Chapter IV:

"He has Lily's eyes, Albus!" Minerva, Transfiguration Professor, exclaimed falling into a chair opposite the headmaster. Currently they were waiting for Vayna and her husband. It was well after dinner and they hadn't seen them there. "Do you think they had anything to do with Harry's disappearance?"

"Honestly, Minerva, your guess is as good as mine, I'm afraid." The old headmaster had his suspicions and it had to do with a cryptic message from Harry's Aunt.

"I don't know where they took the boy, but they did leave a message for you."

Albus was on the verge of panic when he had heard that the boy was gone, but he extended his hand to receive whatever message was left for him. It never occurred to him that it was verbal.

"They said to tell you this: The ancient oaths need to be fulfilled and you won't find him until he is ready to face you."

At first he thought that there must have been some mistake. "Ready to face him?" That didn't even make sense. Albus had not wronged him in any way… unless he knew. Albus' blood froze then in utter terror and he left the house without so much as a good bye. Not that Petunia minded in the least.

Albus shifted in his seat as he waited for his guests. He was about to send for them when there was a nock on the door. Minerva shot up in her seat a half terrified and angry look in her eye. Albus ignored her as he called "Come in!"

"You wished to speak with us, Headmaster?" Legolas asked as he stepped into the room. Vayna was not far behind him.

Minerva suddenly stood and made some lame excuse about grading. "Yes, yes," he answered gesturing to the vacant seats one of which was just occupied. "I wished to speak with you about what you termed as later, milady."

She threw a smirk to her husband. 'Figured as much.'

"What was that?" The headmaster asked.

"Nothing," she answered lightly leaning forward in her seat. "What do you want to know?"

"First off is why do your three sons look so different."

Vayna laughed without humor. "Remind me to collect the money from Elrohir when we see him next." She turned to the headmaster. "Throughout the years many of us have taken to what mortals call a "foster program". Lots of times it's with families with mixed parents, meaning one elf and the other mortal. When the mortal parent dies in many cases the elven parent dies or passes to the Undying Lands because of grief. When an elf love, he or she loves absolutely and even a child would not save them. While most of the time the children are old enough to care for themselves, there is the rare case that they are not. Such is the case of Locien." Vayna looked to her husband to continue.

"Balan is a different case all together," Legolas explained. "His parents are pure bloods who live among us. They fled the wizarding world that they knew because of the evil that you call Voldemort became too much for them. Many in their family were the direct line of fire. Balan is my apprentice, learning our methods of fighting if the need ever arises. He has become like a son to us."

Fawkes, Dumbledore's Phoenix, sang softly in the background while the fire crackled merrily. "And what of Estel?"

Vayna settled back in her chair her eyes growing dark. Legolas reached over and took her hand.

"Estel," she started slowly. "… is the son of great friends to us. When we found out that they had been killed while we were away, we set out to find out what happened to their son. We soon found out that he was placed in the care of his mother's sister against the wishes stated in his parents will. If Estel's legal guardian, his godfather, was unable to take care of him then custody was to pass to us. It didn't happen for a long time. He's been with us now for almost three years." She smiled and this time it reached her eyes. "In fact, life has been kind to each of them. Two have girlfriends. Balan's sister, Rodwen, took a liking to Estel. They are betrothed and are planning a wedding. Balan has Amariel and while they are not engaged they are not far behind."

The three sat in silence for a moment listening to the fire. Albus must have called for tea because a house elf, cruel as it was, showed up bearing a tray with a steaming pot and three cups. "Thank you, Blinky." The elf nodded and snapped out. Albus poured them each a cup and passed them out between them.

"Is there anything else you want to know?"

Albus sipped from his tea for a moment before answering. "So let me get this straight. Locien is half-elven. Balan is mortal and in fact pure blood. Estel is elven and you are in fact his legal guardians. Estel is engaged and Balan is on the same path."

Vayna and Legolas both smiled. "Sounds about right."

"But what of the rest of your people? I did not realize there was so many of you left."

Vayna took the lead on that explanation. "There isn't. You must understand that when I say years, I mean just that, years. We have watched many civilizations and kingdoms pass."

"And I do believe that your favorite was the Victorian Era," Legolas quipped.

"And yours was the Middle Ages." His face fell but the amusement was still in his eyes.

Albus wasn't sure if he wanted to know what they were talking about.

He was about to ask another question when Minerva burst through the door. "I am sorry to interrupt but there is a problem."

"What?"

"We have an intruder."

"I know."

The other three turned to him. "What?!"

"The wards alerted me and I have reason to believe that I should just leave it alone."

A/N: And there is chapter four. I should note that when I was going over my written copy of this I realized that some events happen far too fast to be considered real, so that is why its kind of choppy. I am now on track though there have been some changes, like the identity of the intruder. And I do realize that they may seem OOC but that's how they need to be. Deal with it. ;-)

I really hope you enjoyed this and if you notice something that doesn't make sense let me know.

And a note to two reviewers: darn I didn't realize that I was that transparent. (Kidding!) But who are the others?