Jocelyn was surprised to learn that all species had their own version of dark lords. It could be a shark in water which kills unnecessarily and eats more than its fill; it could be an evil dragon which kills all the kids of other dragons; it could be a basilisk which kills all around with its fatal glare; it could be an acromantula killing all predators around to increase her area of hunt; it could be a terrorist causing havoc among muggles; or it could be someone like Voldemort terrorizing the magical humans. Drackens had Kalkoff as their version of a dark lord. He was not the first, but he was most sadist one till date. The worst aspect with him was that he was able to influence many of the influential drackens to his side with his view of the new dracken world.

"Why isn't his view better?" Jocelyn had asked Segrace. His replied in a sad tone.

"He promises raising drackens to the top of the chain. He says that drackens should rule over all humanoid species, be it fairies, wizards, elves, or muggles. Being hidden from the rest of the world is a point being debated in our communities nowadays. Amidst that, this notion really caught the interest of many. But what those drackens fail to see in greed is that the path he proposes is filled with violence and terror. That was the point which made our ancestors step back into hiding initially."

Jocelyn then spent the next few days learning about the current state of various races. In muggles, there were a few terrorists like Osama Bin Laden, who were wrecking terror all over the world with their threats and attacks. In the wizarding world, Voldemort was the source of destruction, and who was defeated by her somehow. Among the drackens, it was Kalkoff who was rising to power steadily and was already attacking their clans subtly. What was surprising was the news that the elves had one dark lord at present. His name was Gladerr, and he was at peak in power now. That was the reason the elves were so hostile and unfriendly; they were living in difficult times.

Jocelyn had asked Saelig the reason for his terror too. The answer was quite unexpected.

"Gladerr is not out for conquest or ruling. He is out for power. No one knows how he does it, but he is able to drain an elf of magic and use it for himself or give it to others. He does not try any subtle ways to draw elves to be his followers. His lure is having power and the freedom to do as you please. The sad fact is that no one knows till date how he looks or what his next move would be. Hell, we don't even know for sure if the elf next to us is him or one of his followers."

Jocelyn also enquired if there were any dark fairies out there. Alano just smiled.

"Not right now. In our history we have very few dark fairies that rose powerful enough to create panic. But that does not mean there are no bad fairies. They just affect less number of people or do some change by manipulating people. You just have to be careful of them and know who is who."

As Jocelyn was digesting the news that the world was bigger than she knew and that no one alone is the center of the world, her friends from Hogwarts sent some more news to her.

The second task of the Triwizard tournament had been held after Christmas. The contestants had to compete and bring back their loved ones from inside the lake against all the creatures of the lake. While the task itself had gone without any hindrance, the contestants had hurt a few creatures of the lake, and this had angered them.

"Well, what else can you expect?" Jocelyn's irritation was obvious, "You just don't barge in with silly games into someone's home, hurt them and expect them to keep silent."

They were talking on hand held mirrors, which the twins had re-designed. The last time they had visited her, she had finally parted with the mirrors that were the communication links between her and Sirius. The twins were overjoyed and had wasted no time in tweaking them. They were still working on creating the 'memory retrieved camera', but for now they had succeeded in creating a camera for each of them, which could be connected to any other. Though any one can view only one other face on the mirror, it was now so designed that it would automatically change the focus to who was speaking. Other than themselves of course!

"Yeah," Neville agreed, "The problem with the wizarding world is that they divide the land and claim ownership, forgetting that it also belongs to other beings."

"So how are they showing their anger?"

"Simple, they have terrorized the people from coming near the lake. Both Dumstrang and Beauxbatons now must stay at Hogwarts, and no human is allowed near the lake."

Fred picked up from there, "What I don't understand is why they are punishing the guests and not the hosts."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "Come on duffer, what difference do looks, or robes, make to say… mermaids. To them, we are all just humans."

"So, what do you think, Jocelyn?" asked Luna, "Who are you assigning as your partner in talking with them?"

"No!" George paled, "She is not coming here."

"Yeah!" Fred continued, "She is not putting herself in danger again."

Luna just rolled her eyes, "As if. I am not asking her to come here. I am asking her to choose her partner." She said mischievously.

Jocelyn thought for a while and finally her thoughts caught up with Luna's. "Really? Would you be willing to learn?"

"Of course, maybe I will learn about some new sea creature unknown till now."

"Uh hum!" Neville interrupted, "Care to share with us mortal beings?"

"Well we had contacted with merpeople living near Amictos. Luna will learn to communicate with them and will be the negotiator."

"You can talk with merpeople?" The rest of the friends said at once. Jocelyn nodded shyly. But Daphne had another thought, "Didn't you say that you have mid-term exams coming up. Are you going to sacrifice again for these worthless Hogwarts people?"

"Umm… I am doing this for you all. And you are Hogwarts people. Anyway, only Hasan can communicate with them along with me right now."

"Can Alano teach me?" Luna said in excitement and a glint in her eyes.

"Hasan? I don't know. I will have to ask him. He would have exams too and…"

"And he is much smarter than you. Please Joy, ask him once. If he rejects, then I will not ask again. Please!"

Jocelyn did not understand her friend's persistence, but she agreed and asked him anyway. Hasan agreed happily, he was not against the idea to spending time with Joy's friends. So, he waited in Joy's cottage as Luna flashed in with Hedwig's help. She immediately moved to hug Joy before she turned to the fairy friend.

"Hello Alano!"

"Good morning Luna. Shall we go now?"

"Of course." She turned to Jocelyn, "I will be fine. He will be fine. Don't worry and study, got it?"

Jocelyn smiled and hugged her friend. Alano greeted her "see you later" before Fawkes flashed both to the same beach they had first visited. He first taught the mechanics to Luna before entering the water. When he was waist deep in water, he called out with his mind for the merpeople.

Greetings merpeople! I am Alano Hasan Drestoir, here to seek audience with you. Please respond if you can hear me.

No less than a minute passed when there was response from a mermaid. She talked as she quickly swam to the shore.

You are always welcome to our abode Drestoir. How are you?

I am faring well, Simran. Good to see you. How fare the folk of ocean?

They fare well. I see a new person with you today, not dear Joy. Is she unwell?

Alano laughed at that, She is doing well. She wanted to come visit you too. But she has to prepare for her tests and was stopped by almost everyone.

You did not, did you? You wanted her with you.

Simran! Alano exclaimed, embarrassed. But he was in for another shock too.

Of course sister, came the voice of Luna who came to stand beside him. She was immersed in the water to her shoulders, but still had a smile and the ever-present dreamy look on her face. Alano looked at her accusingly.

You already knew how to communicate?

Luna shook her head, No, but I pick up a few skills quickly I suppose. She turned towards the amused mermaid, How long do you think it will take the dracken, elf and fairy to come to their senses regarding their feelings, o fellow seer?

Simran laughed in a melodious tune, With your talk in the next few minutes, not long. But her happiness depends on how they act on it.

I agree.

Both nodded to each other, completely ignoring the confused Alano beside them.

So, what was the other reason you came here for.

To learn to communicate, as well as for your advice.

Unless you promise them no harm, conquest and bother, no being will allow another into their home. It will all depend on what your fellow humans will agree to. You might need the help of the other fighter in your group.

Thank you for your advice, Simran. I will heed to it and hope for the best.

Luna started backing out of the water. Just as Alano was about to turn around, Simran's voice stopped him.

Irrespective of others, You need to listen and follow your heart Alano. Your own happiness depends on it. Don't let pressure, expectations, fear and doubts affect your decision. But most of all, don't hurt Jocelyn. Farewell!

Alano's eyes widened. He was surprised at the mention of Joy, but he was more shocked when he realized that they the two ladies were talking about him having feelings for her. Determined to get to the bottom of this, he hurried to Luna who was out of water and was waiting for him.

"What were both of you talking about, Luna?"

"An obvious truth. You, Saelig and Segrace are all affectionate with Joy. It is up to you how you act on it. Let that be cemented as unwavering friendship or let it evolve to passionate love… or none of the above."

"Are you crazy? We belong to different races. None of us can mate with her."

"No, the three races are just different evolutions of the human race. All of you can mate with her."

"Joy does not deserve someone like me, Luna."

For the first time, he saw a threatening look on the girl's face, "Are you implying that my friend is unworthy?"

But Alano did not waver, "Are you crazy? Of course she is worthy. It is I who am not. I am always fought over among my people, and always put in the middle of all politics. If she is with me, she will be cheated, bullied and manipulated by every fairy around her. I cannot do that to her. She is too special to be subjected to that."

Luna's expression suddenly changed from angry to sly, "Oh well, then I shall go and talk to Saelig and Segrace. Maybe they love her enough to stand by her throughout her life. My friend needs no less than pure love and utmost dedication, for she will return nothing less."

This irked the elf, "Are you implying that I do not love Jocelyn enough? That Segrace and Saelig love her more than me?" It took time for him to measure through the words he was saying, "Wait! Segrace and Alano love her too?"

"You are implying it yourself. And anyone can see that you three are navigating in that route. Maybe you will be a good friend and they will be the mates. Yeah, that will do." She said casually and started walking towards an amused Fawkes. Alano stood there lost, his heart battling with his mind, until, "Please Luna, don't leave me hanging like that. Please tell me clearly what you wanted to say. Why did you bring up this topic now?"

"Do you love her, Alano?"

"I do, yes, but…"

"I saw two vague visions about Jocelyn, Alano. In both, she is constantly fighting the darkness descending over her, giving her painful shocks every now and then. In one, she emerges from it completely battered and near the brink of death. In another, there are a few other people standing by her and they all emerge standing proud. It only says one thing; she will be victorious in her battle anyway. Other people standing with her will make the difference in how she is at the end. I don't want my friend hurt anymore, and you three right now have the most potential to hurt her in your competition."

"Don't put disputes among us friends, Luna." He said warningly. Luna just smiled at him.

"I am not. Alano, I am not forcing you into anything. Any of you. I am just helping you realize what all of you already feel. If I had not known you beforehand, I would not have hesitated to eliminate you or the other two when I realized where your feelings were heading. But you three are good guys."

"Three of us, Luna? I don't want to compete with the others for Joy's affection. I know that will hurt Joy more than anything."

"That is for you to decide. I would not have even hinted you, for love is gradual and develops slowly, but I see tough times ahead for Jocelyn. I just want to warn all of you, request you, beg you even, to not let your feelings affect your friendship with her. She will need the support soon. See… if you cannot accept being with her, that is your choice. But if that's the case, just be normal with her for the next three years she would be here. I don't want to see Jocelyn hurt anymore."

Alano's mind and heart were running a mile a minute. He needed time to think. But he had one question, "Are you really sure that Jocelyn will be happy amongst fairies, that she will be happy with me?"

Luna gave him a mysterious smile, "Alano, Joy has built a wall. Beyond that, she has nothing but love to give to the ones who are ready to accept it."

"That gives me no answer!" Alano raised his hands in the air.

"It gives all the answers you need, if you can find them."

With that, both of them travelled back along with Fawkes. Luna did not talk about that topic anymore, neither did Alano. He bid farewell and went to his cottage. She spent another hour just chatting with Jocelyn, before taking her leave. She did not tell the whole vision to him, but this much was what she could tell anyone. Her part here was done for now.

Author's note:

Hey there guys... I wrote a few chapters the last month and will post them here. If you are still interested in the story, or are newcomers and like this story... I feel blessed. Please review.

Well the Dumbledore part will take time, so you will have to wait for that.

Coming up: Jocelyn's fears from her past cropping up.