Hermione waved a hand. "Yes, yes, I am doing great here. Is Harry Ok? I felt a power drop just now." Wisdom seemed to be thinking about something before opening the door wider. "Physically he is fine, but emotionally... I think he could use a break right now honestly. I just met his darker side, and it was... well, an experience."
Hermione walked in seeing the other doors. Each one had a letter written in the color of their magic, and she watched as Wisdom went to each one, whispering into them, and letting the others in. Padma was holding a blue furred puppy, Terry was wearing some sort of strange uniform, and Susan was in a confusing conversation with Hannah about inverted doorways.
As they gathered together they saw Harry staring into the sky in a black metal chair. The chair seemed to be formed from metal bones.
Hannah moved in and poked Harry. "Hey, everything ok? We felt some sort of pulse earlier." His eyes snapped to theirs and seemed to expand, as if they had been compressed recently. Suddenly his face broke into a smile and the chair below him flowed into a soft red sofa. "HEY EVERYONE! It's been a while, hasn't it? How goes the construction?"
Hermione felt confused. "I... well, its only been about a couple of hours for me. How long have you been waiting on us?"
Harry's face went blank for a moment before he slapped his forehead. "Hey Jim! What is our current time compression level?"
"Quack"
"Bloody hell."
"Language Harry. Now, what did Jim say?"
Harry kept rubbing his face. "Well, apparently when I am the only one here it is VERY compressed. How long ago was the pulse you guys felt?" Hermione shrugged. "About five minutes for me?"
Terry raised a hand. "Mine was an hour or so."
Harry nodded, and explained. "Terry's world is basically much more basic. Nothing but a lot of Quidditch stuff. That place is easy to compress time in, unlike your book paradise."
He leaned back, his eyes dimming. "Jim says that since I... reinforced my defenses if you will, since that... I don't know. About a week?"
He grinned slightly sad. "I created a new aspect to protect the place where my bubbles live, but it required remembering some of my more... rough memories."
Hannah gave him a hug. Hermione was glad to see the boy only slightly stiffen before hugging back... she felt that anyone who could understand her mind had to have a rough life too at some point. She looked at the others. "Well, this is easy to fix, no? Who wants to invite Harry over first?"
Padma raised her hand and started hopping. "I just found a river of baby rabbits!"
Harry was up and straightening his shirt. "Wow, I just remembered something important I had to do. Padma, care to join me?"
Terry grinned as he watched the two start running for the door with a pink P. As they exited they could barely hear Harry. "Do we need a boat for it, or do we just jump in?"
"I got duck floaties."
"This is going to rock."
As the door closed Susan turned to the others. "We can't let him get like that again. He... He shouldn't be alone for that long, not when we are so close." Hannah and Hermione nodded. Terry was looking around. "So he has a new person in here? When will we meet him?"
Wisdom gave each of them some cookies. "It may be a bit. Harry is pretty private really."
Hermione shook her head. "Well, we will be here when he is ready. Now I got to get back and make sure the bird is not messing up my towers."
Hannah paused at the door. "Wisdom, can I invite Susan to my world through here?"
The tall woman gave a nod. "No issue. Each connection works like a path. Anyone can use it for now, as long as Jim doesn't object." Seeing Hermione's concern she grinned. "If there is a problem we will just let them know. Now get you kids, Harry is enjoying the world of baby animals and should be fine. Get your worlds protected." Harry felt that Padma had the way of it. Beautiful landscapes were nice and stuff, but cover him in baby animals any time.
Still, it was unnerving at times. Puddles were Poodles, but they still splashed. As far as he could tell, it didn't hurt the... liquid dog? but it did make it give a cute bark.
Still, Padma clearly loved animals, even more than Harry did.
"What do you want to do in life Padma?" He saw her eyes drift through the clouds, all baby shaped of course. His favorite were the baby jellyfishes.
Padma leaned into a soft pile of kittens. "I want to get care of magical creatures as my main subject. Work with animals and stuff. If I can't, I don't know. Our parents didn't make it through the last war, but I heard stories about Mom. She almost had her own personal zoo!" Harry stroked a kitten. "Well, I want to heal people. Maybe I could stop by and help if your animals get hurt? It would be neat if we could still hang out when we are older."
Padma grinned. "Assuming we would let you NOT hang out with us. I am pretty sure I can tell that the other girls like being friends with you." She wiggled into the grass, letting the stumbling balls of fur bump into her. "Face it Harry, you're stuck with us."
He grinned and threw up his hands. "Oh NOOOO, not that!"
She rolled her eyes and focused back on the puppies. Some hadn't been hugged enough... awe, who is she kidding, NONE of them had been hugged enough. "Doctor Harry, these puppies need cuddles stat!"
Harry giggled. "Aye Nurse! 120 CC's of hugs on the way!"
Animals rocked. It was much later when a glowing pair of eyes staring at a floating time charm suddenly brightened. At the same time four girls and a boy also started stretching.
Hermione absently pulled one of her planners out and began making notes. "Well, I have my basic castle down and I have confined most of my worst memories. Still need to finish organizing the Master Library. Harry, is it possible for Wisdom to help me with that?"
'Sorry Hermione, I can only help out while we are connected.'
Everyone except Harry jumped, although Harry was now looking at the others thoughtfully. "Huh. You heard her that time, didn't you?"
Hermione looked fascinated. "THAT is awesome... can you hear me when I talk, or only if Harry hears me?"
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