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Chapter VI:

The weeks passed, fast for some but for others it was going at a snails pace. Estel did not tell anyone what he found out but he kept an extra eye out for the one called Malfoy. Fall turned to winter and while Halloween was enjoyable the five truly looked forward to Christmas. Estel had on good authority that Balan was going to propose.

Everyone was blissfully happy. Neville found a family that he didn't know existed. While his grandmother was still alive she knew that Neville needed more then the vain hope that his parents would recover.

Neville was told the old stories that every wizarding child once knew and even some of the familial antics of each and every member of the strange family.

The one thing that they did not tell him was the true reason they were there. They knew they could trust him as Neville Longbottom, but they did not trust those that dwelt around him.

It was early December. Neville had stopped by to say hello before he headed off to his classes. All noticed that through the weeks and months Neville was more relaxed and more at home with where he was in his life and while Professor Snape was still his worst fear, he didn't let it control how he did. Vayna merely smiled at the thought as she said her good days and left her family with Legolas to see Dumbledore. After thoroughly reminding Albus why they were there he promised to keep them apprised on everything he knew and found out about Voldemort's movements. When they received the fire call that morning they knew it wasn't good.

"You wished to speak with us, Albus?" Vayna asked kindly as they sat.

"Yes. It seems that our informant has told me that Voldemort has ordered the death of Peter Pettigrew. While he did not order our spy to do the deed, he deemed it appropriate to inform us. Voldemort said had to do with a wizard's debt to his enemy. Personally I have no idea what he is talking about."

"Is Pettigrew dead?" Legolas asked.

"As far as I know he is not."

"Where is he being held?" Vayna asked.

"A remote location that I don't even know. Not Azkaban I know that."

Vayna sighed knowing that her children would want to know this. "We thank you, Albus, for giving us this information. What do you suppose we should do –"

She was interrupted when a breathless Amariel burst through the door. "Naneth…"

"Amariel, what is it?"

'It's Locien. Lucius is here.'

Vayna and Legolas paid the headmaster no mind as they rushed out of the room for their apartments. They dashed between students and Professors a like as they rushed to get to their family. They found the door open when they got there.

'Locien,' Vayna breathed as she rushed into the family room ready for a fight. Legolas unsheathed a hidden blade that he always kept on his person and followed his wife.

The main family room was trashed, several lamps and furniture thrown about and papers all over the place. They found the unconscious form of Balan near the terrace door but he looked like it was only a bump on the head and he would only have a bad headache when he woke.

They heard a muffled crash and a yell from the upstairs and they quietly made their way to Locien's bedroom. Legolas kicked open the door and they came face to face to Lucius Malfoy holding their son at wand point.

"Don't come any closer!" The older man yelled.

"Ada! Naneth!" Estel exclaimed rushing over to them.

'Estel! Are you all right?" Vayna asked pulling him into a hug.

'I'm fine,' he answered quickly. 'Where are Rodwen and Amariel?'

Before she could answer there was another crash and they turned to see Lucius on the floor with Legolas just pulling Locien into a hug. 'That should teach you to mess with elves,' he muttered. Estel pulled from their hug and rushed to Locien only to start fussing over him, just as Albus, Minerva and amazingly Severus Snape came rushing through the door.

"What happened?"

'Lucius, Naracion,' Vayna answered leading the young elves from the room. Severus paled at the sight of the Death Eater.

"Legolas, what did she say?" Albus asked.

"Only the name of the Attacker." He turned the body over. "Lucius Malfoy. For some reason, he thought that Locien was his son and came after him."

"Draco disappeared during his fourth year and his mother was found dead not long after. No trace was ever found of him and the Ministry presumed him dead. Why--?" Albus was cut off by a groan from the floor. The three professors tensed and reached for their wands but Legolas waved them off.

"There is no need. I paralyzed him."

"What?!" Minerva exclaimed. "If the Ministry finds out –"

"The Ministry can't do a damn thing about it. They have no power over Elven affairs, no matter what laws they pass. He attacked my family and by rights I should have killed him, but I thought that you would want to question him." Legolas glanced over to the door. "I turn him over to you, headmaster," he said before excusing himself.

… … … … … …

'How is he?' Legolas asked as he met his wife at the door.

'Physically he is fine, but he's really shaken up. I moved him into Estel's rooms. Hopefully it will help.'

'He has a right to be distraught. How's Balan?'

'He will be fine; Madame Pomfrey took him to the hospital wing. I believe that Amariel is with him.'

'And Rodwen?'

'With Locien and Estel.'

They ended up in the kitchen and while his wife quietly made tea, which was a ritual whenever someone was feeling down, Legolas thought about what happened. Vayna suddenly slammed the kettle on the counter in an outburst of frustration.

'Meleth?'

'We need to call the others.'

'I was thinking the same thing.' She nodded and gathered the tea things and made her way to Estel's rooms with her husband in tow. They found Locien sleeping and Estel and Rodwen talking quietly and sitting in the window seat. They looked up and smiled as Vayna set the tea tray on the bedside table. She pulled the couple in a hug as Legolas checked on Locien.

'What is the headmaster going to do with him?' Rodwen asked.

'Your ada said that he told them that they might want to question him about Voldemort,' she answered. 'Whether they will or not is up to them.'

The pair nodded as Legolas appeared next to her. 'How was he with you?'

'He said he was fine but I could tell he wasn't. He fell asleep soon after left, Naneth, and he hasn't moved since.'

Vayna nodded. 'Just keep an eye on him and take care of him.' She turned to her husband. 'I'm going to check on Balan and Amariel. He nodded as he moved to sit in the chair near the window. 'Drink your tea and when Locien wakes make him drink as well. It will help. I will return shortly.'

The students avoided her as she made her way to the hospital wing. When she opened the door she saw Amariel holding Balan's hand and whispering softly to him. 'He's sleeping now,' she said as Vayna walked up beside her. 'He didn't have a concussion so there is no lasting injury except for the bruise on his head.'

'Its good news,' Vayna said softly so as not to wake him.

'Is Locien all right?'

'He will be fine. There was no injury, but mentally it may take a while for him to get over this.'

'That is to be expected,' Amariel said ever the scholar. 'It was his father.'

'Lucius Malfoy may have sired him, but he was no father to him.' Vayna paused. 'Amariel, what exactly happened?'

'We stayed in the apartment after you left, finishing breakfast and debating what you do today. We were about to head down to the library and meet Neville to help him a bit with his homework and just talk, when a nock sounded at the door. Estel stood getting it and we thought that it was either a professor looking for you or Naracion.'

'Naracion has the password,' Vayna pointed out.

Amariel nodded. 'We realize that now, but Estel opened the door and Lucius burst in dazing Estel. Balan was the next to get up but he was just banished and hit the wall. Estel told Rodwen and I to go and get help and we did once the door was clear. Rodwen went for Naracion and I went for Albus's office just to cover both. Lucius attacked Locien, but that all I know because we ran.' Amariel seemed on the verge of tears as she ran her fingers over Balan hand.

'Peace, Amariel. You did well.' Vayna said smiling. 'Balan is blessed to have you in his life and don't you dare think otherwise.'

She smiled and Vayna stood. 'I had better get back. I am sure Albus has some questions.' She stopped and turned to her almost at the door. 'Stay with him. If the nurse gives you any trouble, just tell her that I said it was all right. If she still give you trouble tell her to talk with me.' Vayna watched as Amariel nodded and climbed into the bed next to him.

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A/N: Another chapter done. I am once again going to extend some things because I don't like how fast everything happened in my original manuscript.

Anyway, I must admit people are liking this more than I thought they would. Though, I have to say "Only four reviews?!" Okay that is my rant for this chapter.

Concerning Locien: well, I'll leave that alone. Hopefully someone will pick up on it.

Till next time!

Vana