Ash Tree
A/N: I am no Frau. She was the language person. So please forgive my poor attempt at an Irish brogue. Special thanks to Miriam1 for her editing skills. Sorry this is late. We were hit with a ice/snow storm over the weekend and it wasn't safe to drive.
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Chapter 13
Harry entered the Great Hall as breakfast was finishing, still fuming from the meeting that morning in the Headmaster's office.
Of course, he was accosted by both Hermione and Ginny the moment they spotted him. Ron, however, was sitting down the table with Lavender draped over his one shoulder as he was busy shoveling food into his mouth.
"Where were you, Harry!?" Hermione demanded of him as he sat down beside her. "You weren't in the dorm last night! Don't you know I was very worried about you!?"
"Harry! How could you shame my parents like that!?" Ginny demanded. "Mum has been working on our wedding for over a year now! We are going to get married right after I leave Hogwarts! Dumbledore and Mum promised!"
Harry sighed and was very thankful that he had already eaten before entering the Great Hall. He was only there to receive his timetable for classes and that was it.
"First, Hermione, I was taking care of matters that are not your concern. I had already sent a letter explaining I would be late to Professor McGonagall two days ago." Harry attempted to explain to the lesser of the demands. "I'm sorry, I forgot, in all the excitement, to mention I won't be sleeping in the dorm this year. I will no longer share my life with people who have no concept of privacy."
Along the Gryffindor table were protests and denials.
Ignoring the others, Harry gave a very pointed glare at his very over-inquisitive classmate. He wasn't sure he could remain friends with her. Hermione was "too logical" for the wild magic to work, plus she was becoming more and more hide-bound. She just was too book-bound to use her creativity. He did love her like a sister and really hoped and wanted to keep their friendship.
He gave a mental sigh as he glanced over to Ginny. Now for the more explosive demands.
"And…" He turned to the pert little redhead. "…you can blame your parents and the headmaster for that embarrassment, Miss Weasley!
"Albus Dumbledore had no right, legally or magically, to create that marriage contract with your mother, who also had no legal right to agree to it. Dumbledore is not, never has been, my true magical guardian! No matter what the he or the Wizengamot voted. Potter Family Magicke doesn't recognized him. Even if he did use my blood to create that document, he had no right. Family Magicke didn't allow it."
He glared down at the fuming redhead, as he continued. "I also must point out! He may have had my blood; it was never freely given. Meaning, I never consented to him taking it, no matter how old or young I was at the time!"
He scowled at the pair as his voice carried in the now silent Hall. "Also! That contract, by Potter Family Magicke, needed to be sealed and approved by the Head of the Potter family, which it was not!
"And we both know that my father and my grandfather are both dead, and I was underage and uneligible to claim Headship at that time. Once I come of age and according to Potter Family Magicke, I have to ratify that contract, which I refused! I personally tore up the contract in front of my Potter Account Manager, when he presented it to me and urged me to declare Line Theft!" Harry explain as if he was talking to a slow-witted child as he tried to contain his anger at the situation before continuing,
"Even if Dumbledore had been my magical-sworn regent, he still did not have the power or the right to create it. Therefore…" he stopped and took a deep breath as he repeated so to get the point across, "… your mother, Molly Weasley, and Albus Dumbledore committed line-theft and are in danger of losing their magic. I have the right to bring the matter in front of the Wizengamot. Not only would your family be shamed, your parents, especially you mother, would face prison time."
"But Harry . . .?" Hermione started to ask, as Ginny turned very pale, glancing around for her brother to help her, who was still busy eating.
Ginny burst into tears as she realized her dreams of being Lady Potter were dissolving before her eyes. Many of the pure-bloods near them nodded in agreement.
Ron, alone, finally came over to place a hand on her shoulder with a chicken leg in the other. His face red with anger, just as he was ready to shout at Harry, he was stopped from saying something when . . .
"He's right, you know," came another voice. "I'm surprised that the headmaster and Mrs. Weasley still have their magic over this. Line-theft is a very serious matter. The Weasleys could find themselves involved in another blood-feud if they are not careful."
Harry gave a nod and a gesture to join him to Neville, who came up behind them as he ignored the two siblings. "I have always wondered that, myself."
"I don't understand," Hermione looked between the two confused and a bit worried as Ron glared at his supposedly 'best friend.'
Neville settled across from Hermione and took up the conversation. "The headmaster was granted guardianship over Harry after sealing his parents' will. So, it was unclear, according to my Gran, who was Harry's true magical guardian. My mother, according to my Gran, swore to be Harry's godmother. No one ever said who was Harry's godfather…"
"Which was Sirius Black, before he died. Thankfully, I was able to prove I am emancipated by British and pure-blood laws," Harry interjected.
"That explains much," Neville gave Harry a nod. "The godfather ritual is one of the most sacred rituals still practiced today. Both my magical godparents were killed in the last war so I have no one, since my parents are as good as dead."
"But…" Hermione looked at the two still confused.
Ginny was crying into Ron's shoulder as her brother was turning redder and redder with anger. The half-eaten chicken leg lay forgotten on the floor.
"The headmaster took it upon himself to be my magical guardian, and denied my magical-sworn godfather his right and duty. I'm also surprised Sirius still had his magic to the very end. It does explain his insanity."
"That's...that goes against the Ancient Laws of Magicke!" Neville exclaimed with a look of abject horror. Gasps of horror echoed around them.
Harry nodded, with a look of contempt as the two pathetic red heads. "I know."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The small clearing, where once a large web nest of over-sized spiders once lived, was now completely cleared and was slowly recovering. In a small corner in that clearing, well tucked into the shade and shadows, was a well-worn wizard tent. No oakshee stood guard over it this time.
As the morning dew was slowly being burned off by what morning sun could peek through the foliage, sounds of metal against metal rang out.
A teenager was being tortured under the disguise of sword training by his true magical guardian/guardsman Glenndaugion. Small voices shouted encouragement and good-hearted insults at the pair.
Landing hard, Maethorion gave a grunt in pain as a little chuckle echoed across clearing.
"You are improving, Maethorion," Glenndaugion commented as he offered a hand up. "Very well done!"
"But I still can't beat you!"
A bell-like laughter filled the clearing. "It will be centuries before you can best father's general of the guards, melda heru*," came the amused voice of Lithôniel.
Taking the offered hand of his mentor and guardian, Maethorion heaved himself up onto his feet. "I think you're right, melda heri. I can sure try, you know." He walked over to his betrothed, giving her a huge hug, causing the clearing to echo her squeal of delight.
There was a rustle of leaves causing the trio to turn to the new presence.
A small blonde, wearing Ravenclaw robes, walked into the clearing. In her hair was Princess Jessica, while on her shoulder was Lady Margaret. Both fairies seem to be enjoying visiting with their new human friend.
Harry groaned softly. He should've known.
"Ah, there you are," she stated as Jessica flew up into the air, while the older fairy remained seated.
"Hello, Luna. I see you made a new friend."
"Hello, Harry, or should I say: Lord Maethorion? And yes. I found her as I was going to feed the Thestrals. It's sad that trooping fairies no longer grace Hogwarts..." Luna paused then started to clap with glee. "Ohhhhh…You have found your life-mate. She'll be good for you!"
"Maethorion?" Lithôniel asked as she stepped to stand beside him.
Harry put his arm around her as he introduced his ethereal friend. "Melda heri, this is Luna Lovegood. Remember I told you about her?"
"Ah yes, the young seer. Yes, I can see it in her eyes. Welcome Lady Luna. I am Princess Lithôniel, daughter of King Arahil of the Elfhame Sun Valley, Underhill. This is Glenndaugion, retired general of my father's warriors, also mine and Maethorion's magical sworn guardian. Delighted am I to finally meet one of my beloved's friends."
Luna gave a deep curtsy as Jessica flew back into the girl's hair. "Well, met, Your Highness. I'm Luna Lovegood, daughter of Xenophilius and Pandora, heir to the Lovegood family. I inherited my seeing abilities from my mother's side of the family. I just knew that Harry would one day break from the old bumblebee and seek you out."
Harry and Glenndaugion glanced at each other, as Lithôniel invited the ethereal Ravenclaw into their tent for a spot of tea. Both had been concerned for the princess with only Jessica and her chaperon for companions.
"Luna will be good for her. I was a bit worried if Lithôniel would make friends here. Wizards can be very fastidious about who they associate with," Harry commented as he waved his hand to repair the damage to the clearing caused by their sparring and to clean himself up before following his betroth into the tent.
Glenndaugion gave a snort at the understatement.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Night had fallen, and inside, six small figures moved in the shadows of the sleeping castle. Reaching the entrance to the headmaster's office, Mickey and his three of his friends split with Gen. Bulstrode and Barney. The younger leprechaun had befriended the retired fairy general at Mickey's wedding.
The general had been bemoaning that there would be no more war as he sulked in the corner out of the way. Suddenly, Barney found himself volunteered to help Gen. Bulstrode write his memoirs, "How I saved the World and Other Fairy Stories."
In fact, Mickey and company found the dignified trooping fairy quite entertaining, much to Jessica's amusement, since he was her uncle on her mother's side.
Micky, Sean, and Jericho silently made their way up the hidden stairs to the headmaster's office while Bulstrode and Barney made their way to Wardstone hidden under the office.
Their missions were simple: Find out just how badly magic had been corrupted and fading.
Micky and his friends quietly entered the headmaster's office and gasped at how cluttered it was.
"'ow 're we ta find anything 'ere?" asked Jericho.
"Hush or 'em paintings will hear us."
Suddenly, a beautiful warble filled the office, causing the trio to look up at the magnificent sight of a phoenix.
"Well, I'll be..." Sean whistled as Mickey pushed his cap off his forehead.
"Hello, Fawkes, Harry said we would find you here," Micky greeted with a sweeping bow. "Mind if me and my mates come 'n take the weight off? We would like ta ask ya a few questions. Harry said ya wouldn't mind a bit."
The fiery bird warbled again, making room on his perch. Surprisingly, the paintings of the former headmasters and mistresses never noticed the trio, as they sat with the lonely bird and chewed the fat, as it were, getting sloshed as they gossiped.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Gen. Bulstrode and Barney found the stone and they were shocked at how badly the magic arching off it.
"Someone has badly messed up the runes on this thing," the aged general commented with disgust. "I'm no expert, lad, but this is very bad."
"Can we fix it?" asked the young leprechaun.
"It'll take a miracle, lad. A miracle."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Harry sat in front of his tent, waiting for the fairies and leprechauns to return from their mission. His time among the elves as well as his bond with Lithôniel had caused his need for sleep to become less and less.
"Are they back yet?" came the soft bell-like tones of his beloved from inside.
"Not yet, and it's too soon to worry."
She came to sit beside him and placed a hand of comfort on his knee. "Do not worry, melda heru. They can take care of themselves."
Harry chuckled. "They're leprechauns, melda heri. Mischief and trouble are their nature. I'm more worried about the castle still standing in the morning."
His heart lifted at the sound of her laughter.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
A/N: Sorry about the typos in the last chapter. I'll fix them soonish.
For the comments that the last chapter seemed rushed, well, I don't have Frau any more. She was the one that filled in details as needed. I keep urging Miriam to do it and she does from time to time or I would completely be lost.
(You're very welcome, my friend. – Miriam)
Anyways, thanks for the comments. Until next time. – GF and Miriam1
melda heru/melda heri – beloved lord/lady