Chapter 36 – Time heals most wounds

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Time seemed to move along at a snail's pace, at least the stupid tri-wizard tournament was finished and tomorrow we would take the train and start our summer vacation. So what do I get? Another summons to Dumbledore's office. Fudge was classifying everything that had the words graveyard or He-Who-Can't-be-Named. I figured he was determined to keep his job by portraying a peaceful world to his constituents. Besides if funding was required to fight a new war they would probably find there was no money in the ministrys coffers, Fudge had either spent it all or it was tucked away in his private vaults. I was hoping that this meeting was not another Fudg'ed up meeting.

As I entered Dumbledore's office I was somewhat taken aback by all the females in the room. The only one missing was Trelawney which was not bothering me in the least.

"Harry please take a seat as we have some disturbing news. The teaching staff here at Hogwarts are well aware of the feelings that you had for Hermione Granger."

Before my brains could get further than, "F-Feelings? Had? What was this malarkey she is my wife... Dumbledore continued. "It's my sad duty to inform you that Hermione Granger was found in the library, an apparent victim of the killing curse." About then my mind pretty much shut down.

Apparently my feelings were not of high importance as I got to sit there while the activity in the room increased significantly. While my brain was trying to process what I just heard and my feelings I did hear scattered bits of information from the many discussions that were occurring in Dumbledore's office…

"We have no leads on who committed the crime…"Came from Madam Bones.

"Sirius Black is not available won't be for a number of months…" Professor McGonagall explained.

"Precisely why we are taking over as his guardian, he'll spend the summer at the Burrow…" This came from Dumbledore.

"Excellent idea, getting him around purebloods…"Came from some female voice.

"My thoughts exactly, Molly's younger daughter has a high interest in our Mr. Potter…"

"The body was delivered to the funeral parlor that the Grangers specified…

About then my brain cleared a little and I got the room's attention by the POP I left behind. I grabbed my basically packed trunk and the Grangers found me crying on their front doorstep. The next week I was pretty much in a fog which I spent in a Muggle hotel feeling sorry for myself, wondering were Sirius was when I needed him most or I was in a murderous rage. The few times I visited Madame Bones only to received the same information, nobody knew anything. The fog lifted when I found myself crying in another graveyard as they buried Hermione. Seeing Dumbledore, Lupin and Snape heading in my direction was the last straw…POP!

Caledor met me on my arrival and I gave my thoughts and all the details that I had.

"My condolences Harry. I would recommend a couple of things. First you need to keep it together and stop by the goblin bank and let them know what's going on. It's better to stop an action than try to correct the completed action later. Once you come back here I will assign you quarters and have a couple of our females stop by for a chat. Our race is like yours, males are no good with emotions. Thirdly should you have any built up anger I will have one of our sword Masters provide some anger relief training.

/Scene Break/

Caledor was right, the goblins locked down everything everyone was trying to get their fingers into, at least until Sirius returned. The ladies that Caledor sent did help me talk through my emotions and my "what if's" but that left my anger. For about the next week I was moping around feeling sorry for myself yet seething with anger. Who had killed Hermione why hadn't someone done something about it. I had three distinct suspects but that made me all the more angry as I couldn't kill three to get one.

I wasn't paying attention to how much time had passed my anger was growing and that's when Loren stepped into my life. While most female elves had white or blonde hair their ears came in assorted varieties. Loren's ears were almost human and mostly covered by her waist length blonde hair but the ears were still pointed. She was as tall as I was with the body that every male dreams about to the point that I almost missed the sword strapped to her back.

"Caledor asked me to stop by and see if you wish to learn how to fight with a sword. Caledor says it could help with releasing your anger."

I remembered Caledor having said something about a sword master and anger management when I first arrived. I'm sure my face and body language told her that I was quite skeptical. Hell this was just a wisp of a girl in an incredible body but this just brought my anger to the forefront. I do not have anything to release my frustration and anger upon and Caledor sends me something this fragile.

The next thing I know I'm being led to, oh the view of her swaying rear, the armory.

I ended up with some light weight saber type sword and standing in front of her. She was giving me instructions when I blurted out, "Look there's no way I'm going to be slashing and hacking at you, I am angry but I don't want to hurt you."

"Why don't you get your nose out of your fantasy book and smell the real world." She replied.

I use to tell Hermione to get her nose out of her book and for whatever reason I let my anger go crazy. I started slashing and hacking with the intent of doing some real damage. How dare she?

I never laid a blade on her but Loren kept slapping me with the flat part of her sword till I was covered with bruises. Loren continued to teach me for many days and it was good anger management. After a while it turned into a routine that I look forward to each day. I rose early in the morning and Loren and I went for a run. After breakfast she instructed be on different sword techniques followed by an hour of actual swordplay. After lunch it was more instruction and more swordplay. Swordplay was a bit of a misnomer as applied to me, this was a sword master teaching a novice, me.

It was long into the months of training when I asked, "Why are you putting up with me"?

"Harry this is complicated and involved. To start with Caledor asked me and of course there is the high elf prophecy concerning you. Then there is my pride as a master to be able to teach you the proper use of the sword. Now it is because I like you and you're nice to be around you. Even if you are grumpy sometimes."

"I enjoy being with you also Loren but in about a month I'm going to have to go back to Hogwarts."

Loren started giggling and almost melodic way, "Harry you do realize this is the high elf domain. In all your time here you have probably been gone from Hogwarts for a week."

I had not been keeping track of time but I knew I was here in the village for months. The best I could figure out was time almost stopped here or the Hogwarts time slowed to a snail's pace. This brought about a couple questions on my part, if time slowed inside the village did aging also slow in the village. The explanations I got led me to the conclusion that aging was minimal to a point that those outside the village could die of old age while those in the village barely aged. I decided to drop thinking of something that was going to give me a whopping headache. It was a conundrum with no answer that I could fathom.

"So you see Harry you been here for about a year from the Hogwarts perspective you've only been gone a little bit of time."

In those few words Loren reminded me of being at the Grangers explaining to Hermione that she was a witch and Caledor stating I would return almost at the same time. Hermione, Merlin I wish we had had the time and our future together.

Loren must have noticed my mood as she put her arm around my shoulder and drawing me to her. As I looked at her my eyes fell to her lips as her lips drew closer. I leaned forward and her lips met mine and all hell broke loose. While Loren and I were trying to eat each other's face off Caledor and three others came racing in to break us apart. Apparently breaking us apart took quite a bit of manpower and then came an explanation of sorts.

"Harry get a hold of yourself! This part of the elfin prophecy apparently has been fulfilled however there are certain protocols that must be met."

Talk about being swept off your feet. Caledor had Loren removed and I was pushed into a chair. All I could think was, what the hell just happened?

"Harry we're hidden away from you humans for a number of reasons. Humans have their bigotry and thoughts of being better than us yet we control the Ley lines. We have no wish to destroy other magical beings. What you just encountered is one reason we are hid away from each other. However there is a number of other prophecies! We shall not inform you of their entire contents because only half of one has been fulfilled. The fulfilled half states of a joined union between a magical human and a high elf. I will provide you with a new sword trainer while we prepare for the joining ceremony."

Slowly the day started to wind down as a thought about what had happened since I had decided to come and stay in the Elvin town. Memories of my beautiful Hermione were carefully being stored and tucked away during this time. I knew of many what if's but that led nowhere, Hermione was gone I was making a mental list of who could have done such a thing. Then I wondered what could make Sirius go away for an extended period of time? When I got back I need to do some serious investigation if Sirius was not waiting for me. It suddenly dawned on me that I had been here more than the time I thought. After all I hadn't been marking off the dates on a calendar. While I thought I did come to one conclusion, I was getting nowhere. I needed to get on with life.

/Scene Break/

Caledor has said protocols but that really didn't cover the bonding ceremony. The ceremony was conducted by the head of goblins, a druid from Belgium, and a high elf that reminded me of the 900-year-old martial arts master in a high elf body. Then there were the attendees. If I was expecting some formal small group attending a wedding I would be and was totally surprised. First off the wedding was conducted on the stage in the middle of an open field. The field was full with attendees. I spied a centaur next to a vampire that had a pixie sitting on his shoulder. Unicorns seem to be communicating with a Pegasus. Apparently if it had a brain and was magical the species had sent a representative to the ceremony. And then Loren arrived.

/Scene Break/

I'm not necessarily sure if there was a ceremony conducted and if it was extremely long or it was extremely short. Taking her into my arms, I kissed her deeply. About then I think we were transported to a bedroom where lust, sex, and desire was expressed in the extreme. I'm not sure if a day or year transpired, finally the daze cleared.

"You were saying?" With a dazed expression, she asked,

"I don't know. What was I saying?"

"That you love me desperately and lust after my body."

"I love you, and do I ever." I was going to need to sit down with Caledor and have him explain what was going on, that was not a normal honeymoon.

"Well let's clean up and see what the world outside has for us." Although I heard what she said I was still lost in her blue eyes.

Harry, Loren, are you two ready to go to work? Caledor asked as he smiled knowingly.

"And what you have in mind?" I asked.

"Why you two are going to Hogwarts for schooling don't you know?"

"How in the hell is that going to work? One look at her and they will know she's a high elf and that can only cause super troubles and problems." I growled.

"One should take a look at your bride and tell me what will give her away as being a high elf?" I wasn't sure that Caledor smile could get any larger, surely it was quite obvious.

One look at Loren and I saw her lovely ears were no longer pointed and looked human like. I know I said it out loud but I really meant it, "What have you done, I liked nibbling on those ears." The answer I got was a super kiss from Loren.

"The goblins have informed Hogwarts that Lord and Lady Potter shall be attending and require adequate quarters. Might I suggest you make up a story on how you met, fell in love and got married? When you return, I might recommend that you hide out in Black manor as you only disappeared from Hogwarts for a part of summer break." Caledor now broke out in full laughter.