Witch Wishing
by Healer Pomfrey
All recognizable characters belong to J. K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story.
I am not a native speaker of English. Please excuse my mistakes.
COMPLETELY AU! Partly OOC. It is my story, and I intend to write it the way I want it.
If you don't like it, go and find something else to read or write your own story to your liking!
Not wanting to get into trouble with the kind elves or their guardian, Hermione and Harry finally asked Malcolm if there was a way to get to Hogsmeade to buy a Christmas present for Minerva, and the elf immediately agreed to accompany the children to the small town after their classes. He also allowed them to tell Minerva a little about their classes, however, they should not speak about the matter with anyone else let alone teach anyone elven magic.
'Thank Merlin,' Hermione thought. 'I really felt bad that I wasn't able to tell Minerva anything, although she was the one who has enabled me to lead the great life that I'm having now.'
"What do you wish to buy for Mistress Minerva?" Malcolm asked, patiently.
While Harry shrugged, unsurely, Hermione asked, "Is there any way to buy a book about the elves or the elves' history or such?"
Malcolm stared at the girl in apparent disbelief. "Do you think Mistress Minerva will be interested in the matters of the elves?" he then asked.
"I think so," Hermione replied in a firm voice. "Please Malcolm."
The elf remained quiet, while he pondered the matter. "There is a bookshop with books about elves' matters, however, it's on the Isle of Elves. We'd have to go there to buy such a book."
"Malcolm, will we be able to pay with our money? Galleons?" Harry asked, eagerly.
"No, but we'll be able to change them into money that we use on the Isle of Elves," Malcolm replied, seemingly pensively. "Do you want me to take you there?" he then offered. "We'll need to go back a few hours in time though, so that you won't be missed by Mistress Minerva."
"Oh yes please," Hermione and Harry begged the elf, simultaneously.
"Please give me a moment to pop into my vault and get some money," Harry added, glad that Cicero had taken him to Gringotts and showed him how he could collect coins from his vault just a few days ago.
HP
Fifteen minutes later, Malcolm and the children arrived on the Isle of Elves. "I'll show you around the island at another time, as we don't have much time today. However, I wish to introduce you to the elder elves. Usually, humans are not allowed on the Isle of Elves, however, since you are studying elven knowledge and are able to do the most basic elven magic, no one will mind you being here. Nevertheless, it's better to properly introduce you."
Slightly anxiously, the children followed Malcolm into a house, where they met three elves, whom Malcolm introduced as the elder elves. "They are the wisest elves we have, and they know everything that is going on on our island," he explained.
To the children's relief, the elder elves were very friendly to them and instructed them to study as much as they could about the elves' culture and come to visit the Isle of Elves during their holidays. "Surely some of the Hogwarts elves will be able to accompany you," they were told.
"Only Misty, Cicero and Malcolm," Malcolm informed the elf, before he promised to see to it.
HP
The bookshop was the most amazing shop that Hermione could recall having seen before. It was of about the size of Flourish & Blotts and mainly contained books that had been written by elves about different topics within the elven culture, history, science and magic.
"Harry, do you think we could buy some more books for us, not only the one for Minerva?" Hermione asked, hesitantly, causing the boy to smile and hand her a small bag that was filled with an incredible amount of Galleons.
"I think you'll be able to buy at least a whole shelf from these," Malcolm spoke up, grinning.
Hermione had a sudden feeling of multiple Christmases and birthdays together, as she and Harry spent the next two hours feverishly skimming the shelf for interesting books, every now and then placing one of the growing pile on a nearby table.
In the end, Malcolm had to pop them three hours back in time to be at Hogwarts by the end of the students' afternoon classes. Both children thanked him profusely, and the elf reminded them to not tell anyone except for Minerva about the Isle of Elves and promised to speak with Minerva about keeping the matter a secret.
HP
Minerva was very interested to hear about their classes with the elves as well as about the Isle of Elves and spent most part of Christmas Day reading her new book 'History of the Elves'.
Hermione was thrilled to receive books from Minerva and all of her colleagues, while Harry seemed absolutely surprised, as he had never received any present before, neither for Christmas nor for his birthday. Hermione and Harry spent the whole day together with Minerva reading, at least until Albus joined them in Minerva's living room after Christmas dinner, so that Harry had to urgently transform back into Inu.
'Even if he comes here every second evening, does he have to come on Christmas day?' Hermione thought to Inu in feigned annoyance. 'Just when we were reading our new books?'
'That's all right. I like it when you read the books to me, telepathically,' Inu thought back to Hermione, who gave him a pitying look, ending up chuckling, as realisation set in.
HP
The following months passed uneventfully, and soon their first year of classes with the elves came to its end.
"Are you going to have classes during the holidays?" Minerva asked one day, causing the children to exchange a confused glance.
"The elves didn't say anything," Hermione replied, slowly.
"I hope they'll continue teaching us," Harry added.
"I'll ask Malcolm later on," Minerva promised. "We're going to have a staff meeting soon though," she told them and explained that the headmaster was going to abolish the Defence Against the Dark Arts class along with everything that was related to it like its classroom and the professor's quarters. "We hope that we'll be able to lift the curse that way, and I hope that Albus will see reason and hire a good teacher."
"Is that so difficult?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Yes, because we so far needed a new professor every year," Minerva informed her, sighing. "I know someone, and I believe that he'd be an excellent teacher, however, he is a werewolf and Albus is reluctant to hire him."
"A werewolf?" Hermione repeated, giving her guardian a questioning look that made Minerva explain to the children what a werewolf was.
"He was one of Harry's parents' best friends," Minerva said, smiling, before she glanced at the time display on the wall and excused herself.
HP
"Harry, let's ask the elves about werewolves," Hermione spoke up, eagerly. "Perhaps they have a spell or a potion or whatever to cure werewolves."
Harry agreed, and the children popped themselves into the elves quarters, which had become their second home by now.
Hermione excitedly told Misty about the matter, and the elf became very thoughtful. "Let's call Cicero and Malcolm," she finally said and sent the children to search the other two elves.
"This is difficult," Cicero spoke up in a firm voice. "We must ask the elder elves."
"Excuse me Cicero, but what's the problem?" Hermione asked in confusion, causing the three elves to exchange a troubled look.
HP
"The elves have a few spells, most of them being a cure for some kind of human illness, which are restricted," Cicero explained, "and the wolf repelling spell is one of them. These spells are very old, however, haven't been used ever since the humans enslaved the elves in the statute of supremacy made by the British Ministry of Magic as a result of the human - elven war, which took place from 1252 to 1256. Maybe you have heard of that?" Cicero queried, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes, we've read about it," Hermione replied, eagerly, before she enquired, "Is there anything that we can do to be allowed to use the spell just this one time?"
"As Cicero said, we must ask the elder elves," Malcolm replied, calmly. "Since the elder elves invited you both to spend some time on the Isle of Elves this summer, the three of us have asked for and received the permission from our bonded humans to return to the Isle of Elves for two weeks. You may stay at the house of Misty's mother, Healer Anastasia, for these two weeks or even longer if you wish. At that time, we shall speak with the elder elves about the matter. Until then, please don't tell anyone, not even Minerva, about the matter."
"All right Malcolm. Thank you so much for arranging all of this for us," Hermione replied, feeling very contented.
HP
Summer holidays on the Isle of Elves were just amazing. Misty's mother Anastasia introduced Hermione and Harry to elf children of about their age, and the small elves generously took them into their midst and showed them all of their favourite spots on the island. When the three Hogwarts elves had to return to Hogwarts after two weeks and Anastasia invited them to remain on the island for another two weeks, Hermione and Harry gladly accepted the offer.
On the day before Misty, Cicero and Malcolm had to travel back, they accompanied the children to the elder elves to speak about the wolf repelling spell.
"Well, we have known you for a while now and have seen how well you've been adapting to the elves' world," Bandhu, one of the elder elves, spoke up after hearing Cicero's request. "However, this is not an easy decision, and we wish to make sure that you know what this is about," he continued, giving the children a stern look.
"Cicero has told us that there are several spells, which are banned for the time being, because of the humans' statute of supremacy from 1256," Hermione threw in, eagerly.
"Excuse me, Bandhu," Harry spoke up, pensively. "Since we're only almost nine, there's nothing that we can do to help the elves at the moment. However, I sincerely promise - and I know that Hermione agrees with me - to fight for the right of the elves and the abolishment of the statute of supremacy as soon as we have the age and the power to do so."
"Which means after finishing our Hogwarts education at the latest," Hermione completed his promise.
Bandhu let his eyes wander over the small group, apparently pondering the situation.
"Bandhu," Malcolm spoke up in a firm voice, "I believe that Hermione and Harry know what they are talking about and that they'll pull through with it. Of course, we can't be sure that they'll succeed, however, I think that we can trust them to make all attempts possible."
"I agree," Misty and Cicero added, simultaneously, exchanging a small smile.
"Very well," Bandhu finally agreed. "I shall teach them the spell. However," he continued, "you may only use it on that one person. What was his name?" he asked, turning to the Hogwarts elves.
"Remus Lupin," Misty supplied. "I know him from his time as a student. He's a very nice wizard and always behaved very well towards the elves."
"Very well, you may cure Remus Lupin, but no one else," Bandhu said and continued in a much stricter voice, "however, if you betray the elves, it will be your death sentence. Do you understand me?"
"Yes sir," Hermione replied, immediately.
"Yes Bandhu, thank you very much, and we won't," Harry added, smiling at the elder elf.
"By the way," Bandhu suddenly turned straight to Harry. "Have you not noticed that something evil is buried behind the scar in your head? I can sense a black aura coming from your scar."
Misty let out a gasp. "Is that what it is?" she asked, seemingly horrified. "I noticed his aura, but I was wondering where it comes from. Will you be able to remove it from him? He probably received it from the evil wizard who gave him that scar."
"I shall converse with the other elder elves, and we shall contact Harry here at Anastasia's home during the next few days," Bandhu promised, giving Harry a sharp look.
Feeling that Harry seemed horrified at the direction in which the conversation had headed, Hermione unobtrusively squeezed his hand. 'Don't worry, Harry. If the elder elves take care of it, it'll be all right,' she thought, soothingly.
'I hope so,' Harry thought back and profusely thanked the elder elf for informing him about the matter and trying to help him.
HP
During the following week, Hermione and Harry did not receive any new information from the elder elves, and they almost assumed that the elves did not know how to remove the evil part from Harry's head and had forgotten about the wolf repelling spell, when Bandhu one morning appeared at Anastasia's home together with two other elder elves.
"We can remove the Horcrux now," Bandhu informed Harry and motioned him to lead them into his room and lie down on his bed. "You probably won't be hurt, but you might be unconscious for a few hours," he told him.
"Don't worry Harry, I'll be here and look after you," Anastasia promised and Harry and Hermione slightly relaxed, knowing that Anastasia was as good a healer as her daughter Misty.
HP
Hermione observed, horrified, how the elder elves cast a spell at her best friend. While Harry slipped into unconsciousness, a black cloud emerged from his head, which the elves captured in a small orb only to vanish it as soon as the cloud was completely confined.
"Thank you very much," Hermione said, before she let herself sink onto the edge of Harry's bed to keep him company until he was going to wake up.
"When you're bored until he wakes up, come to us, so that we can teach you the wolf repelling spell," Bandhu instructed Hermione, before he left together with the others. "Otherwise, you can come together."
"Excuse me sir," Hermione asked in a small voice, "If you teach me the spell, may I show it to him, or would we need to come together to learn it from you?"
"Harry will only be able to learn it from us. You must not teach the spell to anyone," Bandhu replied, and his mouth stretched to a small smile.
'I really like Bandhu,' Hermione thought. 'He's very nice in spite of his often grumpy expression.'
"Anastasia," she hesitantly asked, "do you think Harry will wake up soon?"
Anastasia let out a sigh, before she gently laid her hand on Harry's cheek, letting a dose of healing magic flow into his system. "No one is knowing that, my dear. We can only wait and see. He's not in a coma, but only in a very deep sleep. Talk to him as much as you can, and I'll do the same when you're not with him. That's the best way to help him wake up soon."
"All right." Hermione nodded in understanding, before she asked, slightly confused, "Why are the elder elves going to teach me the wolf repelling spell? You'd be much more qualified to teach such a spell, wouldn't you?"
Anastasia smiled. "Yes dear, but since it's a forbidden spell, none of us may teach it to you, just like you mustn't teach anyone. After the elves have taught you the spell, I can help you practise. It's a very difficult spell, and maybe you're still too young to cast it. I'm not sure."
HP
To Hermione's relief, Harry woke up on the following morning, and after breakfast, the two children immediately went to see Bandhu, eager to learn the spell that would cure the man, of whom Minerva had spoken so highly.
They should realise soon, however, that the spell was indeed very difficult, and they had to spend much of their remaining time on the Isle of Elves practising.
"Don't worry if you don't manage to cast it properly before you return to Hogwarts," Anastasia assured them in a soothing voice. "Misty knows the spell and will be able to practise with you."
"Are Malcolm and Cicero not able to cast it?" Hermione queried in surprise, her eyes widening when the healer shook her head.
"No dear, only healers know such spells, apart from the elder elves of course. The elder elves have much confidence in the two of you. You should feel very honoured," she added, smiling.
"That we do," Hermione replied, firmly.
"Yes, we greatly appreciate it," Harry agreed.
HP
Both Hermione and Harry felt very sad to leave the Isle of Elves, however, on the other hand, they were looking forward to meeting Minerva as well as Misty, Malcolm and Cicero again and tell them the good news that they were able to cast the spell.
"You can come back at any time," Anastasia told them. "I wouldn't mind having you here forever. Just remember that you won't be able to pop yourselves in and out of the Isle of Elves just by yourselves. Your magic is still not strong enough. Therefore, you need Misty or any of the others to take you here."
Hermione and Harry smiled happily at the kind elf and promised to return the following summer at the latest, before they went to see the elder elves and profusely thanked Bandhu and the others for their kind help with the spell as well as with the Horcrux, about which Bandhu had explained everything to them a few days ago.
Finally, they allowed Anastasia to pop them back to Hogwarts.
HP
Misty pulled first Hermione then Harry into a hug and said, "You look well. Did you enjoy your holidays on the Isle of Elves?"
"Yes, it was absolutely gorgeous," Hermione replied, happily.
"It was great," Harry agreed. "Thanks so much for arranging everything for us."
"You're welcome dears," Misty replied, smiling. "Now Harry, as I believe you can now make yourself visible and invisible towards certain people yourself, I'm going to take off the spell that makes you invisible to all that aren't supposed to know about you. Is that all right with you?"
"Yes," Harry agreed, knowing that Hermione and he had practised more than enough with Anastasia's help. As soon as Misty had cancelled her spell, he made himself invisible. Ignoring Hermione's gasp, he slowly thought of the elves and humans, to whom he wanted to be visible.
"Well done, Harry," Hermione commended him, once he came into view again.
"Thanks," Harry said, happy to be able to make his own choices to a certain extent.
HP
Minerva seemed outright happy to have the children back. Hermione and Harry exchanged a knowing look, when her reaction was similar to Misty's.
"You look as if you had a great time," she said after pulling them both into bear's hugs.
"Yes, it was wonderful," Hermione blurted out and began to describe everything about the Isle of Elves that they were allowed to tell.
"Minerva, I have made a decision," Harry spoke up, once Hermione finished her long-winding explanation. Seeing Hermione and Minerva look at him in expectation, he informed them, "I'm not going to hide anymore. If the headmaster wants to take me back to the Dursleys, I'm going to live on the Isle of Elves until I'll be old enough to attend Hogwarts."
Minerva gave him a surprised look, before she pointed out that her husband was Harry's guardian in the magical world and the Dursleys his Muggle guardians.
"I don't care," Harry said in determination. "The Dursleys might be my Muggle guardians, but they don't want me, and I don't want to stay with them. Concerning the magical guardian, Anastasia, Misty's mother, is now my magical guardian. The elder elves have charmed all documentation within the magical world to display her as my guardian." Noticing Minerva's slightly disappointed look, he added, "I'd have preferred if you had become my guardian like Hermione's, but I didn't want you to get into trouble with your husband."
"That's true my dear," Minerva agreed, seemingly slightly consoled. "Nevertheless, I love you as if you were my own. You've always been like a grandson to me, and I'm very glad to have you here together with Hermione." She let out a deep sigh, before she continued, "I understand your decision to live on the Isle of Elves if necessary, but I still hope it won't come to it. I hope that Albus will see reason."
HP
Hearing that the headmaster was away on some errand for the whole week, Harry spontaneously decided to choose his birthday, which was just two days ahead, to make himself visible to everyone who was spending the holidays in the castle.
"Let's have a birthday party in the Great Hall then and surprise everyone," Minerva suggested, giving Harry a questioning look.
"I've never had a birthday party," Harry admitted in a small voice, "only Dudley had."
"The Dursleys were horrible," Hermione spoke up, angrily. "I don't think Professor Snape will be overly nice to you," she then said, pensively. "At first, he was outright nasty to me, telling that children with a bad family background had no right to choose when to come to Hogwarts. By now, he mostly just ignores me."
Minerva let out a deep sigh. "Professor Snape's home life has not been better than yours," she explained, "however, Albus sent him back there every summer. Unfortunately, neither Poppy nor I had the confidence that we have now and we didn't protest."
"In fact, I like Professor Snape," Hermione blurted out, making Minerva stare at her in apparent confusion.
"A few times, we've accompanied Cicero to his potions lab, and Snape's just amazing in the lab," Harry added, eagerly.
"It's still Professor Snape, Harry," Minerva lightly corrected him.
"Sorry," Harry replied, nodding his head.
"During the next school year, Misty, Malcolm and Cicero will take us with them when they do their chores, and Cicero already told us that we're going to learn how to assist in the lab, invisible to the professor though," Hermione told her guardian in absolute excitement. "I can't wait for classes to begin again."
"Maybe at some time, you'll be able to make yourselves visible and assist him," Minerva commented, smiling. "He has definitely more work than any of the other professors and will be grateful for proficient help."
Hermione chuckled. "We're not proficient at all, at least not yet," she replied, causing Harry to nod. "Oh no," she suddenly blurted out, gripping her head. 'Harry, we're absolutely stupid,' she thought to the boy, who returned a questioning look.
"What's wrong?" Minerva enquired, looking from one to the other in concern.
HP
"We forgot to tell you the most important thing," Hermione blurted out. "We can cure the new Defence professor from Lycanthropy. But only him, no other werewolf."
Minerva cast the girl a worried look, wondering if the girl was delirious, when Harry spoke up. "It's true. The elder elves taught us the wolf repelling spell, but we only have permission to use it on Mr. Lupin. You can ask Malcolm. He knows about it."
An instant later, Malcolm explained to his mistress about the forbidden spells in the possession of the elves, only to add, "I suggest calling Mr. Lupin here as soon as possible. Maybe seeing him cured of Lycanthropy will make Master Albus make up his mind about the position."
"Thank you Malcolm," Minerva said, gratefully, glad that she could fully rely on her personal elf. "I'll contact Mr. Lupin right away."
HP
Two days later, the four heads of the houses along with Poppy Pomfrey, Rolanda Hooch and Hagrid gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast, surprised to see that the Great Hall was beautifully decorated with colourful balloons. One part of the hall had even been turned into some kind of playground, making the professors wonder if they expected students for a birthday party.
Minerva arrived slightly later and was in company of Remus Lupin as well as her daughter, who to everyone's surprise had brought her pet dog.
Inu slowly walked around the table and greeted everyone by gently licking their hands - except for Professor Snape, who quickly pulled his hands away and mumbled something about furry fleabags, his voice laced with clear disgust.
However, the potions master was completely ignored for once, as half of the professors made a fuss about Remus and some others began to enquire about the birthday decorations, while one after the other busily petted the cute dog.
"I have good news," Minerva spoke up, as she made herself comfortable at the single, round table that replaced the house tables during the summer holidays. "Today, Remus Lupin has been cured from Lycanthropy, and it is Harry Potter's ninth birthday."
While Snape mutters something that sounded like "Who cares?", Poppy walked around the table to feel Minerva's forehead.
"I'm not delirious," Minerva informed her friend. "Feel free to cast your diagnostic spells at Remus."
Everyone observed in expectation how the healer waved her wand over the werewolf, only to admit that Remus Lupin was not suffering from Lycanthropy anymore.
"Congratulations Remus, that's indeed very good news," she said, warmly, pulling the ex-werewolf into a bear's hug.
"Thank you Poppy," Remus replied, smiling. "I still can't believe it myself, but I'm sure that it worked, because I'm feeling much better than I usually would just a couple of days before the full moon. I'm incredibly happy."
"We're all absolutely delighted for you," Poppy assured him, knowing that most of her colleagues had known the very kind, young wizard from his time as a student onwards and had always pitied him for his fate.
"Congratulations Mr. Lupin, but how?" Flitwick suddenly spoke up.
Remus cast Minerva a questioning look and, when he saw her nod, explained, "Hermione and Harry cured me with a spell. However, it's a secret spell that the elder elves taught them, and they're not allowed to use it again."
"Very likely," Snape blurted out, letting out an uncharacteristic snort. "Maybe you can go for a stroll in the moonlight together with the girl and Potter to convince us all."
"Severus, please behave yourself," Minerva threw in, sharply. "I was present when Hermione and Harry cast the spell, and Malcolm confirmed that everything that the children told me about it was true. Feel free to ask Cicero about the matter. He also knows everything about it, as he has been teaching the children since last summer and was with them on the Isle of Elves at the beginning of the holidays."
'Oops,' Hermione thought, worriedly. 'Was Snape supposed to know that?' However, to her relief, she realised that the professor's expression remained void of any kind of emotion. 'I'll ask Cicero about it later on,' she resolved.
"Minnie, where is Harry Potter?" Rolanda suddenly spoke up.
"Harry?" Minerva asked in a soft voice, causing Inu to raise from his position on Hermione's feet.
He stepped away from the table, where he slowly morphed into his human form, blushing when he felt everyone stare at him.
"Now can we finally eat breakfast?" Snape asked, seemingly impatiently, adding that he had other things to do than to fawn over a dog turned boy much too young to be at Hogwarts.
"No Severus, since it's Harry's birthday, you all have to sing the birthday song, before we'll be able to have breakfast," Minerva replied in a strict voice, causing Hermione to inwardly grin, when Minerva ushered Harry into the empty seat between the two of them.
Noticing that Harry seemed to feel very apprehensive at the unexpected attention, Hermione gently squeezed his hand under the table.
'It's so embarrassing,' Harry thought to her. 'I'm glad when it's over.'
When everyone finally finished singing, breakfast appeared on the table along with a huge birthday cake in the form of Hogwarts in the middle. Each of the towers of Hogwarts was equipped with a candle.
Harry stared at the cake in clear amazement. "Is that a cake?" he whispered, incredulously. "It looks so real."
Minerva and Hermione along with a few others chuckled. "Why Harry, you should know by now that the elves are able to do incredible things," Minerva said, smiling.
"That's true," Harry had to admit and had just extinguished the candles on Hermione's request, when the door to the Great Hall opened and the headmaster stepped inside.
'Oh no,' Hermione thought, horrified, while Albus slowly walked up towards the table. 'I hope he'll allow Harry to stay. What if...'
She was brought out of her musings, when the headmaster asked in a stern voice, "Minerva, what's the meaning of this?"
