Paperpuscher 101

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 11

Planet Magix, Alfea.

As usual a sunny and cheerful day awaited Alfea and it's occupants, as few as those inside were at the moment. The warm and gentle rays of the sun entered through the window, slowly trickling through.

Bloom stirred awake slowly, always the one that slept the longest out of all the Winx. Something she by now attributed to possessing the Dragon's Flame and dragons being known for sleeping long periods of time. Though, today she did not try to futilely hide from the sun under her blankets. Rather, she stretched a little and swiftly jumped out of bed, ignoring the clutter surrounding it while humming a happy tune with a big smile on her face. All the while noticing that Flora was already gone from her bed. The magical plants around Flora's bed silent and unresponsive, a sure sign they had been fed.

Next she inspected herself in the mirror, lifting her pyjamas consisting of a simple long blue sweater, noting with a fond smile all the marks Harry left on her body. Her nipples were still a little tender, her pussy still stimulated, and there was a mark or two on each of her breasts where Harry had kissed and sucked roughly. Similar ones were spread around the rest of her body. Then there were the bright purple love bites on her neck left by his kisses.

After futilely trying to find clothes that could conceal the evidence of last night, she put on some panties and decided to hide the marks with a simple illusion. Unwilling to erase them entirely or give up the comfort of her pyjamas so early. Bloom then made her way to the common room of the dorm. Only Musa was present there, sitting at the table near the balcony while eating her breakfast. Her friend was also still wearing her pyjamas. A red Kimono shirt and a pair of matching pants with yellow trimming and yellow criss cross ribbons on the side of the sleeves and pants.

“Good morning, Bloom.” the Fairy of Music greeted her friend, munching on her food that consisted of steamed buns stuffed with meat and some soup.

“Morning, Musa!” Bloom replied enthusiastically, her smile never wavering. She sat down, not even wincing as her body reminded her of yesterday's activity. Shortly after she selected her own food from a nearby menu, causing a tower of pancakes drowned in syrup to appear. Normally they would have to go to the school hall for breakfast, but during the holidays this special service from the kitchens was in use. Mostly for teachers, but they got permission from Faragonda to also use it. Sometimes rescuing the world brought perks with it.

“Where are the others?” the redhead asked before digging in, looking around the unusually empty room.

“Tecna went to the hardware store to get something I can't pronounce.” Musa answered after swallowing a bite of dumpling. “While Stella dragged Flora and Aisha on another shopping trip.” the Fairy of Music rolled her eyes at that, casing Bloom's smile to grow. “I declined to be exposed to that particular torture.”

Bloom chuckled at that, knowing how obsessed Stella could be with clothes and fashion. Something that was only amplified with her Princess Ball looming ever closer. For a few minutes only the clinking of cutlery on crockery could be heard as the two ate their fill. Musa finished earlier and took the time to stare at Bloom, something the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame noticed after a while. “What, is something on my face?” she asked, touching her face to inspect herself for any wayward food.

Musa shook her head, her open hair swishing around with the motion. “No, you just seem in a better mood today. At least not as worse as the last few days. Not that such is a difficult accomplishment.” Musa pointed out shrewdly, a knowing glint in her eye and a grin on her face. “You're cold is gone too, huh?”

“Well, my magic always helped me recover faster.” Blushing bright red Bloom said slowly. “Also, I know that I've been a right bitch the last few days and I'm sorry, but that's over now.” at least the perpetual anger simmering just under the surface was nowhere near as prevalent since she gave Harry the last piece of his powers and vice versa. An echo of rage was still there, but it grew steadily weaker.

An impish smile graced Musa's face. “Anything you'd like to share with me on how that change occurred, or who helped you?” a knowing glint in her dark blue eyes as she leaned forward.

Bloom's blush increased in intensity as she sputtered defensively. “What makes you think I had help?” her womb throbbed in remembrance, still feeling warm and full. A good amount of semen persistently leaked from it, letting Bloom feel it stain her new panties. She really should've showered before breakfast, but a part of her revelled in the feeling.

“Oh, nothing.” Musa leaned her head on her hand with her elbow on the table, giving Bloom a look that said she should spill it out. “Only that I'm the Fairy of Music and weak noise-cancelling spells or enchantments don't work well on me.” at first she had bought Bloom's excuses, but then had heard the sounds of sex shortly before leaving by concentrating hard enough. Though Musa wouldn't tell Bloom she stood outside the Infirmary for a while, listening to Bloom's cries of ecstasy reach their crescendo.

Thankfully Flora was rather trusting, leaving Musa alone after she made some excuse. Not thinking her friends capable of lying to her. Or just too polite to mention it.

“Oh god! So you heard...” Bloom couldn't choke the words out, hiding her face in her hands. So embarrassed she could not even look at her friend.

“The music you were making with whomever you chose? Yes, I did hear that.” came the rhetoric answer, a chuckle accompanying it. “Don't worry, I didn't tell anyone else and don't plan to do so.” Musa reassured Bloom upon seeing her reaction. “More importantly, do you want to talk about it?”

Knowing that she could trust Musa with her secrets and her fellow fairy wouldn't judge her, Bloom told her what led up to it and what exactly happened between her and Harry. Even going so far as to show her friend the love bites and Harry's Mark now sitting on her body. Bloom left out everything pertaining the Trix and Faragonda's talk with them about the imbalance in the Magical Galaxy, thinking it best to keep those secret for now.

“Sounds intense!” Musa whistled appreciatively at Bloom's description, causing Bloom to look down and nod with a blush. “Though, I didn't know you broke up with Sky. Not that I blame you.”

The mention of her boyfriend brought Bloom's world to a crashing halt. “Sky!” the redhead jerked to look up and groaned in despair. “Fuck, what did I do?!” only now realizing just what exactly she did yesterday. Even showing no shame in her action by not removing the evidence on her body. 'I forgot my boyfriend. I'm such a slut!' she thought distraught, nervously alternating between fiddling with the hem of her jumper and biting her thumb.

Musa let her friend ramble on a little more before interrupting. “So you didn't break up with him? Curious, it's not like you an Sky had any future.” having thought her friend finally saw that and acted accordingly. Losing her virginity was a big deal for a princess and one that didn't have it was seen as soiled goods and lost a good bit of her worth in marriage. Though, Bloom was in quite an ambiguous spot, considering Domino was a dead planet and Bloom a princess in name only.

Those words took Bloom completely off guard. Not having anticipated her friend to have that opinion of her relationship with Sky. “What?!” complete confusion in her voice and eyes, both on the edge of becoming waterworks.

“I'm gonna be honest here, alright?” upon Bloom's reluctant nod, Musa took a deep breath and began to explain. “First of, Sky lied to you from the very beginning, claiming to be a squire while being the crown prince of Eraklyon. If that wasn't enough he also had a betrothed back home in form of Diaspro.” words she wanted to say for so long finally were released. “That means he lied not only to you, but also to Diaspro. After it all came out did he tell you the betrothal is annulled?”

“We didn't talk about it further after getting back together.” Bloom admitted meekly, but came back a little stronger with. “But King Erendor praised me for acting worthy of a princess when we were on Eraklyon last semester. Also Sky said he planned to set Diaspro aside, so I assume the betrothal is annulled now.”

Musa just so resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Girl, just because King Erendor praised you doesn't mean anything. He simply acted graciously, like any king should to people that did him a service.” she then pointed out something else. “But even if Diaspro is no longer Sky's fiancée, which I doubt because Sky has no say in it, you most likely won't be taking her place.”

“But, why?!” Bloom barely brought out, yet no tears escaped her eyes and no overwhelming sadness claimed her heart. Though, still hurt by her friends blunt words.

This time Musa gave Bloom a sympathetic look, leaning forward to pat her hand in consolation. “Don't take this personally, but do you remember last year when Sky stormed out of his father's throne room, after Erendor basically ordered us to rescue Diaspro?” upon Bloom's hesitant nod, Musa ploughed ahead. “You went after Sky immediately and like the others didn't hear what King Erendor and Queen Samara murmured next, but I did.” her enhanced hearing really did come in handy from time to time. “They basically said you were a poor match for Sky, hoping him rescuing Diaspro would cause some romance between the two. In essence he is a prince and his future wife will be decided by his parents; not himself.”

Bloom rocketed back as if struck, having thought Sky's parents liked her. 'Did they say that because I don't have any resources like other princesses or noble ladies?' she thought dejected. Musa's words were like a wake-up call, letting her examine her relationship with Sky more closely. “Do you think that's why he took so long to advance our relationship from simple friendship, because he is still betrothed to Diaspro?” the question directed at no one in particular. She originally had thought he just wanted to take it slow, but she didn't expect the snail's pace he set. Nearly taking two years to finally kiss her. Always dancing around the elephant in the room, but still getting jealous when she got on well with other men.

“Could be, but it's not just your love life that stinks, or will stink.” Musa commented with a shrug. “Stella, Tecna and even Aisha will most likely be betrothed in the near future. Usually it is done after the princess turns nineteen and graduates Alfea.” because that was the time when a fairy became fertile. “A Princess Ball is held in celebration where suitors can present themselves or betrothals are announced if previously established.” some may say Musa was jaded through her rocky relationship with Riven, but the fairy liked to think of herself as a realist. The only one of the Winx Musa thought to have a relationship with a future was Flora.

“A Princess Ball, like Stella's? So Stella knows she can't marry Brandon?” if Bloom herself as royalty, of a dead planet but still, wasn't seen as a suitable match for a prince then a squire wasn't proper for a princess by any stretch of the imagination.

Musa leaned back and shrugged again. “I'm not sure, but from what I heard in the past her father spoils Stella more than a bit. It could be that she knows her duties but somehow thinks the usual traditions don't apply to her.”

Bloom nodded in agreement with a frown, her food forgotten. Stella didn't strike her as someone raised to lead a kingdom. She was a good and loyal friend, though not someone Bloom saw as a dignified queen. “Should we ask her about it?”

“It's considered rude to interfere in such matters uninvited.” Musa pointed out, shaking her head in the negative. Which was also why she didn't bring all of this up earlier. It being private matters she had no say in. “Besides, we don't know if Radius, Stella's father, follows the traditions or if he ignores them in favour of Stella.” it could go either way, really. Even if Radius would piss of a majority of Solaria's nobles should he do so.

“How do you know so much about that stuff?” Musa wasn't a princess, causing Bloom to wonder how she knew these things.

Musa shrugged nonchalantly. “I'm friends with princess Galatea from Melody. My father and mother had been famous musicians and played regularly at court, which is where I befriended Galatea.” that was before the death of her mother and her father descending from popularity into depths of despair, claiming music being the source of Melody's ills.

“But you think I should break up with Sky?” Bloom questioned further after a few moments, not knowing how to feel about that. A confusing mix of emotions swirling in her gut. She had thought she found her Prince Charming in Sky. Someone with whom she'd live happily ever after. 'Only that's not true. Our relationship is far from perfect.' she admitted in her mind. Otherwise Bloom would've never done what she did with Harry, probably.

“No.” Musa sighed, slowly driving a hand through her hair out of habit. “You should talk to Sky, admit to him what you did and see where you go from there, or if you have any future together at all. Take it from someone that's been through a few tumultuous relationships; honesty and trust are the most vital things in relationships.” she hadn't been blameless in the disaster that was her relationship with Riven, after all.

After that they didn't say much. Instead finishing their food with what little appetite was left.

Not liking seeing her friend so dejected after her morning started so well, Musa decided to change the subject. “Did you try to transform to check if something changed?” maybe she really did gain Enchantix. Improbable, but not impossible.

Bloom noticeably perked up at that, her thoughts going away from her problems for now. “No, I didn't have the time to do so.” standing up Bloom squared her shoulders. “But now that you mention it, I really should check.” embracing the offered distraction.

In a flash flames raced all over her body, beginning at her feet and going upwards, encasing her in their warm embrace as Bloom transformed to her highest available form.

As soon as it began it was over, revealing Bloom in her usual Fairy Form, wearing a cropped halter-turtleneck crop top decorated with a diamond-shaped ruby at the centre of her chest, as well as a matching miniskirt and high-heeled ankle boots. Rounding it off wereglove-like, detached sleeves on her forearms going from elbow to wrist with a point down the back of each palm. Bloom's outfit still sparkled, but instead of a vibrant and bright sky blue it became a black similar to soot in colour. Her translucent wings now had heart-topped split inner layers with ruby tips.

Her Charmix had changed appearance and location, too. No longer a silver heart-shaped brooch sitting on her chest. Instead a choker made from Obsidian in likeness of the serpentine Great Dragon with intricately carved scales curled itself around her throat, biting it's own tail. Red veins of ruby flowed through it, glowing softly, and resembling heated coals.

“Huh, you look a lot like when you were controlled by Darkar.” Musa approached Bloom and commented with a mischievous smirk, noting her changed Charmix and tracing it with a finger. “Did you call Harry master, too? You should make sure to not spend too much time on your knees, though.”

Blushing to the roots her hair, Bloom jumped back, hovering in the air as she sputtered. “N..No, shut up!” something that only brought a musical laugh out of the blue-haired fairy. With a huff Bloom landed and transformed back, only that she still felt the firm and pleasant grip around her throat. “Why isn't my Charmix gone?” normally the Charmix went away at the same time she transformed back to normal. Bloom didn't even ask why it changed appearance, the cause for it quite obviously being what Harry did to her.

Musa tapped her chin, musing. “Well, as you know our Charmix isn't so much a transformation as an enhancement of a fairy's spells and capabilities in general, but it also consumes more magic as a result.” the Fairy of Music explained, circling Bloom clad in her pyjamas to inspect her from head to toe. “Normally it vanishes once your reserves are depleted, which would be accelerated by the Charmix itself eating through your reserves. However, as you said, you have an external source to draw from now.” Musa poked just under Bloom's navel where Harry's Mark sat. “Some fairies train for decades to achieve being able to sustain Charmix for long periods of time, even outside their Fairy Form. Only a few were able to hold it indefinitely and even rarer are those who can use Charmix while in their Enchantix Form.” with a thoughtful look Musa added. “It's incredible actually!”

“Oh.” was all Bloom could say. Happy that Harry kept his word to her in making her stronger. Even if it was not how exactly she imagined it.

Further talk was prevented by a ghostly Phoenix that flew straight through the open window, beating it's translucent wings of ethereal mist to hover in place. It practically radiated happiness, filling the room with a sense of hope and protection the fairies immediately took note of. Most importantly however, it was speaking with Harry's voice. “Bloom, do you have time to help me with something? If so, please summon me. I'll wait for ten minutes before considering the answer to be negative.”

“Wow, he's already asking for a repeat.” Musa joked between laughs. The fortunate turn of events too good an opportunity to pass up to not nettle Bloom some more. “You hooked him good!”

Bloom just glared while magically throwing a syrup-drenched pancake at Musa, hitting her in the face and silencing her. Done before crossing her arms in a huff and cracking a smile herself at how ridiculous Musa looked.

Magix, Citadel of Night.

The rustling of pages being turned and the scratching of a quill on parchment were the only sounds present in the library. Occasionally accompanied by crackle from the hearth or a groan of dismay from the room's single occupant.

With a sigh of disappointment Harry closed the latest heavy tome, making the table shudder with it's weight. “Nothing, again.” he muttered, leaning back into the comfortable couch. Books stacked high all around Harry, who was trying to find a cure for his predicament. Plenty of books pertaining the Dark Arts were present and even some with information on the Water Stars, but not much about what he was looking for. Something that would give him a solution to his problem and not just alleviate the symptoms.

“Hopefully Alfea has some information that can help me.” Harry muttered, hoping Bloom could get him access to what he needed, having sent a Patronus to inquire about that. Though, he didn't hold out much hope as to that, considering Faragonda most likely would've told him if she knew of a way.

Just as he was about to assume Bloom denied his request he felt his connection to her flare up, signalling him a mental image where exactly Bloom was in Alfea. Picturing that in his minds eye Harry apparated there, able to ignore the wards with his power as black flames enveloped him. A moment later he was gone without a trace.

Magix, Alfea.

A flare of black flames suddenly appeared, causing Musa and Bloom to jump reflexively at the abruptness of it all. When the fire vanished Harry stood in it's place with the ground fortunately unblemished.

The Fairy of the Dragon's Flame took in his tall powerful and lean frame which sported simple jeans, brown boots and a white shirt with a ruffled neck. His hair was still messy, but no less attractive than yesterday, just inviting her to play with it, to make it even more dishevelled. Emerald eyes so expressive, so easy to read peered at them, telling Bloom he was strong and kind. She saw him open his mouth, a smile forming on his lips as he looked at her. Her heart raced, and her lips tingled in anticipation. He could kiss her right now and she would be completely fine with it. Already forgetting about anything else again.

Standing in the common room of the homely dorm belonging to the Winx, Harry greeted the two fairies with a smile. “Good morning, Bloom, Musa!” giving each of them a nod in greeting.

“Nice to finally meet you, Harry! I've heard much about you.” Musa grinned enthusiastically. She only met him in the pizzeria and the White Horse, but never introduced herself to him, which was all the more confirmation for her that Harry had been the one ploughing Bloom in the infirmary. Though, she didn't call him out on it.

“Only good things, I hope?” he smiled back with a chuckle.

With a twinkle in her deep blue eyes and a smirk directed at Bloom Musa assured him. “Oh, only the best!”

Before Musa could talk more bloom took over the conversation, subtly trying to reprimand Musa with a short glare. All done before her demeanour completely changed to demure and shy. “What can I help you with, Harry?”

“Well, you remember my problem you helped me with yesterday?” he asked rhetorically, knowing she was perfectly aware of it. “I wanted to ask for your assistance once more.” he looked from Bloom to Musa thoughtfully. “Your friend can help, too, if she has the time. We probably will need some helping hands.”

Musa goggled at him while Bloom sputtered. “Helping hands?!” she choked out. 'Am I not enough?' Bloom thought dejected, only to remember that he would've been able to go on yesterday, while she had been unable to.

Harry nodded easily with a shrug. “Yeah, why not?” his emerald eyes earnest, holding no deception.

“Because that's asking an awful lot!” Musa squeaked out wide-eyed, the fairy unable to suppress a blush. Sure, she did have sex with Riven a few times, but this was quite sudden. Not to mention that she was in a relationship with Riven still and didn't want to cheat. No matter how rocky the relationship or how much she thought about breaking up. As long as she hadn't broken up that was out of the question for her.

With a growing frown Harry replied. “What's so difficult for you to show me the library and maybe help look for some books?” confusion and a little bewilderment clear to see on his face. Only to remember he never really specified his request.

“You want access to Alfea's library?” Bloom felt relief and disappointment at the same time for different reasons. 'Get a grip!' she chastised herself internally. 'Just because he's not here to fuck your brains out shouldn't make you sad!” her lower region made its opinion clear, the result of which caused Bloom to rub her thighs together. A vivid image of her bent over the table with Harry thrusting into her flashed through her mind. It'd be easy, she only had to push her panties aside and it'd be done. She briefly shook her head to clear it and focus.

“Yes, I'd really appreciate it.” Harry confirmed with a nod and crooked smile.

Musa cleared her throat, half-convinced Harry just played a prank on them. “Well, then let us show you.” a look down at her state of dress caused her to add. “After dressing in something more appropriate, that is.”

With that cleared away, Musa and Bloom went to their rooms, the latter practically sprinting away while yelling back to him. “You can call you some breakfast, if you want. Just select something from the menu and it'll appear from the kitchens!”

Blinking at their surprisingly swiftly retreating forms, Harry sat down and gave the menu a look, looking for something to catch his interest.

Surprisingly Bloom and Musa took their sweet time to get dressed, leaving Harry ample time to eat his fill of a full breakfast. He didn't know how long it took, but it was just about when he finished his meal. The sound of footsteps alerting him to their arrival, causing him to take them in.

Bloom wore a pink ruffle sleeve top with white, soft pink, and blue polka-dots, yellow trim, and a blue heart emblem with a blue puffy skirt and a gold belt. Her shoes were heels with a yellow toe ribbon and a blue ankle cover. On her wrists were pink bangle bracelets.

Musa's long hair was in a side fringe. She wore a bright red shirt with short puffy sleeves topping a dark red long-sleeved top. She also sported a purple pleated mini skirt and a dark belt with several golden hoops, white knee-high socks, and red heels.

“You both look enchanting.” Harry complimented, the words flowing easily from his mouth as his emerald eyes beheld their elegance. It seemed many women in the Magical Galaxy had beautifully proportioned bodies. “Are fairies usually dressed so fashionably?” he asked curiously, leaning back in the chair. He'd never seen them in anything less than immaculate and fitting outfits.

Harry's words caused both to smile at him. Musa especially with how little emotionally available Riven was at the best of times. “Most of the time.” the Fairy of Music confirmed with a grin, leaning forward with her arms behind her back, causing her breasts to stand out. “Let's go then.” she enthused, grabbing Harry's right arm to lead him to the library, letting him smell the fruity fragrance of her shampoo.

Bloom glared at Musa as she walked beside Harry, tempted to take his other arm but refraining, never noticing Musa's minuscule smirk. The blue-haired fairy had no intention of snagging Harry herself, but wanted to see Bloom's reaction.

Meanwhile Harry looked around attentively, having more time than yesterday to take Alfea in completely. “What kind of magic do you learn in Alfea, if you don't mind me asking?” he inquired as they walked through the grand hallways of the school outfitted with tapestries and exquisite crimson carpets. Opulent and intricate chandeliers hung from the ceiling in intervals. Many huge windows let it all feel airy and free, and a look outside showed Harry the castle's pink walls and blue roofs built around a courtyard with a well and stone benches.

“Well, we learn Magical Defence from Professor Palladium, while Professor Wizigz teaches Metamorphosis...” Bloom rattled off quickly, giving Musa no chance to answer, counting all the different mandatory courses they had to take and the people teaching them. Followed by various optional courses. It was largely different names for the same subjects Harry learned at Hogwarts. “Lastly, Professor DuFour teaches the subjects of Etiquette, Dancing and Spell Creation.”

“No wonder you're so graceful.” Harry commented absent-mindedly but earnestly, having not seen a single clunky fairy, and not noticing their reaction to his words. He took it all in, enjoying the tour Bloom and Musa gave him, escorting him through the first floor and its locations, ranging from the dormitories to the Simulation Chamber remarkably similar to the Room of Requirement. Harry even saw what appeared to be an ogre cleaning the hallways, whom Musa told him was the janitor called Knut.

They just exited the school amphitheatre, leaving only one last destination; the library.

After Musa pulled open the wooden doors with oversized handles, that were smooth and worn down to a light brown finish by countless people touching them, the smell of parchment greeted the trio with its smoky and earthy scent. Shelves stuck full of books, scrolls and more reached as high as the ceiling. Massive tomes, worn-out hardcovers, crinkly scrolls of parchment with yellowed pages and pencil lines, and books with cracked bindings and broken spines covered every corner of the place.

A few clouds of dust splashed into shimmering orange sunbeams, whirled up by their every step on the green carpeted floor. One could feel the comforting calm of a library settle over them like a blanket as silence filled their ears and the trio made their way further inside, shuffling past the overly-lacquered counter at the front.

“Shouldn't we wait for the librarian to ask on where to look?” Harry questioned, looking around the empty library in search for said librarian. Though, his experience with that particular breed of human wasn't exactly positive.

The blue-haired fairy shook her head. “Barbatea is on vacation, but we don't need her.” she told him proudly, humbly bragging. “I help out from time to time and even got access to the library any time I want!” to prove her point Musa showed them a old-looking keyring full of keys, causing them to jingle.

“When did that happen?” Bloom asked surprised, glancing at the keys impishly dangling in Musa's hands.

“In the middle of our second year,” Musa shrugged and pointed out. “I do spend a good amount of time in the library, too.”

Bloom just nodded with a frown. “Yeah, true.” Musa and Flora were the most diligent and accomplished of the Winx in their studies. One would expect it to be Tecna, but she was more specialised in the few subjects she was interested in.

“Here's the research lectern.” Musa presented grandly after a few moments of silence, pointing towards the object in question. It was completely made out of a single piece of polished wood, its slanted top carved in the shape of a butterfly. “You just need to tell it a topic you're searching for and it will summon the books in question.” the Fairy of Music explained before cautioning. “However, you should not make it too general a request or you'll be buried in books.”

“What're you looking for exactly, Harry?” Bloom asked, having more than an inkling as to what he wanted to research. Though, her mind also supplied subjects of a more intimate nature. Sadly Alfea didn't have an erotica section.

The last Potter pondered that for a while before answering. “I guess something that can absorb and hold vast amounts of magical energy. Or being able to let a person safely hold vast quantities in some way.”

“Well, while you use the lectern, Musa and I can look for other possible avenues.” Bloom told him, already dragging Musa behind her to some shelves further down and out of sight from Harry. “What was that?!” she hissed, once they were out of earshot of Harry. Eyes narrowed and a hand on her hip.

Putting a few stray locks behind her ear and righting herself, Musa raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” a small grin on her face that said she knew exactly what Bloom was talking about.

“All of this!” Bloom exclaimed, pointing at Musa's whole outfit. “Since when do you dress like that anyway?” normally she wore clothes more fitting for boys, due to Musa being a tomboy. Not liking to go shopping all that much either. Sure, she wore dresses from time to time, but that was only at certain functions, like balls.

Musa huffed, crossing her arms and leaned against a shelf, still grinning at Bloom. “So, I'm not allowed to wear womanly clothing now?” when Bloom's mouth opened and closed a few times with no retort coming, Musa laughed. “I think you already decided what future your relationship with Sky will have.”

Realising that her friend had played her, Bloom punched Musa lightly on the shoulder. “You bitch!” she cried out embarrassed without heat in her words, causing Musa's smug smile to evolve into a laugh. Bloom also realised her friend was right, She didn't feel upset about possibly ending things with Sky. Simply mourning what it could've been, her marrying a prince; a literal fairytale becoming reality. Only that she wasn't raised as a princess and probably did not know what to do if she had a realm to rule. Under all of that there was relief too.

“Harry must be something special for you to react like that.” Musa told her friend, her voice warm but also slightly coloured by envy.

Bloom sighed. “Yeah.” which came out more dreamily than she intended. “With Sky it was like pulling teeth, every step towards a romantic relationship felt like slugging through a swamp.” Bloom frowned in remembrance from a particular memory, not even noticing that she already saw her relationship with Sky as being in the past. “I mean, if it took me being controlled by an evil entity to confess his love for me, what else must happen for him to take the next step?” it seemed like Sky did not value or appreciate her. How could she even trust his word in such a stressful circumstance, with her snapping out of it having been the only thing able to prevent disaster? Especially with Sky lying about huge things, like his name and status, before.

“So it's perfectly logical wanting to enter into a romantic relationship with said evil entity?” Musa teased. She personally couldn't see Darkar in Harry, but still had her doubts about Bloom's feelings for him. “I mean you don't even really know him.”

Bloom crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Harry just has the same powers, but isn't Darkar.” she told the Fairy of Music redundantly, already knowing Musa was most likely aware of that. “Harry told me the same, you know, about not knowing him. Yet with him it's like we just click together. He understood me more from what he heard about me and knowing me for a day than Sky did in two years. I admit that what I feelarrived swiftly, being like the clap of thunder or an erupting volcano; so sudden and overwhelming it seemingly induced temporary madness.” Bloom didn't notice the smile creeping onto her face. “Yet, I've never been embraced in such a way that parting from one another seemed inconceivable. There just was something warm, something that felt right, smelled right. My body sagged and my muscles became loose as the world around us melted away. Harry gave me the respect of an equal but cradled me like something cherished and invaluable.” her smile now fond, her eyes holding a longing in them. “In that embrace I felt my worries lose their sting and my optimism raise its head from the dirt.”

Musa's blue eyes held a longing in them for that same thing Bloom had experienced, knowing Riven couldn't give it to her, and she couldn't give it to him either. No matter how much she might want to. “How do you know you love him?” that was always something she wondered. How to know you love someone. Both her and Riven having their own issues with these things causing all that tension. Unlike Brandon and Stella or Flora with Helia.

Having no mother to talk about that made it harder still. She had friends, but wasn't keen on talking openly about her relationship like Stella did.

“I don't know.” Bloom answered honestly. “It just feels right and I can see in his eyes the feelings of my heart. We became one....” not just in the physical sense, but also magically and more, achieved through that intrinsic understanding of the other. “If that isn't magic then I don't know what is.” in her mind love had nothing to do with what you were expecting to get, only what you're willing to give; which was everything. That's why Sky's constant reluctance to commit bothered her so much, making their relationship seem like playing pretend. Sky could hold back romantically, but she was not supposed to be interested in other men. All while he was cautious despite her clear interest. A caution that now proved fatal.

A moment of silence reigned after Bloom's passionate words, lasting seemingly longer than it really did.

“We should head back to Harry, lest he gets buried in books.” Musa finished lamely, trying to not be reminded about her failure of a love life.

The Fairy of the Dragon's Flame stopped her friend trying to push past her. “What's wrong, Musa?”  Bloom asked, gripping her friend's shoulder and looking her in the eyes. “You listened to my problems, so the least I can do is the same for you!” she insisted, her words causing Musa to briefly look away.

With a sigh Musa gave in, aware that Bloom knew her too much to be deceived by weak attempts at deflection. “It's just that I feel like a hypocrite right now, giving you advice for relationships about trust while mine is a wreck.” she mumbled, smiling weakly in a self-mocking way. Their talk having shown her some things she'd rather avoid. “Can't even follow my own advice.”

Bloom shook her head, gripping her friend's shoulders tightly. “That's not true! Your own Charmix is proof of that.” The redhead rightly pointed out. After all, to earn her Charmix Musa had had to overcome her own insecurity by trusting Riven together with his ex-girlfriend, who happened to be Darcy. “If you still think your relationship with Riven isn't good then it has to be something else.”

The Fairy of Music's shoulders slumped in defeat as she fidgeted a little, twiddling her fingers together. Something the usually confident young woman didn't do often. “I guess Riven and I simply are not compatible. After earning my Charmix it just seemed like it was meant to be; a portent of a possible future.” she smiled weakly at the redhead. “Now I think I gained it because I let go of him in that moment.” it was confusing to her, but it she didn't want to be in a relationship constantly threatening to fall apart.

Bloom didn't comment on that, more focussed on soothing her friend's worries. “Seems we both have a similar problem then.” she hugged Musa for a while in consolation before saying. “How about we help Harry to distract us a little bit?”  Bloom wiggled her eyebrows a little, causing Musa to giggle a little in what appeared to be resigned happiness.

“Sure.” Musa agreed easily, a smile gracing her features. Glad to have such a good friend.

From then on the day went by swiftly. All three searching extensively for a solution to Harry's problem. Even going so far as to go into the restricted section of the library located behind the Golden Gate. They did find a few books that could be helpful, but Harry wasn't satisfied yet. So, Bloom and Musa proposed a visit to the Alfea Archive, a hidden vault holding things the library couldn't be trusted with. It was a circular room with an impossibly high ceiling and multiple levels where every inch of wall held books of all kinds.

“Welcome, Bloom, Musa!” a small creature resembling a fairy greeted them while hovering before them, but she was no larger than ten centimetres tall. Its head much larger in comparison to their baby-like body. She waslight-skinned with big blue eyes hidden by small glasses. Her hair was a sandy blonde colour and worn curled up on the sides of her head, resembling cinnamon buns. Her clothes consisting of a robe and a pointed hat were held in a blue theme. “What can I do for you, and who is your friend?”

“This is Harry Potter, Concorda.” Bloom replied, introducing him to the guardian of the Alfea Archive. “We just wanted to ask you for permission to access the Alfea Archive.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Harry greeted the small being, bowing a little in greeting.

The now named Concorda smiled as she fluttered around them swiftly, leaving a trail of glitter behind her. “Of course, of course! It's the least I can do after all the Winx did for me.” she gestured all around the room. “Please help yourself, but be mindful of dangerous books.”

From then on their search began anew, slowly rifling through all the books packed full of curses, ranging from a simple inconvenience to melting your brains.

'What's this?' Bloom wondered, hovering far above ground with Harry and Musa below her. Summoning it she promptly began to inspect the peculiar book. It had a burgundy cover with intricate designs of beaten silver on the borders encasing a crescent moon of gold in the middle of the cover. She tried to open the beautiful work of art, to became lost in the pages, but it refused to budge an inch. Absent-mindedly floating down Bloom took a seat on the floor, unsuccessfully trying to pry it open with spell or hand.

“Sirenix?” Bloom murmured, reading what was written on the back, which was not much. Yet it was enough to tell her that a new transformation slumbered within, and her older sister Daphne had been the last to obtain it. 'Maybe I don't even need Enchantix!' Bloom thought excitedly, hope welling inside her heart. Though, she couldn't read it Bloom put it away for her own use before resuming to help Harry.

A little less than two hours went by before the group called it quits.

“Thanks for your assistance!” Harry said gratefully as the duo stood outside Bloom's dorm, Musa having already gone inside. Stacks of books floating behind them in neat rows. “You were a tremendous help.”

Bloom just so prevented a blush from erupting on her face, looking away from his smile and inviting lips. “No problem!” she brought out without squeaking. “I found something for myself as well.” holding the Sirenix book tightly against her front, as if using it as a barrier to try and shield herself from this attraction. It gave as much protection as her own mind, meaning none at all.

“I also wanted to talk about....” Harry began but was interrupted by Bloom shaking her head frantically.

“I'm sorry, but I can't!” she blurted out hastily before her pussy could convince her otherwise. She would wait until she broke up with Sky for good, owing him at least that much.

“..the Trix.” Harry finished, causing Bloom's eyes to widen and her blush to succeed in claiming her face. “I wanted to request if you could keep quite about the Trix not having been controlled by Darkar.” he clarified for her benefit. “I'd ask what you're talking about, but I think I know.” upon Bloom's reaction he was pretty sure what she thought he was going to say.

“Yeah.” she replied lamely, feeling like a fool for embarrassing herself so much.

He scratched the back of his head uncomfortably before sighing and gathering himself. “It was a mistake...” he said, having remembered she had a boyfriend afterwards and feeling like a right twat.

Again, she talked over him. “No! I mean yes,” Bloom shook her head, giggling at his amused expression on her expense, looking deep into his eyes. “But it was a glorious mistake. What we shared made me realize that I probably should break up with my boyfriend.” if she could so readily forget about him then it was probably best to end it. “I'd very much like a repeat, however not before I clear things up with him.”

“Oh,” was all Harry could say for a while, not having expected that kind of answer. He was relieved all the same. “That's good to hear, I guess.” then another thought caught up with Harry as to the possible implications, causing him to summon a communication mirror. “Here, just say my name and we can talk with one another, similarly to a video call, I'm told.” he had made a few of those and the Trix could not use them right now.

Bloom's smile lit up the room as she accepted the gift. “Thank you!” glad that he didn't reject her outright, remembering the kiss he shared with Darcy. “See you soon!”

“Yeah, see you soon.”

Fortress of Light

It was a day like any other that came before it in this place. Always sunny, no cloud in the sky and a medium temperature every single day. The wind never exceeding more than a light breeze that rustled a few leaves at most.

“Disgusting!” Stormy scowled at nothing and everything in particular, pacing a line in the grass. Icy stood at a nearby tree that spent them pleasant shade. Just a day here and Tharma already wanted to break out. Use her newfound power ready and throbbing under her skin to demolish this hideous place with its false tranquillity. Sure, she could use the portkey, but where was the fun in that?

Nearby Darcy mediated, trying to train her Occlumency. Emphasis on trying, as she had to endure Stormy's rants at everything here at the same time. “Could you tone it down, trying to meditate here!” she finally snapped at her sister in all but blood, glaring back at the Witch of Storms.

All of them wore the same clothes. They consisted of a white robe covering their entire bodies, a thick blue belt around their waist and navy blue shoes.

“How can you sit there so calmly, Darcy, Icy?” Stormy complained loudly, lightning racing up and down her arms as she channelled her element, threatening to tear her clothes apart. “I could blow something up just by looking at this place!”

“Don't you dare!” Icy growled, slapping the cloud-haired girl upside down the head as she passed her by. It hopefully beat some sense into her. This was an unique opportunity for them. What Icy didn't say or admit was that she did not want to disappoint Harry.

Darcy glared. “It's called deception, you fool.” she chastised her sister, just so preventing herself from lashing out. Her meditation now ruined Darcy stood up with a sigh. “If we appear to cooperate then we'll have a bigger chance of being seen as reformed and it lends our claim credence!”

Tharma snorted derisively and shot back mockingly. “For someone who claims to be experienced in deception you've not employed much of it when kissing Harry so openly. In front of the Paladins no less!” she remembered that vividly, feeling the usual jealousy flare up when one of her sisters had something she did not. Though, Stormy felt something was different this time. Not much, but enough.

Lysslis rolled her eyes, hands in the soft grass as she leaned back. “They're all about positive feelings here. Why would you think showing that to them is a bad thing?” if they saw signs of redemption then it'd make it easier for them in the long run.

“So you did it solely to manipulate the Paladins' perception of us?” Icy questioned, looking at her sister intently, watching Darcy for any lie as she leaned against the bark of the tree shadowing them.

“Yes, in part,” the Witch of Darkness confirmed before adding. “but I also did it to stake my claim!”

Her words caused both of her sisters to glare at her for reasons they didn't quite understand. This ordeal couldn't be over soon enough.

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 10.

Alfea, Magix.

Reality didn't disappoint her in the slightest, being even better than fantasy. For behind the curtain was Harry undressing himself, displaying his half-naked body. A toned and muscled upper body was revealed to Bloom's gaze, allowing her to see his powerful back and arms flexing as he pulled his shirt over his head. At the sound of her entering he turned, letting her view defined abs sitting underneath a chiselled chest. Scars dotted all of it here and there, with the biggest, an x-shaped one, on his shoulder looking like fissures in the earth.

“Bloom?! What're you doing here?” Harry asked surprised, having just prepared to get comfortable to relive himself. Despite her presence, he made no attempt to cover himself. A soft smile on his face as he saw her. Something Harry found he did unconsciously, but not stopping it once he noticed.

Fidgeting a little, she closed the privacy screen and visibly gathered herself. Bloom straightened, saying. “I just wanted to let you know that we could do it now.” she immediately caught her own innuendo, causing a blush to erupt. Bloom waved her hands in front of her and blurted out. “I mean, exchanging powers! Only if you want to, that is!”

“Of course, I wouldn't say no to kissing a beautiful girl!” he claimed with a lopsided grin, followed by a grimace as he felt the pressure inside him increase once more. All while trying not to think of the kiss Darcy gave him. He had enough things on his plate right now than to feel guilty about something he hadn't even processed properly. “However, I do remember that you have a boyfriend. Are you sure?”

The eighteen-year-old blushed at his compliment, but couldn't look away from his brilliant emerald eyes. Only able to nod empathetically, coming closer until she was in front of him. Due to the difference in height she had to look up to him. Harry having more than a foot in height on her. His powerful frame loomed protectively over her smaller one, casting the fiery fairy in his shadow.

“I am.” she affirmed to him and herself, swallowing heavily through her dry throat before elaborating. “It's just that this feeling won't disappear on its own.” she put her hand on his hard chest, right over his heart. “You can feel it, too, can't you? This strange connection, this... pull.” at his slow nod she said. “It won't go away until we do something about it. Leaving it as is will be even more unfair to my boyfriend than a simple kiss.” she spoke the truth. Yet, a treacherous part of her mind claimed she wanted it; if only to briefly forget her troubles with someone that had the same problem. Someone who understood her situation perfectly, shared it even. The irony of coming to the Shadow Phoenix for help wasn't lost on Bloom. His predecessor, Darkar, was responsible for her issues, after all.

“If you're sure, then who am I to say no?” his own skin tingled where she touched him. A fire spreading out from that point of contact to the rest of his body. The sensation ripped through his body like lightning, giving him goosebumps all over. His hands instinctively went to her waist, gripping her hips to pull her flush against. Slowly, tenderly, his arms wrapped around her petite form, hugging her front to his with a strong grip.

Bloom squeaked but did not resist, smiling instead at how warm and safe she felt. Her own hands instinctively roaming his naked chest, exploring it reverently, enjoying the soft and yet hard muscles. Followed by standing on her toes and slinging her arms around his neck.

Harry angled her head just so with a soft pull to her fiery hair, and then leaned in and kissed the girl, who was about to meet him halfway. With closed eyes their lips touched, clear but brief hesitancy on either side. A moment later that was washed away as something just clicked, and suddenly it flowed. Both enthusiastically giving what belonged to the other. What started as a slow and tender kiss quickly grew passionate as that steady stream of energy between them was maintained. Each feeling how magic drained from their bodies into their partner, bleeding a growing sense of awareness into their partner. The pair felt their spiritual veins pulse, push and pull with magical energy in response to each other, feeling that echoing resonance as they grew more complete.

In a way both the physical and spiritual sensation was intoxicating; magical even. Their world exploding in a rush neither could properly describe. Narrowed down to the experience of that warm, rising wave of power beginning to steadily climb higher.

By now Bloom was ardently massaging her lips against his, lightly probing his warm, minty fresh mouth with her tongue. Soon she met resistance in form of his devilish and dexterous one, followed by a duel for dominance. Harry quickly won with his conquering tongue, drawing a long, low moan out of the ravenous young woman.

Bloomcould feel Harry's magic. It was immense; a mountain with no top. An endless ocean that toiled without pause. And she was but a single house next to that mountain. A single boat floating along in the sea of his magic. It felt as though she was basking in a thousand warm sunny days at once. Her entire body felt hot, insides exploding with raw energy. Every single nerve in her body lit on fire in painful pleasure, blending the two into the ultimate form of feeling. She wanted more, needed more.

A sense of awed wonder throbbed through Harry and Bloom, touching parts of each other so deep, so intimate it was impossible to put into words. Neither knew how long it lasted, how long they stood there drowning in emotions. However, soon the sublime sensation subsided, leaving a persistent echo behind.

The pair reluctantly separated, a string of saliva connecting their tongues that swiftly submitted to gravity.

She had a spark in her eyes and a soft smile of contentment on her flushed face. 'Wow!' was the only thought able to penetrate the fog of euphoria settling over her brain. Observing and comparing the difference between Sky and Harry immediately in the back of her mind and finding that it never felt this good with Sky. Next she noticed something hard pressing into her stomach, causing her to glance down. Cyan eyes promptly widened as she witnessed the bulge in his pants. 'That never happened with Sky the few times we kissed either!' One part of her proud that she could get such a reaction out of a grown man, while another was embarrassed. The second emotion didn't find any purchase as Harry grimaced, gripping his stomach in pain again. It told Bloom all she needed to know.

A single weak push sent Harry falling back onto the bed's edge. “What're you doing?!” he was able to grit out. Not wanting to take advantage of the girl, but also not declining in his current condition. There weren't many options right about now.

“Helping you.” came the succinct answer. 'And helping myself.' she admitted only to herself, thinking that maybe if she got more from him Enchantix would be hers. After all, with how good and similar it felt to being at her most powerful in her fairy form, that seemed plausible.

The fairy was unable to ignore the fire now burning in her loins, ignited by their kiss. She waved his weak protests and hands away, knelt down and took hold of his pants. Able hands quickly divested him of his belt and pulled down his pants, leaving only his boxers. She brought her hands up to the waistband of the now offensive garment protecting Harry's cock from her touch. 'It's not much more than a kiss.' she reasoned, a part of her thinking that she'd experience that rapture again if she did so. Looking up to his face Bloom saw his piercing green eyes looking down on her, and in a fleeting instant it was as if he saw to the depths of her soul and her desire.

“Do it then!” he grunted out, damn near commanded. Not willing to stop it if she was alright with it. His mind not quite there from the haze of pain going stronger.

A jolt ran through Bloom at that, straight to her sex. Knowing that Sky would've asked her a thousand times if she wanted to do it; so much until she got annoyed. Or some other problem would've cropped up, like it always did in their relationship; his duties as crown prince being the most prevalent. She revelled in the simplicity of this, in Harry's acceptance of her decision. Though, she imagined he had little choice right now, if he didn't want to harm himself that is.

Without further delay she pulled his boxers down. Her pussy was wet, having already soaked through her panties from the soul-searing kiss, and letting her feel the damp material clearly. Bloom continued peeling, slowly and seductively with her cyan orbs fixed on the emerging prize. The elastic of the waistband dragged Harry’s hard cock down, keeping it pressed against his thigh as Bloom revealed it bit by bit from the base to the tip. Eyes wide as his full thickness began to become apparent.

Eventually, only his glans was contained by the cloth prison. Bloom's mouth was gaping slightly as she gave a final tug. As a result the most awe inspiring cock sprang into view and swung out, pointing directly at the horny fairy, so close that she could smell his musk. It only served to fan the flames in her body. She took a deep whiff and let out a pleased sigh, her breath brushing against it.

“Wow,” was the only thing Bloom got out as she brought her right hand around to grip the base. Holding the solid, waving pole still with her hand, she manoeuvred it around, examining it from all angles. The fairy gulped in apprehension and excitement as she realized that she was unable to completely close her fingers around the shaft. Bringing her left hand to bear, she encircled Harry’s cock and began stroking experimentally. To her surprise, and mounting trepidation, his impressive length was still pulsing and growing. He was stiff, firm and unyielding. His member heavy, warm and alive, still filling with pounding blood in ancient need.

Bloom continued to move his prick around, inspecting her new toy with her curious gaze. She admired the way his foreskin travelled over his shiny, ready lubricated bell-end, the path of each of the fat veins and how the shape changed as she pulled all the way back and all the way forwards. Even cupping his balls tenderly, scraping her nails across to court a shiver of desire from him. Mesmerized, she relishing in this new experience and sensations.

Her trance was broken as Harry grunted, half in need and half in pain. Blushing at being so captivated by his cock, though Bloom didn't apologize and instead began what she had set out to do.

Without further delay, the fairy began. First kissing the fat glans and then treating his cock like a lollipop, swirling her tongue around the sensitive tip. His cock began weeping a clear, silky liquid. Curious, she licked some of it, causing a moan to escape her mouth as she did so. His precum stoked the fire in her womb and pussy that spread to the rest of her body like wildfire. Not able to hold back any longer she began greedily licking up along his shaft to lap up all the delicious liquid. Her fingers holding his erection were unable to go around entirely as she leaked her own juices onto the floor. The fairy instinctively used her free hand to flick her fleshy pearl through her knickers before pushing them aside for better access. Once she arrived at his glans again she enveloped it in her hot wet and needy mouth, suckling on it.

Harry sighed in pleasure with his head lolled back, anticipating the relief that was to come, and watching Bloom tentatively bobbing her head up and down his length. Flushed, she drew back from the intimidating penis. Pulling his cock to the side and seeing that she hadn't reaching very far down at all, Bloom pumped him with her right hand. “Sorry, I'm not very good at this kind of thing.” Andy hadn't needed nearly as much work from her to erupt quickly.

Harry shook his head. “No, it feels great. You're a natural.” he praised, hoping to get her to continue by stroking her hair.

Bloom encased his cock with her luscious lips once more, her tongue raking against his sensitive underside. He ran his fingers through her hair and gripped lightly, pulling her towards him. Pushing Bloom further down until his bell-end was entirely in her mouth and rose again until it was just the tip, sucking constantly. Continuing this motion, Bloom felt her lips stretch and eventually rested the back of her throat against the monster in her mouth while her tongue twirled around it. With her left hand busy she used her right to stroke him up and down, wanking his shaft as she sucked and bobbed her head as deep as her throat would allow.

Just as inexperienced as Bloom when it came to sex, Harry was left gasping for breath by her ministrations. “Fuck, that feels so good!” Harry began flexing his cock, trying as hard as he could to speed towards his end and subsequent release. By now not knowing which he awaited more; his orgasm or being rid of some excess magic.

Emboldened by his praise and the possibility of more pleasure, the redhead smiled around his cock. Her head bobbed and her masturbation grew more frantic as she devoured his dick in primal desire. Eyes closing in bliss she let her tongue work over the fat head of Harry's cock, trailing over his urethra to tease more delicious fluid out of it. Feeling her mouth fill with more pre-cum the pace of her fingers going in and out of her weeping cunt increased, causing squelching sounds as she vigorously pumped her needy pussy. Not satisfied, her mouth descended onto his cock, swallowing him deeper and deeper into her undulating gullet.

Finally, his orgasm hit hard, and his cock swelled. Bloom felt the change immediately through her tongue and throat as she steadily worked to force more and more down her greedy throat. She gagged, sputtered and coughed before pulling back so only the tip was inside her mouth.

“Bloom!” the last Potter moaned in warning, head thrown back to look at the ceiling as he came while holding her head in place.

A moment later Harry's cock sent rope after rope of cum onto her tongue and straight down her throat. Upon contact Bloom's mind went blank as the tidal wave of semen filled to the brim with powerful magic poured down her throat, letting her experience that rush again, filling her completely in a maddening spiral of pleasure. She came with the force of a hurricane, squealing and bucking and spasming as her swollen cunt squirted out a stream, which soaked the floor under her. All while still latched onto his cock, drinking every last drop of the delicious boiling hot seed Harry let out. His big balls contracted as he ejaculated, his cock giving mighty twitches every second as it worked hard to shoot thick globs down the redhead's throat.

When Harry was finished Bloom slowly drew back, sensually cleaning his cock before letting go with a wet pop. Followed by a sensual but sloppy kiss to the glans in thanks, strands of saliva and cum connecting her mouth to his prick. She licked her lips seductively, greedily gathering it all. She liked his strong taste, rolling her tongue around in her mouth to scoop up any remains and taste it some more. It almost reminded her of coffee, not the taste, but that she was left wanting for more afterwards.

“Thank you.” the wizard said in relief, somehow knowing she'd understand. “You have no idea how much I needed that!” the haze of pain had been lifted, but threatened to return soon enough. His magic now back to where it was at his arrival to Alfea.

Blinking, Bloom seemed to come back to herself a little and said. “No Problem!” without preamble Bloom let her skirt fall to the floor. Her soaked panties and midriff top followed shortly after as she divested herself of all clothing. Her beautifully proportioned body finally came into view. Harry enjoyed the sight of her trim, delicate ankles, followed by the fittingly slender thighs that crowned her slim legs. Her breasts were medium but incredibly perky, while her ass and stomach were of similar firmness.

Before he could say anything, Bloom spoke up. A fire, an intensity in her eyes he'd never seen before. “Seems your problem isn't gone completely.” she giggled and mounted him, seating herself in his lap. Unashamedly crossing her ankles behind his back and nestling her sex against his still-erect manhood. Her arms snaked around his neck for support, Bloom grinning like the cat that caught the canary. Normally the wizard would've stopped her then, but his own need prevented that.

Harry blinked at her startlingly effective seduction. His rough hands holding her by the hips. Her big blue eyes looking at his emerald ones protested her innocence, while her dark red lips admitted that it was a lie. “You know I’m not… just interested in your body, under the circumstances. I have this feeling that we have… similar experiences.” he didn't know why he said that, except not to seem like someone taking advantage of her. Not that she seemed to have a problem with it.

“Oh?” Bloom raised a brow, something in her responding to something in him. Some kind of kinship she had never felt before. Like a potter at a wheel, she caught his snake in her hands. She felt it jump between her palms as she gave Harry what amounted to a lap dance, grinding herself into his body until she was as close as moss to a tree, rubbing her hard nipples against his chest, even nuzzling the sides of his neck with her soft lips.

The wizard groaned as Bloom rode his thighs, manipulating his cock over the outside of her pussy, its head poring over her labia and up to her inflamed clit. It was getting to him. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as she sweetly caressed his cock with her sex, an electricity seeming to crackle between them. Softly, gently building, a low-level hum that grew and grew.

Harry decided to return the favour, his hands grabbing Bloom’s arse, pressing hard into the vulnerable flesh. Squeezing it to an all-too-pleased redness. Bloom whimpered in delight, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. “Yes, I heard some things about you other than what you told me.” his fingers wandered upwards, going up along her sides until he arrived at her hair. A firm yank saw her head bent backwards, forcing her to look up at him. “You sometimes still wonder if your new life is a dream. The world your parents belonged to, and were prominent figures in, feels not like it's your own. You want to make them proud and learn things about them. All while feeling like an outsider for not knowing trivial things about magic others take for granted.” As he whispered those words he saw Bloom squirm a little, only increasing the sensations her pussy caused him. “Due to something outside your control people got an interest in you. Something you would've rather avoided. Of course, that doesn't stop the whispers and opinions of others as they judge you lacking for things you previously had no idea about.”

The Trix had not left out much when ranting about Bloom. His words brought tears to Bloom’s eyes, and despite all the things he didn't know about her Harry felt the powerful urge to protect her from anything that saddened or scared her.

For the first time in a long while, Bloom felt really understood. 'He understands!' the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame thought elated and relieved. She knew her friends supported her no matter what, but that didn't mean they understood her struggles completely. Harry just now summed up exactly how she felt since coming to Magix, no matter how many told her otherwise. Out of place. Unworthy. Judged. Emotions and feelings only worsened by the recent news. “Thank you!” She said, her words heartfelt. Thinking she was able to feel his empathy, his love and support.

Just an inch from his face her lips parted, her blue eyes locked with his before she kissed him. His tongue in her mouth like that was all the penetration she needed, an incredible understandingand passion there, a power that she couldn’t contain, that she could only ride and shape and accept into herself. All too soon Bloom felt her embers flaring into a roaring flame once more. The fairy had assumed that her last orgasm would’ve left only ashes, nothing more to burn, but Harry's passion poured gasoline all over the remnants. She pressed him firmly against her, parting her lower lips on his shaft, riding up and down over every little vein. At the tip, there was the slippery feel of his precum. She enthusiastically rubbed it like she was moisturising. Rubbed them both, masturbating herself as she jerked him off with her pussy, trapping his cock between their bodies as she rubbed them together, moaning obscenely into his mouth.

Soon her back went rigid and her groin bloomed with heat and when she finally went slack, it was only to collapse atop him. A part of her wanted to indulge in her sated weariness, but a bigger one was not satisfied just yet. She needed more still.

A little magic saw Harry's position changed, so he laid correctly on the bed, with her still on top.

“Oh God!” Bloom gushed despite herself, something shining in her eyes as she explored Harry's body, making to straddle his hips. She leaned down, her face was closing in on his so that she could feel his hot breath on her. A moment later they kissed again while Bloom grasped his shoulders to hold Harry down. Breaking the kiss she raised her arse, placed one hand on his abs for balance and reached back between her legs and positioned Harry's stiff cock at her needy entrance, seeping with her natural lube.

For a brief moment of clarity, Bloom thought why she was here. 'I have to… get him to… do the thing… whatever it was.' she thought absent-mindedly. The fire in her loins absolutely convincing her thatfucking him would accomplish that.

Confident that she had angled Harry's member correctly, Bloom bit her lip and dropped. Her soft thighs descended as she began to take his fat cock up her tight cunt. Even the notorious Shadow Phoenix hissed through his teeth. His arms flexing, his hands tightening on the metal headboard as she took him inside her. Bloom felt almost as much pleasure at that as she did at the feeling of being parted, entered, surrendering to him. Then, with a degree of worry, she realized he just kept going. There was more of him. Much more.

"You're beautiful." Harry groaned out without thinking as she came to rest with what had to be all of him pulsing inside her. In response his hands sought out her inviting breasts, alternating between massaging, pinching or sucking on her pink nipples. Her pussy was constantly quivering. Every time she reached the bottom of a thrust he could feel her walls fluttering around him. It was a wonderful sensation.

Extremely pleased by his compliments, Bloom felt herself blush. Her draconic side basked in his praise, worship, and the feeling of fullness Harry was giving her, holding as still as her rubbery legs could manage while his massive cock stretched her cunt's walls out. Belatedly, Bloom realized she was cooing, and she couldn't be happier. Not waiting for herself to adjust too long, she raised her shapely arse into the air, lifting herself half off of Harry's magnificent rod. A happy sigh from Harry encouraged the fairy, and letting herself be impaled again, taking his entire length and thickness within her.

The sensation was absolutely addicting and it wasn't long until she was riding him like a horse, fucking her young cunt down onto his fat cock with wild bucks and half-formed cries of passion. The hot slippery friction their sexes made as they rubbed against each other drove the girl half-mad. Arching her back, she drew him even tighter in her. It really did feel glorious, much better than anything she experienced before.

The soft and comfortable bed creaked and groaned with the stress it was enduring by her onslaught. Lost in the sea of pleasure, Bloom briefly looked around as she threw her head hither and fro, spying her phone lying in the pile of her clothes. Like always it reminded her of Sky and that brought a brief flash of guilt with it.

She should leave right now. She almost did, easing herself off Harry's turgid erection, feeling her pussy tingle and clench in distress as it was abandoned, trying to keep him in. Every perfect inch of him left her one at a time. And the fire in her belly that had done nothing but spread and spread began to die down. Only for it to be reignited by fury as she saw the screen still showing her chat with Sky, empty as always; just like his promises to her.

“Nnnnnh!” Bloom cried, throwing herself back down onto her lover's cock, her head thrusting back in the ecstasy of sudden fulfilment, her crimson hair falling back to tickle at the small of her back. It was impossible to resist. Her hips darted up and slammed down, taking even more of his relentless cock inside herself.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she chanted madly, head thrown back in rapture.

When Bloom's orgasm came, it was sudden and overwhelming. The steady feeling of sinful friction and fullness morphed into something more. Her orgasm fired inside her, but it wasn’t enough. In rapid succession, Bloom bounced herself atop Harry’s cock another half-dozen times, then dropped her hand between her thighs and frantically flicked her clit until a second explosion took her. This time, she felt a liquid rush and heard a gushing splatter as her own pussy-juice squirted from her, all the way to Harry’s chiselled chest. A scream of triumph got stuck in her throat, leaving her to squirt in strained silence atop his twitching cock. She felt the hot rush of his cum filling her slick, clasping pussy to overflowing. So tight that each new spurt pushed cum out of her small cunt to pool together with her own ejaculate between their fleshy union in thick, creamy puddles.

“Yessssssss,” Bloomhissed in ecstasy, sweat dripping from her heaving breasts as she lost her balance, having to throw an arm back on the mattress to support herself as she floated down from her climactic high. Harry's cock was angrily pulsing inside her, pinning her in place.

Grunting, Harry flipped Bloom off of him, rolling her onto her back and pushing her legs into her tits, her calves lying on his shoulders pointed skyward as Harry put his weight on her. He knelt with his legs wide apart, his feet touching each other, while his forearms went under her arms and shoulders, hugging either side of Bloom's ribs, and his hands gently cradling her head. With the fairy effectively trapped, Harry began hammering away at her pulsating flesh, using the deep penetrating access granted by the position to stroke deep, pounding against her cervix. The liquid sound of Harry’s cock within Bloom’s dripping womanhood mixed with the fleshy rasp of their thighs rubbing together, with the low purr of Bloom’s breathing as she consumed the pleasure Harry gave her like a fire did wood.

“Oh yes,” she muttered in a loving litany, sending him a look of adoration. “Oh, that’s it. That’s it. Just like that. Just like that…” writhing in his solid hold, her fiery hair splayed around her head like a halo.

Harry’s chest worked like a bellows, his strong breath gusting out of his body and rumbling back in. With Bloom's arms and legs twined around him. Each breath filled her body with heat, lazily moving her lips to new places to kiss and suck. She found his mouth on one pitched intake of air, cutting off that steady breath with her soft, wide lips, her free hands playing with his hair.

Soon, his kisses left her breathless. Though, she was unable and unwilling to break free, clutching the back of his neck instead, forcing him into her, caressing him with her mouth. He kissed so passionately he might have been trying to devour her. It felt so good that she had to push him back a few times to get air, meanwhile running her hands from his thick arms to his back, now noticing the flexing muscles, the occasional scar, all the little pleasures of his body. Before long he was kissing her again, taking complete control of her body.

French kissing her leisurely, and still hard as a rock, Harry continued fucking himself between her shamelessly spread pussy lips, gathering momentum with each plunge into her gushing channel.

“Oh, oh, yes!” Bloom cried out, her legs already flexing harshly around his neck, trying to lock him in. “I'm gonna break! I'm gonna fucking break! Of fuck, Harry break me!” she pleaded as he fucked into her hard and fast, pumping cum in and out of her cunt. Bloom was so turned on by the deep penetration, the sensation of his surging cock and plentiful cum stuck inside her that she thought she would pass out for sure. Crossing her ankles and rhythmically flexing her lower legs in an attempt to drive him in deeper, all the while raking down his shoulders, sides and back with her nails, leaving marks in rows of red.

"Of course!" Harry grunted, though he was shocked at how furiously he was thrusting into Bloom, and how long he could go on. Then again, he had missed out on more than a decade of it.

In a surprising turn, Bloom used her remaining arm strength to grab his arse and pull Harry into her, to force his pulsing cock to once more knock against her sensitive cervix in a rough jerk. Just as she'd expected, Bloom came again and promptly threw her head back, wailing. "OH GOD!" her orgasm crashing into her like a tsunami, flooding her achingly filled cunt's hot walls with slick warm she-cum. Some of which managed to work itself past Harry's prick and leak onto the bed, staining it more.

"Are you alright, Bloom?" a sudden and concerned voice called out. Harry, bottomed out in the fairy's milking cunt, along with said cunt's owner, froze. "Ofelia told us you're in here."

"Your friends are here!" another, more musical one, sung. It was accompanied by the sound of a closing door, steps coming closer, and shadows growing behind the closed privacy screen.

Harry turned his attention back to a wide-eyed Bloom. Taking in the sight of her, with her all of her casually on display, her pussy only now beginning to settle down, and wondering how they could hide this. Bloom's eyes, trained in the direction of the voices, flickered between alarm and kinky arousal. "They're my roommates, Flora and Musa." She tried to stand up, but her muscles and the position she was in denied her. In a panic, she whispered frantically to him. "My legs are jelly! You have to carry me to the curtain. Please, they can't see me like this!"

Harry did as he was told, getting off her, sitting up with them still connected. He quickly flipped Bloom on her stomach and hooked his arms under her belly. Once at the curtain, Harry's rough hands gripped Bloom's hips tightly to support her weight. Bloom, standing on shaky legs, seized the fabric to keep herself upright and the curtain closed, followed by sticking her head through. Hopefully obscuring everything else behind the curtain.

Just in time to see Flora and Musa standing before her. “Hey guys! What's up?” she asked as cheerily as possible, knowing she must look a mess with dishevelled hair and her red face slick with sweat.

“We should be the ones asking that, Bloom.” Musa told her, dark blue eyes full of concern, taking in Bloom's red face. “What happened, you look exhausted?!”

Bloom smiled, but it looked more like a grimace. “I just caught a cold, you know!” she felt Harry lazily pulling his massive prick out of her gripping pussy all the way, before slowly sinking back in until he bottomed out against her womb's entrance, already tainted with his seed. Without her consent, a long, low hum escaped her throat as he repeated the extraction and insertion of his messy cock from her flushed cunt. Unable to make him stop without being noticed, but also unwilling to even try.

“Oh, that's good then.” Flora said relieved, making to grab the curtain to open it. “I have a few spells that should make short work of that.”

“No! I mean, I refused...Oh god... a magical remedy.” she brought out between gasps and moans, caused by Harry gyrating his hips and grinding his glans against her excitable womb. As a result she was gripping the privacy sheen so tight her knuckles turned white. The danger of being on the verge of discovery went straight to her overflowing pussy, an electric current racing down her spine.

The Fairy of Music and the Fairy of Nature looked at each other and shrugged helplessly. Both thinking that it was some weird Earth custom they wouldn't understand.

Harry groaned inaudibly, feeling Bloom tighten on him. Without thinking he draped himself over her back, still driving himself into her ribbed and enticing folds, slowly accelerating. At the same time his hands wandered up her smooth stomach to the curves of enticing flesh that led to her erect nipples, his strong arms the only thing holding her up. Bloom bit her lip as he dug into their softness, moulded them to the shape of his hands with hearty squeezes. He kneaded and squeezed her breasts as if they were bread dough rather than sensitive flesh, grinding his callused fingers into her nipples, tugging, then flattening them down to her chest. Bloom moaned again from deep in her throat, her nipples demanding attention. Noticing their erection, he found and fondled them, pinching and rolling them between his fingertips. Pulling on them, almost hurting her before the tight flesh slipped from his fingers and jiggled back in place, where they glowed with pink warmth from his affection.

“You don't sound so good, are you sure?” Musa questioned, looking at Bloom's expression, noticing it contorting briefly and the noises she made. She really did sound and looked sick.

Bloom found her waist being encircled by Harry’s thick arms again, his fingers roughly pulling open her pussy as if it needed to be any more spread with his dick already penetrating it. Just as hastily, his fingertips probed her stingingly hard clitoris and as his swollen cock enjoyed the heated velvety softness of her cunt, he gave her clit the attention it wanted.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes!” the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame cried, her body quivering, and cumming helplessly, biting her lip in a futile attempt to at least stop her lewd noises. Her cyan eyes filled with tears of joy, obscuring her vision. Her high was sticking around for longer than she was capable of handling. Having Harry fling himself into her dampness, his rough fingers grating on her swollen bud, it was like he was forcing her to have an orgasm, demanding it from her, not willing to settle for any sigh or grunt she might make. No, he needed her to scream.

"OK, we'll head back to our dorm and wait for you, if that's what you want." Flora promised with a gentle smile that said she accepted Bloom's decision, but it also promising she'd take care of her friend. Musa just looked concerned and waved at Bloom as she left.

Tears streamed down her face as Bloom nodded in thanks, her whole body shivering in ecstasy, a shaky smile on her lips with her tongue hanging out. "Yeah... got it... I'll come soon..." she promised, not knowing who she was talking to with those last three words.

Once the door closed her weak legs gave out completely, causing her to nearly fall forward on her knees. Luckily Harry caught her wrists to stabilize her before she could do so, pulling her back behind the noise-cancelling curtain. Still latched onto her, and still pumping and grinding. In his this position she now was nothing but a hostage, someone he could do anything to; to please, to love, to drive to madness. Bloom whimpered in delight when she felt his urethra line up with her cervix perfectly, knowing what was coming and absolutely loving it. A moment later his release came, which he delivered directly into her already packed fertile womb, shooting hot white sperm-rich ropes of thick cum filled with magic into it. So much so that it was forced out one drop at a time. The massive amount of cum he shot never declining at all.

Slowly, Harry let Bloom down on the floor, so that she reclined on her belly. Her hands ahead of her, with elbows and one leg bent, the upper part of her body slightly elevated, looking like she wanted to make a futile attempt at standing up. The position showed Harry all of her exquisite vagina, with her well-defined labia and a clit that peeked out of it's short hood eagerly. All of it caked in the white taint of their combined essences.

Operating half on instinct, Harry couldn't help himself. Not a second later he penetrated her again, his legs at her sides near her waist, looking as if he sat on her buttocks. Followed by his hands grabbing her breasts from below to play with, and him kissing her neck, sucking on her pulse point, making Bloom's escape from this rapture impossible.

The princess felt fit to burst, both physically from Harry's huge cock and mentally from the pleasure overload. So much so that she started absently drooling as she whimpered, “Oh, oh, oh.” every half-second. Her horny cries egged Harry on to rape her into the ground. She was a prisoner of pleasure as her ass jiggled with each blow. Her toes were curling, her lips were pursing, her skin was sweating, her eyes were unfocussed and she was about to come again.

Bloom’s cunt was clamping down hard on Harry, now seeming to want to keep him inside her forever. There was no pain, just the feeling of the full measure of his cock, all the way up inside. She was actually compelled to push back, to feel even more of him inside her. Her wanton whimpers transformed into screams, her head thrashing back and forth as Harry flew in and out of her wet cunt. Her orgasm never once tapering off, instead swelling in intensity as pleasure became her whole world. She screamed so loud her voice went hoarse, her hips driving back against his so violently that she actually moved his unyielding body an inch. Then, Bloom came with thundering finality, her nectar so plentiful that Harry could feel it splash against him, pooling at his feet. Giving him everything she had.

Harry returned the favour, letting his biggest load today free to jet into her grateful hole, quenching the fire in her womb, and making Bloom wonderfully aware of her own sex as he filled every crevice with his seed and intoxicating magic. She collapsed under him shortly after, all the rigidity gone from her body, melting like ice cream in the sun. Her collapse drew him on top of her, to pant and moan and tremble with her in fulfilment.

"Already finished?" she asked, taking deep breaths, both anticipation and some humour in her voice. She just so managed to raise and turn her head, only to run into his lips. His kiss was long and loving, and Bloom rutted against him as he gave it to her, feeling his finally wilting cock inside her, his cum oozing from her, his marks on her breasts and now, on her bruised lips. She was his. Gloriously, magnificently his. The fairy mewled at the loss of Harry removing himself from her, which caused a lewd squelchingsound followed by a pop that seemed to echo through the room, accompanied by a flood of semen streaming out of her slit, staining the floor completely.

"Yeah, thanks." He said gratefully, sheepishly scratching the back of his head, exuding boyish charm. His smile grew mischievous and smug. "Though, we can go for round two," Promptly, he reinforced his body with magic, banishing his fatigue, consuming a good amount of magic and summoning the same glowing emerald lines on his body as back in the restaurant. However, he was far from empty in every aspect, magically or otherwise. Immediately his cock began to stir and harden once more, making Harry playfully slide it up and down her grasping slit. “If you're up for it that is?”

"No, thank you, Harry." Bloom replied with a nervous giggle as her body quivered, willing but unable. Her pussy, covered in a thick spread of milky cum, clenched at nothing every few seconds at the thought of more, giving his glans a kiss as if she could draw him back into her. A look out the window showed it to be the twilight hour. "My friends are expecting me back soon anyway." She tried to think for how long they fucked or why she came here, but could not really remember. Did it really matter, though? While she was unable to move even a pinky, utterly spent in every aspect, Bloom also experienced complete contentedness, coming from every ache and bite of pure soaring pleasure all over her body.

She didn't have to do anything as Harry carried her to the bed in his arms. Laying down on his back with Bloom happily reclining on top of him, one hand on his chest with her other snaked around his left arm, pressing it against her tender breasts. Her left leg was hooked into his to keep him still. She took his half-hard cock brushing against her as a reassuring presence.

"Speaking of my friends, did you really have to do that in front of them?" Bloom asked with a blush, not knowing how or what to feel about that. One one hand she found it incredibly hot and on the other it could've resulted in utter embarrassment. Though, she was not truly angry at him. She could've subtly blasted him off her any time with magic, but didn't.

“Did you not like it?” he questioned with a raised brow, but already knowing the answer. One that was confirmed by Bloom's shy nod a moment later, followed by Harry complimenting, nearly crowing. "Besides, look at that beautiful pussy," his hand belonging to the arm holding her back travelled over her ass and between her legs, causing Bloom to instinctively spread them for him. He pumped two fingers inside the welcoming hole, which clamped down immediately, creating an airtight seal around his fingers. "I just had to have it!"

Bloom blushed at his awed voice and her own reaction to him, making no move to remove his hand from inside her cunt, instead trapping it between her thighs. Her face cycling through prideful, shameful and incredibly turned on. She was silent for a few minutes, simply enjoying the moment and listening to his heartbeat.

“You must've much experience to be so good at it.” Bloom thought out loud, tracing some of his scars and still blushing.

“More than a bit.” Harry confirmed. Though, his experience didn't come from his own, but from all the prisoners he encountered and stole memories from. Including sexual ones that had been mixed in with other random memories he got in the beginning, before he learned to control the process.

It took a few minutes of cuddling before Bloom spoke again, gasping as his fingers brushed against her g-spot. "Have the Trix really been controlled by Darkar?" Bloom couldn't help but ask, needing at least an answer to that, but not knowing how she'd take a confirmation after all the revelations today.

Harry sighed, stopped his ministrations and instead made to stroke her hair with his other hand, saying softly. "No." he could at least be honest with her after what she did for him.

"Why help them to such a degree, then?" she questioned, only curiosity and no accusation in her voice. Her eyes inspecting his face, memorizing its rough features. "You don't seem like a bad person."

Emerald met cyan. "You don't know me, but you also don't really know the Trix. Sure, they have tricked and fought you a number of times, but from what I gathered you weren't innocent in a few of those encounters." he chuckled as she looked away, remembering them infiltrating Cloud Tower in her first year and the punishment for that. "I'm not defending their actions, all I'm saying is that the Trix had their reasons."

"What reasons would that be?" the fairy asked sarcastically, followed by a huff. "Because I don't see them." she partly regretted asking that due to his fingers vacating her pussy, letting her feel empty.

The last Potter sighed and mulled his answer over. "You have to remember they have different outlook and experiences than you, dealing with prejudice for most, if not all their life." he shifted a little to stretch out, or try to at least. "That caused them to view power as the most valuable thing. Yet, they were expelled from Cloud Tower for doing what they were told to do. It lead the Trix to someone that promised them what they believed they wanted; power and revenge." Harry cast a quick spell, cleaning both of their bodies of sweat and other fluids. "I gave them what they really wanted. A chance."

“And power, right?” she challenged, unwilling to let that point go. Her eyes did not leave his for an instant, looking for a lie. She had seen and felt the Gloomix on the Trix' bodies. In the back of her mind Bloom remembered that she, too, had wanted to ask if he could give her something to achieve Enchantix. An endeavour that got slightly derailed.

Harry nodded without hesitation. “Yes, that too. Had to give them an incentive, you know.”

“Could you give me that, too?” the words tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop them. “I.. I mean, only... because it'll help me stop the Trix should they still be up to their usual antics, of course!” she amended hastily, getting more confident as she brought it all out. A little stutter in the beginning and blush on her face. 'It's just to help me against the Trix, nothing else!' she reaffirmed mentally, ignoring her tingling pussy's and throbbing womb's apparent disagreement.

“Of course.” he agreed with a shrug, willing to empty more of his reserves. “It helps me out as well, after all.” One of his hands already laying on her crotch just above her pussy, promptly applying his mark.

Bloom felt that same rush as before. His magic easily entered her conquered body through her womb, which was already incredibly familiar with his powerful magic, thoroughly soaked in his sperm that was still sloshing around inside. Liquid fire coursed through her veins, spreading out from her core to ignite every nerve in her body one after another. The echoes of every peak reverberating through her once more, causing Bloom's eyes to roll into the back of her head as she orgasmed once more, quivering and moaning atop him.

“Thanks.” Bloom huffed out after a few minutes, taking deep breaths to calm herself, now looking at the spot and spying the triangular symbol sitting there. Clearly feeling it pleasantly burning there, as if it was etched into her skin and beneath it.

“No problem.” came the reply from Harry, his voice already sounding much more relaxed and at ease than at the beginning of the day. As a last thanks he leaned down to give her a kiss, all while simultaneously cleaning the room and them, as well as charming the clothes onto their bodies. “I'd have to thank you for helping me!”

Bloom could only nod, not trusting her voice to convey what she felt. Everything already said through their actions. A niggling feeling in the back of her mind told her she was forgetting something. 'Couldn't have been important if I don't remember it.' she thought with a shrug, returning to her friends.

Eraklyon, Royal Palace.

Frantic footsteps could be heard echoing through the spacious chambers. The only form of illumination were a few magical lights on the walls, spending the room their humble light. A figure paced all around in agitation, its shadow dutifully following along, growing and shrinking as the person went around the room.

Said person was Sky, son of Erendor and Crown Prince of Eraklyon. He was a tall handsome and well-built young man with fair skin, blonde hair and blue eyes. As expected he wore clothes fit for royalty, complete with sash, cape and high collar. Held in his hand was a phone, showing received messages.

With a groan the young man sat down on his luxurious bed, looking down at the device in his hand. It's display mocking him together with his inability to write any reply. He'd begin typing only to delete it a few moments later. Nothing he could write able to properly convey what he needed to say. No, he needed to do so in person. Unfortunately his duty as prince and his father prevented him from leaving.

The door to his room creaked open, revealing the shadowy figure of a young woman. “Are you troubled, my Prince?” came the smoky voice of Diaspro. She possessed a slender and graceful figure, wavy pale blonde hair, amber eyes and tan skin. She wore a maroon-and-ivory corset dress with puffy sleeves and two light purple swirly bracelets that travelled up her forearms. As well as a light purple tiara with a large red jewel, jasper most likely.

Sky stiffened hearing that voice, a part of him wanting to send her away this instant. Though, despite her rude entrance without announcing herself, throwing out a lady of her status wouldn't look good for him or his family. “Why wouldn't I be?” he asked rhetorically, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes, watching as Diaspro closed the door and sashayed towards him.

“Is there any way I could be of assistance?” Diaspro inquired softly, sitting down elegantly beside him on the bed, her legs crossed in one smooth motion.

Sky shook his head slowly. “Only if you can convince my father to change his mind, otherwise no.”

“I don't know why you're surprised at this turn of events.” Diaspro began, playing with her hair while looking at him in confusion. “You're a prince with duties and obligations. A betrothal was always in your future, if not with me then someone else.” her voice sounding bitter, having been his fiancée in the past, which was annulled by Sky's father. “I thought you would be happy to be betrothed to that Winx Club girl.”

“I doubt she'd like it.” Sky countered desperately, falling back onto his bed. “She doesn't even know about it and to surprise someone with such monumental news without their input is asking for trouble!” frustration was welling up inside him at his father for forcing him into this position. Sky knew what was expected of him, to do good by and honour his kingdom, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

Diaspro shrugged, not feeling charitable towards any Winx girl, feeling they had no idea about real sacrifice or responsibility. “She's a princess and has to get used to it. Better now than later.”

Sky just groaned and buried his face with pillows.

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 9.

Alfea, Magix.

Harry watched and heard as Faragonda spoke to the Paladins, making it clear that the Trix were to be given a trial. He didn't know what kind of leverage she had, but was glad she used it to help. At the same time he felt secure in the knowledge that the Trix could escape any time they wanted with their new and enhanced powers, Gloomix, as well as the inbuilt portkey.

The surprise of Darcy's kiss was still prevalent in his mind. Having no idea how to feel about that or what that meant. Did he like her that way? Should he give it a shot or ignore it and move on? He was around ten years their senior, after all. 'Questions for another time.' he mused. Now there were more important matters to handle.

Bloom stood beside the raven-haired man, uncertainly switching from looking to him and the Trix a few times. “Do they mean that much to you, that you'd go so far for them?” she finally inquired, not able to see anyone else but the Trix themselves caring about them.

Harry sighed and shrugged. “A friend of mine would call it my 'Saving-People-Thing'.” a small fond smile adorned his features as he remembered his friends. “Though, I do see myself in them a little bit. I know how it is for people to expect you to act a certain way. Only because you resemble someone from their past. Be it positive or negative. Completely ignoring that you're your own person. Most do not even bother with trying to see the real you.” There were many examples of that in his past. An example would be Sirius, Remus and many of their friends to constantly compare him to James Potter. Harry liked Quidditch well enough, but loved flying much more and was not much of a prankster himself, thinking it resembled bullying too much. On the other hand there were people like Snape, Petunia and Vernon.

“I gave them the benefit of the doubt and I'll see how it turns out and handle it from there.” it worked for him every other time. Why not this time as well?

“I see.” was all Bloom could say to that, having much to think about. She shifted in place uncomfortably at being possibly in the wrong to such a degree.

Faragonda soon finished with the Paladins rejoined them. “I made sure to that the Trix will receive a trial. I don't know when it will be, but it shouldn't be more than a month with how notorious and infamous they are.” it was a high profile case and those usually were worked on faster than others. It cost her quite a bit of political clout too.

“Hopefully. I wouldn't put it past the authority figures to take them into custody and simply postpone the trial indefinitely.” Harry commented casually and cynically, his gaze locked onto the retreating ship. He knew the location of their base and if necessary would break the Trix out.

“I don't think the Council of Light would do that!” Bloom protested weakly, despite that there was hesitancy and doubt in her words.

“Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?” Harry questioned with a raised eyebrow before stating. “They imprisoned them on Omega without a trial before, despite knowing Darkar was able to control people. You should know that better than anyone else.” he looked into her cyan eyes briefly before Bloom broke the contact and added. “I've enough experience with corrupt governments to know that not giving people a trial and silencing their voice usual means they're afraid of what you have to say or what you can do.”

“Speaking of Darkar, before you arrived with the Trix, Bloom and I had an interesting conversation connected to that.” Faragonda interjected with a change of topic. Not wanting him to grow angry and potentially level Alfea. “However, that's not a conversation we should be holding in public.” with that said she superstitiously cast a look around and lead them back to her office.

After arriving Faragonda closed the door, and sealed the room magically against scrying and other methods of espionage. “Now we can't be overheard or spied on magically.” Faragonda alternated looking from Bloom to Harry for a few moments. Her fingers steepled in front of her, elbows resting on the desk. Finally a sigh escaped her and the old fairy began. “Bloom here explained to me an interesting problem. Ever since being controlled by Darkar she had problems with her temper, more so than usual that is.” the remark let Bloom's head erupt in a blush of embarrassment. “I personally attribute it an echo of his essence. However, she also told me that being near you calms her down.” here her eyes grew intense as her intertwined fingers tightened. “So, how long have you've been the Shadow Phoenix, Mr. Potter?” having decided to cut straight to the heart of the matter.

Harry was more than a little bit surprised, but still relaxed. “Figured that out during my hospital visit, did you?” he inquired curiously and upon Faragonda's nod he chuckled. “Should have guessed this would happen.”

Bloom grew extremely pale, staring at him in mortification, shame and revulsion. “You're the Shadow Phoenix?!” she exclaimed loudly, nearly leaping out of her seat but not transforming. While she harboured doubts as to Faragonda's claims, it would explain much.

“Since recently, yes.” he answered calmly. Not at all bothered by her behaviour, if a little surprised by it.

Faragonda nodded, looking at him intently behind her glasses. “I thought as much. There has to be a Shadow Phoenix, always.” to kill the Shadow Phoenix was impossible, after all. It's power guaranteed to search for a new host upon the death of the old one.

“What're you talking about?!” Bloom demanded slightly hysterical. Not knowing what was going on and torn between fight or flight. In the end she did neither. “I thought we vanquished Darkar!”

“You did, but the power of the Shadow Phoenix simply gained a new host. As the name implies it always comes back, reborn anew.” Faragonda sighed and looked at Bloom, obviously debating just what she should tell her. Once she reached a conclusion, the old fairy said. “It seems it's time for you to learn some history of the Magical Galaxy not many know about. Normally I wouldn't even be allowed to tell you this. However, because you are directly affected I feel it necessary.”

Thoroughly confused, Bloom asked. “What're you talking about, Headmistress? I've learned plenty about history during class.” not knowing why Faragonda didn't seem phased by the next big bad sitting in her office.

“Not the true one, I fear.” Faragonda said heavily before waving her hand. A silver tray appeared one the desk, carrying an immaculate pot and cups of porcelain and intricate design, summoned by the fairy from the kitchen. Bloom declined the offer and after doling out some steaming liquid to herself and Harry, she went on. “Bloom, as you know there is the Dragon's Flame you possess within you, as well as the power of the Shadow Phoenix now residing inside Harry here. They're said to be opposites, light and dark, but that is not true.” she shook her head. “What not many people know is that there also exist a third power, the Water Stars.”

Despite having many questions in the back of her mind, Bloom was too stunned to speak. A third power? One nearly no one knew about? Without noticing she leaned forward in anticipation.

Faragonda sat her saucer down gently, looking at Bloom intently. “In truth, the Dragon's Flame and the Water Stars are opposites. Light and Dark. Positive and Negative. They created the Magical Galaxy at the beginning. The Shadow Phoenix came into being shortly after and in turn had been responsible for keeping the balance between them. With his own ability to absorb magic, he took power from one and gave to the other. In case one side grew too strong or too weak.” it was much like a witch being able to become a Fairy or vice versa. “This triumvirate successfully kept balance for millennia.”

“What happened then?” Bloom couldn't help but ask, enraptured. She knew that Darkar had the power to absorb magic and redirect it.

Harry too was intrigued by the tale, despite not knowing much about any of it. Though, he reclined on the comfortable chair, enjoying his tea. It had been a while since he had a good cup, after all.

“Folly happened.” came the forlorn answer. Faragonda looked out the window at the idyllic scene outside her window. It mocked her words, calling them lies. “At a time when the the Water Stars and the witches possessing them were weak someone overpowered and beat them, stripping the Water Stars off them. The Water Stars themselves were locked away, banished to a pocket dimension called the Golden Kingdom.” the unusual amount of venom in her words directed at the place took Bloom aback. “While Darkar was imprisoned by the High Templar himself. One of the few who could've accomplished the deed against the then weakened Shadow Phoenix.” the old fairy gripped the armrests of her seat tightly. “I don't know if things could've gone differently, but those actions ultimately led to the destruction of Domino down the line.” Faragonda heard Bloom's gasp but soldiered on. “Without anything to oppose it the Dragon's Flame grew out of control, threatening to consume Domino and everything else, causing the royal family to build around the Great Dragon's resting grounds and creating the Vortex of Flames.”

Faragonda let the two digest it a little bit before going on. “Still bound to bring balance, but unable to uphold it, Darkar and the Ancestral Witches, the previous holders of the Water Stars, planned to use it to bring balance once more to the Magical Galaxy.” here the headmistress took another sip from her tea, letting the heat sooth her old throat. “I can only guess that part of the plan was obtaining the Crystal of Power. Something that can only be summoned when two of the three work together to do so. With the Water Stars not available there was only one choice.” that caused her to remember Valtor being in the possession of a part of the Dragon's Flame. Though, he also betrayed his creators in his lust for power.

The red-haired fairy couldn't believe her ears. The tale sounding too fantastical to be believed. Upending all of her beliefs, all of what she had seen and known until now. “But, why do this?” Bloom practically pleaded, hoping Faragonda to be joking or this to be a dream. It was the cold reality however, and Faragonda had never lied to her. “Why risk such dire consequences?”

“The Council of Light, those responsible for this, wanted to bring about their own version of an utopia and believed the Water Stars and the Shadow Phoenix stood in the way of it.” Faragonda explained patiently, sorrow lacing her words at having to shatter Bloom's world. “If you look no further than the surface then you'd be forgiven to think they succeeded.” Faragonda stood up and walked to the window, looking out with both hands clasped behind her back. “And to my shame, fool that I was, I helped them create it, learning of the truth too late to change anything.” she admitted mournfully, turning back to face her guests. “Had Darkar not become so twisted from his imprisonment and consumed by revenge I maybe would've helped instead of opposing him.”

Bloom slumped back in her seat, staring at nothing in particular.

Silence reigned for a while, only interrupted by the clinking of crockery. After a minute Harry took the opportunity to chime in. “I'm not surprised that the types to imprison people without a trial would do such a thing. However, this planet doesn't feel unbalanced.” it seemed very much like Earth to him, just more advanced.

“You mostly have the witches' presence to thank for that.” Faragonda chuckled at Bloom's incredulous look and smiled in a self-deprecating way. “Ironic isn't it? Fairies are sworn to preserve the Magical Galaxy and yet the Witches' mere presence does more for that than any fairy could ever hope to contribute right now. Not that they're appreciated for it or even know their importance themselves.” it had been all too easy to paint the Ancestral Witches and witches in general as evil. The victor decided history, after all.

“The witches, really? The same ones that live in Cloud Tower?” Bloom couldn't help but question out of reflex. Cyan eyes wide and voice thick with disbelief.

“The very same.” Faragonda confirmed with a nod before sitting down again. “Without the Water Stars, the biggest source of negative energy in the Magical Galaxy, it fell the witches to pick up the slack.” she sighed mournfully, remembering Griffin's troubles and resentment. “Crippled as they are that was and still is an impossible task. Soon they had been pushed back until only Cloud Tower remained.” it was the last and only known school for witches left in the entire Magical Galaxy.

“But Stella, Tecna, Musa or the others would know when something isn't right with their home worlds!” Bloom cried desperately, trying to deny it all vehemently. In the years she had spent with them none told her of problems on their home planets.

Faragonda shook her head, elbows on her desk. “You have only seen Earth and Magix, worlds that are relatively unscathed. While your friends have a different problem; their sheltered lifestyle.” she gestured around her. “Alfea is a school for fairies, true. However, all those who attend are royalty or closely connected to them. Something that warps their perception, because they never actually saw or recognized the problem, much less interacted with it.” she sighed once more. “It also isn't helped that each royal family chooses their representative on the Council of Light. So, I'd advocate against telling them these things for fear of someone being told by them.”

“Why tell us this at all then, if it's forbidden to do so?” Bloom finally asked, utterly spent and exhausted. Feeling left alone as another burden settled on her shoulders. Not even able to tell her friends in fear of others learning of it. She smiled a bit as Harry laid his hand on top of hers, interlacing their fingers and squeezed in a gesture of support.

Giving the young fairy a sympathetic look, Faragonda explained. “Because your fates are intertwined now and sooner or later you'd have to deal with it. I'm just sorry you had to learn this way.” at Bloom's acknowledging and resigned nod, Faragonda turned to Harry. “What I don't know is how you came in the possession of that power. Do you have any idea, Mr. Potter?”

Harry scratched his beard with his free hand, thinking. “Well, the only thing I can think of are the Deathly Hallows.” he then told them an abridged version of the legends and the events leading to him possessing them. As well as pulling the artefacts out to show them. “I can only imagine that 'Death' in that story was actually this Darkar character.”

“I agree.” the headmistress concurred easily, holding the silvery cloak in her hands and letting it run through her fingers. “That's why his cloak was in tatters.” she murmured before clearing her throat. “It explains why he was so weakened. Evidently Darkar had imbued these items with most his power and somehow succeeded in placing them on Earth. Once someone worthy had collected all three the power transferred to him, followed by the rest upon Darkar's death.” it was most likely done so that he could never be imprisoned again in such a manner. “Quite an ingenious idea. Nobody from the Magical Galaxy would look on Earth for anything of him.” she handed him back the cloak.

Mollified that Harry wasn't the same as Darkar, Bloom inquired curiously. “Are our powers responsible for that connection between us?” the question was followed by her squirming in her seat, growing a bit hot under the collar.

“Not under normal circumstances, no.” Faragonda began and told her. “It seems Mr. Potter here possesses a piece of the Dragon's Flame.” also something that had been revealed during the medical exam. Her eyes turned to Bloom. “While you still have a piece of his power residing inside of you, a remnant from your possession. Both calling out to each other.”

“How did you get a part of the Dragon's Flame?” Bloom blurted out, demanded really. At his amused look she promptly blushed, pulled her hand back as if burned followed by fiddling with the hem of her skirt.

Harry chuckled and waved her off. “My guess is that I received it from this Valtor. The time where I felt different coincides with his death.” he said smoothly, no lie leaving his lips. Valtor had died by him extracting the Dragon's Flame from him.

Faragonda hummed in thought, rubbing her chin. “Well, that does seem plausible, considering that his part of the Dragon's Flame also was touched by Darkar at one point.” seeing Bloom about to speak made the headmistress put her hand up to stop it. “I know what you're going to ask and there is a simple solution to your problem.” Harry didn't know why Faragonda was smiling somewhat mischievously. Eyes twinkling merrily like Dumbledore's always did. “To return these pieces to where they belong you simply need to kiss.”

“Come again?” Bloom choked out, stunned once more before growing as red as her hair. Followed by sputtering. “Why?”

The old fairy grinned as she elucidated. “Well, the mouth is the fastest connection to the soul, which is deeply intertwined with your magic.”

“That's true.” Harry confirmed with a sigh and closed eyes. The Dementor's Kiss came to mind quick enough. After opening his eyes and seeing that Bloom was hesitant and uncomfortable, he tried to lighten the mood. “I hope I'm not too hideous.” he joked, chuckling.

Bloom shook her head vehemently, hands waving in front of her as she stuttered. “No, no.. you..you're handsome.” a blush grew on her face now, feeling as if it extended down her neck. “It's just...” a mix of guilt, want and confusion roiled in her heart. She wanted to help Harry, and still did, but this seemed too much. Dangerously close to betraying Sky.

“All a bit much?” he finished for her after which Bloom gave him a reluctant nod. “We don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with.” he assured her, a soft smile playing on his face. He knew she had a boyfriend and didn't want to be a possible issue between them. “Besides, we don't have to do it now, if at all.”

Bloom said gratefully. “Thank you.” smiling slightly, something loosened around her heart. While she didn't feel the angry pulsing and pounding behind her eyes with him present, she did feel the pull towards Harry consistently strengthening during the whole conversation. She wanted to get rid of this problem, but without cheating on Sky. The fairy ignored her more vindictive side that demanded she kiss the older man in revenge for Sky ignoring her calls and messages. Not to mention all the other things she had learned today still on her mind. Unbelievable things, all things considered. But she trusted Faragonda.

“No problem.” he waved her off. “I have to thank you for that enlightening talk.” standing up, he smiled roguishly at them. “I wish you a good day ladies.”

“You should briefly visit the Hospital Wing before you go, Mr. Potter. Ofelia can give you some tips for your predicament.” Faragonda advised earnestly.

Harry nodded again and left the office, closing the door softly behind him.

“Do you need me for anything else, headmistress?” Bloom was already halfway out of her seat.

“Yes, Bloom, there is one more thing.” Sadly, it wouldn't be good news either. “It also has to do with the destruction of Domino, and what consequences that has for your next year of schooling here at Alfea.”

Thoroughly confused, Bloom asked. “What has that to do with my last year here?” these things did not seem related at all. A sinking feeling made itself known in her stomach, as if she ate a rock that now sat in her stomach, dragging her back down onto the seat.

Sighing sadly, Faragonda was briefly indecisive before squaring her shoulders to get it over with. “You see, the next year has no exams or tests of any kind. The only thing you have to accomplish is gaining your Enchantix.” at Bloom's nod, indicating she knew that, Faragonda stood up and continued. “Some fairies gain it quickly, while others need more than one year to do so.” by the end she knelt in front of Bloom, taking both of the younger fairy's in her hands as a show of support. “However, you will most likely never be able to gain Enchantix, because it only can be achieved by rescuing someone from your homeworld and show great sacrifice doing so.”

“But, but...” the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame stuttered out, eyes wide with tears beginning to pool in her eyes. “Everyone from Domino but me is dead.” she croaked, the words wooden and damning all at once.

“Yes.” was all the headmistress responded with, voice full of sorrow and sympathy.

It took a while for Bloom to return to anything resembling normalcy, quickly going through the first two stages of grief. Denial by clinging to some hope that soon evaporated, not able to deceive herself so much. Anger was more up her alley, raging at Faragonda for even allowing her to attend Alfea, knowing she could never be a complete fairy. Only to be reminded that she cheated her way in and everyone, including herself, thought she was from Earth.

Bloom hollowly said goodbye to Faragonda and took to wandering the empty halls of Alfea bereft of its pupils. All of them enjoying the school holidays with their families.

'What should I do?' she thought, aimlessly strolling through corridors. 'Maybe looking for someone from Domino? How, putting up an add in the Galactic Web?' she derisively snorted to herself. 'That'll go over great. “Princess from Domino looking for someone also from Domino, to rescue in a totally not staged manner?”' she shook her head, banishing that ridiculous thought. The act wouldn't be selfless then, would it?

She briefly entertained the thought of becoming a witch. 'If Faragonda is to be believed then they need help.' that thought was followed by. 'I did pretty good in these few classes I attended at Cloud Tower last year.' despite knowing witches were not evil, Bloom couldn't convince herself to let go of being a fairy just yet. Too many bad encounters with the Trix and too much invested in being a fairy already. “Last resort, definitely last resort!” she mumbled to herself.

She noticed that her wanderings had brought her to the hospital wing, having subconsciously followed that connection to Harry. Bloom perked up at that. 'Maybe he can help?!' elation filled her, causing a minuscule smile. 'Darkar did give the Trix a power boost, so maybe Harry could do the same with fairies? Or maybe getting the rest of the Dragon's Flame would help me achieve Enchantix?'

“So, I can't just keep casting magic to alleviate it?” Harry asked the nurse with an annoyed scowl. Peeved that it wasn't as easy as that. Already he felt the symptoms of having too much magic in his system returning.

The nurse, Ofelia, sat in her white medical chair before him. She and Harry were currently in her office, a room adjacent to the hospital wing. The bed on which Harry now sat stood in the corner, able to be closed off by a curtain. Aside from the desk, bed and chair it contained two closets and a bookcase.

Ofelia's arms were crossed as she gave him her best impression of Madame Pomfrey. “No, young man, you in fact cannot!” she huffed but her bespectacled glare softened somewhat. “You may be able to do so for a short while, but too much casting also puts a strain on your magical circuits.” Ofelia sighed as she read from his sheet, exasperation clear in her tone. Something he was very familiar with from nurses. “It isn't helped by the fact that the process of Evaporation doesn't apply to you; meaning you don't bleed any of your magic off into the environment around you. That on top of your own magic constantly replenishing, combined with your ungodly amount, makes this a tricky situation indeed.”

Harry frowned in displeasure, not liking the answer. Slowly the pressure inside him built up again, unstoppable like the tides. It would've caused him to grimace, if he wasn't so used to pain by now.

Apparently he couldn't cast enough magic to make it go away without damaging his magical circuits. Though, casting constantly didn't so much deplete his reserves as much as keeping them constant due to his magic naturally replenishing itself. Doing nothing amounted to the same thing. Only difference was his circuits bursting instead of abusing them through too much usage. Magical circuits resembled muscles in that regard. Use them too often without resting and risk tearing something. It was annoying to be honest and he knew the Crystal of Power was responsible. The problem was that he didn't know how to get rid of it, of if he even could.

“What do you propose I do then?” Harry finally demanded, not seeing a good way out.

Ofelia turned and rolled towards her desk and looked for something. “I have, well, not a cure but something capable of alleviating the symptoms.” before he could ask for more, she found it, turned and explained. “We just have to use a different method to get the magical energy out of you.” she grinned, which caused Harry to feel as if he swallowed stones. A nurse's joy was usually his pain or embarrassment. “Now, something you likely don't know is that your bodily fluids are excellent at holding magical energy. Especially blood and semen.”

“Alright, how much do I need to bleed in day?” he inquired, shoulders slumped in relief. It didn't sound too bad. Blood-replenishing potions were a thing, after all.

Ofelia was smiling, if a bit woodenly. “I would advise against that. Not because bleeding you wouldn't work.” she said and her tone was coloured with incredulity, holding his sheet that contained his test results in her hand and lightly slapping it with her knuckles. “But because somehow there are substances in your blood that altered it in such a way that it wouldn't react well when coming in contact with a blood-replenishing potion.” how this young man was alive after coming in contact with half the substances on this list was beyond her. “The results would resemble throwing porcupine quills into a cure for boils before taking the cauldron off the fire.”

Harry blanched and rocked back at that vivid image, imagining himself as a puddle of horrid smelling goo on the floor.

Ignoring his reaction, Ofelia stood and went to a nearby cabinet, rummaging around inside. “Do not fret, I have something able to help you in here, somewhere.” the muffled clinking of glass vials could be heard. “Aha, here it is.” she pulled out one that contained a vivid blue potion and walked in front of him. “As you've no doubt surmised by now, you need to find... ah... ejaculate a certain number of times a day. You'd have to experiment to know how many.” she told him carefully, putting it in his hand. “This everlasting potion makes sure that your quill is always inked, shall we say. As well as greatly increasing the volume released to help carry more magical energy with it.” more spunk released meant more magical energy out of his system, after all.

Holding the vial up and eyeing the potion, Harry turned to look at Ofelia's face directly, inquiring dryly. “Any side-effects I should know about?” somehow he had expected something to go south, but his bipolar luck never went in the direction where he needed a sperm-replenishing potion that lasted indefinitely. Then again, without it Harry would be empty after a while and that wouldn't help with his problem.

“No, but I'll give you a list of potions you should stay away from after drinking it.” Ofelia told him and handing him the potion. The finished paper already sat on her desk. While Everlasting Potions were useful in that their effects lasted until the counter-agent was administered, they also had drawbacks. Namely that you were limited in a few ways due to some potions not mixing well with each other. Luckily, the ones her newest patient couldn't take were so obscure it made little difference.

After he drank it and Ofelia gave him the list of things he should avoid, she told him with a glint in her eyes. “Oh, before I forget. You should know that while doing it alone does help, it is much more efficient with a partner.” seeing that everything was in order, she said before making to leave. “I'll leave you to it, then.”

“Thank you.” he told her sincerely. Ofelia shortly closed the privacy screen around his bed. The enchanted fabric hid him completely from view and cancelled out any noise from inside.

Barely finished with that Ofelia turned and saw Bloom coming into the room. The fairy with fiery butt-length hair wore her usual outfit, consisting of a cyan and white striped midriff top with small pink hearts and a dark blue ruffle denim skirt. A pink arm-band on her left arm, over-the-knee cyan socks and dark blue platform boots with white tips and pink lace completed the look.

“Bloom, what can I do for you?” the bespectacled nurse asked, fidgeting a little. Normally she'd be pleasantly surprised by the unexpected visit, but she didn't know how much Bloom overheard. Though, she was always happy to help the fairy, despite her being a near regular resident of the hospital wing. Yet, looking at the red-haired young woman showed her to be sad and rather defeated.

Bloom sighed, shoulders squared resolutely. “Is Harry still here?” she didn't know why she lied, already knowing that he was here, having overheard the conversation of the two. By now she only followed her instincts and the feeling that drew her to him. 'What kind of fairy am I? Can't even achieve Enchantix or graduate from Alfea on my own.' Bloom thought glumly, but banished these thoughts, following her plan. All the other things she experienced and learned today not exactly helping with cheering her up after what the headmistress told her.

Flushing a bit, the nurse told her hesitantly. “Oh, yes, but he is currently busy.”

“Busy, how? I wanted to help him.” Even if she couldn't gain her Enchantix with Harry's aid then she at least would've helped someone in need, as a proper fairy should. Not to mention that it wouldn't be fair to Sky, should she always be distracted by this bond she had with Harry. One little kiss shouldn't be too much to ask, she reckoned. 'He helped me before. The least I can do is help him out, too.' she thought resolutely. Sick of feeling helpless and useless ever since Darkar's control over her had been lifted. She had hoped Sky would be someone she could confide in, but not a word from him came. No matter how much she called or messaged. The phone with many read messages from her testament to that. Sky couldn't be so busy for so long that sending a message was inconvenient.

Despite Ofelia's insistence to keep her away, Bloom did not budge and in the end used a little magic to send the nurse away. A normal person having no chance against the might wielded by the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame.

As the nurse left the room, Bloom couldn't help but remember the talk in the White Horse about the difference between witches and fairies vividly. Something that only made her more curious, the heat spreading through her body swiftly. Besides, she wasn't a complete virgin; having given oral a few times to Andy, her ex-boyfriend from Earth. Her curiosity and impulsive nature were inflamed together with her tendency to try and avoid problems. Talking with Harry would serve as a suitable distraction, she figured. Maybe he could even help her with some advice, if nothing else?

'Besides, I'm a princess in name only. A princess of a dead planet because of which I can't achieve my Enchantix.' there were no betrothals in place for her or other obligations she had to keep like Stella, Aisha or Tecna. And apparently her boyfriend ignored her.

With a resolve she usually had for battles Bloom approached the curtain. Still drawn to Harry as her heart sped up faster and faster, blood surging through her. Imagination running wild at what could lie behind the screen.

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 8.

Planet Magic, Magix City.

Icy heard the crash from where she stood a second before, causing her ears to ring more than a little. Instinct and reflex saw her smoothly transition from her roll to a defensive position. What she saw was not what she wanted to. 'A troll?!' she thought apprehensively. While they were stupid and sluggish they did have a pretty good resistance to magic. One hit from that thing and she would have more than a few bones broken.

She briefly thought of trying to command the beast, but thought better of it. Mazakis must've it under his control and while stupid they were also loyal. Stupidly loyal, in fact.

'It's a good thing I can fly.' she thought. Thankfully having enough calm of mind to not freak out completely and forget crucial things. Dismissing gravity, Icy flew out of range of the stupid beast.

However, smugness wasn't even allowed to set in as several bright cones of light encased her from below. Under her were what seemed like all of Mazakis' personal security personnel. All armed with Phantoblades, shields and long-ranged weapons of different styles and colours. All at once they fired at her with their blasters.

If possible her stomach fell even lower. Now residing at her knees. 'This just keeps getting better and better.' she groused mentally as she dodged the barrage of attacks. Retaliating with icicles and blasts of cold that did little to dissuade them. Most of it deflected with their magical weaponry or evaded.

Seeing that it was futile to stay and fight Icy tried to flee. Try being the operative word. Just as she was about to fly away from the manor grounds, she was stopped by a solid wall of energy. Repelling and throwing her harshly to the ground.

Pain blossomed at once together with disorientation. Regardless of that she heard the voice of Mazakis through the haze of pain. Muffled though it was.

“Did you really think it'd be so easy to escape?!” he sneered, taking delight in his apparent success. “I knew who you were from the beginning. My idiot of a son couldn't keep a secret from me if he tried.”

A moment later nets were thrown over Icy, restraining her. She tried to break free by freezing it, but was rewarded with an electric shock, causing her to scream out loud. The magic she called up dissipating immediately. Worthless in the face of this specially designed weaponry.

Mazakis' annoying gloating reached her ears. “Don't try to break free, my dear. You'll just make it worse.” the net fed on the victims magic to become stronger, as well as using the same magic for it's other functions. Such a thing was only prudent due to the fact that most criminals were magical in their society. Incapacitating and weakening the captive all at once was a good thing.

“Fuck you!” the Witch of Ice spat out venomously, glaring daggers at Mazakis. Hatred burning in her blue eyes that promised no easy victory and resistance all the way. 'I won't go back to that prison monastery! I can't!' Icy thought, frantically trying to wiggle out of the net to no success.

Mazakis commanded with a negligent wave of his hand. “Take her out of my sight!”

Seeing no other way out and her capture imminent by the approaching guards, Icy did something reckless. She gathered up all her considerable magical power and set it free in a flare of pure magical energy. Causing the net to electrify again. In her mind it was better to be shocked than to be captured, and the guards couldn't touch the net in its current state.

That seemed to amuse Darko's father even more. “What do you think you're doing?” he sneered in sadistic glee as he saw her do such a nonsensical action. “You're even dumber than I thought.”

Stars danced across her vision flashed with multicoloured spots as her body convulsed outside her control. Pain transformed to agony in seconds as she grit her teeth. Just so avoiding biting her tongue off while refusing to cry out and give them the satisfaction of her pain. Pushing herself further and further in the hope to maybe signal her sisters with her self-made magical flare. 'Please, help me!' she pleaded with her sisters in all but blood mentally.

Time stretched itself to unimaginable lengths as her world was narrowed down to the anguish she currently experienced. Feeling as if every nerve in her body was on fire while searing knifes cut into her body. The only thing that had kept her going until now was the same as always, her pride. 'Anyone!' she thought weakly. Her last effort before slipping away was to not beg out loud.

In the end it was either her pride or survival.

When her vision slowly grew black around the edges and her hold on consciousness slipped further away from her she came to a decision. “Help!” she pleaded out in a barely audible croak, which was all she could manage with her muscles refusing to obey her commands. Her body twisting, twitching and turning as she convulsed on the floor. Already having lost control of her bladder some time ago. Not that she was in any state to perceive that minor problem. Her last amounts of control went into preventing the tears of pain she felt creeping up from streamed down her face.

Just as she was about to faint her magic ran empty, stopping the shocks and keeping her in a delirious state. The world wouldn't sit still, overlapping with copies of itself that flew through her field of vision at random with bright dots blinking in and out of it. She felt her captors drag the net and her with it. A few vengeful ones remembered her and her sister's actions, kicking her as she was dragged along. “That's for Magix City!”

Fortunately, Icy was physically numb at this point.

As she was dragged along on her back Icy could see the night sky with all the stars in it. One shone brighter than all the others. It's light swelling in intensity and seemingly headed straight for her. However, it's light was muted and cold, which should be impossible. Yet, the luminescence was only becoming brighter with each passing second it fell towards the mansion.

“What's that?!” one of the thugs cried out in alarm. Noticing the stretching shadows and growing light of the apparent meteorite intent to vaporize any opposition. It did just that a moment later. Not giving anyone enough time to run for cover. Shortly after the ward surrounding the property shattered into a million pieces as the mysterious object crashed into it. Ripping straight through the shield as if it wasn't even there. The streaking ball of energy impacted directly where the troll stood, erasing the creature from existence. Leaving behind naught but ash blowing in the wind.

The noise the collapsing ward made was similar to glass shattering, but could not truly be heard. It was felt. Shards of the now broken ward rained down onto the ground, but dissolved into golden dust before touching the earth.

A figure could be made out amidst the cloud of golden dust. It revealed Harry with wings of black flames stretching out majestically behind him, standing amidst the glitter like an angel of wrath. A scowl on his face as his emerald gaze took in the situation. Only growing fiercer at Icy's condition.

In her current befuddled state Belladonna could only think. 'That's it. I'm hallucinating from the pain.' fully convinced this was a not real. Why else would he bother to rescue someone like her? Her mind must've twisted around the bend more than it already was and let her see what she wanted to.

A moment later the air began to vibrate as an unseen and oppressive force came to bear down on everyone present. For Belladonna it felt like a cocoon of safety she could curl up in forget the world. A pleasant weight enveloping her completely, soothing her injuries a little. For everyone else it felt like as if gravity had increased a hundredfold, forcing them to their knees.

Mazakis' mind was telling him to shut up, while his pride did the opposite. His pride won like always, but barely.

“Stop this at once!” Mazakis demanded with fear in his eyes and voice. His bent legs shaking like a newborn foal's. He hadn't seen many wizards, rare as they were, but from what he experienced Mazakis knew every single one was powerful. Yet, this one's sheer presence alone was enough to incapacitate his trained bodyguards. Bodyguards who had some resistance to magic. Not to mention vaporizing a Troll that had an even higher resistance. That alone spoke volumes.

Ignoring the now scared and incapacitated guards and the idiot who all were trying to get their legs back under control, Harry quickly approached Belladonna. Vanishing the net with a imperious wave of his hand, he knelt down and gently cradled her in his arms.

“Why...?” Icy coughed out weakly, the rest of the words stuck in her throat. None of her previous viciousness and vitriol present. Harry could practically hear her disbelief at his arrival.

Harry sighed and smiled softly. “Stupid question. I've come for you, obviously.” he added shortly after. “Your sisters are on their way as well.” he lost them on the way once he felt Icy's magic spiking out.

She could no longer hold her tears as his words sank in. Her lips wobbled and she sniffled, trying fruitlessly to control herself. Yet, Icy couldn't look away from those caring emerald eyes. Many different emotions played out across her face in a few moments until she finally let go and began to bawl. Tears fell freely from her shining eyes, her hands were gripping his shirt tightly as she drew in shuddering breaths. Preparing to say something she thought she'd never say. “Please... help!”

Harry had no trouble understanding her words despite Icy nearly chocking on them. Noticing that asking for help must've damaged her pride and causing her more pain than her injuries. However, he didn't say anything other than. “Of course.”

Gently lifting her up bridal style, Harry sent out a wave of pure kinetic energy. The sheer pressure causing every enemy around him to be blown away with the dust as it rattled their bones down to the marrow. With the result that every enemy was now knocked unconscious. 'I'll probably have to erase their memories, judging by Icy not having her disguise up.' he thought.

Any further thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Stormy and Darcy. “We've got a problem!” Darcy panted out, frantically moving her arms to point to the sky. “The Paladins are a minute or so behind us.” it had been taxing to keep up with Harry, but it at least let them outpace the airships that had unexpectedly popped up behind them.

“Did they see you?” Harry inquired calmly. If that was the case then modifying the memories of Icy's would-be-capturers was pointless.

It was Stormy who answered. “I don't think so.”

Determined to let her eat those words the universe answered in the form of a few ships arriving above them. Beacons of light directly shining on them. The ships were identical to the ones used by Red Fountain. The only difference being that these ships were manned by Paladins of the Monastery of Light and not Specialists.

Acting quick, Harry summoned the other two witches to him and apparated back to the Citadel of Night. Leaving the Paladins to deal with the mess.

Planet Magic, Citadel of Night.

It took the night for Icy to be healed, assisted by healing spells of course. Right now Icy lay in bed with her two sisters in all but blood in the room.

“What were you thinking?!” Darcy shouted as she paced in front of Icy's bed. “Were you even thinking at all?!” hands curled into fists and unclenched again as Darcy's rage was given an outlet.

Stormy, surprisingly, wasn't angry right now. Her fury was always short-lived, vanishing as soon as it came. Besides, she had vented her frustration on some dummies Harry conjured for her after they had arrived back. So she was already over Icy's bout of idiocy. Darcy on the other hand took a while to be angered and her wrath took longer to work through.

Icy let her sister rage a bit longer, not even having the energy or desire to rebuke any of the accusations. After another minute she said. “I'm sorry!” it wasn't spoken particularly loud, but her sisters heard it clearly.

The words caught Darcy completely off guard, nearly causing her to stumble and cutting off her ongoing rant. “What? Could you repeat that?” She asked, not believing her ears. In her entire time with Icy the Witch of Ice didn't apologize once. No matter how wrong she had been.

Suppressing the annoyance rising up at having to repeat herself, Icy did just that. “I said I'm sorry! I was stupid for doing what I did. Are you happy now?”

“No, I'm not! You just so escaped being captured and got pretty messed up in the process.” Darcy retorted sharply before sitting down and slumping against the chair in apparent exhaustion. “What if we'd lost you?” Her right hand sitting on her face in a sign of frustration.

Her words only made the atmosphere only more miserable than it already was. As well as casting Icy back into a feeling of sadness. “I thought you didn't want me as a leader anymore.”

“Why would you think that?” Darcy questioned incredulously. “We followed you all this time and now you question it?”

Falling back on her standard response Icy grew angry. “What was I supposed to think?” she snapped defensively. “You were willing to follow Harry's plan without hesitation.” Icy averted her head to look anywhere but her sisters. “And my plans seemed to only lead to failure.”

“True.” Stormy agreed with a smirk, causing Icy to glare at her and Darcy to chuckle. “But, despite being an egomaniac idiot you're our egomaniac idiot!”

Uncomfortable where this kind of talk would lead, Icy opted to get it over with quickly. Though she was saved further embarrassment at the hands of her sisters when a knock sounded on the door. “Are you three alright?” Harry's voice came through the door.

“Yes, come in!” Icy called out, relieved that he arrived right now. She pointedly ignored their smugness through years of practise. Anything was better than the misery she felt since waking up.

Harry entered with a tray stacked full of breakfast and six more floating behind him. “I hope you're hungry. I went a little overboard.” he said sheepishly, gesturing to what he held in his hands.

That was an understatement if there ever was one, as far as the Trix were concerned. Each tray held an assortment of different foods, ranging from peeled and elaborately cut and arranged apples, pears and fruits they've never seen before to baked goods like bread, muffins, croissants and more accompanied by jams and marmalades of all sorts, as well as various cheeses. There even were pancakes, waffles and crispy bacon. It made the food of Cloud Tower pale in comparison.

For good measure Harry conjured a big enough table and comfortable chairs for them.

Without a word Stormy dove in, already drowning the pancakes stacked on her plate in syrup.

Deigning her sister's behaviour with a disgusted look Darcy favoured the fruits instead. “What's the occasion?” she inquired before plopping a strawberry in her mouth. Giving Harry a closer inspection Darcy noticed that he seemed healthier again. The Witch of Darkness had not liked how pained he had looked after they left the White Horse in search for Icy.

Harry shrugged, claiming. “I just thought Icy could use a little food to get back on her feet.”

Icy just gave him a disbelieving look and snorted derisively. “Yeah right, a little! It's not like you could feed a small army with this much food.” still she was indeed hungry. So much so that the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach didn't matter. “Besides we didn't even have any food in the pantry. You must've transfigure it out of some stuff.”

“True.” The last Potter said, but offered no elaboration other than another shrug and promptly began eating himself.

Further conversation was sparse as they ate the abundant meal. Only once Stormy's stomach seemed fit to burst did she lean back, belched and asked. “So, what are we doing now, Harry?” Not showing any signs of nerves or possessing an ounce of apprehension in her tone or posture. She was more a woman of action and not of words or plans. This time ignoring Icy's wide eyes directed at her as she addressed Harry directly, clearly acknowledging him as her leader.

Amused by her attempt at diverting Icy and Darcy's attention away from their misery, Harry couldn't help but grin. “Well, I've got a rough plan for now, adapted from my previous one. It's still risky but well worth it.”

“Let's hear it then.” Darcy prompted, intrigued. Crossing her legs impatiently as she waited for Harry let finish disposing of the food. Not knowing if he vanished it or simply relocated it into storage for later.

“It's the same basic outline as before. First you let yourself be captured by the Paladins.” here he forestalled any interruptions by simply talking slightly louder and cutting them off. “You simply claim to have been mind-controlled by Darkar since before you tried to conquer Magix. Him busting you out of prison was simply done to see if you've succeeded in acquiring the Dragon's Flame.”

By now the Trix listened to his proposition. Even Icy did so, feeling too indebted than to dismiss it out of hand like before.

“The mind-controlling will be lent further credence by the fact that Bloom, as you said, had also been controlled by him at one point.” Harry elaborated. “I doubt they will imprison you again when viewing you as victims. After all you were simply expelled students with nowhere to go, no resources and a grudge to settle. All in all easy targets for someone like Darkar to take advantage of from what you described he was like.” it was basically the same defence the Death Eaters had used back home.

“What if they still see us as guilty?” Darcy questioned, staring heavily at Harry with an inscrutable expression. “I mean Mazakis could mess that up for us.” she pointedly did not look at Icy as she spoke those words.

Happy that they weren't disagreeing immediately, Harry said. “We can simply claim you went to him for help after you followed Valtor out of Omega. Knowing only illegal routes were open to you with being wanted and all.” it would discredit the man at the same time. From what Darcy said he wasn't all that popular or trusted.

Next Harry summoned a book from the library. “In this book I found something that can help with that. It's called Gloomix and boosts your power considerably, apparently.” taking their silence as a good thing, Harry continued. “You could simply break free yourself when all else fails and escape to Earth. I don't think anyone will look for you there with how everyone thinks Earth is without magic.”

“I think it's a good plan.” Stormy chimed in. She wasn't surprised that it was a good one either. As long as they pulled it off convincingly she didn't see any problems.

Darcy and Icy agreed shortly after, the latter clearly more reluctant than her sister. Though, they had escaped the prison with Gloomix before. “Alright, I trust you.” was all Belladonna said, her blue eyes never leaving Harry's own. Trying to convey how much that meant for her to say that.

The wizard nodded solemnly and stood before them before beginning to cast. “Gloomix!” Multicoloured magic left his fingertips, enveloping and encircling the three witches swiftly. Soon manifesting as solid objects in form of jewellery on their bodies.

On Icy's throat now sat a silver choker that was shaped like a crystallofolia, forming an exquisite pattern that looked like a frozen wave curling around her throat. A Sapphire lazily hung off of it, touching her collarbone. For Darcy it took the form of a golden choker that looked like finely plaited threads of gold delicately interwoven. With amethysts embedded into it in precise intervals. Stormy's also placed itself on her throat, but was made out of copper and took the shape of bird-like wings encircling her throat with the tips touching at the front where a tourmaline was held between them.

Immediately all three experienced a surge of power rushing through their bodies. Feeling stronger than ever and able to rip out trees with ease.

Before they could say anything Harry cast another spell on the new accessories. “Portus.” all three Gloomix glowed blue briefly. “There, your Gloomix are now also a Portkey. Meaning that you only have to say the name of this place and you'll be transported right here.”

“Thank you.” Icy said gratefully. Her eyes averted and voice thick with all kinds of emotions at him giving them more power and a means of escape as well.

Harry simply smiled. “No problem.”

Planet Magix, Alfea.

It had been a few days since the happenings at the White Horse and since then Bloom felt worse every following day. It became so much that it was unbearable by now. With Bloom snapping multiple times at her friends, which only made her feel even worse. Her current situation felt like a vicious cycle. That foreign anger caused her to do something she regretted, which ignited her temper and that was followed by her becoming angry at herself. Letting it grow like some malicious tumour. It left her with little choice but to ask Faragonda for advice.

'The only time I felt at peace was with Harry.' Bloom thought and as soon as the ruggedly handsome man entered her thoughts it becalmed her troubled mind.

Normally school was not in session right now, but this was an emergency. “Headmistress, are you there?” she called out after knocking.

“Yes Bloom, please come in!” came the happy voice of the old fairy.

Not waiting any longer Bloom entered the by now familiar room. It's homey feel helping her to at least feel a semblance of calm.

Sitting at her desk with her hands clasped together sat the old headmistress. “Please sit.” the old women gestured to the comfortable looking armchairs before her. “So, what can I do for you?” Faragonda asked with her typical gentle smile once Bloom sat down.

Taking a deep breath, Bloom suppressed the hatred threatening to erupt in form of vicious verbal vitriol. “I need your help, Headmistress.” she replied, hoping the desperation wasn't plain to hear. “Ever since Darkar's defeat I get these surges of hate bubbling up.” her hands clenched at the thought alone. Just thinking about it made her angry, which only fuelled the flames of her fury even more. Bloom's temper not helping in the least. “I hate this!” she shouted out, slamming her flaming fist down on the desk, cracking it considerably. Immediately afterwards she jumped like a scared cat. “I'm sorry!” she squeaked out and instead began to pace to work through this frustration.

“It's just a desk.” Faragonda waved the apology away, repairing the object with a spell. A soft frown on her face, the old fairy stood up and approached the distraught fairy. She stopped Bloom, placed her hands on the redhead's temples and said. “Be calm, Bloom.” a blue light surrounded Faragonda's hands as she cast a spell to calm her student down. Knowing that Blooms agitation only fed the negative energy inside her more, creating a feedback loop.

Her shoulders slumped, letting Bloom look like a weight had been lifted off them. “Thank you.” There was nothing but true gratitude in her tired voice.

“Now, why don't you tell me how this began?” Faragonda requested, taking the princesses' hands in her own and guiding her to a nearby sofa.

Bloom did as requested, telling her when it began, how long it went on and what all happened until then. She finished her explanation with. “The only time this doesn't happen is when I think about a certain someone.” a crimson blush on Bloom's face as she admitted that.

Faragonda smiled widely at that. “It's heartening to see that your love for Sky is a bulwark against this.”

“Sky?” came the confused reply, not having thought about him much in the last few days. Upon Faragonda's raised eyebrow Bloom averted her eyes.

Not judging the young fairy with enough on her plate already, Faragonda gently asked. “If it's not Sky, then who is it?” maybe that would bring her closer to a solution.

Still blushing Bloom began to speak reluctantly. “I met him the first time nearly a week ago. He's about as old as Professor Avalon, but much more rugged and... animalistic.” by now her blush enveloped her whole face, but on he went describing the happenings with him.

Faragonda listened to the story attentively, gaining a frown at the end of it. While the man didn't sound malicious the same could've been said for Avalon's Simulacrum made by Darkar. “It sounds like it would be beneficial to have this Harry here and properly get to the bottom of this.”

Bloom could only nod in agreement, much too embarrassed for anything else.

Before more could be said the door was thrown open. “Headmistress!” came the shrill voice of Griselda. “You have to come at once!” the brunette all but demanded between pants. Completely out of breath from having ran as fast as she could.

“What's the matter, Griselda?” Faragonda inquired calmly, trying to soothe her Deputy's nerves with her own serenity.

Slightly sputtering, the bespectacled woman brought out. “The Trix are here!”

From one moment to the next Faragonda was alert and demanded. “Why didn't you prepare for battle immediately?!” Bloom at her side a moment later as they left the office. Not really knowing how they escaped Omega, but also not dismissing it.

As soon as they exited the three were greeted with the Trix before them. The trio of witches stood in the hallway as relaxed as could be. Not even transformed and wearing their casual clothes. Though, there was a fourth person and upon noticing that the fairies gazes were drawn to him.

“Hello, Bloom.” Harry greeted her with a nod and smile. “How are you?”

“Harry! What're you doing here?” her cyan eyes darting from him to the Trix. “With the Trix no less.” she glared at the three witches with all the resentment she could muster. Which, considering her present situation, was a lot. It didn't take long for flames to dance along her palms as he vision grew red. “How did you three escape Omega and what're you doing here?!”

“We're here because we want to turn us in.” Darcy spoke up as she crossed her arms. Having chosen to speak first lest Icy or Stormy ruin this.

Bloom snorted derisively and sneered. “As if I'd believe that!” preparing to attack the fairy added. “Why escape from prison only to turn yourself in afterwards?”

Harry grimaced slightly. “They speak the truth.” as if to make his point his aura freely flared up without his conscious input. As a result the walls trembled, the floor cracked and dust was blown up and away from them. Seeing that he had all their attention, the last Potter claimed. “I've convinced them to turn themselves in.”

The Headmistress and her Deputy took a step back from the enormity of his magical aura. It was so much that it felt like a physical presence, making the air heavy with it's weight. 'He's dangerous.' Faragonda thought apprehensively. Never having felt so much power from a single individual.

“How about we call the Paladins and wait for them in my office?” she proposed, trying to diffuse the situation. A look at Bloom showed her indecision and confusion. At least she wasn't trying to attack.

This time Griselda interrupted and said affronted. “You can't mean that, Headmistress. Not after all these monsters did!” she glared at the three witches with an intensity that would've made Filch proud. “We ought to heavily restrain them at least! Who knows if they control this poor man somehow!”

Bloom glared at the Trix as well, but thankfully due to Harry's presence she didn't get even more angry than usual.

This only served to increase the pressure in the hallway, forcing the two elder fairies to look at him. “I'd appreciate it if you didn't insinuate me being mentally weak!” his glare directed at Griselda was fierce in it's intensity and strength. “Also, they're not monsters!” he growled out. “Just desperate people who made mistakes.” his eyes glowed with unrestrained power as magic leaked out of him like water from a broken water-tap. After Icy's recuperation they had talked with him and shared their history. Much like him people assumed things about them, thinking they'd be the same as people they shared some small resemblance with. It reminded Harry of Snape and pretty much any other adult in his life. Each one always telling him how similar he was to his parents in some way or other. It only caused him to empathise with them.

Simply put they were what he could've become, but also not on Voldemort's level. More like a point in-between those two.

Giving Griselda a reproachful and chastising look Faragonda went to work diffusing the obviously powerful and passionate man. “Of course, of course.” she made sure to sound truthful and sincere, lest she brought him to his boiling point. Alfea wouldn't survive, she feared. “Please, come inside and take a seat!” she beckoned them inside her office. Anyone able to convince the Trix to turn themselves in must be an interesting individual at least.

Harry nodded gratefully at her before giving the Trix a significant look and motioning them inside with a nod of his head. Faragonda found the fact that the Trix seemed to listen to him even more impressive than his magical power.

As soon as Harry's group was seated Faragonda inquired to make sure. “Forgive me if I find this hard to believe, but you said the Trix want to turn themselves in?”

From the way the Trix acted Harry knew they wanted to let loose a sarcastic remark of some kind, but thankfully refrained. “Indeed.”

“Why?” Faragonda asked baffled. Unable to hide the incredulity in her voice. She'd seen what they could and would do so that claim was hard to believe for her. “How did you escape Planet Omega for that matter?”

After briefly looking at each other the Trix decided to let Icy speak. “We escaped with Valtor, but chose not follow him on his quest for vengeance.” as the silence stretched Stormy nudged her sister, which earned her a glare. “As to why we didn't, well, he had been imprisoned before.” Icy shrugged and added with a roll of her eyes at the fairies incomprehension. “It means he was weak enough to be captured. Later only compounded by his repeated capture. We don't follow weakness.”

Bloom sneered at that, giving Icy a mocking smirk. “Then the question is why Stormy and Darcy still follow you?”

With gritted teeth, Icy bit out. “We're a sisterhood and make decision together!” at least as of late. Though, their desires had always lined up. Bloom did not need to know that however.

“That doesn't explain why you want to turn yourselves in.” Faragonda pointed out as she leaned forwards on her desk. Fingers intertwined and a frown on her face. Pointedly looking at Bloom as if to say she ought to behave. However, she was aware that Valtor had been weaker than Darkar in the past. Working for the servant of their former master must've not looked like a good deal for the power-hungry witches.

“You have Harry to thank for that.” Darcy explained, sending the man in question a soft smile. All the while playing with a lock of her long hair and giving him a wink. “He convinced us to turn ourselves in and receive, hopefully, a fair trial.” the word she put emphasis on made it clear just what Darcy thought will happen.

Brief appraising looks were sent his way by the three fairies, ranging in the degrees of their intensity. It took all he had not to wince as another bout of pain assaulted him. 'What's happening?' Harry thought in annoyance, not knowing what was wrong with him. The only time it got better was when he cast an excessive amount of magic each day. Even the previous flaring of his aura hadn't been intentional. Though, he welcomed the short reprieve it gave him.

Griselda scoffed, a noise that told everyone what she thought of that. “A trial?!” incredulity thick in her sharp voice. “Everyone in Magix knows what you've done! Your trial would be for protocols sakes only and therefore hardly necessary.”

“Why didn't Bloom stand trial for helping Darkar then?” Icy retorted with a nasty grin, crossing her legs leisurely. “I mean bringing Darkar the last piece of the Codex and even aiding him to gain access to Relix seems like kind of a big deal.”

Bloom squirmed uncomfortably at the reminder of that and her current situation before narrowing her eyes at the witch. Though, that soon changed to a snarl on her face, hands clenched tightly into fists.

Faragonda spoke before Bloom could, effectively cutting her off. “She was controlled by him, that's completely different to you serving him willingly!” the Headmistress of Alfea pointed out easily as she looked at them expectantly. Already having a suspicion on where this would go.

Icy's grin only grew wider as she leaned back completely relaxed. “Who says we did it willingly? The only difference is that we did not have anyone to get help from after our expulsion from Cloud Tower.” the Witch of Ice gave Harry a brief and uncharacteristically soft look filled with gratitude as she said that. “Until now that is.”

“I'm assuming you came to me because you're claiming to have been in the same situation?” the old Fairy leaned back in her chair, inspecting the three witches with heavy scrutiny. You could never be sure if they spoke the truth or not, after all.

“Who else could we have gone to?” Darcy huffed out sarcastically with a roll of her eyes. “Griffin? That woman was the first one to encourage us to make trouble only to throw us out when something went wrong.” she sneered at the memory of that old traitorous cunt. “Saladin? In case you forgot, we kinda destroyed his previous school.” that seemed reason enough to deny them their request. “No, you are our only option.” they also kinda gambled on their goody two shoes nature winning out.

Silence hung in the air for a few moments before Faragonda spoke. None of the fairy let their eyes leave the Trix. “If you're truly sincere in that, then I will make sure you get a trial.” she promised and raised a hand to stop any complaints from Bloom or Griselda. “When they're as guilty as you think they are then this will not change much, will it?” the Headmistress queried, looking from Bloom to her Deputy.

Visibly biting her tongue, Griselda nodded stiffly. “As you say, Headmistress. If you will excuse me, I have projects that require my attention.” She glared at the Trix once more before leaving the room in a hurry.

Faragonda sighed at her old friend's departure. 'Nothing to be done about it now.' she thought, hoping not to regret her decision in the near future.

Calling the Paladins was done quick enough and only took a few minutes. While that happened Harry's endeavour to keep his magic inside of him grew progressively harder. Each second added more weight to him as his magic threatened to erupt straight out of him in a flash. He gripped the armrest of the couch so hard he surely left an imprint.

“Is everything alright, Harry?” Darcy inquired softly. Not liking seeing him slightly hunched over with a grimace of pain marring his face. Before she could ask further or put a hand on his shoulder he suddenly collapsed onto the floor. “Harry?!”

The Trix were up in a flash and at his side immediately. Bloom was not far behind them.

“What's happening?” cried Stormy in alarm, trying in vain to think of something useful. Not knowing any kind of healing magic the Witch of Storms did not know what to do or wherein the problem lay.

“I don't know!” Harry grit out, grabbing his stomach as if in pain and beginning to curl into a ball.

Being the only calm one in the room, Faragonda took charge. “We need to get him to the Infirmary. NOW!”

The not quite shouted command sprang the girls into action. Bloom lead the charge, knowing the location of the Infirmary by heart. On the way there random waves of magic originating from Harry crashed against the interior of Alfea, cracking tiles, walls and shattering a few windows.

The door to the Infirmary was thrown open with a bang without any of their input. “Goodness gracious!” came the exclamation from inside at the loud intrusion.

“As you can see we have a patient for you, Ofelia.” Faragonda told her colleague without preamble and as calmly as possible while levitating Harry on a bed. The woman in question sat behind a desk and had strawberry-blonde hair put up in a tight bun. Her blue eyes hidden behind half-moon spectacles. Her plump figure hidden by a typical nurse outfit.

After the initial shock wore off the woman grew professional in a second. Not even acknowledging the Trix in any way, knowing and trusting Faragonda to have a good reason for it. “Clearly.” she said drily, sat up from her chair and asked. “What happened?”

“He just suddenly collapsed. On the way here he had bouts where his body seemingly released magic at random.” Darcy informed her, shooting Harry's form concerned looks.

Ofelia nodded, listening to the information given to her as she started her diagnosis. First she magically stripped him to his underwear to look for physical injuries that could've caused this. Next were all manner of spells and even some technomagic devices were used while Harry's magic went haywire around the room. “Oh my!” she exclaimed after a bed decided it'd be a good idea to gallop out of the Infirmary. It took a little while, but the nurse got the results eventually. “I don't know whatever happened to the poor lad to cause this, but he has entirely too much magic in him!”

“That's a bad thing?” Stormy questioned, not knowing such a thing was possible. Her mouth working before her brain could catch up. Upon receiving deadpan stares and seeing Harry clearly in pain she noticed the absurdity of her question. “Nevermind, stupid question.” she winced in embarrassment.

Not deigning it with an answer of any kind, Ofelia focused on the matter at hand. “You all know that there are two types of magical energy. Mana, which is the magical energy generated by a planet and distributed through its Ley-Lines. The other is Od, the magic found in living organisms, which gets transformed into magical energy by magical circuits.” The only difference between Mana and Od was in how abundant they were.

With no interruption the nurse explained further. Waving a device in her hand that displayed something none of them understood. “While he has magical circuits he also possesses a magical core. Something completely unheard of in this day and age.” the wonder and awe in her voice conveying just what that means. “That means the amount of magic he generates is off the charts. However, for some reason none of it 'evaporates' from him. Meaning it gets constantly replenished but has no way out, putting great stress on his magical circuits.” she shook her head sadly. “I don't know what caused this, but he either has to cast magic near constantly or risk losing his ability to cast magic at all once his circuits are fried!”

The Trix and Bloom gasped in shock. Not able to comprehend a life without magic in it. The short deafening silence that had settled over the group was broken by Icy. “So, we just have to get the magic out of him, huh?” a determined gleam in her sapphire eyes, her shoulders straight as she looked at her sisters in all but blood. “You know what to do, sisters!”

Once Icy started the magic Stormy and Darcy recognized it immediately. Both positioned themselves in such a way that they formed a triangle around Harry's bed. Icy at the end and Stormy and Darcy at either side of it. All three holding their hands into the air, as if receiving a gift from the heavens. Purple miasma swirled over Harry's bedside, coalescing into solid shapes soon after.

From there it didn't take long for the Trix to summon their respective Vacuum. Each was a bottle-shaped crystal with a metallic appearance. The designs were varied and the colours fit each of the Trix' own. Upon being completely summoned purple lightning connected all three Vacuums to its counterparts, eerily hovering over Harry's lightly thrashing body. A swirl of colours materialized around Harry and got sucked into the the summoned containers.

The artefacts glowed dimly at first, but the intensity of it quickly grew more and more. So much so that it was nearly unbearable after a few seconds.

What the Trix did not notice while concentrating on the task at hand was Bloom's narrowed eyes directed at them. The fairy's hands clenched into fists as she remembered what these things could do, having been used to take her own powers in the past. 'I don't know what they're planning, but it can't be good.' she thought, growing more enraged at the notion of them hurting Harry. Without any input from her mind Blooms body acted on instinct, hurling a fireball at the three artefacts floating in the air.

An explosion rocketed the infirmary. It's shockwave blew the windows out and sent the Trix flying away from the bed. Stormy and Darcy hit a wall while Icy landed in a heap on the floor. Luckily, none of them were injured in any major way.

Trying to shrug off their disorientation and the ringing in their ears proved difficult, not to mention their blurry eyes. It took a few moments for them to gather their wits. All at once they saw their precious artefacts smashed to pieces with Bloom standing over the shards, a flaming hand outstretched. Making it utterly clear who was responsible.

Staggering to her feet, Icy demanded. “What's your problem?” her blue eyes glaring at the fairy in hatred. Never in her life had she felt such anger at someone before now. Hoarfrost and ice spread around her feet, creating wispy white clouds in the process.

“Nothing. Just stopping you from harming him!” Bloom shot back equally as fierce. Her stance making it clear that she was ready for combat in an instant. The fairy convinced they'd planned to take all of his magic.

No longer able to control herself, Stormy snarled. “You dumb bitch! We were going to help him!” lightning crackled around her arms as she prepared to make Bloom more than acquainted with the floor.

Before it could come to a confrontation Harry's voice rang throughout the room. “Stop!” despite breathing rather heavily he seemed healthier than moments ago. Leaning against the headboard, Harry said. “Don't mess this up for yourselves now.” already knowing what they wanted to do and having heard the whole conversation.

“But she's basically killing you!” Icy protested heatedly, never taking her eyes off Bloom. Lest the fairy try something again. “Not to mention destroying priceless artefacts!”

Waving her concerns away, Harry countered with a slight wince. “I've survived worse.” Harry was well acquainted with the Torture Curse and other spells dark wizards and witches were fond of. “Could you please leave us alone for a moment?” he requested from Alfea's Headmistress and her two fellow fairies.

Before anyone could protest Faragonda took Bloom by the arm, followed by Ofelia. “Of course, we'll wait outside.” she agreed, not wanting to give him any incentive to act in an antagonistic fashion. Who knows what someone with nothing to lose would do? Especially someone with that much magic at his disposal.

After the door closed Harry effortlessly repaired the Trix' artefacts with a snap of his fingers. Each floating back to their respective witch and vanishing back to where they came. Followed by him sitting up slowly, aided by Darcy and Stormy. The former asking concerned. “Are you alright? And don't say that you're fine! You're clearly not.” her golden eyes flickering over his body to make sure he wasn't worse of than before.

A rueful chuckle escaped him as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Guilty as charged.” he winced slightly, but waved them off from fussing over him. “Still, I'm already feeling better thanks to you.” he took a deep breath before looking each of them in the eyes. “Besides, I have something that I hope will help.” he stretched his hand out and held it towards them. “I may have said I would not do that again this soon, but this situation forced my hand.”

Shortly the Trix felt the familiar power of him flowing through them. Warmth reminicent of a pleasant fire coursed through their veins, igniting their cores and connecting them in indescribable ways to Harry they had missed. Once more the symbol of the hallows burned itself onto their bodies, a little below their navel and hidden behind their clothes.

Harry immediately let loose a relieved sigh, looking like a burden had been lifted from him. “I don't know how long this'll last, but for now it should suffice.” he said, sincerely hoping he'd find a better and permanent solution soon. Like this his pool of magical energy could decrease faster but for that to happen they also had to cast spells. At least it took the edge off for now.

“Now then, let's go and meet the Paladins.” he said after standing up and putting on his clothes that were lying on a nearby bed.

The group left the Infirmary and walked towards the entrance of Alfea. The Trix not once lowering their guard around Bloom.

In the courtyard the Trix faced Harry before being transported. Each hugged him one after another.

Unfortunately, the Paladins chose that moment to arrive. And after a brief chat with Faragonda they made to escort the Trix into the ship and to the Fortress of Light.

“Don't worry, I'll be there for you.” Harry said with a small smile. “I promised you, didn't I?”

Stormy and Icy tried to respond in kind, but their smiles were rather lacklustre at the moment. Darcy went for a bolder move, utterly surprising him by taking his head in her hands and pulling him down for a kiss. “I'll hold you to that.” was all she said before being chained and readied for transport.

Harry could only nod with wide eyes. Completely caught off guard by that move.

Meanwhile Bloom watched the proceedings with a ball of lead sitting in her stomach, dragging it to her knees. The scene planted the seeds of uncertainty in her mind. 'What if they've really been controlled?' she questioned herself. It would explain their behaviour perfectly. Bloom should know, suffering from the after-effects as she does. A cold knot joined the lead in her stomach as it became clear that she'd most likely sentenced Harry for an agonizing death or a life without magic.

'I have to make it up to him somehow!' the Princess of Domino resolved. Not for the Trix, but because she made a mistake.

Rise from the Ashes, Ch. 7

Magix

“No thanks.” Bloom all but snarled, glaring at the ass trying to potion her up and possibly date-rape. Her pupils transforming to the slits of a dragon, eerily similar to Dark bloom. The flames in her hands and hate in her eyes grew in intensity, only held back by those calming hands of Harry. Before she nearly flipped out due to an insult. This time she was lucky she didn't burn him to a crisp on the spot. Or rather Darko was lucky.

Obviously surprised at her refusal, Darko faltered briefly before recovering. “Come on babe. I'll show you a good time.” the mixture of a whiny, smug and arrogant look perfected the image of spoiled brat in all their minds. The possibility of failure seemingly not even on his mind.

Not wanting the idiot to rile up Bloom anymore, lest she burn down the restaurant, Harry intervened and calmly but strongly said. “She said no!” stepping up to the jerk, Harry towered over him. His sheer presence filling the rest of the distance between them.

“Piss off or I'll be forced to hurt you!” Darko sneered weakly and promptly tried to shove Harry away. Only to meet an unmoving wall of solid muscle and bounce back.

Just raising an eyebrow in amusement, Harry sighed and told him. “Boy, I've fought opponents far more menacing and stronger than you and did so for longer than you've been alive. Go away!” he'd give him one chance to back off. “You've got no chance, so back off and we forget about it.”

“Do you let some random dude tell you what to do, Darko?” one of Darko's two cronies interrupted. One with green hair of all things. Both of them now standing behind him with some other seemingly air-headed girls hanging onto their arms. Though, they didn't look to be under a Love Potion, thankfully. Only having bad taste in men. One look at Icy confirmed that she also wasn't under any potion influence. Otherwise she'd behave differently.

Obviously not wanting to look weak and lose what little face he had in front of his 'friends' Darko retorted. “Of course not!” turning back to Harry he smiled smugly. “How about we make a bet then?”

By now there was a small audience watching the proceedings.

“A bet, about what?” Harry inquired calmly. His muscles were relaxed, ready at a moments notice.

“I bet I can beat you in a straight fight.” Darko proclaimed loudly and arrogantly for all the present people to hear.

Not interested in what kind of stakes the idiot was thinking about Harry simply accepted without asking about it. “Fine.” He knew people like Darko were prideful without having done anything to earn said pride. Next he turned to Bloom he requested politely and without much emotion. "Bloom, if you would please call an ambulance." knowing Icy, Stormy, Darcy and himself did not possess phones that worked here.

The fairy just nodded and dialled the number, having an inkling what he was about to do. "Yes, I'm calling from the White Horse. There was a brawl and a patron got beaten up." she explained calmly after someone picked up a few seconds later, not matching the sinister smile on her face.

The bully said arrogantly. "Hmm? Already calling yourself an ambulance?" He grinned and punched his fist into his palm with a meaty smack. "Good, saves me the time." some of his confidence surging again at the apparent admission of weakness.

Meanwhile Bloom told the emergency line the situation. "Yes, the patron's name is Darko. It was quite bad, whoever did it left him in a pretty bad shape." giving the idiot one last chance to back down. Somehow, knowing he was no match for Harry, but hoping he got his trashing anyway. She felt no sympathy or pity for someone that had tried to drug her.

Darko faltered a little at the words. but then growled and swung at Harry's face, who was glancing at Bloom in amusement.

Despite that the wizard easily caught the fist in his left hand. The witnesses and the bully gasping at the sudden movement. “You want my attention? Well, you have it now.” The Last Potter said menacingly, turning back to face Darko.

Glowing emerald lines appeared on Harry's arms as he used his magic to reinforce his body. A moment later there was the sound of joints popping, and then bones audibly crunching as Harry destroyed the fist in his iron grip. The would-be-rapist's eyes bugged out, howling in pain. Trying to wrest his hand free in a futile struggle.

Still acting as if this wasn't completely against what she'd normally advocate or do, Bloom told the emergency dispatch calmly. "Some description of the injuries? Well, for one his right hand is crushed." there was an undertone of vindictiveness in her voice. Her now slitted eyes twinkling maliciously, a sadistic smile on her lips.

“Pride has a price, boy. Get ready to pay it!” Harry growled out, cocked his right fist back and struck Darko's face. The sound it made was more akin to a gunshot than a regular punch. Reverberating through the whole establishment. A few of Darko's teeth decided to leave their home promptly and take up residence on the floor.

After another punch for good measure, that broke Darko's jaw, Harry let go of the hand and became a near blur after that. He struck the idiot eight times in the celiac plexus, breaking his four lowest ribs. As Darko doubled over in agony, unable to scream from the wind being literally knocked out of him, Harry grabbed his arm and delivered an upward strike with is free hand to the bully's armpit, dislocating his shoulder with a sickening pop.

Seizing the other arm, Harry held both behind the target's back, as the pale boy panted for breath he couldn't catch. With a quick twist and an upwards motion, he bent the elbows in a direction they weren't supposed to go. This time he took a deep enough breath to scream.

Satisfied Harry cancelled the magical reinforcement of his body and stepped away, causing Darko's body to collapse on the floor in a whimpering heap. One look at the dude's friends let Harry see that one had an accident, as evidenced by the new stain on his pants.

"Both arms broken at the elbows, dislocated shoulder, broken jaw, a few missing teeth and four broken ribs from the looks of it." Bloom finished listing Darko's injuries. Her voice caught between a delighted gasp and breathy whisper. "You have an ambulance and police on the way? How long? Five to ten minutes?" she looked at the pitifully miserable heap of a boy writhing on the ground and said on the verge of giddiness. "That's more than enough time, thank you." satisfaction clear to see on her face as she hung up, enjoying the worm's suffering in the meantime.

Stormy and Darcy had been watching from their table, which provided front row seats. Darcy was glad she was sitting down, being sure with her now jelly-like legs would be unable to properly support her. “Oh...wow.” she mumbled, her hungry gaze on Harry who was returning to them after leaving Darko to be picked up by his buddies to wait outside. Running away with their tails between their legs like the dogs they were. While she knew of his unmatched magical power there was something more primal in proving himself physically superior, Darcy found.

Stormy blushed, finding it quite erotic how Harry went eye to eye with Darko and laid down the law. She squirmed in place, noticing that she soaked her knickers thoroughly. Hormones, heat and desire coursed through her veins as her cheeks heated up. Not being able to take it anymore she suddenly stood up with a flushed face, about to leave as Harry came back.

Seeing that Harry asked concerned. “Tharma, is everything.....?”

“I'm going to be in the bathroom for the next ten-No! Twenty minutes,” she said in a rush. “If anyone needs me have them call me on my phone.”

Harry blinked quizzically, knowing that she didn't have one. Before he could say anything Stormy left, saying in a low purr. “It'll be on vibrate.”

“What was that about?” the last Potter asked Lysslis, confused.

The Witch of Darkness watched her sister leave with a bemused expression on her face. Her smirk grew more sultry as she said to him. “Let's just say you left a lasting impression.” her own eyes half-lidded after that fantastic display.

Having no other choice, he shrugged and didn't inquire further.

Bloom, who sat down beside Harry, bit her lower lip and squirmed a little. “Thanks for helping me.” she looked shyly away from him, putting a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Not wanting him to see her flushed cheeks. Partly from embarrassment and partly from something else. Though, she was back to a state resembling normal now that the wild beast inside her seemed content, for the moment. But ready to strike at a moments notice.

Harry waved her thanks away. “No need to thank me. You could've taken him yourself, but I doubt he would've survived it.”

“Probably.” she agreed with a giggle, not quite knowing where that came from. Giggling about killing someone wasn't something she'd normally do. In the end she shrugged it off. Simply thankful that he prevented her from lashing out and doing something foolish. She didn't need a repeat of her first year at the Day of the Royals at the Red Fountain. People still talked about that behind her back, thinking she didn't hear them. “Still, thank you.”

Nodding, Harry handed her the contaminated drink, suggesting. “Here, for when the police arrive with the ambulance. You can explain the situation and use it as evidence.”

Blinking in surprise, Bloom smiled a smile promising retribution for who messed with her. “I think I'm doing exactly that.” she didn't know exactly, but hoped with her being a princess and the last of her line that the outcome wouldn't be pretty for Darko.

Just then Bloom's gaggle of friends arrived, nearly overwhelming the smaller group with their presence if not for Harry's own.

“Is everything alright, Bloom?” Flora inquired gently, casting a concerned look at the redhead.

Smiling softly with a malicious edge to it, Bloom answered. “It is now.” the first time since them defeating Darkar she felt calm. “Why do you ask?”

“I saw some dude being dragged out a few moments earlier, turns out he was the one who nearly ran Stella over.” Brandon explained, having seen the car Stella described to him. Concern for his friend clear to hear in his voice. “Do you know what happened?”

“He messed with the wrong person.” Darcy spoke up, drawing their attention to herself. A smug smile on her lips. “Isn't that right, Harry?”

“Indeed.” Harry confirmed, an amused smile on his face. Casually leaning back against his seat, sipping at his drink. A picture of pure relaxation. “It seems someone took offence to him trying to drug Bloom with a Love Potion.”

From the looks on their faces they were confused at that. “Is that all?” a guy with magenta hair of all things opened his mouth.

That set Bloom off once more. “Is that all?!” flames came out of her mouth as she snarled, scorching the table superficially. Her nails grew sharper, as did her incisors, as she glared with her slitted eyes at the boy. “I would've been forced to do whatever he wanted! Forced to like it!” her voice got a few octaves lower than before, just short of a proper roar with her volume. She vividly remembered the time she was under Darkar's control and since then had no desire to experience such a thing again. She thought that much was obvious.

Another one, this time a ginger, unwisely spoke up. “Well, yeah, but it's not like it would've been permanent and Love Potions aren't illegal.” He mostly explained it out of habit, having learned the law due to being a Specialist. “Isn't it very  similar to what fairies do anyway?” he wondered out loud. “After all Fairies use their magic to banish fear, sadness, anger and other negative emotions. How is a Love Potion any different?”

Though, upon Bloom's murderous look he stepped behind his friends, using them as shields.

Before Bloom could explode, Musa intervened. “Come on guys, let's Bloom calm down. I bet Stella would much rather know when the police will be here so that she can bring her own charges against him.” She sent Bloom a look before ushering the rest away.

Stella didn't need to be told twice, scowling at the exit of the establishment. More specifically where Darko was currently.

“Why don't you go waiting outside for the police? You could tell them what happened.” Bloom ground out, glaring at Riven and Timmy in particular. Very glad for Musa's ability to read the mood, now that they provided her with an excuse to see them gone for the moment so she could calm down.

They got the hint and left, with Stella in the lead. Most of them more confused than anything.

Feeling her hand being taking into another she sighed as the rage seemed to recede slowly. Taking deep breaths she calmed down and asked nobody in particular. “How can't they see how bad this could've been?”

Harry shrugged. “Well, you were raised in a non-magical environment, I take it?” upon her nod, he continued. “So it's no wonder that you saw a Love Potion identical to a date-rape drug.”

“Yes! Exactly! Thank you.” Bloom groaned in relief, slouching in her seat, arms crossed.

Waving her thanks away, he explained. “On Earth it is similar in the magical communities.” he took a sip from his own drink, which was actually pretty good. “Love Potions are sold in regular shops and students are even taught how to brew them.” in particular he remembered Fred and George selling them. As well as Slughorn teaching hormonal teenagers to brew the stuff. All a disaster waiting to happen. “Not many associate much negativity with Love Potions aside from the possible embarrassment for the recipient once the potion wears off, when they remember what they've done under its influence.” he wasn't surprised at Bloom's outraged expression. “Rather, for most it's a compliment, seen as a way to attract attention. I imagine it's the same here. And in case someone didn't like it there are memory charms to erase the encounter.”

“That's ridiculously stupid! Not to mention retarded.” Bloom replied heatedly, her vision growing red at the edges again. Just because you didn't remember didn't mean it never happened. Not to mention that she wouldn't want to forget the face of the bastard so she could burn it off, slowly, painfully. She took a few deep breaths to calm down again, forcing the rage back down.

Lysslis snorted derisively. “You can say that again.” surprising herself that she agreed with a Fairy and Bloom out of all of them. She didn't know why, but with Bloom's and Harry's attention on her she couldn't help but say. “Though there are various other factors contributing to that view. Starting with the fact that Fairies and Witches do have notable difference aside from where they draw their power. One of those is that Fairies can't get children until their late teens or early twenties, but for most it's around nineteen. Not to mention that they aren't very fertile to begin with. Also being a virgin isn't seen as magically important and most fairies, aside from Alfea's, are quite promiscuous.”

Darcy took a sip of her own drink, acting as if she didn't just put Bloom's view of the Magical Galaxy askew.

“How do you know all that?” Bloom questioned, never having heard of these things. “I always thought I was barren.” slipped out of her mouth as she tried to take it all in. She slapped a hand over her mouth, looking away. Virgin she may be, but until now she'd never had a monthly visitor. Now she also knew why none of her friends spoke about menstrual cramps or similar. She hadn't wanted to bring it up herself for obvious reasons. 'Though, now it makes a bit more sense why my birth parents had Daphne and myself so far apart. Seventeen years seems like a lot of time to suddenly decide to have another child.' Bloom mused internally. Secretly glad that nothing was wrong with her after all. “And why would the Alfea fairies be different than fairies from other schools?”

Lysslis shrugged nonchalantly and answered the first question. “Witches learn that stuff when learning about Fairies. Know your enemy and all that jazz.” she didn't even know why that knowledge stuck with her. “I thought it was the same for fairies.” another sip later, Darcy explained. “As for why Alfea fairies are the exception. Well, that's because they're mostly princesses or friends of ones and are expected to hold themselves to a certain standard.” a sneer again on her face as she reminded herself of the blatant nepotism.

A coquettish and at the same time sinister smile suddenly appeared on the witch's face. “Normal fairies that attend other schools than Alfea are a bit more… amorous, shall we say.” she grinned as she made an obscene gesture with her fingers to indicate what she was talking about. “It helps with staying positive, if you know what I mean.” and with Fairies drawing power from positive emotions it helped too.

Darcy laughed at Blooms embarrassed expression while Harry chuckled.

“What about witches?” Bloom asked immediately after, trying to fight the blush down. It was no use, she knew, but she had to try. The Princess of Domino guessed it wasn't taught at Alfea because everyone assumed people knew these things.

A little bit of pride entered the witch's voice when she spoke next, unconsciously sticking her chest out. “Witches aren't really promiscuous due to the fact that being a virgin comes with several benefits, magically speaking. The blood of one can be used in a variety of potions and there are even some performance-boosting rituals that sacrifice virginity.”

“You sacrifice virgins?!” Bloom hissed out with narrowed eyes. Her own prejudice and tendency to jump to conclusions not helping her.

Seeing Darcy grow annoyed at the prejudice, Harry intervened, putting a hand on her thigh under the table to catch her attention and subtly shaking his head as he said. “She said virginity, not virgins. Completely different thing.”

Blushing in embarrassment from her blunder and the topic, Bloom apologized. “Ah, Sorry.”

Seeing that Bloom was properly chastised, Lysslis rolled her eyes, just so controlling herself from unleashing nightmares on the fairy. Without Harry's hand on her thigh and him teaching her Occlumency she would've done so. Still, she sneered as she said. “Anyway, witches don't have the same problems conceiving and are fertile at the same time as mundane people.” she chuckled in a depreciative way. “No, our problem is getting a partner at all.” she wasn't quite as miffed as Icy about that, but her own past experiences didn't really give any encouragement to try and get a boyfriend. “Not to mention that witches are not seen as marriage material, more like casual flings, if at all.”

She let the sentence hang in the air. Luckily, nobody had ever tried to use a Love Potion on them, being too afraid. Though, Darcy knew that most men ignored witches entirely. That is if they knew they were witches.

Harry drew his own conclusions with that information. With Love Potions being legal and the reputation of witches as a whole, it was easy to imagine that some people took advantage of it. Of course, he also knew that witches probably would use these potions themselves if they weren't immediately suspected to be responsible for it when used on someone. He didn't think it happened all that often, but that it happened at all was enough.

Harry took one look at Bloom and saw that she came to the same conclusion. If her clenched hands and angry cyan eyes were any indication.

Forcing herself to not think about this whole thing, Bloom managed to not bring her anger under control. By now nearly having vertigo from how often she had to do that today. She did not even deign to accuse the witch of lying. Very few women lied about something like that and those who did were scum. Instead she focussed on something else and changed the topic. “Anyway, I didn't know there any magical communities on Earth. Everyone in Magix always said Earth doesn't have magic.” Her curiosity overwhelming her anger slowly in light of such a revelation.

“Well, I can't say I ever met a Fairy like they exist here.” Harry replied, putting his right foot on his left knee as he took a sip. “However, there are plenty of wizards and witches living in hiding from the normal world since around 1692.”

Bloom couldn't help but remember what else happened at that date. Her enthusiasm for everything magical before finding out she was a fairy having caused her to research anything on the subject. “Didn't the Salem Witch Trials begin at 1692?” the fairy blanched at that thought, understanding why the magicals of Earth found it necessary to hide faced with such prosecution.

“I don't know what happened at those, but let me guess. Witches were prosecuted without any evidence.” Came Darcy's snarky reply. “As if that's anything new.” she murmured, just loud enough to hear.

“Right in one.” Harry sighed sadly, frowning at nothing in particular. “It was one of the biggest reasons for the Statute of Secrecy being implemented.” while Harry couldn't understand why magicals let themselves be bullied by non-magical people, he also knew most magicals didn't have a lick of common sense and were cowards on top of it. Not to mention lazy.

Not liking such a dreary topic Bloom changed the subject, again. “If I may ask, how did you come to the Magical Galaxy? If people of Magix don't know about magicals on Earth then the reverse must also be true.”

“True, nobody knows this whole Magical Galaxy exists. I discovered it by pure happenstance due to an... accident, shall we say, and have been wandering through the wilder parts of it for ten years. I only arrived on Magix a few days ago, where I met my companions.” Harry explained easily, telling a half-truth, but one that wasn't that far off. After all the only real city on this planet was called Magix, like the planet. Seemed that naming things wasn't the strength of magicals, no matter the planet.

Darcy grinned at that understatement, taking his hand in her own when he wanted to pull it away from her thigh.

“Oh, that must've been quite the adventure. I can't imagine how I would fell if I'd be ripped away from my friends and family without a way back.” Sympathy clear to hear in her tone, sending him an apologetic look for having brought up something hurtful. Her eyes widened a little. “So that's why you wanted to know the time and date.”

Smiling sadly, Harry said. “Yes, I had no idea how fast the planet orbited around the sun and therefore no indication of how long a year was. Though, it seems a day is roughly the same as back on Earth.” at least his Astronomy knowledge came in handy for once. “I also saw a few constellations I know in the sky, but they're on the wrong spot while others are missing entirely.”

Bloom blinked dumbfounded, not having thought about any of these things in the time she was here. Too enthralled with it all to question things seriously. She now regretted that.

Somewhat amused at seeing her react that way when it was usually him in the past, Harry teasingly asked. “Let me guess, you were too busy with admiring it all to really question things. Like, what's their culture, history etc. Am I right?”

The fairy simply nodded in embarrassment. She really should question things more often. “Did the same happen to you? You alluded to being raised by normal people yourself.”

Harry chuckled at that. “I wouldn't call them normal, but yes, they didn't have magic, if that's what you mean.” despite the Dursleys insistence on being normal, none of their behaviour was actually normal. “And yes, not knowing anything of the culture of Earth's magical people did cost me very much in the end.” ten years of imprisonment and only your thoughts left him plenty of time to realize all his mistakes he made in that regard. Which were many.

Bloom swallowed nervously at Harry's expression of nostalgia tinged with regret. While she had gotten good friends she also knew that the nobility of the Magical Galaxy didn't have too high an opinion of her. Not after her starting a fight during the Day of the Royals. Not to mention most seeing her as nothing more than a barbaric Earthling. Despite her being royalty herself. From a dead planet, but still.

The somewhat tense atmosphere was broken when Tharma chose to return, asking. “What did I miss?” her face still flushed, but a pleased smile on her face as she elegantly sat down beside her sister.

“Nothing much.” Harry replied easily, his eyes having what could only be called a thousand yard stare.

Not really believing that Stormy whispered to her sister. “You'll tell me later, won't you?”

Darcy rolled her eyes and snorted. “Sure.”

'This wasn't how this was supposed to go!' Icy thought furiously, hands clenching at her side. Mind abuzz with all kinds of scenarios, none of them good.

The plan had been so easy. Give Darko a Love Potion she brewed so he could get some princess for himself. All because Darko wanted to impress his father with a plan on his own to extend their sphere of influence, which was best done with marriage. 'It isn't as if Magix lacks princesses with how many of those go to Alfea.' Icy thought condescendingly. 'So why did it have to be Bloom? Always Bloom! I could've understood any other, but Bloom doesn't even have a planet or any political clout!' she raged internally, glaring at the fairy. Her hate only amplified by seeing Bloom sitting with HER sisters and Harry.

If she would've known Bloom was Darko's target she wouldn't even have given him the potion. Not because out of any sympathy or anything. No, simply because Bloom shouldn't be the focus of something for once. Of course, Darko didn't look twice at her, despite her helping him on numerous occasions in the past and now. But like always the Fairies got it all. That didn't mean she wanted to be on the receiving end of a Love Potion, but still.

Knowing Darko to be a sore loser she just knew he'd rat her out. Which was something she hadn't considered earlier. Her own hubris in the form of arrogance coming to bite her once more, having revealed herself in private to him before going back to the Citadel of Night.

Then she stared at Harry, annoyance and more surging up like a massive wave. 'All because of him.' her voice tinged with anger at what happened, while another part of her argued he didn't even know her plan. Making it impossible for him to have acted with malicious intent.

While she enjoyed the trashing Darko got for ignoring her, Icy wasn't happy how it happened. Though, the reaction of Bloom was perplexing. Instead of lecturing Harry, she seemed to be enjoying what he did to Darko. 'Seems like Dark Bloom isn't as gone as people think.' Icy thought, confirming her suspicions as she felt the same energy as Dark Bloom coming from her, but smaller, weaker and more subdued. No less threatening though. Though, it looked to be in flux, gaining power and losing it just as fast.

The Witch of Ice looked on as Bloom's friends swarmed around her, asking for answers. Obviously, acting high and mighty. Even though they had no right to.

While she could've escaped easily, her pride wouldn't let her do so. Instead she waited for something to happen. It were more than a tense few minutes and with every further minute gone she berated herself for not fleeing.

She sighed as she saw some burly men come into the building together with the police, causing her to stand up and prepare. Ready to escape or fight her way out if required. Icy froze when she saw the people that made up the hired muscle of Darko's father. A sadistic smile on her lips. 'It seems fighting it is. I do need to relieve some stress after all.' a chilly mist escaped from her palms as she followed their every move in preparation to strike.

However, she was surprised when they didn't attack and instead asked her on behalf of Darko's father to come back to their manor.

'At least something goes right for once.' she concluded.

Seeing the law enforcement arrive, Bloom stood up and at least tried to get Darko charged. Her facial features and nails having changed back to normal during the rest of the conversation. She hoped that with her and Stella being princesses, the police was bound to hear them out at least. Which left a group of burly men to stay inside, while the police took care of things outside with Darko, Bloom and her friends.

By now the restaurant was nearly empty. Only one to two stragglers left to exit when not counting Harry, his two witches and some burly men escorting Icy out.

Making to intercept Icy, Darcy stopped him with a hand on his forearm. “What?” he asked confused as to why she was stopping him.

She tilted her head, as if listening to something only she could hear. Her golden eyes seemingly looking through everything. “We don't need to wait on Belladonna.” Darcy informed her two companions, careful to use Icy's real name in public and shooting glances at her. “She just told me that she's got other plans as I asked her if she needed help.” More than a little annoyance bleeding into her tone at how Icy brushed them off recently.

Just to be on the safe side he asked. “You sure?” frowning at Icy's back. It was one thing to let her roam around in disguise, but another to let her go with strangers. While she probably had gone where she was going now in the last few days, he couldn't shake a nagging feeling in the back of his mind.

Shrugging, Stormy interjected strongly while leaning forward in his face. Her own still slightly red from whatever she did. If it was from what little alcohol she had or some other reason, Harry didn't know. “Yeah! If she thinks she can do better then I say we let her.” just as annoyed with Icy as she was with them.

“Do you feel the same?” he asked, briefly glancing at Stormy with a raised eyebrow, before turning back to Darcy.

Answering honestly, Darcy sighed. “I don't know, but she can handle herself.” hesitating a little she continued. “I thought for sure Darko would do something stupid after his humiliation. That he hasn't shows that she's got it under control.” he'd always been a sore loser and she hadn't expected anything else now. Yet, it seemed he didn't immediately tattle on Icy. “Let's make sure anyway.” she finally decided.

“Fine.” Stormy threw her hands up in a mixture of surrender and exasperation. “Let's look for Icy.”

“Well, then we're in agreement.” Harry replied with a nod to them as he stood up. Intent to appease his conscience by keeping an eye on Icy. She may be more than a little bitchy, but at least not outright hostile to him. At least not since he showed her that he was out of her league in terms of power.

Both nodded at the same time. Darcy with a relieved look on her face and Stormy one of annoyance, but she left with him nonetheless.

With everyone gone Harry's group also left the establishment a minute later. Outside they saw Bloom finish with the law enforcement. A quick wave to the fairy saw her wave back to him as she noticed him.

However, the police also noticed and waved them over. Bloom and friends already leaving.

“What can we help you with, officer?” Harry inquired politely as soon as his group stood before them. A small smile on his lips.

One of the officers looked at him suspiciously, while the one who spoke seemed friendly. “Nothing much. We'd just like to ask you some questions.”

Knowing that it wasn't a request, Harry agreed. If only to not appear too hostile or suspicious. “Of course. We shall answer them to the best of our ability. Right girls?”

“Of course!” came the simultaneous reply from both sisters.

Nodding in satisfaction, the officer asked. “Do you know who is responsible for putting the son of Mazakis in the hospital?” the officer's eyes never wavered from Harry's form. Already having a suspicion after talking with the other witnesses. Well, more of a suspicion actually. The problem was that the victim didn't want to press charges and insisted he fought off three thugs on his own.

“I can't say I do.” Harry said nonchalantly. Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. His voice calm and posture relaxed. “But I do hope you catch the one responsible.”

Seemingly earnest in her desire to see the case resolved, Darcy inquired. “What did the victim say happened, sir? I hope he is alright.” her eyes holding what looked like concern in them.

“He said that he barely thought of three thugs threatening his friends.” came from one of them. Disbelief and scepticism clearly colouring his features. Darko didn't look like a physically able man. Much less brave enough to do something like that. Then again, bravery and stupidity were very close, as Harry knew himself.

A few more questions saw the somewhat disgruntled policemen leave. To be on the safe side Harry subtly cast a Confundus on them, as well as an Obliviate. Causing them to forget his face and letting them think the encounter went exactly like Darko told them.

Once a few blocks away Harry summoned his black phoenix wings, which saw him flying in the nights sky. Small black embers trailing behind him as he soared up high. He still was thrilled to be able to fly without support and at the feeling of euphoria every time he took off was just addicting. 'And all it took were ten years on a frozen wasteland.' he thought sarcastically to himself, a grin on his face as the wind whipped around him.

Once he had a satisfying view of the city below he asked Darcy. “Can you look for Icy?” He knew some techniques about sensing magical auras, but he never invested much in it and therefore wasn't good at it. Which was also the reason he'd hoped at least Darcy would look with him.

“Sure thing.” she agreed easily and began to look for her sister by feeling for her magical energy. It had a distinct feel to it, like a cool and rejuvenating breeze with a taste of mint. Frowning in concentration, Darcy massaged her head. “Ugh, can you dial your aura back down a bit, Harry?” she requested, only feeling his quite frankly overpowering presence once she concentrated on sensing magic.

“Um, sure.” he nodded, not having expected that.

It took a while to manage that, mostly because a weird feeling spread out from his stomach that soon turned more into something more painful. As if he was cramming an river's worth of water inside his stomach. “What the hell?” Harry grunted, grabbing his stomach instinctively.

“Are you alright?” Stormy asked concerned, putting a hand on his shoulder as she flew beside him.

Grimacing a little he shrugged her off, gritting out words he hadn't said out loud in ten years. “I'm fine.”

“Suit yourself!” Stormy huffed, though she still glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. Mostly annoyed at him refusing her help.

After a few deep breaths Harry felt somewhat alright again. The unexpected pain muted for now. “How about now?”

Still, frowning, Darcy nodded and finally found her sister among the multitude of people. “I've got her.”

Glad that this way over Harry followed Darcy in the pursuit of Icy with Stormy.

A feeling of déjà vu came over Icy as she sat in the car with her legs and arms crossed. Her destination the mansion of Darko's father. She wasn't sure why that was so, but something seemed familiar about this situation. It was accompanied by a sinking feeling in her gut. Feeling like stones rested in her stomach, wanting nothing more than to drag her down.

Shaking her head the Witch of Ice tried to rid herself of these thoughts and feelings. However, they refused to be banished.

Looking up at the night sky, Icy didn't notice Magix City fly by as they drove to the home of Darko and his father.

The mansion was located on the outskirts of Magix City, just a few hundred metres away from a forest.

Icy was brought out of her thoughts by the vehicle's abrupt stop. Though, the uncomfortable feeling remained.

The hired muscle stepped out, ignoring Icy entirely.

'Suits me just fine.' she thought, exiting the car and looking at the lavish mansion of Mazakis.

Said man stood before the entrance.

He had white-grey hair held in a ponytail and a goatee that consisted of peach fuzz. As if he was still a teenage boy that couldn't accept it looked ridiculous. His eyes were dark and his skin was fair, showing no signs that he had ever done a day of physical labour in his life. He wore a button up shirt that was red around the collar and the shoulders. His pants were also red and his shoes that matched the colour of his top.

In the past when she saw the man she thought him a leader. Now she saw nothing but a pathetic man thinking himself as one. Same as his son. She had made the mistake of thinking of them as she remembered them as a child and not as they truly were. A failure out of which their temporary alliance was born. Something Icy now regretted once she saw them for what they truly were.

Now she saw that the only thing granting them influence was their money. Even then they had to flee Whisperia for Magix once Mazakis' shady dealings were discovered by the royal court there.

Icy knew better now than to think they held true power. Though after meeting Harry that much was obvious. People made a path for him wherever he walked, instinctively making way for a predator among them. The way he held himself confidently, but not arrogantly hammered that point home. Harry had no need to declare himself as anything. His sheer presence, magical aura and force of will did it for him. And if someone was stupid enough to challenge him? Well, Darko experienced the consequences of such first hand, as had Icy herself in Omega.

Something she wasn't mad about any longer. It was the natural right of the strong to dominate the weak. There was no shame in submitting to someone you couldn't overcome so long as the one you submit to was a worthy master. As a witch that was natural law, as it was with every other 'dark' beings. Vampires and their spawn were just one example. While werewolves and the alphas of the pack were another. Just as it was natural for her to challenge him to see if he was as good as he appeared. Something she should've done with Darkar.

On the other hand neither Mazakis or Darko had what it took to lead. Not an ounce of presence that caught everyone's attention by simply entering a room. No, they had to call out, make a spectacle of themselves or be announced. They demanded attention and did not simply get it by just existing. Nor did they have any of the posture a leader should have.

Not to mention that they did not possess that irresistible scent of power she came to associate with Harry. Something that was always present, just at the edge of her senses when she was near him. Always threatening to suffocate her, making her feel helpless but exhilarated at the same time. Knowing he could utterly destroy anything in his vicinity at any moment if he so wished. By now there was no point to deny that power, to her, was an addiction.

“Welcome back, Icy.” Mazakis greeted her formally, coldly. His form illuminated by the pale moonlight and the lights nearby.

Something about that caused a hole to open in the pit of her stomach. Though, not knowing why her body reacted in such a way, Icy simply rolled her eyes. Only for her to remember that she still wore the disguise and never told him who she really was. Only Darko.

The pit grew into an abyss. Though, nearly overpowering that was a putrid smell invading her nose. Nearly causing her to vomit at the sheer disgust it invoked in her. Just so remaining standing Icy noticed the shadow looming behind her and dodged the strike intended for her.

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 6.

Belladonna sat away from the other children on the playground, already knowing their response to her presence. The five year old girl wore a simple blue dress besmirched with dirt and worn-out shoes held together with tape. With one last forlorn look to her laughing peers she sighed and began to play on her own. Using her power over everything cold she created a crude figure out of snow, followed by a malformed table and chair out of ice.

After sitting down the little girl greeted her only friend. “Hello Frosty.” her face cupped in her hands and her elbows propped up on the table. “How are you doing?”

Of course it didn't answer her, being an inanimate object. That didn't stop the little girl from having a conversation with it. “I'm fine.” she said defensively and narrowed her eyes at her partner in conversation. “I am not lying!” she fired back with a fierce pout, crossing her arms. Whatever she imagined the snowman to say next caused her to look away and her shoulders to slump as she asked. “Why does nobody like me?” she tried to sound unaffected, knowing her peers would only take delight out of her weakness, however her voice cracked a little as she poured her heart out to the snowman.

Nothing came in form of encouragement or comfort, yet Belladonna mumbled. “I guess so.” now looking at the snowman, Belladonna asked hopefully. “Do you really think someone will adopt me?” if that were to happen all the other kids would be jealous of her for a change.

The conversation was stopped as a ball impacted against the snowman, destroying it. The laughter coming from the other children told her exactly who was responsible. Clenching her little hands into fists Belladonna did her best to not lash out, knowing it was useless doing so.

Instead she ran away in the opposite direction, ignoring the jeers and taunts thrown her way.

Belladonna could hardly believe her ears. “You want me?” she asked in disbelief. Eyes wide and full of wonder and her mouth open in shock.

The man nodded, a happy and even eager grin on his face. “Yes, no one else will do!” he said resolutely and with a surety that left no doubt he meant it.

“Are you sure?” the matron, an old hag in Belladonna's eyes, asked. “Won't you at least look at the others?”

Somewhat harshly the man replied. “I'm sure!” he stood up from where he squatted down before Belladonna and said something into the matron's ear the little girl didn't hear. Much too preoccupied with the incredibly warmth erupting inside her chest, a feeling of happiness the now eight year old girl hadn't felt before. A staggering amount of giddiness overtook her, making her incapable of anything but smiling and nodding.

“Pack your things!” the matron commanded sharply, which was her usual tone of voice to the little witch. In a quieter tone of voice she said. “Good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Belladonna did a she was told, ignoring the last comment and wasting no time in dashing down the stairs to the cellar where her room was. Throwing her meagre possessions into a bag and practically sprinting back down.

Soon enough they sat in a car full of other people on the way to her new home. Question after question escaped the little girl's mouth, incredibly excited and anxious at the same time, wanting to please her new family but not knowing how.

None of them really answered back, except the man who got her. Even then it were short monosyllabic replies, more grunt than true words.

Seeing the car going away from the city and into the woods surrounding Magix City, the girl inquired. “Where are we going? Is the house outside the city?” images of a cosy hut in the woods came to mind and she found she didn't mind as long as there were people accepting her.

“Something like that.” came the evasive and gruff answer.

She felt the car stop a little while later. Though, there was no house or building in sight.

A moment later a large hand grabbed her around the neck and dragged her out of the car, followed by being thrown onto the ground. “Wha..” she got out before her rolling body impacted with a tree, releasing all air from her lungs in a harsh gasp.

Coughing and not hearing right from the ringing in her ears, Belladonna tried to make sense of the situation. Though no matter how hard she thought nothing presented itself as a reason. Not that she could think all that much right now, her head hurting too much.

“Just get it over with and kill her.” she heard one say, causing dread to wash over her. Kill? They wanted to kill her? Why? She didn't do anything to any them!

Another voice spoke up, snarling at the first. “Shut up! She is going to suffer like we suffered!”

Struggling to crawl away, the small witch's mind was consumed by panic.

A third voice chimed in. “Let him have his fun. She deserves this after what she and her sisters did to Eraklyon!” the words were lightly admonishing and also held a chuckle in them, as if the situation was amusing in some way.

Trying to profess her innocence, Belladonna forced a statement out after her burning lungs allowed her to speak. “I... didn't do.. anything.” her reply came out slow from her shortage of breath, more a cough than proper words.

“Shut up!” the one that kicked her snarled out. “You and your sisters did destroy enough to warrant this!” his posture screamed danger as he stalked menacingly towards her.

Seeing her short life flash before her eyes the little Witch of Ice tried crawling away, knowing it was futile but trying anyway.

Her actions only got a chuckle from the men.

Overwhelmed by the sheer hopelessness of the situation and a for her unprecedented height of negative emotions Belladonna glowed and icy blue. A second later a freezing wind emanated from her followed by an ice nova, freezing her enemies in their tracks.

Angry shouts came from behind her as she crawled away, slowly pushing herself up and managing to stumble away.

Knowing to run was futile from her experience with older children chasing her, Belladonna decided to hide instead. Luckily, a forest provided ample opportunity to do so. A nearby bush seemed as good a place as any other.

Her breath came in strangled gasps, trying in vain to keep calm as she hid in the greenery. Only made harder by the confusion and fear growing in the form of a stone sitting in her belly, tears pooling in her eyes as a result.

'Why?' the little girl thought, desperately trying to make sense of her situation. However, at the moment nothing let her divine the reason for her current situation.

A rustling coming from nearby caused her to freeze up. Terrified for her life, Belladonna heard their pursuers talk. “Where is that disgusting witch?” one growled out, his voice similar to stone grinding on stone.

Another replied in a vicious snarl that promised violence. “Don't worry we'll get revenge for what they did to Havram!”

'I didn't do anything!' the little witch thought insistently. Not knowing why people treated her the way they did. As she sat there the unfairness of it all caught up with her and something inside her change. Unnoticed by Belladonna herself her tears froze solid, shattering on the stones below.

A few seconds later the protective embrace of the shrubbery was torn away and arms grabbed and dragged her out.

Planet Magix, Citadel of Night.

Icy woke up in cold sweat, sitting up abruptly and breathing hard and fast. Her blue eyes, wild and unfocussed, surveyed the room. Slowly, recognition dawned on her mind. 'Just a nightmare.' she thought in relief mixed with a little annoyance at still having them, trying to calm her fast beating heart and bring it back under control.

Usually she didn't dream of such things. Her normal nightmare was being beaten by Bloom in battle. Victory just so out of reach, but never in her grasp. Even in her dreams she didn't achieve what she wanted.

The memories dredged up by that nightmare were far from pleasant. From a time where she still hoped to fit in somewhere in society and find a normal life and family. The event shattered that hope quite successfully. Luckily, she had escaped them after freezing them solid. Not that such an act would kill them due to her limited proficiency with her powers at the time and their resistance to magic.

She got Stormy and Darcy out of it at least, who had been in the same position. Having met the two somewhere down the line and empathizing with them due to their similar positions. However they are as far from normal as she is. 'Though it seems they aren't much better than the rest.' Icy thought with an angry frown. Both of them rather going with Harry's plan than her own. She shook her head to banish these thoughts.

Later on she and her sisters had learned that these men were people who apparently were out for revenge against the Ancestresses for destroying their precious capital city Havram. Even going so far as to create their own kingdom and splinter off from the rule of Erendor, holding him and his weak rule responsible for the so called tragedy.

Last Icy heard the new kingdom named itself Serenia and forbid any practise of magic, making it punishable by law to practise the mystical arts, due to holding magic responsible for the many tragedies occurring in their history. Most who disobeyed were hunted down like dogs.

Not that these people were the only ones to hate the three ancient witches. Most people did and by extension did the same to the Trix. After all they had the same powers and therefore must've been them reincarnated or some such rot. Icy didn't give a damn what others thought of her anymore.

Magix wasn't a good place for them to be with how much of a hub it was for the other planets to meet. That caused them to abandon Magix early after meeting and leaving for Whisperia on board of a cargo vessel. Whisperia was an unimportant planet that was never attacked by the Ancestresses and the people therefore did not hold a grudge against them.

“Who needs a heart, when a heart can be broken?” Icy muttered, knowing all too well that only those you love can break your heart. Not to mention that a heart of ice was much more fragile than normal, shattering easily. She had loved that pretender, even if only for the time he lied to her. 'What kind of pathetic little thing I was!' she thought derisively. Though she would never admit it out loud that made it all the worse for her that Stormy and Darcy didn't listen to her anymore, despite all they've been through together.

Deciding to ignore the matter at hand and her sisters like the last few days, Icy rose from the bed soaked with sweat, used some cleaning spells on it and prepared for the day.

A cold shower and a quick, early and lonely breakfast later saw her with nothing much to do. Except waiting for evening to come. Once it did she was planning on going to the White Horse again. After asking Darcy for another illusion, of course.

Darcy saw her sister leave again and was beginning to grow a little worried. “Where is she going every evening?” she wondered out loud.

“Who cares? Icy can look after herself.” Stormy replied absent-mindedly, not really paying attention. She rather returned to her dinner and letting lightning flare to life around her body. A habit she recently started to become stronger faster. It was annoying as far as Darcy was concerned.

Expressing her annoyance, Darcy asked. “Do you have to do that even after training?” her golden eyes narrowed at her sister's form. She was as glad as Stormy to become stronger, but there was a limit to how much she wanted to train in a day.

“Yes.” came the reply, causing Darcy to huff.

Harry sat his fork down, finished with his meal, looked at the brow-haired woman and stated. “You want to follow her, don't you?”

The Witch of Darkness nodded but then added. “Just so she doesn't ruin this for us all, of course.”

Grinning, Stormy said mockingly. “Of course.” all the while letting lightning play around her fingertips. It was simply such an intoxicating feeling.

Seeing Darcy ready herself to retort and not wanting an argument to erupt, Harry intervened before it could start. “Then let's do that and find out what she's up to.” Only doing so because it provided him with an opportunity to explore his new surroundings more. It had been a few days since they were out and about. With that decided he vanished the remains of their food.

It didn't take long for Darcy to put up illusions around her and Stormy. A moment later they took the only exit and flew towards Magix City.

Once they arrived they split up to cover more distance. To get in touch quickly Harry gave them a Two-way Mirror while he had the connected one in his possession. It had been surprisingly easy to enchant a pair of mirrors to do that.

Planet Magix, Magix City.

Harry took his time looking for Icy, knowing the young woman could look out for herself. So he was not particularly worried. He simply assumed she was pissed at him for not following her idea and wanted some quite place to sulk. As a teenager he had been much the same after all. Sadly for Icy, Harry was also used to people not sharing his opinion and by now he didn't give a damn. He knew it was better this way and more risk-free.

It was a peaceful night. The sun was setting below the horizon, casting the landscape in a beautiful glow of red, purple, orange, yellow and a little pink. One by one the street lights went on, signalling the slow approach of the night pushing twilight back. Many flowery scents flew on the evening breeze, coming form the nearby park.

A few minutes later into his stroll Harry saw familiar faces. It were the two young women from the clothing store. Bloom and Stella if he recalled correctly. Though, they also had a brown-haired companion in tow.

Stella wore a light green, halter neck style, tank top which was tied into a bow and an orange mini skirt with a yellow belt. She also wore a pair of green wedges with orange sunflowers on them. Bloom wore a casual outfit which was a white shirt with blue-green short sleeves, and a blue miniskirt. For shoes she wore white sneakers with blue-green leg warmers going up to just under her knees. The third girl wore a light green tube crop top, a light pink miniskirt with dark pink strawberries, a thin light green belt which slanted sideways, and light pink wedges for shoes.

Not seeing a reason to avoid friendly faces Harry walked towards them just as Stella apparently lost something and crouched down to pick it up from near the pavement.

A second later the quiet of twilight was interrupted by the roar of engines and smell of gasoline.

Far faster than was allowed inside city limits the futuristic looking cars speed towards Stella without seemingly caring where they drove. The cars looked like the dream of a prepubescent teen with flames painted on them and other such useless changes made to the vehicle.

The young blonde woman looked like a deer caught in the headlights, her body in the process of jumping aside.

Reacting purely out of instinct Harry silently apparated to Stella's location, scooped her body up bridal style and apparated out of harms way in the nick of time. Barely evading being run over himself.

Over the receding sound of the racing vehicles Harry heard the other two girls rapidly approach him after locating their friend.

“Oh my god! Stella, are you okay?” Bloom inquired, frantically looking her friend over for potential injuries.

Shakily nodding Stella answered after being gently put onto her own feet by Harry. “Yes, I think so.” After a few seconds she was calm again. Her experience with life and death encounters serving her well in this regard. Once she was calm enough she turned to her saviour and said. “Thank... Oh it's you!” she exclaimed, pleasantly surprised.

“You know each other?” the brown-haired girl inquired curiously, questioning green eyes directed at Stella and Harry. Her nerves settled after seeing Stella not any worse for wear and glad her friend wasn't any more shocked or upset by the encounter.

Bloom affirmed that by saying. “Yes, he was the man we met at the pizzeria, remember?”

Her eyes lighting up in recognition, Flora clasped her tanned hands happily in front of her. Glad that Stella was perfectly alright and that he seemed like a nice man. “Oh, that's right. I'm sorry for not recognizing you.” her apology was followed by a little polite bow and an introduction, knowing she didn't know his name. “I'm Flora and your name is?”

Only then did Bloom and Stella notice that they didn't know his name either.

Harry waved her apology off. “It is no problem. My name is Harry Potter.” he grinned loop-sidedly at Bloom. “And I wouldn't say we really know each other when I had no chance to introduce myself both times we met.”

Stella grinned right back. Her brush with death already forgotten in the face of a chance to tease Bloom. “Oh, that's because.... ouch.”

Bloom answered after pretending she didn't lightly drive her elbow into Stella's side, but not before glaring at her a little. “That's because we were in a hurry at the time.” she lied smoothly, just a little embarrassed now. Though, her cheeks were flushed nonetheless due to the strange feeling he induced in her. “What brings you here? We were on our way to our usual hangout.”as she said it her eyes roved over his form, noting the new clothes that fit him excellently. She had to mentally shake her head to get back on track.

Still not knowing why he felt so at ease around the redhead, Harry replied after banishing the questions out of his head. “I'm looking for a companion of mine.”

“Anything we can do to help?” Flora inquired, immediately offering her help to the man. It was only right after he saved Stella.

Harry waved the offer off. “No need. I'm not particularly worried, but it's better to check.” Icy could look after herself. “Where are you going by the way?”

“The White Horse. It's a local hot spot and Bloom works there part-time.” Stella supplied, her face contorting at the mention of work together with her inflection changing to distaste. Though, considering the girl was apparently a princess that didn't surprise Harry.

“You can come with us if you want.” Flora offered freely. “It could be that your friend is there.” It was the least they could do to help him.

“I suppose that's a good a place as any to check.” Harry mused aloud and inclined his head in thanks, smiling gratefully. “Thank you.”

With that they were off. Luckily it wasn't a long walk and after just a few minutes they arrived at the locale. It wasn't really a nightclub like Harry imagine the girls would prefer. Instead it looked like a pretty restaurant located at a lake and possessing a jetty from where boat rides for couples were offered.

Though, there was one problem Harry saw immediately. “It seems our reckless driver is also enjoying himself here.” he commented upon seeing the car with flames painted on it, parked before the establishment.

“What?” came the outburst from Stella. Her amber eyes focussing angrily on the car. The other two young women did the same before Stella said. “I'll give that idiot a piece of my mind!”

Flora was quick to intervene, knowing that their evening could become a bad one if Stella was going to do what she intended to. “Stella, please don't spoil the evening for us.” to emphasize her point the Fairy of Nature grabbed Stella's hand and to prevent her from storming off. “Let's just do what we came here to do, having fun.”

Frowning at her friend Stella was visibly conflicted. A sigh later she nodded and conceded. “Alright.”

“Stella!” a masculine voice called out from nearby. Stella perked up noticeably at the sound, looking around and dashing away as soon as she found what she wanted, her long golden mane of hair whipping behind her. All the while calling out. “Brandon!”

Turning towards where the blonde ran off to Harry saw a young man with brown hair, wearing a red and blue midriff shirt with red and blue pants and a matching jacket. The newcomer didn't have a chance to say more before Stella embraced him and kissed him quite passionately. Something he evidently didn't mind.

Bloom and Flora followed the blonde shortly after, causing Harry to do the same.

A cough from Bloom, with a sufficient amount of good humour and exasperation in it, caused the two lovers to separate. “Hello, Brandon.” Bloom greeted the newcomer. “Are the others already inside?”

He simply nodded towards her, his arms still around Stella's waist. Not that the girl was letting go either. “Yeah, though Sky couldn't make it.” he said uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his head. A look behind them caused him to raise an eyebrow and ask. “Who's this?” his posture defensive, but not threatening.

Before Harry could answer, Stella did so for him. “Be nice.” she admonished him lightly before introducing Harry. “This is Harry Potter and he saved me from being run over.” it was said in a tight voice, as if the fairy was choking up.

“What?” Brandon exclaimed shocked, mouth hanging open. “Are you alright?!” he inquired immediately, looking her over and thankfully not finding any bruises or other injuries.

Visibly enjoying the attention from Harry's point of view, Stella didn't answer immediately. Instead she put up a tearful look, biting her lip as if just now remembering the trauma and said. “Yes, but I don't think I can...” a hiccup served to sell her performance even better.

“You don't have to do anything tonight.” Brandon consoled her, hugging her to his body. Turning to Harry, Brandon

Stella meanwhile was very pleased, but fell back into her role when Brandon looked at her again, escorting her inside.

Staying behind, Bloom rolled her eyes and Flora giggled at the display.

“Is she always like this?” Harry asked amused, his emerald eyes twinkling.

Bloom sighed, but a rueful smile appeared on her face as she chuckled. “You have no idea.” for a princess Stella surely didn't act like one. Not that it was a bad thing. Bloom rather liked her first friend. “Stella enjoys attention the most, especially the one from her boyfriend.”

With that being said Bloom's group entered the establishment themselves, going to their own group after biding Harry a good evening. Surprisingly Bloom stayed with Harry outside. “Do you not want to join your friends?”

Bloom shook her head, letting her red hair seem like fire as it caught the light in a particular way. “Not right now. Everyone will have their special someone there.”

“And you don't have someone of your own?” He inquired sceptically. “You seem much too beautiful for that to be the case.” Not quite knowing why he found himself drawn to the young woman.

Bloom blushed at his compliment but frowned a small bit as she answered. “I do have someone, but he doesn't have that much time right now.” that was an understatement if there ever was one. Right now the Summer vacation was in full swing and Sky was nowhere to be seen since day one.

Before he could answer the mirror in his pocket began to vibrate in intervals much like a phone. “Excuse me a little I got to take that call.” he apologized to Bloom as he took the mirror out and stepped away from the masses at the entrance.

“I take it you found Belladonna?” he inquired casually, making sure to use Icy's real name in public as he leaned against the side of the building, out of view from most.

Darcy nodded, a frown marring the face of her disguise while Stormy ground out a curt. “Yes.” glaring away from the mirror to something only she could see.

“Where are you at right now?” Harry asked, not bothering to wonder where Stormy was scowling at.

Darcy answered this time. “We're at the White Horse. It's a restaurant located at...”

Before she could finish Harry said. “Near a lake?” upon her perplexed nod he assured her. “I'll be there shortly.“ He then cut the line and walked to Bloom again after putting the mirror away. “It seems my friends found our missing link and as fate would have it they're all inside.” not wanting to leave her alone he invited her along, unmindful of her past with the Trix. Not that she knew who they were right now. “If you want you can join us until you want to join your own friends again.”

“I'd like that.” Bloom accepted the invitation on the spot. Glad that she didn't have to look as her friends all had their boyfriends with them except her.

“Then let's go inside.”

A moment later they were inside and after a quick survey Harry found the two transformed witches in a booth of their own. He also immediately looked for all the exits out of habit, securing the best way of escape. His time on Earth and especially on Omega having pounded that into his skull.

While doing so he escorted Bloom to the table.

“I see you brought a guest.” Darcy commented tightly, trying very hard not to glare at Bloom. Good thing she was such a good actress.

Harry nodded and after pulling Bloom's chair out he explained. “Yes, this is Bloom. She'll be joining us for a little while.”

“Nice to meet you.” Bloom said with a small friendly wave and a smile. Deciding to introduce herself properly she did so. “I'm Bloom and you're?”

At the mention of Bloom's name and hearing her voice Stormy whirled around so fast Harry thought she'd break her neck. Though a look from him saw her simply turn away again to scowl at someone else.

“Don't mind her.” Darcy said amicably, as she leaned a little towards Bloom. “She's just a little grumpy right now.” a picture perfect smile on her face that seemed honest enough. “I'm Lysslis and this is Tharma.” the Witch of Darkness introduced herself and her sister.

“So, where is Belladonna?” he asked before things got awkward, only having Darcy's attention while Stormy seemed preoccupied with glaring. Noticing her attention was occupied by something else, he looked where her gaze was stuck. There was the disguised Icy practically draping herself over some dude. Sitting together with what seemed to be some kind of wannabe tough guys with questionable taste. This whole world reminded Harry of Dumbledore's rather unique taste in clothes to be honest.

The apparent leader of the group and Icy's target from the looks of it had his hair styled in the 'emo' fashion; his bangs angled sharply towards one eye appearing to be a vibrant mix of black and blue in colour. He wore a ruffled white shirt under a dark blue leather jacket, both of which were tucked into fitted blue jeans. He also sported black leather boots.

His friends didn't look much different. One having wavy green hair and the other blonde. Both still looking like they spent more time in front of the mirror than most women.

“It seems she found an old friend of ours.” Stormy ground out, still glaring at the group. Not knowing if she should feel angry at Icy for keeping it a secret.

Not really all that interested Harry asked anyway, his eyes wandering from Icy to her target and back to his table. “Oh, who's that?”

Darcy elaborated sipping at her drink. “His name is Darko, son of Mazakis, an influential lord hailing from Whisperia.” a little melancholy entered her voice. “It had been our home before returning to Magix to study magic at Cloud Tower.”

Harry suppressed a snicker that threatened to erupt from his throat. 'Darko. That name sounds suspiciously close in personality to another spoiled brat I know.' while he was tempted to disregard the boy as a threat experience told him even pathetic people could become a threat. Pettigrew and Draco specifically. Though, for now he'd wait and see if he was just a poser or not.

“You're witches?” Bloom exclaimed, surprised and more than a little wary.

Deciding to take it into his own hands, Harry asked casually, an eyebrow raised in question. “Is that a problem?” seemingly unaware of Bloom's reasons.

Shaking her head in embarrassment, Bloom apologized while putting her hands up, fearing she offended them. “No, no, it just surprised me, is all.” it had been an instinctual reaction due to her experience with the Trix. Though, she also knew good ones, like Mirta. 'Although, she's a Fairy now.' the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame mused.

Any further conversation was stopped when a waitress came to their table. “Welcome to the White Horse. What can I get you?”

Darcy and Stormy declined to order anything, already having their drinks. Harry and Bloom did though.

“Do you serve Pumpkin-juice?” came the question from Harry, hoping a whole plethora of magical planets would have the drink. He wanted it more out of nostalgia than any real desire for it. Upon the waitress' shaking her head in the negative he asked. “How about Butterbeer?” another shake of the head. “Gigglewater, Firewhisky?” none of the beverages he normally had were available. Even the ones from the Muggle world seemingly didn't exist.

“He takes a Dragon Scale.” Bloom interrupted, just now having stopped wondering just from where he came from. Once the waitress, who was clearly relieved, left, Bloom stated. “You're from Earth.” Some of the drinks he wanted only were called that on her home planet. In Magix they also existed, but under different names. Though, Firewhisky, Butterbeer, Pumpkin-juice or Gigglewater were things she never heard about. “I'm from Earth too. Well, not truly. I'm from Domino actually, but not really.” noticing that she began to ramble she settled with. “It's a long story.”

“I'd like to hear it someday and yes, I am from Earth.” Harry confirmed with a nod. “From Britain to be exact. And you?”

Excited to meet someone from Earth, Bloom giddily answered, leaning forward. “Australia, from a little town located at the coast, called Gardenia.” completely focussed on her partner in conversation Bloom didn't notice the glares she got from the other two at the table. “I never met someone else from Earth in Magix. How come you know of the Magical Galaxy and how did you get here?”

“Well, I came here through magical means, obviously.” To demonstrate he made the glasses on the table dance around, grinning at Bloom's delighted expression. Harry smiled at his successful diversion. “I'm glad you like it.” he said and promptly fished for information, seeing this as a good opportunity to do so. “Out of curiosity. Which year is it on Earth? I haven't been there in so long I lost track of it.”

Bloom thought for a short while, putting her chin on her hand and frowning. The answer not coming easily to her either. Not really having much contact with Earth either in the last few years. “Hmm, I think it is the year 2008 and the exact day should be...” she counted the days on her hands form the last time she spoke with her parents in person. “The 31th of July.”

Harry laughed out loud at that, startling some other patrons of the establishment.

“What's so funny?” Stormy asked curiously, finally joining the conversation. It definitely wasn't because his laugh was sweet and genuine. Not belonging to the mocking or malicious kind she was used to and expected.

After his chuckles died down he explained. “Today's my birthday. Seems I forgot.” he added in his thoughts. 'More than ten years spent in that frozen wasteland. I wonder how Ron, Hermione and the others are doing. Probably busy being married and having sprogs.' all of his thoughts heavily tinged with nostalgia.

“Congratulations.” Darcy and Stormy replied, not really put out by the fact. Not really celebrating their own birthday much either.

More than a bit incredulous Bloom asked awkwardly. “How can you forget your own birthday?” she also shot Tharma and Lysslis a look of confusion at their bland congratulations. “A

Harry shrugged and sighed. “My parents died when I was very young and I didn't know my birthday until I was eleven. It just was never celebrated much and I didn't see a reason to change that.”

“It's pretty much the same for us.” Darcy revealed upon Bloom's disbelieving look. A frown of annoyance on her face. “A birthday isn't a happy occasion for everyone.” for the Trix it never had been.

“It should be!” Bloom replied somewhat sadly, not liking the indifference of them in regards to what should a joyous occasion.

The awkward atmosphere was dissolved a moment later when the waitress returned. “Here are your orders and one extra for you from the gentleman over there.” she smiled, pointing in the direction of Darko. He raised his glass with what he thought was a charming smile. The disguised Icy didn't look too happy with what was happening and from the looks of it let it be known to Darko.

Harry took his drink and his danger sense went into overdrive shortly after. Bells were going off in his mind like crazy. 'Something is wrong.' he thought, subtly glancing around the room, but not seeing anyone making a hostile move. That's when he smelled it. Somehow it reminded him simultaneously of treacle tart, the woody smell of a broomstick handle and the crisps air above the clouds. Despite it being more than ten years ago he still remembered the substance inducing these things. 'Love Potion.'

“Stop!” he did not shout, but his voice, harder than iron, reached them regardless. Unconsciously exuding a commanding presence that saw all three stop, glasses stopping before their lips. He took the drink from Bloom and took a quick whiff to confirm it. “Seems someone put a Love Potion in your drink.”

Bloom, not entirely sure if she should believe him, took a whiff herself and smelled some weird combination of freshly baked cupcakes, burnt wood and pizza. Once confirmed red crept into her vision as she growled, smoke coming out of her nose, much like a dragon. Her eyes narrowed to slits as she looked at the guy he got the drink from.

“Excuse me, I'll be back shortly.” she said, standing up swiftly. Intent to make her way over there and roast him alive.

A hand upon her shoulder stopped her. “I don't think you want to burn this nice establishment to the ground, do you?” Harry asked calmly, taking her in fire coated hands in his own. Naturally he had a Flame-Freezing Charm on. As soon as his voice reached the redhead her shoulders relaxed and she grew calmer.

In the end it was taken out of their hands by Darko.

“Hello, beautiful, how about we go somewhere private.” to Harry his voice had a whiny quality, exactly like Malfoy's own. The rest matched as well.

The last Potter just knew this evening was about to get interesting. The question was in what way.

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 5

Magix City.

After their shopping trip Bloom and Stella went to the beach to meet their friends.

Tecna and Flora were already there once they arrived, enjoying the salty breeze and the seagulls' cries above.

Aisha and Musa came shortly after.

“Hi girls, so how did it go?” Aisha greeted them with a wave, sitting barefoot in the sand and enjoying the sun.

Stella seeing Musa's new hairstyle smiled pleasantly, asking. “Oh, well, Musa, what did you do to your hair?”

“Just a little change of style.” the musically gifted fairy responded, driving her fingers through one of her new twin ponytails.

Stella leaned forward to get a better look, saying appreciatively. “Really nice!” she grinned a little smugly and said excitedly. “And I just updated by wardrobe with a new dress!” granted she had to teleport back to Alfea and get everyday clothes to wear, but for that dress she'd do anything.

All of them, except Bloom, soon egged her on to show it. Which she did after enjoying the attention. “Here, really?” making a show of looking around, but relenting quickly with a giddy smile on her face. “Well, if you insist.” a quick spell later saw her new magnificent dress.

“You look stunning!” Flora complimented earnestly, clapping her hands a few times as Stella twirled around to show herself from every angle.

“You do!” Musa agreed, her eyes wide and focussed on the exotic piece of clothing.

Aisha also gave her opinion. “It's awesome, Stella!”

“Thank you.” accepting the praise gladly, the Solarian Princess added. “But you should've seen the one making it for me, right Bloom?” a teasing glint in her warm golden-brown eyes.

Bloom groaned out loud. “Not this again, Stella!”

“Why, what happened?” Tecna inquired curiously, hungry for knowledge as always. No matter how trivial.

Stella still grinned mischievously, waving off Bloom's protests. “Nothing much. We just ran into the man from the pizzeria. You know, the one Bloom couldn't take her eyes off of?” her grin widened as the others comprehended the situation.

“Not what happened.” Bloom mumbled somewhat annoyed, arms crossed and rolling her eyes, but resigned to her oldest friend's antics by now.

Truly interested Aisha commented. “So, he made it for you? He didn't seem like some fashion creator.”

Musa threw in and shrugged. “Well, many artists can be a bit eccentric.” back on Melody were many musicians with strange tastes of all kinds. So it wasn't something out of the question for her.

Stella took the reigns of the conversation once more, a bit annoyed at them interrupting. “Anyway, as thanks I invited him to my Princess Ball in a month's time.”

“Well, he seemed nice enough, if looking a bit rough around the edges.” Flora said optimistically, unable or unwilling to say something truly negative about a stranger.

Musa threw in as she leaned back on her hands, enjoying the sand between her fingers. “He did indeed look rough, though I'd describe it more like ruggedly handsome.”

Making a face, Stella replied. “We all know what kind of man you like, Musa.” while she was thankful for the dress she disliked scars and anything that made one imperfect. Why not simply get them removed? Magical surgery made that and more possible.

“What's that supposed to mean?” Musa asked in a dangerous tone, eyes narrowed. Riven wasn't really rough looking. The only thing rough about him was his personality.

Trying to ease the tension and get away from the uncomfortable conversation about the strange man, Bloom changed the topic. “So, Aisha. What happened on Andros that called you away so suddenly.”

That got all of their attention and stopped the bickering between Musa and Stella.

Not exhibiting any tension or worry, Aisha was the picture of relaxed and happy. “Someone broke out of Planet Omega.”

Tecna and Stella gasped, while Flora, Bloom and Musa appeared clueless. “What is Planet Omega?” Bloom spoke up, still a bit peeved about being so clueless when it comes to the Magical Galaxy.

The Fairy of Technology explained, instinctively her hand went to her mini-computer, only to remember she left it at Alfea. “It's a place where all the worst criminals of the Magical Galaxy are brought.” turning to Aisha the technical genius asked. “Who was it?”

“Apparently his name was Valtor.” Aisha answered unconcerned.

“Was?” Bloom inquired, having picked up on the past tense.

Nodding with a smile, the Princess of Andros replied. “Yes, he escaped but due to his fatigue after opening the Omega Portal on Andros he was captured swiftly. Once at the Fortress of Light he made a last effort and was killed as a result. Most suspect he did it to not get sent back to Omega.” she herself wouldn't fault him for that choice. “Luckily, the Omega Portal was closed shortly after.” everything was alright again on Andros.

“That's excellent!” Stella exclaimed and changed back to her previous clothes. “Less work for us.”

Looking at the blonde, Bloom raised an eyebrow in question. “What do you mean with that, Stella?”

Huffing as if it was obvious. “Please, you can bet this guy would've sought you out at one point or another and we would've had to fight him. Just because you harbour the Dragon's Flame.”

Musa agreed. “True enough. After all it happened two times before. The probability of it happening was high.” seeing Tecna actually start calculating the musician rolled her eyes.

Bloom stayed silent while she glared at him. It wasn't her fault for being given that power. Her mood did not improve as the Specialists arrived due to Sky not being with them. Apparently he had duties to attend on Eraklyon. He didn't even answer his phone, no matter how many messages she sent.

Citadel of Night.

It had been a day since their trip to Magix City and things were looking up a little in terms of trusting each other.

At the moment Harry was just starting training the Trix, just not how they thought he would train them.

Instead of teaching them new spells he was going to refine their abilities.

Icy refused to be trained in her own element by another. Not believing that there was something he could teach her.

The group of four was currently on a huge rock spur big enough to hold a football field and created inside one of the huge vaults in the cavern. All of it illuminated by Bluebell flames floating in the air to give more visibility.

“Any requests?” Harry asked standing before them. Hearing none, Harry explained. “After our talk yesterday I came to the conclusion that I'll have be the one to make the first step towards trust by removing the mark I put on you.” a simple spell later the Coat of Arms of House Peverell vanished from their bodies.

At once they felt the ocean of power recede from their shorelines as if low tide was setting in. Being so full of power previously and to feel so little now was atrocious to experience for them. All their hands immediately going towards their stomachs, unable to feel the thrum of power any longer.

“What did you do?” Stormy's voice cracked a little, sounding oddly vulnerable.

Harry shrugged and explained. “I removed my mark on you.” not knowing why she was so upset about that, the wizard added. “Now you can harm me and vice versa.”

“Why?” Icy demanded, feeling strangely hollow and empty. Just so preventing getting chocked up by her tremendous loss of power. It hadn't mattered to her that she couldn't harm him! Neither could he harm them. It was a more than fair exchange as far as she was concerned. “Give it back!” the Witch of Ice demanded.

Taken aback and more than a bit confused, Harry replied. “What? Why?” he thought that show of trust would be a good start. Seemed he was wrong. After all he wouldn't like to bear such a mark and had simply employed it to be safer until he could begin to trust them a little.

Even Darcy wasn't unaffected. Her golden eyes somehow seeming dimmer than before. “It's because of the connection that we gained more power through you.” she explained, sounding fatigued. With the nearly unlimited amount of magic Harry had access to he wouldn't even know how much he bled off to them.

“Oh, I didn't know that version of the mark could do that.” the last Potter said surprised.

Askance Icy demanded. “You don't know what your own spells do?” blue eyes narrowed at him.

Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, Harry elaborated. “Well, it was a spell I got by absorbing the essence of that Valtor on Omega.” he took that version of the Dark Mark due to the easier method of application.

Though, to absorb someone's magic was like calling upon all the spells cast by a wand. Only that it was every single spell of the person gained by Harry. “Though, I only got some fragmented memories from most I did that to.” from what he gathered the memories he got had been the most important ones for the prisoners. Be it their innocence or similar. Though, most likely it were just the meaningful ones because the minds deteriorated over time due to being conscious all the time. Not to mention that gaining memories had been his motivation to perfect his Occlumency. It was incredibly disturbing to have memories not your own inside your head.

'Also most of the information is incredibly outdated in this day and age.' Harry thought, remembering the info he got from the Trix. Not that it was all that surprising. He got the information from half mad people frozen inside the ice, but conscious all the same. Killing them had been a mercy.

“Oh.” Darcy commented, knowing it was an attempt to gain their trust, but nearly achieving the opposite.

Knowing he had to say something, Harry sighed. “How about I look for or create a version of it that leaves more freedom for either of us?” namely something creating a simple connection without any condition imposed on them. “If I don't find one by the end of the month I'll re-establish it.” he promised.

All three reluctantly agreed. What else could they do? Being wanted fugitives with no money severely limited their options. Something that wasn't solved by killing Harry. Not that any of three was sure they could actually pull it off.

“Now then, let us begin.” Harry declared and promptly began teaching Stormy and Darcy.

He started with Occlumency to give them a tighter control over their emotions and magic. Darcy took to it like a duck to water, but Stormy was unable to clear her mind properly. Too much anger.

Leaving Darcy to meditate on her own, Harry went to another part of the platform with the Witch of Storms. “OK, maybe we should start with a little bit of physical training.” the wizard proposed with a sigh, transfigured her clothes into workout gear and stretched to show Stormy how to do it. That was ingrained into his very being from countless Quidditch practises.

Satisfied with that Harry put her through the wringer. First demonstrating and then doing the exercises with her. Be it a variety of crunches, push-ups, leg raises and more for strength training. Though, he also did endurance training as well as training for flexibility by stretching. He didn't let up until she was panting and sweating profusely, just a bit away from the verge of physical exhaustion.

Next he set targets up to magically exhaust her and told her to destroy them a certain way.

“Come on! Concentrate!” Harry demanded of Stormy as she tried to obliterate the vaguely human-shaped rocks he had transfigured. Normally she wouldn't have any trouble destroying them, but Harry wanted her to do it by enhancing herself with lightning and not by throwing it at the targets. “I thought you wanted to be strong, or was that just hot air? Seems to me you're a weakling.” he taunted, hoping to get that negative boost out of her and with it positive results.

Stormy growled, taking the bait like Harry had hoped. Just as her fist was about to make contact with the stone she shouted. “I am not weak!” electricity cackled around her bloodied fist as it met stone and utterly obliterated the upper half of the humanoid statue, causing rubble to fly off and into the waters below.

Looking at her hand, Stormy clenched it as if to confirm that it was her own. Shock soon transformed to smugness.

“Good job.” Harry congratulated earnestly, surprising Stormy.

Looking at him sceptically, the witch crossed her arms, not noticing the blood on her knuckles. “Not so weak now, am I?” she kinda taunted, a sneer on her face.

Chuckling at her reply, Harry retorted. “I never thought you are weak. I just used your anger to motivate you.” seeing her blood-stained hands Harry walked towards her and inspected it. “You should be careful in using that on hard objects however.” a many times practised diagnostic charm later told him it was nothing broken, thankfully. “The lightning has the side-effect of deadening your nerves to pain, but the damage still gets done.”

He cupped his hands around hers and cast. “Episkey.” a green glow enveloped her hand, causing the minor damage to be healed. “There, good as new.”

Pulling her hand away a bit faster than intended, Stormy didn't answer. Too preoccupied with having achieved this new technique. Something she wouldn't have thought of alone. Not to mention that she had thought he'd rather mock her efforts than actually help her. Which was kinda how it mostly went down when training.

Seeing Stormy already pretty fatigued, Harry went a step further to finish it. “Next, I want you to try and cut them in half using your wind.” pointing towards the still standing stone statues.

Appeased by his admission and guidance Stormy's scowl lessened and vanished. Though her confusion at his behaviour didn't help and caused her efforts to fail. She was surprised when he stood directly behind her.

Unwilling to let him get a rise out of her, Stormy tried to ignore him. That was until he instructed her. “Think about something that you hate, focus on it. It's the only thing existing. Everything else is simply fades away.” she could feel his breath on the skin of her neck, causing the hairs to stand on end as if electrified.

Not seeing any reason to not try, after all his instructions seemed to work, Stormy did as told, suppressing a shiver as she felt power radiate from his body so close to hers. He didn't even need to consciously project it outwards, it seemed to just flow outward constantly. It was even more apparent now that she didn't have access to it any longer.

Concentrating again, Musa replaced the stone statues in her mind quick enough. 'By the Ancestresses how I hate that Fairy.' the Witch of Storms raged inside her head.

As soon as she gave her anger a target it was much easier to focus. Tunnel-vision took over as only her fury for the fairy existed, together with her wish to eradicate it. Harry's voice was now obstructed, muffled.

Seeing it working, Harry took a hold of her right wrist with his own and pointed her hand at the targets. “Command the power to go along your arms up to your fingertips.” the fingers of his right hand then traced her bare arm from shoulder to wrist to give her direction. “Imagine a blade and shape the wind to your desire and command it to cut. Then, simply let got.”

Stormy was shivering. If it was from the new experience of power coursing through her or his gentle touch she didn't know, nor did she care right now. Swiping her hand in an horizontal arc, she yelled the first thing coming to mind. “Wind Cut!”

Lo and behold a moment later all targets were bisected by an invisible blade, causing their upper halves to fall to the ground and shatter.

Blinking a few times Stormy came back out of her self-induced trance. “Whoa.” she exclaimed softly, never having had so much control over her attacks. It were always gusts of wind or tornadoes. Big and powerful, but brute force all the same.

“See, all you need is focus.” Harry cheered for her, a smile on his face. “I knew you could do it.”

Just now noticing their close proximity to one another once more Stormy created some distance, trying to say the next words dismissively. “I guess.” her face turned away from him so he couldn't see her trying to regain control of her rosy cheeks. Also thankful for the low luminosity of the cave.

One part of her wanted to not need his instruction and do it on her own. While the second one wanted to get closer and not lose that intoxicating feeling of power he radiated outwards.

After completely exhausting her physically and magically he instructed the completely tired Stormy in Occlumency, which went much better than before. Mostly due to her not having many thoughts swirling in her head right now, able to focus on a single thing.

Soon enough the training was finished with an utterly exhausted Stormy, a satisfied Darcy and a grumpy Icy.

“So, you said you were from Earth.” Darcy stated and inquired. “Why did did the magicals go into hiding, then?” she was currently sitting next to Harry on the floor. She was curious about Earth, his origins and about the magical society there. The one time they had been there none of them saw anything even remotely magical in nature. “Everyone in the Magical Galaxy thinks Earth is completely without magic.”

Harry chuckled at that, truly amused at the outrage that would spark among the sheep back on Earth. “I honestly don't know. My teacher for History wasn't the most passionate on the subject or the most suited for the role.” though Harry thought that it was more due to the fact that Binns was dead and therefore didn't need a salary. “However, the prevalent consensus was that Muggles – those without magic – hunted the magicals everywhere. A few people claimed the separation protected the ones without magic more than the ones with it.” which was kinda true in the beginning. Though, the difference in threat had been equalized with time. Not that spells like the Imperius wouldn't allow for a simple takeover from the shadows by taking control of the leaders.

“Seems stupid to flee from people you could easily crush.” Stormy panted out, lying on her back to get some breath back into her body. In Magix there were non-magical people, few as they were. Though, most simply had magic, but not enough to cast spells.

Harry was loath to admit it, yet Stormy spoke the truth. “Indeed.” he concurred.

The Dementors alone could wipe out the Muggle World on their own. Muggles couldn't see them and were completely defenceless against them. Harry had no idea how the Ministry controlled the creatures, but with them they had an immense trump card in their hand. That didn't take into account various other methods. Not that Harry thought any Ministry smart enough to actually plan something worthwhile.

Icy butted in, demanding. “Yesterday you said you had three ways of removing our status as fugitives, but you only told us two. What's the third one?” her arms were crossed as she sat on a block of ice she created before. She didn't want to modify her own memories and the second option was out automatically.

Just now remembering, Harry nodded. “Well, the third option is to claim that you were controlled by Darkar and request the trial you never got to prove your innocence.” he leaned back on his hands and explained further. “You mentioned that  Bloom was also controlled by him, so it'd be perfectly reasonable to assume he also kept you in his thrall. From what you told me he was after the Dragon's Flame, so it is even reasonable to assume you were 'forced' to work for him even then. After all, why would he bother to break you out of the Fortress of Light if you weren't valuable pawns to him?”

“Oh, I love it. It's a good idea!” Darcy complimented earnestly, loving the deception used here. A hungry gleam in her golden eyes.

Stormy just nodded her consent, too occupied trying to ignore her tired muscles.

Icy on the other hand wasn't pleased in the least. “No it's not! It's a stupid idea!” her blue eyes glared at them all, arms crossed. “We'd be in enemy territory and at their mercy. Not to mention that we have no guarantee that it isn't just a sham of a trial.” she looked her two sisters in the eyes, conveying just how angry and disappointed she was at them for forgetting that.

Not offended by her objection, Harry replied, a mischievous smile growing on his face. “Of course, that is possible, but I didn't plan to rely on luck. Well, not in the usual sense anyway.” his time on Omega and before taught him that luck could only get you so far, which was ironic considering what he was about to propose. “There is a potion I know, called Felix Felicis, or Liquid Luck, which causes the drinker to succeed in every endeavour as long as success is possible.” that basically meant something utterly impossible was out of the question. It depended on the probability of the endeavour, which meant something with a zero chance of success wouldn't succeed.

Though, Icy wasn't satisfied with that, at all. “We won't go through with it one way or the other.” the Witch of Ice snarled and yelled at her sisters. “I'm still the leader of the coven and you two will do as I say! End of discussion!”

Darcy and Stormy did not appear happy with that decision, but relented in the end to Icy's will. After all, Icy did have some points. Even if they were confused as to why she was so dead set against a good plan.

Trying to soothe tempers Harry didn't push it. “I didn't say that it is the only option, did I?” a little confused at her being adamantly against it. “Although, I guess you have some personal reasons as to why you're against it.”

Even more enraged than before, Icy snarled out. “None of your business!” all but confirming his suspicion.

Unwilling to stay any longer Icy looked at Darcy and commanded. “Disguise!” without even waiting to let her sister do it properly she took off, just feeling the telltale sign of an egg being cracked over her head as the glamour settled over her form. Without waiting she flew to the exit, leaving the other three behind.

Magix City.

It wasn't long until Icy was at the exit of the cave system. Thankfully, Harry had closed off all other accessed to the underground fortress, leaving only a single entrance. On top of that the wards kept anyone not keyed in out, hiding the entrance from view, as well as the repaired gate that absorbed magical attacks and other protective measures.

'How dare he hog all the power for himself!' she ranted in her own mind. Completely forgetting that he trained her sisters and made her the same offer. In the back of her mind she also admitted that she felt more vulnerable now that the safety was gone. Icy would've no qualms about betraying him. However, he had an apparent endless amount of power while she and her sisters didn't.

As a witch she was used to betrayal from everyone around her, with the exception of Darcy and Stormy. She expected it even, because it was what she would do. Ironically enough, without the mark she trusted Harry less than with it. It was a measure of control, something she could understand. Other than what Harry talked about.

Light from the midday sun flooded her eyes as she escaped the dark cavern, causing her to squint and try to shield her eyes.

Icy knew it was irresponsible for a person of her status to fly out in the open, but she didn't give a damn right now. Besides, she was disguised. Under no circumstances did she want to go back to that cursed Fortress of Light. Those brainwashed idiots gave her the creeps, always taking about peace and flowers with a demented smile on their faces. You could probably slap them, stab them or even kill their family in front of them and they wouldn't notice. If Darkar hadn't bailed them out she and her sisters would've probably become on of those empty husks.

She shuddered in disgust at the thought alone.

The flight brought her a clear head, even though she would've enjoyed it a little bit colder. 'I really need a drink.' she thought and immediately sought out a suitable spot to quench her thirst. It took longer than expected for her to find a place that had what she looked for at this hour. At the end she gave up and went to the White Horse.

Soon enough the lake where the White Horse was located came into view. It was a round building, with terraces in height, accessible via stairs. The restaurant's colours were similar to Alfea's: light pink and blue, with an almost purple pink and yellow. Its logo was a white horse on a blue hexagon, almost in the shape of a diamond.

It was a crappy inn in Icy's opinion, but she didn't have much choice at this time of day. With a sigh she lowered herself to the ground and walked the rest of the way.

However, once inside she spotted an opportunity she couldn't pass up. An opportunity for freedom without needing Harry's help.

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 4.

Citadel 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.

Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 3

Realm of Relix.

The Realm of Relix mostly consisted of an endless void, with ruins of ancient stone buildings floating in mid-air surrounded by more floating rubble. Red was the dominant colour in the sky together with grey.

Harry commanded his new thrall to hover in the air and wait for their return as soon as they arrived. The second guy was bound, stunned, blinded, frozen and silenced. Harry wasn't in the mood to take chances. To top it off the wizard ordered. “Lend me your power. I'll erect a ward that prevents people from following us.”

They did as told a moment later. Harry gathered a considerable amount of power through the mark and erected a Dimensional Barrier around them. It would see all attempts to travel here disrupted.

While Harry did so the Trix had a conversation of their own.

“I wonder why the annoying Knights of the Fortress of Light bothered to get us out of here in the first place.” Darcy pondered out loud, leaning against her chair, crossing her legs and arms. It didn't make sense to her.

Stormy looked at her sister while she spun around in her own seat. “What do you mean?” Not too troubled by that. She was more focussed on their future power.

“From the looks of it we'd been trapped here. Why get us out just to imprison us somewhere else?” Darcy questioned, tilting her head in confusion.

Icy was more on Stormy side and dismissed her sister's ramblings. “What does that matter now? They probably were called by that old bitch Faragonda and simply arrived too late for the actual fight.”

Darcy nodded at that, conceding. “Hmm, you're probably right.” she was most likely over-thinking it.

A moment later a thick shield made up of blood red energy and shimmering runes surrounded the ruin and vehicle. “There, now we won't be disturbed.”

Exiting the vehicle, the four flew towards the ruin, landing between the rubble a moment later.

“What now?” Harry inquired, turning to the Trix and waiting expectantly. There didn't seem to be much on this rock.

Icy explained it to him, remembering the chant as good as she could. “You need to stand in the middle of it, channel your powers but keep it balanced between Light and Dark and chant the correct words.” she pointed to the small elevated space in the middle of the ruin. The Trix then pieced the Chant of Power back together from their fractured memories as the Mega Trix.

Harry felt a bit silly as he stood on the broken altar, only there to humour them. He was expecting nothing much to come of this, but willing to try all the same. “Vites, Fortes, Subvertio.” he chanted over and over again as he glowed bright red,  pouring his considerable power into the surroundings.

It took maybe five minutes for Harry to notice a shift in the atmosphere once the chant reached its crescendo. Instinctively acting he held his hands above his head as if to receive something from the heavens. Next he shouted out the final word, throwing his head back. “Relix!”

As soon as the word was spoken a red cyclone-like mass with an inside that glowed pink and edges made of gold materialized between his palms.

The Trix watched on in glee as Harry succeeded where Darkar failed. Already feeling the tremendous power radiate from the artefact, transfer to Harry and through him arrive in them.

Not wasting any time, Harry absorbed the Crystal of Power in its entirety. A process that took the better part of ten minutes. The light of the relic faded the more time went by until it flashed out in a kaleidoscope of colour before vanishing completely into the wizard.

Power coursed through every fibre of his being, down to the very last atom before settling down. He looked at his fist and clenched it as if to confirm he was still himself. To test it, he cast. “Reparo.” at once the rubble flew back together, forming an intricate temple that showed how the place looked like right after construction. There even was a pristine roof now.

“Do you have a place to stay?” Harry inquired. After all the excitement, and however long he was trapped on that frozen planet, he wanted to truly rest for a while.

Stormy proposed. “We could go to Darkar's Fortress.” they didn't have any fixed residence, never had. Cloud Tower had been their home until their expulsion. “It is a pile of rubble, but you'd be able to have it up and running in no time by the looks of it.”

The Witch of Darkness voiced her objections, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “I don't like the idea of living underground, like a mole.”

However, Icy concurred with Stormy's suggestion by saying. “Do you have a better idea?” her ice-blue eyes focussed on her sister, white eyebrow raised in a challenge to argue.

Darcy's silence was her answer. All three of them knew they were homeless with nowhere to go. They were fugitives, hunted by the Magical Galaxy as a whole, should their escape be discovered.

Shrugging, Harry accepted. “Where do we need to go?” Right now was one of the times he lamented to be atrociously bad at Legilimency. While his mind was impenetrable, he had no talent for invading over people's minds. Which made plucking the location out of one of them rather impossible. Which meant he needed to trust them. He knew nothing in this new world.

“It's located on Magix, in the heart of the Magical Galaxy.” Icy replied, looking at the vehicle they stole from the Fortress of Light. “It should be easily reached by our ride and if not we can still fly.”

“Sounds good.” Harry responded with a nod of agreement. Extremely glad to have learned to fly without a broom by now. Be it through Animagus form or magic alone.

The quartet boarded the ship again and the last Potter commanded their thrall to bring them to Magix. The Red Fountain, specifically. Doing so due to the advice of Darcy, who claimed it was nearest to where they wanted to go. To be sure the craft was made invisible with the inbuilt camouflage.

Planet Magix, Red Fountain.

A wormhole-jump later and they arrived near the school that apparently trained young men into warriors of some kind. Harry hadn't really listened during the explanation.

It was unlike any building Harry had ever seen. A futuristic kind of tower that floated in the air, with some trees around the upper levels, as well as some miniature waterfalls going downwards. Not giving it any further mind Harry let the Trix guide the pilot to their new location.

Looking out of the window of the ship, Harry saw Magix. He had to say he was disappointed. It just looked like Earth in terms of vegetation and atmosphere. Quite a let-down as far as Harry was concerned. In the distance he could make out a lake, a huge tower reaching into the sky and a horrid blob of pink.

Soon enough they arrived near the cave-system, flying into a narrow canyon peppered with sharp spikes and edges to get to their destination.Further ahead came a long-tilted valley, a deep gulf of shadow, ran back far into the mountains. Upon the further side, some way within the valley's arms, high on a rocky seat sat the entrance they sought.

Steering the vehicle into the abandoned mines, the enslaved pilot flew expertly downwards, avoiding the walls easily. Darkness swallowed them whole as the descent proceeded uninterrupted. In response the vehicle activated its floodlights to drive back the dark and allow the pilot to see.

Green crystals began to appear together with some mushrooms and swarms of bats that fled from them.

A few minutes later saw them forced to land on a rock spur big enough to hold their aircraft.

“What are we gonna do with these two?” Darcy pointed with her thumb over her shoulder and at the two guards. One a mind-slave the other unconscious and bound so tight he wouldn't be able to leave.

Stating as if it was obvious, Harry stood up from his seat. “We kill them, obviously.” after his time on that prison planet he learned to never leave anyone alive that could kill or make problems for you later. Without acknowledging the three witches, Harry commanded the pilot. “Let the aircraft hover in autopilot!”

Once that was done Harry cast. “Avada Kedavra!” sickly green light erupted from his palm, trailing what looked like black smoke behind as it sped towards the unfortunate victim. A second later it connected, killing the man and letting him fall into himself like a puppet with its strings cut. The same flash of green was repeated with the co-pilot. Harry was a bit surprised at the cosmetic change but simply chalked it up as a result of his new power.

“What was that?” Icy asked completely enthralled by the experience.

Reluctantly, Harry told them grimly. “It's called the Killing Curse.” he began to get used to his new power. “There is no magical defence against it and once it hits it does what the name implies.” he was kinda used to casting it by now, which should concern him. Though, the spell served him excellently during his imprisonment. Ended any fight as quick as possible with no fooling around. “Back home it's part of a set called the Unforgivables. Anyone using them gets an immediate trip to prison.”

“It's that how you ended up on Planet Omega?” Stormy questioned curiously, wanting to know more about their partner.

Harry shook his head as he made to exit the aircraft. “No, the prison of my people is called Azkaban. It's guarded by Dementors, demons that suck the warmth and happiness out of everything and everyone in their vicinity. In their presence you are forced to relive your worst memories and nightmares over and over until nothing remains but a rambling lunatic. That is if you didn't get your soul sucked out by them, leaving your body an empty husk.”

Not really knowing what to say the Trix wondered just where he came from. What kind of people used such punishments? They would fit right in. “What was your punishment?” Icy inquired, wondering why he was banished to Omega, if the prison in his home sounded so much worse.

With time Harry had come to see it as ironic that his punishment didn't have the intended effect. He truly was the Boy-Who-Lived. Giving them a smile without humour, he explained as they left the ship. “My punishment was to be thrown through the Veil of Death, an artefact that supposedly kills anyone going through it. Turns out it really is just a portal to Omega.”

Stormy, Icy and Darcy hadn't heard of any planet that used capital punishment anymore. Any and all criminals were banished to dead planets like Omega, or different realms like Oblivion.

“Makes sense.” Icy replied, tapping her chin in thought. Together they stopped a few meters away from the ship, standing in a circle. No wind blew here, leaving the air stale and only the sound of silence to listen to.

Darcy chimed in. “What did you do?” gold eyes focussed on him as they stood before the machine, standing in its cone of light.

“Yeah, must've been pretty bad for you to be sentenced to death.” Stormy contributed, an eagerness to hear was clear to see as she leaned forward, eyes curious and hands behind her back.

Harry chuckled, a truly amused smile on his lips. “Indeed, my crimes were so numerous, hideous and atrocious that nothing else could've possibly sufficed. I even was the number one wanted criminal where I'm from.” he built the suspense, causing the Trix to lean in anticipation. “To sum it up I saved them from total and utter annihilation.”

Complete silence reigned in the cavern, creating a tomb-like atmosphere. That was interrupted by Icy saying flatly. “What?!”

Darcy was just confused. People didn't treat their saviours like that. They threw parties and celebrated them.

“That doesn't make sense.” Stormy said completely baffled, angrily asking a moment later. “Are you pulling our legs?!”

“No.” the wizard said utterly serious. His tone alone convincing them, not that it helped their confusion. He then cast. “Fiendfyre.” Harry threw a ball of black fire from his fingertips. It latched onto the vehicle in an instant. Controlling the demonic fire Harry let it devour any evidence of their presence, leaving only a soot mark on the floor where the machine had stood. It tried to lunge at Harry to burn him alive as well, but with a flick and an iron will the wizard killed the fire.

Utter darkness crept back over them as soon as the black flames were extinguished, prompting him to cast bluebell-flames and making them follow the group like ghost lights. One after another the small light popped up. Without waiting Harry walked deeper into the tunnels. His curiosity reignited after so long of the same cold wasteland and ice.

Icy didn't let the matter rest, wanting to solve the enigma that was Harry Potter. On the other hand the spells were a better place to start. She had an inkling he didn't like talking about how he landed on Omega. “What are the other Unforgivables?” the killing curse sounded absolutely wonderful in her own completely biased opinion. Her imagination went wild as to what the others were or how many there were.

“The second one is the Imperius Curse and I used it on that unfortunate pilot. A spell that places someone under your total control. It's arguably the weakest of the bunch, because someone with sufficient willpower can throw it off.” Harry began to explain. “The last is called the Torture Curse, again it is obvious what it does. It feels like your very bones are on fire, as if white-hot knives are piercing every single inch of your skin. A pain so all-consuming you don't know where you are anymore, thinking your head will burst open any moment. All you want is for it to end, for you to die.” He spoke softly and without looking back to his companions, an echo carried his words to the Trix. Her therefore didn't notice their looks as he led the group further along the path.

“Sounds incredible.” Stormy remarked kind of awed by all the powers and spell Harry knew, not really reading the mood. Understandable, considering that from out of the Trix she was the most power-hungry, always wanting more of it. Like Icy her imagination too ran wild.

Harry stopped and turned his head. Emerald eyes glowed eerily in the dark, a green fire dancing in them. His face was dimly illuminated by the light of the ghost flames. With no inflection in his voice, he said. “Do you want to experience it?” he couldn't hurt them, but he could make his stance clear.

Snapping out of her stupor, Stormy shook her head wildly, teal eyes wide in fright, forgetting that they were as protected form him as he from them. Though, Harry's modified Mark gave the caster some influence of the subject. Silencing them forcefully for example.

“Then don't say that.” Harry grunted, and resumed walking. Once he rested up properly he would see if he would work with them further or leave.

Darcy, briskly walked up to him. She was as curious as her sisters, but she had more tact. “I take it you experienced it yourself.” It was not a question but an observation.

A sigh left the wizard's lungs. “Yes, all three.” he confirmed, stopping Darcy and her sisters dead in her tracks.

“All of them? You mean....” Darcy whispered in shock.

Icy huffed, turning her head to the side and crossing her arms in disappointment. “So there is a way to block the Killing Curse?” more disappointed with that revelation than the knowledge of Harry's experience with Dark Magic.

Harry answered in the negative. “Not exactly. I'm just the only one it was ineffective on.” he sighed again and explained. “My story is...complicated. Let's just say that my people never knew what to call or do with me.” that was true enough. “I also am not really enthused about sharing these personal things with strangers.” he was pretty sure they wouldn't use the Unforgivables without much remorse, hopefully.

“What about you, why were you imprisoned?” Harry questioned, trying to turn the tables on them as they descended further. In the week spent there with them they didn't talk much about the past. Much more focussed on escaping.

Stormy and Darcy were silent. However, Icy answered proudly, not an ounce of remorse or shame in her words. Besides, in her mind she had something to prove, as well as impress Harry. “We summoned the Army of Darkness in a bid to take over Magix, as well as allying with Darkar.” she counted their partnership with Harry as a success so far. Darkar had discarded them as soon as he nearly had the Crystal of Power in his grasp.

“Why?” Harry inquired calmly, wondering what would've caused them to do such a thing. He didn't expect people he found in a prison to be paragons of virtue. Though, he refrained from judging people early after knowing some innocents had been imprisoned there. His time there also made him kinda insensitive to gory or violent subjects.

His question seemed to get various reactions from the trio. Stormy frowned angrily, Darcy looked a little lost and Icy simply was pissed. “Do we need a reason to want power?” the Witch of Ice ground out, teeth threatening to shatter like a block of frozen water. She had to remember his power. Whereas before she couldn't beat him, what hope did she have now?

'So they're those types, huh?' the last Potter thought. Icy had given him a hint as to what they wanted and why.

Harry shrugged and explained as he walked leisurely. “Most people want more power for a reason.” even the criminals he killed in Omega did have reasons for what they did, but it came always back to the same basics. “A common one is that they hope to better their social expectations and standing. In short they want to be someone of renown, the one with the bigger stick. Usually that is because the person or people in question felt they were constantly at a disadvantage.” it was Voldemort's reason for his rise to power. He didn't want to be the orphan, the Bastard of Riddle. No, he wanted to be acknowledged, because he never had been. So, he'd planned to force them to. “Another common desire for power is usually for ideological reasons, to change the world or some such.”

Getting no reply Harry didn't pry further, knowing them good enough by now to know it was a fruitless effort to do so.

From then on the group walked in quiescence.

After a while the green crystals were becoming less plentiful until the walls were only made out of normal stone. The ghost flames burned brighter as a response. Luckily, nothing was encountered on the way down further down, except a broken down door and some rubble. Harry repaired the door after they passed it, restoring it and the spells it was enchanted with.

Finally, after more than an hour the group arrived on another ledge. From there a seemingly endless abyss opened up before them like a maw of some great beast, threatening to swallow anyone foolish enough to enter whole.

“Lumos Maxima.” Harry cast, throwing the orb of light into the abyss. A moment later a truly bright light was birthed into existence by the spell. For the fraction of a second Harry thought he had created a sun. Thankfully, the orb of light flew further and further away until it hovered in the middle of the room, illuminating everything.

“Seems I used a little too much.” Harry remarked a bit sheepishly while the Trix rubbed their eyes to get the spots in their vision to vanish.

The cavern was some three kilometres wide, about 500 meters high and shaped like an arrowhead. Down below was a huge lake filling dozens of huge vaults , some hundreds of meters high. Ribbon cascades of water sprayed down from the high ceiling. The only reason the cave wasn't completely underwater was probably an outlet to the world outside the mountain.

Numerous stalactites and stalagmites were present with the biggest ones broken. Inside the waters of the lake lay what Harry suspected were the remains of what the Trix called the fortress. “Reparo Maxima!” he cast, this time testing what happened with how much power. He didn't even feel winded in the slightest from casting so many high-level spells and frankly overpowering them.

Piece by piece the mighty building put itself back together. Stone flowed into each other as the damage was undone, leaving a smooth surface once more. The result was a fortress built into the massive stalactites on the roof of the room. The biggest one looked like the main-building with walkways, pillars and more carved into the stone. Surrounding it were masses of stalactites that formed a vague circle, starting at the biggest tower and closing at its front. Shaky wooden bridges or stone arcs connected the different parts of the labyrinthine complex.

The quartet flew towards the fortress, landing in sombre courtyard. “Do go ahead and explore. My sisters and I have to discuss a few things.” Icy spoke aloud, giving Stormy and Darcy a look that said it all.

Not really wanting to know either way Harry agreed, pushing his long bangs out of his face. “Sure.” having said his piece Harry left them to their devices, exploring the interesting fortress.

Without further ado the sisters flew away and down to the surface of the lake, wanting to put as much distance between themselves and Harry as possible. Stopping near a waterfall to let the noise drown out the conversation.

“What do you want to talk about?” Darcy's golden eyes were narrowed, wondering what her sister wanted.

Stormy simply crossed her arms under her bust, waiting for what was to happen.

The eldest shared her concerns. “I think Harry won't help us in our revenge on the Winx or anything else we might have planned.”

Darcy, hands on her hips, questioned. “What makes you say that?”

“Do you think we should leave him?” Stormy butted in, glaring at them as she twirled one of her bangs between her fingers. “Which would be stupid. In case you haven't noticed he has incredible spells, as well as the Crystal of Power. We'd be retarded to leave.” it made no sense to the youngest Trix.

Their brown-haired sister concurred with that statement. “Indeed.” she had no idea where they would go if he should leave. One slip-up and they'd be back in Omega. Being on the run wasn't much fun. Harry also attacked the Lightrock Monastery, that alone was enough to warrant his imprisonment. They were in the same boat. Then again, Darkar also attacked the place and that relationship turned out badly for them.

Icy glared at her sisters and shot right back. “You're both retarded if you think I was about to suggest that.” shaking her head, she added. “No, I think he won't do it because we don't have a good enough reason for him.” why else did he question their motives. “Why else did you think he questioned us? We don't even know what he wants personally.”

“Well, duh, Power obviously.” Stormy remarked in a snarky tone, rolling her eyes. “He took the Crystal of Power quick enough.” After all, everyone wanted power.

Frustrated with their lack of understanding, Icy explained. “He didn't seem like he truly desired it though. It was just something he took because it was convenient.” there had been no greedy gleam in his eyes, no longing to be stronger.

“Well, you did feel his magic yourself, sister. You should know that he was leagues above us in terms of power.” Darcy commented casually and added. “Even combined.” she shivered excitedly and gasped out. “Now, it is an indescribable sensation.” the feeling of euphoria she got from his magic was simply wonderful.

“Yeah, and he made us more powerful.” Stormy continued the barrage of points against leaving him, surprisingly. Just as impressed with his magic than Icy and Darcy. “I can till feel my magic getting more plentiful still.” it felt like she was a small boat on an endless ocean, filling with water and in danger of sinking. She put a hand on her stomach where the mark was located. If she lost it then she'd be weak again.

Just so keeping her anger in check, Icy forced out. “Are you finished?” seeing them stay silent Icy continued. “I know all of that. Now shut up and listen!” she commanded imperiously, shouting them into submission. “I simply meant we should give him a sufficient reason to help us.” she also didn't want to leave Harry. The biggest reason was power, though he also saved them despite not having to. He didn't manipulate or lie to them to gain an upper hand, as far as Icy was aware.

“How are we gonna do that?” Today seemed to be a day of questions with no answers.

Nobody answered the question as the miniature sun that Harry had created flickered out, leaving them in total darkness once more. The problem was none of them possessed a spell to illuminate things.

Before they could complain something bizarre happened. The lake below them began to glimmer like a galaxy of colour, making the mostly still liquid look as though it contained all kinds of nebulas and star clusters. Looking up revealed luminescent spots twinkling merrily, imitating the very heavens themselves and being perfectly reflected by the waters below.

Not giving them pause crystal spikes the size of towers erupted from the walls and floor in all directions, creating bedlam with the sound echoing through the massive chamber. A moment later the new protrusions began to glow eerily and softly. Though their light was paler than the moon's in an ailing eclipse, wavering and blowing like some noisome exhalation of decay. Theirs was a cold light, a corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing and yet something. Existing on another plane altogether, that just so touched and overlapped with their own.

“What is going on?” Icy exclaimed with wide eyes, stared upwards and abandoning their conversation as she flew towards it. Only vaguely able to make out the fortress from the lake's surface. Her sisters close behind.

Nearing the structure the trio saw better the closer they got. Transforming before their very eyes the fortress just finished changing its make-up to obsidian from limestone. Black walls replaced formerly colourless ones, polished and smooth as glass they were. Inside the obsidian a seemingly endless amount of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and more sparkled with imprisoned starlight as if burning with an inner fire, spending their humble light to their surroundings.

The fortress consisted of five massive stalactites that vaguely resembled fingers wanting to dip into the cool waters below. Surrounding them were many smaller ones. Flying to the biggest tower in the middle of the complex, the Trix saw even more of the wondrous transformation. Turning and twisting their heads to take it all in.

While the outer walls were made of obsidian, black marble dominated the walkways. A portico encircled the courtyard who gave way to the entrance of the castle. Connecting all the parts of the massive compound were slender bridges of stone without kerb or rail.

This was no longer a fortress, but a Citadel of Night.

The trio entered the building through the massive blood-red doors framed by gold. Inside the plain architecture of it was contrasted by a floor of bronze polished to a mirror finish, as well as veins of jade and beautiful lanterns of crystal that grew out of the walls and ceiling in random locations.

Neither of the Trix had ever seen such a dazzling display of wealth. The result of growing up without parents or any kind of caretaker.

Beginning from the luxurious corridor the Trix explored their old and now new home.

First they came upon the impressive and columned Entrance Hall that housed two black marble stairs mixed with jade twisting upwards along the walls in a double-helix pattern. The room itself took up the whole ground floor and was shaped like a cone, growing into a point at the top. That gave each floor the shape of an Annulus and each floor bigger than the last.

Growing out of the roof was what looked like roots, twisting and burrowing down along the walls' surface. On it were flowers that bloomed bright gold, shining with what seemed pure sunlight. As if the tree took the light from above and sent it down the roots. Though their light did not truly banish the shadows, but merely played with them.

The first floor was one big circular undercroft filled with yet to be filled wooden shelves.

One floor higher was an ice chamber. Which was just that; a special insulated room to keep ice. However, this one kept cool without the frozen liquid. The main purpose of such a thing was probably the storage of perishable foods. It could also be used to simply cool drinks, or allow ice cream and sorbet desserts to be prepared. Basically a gigantic walk-in refrigerator.

On the third floor laid the kitchen combined with the living room to not lose any heat coming from the fireplace. The crescent moon-shaped room possessed a high ceiling, but had a wooden floor that added a more homey feel to it. Wooden beams loosely separated the two areas. There were no Technomagical appliances to be found. Everything looked old-fashioned, possessing a certain rural charm. In an adjacent room from the kitchen was the larder, used to store foods before immediate use or things that didn't rot very fast.

The highest floor contained their personal bed chambers. These massive rooms were mostly empty with only a huge queen-sized canopy bed in each. Every single one also had a small personal bath, consisting of a mirror, sink, lavatory and a shower with a glass door and shower head, built and decorated in the usual style and colour scheme of the building. Each room also had a personal cupboard.

Finally they exited at the top. The door revealed a round courtyard where the bridges to the other towers were. No wind blew in the cavern, making it save to look down into the abyss without being pushed down. The three briefly admired the lake below as it shimmered and reflected all manner of colours.

Not seeing Harry anywhere, the Trix explored further. Going across the left of the two bridges and past one of the roaring waterfalls falling into the lake.

The next tower was solely devoted to guests, composed exclusively of bedrooms. Though, before that came a smaller tower, which was in truth more a mass of stalactites, connecting both giant stalactite towers per bridges. Inside the cluster was an opulent banqueting hall. And below that was an equally luxurious ballroom that was left completely exposed to the air, an intricate railing the only barrier preventing someone from falling to their death.

Going back they took the other bridge.

This one led to a tower where a huge ancient library was located in the two upper levels, emanating the smell of old parchment. Books were in rows upon rows of shelves. Neighbouring that was a lounge where a crackling hearth and comfortable couches were placed. There even was a wall entirely made of glass, enabling a magnificent view. From the walls hung elaborate crystal lanterns to spend light when reading. At the bottom of the tower was also a Potions laboratory, new equipment and all.

Coming last was the tower devoted to be the dungeon, from the looks of it. Even that was a bust.

“Where is he?” Icy snarled out violently, the discussion with her sisters forgotten.

“I think I see him.” Stormy exclaimed, pointing down to the edge of the lake. One could just so see pillars being raised.

In an instant the witches were flying towards the point at high speeds. Once near enough the three saw a bathhouse being finished. Steam already rising out of the pool framed by pillars connected with arches. Complementing the ensemble were statues of magical creatures used as fountains, spraying water into the pool. A colourful mosaic covered the whole floor.

“You're back. Did your conversation go well?” Harry asked as he saw them, just finished with the Roman-style bathhouse. A tired, but content grin on his face.

Darcy shook her head, ponytail swishing with the motion. “Never mind that! Why did you feel the need to remodel the whole thing?”

“Oh, you noticed?” Harry replied cheekily, a laugh escaped him through his beard a moment later. “I grew bored. There wasn't much to see before.” Only gloom and doom. This way it was much more appealing.

“And you decided to change the fortress completely?” Icy demanded, incredulity clear in her voice to hear, which was nearly a shriek at this point.

“Well I mainly wanted to try out my new magical limits. Seeing that destructive spells are a bit dangerous in this environment I decided to build and transform instead!” Harry replied happily. He didn't feel tired magically. It was as if he had a constant supply of it at his beck and call. Though, he still felt the usual mental fatigue settle in. “I just need to do one more thing and then I'm finished.”

Stormy inquired as casually as she could. “Did you discover a limit to your magic then?” a certain eagerness in her voice. Teal eyes gleaming with an emotion Harry couldn't identify.

“No, but I noticed that my body still can channel only so much of it.” His reply came absent-mindedly, much too busy with carving out a walkway through the cave wall and upwards, building a railing on the side to face the lake. He also studded the walls of the tunnel with uncut gems and made them glow, illuminating the path.

The Trix were silent as well, digesting the news that he basically had unlimited magic at his disposal. Though, the limits of the body were another matter altogether.

Soon the path carved into the wall came back up and another bridge connected to the courtyard located on the main building.

Harry soon went to bed, his body tired after such a day.

All three witches lay awake however, thoughts of all kinds swirling through their heads.

Rise from the Ashes. Chapter 2

Planet Omega.

Icy opened her blue eyes slowly. Much too content in the cocoon of warmth she was enveloped in.

No sunlight or anything of the kind was present to indicate what time of day it was, confusing her for a second. Only flames the colour of blue floated in the air, softly illuminating the tent.

Only for memories to return, their incarceration on the Omega Planet. A frozen wasteland so far away from a sun it was perpetually covered in a thick sheen of ice. A planet so cold the air was biting and even overpowering her resistance to cold. After that came the meeting with the strange and powerful wizard. Not to mention him making them his servants, or something.

Now her eyes snapped wide open, remembering that she laid naked in a bed and atop of the man's chest. Not out of any romantic interest or the like. No, it was done to share body heat. Her sisters were also present under the blanket. Though, they weren't related by blood. They simply referred to each other as sisters because they belonged to the same coven, the Trix. Growing up together also saw them as close as sisters.

The witch clearly felt a hardness lying on her ass, trapped between her legs and held tightly. Normally she would've jumped away and out of bed, but her clothes were frozen stiff and useless. Not that she could actually spot them anywhere in the tent. To face the freezing air was not something she wanted to do. Even for a moment. The blue flames in the air did only so much.

Her gaze fell onto the sleeping features of Harry, as he called himself. Oh, how she wanted to wring his neck, freeze him solid or do all kinds of torture on him. However, she couldn't, the symbol on her stomach prevented that. To confirm that again her fingers traced his rugged features going further south to his neck. As soon as her hands clamped down on it the strength left her limbs and she slumped onto his chest, only causing her to sink lower and putting more pressure on his cock. 'He really needs a shave and get a haircut.' she thought at the back of her mind.

Yesterday, he had explained that they couldn't harm him and vice versa. Done to ensure so nobody betrayed the other party. To force her thoughts elsewhere, away from his erection and onto other topics she tried to move and managed it marginally. Though, judging by the mobility of her feet he healed that after she went unconscious. Pleasantly surprised that she could stretch her Achilles heel fully again.

Icy didn't know why, but she also felt stronger magically. As if Harry bleed some of his magic to their own through the mark. It felt eerily similar to Darkar's own magic, but different. Instead of a dark void that hungered to devour all it could, it felt more gentle. She couldn't put it into words. It was best described as the twilight before the night or the break of dawn. As if shadow and light were in harmony. Icy grew truly intrigued when she felt the Dragon's Flame inside him. Her white eyebrows climbing above her hairline. 'Now THAT is interesting!'

It took a little for the rest to wake up. Stormy was especially frustrated, considering her go-to method was violence. Though, the blush told a different story. Darcy was her typical smug self, appearing in total control and content.

Thankfully, Harry wasn't awake to witness the conversation. His breathing even and calm, eyes closed.

“Can you believe this?!” Stormy ground out through clenched teeth, lying on Harry's right. Reluctantly keeping his arm between her breasts to keep the cold at bay. Clinging to him in such a way that his hand was dangerously close to her privates.

Completely unconcerned Darcy replied, snuggling a little closer to Harry's left. “Can I believe that we made such a good catch?” rhetorically tapping her chin she finally said. “No, I can't.”

Seeing an argument coming, Icy intervened in a rare show of leadership. “Shut up, both of you!” it was mumbled, but nonetheless effective. Raising her head she explained. “Don't you feel that?”

“Feel what?” Stormy asked irritated, a glare directed at Darcy. She had never been one for the subtler aspects of magic.

Darcy closed her eyes and felt for the man's magic. She promptly gasped out loud. “Oh my! It's the Dragon's Flame! And Darkar's Magic!”

Icy nodded her head, a malicious smile on her face. “Indeed. You know what that means.”

Now wide-eyed, Stormy exclaimed exited. “We can access the Realm of Relix and get the Crystal of Power!”

“Be quiet!” Icy snapped as silently as possible. Looking down on Harry to check if he still was sleeping. His breathing didn't change, causing her to sigh in relief.

Darcy shook her head, her hands gliding over Harry's muscular biceps. “We can't, but he can.” her words holding a little dreamy quality to them. “You're also forgetting that we can't attack him either way.” Darcy continued, seemingly not bothered by that fact.

Icy was visibly annoyed by her sister's disregard of their situation. Worse, Icy knew Darcy was right. “Maybe we should work with him then.” the oldest of the Trio proposed reluctantly. The words tasting like bile on her tongue. Though Icy would be lying if she said she wasn't attracted to power, something Harry had in spades.

“Do you think he'd be interested?” Darcy spoke up hopefully, her golden eyes shining with some weird emotion. “Because I'm in agreement of that decision.” the words were practically purred out.

Shrugging her naked shoulders and rolling her eyes in disgust, Icy replied through gritted teeth. “I don't know. We have to ask.”

Stormy had other things on her mind. “But how did he get Darkar's power and the Dragon's Flame?”

“I don't know about the latter, but Darkar was some kind of Phoenix wasn't he? It could be that his powers were transferred to another.” Darcy pondered out loud. He could've gotten the Dragon's Flame through various means. It wasn't as if they didn't were in the possession of it at one point. “Or maybe he got a portion of it from somewhere.” After all a few fragments of the Dragon's Flame were scattered around the Magical Dimension. A bit of it was in the Ring of Solaria, another was in Harry and the biggest part was in that bitch Bloom. So it was entirely possible that the same was the case with Darkar's power.

Neither of the three spoke after that, lost in their thoughts. Two-thirds revolved around getting more power and beating the Winx.

After a few more minutes Harry woke up. Noticing the weight on his chest and being closed off left and right. Instinct kicked in and he tensed, only to relax a little later when the memories came back. 'Right, the three strays I picked up.'

Being polite  Harry greeted the three. “Good morning, Icy, Darcy, Stormy.” he freed his arms from their hold and picked Icy up bridal style. Shortly after he sat her down and summoned his clothes and put them on. “Any reason you didn't prepare breakfast or put on clothes while you were awake?”

Still annoyed Icy fired back, crawling back under the blanket to hide her state of undress. “In case you didn't notice our clothes are useless with how frozen they are and we just woke up.”

“If you don't want us to walk around naked some clothes would be nice.” Darcy said, still burrowed under the covers and relishing the leftover warmth. A seductive smile on her lips as she sent him a wink.

Deciding to play along he smiled right back. “The only thing you ever have to wear around me is that smile.”

Stormy rolled her eyes while Icy preferred to glare at Darcy and Harry. Still, they got clothes appropriate for the weather and soon began to eat a modest breakfast.

Being the only one that didn't want to do unspeakable things to Harry, Darcy was tasked to bring up the topic of working together by unspoken decision. “So, Harry. What are your plans after escaping from this place?”

“I guess take a little vacation before going home.” Harry mused aloud. “After that I will get justice.” He hoped the people back home responsible for his current situation were still alive. The Malfoys especially. Though, the rats they were he was sure they were still alive.

“How about we help you with that?” Darcy proposed. Revenge was something she could get behind. “And in exchange you help us get stronger?”

Raising an eyebrow Harry leaned back in his seat. “Stronger in which way? Do you want me to train you or what?”

Darcy shook her head. “No, we know of something that will give you and by extension us unimaginable power.”

Harry couldn't help the slightly derisive chuckle that escaped him “Really?” scepticism clear to hear.

Icy and Stormy didn't seem to appreciate his attitude, but Darcy wasn't bothered by it. “Yes, though we need you specifically.” from then on she explained it the best she could. About the Realm of Relix and what was connected with it.

“Interesting.” Harry commented. To become even stronger was never a bad thing in his opinion. However long he was trapped in this place taught him that much. Being strong meant that he could never be a target for the idiots back home again. He even had an inkling as to where he got the spark of Shadow Phoenix power. The Hallows came to mind quickly enough. “How do we got this Realm of Relix?”

“We got there through the Codex, which was made up of four pieces.” Darcy explained. “But they were used up as far as I know.”

Stormy spoke up next, crossing her arms. “These bothersome fairies also somehow got access to it, but I doubt they'd tell us how they did it.”

“You forget a little detail, sisters.” Icy said smugly. “The Paladins from the Fortress of Light have access to it through their specialized ships. Or did you forget them apprehending us after the Realm of Relix was even more of a ruin.” how else would they have been taken prisoner?

Stormy scowled at that fact. She, like Darcy, had only hazy memories of their time as the Mega Trix. Usually Icy had more control in that situation due to being the eldest. The Witch of Storms also knew that the Fortress of Light was responsible for the Planet Omega and would be alerted to their escape and said as much.

Harry hatched a plan soon after. “How about we let ourselves be captured by these Paladins? Once there we can look for a way to the Realm of Relix.”

“What?!” Stormy exclaimed loudly, shouting for the whole frozen planet to hear. “I won't go back to that monastery!” she hated to have her emotions suppressed, being forced to feel things she didn't truly feel. Why teach witches to corrupt and destroy at Cloud Tower only for them to be hunted down? It made no sense. It never did.

Harry didn't react to the outburst. “Are you finished?” his emerald eyes boring into the cloud-haired girl. “I didn't mean that as literally as you think. We'd simply use a copy and hitch-hike a ride in another form to that Fortress of Light.” to demonstrate he summoned Valtor's corpse. “Inferius!” he cast, a black light leaving his hands and flowing into the corpse.

Valtor rose again, staggering to his feet. Dead and empty eyes the only real difference to before.

All three sisters seemed to be disturbed and gleeful at the same time. “You're a Necromancer!” Icy breathed out, her eyes gaining a greedy gleam as she shot him a hungry gaze. The Council of Light had forbidden that knowledge long ago and burned all the texts.

“One of the many things I know, yes.” It wasn't surprising that he was adept at the so called Dark Magic after so much time in this place. Though he even knew equally as many Light Magic spells. As it turned out there were many innocent people here as well. 'It seems people aren't much different from where the Trix come.' There were innocents here just like in Azkaban. Political enemies or just people that knew too much. Things Harry now knew.

Another spell saw Valtor covered in an illusion to conceal his undead status. “There, he will be the scapegoat while we hide on their ride and go to their base.”

Darcy summed it up. “So, we escape, the Paladins arrive after they get notified of our escape, but only see Valtor. We let them capture him, infiltrate their base, cause chaos and steal a ride to Relix. Did I forget anything?”

“That's pretty much it.” Harry confirmed with a nod.

“I like your style.” Icy complimented, her opinion of him rapidly changing. She got the agreement of her sisters quick enough. Mayhem, destruction and power were like an aphrodisiac to them.

Harry didn't say anything immediately, not yet knowing them good enough to judge if that was a good thing or not. He went with. “Well, we first have to get out of this place.”

It took a about a week for them to arrive at the portal. It was embedded deep into the planet's frozen core. Where prisoners that somehow got free didn't venture under any circumstance, lest they be frozen solid once more. The air was so cold that it nearly felt like a solid wall.

Progress was slow at first, but determination, willpower and magic saw them finally arrive at the portal. Zombie in tow.

“There it is.” Harry called out, inspecting the portal and how it might work. His outfit was a little different. He still wore his armour, but this time he had a shimmering silver cloak around himself, held together by a stone as black as midnight and the hood up.

“Looks sturdy.” Icy commented, the back of her left hand on her hip. Icy's outfit had changed as well. She now wore a thigh-length dark blue top with elbow-length large hanging sleeves, blue graves over light grey tights and and a black belt and black shoes with no heels. She had her hair in a ponytail held together by a long, blue tube-piece.

Stormy spoke up. “Also looks like it is closed.” Her outfit had also changed. It consisted of a maroon top with elbow-length large hanging sleeves, baggy trousers and a tube-top, belts and boots in black. Her hair was made up into a ponytail held with a maroon tube-like piece while her light purple bangs hang down in the front.

In response to their stating the obvious Darcy rolled her eyes and said sarcastically. “What ever gave you both that idea?” Like her sisters she too had a change in outfit. Hers consisted of a purple top with openings on her shoulders and large sleeves that open up at the elbow and flow down to her knees, a deep-purple plate of armour that covers her chest and forms into a belt over lavender-coloured section of her top, baggy purple trousers and deep-purple ankle-high boots.

Something they all had in common now was that they forewent the usual excessive make-up, as well as using boots without heels. Though, while still on the more revealing side Harry's magic inside them kept them warm for some reason and made them as immune to the cold atmosphere as he was.

Seeing a fight coming, Harry intervened out of habit. A week of constant bickering was grating on his nerves a little. “Girls, no fighting!” He commanded. After so much time surviving, fighting and killing Harry's voice carried a certain amount of authority. “We just need to put a crack in it to get something to work with.”

“Say no more.” Icy eager to get out and look good was the first to walk towards the portal and beckoned her sisters to follow. “Ladies!”

Curious to see their abilities Harry held back and watched.

The three attacked as one, firing an orb of combined magic at the centre of the structure. The smell of ozone was in the air as the bolt of magic was stopped in its tracks. A second later a flash of light emanated from the gate and their attack was repelled. “Oh no!” Too shocked to evade or defend it promptly exploded in the Trix' faces, causing them to fly back.

Harry caught Stormy, who flew directly at him, in his arms. Icy and Darcy he prevented from crashing into the ground by catching them with a Levitation Charm. A moment later he lowered them all gently to the ground. “The gate is reinforced with magic.” he annotated casually, a small smile on his lips as he chuckled.

Unwilling to give up Icy responded. “I think I know how to overcome that.” she turned to Harry and suggested. “It should be enough when we all attack it together.”

Seeing nothing wrong with that, Harry agreed. They surrounded the circular portal with Icy standing in the northern direction, Darcy in the West, Stormy in the South and Harry in the East. “On three!” Harry called out, preparing his attack, a Reductor Curse of monumental strength.

“1...2...3.”

All four unleashed their attacks at the same time, concentrating it at the middle of the portal. A few seconds later the magical protection was overloaded and shattered.

Done with that Harry jumped down and laid his hand on the crack and established a connection to the other side, preparing to throw the portal wide open.

“That should get us noticed in no time.” He said, knowing from the Trix that these Paladins would come to seal the portal and put them back in prison. A blueish flame engulfed them all in an instant, transporting them away from the desolate and frozen wasteland known as Planet Omega.

With that they were whisked away together with their undead minion.

Planet Andros.

On the other side was an inverted replica of the portal.

As soon as they arrived Harry and Darcy worked together to make them invisible, only showing their thrall to the world. Though, the minion was masked by an illusion to hide his status as an undead.

“What now?” Icy inquired, looking around. Andros was pretty boring with 90% of the planet being covered by water. She itched for some mayhem and knew her sisters were the same. On every world it was like an instinct, an urge, to spread chaos and destruction. It was like an itch that needed scratching, as if something was wrong and destruction could fix it. She didn't know why that was and neither did the witch bother to find out.

Taking in the stormy sea and breathing the air of freedom, Harry smiled. “Now we wait.” his eyes fell on the armoured mermaids in the water. “But why shouldn't we have some entertainment?” with that he commanded his minion. “Attack the mermaids, but don't kill them.”

Inferi were vulnerable against fire, but this was an Ocean World and therefore perfect for the undead. Soon enough the corpse was engaged in combat, easily dominating the mermaids with his superior speed that came from not feeling pain or having limiters on his muscles. However, Harry made him attack with some simple bolts of magic this Inferi was capable of.

Harry had expected to wait a day or two, but surprisingly it took maybe an hour for a fairy to arrive. The first fairy he saw in his life. She had dark skinned and looked fairly beautiful. The fairy woreasparkly green one-shoulder top, a sparkly green mini skirt atop green mini shorts, and green calf-high boots. There was a green sash connecting her top and skirt, and several silver rings around her outfit and on her arms. Her wings are sky blue with mauve tips.

All in all, too much sparkle for his tastes.

“Aisha!” Stormy growled out, instinctively preparing to throw a lightning bolt her way.

“Stop it, you idiot!” Icy snarled out, slapping her sister's hand and stopping the attack from firing. “Do you want us to be discovered?”

Harry silenced them by clenching his fist, forcing their voices to vanish with the help of his mark on them. It was a clear warning to them and in response they just nodded their heads.

Aisha was overwhelmed by the undead after some time. She had the advantage of flight, but had to protect the mermaids as well.

Then, as if called, the Paladins arrived out of a wormhole in some kind of futuristic vehicle.

From then on it was over quickly. The weak magic of their puppet couldn't overcome the resistance of the Paladins and was subdued as a result.

Flying over towards the ship and entering unnoticed Harry's group overheard one of the Paladins say. “Don't you think this was too easy?”

The other wasn't nearly as interested in that and simply shrugged in his heavy armour. “He was most likely weakened by the Omega Planet's coldness. Breaking through the portal surely didn't help. Not to mention our resistance to magic.” he tried to rationalize and did a pretty good job too.

Still unsure the first had frown on his face as he took in the prisoner. He was glaring at him in hatred from behind the bars. “You're probably right.” he finally admitted reluctantly.

Patting his colleague on the shoulder, the second one tried to cheer him up. “Don't be so glum. We captured Valtor. I bet the fairies will be all over us for that.” he said with a jolly laugh.

It only made his partner blush, obviously the junior of the two.

Disguised and stored away on board the quartet waited for the right time to strike. A time which came not long after.

Fortress of Light.

The sacred temple of the Fortress of Light is located on a huge rocky mountain immersed in the clouds. It's exact location is known only to a select few. The Fortress could only be reached by travelling through dimensions; something that requires those seeking to go there to be very well versed in magic or use the vehicles of the Red Fountain.

The temple maintained a stately and imposing appearance with its magnificent exterior walls. It also held a large purification cell inside for those who have committed serious crimes, which seeks to prime the prisoners into redemption, rather than punishing them for the extent of their crimes.

The Knights of the Fortress of Light also lived there as the guardians of the temple.

The Trix were obviously unease being here and glared and sneered at anything they saw.

As soon as they landed Harry and Stormy crept behind the two Paladins with ease. Stormy knocked hers out while Harry cast. “Imperio.” taking over the man's mind with ease. Next he ripped the Paladins' gems off and overloaded them with as much magical energy as he could, which was a lot. It caused them to cackle with electricity and crack fast as they grew completely unstable.

They then freed their minion, stuffed the crystals inside and set him loose. Casting the Mark of Valtor into the sky similar to the Dark Mark of Voldemort Harry put all the blame on a dead man. Harry knew from the wizard's memories that he hated the Company of Light and everything associated with them, making this all the easier.

Next Harry stood on the ramp, cast the Sonorous Charm on himself and imitated Valtor's voice with a spell. “I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE! RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!” a second later he attacked with much more dangerous spells than before, enhanced by the crystals and taking down Paladins by the dozens.

While their minion caused chaos and distraction Harry commanded his new Thrall. “Give in the coordinates for the Realm of Relix.” his mind-slave promptly did so quickly and efficiently. “Good, now wait on my mark and then get us there.”

Harry looked outside and noted that his minion was nearly finished one way or the other. Either he was overwhelmed by the Paladins or he exploded from the unstable crystals. The latter was the case, causing a devastating explosion to erupt, blasting away everyone in the vicinity with its brilliance and power.

“Go!” The wizard commanded, using the noise and smoke from the explosion before them as cover to escape unseen.

His new thrall punched the button, erecting a wormhole and flew straight through.

The witches smiled gleefully.

Destination: Relix.

Rise from the Ashes. Chapter 1.

Planet Omega.

“This must be what Azkaban looks like.” Harry muttered as he wandered through the frozen wasteland he was stranded in after being thrown through the Veil of Death. Curiously enough the cold had no effect on him. Even though he had no warming charm active, due to having had his wand snapped before being sent here.

As it turns out it wasn't beneficial to ones health to say the truth around wizards and witches. A lesson that hadn't penetrated Harry's thick skull until recently. Every time he did so something bad happened to him. Though this time he didn't do so voluntarily.

Somehow that bitch Skeeter had been able to smuggle Veritaserum in his drink during the Death Eater Trials where his testimony was required to lighten the sentence of the Malfoys. After a shouted question from the ugly hag about what happened in the Forbidden Forest he had answered it in great detail. Obviously that made him a Dark Lord equal to Voldemort and to be disposed of.

Which landed him in this situation.

“I hope Hermione and Ron are alright at least.” the last Potter mused, trying to distract himself while searching for some kind of way out. Ron and Hermione were in Australia at the time of the trials, looking for Hermione's parents. And the Weasley family was still mourning the death of Fred, leaving Harry alone at the trials.

Harry sighed, causing his visible breath to come out. Who was he kidding? He knew there was unlikely to be an escape from wherever he was. The frozen corpse of Sirius he had found near where he arrived made that much obvious. Didn't mean he gave up or anything. After dying and coming back he got a new appreciation for life. It only meant it would take some time.

Still, small blessings came to him regardless. It seems these Ice Serpents as large as Basilisks could be reasoned with through Parseltongue, giving him directions and other useful tips, as well as companions. Unable to to tell the time, Harry had no idea how long he was trapped in this frozen wasteland.

However, he survived and in a way even thrived. Ironically Harry flourished in such harsh environments. Always able to learn best under pressure or in situations concerning life and death. During his time in this weird dimension Harry learned wandless magic in record time by necessity and through sheer willpower alone. So that he was able to transfigure ice into food as well as conjure water. Death by thirst or starvation wasn't something he fancied.

He also noticed by accident that he was able to absorb energy, be it magical energy or life energy. Something that only furthered his magical power and knowledge by absorbing the energy of these people frozen in blocks of ice. Harry had no qualms doing so after so long in this place and learning that all of them were criminals worse than the Death Eaters. The plaques listing the names and crimes of each one also were a dead giveaway.

Of course, the last Potter had his theories concerning from where this new power came from and the only thing that made sense where the Deathly Hallows. All else made even less sense.

Through absorbing all that knowledge Harry learned many useful spells. Under them also the Animagus transformation. His form was a ebony coloured Phoenix, shrouded by black flames, possessing his emerald eyes as well as a white lightning bolt on its head.

Naturally, surviving in such an environment had an effect on his body as well. With no broom he had to climb the walls of ice to get anywhere for the time he did not possess his Animagus form. All that strenuous physical exercise transformed his former weak body to a muscular one, possessing a balanced physique.

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Ten years later

Harry still had no idea how long he was trapped in this desolate place. Considering the fact that his beard now reached his chest, it had to be a while. His messy hair was straight due to its length and made into a ponytail, hanging down to his arse. He could've easily cut both his beard and hair, but Harry preferred not to. Mostly because it was the only thing telling him how much time had passed since his arrival. However, he drew the line by clipping his nails.

Harry also got more scars adding to his collection due to many of the prisoners being unwilling or unable to cooperate. The biggest was a x-shaped scar on his right shoulder, while a few smaller ones peppered his abdomen and arms.

His clothing consisted of brown boots, loose black pants and a green robe with gold on the edges, which left his legs free by splitting at the back and front. Over it came a cuirass, gauntlets, a brown belt, a helmet, as well as fur around his shoulders. He had found the clothes on another deceased prisoner, who had carved a message in the ice. 'For those who have gone beyond Death.' Harry found it fitting to take it, considering his circumstances.

“It has to be here somewhere.” he muttered, his voice scratchy from lack of use. Harry looked around, always alert to his surroundings, looking for danger. Clues he got from other prisoners' minds led him to this part of the frozen planet. Apparently there was one prisoner, named Valtor, who had knowledge on how to escape. Knowledge Harry wanted.

It did not take long for Harry to find the man. He was frozen solid in a block of ice like most others.

Valtor was revealed to be a very pale and tall man who looked to be physically around his thirties or even early forties. He had long light brown, almost strawberry blonde hair that flowed down to his waist, thin grey eyes with dark purple eyeshadow, and notably high cheekbones. He wore weird clothing not out of place for a wizard, considering their tastes. His attire consisted of a long maroon-colored jacket with a lavender inner layer and gold pins over the folded cuffs. Under it, he wore a violet vest over a white ruffled shirt, violet dress pants and grayish-indigo knee-high boots.

"Sorry mate. It's you or me." Harry told the immobilised man, putting his hand on the ice to absorb the man's powers. A moment later a dark blue flame flew out of the man's body and entered Harry's own, empowering him even further. Way past any limit the foolish wand-wavers of Great Britain could conceive of. By now Harry was able to filter out any useless information easily, only keeping what he wanted.

As a result the block of ice encasing Valtor shattered, letting the now dead man fall to the ground.

Already in the swing of things his typical luck granted him more happenings. The ice cave trembled and shortly after three young women fell down from a hole in the ceiling, landing painfully directly in front of him.

"Ouch!" One of them exclaimed.

Harry inspected and assessed them, but quickly dismissed them to be no threat. Though, they looked peculiar.

One was a light-skinned young woman, with teal-coloured eyes and dark purple frizzy hair shaped like a cloud. Her lavender bangs were shaped like lightning bolts, which went past her shoulders. She wore a maroon crop-top with a metal loop decoration attaching the shirt to a loop around her neck. Other than this, her top was strapless. She also wore a shiny maroon mini-skirt with lavender panties he could so from his position. Her shoes were maroon platform high-heeled sandals.

The second was a young woman with a light skin tone, long brown hair that reached down her knees with lighter colored bangs that flowed down to her waist, and dark gold cat-like eyes. She was also wore lilac-colored eyeshadow and purple lipstick. Her outfit consisted of a lilac-colored top with a purple ring-like pattern that bared her midriff and was attached to a purple choker she wore around her neck, purple bell-bottom pants with a small split above her ankles which exposed a lighter-colored lilac area, and black heels with pointed toes. She also wore a small pair of yellow glasses.

The last had silver hair, pulled back into a high ponytail held with a dark teal-tube piece. Though her bangs were pulled back into her ponytail, she had pieces of her hairs, curled, reaching her shoulders. She also had pale blue eyes and wore light blue eye-shadow. Her outfit was a light blue midriff collared tank top and matching skirt with a belt studded with diamonds.

All in all they even looked like no threat. More like ridicioulus with how they were dressed for such an environment. Especially with how little their clothes covered in this cold. Not to mention their impractical heels and long nails. Then again, he wasn't affected by the cold and hadn't been given a chance to dress appropriately either. On top of that Harry didn't know if they were magical or not.

For now he'd be on his guard.

All three stood up fast and were greeted by his intimidating figure.

“Hey, check this out!” the silver-haired one said as she saw Harry. She noticed something shiny and picked up the plate on the ground, reading out loud. “Valtor?”

The one with clouds for hair, read it, too. “Wow, that dude got sentenced to eternity. He must've done something bad.”

“You know its rude to talk about someone where they can hear you?” Harry asked rhetorically. “And my name is not Valtor.” he nudged the corpse with his foot. “It was this guy's name. Unfortunately he had something I needed.” after trying to make some allies at first, Harry had learned to not do so with these people. They always stabbed you in the back. Better to quickly get from them what he wanted and be done with it.

Seeing that they were not attacking, Harry left them to finally get out of here.

“Where are you going?” the silver-haired one asked, visibly annoyed that she was ignored so completely, but also a little disturbed by the dead man. She and her sisters may be evil, but up until now they hadn't killed anyone.

“Getting out of here.” Harry grunted out as his black flaming wings grew out of his back as he partially transformed, knowing where he needed to go.

His escape was delayed further by the arrival of more ice snakes. Like always they ignored him, though they had no such qualms about the three females. One would expect Harry to have grown a thicker skin and being able to ignore people in need of help. It was true that he had changed, but his ruthlessness only extended to his enemies. Something these girls weren't. At least not at the moment. Not to mention that the magical attacks the three sent at the snakes were ineffective.

With a sigh Harry flew up towards the white snakes and commanded them. $Leave them alone!$the ice serpents looked at him in indecision. Not wanting to fight with him, but also unwilling to let a meal go. $NOW!$Harry commanded harshly, causing the large magical reptiles to fall in line and leave.

“Nice work, dude.” the one with silver hair complimented. “Whatever you did.”

Harry simply grunted and made to leave again. He was stopped again as the one in maroon inquired curiously. “For how long are you in here?”

The last Potter had no idea why he humoured them. 'Probably because they are the first non-hostile beings I met that are able to talk.' he mused and finally turned around to face them. “I don't know. There isn't really anything to measure time with in here.”

“Oh.” came the reply. “Sounds boring.”

Amused, he replied. “Not really. I had plenty of excitement by trying to survive in here.” by now this place wasn't a threat to him any longer. “Before we go any further, how about introductions? My name is Harry Potter. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?”

“Icy.”

“Darcy”

“Stormy.”

For such weird names they fit perfectly, considering the attacks each of them used.

“How about we break out of this popsicle stand together, Harry?” Icy asked, remembering his words from earlier. She figured if he knew a way out they could benefit from that.

“Fine.” he replied. Not caring one way or the other now that he finally had a way out. Without preamble he began walking towards his means of escape. Following close behind were the three young witches.

He didn't speak much, too intent to finally leave this place. The Trix, as they called themselves, whispered under each other, asking questions here and there. Some were answered other not.

Progress was slow due to their impractical shoes. They didn't give enough support, were utterly useless in such a terrain and in varying intervals their heels broke off. They were able to fly, but the frigid air made such a thing ill-advised, especially with so little clothing. They would freeze solid even sooner from the cold and cutting winds.

Icy, Stormy and Darcy were frosting over fast, their limbs growing heavier by the minute, their movement sluggish. Icy may be resistant to ice and cold, but she wasn't completely immune to the effects. Another problem came in the form of their exhaustion and grumbling stomachs.

In the end Harry decided enough was enough and called a stop to rest. These three may not want his help due to their foolish pride, but he refused to endure any more of this misery. “Stop!” he commanded in a voice that broke no argument.

Too tired to complain they heeded his words and did as told, grumpily.

In the meantime Harry pulled out his charmed wizarding tent. Luckily, he still had the tent borrowed from Bill Weasley inside his mokeskin-pouch, which came with him through the Veil of Death. “Erecto.” the well-practised spell came instinctively by now, letting the tent set itself up. He went inside, conjured some wood to put in the fireplace and started a fire. “Incendio.” that done he pulled a small wooden box out of his mokeskin-pouch. The box contained all of his foodstuff and was bigger on the inside.

“Aren't you coming?” he called to the three still standing outside while he discarded his helmet, gauntlets, cuirass and robe, leaving him in only his boots and pants.

Darcy poked her head through, causing her eyes to widen once she saw the big space inside the small tent. She checked for illusions, but this all was real. Without further ado she went inside, followed by her sisters who were also looking around wide-eyed. Inside it was much warmer, but one could still feel the cold permeating everything in this realm.

Obviously the tent was larger on the inside. There were no real rooms separated by walls. Instead cloth was used to get some measure of privacy. It wasn't Spartan by any means, however the interior also wasn't anything the Trix were used to. There was a single large bed, tables, chairs, a kitchen and a small bathroom, consisting of a bronze tub, a washbasin and a bucket.

“What hovel is this?” Icy complained with her nose up in the air. It was mirrored by her sisters.

“You can sleep outside any time you wish to.” Harry replied, his emerald eyes glowing eerily.

Darcy had a hand over her sister's mouth to prevent her from speaking. “What she meant to say is that we are grateful for your help.” the middle sister had no intention of freezing solid.

Stormy shook her head in agreement with her older sister.

“Don't give me orders!” was the reply of Icy after she slapped her sister's hand away. She gathered her powers in her hands in preparation to freeze him at a moment's notice. Her exhaustion and hunger be dammed.

Raising an eyebrow, Harry retorted, amused. “I didn't give you orders.” a moment later a sphere of Arctic blue sped towards him. He simply raised his left hand and caught the orb easily. With his right he cast. “Stupefy.” the red beam hit the girl square in the chest, knocking her out. For good measure he threw her own attack, freezing her in a block of ice. “You want to try your luck, too?” he inquired, seeing that Stormy was also preparing to attack. “So be it.”

Stormy threw a lightning-bolt his way, which was reflected back at her by a shield appearing before Harry. She screamed as the electricity coursed through her body. First paralysing her and then sending the witch into dreamland. Like a puppet with its strings cut she collapsed.

Being more subtle and sensible than her siblings, Darcy refrained from attacking, letting her arms fall to her sides. Not to mention that he didn't even move from his seated position. “I get it, no attacking.”

“Good.” he frowned at the two unconscious girls. “Even for my rusty sensibilities their behaviour appeared quite rude.” Harry remarked, his right elbow lazily propped up on the table as he leaned his head on his hand. An amused smile on his lips.

Darcy was visibly unnerved. No one had been able to take them out so quickly or with so little effort. All the while making it look easy. She could only agree. “Indeed.”

With a sigh Harry levitated Stormy on a chair and cast. “Incarcerous.” thick ropes tied Stormy up, securing her tightly.

Frowning at the block of ice, Harry shrugged and freed the stupid girl. “Finite.” the spell shattered the ice and was even powerful enough to minimally cancel the effects of his stunner. Without bothering to warm the girl up or change her wet clothes full of frozen water, Harry repeated the process of tying her to a chair. Icy's skin was ghostly pail, her lips were blue and there was frost climbing up her shivering body. The fire in the room did its best to warm her up, but it wasn't quite enough.

“Now that there are no further interruptions I can make dinner.” Harry said, preparing the meal with in an ease that came from practise. He didn't make anything fancy. Just a simple stew that would warm the body up from the inside.

Darcy sat down and watched, unable to warm up her sisters with the spells in her repertoire. She could do nothing else as Harry made food, knowing she'd share the fate of her sister should she attack. Instead, she observed him, noticing that he was bare-chested as he moved about. A look at his armour showed it to be quite dented and used. However, it did not look neglected neither did it loose functionality.

Another look at their host showed his ripped and muscular body, clearly outlining his muscles. This wasn't the body of a boy like those of Red Fountain. No, this was the body of a man, with the scars to prove it.

'At least it smells good.' Darcy thought once the stew bubbled in its pot and a glass of clear water was set in front of her.

“Let's get you out of your frozen clothes and into something warmer.” Harry proposed and without warning he vanished her ruined and wet clothes, leaving her naked. Next he picked her up, put her in his lap, pressed her chest to his own warm one and put a cosy blanket around them in an effort to rise her temperature up.

“Wha..What are you doing?” she stuttered out, her face bright red. Fighting the urge to jump away or attack. The first meant being exposed and cold and the second would see her in the same position as he sisters.

“Warming you up.” Harry stated the obvious as his arms rubbed her back to warm her up quicker.

Darcy wouldn't and couldn't complain, it did indeed warm her up good and his hands worked their own kind of magic. Unconsciously she locked her legs behind his back to increase the contact, nearly purring at the soothing warmth enveloping her body, banishing this infernal chill. The gentle darkness she felt in him only served to make him more appealing to her. It wasn't suffocating and vile like Darkar's, but protective and peaceful.

Once sufficiently heated up and with a flushed face, which thankfully was convenient to hide her blush, he transfigured identical replicas of her clothes from blocks of ice he had summoned from outside, together with a thick black robe. Reluctantly she pulled the thick and ugly robe over her body. It was better than freezing to death, she supposed.

Standing up Darcy walked to the table and sat down, though Harry interrupted her shortly before she could do so.

“Why are you walking like that?” he inquired, pointing at her feet. She stood on the balls of her feet, as if she still wore heels and wasn't barefoot at the moment.

Darcy looked down and stared. She wore heels so much her entire walk had changed, making her not even notice how different it was now. She tried to lower them to the ground but was unable to, but her Achilles heel was uncooperative, refusing to stretch. “I can't walk any other way.” she admitted finally.

Harry sighed, remembering the problem from Hermione's rants about Lavender. The girl had apparently had that exact same problem until it was fixed by Pomfrey. “Let me see.” he ordered as he gently pushed her into a seat and sat down next to her, taking her foot in his hands. Her toenails were beginning to look ingrown and looked like they were a bit away from becoming hammer toes.

He may not have any medical education and his powers weren't suited for that kind of thing, but he had power and a healing spell. He would basically force the foot to heal. Not a pleasant experience by any means. “Episkey.” he cast after gathering a considerable amount of intent and power, his hands glowed a vibrant green the moment he released the spell.

Darcy suppressed a scream as the bones in her toes were forcefully returned to their original place, straightening them out. Her Achilles heel stretched again, allowing her to put all of her foot down on the ground. Even her nails and toes, over which she normally put an illusion, were pristine once more.

She curled her toes and tried different position she knew were impossible before. Everything worked again as it was supposed to. “Thank you.” she said, a sincere smile on her face.

“No problem.” he waved her off and went back to look after the stew. Once the food was ready he put bowls in front of her and his place at the table.

Harry even set bowl in front of Icy and Stormy and woke them up with a spell a moment later. “Rennervate.”

“There, now that we are all awake dinner can begin.” his emerald gaze settled on Stormy and Icy opposite of him and Darcy. “That is if you are ready to apologize for your rude behaviour earlier.”

“Apologize?!” Icy and Stormy said incredulously, a stutter in their voices from the magical frostbite they suffered. Both glared at him to convey how ridiculous that sounded to them. They were witches and did not apologize!

“Of course.” Harry replied condescendingly. “Darcy doesn't have to because she had the basic decency not to attack someone in his own home.” he shrugged in a faux-apologetic manner. “Or you go hungry and cold; your choice.” with that he began eating. Darcy ate shortly after, suppressing a snort of amusement at their predicament. Not seeing why she should starve herself or freeze to death for her sisters stupidity.

The Witch of Ice and the Witch of Storms glared at their sister's betrayal. They were evidently stubborn and refused to admit defeat. That was until their hunger, the cold and exhaustion caught up with them, making them thoroughly miserable.

“Sorry.” Both whispered, glaring at the table in front of them with a grimace. As if the words were causing them physical harm.

Harry leaned closer. “What? I couldn't hear you. You have to speak up.” one hand was on his ear, mockingly acting like one hard of hearing.

Darcy giggled at her sisters misfortune. Actually enjoying herself a bit while eating the stew. Vindictiveness clear to see in her gold eyes.

“We're sorry.” Stormy grit out through clenched teeth. It was a wonder she didn't grind them to dust.

“It was wrong of us to attack you earlier.” Icy added with as much warmth and sincerity as her name suggested.

Knowing it was an effort in futility to get a proper and sincere apology, Harry released them. “Thank you.” if his smile was a bit strained nobody said anything. He had hoped for some civilised company.

Icy and Stormy still shivered from time to time due to their clothes being full of ice water. The fire and stew helped a little, though they were still shivering a little. Such was the all-freezing atmosphere of Omega. That in turn didn't help their mood as they glared at Harry.

Finished with the meal, Harry began speaking. “Before we do anything further, I have to ask if you can control yourself or if I should throw you out right now?”

They didn't say anything, their pride damaged by his casual dominance over them. Though, Darcy appeared indecisive.

Again, Harry sighed and went with plan B. His old self wouldn't even contemplate his next course of action. However, his time here and the actions he had been forced to take changed his outlook somewhat drastically. Next Harry spread out his right hand and cast a silent spell at all three. His personal version of the Dark Mark, which he had learned from here. Who knew that so many people in this place were able to cast that? Now it would serve Harry beautifully.

The symbol of the Deathly Hallows burned itself onto their stomach over the navel, marking them. He explained before they could do anything foolish. “There, now you can't harm me and vice versa. I'll remove it once we are out of here.”

Not satisfied, Icy tried to attack again. Her body gave out on her, slumping uselessly against the table. With her face in the stew.

'Well,' Harry thought. 'I guess they are better company than no company.'

Magical Hero Equinox. Chapter 3: Old Wounds

The trip to Mahoukotoro should've solved more answers than it gave. However, Fate had never been so kind as to give him easy and clear answers. The nearby army base makes things even more complicated.

Birth of a Hero

After acclimating to his new life for more than a decade, Harry is surprised on his eleventh Birthday by a multitude of letters inviting him to all the prestigeous magical school in the world, right in front of Muggles. It invites him to solve the mystery of where Wizards and Witches disappeared to.

Magical Hero: Equinox

After living a relatively short but full life, Harry Potter goes on his Next Great Adventure. He expected to be greeted by his loved ones. Instead, the hero was reborn into a world where being one was a profession. A world changed by superpowers, where the terms of Villain and Hero all but lost their meaning. Full of costumes and masks hiding its true nature.