Middle Earth gains some visitors
Harry was tired, he hadn’t been sleeping much because every time he closed his eyes he saw Dumbledores twinkly eyes as he spoke of his greater good crap. Going to that world and seeing the way Alina was adrift had reminded him so strongly of himself that he almost wanted to smuggle the poor girl to their own world. But he didn’t think that would be a good idea. Ever world must have balance, so removing her might just cause another sun summoner to be born and the cycle would just start again.
He hoped. He truly hoped that the next world they go to is relaxing and might bring him some peace.
The next morning, they stepped through the door marked Rivendell. Hermione was hopeful that it was the Rivendell she wanted as she was getting very worried about Harry. He wasn’t eating, hadn’t slept, or when he had would wake screaming or crying. She was desperate for a healer that might be able to help.
When they stepped through the door they found themselves standing in a woodsy office, looking at a gentleman with pointed ears, dark hair, and a gentle smile.
“You are late, I was expecting you three days ago.” Both Harry and Hermione had read the lord of the ring books and seen the movie when it came out (a month before they visited Kings Landing) and though they had suspicions of who he was, for politeness’s sake Harry said.
“A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to” Hermione groaned at how cheeky Harry was being, while the gentleman just smiled and said “Ah, of couse, Harry and Hermione I presume? I am Lord Elrond, welcome to Rivendell” Harry and Hermione smile it was good to be on recognisable footing. So, may I know what year we are in? Just so we know what events might be coming soon?” Elrond continues to smile as he states “I knew you would know of our world and what was to occur, but I must warn you that I do not wish to know what is coming beyond what my foresight shows me. Sometimes it is better to be unknowing. But for your knowledge it is the year is 2930. Hermione breaths out with a relieved look on her face. So, you are in a time of peace. I am glad.” Elrond nodded “Now if you join me, we will travel to the healing wing, so we may begin the healing process.” Although Harry was hesitant, he knew that Elrond could be trusted and he would really like to be able to sleep without being woken by memories of the war.
Unlike with the other worlds, they had visited Harry felt no urgency to leave, it was peaceful. Every day Harry would spend hours talking with Elrond, his voice and manner were calming. He could feel the stress dissipating. Days in the sun walking in the extensive gardens, listening to birds sing in the trees, the chatter of musical voices a low hum. And at night, listening to the stories and music in the hall of fires. After the war he had found himself not wanting to eat much meat, as the smell would remind him of the room of requirements. This vegetarian diet suited his stay in Rivendell who’s populous preferred the same.
Hermione meanwhile would spend hours at a time glorying at the Rivendell libraries, thousands of years of knowledge, firsthand accounts. She was in heaven. She also enjoyed the peace of Rivendell where any disagreements were handled in the training yards. Something she enjoyed watching from time to time. The elegance, speed and accuracy was like poetry in motion.
Months past, Harry was content, Hermione on the other hand wanted to travel to other parts of this world they found themselves in. Meet Galadriel, the lady of the forest, see the white city of Gondor, Visit the Woodland Realm in Mirkwood, the real Hobbiton and the Shire. When she voiced this to Harry, he was hesitant, he had found peace, but he didn’t know if he’d fall back into the same old patterns when confronted with dangerous situations. So Hermione offered a compromise, we travel by his animagus form which they charm invisible to prevent being seen and to avoid any dangers on the road and they go to places that will be just as peaceful (Shire, Woodland Realm and Lothlorien) and they visit the other locations later. Harry took some time thinking, sitting out in his favourite part of the gardens and then went to go and talk to Elrond. Elrond thought it would be a good idea because although he had found peace, it would be a good idea to see if he could maintain that peace when not in a peaceful environment and building up from not very stressful to more stressful might build a tolerance. Harry finally agreed that could go travelling around middle earth and would leave at sunset as he didn’t want to frighten anyone with his animagus form. Elrond, who had been there for the conversation said that he had spread his animal form around with a description as he didn’t want him having to deal with people being afraid of him. Harry would be forever grateful for this extraordinarily caring elf.
That night as the sunset, Harry and Hermione left Rivendell. When in an area with a big enough open space Harry settled himself, readying himself for the change to his animagus form. While in your animagus form you have the instincts of the animal you were at the time. Harry didn’t want to lose control.
Hermione stood back, patiently waiting. As she watched, she saw Harry take two large breaths, on the release of the second breath, he started to expand, he dropped to all fours as a tail grew from the base of his spine, while wings burst out of his back and his neck extended. His eyes moved to the sides of his head as his teeth lengthened, thickened, and sharpened. When the transformation finished Hermione found herself looking up at an onyx dragon more than 150 meters long with a wing span of close to 135 meters. Harry’s animagus form was leagues larger than the dragons of their old world, being closer in size to Smaug here in Middle Earth. Hermione and Harry had never known why, but Harry had never wanted or craved gold, in fact his only hoarding instinct seemed to only be for Hermione herself (which Hermione found flattering if she was honest).
Hermione clambered up Harry’s side, avoiding the delicate membranes that made up some of the areas in his wings. She had flown on Harry before, while in their Hobbiton, but he had never felt safe enough to do it in their old world. Too many muggle recording and detection devices, so this would be a new experience for them both. Wide open skies, beautiful landscapes, and no limits.
Harry took to the sky in a leap and as they soared into the air Hermione was so thankful for her friendship and love she had found with Harry; she had truly found her perfect match. Their first destination was the shire, where they intended to meet the famous Bilbo Baggins of Bag End. They spent a wonderful day where they met some truly lovely chatty people and Harry was ever so thankful that their own Bag End was sized up for them as although it was cute in the original size, it wasn’t very useful to big people like themselves.
Next they flew to Lothlorien where they were met almost as soon as they stepped inside, obviously Lady Galadriel’s gifts were as impressive as she was made out to be. Days were spent exploring the huge woods, dining with the elves, listening and even participating in singing in the Lothlorien version of the hall of fires. Another restful place that Harry could have happily spent months at. They almost did, as Hermione had found the library full of even more first-hand accounts of history. She could have squealed at the knowledge that was kept here. But eventually Hermione wished to move on and off they flew to their next destination, The Mirkwood forest.
As they travelled through the outer edge of the Mirkwood forest they noticed the decay, the dark magic and the webs. Spiders, big ones considering the size of the webs. Hermione didn’t want to leave the forest in that state so she started carving wide area affecting purifying runes as they walked along the path. The rune worked by literally burning away the dark magic, spreading almost contagiously. If the runes were not worn away (which they wouldn’t what with the preservation spells Hermione had contained them in) they would last forever. When ever they came across webs they would use a low-level fire spell that would burn the webs but were not powerful enough to burn anything around it, not even leaves. Spiders got the same treatment, set alight or stabbed. Harry had a wonderful time using the sword of Gryffindor to poison a nest of spiders, he found it almost chaotic, poetic justice.
As they went along, purifying, burning or stabbing Harry had noticed early on that they had a watcher, following them through the trees, when he sent out a low-level revealing spell it came back with elves as the result. Harry and Hermione continued their way until they came to a clearing where a group of elves waited for them. The elves explained that although they were trespassing, they weren’t in trouble as they had rid them of the main nest of spiders and the rune they had used had helped the forest. They were bid welcome and invited into the woodland Realm under King Thranduil.
King Thranduil who mostly spent his time observing his city from his throne had sensed the approach of two strangers entering his domain. He had cast his senses out, seeing their intentions and the gift they gave him by removing the blight within his woods. Maybe within a few months the name Mirkwood would no longer be accurate when describing his kingdom. When they entered the city proper he saw the damaged souls, the healing they were doing, the healing they were capable of and hoped.
Harry and Hermione walked into a hall where upon a beautiful natural throne sat an ethereal elf, King Thranduil himself. He was stunning, but Hermione sensed the damage that had been done to him by dragon fire. She would not offer now, but later she may offer the same treatment they had used to remove their own scars.
Months were spent, treatment was offered and accepted. The treatment was taught to the healers so that it could be given to more elves who were suffering. Another peaceful and successful venture.
When they were getting ready to leave Hermione had mentioned the other cities to visit, but this time Harry wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted to go home. It had been about a year since they had seen their friends back in their original world and Harry wanted to check on them. After some long and loud arguments Hermione finally agreed.
Harry and Hermione were going home for a visit.