I do not own Harry Potter or anything else you recognise but the plot as well as anything you don't is mine.

This continues after the Order of the Phoenix without taking Half Blood Prince or Horcruxes into account at all. It starts in the Trio's seventh year with flashes back to their sixth.

Harry Potter and the Council of the Elves

Ron and Hermione sat apart from everyone else, at the far end of the Gryffindor table. It had been over a year since Harry had disappeared, but it still seemed like yesterday to the two seventeen year olds. They had all left Kings Cross Station at the end of fifth year, after watching Harry's Uncle Vernon turn a very unattractive shade of purple when threatened by the Order members, and had each returned to their own homes.

And Harry hadn't been heard from again.

The Order spent many months looking for him. The Dursleys had been extensively questioned but had revealed nothing, even under Veritaserum…at least nothing about his disappearance anyway. The only relevant thing they said was that Harry had gone to his room when they arrived home and they had never seen or heard from him again. In the end, even Dumbledore said it must be true.

At first they thought Harry might have been snatched, but according to Snape, Voldemort was going spare trying to find Harry, believing Dumbledore had stashed him somewhere. In the end no one had seen or heard from him again.

Throughout sixth year Ron and Hermione struggled; the missing point of their triangle weighing heavily on both of them, making it difficult to keep their mind on their school work. Most of their teachers were understanding; all except for Snape, who would have tossed Hermione out of his Advanced Potions class if Dumbledore had not intervened. Both had sent hundreds of owls carrying letters for Harry and all had come back undelivered.

The war had worsened. Fudge, after what had happened in the Ministry, finally having to acknowledge what Harry and Dumbledore had been saying all along. An official apology was written to Harry, together with an Order of Merlin, Third Class for his courage in returning Cedric's body during the Tri Wizard Tournament the year before. But he wasn't there to accept it.

The two remaining Gryffindors just continued to ignore everyone else, almost as if they were in a world of their own, whispering quietly to each other as they waited for Professor McGonagall to bring in the first years.

Dumbledore looked at them sadly; the ever present twinkle in his eyes having dimmed somewhat over the last year. The Headmaster had been in almost daily contact with Molly Weasley over the summer and knew that the two teenagers had stayed in this almost separate world most of the time; barely interacting with the rest of the family even at meals. 'Maybe it had been a mistake to have had Miss Granger stay at the Burrow.' He murmured sadly.

He had spoken to Hermione's parents at the end of the last school year and arranged to have her stay at the Burrow for the summer. He had hoped that they could help each other get over their missing friend but, unfortunately, it had had the opposite effect. Dumbledore was almost at the end of his tether with the two. If they continued on this path, neither would graduate and there would be nothing he could do about it. Resisting the urge to rub his forehead in part frustration and part exhaustion, he watched as Minerva escorted the new students in and each was sorted, and then he watched the two Gryffindors again.

His speech had been delivered and the food called, and as he sat, half listening to Minerva's dissertation on the new first years, he idly wondered if he'd ever see the raven haired boy who'd been like a grandson to him ever again.

Twenty minutes into the feast the doors to the great hall were flung open to reveal two of the most unusual characters Dumbledore had ever seen. And that was saying something. Both looked to be in their mid to late twenties. The woman was quite short, a little over five feet, with long white hair that cascaded down her back in waves. Two long bangs down each side of her head were entwined with beautiful ribbons. On closer inspection those bangs seemed to be hiding a set of pointed ears.

Dumbledore frowned, he knew this woman was no house elf, however, he also knew that true elves were very private creatures and didn't show themselves to anyone. Her pure white clothes contrasted greatly with the jet black attire of her partner. He was well over six feet tall with a shock of black hair that fell around his face in a sort of dark halo. His strong well muscled form was easily defined through his clothes and the sense of confidence and power he extruded had the students closest to him almost shifting away in awe; the different weapons scattered around his body probably had something to do with that reaction as well. Wrapped around his upper arm was a bright green snake and perched on his shoulder was a black hawk.

Both shifted slightly and glanced meaningfully at each other. No one had moved at this point and Dumbledore snapped out of his daze, standing swiftly and drawing his wand. He knew that they weren't Death Eaters as the wards had been strengthened over the summer against any who would do the students harm, but you could never be too sure.

'Who are you?' He asked loudly. The dark figure glanced at his companion once more, snickering softly as he ran his left hand through his hair.

'Harry?' Came a soft but incredulous voice from the corner of the hall. The man's head snapped to the right and he saw a girl and a boy standing up at the end of the table. His amused expression dimmed slightly as he looked at them.

'Ron.' he whispered. 'Hermione.'

Bare moments later he found himself pushed backwards several feet and his arms full of brown bushy haired girl and red headed boy, both of whom were sobbing quietly, repeating his name over and over. Harry hugged them both to him.

'Hey. Don't cry guys. I'm back.' he whispered. 'Please don't cry'. The blonde woman carefully helped Harry extricate himself from his two friends by which time Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape had made their way down from the head table.

'Harry? Is it really you?' The Headmaster asked softly. Harry nodded slowly, a lone tear escaping from the corner of his eye.

'Don't be ridiculous.' Snape hissed. 'Clearly this man can't be Potter. He's far too old.'

Harry just smirked; an expression that looked strangely out of place on his face. 'Oh, I hate to disappoint you, dear Professor Snape. But it really is me.' Harry snorted at the Potions Master's shocked expression as he lifted his fringe to show everyone his forehead.

'Harry.' The dark haired man was suddenly embraced once more from all sides. When Dumbledore released the Boy-Who-Lived, Minerva noticed that the twinkle had returned to the old wizard's eye. 'Where have you been? What happened?' The Headmaster gestured up and down, obviously taking in Harry's advanced age as well as the weapons he was carrying. Harry looked sheepish for a moment.

'It's quite a long story.' he said softly. 'Perhaps we could go somewhere more private?' Harry cocked his head towards the hall full of avidly listening students.

The Headmaster nodded. 'Let's go to my office.' He smiled, leading the way, Snape and Minerva, Harry and friend close behind. Ron and Hermione, refusing to be left behind ran quickly after them. Harry smiled to himself as he heard the noise level in the hall explode as they turned the corner.

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They all filed into Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster conjuring several extra chairs. Hermione was holding on to Harry's arm for grim death, terrified that if she let him go, he would disappear again. Harry just smiled and patted her hand. He knew how hard his disappearance had been on them and he could understand why she needed to hold onto him. Ron was staring at him, his eyes wide his jaw slack.

'Careful Ron.' He snickered. 'Something will fly in there and nest.'

Ron promptly shut his mouth. 'Harry?' Ron choked out. 'It really is you?'

It was more than a question and Harry nodded slowly, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder and giving it a squeeze as two fat tears rolled down Ron's cheeks.

'Where have you been?' Hermione whispered.

'And how in the hell did you get so old?' Severus snapped.

'Now, now Severus. Please allow the boy to speak.' Dumbledore chided the potions master.

Harry glanced at his companion and rolled his eyes. 'I don't think you can call me a boy anymore, Professor.' Harry snorted.

'How old are you exactly?'

Once more Harry glanced at his friend who nodded slightly. 'I'm twenty seven.' he said softly; wincing as the exclamations came thick and fast.

'What?'

'How?'

'Twenty seven?'

'You've got to be joking.' The last one from Professor Snape and it wasn't a question.

'I'm serious.' Harry said firmly.

'Well I, for one, don't believe you. Who the hell are you? And what have you done to Potter?' The Potions master snarled, standing quickly and hovering menacingly over Harry, his wand out and levelled at Harry's chest.

Harry's eyes turned stony and he slowly unfolded his tall frame from the chair even as he used one strong arm to push the potions master's hand away from him so the wand was now pointed to the floor. 'It is me, Professor.' Harry hissed dangerously, towering over the older man.

The blonde woman rose quietly and placed a hand on Harry's arm as the temperature in the room rose several degrees. 'Calm down, Harry.' her melodious voice filled the room. 'You knew this would be hard. Just tell them what happened.' She pleaded quietly.

Harry swallowed heavily and nodded, tearing his ears from the black ones and lifting her hand and kissing it before they both sat down once more. There was a deep breath before Harry looked up at the waiting group once again.

'Please let me tell you first and then you can ask any questions you want.' Harry pleaded quietly. After he received nods from all in the room he began. 'I arrived home from the station and Uncle Vernon immediately sent me to my room. I stayed there for the rest of the day not bothering to go down for dinner. I started on my Charms homework and then eventually went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night to find Gwendolyn' Harry gestured to the woman beside him. 'sitting on the end of my bed. She asked me to go with her for a short time, saying she would bring me back as soon as I asked to come.'

Harry held up both hands, stopping Dumbledore as he opened his mouth. 'Before you say anything, I know I shouldn't have left Privet Drive but Gwen said Voldemort wouldn't be able to find me where we were going and I believed her.'

Harry could see Snape rolling his eyes but he ignored him. 'Gwen wrapped her arms around me and we disappeared. When I next opened my eyes, I almost fainted. It was a place I could have only ever seen in my dreams. A place I could probably previously never even have imagined. She led me through street after street of golden palaces, stunning shops and beautiful gardens.' Harry's eyes became bright as he spoke. 'We came to an enormous castle and went straight inside. Gwendolyn led me into a darkened room and left me there. The lights rose and I saw I was surrounded by a large raised platform. It went right the way around the room, except for the door. On the platform were tables and behind each table sat an elf.'

The Headmaster gasped. 'The Council.' Albus breathed, his hand over his heart and his blue eye disbelieving.

Harry smiled at Gwendolyn. 'Yes, the Council.' He said fondly.

'What Council?' Hermione asked.

'The Council of the Elves.' Harry explained, without really explaining anything if the expressions on the faces in the room, bar the Headmaster, were anything to go on. The Headmaster was fanning himself with a piece of parchment. A moment later he burst into a torrent of questions.

'They exist? They really exist? Do they know what is happening with our world? Can they help us? Will they help us?' Dumbledore rushed out in one breath.

'More importantly, what in the hell did they want with you?' Snape muttered sarcastically.

Harry ignored him again. 'A few more moments if you would, Professor and let me finish.' Dumbledore nodded as Harry went on. 'Yes they know what has been happening and they will help, but on their own terms.'

'And they are?' Snape asked icily.

'I think we are getting a little off the track here.' Hermione interrupted them. 'Can you please go back to the explanation on where the hell you have been for the last fourteen months and why are you so much older?'

Harry looked carefully at those gathered in the room for a moment, wondering now just how to phrase his answer. It had all seemed like it would be so easy before he'd actually arrived. He felt Gwen place her small hand on his arm in support and glanced at her before beginning again. 'The Council has many Seers working for them and while I was there they showed me what would become of our world if I didn't undertake certain training.'

'What sort of training?' Hermione asked, her expression eager.

There was another small hesitation. 'Weapons and wandless magic mostly, but also some spell making and building, and some very obscure potions.' Harry glanced over at Snape and stifled a snort when the man's ears perked up and he actually looked slightly more interested in what Harry had to say. 'After being shown what would happen I agreed to stay. Gwen went back to Privet Drive and collected my things and I started straight away.'

'What would have happened?' Minerva asked tentatively.

Harry grimaced and took a deep breath. 'Do you really want to know?' They all nodded and Harry sighed. 'If I had not left and everything had remained the same then at Christmas last year Voldemort would have broken through the wards of the school with the help of a number of students.' McGonagall gasped but Harry ploughed on. 'He slaughtered anyone not loyal to him, including you,' Harry whispered, locking eyes with Dumbledore. 'before taking over the school, following that up quickly by attacking the Ministry. Once you were dead people flocked to him. They figured it was the only way to save themselves. Muggles were dying in numbers not seen since World War Two and there was nothing I could do about it.' Harry's eyes had glazed over as he recited his tale.

'What happened to you?' Ron asked hesitantly.

Harry flinched involuntarily. 'Voldemort caught me first, down in Hogsmeade, the Saturday before Christmas. He kept me prisoner for over six months, making me see through his eyes just what he was doing to the world, what he had done to my friends.' His breathing hitched. 'Then he drained my blood, used it to become immortal and hung my body up in front of the Ministry of Magic as a warning to anyone who would cross him; right next to yours.' This time Harry looked at Snape.

'Oh Merlin.' Hermione sobbed burying her face in her hands. Harry reached over and placed his hand on the girl's knee.

'It's okay Hermione. Now you know why I stayed away. Why I stayed to do the training.' Harry said softly.

'That doesn't explain your advanced age, Potter.' The potions master sneered.

Harry sighed. 'The Council is not of this world and as such time passes differently there. You might not have seen me for just over a year but I have missed you all for more than ten.' Harry trailed off as no one said anything. The hawk on his shoulder trilled softly and the snake crawled up his arm and licked his ear. 'I'm fine.' Harry hissed in softly Parseltongue.

'I see you haven't given up that nasty habit then.' Ron snorted, breaking the tension in the room as several chuckles broke out. Harry and Gwendolyn laughed at the quizzical expression on the little snake's face.

'He didn't mean it.' Harry hissed again. The snake seemed to relax and dropped its head onto Harry's shoulder.

'Who are your friends, Harry?' Hermione asked.

Harry reached up and softly stroked the jet black feathers on the hawk's chest. 'This is Atrian and this.' Harry unwound the serpent from his shoulders and placed him on his lap. 'is Aeden. They have both been with me for quite a long time.'

'And you're Gwendolyn?' Dumbledore asked smiling. The blond woman nodded.

'Yes.' she said softly. 'Daughter of King Darius and Queen Madolyne.'

Dumbledore for lack of a better response to finding out the woman was an Elven princess, glanced at his watch. 'Merlin, look at the time. I think we should finish this for tonight and continue it in the morning.' They all rose. 'Harry you obviously can't stay in your dorm anymore. I will arrange for a room for you in Gryffindor Tower. Gwendolyn can stay in one of the spare staff rooms. I'll call Dobby to prepare it.'

'That won't be necessary, Professor.' Harry said, blushing slightly.

'Pardon?' Dumbledore looked confused.

'We won't need separate rooms. Gwen will be staying with me.' Harry moved to wrap an arm around her shoulders. Minerva opened her mouth to say something, probably about rules or some such nonsense and Harry knew he was going to have to tell them. He glanced down at Gwendolyn, who nodded and smiled.

'Gwen is my wife.' he said fondly.

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