was finished, the Custodians led Harry and Talon down the winding corridors of Morgana's Crater, the atmosphere growing colder and more oppressive as they descended deeper into the castle. The walls here were lined with ancient stone, and the air was thick with the weight of centuries of secrets.
They reached the entrance to the dungeons, a set of heavy iron doors that groaned as they opened. The darkness beyond was pierced only by the flickering light of torches, casting eerie shadows on the damp stone walls.
As they walked through the dimly lit corridors, Harry's mind raced with possibilities. Who could it be? An enemy? An ally? Someone he once knew? The uncertainty gnawed at him, but he forced himself to remain calm and focused.
Finally, they stopped in front of a cell at the far end of the dungeon. The Custodians stood back slightly, allowing Harry to approach the barred door. The figure inside was slumped against the wall, unconscious and disheveled, but unmistakable.
Harry's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the figure in the cell. It was Ginny Weasley. Her red hair, now matted and dirty, was a stark contrast to the dark stone walls around her. She looked fragile and out of place in this harsh environment, a stark reminder of the world he had left behind.
For a moment, Harry's composure slipped, and a rush of emotions threatened to overwhelm him. Memories of Ginny flooded his mind—her fierce determination, her laughter, her unwavering loyalty. But now, here she was, unconscious in a dungeon in Morgana's Crater, far from the life she had known.
"How did this happen?" he asked himself, struggling to process the sight before him. "How did Ginny end up here, in this world, in this place?"
But Harry knew he couldn't afford to let his emotions get the best of him. He had to remain in control, to make decisions based on the reality of the situation, not on the past they once shared. Taking a deep breath, he pushed down the turmoil within him and turned to the Custodians.
Lira spoke first, her tone neutral but with an underlying tension. "We've checked her for any immediate threats. She seems to be here alone, but that doesn't mean there isn't more to this."
Harry hesitated, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He knew Ginny would never be comfortable in this world—she wasn't like him, she hadn't had the time to adapt, to understand the harsh realities of Morgana's Seat. But he also knew that, in this world, there were limited options for someone who arrived as she did.
"She's not from this world," Harry began, his voice steady despite the conflict within him. "She wouldn't survive on her own, and I don't believe she would ever truly adapt to life here."
He paused, considering his next words carefully. "Give her to a slave trainer," he finally said, the decision weighing heavily on him. "She needs to be taught how to survive here. When she's ready, she can serve at the school."
The Custodians nodded in agreement, their expressions betraying no emotion. They had seen many such decisions made in the past, and they understood the necessity of it in this world.
"As you wish," Valeria replied. "We will arrange for her to be taken to a slave trainer immediately. When she has been properly trained, we will ensure she is placed in a position where she can serve effectively."
Harry nodded, though his thoughts were a whirlwind of emotion. He knew this was the best decision for her—this world would chew her up and spit her out if she wasn't prepared. But knowing that didn't make it any easier.
As they left the dungeons, Harry kept his face neutral, though inside he was still reeling from the shock of seeing Ginny here. Talon, walking beside him, sensed the turmoil within his master but said nothing. He knew Harry well enough to understand that this was something he needed to process on his own.
The Custodians walked in silence, allowing Harry the space to think. They understood the gravity of the situation and the difficult decision he had just made. But they also knew that in this world, survival often required such harsh choices.
Back in his quarters, Harry sat by the fire, staring into the flames as he tried to make sense of everything. Ginny was here, in Morgana's Seat, in Morgana's Crater. It was a reality he never imagined he would have to face.
But this was the world he lived in now, and he had to do what was necessary to survive in it. Ginny would have to learn that as well.
"She'll be fine," Harry murmured to himself, though the words felt hollow. "She'll learn... she'll adapt."
But as he sat there, the weight of the decision settled heavily on his shoulders. He knew he had done what was necessary, but the past he had left behind was now colliding with the life he had built in this new world.
For now, he could only wait and see what the future would bring. But he knew that nothing would ever be the same again.