AN: am i the only one that fanfiction doesn't like? Still can't upload new chapters unless i fiddle around with it and replace an old document in the upload manager

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chapter 28: never judge a book by it's cover

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"there is it"

the trio stood behind a grouping of tree's that made the edge of the evlen forest. The village was a sight to behold, Harry hadn't felt this breath taken by a sight since his first arrival at Hogwarts, even Draco was staring with wide eyes.

The entire village was built ontop of a floating island that hung at least 40 feet above a massive crystal clear lake. From several sides of the floating island were small waterfalls falling from the village and down into the lake.

A few ramps connected the village with the land one of which lead to a tree the likes neither boy had ever seen. From it's massive leaves and branches they could see little white lights floating about half way down before simply vanishing. The tree was surrounded by a shallow lake of it's own with ruined pillars around the edge.

"this looks like something out of lord of the rings."

"yeah...wait?" Harry turned to look at Draco. "how do you know about lord of the rings? Thats a mortal book and movie." Draco blushed a very pretty pink and looked away.

Harry barked out a laugh. "so the great Draco Malfoy watches muggle movies."

"shut up!" he snapped still turning pink.

Sirag looked between the two of them, /these two are insane.../ shaking his head he took a quick look around, it seemed everyone was in the actual village since it was getting late. The sun was already sinking behind the mountains.

"i think it's safe.. do you want to go up and see the mother tree?"

"mother tree? Is that the massive one?" Sirag nodded and moved out from behind the tree's they were hiding behind and headed off towards the mother tree.

Taking a quick look around himself Harry quickly fallowed behind him Draco hot on his heels.

Reaching the edge of the small lake Harry looked up in awe, the tree was even bigger up close. "keep your eyes peeled and ears open." Sirag sat down on the marble border leaning back against one of the decaying pillars.

Nodding the two boys stepped into the water and started to walk around the tree. It's roots were massive and grew up all around it in strange angles. It's lower roots were covered in a thick slick moss.

Walking around towards the ramp that led into the village Harry kept his eyes open for any elves, if Sirag was set on edge by just being in the land he wasn't going to take a chance.

He could feel it, this land didn't want him here but it wasn't kicking him out, at least..not yet.

Looking up at the tree he stopped dead in the water his eyes going wide. "Draco?" jumping off one of the roots Draco moved over to Harry. "what?..the hell?" he looked up and both were now staring at what was unmistakably a figure of a woman, only..she was part of the tree.

"that is the spirit of the mother tree." both boys jumped hearing a female voice behind them. Whipping around they started at the young female that stood at the base of the ramp leading into the village.

She was beautiful, unearthly beautiful. She had long blond hair that flowed down nearly past her ass, it was pined up in a series of braids that were interlaced with ribbons of varying blue. Her eyes were a startling sea blue color. She actually looked kinda like Harry's mother, now that he really looked at her.

Looked over Harry nudged Draco. "your drooling." snapping his mouth shut Draco glared at Harry.

The young elf giggled finding these two to be cute, "I am the high Priestess of Eva, and may i welcome you to the elven village young dark elves, young human." she gave them a gentle smile and looked up at the tree. "beautiful isn't it." she moved past them and into the water, her long dress floating around her giving her an unearthly grace.

Reaching up one of the lights came down and rested on her outstretched hand. Giggling gently once more she let it fall where it disappeared.

Moving over to her the two boys looked up at the falling lights. "i remember my daughter used to love these lights, she would come out here every night."

Draco groaned, that was a boner killer. Go figure this hot women would have a child.

The priestess giggled again looking to Draco, "but i think it was more who was also out here that she would come out to see." walking up to the tree she ran her hand along the roots almost lovingly. "she was so deeply in love with that boy, when ever i come out here i can still see them here together him climbing down from the roots holding one of these lights out to her."

"sounds like they would make a very beautiful couple." Harry said smiling, this woman was very nice.

"love?" turning the trio looked back towards the village, standing at the border to the lake was a young male elf, his short blue blond hair pushed back from his face. His eyes were nearly identical in blue to the women's.

"it's nearly dark, you should not still be out wandering around." the young priestess smiled and moved up to the man. 'of course my dear, i simply came out and greeted our guests. Was telling them about your little one and her love."

the man sighed resting a hand on her head, "you don't need to tell complete strangers about Adiana."

Harry whirled around having been watching the lights once more. "wait.. Adiana?" he ran up to them. The young women smiled. "yes, my daughters name is Adiana." Sirag had moved over from his spot against the pillar, "hello priestess." he said smiling and bowed to her. "hello Sirag, how are your parents?"

"they are doing good, dad has been hanging out with big brother a lot helping to train the newest recruits to the kingdom military."

she smiled and looked back to Harry, "why did you want to know if that was my daughter?" Draco had moved over as well and looked at his partner in crime now. "is she queen of Rune?" Harry asked, Sirag chuckled and moved over to stand next to the priestess. "yep, she's married to my baby brother."

"WHAT!" Harry felt like he was about to faint.

"hey are you alright?"Sirag asked moving up to him and gently took his arm to keep him upright. "hold on, are you the missing prince?" the young man stepped up to them looking at them both. "Harry Claddmtor?" Harry nodded wondering what the hell was going on. "wait Harry? Your my nephew?" Sirag said his blue/gold eyes going wide.

"Boy, your father has been frantic looking for you and your friend here, they sent elites out to every corner of Aden and Elmore looking for you two," the man, Harry's grandfather said sternly looking at them.

"brother has been? I didn't know he was looking for these two, if i had i would have taken them back to the village." Sirag looked over Harry, "he doesn't look like Zaraun."

"Zaraun? Wait, my dad's name is Zerachiel." now Harry was really confused, were there more then one Rune in this world? Sirag gently released him, "Zaraun is your fathers birth name, Zaraun Shyntrak Kenmator. Like all dark elves when he started his training that became his privet name that only a rare few are given permission to call him by. His common name that he gave himself when he left the village was Zerachiel Ezekiel James Claddmtor, that is what the world knows him by."

"and we should head inside and let your father know you are safe, this village is not very receptive to those of the Claddmtor blood line." Harry's grandfather said turning towards the village. The young priestess, his grandmother squealed and grabbed onto Harry tightly hugging him with a strength she didn't look like she was able to possess. "it's so nice to finally be able to hug my little grandson." reaching over she grabbed onto Draco and pulled him into a hug along side Harry and started walking into the village. "and you to little human, you are a pretty one it's rare to see your hair color in humans"

Draco flushed as he was pulled along and looked to Harry like 'what is wrong with this women?' Harry shrugged having no idea, it seemed this women was incapable of feeling anything other then happiness.

Moving up into the kingdom the two boys looked around in amazement, the village once in side was even more amazing then from the ground bellow. At the center of a town was a smaller version of the grand mother tree, though this had no strange women form in it's branches it had the same falling lights.

A elven guard moved past them his sea green eyes glaring at the young boys as he moved past. "Trilthel, what are they doing here? You know their kind are not welcome here."

Harry's grandfather stopped and looked to the guard, "they are our guests, these are just children they will bring no harm to the village."

the guard glared once more at the boys before looking at the leader of their temple knights. "the elders will not be happy to hear that these creatures are in this village, even if they are guests of our highest temple knight and our goddess highest priestess. These cave monkeys should remain in their cave."

Sirag growled darkly unconsciously drawing his weapon, "you want to say that to my face." he started to advance on the guard.

"Trilthel keep your monkey on a leash, he may only be a child but we have no problem disposing of him." instantly both Harry and Draco drew their wands, "touch him and you will drop where you stand." Draco growled already the killing curse on his lips.

"i have to agree with my little brothers friend, you touch my father you can say good bye to your menial existence." purred a dark deadly voice from behind the guard.

The guard instantly froze, there was not a single person in this world that would not recognize that voice. Turning slightly he came face to face with Seraphen and Maiae, two of the most deadly Rune princes.

Both were dressed in dark crystal robes, though Seri wore the dark elven version where Maiae wore the light elven. Both had on hero crowns signifying them as the strongest of their class and had won the gods favors in the hero tournament.

Seri carried his legendary Sword of Miracles, the sword though only high A grade was enchanted so far that it was the most powerful weapon in the world. Black and blue flames wrapped around the blade of the sword and it's power could be felt radiating from it.

Maiae held an Infinity rod, a mystic weapon handed out only to winners of the hero tournament. The weapon was obvious with it's brilliant gold work and the golden glow that radiated off of it. Both Claddmtor's were facing off with the guard who was not backing down, but you could see the smallest of quakes moving through his body.

Smirking darkly Seri stepped forward his golden/blue eyes filled with an evil malice.

Wait? Golden blue? Harry looked at his adopted brother harder, Seri's eyes had always been like Sirag's, blue with gold flecks, now they were the opposite, gold with blue flecks.

His fathers words of warning came back to him and he swallowed hard. Seri had split personalities, when they switched the only out ward signal was his eyes. The gold in his eyes over took the blue, oh fuck..this wasn't Seri, this was Duzial, and Duzial had a personality and blood lust to rival Bloods.

"so are you going to back down? Or do we have to feed you to Maiae's little pet." the guard instantly paled at this and slowly started to back off.

Even though he was backing off, more guards had appeared at the sound of a disturbance in the village. They all had swords and bows drawn, "you need to leave the village." what was obviously the head guard said moving to the front of the group.

"you dare order me out of your village?" Maiae said his violet eyes narrowing in pure hatred, "the husband of your goddess." the head guard faltered for a minute at this, but quickly regained his composure. "husband or not, you are still a blood of the forbidden race, your kind is not allowed in our holy village."

"holy village, there is nothing holy about it!" Sirag growled, "come on you two." the priestess said gently pulling the two boys away and towards their house. "but what about my brothers?" Harry asked wanting to stay and help them. "trust me, those guards are not match for Maiae let only Duzial, they will be fine."

as if to prove that point they were able to sneak away with out a single glance in their direction, it would see the guards were now more worried about the two S grade Hero Claddmtor's standing in their village then a couple non grades, or in Draco's case a human wizard.

"Halt!" well so much for sneaking away.

Several guards now blocked their way, "please move aside, these are simply young children" the priestess said setting a hand gently on the boys shoulders.

"i'm sorry priestess, but orders are orders." the guards moved forward to take the boys.

Growling Draco pulled away and raised his wand, "CRUCIO!" Harry's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as a massive fireball erupted from Draco's wand and slammed into one of the elves chest sending him flying backwards into his companions.

Draco looked at his wand his silver eyes wide. That had not been the Cruciatus curse, hell he didn't even know what it was.

"ohh a sorcerer." the priestess purred wrapping her arms around Draco. "your so cute."

the one guard sat up rubbing his chest, there was a big burn mark across his armor where Draco's attack had hit. "what are you all standing around for? Seize them!"

the guards all rushed forward weapons drawn.

Just before they reached the trio a massive creature appeared between the two groups it floated silently it's long tattered robes ending several inches from the ground.

The guards instantly hit the breaks stopping just a few short feet from the monster. "fall back! There is a soultaker here!" the group turned and ran like a bunch of little sissy's

"hurry boys we are almost to our house." taking their hand Harry's grandmother ran off towards the edge of the village, that weird monster floated behind them keeping the guards away.

Reaching one of the largest houses in the village Harry's grandmother ushered them inside. "stay out here and protect us okay!" she said smiling up at the summon. As if it understood her it turned facing away from her and blocked the door with it's massive frame.

Shutting the door behind her she moved in and pulled her short cloak off and hung it up. "don't worry you are safe here, no guard is allowed inside the high priestess residence." she moved off into the house as if there wasn't a giant battle between the guards and there family raging on outside.

"do you boys like tea? I am afraid we are a little more old fashioned then your fathers kingdom Harry."

slowly putting his wand away Harry moved into the house, "that's fine." he said looking around. The house was very modest, it was decorated simply with a very earthly feel to it.

Moving into what had to be the living room he stopped seeing the placed was covered in framed pictures, all of them seemed to center around two people. His mother and father.

One of them caught his attention instantly, kind hard not to since it was the largest and placed right over the hearth.

It showed the mother tree at night, it's lights glowing even in the painting. At the base of the tree to the left side of the painting it showed a young girl in a white dressing gown holding onto one of the lights. Her blond hair was pulled into little pig tails on each side of her head, she was currently looking up at a taller boy with shock and surprise in her eyes. Was amazing how the painting captured that look on the little girl. Directly across from her was that taller older boy, he looked to be only a few years older then her, his skin was tan but you could see ashen tones mixed into the flesh, his long crimson hair was hanging limply around him showing it was wet, he looked confused and slightly embarrassed. He was in slightly dirty tunic and holed pants.

On the right side of the painting were the same two elves, only much older and the contrast between the two was immense. This one his parents were dressed in their royal clothes, his mother a beautiful Italian style Renaissance dress in shades of blue, his father in a long shirt in a similar style in shades of teal greens. Zera had an arm wrapped around his wife holding her close and was holding out the light for her to take. The love in their eyes was obvious.

"that painting was given to us shortly after we were told our little star was pregnant with you."

pulling himself away from the picture Harry looked over to his grandmother as she set a tray of tea on the small wooden coffee table. "the picture on the left was them as children, in fact that was the last day that Zerachiel was in the village, shortly after that Fayla took Zera away and no one saw him again until he was Lord. The second was the day they came to the village to inform us she was pregnant with you." she giggled looking at the painting. "they stopped at the tree first, when we found them we knew instantly why they were here.." she pointed up to the painting primarily Zerachiel's hand placement. The hand that was wrapped around Adiana was resting right across her lower stomach, right where a baby sat.

"he was always fiercely protective of Adiana when she was pregnant. His hand would always rest there when he was holding her."

Draco was looking over the pictures as well, "she is beautiful, your daughter." she smiled pouring tea for them. "thank you, oh i guess i should get more cups." she giggled and stood up heading back into the kitchen.

Seconds after she disappeared the front door opened and in walked the four males that had remained outside. "and this is why i hate this place with a passion." Sirag growled setting his weapon against a wooden stand that looked set up just for that reason.

"they are not all that bad." Trilthel said a disapproving note in his voice, "yes they are!" walking over to the couch he flopped down into it.

"Come on dad, it's not all bad." a very now Seri leaned his SOM next to Sirag's weapon and moved over to the couch and sat next to him. The minute he released the weapon the fire around it disappeared, you would have never guessed it was the highest enchanted weapon in the world just by looking at it now.

Maiae shut the door behind him and sighed summoning his weapon back into an unseen charm deep in his skin. "what a mess.." desummoning his armor Maiae moved over to the couch next to his little brother and looked down at Harry and Draco. "i hope the two of you have your groveling knee pads on, you two are both in deep shit when we get back to Rune. Mother has been worried sick about you. And you." he turned on Draco causing the boy to stiffen up instantly. "worried your parents nearly the death, your mother has been crying all day."

"it wasn't our fault Maiae, we didn't know that scroll was going to take us away from Hogwarts." Harry tried to explain but shut his mouth at the glare his brother sent him. Maiae might have had their mothers personality most the time but he was just as nasty as their father when mad.

"now now children, all is well Harry and Draco were in no way harmed and that is what should count."

"CAKE!"

Adiana's mother giggled and held out a plate of chocolate cake out seconds before Seri tackled her. Avoiding her Seri grabbed the plate with a whole cake on it and disappeared to the corner of the house and started to eat like there was no tomorrow.

Draco stared at him in horror but was the only one as the rest of the family was more then used to the cobra's wild eating habit when it came to sugar.

"alright i know i am new to this, but what is up with him?"

"Split personalities." Maiae said picking up a cup and sat down next to his little brother. "according to Dad he's had the split since his future wife and unborn were murdered in front of him."

Harry looked back at his adopted brother, a twang of pain going through his heart. Seri had always been this gentle kind man that had been very helpful with him around the castle and had welcomed him in as his brother with open arms. He never dreamed he had seen that type of horror in his life, also shocked him that at once point he slept with a girl! He always figured Seri was gay, not turned gay.

"you have Seri, which is who you see now. Childish to the core it's like he's mentally stuck at the age of twelve in some sense. He's very wise but he will be the first to instigate a snow ball fight. He is 100% addicted to sugar, it's rare to not see him running around without something sweet sticking out of his mouth. Then you have Duzial." Maiae took a sip of his tea and took an offered sweet cake from his grandmother. "he's Seri's nuker side, evil to the core that one, thankfully he doesn't come out that often. He is the one that killed half of Aden with a single hurricane attack."

Trilthel coughed hard and sat up from his spot next to the fire. He had not heard that story yet, he looked to the boy that was now covered head to toe in chocolate.

"alot of it comes from his SOM, but a lot of it comes from his blood line, isn't that right uncle Sirag."

Sirag smirked from his spot on the couch, "of course, my son is powerful just like me."

"hold up, how old are you?" Draco asked, it was obvious Seri was a higher class then Sirag. That didn't make an ounce of sense that this was Seri's father.

"17, this time.."

"this time?"

"yes, i have been reborn. I was killed by my brother the day my son was born, i won't get into the details as to why Zaraun killed me but." he looked back at his son before taking a cookie from a plate. "i was nearly 800 years older then Zaraun when he was born and Zaraun was just slightly over a 150 when he killed me. I was already S grade by that time so because i did i was given a second chance at life by the fates just like my parents, though unlike my parents who were simply put back in their bodies i was reborn a new." he shrugged as if this type of thing was highly common. Though the more Draco learned of this world the more he was able to believe it was a common thing.

Adiana's mother walked back out holding two more cups for tea. "what are those for love?" Trilthel asked his wife did strange things at times.

"for our two new guests, i am sure they are tired and thirsty.."

"two new gue..." he stopped mid sentence as there was a gentle knock on the door. Setting the cups down she bustled off to the front door.

The others turned around but a small wall was blocking their view of the front door.

"why you two looks exhausted, where did you two port into? You look like you have been running for hours."

"Dark elven village, we have been running since the cave entrance."

Sirag sat up recognizing that deep voice easily. "Dad we're in here!" he called out.

"come sit down, Zaraun i don't know why your panting you stopped needing to breath years ago."

"old habits die hard.."

oh shit..Harry unconsciously shrunk down in his seat hearing his fathers voice. Why he was hiding he didn't know it just seemed like the thing to do.

"you two both need a shower, your sweaty." the priestess moved back into the room and over to a pitcher of water that had been placed with the tea.

From around the wall walked both Ranzus and Zerachiel, still in full armor though they had laid their weapons down with the rest.

"hey dad, we found them." Seri said having cleaned himself up, walking over he wrapped his arms around Zerachiel and nuzzled against him not caring that he was sweaty from the run. Ranzus not caring that he looked like a wreck stumbled into the room and collapsed onto the couch next to his child. "i haven't sprinted that long in my life.." both men had full out sprinted from the boys battle ground to the village bridge, they had only stopped for a minute to figure out that Seri had indeed taken them into the village. Zera set a blistering pace.

Patting his son's head Zera pulled away and moved over to the couch where he collapsed down in front of his youngest and pulled him off and into his arms.

Shocked Harry looked up at his father, he had expected to get yelled at not pulled into a bone crushing hug.

Closing his eyes he rest his head against the hard armor that covered his fathers shoulder and wrapped his arms the best he could around the plated waist.

He was safe now.

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AN: haha fanfiction is working again! remember check my live journal for pictures! oh and i posted a picture of seri in my profile..didn't realize i didn't have him up.