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Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 4.
🕑 Added 2023-12-29 19:32:59 +0000 UTCCitadel of Night.
Without the sun present to announce the dawn of a new day, the Trix had no idea just when they woke up. Not that the three witches had anywhere to be. They could sleep in all they wanted.
It was Icy who was up first, intent to seize the day. She still admired all the little details around her. From the smooth walls to the exquisite materials the very citadel was made of and the simple yet elegant design it was held in. Just as the Witch of Ice finished her morning absolutions and put on her new outfit, Darcy and Stormy joined her in the hallway.
Together the trio set their sights on the kitchen, hoping breakfast was ready. One week living with Harry kinda accustomed them to the fact that he cooked quite good and was up way before them.
As if confirming their thoughts as soon as they came near the kitchen a delicious smell was emanating from the room.
Before they entered Darcy peeked out of one of the many windows and spotted the bridges and walkways in a new light, quite literally. Yesterday she hadn't really appreciated the beauty of this place, but now she could see that there was no brazier or other light-source outside. The luminescent gems embedded into it all gave off enough. It also gave the person walking on them the impressive impression to walk on stars.
'Definitely not living like a mole.' she thought happily and entered behind her sisters.
Harry was behind the stove, working away with an ease coming from practise. Wearing a simple black jeans with a green t-shirt. In contrast to yesterday the room was more furnished. The kitchen now had cupboards storing all kinds of kitchen utensils and there was a small kitchen island as a workstation. Pots and pans hanging above it on a pot rack. The living room had undergone the same treatment, now possessing a comfortable leather couch, wooden coffee table, chairs and a nice carpet.
The table was already set, a puffing kettle on it, prompting them to sit down. “Good morning, Harry.” the three greeted him as they did so.
A moment later Harry responded. “Good morning to you too, ladies.” a small closed-lipped smile on his face. “You slept good, I hope? No problem with the beds?” he inquired, turning off the stove and putting the food on the table, Eggs Benedict. “I didn't know what kind of mattress each of you prefers, so I took the liberty to chose one with a balanced firmness.”
“No problems whatsoever.” Darcy claimed with a smile, elbow on the table and head in her hands, her golden eyes taking him in.
Stormy in contrast complained a little. “My own was too hard.” being the Witch of Storms she fittingly disliked to lie on hard things and preferred fluffy ones.
“Aren't you a witch? You could just change it, you know.” Harry replied confused. One easy spell should've taken care of that problem.
Crossing her arms defensively, Stormy stayed silent.
Darcy answered for her, doing so casually. “We were expelled from Cloud Tower in our first year.” taking a cup of tea Harry had prepared, she continued. “Makes it a bit difficult to learn spells.” not to mention that they never really paid attention when low-level spells or the like were discussed in the curriculum.
Nodding in understanding Harry promised. “I'll fix it later then.” he then dug into the food. Yesterday's remodelling gave him an appetite.
Icy huffed at, what she perceived as, being forgotten. Her own was too soft, preferring a firmer mattress. Though, she asked her own question. “Why didn't you furnish the rest of the rooms?”
“I thought you'd like to do it yourself. After all, I don't know how you want them to look.” Harry replied honestly, taking a bite from his breakfast. How should he know they were incapable of such simple things?
Conceding the point Icy began eating as well.
During the meal, Darcy proposed. “We should go out to Magix City and get some stuff.” looking at Harry's long beard and hair, she added. “Also a haircut and shave for you.”
Before Harry could answer, Icy shot down Darcy's idea. “You do know everyone thinks we're imprisoned, right?” she asked rhetorically. The Witch of Ice doubted anyone in the city had forgotten the Army of Darkness or being petrified by them. There be a riot as soon as someone recognized them.
Darcy fired right back. “You do know I am proficient with illusions, right?” ignoring her sister, Darcy turned back to Harry, asking. “How about it? I know a good place we two could visit.”
Noticing Darcy's choice of words, Stormy intervened. “You want to leave without us?” scowling and glaring at her sister for wanting to leave them behind. Possibly to sink her claws into Harry. While Stormy could say she liked the man, the witch was unsure about pursuing him. Though, she very much liked his power, which was indeed a huge turn-on for her. That meant she wouldn't give him up without a fight.
Icy was of the same opinion, a frosty glare directed at Darcy. “All of us leave or nobody!” having come to the same conclusion as Stormy. Normally she would've threatened or forced Darcy into submission. With Harry here that was counterproductive to the goal of getting his help.
“I agree.” Harry spoke up, still eating and not bothered by the sibling rivalry. Though he had no problem with being in dark spaces, his childhood gave him a liking to that, ironically enough, he'd still rather explore Magix.
Darcy pouted as she ate a little more, pondering the problem. Well, the problem of going out without glamours. She was vain by nature and definitely disliked, if not outright hated, to conceal her beauty. “Does anyone have an idea how we can no longer be fugitives?”
Nobody answered her immediately, pondering the subject while they ate.
Stormy was the first to suggest something. “Well, how about making everyone forget our crimes?” she had no idea how they'd accomplish that. It was something from the top of her head.
“How would we do that?” Icy sneered. “Go up to the nearest person and whack them over the head?” the sarcasm was thick in her words.
Seeing another argument coming, Harry spoke up before it could happen. “I have three on the top of my head.” he claimed. Seeing he had their attention, Harry went on. “The first one is a variant from Stormy's idea.” he smiled slightly at the witch, causing her to puff up a little, grinning smugly at her sisters. “In essence it is to remove any memory of a crime from yourself. From what you told me the people responsible for your imprisonment won't punish someone that has no memory of the event.”
Darcy objected that immediately. “Except that they took us from Relix only to ship us to Omega immediately. No trial or anything.” she let it be unsaid that she hated to have illusions used on herself. What was taking a memory away other than twisting reality? No, the Witch of Darkness very much wanted to keep her wits about her at all times.
“No trial at all?” Harry asked, his emerald eyes flashing dangerously. It reminded him too much of Britain and Sirius in particular.
Icy shook her head and sneered. “No, the first time they stuffed us into that Monastery of Light and forced us into some kind of reformation program.” the memory still gave her shivers.
That sounded awfully like brainwashing to Harry. As well as letting him draw parallels to Umbridge and her practices of forcing people into line. Reformation had to be voluntarily, you couldn't achieve it with force. Dumbledore's flawed reformation of Death Eaters taught him that. Though, Dumbledore only forced his followers to give the guilty even more chances.
The real question for him was, did the Trix want redemption?
Filing that question away for later, Harry continued. “The second is to use a powerful spell, the Fidelius. It creates a secret and hides it inside a person's soul, the so called Secret Keeper.” he took a sip from his own tea. “The problem is that the caster needs to trust the Secret Keeper implicitly.” that was what the name Fidelius implied. It meant faithful or loyal. That was also one of the reasons Voldemort never used the charm to hide his Horcruxe. He hadn't trusted anyone in his life.
Harry looked each of them in the eyes and told them bluntly. “There are two problems with that. First, I don't know how to cast it and secondly, I don't trust you!” the mark he put on them and its effect said that quite clearly.
That took the wind out of all their sails. And the spell sounded so incredible, too.
Stormy smashed her hands on the table angrily, causing the tableware to rattle. “Why? We helped you get stronger and everything!” her shout carried more than just anger in it. Disappointment as well. Her arms wobbled a bit as the mark activated in warning, sapping her strength a little.
Unafraid of her outburst, Harry retorted. “Yes, but you did so for your own selfish reasons. I got the power because I apparently was the only one able to summon it.” his life and experiences made him intensely dislike to outright hate being used.
Icy was just as angry, sapphire eyes wanting to skewer him. She crossed her arms, a moment away from storming off. “Don't waste your breath, sisters! He is just like the rest, fawning over Fairies and leaving us Witches to rot!” in her anger she didn't even notice that she let more slip than intended.
That confused Harry, prompting him to say as much. “What?! I'll have you know my best friend is a witch.” Ron may be a good friend once he got his head out of his arse, but Hermione had never wavered in her loyalty and pulled his hide out of the fire multiple times and vice versa. For good measure he added. “Not to mention that every girl I ever loved was also a witch.” Ginny and Cho came to mind, as well as Hermione in a brotherly sense.
Equally confused by his reply, the Trix didn't know what to say. Frankly never having expected to hear someone admit to such a thing.
Finding her voice again, Darcy acted on a hunch, demanding. “Which planet are you from?!” just now remembering that they never asked where he hailed from. Always assuming somewhere from the Magical Galaxy, where every planet had a Fairy as queen. There wasn't a single one where a Witch was queen.
Not seeing any reason to lie or not answer, despite the weird change of topic, Harry replied. “Earth.”
That seemed to surprise Darcy greatly. Icy was still angry but calming down. Stormy in turn didn't believe him and accused. “Liar! Earth has no magical society.” they had been there once and nothing indicated a magical society.
“How would you know that?” Harry inquired, getting slowly annoyed at them. “I don't know how it is handled where you come from, but on Earth the magical society is hidden.”
That was completely new information for them. Everyone in the Magical Galaxy knew that Earth may be a part of them, but magic was long dead there. As were the fairies.
Unwilling to let the matter rest Harry pressed. “Now, what was that about Fairies and Witches?”
Already in a proper rage, Stormy shouted with a red face. “Forget it!” Clearly furious over this whole matter and unwilling to talk about it. Her chair made a screeching noise as she violently pushed it back and made to leave.
Icy did the same, leaving Darcy and Harry alone.
“Well, that could've gone better.” Harry sighed. He knew these two had tempers, especially Stormy, but he had hoped for a different outcome.
Darcy finished with her meal due to her appetite leaving her and more composed than her sisters, tried to make him feel better. “Don't worry about them. Just give them some time to cool down.”
Harry nodded and inquired once more. “Can you tell me what that was about?”
Unusually indecisive Darcy hesitated a little. Finally she asked in a small voice. “Do you really not trust us?”
“The mark on your stomach is evidence of that fact.” Harry confirmed, leaned back in his chair and went on.” You three gave me no reason to. Everything I did I could've done without you, apart from getting the Crystal of Power. Though that was more due to lacking knowledge than ability.” he looked into her golden eyes with his emerald ones. “Trust is a two way street. I saved you from freezing to death, helped you escape Omega, as well as evade the authorities. I think it's your turn to trust me.”
Darcy knew he was right. No matter how every fibre of her being screamed at her to not do this. He had helped them when didn't have to. Didn't leave them behind after obtaining ultimate power and even shared it with them. Without him they would be dead or imprisoned until they died. Despite all of that she would still lie to him, she was honest enough to herself to admit that. However, she wouldn't risk lying and be found out. Not knowing his full capabilities.
She stood up and walked to the couch, wanting more comfortable seating. Harry followed shortly after bewitching the plates and cutlery to wash itself.
Taking a deep breath Darcy began to ease herself into it. “First you have to know some history. The Ancestresses, also called the mothers of all Witches committed numerous acts of terror which didn't make them popular with others.” she nervously played with her long bangs as she spoke. “Eighteen years ago they attacked Domino, a prosperous planet everybody loved, apparently.” the hate in her sneer put Snape to shame any day of the week. “They were partly successful in what they wanted to achieve. It cost them their lives though.”
More than a little confused, Harry simply let her speak.
“People celebrated for days once news of their demise spread. Enter: Icy, Stormy and me.” It took a lot of Darcy's willpower to even approach the next topic. “Not even a day after their demise we were born in Magix City, on the same day to different parents.” their differing facial bone structures, eye colours and hair colours made it impossible for them to be triplets. “Not that we ever saw hide or hair from any of out parents. As far as Icy, Stormy and I remember we were always orphans.”
Harry knew that kind of pain, having grown up without parents as well. “Do you know why all of your parents left?”
Darcy chuckled humourlessly and nodded. “Sadly, I do have a solid theory.” her eyes sharpened to something dangerous as she stared right through him. “We were born Witches and as such we face quite a bit of prejudice and discrimination in the Magical Galaxy.” they were excluded from the Gift Exchange Ceremony for first year students. People told others to stay away from them. The constant looks of distrust didn't make it better. “It got worse for us three because we had the same names and powers as the Ancestresses.”
“And people thought you were destined to become the same as them.” Harry finished for her, pinching the bridge of his nose. Snape and Magical Britain as a whole came to mind quick enough. Both expected him to be something he was not and couldn't imagine him something other than what they proclaimed him to be “Essentially making it a self-fulfilling prophecy because you couldn't do right by them one way or another.”
“Yes.” the Witch of Darkness admitted quietly. Not knowing if she should be pleasantly surprised or cautious that he knew what she was talking about. It was left unsaid that they had trust issues outside of their own coven.
After digesting what she told him and looking into her face to check for any dishonesty, Harry asked. “So what are your real names? I doubt the Ancestresses were called Darcy, Stormy and Icy.” a small grin on his face.
Darcy blushed a little. “My own is Lysslis, Stormy's is Tharma and Icy's is Belladonna.” she chuckled at the memory. “We were kids and thought it was cool to have names according to our powers.” not to mention that their real names drew much attention. Until today these names were seen as cursed due to their previous bearers.
Harry chuckled with her, but noticing it to be more than that he changed the subject. “What about that bit with the Fairies?”
Already having revealed so much Darcy explained. “Well, Fairies have it easy in comparison to Witches.” her hands clenched on instinct. “They are seen as everything good with the world. Just because they draw their strength from positive emotions while we Witches do so from negative emotions.” it was maddening to look on as everything you wanted was handed to others. Heck, the Specialists of Red Fountain as a whole eschewed Witches in favour of Fairies.
“So, you are naturally more proficient at the Dark Arts?” Harry cocked his head to the side in puzzlement. “What's so bad about that?” even before being imprisoned on Omega he did practise the Dark Arts, Unforgivables included. “Should be pretty easy to fight with that, if you get stronger the angrier you get.” he mused absent-mindedly. To him they were basically like vampires or werewolves. More attuned to one side, but not necessary evil. It was also stupid to make people whose powers are based on negative emotions fell more of exactly what fuelled them.
Once again Harry surprised her by his easy acceptance of such things. 'Then again, he has stronger dark magic than I ever dreamed of.' she thought somewhat light-headed.
“All you need is a tighter control of your emotions.” Harry proclaimed, now feeling some kind of kinship with them. He too had been through the same things. The result was simply different. More in line with what became of Voldemort. “If you want I can help you with that.”
Smiling slightly, Darcy replied hesitantly. “I'd like that.” glad that he only seemed wary of them and not completely distrustful.
Now just remembering, Harry inquired. “Ah, I nearly forgot to ask about Wizards? Are there many?” the way she talked about these things it seemed like they Witches and Wizards were different things.
Blinking in surprise, Darcy answered without hesitation. “Well, Wizards are very rare in comparison to Fairies and Witches. The only two aside from you I know of are Saladin, the Headmaster of the Red Fountain, and Professor Bittersmoke, one of the teachers at Cloud Tower.” Palladium and Wizgiz weren't really Wizards, but more in line with magical creatures.
Darcy seemed to relax as she was talking about a subject that wasn't so personal. “Wizards also have an advantage over Fairies and Witches in the regard that they can draw from both negative and positive feelings to enhance their spells. Though, in turn they can't transform.”
Just when he thought it couldn't get weirder he encountered new stuff to prove him wrong. “Transform? You mean into an animal.” thinking she maybe meant the Animagus Transformation.
Witch of Darkness changed position to get more comfortable and looked intrigued at his input. “No, usually it's done before entering combat. Usually represented by a change in appearance.” a glint appeared in her eyes. “Do you wanna see?”
Harry shock his head. It was already weird that Witches and Wizards were different in some aspects, but that took the cake. “No, let's leave that for another time.” he stood up, offering her his hand. “Instead we should go look for your sisters and ask if they want to go to... Magix City, was it?”
“Yes.” Darcy confirmed enthusiastically, glad to have made up with him. Every time she thought she had him pegged he did something to surprise her.
Together they searched for Stormy and Icy, finding them quick enough by sensing for their magic and going to their rooms.
Knocking on the door of Stormy's and Icy's rooms, Harry called out. “Icy, Stormy, can I come in?”
“NO!” came out of both simultaneously.
“OK, I just want to say that I could've chosen my words more carefully.” he wouldn't apologize for the truth. No answer came even though Harry knew they were in there. “If you are interested and want to come with me I plan to go to Magix City in a little bit.”
Still nothing.
Harry smirked already having a good idea to get them moving. Saying to Darcy. “Seems like they don't want to.” He sighed as if disappointed. “Oh, well. Let's go Darcy!” his voice now much more friendly, easily able to be heard through a door.
A moment later both doors banged open, releasing two furious witches glaring at Darcy. Seeing the smug smiles and knowing they had been played Icy tried to play it cool, emphasis on try. “Don't you dare leave without us!” she practically snarled at the amused faces of Darcy and Harry.
Stormy wasn't much different, though she was simply glowering.
“So glad you join us, sisters.” Darcy proclaimed sarcastically. “I'll get us disguised and then we can go.”
A moment later the Witch of Darkness cast her glamour over herself and her sisters.
Darcy's disguise consisted of a purple long-sleeved blazer with high shoulders that exposed her midriff, a matching purple miniskirt, and greyish-blue leather boots. Silky fingerless gloves that were lavender in colour were worn over her hands as she carried a greyish-blue clutch purse. Her hair has also been changed from its usual green-tinted brown to teal and was held up in an up-do by a big silver pin with a purple diamond at the front. She also wore glasses with gold lenses and purple frame.
Stormy in turn wore a white sailor uniform with black and green accents that bared her midriff, light green ankle-high socks with a single black stripe running just above her ankles and black shoes. Her hair was changed from dark purple and pale blue to orange and yellow, and was done up in two puffs that resemble a poodle's ears. One large portion of hair was also kept to the right side of her face, where it flowed down to and rests on her right shoulder.
Last came Icy. Her disguise consisted of a silver winter jacket with a dark blue bottom hem that stopped just short of her belly button, blue jeans with silver-lined pockets and grey high-tops. Her hair had been changed from its usual silvery-blue to pale blonde, and it flowed all the way down to the backs of her knees with a few strands that ran over her face.
“There, ready.” Next Darcy took Harry's arm and proclaimed. “Now let's get you a haircut, shave and some new clothes.”
“Don't you need different names as well?” Harry threw in.
Frowning Darcy nodded reluctantly and replied. “You're right. I'll be Lysslis.”
Icy and Stormy stared at their sister in shock. That soon transformed into glares of hatred, knowing she talked about their past with Harry.
Grinding out between gritted teeth Stormy growled. “Tharma.”
“Belladonna.” Icy said curtly and left it at that.
Magix City.
The capital of the Magical Galaxy was about as large as London. It was a modern city where magic and technology were combined and worked together to make the city function. Students from all three schools around Lake Roccaluce spent most of their free time here, exploring, having fun and visiting the many establishments offered to them.
Harry and the disguised Trix arrived by flying there, landing at a nearby bus stop.
A look around showed a multitude of people walking about among the masses. There were all kinds of hair colours, including magenta of all things. The clothing wasn't much better to Harry. Whereas Icy, Stormy and Darcy had worn relatively normal clothing the first time he met them, everyone else seemed to wear colourful abominations. Harry could kinda understand women wearing such stuff, to an extent. However, the clothes for men looked ridiculous. Then again most men seemed to also possess long hair and seemed more effeminate than back on Earth.
It wasn't long until the group found a barber to take care of Harry's hair.
Of course the Trix didn't know any barber shops for males only, so they took him to the one they had frequented in the past.
The woman behind the counter gasped as Harry entered. His long hair went to his arse and somehow managed to still be messy. His beard hanging down to his chest wasn't much better. That all was trumped by his attire, which was his used and dented armour. While he could've worn something else his armour made him feel safe, having protected him from all manner of attacks.
“Oh my!” she exclaimed and immediately marched up to him. “What can I do for you, sir?” he didn't seem like a vagrant, his stance and posture were completely wrong for that to be true. His company also indicated otherwise. At least the girls looked acceptable.
Harry looked around the colourful hairdresser's shop, noting that it had gone silent as he entered. Harry was about to respond, but was beaten to it by Darcy. “He obviously needs a trimming.” her tone haughty and condescending, nose turned up. Clearly indicating she thought the woman an idiot for even asking such a question.
Under the Darcy's instructions the barber gave Harry his new haircut. Though, no matter what the woman tried his hair refused to bend to her will, staying dishevelled all the way. The end result was a messy hairstyle with a low fade to the sides and back with medium length hair on top, left to flow however it liked.
Seeing the woman about to cut off the rest his beard, Harry intercepted her hand out of reflex, catching her wrist in an iron grip. “Leave it as it is!” his emerald eyes bored into her through the mirror. Unknowingly using a tone of command in his voice.
Shakily nodding her head she removed the razor, having just cut the length down but still leaving it a full beard. The refusal dying on her lips as his deep voice washed over her together with his intense glowing eyes that seemed to stare into her very soul, making her feel small and insignificant. A mouse in front of a dragon.
Finished with that Harry selected some products to take care of his beard and paid the woman with the last of his money he still had on him. Some galleons, a few sickles and many knuts.
“Uh, sir?” the hairdresser spoke up, holding up the gold coin in her hand. “This is too much.”
“Oh?” rummaging through his pockets he put a few sickles on the table and took back the galleon. “Is that better?”
Just wanting this strange man to leave her shop she nodded and took the money. Who in the Great Dragon's name paid with gold and silver?
Satisfied with the result Harry further explored Magix City, taking in the futuristic cars and buildings.
A growl coming from Stormy saw the Witch of Storms complain. “I'm hungry.”
“Then you should've eaten breakfast.” Icy shot back. Her stomach did the same as her sister's, causing her to glare at nothing in particular.
Darcy smirked at that and suggested, looking up at Harry. “How about pizza?”
The wizard looked excited, a genuine smile appearing on his face. “Sure. I never had one.” the Wizarding World didn't have the dish and to get that at the Dursleys was impossible for him.
Still not used to the surprises Harry kept throwing at them the Trix looked at each other, baffled how someone could never have eaten pizza.
Luckily, A pizzeria was found quick enough.
Bloom looked on in embarrassment as Stella fought with the blue-haired girl over their pizza. She wouldn't have minded to wait for another, but once Stella got going there was no stopping the Solarian princess. The resulting mess only escalated as the admittedly bratty girl refused to back down.
“Let's try to get along.” the redhead interfered, going between Stella and the girls from Beta. Wherever that was. A smile directed at the strangers meant to be disarming. It was a grimace of a smile, a false smile, like all of hers lately. Ever since the incident in Relix and being controlled by Darkar as Dark Bloom she had problems not restricted to nightmares.
It was like a constant pounding behind her eyes, as if something was threatening to erupt straight out of her skull. A volcano of hate and malice just waiting to unleash hell onto everyone in her vicinity, growing stronger the angrier she got. Bloom knew in the back of her mind that it was only logical that such an event would leave scars upon her psyche, but the princess of Domino didn't know how to handle that. Going so far as to not having told anyone of the Winx Club or Faragonda about her newest issue.
Bloom didn't even hear the girl insult Flora, much too busy not trying to lose control and tear her to shreds like an angry dragon.
A loosing battle.
Her cyan eyes were focussed on the enemy, trying to kill with their glare alone. Her breathing grew harder, flames threatened to erupt out of her hands as sparks flickered in her palms. Red crept into her vision as the pounding grew stronger and more ferocious.
Her efforts to stay calm were interrupted by the doorbell ringing, signalling more customers coming. Though, that wasn't what stopped her from exploding. Instead, she felt an Aura that was familiar, but not. Instantly the red bled out of her vision and her breathing returned to normal. Blinking a few times Bloom saw a man in armour, causing her to take a few steps back, gasping. A picture of Darkar overlapped with the man before her. Emerald met Cyan as her world came to a full stop.
“Bloom? What's wrong?” Flora asked, concern clear to her voice. Always the gentle soul.
Still, Bloom's eyes never wavered from staring at the stranger's striking emerald eyes. Absent-mindedly noting that he had a full beard and black messy hair. A peculiar scar shaped like lightning rested atop the right side of his head. Though there was also one going straight down beneath his right eye to the corner of his mouth, looking like a continuation from the lightning-bolt.
Noticing the distraction the blue-haired girl and her two minions took the chance and left. No longer the centre of attention. Though, the leader of the posse shot the man a intriuged look.
The Winx as a whole turned to where Bloom was staring dumbstruck, seeing the man and three young women they didn't know. Alternating between looking at the newcomers and Bloom in puzzlement.
“Magix to Bloom!” Musa waved her hand in front of the redhead's face, followed by snapped her finger. No reaction.
Only once the foreigner approached them did she seem to snap out of it.
“Do I know you?” Harry inquired, having the strange feeling of being familiar with the girl. First he mistook her for Ginny, but snapped out of it fast enough. 'Ginny has to be older than that now.' the last Potter thought a little melancholic. He was no longer in love with Ginny, if he ever was. Neither did they get back together properly. But he missed all his friends all the same. After a more thorough look she didn't show all that much resemblance to Ginny, lacking freckles and the face was all wrong too.
Bloom answered a little confused, saying softly, walking up to him. Not noticing that she invaded his personal space “I think like I should know you?” more question than answer.
“Back off!” the blonde girl behind Harry snarled. The one with platinum blond hair was trying to kill them with her glare alone, while the one with black hair seemed to plot their demise.
Just then noticing the distance between them Bloom jumped away as if burned. “Sorry.” she squeaked out, blushing in embarrassment.
Without introducing herself or her group, Bloom dashed out, dragging Stella behind. Closely followed by the rest.
Harry ordered a pizza and joined his three companions in a booth. “I take it you know those girls?”
“The Winx Club!” Stormy snarled out, a hateful sneer plastered on her face. Soon directed at him. “What was that back there?!” she demanded, illusionary blue eyes never wavering.
Raising an eyebrow, Harry responded drily and cheekily. “Do you take everything personally?”
Without thinking Darcy blurted out. “Yes.” earning herself a slap on the back of the head from Icy. “Hey!”
“I didn't even know who they were before now. I just was reminded of some friend of mine by that redhead.” Harry claimed, unwilling to explain just what he felt. Not even knowing what it was exactly. “So, if someone could elaborate I'd be grateful.”
Surprisingly it was Icy that explained and not Darcy. It boiled down to “They're the ones who defeated us when we were just about to win.”
“So you want revenge?” Harry mused aloud, leaning back into the seat.
“Yes!” Stormy hissed and declared. “You can help us defeat them and we help you get revenge on the people who've wronged you!” remembering that he told them his motive a while back.
Harry was about to repeat that revenge wasn't what he was after, but justice. Though, considering the deeply corrupt justice system in Magical Britain, he was after revenge, in a sense. Mostly because he had no other option once he was back. Harry had exhausted all other alternatives before thinking about revenge, only intent on using it once it was his only means of self-defence against injustices done to him.
In contrast, the Trix wanted revenge in a misguided attempt to transform shame, anger and humiliation into pride. However that was a doomed from the start, because it wanted to increase status and eliminate shame by asserting dominance. Voldemort taught him much by being just what Harry didn't want to be. Under it that dominance didn't increase status, instead it usually increases violence.
Not that he would tell them that. Harry knew his words would fall on deaf ears. 'I could try and steer them away from that a little.' it wasn't as if staying here a little longer would actually hurt him in any way. “Tell you what, I train you a little and you do with that training as you wish.” Obviously he wouldn't teach them the Unforgivables or other strong Dark Magic.
“Deal!” Icy, Stormy and Darcy exclaimed quickly and simultaneously.
Just then their pizza arrived and Harry found out that it was just as delicious as everyone in Gryffindor tower always claimed.
“You still need new clothes.” Darcy proclaimed and dragged him away after linking their arms. A glint appearing in her eyes that every normal man would recognize as the start of torture. The Witch of Darkness exclaimed enthusiastically. “Time for some shopping.”
At least it seemed Icy and Stormy were still girls enough to not say no to such a thing.
It took more than two dozen stores for Harry to lose it. “Is there anything that doesn't make me look like some poofter?” was it so hard to find some good clothes in black that wasn't something a goth would wear?
Not knowing the meaning of the word the Trix could only shrug.
Sighing, Harry simply bought the cheapest stuff and transfigured it into appropriate clothes. They consisted of black boots and pants, a white shirt over which came a black waistcoat with white lapels and lastly a black coat with a white inner layer. “There, much better.”
“Why didn't you do that from the beginning?” Icy questioned, putting her shrunken bags full of clothes in her pockets.
“It's considered rude to do so where I'm from.” he explained, not appearing apologetic in the least. Money was no problem for him, he could always duplicate or conjure more stuff from other things, after all. So it wasn't as if he needed any kind of currency.
While the Trix looked for more clothes Harry sat down on a nearby chair and waited.
After a few minutes the blue-haired girl he met before came in again, buying a red gown that was about knee-length, with a long ruffle on the end. It also had a pink veil in the back and three gems in the middle going up and down. She blew him a kiss and a wink as she sauntered out of the shop.
Shortly after the blonde and redhead from the pizzeria came in too, panting for breath and asking for the dress that was already purchased. 'So she is a princess.' Harry mused, surprised that she didn't seem more regal or haughty.
“Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear your wardrobe problem.” he said as he approached. Interested in the fact that he could still feel the redhead. Or something about her, at least.
The blonde and redhead turned around and appeared astonished to see him again. “Oh, it's you.” the blonde said, inspecting his new appearance. “It's simply dreadful isn't it?” the apparent princess complained loudly, whining really.
“Indeed, maybe I can be of help? But first let me introduce myself. Harry Potter, at your service.” Harry bowed a little towards the two. “With whom do I have the pleasure of talking to?”
“Princess Stella of Solaria.” Stella replied still sad over having lost her dress and motioned towards her friend with a wave of her hand. “And this is my good friend Princess Bloom of Domino.” looking much more interested as she breached the next topic, Stella inquired by invading his personal space. “Now, how can you help me?” she doubted he was some kind of designer or something. His clothes made that much obvious. 'Armour, really?'
Giving her a smile Harry let his actions talk. A simple transfiguration later Stella was clothed in the dress she wanted to buy before. “Like that.”
Looking down at herself Stella blinked and squealed so loud Harry's eardrums nearly burst. “How wonderful!” she screamed and twirled around to find a mirror to admire herself in. After a few seconds of that her shoulders slumped. “But I can't wear the same dress as that other tramp.” her voice between a growl and whine of disappointment.
“If I may try something else?” upon Stella's nod he transfigured her dress once more. This time the dress was a simple white dress the fabric of which shimmered with colours like oil on water whenever she moved. “I hope that is satisfactory.” having also enchanted the dress with a simple spell that reflected light in certain patterns.
Enthralled by the dress' beauty the girl could only nod giddily. “It is much more than that.” getting a scheming glint in her gold-brown eyes Stella asked. “Do you have anything planned in a months time?”
Harry shook his head. “No.” wondering what the young woman had planned.
“Then as thanks for helping me I hereby invite you to my Princess Ball!” Stella proclaimed loudly and proudly.
Bloom spoke up after looking nervously at Harry, not knowing how to feel about him. “Are you sure Stella. It's just a dress.” she did find him handsome, with his raven black feathery hair tousled in a fashionable 'I-just-got-out-of-bed-and-I-look-this-good' sort of way. Not to mention his gorgeous and intense emerald eyes that flitted restlessly over them. However, his scars and beard somewhat ruined his appearance to her.
“Just a dress?!” the blonde princess shouted incredulously, waving her arms around to emphasize the point. “This is a work of art!” her behaviour showing that she valued clothes very much, maybe even to the point of excess. Turning back to Harry she smiled. “Just be in Alfea in a months time and transport is guaranteed.”
Kind of giddy to visit another planet Harry agreed and left them alone after that. Soon rejoining the Trix.
