"Wait. Give me a minute with him?"

Ned dipped his head in a nod and gestured for Harry to step forward, watching as Robb, Jon, Theon, and Bran stared at the deserter of the Night's Watch. Harry took a step forward amongst the Stark guards and knelt before the younger man that had fled from the Night's Watch.

Will continued to shiver, trembling even as the guards of House Stark forced him down to his knees. His heart beat so quickly that he thought it would tear right out of his chest.

"White walkers…" Will whispered under his breath, squinting up into the late sun and the lightly falling snow. "I saw 'em."

There was a man that he didn't recognize with the Starks. He recognized Lord Eddard Stark and realized that the children with the man were his own but the man standing next to Lord Stark… He did not know.

The man took a step forward after speaking with the lord and Will watched as he walked up to kneel in front of him. Green eyes peered at him and almost he thought… through him. The scar on the man's forehead was faint and his heart beat quicker at the realization that this was… Harry Potter, the sorcerer that Lord Stark had let live in Winterfell. He had long hair, from what Will could see, that was tied back behind a shoulder. This was the man with the winged half horse. Will turned to look at the group of horses beyond the men and spotted the weird beast, a dappled grey creature with wings.

"What's your name, lad?"

"Will. Name's Will. I know I deserted. I know that but I saw a white walker! It killed Ser Royce and the others."

"White walkers?"

"Yes! I saw it and it looked right at me! I ran. I know I broke my oath."

Harry Potter stared at him, his green eyes narrowed before he swore under his breath. "Will… Might I look into your memories? I would like to see what you saw."

Will froze, shaking his head at the thought. "No! No, you're one of the shadowbinders of Essos."

Harry shook his head, frowning at Will's words. "No, I'm not and it won't hurt a bit. I would just like to see if you're telling the truth. The prophecy that Prince Rhaegar spoke of…"

Will blinked and looked up at the guards and at Lord Stark, seeing the heir to Winterfell, Robb, speaking quietly with Jon and the Greyjoy lad.

Warm fingers tilted his chin back to Harry, who met his eyes. "Will, don't think about where we are right now. I need to see what you saw."

Will stared at Harry, hearing the steel within the man's voice, and then nodded. Harry withdrew his fingers and continued to assess him."What do I need to do?"

"Nothing. I just need your permission."

"Aye, you have it. Do what you need, mi'lord."

"I'm no lord," Harry muttered, keeping his eyes level with him. "Just stay still and remember what you ran from."

Will nodded, feeling his heart continue to race. Sweat ran down his back at just the thought of it but he tried to do what the man said, thinking of the monster he saw and of the tales of the Long Night. Remembered watching as the Other struck Ser Royce with a sword made of ice, hearing Ser Royce's sword clatter into pieces.

"No. No more!"

"Okay. Alright. You're safe. Will, breathe. Open your eyes."

Will inhaled sharply, tried to catch his breath and met Harry's eyes. Harry's eyes were tight and narrow, all the color drained from his face.

"Well…Fuck."

"I accept-"

"Shush. Let me think," Harry said, meeting his eyes for a moment before turning to look at Lord Stark. "Jorah fled to Essos. Will, do you fight well?"

Will blinked again. "Against white walkers? What does me deserting have to do with Ser Jorah fleeing?"

"Nothing at the moment. No. Just do you fight well? Can you reliably wield a sword?"

"Aye. And a bow. I fought off wildlings easy enough but white walkers? I'm scared."

"Alright. Hold on. This is going to get a little trippy."

"Trippy?"

Harry winked at him and then closed his eyes, tucked his hand into a pocket, and began to murmur words under his breath. The howling of the wind drew to a stop and the trees around them stopped moving instantly. The horses froze where they were and everyone else stopped where they were, frozen to the ground. Something within Harry's pocket was glowing and golden.

"What the fuck?" Will echoed, his eyes widening at the sight. "I don't mean to cause you an inconvenience, mi'lord."

"You're not an inconvenience." Harry slowly stood up, reaching out to Will and pulling him up. Will's legs shuddered beneath him and he was glad for the arms that held him up otherwise he suspected he would meet the ground again. The guards that were behind him didn't react and no one else did. The chains at his wrists jingled and Harry took one look at them before waving his hand over them.

Will's eyes widened even further as they broke apart, falling to the ground. "What… What is this?"

"You… you are going to Essos," Harry started, his eyes narrowing. Will watched him turn to look at Lord Stark's bastard son, his eyes deep in thought. "Things are moving and I do not like this one bit. You are going to Essos and becoming a guard to the two remaining Targaryens. That will take care of my desire to protect them, having you there. Become a sworn shield to the princess perhaps."

"I broke my oath here though. And the Targaryens? Why?"

Harry raised an eyebrow and then glanced down at the two cuffs on the ground and picked them both up. Will stared at the man, continued to stare at Harry even as he spoke two words. Power flowed through the clearing and the chains changed, expanding and growing until…

Will yelped, stumbling backwards as the chains flowed outward, changing until it looked like a body. A body that roughly looked like… himself.

"Lord Stark will execute this one," Harry whispered, taking in a sharp breath. He reached into another pocket and brought out a small bag of coins and handed it to him. Will hesitantly reached out and took it, surprise jolting through him at the lightness of it. "You will be on a ship to Essos. Here, this will cover a ship's passage and will be enough to garner you armor and a sword. Whatever you like, buy. And perhaps… A disguise."

Harry reached out to touch his forehead and Will froze, feeling as if an egg had been cracked on his head. Harry grinned a little and withdrew a mirror from a pocket, making Will wonder how big his pockets were, before he let Will look. His eyes widened at the sight of himself with light brown hair instead of blond.

"Do not speak of the white walker to anyone. Nor should you tell anyone that you were a ranger of the Night's Watch. If Princess Daenerys or Prince Viserys ask, say that you are a sell sword. And say… that you are from Westeros but you do not like to talk about your past."

"But… I am supposed be executed. I broke my oath."

"Will, do you really want to die? You're young and a capable fighter. You're not a coward."

Will shuddered. "I was."

"Surviving to tell the tale is not cowardness," Harry retorted, wrinkling his nose. "I survived my own ordeal when I was ten and four. You might very well have saved the north now."

Will stared at the man before hesitantly nodding. He swallowed at the thought of the white walker and then shook his head. "Alright. I'll do it."

"Good man. It will be hard but it'll be saving your life," Harry whispered, handing the mirror to him. "Keep this with you so we can talk."

"Talk?"

"Consider it my equivalent of a raven."

Will stared down at the mirror then tucked it into a pocket.

"Don't steal a horse. Buy one," Harry said, crossing his arms. "I'll hold time here for an hour to let you escape. Exchange your clothes too. You look like a ranger of the Night's Watch right now. Change."

Will nodded and took a step away from the man, turning east.

"Oh, and Will?"

"Aye, mi'lord?"

"Protect them to the best of your ability," Harry said, lifting his shoulders in a small shrug. "Winter is coming. I think we'll need all the help we can get in the coming years."

Ned swung Ice cleanly and laid the tip in the ground, watched as the deserter's head rolled off his shoulders. He peered over to Harry and blinked, seeing the man looking north and not to the body of the deserter. Harry had gone pale definitely but… Ned knew him well enough by now. There was something on his mind, something that took a greater precedence than someone deserting the Night's Watch.

Robb, Jon, Theon and Bran had not looked away and Ned sighed, seeing something in Bran's eyes that had not been there before. His second youngest son was growing up.

He spoke to Rodrik and then mounted his horse, watching as Harry jumped up onto Buckbeak's back. The hippogriff let out a low groan before loping away and jumping into the air, his wings beating soundly.

"Harry?"

The other man peered down at Ned before shaking his head. "Let me think, Ned. I'll talk to you later."

Jon's eyes narrowed as he watched Harry fly up into the air. "It felt… slow."

"Jon?" Robb turned to look at Jon, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder.

"I felt something in the clearing," Jon muttered, shaking his head. "Must have been nothing."

"What did you mean it felt slow?" Ned questioned, raising an eyebrow at his nephew.

"It almost… felt like Harry was using magic but I usually know when he does."

Ned blinked and watched as Harry flew off back towards Winterfell. What had he seen or talked to the deserter about? Whatever it had been had caused Harry to go quiet and pale. Harry had told him of his fears and thoughts on whatever the prophecy was that Rhaegar had told Lyanna of but… Ned had dismissed most of them usually. Perhaps… his heart stopped for a moment and he urged his horse onwards, hearing all of the guards follow.

Robb fell into line beside Jon, quietly talking with his cousin, and Theon rode on Robb's other side, talking of what he was going to do when they arrived back into town.

"Buckbeak, no. Down!"

Ned paled at the sound of Harry's voice and he hastened down the slight hill in front of him, drawing his sword. The sound of Buckbeak hissing echoed up from the creek down below and he could see the hippogriff rearing, reacting to something.

The stag that they had found on the road had unnerved him more than finding dead animals did, its guts spilling out from the animal. Theon had suggested a mountain lion but Ned knew differently. There were no mountain lions in the north aside from shadowcats beyond the Wall. There were shadowcats in the Vale but that was hundreds of miles away.

"Harry!"

"I'm alright! It's… Well, you should really see for yourselves."

Ned blinked and hurried, his fingers tightening on the hilt of his sword only to stop and stare at the sight in front of him.

Buckbeak had his wings out all the way, extended to great size. Harry was kneeling between the hippogriff and… another body, a monstrously huge dead wolf and pups. Ned sucked in a tight breath as he watched Harry put his palm on the dead wolf only for Harry to start whispering spells.

"Harry?"

"She's alive but just barely."

"She?"

"It's a direwolf," Theon whispered.

"Theon… is correct," Harry remarked quietly, running his fingers through the direwolf's fur and coming away bloody. "Ned, look at her throat."

"There are no direwolves south of the Wall," Robb murmured, his eyes wide as he looked at the pups. Jon walked over to stroke Buckbeak's neck, guiding the creature away from the pups and the huge wolf.

Ned met Harry's eyes, seeing the other man glow for a second, before peering down at the animal that he had thought was dead. There was a whole set of antlers torn into the beast's throat, probably the wound that brought her this close to death. He could just faintly hear the animal breathing, slow and shallow and pained.

The pups were crawling around her belly, trying to get at her to drink. Bran ventured closer and reached out a hand towards one of them, letting it sniff his fingers.

"Harry…" Ned trailed off, sighing. "It's best to let me put the poor beast out of her misery."

"She's tough," Harry argued, breathing in and then out before stroking the direwolf's neck, muttering words under his breath. Power filled the clearing and the water in the creek raced ahead, speeding towards its destination faster than before. "Like the North will have to be in the next few years."

"Harry…"

"Just let me do this, Ned. Take my mind off of what happened."

Ned sighed and nodded. Harry's lips twitched up into a tight grin before closing his eyes.

"Does this mean… What do we do with the pups?" Theon questioned, drawing Ned's attention away.

"She has no milk," Harry spoke, his attention still fully on the female direwolf. "Ned, you lot are of House Stark. I think their coming was not a coincidence."
Ned closed his eyes briefly before reopening them, hoping that Cat wouldn't argue with him on this. "You will train them yourselves. You will feed them yourselves and if they die, you will bury them yourselves."

Bran grinned and scooped one of them up while Robb gathered up two of them and Theon gathered up the other two, for Arya and Sansa. The pups whined and whimpered but didn't seem to want to claw or bite their rescuers. Ned turned to look at Harry and then sheathed his sword, pondering Harry's words.

"Jon, bring Buckbeak over here," Harry murmured, whispering another few words. Ned watched as the blood coating the she-wolf's fur vanished and realized that the wound in the animal's neck had vanished. The direwolf was still breathing shallowly though, still mostly unconscious. "She's exhausted and needs to sleep. And she's too heavy for me to carry."

Jon hesitated only briefly before guiding Buckbeak over to Harry's side. Buckbeak trembled visibly, shaking his wings out, and Jon muttered to the hippogriff, stroking his neck. "Easy, boy."

"What about you?" Bran asked, looking up at Jon.

"I'm not a Stark," Jon remarked solemnly and Ned sighed deeply, turning to go back up to their horses.

Harry met Ned's eyes before slowly waving his wand over the female direwolf, levitating her up onto Buckbeak's back. The wolf had lost a lot of blood and Harry had just barely managed to mend her injuries.

"Another stray," Jon said, sighing as he watched Robb and Theon walk up the hill with their pups.

Harry sighed as he peered into Jon's eyes, remembering Lyanna's body and his first meeting with Ned. "You are a Stark, Jon. Besides, if you look behind that rock, there will be a pup for you too."

Jon blinked.

"I consider you a stray too," Harry remarked, shrugging as Jon turned around and peered behind the rock. Even if you have Ned, Cat, Robb, Theon and Arya."

Jon came back bearing a completely white pup with red eyes and Harry grinned.

Harry sat back against the wall of the stall, hearing Buckbeak and Epona in the stall next to him shuffle around. Epona was now ten years old and had been ridden by Arya last month, though Harry had talked the girl out of flying. Catelyn had also forbidden flying at least for the first time. Arya had pouted about it and then had gone to Harry to ask.

He snorted at the memory and heard a snuffling from the female direwolf in front of him. It had been a few days since he had helped Will escape, since they had found the direwolf and her pups. And a few days since they had received word that the king would be coming to Winterfell.

The King and his court. Robert Baratheon, Cersei Lannister and nearly half the court would be arriving to the castle within a month. And with that, the news had come that Jon Arryn was dead.

The direwolf in front of him took a deeper snuffling breath again, opening her green eyes. She was a light brown, tinged with black, without the blood and dirt from her injuries and she was beautiful. About the size of a small pony and perhaps slightly bigger.

Robb had already named his wolf Grey Wind while Arya had named her pup Nymeria. Rickon had named his Shaggydog and Sansa had named hers Lady. Bran had yet to name his wolf and Jon had named his Ghost, for both his color and the fact that the pup made no sound. The pups had not come back to their mother yet but she had been asleep all this time, recovering from being mauled by a stag.

The wolf raised her head and yipped quietly, questioning, her voice deep.

Harry reached out to let her sniff his hand, cautious of her long, sharp teeth. Her eyes flashed brightly and delicately sniffed his fingers, giving them a lick, before withdrawing.

"I can take you back to the Wall," Harry offered, unsure if the direwolf would understand him but willing enough to try. "Or perhaps we can be a team."

The she-wolf stared up at him and then stretched, standing up to her full height. She could easily see over the walls of the stall and the horses all around them whinnied in fright at the smell of predator.

She growled low in her throat before taking a step towards him. Harry stayed right where he was, breathing steadily, as he watched her slowly pad over to him and stop, leaving no space between them. She looked at him and then pressed her nose to his stomach and he reached out to stroke her fur, not having to lean down at all.

"Rowena. I'll call you Rowena," Harry whispered, his heart beating so fast.

Jaime Lannister stood next to his king and stared out at the line of Starks in front of them, from Lord Eddard Stark to the youngest, and all their retainers. The man he had seen across the battlefield at Pyke was there too, a huge direwolf at his side. The Stark children all had pups at their side too, though much smaller.

Potter stared at him with narrowed eyes, idly looking him over before turning to watch the king. Jaime raised an eyebrow and shrugged it off.

"What did the letter say?" Harry asked, leaning against the wall by the corner table in Ned's room. His direwolf was curled up in the corner of the room, asleep on a nest of blankets.

Cat hesitated before replying, speaking of Lysa's words. Ned met her eyes too, his bare chest only a little distracting. Maester Luwin stood in the room too, looking between the three of them curiously. He stayed well away from the direwolf in the room, occasionally straying to watch it.

"Is Lysa accusing the Lannisters of killing Lord Arryn?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Did she say that outright?"

"No. I think… I have not spoken or seen her in many years," Catelyn answered, pondering her sister's words. "She implied they did."

"You might be the king's only friend in the capital," Luwin offered, wrinkling his nose. "If you were to accept his offer."

"Be Hand?"

"You know your friend the most."

Ned sighed and sat down on the bed again.

"Ned, I don't think this is a good idea," Harry finally remarked, meeting his eyes. "You saw Rowena's injuries. The stag almost killed her."

"What does a direwolf and a stag have to do with this?" Catelyn asked, looking between them.

"Well… as I said at the time… things are progressing towards something. Magic is coming back. Direwolves are south of the wall again. The stag is the sigil of House Baratheon and the direwolf is the sigil of House Stark. Jon Arryn is dead. A deserter from the Night's Watch spoke of White Walkers."

"And Winter is Coming," Harry added. "The north will need to prepare and ready its harvests."

Ned dipped his head in a nod, thinking about Harry's words. "Robert is a good friend. He needs help. I would be his only friend in court."

"If you feel this strongly about the man then I will go," Harry urged, sighing and then looking over to Rowena. "Though I would need to leave her here."

"You do not care for Robert."

Harry shrugged. "His death would mean Joffrey ascends to the throne and no. Just no."

"I already agreed to a betrothal between Sansa and Joffrey."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "At least Sansa is too young. She can't wed the boy. Joffrey reminds me too much of Dudley before the war and that is not a good comparison to make."

"Sansa would be queen," Catelyn said, looking to Harry.

"Sansa would become like Queen Rhaella in time, I believe," Harry retorted. "Again, not a good comparison to make."

Catelyn shivered at his words, her face losing color at the implication.

Ned closed his eyes and then looked at Harry before turning to look at Harry's direwolf. Rowena looked much better than she had when they had found her, cleaner, healthier and slightly bigger too. He remembered pulling out the antlers from her body and then sighed.

"If not me then who would become Robert's Hand?"

"I wouldn't. Perhaps he can choose his actual brother," Harry offered, shaking his head. "At this point, I don't really care."

"Robert… no. I cannot be your Hand."

Robert stared at him in bewilderment, his eyes narrowing. "You are refusing your king?"

"Aye. The north needs to prepare for winter and will need me."

"Ned! I need you!"

"The north will need me, your Grace. Let me be your Warden of the North."

Robert continued to stare at him.

"I would suggest Stannis," Harry commented, from where he was beside Ned. Rowena growled low in her throat as the king took a step towards Harry, the direwolf stepping between the king and her person.

"You!"

"What."

Robert spluttered and then turned around, shouting for his court to pack up.

Six months later proved true to Harry and Ned's thoughts. Robert Baratheon died. Stannis Baratheon fled the capital after having publicly accused the Queen of incest, of Robert's children not being trueborn sons.

Joffrey ascended to the throne as King Joffrey Baratheon, the First of His Name, and immediately sent word to Winterfell to request Sansa's presence.

Stannis Baratheon was crowned King Stannis Baratheon, the King of Dragonstone. Renly Baratheon crowned himself and wed Margaery Tyrell, gaining the whole of the Reach behind him. And the North, the riverlands, Dorne and the Vale stayed quiet.

Harry woke up, jolted straight up in bed and panted through the remnants of his dream, waking up the other two occupants. Ned blinked awake next to him and Catelyn sleepily opened her eyes, peering blearily up at her men. Harry had stayed up a long time but Ned had finally managed to coax him to bed. Bran was now healthy after his fall several months ago, running about joyfully on his uninjured legs.

The assassin that had been sent a few months ago had been surprised, that much Catelyn had been able to see. Ever since Robert had died, Ned had thought about fighting for Stannis and had summoned most of the northern lords to Winterfell. A council would take place within a week to decide who they would support.

"Harry?"

He sucked in a tight breath and Ned reached out to place his hand on his shoulder, squeezing in reassurance.

"The war?"

"No. Not quite. Just a moment. Let me…" Harry trailed off, getting up off the bed and picking up the mirror that Ned had seen him using within the last few months. "Will?"

A man's voice echoed from the mirror and Ned blinked. Ned couldn't quite hear most of the conversation but after a few minutes Harry flipped the mirror upside down again and turned to look at him and Cat.

His eyes were wide and… excited. Rowena was now fully awake, her ears perked, and staring up at Harry.

"Harry?"

"Ned, Cat… how do you feel about dragons?"

AN: Alright, that's the end of this story! I hope you guys enjoyed this!