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Chapter Text

Juny 1996

I really don't even know how to start. I don't want to introduce myself to anyone because everyone knows who I am, so it's not even worth it.

I was given this journal after my godfather, Sirius Black, died. Hermione thinks it's a good idea for me to get over my depression and that it's good to write down my thoughts sometimes so I don't go crazy.

I don't know if it works and if it's a good idea, but since this is my first write-up, I can't judge if it actually works. It took a lot of coaxing to keep a journal and not feel like a girl.

Maybe this will improve my spelling too and I won't scratch like a chicken before death, as Professor McGonagall likes to label my handwriting. I have to admit it's true. I'm really scratching.

So if I'm going to write down my thoughts, I should start.

I doubt it.

I question everything that the adults in my life label as safety. I don't feel this way by chance and I find that I slowly stop trusting adults or any authorities, because they were the ones who disappointed me the most in my life and proved that they don't care what an eleven year old child tells them, or a seventeen year old adult student. I've seen rejection so many times that I don't confide in anyone about my problems.

And that makes me feel so alone.

The only person I could ever trust was Sirius, but he's dead now and I have no one to confide in. Remus blames me for his death, Hermione tells me it will get better in time and I believe it, Ron and Ginny don't like me for some reason and I don't understand why. They don't even respond to my letters, which is weird and actually makes me a little sad that they aren't having fun.

I should be a lot more sorry, but I'm not.

I found a flyer on the kitchen table yesterday.

Recruiting for Starfleet.

I've never heard of it, but I have to admit I'm really thinking about it. I have the ability to get as far away from the wizarding world as possible and no one would have to find me if I went into space. Not that I'm not interested in such things, but there's no one here to keep me in place.

Few people know that space is something that interests me and if I get the opportunity to operate in space and explore all possible and impossible planets, it would be like a dream come true. I'd even be willing to leave the wizarding community behind for it.

They didn't do me any good anyway. Just pain, loss of parents, death of godfather, distrust of adults and many others.

This Academy could help me start trusting the people I'm supposed to trust again. I have so few friends here that I wouldn't regret leaving at all.

I think I'm really going to leave. I don't have anyone here anymore who has the strength to keep me here. The Dursleys, on the other hand, are happy to get rid of me, so it shouldn't be a problem for them to let me out of the house and never see me again. I would be relieved too.

The fact that he hates me is perhaps a worse feeling than having to beat me every day. That consciousness of hatred is felt in every corner of this house and I can't take the pressure anymore. It's been fifteen years since I've lived here, and I'm actually surprised that I've lasted this long without trying to run away from home.

I'm even more surprised that they haven't tried to kill me or put me in an orphanage in those fifteen years. Honestly, I'd be better off anywhere else but here.

I still have a few days to submit my application. With how fast they're getting from place to place, I think there are some wizards in this Starfleet, so I'm actually hoping they'll be discreet enough and not try to hand me back to the British authorities. I really don't want to go back once I decide to do it.

It doesn't sound like a bad idea after all.

Harry James Potter.

For the first time in years, he began to doubt the rightness of the world around him, and for the first time, he began to doubt that adults really only wanted the best for him. After all, if they did, they wouldn't be sending him to a loveless home every summer, which was the one thing Harry wanted the most. He could have everything he could think of, but he never experienced love.

He had her, but he didn't remember her.

A few days ago, a flyer actually arrived that allowed entry to the Starfleet Academy to anyone who was fourteen years old and had the consent of their parents or guardians, as long as they were not considered adults in their country.

And Harry wasn't even in Britain, not even in the wizarding world yet. So he had to have the approval of his uncle and aunt if he wanted to leave Britain and go into space.

Harry forgot to mention one more thing.

Not only that no one knew about his love for the stars and the discovery of various other planets or galaxies, which of course were there. How else would Starfleet have been formed.

There was one more piece of information in the world that only Harry himself knew about.

His high IQ and genius brain. By the time he entered Hogwarts remotely and individually completed his primary education, he had completed high school remotely which was needed to get some doctorates such as engineering, physics, biochemist, doctor of science and many others, with Harry in his fourth year he successfully completed his doctorates in engineering, physics, biochemistry and chemistry. He was currently trying out for medicine, and during his fifth year he managed to pass two years at once.

Nobody knew about that, except his professors.

He was labeled a child genius, but Harry never allowed them to publish anything under his real name, which his professors completely understood, precisely because of his name, as few knew that Oxford was a mixed university. She was for both muggles and wizards. Fortunately, none of them had a problem with his accomplishments being published under the name Henry S. Evans, which Harry had not forgotten to write on his Starfleet Academy application.

If nothing else, he wasn't going to be ashamed of what he had accomplished and what his mind was capable of, just as he had written on his application that he would like to finish his medical studies as he only had two years of study left plus some practice. He could do it in a year if the Academy allowed him to push through and complete his studies.

There were only two things left, the second dependent on the first.

“Uncle, aunt? I'd like to talk to you about something." sure, they hated him and he hated them, but he never wanted to antagonize them, so he was polite to them, knowing very well that the behavior of his relatives could easily turn sour and the topic of beatings would come up easily, which Harry wanted to avoid in one huge arc.

"About what?" and even they kept a dose of politeness, which was indeed laced with sarcasm and clear hatred.

“I found a flyer for enlisting at Starfleet Academy. I would like to go there. I've already filled out all the paperwork but I need a written approval from you that I'm allowed to go study and that your custody will fall to them until I'm of age.” and Harry really wanted to go there.

He would do anything in his power for it. And within feasibility.

“What's in it for us?” Uncle Vernon asked him.

Harry had honestly expected such a question, and was prepared for it. It was more than clear that his uncle wanted to hear all the pros and cons if he wanted anything from them.

"You'll get rid of me. You will never see me again. I will disappear from your life before the end of the summer. One of the branches is in London, so I should be gone within a week.”

“And what about your world?” his aunt still refused to use the word magic.

Harry still didn't know why, though he guessed it had something to do with his mother. He just didn't know what caused it.

"I do not know. There's a good chance they'll be looking for me here, but I'll be long gone, so you're not in any danger from them. You can finally move somewhere other than living here. I know that I am the only obstacle that prevented you from moving to America for work. You can tell them where I am if you want, but it will be too late to take me away because I won't even be on the planet anymore."

It was information that Harry verified first. If he applies in writing and is approved, he will be transferred to the Academy immediately regardless of the fact that it is still summer. And the Academy wasn't on Earth. He did not have to travel with other study applicants who were invited individually and individually. Which was another reason why he submitted the written request.

The day they came for him, he would be immediately taken from Earth and the wizarding world would have no chance of tracking him down, that is, unless someone else from the wizarding world joined the recruitment and tried to take him away, or report him to the proper authorities .

But he hoped he had given enough reasons why they should add him to other authorities.

"And you won't look for us when you leave?"

“If you don't want to meet me, then don't. I won't look for you or contact you unless you want to.” Harry still hoped that they would at least like him a little. They were the only family he had and he didn't want to lose them, but he wouldn't break his promise if they wished they would never see him again.

"No. We don't wish it. But I guess it wouldn't matter if you called once in a while. A letter, or any other message would do.” Harry's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hair as he listened.

Somehow it didn't match what he had experienced and how they treated him. It was the complete opposite of what he knew. He didn't think they would even want him to check in with them from time to time, But...

“I don't think it will be a problem.” after all, families of children who were not of legal age were given communication devices to at least keep in touch.

"Good. If that's what you want, then we'll sign it.” Harry just nodded in response, excited that at least one of his relatives had gotten some kind of positive reaction to what he'd done, or what he'd been trying to do.

But the moment his aunt signed the necessary papers, his entire application disappeared. Harry didn't understand. Starfleet had wizards in their ranks, he was sure, but he had no idea that if a wizard filled out the form, it would be taken as a magical contract or something. This was certainly not expected by any of the people gathered at the dining table.

However, Harry's second task disappeared. He did not have to send an envelope with his application.

He smiled gratefully at his relatives and went to pack his things. If he was accepted, he wanted to be ready, and if he wasn't, he could be ready for school and not have to unpack, just go to the cross aisle and buy things for school. He's got his letter, but he's not going down the aisle until he gets some sort of answer.

Harry went to bed that night with mixed feelings.

He had no idea what to make of his aunt's request, no idea how the wizarding world would react, in any case he only had one letter ready and that was for Hermione who stood by him at all times no matter what the situation was . No one else deserved his explanation. They turned their backs on him when he needed them most. Even his aunt showed at least a little bit of remorse when he learned of his godfather's death, regardless of the fact that he was still a mass murderer in her mind.

No.

No one else needed to know where he was or why he left. Nothing was really holding him back, and he longed to make his dream come true. Regardless, he would probably never see the wizarding world again, or be able to do magic, but that was a small price to pay for fulfilling his dream.

He could make friends at any time. It didn't matter that the ones he needed the most didn't even wish him a nice summer, except maybe Hermione, and even she seemed reluctant to talk to him. If these were supposed to be his friends, they were worthless.

He went to sleep with hope in his heart and hoped that at least once in his life he would get what he wished for.

Chapter Text

August 1996

I didn't even wait a week. Turns out my name carried some weight with Starfleet too, because I only waited three days before they came for me. It wasn't something I expected. Not really.

But I was also glad it happened at all, because I left Zobí Street much sooner than I had hoped. Although after what my aunt said, I had no idea if she liked me leaving or not. She didn't seem thrilled that she would never see me again in her life, maybe one day I'll find out what changed her mind about me. Not that I ever hope so, but they're still the only family I have, no matter how they've treated me all this time. One day I might be able to forgive them all because it made me the person I am today, and I know very well that I could have been a much worse person.

Starfleet officers also explained why my application form disappeared immediately after I signed it. It was indeed what I thought. The forms were magical, and if filled out by a wizard, it was something akin to a magical contract if all the conditions were met. If it was filled out by a muggle, it would simply be a piece of paper with the necessary log-in information on it.

I could have sworn I saw my aunt crying when I said goodbye to them, even Dudley looked like he was sad to see me go, but no one said anything. Like I said, there wasn't enough power in the world to keep me here because there was nothing to keep me here.

They may have seemed sorry to see me go, but our family relationship was so badly strained that it would be a very long time before they would have the strength to keep me in the place I was supposed to call home.

All I asked them to do was send a letter to Hermione that was just waiting to be taken to the post office. They didn't have to worry about anything else, and I was really surprised that they agreed to ship.

They were also given some type of communicator to keep us in touch. I was going to keep my promise to let them know how I was doing at least once in a while, and even if I didn't say it out loud, I intended to mend our relationship at least a little, and I was going to write to them at least once a week, even if they never had to. reply to my messages.

But no one could tell me that I didn't try and that I didn't speak up.

And now I'm sitting here in my cabin with another roommate from Earth, specifically from Russia. I swear the guy speaks fluent English but has a very Russian accent. He reminds me a lot of Viktor Krum, who also knew English, but his Bulgarian was very noticeable in the accent. But we understood each other.

Anyway, Pavel Andreyevich Chekov is a very chatty boy a year younger than me, which makes him the youngest cadet at the Academy, he is described as the same child genius that I am, and when I heard how much he admires the work of Henry S. Evans, I had to laugh. I never thought anyone would ever find and admire my work, but it was very interesting to watch his expression when I told him that Henry S. Evans was actually me.

I have to admit the look of utter shock was priceless and after two hours of non-stop talking, which I didn't really mind, he finally stopped talking and it took almost ten minutes for his brain to accept the message.

Pavel Chekov is my complete opposite. So far it looks like we'll get along because we had a lot in common. I can even tell him about magic because Starfleet has special permission from the United Magical Nations and they are seen as an exception because magical abilities can help the fleet a lot, all the electronics on the planet including the ships themselves were designed to resist magic itself and some machines they were designed to be powered by magic itself. It's absolutely amazing, and my brain can't take in as much information as how magic and technology can work together in perfect harmony without one or the other being affected. It's something that no one in Britain has achieved at least, and it didn't even seem like the British were trying to move towards technology that could work with magic, or have the devices powered by magic itself.

My first day of school won't start until the third week of August. Until then, I have time to get used to the time difference, explore the Academy, get all the necessary textbooks and supplies, clothes and other things, the electronics were paid for by the Academy because we will need them during the lessons, PADDs were even distributed and stayed with us until that time until we decide to leave Starfleet, so practically for life if we wish to stay in the fleet that long.

I can even write a message to my aunt from PADD. That makes it easier. I don't have to worry unnecessarily about what I should get to keep my promise. What's even better is that none of the wizards can track me because they simply don't use electronics so there's just absolutely no chance of them finding me.

That is, unless, as I said, you find some scumbag who wants to report me to the proper authorities.

I just hope Hermione understands my reason for leaving and doesn't hold any grudges against me if I ever see her again. I have no doubt we'll never make it to Earth again, but I doubt I'll have enough time to get in touch with my only friend left on Earth.

But here I have a chance for a new beginning. Magical people here recognize me, but we are all bound by a non-disclosure agreement, because there are people in the Academy and in the fleet who are convicted murderers, but if they have not committed any crime in the Federation, the Academy had no problem accepting them and protecting them. So no one was allowed to report to anyone that I was somewhere other than Earth, and if that somehow happened, the Federation and the Academy were responsible for me by all means, and they were not allowed to hand me over unless I wanted to, or if I it is life threatening.

At least I don't have to worry about the Federation handing me over to Britain.

I can even finish my last two years of medicine, even though I applied for the position of helmsman and engineer, and I'm not talking about the fact that my SAO can also be completed. Since I am perfectly capable of completing my medical in half a year, they saw absolutely no problem with that. I ended up doing four majors at the same time and managed it in two years. It wasn't easy, and it won't be easy now, but I know I can do it just like I did before.

Harry loved it at the Academy. His school year started a few days ago and he honestly loved every second of it so far.

As he predicted, his teaching did not come easily. He had to get used to his schedule first, because he was technically doing three majors at once, only finishing one of them. He had to divide his week between helmsman training, engine room work, and medical practice, despite trying to finish his seventh year as quickly as possible, even though he should be starting his sixth. However, his brilliant mind and ability to remember everything helped a lot. Neither was easy as Harry decided he wasn't going to stick around for another four years at school.

But in such a short time Harry was able to easily find a friend.

Pavel Chekov was only a year younger than himself, and Harry took advantage of his offer of help, because the boy had perhaps as understanding a brain as Harry himself, and they were both in exactly the same classes, only Pavel did not have medicine. They easily complemented each other if one or the other did not understand something, which rarely happened so far.

They were a good pair so far, and Harry liked it. He never revealed himself, so he could never say that no one was catching up to Harry's thinking. Even Hermione was a far cry from what Harry could do. They quickly became an inseparable duo in the eyes of their classmates, and no one even tried.

But Harry's first task was to get used to the rigors of his schedule. It's still exhausting for him because it was different than what he was used to and he didn't have to go to three different classes because he was studying three different fields.

Now not only did he have to attend three different classes, but he also had to attend three different internships, and in medicine he even had to attend a different year. It was challenging, but not impossible. And Harry knew it. He was determined to take it as another challenge no matter how many people told him it was impossible. If nothing else, Harry didn't really have the word impossible in his vocabulary, because if it was even the least likely possibility, it always happened to Harry.

For the first time in years, Harry felt completely safe and confident that he would finally have a peaceful school year without anyone trying to kill him. He had long since forgotten what it was like to go to school normally and not worry about anything but homework. It was such a pleasant change that Harry got used to it very quickly.

In such a short time that Harry had known Pavel, he had entrusted him with perhaps half of his life. Harry warned him that his life might be interesting, but it's definitely not a story that has a happy ending, rather it's full of pain and hardship, and Pavel didn't believe him at first, but when he started and finished his story in his second year, you could see , that his roommate finally believed him, and he never expected to hug him afterwards. It didn't change their communication in any way, they were still two brilliant minds who both understood the sadness and longing for a true friend because no one else just could understand them. They were both total outcasts at some point in their lives, with no friends, no one but their own minds to turn to.

Harry could easily understand when Pavel confided in him that he didn't have many friends because he was the Russian genius that all the teachers were proud of and the bullying from his classmates was the main factor in why he went to Starfleet. He expressed his concerns about how he would be treated as the youngest student at the Academy, but after hearing that Harry was only a year older himself, he was no longer so worried and told Harry that he hoped for friendship, which he was Harry was willing to give it to him because he too needed someone close to his own age with whom he could freely talk about everything, and someone who could catch up with his thinking. Someone who would understand what it's like to be able to focus on everything and nothing at the same time.

It wasn't yet a life and death friendship, but they were definitely similar in some ways and there were similar events in their lives, though not all.

But that was okay. They couldn't be the same in all things.

The professors took a liking to the two in such a short time, especially because of their success at the schools they attended. In two weeks, they have proven that they are no strangers to hard work and that they can handle any challenge thrown at them. That they were not intimidated by anything that was presented to them and that they were not afraid of it when they were told that the simulations would begin in the second half of September. It made perfect sense to the two of them, knowing that they had to be prepared and learn a lot and every possible and impossible situation that could arise on the USS ships, including the possibility of taking command of the ship itself and the possibility of being the captain of the ship, even if only temporarily.

But that was okay too. It was what they wanted to do and they had to be ready for it even if they didn't become captains themselves. That's why they weren't there.

Thus began their studies.

They prepared for the trials that might arise, the Academy prepared them for their possible commands and how to behave in their positions, they were taught the rules of the Federation and Starfleet, they formed new friendships, they crossed the boundaries of the possible and the impossible, they prepared for situations that they may or may not happen, Harry kept in regular contact with his aunt and uncle, one day they even wrote to him and since then they answered him every time he wrote to them, what he was able to do, Pavel wrote home just like Harry, with the only difference that he no one ever wrote back, but that was only because his parents didn't like Pavel very much and instead preferred to focus on his siblings who were still on Earth.

Harry just couldn't understand it. Even his relatives tried to keep some level of contact with him and when they didn't love him much, and Paul's parents should be proud of their son if only because of how brilliant he was. According to the story, Pavel could easily skip two classes. But there was no one who could be proud of him. No one tried to let him know.

Then one day Pavel gave up.

One day he didn't write home anymore, and Harry wasn't surprised.

He didn't blame him for losing hope that his relationship with his family would be okay, and Harry didn't allow him to fall into any form of depression that might have occurred. Harry told him stories of situations he had experienced, he told him about a prophecy that Harry didn't believe in, he told him about his potions professor, his headmaster who he felt was trying to make a weapon out of him and he even talked about Voldemort who constantly threatened him tried to kill He finished the narrative of his life, and the moment he did so, he found himself a firm victim of his friend, which Pavel had become for him.

As incomprehensible as it may have been to anyone, their lives changed a lot that day and they weren't afraid to show it. They were in an environment that was good for them, they were in a society that accepted them easily, they surrounded themselves with people who liked them and no one judged them for being the way they are.

It was a new beginning for both of them, and they were determined to make the most of it.

Chapter Text

February 1997

It's been seven months since I've been at the Academy. I officially became a doctor today. It only took me a month longer than I originally planned, but that's okay. Now I can fully concentrate only on the two fields that I have chosen and occasionally go to the internships that I will need as a doctor. Today I became Dr. Harry J. Potter and I couldn't be happier because I did. I have fulfilled one of my dreams.

Don't let the name fool you. In the end I had to admit my true identity because sooner or later it would be found out. Although the commanding officers and professors understood why I applied under a pseudonym, they would not tolerate for long the fact that Henry Evans was just a fictitious name under which I published my articles, and thanks to this pseudonym, the federation could verify that it was really me and not someone I pretend to be. Although I received a punishment for logging in under a false identity, but because I confessed myself and in general quickly, my punishment was only mild. Not that I mind helping in the kitchen for a month.

Even Pavel was happy for me. That is, as far as my success is concerned.

I have to admit that he grew on me. He will be sixteen in two months. He keeps making fun of the fact that he's finally going to be my age, and I quite like his optimism. I have never seen such an energetic person as him. That is, after he became an energetic person, when he found out that there are people around him who like him the way he is and that he really doesn't have to control any aspect of his personality that describes him.

I understand that he has given up hope for his parents, he doesn't even bother to check his mail for anything from them anymore and just concentrates on his studies. I believe that if I didn't pull him out. He would sit with his head in books forever. I could do that too, but I know better than that it's not healthy. Sometimes he doesn't like it, but it's hard for him to get used to the fact that there are people who would like to see him. At least once a week or on the weekend.

I realize that I do not miss the Earth. I get some messages from wizarding people at the Academy about the situation here and there, but I don't care as much as I should. It doesn't scare me. I just chose my own path and I'm going that way. I don't miss the world that tried to make me a weapon and a martyr. Sometimes I hear that wizarding Britain still hasn't given up on my search, but no one has brought up the information that I'm here. All the magical people here know my name and my story and after I shared some of the events of my life they became...overprotective. Even the morous Slide showed himself to be a compassionate person and stated that no one deserved this. Especially not a child. It was really nice that no one tried to turn me in to the authorities. And I'm actually glad for that.

My aunt and uncle keep replying to my "reports". They moved to America, where Uncle Vernon received a second and final job offer, which he accepted without hesitation. They live in New York. And they are doing well. Dudley has "recovered" and stopped bullying the younger kids, signed up for a boxing club and is a top student, having already won three first place medals.

Aunt Petunia started designing apartments and houses. Or rather, they are learning. She said it was something she always wanted to do, but her hatred of my mother blinded her, and she gave up on her dream because she couldn't get over her. There's more to that statement I'm sure, but I wasn't going to like her what the real reason was for not doing what she wanted. Maybe, but really just maybe, I would learn the true story of her life by the time they left me on their doorstep.

Which was also irresponsible by the way.

I actually understood her. I'm not saying I condone it, but I understood it. Maybe one day he will be able to overcome his jealousy and hatred and maybe one day he will tell me about my mother. I don't expect it to be right away, but I am very interested in the story of my mother. I would like to know what she was like. Even though she was just a monster in my aunt's eyes, I'm pretty sure it wasn't always that way.

I haven't heard of Hermione. Well...I've only heard of her once and that was before my aunt and uncle moved to America. Then she probably lost contact with them, I don't know what happened. But since Hermione isn't family, she couldn't get a communicator through which I could communicate with her. Maybe one day I'll find it and give it to her myself, but I'm not getting my hopes up too high just yet. Maybe he doesn't even want to see me, who knows, I'm not entirely sure. After all, she brings mail here from Earth once a month, and my aunt could easily give her an address to send a letter to. But I didn't get any from Hermione. So maybe he doesn't even want to communicate.

For now, I just want to focus on life and studying here at the Academy. I really enjoy it and it's something I wouldn't want to give up at any cost. I can't even imagine that I should leave behind my dream and... Pavel.

He really grew on me...just...more than I would have liked myself to. I don't know if it's bad or good, I don't even know if I should think about it or not... maybe I'll let it go and see where it goes, I definitely don't want to scare him by saying that I should tell Pavel that I'm seeing him other than as a friend. Actually, I'm not sure about that myself. Apart from Cho, I've never been in a romantic situation, although Cho was more ... I don't even know how to describe it.

It's frustrating the more I think about it.

Seven months. It had taken Harry so long to get his MD and he really couldn't be happier. This gave him much more time for his simulations while preparing to be a helmsman and he could easily devote himself to his engineering practice, a PhD in engineering helped him a lot. It was similar in many ways and it took him two months to notice.

True, steering a ship was not at all like flying on a broomstick, but he was able to accept this challenge easily and together with Pavel, they became the best in their class so far. Both were promised service on the USS Enterprise, currently under construction, if they continued their good work. Admiral Marcus was pleased with their results in seven months.

But both had the opportunity to work on the Enterprise in ways other than as helmsmen. Not everyone dared to choose two majors that they wanted to do. In Harry's case, three, but medicine was something his professors agreed with because they too saw the damage that could happen if Harry didn't complete his education.

This made him the youngest doctor in the history of the Federation. Not that the title was of any use to him, but he was certainly happy about it. It wasn't something he wanted to achieve, but that didn't mean he wasn't proud of himself. It's something he did himself. It's something he remembers and people praise him because it was his diligence that got him to where he is now. And he was even more proud of it. He knew that his classmates helped him during his studies, but who in his class did not have any help.

In seven months he learned to appreciate himself and his achievements. Thanks to Pavel, he also learned several of the Federation's most widely spoken languages. Having a memory like his was useful after all, because he learned a lot more of them than he originally wanted to and continued to do so because it was something he enjoyed. He didn't study it. He just saw it, heard it and remembered it.

According to him, it was completely useless to learn foreign languages, but when he looked at it from the other side, it had a certain advantage. He didn't have to rely on the translator provided to everyone aboard the USS. These electronics were often to fail in popularity.

Together with Pavel, they also took several self-defense courses. It was something that certainly wouldn't hurt if they were forced to defend themselves somehow. Years of playing Quidditch helped Harry, so it paid off after all, Pavel struggled a bit with it, but he was slowly getting into shape. It was just another thing they had in common, and it happened to be useful.

However, their classmates underestimated them from the beginning. They did not receive a good response that there is one fifteen-year-old and one sixteen-year-old in their class. They were the youngest students at the Academy, and people really underestimated them, which was quickly disproved. By the end of the calendar year, no one in their class had any doubts about the capacity of their minds and how much they could take in and how they could deal with it without ever asking anyone for help. Eventually, they were able to make friends both inside and outside of their class. They got used to the strange looks they got from the older students and had long since stopped noticing it. They had people around them who knew who they really were and what their abilities were, but that didn't mean they would share their life stories. It was too early for that.

Sure, Harry could say the same about Pavel, but what Harry never admitted was that his magic told him he could trust him and not have to fear anything, least of all betrayal from the younger boy. That's why at the beginning he told him what happened to him in life and in return he got the same treatment.

Harry just didn't really know what had changed in his thinking about Pavel. One moment he took him as his best friend and the next... he looked at him with completely different eyes.

In Harry's words, it was someone who knew almost everything about him in seven months, from the time he gets up for school, his eating habits, his bad habits, his favorite book, the time he writes to his aunts and uncles, to the time he goes sleep and how quickly he could fall asleep and why he had nightmares some nights and how to calm Harry down if he had one. Harry knew that Pavel knew everything about him.

Harry knew everything about Pavel as well as he knew about him. He knew everything about him including what kind of music he liked to listen to and was surprised that it wasn't anything from Russia, that when he was angry or frustrated his language would switch between English and Russian and the angrier he got, the more Russian he spoke.

It was Pavel who made Harry learn Russian, because he wanted to understand him, but mainly to calm him from the rage that consumed him, although not that often. It was really hard to make the cheerful boy angry, and Harry knew very well what strings to play to make him angry. But angry Pavel was not someone anyone wanted to experience because he was scary. Absolutely terrifying. Even Harry was afraid of him at his first outburst. He did flinch a bit when a book that was in the wrong place at the wrong time flew across their room. So Harry wasn't really trying to annoy his roommate in any way. No not really. He likes his new life very much, thank you very much.

But it wasn't about that.

Or was it?

It was just at the beginning of March when Harry and Pavel were moved to a higher year. Neither of them expected it, but their professors were right that later they got bored in the lower class because they easily learned what was needed and started learning the next year's material that seemed easy. In the end it was easy.

Only no one noticed that they had been bored in their class for two months, not just a fortnight.

They didn't have to catch up as much in their second year. The preparation was easy, the material was understandable, and even when students and professors offered help, they didn't take it. Not that they didn't want to, but they just didn't have to.

And their life at the Academy continued. They continued to exceed all the expectations of all the professors and continued to prove that it is not a good idea to underestimate them. In some cases, however, they did not try to refute that they are better than those who underestimate them. Sometimes it was good if they maintained the image of weak students who should not be in the Academy because of their age. They made no bones about it. They didn't expect everyone to like them. They knew it was just envy because of what the two of them had accomplished, they just didn't tell anyone that they had accomplished it together. One wouldn't leave without the other. They would defend each other from anyone who would try to harm them either physically or mentally. They were there for each other when they were constricted by nightmares or bad dreams.

They were there for each other and never doubted that life would be much more difficult without the other.

And maybe that was exactly the moment when Harry began to see Pavel with different eyes. The moment he understood that they are there for each other in every possible and impossible situation under any circumstances.

Whether it was the moment or not Harry was sure that one day they would confide. He couldn't hold his feelings in for long, and he knew it. Sooner or later, Pavel will find out, and it will either turn out well, or there will be a huge disaster.

Chapter Text

July 1998

We did it. We finally managed to talk Admiral Marcus into giving us a leave of absence before assigning us to the ship.

It seemed impossible.

That is, study.

I didn't have time to write anything here for the last two months, because Pavel and I were preparing for the exams. In two years, we completed the four-year Academy. And we passed it with flying colors in all subjects. We were the youngest students at the school, but we were also the fastest to graduate from the academy. It was actually surprisingly easy.

Not that anyone else would think so.

Together with Pavel, we learned everything we needed and much more, even though we never passed the exams of what we learned. We didn't care about being the captain of the ship, but we listened carefully to those who wanted the position, so we had a chance to learn something new. But it was more important for us to do the engineering and ship steering exams. These were our main goals and we achieved them. We no longer have to deal with compulsory learning.

Admittedly, it's something I enjoy, but the idea of being in space is much better than the idea of learning. I have accomplished a lot in my short life and whenever I want I can accomplish much more later, but for now I will rest.

But back to the holiday.

So we finally convinced Admiral Marcus that as graduates we deserved some time off before the mission.

We got three weeks.

And my aunt and uncle agreed that I could visit them together with Pavel, who was also looking forward to this visit. He saw how my relationship with my family had changed drastically and that they were no longer the same people I had told him about, and I was excited to see America. I'm really looking forward to going there tomorrow. We will be there for a fortnight.

Then we will spend a week in a hotel, where the other graduates of the year will also be, and together we will celebrate the successful passing of the exams. We will also pick up new recruits on the way back.

In those two months nothing really happened. In fact, we don't even know what ship they're going to put us on yet. They never told anyone. I just hope that Pavel and I will be in the same boat.

But we are sure that we belong to the commanding crew.

Huh, the yellow shirt was something that Pavel wanted more than me, and I honestly didn't expect it, I rather thought that I would be like a spare or be sent to the engine room, I wouldn't even mind if I was assigned to the medical section, although I received a blue shirt together with a doctor's badge. But I was a member of the command crew.

Yeah sure, I know. But I still have moments of underestimating myself or thinking about myself that I don't deserve certain things or I deserve in relation to the situation. And Pavel continues to stand by my side and continues to assure me that I deserve the yellow shirt as well as the blue and the red. I honestly don't understand who thought of giving me all three.

But for an eighteen, almost eighteen-year-old boy, it's quite an achievement. Great success. And I'm glad to have someone who reminds me of what I've accomplished and who is proud of me.

And no. I still haven't told Pavlov, even though I'm more than sure of my feelings for him. And in those two years, it's getting stronger and stronger. But I don't want to scare him. What if they don't feel the same way I do?

Or is he disgusted by the idea of having to love the same sex?

I don't want to lose a single person who has done so much for me. That alone makes me love him so much more just thinking about it.

And I wouldn't survive losing him because I doubt he'd like the idea of being friends with a boy who loves him. I'm not even sure you can get over it and move on. Falling in love with someone else.

At this moment, it is an absolutely unimaginable thought for me, because the curly boy creeps into my dreams. I'm not sure how long I can keep it a secret.

Risk is gain, right?

And who doesn't risk gets nothing?

But I have something to lose and I don't want to risk it.

And it doesn't matter that I know absolutely everything about him, just like he knows about me. He knows all my skeletons in the closet and I know his, which probably makes it worse.

It's terribly confusing.

Including me.

But I won't worry about it yet and I will enjoy the vacation together with Pavel, which we are both looking forward to. I'm just sad that his family wasn't interested in him showing up at home. They never wrote to him. It was the first time in two years that he had tried it, and even though he tried to hide his disappointment, you could see how much it hurt.

But I didn't know what was waiting for us all.

It was really beautiful in New York. It was definitely worth taking a vacation at the beginning of July.

A golden retriever puppy that Harry knew very well from his aunt's reports was running excitedly in the garden of the small family home. His cousin had definitely done something to his healthy one and Harry only saw it because he was playing with the dog in the garden.

Harry had long since forgotten what his relatives had done to him when he was younger. He wasn't bitter at all and was glad that their relationship had improved to the point that they themselves wanted to see him after so long. He learned to forgive those who truly deserved it and saw that his aunt and uncle were truly trying to repair their relationship and maintain the status of the family. They had to realize that Harry was the last connection to his aunt's sister and he would never have another.

"Mom? Harry's here?” he didn't even notice the moment his cousin saw him.

Pavel put a hand on his shoulder in a reassuring gesture and Harry didn't even realize he was so tense as he relaxed under Pavel's touch. He received a smile from his first Academy friend in return, and if Harry hadn't been nervous about the visit, the smile alone would have made his knees weak.

He should do something about this situation very quickly, or at least as soon as possible.

Moments later he was wrapped in a tight embrace by his aunt who was definitely looking good since he last saw her. New York definitely benefited her.

“Oh Harry. I'm so glad to see you. And you must be Pavel. Harry has told us a lot about you.” Harry tried to cover his blush before anyone noticed.

He was just glad that his aunt had decided to take them into the house and show them the room they would be sharing. It was a small family home after all. It wasn't a villa, and apparently that was enough for this family of three. Why have three guest rooms when one was enough. The only problem Harry saw was the double bed, something he would deal with later.

“Vernon isn't coming until the evening. He had to go to work today, but he's looking forward to seeing you.” this was exactly the kind of situation Harry had never experienced.

But that didn't mean he didn't like his aunt's sweet behavior. On the contrary. Any change for the better was a win for Harry. They definitely had a lot to talk about because there were a lot of topics that shouldn't be written in the report.

"So what's it like here? I mean New York?” that started the avalanche.

His aunt couldn't stop praising a big city like this, they seemed to have made a lot of friends in the neighborhood, and most of all, they also didn't seem to care how they looked to the neighbors.

"It was a new beginning for us. You were right then. We wanted to move out, but the fact that you were with us prevented us. I won't lie to you, I'll admit that I was a little sad to see you go, but it gave us a chance to live a new life where we wanted to. Dudley had changed as had Vernon and I.

I have to admit that there was something about that house in Beak Street. Whenever you were at school it was different than when you were at home. I know there was some type of protection and I wondered for a long time whether it was that or not, but the longer we were away from Britain the clearer our minds became and the more horrified we were at what we were thinking of doing to you .

To this day, I don't know what stopped us from doing it and I'm glad it didn't happen. But now we are elsewhere. Different town, different neighbors, MACUSA even sought us out and offered us protection from British Wizards because they've been following us since you left. They registered us as people who are allowed to visit the wizarding world and know about magic precisely because we tried to take care of you.

We told them everything. About how we treated you and what we wanted to do to you, and they still haven't been able to tell us what happened. I don't think they even know.” Harry could only stare.

He would never have expected such a speech, well maybe he had since they started communicating with each other, but he hadn't expected something like an admission that they wanted to do much more to him than just hate his person.

It made him wonder what was actually wrong with the house on Beak Street-

"Don't think. We're on vacation, remember?” and as always, Pavel was perfect at pinpointing the moment when Harry was thinking at a time when it wasn't needed.

"You're right. In any case, I will refrain from magic for this holiday. I'm not sure it's a good idea to use that magic.” and if Harry decided to do anything, it was to visit Gringott's Bank of America branch. “You said you were allowed to visit the wizarding world. You don't happen to know where Magic Alley is here in New York.'

"I know of one. We go there quite often. Brooklyn Street. Its entrance is hidden under the Brooklyn Bridge. It cannot be overlooked. So...can't be missed by a wizard and those who know about that entrance,” Harry gave her one behind his bright smiles.

He had a plan for the next day and he wanted to show Pavel the magical world he had told him so many stories about. He just nodded at the unspoken question. Pavel himself was curious about what the magical community on Earth looked like.

The rest of the day and evening passed in a pleasant atmosphere. Uncle Vernon didn't really arrive until late in the evening, and he was really excited to see Harry and it seemed Pavel too, who Harry had told them a lot about. He had no idea if his aunt knew anything, but he wasn't going to admit his feelings to anyone, at least not anytime soon. In the end, it wasn't that long before he admitted to himself that he didn't just fall in love with Pavel, but that he really loved him.

Uncle however gave almost the same speech as his aunt, but on top of that he added an apology for the whole family for how they had treated him over the years. Dudley even bowed his head in a shy gesture, and for the second time that day Harry stared at how much his family had changed for the better.

But he rejected their apology. He forgave them a long time ago and told them so too. Although he didn't understand the reasons, he forgave them because as mentioned before, it didn't seem like they were doing these actions out of their own judgment, but they definitely had enough strength to stoop to nothing worse than hatred. And Harry admired them for that. Not that he said it out loud at the time, but that's how it was. He himself wasn't sure he could withstand such an onslaught, wasn't sure he wouldn't break.

Finally, there was the question of sleep. Something he definitely didn't want to discuss with his relatives and if Pavlov didn't like them sharing a bed, he would sacrifice himself for them and use magic to separate the beds.

"I do not mind it. Harry let out a subtle breath.

He kind of hoped that it would turn out like this, but he wouldn't want to force Pavel into something he wouldn't like.

Harry fell asleep that night feeling that he could definitely get used to this. To fall asleep next to Pavel. Not only in the same dormitory, because after a while he discovered that his breathing calmed him down during sleep and was able to drive away his nightmares, but he would be able to get used to falling asleep next to Pavel.

Just in a slightly different situation.

The next day Harry woke up with a heavy feeling on his chest, an arm wrapped around someone's shoulders, one leg out of bed and very disoriented.

If he remembered correctly, he definitely didn't drink any alcohol the day before and he didn't remember taking anyone to his room. He definitely wouldn't invite someone into his bed. And certainly not because of sex.

He was slowly coming out of his sleep haze and trying to figure out where he actually was and why he was hugging the one sleeping on him.

It was like a snap of his fingers when he realized where he was and who was sleeping next to him. Or actually on it. And he knew very well whom he was hugging.

He opened his eyes very quickly indeed and directed them to where Pavel lay wrapped in his arms. His curly blond hair was sticking out in all directions and tickling his neck, but it seemed that Pavel was still fast asleep and didn't want to wake him from his slumber. He was sure the time difference would throw off the Russian, but as far as he remembered, the Academy's time zone was the same as New York's. It was the first thing he found out. How many hours does their time go forward, only to find out that it's not even an hour. If Harry was awake, Pavel should wake up at any moment too, as that was pretty much their habit.

Harry was always the first to wake up and Pavel not long after him.

Not that Harry was uncomfortable with the position, he just thought that his friend wouldn't like it if he woke up with his head on Harry's chest and an arm wrapped around his shoulders, so he tried as carefully as possible to move Pavel to his half of the bed so that he could to leave and vent the situation in which he found himself.

His little mission successfully accomplished, Harry headed to the bathroom to complete his morning rituals and show up for breakfast. He would let Pavel sleep as long as he needed, after all, traveling from one planet to another was not time-consuming. They had been sitting in their seats for almost eight hours and were not allowed to get up, so he wouldn't be surprised if the Russian slept a little longer.

"You still haven't told us how things are between you and the boy." and if Harry could, he'd probably drop to the ground just to avoid having to answer that question.

"We are friends. We're the only ones who haven't even turned twenty yet. We are the youngest graduates at the Academy and were the only ones around the same age. They put us in the same room on campus. Probably just because of the age.” it wasn't a lie, he just didn't say everything.

“But it doesn't seem like you just want friendship, Harry.” Harry had to admire how observant his aunt was, “You practically don't talk about anyone else in your messages. Don't get me wrong Harry, me and Vernon are happy that you found someone to love, I just don't think Pavel knows about it.'

"Does not know. I don't even know if they have any idea."

"And you want him to know?"

"You have no idea how much I wish he knew I loved him. I just don't know how he would react to that. I don't want to lose him just by telling him how much I care about him. What if he only sees me as his friend? I don't want to push him away by telling him.'

"Yet you suffer because of it."

"And how. I just...I don't know...he's great, he really is, but I'm afraid he won't talk to me again. That would hurt me even more than the thought of him only seeing me as his friend from school and maybe a colleague who operates with him on the ship.'

"Try talking to him about it. It might work out, it might not, and by telling him, you'll give him time to get used to the idea. If he's your true friend, he'll still see you like that, and if you love him like you say you do, you'll still see him and eventually you'll move on. If they feel the same way you do, you gain more than you lose.'

And Harry knew she was right.

He just needs to feel prepared for this type of conversation. Don't blurt it out on him all at once and intimidate him with it. He wouldn't care about that at all.

Moments later, before Harry could say anything, Pavel himself appeared in the dining hall, Harry hoped he hadn't heard any of it, and like every morning, Pavel managed the softest smile that definitely didn't leave Harry cold, it was the first time that because of he blushed at that.

"By the way, I almost forgot. I wrote to that friend of yours, Hermione. She wanted to know when you came back to Earth and that she would like to talk to you, but she has no way to contact you. And Hedvika stayed with us. Sometimes he delivers some mail to us from someone named Weasley, and from MACUSA.'

Harry wasn't surprised in the least. Although he originally thought that Hedwig was still with Hagrid at Hogwarts, but if the nature of his relatives could change, then he would understand that she had traveled with them. She would never date someone who would hurt her.

A few hours later, however, they made their way to Brooklyn Street, where Harry wanted to go. He hadn't made it to Gringott's bank before he left, and he hadn't been given a thorough wizarding background check at the Academy, so he wanted to catch up while he was on Earth, as he had no idea when he would be back here again.

He had to admit that Brooklyn Street was definitely not what he expected. It was a modern street that offered just about anything anyone could think of, not to mention the amount of muggle shops that were there. It was definitely not something he expected.

But what cheered him up was the surprised look on Pavel's face, which was the first time in the wizarding world, but not around wizards.

They slowly walked towards Gringott's bank which was nearby and easily recognizable and visible, it was an exact copy of the British branch, with exactly the same warning for thieves.

Goblins were not unusual, their applied engineering class was taught by a similar goblin, but this was a different kind of goblin and Harry could see that his friend was unable to keep his mouth shut from what he was seeing around him.

"Good morning. I would like to speak to someone who will give me a thorough medical and heritage test please.” the goblin manning the desk gave him a puzzled look before asking.

"And who's asking?"

“Harry James Potter, sir.” which really and truly shocked the goblin.

"Just a moment, please." he never once mentioned that Pavel had nothing to do there.

A moment later the original goblin came out with another one who was dressed much more lavishly, Harry could easily guess that this determined their position in the bank.

“Mr Potter, I'm glad you visited our branch instead of the British one. No less, I must ask that your escort leave the premises of the bank.” and honestly? This was exactly what Harry was expecting. And he had been properly prepared for it since the moment their vacation was approved and Pavel had agreed that Harry would show him something of the wizarding world.

“Okay, let me elaborate a bit. I am Lieutenant Harry J. Potter and this is Lieutenant Pavel A. Chekov. We are both members of Starfleet, and by agreement with the Federation and the United Wizarding Nations, Muggle members of Starfleet are the only exceptions who are allowed to know about magic, as many wizards and witches operate in space with the Federation. Lieutenant Pavel Chekov is also covered by this exception, therefore he will not and must not be prosecuted by clairvoyants, his memory of magic must not be erased, and he is allowed access to all parts of the wizarding world. This is how the exemption was signed even by Gringotts before the creation of the Federation itself and Starfleet.”

And even though the goblin himself didn't like it at all, he had to admit that Harry was right and there was nothing he could do about it. The goblin might have seen him as a threat, but Pavel was just fascinated by what he had seen during his time in the wizarding world.

“So you were talking about a thorough medical examination and a genetic test. Where shall we begin?'

"By the Inheritance Test."

So Harry was given some instructions on what to do and what to happen after he did it, Wizarding rituals didn't seem that unusual to him after seeing so many of them during his time at the Academy. There was never a distinction between dark and light magic because even dark magic could be used for good things and light magic could be used for bad things. It was the first thing he learned in his first year at Hogwarts and he occasionally used dark magic himself if it served a good purpose and he liked that the Federation didn't differentiate between magic. To them it was just magic and if you didn't do anything wrong with it, and no one else, you weren't prosecuted and judged for it.

As he expected, after the seven drops were dripped onto the parchment, his name began to appear along with other things such as lordship claims and inheritance claims, his parents' names, the vaults he claimed and how much money was in them, and his abilities.

There was something special about those.

The abilities didn't show up in the health test, after all the abilities were part of his heritage that he got from his ancestors and would pass on when he had children of his own, the strange thing was that almost all of his abilities were blocked and he didn't like that.

He was obviously able to break a few blocks, such as his snake tongue art, perfect photographic memory, his high IQ and focus, but his ability to shapeshift like Tonks could was blocked along with a lot of others.

He also couldn't understand why his mother's features were blocked and his father's features were encouraged. He didn't understand why the block was in his sight, and he didn't understand why this particular block appeared on the inheritance test until he reached the end of the test. As it turns out, he had the ability to see magic around him, including the color of spells and such, and this blocking damaged his eyesight enough that he was forced to wear glasses.

Oh how he hated them but he couldn't wear contact lenses because his eyes didn't like it and the magic was destroying the material in his eyes which was very painful and uncomfortable.

Without a word he gave his inheritance test to the goblin as it was classic procedure for the goblin to verify correctness in case Harry was not who he claimed to be.

He slowly watched his stony face turn angry and finally he was so angry that if Harry didn't know better he would have thought the anger was directed at him.

"That changes a lot, Lieutenant Potter." Harry didn't bat an eyebrow at being addressed like that.

He wouldn't expect any respect from those creatures, that didn't mean he wouldn't show any, but he certainly didn't expect something like this to happen practically any minute.

“I think it's best if you undergo a medical examination and then we can discuss the next course of action, because what I've read is very serious. Just one single block on an ability is a serious offense unless it was placed on health for a threat, but this was completely intentional.” without another word, the goblin led them out of the office, towards the medical room, Harry noticed Pavel look at him with a question in his eyes, but Harry just shook his head, silently not indicating that they would talk about it later.

In the time they had known each other, they could easily read each other's body language and understood what the other was saying to him, therefore he knew that Pavel completely understood what Harry was trying to tell him without uttering a single sound or word.

The medical room was exactly as he expected it to be. Full of medical supplies, with cupboards full of potions and he was quite surprised to find muggle technology as well. It was exactly as Harry thought. Magic could cure a lot of muggle ailments, and muggles could cure some of the magical ones. That's why he wasn't surprised that the goblins would have muggle devices, because the goblins were not only famous bankers, but also great healers who had much more experience in healing than wizards themselves and explored possibilities that no one else wanted.

Here was a clear demonstration that magical and muggle resources could be useful in both worlds.

However, another round of tests began for Harry. While a few drops of spilled blood wouldn't kill him, examining his body wasn't unusual, describing some of the symptoms was a little awkward because no one ever asked, and it turned out that Harry was suffering from some kind of pain in his body that he didn't even realize he had. feels

None of them liked what the goblin doctor found out. The extent of his past injuries were discovered, and while the Dursleys had never hit him, there were far too many on his body. He could explain some of the injuries. For example, basilisk venom and phoenix tears in his body, as well as a broken arm at the age of six, which was really the result of an accident and not because his relatives abused him, could also explain his unconscious state last year, which was the result of bad timing during sparring with his opponent and he took a blow to the head that was too hard that knocked him out for several days, his opponent who was also his friend never left his side of the bed the whole time and kept apologizing to Harry when he woke up.

One day they will laugh about it.

But there were a lot of injuries he couldn't explain. He had no idea what a vitaeal was and how it got into his body, he had no idea that he had ever suffered a dislocated shoulder but it could have been from playing Quidditch because he fell off the broom too often, he couldn't explain some of the scars on his body , he had no idea about the malfused shin he didn't even know he had ever broken, he couldn't explain the scar on his other shoulder that wasn't caused by the dragon during the first task, there were just too many things he couldn't explain but he had a feeling it could related to the amount of memory spells someone had cast on him, the test couldn't reveal who.

“Be that as it may, this is a huge problem. I would suggest starting the cleanse immediately, even on your abilities. Of course, extracting the Horcrux will be a painful process, but we can extract it from you and destroy it without killing you, which is one way to destroy the vitel.

You should report home, Lieutenant Potter, as you must remain here until at least the following morning, as the cleansing will be long, and the recovery from the Horcrux will also be hard on your body and your soul.'

Harry therefore used his PADD to write to his aunt that he and Pavel would be staying at the bank due to the complications that had arisen. He would tell her everything when he arrived, but now was not the time for him to explain at length what had happened and why he really had to stay there.

Nevertheless, Pavel did not leave his side. He was there for Harry as comfort and emotional support, which Harry was extremely grateful for as it gave him hope that everything would be okay and he would get over it quickly. He just wanted to know why someone had to cast memory spells on him and why he couldn't remember some of his injuries.

Thus began the lengthy, sometimes painful process of his purification. The most painful process so far was the purification of his magic core and his abilities, after his core was released he received a huge shock wave of magic from him that resulted in windows and display cases being glazed, knocking back some of the goblins who were tending to him and a shock in Pavel's face.

Healing his scars wasn't that painful, even fixing his badly fused shin bone, fixing his fingers, curing his underweight that he still suffered from despite eating right at the Academy, he just couldn't gain the weight he wanted.

But the vitel removal was by far the worst he had ever experienced.

The pain was excruciating, Harry couldn't force himself not to scream. The alien piece of soul didn't give up that easily, it clung to him with its teeth and nails, it didn't want to leave his body at any cost and it tried to get back to the safety of Harry's body, but in the end the goblins managed it, but Harry didn't feel it was over because almost at the end of the cleansing he passed out from the pain , which no one could blame him for.

It was dark when he woke up. He remembered that it was definitely light when he entered the treatment room. He knew where he was, this time he wasn't as disoriented as he had been that morning, and he was gradually beginning to notice changes that he could immediately recognize.

The difference in his vision was the first thing Harry noticed. Apparently the cleansing of his eyes was not the only cause of his poor vision and after the vitel was removed his vision was clear like never before. He could easily see the crack in the ceiling and wondered if the shock wave of his magic had caused it or if it had been there for a long time.

He also felt no pain. Nowhere. His head stopped throbbing without him ever realizing it was happening, but now that the sensation was gone it was much more noticeable and noticeable. He had never felt so good in his life.

However, he didn't have time to think more about what other changes happened to his body when a familiar and tired voice spoke up next to him.

"How are you feeling?" Harry looked in the direction of the voice.

He looked at the visibly tired Pavel Chekov and wondered how scared his friend was when he started screaming in pain, how he felt watching something he had never seen in his life, would never see again, and didn't understand what was actually happening.

Harry knew Pavel too well to know that if the younger boy was scared, he would never listen to an explanation someone was telling him unless they knew how to get his attention to listen and take in what someone was saying. So he had no doubt that if the goblins explained to him what was happening to him, Pavel did not perceive or listen to a single word they said to him.

"Surprisingly well. What about you? You look like you're going to fall asleep at any moment.” he didn't need to state the obvious, but he noticed that some of his tension had slipped from Pavel and he relaxed noticeably as he listened to what Harry was saying.

The soft smile on the blue eyed boy's face was definitely proof that his mind was relieved as he thought about the worst that could happen.

“I think they told me to go and sleep for a while, but I couldn't. I didn't know what was going on with you.” which only confirmed Harry's words that Pavel was definitely not listening to anything anyone was telling him.

"Just go. I'm fine and I mean it this time. You need rest." and with those words, and another gentle smile, Pavel went to another ready bed that wasn't there before and went to get some energy.

The clock on the wall told Harry it was half past eleven at night. He had been out for nearly six hours, if he remembered correctly the time the clock showed when the goblins set about removing his vitel.

Harry almost didn't notice the goblin coming to check on him, but he heard him say, “We're taking you to the office, Lieutenant Potter. We will take care of Lieutenant Chekov, and when he wakes up we will bring him to you.'

And so Harry was taken to where it all began.

He had no doubt that it would be his turn to receive his lordship and heir rings now, he just wondered if he should even accept them since he wouldn't be staying on Earth as long as his lordly duties would require. He knew he had to accept Lord Potter's ring because it was his inheritance, just as he had to accept Lord Black's ring because he didn't want to disappoint his godfather but he didn't know about the others.

Where could anyone be wrong that for every Lordship Harry would need one descendant. That he could not marry a man and would have to marry a woman with whom he would have to produce several heirs. But the opposite was true. Fortunately, the wizarding world allowed adoptions, and especially blood adoptions, so officially any child they adopted would be biologically theirs, even if a male pregnancy was not possible.

"But I can't fulfill my other duties. My position in Starfleet does not allow me to be on Earth as often as my duties as a Lord require, and I have no one to represent me in my position. I really don't want to give up my dream just because I have to inherit five names, or add a sixth to my name.” he would really sacrifice his Lordships for his place in Starfleet.

Being cooped up in a house worrying about politics was not something he wanted.

“A lot has changed in the time you've been at the Academy, Lieutenant Potter. All Lords are no longer required to be in the Mayor's Chamber, it is not the duty of Lords to attend every event they are invited to, and since the Academy is essentially under America, and you have been taken into their care, you are officially an American citizen, and the American the laws allow you to accept Lordship and not fulfill your duties if you are a member of Starfleet. Except for the point about children, of course. You will have to fulfill that regardless of whether you accept all the rings or not.” Harry didn't have to ask what that meant.

He could accept all the rings and not have to worry about being dethroned because he's not even on a planet.

And so he did.

He accepted the rings of Potter, Black, Pendragon, Gryffindor, and accepted the Peverell heir ring because he was not yet twenty-one and therefore not entitled to a lord's ring.

The magic of each ring he put on surrounded him, the rings instantly fused into a single black and gold ring, and Harry felt even better than when he woke up.

He was finally able to leave the wizarding world for good, as he had already taken care of everything he needed. No one could harm him anymore, no one could put harmful potions into his body, no one could place compulsions on him, and no one could poison him with all known and unknown poisons. He was given a box with the rest of his rings. There are only Lady or Consort rings, heir rings, and heir sibling rings.

During that time, a visibly rested Pavel joined them, who for some reason looked at him and then frowned. "You have a golden color in your eyes." and he traced a circle around his eyes with his hand to show what he meant.

Harry didn't even try to say anything as the goblin quickly answered. “That's what accepting Lord Pendragon's ring does. You are literally a king, and the gold outline around your green proves your status as a member of the royal family. Upon mating with your future spouse or Lady, your husband or wife will appear with the same gold stripe, and all children will carry the silver. No matter what name they bear, they will still be members of the royal family. If you have grandchildren and still hold the title of Lord and King, they will have bronze eyes.” and Harry just widened his eyes at this information.

He should have realized that when he accepted the ring of Pendragon.

"But-"

"There's nothing to worry about. The same rules apply. Magical Britain saw changes in government the moment you accepted the ring. You don't have to be afraid to go out in public and prove your status because the ring has accepted you and thus claimed your claim to the throne. Orcs are your go-betweens. Starfleet gave us our own PADD after we signed the contract, so if your word is needed, we'll let you know and we won't do anything without your consent.''

There was too much information for one day.

Harry just needed to close his eyes and absorb all the things he had learned, discovered, and that had just affected his life.

It's going to be just a little harder than he originally thought.

He returned home with mixed feelings.

Pavel was suspiciously quiet next to him and didn't say a word even when Harry moved them from Gringott's bank to their aunt's room. Harry himself didn't know how to react to the whole situation, but he noticed Paul's silence.

"Is something wrong?" Harry would readily admit that the quiet Pavel was really unsettling him, so much so that he put his own problems aside to solve the plight of a loved one.

“You...you're not coming back with me, are you?” so this was it? Harry realized that Pavel wasn't in the same room when the goblin informed him of what he didn't have to do as a Lord. "I mean...you're king now, and this position probably won't allow you to return to the fleet."

"I won't stay here. I wouldn't accept the lord rings if it meant I couldn't go back to the fleet. My position as king can't prevent that either. I... all I have to do is... the part about the heirs... otherwise... I don't have to worry about anything else and you heard that the goblins have PADD too, so if there's a problem they can always write to me... and no matter what…I'll always come back for you.” wasn't exactly what he wanted to say, but there was no turning back.

He should tell him.

"Pavel, I-"

“Harry? Pavel? Are you back yet? We have a visitor.'

And Harry had never cursed his luck like he did right now. He finally mustered up some courage to express his feelings.

He knew it wasn't his aunt's fault, she had no idea what she was getting into, but damn…this was exactly the moment Harry could never have prepared for.

And Harry's jaw dropped to the floor as they descended the stairs to look at the visitor that awaited them in the living room.

He definitely wouldn't be expecting a couple of people sitting on the couch drinking tea.

Sitting in his aunt's house was a smiling Hermione Granger and a scowling Ron Weasley.

Rival.

That was the first thing that came to Harry's mind.

Then it was the protection of Pavel, who stood directly behind him, instinctively reaching for his wand should one or the other attempt a foundry.

The smile didn't leave Hermione's face even as she let out an excited "Harry!" and ran over to hug him in a bear hug.

Ron, on the other hand, was still sitting rigidly in his seat, looking at him with jealousy in his eyes.

“For Merlin, look at yourself. You look different. As good otherwise. You are taller. I see that the Academy definitely benefited you. And who is your boyfriend?” Harry didn't even try to correct her that his health was due more to the goblins than his studies at the Academy,

He wasn't even surprised to know about Starfleet Academy. It was Hermione. She knew everything there was to know. Harry was worried about Ron still sitting in his seat and not trying to make any contact with him.

"That's Pavel Chekov. My former classmate, probable colleague and best friend.” he didn't even bother to think about the consequences because it was the truth anyway. Or at least that's been true so far.

After all, no one could have expected him to consider these two his best friends, even though he still thought of Hermione as his sister rather than his friend. Ron on the other hand didn't try to make contact with him when they were about to enter sixth year and that's how his friendship with the boy turned out the way it did.

“Pavel, this is Hermione Granger, my former classmate and sister in all but blood. This is Ron Weasley, my other former classmate and friend from school.” he didn't bother putting honey around the red haired boy's mouth, and besides, Pavel knew how he treated him, so he didn't really label him as one of his best friends.

"How can Pavel be your former classmate? Were you expelled from the Academy?” Hermione asked as Pavel shyly greeted them with a wave of his hand and a nervous smile on his face.

“Really Mia? I also said that he is my likely colleague. We finished our studies at the Academy two weeks ago. Now we're just waiting to see which ship they assign us to."

"But-"

"Yes, studies last four years. But nowhere is it written that they let their cadets get bored in classes if they are far ahead with the material. We finished our studies in two years. We were the youngest cadets at the Academy and are currently the youngest lieutenants in Starfleet. We're just here on a well-deserved vacation.” but he still suspected that they only got such a long vacation because Harry and Pavel asked for it.

"I always thought you were a genius."

"Yeah. I also have a Slytherin in me, a high IQ, a photographic memory and the ability to quickly learn manual labor. Pavel is the same genius as me, only a year younger."

"So Lt. Potter huh?" oh how he missed his sister's playful side.

Yet she still didn't have the strength to keep him in the wizarding world when he decided to join the fleet two years ago.

"At your service. Dr. Potter too, if you don't mind."

"And an engineer, a physicist, a chemist and a biochemist, a geek in the languages of the possible and the impossible with the ability to take the Enterprise apart and put it back together, a great opponent in hand-to-hand combat, and if he wanted to, he could easily pass the captain's exams tomorrow and get his own ship." and as always, Pavel brought out everything Harry could do.

"Thanks. That's what I needed." needless to say, it was definitely sarcasm, which Pavel immediately understood.

However, his sister's amused smile indicated that she saw more than either of them were letting on. He didn't have to ask, he could see it in her, he just didn't know what she saw.

Still, he was still bothered by his once best friend's silence. It didn't hurt him. Get over it a long time ago. Whatever Ron said to him now would have no effect on him, knowing Ronald Weasley's fiery nature. He still had no idea why Ron had come too, but he wasn't about to find out. But he had a bad feeling that this visit was going to be anything but good.

At least from Ron's side.

"Are they still looking for me?" Harry suddenly asked.

He had not been interested in the wizarding world for almost half a year. He didn't know if they were still looking for him or not, but he didn't want to be dragged into anything that was being prepared with his person. He didn't care anymore.

"They never stopped. Dumbledore still refuses to believe that you left on your own, even though he doesn't know where you are. He keeps telling everyone that you were forced to leave or that you were kidnapped. No one is fighting Voldemort because everyone is waiting for you to come back and kill him. It's bad Harry. Half the wizarding world doesn't care where you are, a quarter of the wizarding world says you finally got your wits about you and ran away from everything that was out to get you and still is out if they ever find you and the other quarter says you're a coward who was too scared to stand up to Voldemort and risk his own life to save the wizarding world. Surprisingly, Voldemort and the Death Eaters are the ones who say you got your wits about you. Ron is one of those who say you're a coward.'

"Then why did you come here?" Harry asked him.

For the first time since that moment, Ron gave him any kind of look at all, and for the first time he showed any emotion other than absolute indifference.

“To see how a coward like you turned out. I wanted to see what kind of comfortable life you live while the rest of us stick our necks out and fend off Death Eaters on a daily basis. You are to kill Voldemort and rid the world of that slimy snake. You have a duty to the wizarding world and instead you ran away like a dusty dog and buried yourself deep underground. Dumbledore commissioned me to bring you to Hogwarts so he could prepare you to kill Voldemort.'

If nothing else, Harry started to laugh, really loudly. Pavel next to him knew very well what that meant. Not only was Harry genuinely amused, but he made it clear what he thought of it all.

This house was going to need Fidelio's charm now as he had no doubt that the owl or patron had already left America and was heading to Britain to pinpoint Harry's exact location.

“I should have known I shouldn't have come back to Earth. You were right Pavel, we should have stayed at the Academy.

You're right, Ron, I do have a duty to the wizarding world, but not what you think, and I can handle that duty from another planet three galaxies away. You and your views that have been fed to you since you started to understand are the very reason I left. No one and nothing could keep me here, and there is no one on this planet who has such power. There is only one person in the world and in the entire universe that I would give up everything for and if he told me he wanted to live in the wizarding world and kill Voldemort for him, I would do it in the blink of an eye. There is only one person in the entire universe who has the power that if he told me to destroy a planet for him, I would do it and still dream of watching the planet burn.

But it's not you. I used to call you my friend but after you turned your back on me a few times you lost my trust a long time ago.

You are one of the reasons why I left without looking back.

Dumbledore can try harder to get me but he won't succeed.

My place is in Starfleet and only that one person has the power to tell me to come with him if he asks me to or even mentions it.” and he meant every word he said absolutely and deadly seriously.

Only Harry didn't really realize that Pavel had such an influence on him. He thought he was in love with him and loved him with all his heart, he just didn't realize that he had exactly that effect on him. But now that he said it out loud, he actually realized it was true.

The complete and utter truth.

"You-!"

“Don't even try. Don't go on with what you were going to say. If you are here to insult me and take me back to Britain, disappear immediately. I don't want you around me or around Pavel. If Hermione wants to stay, I'm not stopping her, but you get out before I curse you into the new century and the last one just in case.” and he could do it with his eyes closed.

Ron just stood up and walked away without another glance at any of them.

Fortunately, Hermione stayed and thanks to her he learned a lot of other things in one day that were definitely interesting. Eventually she had to leave too, but this time she was leaving with the PADD that Harry had prepared for her when he finally met her. That way she could stay in touch with him and not have to rely on him sending letters to that address for his aunt to pass on messages from his sister.

It was a long two days. Harry needed to recharge after casting the Fidelio Charm on the house, except that muggles who knew about the house could see it, they just couldn't talk to magical people about it.

That day, Harry fell asleep even before his head hit the pillow. That's why he never noticed the look that Pavel gave him. He never realized that he was thinking about the words he had said to Ron that day, he never could realize that it had all dawned on Paul and that he wanted to ask him if he meant it.

But just like the previous day, when Harry wanted to express his feelings, Pavel lost his courage.

For Harry's benefit and his own sleep.

Chapter Text

End of July 1998

So after three weeks we returned back to campus. It was definitely an interesting three weeks that brought a lot of awareness, information, kidnapping attempts, threats, but also one hangover laugh and a lot of jokes from our former classmates.

We were still too young in their eyes, but they learned to respect us a long time ago, mainly because we managed to go through four grades in such a short time and pass the exams as the top two of the grade.

Hermione, on the other hand, took the opportunity and hid in America. It helped a lot that I interceded and even Aunt Petunia agreed that she could live with them.

In those three weeks, I had the chance to get to know my family again. Now I can call them that, because they turned out to be people who mattered and I was not indifferent to them. Over the years, I've actually gotten used to the fact that my aunt and uncle are completely different people, as is my cousin. It can be seen that America has helped them a lot in many ways. Any other country in Europe probably wouldn't be far enough for them to escape Dumbledore's clutches. In general, it wasn't even like he could try to force them to tell him where I actually was. I never told them the exact location of the Academy, only that it is not on Earth.

But what was devastating to see was Pavel's desire to see his native Russia. He didn't say it out loud, but he didn't have to say anything at all so that a certain and almost slight envy could not be seen on him, when I could meet my family, while Pavel could not. He acts as if nothing is happening, but I know very well that he is extremely hurt by the feeling of rejection by his own family. I felt the same way when I realized as a child that my relatives would never accept me. Fortunately, it turns out that this is not true at all, and that people can change for the better.

I tried to point this out to Pavel, but it was absolutely clear that he had lost all hope of ever seeing his own family again. Maybe. Maybe one day he will actually see them, maybe his family will realize that they made a mistake by pushing Pavel away, but really just maybe.

My opinion of Pavel being a great young man is somewhat skewed by my feelings for him. It is just my personal opinion that it is impossible not to love Pavel, or not to like him in any way. His friends tell him the same thing, but it's basically not the same situation.

I completely understand his desire for his own family. What makes him different from me is that his parents are still alive. I never recognized mine.

In any case, we all definitely benefited from the time off. I feel much more rested and could just about deal with any problem that anyone throws my way, except perhaps expressing my feelings for Pavel.

I still don't know what to do, and I'm still afraid of how he'll react, but since my outburst at Ron, he's been acting...well...happier? Yes, I definitely feel a lot happier, I just don't know what caused it.

It would certainly be nice to find out, but I'm actually glad that Pavel doesn't worry about anything and is even happier than when I first met him. He definitely has so much energy flowing through him that I envy him for having so much of it. It's a nice change to see him relaxed and not worrying about anything.

We also learned about what ship we would be going on. And for the first time in my life I am lucky. Pavel and I have been assigned to the USS Enterprise as members of the command crew, and we are just waiting for the date when we can sail from the docks-

So I'll have to go because the emergency has started and they're calling us.

Their PADDs started flashing at an unexpected moment.

The message was clear and concise.

Volcano in danger. Immediate embarkation on a rescue mission. Report to your captain!

Harry and Pavel had packed for the trip in advance, but since it was only a rescue mission, they packed what was needed, the lightning speed with which they changed was amazing, but they were trained for this. The two in yellow t-shirts hurried with their reduced luggage towards Captain Pike to transfer to the Enterprise, while the undivided cadets were still waiting to be sorted. They had it easier in that they were informed in advance about where they would go, but also mainly because they were members of the command.

Captain Pike looked at them with some interest and confusion, but said nothing as he looked at their badges.

"Are you Lieutenant Potter?"

"I am, Captain."

“I've heard a lot about you. And about your boyfriend too. It is remarkable that such young people as you two apply to the Academy. No one expected you to make it, we were even more surprised when you made it through the Academy in just two years and in two majors straight away.” Harry couldn't help feeling that their captain couldn't remember Pavel's name.

True, it was a bit of a funny situation, he was sure that Pavel would definitely not be offended because his name, although not difficult to pronounce, was simply a foreign name and their professors had trouble remembering it. And Harry himself had a problem at first. Just weekly.

But their service under Captain Pike was something they both longed for in their own way. They had heard so much about him and captained them more than once during their simulations, they had to admit that the man definitely knew what he was doing.

And then it finally came. Transferring them to the Enterprise was basically their dream come true. Harry was to fulfill the duties of the main shields during this mission and was second in command to the helmsman when needed.

He didn't mind. He didn't need to have such an important role right from the start as Pavel, who performed the function of second helmsman. For now, he was glad to keep to himself and have time and peace to fulfill his duties. He would hate to neglect something. He had a function on the bridge and that was enough for him. It was even more enough for him to be near Pavel and watch over him. Not that he would ever admit it.

The bridge gradually began to fill with other officers and people from the commanding crew, each of them took their place and did their work for which they had their orders.

Harry only became aware of the captain's presence when someone from the crew announced his arrival. He didn't even realize he wasn't actually there.

“Lieutenant Potter. Can you keep up with us?” all attention was currently focused on him and only him.

This was the type of attention he just didn't like and he felt nervous. He wasn't going to throw it away. He was a man on a mission, just like everyone else on board with them. But he still didn't like it when someone tried to underestimate him. Captain Pike did run some flight simulations with them, but that didn't mean he noticed Harry's handling of his duties or not all the time.

“Of course I do, Captain.” and instead of an answer he only received an encouraging smile that gave him the courage to truly master his role and do his absolute best.

There was more and more commotion around him as the bridge gradually began to fill with command. And that was something Harry really liked. He would not be able to work in complete silence. That's why he liked the simulation classes taught by Captain Pike. Because under his command, he felt completely safe, even when they were training the Kobaiasha Maru, which was absolutely the hardest and could not be mastered.

He heard about what Cadet Kirk had done. Who not. His behavior was partly condemned and partly praised by some senior officers for his ingenuity, just as everyone heard that his hearing was scheduled for today to answer for cheating.

And cheating on simulations was something the Academy condemned harshly and mercilessly if they had a good reason to do so. Harry himself was of the opinion that as a cadet in the captain's position, he was definitely a resourceful person who would do absolutely anything to win and be successful, but he was also of the opinion that being successful and winning wasn't everything if you didn't have someone to brag about it and who would actually praise you for it and be proud of you. He shared his successes with Pavel and he with him. That was enough for him. He knew that even if he lost or failed in something, Pavel would always be there for him and would support him, whether it was a complete piece of crap or a huge problem.

Then the flight was finally ordered...

...just to stay put.

Everyone around looked around to see what was going on and why they hadn't moved from their spot and were still where they were five minutes ago.

“Lieutenant, where is the helmsman McCanell?

"He has pneumonia, he couldn't report for duty. I am Hikaru Sulu, sir.”

"And are you really a pilot?"

"Yes, I am, but ... I'm not sure what the problem might be."

"Don't you have the handbrake on, Mr. Sulu?"

"No. I'll figure it out."

"Did you turn off the external inertial damper?"

And then they finally unstuck. Something he had been waiting for for two long years. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Pavel, and his expression was equal to the utter happiness of a five-year-old child who received his dream Christmas present. Harry would say with absolute certainty that his expression was the same as Pavlo's. He wasn't going to judge him for it. After all, this is what they trained for.

“Hey, Russian genius, what's your name? Cherkov, Cheykov?"

“Chekov, sir. Pavel Andrejevic."

"Okay Mr. Chekov Pavel Andreevich, Announce our intention.

"Yes, Captain."

Then Harry heard Pavel try to enter through voice control, and then his Russian muttering when he failed the first time. Even after two years, he still had a heavy Russian accent, and Harry doubted he would ever get rid of it. He briefed the crew on the rescue mission to Vulcan and the estimated time of arrival. He would never have expected what would happen next.

Or rather a few minutes later.

Cadet Kirk, who, as Harry remembered correctly, wasn't allowed on any of the ships, let alone the Enterprise, barged onto the bridge without a single pass and started saying something about flying into a trap.

He definitely had substantiated and verified evidence for this, which even Commander Spock was able to confirm. The only Vulcan on board.

For Harry personally, it wasn't so much that he even got there even though he was barred, but what he was actually saying. For the first time in his life, he felt a significant amount of fear, when he feared not only for the lives of others, but for the first time he also feared for his own.

And that was saying something.

The idea of him flying into a Romulan trap was really real and especially made sense when Cadet Kirk mentioned what the facts and evidence were at Spock's request.

They flew straight into the trap, and Harry couldn't do anything until his captain gave the order. He just hoped he would release it in time. That is, if he releases it at all.

And to Harry's relief it actually did when the shield was ordered to be redirected to the bow of the ship, and seeing the devastation after they reached their destination, he was actually glad that Kirk had gotten aboard the ship despite his ban to warn them .

It was literally a stroke of luck.

Not that it was cause for real joy, as there was no time for that due to evasive maneuvers, and then someone calling themselves Nero called to them, demanding Pike's presence on the enemy ship. The arguments and fear for their captain was clear and obvious and logical, yet Harry wasn't surprised when Pike decided to accede to their enemy's demands.

"Who here has close combat experience?" wasn't really a surprising question either.

They wanted to destroy the receiver jammer and there was no doubt that Romulan enemies would be there as well.

"Me too, Captain." Harry would later say that it made perfect sense to him, but at the moment his mouth was working before his brain and he uttered the sentence with absolutely no thought.

But he never noticed the frightened look of his former classmate.

"Lieutenant Potter, this is not child's play."

“I know, sir. I had self-defense classes at the Academy, from which I received a professional certificate, the moment I managed to beat our instructor six times in a row." their instructor, he was actually the best kickboxer on Earth.

He was recognized by the Federation for what he had accomplished in his life, he was a professional in his field and definitely knew what he was doing, Harry was a natural talent during his training and it was rumored that none of his students had ever beaten him and that the cadet immediately marks a professional if he or she manages to beat him or her at least once. And Harry did it six times in a row in one day, just to prove that it wasn't just his luck.

Pike stared at him with his mouth hanging open.

Harry didn't have to ask why.

No one had ever managed to do what Harry had done, even though Harry had taken self defense classes just in case. It always came in handy because you never knew when someone would decide to attack you.

"Well. Mr. Sulu, Mr. Potter and you Kirk are coming with me. Commander Spock, the ship is now under your command."

Harry was shaking, not sure if it was fear or excitement as he pulled on his protective gear and sat between Kirk and Sulu. He faintly remembered that Kirk was the first officer at the moment, and even faintly remembered the sentence echoing in his mind about whether Pike was joking when he did that. All this was of no use to him now.

Kirk had everything they needed with him, Sulu was getting ready to drop, and Harry was trying to calm his pounding heart as this was the first time he was on a real mission and the first time he would be on another planet. He tried to calm himself down with what Pavel was doing aboard the Enterprise.

"What type of melee combat are you good at, Sulu?" the question took Harry's mind off his thoughts and he listened with interest to Sulu's answer to Kirk's question.

"Sword," was an unusual answer, but considering Helmsman Sulu's background, it made sense to him.

Kirk looked at him with a look of surprise and disbelief on his face. "Sword?" Sulu didn't answer him any further.

“Prepare to drop. Remember, if you don't destroy the jammer, we can't take you back to the ship. Good luck."

Here it was. An action Harry wasn't mentally prepared for, but he wasn't about to show his fear. He knew himself well enough to say that if he could do this, he wouldn't have a problem with anything. He was more or less sure of that.

Before he knew it, he was flying through space towards Vulcan, counting down in his mind how long he had until the landing point on the platform. He couldn't bring himself to think the worst, couldn't bring himself to think about what would happen to him if his visor broke. All he thought about was opening the parachute in time and landing with his feet where he was supposed to.

The Vulcan was slowly getting closer to the point where he could make out the platform that Kirk and Sulu were supposed to land on and he almost overheard the command to open the parachute, That was the end of his fear for him as he knew very well that he could do the rest without any trouble .

He watched with some fear as Kirk nearly fell off the platform but didn't have time to help him as the Romulan was attacking him. He automatically switched to self-defense and attack mode. It was a trait he had cultivated during school. he had to learn to separate school life from the normal life and eventually he was able to apply this method to all activities.

He took on two attackers at once to distract them from Kirk who had explosives on him giving him plenty of time to do whatever he needed to do, however two attackers was a bit much for Harry but that didn't mean he was going to let one or the other escape to stop Kirk from doing what he had to do.

With difficulty Harry was able to knock the one who attacked him unconscious giving Kirk much more time to his task when out of the corner of his eye he saw Sulu rushing towards him with a determined look on his face which was a mistake as the other The Romulan drew his knife at that moment when he saw what Sulu was holding in his hand. Harry wondered if the man really thought he could defeat someone with a katana in hand with a simple knife.

It was a good distraction for Harry, though, as two well-aimed blows were all he needed at this point and the Romulan attacker was lying next to his colleague on the platform. He bound them with his spell just in case they woke up and thought to attack them again.

He heard through the receiver that the interference had been cleared and they could safely transfer them to the Enterprise when he saw Sulu fall over the edge of the platform and Harry jumped after him without thinking. Maybe he would regret it later, maybe it would help him in some way, but he couldn't let anything happen to anyone, even if the mission wasn't under his command.

“Potter Enterprise, transport us please. Me and Sulu are falling.” the closer he got to the ground, the more he felt panic take over him.

An object flew past him, but he didn't care because Kirk had already reported it, and he was finally within reach of his mate, pulling him closer so they could more easily carry them aboard.

"We're doing what we can, but you're falling too fast."

“Then the hell transfer us. Soon you will have no one to carry.”

"Harry hold on. I can do it."

"Pavel the cannon, please! Now would be good.”

Harry closed his eyes before hitting the ground. He didn't want to watch his death. Or the death of someone else. At least he heard Pavel's voice. Not that he was reassured by that, at least somewhat. He hoped that Pavel could carry them back on board. He had the head and knowledge for it.

"I've got you." and only then did Harry relax because if Pavel said I've got you it always meant he'd actually made it and when Harry finally opened his eyes he saw golden beams beaming them aboard the Enterprise and with a hard impact , landed in the transmission room.

"Thanks," Sulu's voice said and Harry sighed along with him.

"You're welcome."

Kirk was already on board as well, Harry could hear him talking at someone a mile a minute, only to find out a moment later that it was Spock who was ushering them somewhere else. After his transfer, he suddenly had Pavel's arms full of him, who held him so tight that he ran out of air in his lungs. Who would have thought that he would have such power.

But it didn't matter. The feeling was so great that Harry couldn't think of anything else, and when he heard the softly spoken "I was worried about you," he knew he was the only one who really heard it, and two flocks of butterflies fluttered in his stomach.

He gently stroked his curly hair and whispered just as softly, “I was scared too. But we're needed on the bridge." But Pavel wasn't done yet when Spock called and asked to be transferred aboard.

The real disaster came when they lost Spock's mother. Not that Pavel wasn't trying, it was clear that he was truly sorry for this loss, but not only because of who the woman was, but also because it was Pavel's first failure, and Harry could see how he put on face mask, and continued on as if nothing had happened.

The next plot was a blur for Harry. One moment Spock was banishing Kirk from the ship to the planet Delta Vega, a deed that Harry didn't like doing at all, and the next he heard Pavel reporting intruders on board the ship, which shouldn't be possible and he was actually surprised when he was on the bridge brought in Kirk along with Montgomery Scott, who Harry only knew from stories and was famous for his attempts at trance mat transmissions and for "losing" Admiral Archer's beagle, then watched as Spock lost his temper and headbutted Kirk with obvious rage in his eyes .

This mission was really weird. Harry was sure of that. Whatever he had expected, it certainly wasn't that two captains would be replaced in one flight, and Spock was obviously supposed to follow. He didn't like where this was going. He was afraid that this mission would turn out to be a complete disaster.

"Doctor McCoy I am no longer able to serve as captain as I have been emotionally affected" and with that Spock left.

Montgomery Scott's comment: “I love this boat. You don't get bored here," he wasn't quite right, but Harry had to agree with the boring part, but he knew Kirk would take Spock's place.

“Well, that's great, Jim. What will we do now? We don't have a captain and we don't have a first mate to replace Spock."

"Actually, Dr. McCoy, Mr. Kirk was appointed first officer when we left for the landing party," Harry answered automatically.

"You've got to be kidding," McCoy said horrified.

Harry just shook his head and saw Lieutenant Uhura looking just as scared as the head doctor.

“I just hope you know what you're doing. Captain.”

No one ever wanted to hear the phrase, "Me too."

Captain Kirk's voice carried through the bridge and the entire ship as he announced what had happened and informed them that he was coming back for Pike. He was somewhat relieved when they set off on an actual rescue mission for their captain, who had indeed told them to come back for him, but Spock wasn't around to hear it.

The possibilities began to be speculated upon, with the help of McCoy, Sulu, and then, surprisingly, Commander Spock, who somehow calmed down. On this day, everything that could go wrong went wrong, and Harry's mind was absolutely nowhere else, so when Pavel poked him with his elbow to get his thoughts back to the bridge, he was a little startled.

"Yes, Captain?"

"I asked you how old you were, Mr. Potter," and something told Harry that the same question had been asked before, just not to him.

"I'll be eighteen, sir."

"Will be?"

"Next week."

“Well, great, Jim. One is seventeen, the other eighteen. Honestly, what the Federation thinks about this, I'd really like to know."

“The Federation accepted us based on our achievements, Dr. McCoy. We had a disadvantage regarding our age and it was a real challenge for me and Pavel, but we managed it. I personally hold doctorates in engineering, physics, applied physics, biochemistry and several others. The academy gave me the opportunity to complete my medical education, so I am a doctor at the same level as you, although not with as many years of experience, but no one complained about my skills at the hospital. Pavel and I then became helmsmen within two years and have a diploma in mechanical engineering.

I don't mean to be rude, Doctor, but I don't think the Federation has any problem at all with Starfleet having a Russian genius with the same Ph.D. he was just bored in class and doing PhDs on anything he could think of."

"Mr. Potter, he is telling the truth. Together with Mr. Chekov, they got into the elite of brilliant students. Not only did they complete their four-year course in record time, but they also surpassed all the results of our past students.

If the Federation should express anything, then it should be words of praise and pride, which, by the way, they really do."

It was something neither Pavel nor Harry knew about. They just settled for a degree and then waited for their first mission, but never heard of the Federation having five praises for them.

“Doctor McCoy. I think saving Captain Pike is in order, don't you think? So if you think our age won't be a problem in this rescue mission, I think using Mr. Scott's trans mat transfer is certainly a good idea and transfer someone to the Romulan ship and rescue the Pika captains."

A certain scramble began as to who would actually go. Harry didn't want to this time. It wasn't even six hours after he came back from his horrible near death experience and he didn't want to repeat this action in such a short time, Kirk was the obvious choice and no one was going to question it, Dr. McCoy made it clear, "I'm a doctor, not a soldier," which almost made Harry laugh, Spock did offer but it only took ten seconds for Kirk to agree and Pavel and Sulu didn't say a word as did Harry.

“Mr Potter. The ship is yours. If we don't come back, fire everything you've got at the Romulan crew even if we're still aboard and report to Starfleet.” Harry raised an eyebrow in unspoken question as to whether or not he was serious, but he didn't get a response as his acting captain had already left .

So he had no choice but to sit in the captain's chair and do as he was told. This action should end as soon as possible, because this ship had too many captains for one day and one mission, and Harry didn't feel like commanding an entire crew and explaining to someone what happened and why he did what he did. Still, he vowed to do what he had to do and what he was told, even if he only had to sit in that chair for ten minutes.

It wasn't like there was anything he could do just yet, they were hidden so they wouldn't be seen on the enemy ship's radar and they couldn't be seen visually either, they weren't allowed to move an inch and be where they were currently parked.

For Harry's taste, the whole action was going too slowly, he didn't communicate with Kirk, he occasionally confirmed something to Spock, but it was too slow. He watched the screen showing both Kirk and Spock's vitals and watched as they gradually got into the heart of the pounding situations and calmed down again, looking at the injuries Kirk had received and making sure neither of them none of them had fatal injuries. He couldn't do anything but this at the moment.

He didn't give orders, he didn't open fire, he just sat and waited for what happened next. Still, he had to do what he could. Although it meant that he was defying the captain's orders, he had to do something. He couldn't just sit there and do nothing, he couldn't sit and wait for their captains to return or for them to die on the Romulan ship. He had to do something, so he decided it was best to launch an attack and try to help somehow.

Later, it might mean that he would never be on the Enterprise again, but if it meant that he would save some lives, it was a small price to pay for sitting around and doing nothing.

And so he gave the orders he thought were right, and together with the crew they went to the aid of the three captains.

And when it was all over, they finally opened the door to the bridge and inside stood a battered Kirk with Spock, trying to convince the Romulans to surrender and let the Federation help them.

"I'd rather die than have the Federation help me!"

"As you wish. Mr. Potter, fire with everything we've got."

Later, Harry confides how he actually felt at that moment, but at that moment he didn't even realize what had happened or what he had done as an order. Clearly these Romulans were dangerous, and being in space they probably had no choice but to eliminate them, but much later, not immediately, not in a week, he would realize what he had done.

Fortunately for them, it's all over now. Everyone went back to their place. But they couldn't move when they were supposed to warp, and Harry listened intently as they tried to get away.

"Captain, if I drop the warp core, its explosion will push us," Pavel spoke up as they argued about what to do in such a short time.

But this was no longer Harry's role in this task. All he could do was move their shields to the back of the ship to protect them from damage to the ship, but there was nothing more he could do.

He was looking forward to taking a hot shower when they landed on the ground and everyone went where they were supposed to go.

After less than an hour, his wish finally came true, with the only difference being that for now he was helping the crew of the bridge to ensure everything they had to, and only then did he and Pavel, who was waiting for him, leave.

On solid ground and nestled in the shower, Harry finally relaxed enough to let his mind wander with all that had happened.

He still had to write a report, but he was assured that it would wait.

Chapter Text

August 1998

After the events on the Enterprise and the Vulcan, I still can't get back to my normal self. Not that I don't want to, but it just doesn't work that way. Everyone who was on the ship that day became the permanent crew of the ship, this time under the command of Captain Kirk. They gave us two weeks to recover and then back into space.

I didn't think it would be like this. I'm not saying that's wrong, in the end it's exactly what I wanted to do, but for our rescue mission to end up in a trap, none of us expected it, and it was really lucky that Kirk got there as a black passenger and warned us. If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't be writing this diary today.

But a lot changed during one mission.

Pavel and I, even though we were and still are the youngest members of the crew, gained a completely new perspective on what the Federation does. Pavel is still his optimistic self, but I...

I don't know how I really feel. There is so much that my feelings are mixed together and I don't understand them. Sure, Pavel helps, but I don't think he's completely cool. At night he is tossing and turning in bed and has nightmares, I myself have woken up more than once with Pavel's scared face by my bed and I have also woken him up to reassure him that he is safe and in his bed.

We don't talk about it.

We don't talk about anything that happened that day.

We don't talk about it with each other.

I would like to talk about one thing.

About one thing only.

Still, I understand that we both need to get over this before we talk about what could have happened that day, what might not have happened, and what should have happened. But first, both of us, and not just the two of us, have to deal with what we experienced. No one would really expect it, but we are still young and what we experienced should never be experienced at our age. I'm sure we'll stop noticing it over time, but this was a very hard lesson.

Sometimes I thought that I've had enough, and if I shouldn't let it go, that I'm not good enough for this and that I'll go back to Earth to my aunt and uncle, but then I tell myself that one failed mission doesn't mean it's going to be like this forever. I wanted to do it. I chose this profession myself and I should stick to it. I'm not a coward who gives up after the first mission.

The same determination can be seen in Pavel's eyes.

Yet we don't talk about it.

We both have our own methods of dealing with frightening experiences, and we both behave and act accordingly. But we are not alone in this. Kirk is just like us. Spock, while showing no emotion, is still half-human, and shows a certain amount of wariness, Uhura...she's no better. While Kirk gets drunk in bars and clubs, Uhura is buried in books and learning languages or whatever else she's in the mood for.

Scotty became a fixture on the Enterprise. Nothing surprising, in the end he turned out to be a capable and brilliant person, and Pavel often went to him for some information regarding trans mat.

We all deal with trauma on our own. And above all, in his own way.

But right now I'm suffering from insomnia and I'm trying to calm my head down to go to sleep at all. I don't want to close my eyes because when I do I see me and Sulu falling over the edge of the platform but this time there is no one to save us. I see the Enterprise being destroyed because no James Kirk came to the bridge to warn us. I see how I can't fight two Romulan attackers and fall over the edge of the platform myself. I can see everything that could have gone wrong that day and more. My mind is full of it and I'm starting to feel like I'm going crazy soon. I can't shake the thoughts of what could happen.

And I don't want to think about it.

I'm still full of it.

I'm trying to think of something nice, but I can't. The only good thing that came out of it, that is, good for me, was the part when I got into the tight embrace of Pavel, who was so afraid that he had fear written in his eyes.

He didn't talk about it either.

I don't know what I want more. If I want Pavel's description of how he felt at that moment, or if I want to pull him out of his bed and show him how much that one hug meant to me. He never hugged me like that. But it wasn't a situation I should be happy about.

It just gave me some hope that Pavel feels the same way I do about him. I have no choice but to take the risk. I'll either get someone I love, or I'll lose the only friend I've made here who understands me in almost everything.

But there was more to come. Something none of us could have expected or predicted.

He wanted to write much more. However, he was distracted from his writing by a noise in Pavel's bed next to him. Harry didn't need to be a genius to know what was going on with his roommate.

Pavel was trapped in his nightmare and needed help.

Without batting an eye, Harry climbed out of his bed and went to help him. It wasn't the first time he'd done it that week, he already knew how to gently wake him up and thus avoid a possible right hook, which Pavel knew all too well, even in his sleep.

"Pavel." was the first thing he had to do. Somehow to get his attention, but he knew he couldn't wake him up right away, because that would risk a painful landing on his ass. Only when Pavel stopped throwing himself, did he know he could continue.

Gently, very gently indeed, he took hold of his shoulder, gave him a little squeeze, not painfully but rather in a soothing way, and then he could speak again. "Pavel, get up. Everything is fine, you are on campus in your bed. I'm here too. And no one else.” This time this awakening was different.

Usually, Pavel only woke up when those two steps were accomplished, or when Harry was talking about whatever came to mind to reassure his roommate that they were indeed where they were supposed to be and nowhere else. This time, however, Pavel grabbed his hand. That never happened, and Harry didn't miss it. It didn't need to be dealt with when his friend was having a nightmare, but the great darkness hid the fact that a pair of blue eyes were staring at him, filled with horror and terror at what he was dreaming.

“I thought you were killed on Vulcan.” Harry froze and fell silent when Pavel spoke.

He didn't expect it to happen at all, usually Pavel just turns to his other side and continues his sleep. He thought today would be the same. That's why he didn't know what to answer him. But Pavel solved it for him.

“I couldn't stop staring at the screen when you went to Vulcan with Kirk and Sulu. When you then called to be transferred to the ship because you were falling... it was the worst situation that could have happened to me. Not the Pike kidnapping, or that the Enterprise had a hole in the hull and sucked out several of the crew, but your voice calling for help, because if no one did, you would die.

I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to get you on the Enterprise."

Harry was surprised. They didn't talk about it. They didn't try to convince each other to tell each other what happened from their point of view, or how terrified they both were. They didn't push themselves when it came to things that were scary or traumatic. They didn't want to remind each other of what happened.

"Pavel, I-"

"I'm sick of it Harry. I have had enough. You've been pretending to be my friend for two whole years, something we tell everyone. In all those two years, I only believed the friendship part for the first few months. Then I watched how your feelings changed. Your behavior towards me has changed. Not in a bad way, but I could see you weren't treating me like a friend.

I know, it's hard to talk about your feelings and emotions. It's hard for me too.

But I see the way you look at me. I can see you looking at me all this time. I know you better than anyone else in the entire universe, maybe better than you know yourself, and I've seen how many times you've wanted to tell me, and I've seen how many times you've said something other than what you originally meant, and how many times you've been interrupted. I certainly can't say you didn't try.

I feel the same as you. I wanted to tell you so many times too, but I couldn't. But I can't anymore. For once I want to be selfish and take what I want.

And I want you."

Harry couldn't even move. He absorbed what he was told. His brain had not yet accepted the information about what he had actually been told, and he knew that Pavel really knew him well enough to give him time to absorb it.

It took him a little longer, but eventually his head accepted the information he was being told.

What happened next was something he had wanted to do ever since he realized he had fallen in love with Pavel, and every day his desire for it increased more and more, but this time the dam broke with the emotions he felt for the younger boy and rather than say anything, he proved that he cared more than much.

He pulled Pavel into a sitting position, one hand in his blond hair, the other pulled him closer to him and kissed him without a single warning. He had wanted it for so long, imagined it even longer, but the reality was much better and sweeter than he could have imagined.

Paul's lips, they were soft, gentle and smooth, nothing he expected. Their inexperience was reflected in their kiss, but it made it all the more perfect for Harry. It didn't matter that this was their first kiss with each other as in their lives and they had no experience with it, but it didn't matter.

Harry felt Pavel's arm wrap around his neck and the other try to pull him up, he automatically complied with the unspoken request, his hands moved to Pavel's face and gently held him before they pulled away and Harry rested his forehead against Pavel's, trying to calm your breath.

So many thoughts ran through his mind and he didn't know which one to express first. He finally decided on the one that had been bothering him for a very long time.

"I was scared. If I told you how I felt about you, I was afraid that I would just scare you away and you wouldn't speak a word to me. I was so afraid of it that when I chased away the bug in my aunt's attic last month, he looked like you and said all the things you might say if you rejected me.

I wouldn't have been able to get past the rejection, and I know I should have looked around more.

You were the reason I volunteered for the airdrop. It was clear to me that if no one else came forward, you would probably be in my place, and I had a better chance of Pike taking me with him. And as I neared the ground on Vulcan, I couldn't think of anything but you."

Suddenly Harry felt lighter as he got it off him. This wasn't his idea of how to express his feelings, but if he was going to do it, it was now. It could be worse.

"You Harry James Potter will be the death of me one day, but right now I'm so damn glad I got to know you." this time it was Pavel who started the kiss.

Harry unconsciously obeyed Paul's silent requests and before he knew it he was lying on top of him, looking for a suitable position so he wouldn't lay him down, so while he felt the life draining from Paul he had one hand on his face and the other under his pajama top and caressed the soft skin on his side and one knee between Paul's legs.

Paul was right about one thing. It was really worth it.

"I love you, you know? And I will always love you. I promise."

Thanks to this, he had the opportunity to get to know a new side of the person he loved.

Pavel was definitely a passionate person as their kiss gradually deepened and they both slowly let out moans, the arousal was starting to show and they both needed more than just a passionate and deep kiss. They needed to connect on a more intimate level.

Harry's magic weaved around them without one or the other noticing, nothing really changed for Harry, he just didn't realize that his magic had enveloped Pavel as well, who was new to this feeling but didn't pay any attention to it.

After a very short time they both found themselves naked, on top of each other, hands exploring the other's body, lost in the other's intoxicating taste, Harry had to admit that Pavel's taste for strawberries and mint was exactly what he was, and he was happy to find that Pavlov's neck is a sensitive place.

But he had to give him a choice. He wouldn't do anything that Pavel didn't want, unless he felt like it.

"We can still-" but he didn't get the chance.

"But I do not want to."

With that sentence, Harry threw off all concentration and dived headlong into exploring the other's body again. He noticed how Pavel reacted to touches. A gentle caress along the length of his side was something that made Pavel turn like a bow, a weak bite to his nipple didn't cause any reaction in him but when he licked her, he got the most erotic sound he could get out of Pavel yet, the kisses on his stomach had a weak I responded, but when he tried to poke his tongue into his navel, the grip in his hair increased and his voice let out another moan, just as he accidentally brushed his teeth over his groin and gently caressed his inner thigh.

He had to prepare Pavel if they were going to connect on a much more intimate level, so he subtly used a lubrication charm as he took Pavel's cock into his mouth.

It was another new taste for Harry, much sweeter this time, and it proved Pavel's addiction to sweets, the lack of gagging effect was a plus for Harry as he could take Pavel much deeper than they had been able to, and at that moment he thrust the first oiled finger into Pavel's body. He had to prepare him more than usual, so when he pushed his fourth finger into Pavel, his soon-to-be lover was writhing in a flood of pleasure coursing through his body, as well as Harry's magic, unbeknownst to either of them.

"We can still-" Harry wouldn't do this unless Pavel was ready for it, just as he wouldn't hurt him, but he needed to be sure that this was exactly what Pavel wanted as well as Harry

"Don't you dare!" Pavel said, pulling Harry into another passionate kiss.

When the tip of Harry's cock pierced Pavel's prepared hole, he had to hold himself from taking it all at once, but he had enough brain power to realize that he didn't want to hurt him. After all, he wasn't the smallest in diameter or length.

But the feeling of pleasant heat that surrounded him, he had to persuade a lot not to come right away. It was such a great feeling that he had to overcome himself even at the moment when Pavel was getting used to his size inside him, but he obviously had no desire to get used to something like that, because he had been riding him since the moment he was inside him.

And the rubbing was absolutely wonderful. Like the feeling of having Pavel's legs wrapped around his waist, hands buried in his hair, lips pressed against his, swallowing his moans as Harry hit his prostate.

However, his stamina was surprising. He thought it would be quick the first time, but this...it wasn't like anything he read in books when he wanted to get some idea of the theory.

The words: god, faster and more, were repeated over and over as if Pavel had some kind of mantra, and the closer he got to orgasm, the more these words were repeated in Russian, Harry only understood them because he knew it.

"Harry, I-"

"Come for me, Paul."

Then Harry felt a tight grip around his cock, telling him that Pavel had come, and it brought him over the edge himself.

He never expected it to be like this the first time. His orgasm was strong, intense and long. He didn't feel his magic swirling around him and Pavel, because he was drifting on the intensity of that great feeling, from which he was only pulled by Pavel, who pulled him into another passionate kiss.

Yes, his lover was definitely passionate. And he proved it as often as possible.

"This was..."

"Yeah. It was. Sleep now, Pavel. We both need it."

"I love you too. I accept your promise.”

Pulling Paul into his victim, Harry cast a quick cleansing spell and in the next few seconds, he felt the body of the person he loved relax into sleep, and Harry was able to sleep with a clear conscience as well.

There would be plenty of time in the morning to talk about what this would mean for them, but Harry didn't regret it happening. He had the opportunity to get to know a new side of a person who reciprocated his feelings.

Although he would never have expected the nightmare ending to turn out like this, he really couldn't complain about how it turned out.

When he woke up the next day, he had a sense of deja vu. One of his legs hung out of the bed, he was woken up by a weight on his chest, someone's hair shimmering on his chin, his arms around someone's body, but this time he was awakened by a pleasant feeling of shimmering on his side and a bright light shining into his eyes and a bed that was not his .

He opened his eyes and was greeted by a tousled blonde head that was more tousled from sex than sleep. And even though he would normally have a tendency to panic at not waking up in his bed with someone's body on top of him, he could easily tell that it was Paul and so he pulled him closer to him, wrapping his legs around him and burying his nose into Pavel's warm neck and it made him hear a soft giggle, yet the hug was returned.

"Good morning," Pavel said, running his fingers through Harry's hair.

He just grunted instead of answering and stole a soft kiss, hearing another burst of giggles that Harry would easily call the most beautiful sound in the world right now. He had longed for such a moment for so long that he couldn't get enough of it. Fortunately for them, they could enjoy a lazy morning with peace of mind because they didn't have to go anywhere.

"And that he really is," Harry answered him, and he meant it.

However, he didn't have time to think about what to do next, because he was caught by a shine that had no business being there. Confused, he looked around the room for the source of the glow, only to notice that there was nothing in their room that gave off a glow, and as he turned his head back to Pavlo to explain what was going on, he was caught by an object on his finger.

A gold ring that really had no business being there. He raised his left hand to his face, wondering how the hell he got there. The faintly engraved words clued him in and gave him an idea of why this happened. Almost panicked, he took Pavlo's left hand in his and turned it palm up.

The words engraved on the ring just now told him what had happened.

"Is everything alright?" Pavel asked him, looking at Harry with a frown on his face.

“At this point, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Come on get up, I have to check something and you have to come with me."

Pavel did not protest. The two thoughtfully changed into their Starfleet uniforms, not that they had the chance to change into civilian clothes just yet, and walked towards the building that housed the Ministry of Magic's embassy to Britain. Luckily there weren't as many idiots as in Britain even though they had to obey the laws the Ministry of Magic made, but there were much nicer people. No one tried to report or control him.

“Lieutenant Potter, good morning. What can we do for you?" needless to say, half the embassy staff knew who he really was.

"I need to check something with the Department of Magical Marriages." he saw Pavel turn around too quickly, but Harry didn't have the strength to look back at him.

A few moments later, an elderly woman came with a stern expression on her face, holding a bundle in her hand and motioning for them to follow.

They dragged themselves through a strange maze of corridors, unable to remember the way until they reached a strange looking office. If nothing else, Harry was still of the opinion that wizards were just plain weird. Whether they were wizards on Earth or in Starfleet. They're just weird.

“This document appeared at two o'clock this morning. You didn't ask for a marriage license, the document would be invalid, but in this case it's a magically contracted marriage, so there's nothing I can do for you if you're here for that reason.”

Harry took the document with shaky hands and began to read it. He never expected to read something like this.

Information about the marriage certificate

Arranged marriage between Harry James Potter and Pavel Andreevich Chekov.

Marriage concluded on August 4, 1998 based on a vow.

The promise was tested by Lady Magic, evaluated as true, and then accepted.

The marriage was solemnized by Lady Magic and no witnesses were needed to confirm the authenticity of the vow.

This marriage cannot be divorced and is listed as consanguineous.

The couple will be known from this day on as Harry and Pavel Chekov-Potter-Pendragon.

Harry paled. He really had no idea if it was a good or a right situation, but he handed the information sheet into Pavel's hands and still couldn't look at it. Now it was just a question of how Pavel would accept it.

"So what happened this morning...and the rings..."

"Yeah. We're married now."

"And this...this...this shouldn't happen."

“Not common, Lieutenant Chekov. It's unusual, that's true, but it doesn't happen very often. However, this marriage is classified as indissoluble and conducted as a consanguineous marriage. No one and nothing can separate the two of you, except perhaps Lady Magic herself, but what once unites does not always divide. You will need to make senior management aware. In wizarding Britain, you may be the first to undergo or be a victim of this bond, but you are not the first. I think Captain Pike was also connected like this before his wife died. He will certainly understand your situation."

It was a quick visit after all. Despite the fact that no one and nothing could separate them, they had to sign several papers, with half of them being sent to Wizarding Britain and the other half remaining at the British Embassy, the rest to be given to their commanding officers.

“As I said, you are not the first case of this unconscious marriage, but you are the first to notice it so early. In any case, I wish you the best of luck, Lieutenants.”

Harry took a deep breath as they finally climbed out of the building. It was not exactly how he imagined the development of a new relationship. It wasn't at all what he thought it would be, instead he went straight from friendship to marriage. A move he would make later.

"Pavel, I-" instead of an apology he was silenced with a soft kiss on the cheek, another reaction Harry wouldn't have expected.

He expected shouting, reproaches, head-on beatings, even anger, but he definitely did not expect to receive an ordinary, but no less affectionate kiss on the cheek and a gentle smile that perfectly described Pavel.

“I know you didn't do it on purpose. To tell you the truth, I would expect something like this later, much later, but not now. Whatever it is, I'm not angry. I'm surprised, but I'm not mad.” All the tension he didn't know he felt suddenly fell from Harry.

He couldn't imagine what he would do if Pavel rejected this connection, even if he understood it. Neither of them had a choice when it happened, and if there was anything Harry hated, it was this.

Not having a choice in what happens.

But Pavel took it practically without batting an eye, so it was the first time Harry wasn't angry at his bad luck, and the first time he was grateful that something had happened, however unexpected and too soon.

He suddenly walked towards Admiral Pike with a lighter head and a happy smile on his face.

When they explained their situation to him a few minutes later, they never expected Pike to laugh at what happened. Although the embassy clerk had already warned them that Pike would be one of those who would understand, seeing it with her own eyes was...breathtaking. They were still afraid of how their former captain would take it. Now they knew everything would be fine.

“I haven't been around wizarding circles all that long, but something tells me you'd both prefer your name Pendragon not mentioned. Even the alien races know these legends and some of them know it's real history, not just a story." Harry didn't even think about that.

Ever since he got that name he realized that he was actually in real danger now that he heard it. Their real name would actually be much longer, they both realized that, but the name Pendragon really posed the greatest danger to them. None of the alien races that knew it's history had any idea who the rightful king was, and it meant just as much danger to Pavel even though he was only a Consort.

“If you can arrange that, we'd be grateful, sir.” Pike didn't bat an eyebrow as he typed out the paperwork listing them as husband and wife, and didn't blink as he typed out just the name: Chekov-Potter.

In the eyes of the Federation, the couple would be married of their own choosing, married by Pike himself, and with two witnesses whose names Harry didn't know but had a hunch would probably be Pike's friends, the Federation was yet to find out how it all happened.

"I'll take care of the witnesses. But usually the Federation doesn't care about arranged marriages unless they see a reason to rummage through the papers. This is still a valid marriage certificate though, and you'll be known as Chekov-Potter in the Federation, and you'll just be two boys of legal age who decided to get married. That doesn't mean your real name isn't valid."

In the end, it only took an hour. Harry had no idea that just announcing their new marital status would involve so much paperwork, and it was probably just the fact that they had to keep their names hidden that was really the reason.

They could then take a break from all the stress in their room, and Harry just wanted to close his eyes and sleep until the next day. But the weight on his body did not allow him to do so.

He was pulled into a soft and loving kiss, lost in the sensation of the painless tugging of his hair, and as he wrapped his arms around Pavel's waist, he couldn't think of anything else. Maybe it really was luck.

As twisted as it was and putting him in danger for him, this time it turned out much better than he expected. Not even in his dreams (well, yes, in his dreams) would he have thought that something like this would happen, but he really didn't believe that Pavel would take it so well.

Maybe one day he would thank his luck for having met such a fantastic person as Pavel, but not yet. Now, a lot of bad events still outweighed the good in his life.

"No more surprises please. No airdrops to scare me, no life-threatening events, no more unplanned marriages.” Harry just smiled at his…husband's playful mood.

Merlin, this is going to take a while to get used to.

"I can promise you another unplanned marriage, but not the rest. We are in Starfleet and our captain is Kirk. I don't think I can promise anything I can break.” even though he saw the playful mood, Harry meant it when he said it.

He really couldn't promise anything he could break later. Furthermore, he was sure that if their roles were reversed, Pavel would be the one to go instead of Harry. He knew him too well for that, and that's why he signed up for the airborne before Pavel could, even if it meant nightmares.

Unfortunately for them, they didn't have any more time to talk as their communicators began to ring announcing to board the Enterprise as soon as possible for another mission.

"I think we'll see Kirk's reaction a lot sooner than we thought," Harry said as he put on his blue shirt as he was called in as a doctor this time, and second in command.

Pavel in his yellow trick only smiled. "It will be interesting when they approach us. Mr. Chekov-Potter, it will be rather confusing.”

Harry couldn't do anything but agree.

Chapter Text

Harry and Pavel left Admiral Pike’s office with a feeling of strange lightness and heaviness at the same time. The lightness came from having gotten rid of the burden of secrets and being accepted with understanding; the heaviness came from the realization of what it all meant for their future — they were, in essence, already married, and all because of a promise. Their rings, now materialized on their fingers, were a silent yet radiant proof of a fateful bond. The golden color with a subtle, almost invisible glow was obvious to wizards, but for ordinary people it was just an ornament.

Dozens of thoughts were running through Harry’s mind. Marriage. To Pavel. It was so shocking and yet so natural. He had never thought something like this would happen to him, especially not so unplanned. But when he looked at Pavel walking beside him with a slight smile and a warm squeeze of his hand, he felt a warmth that melted away all his worries. This was the man he loved, and now they were connected in a way that went beyond ordinary human logic.

“Do you think anyone will notice right away?” Pavel’s voice was calm, but there was an amused gleam in his eyes.

Harry smiled. “Probably Uhura. She has eyes everywhere. And McCoy. He’ll have plenty to say. But Kirk… that’ll be a show.”

Pavel laughed — a sound that always seemed like the most beautiful melody to Harry. “This is just the beginning, Harry. But I can’t help it, I’m glad it turned out this way.”

“Me too,” Harry admitted. “Even though it’s… crazy. But that’s us, right?”

They reached the transporter room, where some crew members were already waiting to beam back to the ship. Harry noticed the glances that fell on their left hands. On the rings that hadn’t been there just a few hours ago. A few people whispered quietly, but no one said anything out loud. That was good — for now.
When they stepped onto the bridge of the Enterprise, the atmosphere was charged with tension. Captain Kirk, despite visible signs of battle, sat in the captain’s chair with an all-too-confident expression. Spock stood next to him, his Vulcan calm face masking any inner feelings, but Harry noticed the tension in his shoulders. Dr. McCoy stood off to the side, looking like he might collapse any second, while Sulu and Uhura were at their stations.

Harry noticed that several eyes turned to him and Pavel as soon as they entered. They weren’t just curious looks, but also the kind that asked why the others were wearing blue and gold shirts, while he and Pavel wore gold.

“Lieutenant Chekov, Lieutenant Potter! Welcome back on the bridge,” Kirk said with a smile that suggested he was already in a good mood. “I hope you enjoyed your leave and had time to acclimate.”

“We enjoyed our leave, sir. And now we’re ready for orders,” Pavel replied with a military crispness that always amused Harry.

“Excellent! Lieutenant Chekov, helm. Lieutenant Potter… uh,” Kirk’s gaze at Harry’s uniform was clearly confused. “What are you wearing, Lieutenant? I thought you were in the operations division.”

Harry squared his shoulders. “I’ve been reassigned, Captain. I requested a transfer to the medical bay and as deputy chief medical officer. Admiral Pike approved my request. I’m ready to fulfill my new duties.”

McCoy snorted. “Didn’t you say you don’t like sticking people with needles, Potter? What got into you?”

“Some things change, Doctor. Besides, at the Academy I studied medicine as well and I have a doctorate in it,” Harry answered calmly. “I was able to get certified and practiced at a hospital. I’ve just avoided this role until now. But now… now I’m ready.”

“Well, Potter, that’s a surprise,” Kirk said, tapping his chin. “But if Admiral Pike approved it, then it’s valid. And besides, we’re short on doctors after what happened. Welcome to the blue shirt, Lieutenant. McCoy, you’ll be sharing the work with him.”

It was only a matter of time before someone noticed the rings. And then there was Pavel’s new surname.

“Thank you, Captain,” Harry said, and headed to his new station, which was right behind McCoy in the bridge’s medical section. He was already looking forward to getting to work.

Meanwhile, Pavel took his place at the helm. Harry watched his husband check the instruments and prepare the ship for departure. Pavel was in his element; his fingers moved over the controls with ease and confidence. Harry noticed that Pavel’s left hand, where the ring sparkled, was clearly visible to those who looked his way.

Then it happened. A quiet whisper went through the air when Uhura, with her eagle eyes, noticed the glow on Harry’s hand.

“Lieutenant Potter,” Uhura said, her voice calm but with curiosity dancing in her eyes. “Is that… a new ring?”

Harry took a deep breath. He knew this moment would come. “Yes, Lieutenant Uhura. It’s… new. Lieutenant Chekov and I… got married.”

Absolute silence fell on the bridge. Everyone, even Kirk — who was in the middle of chewing a sandwich — froze and turned to them.

McCoy spat out his coffee. “What?! Married?! When?! How?! Good God, you two are still kids!”

Pavel turned from the helm, his expression completely calm, though Harry knew he was amused inside. “It happened this morning, Doctor. It was… unplanned. And we’re both of legal age to enter into marriage under Federation law. Which is, with some delay, now recorded in the Federation records.”

“That’s unbelievable!” Kirk shouted. “Two of my youngest officers, and you just… get married?! And unplanned?! What the hell is this nonsense?”

Harry sighed. “It’s a complicated situation, Captain. Something between wizarding and non-magical law. But yes, we’re married. And in the Federation records, we’re listed as Chekov-Potter. Admiral Pike approved it and arranged all the paperwork.”

Spock raised an eyebrow, which for him was a sign of utmost surprise. “Fascinating. Does this mean it is what is known as a magically sealed bond, Lieutenant Potter?”

Harry nodded. “Exactly, Commander. Lady Magic accepted the vow I made to Pavel.”

Several officers on the bridge began whispering among themselves.

“Magic? Oh, that’s just what I needed,” McCoy muttered and shuddered. “First the Romulans, now you two. What’s next? Unicorns on the bridge?”

Kirk suddenly laughed. It wasn’t mocking, but rather amused — almost admiring. “Well, that’s something! Lieutenant Chekov-Potter, Lieutenant Potter-Chekov… now that’s going to be confusing. Alright, what the hell. Welcome to the family, gentlemen. I just hope your ‘unplanned marriage’ won’t affect your work.”

“It won’t, Captain,” Harry assured him. “We’re fully professional and ready to perform our duties.”

“Very well then,” Kirk straightened in his chair. “Our next mission is to explore the planet Omicron Persei VIII. It seems there’s been an unusual energy anomaly detected there, and sensors suggest it could be a new form of energy — or something that might have strategic value. I want you to investigate the anomaly and report back. No direct contact until we know more. Lieutenant Chekov-Potter, set a course for Omicron Persei VIII. Warp one.”

Pavel turned to the helm. “Aye, Captain. Setting course. Warp one.”
Harry heard him inputting the coordinates into the system, and the ship began to move forward with a soft hum.

The journey to Omicron Persei VIII took several days. During that time, Harry settled into his new role. He spent time in Sickbay with McCoy, learning about Federation medical protocols and the Enterprise’s systems. He discovered that his advanced magical abilities were manifesting even here.

At first, McCoy watched him with skepticism, but soon noticed that Harry had an incredible gift for diagnosis. Harry could “sense” illnesses or injuries before the equipment confirmed them. It wasn’t a conscious spell — more of an intuition, allowing him to perceive energetic anomalies in the body.

Once, for example, when a cadet came to Sickbay with vague stomach troubles, the instruments showed only mild digestive issues. Harry looked at him and immediately felt something “wrong” — a kind of coldness and weakness that didn’t match the simple diagnosis.
“Let’s run another scan on the gallbladder, Doctor,” Harry suggested to McCoy.
“What’s gotten into you, Potter? There’s nothing there,” McCoy snorted, but he did the scan anyway. To his surprise, a small but clear cyst appeared.
“How… how did you know?” McCoy asked in disbelief.
Harry shrugged. “Just a feeling. I knew there was something more. Maybe it’s… a side effect of my unusual origins.”
McCoy gave him a searching look. “Well, whatever it is, it’s damn useful. But if you land me in an insane asylum because of this, I swear I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life, Potter.”

That wasn’t the only case. Harry noticed his reaction time had sped up and his senses were sharper. He could hear subtle sounds he would normally ignore and see details he would have missed before. He attributed all these changes to the “cleansing” of his being that he had done during his vacation.

At the same time, he realized he shouldn’t display these abilities too openly. The Federation knew about his “wizarding” background, but open displays of such strong magic were another matter. He had to be careful and make sure he only showed the magic the Federation was aware of.

During his free time, he spent time with Pavel. Their relationship deepened with each passing day. The unplanned marriage had shocked them, but it also gave them a sense of certainty and a feeling of home that neither of them had ever known. They held hands in the corridors, shared quiet words on the bridge, and when they were alone, their kisses were full of tenderness and a passion that very often played out behind magically locked doors — and behind strong silencing spells, because Pavel definitely didn’t know how to be quiet in bed, or anywhere else in their quarters. And Harry didn’t mind at all. He loved the sounds Pavel made during their intimate moments and the way he could draw them out of him.

Pavel still sometimes laughed spontaneously when he realized he was married to Harry Potter, but Harry got him back when Pavel absentmindedly slipped into Russian when he was flustered.

“You have something no one else has, Harry,” Pavel said one evening when they were lying together in Harry’s quarters, holding each other after a long day.

“So do you, Pavel,” Harry replied, running his fingers through his hair. “You’re the best navigator I know. And you’re incredibly smart. I’ve seen you think ahead sometimes before it even happens.”

“This is something more, though. I’ve seen your eyes change sometimes in Sickbay. It’s like you can see into a person’s soul. Aren’t you afraid of that?”

Harry thought for a moment. “Not exactly. It’s more like an extra sense. Like seeing colors for the first time. I just have to control it and understand it. I’m much more afraid of what might happen if someone finds out and wants to exploit it.”

“No one will find out. I promised you that, and that stands,” Pavel said firmly. And Harry believed him.

They finally arrived at Omicron Persei VIII. It was a planet with a dense, purple atmosphere and huge, jagged mountain ranges. The energy anomaly was clearly visible on the sensors — a pulsing cloud of energy in the middle of one of the largest mountain ravines.

“The sensors show the anomaly is stable but at the same time strong,” Spock reported from the command station. “It does not resemble any known form of energy the Federation has recorded. It could be potentially dangerous if mishandled.”

Kirk snorted. “Potentially dangerous? Spock, that’s your favorite phrase. Lieutenant Chekov-Potter, bring us as close to the anomaly as possible, but maintain a safe distance.”

“Aye, Captain,” Pavel confirmed, and the ship slowly began moving toward the pulsing energy cloud.

Harry watched the screens, his eyes analyzing the data while he also tried to sense the anomaly with his heightened senses. He felt something strange. It was energy, yes — but not just any energy. It was magic. Pure, raw magic, yet at the same time oddly… alien. As if it belonged to something he had never seen before.

“Captain,” Harry’s voice sounded across the bridge, “I have a feeling we should be extremely cautious. That energy… there’s more to it than the sensors show.”

“More? What do you mean, Lieutenant?” Kirk asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s like… a feeling,” Harry tried to find the right words. “As if there’s… a presence. It’s strong. And it’s not just ordinary energy. It’s… alive.”

Spock turned to him. “Interesting observations, Lieutenant. Do you have any concrete evidence to support your subjective impressions?”

“Not yet, Commander. But my… unusual senses tell me it’s out of the ordinary. It could be dangerous.” Harry tried to glance subtly at Pavel, who gave him a reassuring look.

Kirk thought for a moment. “Alright. Proceed with caution, Lieutenant Chekov-Potter. Spock, check all protocols for unknown energy sources. McCoy, get Sickbay ready for anything.”

“As always, Jim,” McCoy grumbled.

As the Enterprise got closer, Harry’s feelings intensified. He could feel the magic sparkling under his skin, reacting to the external source. It was exciting, but also unsettling. He had never felt such strong and concentrated magic outside Earth.

“Captain, we’re within sensor range. The anomaly is ahead of us,” Pavel announced.

A massive, pulsing cloud of purple energy spread out in the middle of the valley. It was hypnotic and terrifying at the same time. Harry felt it pulling at him but also warning him.
Suddenly, a massive ship emerged from the cloud. It was enormous, organic-looking, covered in strange symbols. It wasn’t any known Federation ship, nor Romulan, Klingon, or Vulcan. It was entirely alien.
“Identify! Immediately!” Kirk ordered.
Uhura tried in vain to establish contact. “No response, Captain. Their energy signatures are… unknown. And they look aggressive. Their shields are raising!”
“Lieutenant Potter, shields up, maximum power! Lieutenant Chekov-Potter, evasive maneuvers! Don’t let them get a lock on us!” Kirk shouted.

Harry reacted instantly, focusing on the energy shields, trying to stabilize and maximize them. He felt the energy pouring into them, as if his magic was connecting with the ship’s systems to reinforce them. It was exhausting but strangely easy at the same time.

Pavel was already working furiously at the helm, his fingers dancing over the controls. The Enterprise launched into a series of maneuvers, dodging beams of energy that began shooting from the alien ship.
“Shields at 70% and dropping! We’re losing forward power!” Harry reported, his voice tense. He tried to magically boost the energy flows to make them hold out longer. He felt his body tighten, his palms sweating, but he didn’t back down. He saw fractures appearing on the ship, felt it shaking.

“Mr. Potter, can’t you boost it any more?” Kirk asked.
“I’m trying, Captain! We’ll hold, but we can’t do this forever!” Harry realized that his magic was helping, but the ship was still vulnerable.

The alien ship fired another beam that hit the Enterprise’s shields head-on. The screen went dark, systems screamed.
“Energy loss! Shields at 30%!” Harry shouted. “Something’s happened to the power feed! It’s like something’s blocking the flow!”
“Mr. Spock, what’s happening?” Kirk looked furious.
“Sensors show the alien ship is using an energy dampener, Captain. They’re limiting our shields and weapon systems. Our phasers have almost no power.”
“Great! We’re sitting ducks!” McCoy grumbled.

In that moment, Harry decided. He had to do something. He had to use his magic fully, no matter the consequences.

Harry closed his eyes, focused. He felt the magic in his veins, pulsing at the very core of the ship. He connected with the Enterprise’s energy systems, not just as an operator but as a conduit. He reached his magic toward the dampener the alien ship was using.

It was like trying to shut off a giant valve in a massive pipeline. Magic clashed with technology, with alien energy. It was an enormous wave of resistance trying to knock him down. Pain shot through his head, but he didn’t give in.
“What the hell are you doing, Potter?” McCoy yelled when he saw Harry’s face contort with the effort.
“Trying to… break through… their dampener!” Harry growled through clenched teeth.

From Pavel’s direction came a quiet but clear, “Harry!” It was a mix of worry and support.

At that moment, a crackling sound echoed through the bridge. The lights went out, then flickered back on. From the alien ship’s energy dampener came a series of small explosions.
“Captain! Their dampener is offline! Our shields are stabilizing! And phasers are fully charged!” Uhura shouted.

Kirk’s jaw dropped. He looked at Harry, who was gasping for breath but had a triumphant look on his face. “What the hell did you just do, Potter?”
Harry leaned against the control panel. “I said I have… unusual senses. I guess I just… shut off what I could. Because I knew I could.”
“And that’s called ‘I just shut it off’? Lieutenant, that was brilliant! Lieutenant Chekov-Potter, fire at full strength! Take that thing down!” Kirk ordered.

Pavel didn’t hesitate — he pressed the button. Phaser beams shot out from the Enterprise and struck the alien ship. Its shields collapsed, the hull began to shatter. The alien ship exploded in a massive ball of flames.
Silence fell on the bridge. Everyone was looking at Harry with a newfound respect.
“Well done, Lieutenant Potter. And Lieutenant Chekov-Potter. Both of you. Very well done,” Kirk said approvingly. “Spock, what was that ship?”
Spock examined the sensors. “I have no records of such technology, Captain. No known species. But their ship was evidently very old. And the energy they generated… it’s very similar to the description Lieutenant Potter provided.”
“Magic, Commander?” Harry asked.
Spock turned to him. “Exactly, Lieutenant. However, your intuitive abilities have proven invaluable. I recommend that Lieutenant Potter be classified under ‘special abilities’ and that his skills be further examined under strict supervision.”
“Thanks, Spock. Just what I needed,” Harry muttered, but he felt a swell of pride in his chest. Pavel smiled at him and sent him a discreet message. I’m proud of you.
“Now that we’ve taken care of that threat, we can return to the original mission,” Kirk said. “Lieutenant Chekov-Potter, approach the anomaly. I want an away team to investigate its source. Spock, you’ll lead the team. Lieutenant Potter, you’ll go with them. Your ‘special senses’ might come in handy.”
Harry nodded. He knew he couldn’t avoid it. He felt the magic calling him.

The away team, consisting of Spock, Harry, two security officers, and one science officer, beamed down near the anomaly. The thick purple atmosphere around them created a mystical yet slightly oppressive atmosphere. The terrain was rocky, with massive crystalline formations pulsing with a faint light.

Harry’s senses were immediately overwhelmed. Magic here was omnipresent, hanging in the air like a dense mist, seeping into the rocks and crystals. It was old, very old, and carried echoes of ancient times.
“Sensors show we are at the center of the anomaly,” Spock reported once they landed. “The energy concentration here is extremely high. Lieutenant Potter, your impressions?”
“It’s… magical, Commander. Pure magic. I’ve never felt anything this strong outside of Earth. And it’s like… it’s carved into this planet. It’s not natural,” Harry said as he looked around.

The security officers held their phasers ready. The science officer, a young woman named Doctor Evgeniya Petrova, eagerly collected samples and analyzed data.
“This energy is… incredible,” Petrova murmured. “It’s stable but has a complex structure. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Harry suddenly stopped. He felt something. Something beneath the surface. It was calling to him. It wasn’t a message but more like a feeling, a pull.
“Wait,” Harry said. “I feel something. Something underground. Deep.”
Spock raised an eyebrow. “Sensors detect nothing, Lieutenant.”
“I know. But I feel it. It’s like an echo. A very old echo. It’s coming from there.” Harry pointed to a rock wall that looked just like any other.
“You feel we should investigate more closely?” Spock asked.
“Yes. My feeling is… strong. Like there’s something waiting to be discovered. But it’s hidden. Magically hidden.”

Spock looked at him for a moment, then nodded to the security officers. “Search the area. Lieutenant Potter, indicate exactly where you sense this anomaly.”
Harry stepped closer to the rock, closed his eyes, and focused. He stretched out his hand, his fingers touched the cold stone. The magic responded. He felt warmth spreading through his palm, and in his mind, outlines of something large hidden behind illusions began to form.
“Here,” he said, pointing to a spot in the rock. “There’s an entrance. But it’s masked. By a very strong illusion.”
Spock watched him thoughtfully. “Fascinating. A magical illusion? That would explain why our sensors ignored it.”
“Should I try to dispel it?” Harry asked.
“Use your abilities, Lieutenant. But carefully. We don’t want to trigger any defensive mechanisms.”
Harry nodded. He raised his hand and focused his magic. It wasn’t like casting a spell in battle — more like unlocking, unraveling a veil. He imagined breaking through layers of illusions one by one. The light around him dimmed as the magic concentrated.

With a soft CRACK! the rock face began to tremble. The illusion faded like smoke, revealing a massive, ancient gate carved into the stone. It was decorated with strange, spiral symbols that vaguely reminded Harry of runes — but far more complex and unfamiliar.

“Incredible,” Spock breathed. “An authentic archaeological structure, masked by magic. Lieutenant Potter, your abilities exceed my expectations.”
“What do you think this is, Commander?” Petrova asked.
“We cannot say yet. But it’s evidence of an ancient civilization that controlled energy sources beyond our imagination — and apparently magic as well.”

Harry touched the gate. The cold stone pulsed with energy. It was like a heart still beating after millennia.
“I feel it can be opened. But it will require great power. And… something more.”
“Something more?” Spock asked.
“Like it needs consent. Resonance,” Harry pondered. “This gate is linked to the planet’s magic. To open it, you have to be in harmony with it. Or merge with it.”
“That sounds metaphorical, Lieutenant.”
“Maybe. But that’s what I feel. It’s a lock that requires a non-physical key.”
Spock fixed him with a sharp look. “And you have that key, don’t you?”
Harry took a deep breath. “I think so, Commander.”
“Then proceed. But be cautious. We don’t know the gate’s purpose or what lies beyond.”

Harry stepped forward, placed both hands on the cold stone. He closed his eyes and focused, letting his magic flow and merge with the gate. It wasn’t a spell, but a resonance — a union. He felt ancient energies waking and communicating with him.

The symbols glowed with a soft purple light. The gate began to creak open slowly, revealing a dark corridor that vanished into the planet’s depths. The air was filled with ozone, dust, and the scent of ancient magic.

“Fascinating,” Spock whispered. “As if the gate has awakened from a long sleep.”
“I feel the same, Commander. It’s a guardian. And now that it’s open, we must prepare for what lies within,” Harry said tensely. He sensed something huge behind the gate. And not necessarily friendly.

The team stepped into the corridor. Spock activated his tricorders, security officers shone their flashlights. The air was damp and cold. Symbols on the walls lit up, revealing ancient carvings and pictograms that Spock began analyzing immediately.

“These symbols suggest this structure was used for… containment,” Spock announced after a while. “It’s not a temple or a lab, but rather a prison. Or a place to isolate something.”

Harry’s inner senses flared. What he felt wasn’t just something “big.” It was something “evil.” The chill radiating wasn’t just temperature — it was dark, unclean magic.

“Commander, the feeling is intensifying,” Harry said. “I sense great darkness ahead. And it is conscious.”

Suddenly, a hissing sound echoed from the depths of the corridor. The air grew heavy, as if filled with rot and despair. From the darkness emerged a figure — tall, slender, cloaked in black mist. Its eyes burned red.
“Identify yourself!” Spock ordered.
But the creature didn’t respond, it just floated forward slowly, emitting soft, hissing sounds that reminded Harry of brain worms — but this was worse. The creature had a physical form and clearly the ability to attack.
“We can’t scan it, Commander! Its energy signature is being scrambled!” Petrova shouted.
“Phasers at full power!” Spock commanded the security officers.
Energy beams struck the creature, but seemed to pass through it without harm. The creature advanced, its red eyes fixed on Harry.
“Harry Potter,” the creature hissed, its voice soft but resonating in Harry’s mind. “You have come. Finally.”
Harry froze. The creature knew him. And why had it attacked him immediately?
“Do you recognize what it is, Lieutenant Potter?” Spock asked.
“I think I do. And it’s not good,” Harry replied, pulling out his wand from his pocket. It was a small, inconspicuous wand he always carried for emergencies. “It’s an entity of dark magic, Commander. Immune to your technology.”
“Immune to phasers? That’s illogical!” Spock declared.
“Its essence is magical, Commander. We have to fight magic with magic,” Harry said, aiming his wand at the creature.

He searched within himself for his happiest memory. His mind reached out to Pavel and the recent day when Pavel told him he loved him. For Harry, it was a strong, new happiest memory.
“Expecto Patronum!”
From Harry’s wand shot a silver stag that gracefully lunged at the creature. The stag’s touch immediately affected the entity. It hissed in pain, its cloak of mist began to ripple and recede. The creature was thrown backward, crashing into the wall and leaving a black, burnt scorch mark.
“What was that?!” one of the security officers yelled.
“A Patronus. A spell that drives away dark entities,” Harry explained. “But this one is very strong. I have no idea how it got here.”
The creature recovered, its red eyes full of hatred. It was clearly weakened but not defeated. It began to float forward again.
“We must destroy it, Commander! While it’s weakened!” Harry shouted.
Spock nodded. “Lieutenant Potter, can you defeat it?”
“I hope so. But I need everyone to stay out of my way,” Harry said, stepping in front of his team.

The creature lunged, its claws reaching out to grab Harry. Whispering echoed in his mind — promises of power, promises of knowledge if he would submit. It was a tempting illusion, but Harry was too strong to be deceived.
“Stupefy!” Harry shouted, but the spell barely shook the creature. It was a physical entity, but its essence was too ethereal.
He had to imprison it. Destroy it forever.
Harry stretched out both hands, wand in one, focusing his magic. This time it wasn’t an offensive spell but a containment charm. He imagined a cage of pure energy forming around the creature, trapping and crushing it. He felt magic surge through him, more intensely than ever before. His ring on his finger glowed, its golden color pulsing with Harry’s energy.
The creature fought back, hissing and clawing at the invisible barrier. But Harry was stronger. His magic, empowered by his new state and his bond with Pavel, was mightier than anything he had ever faced.

With a deafening roar, the creature shattered into thousands of pieces that dissolved into nothingness, leaving only the foul stench of rotten flesh.
Harry collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. His body trembled, exhausted from the enormous magical exertion.

“Lieutenant Potter! Are you all right?” Spock rushed to his side immediately.

Harry nodded, still trembling. “I’m… I’m fine, sir. Just… that was a lot of magic I had to use. But it’s gone. I think it’s gone for good.”

Spock helped him to his feet. “Fascinating. Your abilities are truly extraordinary. And now we are dealing with an entity completely unknown to the Federation. We must file a detailed report on this.”

Petrova approached with her tricorder. “Sensors detect nothing, sir. It’s as if the creature never existed. Only the burnt mark remains.”

“That’s proof, Doctor. There is always proof,” Harry said as his breath returned.

They cautiously continued down the corridor, no longer under immediate threat. At the end of the passage, a massive cavern opened up, filled with ancient crystals quietly pulsing with magic. And in the center of the cavern stood an artifact — a huge, levitating crystal radiating energy.

“That is the source of the anomaly,” Spock said. “And apparently, it was the power source for that entity. We must neutralize or disable it.”

Harry stepped closer. He could feel both good and dark magic within it. It was like yin and yang, intertwined as one. And he realized something important.

“This isn’t just an energy source, sir. This is… the heart of the planet. And that entity was its shadow. It formed from excess, uncontrolled dark magic. To neutralize it, we must either destroy it completely — which could destroy the planet — or… stabilize and cleanse it.”

“Cleanse? Lieutenant, that sounds like something from a mystical fairy tale,” Spock said.

“Maybe, sir. But it’s the only way to save this planet and prevent such entities from reappearing. I feel like I can do it. But I will need to use a lot of my magic to purify and stabilize it. I’ll do it — only if you promise to take care of me, sir.”

Spock looked at him. “Are you certain, Lieutenant? That is a tremendous risk.”

“I’m certain. It’s my duty. And now that I know what it is, I can’t leave it like this. Give me a few minutes to prepare.”

Harry sat before the crystal, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. His wand lay beside him. He felt the pulsating power of the crystal, sensed the darkness hiding within it — but also the light that was suppressed.

Harry’s meditation was deep. He connected with the crystal, letting his magic flow into its core. It was like pouring into a vast, chaotic river of energy. He felt the resistance of the darkness, its attempts to engulf him, to seduce him. But Harry’s will was stronger. He was the Lord of Life, not Death. He was a protector, not a destroyer.

The ring on his finger began to glow so brightly that everyone nearby had to avert their eyes. The golden hue pulsed with immense intensity, linking him to Pavel, their bond giving him strength. He felt Pavel’s support even across the distance, felt his faith in him.

Gradually, after minutes that felt like hours, the dark energy in the crystal began to recede, dissipate. Bright, pure magic replaced it, filling the empty spaces. The crystal started shining with a vivid purple glow, then white, and finally settled into a beautiful, soothing blue. The air in the cavern cleared, the chill vanished, replaced by warmth and calm.

Harry opened his eyes. He was exhausted but felt immense satisfaction. The crystal now pulsed with clean, stable energy. The planet was saved.

“It’s done,” Harry said, his voice weak. “The crystal is purified. The energy is stable. No more dark entities should appear.”

Spock approached him, his tricorder showing incredible readings. “Incredible, Lieutenant. You have altered the energy composition on a planetary scale. This is beyond our understanding.”

“It’s magic, sir. Not science as you know it,” Harry said.

Doctor Petrova approached the crystal with awe. “It’s… beautiful. And so pure. We could harness this energy for the entire Federation!”

“We must not abuse it,” Harry said seriously. “This energy is sacred. It’s the life of this planet. We should leave it as it is and protect it. Maybe take only a small amount for study, but nothing more. I strongly recommend we designate this planet as a protected zone.”

Spock nodded. “Logical. Such an energy source could be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Now we must report back to the Enterprise.”

They transported back to the bridge, where Kirk immediately bombarded them with questions.

“What happened? What did you find? Is everything alright, Potter? You look like you just fought a Vulcan gorilla!”

Harry laughed, though he was sleepy. “Everything’s fine, Captain. We found an ancient gate, fought an entity of dark magic guarding it, and stabilized the energy crystal that was the source of the anomaly.”

“Wait, wait! You fought a… magical entity?! And you won?!?” Kirk gaped.

Spock spoke up. “Confirmed, Captain. Lieutenant Potter confronted and completely neutralized the entity. Subsequently, he stabilized the planetary energy crystal that was its source. His abilities are truly extraordinary and cannot be explained by scientific terms alone.”

Silence fell again on the bridge, filled with awe. Uhura looked at Harry with respect, Sulu whistled softly, and McCoy, though trying to look stoic, had admiration in his eyes.

Pavel turned to Harry, his eyes full of concern and pride. “Are you okay, Harry? I knew you’d manage, but… I felt that energy.”

“I’m okay, Pavel. Just a little exhausted,” Harry gave him a tired smile.

Suddenly Kirk laughed. “So that means I have a wizard aboard who can defeat unknown entities and stabilize planets? That’s… definitely interesting. Alright. All of you did excellent work. Lieutenant Potter, I suggest you get some rest. And then I want to have a talk with you about these ‘special abilities’ of yours.”

Harry nodded. He knew that conversation was coming. But for now, he just wanted to collapse into bed and sleep. And hold Pavel in his arms.

Pavel accompanied him to his (now more theirs) quarters. Helped him undress his uniform and get into bed.

“I was so worried about you, Harry,” Pavel whispered as he lay down beside him and pulled him closer. “When I felt that darkness trying to get into you…”

“But I handled it, Pavel,” Harry rested on his shoulder. “And you gave me strength. I felt you, our bond. It helped me hold on.”

Pavel kissed his forehead. “I know. Our bond is stronger than I ever imagined. But… promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I promise, Pavel. I’ll be careful. But you too. And now… let’s sleep.”

Harry closed his eyes, feeling Pavel’s hand on his own, his ring sparkling next to Pavel’s. He was tired, but in his heart felt peace. The first mission as a married couple. The first mission where he fully used his magical abilities. And it all turned out… well. Even despite the shock of waking up that morning.

It was only a matter of time before their next adventure awaited. But now, with Pavel by his side, Harry felt ready for anything.

When Harry woke up, he felt much better. Pavel was already up, preparing synthetic coffee for them — not as good as the real thing, but enough to perk them up.

“Good morning, hero,” Pavel smiled, handing him a mug.

“Good morning, husband,” Harry replied with a smile. The word still sounded a bit strange, but in Pavel’s presence, it felt absolutely right.
Harry pulled Pavel back into bed. He wanted to show his husband how much he cared. He didn’t care at all that Pavel was already dressed for the day, wearing a yellow uniform — at that moment, it was just a piece of cloth getting in Harry’s way.
Their kisses were hungry, full of passion and desire, and if they had more time, Harry would have shown Pavel just how much he meant to him.

“Kirk wants you to come see him as soon as you wake up. He said it was urgent, but sounded more… fascinated than angry.”
“That’s Kirk for you. You never know what to expect,” Harry sighed, but a smile crept onto his lips.

After a quick shower and changing into his blue uniform, Harry headed to the bridge. He knew a tough conversation awaited him — how to explain such powerful magic to people who knew about magic mostly from other Federation wizards but lived primarily by science?

When he arrived, Kirk sat in his chair looking thoughtful. Spock stood nearby, while McCoy sat at Harry’s old station in the sickbay with his arms crossed. Uhura, Sulu, and Pavel were at their posts, but the atmosphere was tense, as if everyone was waiting for a performance.

“Lieutenant Potter, come in,” Kirk invited him. “You know I’m not one for repetition, so I’d like you to explain to all of us what happened down on that planet. And I mean really explain it.”

Harry straightened up. “Captain, Commander Spock, Doctor McCoy, everyone. As I mentioned, I’m from Earth like most of you, but from a different part of society — one that deals with magic, which you know about through the Federation.”

McCoy snorted. “Magic, Potter. The kind we know — we know what it can do, but this… this isn’t normal, even by wizard standards.”

“You’re right, Doctor, but after I underwent a cleansing of my magic, something changed. Magic is a natural force, like electricity or gravity, but controlled by will and training. And even I don’t fully understand yet what my powers are capable of.”

Kirk folded his arms. “Alright. And what does that have to do with what you did down there? How did you disable that dampener and neutralize the… entity?”

“When I disabled the dampener, I used my magic to influence the energy flows of the alien ship. Basically, I found their weak spot in the energy stream and disrupted it magically. It was like a short circuit, but on a level invisible to your technology.”

Spock spoke up. “That corresponds with sensor data. There was a sudden and inexplicable energy fluctuation in the dampener system, which immediately led to its failure.”

“And the entity?” Kirk asked.

“That entity was a product of dark magic. It arose from an uncontrolled excess of dark energy in the crystal. It was a living manifestation of evil. It doesn’t have a physical body in the way you know it, and that’s why phasers had no effect. Patronuses, as you saw, are manifestations of pure, positive magic and can repel dark entities. To destroy it, I had to magically contain it and shatter its energy form. It was difficult because it was a very ancient and powerful being, but I succeeded.”

McCoy shook his head. “Sounds like pure fantasy, Potter. Don’t expect us to just believe that.”

“Doctor, you saw what happened,” Harry said calmly. “Sensors recorded nothing, but the attack and destruction of the entity were real. And you saw how the crystal changed. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

Kirk raised his hand to silence McCoy. “Alright. Lieutenant Potter, tell me about this crystal. How did you ‘cleanse’ it?”

“The crystal wasn’t just an energy source, Captain. It was a living, sentient organism connected to the planet. Over millennia, darkness had grown within it, creating that entity. I had to remove it and replace it with pure energy. It was like healing a patient, but on a much larger scale. I magically connected with it and cleansed it of negativity, restoring its balance. That’s why it now pulses with a pure blue light.”

“And that means it’s safe?” Kirk asked.

“Yes. But it must be protected. If it’s mishandled or exploited, the darkness could return. That’s why I proposed the planet be designated a protected area,” Harry explained.

Spock spoke up. “Logical. Lieutenant Potter’s actions not only neutralized an immediate threat but also stabilized a potential source of dangerous energy. His abilities are undoubtedly real, albeit unconventional. I recommend that his report on the incident be thoroughly documented and that the Federation explore possibilities for interacting with such a form of energy in the future.”

Kirk exhaled and leaned back in his chair. “So, here we are. I have a wizard on the bridge with powers even he doesn’t fully understand yet. Nobody else is to know. We’ll keep this internal, understand?” He looked at everyone on the bridge. “The official report will state: unknown entity, unknown energy anomaly, neutralized thanks to the ingenuity and quick action of Lieutenant Potter and his team. No details about this magic will be included. We don’t want the galaxy thinking we have ghosts aboard.”

Everyone nodded. McCoy still looked skeptical but said nothing more. Pavel smiled at Harry calmly and understandingly.

“Alright, gentlemen,” Kirk stood. “Lieutenant Chekov-Potter, set course for the nearest Federation base. We need to resupply, repair damage, and submit a full report to Starfleet Command.”

“Yes, Captain,” Pavel confirmed. “Course set. Warp six.”

The Enterprise turned and headed home. Harry felt the tension ease. Kirk, although visibly surprised, acted pragmatically and professionally. That was exactly the kind of support Harry needed.

The journey back to Starfleet proceeded in a relatively calm atmosphere, which suited Harry. He had time to acclimate to his new role as a doctor and deputy. He found he felt more natural in sickbay than he ever expected. His magically enhanced senses were an incredible asset. He could quickly and accurately diagnose problems that regular scanners would miss or take longer to detect.

McCoy, although he occasionally muttered about “wizard tricks,” gradually acknowledged Harry’s abilities — especially after Harry caught a rare viral infection in one of the engineers in time, which otherwise could have caused serious complications.

“All right, Potter, I don’t know how you do it, but it’s damn effective,” McCoy admitted one day. “Just don’t make me think about why it works.”

Harry only smiled. “Sometimes it’s better not to ask, Doctor, just enjoy the results.”

In his free time, Harry spent as much time as possible with Pavel. Their marital bond deepened. It was a quiet, subtle connection, shown in small gestures — a touch of a hand, a look, silent understanding. On the bridge, they were professional, but off duty, they were unmistakably a couple who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Their clothes were discarded within minutes, and Harry would never admit to anyone how much he depended on Pavel, as well as on their passionate moments, where they made very clear how much they loved each other. Their rings became part of their identity, though some curious eyes glanced at them now and then, but no one dared to ask. Kirk’s quiet order to “keep it internal” was evidently respected.

Pavel was still full of energy, but Harry noticed he had become a bit calmer, more grounded. Their bond gave them both a sense of stability.

“I’ve been thinking about that ship we destroyed,” Harry said to Pavel one evening in their quarters. “The symbols I saw on the walls… they were similar to the ones on the gate. I think those aliens knew magic. Maybe they tried to control the power and failed, creating that entity.”

“That’s a worrying thought, Harry. If there are other races that understand magic… they could be either allies or dangerous enemies.”

“Exactly. The Federation should be prepared,” Harry agreed.

When the Enterprise arrived at the nearest base, the atmosphere was tense again. They knew Kirk’s report on Omicron Persei VIII would raise questions, even though the details about Harry’s magic would remain hidden.

Captain Kirk immediately went to the command center to submit his report. Harry, Pavel, Spock, and McCoy were invited as witnesses. The meeting with the admirals was formal and full of questions.

“Captain Kirk, your report on Omicron Persei VIII is… unusual,” said one of the admirals, an older woman with a stern expression. “An unknown ship, an unknown entity, and your claim about a ‘planetary energy crystal’ that was ‘stabilized’ by Lieutenant Potter are… outside normal protocols.”

Kirk straightened. “Admiral, my report is accurate. The ship was hostile and destroyed our defenses. The entity was extremely dangerous and did not respond to our standard weapons. Lieutenant Potter, with his magic, was able to neutralize both the entity and the source of the anomaly.”

“Magic, Captain? Can you be more specific? The magic of an ordinary wizard can’t do this. And we have enough wizards in our ranks to know that no one has ever accomplished this,” said another admiral.

Kirk looked at Harry. “Lieutenant Potter, can you explain?”

Harry took a deep breath. “Admirals, my abilities come from my genetic heritage and training. I can manipulate energy fields on a very subtle level, which allows me to interact with phenomena your sensors cannot detect. That entity was such a phenomenon. It was an energy form that could only be neutralized through this form of interaction.”

“Are you a telekinetic, Lieutenant?” the admiral asked.

“To some extent, yes, but it’s a much broader spectrum of abilities. I can also perceive and influence certain energy signatures that are not part of the Federation, but are part of my origin,” Harry explained carefully. He himself did not yet fully understand the extent of his powers, so he was explaining somewhat blindly.

Spock spoke up. “Admirals, I can confirm that Lieutenant Potter’s abilities allowed him to detect and neutralize a threat that was completely beyond the operational capabilities of the Enterprise. His abilities are truly unique and could be invaluable to the Federation if properly understood and integrated.”

McCoy looked as if he had a toothache but said, “Call it whatever you want, that kid has something… strange inside him. But he saved our necks. And he saved that planet. So whatever it is, it works.”

After a lengthy discussion, the admirals ultimately decided to classify Harry’s abilities as “non-classified energy manipulation skills.” He was ordered to keep detailed records of his powers and be available for further research, but at the same time was told that his duty aboard the Enterprise was to fulfill his responsibilities as a doctor and deputy.

“Very well, Lieutenant Potter,” said the lead admiral. “Your recommendation to protect the planet Omicron Persei VIII has been approved. A permanent monitoring vessel will be stationed there, and the planet will be designated a restricted access zone. Thank you for your… ingenuity.”

For Harry, it was a victory. The Federation accepted his abilities, even if they didn’t fully understand them. And most importantly, the planet was safe.

As they left the conference room, Pavel immediately embraced him. “We made it, Harry. I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m proud of you too, Pavel. I couldn’t have done it without you,” Harry whispered.

Kirk looked at them and smiled. “Come on, you two. Now that everyone is convinced of Potter’s ‘unique abilities,’ we have plenty of work ahead. The Enterprise needs repairs, and you two need rest. And then… then we’ll head back into the unknown.”

And with that feeling of being ready for whatever the future might bring, Harry and Pavel returned to the Enterprise, prepared for the next chapter of their extraordinary life in Starfleet.

Chapter Text

Life aboard the Enterprise had settled into a strange, but for Harry and Pavel, very comfortable routine after the events on Omicron Persei VIII.
Harry had thrown himself fully into his role as doctor and deputy, spending countless hours in Sickbay, where his “unique energetic manipulation skills” as the Federation had officially labeled them proved invaluable. Dr. McCoy had grown used to Harry’s unconventional diagnostics, and would sometimes smirk and ask, “So what does your weird energy say this time, Potter?” Harry was slowly getting the hang of medical terminology and Starfleet protocols, while his magic became more of an instinct, whispering to him where to look for trouble.

Their marriage, although unplanned and initially a bit shocking for the crew, had become a natural part of shipboard life. Everyone was used to it now. Seeing Lieutenant Chekov and Lieutenant Potter or now, officially, Lieutenant Chekov-Potter holding hands in the mess hall or exchanging subtle but deeply affectionate glances on the bridge surprised no one anymore. Kirk handled it with his usual easygoing attitude and sometimes poked fun at them, but always with a hint of fondness.

“Come on, you two you’re like an old married couple before you’ve even lost your hair,” he grumbled once.
Pavel had just smiled at him. “That’s the goal, Captain, da?”
Harry had laughed, and Spock added dryly, “Their efficiency on the bridge has actually increased by 17.3%. Emotional stability and mutual understanding contribute to optimal performance.”
McCoy had visibly shuddered. “Please, Spock, spare me the Vulcan marriage analysis. I’ve got enough to deal with, what with Potter’s magic tricks.”

Harry’s abilities remained strictly internal knowledge within the Enterprise, but rumors still spread. Sometimes he overheard the crew whispering about “Potter’s intuition” or his “miracle diagnoses.” He didn’t mind, he knew they trusted him, and that was enough. His ring, which still glowed with a soft magical aura only he could see, reminded him of the bond he shared with Pavel, and made him stronger for it.

One deeply meaningful moment happened just a few days ago. They’d finally gotten a day off, a rare gift from Kirk and Harry and Pavel had just wanted to relax. They’d curled up together in their quarters, and, as usual, cuddling hadn’t stayed so innocent for long. Clothes ended up scattered everywhere, hands wandered, and the air was thick with heat and laughter. Afterward, as they lay together catching their breath, Pavel had shyly hinted that he wanted a family someday.
Harry, who had long accepted he’d never have children of his own, immediately suggested adoption. In the wizarding world, it was possible to accept a child by both blood and magic, making the child theirs in every sense their best sides, their flaws, their heir. Pavel had let Harry explain everything, and had agreed wholeheartedly.

The Enterprise continued its exploratory missions discovering new worlds, making first contacts, handling galactic crises. Harry’s talent for sensing anomalies and hidden energies turned out to be incredibly useful for detecting cloaked ships or unseen threats. It was never as dramatic as facing the Dark Entity on Omicron Persei VIII, but the small successes added up.

Then, one cold December morning, as the Enterprise glided through a desolate asteroid field, that peaceful routine was shattered. Alarms blared throughout the ship.

“What’s happening, Uhura?” Kirk’s voice was sharp immediately.
“Signal, Captain! Distress signal from the planet Nibiru! It’s a first contact situation, but something’s wrong, their volcano is erupting!”
“Pavel, full speed to Nibiru! Spock, prep an away team! McCoy, Potter, get Sickbay ready for mass casualties!” Kirk’s orders came fast and precise.

Pavel was already tense at the helm. “Aye, Captain! Maximum warp!”

Harry felt a tight knot in his stomach. He knew exactly what this meant first contact with a Prime Directive violation hanging over it. And potentially massive danger for the native population. And for them.

When the Enterprise arrived in the Nibiru system, the view was terrifying: an enormous volcano spewing lava and ash into the thick green atmosphere. The native civilization still in a pre-warp stage of development faced possible extinction.

“We can’t just land and help them, Captain!” Spock protested. “The Prime Directive explicitly forbids direct interference in the development of civilizations.”
“And letting them all die is somehow the better alternative, Spock?” Kirk shot back. “Lieutenant Potter, McCoy gets a team ready for rapid rescue. We need to find a way to stop that volcano from blowing again.”

Harry looked at Spock, who was clearly aware of the dilemma. Harry’s magic was telling him they could intervene but Starfleet ethics were screaming no.
"There is one way, Captain," Spock said at last. "If we can lower a cryo-device into the volcano and stabilize the magma chamber. But it will require extreme precision and minimal visibility. And someone will have to go down there and deploy it manually."
Kirk turned to him. "You, Spock. You’re the best for the job. But you need to stay unseen. No contact."
"Understood, Captain," Spock said, already moving to prepare.

Harry felt a rising unease. His heightened senses screamed that something would go wrong. He could sense something strange in the volcano, not just geological, but ancient, wild magic. Not dark like Omicron Persei VIII, but dangerously unstable.

"Captain, may I go with him?" Harry asked. "My abilities might be useful. I can feel something... unstable in that volcano. If we don’t handle this right, it could get worse."

Kirk stared at him. "Potter, you’re a doctor now. We need you in Sickbay."

"And what if something happens to Spock? I can treat him down there if I have to. And my abilities might help stabilize whatever it is. If there’s magic down there, I’m the only one who can sense and control it," Harry argued.

Kirk hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But it’s on you, Lieutenant. And Spock, no contact! You hear me?"

"Understood, Captain," Spock confirmed, glancing at Harry. "I hope your ‘feelings’ are accurate this time, Lieutenant."

Harry just smiled. "They always are, Commander."

When Harry and Spock beamed into the heart of the volcano, the heat was unbearable. The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and choking dust. Molten lava bubbled below them. Harry immediately felt the wild, unchecked magic intertwining with the geological forces the planet’s own magic, raging and fierce.

"Cryo-device is ready, Commander," Harry said, attaching small, discreet amulets to it to help stabilize the magical field, his own secret safeguard.

Spock carefully lowered the device into the magma chamber. Harry focused, connecting his magic with the volcano’s. He tried to soothe it, to guide it back to balance. He could feel the lava beneath them surging, clawing to break free to the surface.

Suddenly, the ground trembled harder than ever before. A deep rumble echoed from above.

"What’s happening?!" Harry shouted.

"Captain, sensor alarm! Another ship is appearing, I can’t identify it!" Uhura’s voice crackled from the Enterprise.

"Traitors to the Federation! It can’t be Klingons, not in this sector!" Kirk’s voice was tight with tension.

Harry’s attention shifted from the volcano to the sky. He felt darkness radiating from that ship, powerful and ominous. It was as if there was an aura of vendetta aboard.

"Commander, we have a problem. The natives saw us!" Spock called out.

The people of Nibiru, armed with primitive weapons, stood on a cliffside staring at the Enterprise hovering above them. Their belief in their gods was shattering before their eyes.

"This is bad," Harry said grimly. "The Prime Directive is compromised. And that ship… I can feel something evil in it."

Then it happened. A massive hand belonging to one of the Nibiru natives suddenly swung toward them. Spock found himself lunging to save Harry from a collapsing platform. And Harry, in turn, tried to save Spock.

"Mr. Potter! Our mission!" Spock shouted.

"I have to save you!" Harry flung out a hand, channeling his magic to create a protective force field around Spock, shielding him from the falling rocks. It was rough, but it worked chunks of stone smashed harmlessly against the invisible barrier.

Spock was trapped, surrounded by bubbling lava, while Harry struggled to maintain the barrier and keep the volcano’s magic under control. It was an impossible balancing act.

"Captain, Spock is in the lava! Potter’s trying to keep him alive, but his energy readings are dropping fast!" McCoy shouted from the bridge.

"Kirk, you have to beam me down! I can help Harry!" Pavel’s voice burst through from the helm, panicked.

"No! I need you here, Chekov-Potter! And I won’t risk further violation of the Prime Directive!" Kirk barked back.

Harry’s magic was fading fast. He had to make a choice either Spock or the Prime Directive.
He strained to keep the shield around Spock intact, but he could feel his strength draining away. Concentration slipped through his fingers. The lava’s heat was blistering, burning through even the magical barrier. Spock’s Vulcan physiology could endure a lot, but not forever.

"Harry! You have to decide! You can’t hold both!" Pavel’s voice rang in his mind, their bond reacting to Harry’s exhaustion.

"I know!" Harry hissed through gritted teeth.

Chaos reigned on the Enterprise. Kirk’s drive to save Spock clashed with the strict rules of the Federation. Uhura was frantically trying to open a channel to the unknown ship, while Pavel raged at the helm, desperate to beam down and help his husband.

"Captain, beam me down!" Pavel shouted. "They need help! Both of them!"

"No! Prime Directive!" Kirk snapped, torn between anger and fear.

"But Captain, we’re losing Spock!" McCoy yelled. "Potter’s spent! They need us!"

In a final act of desperation, Harry flipped his wand and focused every shred of his remaining magic into a single blast. It was like trying to stitch two gaping wounds closed by sheer force of will. He aimed at the massive boulder swinging above Spock, ready to crush him.

"Reducto!" Harry roared, and blinding white energy burst from his wand. The boulder exploded into thousands of shards, scattering in every direction with a deafening crack.

Spock was safe from the falling rock, but now the Enterprise faced an even bigger disaster. The natives below, gathering in fear and awe, had seen everything. They’d seen Kirk’s face on the comms, the Enterprise hovering in their sky, and the stone obliterated by Harry’s magic. The Prime Directive was in tatters.

"Captain, the natives saw us!" Uhura’s voice trembled. "And that other ship… it’s a Federation vessel! But unidentified!"

Harry’s magic gave out. He couldn’t keep the shield up any longer. Spock began to slip into the lava.

"Spock!" Harry shouted.

At that moment, Kirk’s face flickered onto Harry’s communicator. "Harry, you have to let go! Spock is gone! I’m beaming you up!"

"No!" Harry roared back. "I’m not leaving him!"

Driven by desperation and guilt, Kirk made a snap decision. "Pavel, transport them! Now!"

Pavel slammed the control. At the last second just as Spock’s body began to vanish beneath the molten rock both he and Harry flared into the transporter beam and disappeared from Nibiru.

When they re-materialized aboard the Enterprise, Spock was severely burned but alive. Harry collapsed on the transporter room floor, spent and shaking. Pavel rushed to him immediately, wrapping him in his arms, running his hands through Harry’s hair.

"Are you okay, Harry?" Pavel’s voice was ragged with relief.

"I’m… I’m exhausted," Harry whispered. "But Spock… he’s alive."

McCoy knelt beside Spock, his face grave. "He’ll live. But these burns are serious. It’s a miracle he made it out at all."

"That’s Potter’s miracle, Bones," Kirk growled, stepping into the transporter room. He looked at Harry with raw respect and gratitude.

But then Kirk’s face hardened. "Uhura, that ship! What is it?"

"Captain, it’s… it’s the USS Vengeance. Captain Marcus."

"Marcus? What the hell is he doing here?!" Kirk’s voice bristled with suspicion. "And why the hell is he cloaked?"

At that moment, Admiral Marcus appeared on the main viewscreen, his face a mask of fury. "Captain Kirk, you’ve got some explaining to do! You violated the Prime Directive — and badly! And I thought Lieutenant Potter was integrated with your tech clearly he’s no amateur! What’s your ship doing hovering over Nibiru?!"

Kirk squared his shoulders. "Admiral Marcus, I did what I had to do! Those people were facing extinction!"

"Your actions have broken the Federation’s core principles, Kirk! This ship is your command, your responsibility. And you, Lieutenant Potter, your reckless use of your abilities is dangerous! You’ll both return to Federation headquarters immediately. You’ll answer for this, both of you!" Marcus’ image vanished from the screen.

Harry felt his stomach knot. He knew this was coming, the consequences of what he’d done.
The journey back to Earth was tense. Spock was recovering in sickbay, Kirk was visibly furious, McCoy was constantly busy, and Pavel worried endlessly about what would happen next. Harry knew he was in serious trouble. Pavel did his best to reassure him, but they both understood how serious this was.

“I’m not angry with you, Harry,” Pavel told him one night as they sat together in Harry’s quarters. “You saved Spock. You did the right thing. But the Federation has its rules.”

“I know. But I couldn’t leave him there. I couldn’t let that planet die. And now they’re going to judge me for it,” Harry sighed.

On Earth, Kirk, Harry, and Spock were immediately summoned to a hearing before the admiralty. It was a large meeting full of high-ranking officers, including Admiral Pike, who sent them encouraging looks. Marcus was there too, his face stony and cold.

Kirk spoke first. He explained what happened on Nibiru, the risk of extinction, and Spock’s rescue. He described Harry’s actions as necessary to save lives.

“Captain Kirk, your testimony is interesting,” one of the admirals said. “But violating the Prime Directive is unforgivable. And the use of Lieutenant Potter’s abilities, which clearly surpass those of ordinary wizards and which you failed to fully report, is another serious breach.”

Then it was Harry’s turn. He knew he couldn’t lie. He explained how his magic had manifested, how he sensed the crisis on Nibiru, and how he tried to stabilize the volcano. He explained saving Spock and the risks he had taken.

“Lieutenant Potter, we understand you wanted to help,” the admiral said. “But your actions caused a violation of the Federation’s core principles. And the fact that these abilities weren’t fully reported is concerning.”

“Admirals, my abilities are personal. They’re part of who I am. I’m willing to explore and understand them, but I won’t misuse them and I won’t let them be misused,” Harry said firmly. “I did what I had to do to save lives. I won’t apologize for that.”

The room felt even heavier. Marcus spoke up, his voice sharp with disdain. “Lieutenant Potter, your arrogance is unacceptable. Such power can be dangerous and must be controlled.”

Then something unexpected happened. Admiral Pike stood up. “Admirals, if I may speak on behalf of Lieutenant Potter. I’ve personally seen his abilities in action and I can confirm how unique they are. His intentions have always been honorable and his decisions have always focused on saving lives. When it comes to the Prime Directive, sometimes you need quick and moral judgment. Captain Kirk acted according to his conscience. And as for these so-called abilities, Harry Potter is one of the most gifted officers I’ve ever seen. The Federation should be grateful to have him, not afraid of him.”

Harry was surprised by how strong Pike’s support was.
After a long and heated debate, the verdict was announced. Kirk was stripped of command of the Enterprise and temporarily reassigned back to the Academy as an instructor, which was a huge shock and humiliation for him. Harry was given a public reprimand and a temporary ban on away missions until his abilities were fully evaluated. Spock received only a formal warning.
It was a bittersweet victory. Spock was saved, the planet was safe, but Kirk was punished.

As they left the hearing room, Kirk looked visibly furious. “This is Marcus’s doing! He’s behind all of this! I can feel it!”
“Maybe so, Captain,” Spock said. “His animosity toward you is evident. And his interest in Lieutenant Potter and his abilities is disturbing.”
Harry felt miserable. “I’m sorry, Captain. If only I had…”
“No, Harry. You did nothing wrong. You saved Spock. You saved us all. This is their politics,” Kirk said. “But this is not over. I will find out what Marcus is planning.”

In the following weeks, Harry returned to his routine on Earth. He underwent a series of tests and simulations meant to “evaluate” his abilities. It was tiring and sometimes frustrating, as the scientific instruments tried to understand something beyond their reach. Harry tried to cooperate but felt they didn’t fully understand him.

Pavel supported him throughout. They spent every free moment together, and their bond became an unshakable pillar in Harry’s life. It also helped him avoid completely breaking down mentally and physically. Spock recovered from his burns and returned to his duties. Even McCoy, though still gruff, showed unwavering support and newfound respect for Harry.

Meanwhile, dark clouds gathered over the Federation. A terrorist attack on the Starfleet archives in London. Then a new player appeared – John Harrison, a former Starfleet agent who turned out to be much more than he seemed at first glance.

Harry’s senses awakened. He felt a deep darkness in all this, different from what he had encountered on Omicron Persei VIII. It was the darkness of human ambition, revenge, and betrayal.

“Pavel,” Harry said one day, “I feel something is happening. Something big. It’s like a cold veil spreading over the Federation.”
Pavel looked at him seriously. “I feel it too, Harry. That ship, the Vengeance, Marcus… there is something strange about it. And that Harrison? I don’t trust him.”

Then the news came. An attack on Starfleet Headquarters. And Admiral Pike was killed.

Harry’s heart tightened. His mentor, the man who believed in him when no one else did, who defended him and saw more than just a “problem,” was gone. He felt a wave of anger and despair.

Kirk, filled with grief and rage, was given back command of the Enterprise. His mission was clear: find and capture John Harrison.

Harry knew that now no Prime Directive or “unclassified abilities” would stand in their way. It was personal. A vendetta. And he was ready to fight. With Pavel by his side.

After the shocking news of the attack on Starfleet Headquarters and Admiral Pike’s death, the Enterprise immediately prepared to depart. On the bridge, a tense silence prevailed, broken only by urgent reports. Kirk, his face stone-cold but eyes burning with anger and determination, sat in the captain’s chair. Spock beside him was unusually silent, his typical logic mixed with deep grief over the loss of their mentor. Harry felt Kirk’s sorrow and anger spread through the bridge, affecting everyone’s mood.

For Harry, Pike’s death was a personal wound. The admiral had trusted him when no one else did, defended him, and saw him as more than just a problem. Now he was gone, a victim of a terrorist attack led by John Harrison. Genuine anger, dark but controlled, flowed through Harry’s veins, fueling his magic.

Pavel at the helm was pale. He respected and admired Pike too. His usual playfulness was gone, replaced by focused, serious determination. Harry felt Pavel’s grief and thirst for revenge mirroring his own. Their bond, now stronger than ever, allowed them to share these feelings without a single word.

“Mr. Chekov-Potter, course set for Klingon Empire. Full warp!” Kirk’s voice was sharp but not angry, more like an order that had to be carried out.

Pavel nodded, his fingers moving quickly over the controls. “Yes, Captain. Warp 9. Entering Klingon space.”

“Klingon space?” McCoy’s voice was full of concern. “Kirk, that’s madness! If we show up there at full speed, we’ll provoke a war!”

“Harrison is hiding there, Doctor,” Kirk snapped. “And I will get him. No matter the Klingons.”

Harry felt the magic in Klingon space was different from the Federation’s. Rougher, wilder, full of centuries of battles and honor. He knew he would have to be even more careful with his abilities in this space.

“Uhura, try to intercept any communications from Klingon ships. Spock, prepare a Klingon language analyzer. We don’t want them to think we are an invading force.” Kirk tried to stay calm, but his fist clenched on the armrest betrayed his inner turmoil.

“It will be difficult, Captain,” Uhura said. “Klingon encryption is very complex. But I will try.”

Harry focused, not just on external sensors but also on his own. He felt it. An icy chill. The same chill he had felt from John Harrison when watching footage of his attack. Not just anger’s coldness but the coldness of ancient slumber.

“Captain,” Harry’s voice was serious. “I sense something unusual in Klingon space. Besides the Klingons themselves. It is very old. And very cold.”

Kirk turned to him. “Cold, Potter? What does that mean?”

“It’s like something has been sleeping there. For a long time. And it’s waking up. Connected to Harrison. It feels like… something coming out of cryostasis. Powerful, ancient, and very dangerous.”

Spock raised an eyebrow. “Your abilities perceive an energy signature, Lieutenant?”

“Not exactly. It’s more an inner feeling, Commander. Like feeling air currents even when you can’t see them. I sense the presence of something that shouldn’t be there. And it is huge.”

Kirk snorted. “Alright, Potter. I believe you. Spock, try to focus on any unusual energy signatures in Klingon space that might match this description. Apart from the usual Klingon ships.”

“Yes, Captain,” Spock confirmed and began adjusting sensors.

Harry looked at Pavel. Pavel sent him an encouraging smile. It was good to have someone who believed him even when his “feelings” sounded crazy to others.

As the Enterprise moved deeper into Klingon space, tension on the bridge was palpable. Harry’s inner feelings intensified. He sensed not only the threat of the Klingons but also that strange, ancient cold.

“Captain, contact! Three Klingon Bird-of-Prey class ships approaching our bow!” Sulu announced.

“Shields up!” Kirk ordered. “Uhura, try to communicate with them. Tell them we are on a diplomatic mission and seeking a fugitive.”

Uhura tried desperately, but the Klingons did not respond. Instead, disruptor beams were fired from one of the ships.

"Shields at eighty percent and dropping!" Harry shouted, automatically focusing on stabilizing the shields. He felt his magic weaving into the ship’s systems, trying to strengthen them, to hold them up.

"Return fire, but without lethal force! Just intimidate them!" Kirk ordered. "Chekov-Potter, evasive maneuvers!"

Pavel reacted immediately, his hands moving with incredible speed. The Enterprise dodged between the beams, but the Klingons were aggressive.

"Captain, it seems they are luring us somewhere," Spock noted. "Analysis indicates they are trying to limit our escape route. And… yes. I am detecting a faint but very ancient energy signature that does not match Klingon technology. It is located on an abandoned planet they are leading us to."

"Harry’s ‘cold’?" Kirk asked.

"It is a logical correlation, Captain," Spock replied.

Harry focused on the cold that was guiding him. It led them to a lonely, icy planet that appeared completely inhospitable. But Harry sensed something hidden down there.

"Mr. Potter, can you clarify?" Kirk asked.

"It’s down there, Captain. On that planet. It is very old and it’s the source connected to Harrison. It’s a trap. The Klingons are either holding him there or want to get him there. And it is a huge energy signature. I don’t feel it directly, but it is like an echo of something that carries immense power. Dark power."

Kirk bit his lip. "Alright. The plan is changing. We want Harrison, but we don’t want war with the Klingons. Mr. Chekov-Potter, approach the planet. Prepare an away team. Spock, you will lead it. Take Sulu, some security officers, and you, Lieutenant Potter, will go with them. Your ‘feelings’ will come in handy."

Harry nodded. He knew Kirk relied on his instincts. And he would not disappoint him. Or at least he would try.

Transport to the icy planet was freezing. The temperature dropped far below freezing. The air was thin and filled with ice crystals. The terrain was rocky, covered with snow and ice. Klingon ships circled above them.

"Sensors show Harrison is inside this base," Spock reported over the communicator. "It appears to be an old, abandoned Klingon outpost. But the energy signatures are nonstandard."

"He’s here, Commander," Harry said, his breath condensing in the cold air. "I feel the cold most intensely here. It’s like… thousands of years of frozen energy. And I feel Harrison’s presence in it too. It’s stronger than I thought."

They entered the base, which was dark and dilapidated. The air inside smelled of ozone and a strange metallic scent. Harry’s ring on his finger pulsed with a faint light, reacting to the energy around.

"Be ready for anything," Spock said, his voice calm but his eyes wary.

They walked through the corridors covered in ice and dust. Everywhere were signs of a battle, but ancient. As if something had happened here centuries ago. Harry’s senses guided him deeper into the base, toward the place where the cold was strongest.

Then they saw him. John Harrison. He stood in the middle of a huge cryogenic chamber, surrounded by dozens of frozen pods. Cold and incredible power radiated from his stance.

"I knew Kirk would send someone," Harrison said, his voice calm and strong, with a hint of antiquity. "But you’re foolish if you think you can stop me."

"You’re a terrorist, Harrison!" Kirk shouted, appearing behind them with another security team. "You killed my mentor!"

"I am a victim, Kirk. A victim of Starfleet’s lies and deceit. I am… Khan. And these are my people. I want to awaken them to get my revenge." Khan gestured at the cryo pods.

Harry’s breath caught. "Khan. The legendary super soldier. Emotionally manipulative and deadly dangerous." That explained the cold, the power. A genetically enhanced human who had slept for centuries.

"And you, Harry Potter," Khan said, his eyes narrowing. "A wizard. You came to face Khan? Your kind is weak. You rely on wands and illusions. I am power. I am war."

"Your power comes from enhancements, not essence," Harry said calmly. "And your war is revenge, not justice."

Khan laughed, a cold and inhuman sound. "You are naïve. But your magic is something new. I have never encountered anything like it. Interesting."

Suddenly Khan attacked. His movements were incredibly fast, strong. Security officers were thrown aside; their phasers stood no chance. Khan was too quick, too strong.

"Level five! Fire!" Kirk shouted.

Khan easily dodged the phaser beams. Harry knew a direct attack was useless. He had to use a different tactic. And he had to protect Kirk.

Khan lunged at Kirk, his fist raised for a strike. Harry reacted instinctively. He let his magic flow—not offensively, but defensively. He conjured a force field around Kirk. Khan’s fist slammed into the invisible barrier with tremendous force.

Khan froze, his expression shifting from pride to surprise.
“What was that?”

“My ‘illusion,’ Khan,” Harry said, his voice tense. “You don’t know all forms of power.”

Khan tried to break through the shield, but Harry’s magic held firm. He felt the shield bend under Khan’s strength, but it held. Pavel, who was just beaming down with McCoy, saw the scene and his eyes widened in fear.

“Harry! Hold on!” Pavel shouted.

“I’ll get you, Khan!” Kirk yelled, trying to strike Khan.

Khan pulled back from the shield and lunged at the other officers trying to restrain him. He was inhumanly efficient—every move deadly.

Harry tried to use his magic to sense Khan’s movements, to anticipate them. It was an intense battle between superhuman strength and magical defense. Harry blocked, creating smaller shields and deflecting Khan’s blows, but he felt himself tiring.

“Captain, we must capture him alive!” Spock shouted. “He is the key to understanding Marcus’s plans!”

Suddenly Khan stopped. He looked at Harry, then at the pods.
“You’re right, Spock. But I will get them alive.”

Then Khan dashed to one of the gates leading outside. His strength was immense, bending the iron bars. He broke through into the icy storm.

“He’s going after him! Everyone after him!” Kirk shouted.

The chase moved onto the frozen planet’s surface. The storm raged, wind whipping snow into their faces, visibility almost zero. Khan dodged with incredible speed and agility between ice formations.

Harry struggled to keep up, his magic helping him sense Khan’s trail even when he couldn’t see him. Spock followed with Vulcan perseverance.

“I see him!” Kirk shouted. “He’s heading for our ship!”

Khan clearly intended to reach the Enterprise—probably to get to Marcus.

“Invisible ship! Detecting an unidentified vessel approaching us!” Uhura reported from the Enterprise.

“That’s Marcus! The Vengeance!” Kirk yelled.

Khan reached the edge of a cliff where Kirk, Spock, and Harry stood below. He turned toward them.

“This is the end, Kirk,” Khan said. “Your Federation is full of lies. And I am its justice.”

Khan jumped. Harry’s heart stopped. It wasn’t a death leap—it was a deliberate fall. Khan knew Marcus’s ship was waiting below.

“To the transporter! Now!” Kirk shouted.

Harry tried to focus on Khan for transport, but the signal was scrambled by Marcus’s ship.

“I can’t lock on! Admiral Marcus’s ship is jamming our transporters!” Pavel shouted from the Enterprise.

A thought flashed through Harry’s mind. Teleportation. Despite interference. He had to try. Khan was falling fast.

He poured all his remaining strength into it. Imagined Khan before him. Pain twisted through him, but he persevered. With a deafening CRACK! and a flash of green light visible only to him, Harry teleported Khan back onto the cliff.

Khan appeared right in front of Kirk and Spock, stunned.

“What the…?” Khan hissed before Kirk lunged with a fist.

Kirk knocked him down. Spock immediately followed with a Vulcan nerve pinch. Khan writhed, then went limp.

Harry collapsed onto the snow, gasping for breath. His body was exhausted. Pavel beamed down immediately once the transporters freed up.

“Harry! Are you okay?!” Pavel ran to him, embracing and checking for injuries.

“I’m… I’m okay. Just exhausted,” Harry whispered.

Kirk looked at Harry, then at Khan.
“What did you do, Potter? How did you get him back?”

“Something like teleportation. But it cost me a lot of power,” Harry admitted.

Kirk nodded. “Good. Good work. Now we have our fugitive. Spock, prepare him for transport. McCoy, Potter—I need you both in sickbay.”

Harry was taken to sickbay where McCoy gave him a sedative and an IV.

“What was that, Potter?” McCoy grumbled. “This isn’t just a ‘strange sense.’ This is… something else.”

“No time for that, doctor. I need to rest. Then I’ll talk to you about Khan,” Harry said.

While Harry recovered, the Enterprise returned to Federation space. Khan was imprisoned aboard, and Kirk tried to extract information from him. The truth Khan revealed was shocking.

Khan was not a terrorist. He was an enhanced super soldier, created by Admiral Marcus for a secret war against the Klingons. Marcus awakened him and used him to design the Vengeance, Marcus’s own ship. Khan escaped when he discovered Marcus planned to use his people as weapons. The attack on the archive and Starfleet headquarters was Khan’s revenge, not terrorism. Pike was killed simply because he opposed Marcus.

Harry, Pavel, Spock, and McCoy sat in sickbay listening to Kirk’s report. It was like their eyes were opened. Marcus, who acted like an honorable admiral, was in fact a villain.

“So Marcus plans to start a war with the Klingons,” Harry said. “And he used Khan as a tool. And he wanted to exploit my abilities. That’s why he was interested in the Omicron Persei VIII incident.”

“Logical,” Spock nodded. “Marcus is trying to provoke conflict to justify militarizing the Federation.”

“And Enterprise is now in danger,” Pavel added, his voice tense.

Kirk returned to sickbay.
“We have to warn Starfleet. But Marcus won’t allow it. He wants us to hand over Khan.”

“Vengeance is far stronger than Enterprise, Captain,” Spock said. “It has twice the weapons and shields.”

“And I have a wizard aboard who can teleport people and destroy shields,” Kirk said, looking at Harry. “Harry, we need you. Again.”

Harry nodded. “I’m ready, Captain. I feel Marcus’s intentions. They are corrupt. And I have to face him.”

The Enterprise found itself in battle with the USS Vengeance. It was an uneven fight. Marcus’s ship was stronger, faster, and more brutal. The Enterprise was hit again and again; shields dropped, the hull shook.

Harry stood on the bridge, his magic flowing as he tried to reinforce the shields, stabilize damaged systems. Pavel at the helm did everything he could to evade Marcus’s attacks.

“We’re losing shields, Captain!” Harry shouted. “Phasers offline! Power’s dropping!”

“Mr. Potter, can you disable their weapon systems?” Kirk asked.

“I’ll try. But the Vengeance is too strong. I’ll need direct contact,” Harry said. “I need Khan to be transported over. But he’s not cooperating with us.”

Kirk bit his lip. “Alright. Spock, you’ll go with Khan. Let him go to disable the Vengeance’s weapons. But then transport him back. And you, Lieutenant Potter, you’ll go with them. Make sure Khan does it. And Spock, don’t hesitate to use force if he tries to escape.”

“Captain, that’s illogical! Trusting Khan?!” Spock objected.

“I know, Spock. But we have no choice,” Kirk said.

Harry looked at Pavel. Pavel nodded, eyes full of worry but also support. “I believe in you, Harry. Come back alive.”

“I will, Pavel,” Harry promised.

Harry, Spock, and Khan beamed aboard the Vengeance. It was a dark, militarized ship, full of shadows and tension. Khan immediately got to work—his speed and brutality were astonishing. He destroyed Marcus’s ship’s weapon systems with incredible efficiency. Harry watched, ready to intervene if Khan tried anything.

Spock and Harry watched Khan dismantle the Vengeance’s weapon systems. When the job was done, Khan turned.

“Now that I’ve fulfilled my part of the deal, it’s time to get revenge on Marcus,” Khan said.

“Your revenge will not serve justice, Khan,” Spock said.

Khan laughed. “What do you know about justice, Vulcan? You don’t know anger. You don’t know loss.”

Khan lunged at Spock. Harry immediately intervened. He knew he couldn’t let Khan escape.

“Immobilus!” Harry shouted, his magic clashing with Khan’s strength. Khan stopped, but only briefly. His genetic enhancements let him overcome magic, though with effort.

“Interesting,” Khan said. “But not good enough.”

Khan threw Harry aside, then turned and vanished into the corridors of the Vengeance, heading for the bridge.

“We have to stop him!” Harry yelled.

But it was too late. Khan reached the Vengeance’s bridge. They heard the silence of Marcus’s ship. Khan had taken his revenge.

“Khan did it, Captain,” Spock said. “But now he’s trying to escape.”

“What?!” Harry shouted. “Transport me back, immediately!”

Harry beamed back to the Enterprise. But it was too late. The Vengeance, damaged by Khan, was hurtling toward Earth. Its weapons were disabled, but the kinetic energy of the ship was massive. It threatened to destroy San Francisco.

“Shields are down!” Harry shouted. “We can’t stop her!”

Suddenly Kirk made a decision. “We’re going down! Manual warp core repair! We have to restart it and get out!”

“No, Captain!” Spock shouted. “It’s suicide!”

“I’ll go!” Harry said. “My magic lets me move faster than anyone else. And I can stabilize it. I have to do this.”

“No, Harry! You’re too valuable!” Pavel yelled.

“I have no choice, Pavel! This is the only chance!” Harry said. He looked at his husband. “I love you, Pavel. Always.”

With that, Harry rushed to the warp core. He felt extreme exhaustion but ignored it. He felt the Enterprise’s magic, connecting with it. He imagined repairing and stabilizing it. It was the hardest thing he had ever done.

With Kirk and Harry inside the core and the Vengeance closing in for collision, strange things began happening on the Enterprise. Magic and technology intertwined.

Harry reached the warp core. Inside it was wrecked, sparks flying, flames licking. He felt the core racing toward explosion. He had to stabilize it.

He stretched out his hands. Magic flowed. It was as if he became part of the ship. He felt every circuit, every wire. He tried to magically reconnect torn parts, seal energy leaks. He felt his veins fill with pain, his body tremble.

Kirk tried to help but was in a hopeless position.

“Harry! You must come back! You’ll die!” Pavel’s panicked voice echoed in his mind.

“I can’t, Pavel! I have to finish!” Harry hissed.

With a final breath of magic, a massive release of power, Harry stabilized the warp core. He stopped the explosion. But he felt his body give up. He collapsed onto the floor.

“Harry!” Kirk shouted.

“Mr. Potter! Our captain is dying!” Spock’s voice called out.

Harry struggled to turn. Kirk lay beside him, seriously injured.

“Spock,” Harry whispered. “Khan’s blood. It has regenerative abilities. Use it.” Kirk grasped Harry’s hand. “To save… life…”

Harry smiled. “Done, Captain. Done.”

Then Harry closed his eyes. He felt Pavel’s hand on his. And then… darkness.

Later…

Harry woke up. He was lying in sickbay on the Enterprise. Weak but alive. Pavel sat by his bed, his face full of relief.

“Harry! You’re awake!” Pavel hugged him, kissed his forehead.

“What happened?” Harry asked, his voice hoarse.

“You saved us, Harry. You saved the Enterprise. You saved Earth,” Pavel said. “Kirk… Kirk is alive. Spock saved him. Thanks to you.”

Harry sat up. “Is Kirk alright?”

“Yes. He was badly hurt, but Spock gave him Khan’s blood. It caused incredible regeneration. He’s already up. And Khan… is back in cryostasis. Forever.”

“And me?” Harry asked. “How am I alive?”

“When you stabilized the core, you gave all your magic. Your ring lost its glow. You looked like you were dying. But then… you started slowly regaining strength. As if your bond with the Lady of Magic was healing you. And I… I didn’t let you go, Harry. I fed you my energy, what I could. And McCoy… did what he could.”

Harry looked at Pavel. “You… gave me your energy?”

Pavel nodded. “Everything I had. I didn’t want to lose you.”

Harry hugged him. It was a powerful, emotional embrace. Their bond was real, deeper than they ever imagined. It connected them not just as spouses, but as magical beings.

Kirk and Spock entered the sickbay.

“Potter! You’re awake!” Kirk smiled. “You saved our asses again. Twice. We owe you a great debt.”

“And you’re the captain again, Captain,” Harry said.

“Yes. And with new respect for your… unique abilities. I’d say you opened all our eyes,” Kirk said.

Spock spoke up. “Your actions were highly illogical, Lieutenant Potter. Nevertheless, the results were exceptionally positive. And your sacrifice that saved Captain Kirk is touching. It is now clear that your abilities are an integral part of your being and cannot be ignored. The Federation will have to reconsider its protocols.”

Harry laughed. “I hope they don’t require me to fight more super soldiers.”

McCoy snorted. “Only if you disable them first, Potter. I don’t like blood.”

Harry felt exhausted but happy. He survived. Kirk survived. The Federation was safe from Marcus and Khan. And he had Pavel. That was all that mattered.

His ring on his finger sparkled again, brighter than ever. It was a symbol of his power, his sacrifice, and his deep, unwavering bond with the man he loved.

The events on Nibiru, the pursuit of Khan, and the final confrontation with Admiral Marcus shook the Federation to its core. The scandal was immense. Not only had the Prime Directive been seriously violated, but the revelation that a high-ranking admiral abused Starfleet’s resources and manipulated a genetically enhanced super soldier to provoke war was a shock to the public and the Fleet alike.

Harry Chekhov-Potter, once just a “special case” with “unclassified energy skills,” became the central figure in these events. His actions on Nibiru, the subsequent teleportation of Khan, and the saving of the Enterprise’s warp core were mostly kept secret in public reports (where they were attributed to “incredible luck and innovative maneuvers by Captain Kirk and his crew”), but inside the Federation they were whispered about.

At the highest levels of Starfleet, heated debates were held. Some admirals, supporters of the old order, insisted that Harry’s abilities were too dangerous and unpredictable, and that he should be isolated or at least kept under constant supervision. Others, like Admiral Pike (posthumously celebrated as a hero and martyr), or those who supported Kirk and Harry, argued that Harry was a valuable asset who could push the Federation forward if his abilities were understood and integrated.

In the end, the more pragmatic faction won. Harry’s “unique abilities” were officially reclassified under “Psionic and Energy Manipulations – Category Gamma.” A new, strictly secret section within Starfleet’s Science Division was created, tasked with studying psionic phenomena and other forms of energy that fell outside traditional physics. Harry became its unofficial consultant, but with an emphasis that his primary role remained on the Enterprise.

One of the main advocates of this change was Spock. His logical analysis of the incidents with Khan and on Omicron Persei VIII clearly demonstrated the usefulness and reality of Harry’s abilities. Spock prepared detailed reports highlighting how Harry’s powers could be used to explore unknown anomalies, defend against unconventional threats, and even in medical applications. His recommendations carried weight.

Despite this progress, skepticism persisted. Many still regarded Harry as an exception, a curiosity, or even a potential threat. Harry realized he would have to constantly prove his loyalty and responsibility. But he felt stronger. The Federation had accepted him, at least to some extent. And most importantly, he knew he had the trust of his crew, especially Kirk and Pavel.

Life aboard the Enterprise also changed after the Khan incident. The crew had been through hell and survived, creating an extraordinarily strong bond. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy became an even tighter trio, their mutual respect and loyalty unbreakable. And Harry, with his newly revealed powers, was now a full-fledged and respected member of this circle.

Captain Kirk, temporarily reassigned, returned to his command bridge with renewed authority and confidence after Marcus’s exposure. The incident changed him. He became more cautious, but no less brave. He had a deeper understanding of unconventional solutions and boundless trust in Harry’s abilities.

“So, Potter,” Kirk said once at dinner, “if some flying space octopus shows up next time and starts throwing rainbows at us, I know who to call.”

Harry smiled. “Just don’t do that, Captain. I hate octopuses.”

Dr. McCoy reconciled with Harry’s medical abilities and even began to actively use them. “That ‘magical diagnosis’ of yours, Potter, saves me hours of scans and unnecessary tests. Just don’t tell me how you do it. It’s enough that it works.” Harry’s intuition helped him detect illnesses in early stages, before symptoms appeared, and even perceive psychological stressors in patients, which aided their treatment. He became indispensable.

Uhura became a close friend to Harry. She was fascinated by his ability to sense energies, and he occasionally confided in her about his “feelings.” She herself, with her talent for linguistics and sensitivity to subtle nuances, could understand the concept of “magic” better than anyone else on the bridge. They often had long conversations about his origin, the magical world, and how it differed from Starfleet’s world.

Sulu and Chekov (Pavel), as operators on the bridge, got used to Harry’s “specific instructions.” When Harry said, “I sense an anomaly in sector Gamma 7, shift sensors to a frequency our systems don’t normally detect,” Pavel immediately knew what to do, and Sulu trusted him. Their trust in Harry was absolute.

And Spock? His relationship with Harry deepened to a level of mutual respect and understanding. Spock, always seeking logic and data, was fascinated by Harry’s abilities that defied scientific explanation but consistently worked. They often had long discussions where Spock tried to rationally understand the principles of magic, while Harry tried to describe what he felt and how he controlled a power that couldn’t be quantified. Spock even began asking Harry questions about the philosophy of magic and its place in the universe, which both surprised and delighted Harry. Spock became Harry’s most important scientific ally, helping translate his “feelings” into Federation protocols.

The biggest change, however, was their marriage with Pavel. Now that their bond was publicly known and accepted by the crew (though still with some “how did that happen so fast?” undertones), their relationship could fully develop. They shared quarters, meals, free time. Pavel was Harry’s anchor, his calm in the storm, and Harry was Pavel’s support, his understanding listener. They embodied what the Federation preached, unity in diversity, and love that overcomes all barriers, even magical ones. Their laughter often echoed through the halls of the Enterprise, and their mutual affection was a comforting reminder to the crew of humanity and hope.

The magical bond between Harry and Pavel, sealed by Lady Magic and strengthened by the Khan crisis, became much deeper and more complex. It was no longer just a telepathic connection of feelings. It was something more, bordering on symbiosis.

Mutual Energy Support: After Harry’s exhaustion on Earth, he realized Pavel was able to “transfer” part of his own energy to him. It wasn’t magic like Harry’s, but subtler, yet it resonated with Harry’s core and helped him recover. Harry began to train this. He found that when Pavel was near, his own magic was stronger and more stable. Pavel unknowingly acted as an amplifier of his magic. In return, Harry could give Pavel a sense of calm and well-being when Pavel was stressed or help him concentrate during complex maneuvers.

The bond allowed Harry to perceive Pavel’s feelings with much greater intensity. He felt his joy, fear, exhaustion. But what was newer and more amazing was that Harry began to see the world through Pavel’s eyes. It wasn’t literal, but when Pavel was experiencing something intensely or focusing on something, Harry could get an "impression" of Pavel’s senses, a feeling of cold at the helm, or the excitement of a new astronomical discovery. And Pavel, although less aware of it, sometimes “felt” Harry’s magic when it manifested, like a tingling in his fingers or a sudden warmth.

Harry also began to notice that Pavel’s own, albeit unconscious, magic was starting to show itself. These were small things. Occasionally, Pavel managed to fix a minor malfunction on a console without realizing it, or he had “luck” in games or bets. Harry realized that their bond had activated Pavel’s own, until then dormant, magical abilities, even though Pavel had no idea and they manifested more as heightened intuition and coincidence. Harry decided not to tell Pavel about it yet until he was sure how to explain it safely. He didn’t want to scare him.

Their connection also showed itself in dreams. They often shared vivid dreams full of symbols. Harry often interpreted them as omens or warnings. Pavel only remembered them vaguely, but after them he always felt either refreshed or restless. These dreams were an intimate space where their consciousnesses intertwined and strengthened their bond.

And what about Harry? After the crisis with Khan and the saving of the Enterprise’s core, his magic advanced to a new level. His ability to control and manipulate energy became much finer and stronger. It was no longer just about fighting or defense. Now he could:

Energy Healing: He could accelerate the healing of wounds and illnesses on a cellular level. It was not a replacement for McCoy’s medicine, but a supplement that significantly shortened recovery time.

Limited Telepathic Connection: Beyond the emotional bond with Pavel, he could establish brief telepathic links with others, but only in extreme situations and with great effort. It was mostly about sending simple messages or feelings.

Enhanced Shields and Ship Systems: When on the bridge, his presence and focus could magically strengthen the ship’s shields and stabilize critical systems, which saved the Enterprise several times in battles.

Detection of Psionic Traces: He could detect and analyze psionic residues invisible to Federation sensors. This allowed him to sense the presence of other psionically gifted beings or traces of ancient psionic activity.

Their life on the Enterprise became a symphony of their shared lives and roles. The Federation slowly began to adapt to the existence of magic in its universe, and the Enterprise with its captain, Vulcan first officer, and the married couple, one a wizard and the other an unwitting psionic—became a pioneer of a new era of exploration: an era where science and magic walked hand in hand, even if most of the galaxy had yet to notice.

Harry knew more challenges awaited him. But with Pavel by his side, Kirk’s trust, and the support of the rest of the crew, he felt ready for anything. Their adventures were just beginning.

Chapter Text

Three years. Three years of endless exploration missions in deep space. Three years during which the crew of the USS Enterprise became more than just colleagues, they became family. It was an era of constant discovery, first contacts, and crises that no one could have foreseen. Harry Chekov-Potter and Pavel Chekov-Potter had become an inseparable part of the ship’s rhythm, their bond deepened, and Harry’s “Psionic and Energetic Manipulations – Category Gamma” had been quietly integrated into Enterprise’s operational procedures, even though they were still a subject of debate within Starfleet.

Harry’s magic had become even more natural and intuitive. He could gently manipulate ship systems in critical situations, sense hidden threats, and sometimes even “sense” future events with surprising accuracy. His ability to heal had improved so much that Dr. McCoy, although he still complained, often shook his head at Harry’s “miraculous recoveries” that went beyond conventional medicine.

Pavel’s unconscious magical connection with Harry showed in his incredible luck and intuition at the helm. His maneuvers were more precise, his reaction time shorter, and several times he managed to avoid dangers that ordinary sensors would not have caught, or would have been too slow to respond to. No one explicitly noticed, except Harry, who quietly watched and smiled at his husband.

Kirk, now a bit older and wiser but still with the same unbridled spirit, led the Enterprise masterfully. Spock, always logic, but with a deeper understanding of emotions after the loss of the elder Spock, had become an even more valuable partner for Harry in scientific research.

But after three years of constant travel, the crew was exhausted. The Enterprise was damaged and needed extensive maintenance. So they received orders to rest and resupply at Yorktown, a massive starbase that was an engineering marvel and home to millions of people from many races.

When the Enterprise arrived at Yorktown, the sight of the massive, spherical base, full of lights and life, was a relief for everyone. It was like an oasis in the endless space. The crew scattered across the base, craving rest, good food, and social life.

Harry and Pavel held hands, walking through the busy streets of Yorktown, soaking up the atmosphere. It was so different from the cramped spaces of the ship. Pavel was excited.

“Look, Harry! They have a zero-gravity simulator! We should try it!” Pavel shouted, his eyes shining with excitement.

“Maybe later, Pavel,” Harry smiled. “Right now I’d like something good to eat that isn’t replicator food.”

Kirk met Harry, Pavel, Spock, and McCoy in one of Yorktown’s restaurants. They all looked exhausted but relaxed.

“Three years… I thought I’d die of old age on the Enterprise,” McCoy grumbled. “But this is damn good rehydrated soup.”

“It is logical, Jim. The human organism needs periodic rest and regeneration,” said Spock.

“And I need to know what I’m going to do next,” Kirk said with a sigh. “Starfleet offered me a promotion to Vice Admiral. But I… don’t know if I want to sit behind a desk.”

Harry looked at him. “You should consider it, Captain. Yorktown is impressive, but the mission of the Enterprise is our true calling.”

“You’re right, Harry,” Kirk said. “I’m made for the stars.”

Then an alarm sounded. Red alert.

“What’s happening?!” Kirk immediately tensed.

“Captain, emergency signal! It’s coming from… an unknown nebula. It’s a single escape pod. But there’s strong interference. We can’t identify the species or the vessel,” Uhura reported from the bridge.

Kirk looked at Spock. “Spock, what could it be?”

“Logic suggests it could be a trap, Captain. An unknown signal from deep space where no known civilization should be,” said Spock. “But at the same time, it could be a lone victim of an accident. A dilemma.”

“A dilemma with only one solution,” Kirk said, standing up. “Rescue mission. Enterprise is ready to launch. Harry, McCoy, get ready in sickbay. I have a feeling we’re going to be busy.”

Harry’s stomach clenched. He felt a strange energy in that signal. Not magic as he knew it, but something… ancient. And very, very old. It was as if an ancient echo had awakened.

When the Enterprise left the safety of Yorktown and headed into the unknown nebula, Harry’s feelings grew stronger. The nebula was dark, dense, and full of strange electromagnetic anomalies that interfered with the ship’s sensors.

“Interference is strong, Captain,” Pavel reported from the helm. “Sensors can barely see five kilometers ahead.”

“Uhura, try to get more information about that signal,” Kirk said.

“The signal is weak and intermittent, Captain. But it appears to be a humanoid species. No recognizable Federation languages.”

Harry felt the nebula closing in around them. Not just physically, but energetically. It was as if they were surrounded by an aura of ancientness and ruin.

“Captain,” Harry said, his voice serious. “I feel a strange energy in the nebula. It’s not magic as I know it, but it’s very strong. And it’s… active. It’s not just a natural phenomenon.”

Spock looked at his sensors. “Sensors detect nothing, Lieutenant. Only a high concentration of interstellar gas and dust.”

“I know, Commander. But trust me, it’s there. It’s like… a trap. I feel a consciousness in it,” Harry said. Kirk bit his lip. “All right, Harry. I trust your instincts. Pavel, prepare for evasive maneuvers. Sulu, stay alert.”

Then something happened that no one had foreseen. Dozens of small, aggressive ships, perfectly camouflaged in the nebula, suddenly appeared. They were fast, agile, and their weapons were devastating.

“We’re under attack, Captain! Dozens of unknown ships!” Sulu shouted. “Shields up! Return fire!” Kirk’s orders were immediate.

But it was too late. The first wave of attacks hit the Enterprise where its shields were weakened by the nebula’s interference.

“Shields at 40% and dropping! We’re losing power!” Harry shouted, focusing to use his magic to reinforce the remaining shields, but there were too many.

The enemy ships, led by the cruel and vengeful leader named Krall, attacked relentlessly. Their strategy was brutal — surround the Enterprise and tear it apart piece by piece. “Engines are damaged! We can’t move!” Pavel shouted.

“Prepare escape pods! Everyone to transport! Evacuate the ship!” Kirk’s voice sounded desperate.

Harry’s heart clenched. His home, the Enterprise, was destroyed. He saw the internal cameras as the ship was torn apart. People ran to the escape pods. “Harry, come on! We have to get to an escape pod!” Pavel pulled him by the hand.

“I can’t! I feel I have to stay!” Harry’s magic pushed him toward something else. He felt a deep connection with the ship. He felt the ship needed him.

“No! You’re coming with me!” Pavel pulled him forcefully toward the nearest escape pod. For once in his life, his husband could listen to him and not resist, especially when it was his own life he could save. Harry was a stubborn mule, Pavel never really minded that, but now his stubbornness wasn’t helping.

When Harry and Pavel squeezed into the small escape pod with several other crew members, the Enterprise shattered. The explosion shook the nebula. It was a scene of total destruction. The pods scattered in all directions, carried by debris and enemy fire.

“Captain, we’ve lost contact with all escape pods!” Uhura shouted. “We’re scattered across an unknown planet! And enemy ships are pursuing us!”

In the pod, Harry felt himself plunging down. It was as if the Enterprise had broken apart inside him too. He had lost his home.

The fall was brutal. The small escape pod shook and rattled as it entered the atmosphere of the unknown planet Altamid. Harry clung to Pavel, both praying they would survive.

The pod crashed into a dense forest. The impact was strong. Harry felt a rib crack but immediately began to heal it with magic. Pavel was shaken but without serious injuries.

When they crawled out of the pod, they realized they were alone. The forest was dense, full of strange plants and sounds of unknown animals. The sky was covered with mist and debris from the Enterprise.

“We’re on an unknown planet,” Pavel said, his voice hoarse. “And we’re alone.”

“Not quite,” Harry said. He felt it. He felt Krall’s ships circling above them. He felt his presence. And then he felt… other feelings. Fear, panic. Other escape pods. Scattered.

“We have to find the others,” Harry said. “We’re scattered. I can feel them. I feel Kirk’s pod, Uhura, Spock… they’re down here.”

Suddenly a group of Krall’s soldiers emerged from the forest. They were wild, brutal humanoids, their weapons primitive but dangerous.

“Hands up! You’re our prisoners!” one of them growled.

Harry and Pavel looked at each other. They knew they had no chance against so many enemies.

“Pavel, we have to split up. You run, I’ll handle them,” Harry whispered.

“No! I won’t leave you!” Pavel was determined.

“You have to! If they catch me, they won’t look for you! You’re our best chance for rescue!” Harry squeezed his hand. “Trust me. I’ll find you.”

Then Harry did what he had to do. He created a quick flash of magic around himself, blinding and startling the soldiers.

“Run, Pavel! Now!” Harry shouted.

Pavel hesitated but then turned and disappeared into the dense forest. Harry felt his determination, but also his fear.

The soldiers, blinded and enraged, charged at Harry. Harry fought back, using his magic. A small spell, then another. He deflected their blows, created illusions to confuse them. But there were too many. He was exhausted.

In the end, they overpowered him. They disarmed him and tied him up.

“So, wizard,” Krall snarled as he appeared. “What do you think? Do you think you can escape me? No one escapes me. Not you, not your friends.”

Harry felt a cold anger. It was as if Krall’s emotions clung to him. He knew Krall was not just an ordinary alien. There was ancient anger in him, a primeval hatred and a thirst for revenge. And something that could easily resemble magic.

Harry was dragged to Krall’s fortress, a huge, dark structure carved into the rock. It was full of Krall’s soldiers and other prisoners from scattered escape pods. Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and McCoy were also prisoners, though they were kept separately.

Krall turned out to be much more than just a brutal leader. He was the old Earth captain Edison, who had been lost a hundred years ago in the nebula and who had turned into a monster, consumed by hatred for the Federation. His army was made up of his original crew, modified to survive the harsh environment of Altamid, and they were completely loyal to him.

Harry, imprisoned in a cell with other Enterprise crew members, could feel Krall’s presence. He felt his anger, his pain, his betrayal. And worst of all, he felt energy in Krall. Energy that had transformed and become dark and twisted. Krall fed on the life force of his prisoners to sustain his existence and revive his army.

“So, wizard,” Krall said when he came to Harry’s cell. “I’ve heard about your ‘abilities’. Interesting. But my power is older and stronger. It comes from this planet. And I feed.”

Harry tried to speak, but his throat was dry. “You’re… corrupted. Corrupted by hate.”

“The Federation betrayed me! Left me to die! And now I will have my revenge! Their unity is an illusion! Their peace is a lie! I will destroy everything they stand for!” Krall’s eyes burned with hatred.

Meanwhile, Pavel, who had escaped Krall’s soldiers, crept through the dense forest of Altamid. He was alone, scared, but determined. He knew he had to find Harry. Their bond was weakened by distance and Harry’s capture, but Pavel still felt a faint thread that connected them. He knew Harry was alive.

Pavel, with his newly awakening intuitive abilities, moved through the terrain with surprising efficiency. He could sense danger before he stumbled into it, and his steps were guided by an invisible force. It was as if the planet itself was leading him.

He came across another escape pod, from which Jaylah emerged, a young, fierce warrior who had been stranded on Altamid after her own ship crashed. Jaylah was agile, resourceful, and knew the planet like the back of her hand.

“You are… crew of the Enterprise?” Jaylah asked when she saw Pavel in uniform.

“Yes! I’m Pavel Chekov! I have to find my friends! My… my husband! He’s Krall’s prisoner!” Pavel said.

Jaylah nodded. “Krall is dangerous. But I have a ship. An old ship. It just needs a bit of fixing.”

Jaylah led him to her hidden fortress — the old, abandoned USS Franklin, which had once been part of Starfleet. It was an old but fully functional ship that Jaylah had been repairing.

“Can you fix it?” Pavel asked, his eyes wide at the sight of the ship.

“Yes. I have lots of tools here. I just need time. And I need… spare parts,” Jaylah said.

Pavel got to work. He was an engineer. And he wanted to save his husband. His mind was full of determination. His intuition guided him to find the right tools and parts.

Later, Bones, Spock, and Kirk also joined them on the Franklin.

In Krall’s fortress, Harry tried to focus his magic. Krall’s presence, his dark magic, was affecting him, draining his strength. But Harry did not give up. He started sending weak telepathic signals to Kirk, Spock, and the others to warn them about Krall’s true nature.

Meanwhile, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy were planning how to free the Enterprise crew members.

“We have to find them,” said Kirk. “I feel they’re in trouble.”

Spock nodded. “Captain, sensors indicate a concentration of psionic energy in one of the cells. That could be Lieutenant Potter.”

When they reached Harry’s cell, they found him weakened but conscious.

“Kirk… Spock… McCoy,” Harry whispered. “Krall… he’s the old captain Edison. He feeds. His magic is corrupted. And he has a weapon… a biological weapon.”

“A biological weapon?!” McCoy shouted.

“Yes. He developed it from technology he found in the nebula. It’s a swarm of tiny drones that can break anything down to molecules. And he plans to use it on Yorktown.”

“We have to stop him!” Kirk said.

With Harry’s magic, which was weakened but still functional and able to disrupt security systems, they managed to free the other prisoners.

“Harry! Are you okay!” Pavel’s voice came through the communicator, full of relief.

“I am… but exhausted. I need to get away from Krall. His presence drains me.”

“We have a ship!” said Pavel. “An old ship! The USS Franklin! Jaylah repaired it!”

Together, they managed to escape the fortress and reach the Franklin. Jaylah, who helped them escape, was incredibly skilled at navigating the planet.

When they got aboard the Franklin, Pavel immediately got back to work. The ship was old but functional.

“Captain, I can get the engines online! But it will take a moment!” Pavel shouted.

“Harry, can you speed up the repairs?” Kirk asked.

Harry nodded. “I’ll try. I just need a moment to focus. And Pavel’s energy… will help me.”

Harry grabbed Pavel’s hand. He felt the flow of Pavel’s unconscious magic, helping him concentrate. He pushed his magic into the Franklin’s systems, trying to speed up the startup process, bypass the damage. It was as if he was talking to the ship.

In a moment, the Franklin’s engines roared to life.

“We’re ready for launch, Captain!” Pavel shouted. “And we have our music!”

Jaylah blasted loud rock music through the ship’s speakers, vibrating the entire ship. It was their new, unexpected weapon.

Krall was on his way to Yorktown. His goal was to destroy this symbolic Federation base and show the galaxy that unity is weakness. And he had his biological weapon, a swarm of drones that could disintegrate matter.

The Franklin, though old, was fast and agile. Pavel, guided by his magical intuition, became a master at maneuvering the ship. He could make evasive maneuvers that other pilots would never even attempt.

“There are hundreds of them, Captain, maybe thousands! Krall’s drones are swarming around Yorktown!” Uhura shouted.

“We have to find a way to stop them!” said Kirk.

Harry could feel the drones. They were small, composite entities, but he felt Krall’s dark magic inside them. They were vulnerable to something that could disrupt their structure.

“Captain!” Harry shouted. “I can feel it! The drones are vulnerable to high-frequency sound! Krall created them based on resonance! If we get them into resonance, they’ll fall apart!”

Spock looked at Jaylah. “Jaylah, are your vocal cords capable of producing a high-frequency sound at resonant frequency?”

Jaylah understood. “I can do it.” She started working on modifying the ship’s communication systems to turn the Franklin into a giant speaker.

“Pavel, fly straight into the drone swarm! Sulu, be ready to shoot the leftovers!” Kirk ordered.

Pavel nodded, his hands moving with certainty. The Franklin flew straight into the heart of the drone swarm.

“Now, Jaylah!” Kirk shouted.

Jaylah hit the radio. From the Franklin boomed an unbelievably loud, high-frequency sound, intertwined with the music. Harry felt his magic connect with the sound wave, amplifying it and focusing it.

The drones started to twist and break apart. Their tiny bodies disintegrated into dust. The drone swarm shrank.

Krall’s ship was hit. His drone system was destroyed.

Krall was furious. His plan was ruined. Now he launched one last desperate attack. He headed straight for Yorktown’s core to destroy it by hand.

“He’s heading for Yorktown’s main generator!” Pavel shouted. “If he gets there, he’ll destroy the entire base!”

Kirk made a decision. “I’ll go after him! I need to stop him! Spock, you’re coming with me!”

“No, Captain!” Harry shouted. “I can feel Krall’s dark magic. It’s too strong. He’ll use it to destroy Yorktown! I’ll go! My magic can control Krall’s energy!”

“No, Harry! You’re in bad shape after fixing the Franklin! I can’t lose you!” Pavel’s voice was full of panic.

“I have to, Pavel! It’s my responsibility!” Harry knew it was his fate. Only he could face Krall.

“I will go with you, Lieutenant Potter,” Spock said. “Logic suggests that two are better than one. And my ability to perform the Vulcan nerve pinch may be useful.”

Kirk nodded. “Alright. Go. But come back. Both of you.”

Harry and Spock beamed onto Yorktown, where Krall was fighting his way to the main generator. Krall, now more monster than man, glowed with dark, corrupted energy.

“So, wizard, you came to die?” Krall snarled.

“I came to stop you, Edison,” Harry said.

The fight was brutal. Krall was incredibly strong and fast. Harry defended himself, used his magic to create shields, deflected Krall’s blows. Spock tried to use the nerve pinch, but Krall was too quick.

Harry felt his strength draining. Krall’s magic was sucking him dry. But he knew he had one last card to play.

“I need to get Krall away from the generator!” Harry shouted.

With his last breath of magic, Harry created a massive magical wave that knocked Krall to his knees. Then he lunged at Krall. Not with a spell, but with his wand, which Kirk had returned to him earlier.

“Avada Kedavra!” Harry shouted.

A green flash shot from his wand.

Krall collapsed. His body started to crumble into dust. His dark magic dissolved.

Harry fell to his knees, exhausted. His wand went dark.

“Harry! Are you alright?!” Spock ran to him.

“I’m… I’m exhausted. But Krall is gone. Forever.”

Spock helped Harry to his feet.

After Krall’s defeat, life on Yorktown returned to normal. The Federation celebrated its heroes. Enterprise, though lost, was honored as the ship that saved Yorktown. And Harry Potter, though quietly, was seen as one of the greatest heroes.

Captain Kirk decided to stay in Starfleet and command the new USS Enterprise. The crew, now an even stronger family, chose to stay with him. Harry, Pavel, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Sulu, Jaylah — they were all ready for more adventures.

Harry’s magic changed after Krall’s defeat. It was like it had been purified. His bond with the Lady Magic deepened, and his magic was now cleaner, stronger, and more harmonious. He could heal severe injuries, manipulate energies on a much higher level, and his visions were clearer. He was no longer afraid to use his magic. He had become a true master.

Pavel’s latent psychic bond also grew. His intuition was now so strong that he sometimes predicted Kirk’s orders before he gave them or found solutions to problems that would take others hours. His “luck” became legendary on the bridge. Harry decided it was time to tell Pavel about his own abilities. It was hard, but Pavel, though surprised, accepted it with an open mind and his usual enthusiasm.

“So I’m… I’m a wizard too?” Pavel asked with a smile.

“Not exactly, Pavel. You’re… a psionic. And my connection with you activated it. You can feel things, predict them. You’re strong, Pavel. You just have to train it.”

Pavel was thrilled. “That’s amazing! We can practice together!”

And so they did. Harry began helping Pavel develop his psionic abilities. It was something new that connected them even deeper.

Federation and psionics: After the events on Yorktown and the reports about Krall’s magic, the Federation decided it was time to open up to new possibilities. An Academy for Psionic Studies was founded to study and train psionically gifted individuals. Harry was named its honorary advisor. He felt it was the right step forward. The Federation was evolving.

The new USS Enterprise was launched. It was a beautiful ship, even more modern than the previous one. And on the bridge stood the same crew, now stronger and more experienced. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Sulu, Jaylah, Pavel, and Harry.

Harry looked at Pavel, who sat at the helm, his face glowing with happiness. They held hands. Their rings sparkled.

“Where to now, Captain?” Pavel asked.

Kirk smiled. “New worlds. New civilizations. No one knows what awaits us. But we’re ready.”

Harry smiled. He knew it was true. With Pavel by his side, with their bond stronger than ever, they were ready for anything. Their adventure was only just beginning.