Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter, Labyrinth or anything else you recognise.

A/N: I'm glad to get this in before the downtime scheduled for today. I am also sorry that it has taken so long to update. I've been very unwell for the last few months and though I am on the mend, things are still a bit difficult at the moment. Thanks for all the reviews.

This is the un-beta'ed version, I will replace it with the edited one when I receive it back from my beta, the fabulous Calanor.

Chapter Fourteen

"Don't pay any attention to them. They're just False Alarms. You get a lot of them in the Labyrinth, especially when you're on the right track..."

29th June, 2005 – The Family Dining Room, Jareth's Castle

Summer had begun to settle in and make its presence known. The Underground was warm and its gardens and forests were bursting with colour. Fairies were moving gently from flower to flower, and Hoggle had been persuaded to put away his pesticide gun for the time being.

As the group of friends and family were gathering round the table for a night of celebration, a soft breeze flowed through the windows, bringing with it the scent of the roses growing just outside.

Elessar delighted in the sense of calm and serenity his surroundings afforded him, and spent many an hour listening to the sound of the birds and other creatures as they went about their lives. He often sat in the gardens and meditated, feeling the magic around him and within him. He could almost touch the magic coming from his child and with it came a profound sense of awe and wonder. A whole new being was growing inside him, and he felt connected to life in a way he had never experienced before. In fact taking part in such a miracle humbled him.

His was not the only miracle taking place at this time. His sister, Caredessi, had joyfully announced not three days before that she and Elalaeryn were expecting their first child. The King and Queen were in raptures over the news for hours afterwards, and Elessar had learned that children among the Avariel were scarce and every life was precious.

Elalaeryn had commented that there must be something in the air around the castle, since both his wife and brother in law had fallen pregnant at nearly the same time. Others had speculated that perhaps this was the Fates' way of rewarding their faithful children, or instead, it could just be that the concentration of wild magic in the area assisted with the conceptions. No one really spent much time trying to discern the reasons, especially since there was so much rejoicing to be done.

This particular night, the royal family of Faenya-Dail, the representatives of the various races, the wizards from Aboveground who had been granted sanctuary and of course, Jareth and Elessar met to celebrate Princess Caredessi's good news.

Lucius and Sirius were happily chatting away with the tiny delegate from the Fairies; one of them had been kind enough to cast a sonorous on her so that she would not have to shout to make herself heard. They both appeared healthier than they had ever been, even when they were young men. Draco was sat on the other side of his father from his new step father, and seemed very pleased to be there.

He and Elessar had met several times since the former Gryffindor's wedding, and had resolved to try and get past their previous enmity and become true friends. From him, the elf had learned that Draco was overjoyed that Sirius had been found. Watching his father slowly slip away had been one of the most painful and horrific things the Slytherin had ever gone through and he was beyond grateful that they had found a way to heal him.

The young part-veela was also having a grand old time with his new bond mate. The matching of a Weasley and Malfoy was bound to give off sparks, even at the best of times, and true to form, they did. But Bill seemed to have endless patience where Draco was concerned, and they just seemed to balance each other. Watching them only further proved his theory that the Fates really knew their business, in Elessar's opinion. If nothing else, no one could ever say that Bill and Draco's life together would be boring.

Remus and Severus had not had as easy a time of things as others did. The both of them carried many scars, emotional and physical, and life had dealt each of them a very raw deal. It saddened the young elf that perhaps neither man would ever truly heal from the wrongs done to them in their lives. Time has its way of softening things, but sometimes, even forever isn't long enough.

That wasn't to say that the two of them were depressed or unhappy all the time. Far from it. Elessar had been surprised when he walked into their sitting room and found Severus laughing uproariously. He was so shocked that he had stood still for a full minute before blinking and making his way over to a chair.

Remus had confessed to him that matters between the two of them were improving. The former potions professor had opened up to his on-off lover and shared some of his darkest moments with him, and Remus told Elessar that he could practically feel the weight that had lifted off the other man's soul when he had done so. In his mind, he believed that though there was a long road ahead of them, they were forming the foundations for a true partnership, one that would guide them through the obstacles ahead.

And also, though this was something the young elf thought he really would be better off not knowing, the sex was apparently fantastic.

"Wha – yes, well. I can see how that would be, um… comforting. Would you excuse me I have something I…" Was all Elessar had said to that particular revelation, before dashing off to be anywhere else, as long as it wasn't in that room.

Jareth and Elessar had been joined in a combined Avariel – Fae bonding ceremony just over a week before. It had been everything they had wanted, and more. Of necessity it had been a lavish, grand affair, since it wasn't every day that people of such exalted positions were married. But it had lost none of its poignancy for all the pomp and circumstance.

Queen Enaberia had shed tears of pure joy throughout the whole service, but was especially moved by the vows, as were most of the guests in fact. The two men had chosen to write their own vows, which had been viewed as a radical departure from tradition by most, but they had pretty much ignored the naysayers. After all, this was their wedding, and as it would be the only one either of them would ever have, they would do it their way.

Nobody really argued all that strenuously, however. Jareth may have changed since his mate had flown back into his life, but the people remembered all too well what he was capable of, if his ire was sufficiently roused. So, the Underground and all its people made the decision to celebrate this wondrous event with its rulers and give thanks for the happiness the Avariel brought to their king.

The union being magical in nature, had already begun to affect the innate magic of the realm. The Labyrinth, which had turned towards darkness and chaos since Sarah Williams had triumphed over its master, was showing signs of renewing and repairing itself. The gentle influence of the Avariel magic was slowly and surely working its way through the convoluted jungle, and turning it once again into a place of mischief and adventure. The evil which had started to grow there was squashed quickly, and its gardens and hedgerows were showing signs of life once again.

On this night of laughter and happiness, the tingle of magic in the air was almost palpable. Jareth had paused during the meal more than once to meditate on the impressions his senses were leaving on him. Something was about to happen, that much he knew. And, all things considered, he was fairly certain he knew what it was.

The Fates had been uncharacteristically blunt about their intentions, and he could feel that the day of reckoning was almost upon them. He and his family and associates had prepared as much as they could based on what little information they had. But even though he knew the Fates would be taking action against the wizards, he had no idea what they would actually do, or how severe their punishment would be. Would they give the magical people of the Aboveground a chance to redeem themselves? To appeal their case?

Would they even know what was happening to them and why? Or even who was behind it? He had to assume that they would be told; otherwise the punishment would lose a great deal of its potential effectiveness.

Just as he was reaching for a carafe of wine, the air buzzed and the avatar they had seen before appeared.

"It will be upon us tomorrow. As the sun reaches its zenith. Be prepared, our children, but do not fret."

She did not linger to hear the startled gasps of the people gathered around the table, for within a second of delivering her news, she was gone.

As the others looked to their neighbours to exclaim over this announcement, Jareth placed his arm around his mate. Though he knew that Elessar was favoured, and thus, it was unlikely that direct, physical harm would befall him on the morrow, he could not help worrying on how being confronted by the people who vilified and persecuted the young elf would affect him. Especially since he was now carrying their first child within him, and any stress could be harmful to both of them.

He knew Elessar was strong and healthy, but that did not stop him from being concerned. He turned to face his lover, his distress evident in his eyes.

"It will be alright, Jareth, do not worry. The Fates will make sure of it. And no, don't disagree, because not only will all of our friends and family be there, but you will also be there, to watch over and protect both of us. So, I say again, do not worry. We trust you."

Many a person who had been present in the dining room that evening found it difficult to sleep that night. What little they knew of what was to come inflamed and excited them, and just as strongly, it made them quake with fear and dread. Such strong emotions only grew with the magic in each of them, and in the surrounding lands, so much so, that the tension reached a fever pitch.

There was nothing to be done, however, and all they could do was wait. They each handled it as best they could, in their own ways.

Though they sought comfort in their newly formed bond, Draco and Bill were worried, albeit for different reasons. And, unfortunately, they could both feel the other's emotions and their insecurity and doubts fed off each other. As they argued back and forth, it occurred to Bill that there may be an underlying issue, which was driving his mate's verbal attacks and after concentrating on it for a moment, he was fairly sure he knew what it was.

"I will not choose them over you, Draco." He said calmly, during a moment of silence.

"I – what? I don't know what you're talking about Weasley. Do try to stop blathering such nonsense, I need to sleep, thank you very much." He replied haughtily, somewhat chagrined that his partner knew him so well already.

"I mean it," Bill continued, unperturbed by his young mate's snappish reply. "I will not choose my family over you. Yes, I do love them, and yes I am concerned over what is to become of them. However, I have made my choice, and that choice, is you. I choose you. I will always choose you. Do you understand?"

"I – I do. I'm sorry for…"

"Sssh. It's okay. Everything is going to be okay."

"What do you think will happen to them? To the Wizarding World, I mean?"

"I really do not know, Sirius. We – all of us – have speculated endlessly over possible outcomes. The list is about as long as my arm, and only continues to grow. I do so detest being fatalistic, but really this situation calls for it. What will come, will come. Though I confess that I find myself strangely unmoved by the plight of my former peers. I have lived apart from them for so long, that any connection I felt with them has been severed."

Lucius shifted in bed as his beloved climbed in beside him. He raised his eyes from the book he had been reading when he noticed the other man had remained silent.

The Court Veela Representative had recommended that they continue their usual habits and hobbies around each other, so that they could grow comfortable with their relationship. A bond which had been denied for so long needed to be eased into, gradually. Though the two of them could not deny the whirlpool of passion and desire for each other that rested within them, they understood that things had to be taken slowly, now that the urgency to copulate had faded.

Both were understandably uncomfortable with who they were and had a great deal of mistrust and hostility to work though. Lucius' long decline and confinement, and Sirius imprisonment – both in Azkaban and the oubliette – had worn down most of their resistance, but it was not easy to build a life with someone whom you had despised for so long.

Merella, the veela who had visited them, had made several suggestions, and sharing mundane, every day activities was just one of them.

"I think I can see what you mean. In all its wisdom, the wizarding part of Britain denied me a fair trial more than once. It did not even offer me forgiveness in death. My supposed death, that is. You're right, Lucius. What will come, will come. It's really not our problem, is it?"

"Lupin, will you stop all that pointless pacing and get into bed?!" Severus snapped and Remus sighed.

He was afraid for what tomorrow might bring. Technically, he was not a wizard and so he may be spared from the retribution these Fates that the Goblin King kept mentioning were planning. But he could not feel any strong confidence in relying on a mere technicality. At best, he reasoned that he could be denied his magic, and at worst, it might be death which awaited him and Severus.

In the deepest recesses of his soul, he was not as afraid of death as he perhaps, ought to be. That part of him believed death was like a long, peaceful slumber, and in the years that he had struggled with depression and loneliness, he had almost welcomed the possibility. He had considered the idea of taking his own life more than once. He had never made an attempt, however, not even a half-hearted one.

But sometimes, when he was waiting at a pedestrian crossing say, a voice in his mind whispered to him. Urging him to step in front of that bus which was coming towards him, pressing him to end his pain, filling him with the anticipation of relief. It was not something he spoke about with other people. But it did cross his mind. Doubts about whether the life he was leading, and his few blessings were worth the difficulties and the stress that went with the rest of his life, and his place in the world, led him to question what the point of it all was.

Despite all of that, however, he was afraid of dying. He wasn't at all convinced that there was anything to move on to, once a body died. He could believe in souls and the afterlife in the abstract, but…

"I'm sorry, Severus. I can't help worrying, well. You know what I mean. I'm sure you don't need me to repeat it all over again."

"No I bloody well do not. And stop being so understanding, it makes my teeth hurt!"

Remus climbed into bed and turned the lights out. There was silence for a moment. Then Severus drew his lover closer and whispered softly: "I love you."

Elessar's parents had settled into their bed in the room Jareth had provided them, with barely a word. Two people who had been together for so long didn't always need words to tell the other what they were feeling. Dellandario knew his wife was afraid for their children and their people.

The Goblin King was right when he had declared at the conference that, no matter what happened; their world would not be left unchanged. He had faith that, though it would be difficult, it would be a change for the better. But it did not stop him from also being scared that his family may be hurt, especially his unborn grandchildren.

What he could also not deny, was his anger.

Anger, that he would not be able to take direct and personal action against those who had wronged him and his people. Those who, in their ignorance and arrogance had threatened the lives of thousands upon thousands of others. For, as the Seer had predicted, had Jareth remained unmated, the future of the Underground looked tenuous at best. The kidnapping of his infant son had placed the very existence of the realm in jeopardy and he truly believed that they should pay for such a crime.

They would be punished, this much he knew. But he had to be honest with himself and admit that it annoyed him that he could not rain down justice on these wizards himself. He would have to live with his disappointment, however.

Far be it from him to go against the Fates.

After the pronouncement from the little girl, and the brief words they exchanged in the dining room, Jareth and Elessar retired to their rooms early. They shared a bath and took comfort and assurance from each other when they later shared their bodies. Their joining was gentle and sweet, their magic connecting in such a way that they could barely distinguish themselves as separate beings.

When the candles had been snuffed and they lay in bed, both men stared at the ceiling, contemplating the momentous events that they knew tomorrow would bring.

Elessar felt a strange dichotomy in his feelings. On one side, he was chafing at the bit for a chance at revenge. On the other, he felt calm, detached, and very sure that he had a minimal part to play. The world above was no longer his, he need take no interest in it if he did not wish to. He did want to take part in it, after all, some of the goblins had become very dear friends and he knew that most of them wanted to continue with their lives above if possible. So, as a friend and a monarch, he would help them do so, to the best of his ability.

On the whole, he was glad that the situation was to be resolved, one way or another. No matter what happened, after tomorrow, the question of the wizards of Britain would be answered.

"It must be done." He remarked to Jareth.

"Yes, it must."

Griphook and Ragnok were sharing a rather superior vintage as they considered the agenda for the following day. They toasted each other's good health, and then one of them remarked:

"Can't wait to see the look on the old goat's face."

30th June, 2005 – The Atrium, The Ministry of Magic

Things had not been going well for Albus Dumbledore lately.

Especially since they day the avatar of the Fates appeared in his study. That was also the day his phoenix familiar abandoned him, and to his chagrin, a lot of his credibility disappeared with Fawkes. He had not realised that a large number of his supporters trusted him because he was the chosen of a phoenix.

Having examined the situation from all angles, Dumbledore had decided to place the source of his frustration and anger at the door of one Harry Potter. Since the day of his disappearance, things had been heading steadily down hill for the old Headmaster. He had not been as annoyed or upset as people had believed when his pawn had turned away from him. Truth be told, the old man was pleased that the boy seemed not to want to involve himself in politics or the school, since it meant his own revered position in wizarding society had been even more secure.

He had acted as he did, solely because his long time associates, such a Molly Weasley, had demanded that he take action against the child. He had not hesitated, since locking the young man up, or binding his magic – the two possible outcomes he had been warned of – suited his needs sufficiently. He really hadn't cared either way what happened, but after careful consideration, the removal of Harry's magic only made him feel even more confident.

When he had first tasted the wealth of the infant elf's magic, he had been overcome – enraptured, even. It rejuvenated his own, and made his magical core swell so, that he's almost felt as if his power were leaking out of his pores. From then on, nearly all of his plans centred on how he could get more, take more – that was all he wanted, desired.

Sadly, this fixation of his took his attention away from the rest of his life, and it was thus that made him miss the dangerous power growing in Tom Riddle. From a purely objective point of view, he could see how his actions, or lack thereof, led directly to the creation of The Dark Lord Voldemort. It was simple cause and effect. And thus he knew he would have to take steps against him when he threatened the world.

In Albus' mind, giving up his beautiful source of pure magic was a great sacrifice, for The Greater Good. It had occurred to him that he should play a more central role, and not force this child to essentially do his dirty work for him, but he reasoned that away well enough. After all, was he not an elderly man now? And, if he understood the situation, would not the elf – a being of goodness and purity – want to destroy one who threatened the world and the innocents who lived in it? Truly, his doubts were like flies, swatted away with a wave of his hand.

But it seemed that the plague that was Harry Potter was not done with him yet, and the thought did briefly flash across his mind that karma, might have something to do with it. If that was so, however, why did it not recognise all he had done to protect their world?

Currently, he was seated in a comfortable chintz armchair, on a raised dais in front of a crowd of wizarding folk. The Minister had called a public meeting, to discuss what the Aurors and the Ministry were doing about Harry's disappearance. No one had seen hide nor hair of him for six weeks.

Every contact that every Order member, Auror, government officials… the lot – you name it, they'd all been approached for help and information, and turned up a big, fat nothing. Added to that, a few more people had turned up missing.

Firstly were Draco and Lucius Malfoy, on examination, the Aurors had found their Manor completely closed off and seemingly emptied of any and all precious items. Secondly was Remus Lupin, whom Dumbledore knew had returned to the UK, but appeared to have dropped off the map after leaving Heathrow Airport and arriving in central London. Thirdly, Bill Weasley had vanished just over three weeks ago, and his mother was frantic with worry.

Lastly, and most importantly in Albus' mind, his own special pawn, Severus Snape had been missing for exactly one month. His home too, was shut up and anything personal had been removed. He had tried on several occasions to summon the man through the mark he had burned onto his skin, but to no avail. It was as if he had somehow managed to remove it, for if Severus was dead he should still have been able to sense something. But instead, there was nothing.

He was firmly convinced that Harry was somehow involved in the vanishing act these people had pulled, and, to make matters worse, it looked as though some of them had at least gone willingly, given the state of their homes and monetary affairs. The goblins were being extremely tight lipped with any information relating to the missing men, and had resisted any and all Ministry attempts to access their accounts and files. Albus too, had no luck in trying to negotiate with them, and had been most thoroughly dismissed from the bank whenever he tried to enter it with anything other than his own financial transactions in mind.

Even more bizarre, was that when you put together the list of people he strongly suspected of being with Harry, wherever he was, it became difficult to spot any kind of pattern, or relationship between them. Remus and Severus he knew were on/off again lovers, their ill-conceived bond bringing them back together and throwing them apart again over the years. Albus had interfered here and there when it suited his purposes, of course, but he was sure neither of them knew about that fact.

Remus and Harry had been close when he was younger, but in later years, their friendship had practically disappeared. Severus had never liked James Potter's son, so why was he now with him? And Bill Weasley – he had never been close to the child, so why him as well? And the Malfoys? Surely, they were enemies, despite anything that had gone before. So, why? Why, why, why?

Where was the blasted boy!?!