Harry and the others were currently resting on a beach; the group had made camp there the previous night. Right now Appa was eating some grass while Sokka was sleeping in a blue sleeping bag, meanwhile Katara was fiddling through their luggage while Aang was checking the saddle on Appa. While Harry, who had woken up before everyone else, was practising an airbending technique that Aang had taught him before they had went to sleep.
The technique was something that Aang had apparently invented himself, it was called the 'air scooter', a spherical ball of air that can be ridden by balancing on it like a top. The idea was basically create an air ball then shove it under you before jumping on top of it and riding it. It wasn't something that could be maintained for a long time but was useful for short bursts of speed, and it was admittedly quite fun to ride.
"You look like you're having fun." Aang grinned to Harry as he dropped to his feet after his air scooter disappeared.
"I was." Harry smiled back. "I still can't believe you invented that, maybe one day I'll invent a new technique of my own." Harry added with a small shrug. "So, you know where we are heading next?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, we're all heading to the Southern Air Temple." Aang said excitedly. "Wait 'til you both see it! The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world!" He said, turning back to look at Katara and missing the frown on Harry's face.
"Aang," Katara slowly began speaking as she turned to face him. "I...I know you're excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home."
"That's why I'm so excited!"
"Aang," Harry spoke up. "I'm sorry but...is there an actual reason for us going to the air temple? Like...is there an ancient scroll or artefact that we need from there?" He asked.
"Hmm, not really." Aang shrugged. "I just want to go there for a while."
"Ah, well in that case I think it might be better if you don't go there." Harry said in a soft voice.
"Why not?" Aang frowned.
"Well, I'm going to be honest with you, the fire nation..."
"What Harry is trying to say is that you might not recognise everything there." Katara cut Harry off.
"Well...I still want to see it." Aang said before he hopped off Appa and began waking up Sokka. While he was doing that Harry jumped in the air and two jets of fire shot out from under his feet to boost him higher, Harry landed on Appa's saddle and quickly kneeled down in front of Katara.
"What are you doing?" Harry whispered. "He needs to know the truth."
"I...I know but...look at him, the truth would hurt him." Katara argued.
"The pain he suffers now won't be worse than being there and finding out by himself." Harry responded before he turned and looked at Aang who had picked up a stick.
"Sokka! Wake up!" Aang said in an alarmed voice before he moves the stick up and down the sleeping bag, only touching Sokka with the tip of it. "There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!" He said, grinning as he did so.
"What?!" Sokka shot up, now fully awake. He hopped around a couple of times before falling face first on the floor. Katara giggled at that while Harry snorted in amusement.
"Great, you're awake now!" Aang said in a happy voice. "Let's go to the air temple." He said before hopping back onto Appa while Sokka - who was still on the floor - grumbled under his breath.
"Aang, I hate to dull your enthusiasm and all that, but I really think we shouldn't go there." Harry replied.
"Why not?" Aang asked.
"Look, you've been gone a hundred years, within that time the fire nation had attacked the air nomads. They knew the Avatar would be born as an air nomad and wanted to wipe you out before you became a threat," Harry told him. "they exterminated every Air Nomad they could get their hands on. If you go there then you'll likely find nothing more than ruins."
"I...that doesn't mean that the airbenders are all gone." Aang argued.
"There hasn't been one seen in hundreds of years." Harry replied.
"That doesn't mean they're all gone." Aang said stubbornly. "We airbenders are smart, they probably escaped and went to hiding."
"Perhaps," Harry conceded that that could have been a possibility, "but I think it's very unlikely. If you absolutely have to go there then I'm not going to stop you, but I'm telling you this now because you need to be prepared just in case. Do you understand me?"
"I...I understand." Aang nodded.
"Good." Harry nodded before sitting back, he wasn't entirely happy about it but had decided to allow Aang to do what he want. The Avatar couldn't exactly be the saviour of the world if Harry had to tell him what to do all the time. Plus there was every chance that Harry was wrong and they could find something or someone that could help them.
"Will there be any food there?" Sokka asked as he climbs up on Appa.
"Is food all you ever think about?" Katara asked in an exasperated voice.
"No, just most of what I think about." Sokka replied.
"Were you by any chance originally born with red hair?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.