Note: Do not own HP-verse.

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Draco was fairly certain that the significance of what had happened by the lake was lost on Harry. But then to the other Sidhe that day so long ago was just Harry's first day within the wizarding world, his true first day fully immersed within it. A day of firsts, being it his first friends or any other s that transpired. That moment where Draco had offered his hand and been rejected? How could it possibly compare?

It was important to Draco, though. The sting of rejection had been sharp. The first time he had also failed his father's expectations. More important than that, though, had been the rejection when Draco had become so very excited to see Harry Potter was that same boy from Madame Malkins.

However, that rejection had lead them steadfastly to this point. Where a bright eyed, beautiful Sidhe boy offered his hand and agreed that before they officially became mates they should first be friends. They shook hands and had lingered out there, looking over the lake as the breeze eased the last attempts of the season to stay warm.

Draco had lain there upon his bed that night with a smile on his lips. During that moment by the lake he had made Harry laugh. A true, genuine laugh of enjoyment that had been startled out of his mate. That sound had made such warmth spread through him, so very unlike any feeling he had ever had before. He fell asleep that night with the sound of Harry's laughter playing within his mind.

Draco woke with the phantom touch of lips upon his cheek and sighed as he made himself get up to start his day.

- POV Change: Harry -

Before the talk with Draco Harry had noticed the tension between the previously established groups among the fae had been easing up. Then he had that talk with Draco and Harry felt… relieved. Free. Like the already crumbling barriers between them had turned to dust. Sure, they all were tentative in their breaching of these barriers that had existed for so long, but Harry felt a freedom now in doing so. Like that bridge being crossed with Draco and knowing right where they stood with each other made everything alright.

The others seemed to notice as well to varying degrees. Within the Fae Tower, at least, there was growing harmony. Who would have thought a handshake could cause so much change in not just himself, but everyone around him? They hadn't even been there to witness it!

It was, however, only within Fae Tower.

Harry had thought for sure that the other Houses wouldn't be so bad. Or, well, the correct sentiment being that Gryffindor wouldn't be that bad. They would be accepting of the changes. They had all been through so much with him and Ron and just… he had thought that out of anyone within the school Gryffindor would be the most supportive of his changes.

He should have known better. The wishy-washy way of the students and the people outside of Hogwarts over the years should have taught him an important lesson, but Harry was frustrated as he had it shown to him yet again that the world was not everything he hoped it would be. Sure, Neville was still a loyal friend, and Dean thought it was pretty cool. Real-life elves, the muggle raised half-blood was enamored.

Harry and Ron were sitting outside with Hermione, enjoying one of the likely few good days left before winter set in. The sun was warm and bright and there was a nice breeze to be had. They had a blanket spread out with pillows Harry and Ron had brought from the Fae Tower for them all to sit on plus some low traveling tables perfect for them to use while sitting on the ground. Hermione had her books out spread about her while the boys instead had their parchment notes from their lectures.

"It's so nice that you guys have a break this afternoon. You've all been so busy." Hermione said as she looked up from her book. Harry had seen her internal battle and had wondered what was bothering his friend. He knew her well, and so knew something was. When she spoke, the look she gave them… Well, Harry wasn't so dense as to not see the loneliness.

"I know… It's nothing like going to Hogwarts before," Harry said with a sigh before reaching up to stretch his arms above his head, arching his back slightly, wincing and then letting out another sigh, this one of relief as his back cracked.

"Bloody hell. Understatement right there, mate." He then flinched a bit and looked around, relaxing as Harry chuckled.

At Hermione's inquiring look Harry grinned. "'Mate' isn't a word Fae casually toss around. Morcant and Braith have begun using rolled up parchment as a deterrent when they hear us use it." Harry then used his thumb to point toward Ron. "Their favorite target."

"Bloody savages, they are. So violent." Ron made a face. "Anyway, I guess they have a point. If we want to go to war then we have to train. There's no telling when it will break out, and so we don't have the time to..." Ron motioned around themselves.

"Yeah… I can understand that." Hermione said with a nod, giving one of those proud smiles she was apt to when they proved they were maturing, if only in small steps compared to her. Though Harry could still see the bit of sadness. He guessed it was natural, that it would take both of his best friends time.

"But hey, upside? At least we're finally getting trained. I know loads more now than I did before. Like… Learned more from these guys in these few months more than I learned through all my schooling before." Harry said as he leaned back and braced his arms against the ground.

"Yeah, you should see him with a pair of daggers. Harry's turning out to be pretty quick. I mean, the guardian's still have us beat. Hands down." Ron said.

"Yeah, but you got that upper body strength for those big swords and axes. And Braith looked like she had found treasure when she learned about chess and how good you are. I think she thinks she can turn him into some kind of proper tactician." Harry said, grinning widely. "She doesn't realize yet what a hopeless cause it is getting him to use that big noggin."

"Oi, you git!" Ron exclaimed, tossing a stick from nearby at Harry who batted it aside.

Hermione laughed as she watched them, making Harry and Ron both grin. "Oh Merlin, I've missed this. I've… missed you both." The smile only diminished slightly as she said that.

"I know," Harry said before they were interrupted.

"Ah, so now Hermione is good enough for you lot?" came the familiar voice of Seamus Finnigan.

Looking over Harry spied Seamus with fifth and sixth year Gryffindor, Cory O'Domhnail & Finnuala Tennyson, as well as a Ravenclaw fifth year, Anouk Goodwin. Seamus obviously didn't look happy to see them and the other three wore expressions ranging from hostile to unimpressed. Harry blinked as if doing so would dispel the illusion of what he was seeing.

Harry and Ron both were shocked and didn't respond right away, but Hermione wasn't. "Seamus, don't," she said, her tone disapproving.

"Don't, what? Point out how they abandoned Gryffindor? Abandoned you?" Seamus asked, an intense look appearing, face starting to flush with the rising of his temper. That infamous Irish temper. "Abandoned us for their Death Eater wannabes and freaky friends. They left you behind, Hermione. How can you not be mad? How can you accept them? They don't even look right!" He pointed at them, his voice rising. Drawing the attention of other students close enough to hear his yelling. "Everything about them is changed! They're dark and dangerous creatures now. Mum told me all kinds of stories of their lot. They're barbaric, savage even. Wicked creatures who revel in violence and chaos! Tricking witches and wizards and stealing their kids by changing them. Just like this. Wicked, evil Changelings!"

Harry's face fell the more Seamus spoke, the trio with him nodding in agreement. Harry should have known. Should have expected this. Should have been prepared. It shouldn't hurt anymore. This wasn't even the first time Seamus believed the rumors, all made up. False. It shouldn't hurt… but it did. Vibrant green eyes saw the agreement of Seamus' fellows and he looked down and away. Never one to be able to hide his emotions the pain and sorrow were clear as day. So very crestfallen.

"Bloody hell, you have to be the most gormless ruddy prick in this bloody school!" Ron's voice was heard and Harry looked up to see his friend on his feet and squaring up. Unlike the wizards and witches witnessing, Harry could feel the magic building up, fueled by the emotions within Ron.

Hermione got up and reached out to touch Ron. "No, Ron, he isn't worth it." He shook off her hand.

"No, 'Moine. He wants to be a bloody prick, he'll take his history lesson." He said, eyes not moving from the other boy. "Take a look at your family tree, Finnigan! Your mum's Irish. There ain't a long standing wizarding family in Ireland, Scotland or Wales that don't have some kind of Fae blood running through them! You gormless lot are just as evil and freaky as we are. The only difference is we bloody well look loads better than your ugly mug!"

Harry had to admit, he was impressed. Ron spoke and was not the one to make the first move. Nope, that was on Seamus as the other boy sprung forward shoving Hermione out of the way as he went for Ron. Harry leapt to his feet, grabbing for Hermione to keep her from falling and pulled her away from the two hotheads.

"Take that back!" Seamus shouted as he shoved at Ron, who stumbled and nearly fell over one of the low tables they had been using.

Harry winced. That was the wrong move for Seamus to make. Seamus was a student under the training of Hogwarts. The most he could hope for was toning up with Quidditch training. He did not have the intense daily training that they had been subjected to since the summer. While they were leagues behind their Guardian counterparts, for a schoolyard tussle? Seamus was outmatched.

"Harry, we got to stop them!" Hermione said anxiously as Harry held her back, shaking his head.

"Not by you." Harry said, nodding toward the two again to get her attention back on them. He knew what was coming, he could feel the magic continuing to build up. It was similar to accidental magic, except more. Whereas accidental magic as a wizard was typically sporadic and unreliable. With their magic? The wild magic of the Fae? While not the controlled magic of purposeful casting, with Wild Magic they were finding it was more responsive. In Ron's case, as a Water Elemental, it came out in conjunction with his movements.

Ron returned the shove, except his was aided with jets of water shooting from his hands. The jets sending Seamus sprawling back into the trio he had come with, soaking Seamus and getting the other three a bit wet. Little calls of shock came from those three as Seamus sputtered. Ron's fists came up, prepared for Seamus to get up swinging or wielding his wand, Harry could see the tension. He had hoped getting soaked would cool Seamus off, but it seemed not to.

Getting serious himself Harry moved Hermione behind him, preparing to step in as well. He couldn't let this continue. But as Seamus moved, which lead Ron to move as well, two things happened. Nearly simultaneously a wall of greenery sprang up between the two boys, making Harry stumble back away from it, and a yell was heard moments before Seamus went still and fell before he could even react to the wall in front of him.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Ron stopped from running fully into the wall by putting out his hands as a buffer. Looking over they saw a guarded Sian moving toward them as well as a furious Professor McGonagall.

"Just what do you two think you are doing? Twenty points from Gryffindor for fighting and detention, Mister Finnigan. And Mister Weasley, you should know better than to fight with the extra training you are under compared to the other students! If you were mine still you would be serving detention as well." McGonagall said, in full teacher mode with his disapproval of the situation. Her gaze moving to Sian who, while older than McGonagall, looked younger. A look that spoke of her expectancy for a reprimand coming from Sian as the one in charge of them.

"Professor, Miss Sian, Ron didn't start this. Seamus..." Hermione started to say as Harry moved them both closer to Ron, the wall of greenery having sank back into the ground. Ron was calming down now thanks to the interruption.

"Stop right there, Miss Granger. Fighting period is not condoned among students." Professor McGonagall said with a hand raised toward Hermione. Stern and brooking no argument.

Sian held no expression as she looked over McGonagall and the other kids involved before her moss green eyes fell on Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"You did well in first not being the one to escalate the argument to violence, secondly defending yourself and the honor of your friends. You also did well in pulling back on the power of your elemental magic when it manifested. Ideally it would be better to utilize it in defense before offense with such a childish happenstance, but you are still but a child. You will come to know yourself and your magic more as the decades pass." Sian said as she came to rest her hand on his shoulder. She then gave them a smile as she cupped Hermione's cheek, her smile becoming a bit sad before dropping her hand down. Then turned toward McGonagall who was obviously displeased with how Sian failed to reprimand them.

"While I agree, Professor, that those on the same side of a war should not be fighting each other, I do not agree with a great many things you and your Headmaster are doing. If you are going to make children fight in a war you would do better by preparing them for it, by teaching them to fight. While this was wrong to have happen, it was this boy who aggravated the situation and showed a lack of control over himself, as well as a lack of information in the things he had. Citing twisted rumors as truth. He then showed nothing but instinct in his approach to making the disagreement a physical one. In a true fight he would be dead."

Harry watched with wide eyes as Sian proceeded to lecture Professor McGonagall, a crowd gathering as students drew closer to witness this.

"Why, I never! Children are not to fight in a war. That is for adults to do and protect the children. To ensure they still, regardless of what is happening, get to have a childhood." McGonagall responded with, looking horrified over the thought of training students to fight.

"And yet your Headmaster and many others would expect these children," Sian said, point to the three of them standing together, the Golden Trio as Harry knew they were called. "To fight. And not only to fight, you expect young Harry to kill for you. You expect a child to fight and win your war. You can not have it both ways, Professor. Either you lot want children fighting and properly train them to do so, or you do not and you protect them and remove the burden of bringing death from Harry's shoulders."

McGonagall looked pained then. Harry didn't like seeing her in pain, regardless of how Sian's words rang with truth and made him curious of the answers.

"Sian, don't worry. It's ok. I would rather the other students didn't fight. It's alright." Harry said.

"No Mister Potter," McGonagall said, interrupting him. "It's not okay. But that is a conversation to have later, Miss Sian." McGonagall clapped her hands and waved at the children. "Go on, the show is over. Back to what you were doing. You three as well. You've done enough." She then walked over to Seamus, murmuring a finite incantatem to release him and helped him up, but did not release the surly boy. "Come now, Mister Finnigan. You will come with me to discuss you punishment."

"But, he's not..." Harry heard Seamus start to say, only to be cut off.

"Don't finish that sentence, Mister Finnigan. Whining will not get you out of your punishment. The Guardian's have an agreement with the school to see to the punishment of their charges in their own way."

As everyone dispersed Harry sighed in relief. Having not noticed until then how all the attention and the situation had him so tense until he was relaxing. With a glance to Hermione he moved with her to start gathering their things.

"That was bloody brill, Sian!" Ron exclaimed, grinning widely.

Harry glanced over to see one brow raise up in response. "Was it? Well then, I take it you will not mind all the extra training I and Morcant will be giving you for the next week. You will get the pleasure of waking up an hour earlier and staying an hour later every day to better help you learn to use your physical and magical abilities so that next time you will defend rather than attack weak witches and wizards not on par with your abilities."

Ron's face fell in a comical way that had Harry chuckling. "You can't mean that… please no, Sian. Please. You lot are already killing me!"

"Perhaps the next time you let your emotions gain control of you this will bring you, what is it they say? Back down to earth?" Sian grinned. Then walked over to pat Ron on the shoulder. "I know as a Water Elemental it is hard to control the ebb and flow of your emotions, but you must try. You must be the master of them, lest they be the master of you."

Ron was still sulking though.

"Alright, then. Good idea you two. Best to pack up and come inside. No need to invite more trouble." Sian said cheerfully as she went to help Hermione and Harry moved to load Ron down with the things he had gathered so far.

"I'm so dead, mate. Tell mum and dad I love them, eh?" Ron said, looking all sulky.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Drama King. At least this time its not me getting in trouble." Harry grinned with that and danced away before Ron could take a swipe at him.

"Bloody menace."

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