The Winter Wizard - Chapter 22 - Close the Door

Harry stepped into the solar, his curiosity piqued by the presence of Arya, Sansa, and especially Jon. They all appeared to be in various states of unease—Arya looked annoyed, Sansa bewildered, and Jon unusually tense. Ned Stark stood by his desk, his face as somber and inscrutable as ever.

“Close the door,” Ned said, his tone heavier than Harry had ever heard. “And make sure no one can listen in.”

Harry froze for a moment before nodding. He reached into his robes and pulled out his wand. The flicker of confusion and suspicion that flashed across Arya and Jon’s faces didn’t escape him, but there was no time to explain. With a practiced flick, he muttered, "Muffliato", ensuring no one outside or in the walls would hear their conversation.

“What is that?” Arya asked, her eyes darting between Harry and the wand. Jon furrowed his brow but said nothing.

“Not now,” Ned cut in sharply, pulling all attention back to him. “We don’t have much time.”

Harry stepped further into the room, his heart sinking at the grim expression etched on Ned’s face. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good.

“I’ve called you here,” Ned began, his voice steady but filled with a weight that seemed to hang over everyone in the room, “because you must leave the city tonight. All of you.”

There was a stunned silence for several seconds until Arya’s face lit up with a grin, at almost the same moment Sansa’s jaw dropped in shock. Harry could only stare, his mind scrambling to understand the sudden urgency.

“What?” Sansa finally managed to say, her voice rising. “We can’t leave! I’m supposed to be betrothed to Prince Joffrey. I’m to be queen!”

Arya rolled her eyes. “Who cares about marrying a prince? Especially this one. Winterfell’s better anyway.”

“This isn’t up for debate,” Ned said, his voice firm but laced with exhaustion. “Staying here is too dangerous. If you remain, you will be at risk—and if things go poorly, could become hostages. I won’t allow it.”

Sansa’s face flushed as she shook her head vehemently. “This isn’t fair! Why should we leave? Nothing has happened! The queen—”

Ned raised a hand, silencing her. He glanced briefly at Jon, then to a note on the desk, as if steeling himself for what he had to say next. Finally, his eyes returned to Arya and Sansa.

“There’s more to this than you realize,” he said, his tone softening but losing none of its gravity. “Bran didn’t fall from the tower by accident. He was pushed.”

The room seemed to freeze. Harry felt his stomach drop understanding the situation. He watched as Arya’s grin faltered, replaced by a look of confusion, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out. Sansa took a step back, her face pale, as if she had been slapped.

“What?” Arya said, her voice small.

“It was the queen,” Ned continued, his voice barely above a whisper but cutting through the room like a blade. “And her brother.”

“They pushed Bran?” Arya asked again, her voice quieter this time. “Why? What could he have seen?”

“That’s not something we can discuss now,” Ned said, looking pointedly at Harry, then back to his children. “You need to trust me on this. But it’s true Bran was pushed out of the window because of them.”

“No …” Sansa shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “That’s not true. It can’t be true. The queen—she’s so kind, so perfect—”

“She’s not,” Arya snapped, glaring at her sister. “She’s a snake.”

“How do you even know that?” Sansa spat at her sister, before turning back to Ned. “This can’t be true. How could you possibly know?”

Ned looked around the room, his sharp eyes settling on each of them in turn. “Jon arrived by boat this afternoon with a story for me,” he said, breaking the silence. “Luckily, Jory was on the docks when he disembarked and managed to sneak him into the castle unnoticed—although I have no doubt that someone will have seen him, and very soon, his presence will reach the ears of someone who will find it suspicious, and at that point questions will be raised. It’s only a matter of time before people come asking.”

All eyes shifted to Jon, who stood near the window, his expression stoic but conflicted. Arya looked at him with open curiosity, while Sansa’s expression was a mixture of doubt and discomfort. Harry simply waited, sensing that there was more to this story.

Jon nodded slowly, stepping forward. “I know the last you saw of me I was heading North but once I got up there … I decided not to join the Night’s Watch … at least not yet,” he began, his voice steady but subdued. “After everything, I realized that my place was with my family. I returned to Winterfell because I wanted to be by Robb’s side.”

He hesitated, glancing at Arya and Sansa, then at Harry before continuing. “As luck would have it, I arrived just after Bran woke up.”

The room seemed to shift with the weight of his words. Arya and Sansa both gasped at the same time, their reactions starkly different. Arya’s face lit up with hope, while Sansa’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Bran is awake?” Arya blurted out, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and relief.

Jon smiled faintly for the first time since entering the room. “Awake and on track to make a full recovery,” he said, his tone softening. “He hadn’t yet walked before I left, but Maester Luwin is confident that he’ll regain his strength in time.”

Arya grinned, a spark of her usual energy returning. “That’s amazing! I knew he’d pull through.”

Jon’s smile faltered as he continued, his tone darkening. “But there’s more. One of the first things Bran told Robb was who pushed him out of the window.”

Arya’s smile froze, and Sansa’s hands flew to her mouth. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by Sansa’s quiet, trembling voice. “No … That can’t be true.”

Jon’s jaw tightened as he glanced at Ned, who gave him a brief nod of encouragement. “Bran saw the queen and her brother. He saw them together in the tower. And when they noticed him, they pushed him.”

Sansa shook her head. “No. No, that can’t be right. The queen wouldn’t do that! She’s ... she’s perfect! Why would she—”

“She’s not perfect,” Arya interjected, her tone sharp. “She’s a Lannister. They’ll do anything to get what they want.”

Sansa turned on Arya, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief. “You don’t know that! You don’t understand—”

“That’s enough,” Ned interrupted, his voice cutting through the growing tension. He leaned forward, his calm but firm presence commanding their attention. “I know this is a lot for you to take in, Sansa, but what Jon says is the truth. I have it here.” He gestured to a folded note on his desk. “A letter from your mother confirming it.”

Sansa’s mouth opened, then closed, her hands twisting together. “But … how can we trust Jon? Or even Bran? What if they’re mistaken?”

Her words trailed off, but the doubt in her voice hung in the air like a storm cloud. She glanced at Jon, her gaze wavering before she looked away. “The queen wouldn’t do that,” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ned’s expression softened, though his eyes remained heavy with sadness. “I understand this is hard for you to accept, Sansa. You’ve always seen the best in people, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But I trust Bran. And I trust Jon.” He looked directly at her, his voice steady but firm. “Even without their words, I have reason to believe what they’ve said is true.”

“What reason?” Arya asked, her curiosity cutting through the tension.

Ned hesitated, glancing briefly out the window. Finally, Ned shook his head. “That’s not for your ears,” he said quietly. “But know this: staying here puts all of you at risk. If we don’t act quickly, the Lannisters aren’t known for half measures and I do not doubt that they will use any means necessary to keep their secrets safe.”

Arya frowned but didn’t press further. Sansa, on the other hand, looked down, her face pale and her hands trembling. Harry watched her, feeling a pang of sympathy. She was young, barely older than a child, and her dreams of becoming a queen were being shattered in front of her eyes.

Jon broke the silence continuing his story, his voice calm but resolute. “I arrived at Winterfell while Robb and Lady Stark were deciding who should come south with the news. They wanted to send someone that would be believed and … at least Robb trusted me.”

“So they sent you?” Arya asked, tilting her head.

Jon nodded. “Robb asked me to come. I left as soon as I could.”

“Why didn’t they send a raven?” Harry asked, speaking for the first time.

Jon turned to him, his expression grim. “A raven could have been intercepted. And this news … they wanted it to be delivered in person.”

Ned nodded, confirming Jon’s words. “This is why we must act quickly. The longer we stay, the more dangerous it becomes.”

Harry looked between them, his mind racing. Everything was spiraling out of control faster than he could have imagined. The Starks were a family caught in the middle of a storm, and he had a sinking feeling that things would only get worse from here.

“I’ll help however I can,” Harry said, stepping forward. “Whatever you need.”

Ned looked at him, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. “Your help is appreciated, Harry. But for now, we need to focus on leaving the city.”

Arya, ever defiant, smirked. “Good. I’m tired of this place anyway.”

And eventually, Sansa finally nodded, her face pale and her movements slow, Harry couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. She looked utterly lost, as if the carefully constructed world she believed in was crumbling before her eyes. Arya, on the other hand, had an almost manic energy about her, a combination of anger and excitement that seemed ready to explode at any moment.

Ned’s voice cut through the silence, firm and commanding. “You all need to leave tonight.”

Harry watched Jon frown, before glancing between his sisters and then back at Ned. “You all need to leave tonight?” he repeated, emphasizing the word. “Don’t you mean we all need to leave? You’re in danger as well.”

Ned paused, his expression hardening before he eventually shook his head. “Robert is my friend,” he said quietly. “I can’t leave him to face this alone, not now. I’ll do everything I can to stop this situation from getting out of hand, but I can’t risk you staying here. It would be far too easy for you to become hostages.” He sighed, his eyes moving from Jon to Arya and Sansa, then finally to Harry. “You need to go, and you need to go tonight.”

Jon opened his mouth to argue, but Ned held up a hand. “I’ve arranged for a boat to take you to White Harbor. Jory has already been sent to fetch Nymeria and Lady and was instructed to bring them to the ship. He’ll travel with you to ensure your safety.”

“But we can protect them,” Jon said, glancing at Harry for support. “Between the two of us, we can keep the girls safe.”

Ned turned to Jon, his gaze steady and unyielding. “Jon, I know your skills with a blade. And Harry …” He hesitated, the pause drawing Jon’s attention back to Harry with a curious, questioning look.

Harry felt the weight of Jon’s gaze but didn’t respond, waiting for Ned to continue.

“… I know you have your abilities,” Ned said, choosing his words carefully. “But even with those, can you say with absolute confidence that the two of you can protect the girls against ten Lannisters? Or twenty? Thirty?”

Harry’s first instinct was to say yes, to declare that he could handle anything thrown at them. But the reality was stark. Numbers could overwhelm even the most skilled fighter—or the most powerful wizard. His magic was strong, but it wasn’t limitless. And the idea of Arya or Sansa getting hurt because of overconfidence made his stomach churn.

Jon’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his silence a silent acknowledgment of the truth in Ned’s words.

“I honestly would prefer to send a larger group with you,” Ned continued, his tone softening slightly. “But organizing that would take time—and draw attention. Time and attention are unfortunately luxuries we can’t afford right now. Jory is capable and trustworthy. He’ll be another blade at your side, and he’ll do everything he can to keep you out of harm’s way.”

Ned looked to his daughters, his expression softening, before looking to Jon. “Jon, take Arya and Sansa to their rooms. Girls, pack a small bag with the essentials. Clothes, personal items if you must, but keep it light. I’ll give you coin to ensure you will be able to purchase whatever you need on the journey home. But you need to move quickly. There’s no time to waste.”

Arya nodded immediately, her face alight with determination. Sansa, however, hesitated, her eyes wide and unfocused. Harry could see her lips trembling, and for a moment, he thought she might protest again. But then she dipped her head in a slow, reluctant nod, though her posture remained stiff and brittle, like a branch ready to snap under pressure.

“Go,” Ned said firmly. “And come back here as soon as you’re done.”

The three of them left, Arya practically bounding toward the door while Jon placed a steadying hand on Sansa’s shoulder, guiding her along. Harry rose from his chair, ready to follow, but Ned’s voice stopped him.

“Harry … wait.”

Harry froze, turning back to face Ned. The Lord of Winterfell’s expression was unreadable, a mixture of exhaustion and resolve that made Harry feel both uneasy and intrigued.

Ned’s shoulders sagged with a mix of resignation and pain, though his voice remained steady. “I know you had volunteered earlier to travel with them but I realize this is asking a lot of you, Harry. This could be incredibly dangerous. If anything were to happen to the girls, or to Jon …” He trailed off, his expression tightening.

The tension in the room was palpable as Harry nodded solemnly, his eyes locked on Ned Stark. “Of course I’ll go,” he said softly. “I’ll do everything I can to protect them.”

Ned let out a sigh of relief before nodding at Harry, seemingly unable to find the words to convey his appreciation.

Harry hesitated for a moment, then asked the question gnawing at him. “Are you sure this is the best plan of action? I mean, wouldn’t it make more sense for me to stay with you? Jon’s right—staying here is likely to be far more dangerous.”

Ned sighed deeply, his hand running over his face. “I know the risk,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. “And if I thought I could leave, I would. But my duty is to the realm. As much as I hate to admit it, Robert needs me. For all his flaws, he’s a good man, and I might be the only one left who might be able to help him. He needs someone to help him steer through this storm that will be coming for him.”

Harry frowned, unconvinced, but he could see the resolve in Ned’s eyes. It wasn’t just duty driving him—it was loyalty to his friend. He nodded reluctantly. “As you wish,” he said, though the words felt heavy on his tongue.

Ned cursed under his breath, his fist slamming onto the desk with a loud thud. The sudden noise made Harry jump slightly. “I never should have come south,” Ned growled. “The Starks don’t belong here. South of the Neck, it’s all shadows and daggers.”

He paused, looking up at Harry with a sorrowful expression. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, but then something flickered in his eyes—a memory surfacing. “Harry,” Ned said suddenly, leaning forward, “earlier today, you came to me. You wanted to tell me something. What was it?”

Harry’s eyes widened as he remembered. “The Alchemists’ Guild,” he said quickly. “When I was in King’s Landing today, I overheard something—and saw something, too. I’m not positive but it reminded me of something I had learned about years ago.”

Ned nodded allowing Harry to continue.

“I had seen a flower that I had recognized, one that secretes an oil that burns anything it touches. If that oil is prepared in a very specific way it can become an incredible potent cure for burns … however if not, it is one of the most potent forms of fire in existence. One that is almost impossible to extinguish.”

Ned’s face darkened immediately, his lips pressing into a grim line. “Wildfire?” he repeated, his voice low and laced with concern.

Harry nodded, his mind flashing back to the glowing green vials he had seen in the dimly lit guild hall, thinking that was a much better name for it than Everlasting Fire. “I saw a handful of vials of whatever they were making in the one room. I can’t be positive but the green liquid certainly didn’t look like the burn cure.”

Ned muttered a curse under his breath, shaking his head. “If that’s true …” He trailed off, his jaw tightening. “Thank you for bringing this to me, Harry. I’ll look into it … should I be able to.”

Before Harry could respond, the door creaked open, and Arya, Sansa, and Jon stepped back into the room. The initial excitement had faded from Arya’s face, replaced by a quiet sadness that made her look far older than her years. Sansa’s face was pale, her eyes red and brimming with tears. Both girls moved toward their father, embracing him tightly.

“Please come with us, Father,” Sansa whispered, her voice trembling. “We need you.”

Arya nodded against his chest, her small hands clutching his tunic. “You can’t stay here,” she said fiercely. “They’ll hurt you. Or worse.”

Ned closed his eyes briefly, pain etched into every line of his face. “I’ll come north when I can,” he said gently, his voice steady despite the emotion behind it. “But right now, I can’t leave. You need to go, and you need to go now. Me staying here might actually help. I can try to protect you from here.”

Sansa shook her head, her tears falling freely. “It’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not,” Ned agreed, his voice heavy with regret. “But it’s what has to be done.”

Eventually, with Harry and Jon’s quiet reassurances, the girls released their father. Arya wiped her face roughly, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes, while Sansa stood still, looking as though the weight of the world had settled on her shoulders.

Harry stepped toward the door, glancing back at the others. “We need to move.”

Ned nodded, his expression unreadable. “Wait,” he said, his voice halting Harry. “If you’re going to get through the castle unnoticed, you’ll need every advantage you can get.”

Harry nodded before looking around the room. As his eyes settled on the rug, he smiled slightly. He pulled out his wand, muttering a soft incantation. The air shimmered faintly as the rug took on a translucent quality, blending seamlessly with its surroundings.

Arya jumped back, her eyes wide with shock. “What—”

“It’s a spell,” Harry explained quickly. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk about it later. While it’s not perfect, it’ll help us stay hidden, especially in the dark of the hallways.”

Jon stared at the rug, then at Harry, his expression torn between amazement and suspicion. “You’re full of surprises,” he muttered.

Ned placed a hand on Jon’s shoulder, drawing his attention back. “Trust him,” he said firmly. “He’s here to help.”

After a moment of hesitation, Jon nodded, stepping closer to the rug and picking it up, disappearing underneath. After watching Jon disappear from sight, Sansa and Arya followed suit, though Arya couldn’t resist poking at the shimmering fabric with a curious finger.

Once they were all beneath the invisibility charm, Harry led their shuffling group towards the door, his wand at the ready. And as they made their way through the door, Harry heard Ned’s whispered voice from behind them saying, “Winter is Coming.”

Kind Regards,

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If you like this content do not hesitate to smash that like button and subscribe. Haha but seriously if you do enjoy the story - do favorite it, other than messaging me or leaving a comment it’s the only way I know if you are enjoying the stories and chapters.

Story Note 1 – Well not a lot of action happened but certainly there was a lot of plot relevant things that happened! Looks like the plot of the story is about to split in a big way from canon … should they manage to get away that is … but I wouldn’t do that to you, would I?

Story Note 2 – As for the Alchemists meeting, obviously I was hinting at wildfire! And looks like there is still work going on with it. But should Ned have the opportunity I’m sure he will look into it as obviously not safe to have an incredibly flammable difficult to put out substance in the city made of wood and cloth and people. But … YOLO I guess?

Story Note 3 – On that note, obviously Ned has more pressing concerns on his mind. And I felt that the way I had him dealing with the situation would be an appropriate and responsible reaction for him to have. Certainly hope the kids make it out alright!

Story Note 4 – I know some people certainly didn’t like Sansa in the start of the books and I really found her difficult to like/relate to (although she certainly grows on you) that being said I tried to write her character in a way that still is honest to canon while is slightly easier to read. For instance, I really think her reaction to the scenario in this chapter would be appropriate and understandable. However, I do look forward to feedback and could change things up slightly if need be. I had written several different versions of this chapter until I found one I was happy with.

Story Note 5 – Looks like Harry is about to move on from the capital (as long as everything goes alright …) any guesses on what is in store for Harry?

A large thanks to those of you out there who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you all are enjoying them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or have reached out to me directly.

Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own any part of the Game of Thrones nor Harry Potter universes That includes but is not limited to the characters, locations, … Who knew.