Divine Intervention

Ray kept a firm grip on Harry as he pulled out his wand, apparating them away on the spot. They appeared in a high-end muggle hotel room. Harry glanced around in curiosity.

The hotel they were in was obviously very luxurious. The room was large with a king sized bed with a pressed white bedspread and glass plated side tables on either side. Rounded white lamps sat on each side table and a sofa rested against the end of the bed. A large, plush carpet laid across the floor, leading up to large floor-to-ceiling windows. They were clearly quite high up with a view of the entire city laid out before them.

“Alright Kid,” Ray clapped his hands together. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up and I’ll find some clothes for you to wear. Then we can talk some more. I’ll take you to see Ishaan tomorrow.”

Harry nodded and then escaped to the bathroom. It was just as big and modern as the bedroom. He took a deep breathe as a rush of emotions hit him, overwhelming in their capacity. He curled up on the floor in a tight ball and for the first time in a long, long time, he let himself cry.

Half an hour later, Harry emerged from the bathroom clean and all cried out.

Ray was sitting on the bed, waiting for him. He took in Harry’s red, puffy eyes, and grimaced. “You all right, kid?”

Harry swiped at his eyes again, trying to get rid of the last of the moisture left over from his tears. “I’m fine,” he snuffled. He shuffled over to the bed and took a tentative seat on the edge of it.

Ray ran a hand through his hair. “If you’re sure, kid. Now, how much do you know about naga?”

“Not much I guess,” Harry admitted. “Just what Namira’s told me. And she didn’t know much to begin with either. I know that naga have a special connection with snakes since we’re basically half-snake, half-human. And that we have three forms, a human form, a full snake form (that’s the one I haven’t managed to do yet) and a hybrid form which is thought to be our natural state.”

“Okay, that’s a start at least.” Ray sighed. “I’ll just give you the basics now before we meet Ishaan tomorrow. We can worry about filling you in on the rest later.

Now then, naga are a type of magical being classified as magical creatures by the wizarding world. Some countries, specifically some of the European ones, say that naga are Dark. That isn’t true. Naga are inherently neutral beings. Though they actually tend to lean slightly more towards the Light. In some places, Naga are actually considered to be divine beings, minor gods of sorts. That’s how they’re viewed here in India anyway, which is why one of the biggest Naga populations in the world is found here. Naga are obviously parselmouths and they have some other magicks and skills unique to them. Though don’t ask me what, naga are normally quite secretive about those kinds of things.

Though it is said, that they have a strong tie to the elements, water in particular, as well as a high affinity for healing magicks.

Naga are split into two different categories. Dominants and submissives. That doesn’t actually define a naga’s nature… much. All it really means is that a submissive can carry young whether they are male or female. Although, submissives do have a tendency to be more nurturing and they apparently have a higher affinity for healing magicks than their dominant counterparts. Dominants, on the other hand, can’t carry young and they tend to be slightly more aggressive. They are normally also…. Overprotective. Especially of their mates and family members. As a race, naga are quite secretive and especially protective of their children, as their are so few of them and naga children are quite vulnerable until  they come fully into their powers at 13. For children with at least one naga parent, they’re born with the ability to shift. But normal wizarding children with no naga parents but who do have naga ancestry, normally go through a creature inheritance when they’re 17, gaining their powers instantly. On very rare occasions, it can happen earlier, like with you, for one reason or another.

The man I’m taking you to see tomorrow, Ishaan, is a naga like you. He’s also the head of a very important family. One of the leaders of not just the naga community here but also the wizarding one as well. He’ll be able to tell you more. Okay?”

Harry nodded slowly, eyes wide at the sudden influx of information. He sat frozen as he tried to process it all. “What am I then? A dominant or a submissive?”

Ray blew out a breath. “Honestly Kid? I have no idea. It’s not something I really know how to tell the difference between. Not this young at least. Ishaan will know through. So, we can ask him tomorrow. Now I know it’s still quite early in the day. But honestly, kid you look exhausted and I know I’ve just dumped a load of new information on you, so why don’t you try and sleep. And don’t worry, I’ll keep watch. No one will hurt you whilst I’m here.”

Harry nodded and headed for the top of the bed. He had already changed into the clean clothes Ray had provided for him. He made no effort to say that even if no one else did, Ray was still a stranger. One who had been kind so far but could still easily hurt him. He did not voice his thoughts and instead settled under the warm duvet with Namira curling up next to him.

He would sleep for now. And he could worry about everything else and this new situation he’d found himself in tomorrow.

The next morning between when they woke up and when they left passed quickly. Harry woke early with the dawn as he always did and spent the time waiting for Ray to wake up, further exploring the room and reading a book he’d found forgotten behind the wardrobe. A rather raunchy romance novel that he was soon engrossed in.

Upon waking, Ray had hurried them through a room-service breakfast and into clean clothes. He had somehow managed to get Harry a pair of smart jeans and a blue button-up shirt that actually fit him.

With a quick warning to Harry, Ray pulled out his wand and apparated them out of the hotel room, landing before a pair of ornate, golden gates. Just as Ray had said, Harry felt nauseous and dizzy after apparating. He spent several minutes bent over on his knees as he dry heaved.

“You alright, kid?” Ray asked, concern lining his voice as his hand came to rest gently on Harry’s back. He rubbed it up and down his spine in reassuring circles.

Harry wiped at his mouth and stood back up straight. “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.” Ray didn’t look quite like he believed him.

They only had to wait a moment before the gilded gates swung open on their own (as if by magic). Ray placed a guiding hand on Harry’s back and steered him inside, passing through the gates and starting down a large paved path.

Harry shivered as he felt something brush across his skin when he passed through the boundaries laid out by the gates. “What was that?” He asked Ray curiously.

Ray chuckled, “That was the wards. They’re on most wizarding homes and buildings. They’re like barriers that prevent unwanted visitors and allow the owner to detect when someone has entered their property. They have other purposes besides that, but those are the main ones. I’m surprised you could feel them. Most can’t unless they’re magically sensitive. But then again, you are a naga.” He concluded with a considering look on his face.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Nagas are creatures of magic. They’re known to be very powerful with a strong connection to wild magics and the elements. Thus, whilst they can’t necessarily see magic like some other species, they do have a higher sensitivity to it. Which is why you felt the wards.” Ray explained patiently. “Any other questions?”

“Yes, actually,” Harry hesitated. He was unsure just how much Ray would allow him to ask before he got annoyed or angry. The Dursleys didn’t like it when he asked questions so he tried to mostly not too. Spending the last year living on his own with Namira, had mostly broken him of those habits, but being around a mostly unknown adult again, was causing a few of them to rise to the surface. He continued on at Ray’s questioning gaze. “Who exactly are we going to see?”

Ray grinned. “He’s an old friend of mine. Ishaan Navale. He’s a naga like you and head of one of the most powerful families in India. How much do you know about how India is divided up in the magical world?”

“Not much,” Harry reluctantly admitted. “Namira doesn’t know much about history or the wizarding world’s hierarchy. And she was my only source of information so…”

Ray just nodded and made to speak again. “India used to be a bunch of smaller kingdoms and principalities ruled over individually by a vast number of different royal families. Eventually, it was all united under one banner, at least in the muggle world. Magical India is a bit different.

It still has its royal families, who still retain the majority of the power in governance. Rather than multiple smaller kingdoms, Magical India is split into nine different regions, each ruled over by a different royal family. The Nine Maharajas.

Each region is split into smaller sections, with noble families ruling over them. But all of them answer to the Maharaja of their region. The Maharajas are all bound by ancient magic that enforces peace between them, and for the most part they are usually united. The laws in each region are similar, though a few differ.

Each Maharaja has a council who advises them. Think of them as akin to England’s parliament or the Prime Minister’s cabinet. The Grand Council or भव्यपरिषद (Bhavya parisada) is made up of a representative from each province within the region. Most from that province’s ruling family. As well as elected officials from the ministry that carries out the Grand Council’s wishes and other governmental duties. The Maharajas also all gather together, at least once a year, to meet and discuss any problems. Ishaan, the man we’re going to see is one of the Nine Maharajas. Specifically, he rules over the region we’re currently in, Maharashtra.”

Harry could only gape in response.

Ray laughed. “Better close your mouth. We’re almost there now.” He gestured to the front of them.

And true enough, as Harry turned to look, the palace sprawling out in front of them would have been evidence enough of the importance of the man they were about to meet.