The King and His Hero

IV: A Chat with Aslan

"And that's all I know," Peter finished, stifling a yawn.

Harry sighed. "So, basically, the only one that can truly help me find my way home is Aslan."

Peter offered the Gryffindor an apologetic look. "I'm afraid so."

Harry couldn't help looking dejected. "And there's no way to contact Aslan and ask for help?"

"Aslan comes on his own time and he only appears when there's a true need for him."

"I have a true need for him!" Harry cried, feeling somewhat offended. "It's not like I want to go home for the hell of it or don't want to help!"

"Relax," Peter said, putting his hands up in surrender. "I never said you were like that."

Harry ran his hands through his hair and rubbed his temples, hoping to will away the horrible headache that seized him. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just…I need to go home. I can't let someone else die because I wasn't there to save them…"

Curiosity overcame Peter for a moment and before he knew it, the words came tumbling out of his mouth. "What do you mean? Who died?"

Harry flinched slightly and swallowed thickly. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Of course," Peter said quickly. "I understand. I didn't mean to… It wasn't my business to pry; I'm sorry."

Harry licked his lips. "It's okay. I just…I'm tired."

"I'll show you where you'll sleep, then," Peter replied. "I'm not sure what you're used to, but I think you can fix it to your liking. It's not much since we have so many people."

"I'm used to being cramped in tiny spaces; I'm sure whatever you provide will be just fine."

Peter raised an eyebrow, but held his tongue this time. "It's all we could come up with last minute."

Harry allowed a small grin to slip onto his face. "You didn't think to set something up before you summon someone?"

Peter blushed slightly. "Well, normally it takes longer for the summoned person to reach us."

Harry tilted his head. "Oh? That could be because my world is magical as is this one. They must be closer than your world and here."

The rest of the short journey was silent. Harry smiled his thanks at Peter, though it was small, and accepted the clothes given to him. "These should be close to your size," the King said softly. "Good night. I'll wake you for breakfast."

Harry nodded his head and glanced around his dwelling. It wasn't too bad; the cupboard under the stairs had been a lot worse. At least there was room for him to sleep and move around comfortably. With a somewhat heavy heart, Harry changed into the clothes Peter had given him. They were a little baggy on him, but otherwise felt fine. Harry laid on the bed made of furs and closed his eyes.

He was incredibly torn up over being stuck in Narnia. Merlin knew he loved to help people, with his hero complex and everything, but what about the Wizarding World? What if Voldemort was taking over Hogwarts right this instant while he was lying down in a different world? What if members of his surrogate family or his friends got hurt? His solemn promise echoed in his head, taunting him.

"I will defeat him, Ron. I will make sure that he doesn't take another one of your family members again."

How could he protect those he held dear when he was in Narnia?

Fighting the angry tears that threatened to surface, Harry closed his eyes and took deep breaths. He had to find a way to get back to his world. There just wasn't any way he could wait for Aslan to show up—if the lion even would. Though he wanted to help the Narnians get their freedom, going home was still a priority. If only there was a way to travel back and forth between the worlds instantaneously, kind of like App—

Harry sat up straight, his eyes wide. Why hadn't he thought of it before? He could Apparate back to Hogwarts! Licking his lips and trying to squash the butterflies in his stomach, Harry stood up and fingered his wand. He remembered his first Apparating class last year at Hogwarts and could still hear Ludo Bagman directing the sixth years, "There are three important things to remember when Apparating, called the 3 Ds; which stand for destination, determination and deliberation."

Harry smoothed his shirt nervously before closing his eyes and concentration.

Destination. Hogwarts…my true home…the place where I belong.

Determination. I need to go back to Hogwarts. I won't let someone else's blood be spilled!

Deliberation. Take me home!

Strangely enough, it didn't feel like being forced through a very tight rubber tube like it normally did. Harry should've realized then that something was wrong. Instead of the unpleasant feeling that accompanied Apparating, it felt more like flying. His stomach tossed and flipped, tickling him and making him feel as if he were incredibly high. And then, suddenly, he was falling though not nearly as fast as when he originally fell into the sink. He was like Alice, slowly tumbling down the rabbit hole.

Down…

Down…

Down…

Down…

It seemed like a column of light surrounded the Wizard and he was awed at the colors. Green, silver, red, gold, brown, and the prettiest shade of aqua blue swirled around Harry. He watched as orange lights swirled in front of him before taking the shape of a lion. He looked into its eyes and suddenly he wasn't falling anymore, but on a white, fluffy cloud.

"I understand your predicament, young Lion, but your place for now is here," the Lion rumbled, his deep voice wise and sagely as he sat in front of Harry.

"Are you Aslan?" Harry breathed, forgetting his embarrassment momentarily.

"I am," the Lion replied. "Rest assured, your world is safe for the time being."

"What does that mean?" Harry cried. "For the time being? Please, I have to go back. It's my duty!"

"You would leave these people when they need your help?" Aslan inquired.

Harry remained silent for a few moments. "I want to help the Narnians," he said softly, "but I can't help someone else at the expense of my own people. I was meant to be their savior first."

To his surprise, Aslan laughed. It wasn't a malicious or condescending laugh, but it still offended the Gryffindor. "You are admirable, young Lion, however mistaken you may be."

Harry tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"It is a curious thing, destiny," Aslan said, not answering Harry. "Most designs for it are created centuries before they are to come into play. You are no exception."

Harry swallowed slightly. "My destiny is to defeat Voldemort. That's why I survived the Killing Curse."

"It is your destiny to defeat that man in your world, yes, but there is another part of that prophecy that the people in your world are ignorant of."

"Another part of the prophecy? How can there be another part of the prophecy that nobody in my world is aware of?" Harry asked, internally groaning at the unfairness of the universe.

Aslan laughed again. "It doesn't happen often, but it does happen," Aslan said kindly. "Your world is ignorant to this part of the prophecy because it doesn't concern them. Destiny has its own way of completing its plans; this would be one of those ways."

Harry sighed. "Do I get to hear the other part of the prophecy?"

"All in good time, young Lion," Aslan said lightly. "All in good time."

"You sound like my Headmaster," Harry grumbled. He bit his lip and asked, "May I ask a question?"

"I believe you just did, but if you feel the need to ask another, you may do so."

"Why didn't you help them?" Harry asked softly. "The Narnians needed you and you weren't there for them. How could you just turn a cold shoulder?"

Aslan sighed slightly. "It is not my place to step into Narnia's affairs on a whim. Things happen for a reason and though it aches terribly with the realization that good and honest Narnians were cruelly and unfairly persecuted, it was not within my power to stop it."

"But," Harry protested, "I saw you take down the White Witch. I saw you help Peter and the others. If you could help take back Narnia then, why couldn't you help the Narnians when the Telmarines started taking over?"

Aslan was silent for a few moments. "Those are very valid questions, young Lion, and you were wise to ask them. However, in order to fully understand the answers to your questions, you must first know the abilities and limits of us beings that came to be before the Dawn of Time."

Harry frowned slightly. "How old are you?"

Aslan let out a hearty chuckle that sounded more like a cross between a roar and a growl. "Not as old as the Deep Magic that is the foundation of all universes, but close enough I suppose."

"I thought Professor Dumbledore was old, but you're ancient," Harry said in awe. He blushed when he realized how rude it sounded, but Aslan let his apologetic look roll off of him as quickly as he allowed the comment to.

"It is time for you to return," Aslan said softly. "But before you leave, there are things you should be privy to. The skills you acquire during your stay in Narnia will go with you when you return to your world. Keep an eye on the Black Dwarfs, but do not judge and take no permanent action against them unless necessary. Ever since the defeat of the White Witch, the treatment of their race has severely declined and they are merely a lost people with no direction to the right path."

Harry nodded his head. "How will I return?" he asked, looking at the white fluff surrounding them.

Aslan didn't move to reply and instead blew at Harry, his warm breath surrounding the Wizard. Harry was startled for a brief moment and watched as the cloud disappeared and the lights returned, swirling around him as he fell. The lights softly caressed his skin, eliciting breathy gasps and toe-curling shudders down his back. He flushed deeply, though nobody could see him, as his body, specifically the lower half, reacted to the feather-like brushes against his skin.

And then the falling stopped. Harry landed on top of something with a grunt, successfully having the wind knocked out of him. He took a moment to catch his breath and then realized whatever he had landed on top of had also grunted, though it was in pain. Harry swallowed thickly and looked at what he fell on and his eyes widened in horror.

Peter stared back at him, his eyes also wide. For a moment, neither boy moved and instead stared at each other, frozen. Then Harry sat up quickly, mouth opening to utter an apology only to let out a strangled moan. In his haste to scramble off of Peter, he didn't realize that by sitting up, he would be straddling the other boy's hips, causing their precious anatomy to brush teasingly. Slapping his hand over his mouth, Harry stood up and stumbled away.

"Sorry," he squeaked, cheeks aflame as he tugged his shirt down uselessly to try to cover his reaction. "I didn't…I tried to…Aslan…bye!"

Harry ran all the way back to his sleeping quarters, trying desperately to find it while covering his lower half and succeeding in taking three wrong turns, toppling over two dwarves, almost stepping on a mouse, and tripping six times.