001.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

[There's no crack of magic when Harry arrives; one instant there's nothing, and the next a young man, wearing wizard robes and carrying his wand in hand, is standing in the middle of the Plane, looking slightly wary at his surroundings, as if fully expecting to be attacked.]

[He doesn't say anything, moving curiously toward the kiosk, taking one of the brochures gingerly, as though they might explode. When that doesn't happen, he seems to relax some - though still aware of the area around him - and flips it open to read. Okay, skim.]

[After a few moments, he finally dares to speak, saying the word as if he's testing it.]

Experiments?

[He promptly looks up as if certain that he might have caught the attention of anyone that happens to be around. Considering the lack of response, it seems he's gone unnoticed for the time being. Or not.]

[He pulls a small pouch from beneath the front of his robes and tucks the brochure into it before he begins to walk, taking in the scenery as he maneuvers from the kiosk to the bar. He doesn't touch any of the drinks, but he's stopped there for a moment in the hopes of finding someone willing to answer a question or seven. Bars always seem to be excellent places to get information.]

Comments

[seriousmarauder]

[Of course he goes the bar. And guess who else happens to be there? That's right. Sirius is there, staring at Harry like he's seen a ghost. Which is pretty ironic, considering.]

Merlin. I...James? No, it can't be. Even if Moony said he's still...no. You're not, are you? Too young. [Never mind that Remus is a few years younger...he needs another drink, yes]

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

You can't be...



Sirius?

[seriousmarauder]

[Sirius stares back, utterly confused, surprised and terrified all at once] Who are you? You're not James, he's...no, hang on. [his grey eyes narrow as he focuses on Harry's green ones] Merlin, you've got Lily's eyes...Harry? [his voice is uncertain -- the Harry he knows is only seven years old. But apparently anything is possible on the Plane.]

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[Behind the bar there is a very beautiful man in fancy silken robes that are embroidered and cut to make it seems they're made of leaves. He's busily rummaging through the drinks, but straightens up after a moment holding a bottle. He opens it, then wrinkles his nose at the smell before saying conversationally,] You would think that a place with so many bottle would have at least something worth drinking, wouldn't you?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Have you checked them all?

[seriousmarauder]

[Sirius runs a hand through his long black hair, wondering a) how the hell to explain this and b) why Harry isn't hexing him to death] I...why don't you...no. I should explain first. Harry, you're on the Astral Plane. It's a place where all these different universes and timelines sort of cross paths, and meet in the middle. You're only seven years old for me, and you've got no idea who I am, because I've been locked up in Azkaban.

[he stops for a moment, unsure of how to continue] But you know me now. And you don't seem to want me dead. Why?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I got that from the- hold on.



It's all true then? The whole machine bit and everything?



Because you didn't sell my parents to Voldemort.

[seriousmarauder]

[he nods, feeling rather numb] It's all true. Remus is here too, but he's from another universe altogether. [he doesn't want to explain what's different about it just yet, but he may once Harry's adjusted to everything]

How do you know? [it's barely more than a whisper, and Sirius is glancing down at his drink] The only way you could know is if I told you, and that's not possible. Or even if it was possible, the chance you would actually believe me isn't.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[Pulls out a couple more bottles] Not really, I have only just started. I am not someone giving to drinking much but I thought it would be interesting to see if there was something I recognized here.

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[Marta came to the bar for something non-alcoholic to drink, and when she spots Harry, she gives him a smile as she grabs a glass from one of the top racks.]

Hello!

[lamb_of_gold]

[And this fellow, rummaging around for wine, looks like he hasn't slept decently in a week (he hasn't). But he does look up as Harry enters.]

I've not seen you before. I take you're new to this Plane?

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{A woman wearing a cloak is in the bar, looking through the liquors with some curiosity, but when Harry comes in, she turns. She pauses, staring for a moment, then asks simply:}

A magus? I thought there were none here.

[oncemarauder.livejournal.com]

[Remus simply watches, for a time, wand gripped deceptively loosely at his side; even here, he's wary of traps and tricks, he can never let his guard falter, he's seen what happens when it does

but it's been so long, and soon enough he's striding forward, and if it's not really him

and then he gets a good look at the boy - no, the young man's face] You're not - you're Harry, aren't you? [his voice is quiet, and a bit awed]

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Another universe...?



You escaped Azkaban to find Wormtail. Forced the truth on me when-



You'd switched places with him.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Is there usually the sort of thing you'd recognize here?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Er... hello.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Yeah. How long have you been here?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

You're not one?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm Harry. Remus?

[lamb_of_gold]

Near to three years, I think, although I've been spending more time at home, lately.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{The only distinguishing feature that Harry would be able to see would be the blue hair, but Caster herself isn't interested as much in who Harry is. She can sense the magic potential in the young man, and she's surprised at how much it is for such a young person}

Not anymore. I do not exist on the plane of magi, and am instead a tool of theirs. Tell me, boy, do you know of Servants or Heroic Spirits?

[seriousmarauder]

I escape? [Sirius stares again, trying to wrap his mind around the concept, before simply tugging Harry into a tight hug]

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

Are you new here? I don't think I've seen you... [She glances down at the info leaflet-thing, and laughs a little, mostly at herself.] Guess that answers my question.

[She sets her glass down on the counter and bows politely.]

I'm Marta. What's your name?

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

Not really. The contents of the bottles seem to change daily and I fear my taste is too refined for what they usually offer.

[oncemarauder.livejournal.com]

Yes. [his smile is slow, but warm] You're... [shakes his head] Probably very confused.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Of course you escaped, Sirius.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

If you see anything called Butterbeer, I'll take that.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

First day.



Harry. How long have you been here?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

So we can just go back home if we wanted?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

I don't think even Hermione's heard of any like this place.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Sorry.

[lamb_of_gold]

Yes. It's a conscious action, like taking a step. Think, and you will do it.

[seriousmarauder]

[he doesn't disappear, though eventually he does pull back a little bit] I want to know more about your time, Harry. What you've been through, how much of a lousy godfather I've been...but you shouldn't tell me, not if it's the same timeline as mine.

[he smiles briefly] You can tell Remus everything, though.

[oncemarauder.livejournal.com]

[his eyes follow the movement, narrowing slightly when they focus on Harry's scar, but then his gaze shifts back to his eyes] A friend?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[She has to think about that for a second.] A few months, at least. Probably longer, I'm not sure. Time's really weird when you have to keep track of it in two different places...

But anyway, welcome to the Plane, Harry! Maybe you'll be lucky enough to see someone here that you know!

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Sirius, you are a great godfather. Maybe a bit reckless.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

I think I already have.

Time passes differently from one place to another, doesn't it?

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

Just because it's all in my head doesn't make it any less real. Then I've done this before. Thanks.

[riseonemoreday.livejournal.com]

It's fine. One of my best friends.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

A different world, perhaps... Then, out of curiosity...just how do you use magic?

[lamb_of_gold]

I think that may be a first.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

Butterbeer is something from your world, I take it?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

That's good news! You should consider yourself lucky.

[She nods.] Mhm. Like it says in that thing, [She points to the brochure] time won't pass in your world while you're here.

[She hesitates, fiddling awkwardly with her still empty glass.] Some... strange things happen here from time to time, though. So be careful. Okay?

[seriousmarauder]

[Sirius returns that half-grin] Reckless? Me? It must be an alternate universe, then -- I've got no idea what you mean. [he kids, of course. but then, he's back to srs bsns]

Have I made up for all the birthdays I've missed yet?

[oncemarauder.livejournal.com]

I probably shouldn't ask how you got it. [soft smile] How did you meet Hermione, then?