Chapter 4: Jaehaerys (Harry) POV cont.

Chapter Text

Chapter IV.

Author's Note- Thanks to everyone who reviewed the story. I really appreciate both the effort as well as ideas. It always helps to motivate and inspire me. This is the continuation of the first chapter from Harry's POV. In this chapter there will be a time skip as Harry, Rhaenys, and Daenerys learn magic together and begin to grow up. Expect further time skips throughout their younger years until we come close to the time of the beginning of a 'Game of Thrones'.

Disclaimer: I Own Nothing.

***

Jaehaerys' (Harry's) POV cont.

When he next opened his eye's and was welcomed back to the land of the living, he found himself once again held within the arm's of someone. He cracked his amethyst eye's open and smiled to see his mother's beloved face.

She immediately noticed he was now awake.

"Oh, my Little Prince is awake!" Lyanna exclaimed.

"Please, don't ever scare me like that again, My Love. I was so very worried. I know you were just helping your sweet lady grandmother, but I never wish for you to put yourself in such danger. Though admittedly, I am ever so relieved the Queen will be with us for many years to come. Why I'm admonishing you, I have no idea. I know you can't possibly understand us yet; but I swear you're far too intelligent for a normal infant. Sometimes I think you understand every word we say to you. Oh well, I'm just so happy that you both are alright. Again, please try not to scare your poor mother out of her wit's like that. You'll give me grey hair's before I'm even twenty name days; won't you?" His mother asked him rhetorically; though of course she was just happy he was awake again.

She held him tighter to her.

"I love you so very much, Little Prince. Do try and not to scare your poor Mama like that again." Lyanna whispered to him.

For his mother, and the love she bore him, he vowed to try; though he made no promises mental or otherwise if any other member of their family was in danger and he knew he could help.

His thought's were interrupted when a door opened, and it sounded as if someone were hurrying towards them.

"Your Grace, My Princess; we have a guest. Prince Rhaegar asked me to inform you that...that Stannis Baratheon has arrived." A servant explained quickly in a worried tone of voice.

That was the man...a cousin to them he believed...that he'd heard them say was to be leading a fleet against them! He couldn't possibly have arrived with an entire fleet and they'd somehow not noticed! That was simply impossible.

"What?" His mother gasped.

"Already? It's too soon. How large is Stannis' fleet?" Lyanna asked the anxious maid.

"No, My Princess. You misunderstand. Lord Stannis had not arrived with any fleet. He did not even arrive with many men. He only brought his Ser Onion Knight with him." The serving girl elaborated.

"The god's be good. That dear boy. He hasn't forgotten." He heard his grandmother say quietly; great relief plainly evident in her tone.

"Rhaella...what? Why in the world would Robert's brother come to an island heavily defended by our most loyal men and ships with naught but a single companion? It makes no sense to me." Lyanna asked confusedly.

"If he has come for the reason I believe he has, then things are not as they appear; at least they're not for Stannis himself. You see My Dear, Stannis, Renly, and Robert's father; Lord Steffon Baratheon, was my favorite cousin growing up. Steffon was much more like a brother to me than Aerys ever was. I loved him and his mother Rhaelle dearly. When Steffon and Cassana died on that ship not even feet half a league from Storm's End itself, Stannis was still but a boy, and Renly only a babe. Robert was sent off to the Vale to foster with Jon Arryn, but Stannis and Renly still had to be looked after. At first, my Aunt Rhaelle took care of them, but she was ill and passed away barely a year later." Rhaella said as Lyanna listened on in stunned silence.

She had not been aware of any of that.

"Robert never truly considered my family his kin; not really. Oh, certainly he'd take the benefit's being a nephew and cousin to the king's brought him, but there was always something..." Rhaella trailed off as she was immersed in memory.

"It was Aerys that sent Steffon to Essos to hunt for Rhaegar a Valyrian bride. I believe...no, I know that Robert blamed my entire House for the death of his parent's. I suppose he was not entirely wrong in that regard, but it was not as if Aerys forced them. He was still...relatively...sane at that time, and Steffon was his most loyal lord and cousin. He trusted him more than he trusted anyone else. I did as well. Steffon actually volunteered to go. I knew a part of him blamed himself that the trip was necessary at all, as he had long hoped Cassana would be delivered of a girl. Regardless, after their death's and Aunt Rhaelle's, I did everything I could to look after Steffon's younger boy's. I had them both brought to court, and finished raising Stannis myself. When Aerys' decline began to worsen, Stannis was old enough by that point that I had them sent back to Storm's End. I did not want anything to happen to them by proximity to Aerys. When the rebellion began, I know Stannis was torn between aiding his brother and turning on what he considered the remainder of his family. He could have marched against us, but I believe he chose not to; merely holding Storm's End for his brother as asked. When the Tyrell's were laying siege to Storm's End, I was the one that sent that smuggler from Flea Bottom to run the Redwyne's blockade and had provision's brought to the Baratheon defender's. It is good to know that not all of our familial ties have deserted us." Rhaella elaborated to Lyanna.

'Well, that was interesting. The Usurper's own brother was actually loyal (at least to a degree), to them.' Haery thought.

"I sometimes forget that Robert is actually your kin. Truthfully, that only makes his action's all the more reprehensible in my eye's." Lyanna said.

The Queen let out an uncharacteristic snort at his mother's statement.

"Robert Baratheon would rather give up both his whore's and his drink before claiming any of us as kin; no matter that it is the only reason he even had a chance to usurp the Iron Throne." Rhaella declared correctly.

His mother laughed.

"His drink perhaps, I doubt anything could make him part with his whore's though." She declared derisively.

His grandmother joined Lyanna's laughter then.

"You may actually be right about that. He does love them so. He's not even twenty name day's, and he likely already has more bastards than I have finger's to count them on." The Queen decreed.

The door opened once again a moment later.

This time it was his father who entered.

"Mother, Lya; you were told that Cousin Stannis had arrived, yes?" Rhaegar asked.

"Yes, My Son. Daena informed us. She also informed us that he arrived with only the Onion Knight in attendance. Has he come for the reason I believe?" The Queen asked.

"If you thought that he came to warn us of the impending attack, then surprisingly enough; you are indeed correct, Mother. It seems as if at least one of our kin has retained the knowledge that we are exactly that; kin." Rhaegar confirmed.

"Then I am glad. Have you spoken with him yourself?" Rhaella asked.

"Yes, I saw no other way around it. To say he was surprised to see me still walking amongst the living was an understatement. I explained what I could to him. He begs leave to speak with Your Grace in person though. He would also like to see Lyanna as well, if for no other reason than to assuage his own mind concerning myself and our action's." Rhaegar explained.

There was no hesitation in his grandmother's voice when she next spoke.

"Send him in then. It would not do to keep him waiting, Dear." Rhaella agreed.

"You are certain, Mother?" His father asked; likely needing it to be confirmed for him that his mother trusted their cousin.

"Certainly." The Queen replied.

"Alright, I shall return with Lord Stannis quickly." Rhaegar said before leaving back the way he had come moment's before.

The Queen placed her hand on top of Lyanna's.

"Worry not, Sweet Girl. Stannis is not Robert. Frankly, I don't believe you could find any three brother's that were more dissimilar to one another. Stannis can be cold and he can be rigid, but he's a good boy. He's always been family to me." The Queen said reassuringly to his mother.

He would admit himself curious about the newcomer cousin whom was brother to the Usurper; yet apparently remained loyal to the Dragon's.

Not long after, his father re-entered the room with another tall man beside him.

Besides their shared height, there were no other similarities to be seen between the two cousin's.

Stannis Baratheon appeared to be around maybe nineteen namedays, with short black hair that looked to be slightly thinning on the top even at such a young age; a sign of impending hair loss no doubt. He was powerfully built (despite his still somewhat gaunt appearance that was undoubtedly a result of the long siege), and had stormy blue eye's, a short-cropped black beard, and a rather severe expression. All in all, he was not especially handsome, nor was he especially plain. Were it not for his height and strong build, he'd likely be easy to blend into the background. His stern visage did soften some when his eye's landed on Queen Rhaella, whom even he could tell the man must have held in very high regard.

The Queen smiled welcomingly at the young man.

"Cousin, I am most pleased to see you alive and well. Though I do admit to being surprised by your visit. Please, do take a seat, Stannis." The Queen welcomed graciously.

A servant brought two extra chair's near to the bed for his father and Lord Stannis.

The stern young man slowly approached, and before sitting, he got down on bended knee and bowed to Queen Rhaella.

"My Queen, I am glad to see Your Grace fairing so well after the birth of your daughter. Also, on behalf of the...true...member's of House Baratheon, I offer my deepest thanks for your action's in sending Ser Davos to aid my younger brother and myself during the siege. We would not have survived without your aid, and I shall be forever in your debt. I also wish to apologize for the treason's committed by my foolish elder sibling. His greed and lust's apparently know no bounds. Even I could tell the Princess Lyanna held no favor with him, but he cared not." Stannis said solemnly with his head still bowed.

Queen Rhaella reached out, and placed a firm hand atop Stannis' thinning head.

"We are kin, and few enough as it is; especially in these times. I could not allow any ill to befall Steffon's sons if I were able to prevent it. You are most welcome, Cousin. Also, neither you nor Renly have committed any sin's against our family. You are blameless of your brother's misguided actions, so be at peace." Rhaella said softly.

Stannis seemed to let out a breath of relief at the Queen's words.

"Thank you, Your Grace." Stannis said; taking his seat next to Rhaegar (who he was still occasionally looking towards as if he could not quite believe his own eye's; such was his surprise that he yet lived).

"Your Grace's, I had to come and warn you. Robert's wrath knows no bounds where any member of the Targaryen Dynasty is concerned; not even towards yourself, Your Grace. He has ordered me to take the hastily assembled fleet from the capital, and lay siege to Dragonstone. He means to see you all dead." Stannis informed them.

"Yes, we are aware." Lyanna told him.

"Of course he has no idea that the Crown Prince nor the Crown Princess are even alive. He just received a raven from Lord Stark reporting your demise, My Princess in Dorne. A planned event I presume?" Stannis asked.

"Indeed. We thought it best if he believed both Lyanna and myself, as well as the Kingsguard were all thought to be dead. We hoped his hunt would be less...determined...if Viserys, Daenerys, and Mother were the only ones he believed to be left alive, Cousin." Rhaegar explained.

Stannis appeared to be lost in thought for a moment before he replied.

"You are likely correct in that assumption, though he will still pursue those he knows remain alive. I believe it has become his own form of madness in him...the look in his eye's and the amount of rage visible anytime the name Targaryen is even mentioned...it is far from healthy. You must depart as soon as possible. I've delayed the fleet as long as I dare without raising his suspicion's of me further, but I dare not tarry much longer." Stannis informed them nervously.

It was obvious he did not like what his brother was forcing upon him.

"Have no fear, we shall be departing on the morrow." The Queen told him.

Stannis' shoulders sagged in relief at hearing that bit of news.

"Excellent. Will you be safe though? We heard tell that most of the fleet was destroyed by the recent storm?" He asked cautiously.

"You heard what we wished for everyone to believe. The vast majority of the Royal Navy sailed for Essos, Dorne, and the North well before the storm arrived. What was left managed to survive mostly unscathed." Rhaegar told him.

"Good, then you are not defenseless. Considering your presence here, and the story your brother concocted, am I to assume you have the loyalty of House Stark? Stannis inquired.

The adults all looked at one another, before they silently allowed Rhaegar to make the decision of whether or not to tell Stannis the full truth. Rhaegar looked him straight in the eyes.

"Are you still loyal to our family, Cousin?" Rhaegar asked with a question of his own.

Surprisingly, Stannis did not hesitate.

"Knowing what I do now of the true circumstances that led to the Rebellion, as well as the fact that Her Grace has always been the closest thing to a parent Renly or I had after our own parent's death; yes. I am unequivocally loyal to the True King and the Royal Family. Myself and mine heir's will always be loyal to Your Grace's." Stannis stated with an absolute voice of certainty that was easily heard by all present.

Impressed, despite himself by his younger cousin's loyalty, Rhaegar gave the Stormlord full disclosure of their plans. He held back virtually nothing. When he completed his detailed explanation to Stannis, the Usurper's brother was not only shocked, but visibly impressed.

So impressed was he, that once again got down on bended knee, only this time he was kneeling before the Crown Prince.

"Here and now I, Stannis of the House Baratheon, eldest remaining loyal son and heir of Lord Steffon Baratheon of Storm's End and the Lady Cassana of House Estermont, do swear my fealty and that of the House Baratheon to my cousin and recognize him and his heir's now and for all of time as Rhaegar I Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm; the One True King." Stannis swore.

His father appeared to be momentarily stunned by their cousin's show of fealty.

Gathering himself, he was quick to reply.

"Rise, Lord Stannis. I thank you for both your loyalty and your fealty, Cousin. Let the Blood of the Dragon be always united as one as we are in this and in all things to come." Rhaegar intoned solemnly in a voice of iron.

"When you hath need of them, my life and my sword shall be at your service, Your Grace." Stannis told them.

"Thank you, My Boy. I know that none of this could possibly be easy for you." Rhaella told him quietly.

Stannis shook his head.

"My brother has no right to the Iron Throne, not whilst you all still live. Especially not now, and I am no kinslayer. He will make a terrible king. He'll never inspire loyalty, and will only cause further strife. All he knows is war. That's all he's good at besides drinking and whoring. Already corruption is rife within the capital and the court, and it will only get worse now that he's to take Cersei Lannister to wife. Tywin Lannister is a demon. No man with an ounce of honor would align themselves with that treacherous snake in lion's clothing. Fearing my influence, that devil has already convinced Robert to name Renly as the new Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and Lord of Storm's End." Stannis surprised them by saying; the bitterness in his tone was evident to all.

"What? But you're the eldest brother? With Robert seating the Iron Throne, however unlawfully, you are the rightful Lord of Storm's End!" The Queen stated fiercely.

Stannis grimaced and grit his teeth.

His fury was clearly audible to them all.

"Indeed, Your Grace." Was his only reply.

It was obvious that Rhaegar did not like that at all, nor did he like the news that Robert was to wed that vindictive bitch Cersei Lannister.

"Cousin, I swear to you, when we are returned, you shall be restored as the rightful Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. Robert was foolish to take your birthright from you; very foolish indeed." Rhaegar promised.

Stannis' eyes widened at that statement.

"Th...Thank you, Your Grace. Truly." Stannis said with a deep bow of his head.

Harry privately wondered why the young Stormlord sounded so surprised that his father promised him his own rightful inheritance. It was as if he was shocked that anyone would even care about his own needs; making him wonder just what type of family life the younger Baratheon brother had led. Clearly, it was apparent that with the exception of his lady grandmother, no one else seemed to have taken much of an interest in the middle Baratheon brother.

Considering the fact that they were basically the only relatives remotely close to the ruling dynasty, such a thing was odd to him to say the least.

"I swear I shall do all I can to prove your faith in me as warranted." Stannis swore.

"You said Robert's made you Master of Ship's?" Rhaegar inquired curiously.

"Yes, Your Grace, he has indeed." He confirmed.

"While I believe you would be better suited to the position of Master of Laws, you are undoubtedly one of the few worthy of that position as well. When we return, between your control of the navy and our own fleet, there is no fleet or combination of them that would be able to stand against us. I only ask that you keep them in top shape as I have no idea how long it shall take us to accumulate the necessary forces to combat Robert and his allies." Rhaegar said.

"I shall do so, Your Grace. I will also be able to rally at least some of the Stormlords when the time comes, and I expect the lord's formerly sworn to Summerhall shall always answer the Dragon's call to arms. I am to be given liege over Dragonstone and the Narrow Sea, and of course I expect they will remain loyal to the death; especially with all of us working towards Your Grace's restoration. With the full might of the North and Dorne as well as what forces Your Grace can build in the East together with the remaining loyalists, I believe we will succeed. Hopefully it will be before my brother has the chance to completely run the Seven Kingdom's into the ground." Stannis extolled.

"We thank you, Cousin." Rhaegar told him sincerely.

"By your leave, I believe I should return to the mainland, Your Grace's. I'm sure you have your own preparations to attend to." Stannis said.

Rhaegar nodded and they both stood and shook hands.

The Queen touched Lord Stannis' hand.

"Thank you, again Stannis. Be sure to take care of yourself." She told him softly.

The stern Stormlord actually smiled slightly at the Queen; something Haery had a suspicion was a rare occurrence.

"You as well, Your Grace. And again, I am forever in your debt." Stannis replied kissing the back of her hand.

He then moved to do the same to Lyanna before he and his father left the room once more.

Despite the surprisingly pleasing turn of event's, he could barely keep his eye's open any longer.

His mother watched him quietly.

"Sleep, my Little Prince. Mama's got you." Lyanna said.

It still amazed him when words like that were directed at him.

It took little more effort, and he was once again in the sweet embrace of dreams.

When he next awoke, it appeared as if the preparations for their departure to exile were well underway.

Soldier's and loyal servants scurried about in ever increasing numbers as possessions and valuables both sentimental and otherwise were taken to the harbor waiting to board the ships.

He tried to stay as quiet as possible, not wanting to disturb anyone from their obviously important tasks.

He assumed the newborn little Princess Daenerys was in the other crib near to his own, and his sister Rhaenys the only one in the room with them at the moment.

"Hello, Little Brother!" Rhaenys chirped cheerfully to him; seeing him awake and looking around at all the noise.

"We'll be leaving Dragonstone soon. Don't worry though; I'll always be here to watch out for you. When you get bigger, I promise we'll always watch out for each other. You're my only brother, and I'll make sure nothing ever happens to you. I won't lose any more of our family." Rhaenys swore to him.

He was certain his sweet sister must have been thinking of her own poor mother who had been murdered. He felt so bad for his sister. This was the first time he had ever had a sibling, and he already loved her fiercely. She was such a sweet girl.

Harry vowed that he too would always watch over and protect his sister from anything and everything. He was determined to be a good brother. The thought of anyone hurting such a sweet little girl as his sister made him boil with anger. That anyone could even contemplate doing such a thing was an atrocity. He'd never let her be harmed if he could prevent it. He felt an inexplicable bond with Rhaenys that was soothing and filled him with unexpected warmth. He did not know if this was normal, or if it was something that was there because of their magic. He could tell his sister was very strong in whatever type of power it was that his father's family wielded.

Sorcery, his grandmother had called it.

He dearly hoped that time would go by quickly. He was quite looking forward to exploring this new type of magic with his family and his sister especially.

Actually, he hope he grew quickly regardless. He really did not care too much for being an infant, and would be eternally grateful when he could actually begin to formulate coherent words.

Together, the siblings waited, and soon enough it was time to board the ship that was to take them away from Westeros and everything anyone here had ever known.

Thanks to Haery's magic, the Queen had recovered enough that she was able to walk around unaided by then. She had the little Princess Daenerys held securely in her arms whilst his uncle Prince Viserys held her hand and followed the procession to the docks. His sister Rhaenys was in the arms of their father, and Harry himself was being held by his mother as they too made their way towards the waiting ship's.

When they arrived, he noted that the ships that were going with them to some place called Braavos were no longer flying the red three-headed dragon banners he commonly saw all around the castle; instead they bore the banners of a seahorse. The ship they were to sail on was larger than he had been expecting to make such a voyage.

Personally, he was excited.

He had never before even seen the ocean, let alone gone sailing. It was an entirely new experience for him. He had a suspicion that he would be having a great many thoroughly new experiences in the potentially danger-ridden life that awaited them. Of course that particular aspect of their life would not exactly be new to him. He had lived a life riddled with all types of danger as the Boy-Who-Lived to say nothing of his life with the Muggles.

How he still somehow managed to loathe the title of 'Boy-Who-Lived' even with virtually no emotion to connect his past life to this one; he knew not. Though he thought it was telling enough that he did. He had high hope's that this life he would be known for himself; be known by his own merits and failures alike. Being a prince in this world, he knew would of course come with certain expectations, but at least not of the kind he'd endured in his life as a wizard.

So, as he lay securely in his mother's embrace, and watched as the shoreline of their ancestral castle of Dragonstone began to recede from the horizon as they entered the open waters of the so-called Narrow Sea; Haery held hope deep within his chest. For the first time in his memory, he had a family that loved him, and that he dearly loved in return. His family's throne and all their hope's may lie in the opposite direction of their destination, but he would make certain they persevered. He would use every asset at his disposal if he had to; including his magic. He would allow no threat to his loved one's to remain, even if he had to kill to do so. They would be safe, and they would be happy.

He would make it so.

One day, they would return. They would return, and all who betrayed them would pay. They would return, and the Dragon Banner's would fly once more as a new age dawned in the Seven Kingdom's of Westeros and beyond.

After all; Voldemort had at least been right about one thing: Magic Was Might!

***

Six Years Later

Braavos- 289 AL.

Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen

***

It was late out; that much he knew. The night was dark and the manse had long since gone silent. Even the servants had retired by this hour. Knowing now was as good a time as any, Haery crept out of his comfortable feather bed as silently as possible, and made to sit beside the firelit hearth in his chambers. Ever since arriving in this world, he had ever been comfortable with fire, and for some reason he had yet to completely determine, it seemed to be a great help to his magic. For that is what he was up to; trying his best to regain the power and control he remembered the previous incarnation of himself could wield.

Each night, since he was three name days now, he had snuck out of his warm bed, and worked himself as much as possible in exercising his powers. It was slow going, that was for sure. Sometimes he would get so frustrated at exactly how long it was taking him that he felt like screaming, and he wondered if he would ever be able to work magic anything approaching what he had been used to. While he of course did not have a wand of any kind (and was frankly not certain if it was even possible to make one considering the lack of magical creatures and plant's in this world), his own magick's were by far stronger than anything he'd had access to in his past.

It was for that reason that he was certain that he should at least be capable of a decent amount of wandless magic; at least he dearly hoped so. His progress had been admittedly poor with only small advances over time that to him seemed to take an age to master what had previously been considered the simplest of spells.

Since coming to this world, nothing else in his life had been as difficult as practicing his magic. He would admit (if only to himself), that perhaps he had become just a touch of what that potion's professor...Snape...he thought he had been called...had always referred to him as: arrogant.

(It seemed that the longer he went without feeling the emotion's his memories implied he should feel, the more of his past life became hazy. He didn't forget it...per say, so much as his real life now was filled with so many emotions that it always took far greater precedence within the structure of his mind.)

He did not truly mean to be, and he really did try his absolute hardest to make certain that he was still a nice and generally easy-going and approachable young boy, but it was almost hard not to be at least a bit arrogant when he was so very good at the number of things he was supposed to learn.

Compared to most people in this feudal-age world, he was considered something of a prodigy; even more so than his father had been (and that was really saying something). Of course learning from his tutor's was easy enough for him. He already knew most of the things he was being taught. He had also spent his infancy observing and reflecting on the world around him. There was certainly little else to do at that age. Considering he could remember everything from nearly the second of his birth, it was hard not to appear so far beyond the norm in intelligence.

It wasn't just book learning that he surpassed even the highest of his family's and tutor's expectations of him, he was also adept at his other lesson's. He found that all the years he had spent dodging spells and punches as well as chasing snitch's had left him with such superb reflexes that he was able to advance in his weapon's training far quicker than nearly any other child his age should possibly be able to. Although he lacked the strength to truly master a blade, he knew it would all come in good time.

Thinking of his weapon's training, he had never felt so very much alive and exhilarated as when he was practicing with a sword in his hands. His usual trainer's were Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Jaime Lannister, and his father; all three of which had very different styles of fighting from which he took different aspects of each to begin to form a style of combat that was not only unique, but one that was all his own.

His father was a man he all but idolized; this he knew.

He'd never had parent's that he could remember before, so the whole experience was new to him. He absolutely loved it. Having someone that was always there for him no matter what, and was never too busy to take the time out of their day to show concern for him or even to just ask how his day was going; was a completely novel experience. His father was brilliant in his own right, and he always took the time to teach Haery all he could.

Together, Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark were amazing parents. He prayed to the god's of his mother (the only one's he held any respect for) that one day he could be half the man his father was. Sometimes the love and concern his parent's showered him and his sibling's with amazed him so that he would occasionally have to pinch himself just to make certain it was all real and not some fantastical figment of an over-active imagination.

His father was both the perfect warrior as well as an accomplished scholar.

Haery thought he'd make an remarkable king when the time came for them to take back their family's throne. There was one trait that was shared by both his parent's that he thought would mark them down in the history of this world as exceptional: compassion. Unlike so many royals and nobles in the world, Rhaegar and Lyanna actually considered the effects their action's could have on what was called the 'small-folk' here. Even at his young age, he had already seen too many people all but enslaved, and he knew that there were large area's of Essos that held millions of actual slaves.

Such a thing was abhorrent to him and the morals and values he was being raised with.

His parent's taught him that as nobility, it was their job to look after and protect those less fortunate than themselves; that it was all of their duty. They taught him that as a prince or a king, they derived their power from the people they ruled over, and that if they were unjust or cruel, than they had no right to rule.

As an example, the tyrannical reign of his mad grandfather was explained along with the consequences that his cruelty had left for his family to try and make amends for.

One thing was certain, his father shared absolutely no similarities with his own mad father.

Rhaegar Targaryen was the kindest and most honorable man the Haery knew. One he was very proud to call his father. Haery knew there was no one better suited to rule the Seven Kingdom's than him. That was what he had privately declared his main goal in this life to be. He would see to it that the people of Westeros got the ruler they deserved in the form of his father no matter what he had to do.

Which is what lead to his current position of meditating in front of the fireplace and attempting to access his magical core.

One year ago, for his fifth name day, Haery had received an anonymous gift.

The gift was in the form of a particularly ancient set of scroll's that in essence formed what he would describe as a 'how-to' book. It was an amazing compendium of knowledge. Essentially, it was a how-to guide to the secrets of the Ancient Valyrian's; his own ancestor's.

He was forcefully reminded of them every time he looked at his reflection and saw his own near-otherworldly look's with his fine silver blonde hair and deep violet eye's that were such a marked contrast to his previous life.

He was pretty damnit!

And he was still not too sure whether or not he liked it.

His father and grandmother both had been even more awed by the gift than he had as they had quickly realized the absolute treasure trove of knowledge contained within.

The knowledge gifted to him may have come from an 'anonymous' source, however he had his own suspicion's as to whom had gifted him with such a priceless treasure.

Several month's ago, some of their ship's that were patrolling in the Narrow Sea had come upon a ship that was stranded due to the many death's from some sort of plague that had overcome the crew. The only man aboard the vessel that still seemed to be of good health had shocked them all; it was none other than Gerion Lannister- youngest brother of Lord Tywin Lannister himself!

After bringing the man to safety, Lord Gerion had been shocked himself to find his missing nephew Ser Jaime Lannister happily living with the exiled Targaryen Royal Family.

Three year's past, Ser Jaime had been officially released from the Kingsguard by his father to wed his cousin Elaena's mother and his mentor's sister, the Lady Ashara Dayne of Starfall.

He'd always referred to her as Aunt Ashara due to her secret marriage to his late uncle Lord Brandon Stark of Winterfell. After her marriage to Ser Jaime, (who had always been an especial favorite of his and one of his mentor's) he had become known in the family as Uncle Jaime. His father had declared Lord Tywin's life forfeit and had named Ser Jaime as the new Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West-in-exile. Lord Gerion, who (along with their brother Tygett) privately loathed Lord Tywin and his nefarious action's, had been more than pleased to remain with the true Royal Family. He had declared for them, and now lived with his nephew and Aunt Ashara and their twin's, Jayson and Jaynei and his cousin Elaena. (They would soon be joined by Lord Gerion's natural daughter Joy Hill as well.)

Gerion had let the rest of the world think that he'd failed in his quest to find the ruin's of Old Valyria and had perished somewhere in the Smoking Sea.

In truth, he had been more than successful; having not only sought out and found Brightroar (which he immediately gifted to Uncle Jaime much to the younger Lannister's awe), but had also found many other treasure's from the lost civilization. The value of the wealth of knowledge and artifacts Lord Gerion had discovered was truly incalculable.

He could not think of anyone else that would have had any access to such wondrous and rare works that he'd been gifted with except Lord Gerion. Who, Haery had to admit was easily one of the nicest and most laid-back and humorous men he'd ever met. It was impossible to be sad in that man's presence. He also greatly reminded Haery of the memories he held of his past godfather Sirius with his easy smile's and charming arrogance.

Not only did it contain the contents of many spells and rituals of Valyrian Sorcery, it finally answered the question that had been burning in the minds of the Targaryen's for well over one hundred year's now: how to hatch the egg's of a dragon!

His family had led so many failed attempts to hatch their remaining dragon egg's that it had all culminated on the actual day of his father's birth with the Tragedy of Summerhall which still tore at the heart of his beloved grandmother to that very day. The auspicious day of his father's birth had also heralded the death's of almost the entirety of the Targaryen Dynasty.

After pouring over the scrolls, he had eventually found a magically hidden portion of the writings.

It had taken him many days to figure out how to reveal what he somehow just knew to be more knowledge and the secrets hidden within, but he finally managed it. Once revealed, it had led to both a great deal of private excitement on Haery's part, as well as some degree of sadness from his father and grandmother.

It all boiled down to the lost revelation that it took the fire of an actual dragon to warm the eggs enough to hatch! Not even substituting dragon fire for wildfyre would work.

Over the years, many had attempted using fire to hatch the eggs, up to and including using the highly volatile substance known as wildfyre. Wildfyre was quite similar to traditional dragonfire in many respects, but apparently it was not enough.

Haery speculated that it was the magical quality of the dragonfire from the magic of the dragon's themselves that was required to hatch the eggs.

In the past, later generation's of House Targaryen had likely not realized that fact due to the eggs hatching naturally by themselves without any outside interference from them. After the frankly (to him anyway) suspicious death of the last dragon (a small and deformed thing that was nothing like a natural dragon should be and that he thought wreaked of magical sabotage), none of the remaining eggs had ever been able to be hatched because they lacked an actual dragon breathing fire over them during the incubation process.

His father and grandmother had accepted the written words from the scrolls as the death knell of the last of the lingering hopes all Targaryen's generally bore to one day see the resurrection of the winged reptiles their family was made famous for.

He, however, knew differently.

There was still a possibility (however remote it may seem) that they could one day hatch the remaining eggs in their possession. (They had ten eggs remaining that Queen Rhaella had managed to keep hidden from both any member of the Faith of the Seven or the Citadel, and especially her brother King Aerys.)

The reason was simple, and only partially known to two others.

In his last life, Haery had an animagus form that had never before been seen or thought to have been remotely possible- he was a dragon animagus!

In his old universe, no wizard or witch since Merlin himself had possessed an animagus form of a magical creature. It went against all the established laws of magic. So, naturally of course being Harry Potter, he had to go and break every single one of those laws.

He had the form of an extremely large blood red dragon with black wings of unknown species; or, at least it was a species no one in that world could identify. Dragons simply did not grow as large as what his form was in that time. It had been that fact more than any other that made him believe perhaps Death spoke truth when he was told his current life and world was where he'd been meant to belong all along.

He had been positively thrilled when he learned that all he had to do was turn in to his animagus form, and breathe fire on their egg's. He hypothesized that it would take around one full turn of the moon to properly warm the hatchlings within his form's natural magical dragonflame, and they could hatch all the dragons they'd ever need or want!

It had been perfect, he thought.

Indeed, it had been too perfect.

That night, he had immediately snuck out of his bed, and the first thing he did was try to turn in to his dragon form.

Unfortunately, he had no such luck.

Of course, he should have suspected. That would have just been far too easy.

The problem that he faced, was that he could not transform.

He had been heart-broken, and had even begun to suspect that he might no longer even have an animagus form at all due to the change in his magic.

However, there was still light to be found at the end of the tunnel.

He discovered that light when he was desperately trying to transform himself, and he had actually managed to turn his left hand in to a single, solitary, sharp and undeniably draconic claw.

It was then that he realized what the problem was.

He may have held all the same memories as Harry Potter, but he was still a fundamentally different person in nearly every other respect.

He suspected that those difference's went right down to his very soul, at least to a degree; which was an important factor in the animagus transformation due to the soul being the determining factor of an one's animagus form. He knew then that he would be forced to undergo the entire transformation process...all...over...again.

His body simply did not have any of the muscle memory his old form had possessed.

His first and most mature thought, was that it sucked! Like seriously sucked, as he would have to painstakingly go through all the exercises to once again fully transform which could take the god's only knew how long.

Regardless of the god's awful amount of time and energy he knew it would take to complete, Haery had persevered and become determined. The potential benefits to his entire family were far too numerous to ignore. Once complete, it would only be a matter of time until his family was back in Kings Landing with his father seating the Iron Throne.

After all, whom would dare to defy the might of a dragon. Well, besides the Dornish at least, but they were thankfully already allied to them.

So, each night he set himself to the task of completing the animagus transformation for the second time in his memory.

One would think that it would be easier the second time around.

One would be incorrect.

Night, after night, after night; Haery practiced till the point of both mental and physical exhaustion. Unfortunately, it seemed he was barely making a dent in his effort's to finish the transformation. He had wracked his brain for an explanation, and the only thing he found that was remotely plausible was the noticeable difference in his magic. Not only was his magic untrained in this world, it had also been fundamentally altered on a primal level.

He had his Wizarding power's to the same extent as always (a greater amount of power actually), but he also had the addition of his Valyrian magick's that was vastly different in a great many respects to what he was used to. The new magic was not necessarily incompatible with his Wizarding power's, but they did require a different approach to control them.

After month's of fruitless labor, he eventually discovered two methods that allowed him forcefully blend his new Valyrian magic together with his Wizarding. One, was the concentration of fire.

All Targaryen's generally had some Valyrian magic that was innate to their bodies to a greater or lesser degree. Most of those abilities were related one way or another to fire. He could make large balls of flame's from the tiniest of spark's, all the way to creating an inferno of fire as well as wind if he so desired. He knew there were many other aspects to it, but fire manipulation was the easiest for him and the one he concentrated on the most. If he stared into a lit hearth long enough, he could relax the Valyrian magic to enough of a degree that it was then possible for him to blend it together with his innate Wizarding core. Otherwise the two forms of magic seemed to fight for dominance against one another; rendering him unable to properly control either of them.

That, he had discovered, was what state he needed to be in to be successful.

Without the blending of the two forms of his magic into one larger mass of controllable power, it was as if he had a block, or a cage of some sort locked on and around his magic. It was exceedingly frustrating.

That particular method also took the longest amount of time for him to reach the state necessary to begin transforming various parts of his body into his animagus form.

It was the second method that was the easiest and by far the more preferable he had discovered: magical sharing.

'Coven Magicks', he had termed it.

By using that form, that he had discovered late one night entirely by accident, he had been able force his two type's of magic to blend together fully and seamlessly without much conscious effort on his part.

He had been amazed by the vast and varied possibilities which thought just might be truly limitless.

It was late one night several moon's ago, and he had been staring into the flames attempting to reach the state of cooperation between his magick's that was needed to practice correctly. He had just managed to transform both of his hands at the same time into dragon claws when two gasps of shock met his ear's.

He had whipped his head around and stared in mute surprise at his two best friends and most beloved relatives: his half-sister Rhaenys and his young aunt Daenerys.

He had been completely stunned, and unsure what to do. He could not believe he had not heard them enter his rooms. He must have been too focused on his transformation to notice. He knew it was storming outside, and like an idiot, he had forgotten that nine times out of ten, both Rhaenys and Dany would crawl in bed with him so they would sleep more soundly.

He had been closest to the both of them all of his life. When he was still a toddler, he had looked up to Rhaenys and she had always made him feel safe and secure. As they got older, their role's began to reverse somewhat as he was extremely protective of his big sister. She had always been there for him, and he had been the most important person in her world since the day he was born.

She once told him that she had sworn the day he was born that she would always be there to watch over him and that she would never allow anything to happen to him like had happened to her mother. She was close to their father of course, and Haery's mother Lyanna was really the only mother she knew as she could barely remember the Princess Elia, but it had always been him she was closest to.

He felt exactly the same.

He'd always felt an inexplicable bond to Rhaenys all his life. He was never so comfortable and happy lest she was there to share it. For a long time, he had thought it was just the effects of actually having a sibling at all; seeing as he'd never had anything to compare it to.

However, when Aelyx and then Valarr and Vaelerie were born, although he could honestly say that he loved all his younger siblings dearly- adored them most of the time even; he still loved Rhaenys the best. It was not something that he could change or alter in any way; it just was.

Inexplicably, it was the same with Daenerys too.

Whereas Rhaenys was somebody that was protective and watched over him, he was extremely protective of Dany all their lives. One would think that you would love or care for one at least a small bit more or less than the other, however where the two of them were concerned, that had never been the case. He adored both of them; just as they both clearly adored him.

He had never felt so very blessed as he did when the three of them were together and happy, and his love for them was truly limitless.

There was nothing he would not do to make certain they were both safe and happy always.

For as long as he could remember in this life, it had been the three of them together; never far apart. Where one went, the others were sure to follow. His younger sibling's had each other, and Rhaenys, Dany, and himself were another trio. It vaguely reminded him of another time and place with two others near constantly by his side, but the bonds he felt with Rhaenys and Dany far surpassed anything in his previous life. They were unbreakable; of that he was absolutely certain.

Dany was like a little sister to Rhaenys, and she worshipped his older sister just as much as he did. Just as Rhaenys was protective of him, so too was she of Dany. He knew they were only children, but he could not imagine life without them. He had thought he'd known the meaning of true friendship before in his past. Compared to the overwhelming amount of love and care he held for his two she-dragon's; he would easily admit- he knew nothing.

For some reason, that happened to be a favorite saying of both of his she-dragon's, and something they were oft fond of reminding him of.

'So he'd not grow too big of a head.' They said.

He should have remembered not only how inquisitive the both of them were, but also just how uncommonly bright they were.

When they had discovered his clawed self that later rainy night, they had forced him to confess exactly what he was up to as well as what else he could do. He eventually told them that he just saw things; things not from this world. The reason for that explanation was because he quite literally could not speak of his old life. The words would literally not form from his mouth no matter how hard he tried. He couldn't even write it down!

He supposed it was some sort of restriction that had been placed upon him by the 'powers at be'. (The Royal Bitch named Fate and his ole' pal Death of course being his prime suspect's.)

He had no problems telling them all about his magic, which apparently both of them had been suspicious about for a while due to numerous incidents in the past. He told them all about seeing himself turning into a dragon.

Now, while normally that would merely have been a sign that the great metaphorical Targaryen 'coin toss' had landed on the wrong side with him, the fact that he said so while actually having his hands transformed into literal claws put things in an entirely different perspective.

So, like everything else about each other that was in any way different from what was considered 'the norm'; they accepted it and him with ease unconditionally.

It was Rhaenys, smart girl that she was, that suddenly remembered the part in the scrolls about dragonfire and how that could make the eggs hatch. Dany caught on moments later. Their excitement of just what that could mean for all of them had been palpable.

After that night, they both began to sneak into his room at night to help him practice.

It was then that they all noticed something inexplicable.

When he began to concentrate on his power's, both Rhaenys and Dany could feel it. He already knew they had some powers of their own, just not how much. He had thought he'd wait till they were all older before he began to try and teach them himself what magic they were capable of. Their word's surprised him though. More than that, they said their own energy level's suddenly felt like they were fit to burst.

Working on a hunch, he had them try a few of the simpler Valyrian fire spells.

To his shock, their power levels were massively higher when they were all three together. It also had the marvelous added side effect of making it much...much...easier on him to blend his own magical power's to the point he could begin to attempt shifting into his animagus form far faster.

He had been ecstatic. Finally, a breakthrough!

As such, he was in no way surprised when heard his door creak open, and soon felt one arm hug him on his left (Rhaenys of course), while another arm hugged him on his right (Dany in her usual spot).

He did not speak; no words were necessary. They just sat beside him as he quickly went about his now familiar routine with his best friend's, helpmeet's, and magical partner's-in-crime on either side of him balancing his magic for him.

He was close, he knew that; so close he could almost taste the dragonfire.

He concentrated with all his might as he slowly began to shift, one limb at a time. It was tiring- exhaustingly so. It was also painful in the extreme.

However, in the end, it was all well worth it.

Sweat was pouring from his brow half an hour later. If someone had come upon them suddenly, they would have seen what was likely the oddest sight they had ever laid eyes on.

All except for his head, Haery had completely shifted. This was always the hardest part of the transformation; shifting the head as well as what he knew was to come after.

He saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye, from Rhaenys' direction he thought. The next thing he knew, he felt two small hands laid upon his black scaled body that were both admitting more of the Valyrian magick's that his body apparently needed. That was all it took. Those small hands laying upon him seemingly fed him an extra burst of power, and with that, he was finally...finally...able to complete the total transformation as his human head abruptly shifted to reveal the blood red head and violet eyes of a young dragon; fangs, horns, and all!

Instantly, his mind was assaulted.

He had known that part of the process was approaching, but nothing could really prepare you for it. In moment's, he was thrust within the mind and psyche of a primal dragon.

For the human brain, magical or otherwise, to suddenly be overtaken and inundated by an animal of such powerful dominance and base instinct...was disorienting in the extreme. He knew though that he absolutely must take control of the dragon's power...the dragon's own will, and force it to bend to his own. Something that was easier said than done.

The will of a dragon was not something to be easily subverted...at all.

He knew though, that there was no real choice. It was something he must do. If he did not, then not only would his own mind be subjugated by the base instincts of the dragon (causing him to lose himself within the mind of the beast), but he could potentially be stuck in his dragon form for the rest of his life. Obviously due to the fact that there were no other wizards or witches that could transform him back in this world.

The fierce need to dominate, the hunger, the desire to cause wanton destruction; it was all there.

However, all it took was one look at his beloved Rhae and Dany, and he knew he had to immediately gain control at any cost. He could never allow harm to come to them; certainly not by his own action's.

So, with an almighty wrench of sheer stubbornness, magic, and his own indomitable will power, Haery forced the dragon's consciousness to merge with his own. It was a thoroughly torturous mental experience, but something that must be done. He could feel it having a slight effect on every part of him; altering him slightly. However, he would not allow it to affect much. He would always be the master of his own domain; his own body and magic.

Never, would he permit another to control his action's.

He opened his reptilian eye's now; safe in the knowledge that his human mind would forever be in control of his dragon as he looked around at Rhaenys and Dany.

"Wow!" Rhaenys exclaimed.

"I can't believe you did it! Can you still understand us?" Dany asked him excitedly; her silver-blonde curls bouncing in her joy and excitement.

He tried to speak, but of course it just came out as more of a hissing rumble type of sound, so he just shook his head up and down in confirmation as he began to swish his long spiked tail back and forth.

"I'm so proud of you, Little Brother! You are a true dragon." Rhaenys told him an immensely proud glint in her identical deep purple eyes.

"Ohhh! Rhaenys! Can you imagine when he's just a little bigger...we'll get to fly!" Dany all but squealed excitedly; a dreamy look now gracing her beautiful face.

Rhaenys' eyes widened at the thought of actually riding a dragon.

"I didn't even think of that. There's so many possibilities! This is amazing, Jae!" Rhaenys said.

"I can't wait for Mother to see you." Dany said.

"Oh, I wonder what Papa and Lya will think?" Rhaenys wondered out loud.

Suddenly, they heard a throat being cleared.

"Well Rhaenys Dear, when he regains consciousness, I suppose we'll find out." Lyanna said from the now open doorway.

The two young girls and the young red and black dragon followed the movement of Lyanna's head, and sure enough; laying there passed out on the floor was their father and brother- Rhaegar Targaryen.

Haery supposed seeing your eldest son turn himself in to a scaly fire-breathing reptile was as good enough reason as any if one were actually going to have cause to faint.

Still in his dragon form, Haery watched as his father blearily began to regain consciousness. He slowly blinked the confusion out of his amethyst eye's as he vaguely looked around the room and locked eyes with his mother before smiling at his own mother who had just entered the room several moments earlier to see what the commotion was about. Rhaegar had a bemused expression on his face when Lyanna smiled at him.

"I think I must have had the oddest dream, Lya. You'll never believe what I saw. I know I must sound as mad as my father, but in my dream, I think I actually saw Jaehaerys turn himself into a bloody dread dragon! Can you imagine it?" Rhaegar asked with a chuckle that both Lyanna and Rhaella soon joined in.

"Well My Darling, I think we all just may be as mad as Aerys then." Lyanna said calmly.

It was apparently very difficult to manage to overly surprise a Stark as somehow his mother remained as poised and confident as always despite the fact that her firstborn was standing there as a dragon-made-flesh.

How his mother maintained her stoic expression at that moment, he would never know. He thought it must have been her Northern blood. It took alot to get a Stark too worked up about much of anything.

"Why do you think that, My Love?" Rhaegar asked.

"Oh, I don't know. Perhaps it has something to do with the small fact that our son did indeed turn himself in to a bloody great red dragon! Turn to your right, Rhaegar." Lyanna replied a bit tersely as her icy silver eye's narrowed in an undecipherable emotion.

If her tone was just a touch hysterical by that point; well...who could really blame her?

Slowly, his father's head turned in his direction.

Haery's reptilian eyes eyed his father's now very large violet gaze that bore an emotion he had no name for.

Dumbfounded, stupefied, terrified, thrilled, excited; all those and more could describe his father's shocked appearance.

He decided he'd better change back and attempt to offer up an explanation for this...display of magic? He didn't know how else to describe it to them.

Oh, well. They were bound to find out eventually, and at least he knew his grandmother had nothing against magic. He just hoped his beloved parents had similar views. He did not think he could handle another repeat of the Dursely's; especially not after having actually known what loving parents were really like for the first time ever.

In the blink of an eye, where once had been a relatively young looking red dragon, there now stood their eldest son of six name days; Crown Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen- all human once more.

"Jaehaerys?" Rhaegar all but croaked out; finally comprehending the truth that his own boy really could transform himself into a dragon of all things!

"Hello, Papa!" He chirped happily.

He really was very pleased that he had finally mastered his transformation.

Rhaegar just blinked dazedly for a moment before he finally found words.

"Good evening, Son. I think we need to have a bit of a talk, don't you?" Rhaegar asked his son, all the while not expressing near the amount of awed disbelief that should likely have been present.

At least he too remembered the legends his mother used to tell him of the Dragonborn, so he had at least some idea as to what was occurring with his eldest son. Sorcery was also not exactly new to him, nor was the fact his son was capable of it seeing as he had long held suspicions about certain incidents over the years that frankly had no other explanation than magic. Rhaegar also did not fail to connect the dots as to just what this could mean for the future of their family concerning all he had recently learned about dragon eggs from the ancient Valyrian scrolls. In fact, it was all Rhaegar could do to surpress the massive smile that was threatening to break out on his face as he stared at his son with an expression of almost child-like wonder.

'He really is something special.' He thought fondly.