Title: Dans la Nuit

Author: Gia

E-Mail: divinechild18@hotmail.com

Rating: PG

Pairing: none

Time: Present time.

Summary: [Sequel, AU] After a memorable Mass in the Cathedral, the elves have come to kidnap two choir boys. They are thrust into a world not like their own, to fight an evil that is revealed to have a connection with Harry himself.

Disclaimer: I own not a thing.

Author Notes: I'm baaaaack! ^_^Did you all miss me? Haha.. So, the sequel has finally come! I hope everyone is excited! I've still got to work out a few kinks in this, but it'll be good. I promise!

I've decided to make a change, and I agree that perhaps the ages would be more appropriate if they were OLDER. So, instead of Harry being 12, and Draco 13, I'm going to kick it up a few years. Harry's 14.. Yeah, that's a good one. And, Draco's a year older, meaning he's 15. -_-;; I had started him at what.. Six? And now they're older?! Lol.. Ah well, I write better when they're older, and it is fitting. Okay, I hope that's the only change, but if there's any more, I'll make sure to indicate it.

I've been debating over this, I'm not decided really. I'd like to focus more on Harry and Draco's adventure, then what's happening back home. But I will make some references there, maybe one or two, or depending on my mood! ^_^

I'M GOING TO PUT THE ELVISH TRANSLATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH CHAPTER! ^_^ Instead of waiting for the sequel to be out, or else no one will know what's going on. They're in the Elves territory now, so there's obviously going to be much more Elvish than in the prequel. Of course, you're probably going to wonder how they can speak the boys' language. Well, their Elves! They've had contact with humans, (won't be explained, don't bother asking ^_^), and so they've learned it.

***

Et quand dans la nuit tout s'endormit,

Je vis les cieux devant mes yeux fermés.

Dans le silence j'avais trouvé la vérité,

Comme une fleur qui ressemble à mon coeur.

And when in the night all fell asleep,

I saw the skies in front of my closed eyes.

In silence I had found the truth,

As a flower which resembles my heart.

***

"Bye!"

"Bye Seamus!"

"Bye Ron!"

More cries of goodbyes were heard at noon, as the boys retired from the little party they all had. Halfway through their snack, Sirius had come to say that Draco and Harry had left early with their parents. He seemed disturbed by something, but they shook off any suspicions. Most of them voiced that it was sudden, and that neither had said farewell.

Ron kept to himself, thinking it over. It wasn't like Harry and Draco to do such a thing… but then again, maybe it was? It had been an eventful morning, so they possibly left… early? He felt vaguely suspicious, but he too ignored it, getting into his father's car, waving goodbye to the other boys from the window.

Maybe he could call them when he got home! He opened his mouth, letting out a huge yawn. On second thought, perhaps after a nice long nap.

That was what had happened a week ago. Ron had called, but each boy's parents had said the same exact thing. 'Harry/Draco is unable to come due to familial reasons.' It didn't matter what day he called, it didn't matter what time he called, he still got the same answer. It was obvious it was something going on, but who was Ron to do something? All families had their weird quirks, and he guessed that this was one of those weird quirks that Harry and Draco's family had. Still..

Something irked Ron… and it would be awhile before he found out what that something was.

***

"--ry! Harry!"

Harry opened his eyes and found himself sitting on the ground with his back against a tree trunk. Draco was peering into his face.

"What happened to you?" Draco asked in a concerned manner.

"I… don't know."

"You.. Fell asleep? I.. Damnit, I did too." Draco had stamped his foot, drawing back from Harry. He turned back to Harry, undisguised fear in his eyes. "I've been shaking you for ages. It took longer to wake you up."

"Why did I go to sleep?" Harry asked, feeling a bit foolish.

"It was when you looked into that man's face. I think he must have.. Done something."

"Who? When?" Harry couldn't remember anything. "What am I doing here?"

Harry was in the act of standing up, but Draco rushed at him, grabbing him by the shoulders, and unknowingly slamming him up against the tree. His face was drawn, panic in his eyes. "You've forgotten everything! Think, Harry, think! Two guys, the gardens? Choir? Any of that ring a bell?"

"Oh!" Harry began to remember. He shivered. The air was painfully cold but the memory of Lólindir's eyes was colder. His evergreen eyes met Draco's, "Mind taking your hands off me?"

"Oh! Sorry, Harry. I thought you had amnesia or something.." Draco shook his head, as if he was about to say something but changed his mind. He turned around, and Harry took this time to look around at where he was. He held back a gasp when he realized that he was standing on wood. A wooden platform had been built; the Elves called it a talan. His eyes rose up, and he saw through the thin and the thick trunks of trees, noting in the back of his head that Draco had walked off. Oak and beech and silver maples, punctuated with the arrowheads of a million pines, sliced through with bolts of white birch, here, and here, and there.

"What..?" he trailed off.

***

L'air me semblait léger léger

Et les couleurs d'une infinie douceur,

Les yeux fermés.

The air seemed to me light light

With colours of an infinite softness,

The eyes closed.

***

Shaking his head, he straightened himself, and took tentative steps to look over the edge. There was a small stream running through, and if it weren't for the situation, Harry would've found this place to be almost calming. He stepped back, turning his head this way and that, looking for any sign of Draco.

"Draco?" he called softly.

No answer.

"Draco!" he called softly again.

"Down here Harry!"

Brows furrowing, he walking around the platform, finding a square shaped hole cut in it. There was a ladder, made of silver-gray, slender but very strong judging from the feel. He cautiously grasped it, and climbed down. It didn't take long, since Harry wanted to get off as fast as he could, before he jumped off. Draco grinned at him, waving him over to the stream in which he was bent over.

Green eyes gazing shrewdly around, Harry jogged over.

"Thirsty Harry? This water's great! Refreshing! It takes away your soreness too."

Raising an eyebrow in skepticism, Harry bent down, cupping his hand and tasted the water. It was quite cool, with a refreshing taste to it, and Harry quickly cupped some more water and drank. Laughing Draco stood, wiping his wet hand on his pants. He allowed Harry to sit down and continue drinking as he explained what happened.

"--woke up there. It took me awhile to get my bearings, since it's not everyday you find yourself up a tree. Before I went to wake you, I saw three people below, in this very spot actually. I had to lay on my stomach and lean over to see them, but I was able to. One of them was a woman and I'm sure you know the other two were men. They were speaking in some language, and the two men ran off. The woman stayed awhile, but walked away in the opposite direction."

He glared distrustfully at the nearby bushes and trees, "I'm betting she's watching us this very moment--"

He stopped cold, when he felt something wet and cool trickle down the back of his head. He heard a giggle, and growled low when he saw that Harry had splashed him.

"So sorry, Draco. It was a slip of the hand." Harry smiled innocently.

"I'll show you slip of the hand!"

Bending down to scoop water, the two engaged in a water fight, unaware of a pair of amused eyes watching their play.

***

"They are here Elders."

The Elves turned from their discussion, facing both Barith and Lólindir. Lólindir stepped forward, "It is true, Elders. We have successfully brought.. Both boys." He uttered the last two words with the smallest hint of distaste. He hadn't expected nor wanted to bring Draco along, but it obviously Draco had had other plans in mind. Barith hid a smile behind a discreet cough, and kept silent.

"They should be waking now," Lólindir continued, "And Morwen is keeping watch of them. *Lle merna aut--"

The Head Elder raised his hand to stop him. "We will come to the child, Lólindir."

***

Le coeur si pur

Qui voit revivre l'espoir,

Même s'il fait noir

Qu'il semble pleuvoir.

The heart so pure

That it sees the hope reviving,

Even if the weather is so dark

That it seems to rain.

***

Lólindir was ready to protest such a risky move, but one look from the Elder silenced him. Nodding respectively, he replied softly, "Amin hiraetha, Valandil. Manka lle merna."

Barith turned in his spot, and without command, proceeded to lead the host of Elders to the spot, Lólindir at the back, keeping watch. The walk was quiet, tense and alert, for any sign of danger. Time for the Elves was not peaceful, not with Xavier hell-bent on killing their race. Barith and Lólindir had made sure to stop at a far distance from the dwelling place of the Elves, so as not to lead any unwelcome guests towards them. Of course, the enemy may already know the place, but it was just a precaution.

Barith faced forward, back straight, but his eyes were constantly scanning ahead as he led them closer to their destination. Barith new all to well the evil workings of Xavier. How he commanded the weaker trees, and twisted the creatures that lived peacefully to his bidding. The stories and things he had seen before his search for Harry Potter began, was too much already.

Not to mention the countless Elves who had already lost their lives or their minds to Xavier. Enslaving them with a magic none of the Elves recognized, but the Elders was another thing. They seemed to know or suspect more than they let out, Barith noticed early. He constantly wondered what was discussed during the frequent meetings the Elders held together.

The sound of laughter and the steady rush of water quickly reminded Barith what he was doing. Relaxing only slightly, the small company passed through the trees to be met with the sight of both Harry and Draco carrying a fierce-- water fight.

Morwen had stepped out from her spot once she saw them, but the boys weren't paying attention. Harry bent down to scoop up more water, but froze when he saw the bottom of flowing robes. His hand turned, dumping the small amount of water he scooped, and he straightened up slowly. Draco caught the tense stance, and turned to see what Harry was looking at. Freezing, he quickly abandoned the water game, and stood just as still as Harry. Barith stepped forward, and Morwen came up from behind. Draco whipped his head around to face Morwen, while Barith came closer towards Harry.

He held his hands up in a non-threatening manner "Do not fear us. We mean no harm."

Draco looked ready to contest to that, but kept quiet, waiting to hear what the female-Elf had to say.

Morwen nodded, giving a disarming smile. She held out her hand for Draco to take, as did Barith to Harry. It was meant to be a handshake of sorts. To show that they could be trusted. To show that they were trying to make friends. Neither Harry nor Draco seemed to like that idea, but were willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Of course, they weren't going to say that out-loud. Best to keep them groveling-- er.. Asking for their trust.

Trying to keep an indifferent look on their faces, they simultaneously shook their hands. The Elves's countenance immediately relaxed at this, fearing the situation to have gone worse.

"Please, follow us. We will explain to you why we have brought you here."

Harry and Draco followed the Elders, Barith and Morwen bringing up the rear, as Lólindir led them back.

***

This was not what the two choir boys were expecting.

When they proceeded to walk a short distance, they're minds created large trees with the same simple wooden platforms. They expected the same rope to be made into bridges, stretching from tree to tree. They did not expect to be greeted by such splendor.

Half an hour had passed, and the change in their surrounding was astounding. Trees were beginning to crop up, lined in a row, tightly, as if in a wall. The pace was picked up, and they found themselves in an open space. To the left stood a great mound, covered with a sward of grass as green as springtime in the Elders' Days. Upon it, as a double crown, grew two circles of trees: the outer had bark of snowy white, and were leafless but beautiful in their shapely nakedness. The inner were mallorn-trees of great height, arrayed in pale gold. High amid the branches of a towering tree that stood in the center of all there gleamed a white talans.

***

Et quand dans la nuit tout s'endormit,

Je vis les cieux devant mes yeux fermés.

Dans le silence.

And when in the night all fell asleep,

I saw the skies in front of my closed eyes.

In silence.

***

At the feet of the trees, and all about the open space, the grass was studded with small golden flowers shaped like tear-drops. Among them, nodding on slender stalks, were other flowers, white and palest green. Over all the sky was blue and the sun of afternoon glowed upon the ground and cast long green shadows beneath the trees.

"Come," the Elder beside Harry spoke, "We have not yet reached. The city of our people is far ahead. This is the resting place of the Elders who seek the quiet of thought."

Harry nodded, feeling Draco walk beside him. Harry smiled when Draco tried taking in everything all at once, so as not to forget it. For the moment, their guard was down, because they were too caught up in the beauty of the surroundings. Just as they were deep in the lush surroundings, they were walking again into thickets. Walking continued in silence, as a cool breeze stirred their clothes. Draco loosened his tie, allowing him to relax more, and Harry followed suit.

Finally, they came out into the open again. There was a wide treeless space before them, running a great circle and bending away on either hand. Upon the further side there rose to a great height a green wall encircling a green hill thronged with mallorn-trees taller than any they had yet seen.

"Here is the city of the Cala'quessir, our race." Lólindir announced, obviously addressing both Harry and Draco. "But we can not enter here," he continued after a pause, "It is only accessible to leave from the inside, not out. We must go round to the southern side."

Harry held back a groan, and he could feel agitation rolling off Draco in waves. They had been walking for quite a long time, and it seemed they still had more to go. The others, however, didn't even break a sweat. It was as if they had just started walking. Sighing deeply, Harry shrugged, and followed along with the Elves. Draco looked far better for wear, what with the fencing exercises, compared to Harry who was already breathing a bit harder.

Harry wasn't weak, far from it really, he just didn't work out much. He'd only gone walking outside, and tending to his garden, which did help a bit with strengthening his arms and stretching out his legs. But that was as far as it went.

Much to Harry's relief, the walk wasn't as long as before. There was a road paved with white stone running on the outer brink of a fosse. Along this, they went westward with the city climbing up upon their left. They came to a white bridge, and crossing, found the great gates of the city. They faced south-west, set between the ends of the encircling wall that here overlapped, and they were tall and strong, hung with many lamps [that weren't lighted, since it was still the middle of the afternoon].

Lólindir knocked and spoke, "Gurth gothrim Cala'quessir!" It was apparently a password, and the gates opened soundlessly. No matter how well Harry scanned the place, he could see no sign of guards. 'It must be done by magic..' he mused.

The company passed within, and the gates shut behind them. They were in a deep lane between the ends of the wall, and passing quickly through it they entered the City of the Trees. Paths twisted around the city, and no Elves were to be seen, but there were many voices in the air above. So their thoughts weren't wholly wrong, since the Elves did have wooden platforms built around the trees.

Upon the south side of the great lawn there stood the mightiest of all the trees. Its great branches far above them opened their huge limbs under shadowy clouds of leaves. Around the huge tree, a broad staircase spiraled around it.

The Elder beside Harry paused once they neared the ladder, and the company halted. 'He's obviously the leader..' Harry noted. The Head Elder, Valandil Súrion, although they didn't know it yet, turned to Lólindir, Barith, and Morwen. "Things will be explained to both of the young boys, there is no need for your attendance."

The message was clear. Do not interfere. It is not for you to know. Go away.

The three nodded, and without looking back, departed. Valandil turned to Harry and Draco, motioning for them to follow. The other Elders remained in their spots, moving off to the side slowly to continue their discussion before. The walk up was not as tiring as Harry expected it to be, and soon, he found himself in a chamber of oval shape, in the midst of which grew the trunk of a great tree, now tapering towards its crown, and yet making still a pillar of wide girth.

Thin, light wooden chairs were placed in the chamber, the back carved to form slender curves. Valandil motioned for them to sit, he himself not bothering to sit down, and instead, pacing in front of them. There was a definite homey feeling to the chamber, the Elder himself giving off a grandfatherly feeling, although he looked too young to be given such a title. But it was enough to get Harry and Draco to relax, and they both watched Valandil, partly amused, to hear what he had to say.

Valandil suddenly paused, and turned to them. "I can't believe I've forgotten already. I haven't even introduced myself. I am Valandil Súrion, the Head Elder of the Cala'quessir. We are High Elves. You can call me Valandil."

The two nodded mutely, not sure what to say. Valandil didn't seem to mind the lack of response, and set about to pacing again. He spoke aloud while walking, "I'm not sure where to begin, as there is much to explain. The best start would be the beginning.. But.." He eyed Harry.

"I will start with you Harry Potter. Your connection with our race. I should sit down for this." Valandil sat in a chair across from them.

"There was a prophecy foretold, years ago, about the end of the Cala'quessir. Ecthelion Sáralondë The previous Head Elder before me, was the one who prophesized it. He never explained in detail what he saw, but he told me that something had to happen for him to find the one to stop the destruction of our race. He immediately set out, Harry, to look for the one to help us."

"Me." Harry stated softly, eyes meeting Valandil's.

"Yes. Valandil met you Harry, when you were only one year old. And the event--"

Harry's eyes glazed over. "My father… had an accident."

***

Le coeur si pur

Qui voit revivre l'espoir,

Même s'il fait noir

Qu'il semble pleuvoir.

The heart so pure

That sees the hope reviving,

Even if the weather is so dark

That it seems to rain.

***

Valandil nodded, continuing. "Ecthelion gave you a choice when that happened Harry. You loved your father dearly, and though not able to fully understand, you knew what it was that needed your father's life to be spared. His wound was a mortal wound, and his life slowly bled out of him, but.. Ecthelion stopped that from happening. You made a blood pact with Ecthelion, Harry, and Ecthelion's blood runs in your veins."

Draco looked at Harry, eyes unreadable, as he regarded Harry. Harry made no move to show he was bothered by the gaze at all.

"I know of this," Valandil continued, "Because Ecthelion had come back, recording what happened in his personal records. Soon after however.." Valandil trailed off, eyes holding a despairing look, "there was an attack on Ecthelion. His entire belongings gone. And no sign of Ecthelion was ever found."

Valandil's hands clenched, as he stood abruptly. He paced again, but this time to walk off the sudden fury he felt, "Soon after, an elf by the name of Xavier rose, along with the deaths of our people. He mocked us, sending back--" His face held disgust, "the dead corpses of the fallen elves, with only one barely living, to relay his message. Mae, Beleger, where is your savior now?"

"It was obvious who had murdered Ecthelion. And Xavier made it clear that he wouldn't stop at that."

He turned to them. "Many have fallen, but we've been quick, and saved just as many. Nonetheless, Xavier has managed to show that he is much more powerful than us. He has discovered a new type of magic, a magic that only he can control. The other Elders and I have spoken, and we do not understand how he has come with this, other than letting evil consume his soul. But, we have not forgotten what Ecthelion had left in his records, about the one who could help us."

Valandil sighed heavily, stepping back to sit down. "It is much to take in, and I do not wish to burden you with such things, but it is the truth."

He regarded Harry with shrewd eyes, "I ask you now, will you help us?"

A pause. "I.. Will help you." Harry stated carefully. He inclined his head in Draco's direction, "But--" He caught himself, when Valandil faced Draco.

Valandil suddenly smiled. "Draco, correct?"

Draco nodded mutely. "Yes."

"Barith has told much about your skills, and I know it will be invaluable in stopping Xavier. Will you help us too?"

Draco inwardly grinned at the compliment, but elegantly inclined his head in acknowledgement. Harry hid a smile behind his hand, at Draco's 'high-and-mighty' act. "Of course." he responded as aloofly, as if this sort of thing was a usual thing for him. 'Beat a guy named Xavier? Save a race of elves? Deal with magic? Pfef. That's nothing.' That was what Harry liked to assume was going through Draco's head.

Valandil smiled graciously, standing up. Harry and Draco followed suit, "Now, I'm sure you must be tired, and need to absorb all this information. I can get Barith to lead you to the rooms for you to rest--"

Grrr…

Draco flushed with embarrassment.

Harry let out a laugh.

"--Or I could lead you to the hall, and bring you food."

Harry laughed some more.

Eyes rolled.

"Shut up Harry.."

***

Et dans le noir

On peut voir l'espoir.

And in the darkness

One can see the hope.

***

A/N: END OF CHAPTER ONE! Yay! ^_^ I made it long! See?? Heh.. I explained a lot in this chapter… I was hoping to get that explained in bits and pieces.. But then it just would make the story drag.. Besides.. There's going to be more twists to this story than you think!

I remember getting a review of someone asking how I know these languages; first off, if you've read my profile, I adore languages. Can't get enough of them. Hope that explains the excessive use of all the italic words in other languages.. ^_^

Speaking of languages, Elvish Translation, is next:

"Lle merna aut--" - Shall we go--

"Amin hiraetha" - I'm sorry

"Manka lle merna" - If you wish

"Cala'quessir" - High Elf

"Mae" - Well

"Beleger" - Mighty one

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