Dinner was a somewhat lavish affair with multiple courses laid out by Sissy, who had spent hours preparing our repast in the kitchen. I thanked the elf, feeling somewhat guilty that I was exploiting her.

You see, House Elves used be Wild Elves, or Svartalves, native to Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Ever heard the legend of the Cobbler and the Elves? These were those kind of elves. They were naturally inclined to be helpful to humans as payment for being left alone and provided with cast off human objects. They mostly mended old things, clothes, pots, shoes, that sort of thing. However, wizards realized that a species naturally inclined to be helpful to humans and with the magic skills to back it up would be well worth taming.

At first, it was innocent enough. Wizards would invite in colonies of elves and provide them with things to fix, in return for safety from their natural predators; red caps, trolls, and panicked muggles. Soon, however, the wizards started demanding more. The elves had natural magic, and in some cases, fought back and demanded fair treatment. The wizards magic was stronger however, and they started using compelling charms and kidnapping young elves and pressing them into labor.

When the elves rebelled against this, the wizards cracked down. The elves had never been warlike, prefering to hide and disguise themselves instead of open confrontation. They were simply no match for wizards when it came to a fight, and soon wizards were enslaving grown elves, forcing them into labor. Then a group of slavers developed a binding enchantment that could force an elf to serve a wizard. The elf was bound to the wizards clothes, and forbidden from touching them. The enchantment could be broken if the elf was given clothes by its master, and that magic lingers today.

At first the elves tried to resist, but the wizards understood the basics of breeding livestock. They bred the resistance out of the elves, layered them with compelling charms, and eventually hunted down all the wild elves. They're extinct as a free and independent species as far as most are concerned, though rumors persist of independent colonies still hiding in isolated places in Scandinavia and Iceland.

The worst part of it is, the elves were always sentient creatures. They were systematically mind controlled, enslaved, and broken, stripped of their identity and heritage. There was elvish art, an elvish language, and a thriving culture. It's all gone now. The elves do not remember, and precious few wizards cared. I personally had sworn that if it was at all possible, I would free Dobby and help him restore the legacy of his people. First, however, came my own family. I was not, after all, an elf or a wizard. I was a husband and father before I was anything else.

This, from what I could tell, was the reason for all the goblin rebellions. Goblins were a lot more warlike than elves, and when wizards had tried to control them, they'd fought back. Of course, sometimes goblins did straight up murder innocent wizards or muggles for no reason other than they hated them, so they were not nearly as innocent as the elves were. Still, it reinforced my opinion that wizards were scary and somewhat monstrous when they pursued the darker parts of human nature.

Not to say that magic makes you evil, but power corrupts. Humans are naturally fallen creatures, and except for the Grace of God, we'd all happily enslave and exploit others. Hell, look at what had happened to the Western World in the future. People increasingly exploited and misused by corporations, treated as inhuman and nothing more than a profit margin. Muggles weren't innocent of it, just look at slavery. I might be proud of my Southern Heritage, but I am deeply ashamed that my ancestors fought for perhaps the worst cause in human history.

However, Libra had a somewhat less dim view of the use of house elves. "Yes, what happened to them was wrong, but it's all in the past. Perhaps we should try and give them more rights at some point, but really most of them are perfectly content to serve. It's what they were made to do."

Thus, when Sissy served me the mashed potatoes, I felt somewhat guilty. Still, I didn't think now was the time to start SPEW. And God as my witness, I was not letting Hermione or anyone else name the cause that. The Elvish Liberation Front or something would be a far better TLA.

Dumbledore and Aurora had come of course. Aurora was a handsome woman of african descent who had a somewhat posh accent that I couldn't tell you the name of, but definitely wasn't the one Tracer from Overwatch had. She had dimples on her cheek from smiling frequently, and she embraced and kissed Sirius with enthusiasm.

"David, Libra, this is Aurora Sinestra, my girl," Sirius said by way of introduction. "Harry, she'll be teaching you astronomy."

"Good to meet you all at last," Aurora said, shaking our hands.

"Hi Auntie Aurora," Harry said. "My mum knows a lot about the stars, we went the the Mauna Kea observatory a lot!"

Aurora appeared somewhat taken aback by Harry's somewhat familiar tone, but Libra put her hand on Harry's shoulder and intervened. "Harry, you should call her Professor Sinistra. We don't call teachers aunty here."

"Oh," Harry said, looking baffled. "Well why not? That's what we called all my other teachers and what all the kids called you."

"Things are different here kid," I said. "Do what your mother says. Best call all your teachers Professor Lastname. Even Uncle Remus while you're at school."

"No, it's quite alright for now," Aurora said, smiling and putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "After all, I am dating his godfather."

"Perhaps you can convince him to make an honest woman out of her, Harry," Remus said in a stage whisper. "They've been dating for three years now."

"I'm a patient woman," Aurora said, smiling and putting an arm around Sirius' waist. "Besides, it's not as though I have much time for a family, what with my career."

"Kids are fun," Harry said. "Plus, my parents really seemed to like making them."

Libra and I both turned beat red, and Sirius roared with laughter. "That's OK kid, we can practice even if it doesn't result in kids just yet," he said, slapping Harry on the back.

Harry, in turned, looked horrified. "But only married people can do that! Uncle Sirius, you better pray, because you're making Jesus sad!"

Sirius looked abashed now, as it was Aurora's turn to laugh while Libra and I continued to be mortified.

"Harry dear, I don't think they're Christians," Libra told him. "They can choose to live how they want."

"Oh," Harry said, looking crestfallen. "Sorry."

"Does that mean they're going to hell?" Sarah asked in the sort of piping loud voice that small children reserve for the most epically embarrassing statements they can make.

"Sarah dear, why don't we get you some of that nice mac and cheese Sissy made for you," I said, scooping my daughter up while Libra profusely apologize to the very amused couple.

"I didn't realize you were so...spiritual," Aurora said, hiding a smile. "I knew muggles had taken in Harry, but I hadn't thought you were that sort. Usually, once people see magic, they tend to put aside that sort of thing."

"Personally I find the existence of magic only argues more strongly for the existence of God," Libra said calmly. "But I don't think that's the sort of thing one should discuss over dinner with those we've only just met. The children, however, appear to need more instruction in the area of manners."

"Teach this one while you're at it," Aurora said, needling Sirius in the side. "He still thinks belching the school song over dinner is appropriate behavior."

"Hey, where's the old man?" I asked as I set Sarah down at the table in front of a bowl of mac and cheese. Sissy had been more than happy to whip some up at her request, and she didn't even complain it wasn't Kraft.

"He should be just behind me," Aurora said as she sat down next to Sirius. "I wouldn't advise waiting for him, he is a bit slow to move these days."

"We should at least let the children eat," Remus advised. "They all look hungry."

"Sounds good," Sirius said, and reached for the bowl of dinner rolls. He paused when my family bowed their heads, taking Harry's hand. Remus did the same, and after a moment, Aurora did as well. Remus and Sirius had gotten used to the fact that we prayed before meals while visiting us, and Aurora seemed polite enough to just go with it.

"Dear Heavenly father," I said. "Thank you for delivering us safely back to Britain. Keep us safe, lord, from those who would do us harm. I pray a special blessing and protection for my eldest son, Harry, while he starts school at Hogwarts in the next few months. We ask God that you would keep him safe from Tom and his minions, and that you would pour out your blessing on Harry while he's at school. And please, please God, don't let him or Sarah break their necks on those contraptions. Thank you for the food and company, and may our meal and time together be blessed. Amen."

The kids dropped their hands and immediately went for the food. James happily chewed on a roll and some ham that Libra served up for him. Marie fussed over mac and cheese like her sister, upset that I made her try some vegetables with the typical "no veggies no dessert" admonishment. Sarah on the other hand happily tried a number of new things, especially when she saw her favorite Uncle Sirius trying them.

Harry, on the other hand, was his usual ravenous self and ate everything put infront of him. "Dese grinds da kine," he told Sissy. "Mahalo."

Sissy blinked her large eyes, looking confused as she cleared away empty trays.

"He means that the food is very tasty, and says thank you," Libra translated. "I'm afraid he's been rather americanized."

"Oh, Sissy is very pleased young master is enjoying himself," the house elf said, curtsying in her old curtain. "Sissy is saying Mahalo as well if that is pleasing mistress."

"It means thank you," Harry said, waving happily. "And of course! Everybody should live aloha."

"I must say, it is a bit of a shock to hear the famous Harry Potter with such an unusual accent," Aurora said, sipping at her glass of pumpkin juice. They really drank the stuff. It was utterly disgusting, and none of my kids were willing to try it at all (though Libra had taken a small sip with a wistful expression on her face). "I hope none of the other students tease you about it, Harry. We don't tend to get many students from outside Britain and Ireland."

"Oh, I'm Harry Potter Murphy," Harry said in a somewhat dismissive tone. "I was adopted a long time ago. I don't even remember my other parents, though I'm sure they were wonderful and loved me very much."

Harry's offhand remark caused Sirius to look pained, and Remus to grimace slightly. Aurora patted Sirius on the back, and he swallowed and changed the topic of conversation. "So, Harry, what do you want for your birthday?"

"Well I did want the new Zelda, but I gave Zack my Super Nintendo cause there's no electricity here," Harry said. "It's too bad, dad says it was the best game of all time, except for Chrono Trigger but that won't be out for a few more years."

Oh crap. Harry let slip stuff like this every once in awhile, and frankly I did too. It was hard to keep straight in my head what had and hadn't happened. Fortunately, none of the adult wizards had the slightest clue what Harry had said, so it all went right over their heads.

"Harry wants a broom," Sarah supplied for her brother. "A fast one so he can take me flying on it."

"Oh, yeah, that would be cool," Harry said enthusiastically. "Do they have flying classes at Hogwarts? Oh! And what about quidditch? I've heard about it but I never got to see a game."

"Oh no," Aurora and Remus groaned at the same time.

Sirius, for his part, lit up like the Fourth of July. "Well, Harry, you see, I used to play Quidditch with your father. I was a beater, he was a chaser. We played for Gryffindor of course, which is the best house, you should be in it-"

"I was in Ravenclaw you know," Aurora protested, shoving Sirius lightly. "We even played against each other for two years. I was a pretty decent seeker if I do say so myself."

"Yeah, well, you never beat us, so obviously Gryffindor is better, now, Harry, the kind of broom you want for quidditch is-"

Sirius kept Sarah and Harry totally enraptured for a good 15 minutes with tales of his and James Potter's exploits on a broom. While he did so, Libra leaned close to me.

"We should let Sirius get him a broom if that's what he wants."

"Firsties aren't allowed them," I protested lamely.

"Yes, but he'll have flying lessons, and he'd love it. He's old enough to have a real broom now, David. And he'll be with Sirius when he rides it, so it will be safe."

I groaned inwardly, but reluctantly nodded. "Fine. You tell him he has our blessing to get Harry a damned flying toothpick. Though I don't want Sarah on that thing until Harry has at least a year of flying lessons under his belt."

"That's a reasonable stipulation," Libra agreed.

Dumbledore didn't make an appearance until the dishes were being cleared away for pudding. Marie, for her part, was extremely disappointed when pudding did not, in fact, involve what she would have called actual pudding.

"Want nana pudding," Marie huffed when presented with the creme brulee. "Wit nilla cookies."

"Nilla ookies!" James agreed enthusiastically.

"Try it love, it's very good," Libra encouraged.

Just then, the fireplace flared green, and Dumbledore stepped out of the fire. When I got a good look at him, I stood up in shock, my mouth hanging slightly agape.

Dumbledore had never looked like a spring chicken as long as I had known him. He looked like, well, Dumbledore. The classic, old but timeless wizard with a long white beard, merry eyes, and a zest for life.

The old man who stepped out of the fire did not just look old, he looked ancient. He leaned heavily on a cane as he toddered forward, and Sirius sprang to his feet hurried to offer the old man his arm, leading him to a chair which Dumbledore sat down in with a heavy sigh. The Headmaster's eyes had dark circles under him, and his cheeks were somewhat sunken. His skin was sagging and sallow, and he had a lean, hungry look about him.

"Thank you, Sirius my boy," Dumbledore wheezed as he sat down in his seat. "I apologize; I was napping, you see, and no one wanted to wake me as I find rest so often escapes me."

"Dumbledore...what happened to you?" I whispered, still standing.

Dumbledore looked at me, but failed to meet my eyes. "I fear age has caught up to me, Mr. Murphy. This life no longer holds the luster for me it once did."

And then it clicked. This was my fault. I sat down slowly, feeling as though I'd been eating rocks. "Goddammit, you did it. I told you not to," I whispered, tears coming to my eyes. "I told you that damned thing was a trap. You've been using it."

No one but Libra next to me heard me (and probably Marie, but she was busy poking at her dessert) , but Dumbledore seemed to realize what I had said. He bowed his head, a look of complete and utter weariness coming over him. I stared, unable to think of what to do or say, until my revery was broken by Sissy hurrying forward.

"Now, master Dumbledore sir, Sissy is talking with the elves at Hogwarts, and they is saying you is not eating like yous should! If yous is wanting dessert, yous is eating your supper like everyone else."

"Ah, I am not overly hungry, Sissy, but thank you," Dumbledore said, smiling gently down at the tiny little elf.

Sissy, however, was having none of it, and planted her fists on her hips and frowned at the old wizard. "Sissy is not believing master. Master is eating properly. Or does master not think Sissy is a good elf? Sissy would be so ashamed if master is not even trying her food. Sissy was slaving away all day over hot stoves and ovens, and now the Great Master Dumbledore won't even try her cooking. Sissy is ashamed."

Sissy didn't look ashamed in the slightest, but Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Very well, a small plate, I think. Perhaps some of that pasta I see on the young gentleman's plate."

"Master is eating the macaroni and cheese! Oh, happy day! Sissy is getting a bowl for master straight away."

Sissy brought back a heaping bowl of pasta with the thick and creamy sauce (I had had some, it was excellent). Dumbledore took a spoonful as Sissy watched with narrowed eyes, putting it in his mouth and chewing. He smiled and nodded, swallowing. "Very good, Sissy. Thank you. I shall enjoy some."

"And then master is eating pudding as well. Master is all skin and bones. Sissy isn't letting Master Dumbledore leave until he is eating properly." With that, Sissy bustled away, carrying more empty plates.

"I wonder sometimes if your elf isn't related to Molly Weasley," Dumbledore said wryly to Sirius.

"Oh God save me from that woman," Sirius said in an exasperated tone. "Did you know, she's been dropping hints that she'd like to be one of Aurora's bridesmaids? Honestly. Just because the woman eloped doesn't mean every wedding is a chance for her to relieve her own fantasies."

"Ha! I knew it!" I said, slapping the table. "She was a bit quick on the draw to invite herself to our wedding!"

"Well, hopefully she's over her disappointment by now," Libra said calmly. "We eloped ourselves if you remember."

"It was wuv, twue wuv," I said, kissing my wife on the cheek.

"You're not getting away with that," Aurora said, giving Sirius a flat look. "I want a real wedding. And you can't claim to be a pauper who couldn't afford it."

"Mum and dad's wedding was OK," Harry told Sirius. "The pastor did the Princess Bride bit. Then I got to have a sleepover at Olivia's house. I wonder what she's doing?"

"Maybe we could look them up," I told Harry. "But some other time. So, Dumbledore. How's tricks?"

Everyone had been more or less avoiding looking at the old man, who was slowly and unenthusiastically eating his pasta under the supervision of Sissy, who was hovering about in the background making disapproving noises whenever Dumbledore stopped eating.

"I am very glad to see you all again," Dumbledore said, wiping his mouth with a napkin held in a trembling hand. "Harry, you've grown into a handsome young man. And I am glad to make the acquaintance of the rest of your children."

"Hi uncle," Marie waved. She looked pointedly at Dumbledore's Creme Brulee. "You eat dat?"

Dumbledore chuckled and made to give it to Marie, but Sissy sniffed and produced another for the girl. Libra, however, pushed it away. "Thank you, Sissy, but she's had quite enough. If you're still hungry, love, you can have some more carrots or ham."

Marie looked disappointed, but accepted the redirection to gnaw on another carrot.

"Everything is prepared for you," Dumbledore continued. "The house is well warded, the staff ready to meet you. I'm glad you had the chance to meet Aurora; she's been teaching astronomy for six years now."

"Seven, Headmaster," Aurora said gently. "Next year will be my eighth."

"Ah, how time passes us all by," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. "Still I-"

"Who knows?" I asked, interrupting him. "Remus is clued in, we did that two years ago. What about others? Snape? McGonagall? The Order?"

Dumbledore paused, his eyebrows furrowing together. "Perhaps now is not the time to discuss-"

"I think it is," Libra interjected. "We're going to be trusting the Hogwarts staff with an awful lot. Perhaps not everyone needs to be fully appraised of everything, but everyone needs to know just what Harry's presence means. Not knowing puts the staff and students at risk. We're not going to suggest you inform the entire student body, but the professors need to know."

"Know what?" Aurora asked, looking between my wife and I and Dumbledore. "Why would the students be in danger? Headmaster, if something is wrong, I have a right to know."

"If Harry's in danger I need to know as well," Sirius growled. "He's my godson."

"Some secrets are best kept hidden," Dumbledore said. "The more that know, the more danger they can be in."

"Neat theory. Tell me, should I have kept it to myself that Sirius was innocent? Should I have never told you that a basilisk was in your school?" I demanded. "People need to know. Not everyone, no need to spread mass panic. But at least some secrets, like why we left Hawaii to come to Hogwarts, need to be made known."

"I-" Dumbledore began, then paused and sighed. "Very well. He is your son. I am no longer as present as I once was. I would urge caution, at least."

"Tom's not dead," I said, looking to Sirius and Aurora. They looked at me blankly, and Libra spoke up.

"He means You-Know-Who. He was banished into a spectral form, but never killed. He will return. Possibly very soon, if he has not already," Libra said.

"What?" Aurora gasped, turning slightly green. She looked to Sirius. "Did you know this?"

"No," Sirius growled, glaring at Lupin and Dumbledore. "But I suspected something was wrong. What was the amulet Regulus had?"

"It was a phylactery known as a Horcrux," Libra said. "It contained a piece of Tom Riddle's soul, anchoring him to this world. Tom Riddle is the true name of You-Know-Who. Most of them have been destroyed. At least two more remain."

"A phylactery? Horcruxes?" Aurora said, looking confused. "I've never heard of such a thing."

"Be grateful," Sirius said, patting her hand. "I hadn't heard those exact terms before, but I've heard about those kind of rituals. They're Dark. The very worst kind of magic."

"And you weren't going to tell us?" Aurora demanded of Dumbledore. "Why?"

"Because Harry is one of them," I answered before Dumbledore could. "And Dumbledore's been researching how to get it out of him before anyone tries something dumb."

"Oh. Oh my God," Aurora gasped. She looked at Harry with wide eyes. "So he-"

"Is going to kick Tom's ass," Harry declared. "I have to beat him. It's the only way to get it out. I'm like, indestructible or something because horcruxes get like a 2 up invul save."

When absolutely no one else got that, I sighed. "I...maybe taught him how to play Warhammer 40k. And Dungeons and Dragons."

"I like the Blood Angels," Harry said happily. "Can wizards get power armor like Librarians? Dad says no but I bet we could make some. Otherwise, I want to be a spellblade like from Eberron."

I coughed. "Um, Harry, I don't think anyone else knows what it is. And don't try to explain it, now's not the time. Basically, I agree we shouldn't tell everyone everyone that Tom's back and Harry's his soul anchor, but the staff need to know. Tom probably isn't aware that he's bound to Harry and is going to try to kill him because of a prophecy."

"Thank you for informing me," Aurora said, sounding slightly dazed. "I...I'm not sure what to do, but I can tell you I'll do everything in my power to keep your son safe. I'm not much of a fighter but-"

"-but we'll do our damnedest," Sirius finished. He nodded to me. "Thanks for trusting me as well. I know...I know our relationship has been a bit rocky. But I swear, I will never let anything happen to Harry so long as I live."

"What of the other matter?" Lupin asked, his eyes fixed on me. "That is perhaps even more dangerous knowledge."

"It is, and it's the sort of thing that people not knowing it won't be in any danger," I said, nodding to Lupin. "Some others will have to be told as it affects them. We'll figure that out later."

Aurora and Sirius both looked curious, but seemed to accept that I would tell them if and when they needed to know.

"Harry will still be safe at Hogwarts," Dumbledore promised. "I shall remain in Hogsmeade, nearby in case of attack. I am not the man I once was, but-"

"But you didn't listen," I growled. "We'll have a talk about that later. It might be my own damned fault, but I thought you had more sense then you're showing." I took a deep breath, and forced myself to calm. "But I do have to thank you. You've worked hard for Harry, and I appreciate you getting Libra and me jobs."

That particular remark really seemed to get everyone's attention, even Libra's. Well, everyone who didn't think using carrots to make little vampire fangs was a good use of your time anyway. Sarah and Marie were both playing with their food, and James was giggling at his sisters making faces with carrots stuck in their mouths.

"Sorry, got to see to the kids," I said, standing and scooping up Marie and James. "Come on Sarah, you're done. Let's go see what Uncle Sirius put in your bedroom."

Libra stayed behind, and later told me that Dumbledore seemed exhausted just by the short conversation. However, he did give her some good information on her estranged family.

Walden was, as I had thought, working for the Ministry. He was still basically their hatchet man when it came to dangerous magical creatures. However, Dumbledore said he'd been demoted and passed over for promotion because it was suspected he'd also murdered several muggle families. No one was able to prove anything, and he had powerful friends (mostly Lucius Malfoy) so he was never fired. Libra's mother was still around, considered a polite society lady who had been tragically brutalized by her husband, who had been a marked Death Eater and had killed her squib daughter.

"Well, she's in for a pleasant surprise then," I said. Libra looked away, and I realized that maybe this wasn't the time for levity. I put my arm around her and drew her close. "Hey, it will be OK. Maybe your mother regrets what she's done, and you can reconcile."

"I don't know that I ever want to see her again," Libra said quietly. She shook her head, then looked at me and tried to smile. "But maybe...I don't know. David, I know this has to be hard for you. You can't ever see your mother again."

"Yeah, I think about that sometimes," I admitted. "But...there isn't any point in dwelling on it."

We sat in silence in our room for a while, until I took a deep breath. "I think I know what's wrong with Dumbledore."

"I was wondering about that. You think it's something you did? David, what if he's just-"

"He took the damned Stone," I growled. "I'd bet just about anything on that. God! Why didn't I see it before? The old fool was always obsessed with the dead and the past. He took the Resurrection Stone!"

"But… I thought it was destroyed," Libra said. "He said he destroyed the Ring Horcrux."

"I'm willing to bet he did, but that the stone wasn't destroyed by whatever they did. It's supposed to be a gift from Death himself. To lure those who gaze into it into Death's realm by showing them visions of their departed loved ones who torment them by calling out for them. You know the story of the Deathly Hallows right?"

"Better than you I should imagine," Libra said. "I was raised on it. But...surely Dumbledore knew it was a fool's errand to use the Stone, that it would only lead to his demise."

"I don't know how long he managed to resist it's lure, but it's obvious that he's fading, and fast. He's probably been looking into the stone for years now. Hopefully, it's not too late, and we can pull him back from the brink. He's vital when it comes to opposing Tom. He's the only wizard strong enough to go toe to toe with him. And this is the year he made his return."

"I'm sure that enough has changed that whatever happened in those books won't this time around," Libra told me. "And perhaps Dumbledore isn't as vital as you seem to think. So much is different, David. Don't let what you think you know blind you to present realties."

"You're right about that. Clearly, things are different. Did you know Amelia Bones is the Minister of Magic?"

"Minister for Magic," Libra corrected. "And no. It was supposed to be Cornelius Fudge wasn't it?"

"Yeah. Honestly, I think having someone else in the job is probably a good thing. Sounds like she's known as the slayer of Supreme Danger Noodle."

"That is an extremely silly name David. Please, when others are about, call it the Serpent of Slytherin. Otherwise you just sound like a moron."

"Funny, I thought I did that anyway," I said, grinning at Libra.

She shook her head and rose. "I'm going to bed. It's such a lovely four poster. Care to join me?"

"Of course, even if you did get me fixed," I said.

"A vasectomy is hardly getting 'fixed.' I would rather regret it if that did ever happen."

Well, I already had a lot of regrets about what had happened. First getting assaulted by Black, now having Dumbledore almost die because of my actions? It sound like maybe I'd jumped before I'd thought to hard.

Authors Note:

I love Molly Weasley's character. I would find her extremely irritating as a person. Thus, while I'm not going to descend into bashing the Weasleys, David and Libra both share a mutual distaste for the Weasley matriarch. Not because she's a bad person, but because her character traits are the kind that would rub them the wrong way.