Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or W.i.t.c.h.

Chapter Two

The Other Side

"Cedric, these plans are incomplete." Elyon said, sorting through the pages of a proposal for a new irrigation system.

"My apologies your majesty. I will return them to the committee." Cedric answered from behind Elyon's chair.

Elyon sighed and placed the papers back on her large desk. "Cedric, we're alone. No formalities."

"Is that an order, my Queen?" Cedric asked, still out of sight, and if Elyon didn't know better, she would have thought Cedric was teasing her.

"It's a request from a friend." Elyon replied. "And stand next to me where I can see you."

Cedric did as he was told and Elyon looked up into his beautiful, fair face, with the same burning ice blue eyes as hers.

Sometimes she had to remind herself of all that had taken place between them, so that she wouldn't end up falling in love with him again. They were friends again, but she could not allow herself to feel anything more, if anything so she wouldn't betray Draco.

"Cedric, I have something important to talk to you about." Elyon said, standing, only barely half Cedric's height.

"Yes, your-" Elyon gave him a hard stare. "Eerrr… yes Elyon."

Elyon smiled. "It's over who I should leave in charge when I return to school this year."

"You left Vathek in charge last year, I had assumed you would do the same again."

Elyon strode over to the large window in her study, the polished gemstones she wore glinting the afternoon sun. "No, I wouldn't ask Vathek to do such a favor again. There is someone else I had in mind-"

A knock from the other side of the thick wooden doors and interrupted her.

Cedric walked over to the doors opened them and two men stepped inside, both finely dressed, both members of the royal council, but one was middle aged and the other young.

"You summoned us my Queen?" Caleb asked.

Elyon turned, framed by the light shinning through the window (a very fitting picture for someone with the title "The Light of Meridian"). "Yes, thank you for coming so quickly gentlemen."

Caleb and Sirius Black inclined their heads respectfully.

Sirius had fast adapted to life in Meridian, which was partly why Elyon had granted him a seat on the council as the head of law enforcement, but because of Meridian law, she could not give him a higher position.

"I wanted to speak to all three of you about when I return to England. Caleb will not be returning with me this year, upon his own wishes." Elyon started. "Mr. Black, I felt I should warn you to be on your guard while I'm gone, as some of the people will think they can get away with more."

"I will be, your highness." Sirius replied. "But surely there is another matter that you called me here to discuss."

Elyon smiled to herself at how observant this man was. "We will attend to that later, privately. Now then, Cedric, I have decided to give the role of temporary regent to you."

"Queen Elyon!" Caleb exclaimed, shocked, his dislike for Cedric all too clear. "You can't seriously mean that! This man betrayed all of Meridian to Phobos and then betrayed Phobos to supposedly save you. Such a man can't be trusted with that much power!"

"Your chief of the guard is right." Cedric agreed, making to effort to defend himself.

"I know, but the Cedric I have come to know wouldn't trade trust for power, not again." Elyon said softly, mostly speaking to Cedric.

Cedric bent his head. "I could be tricking you again your highness."

"I don't believe you are. My decision is final."

Caleb hesitated and then stepped back in submission.

"Now this meeting is over gentlemen. Caleb, Cedric, you may go, I wish to speak to Sirius." Elyon said. "Cedric, wait outside until Sirius leaves so that you will rejoin me here."

Caleb and Cedric left the study, closing the doors behind them.

"Will has informed me that she will continue her monthly visits and I know she wants to bring Harry with her, but I'm not sure how many times that will work out, the last time was a surprise, the next time we'll need permission from the Oracle."

"I understand."

"If we could return you home, we would. But because of what you've been through and what the wizarding world would do to you if you went back…"

"I would just have to hide again. I was sick of hiding. Here at least I'm free." Sirius replied, no sadness, no regret in his voice. "But it would be… wonderful to see Harry at least a few times."

"The guardians and I will speak to the Oracle, but I can't make any promises."

"You've already done so much for me your majesty. I don't expect anymore special treatment."

"Don't think of it as special treatment Mr. Black. I would do the same for anyone who lives in my city under my rule." Elyon smiled kindly at him. "You don't know the stories of Vathek, Caleb and Cedric do you? Or my own?"

"Majesty?"

"I'll explain later. For now, I need to speak to Cedric."

Sirius bowed and left her study, leaving the doors open for Cedric to enter.

"Please close the doors." Elyon requested.

Cedric obeyed and then turned to address his queen. "Your permission to speak freely?"

"Of course."

"Your security chief is correct. I am not entirely trust worthy."

"I know that could be the case better than anyone." Elyon turned a serious face on Cedric, her blue eyes burning every one of her emotions into him.

Cedric opened his mouth but found no words to speak.

"I could be a risk, I know, but I feel it's the right decision."

"Your majesty-"

"Oh, stop arguing would you?"

"You didn't let me finish. I was going to say that when you're this stubborn, I know better than to argue." He said, the smallest trace of a smile on his face.

Elyon grinned. "In that case, that will be all Cedric."

Cedric bowed deeply, straightened up, turned and left the study, closing the polished wooden doors behind him.

Elyon sighed and turned back to look out the window, watching Caleb and Sirius having a conversation in the courtyard below, thinking of how stubborn both she and her advisor could be.

These thoughts brought a sudden pang of loneliness to her, as she remembered the arguments she used to have with Draco Malfoy, her boyfriend. They had the kind of relationship that required a lot of work to maintain, but Elyon thought of these fights fondly, as they normally were just to tease the other.

Of all the things she missed about Hogwarts, he had become one of the things she missed most.

As far as Elyon was concerned, September the first couldn't come quickly enough.

End Chapter Two