Inheriting a Draconian Mantle – Book 4

By Stargatesg1fan1

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognized characters or universes within. If I did…I would have ended the Inheritance Cycle with Arya and Eragon in love and entangled in a heated, naked, and sweaty mess in their bed. Harry Potter would have been smarter and taken every opportunity he had to make love to the gorgeous Miss Granger and when they were old enough he would have made her the next Mrs. Potter.

Females Bonded by Harry Potter So Far (In Books One through Three):

Nymphadora 'Nym' Tonks is played by Sarah Chalke

Hermione Granger is played by Emma Watson

Susan Bones is played by Karen Gillian

Cho Chang is played by Katie Leung

Ginny Weasley is played by Julie McNiven

Luna Lovegood is played by Evanna Lynch

Queen Dianna of the Fairies is played by Dianna Agron

Females Bonded by Harry Potter in Book 4:

Jaimie (Merlin's mother) is played by Jaimie Alexander

Arya is played by Sienna Guillory

Professor Bridget Regan is played by Bridget Regan

Fleur Delacour is played by Clemence Poesy

IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM - IaDM

Chapter 1

Frank Bryce puttered about his garden whistling a jaunty tune. The seventy-eight year old man didn't look a day over thirty. As he worked in his garden cross-breeding new types of flowers and other plants he thought back on how much his life had changed in the past year. He had tended the grounds at the Riddle House in Little Hangleton for many decades until one day a blonde man had appeared in his living room as if materializing out of thin air and raised a stick to Frank. The stick which Frank now knew was a wand glowed red for a moment and a burst of red light sped towards the old man. Then Frank knew no more until he woke up in a strange land filled with fairies and hundreds of other types of magical creatures. Frank had thought he had suffered a heart attack and died until a green eyed teen had visited him and explained that magic was real and that Frank had been relocated to the realm of the fairies so that Tom Riddle, the bastard son of Frank's former employers, wouldn't kill Frank.

Mr. Potter as Frank called the teen despite Harry's attempts at being called by his first name then revealed that Tom Riddle was the real murderer of the three Riddles whom Frank had been accused of murdering all those years ago. Riddle had come back from a bodiless existence and was taking up residence in the Riddle House. Harry had used Lucius Malfoy to relocate Frank before Riddle could murder the groundskeeper. Frank had been grateful. Mr. Potter had told Frank that he thought the old man had gotten a bum deal in life. Frank didn't disagree. The villagers had suspected Frank even though there was no proof he had murdered the Riddles. He had been shunned. Frank had lived among the fairies for a time in their realm and had felt more alive with each passing day. Then Mr. Potter had returned and relocated Frank to the floating island of Albion where Frank underwent a process to transfer his essence, his mind and soul, into a magically cloned body. Now Frank was dating a pretty young lady from the local village and living out his dream to cross-breed plants. Life was good for the former soldier and he owed it all to Harry Potter.

IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM

"I still think it's too risky," Hermione voiced her objection one last time.

"How else do you propose I do this Hermione?" Harry asked with mild exasperation.

"You can remotely teleport objects and even living beings between two points in spacetime. Given enough time I'm sure you can learn to do the same through Between and eventually Between universes," Hermione suggested. "I've been designing a probe we could send through and several animals can be stored in an expanded inner space as test subjects."

"The keyword in this situation is time Hermione," Nym pointed out.

"Harry isn't willing to wait that long," Luna pointed out. "He'll make it," the blonde said confidently. "Saphira wouldn't take the risk if she wasn't confident she wouldn't hurt Harry."

"Too right," Saphira agreed.

"At least take someone else with you," Hermione urged. "Dianna maybe," the witch suggested.

"No, only Saphira and I are going to be risking this jump," Harry asserted.

"Give it up Hermione…he's a Potter male and I know from experience they can be quite stubborn," Lily said while eying James.

"He'll be fine Hermione," Merlin assured. "I'm fairly confident the sensor spells laid upon Harry's armored suit will transmit even between universes."

"Fairly confident," Hermione muttered with a dark look at Merlin before sighing in resignation.

"Wish me luck," Harry suggested with a cheeky grin before sending a pulse of magic into his armored suit.

The armor looked like a futuristic spacesuit complete with a shimmering multicolored effect when its wearer moved. It was designed with input from Merlin, Harry, and Dianna. It was layered with so many enchantments, rare super-materials, and defenses its creators had calculated it could take a point blank blast from a large non-magical nuclear weapon and still allow the wearer to walk away. The super-materials were materials aligned perfectly on an atomic scale. There were no imperfections conventionally crafted materials contained. They were incredibly strong because of the construction process. Part of the suit's shimmering appearance came from the super-material's light exposure properties and part came from the visible energy shields conforming to the contours of the suit's shape. When Harry sent the pulse of magic into the suit a helmet flowed into place, just as strong as the rest of the suit, before becoming invisible. The mobile-wards sealed off the person inside the suit from the surrounding spacetime. The suit contained a sensor package which scanned the surrounding spacetime and fed the data directly into the wearer's mind. To the suit's wearer it would appear as if readouts from the sensors floated holographically wherever they desired. In reality this display was the suit interfacing with its wearer's mind. The Exploration Suit might soon be sold by Potter Enterprises and was ideally designed for the harshness of space and Between.

"You don't need luck," Saphira sent out. "You have me."

With that the dragon jumped Between heading for Pern.

IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM

Pern, Landing…

It was early morning and many dragons dotted the grounds around the base of the dormant volcano which marked Landing. Landing was named thus because it was the site of the first touchdown of the colonists from Earth when they settled Pern thousands of years ago. The humans congregated around the opening to the AIVAS chamber had just listened to a recounting of the expedition's history over the past nine hours. The crowds began to disperse because AIVAS had lowered his volume now that the tale had been told. Only those inside the chamber which housed the AI could hear what was being discussed. Those dispersing noticed the dragons suddenly look towards the sky as if in anticipation.

Suddenly there was a brilliant burst of light and the cold of between washed over the area colder than ever before. A brilliant sapphire colored dragon materialized larger than even the mighty Ramoth. The dragons on the plateau began to bugle. Nobody was sure if they were bugling in alarm or welcome for this strange looking dragon. The dragon spiraled towards where Mnementh and Ramoth sat near the AIVAS chamber. A humanoid figure in a shimmering suit detached from the dragon and plummeted towards the AIVAS building. But instead of impacting and dying the figure seemed to pass right through the chamber's roof.

Harry touched down on the floor in front of AIVAS in a spot that wasn't present a moment before. The mage had expanded the insides of the room with magic as he flew down to the ground. The impressive clank of his suit as he landed only added to the effect his shimmering and steaming form had on the amazed onlookers. Harry retracted his helmet and gazed about the chamber.

"Identify yourself or face AIVAS defenses," AIVAS commanded sensing technology on the new arrival that none of the other modern Pern inhabitants possessed.

"Peace AIVAS…I am Rider Harry Potter from Earth," Harry replied while retracting his suit helmet fully into the pocket it was stored in. There was a shocked gasp from those present. The mage turned and examined those present to see if he could identify them from the images Mnementh had shared with Saphira mind to mind centuries ago. "Lessa, F'lar, Jaxom, Piemur, Jancis, Fandarel, Master Robinton," the sorcerer greeted.

There were others Harry recognized but the ones he had named were the most important.

"How do you know our names, if you are from Earth, Harry Potter?" F'lar challenged.

"I didn't say I was from the Earth of this universe," Harry said, causing all but AIVAS to become confused.

"You are from an alternate universe," AIVAS clarified.

"Yes," Harry confirmed. "My knowledge of Pern is solely from the dragon Mnementh." Those present turned to F'lar who began conversing with his dragon. "The Mnementh of this time won't know me or my dragon Saphira. That Mnementh is from several decades beyond this point in your timeline."

"You possess the ability to time travel?" AIVAS queried.

"I take it you hadn't gotten to telling him about that yet?" Harry asked the Dragonriders present with a raised eyebrow.

"It hasn't come up yet," Jaxom, Lord of Ruatha hold and rider of the white dragon Ruth, answered. "All dragons can jump between times AIVAS," Jaxom added to the AI.

"Fascinating," AIVAS commented. "This ability was not among those foreseen when the dragons were bio-engineered."

"Why have you come?" Lessa asked the handsome new arrival. "And what is an alternate universe?"

"Well first, I wanted to meet the amazing people Mnementh used to tell Saphira and I about. Secondly, you are about to undertake a massive task as a civilization and I might be able to be of considerable help. I have the education to understand what AIVAS is going to need done. Plus I've got a few tricks of my own," Harry explained.

"Like phasing through solid matter perhaps," AIVAS suggested.

"Indeed," Harry agreed. "As for what an alternate universe is…well let me show you," the sorcerer suggested as he summoned a small silver disc into his palm and caused the pensieve disc to begin projecting what he desired. This is the star system Pern orbits through. Here is your central star and all the planets in the system." The image expanded to encompass billions of star systems. "This is your galaxy. Over here is Earth. It's a little over 130 light-years from Pern. A light-year is the distance light can travel in one year and is how such great distances are measured when talking about astronomy or the study of stars. There are billions of stars in a galaxy most with their own sets of planets. Are you following me?"

"Barely," Robinton muttered but paying attention to the detailed displays none-the-less.

When the others had nodded their agreement Harry continued, "Galaxies come in groups ranging a few dozen in number to over a hundred. The space between the galaxies in a group or cluster as they are called is millions of light years. This model I'm showing you is to scale by the way. There is open space between the clusters over fifty million light-years or more. There are millions of galactic clusters. A universe contains every star, planet, galaxy, or galactic cluster it is possible to reach without extraordinary measures. There are an infinite number of alternate universes as far as I can tell. Think of a decision in your past that you could have decided a different choice. There is a universe for every possible outcome where that eventuality did occur."

"This has been theorized on Earth but until now it has never been proven," AIVAS interjected.

"Is going Between then transiting out of our universe and then back in at a different point?" Jaxom inquired.

Harry smiled at Jaxom and replied, "You're sharp Jaxom. But then again I knew you'd be. There are layers to a universe. Think of it as layers to an onion where the onion represents a universe." An onion was holographically projected pealing the layers back. "Between is one layer. There are layers which are unique to a universe and then there are layers that pass between multiple neighboring universes or I think even a layer connecting all universes. This universe is close to my home universe. There is a layer accessible by the Between I used to transit to this universe."

"Is that how Mnementh ended up in your universe?" F'lar asked.

"Yes, but he was very sick traveling through this layer. Saphira and I had to nurse him back to health," Harry replied.

"Where was I?" F'lar questioned.

"This was many decades past this point F'lar," Harry replied somberly, the implication suddenly clear if the widening of F'lar's eyes was any indication. Deciding to change the subject the mage inquired, "Now I'm interrupting important events. What were you talking about before my arrival?"

"AIVAS was just explaining what an Oort cloud was," Fandarel replied.

"Please proceed AIVAS," Harry requested.

"According to the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, the eponymous cloud is composed of material orbiting a sun far beyond the orbit of its outermost planet. Cometary material leaks from the cloud into the inner part of the system. In the particular case of Rukbat, some of the material is hard-shelled ovoids that change in a peculiar manner, losing their outer layers and attenuating on contact with the upper atmosphere, falling to the surface as what has been termed 'Thread'; this resembles a voracious organism that devours carbon-based organic material," AIVAS explained.

"I'm afraid we don't have the background education to understand much of what you are talking about. If our ancestors knew what thread was then why didn't they destroy it?" Fandarel questioned.

AIVAS sensors told him Rider Potter wanted to speak and he said, "I believe Rider Potter can help explain my previous explanation in better detail if you ask him later. As to why your ancestors did not deal with thread, by the point this facility came to these conclusions your ancestors had removed their holdings to the northern continent and didn't return."

Harry nodded his agreement with that statement. AIVAS used terms the people of Pern had never heard such as organism. Even that simple term was beyond them at this point.

"We are here now and we can receive your report," Robinton pointed out.

"The prime directive laid out for this facility by Captains Keroon and Tillek along with Admiral Benden and Governor Boll was to gather information and formulate a course of action that would end the threat posed by these incursions," AIVAS explained.

"Then it is possible to eliminate the threat of Thread from the skies of Pern forever?" F'lar clarified, hoping to keep the hope free from his expression.

"Yes the possibility does exist, Weyrleader," AIVAS confirmed.

Harry watched the expressions of disbelief and amazement that played across the features of those present in the room as well as listened to their exclamations.

"The possibility exists but will require tremendous effort from you and all of your people. The arrival of Rider Potter presents an unforeseen opportunity provided his knowledge of science and technology is as high as his suit of armor would suggest," AIVAS explained. "Perhaps a test would be a good measure of your skill."

"You can quiz me all you like AIVAS but the easiest way for you to determine my scientific knowledge would be to let you have access to my data stores. My personal research project archives are off limits until I have analyzed your code first but I would be willing to let you have access to the general knowledge of my people," Harry proposed.

"Code?" Piemur said in confusion.

"The humans who created AIVAS literally built his consciousness, his mind and intellect out words which direct his physical parts how to work," Harry explained as simply as he could. "AIVAS, do you have a port I can interface with?" In response a slot slid open beneath the screen. Harry smiled and said, "Even in the future it's nice to see USB is still around. I'm going to plug in a USB 2.0 interface. Try the coding you have on record for that and see if it works."

"I have interfaced with your system Rider Potter," AIVAS commented. It only took AIVAS two minutes to comment, "The technology on record for your 1993 Earth shows incongruence with the technology you are displaying by quite a margin."

"I'm afraid you will have to wait to learn of the reasons for that disparity until after I have examined your code. I am not about to introduce a foreign program to my computer systems until I know what it does and how it works," Harry replied.

"That could take some time Rider Potter," AIVAS pointed out.

"Not as long as you would think. I require very little sleep," Harry assured.

"You must get a proper amount of sleep…humans have to sleep," F'lar pointed out.

In response Harry shifted to his natural elf-like form which caused everyone to gasp and take a step back.

"What are you?" Lessa asked, finding herself highly attracted to the gorgeous yet alien looking male.

"A different breed of dragon Rider with a different breed of dragon," Harry assured.

"Fascinating," AIVAS observed. "My sensors detected highly focused exotic particle fields manifesting around your form when you changed shape."

"I would like to talk in detail about your systems later AIVAS. But we have gotten horribly off track from your original agenda. Perhaps I should have arrived at a later time. Master Harper, AIVAS will require as many records of history that your hall has recorded. He has ways of reading them even if they have been deteriorating with time. I can help restore them," Harry explained.

"Astounding," Robinton commented. "Of course," he agreed.

The others were reminded that this new Rider was from a point in the future relative to their current timeline.

"You are going to want to set an access list for who is able to access and speak to AIVAS. I suggest that in order to make changes to the list you must have a Craft Master, a Weyrleader, and a Lord Holder present," Harry suggested.

"A sound idea," AIVAS agreed.

"Everybody in this room and no others should be granted access to AIVAS for now," Lessa put forth.

There was agreement all around and AIVAS said, "Your voiceprints have been registered."

At the confused looks of the Pern natives Harry clarified, "AIVAS has perfect memory for every audible subtlety of a person's voice and can use that imprint to identify someone. He can hear far beyond the human ear."

"Fascinating," Robinton mused.

A man entered the hallway outside the AIVAS chamber just then, Master Esselin, and inquired of any further orders for the night.

"Assign several of your men Master Esselin to guard the entrance and permit no one except those present now entrance," F'lar ordered.

"If I may make a suggestion," AIVAS began once Esselin had gone. "You will likely require many additional stations in order for me to begin educating the selected students who will be assisting Rider Potter in ridding Pern of Thread. I have determined that even the limited culture of Earth he has allowed me to see is significantly above Pern's current stage."

"That is putting it mildly," Saphira commented to her Rider.

"If the contents of the Katherine Caves are intact then we can assemble the necessary work stations. These are the supplies we will need," AIVAS explained while projecting monitors and other computer equipment.

"I have additional computer systems already prepared that I can bring over from my Earth. I've also thought about building a satellite network that you can use to communicate globally AIVAS," Harry suggested.

"Excellent," AIVAS replied with what those listening thought sounded like a slightly excited tone. "I can help you with the design of such a system."

"Are you saying you can divide yourself into twelve parts?" Fandarel asked disbelievingly.

"Yes," AIVAS confirmed.

"How is it possible you can do that?" Fandarel demanded.

"You are thinking of AIVAS as a human Fandarel. Just think of him as a mind that can copy itself and each copy can perform a separate task with all of its attention before rejoining the original when that task is complete," Harry tried to explain.

The explanation wasn't completely accurate but would work for the Pern natives.

"But there isn't enough space for a lot of people in here to talk with a lot of AIVASs," Lord Larad of Telgar hold pointed out.

"That is what the satellite system will be for. Through the computers I will bring AIVAS could communicate anywhere I set up a station," Harry replied.

"Despite Rider Potter's equipment it would still be a good idea for you to learn how to assemble the components of a computer system. Here is the list of items you will need," AIVAS explained before paper began coming out of a printer beneath the screen. Piemur caught the paper and began examining the neatly laid out pictures. "More supplies will soon be needed for the printer."

"I can provide that," Harry volunteered.

"Thank you Rider Potter," AIVAS said, relieved that the Earthling would be able to provide quality materials that the Pern natives couldn't hope to provide for some time.

"This is enough excitement for one night," Lessa declared. "You'll break your necks wandering around those caves at night. We had best all return to our beds or find one nearby."

Robinton stood and declared, "My dear Weyrwoman, your direst threats couldn't…"

The Master Harper seemed to just fall asleep while he was standing and arguing.

"No, but the fellis juice I slipped in your last cup of wine could make you sleep," Piemur spoke up while he caught the Master.

"Never change Piemur," Lessa said with a grin as Fandarel picked up the Master Harper and followed Jancis to a bed where the sleeping man could be situated.

"I will take my leave of you all now," Harry said.

"When will you return?" F'lar inquired.

"Tomorrow morning with some friends," Harry answered. "We'll bring the computer equipment I mentioned and get to work."

"Good night Rider Potter," Lessa said.

Harry nodded to those present and simply vanished, reappearing on Saphira's back a moment later.

"Astounding," Fandarel declared.

The others nodded in agreement before they made plans for the morning. Harry reappeared back in his home universe inside of his lab. Hermione was already waiting for him. Out of all of his mates she was the one who took the quickest to programming.

"You've had an exciting time of it the last few hours," Hermione observed. "Take a seat."

Harry sank gratefully into the love seat situated against one wall. Hermione dropped down next to him a moment later with a laptop in her hand. The laptop was little more than a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. All the computing was done via a wireless connection to a powerful computer system hidden behind panels in the walls.

"Indeed," Harry agreed. "AIVAS…I take it you're here."

"Yes Rider Potter," AIVAS replied, his voice emanating from the speaker system built for him and connected to the non-networked computer terminal set up for him to interface with.

"Good," Harry said.

"I've already begun examining AIVAS' code. Most of his mental might comes from the circuitry housed back in his main terminal. He's already provided us plans for how to duplicate that circuitry," Hermione explained.

"That would explain why the settlers didn't simply take him with them when they fled," Harry mused. "Do you think we can knock his full exam out before the morning?"

"Of course love. With proper motivation anything is possible," Hermione agreed.

"And just what would this motivation be that you speak of Miss Granger?" Harry queried playfully. Hermione brought her mouth to her mate's ear and whispered something that caused him to shiver. "Let's get cracking."

AIVAS watched the two fascinating humans interact throughout the night as they analyzed his code. The interface connection Rider Potter had provided before through a USB device allowed AIVAS to send his program between universes and explore the internet of another Earth. It was an intriguing experience for the AI.

Towards morning Nym entered the lab and found the two still staring at the laptop monitor.

"We're just finishing up giving AIVAS access into our main network," Harry informed his metamorphmagus mate.

"I take it the analysis of his code went well then?" Nym queried as she sat down on the love seat after expanding it a bit and stole a kiss from Harry.

"Yes," Hermione agreed while rubbing her eyes tiredly. "The programming language used was an evolved form of modern day languages but easy enough to pick up. How did things go in the Pern center?"

The Pern center was a module set up to monitor events going on inside the AIVAS chamber and around Pern. Harry had placed a number of monitoring charms which provided video, audio, and scans in other spectrums back to the Pern center. There were at least two Riders and a fairy on duty in the Pern center at all times.

"There wasn't much to monitor yet, not until we visit more of Pern and lay more charms. Susan and Luna said they'd get started on designing a satellite network as soon as AIVAS was in the network," Nym explained. "Piemur, Jaxom, Jancis, Menolly, and Sebell spent the night asking AIVAS questions and answering some of his questions about modern Pern society."

"Come on, we're going to take a shower so you can wake me up and I can give you your reward," Hermione announced as she stood and grabbed Harry by his right hand and began dragging him towards the bedroom off his lab complete with a full bath where he sometimes slept.

Nym followed along, curious about the reward. She would join in after a few minutes of watching and the reward would become even more rewarding for Harry.

IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM

"So how are things going with Lucius and Riddle?" Nym asked as she slipped on her armor.

Harry was distracted for several long moments while he admired how the armor molded to Nym's curves.

"Dad and Sirius have informed me that Lucius has delivered the information about the Tournament to Riddle and the dark tosser is already coming up with a complex plan to lure me into a trap," Harry answered casually as his own armor molded to his form.

Harry then slipped the stylish uniform the female Riders had designed on over the armor. One of the first things he had done yesterday when arriving on Pern was to establish a portal between the complex on Mars in his home universe to a now heavily warded location near the AIVAS chamber on Pern. A spacesuit would no longer be required to traverse between universes. The trip would be as simple as stepping through a portal and would barely be perceptible to the traveler. But the normal body armor the Riders now wore was quite a bit upgraded from earlier versions. At a mental command from the wearer the armor would shift form into the spacesuit Harry had worn to Pern the day before. Runes were just so bloody useful. The spacesuit would also make an appearance if the wearer was exposed to hard radiation or a vacuum.

"Those Marauders are already coming up with counter plans aren't they," Nym amusedly suggested as the couple left the room.

Hermione was sleeping on the bed. A sheet covered her nude form. Silencing runes inscribed into the bed made sure she wasn't awoken by the conversation.

"Indeed," Harry agreed as he walked into another module.

This module was much larger and held many dragons and Riders. Susan entered with Luna just after Harry and Nym and all approached their dragons.

"Let us be off," Saphira suggested patiently.

Harry smiled fondly at Saphira and leapt to her back. He waved his hand at a circular ring positioned against one wall and the portal formed. The mage led the way through and the other Riders quickly followed. On the other side of the portal Saphira leapt into the air and jumped between. The others followed suit and all appeared above the plateau where the AIVAS chamber was housed seconds later. It was agreed that the portal's existence should be kept secret. It wasn't yet light out when Harry and his Riders touched down but already the plateau was bustling with activity. A group of Pern natives met the Riders from Earth.

"Introductions are in order," Harry began. "Lessa, F'lar, Jaxom, Fandarel, I would like to introduce you to my mates Nym, Ginny, Luna, Susan, and Dianna. Those two rogues are my father and godfather James and Sirius. This is my son Merlin," the mage explained while laying a hand on Merlin's shoulder.

The Pern natives appeared startled at these introductions.

Lessa voiced what the others were thinking, "But how can you all appear the same age if that is your father and that is your son."

"Our breed of Riders do not physically age once we reach physical maturity," Merlin explained.

"It's a result of bonding with our dragons," Ginny added.

The four Pern natives were astounded. The idea that flesh and blood beings might never age had never even been considered by them.

"We brought temporary power generators for AIVAS until we can get the hydro-electric facility located nearby up and running," James offered while sending out a pulse of magic which activated several portkeys and delivered several diesel generators and a large tank of diesel fuel.

He may not have his son's ability to remotely teleport objects but the Marauder could still do things with a flare.

As he examined the machines with fascinated eyes and noted the smooth and neat materials used in the generators' construction Fandarel asked, "Hydro-electric?"

"Piemur told me AIVAS mentioned that to him. There is a machine which can feed AIVAS power delivered from a turning water wheel," Jaxom clarified.

"Efficient," Fandarel mused.

"About 96.3% efficient at full load," Harry mused, causing his family to smother laughter while the Pern natives looked confused.

"Rider Potter," Lessa began.

"Harry," the mage corrected.

"Lessa then," Lessa replied. "Harry, perhaps you would be willing to answer some questions about this plan AIVAS has for us to rid Pern of Thread. It is one thing to hear about such a miracle but it's another to deliver. Details are needed. Many of the other Weyrleaders are rightfully skeptical."

"Of course," Harry agreed. "Let's go to a conference room. But first Master Fandarel I thought you might like to send some of your people to watch as my Riders set up the computer systems I mentioned yesterday."

A pallet of said computer systems materialized at Harry's words.

"Yes, yes," Fandarel agreed eagerly, looking as if he intended to watch as well.

But his attention was needed elsewhere.

"A room where we can confer is this way," F'lar directed.

"Where are Menolly and Sebell?" Lessa inquired as the group walked.

The mentioned couple were Pern's current Master Harper (Sebell) and his mate and a Harper of note herself (Menolly).

"They're getting some rest. AIVAS wouldn't speak to them because they weren't on our access list and we lacked a Weyrleader to add them," Jaxom explained.

Fandarel joined the conference once he had directed his craftsmen to observe the Riders at work. Also in attendance were Jaxom, Lessa, F'lar, Merlin, Hermione, and Nym. Harry explained AIVAS' plan as simply as he could using many holograms as representations.

"So AIVAS intends for us to use the engines of the Dawn Sisters to push the red star out of its current orbit?" Jaxom clarified.

"The explosion from the engine fuel," Hermione confirmed.

The dawn sisters were the original spaceships that the Pern settlers had traveled from Earth in. They were powered by antimatter fuel.

"You'll need some extensive training in basic physics and math if you want to hope to understand how these mechanisms will all work," Nym put forth.

Harry and the Riders had no intention of letting the antimatter engines of the spaceships be used in such a fashion. The technology was too valuable. But by the time the planet known as the red star which carried Thread close enough to Pern to be dangerous reached the point in its orbit for the antimatter plan to work they hoped to have an alternative plan.

"Training which you can provide," Fandarel probed.

"Indeed," Merlin agreed.

By the time the discussion in the conference room had ended and the immediate questions of the Pern leaders had been answered many more natives had flocked to Landing to see AIVAS and the new Riders. Many were interested in seeing the moving pictures AIVAS was reported to display as well as the new type of dragon. Luna and Susan had set up pensieve-TV projectors which were then interfaced with AIVAS wirelessly. The AI then began repeating the tale of Pern's history he had presented to the leadership of Pern the day before in a repeating loop. Ginny and Cho had meanwhile been teleporting in a great deal of high quality building materials that were "obtained from Earth." In actuality the materials had been conjured by the Riders the night before.

"How are they doing that?" Lessa asked in amazement as she watched a dragon float materials into the desired configuration and then drive nails and other fastenings into place to erect new permanent structures.

"Dragons can move matter with their mind, telekinesis as we call it. Yours can do it to. They just need extensive training," Harry explained. "Bonding with such a dragon definitely has its benefits," the mage added while gesturing with his hands and causing a 2" x 4" board to float into the air.

F'lar, Lessa, and Jaxom had to work to suppress their envy of the other Riders from their dragons. It wasn't the Pern dragons' fault they couldn't grant their Riders wondrous abilities. Merlin led the efforts in cleaning out the volcanic ash filled buildings arrayed around Landing. Swirling cyclones of air and water were manipulated into cleaning away the grime. For now the Riders had agreed to use telekinetic and between traversing related powers so as to ease the Pernese into the idea of magical powers.

Hermione arrived midday bearing several pallets of food. Harry had forewarned the Pernese leadership of the treat and tables were set up. There was enough pizza and pop for all those at landing.

"This is wondrous Harry," Lessa declared after biting into her first piece of pizza.

"It deserves a ballad," Robinton agreed.

"Can we make this on Pern?" F'lar asked.

"Did the settlers bring this plant with them?" Nym asked as she held up a micro-pensieve projector in her hand projecting the image of a tomato plant.

"Those are tamos plants," Jaxom provided.

"We call them tomato plants," Susan explained.

"We can teach your cooks how to make pizza then," Hermione assured.

"Splendid," Robinton declared with a grin as he helped himself to another piece of pizza.

"Do we address AIVAS as a he or an it?" Menolly inquired. "AIVAS possesses such a wonderful voice."

"Technically AIVAS is an it because AIVAS has no sex. But AIVAS' creators imbued it with a male's voice so I tend to address him as a male," Harry explained.

"Do you think AIVAS knows any ancestral musical forms?" Menolly inquired.

"AIVAS has thousands upon thousands of songs in its memory banks," Hermione assured.

The Harpers among the group were salivating at the thought.

"AIVAS may be clever but he only has one voice with which to sing with," Lessa pointed out.

"Just like AIVAS can split his consciousness multiple times to communicate at different work stations he can split and change his voice to sing with multiple tones," Merlin replied.

"The more we learn about AIVAS the more I begin to wonder if his abilities are endless," Robinton said with a touch of awe in his voice.

"A famous thinker on our world once came up with a saying that we refer to as Clark's Law. He said that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. You think AIVAS is performing miracles because his level of understanding of the universe is so much greater than yours. With time your culture will come to view AIVAS' achievements as mundane and normal," Harry assured.

"A wise man," Robinton commented.

"If nothing else your pizza and pop have quieted the demands of every Lord Holder that have descended upon Landing this day," F'lar pointed out.

"For now," Sebell replied. "Just wait until they finish eating."

"We'll have to see how talkative they are after dessert," Harry suggested with a grin while clapping his hand for effect.

Suddenly empty pizza boxes were replaced by piles of the most delicious looking dessert foods the Pernese had ever laid eyes upon. They didn't know what most of the foods were but they sure as hell could smell that the treats would most likely be delicious.

"This is wonderful," Lessa declared a few minutes later as she sampled cheesecake.

"Be careful how much of that you eat. It'll go straight to your hips," Luna warned.

Somehow Harry doubted the attractive Weyrwoman would gain any considerable weight from cheesecake. The life of almost everyone on Pern involved considerable physical labor. As the group ate Harry stealthily ensured nobody that was needed for any useful work (i.e. non-Lord Holders) ate any of the desserts laced with calming potions.

After the meal was finished Harry began directing some of the younger generation in how to set up additional computer terminals. Mobile terminals which consisted of merely audio and video interfaces (facilitated through projection pensieve-monitors) had been set up outside for Lord Holders, Craft Masters, and even common folk through several additional terminals. The assemblers included Piemur, Jancis, and Jaxom. Even if Harry and his Riders could easily assemble the systems it would still be good for the younger Pernese to have an appreciation for how the technology functioned and was assembled.

The public access terminals outside were very limited access although these users didn't realize it. AIVAS had agreed not to reveal certain sensitive information to the users not on the main full access list. The common folk would come up and ask AIVAS how to solve an issue they were having in their hold or in their craft and he would guide them through a solution using pictures and diagrams. This extra capability was only possible due to the extra computing power AIVAS was getting through the hardware the Riders from Earth had brought.

"Masters Menolly and Sebell, right this way and you can speak to AIVAS," Luna directed while leading the couple into one of the private rooms. "You've already been added to the access list." Turning to a large monitor on the wall Luna said, "AIVAS this is Master Harper Sebell and Master Menolly."

"Will Master Harper Sebell and Master Menolly speak one at a time so their voice print can be registered?" AIVAS requested.

The amazed pair did as requested. Luna watched amusedly as Sebell and Menolly experienced a personal conversation with AIVAS for the first time. Many of the other Earth Riders were doing the same with people from Pern they had heard so much about. It was definitely an exciting time to be on Pern.

IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM

"How did I let you talk me into going to this thing?" Hermione asked her boyfriend as the group appeared at a portkey location at the Quidditch World Cup.

Hermione had to pick herself up off the ground as did several other members of the group. Attending the cup were Merlin, Morgana, Harry, Hermione, Susan, Cho, Ginny, Jaimie, Dianna, Luna, Hannah, Neville, Dan, Emma, Sirius, Melody, Remus, James, and Lily. Most of the adults were suitably disguised of course.

"The girl can ride a dragon and travel to other worlds without problem. It's landing after a portkey transit that she has trouble with," Nym teased.

"Stuff it Tonks," Hermione rebutted.

"I believe you thought this would be an excellent opportunity to explore wizarding culture further," Emma told her daughter. "Harry didn't have to do much talking to convince you to come."

"He just has to look pretty and we agree," Ginny added with a smirk.

"I do not look pretty," Harry protested while Sirius talked with the manager of the portkey site from the Ministry.

"You look handsome Harry," Nym corrected for the redhead.

"We can't hurt his male sensibilities," Susan whispered to her friends loud enough for all to hear.

The younger Riders followed the adults across the mist covered moor the World Cup stadium had been erected upon. After a brisk walk from the portkey arrival point a small stone cottage came into view along with hundreds of tents behind it. A man in front of the cottage greeted the new arrivals.

"Good morning," Dan greeted the campsite owner. "If you're Mr. Roberts I'm Mr. Granger. I booked a campsite for one night."

Poor Mr. Roberts was so confounded by this point via all the Ministry wizards running the World Cup that he didn't even question how so many people would fit in one tent.

"That would be me," Mr. Roberts replied. "You have a spot up by the woods there."

Dan nodded and passed the man the agreed upon amount. Dan had agreed to pay the small fee for the campsite since Sirius had purchased all the tickets and the exclusive top box at the top of the stadium. Roberts passed Dan a map of the campsite in exchange for the currency and the group was on their way. Harry looked back and saw a wizard apparate next to Roberts a few moments later and obliviate the man. His elf-like hearing had picked up on the fact that Roberts had been muttering about the strange occurrences going on around the camp site before Harry's group had arrived. The tents the group passed on the way to their campsite ranged from rather ordinary to preposterous. One tent looked like a silk palace with peacocks tethered to the front. Another tent had three stories. Another structure had a garden out front with an included bird bath and sundial.

"We're supposed to erect the tents by hand because of the non-magicals about but I highly doubt some of this lot followed those rules," Sirius muttered as he drew a tent roll from under his arm.

Morgana rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers. Suddenly the tent was erected.

"The Ministry can bite me," Morgana said before sweeping into the tent.

Merlin winced and said, "She's not a very early riser."

He followed his mate into the tent which was magically expanded. The tent was quite comfortable. Harry followed his ladies into the large room they would be sharing. The bed was already magically linked to the bed they shared connected to their individual rooms back at their homes.

"Let's go have a walk around. I've never seen so many wizards and witches congregated in one place before," Hermione said.

"Alright," Nym agreed while several others nodded.

Only the Hogwarts aged group (plus the recently graduated Nym) decided to go exploring. As soon as they left the tent they spotted a familiar pack of redheads camped nearby.

"Well if isn't," George Weasley began.

"Harry Potter and his," Fred continued.

"Harem," George finished.

"Cut it out you two," Harry told the twins.

"Or I'll cut something off when you two are sleeping," Ginny added threateningly while drawing a sword from seemingly nowhere.

The Rider's blade the redhead had recently crafted shone brightly in the sunlight.

"I do believe dear brother that little Ginnikins has grown up," Fred said wisely with a gulp.

Ginny's blade disappeared into the enchanted scabbard tied to her belt just as quickly as she had summoned it. The scabbard mostly occupied a pocket dimension. The runes anchoring the artificial dimension to the dimension humans occupied were stitched into the belt.

"We were just about to go explore the camp. Care to join us?" Luna suggested.

"Sure," the twins agreed.

"Where's Ron?" Ginny asked her siblings as the group set off.

"He didn't get his school work done," George answered.

"So mum wouldn't let him come," Fred added.

Ron Weasley had been pulled from Hogwarts after his abysmal failing of yet another grade. The Weasleys couldn't afford to pay for failed years.

As the decorations on the tents the group was walking past began to turn green, indicating a grouping of Irish fans, the friends heard a familiar voice shout, "Harry, Neville, Hannah, Fred, George, Potter's Angels."

Everyone turned to look and saw Seamus Finnegan sitting in front of a tent with a sandy haired woman who was likely his mother along with Dean Thomas.

"Potter's Angels?" Cho said questioningly as the group approached Seamus.

"It's what everyone at Hogwarts has started calling those of you who are dating Harry," Dean explained.

"Like that movie Charlie's Angels the yanks made," Seamus added. "Once a muggleborn used the term and explained the reference to others it became commonly used."

"Huh," Harry said. "They are all angelically beautiful," he mused with a grin.

"I don't know whether to be flattered or smack him upside the head," Nym said.

"Try the second one and I'll be smacking your bottom Miss Tonks," Harry warned.

"You do that anyway Harry," Luna pointed out, earning a guffaw from Seamus and Dean.

Mrs. Finnegan wore an amused expression at the nature of the conversation.

"Do you guys like the decorations?" Seamus queried.

The Finnegan's tent, along with the other tents in the area, was covered in a thick growth of shamrocks. Magic was obviously involved.

"It looks wicked," Neville praised, loving plants of all kinds.

"Are you supporting Ireland?" Mrs. Finnegan probed.

"It's closer than Bulgaria," Harry said with a shrug. Throwing a grin at his two year mates he ignored the outraged expression of the elder witch. "See you at school mates."

Mrs. Finnegan was muttering about celebrities having a better reason than proximity for choosing Quidditch teams to root for as the group left. Potter's Angels and company moved onto the Bulgarian fan section. Each Bulgarian tent had a poster with a surly face bearing thick eyebrows attached to it.

"That's the Bulgarian team's Seeker Victor Krum right?" Hannah clarified.

"Yep," Neville confirmed.

"He looks grumpy," Hermione declared, causing her companions to grin in amusement.

A grinning Nym said affectionately, "Only you Hermione would describe a world renowned Seeker as grumpy."

"Well he does look like it," Hermione insisted.

IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM

Posted: 7/29/2014 (Edited Version) Rev 0

Author's Note:

Well there is the first chapter of book 4.

On my Facebook group there is an Excel file listing what stories I have read in the recent past and what I thought of them. This also includes stories you should probably stay away from and the reason why I think you should probably stay away from them (rated from 1 to 10). If you get a chance check it out. It might save you the trouble of reading some really bad fics and might also direct you to some really good fics.

~Deserdi Etere Lume

Stargatesg1fan1