Roots(Flashback)
AN: I forgot to mention Hogwarts starts at 12 in this world.
Flashback
Harry sat in a meditative pose, Levitating in the air, it had been around a year, a year since he came to Elthuria.
Elthuria was an intriguing place, characterized by its persistent cold, with snow being a common occurrence throughout most of the year. Remarkably vast, it constituted its own sizable country, spanning approximately 62,000 square miles—larger than countries like Korea. However, its population was relatively modest, hovering around twenty-five million.
The majority of Elthurians were civilians, but what set this land apart was its exceptional ratio of magical to non-magical individuals. For every 150 non-magical residents, there would be one with magical abilities. Consequently, Elthuria boasted the highest number of magical individuals globally, accompanied by the most favorable magic-to-non-magic ratio.
They surpassed second-place Britain, which had a ratio of 1000:1, by a considerable margin. Furthermore, Elthuria boasted more magical individuals than countries like China and India, despite having a significantly smaller population.
Harry speculated that this might be attributed to the Elvish heritage ingrained in Elthurians. Each Elthurian, akin to a Squib, possessed the ability to produce potions. Additionally, muggle-repelling wards proved ineffective against them.
Consequently, rather than magic being concealed in Elthuria, it was celebrated. Every child testing positive for magical ability became a source of pride for the family. This reverence for magic led to significant advancements, with virtually every business incorporating magic in some capacity.
The social hierarchy in Elthuria was delineated by magic itself. Families with magically gifted children experienced an instantaneous rise on the social ladder. Outsiders played a varied role, with certain families exhibiting outright hostility, while others deemed Elvish blood inconsequential, considering they were also of half-human descent.
The reigning Emperor and Empress embraced a pro-human stance, adapting to the changing world by incorporating technologies and the latest medicines, synergizing them with magic. This amalgamation positioned them as one of the most advanced civilizations globally.
As Harry delved into his thoughts, his body and magic were in synchronous motion. Floating in mid-air, fire manifested in front of him, undulating in smooth waves akin to a serpent. The flames burned intensely, surpassing magical possibilities for others. Although Harry exhibited high resistance to the fire, even he wasn't impervious to exceptionally high temperatures. When assessing his limits, he discovered they weren't quantifiable in the traditional sense; instead, they manifested in the form of the pain threshold he could endure before discontinuing the use of fire.
Tanya observed with displeasure, recalling the fit she threw upon learning that Harry's flames caused him pain. She resorted to days of silent treatment when he remained adamant about continuing their training. However, realizing Harry wouldn't change his mind, she eventually relented.
But Tanya wasn't without conditions. She imposed a strict time restriction, adamant about her stance. Threatening to stay so close during training that Harry wouldn't be able to proceed without causing her harm, he ultimately acquiesced.
Aware that Harry was approaching his time limit, Tanya pressed a button, her voice resounding through the specially designed training chamber. "Time's up, Harry. Out now before I come and get you," she sternly reiterated.
Harry powered down with a grin, heading toward the cryo-chamber. He allowed the cold to wash over him, bringing his body temperature down to his customary 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius).
Tanya harumphed, still annoyed at Harry. He wrapped his arms around her, eventually breaking her resolve. She wrapped her hands around him, letting out a sigh of contentment. "I still don't like it, Harry. I don't like you pushing yourself this hard."
Harry grinned, his eyes locking onto hers, causing a slight flush to envelop her. She always played it off as an effect of his higher body temperature interacting with her Elthurian physiology, but in truth, it was because Harry was the one embracing her.
She sighed in content, relishing the moment. However, their peace was, in her opinion, quite rudely interrupted by a knock on the door. With a sullen expression, she extricated herself from Harry's embrace to open the door. "What?!" she demanded of a now meek Luthor, who seemed startled at her snapping. He paled even more as Harry piped up from behind her.
"Ah, Luthor, here for another ass-whoop—I mean, spar?" Harry grinned, baring his teeth to the much older and taller man, who seemed to shrink in on himself at Harry's words.
Harry had decided Luthor's punishment was to spar with him a couple of times, no holds barred. Luthor was initially elated, not daring to harm Harry, but even with the scare he had been given last time, he believed that a stable Harry posed little threat, but he soon realized he had gotten off lightly. Oh, how wrong he was as he was stretchered off to the hospital with burns lining his body. He hadn't been able to sit down for more than a week.
"No, my lord." Luthor was respectful, a far cry from his initial behavior, seeing Harry's abilities had left him with more than a healthy dose of respect, never fear though, Luthor lived for the royal family, he now knew that meant he also lived for Harry, now only admiration remained for the young lord in his eyes.
"The Lord requires both of you to be present in the main chamber. Be warned, the guests are more akin to pests than anyone worthy of respect."
There was a tradition in Elthuria to wear clean robes when meeting someone as a sign of respect. Showing up in his banged-up training gear was a deliberate move by Harry and Tanya to provoke a reaction. They followed the man up to the visitor's hall, a grand space with a high ceiling and chandeliers made of precious gems. The walls were adorned with white marble, creating a pure and calming atmosphere. At the center was a grand dining table exclusively for guests, a clear indication, according to Harry's theory, that they weren't regarded as friends of the Family, but acquaintances at best.
With Luthor leading, they walked up to the head of the table where the King was, "My Lord, I have brought the lady and the lord," bowed Luthor.
An almost imperceptible scoff went up in the air. Harry noticed it; it was made by the Elder's grandson, a wizard aged fourteen. Harry had seen him often on billboards, handsome with blonde hair and blue eyes—the poster boy for many products, he had heard the rumors, the boy had assaulted sexually assaulted several women, but when you're the son of an Elder, you can get away with a lot.
No one else seemed to pick up on the scoff, so Harry let it go, for now.
Dimitrious waved away a bowing Luthor and gestured for them to sit to his left, "Harry, Tanya, I'm pleased you have made it. Come, sit. I apologize for interrupting your training."
"It's quite alright, Father. Harry was just about done anyways," ignoring his indignant rebuttal that he still had some physical exercise left, "What did you want to discuss?"
"Well, normally, I would have dealt with this myself, but the Elders have come together with a consensus. They are displeased with your interaction with Harry. They feel that you... spend too much time with someone beneath your station."
The air around Tanya seemed to turn visibly colder as she levelled a glare at the emissaries. The elder maintained his cool, even as sweat gathered around his forehead, whereas his grandson flinched before composing himself.
"Princess, we don't believe it's appropriate for you to spend time with someone so below your station. It is one thing to reject spending time with anyone your age, but to be seen exclusively in the company of this young man has led to," paused the Elder, clearly picking his words, "some unsavory rumors."
"Especially with him dressed like that when he comes to meet his betters. Oh, did I say betters? I mean when he comes to meet important guests," spoke the Elder's grandson.
Tanya's eyes grew colder still, but Harry grabbed her hand, giving her a small smile. Much to the displeasure of the opposing party, she chose to let him talk, all the while staring coldly at the two people in front of him.
Harry turned to the younger man, keeping his tone polite, he asked, "Right, what's your name?"
"Arnold" was the answer he got, somehow, he had made his name sound pompous.
Harry maintained his polite tone, "Right Armold, why is there a stick so far up your ass that crap comes spilling out of your mouth?"
Tanya choked on her spit to his left, incidentally the king had been having a sip of water when Harry had been speaking which was all over the face of an aghast Elder, both at the statement and the water that had ended up in his face, finally, there was Armold, he was shell-shocked, having been born into life with a golden spoon in his mouth, he wasn't prepared for the words of a Harry, who had grown on the streets his entire life."
You could hear a pin drop as no one was prepared for the vulgarity coming out of Harry's mouth much to his amusement as he offered a napkin to a shell-shocked elder, who took it almost on autopilot.
You could hear a pin drop as no one was prepared for the vulgarity coming out of Harry's mouth, much to his amusement as he offered a napkin to a shell-shocked elder, who took it almost on autopilot.
The first to react was Tanya, as she burst into laughter, the first time the Elder and Arnold had seen her do so, something only compounded Arnold's shame as his face turned red. He grabbed his wand and challenged Harry.
"Aydalon ialos'dinor, vantar'los, soranor Elthuria'din (I challenge you to a duel, for if you lose, you will be banished from Elthuria.)"
Harry snorted at how fragile the blonde's ego was. "Nv't (no)."
The Elder sensed an opportunity and pounced, "You dishonour the Lord and the lady with your cowardice!"
Tanya broke in coolly, "There is no benefit for him, why should he accept?"
Arnold switched back to English as he snarled, "Name your terms, human."
Harry smirked, "Submit to a truth potion and let me ask you anything."
The Elder looked alarmed, but before he could stop his grandson, he uttered his acceptance confidently, "Aydalos (I accept)."
"Then it is sealed," spoke the King, preventing the Elder from stopping the duel.
Harry looked at Arnold, all traces of joviality leaving his face, his eyes flashing with killing intent, causing Arnold to gulp before he shook it off, his arrogance resurfacing, "Why waste time, let's duel now."
"No, Harry, you just trained, you're exhausted!" exclaimed Tanya, clearly angry at his disregard and worried at the disadvantage, he was imposing on himself, or was she?
Seeing an opening, the Elder took it, "He agrees, let the duel commence in ten minutes," unknowingly playing right into Harry and Tanya's hands.
Harry smirked inwardly, sharing a look with Tanya behind the pair's back at the idiocy displayed by the two nobles, playing into Harry and Tanya's hands because they underestimated a human.
"Then we will have this Duel commence at training hall 3, both of you must make your way there now," decreed a stoic Dimitrious.
Arnold was already gloating, "I'll let you say your goodbyes, human."
He was ignored to his frustration as Harry and Tanya made their way to training hall 3, picking out a suitable piece of armour for the occasion.
Tanya was fussing over Harry, making sure his armour was perfect and secure as he looked on amused, "You do know I'm not going to lose to him no matter what, right?"
Tanya knew that, but she couldn't help but worry, "I know, but you can't use your fire; you might make a mistake because of your handicap!"
"Maybe you should motivate me then, my Lady," Harry grinned at her. He was still astounded at times at how beautiful she was, her eyes, lightning blue, locked on to his even as she seemed to struggle with indecision. Before leaving, she kissed him on the cheek. It was but an instant, but Harry froze, his mouth open with surprise as Tanya exited the room as quickly as she could, not before throwing out some last words of encouragement, trying her best to keep her tone even, but failing as her words came out slightly shaky.
"I'll be expecting one back after you win. Good luck.
Leaving a baffled Harry behind, who was too busy with the act itself to comprehend anything else as he dazedly turned to face his opponent.
Hours later, a figure could be seen entering his mansion. Frightened servants moved out as a scowling Elder Merigold stormed into his study, his son entering moments later, "Father, what happened? Where's Arnold?"
Elder Merigold roared with rage at the reminder of what happened, banging his fists onto the table. He glowered before finally decreeing, "Tell the Einzbern's they have a deal. The royal family will burn."
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