Kaer Morhen.
This ancient fortress, nestled among white mountains and black rivers at the edge of civilization, lit up Hermione’s eyes.
Unlike the desolate wilderness of Velen or the stark chill of Skellige’s islands, this was a mountain range firmly rooted on the Continent.
"Reminds of the Alps," Hermione said, breathing deeply.
Harry followed suit with a long inhale. "Bears and deer droppings... this scent, I’ve missed it."
The Forbidden Forest had plenty of magical creatures, but few like these.
Hermione turned to him, shocked.
She understood what her boyfriend ant, but... the way he said it was jarring.
They stood at a mountain pass, gazing down at the ancient keep.
"Wait," Geralt suddenly said.
The others looked at him.
He wore a serious expression. "If we’ve returned to the current tiline, doesn’t that an there are now two of and Yen?"
Ciri blinked, then nodded. "Seems like it... I should’ve sent you back to your original tiline. What a headache."
Ti manipulation had beco so natural to her that she’d forgotten this detail.
She grabbed Geralt and Yennefer’s hands. Lightning flashed, and they vanished.
Then blinked back—only Ciri returned.
"All done," she clapped. "I’m exhausted."
Harry conjured two horses. With nothing chasing them, they trotted leisurely toward Kaer Morhen.
"It all feels kind of fated," Hermione said, leaning back against Harry and looking up at the scar below his eye.
"Hm?" Harry tilted his head.
"I an, all this," she murmured.
Ciri waved a hand. "Oh no, Hermione—I did not sprint to your world to steal a child."
"That would sound way too weird."
Hermione still looked puzzled.
Harry explained, "This world has sothing called a Conjunction of the Spheres."
"Sotis, people from other worlds end up here due to various reasons."
He paused, recalling the history.
"This world is full of beings—humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, gnos..."
"Also vampires, werewolves, nightwraiths..."
"But actually, the only native race to this world is the gnos. All the others ca here through the Conjunction."
Hermione looked amazed, curious, even bewildered.
This world had such bizarre origins?
"So Ciri’s innocent," Harry ruffled her hair. "She may be a little weird, but she’s definitely not so creepy aunt who kidnaps kids."
"Harry!" Ciri growled.
He’d changed!
Harry had really changed!
That entire elaborate explanation—just to prove she wasn’t a creepy child-snatcher?
Harry laughed freely, continuing, "As for Kaer Morhen—"
"They didn’t save because I rescued Ciri."
"She was still young at the ti..."
He paused. "Maybe I should take you to Gilded Tower City—there’s a portrait of Ciri as a child there."
"No, Harry!" Ciri snapped. "You shouldn’t do that!"
Hermione tilted her head. "What’s wrong with the portrait?"
"You should ask what was wrong with Ciri as a child," Harry grinned.
Ciri had been a wrinkly little thing—not cute at all. Even Yennefer used to call her a "little brat."
"Harry!" she hissed.
Harry was in high spirits. He glanced at the sky and with a flick of his wand, the thick, excess clouds scattered, leaving just the right amount of decoration in the blue.
"I was eleven, clueless, and ran into so wraiths."
"Luckily, my magic flared and saved ."
"But I had no survival skills then. Vesemir rescued . He and Geralt raised —and taught everything."
"Their love for was just because I was Harry. Nothing more."
Hermione nodded.
The horses weren’t fast, but the scenery blurred by. They reached Kaer Morhen’s gates and stopped.
At the door, a stocky, slightly round man looked up at the sound of hooves.
"Harry?" he said with a touch of disbelief. "Ciri?"
"It’s ," Harry nodded, dismounting with Hermione.
"Long ti no see." He approached.
Vesemir spread his arms and hugged him. "Long ti."
"I heard from Yennefer... sothing strange happened to you."
Harry smiled. "Thanks to one strange little girl."
Ciri stomped!
"This is Hermione," Harry pulled the girl beside him closer. "My girlfriend."
Vesemir chuckled. "You and Geralt really don’t fit the Witcher mold."
"Co in—Geralt’s inside."
He moved to grab the horses, but Harry waved his wand—they turned back to stones.
Vesemir froze, then laughed and gave Harry a light punch.
They entered the keep. Harry and Ciri were at ease—they’d grown up here. Hermione, however, was nervous.
She just realized—this was eting Harry’s family.
Through the courtyard and into the main hall.
Several Witchers sat around.
Geralt was as stoic as ever, though now with a new scar. Lambert still looked like a reckless twentysothing, Eskel gentle as always, and Yennefer sat beside Geralt.
"Harry!" Lambert waved cheerfully.
They approached.
"Long ti no see," Harry greeted.
Lambert shrugged. "Actually, we weren’t apart that long."
"For , it’s been almost ten years." Harry sat down. "This is Hermione—my girlfriend."
"A very talented young sorceress."
Hermione gave a polite, slightly stiff greeting.
Lambert blinked. "Figures. White Wolf’s son—just like him."
"Yen’s probably itching to hex you," Harry laughed.
"She doesn’t look like a sorceress," Eskel observed. "She’s more like a princess than Ciri."
"Hey!" Ciri huffed.
"What happened after you returned?" Harry asked. "Wedding still in Toussaint?"
Geralt looked a little conflicted. "So... complications."
"Shortly after we got back, we ran into the Wild Hunt."
"You handled them too easily, Harry—I underestimated them."
He spread his hands, looking helpless.
"But I graciously forgave him," Yennefer added softly. "The wedding’s still in two weeks."
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