DOMHAIL

It was not long before they heard the crunching of snow growing louder. Four ordinary looking horses in two rows of two were approaching and slowing down, attached to a cart that seemed more suited for hay than people. Leading the horses was a strong looking man with a lantern beside him. As soon as the horses came to a complete stop, the man lifted the lantern out toward them.

"Theh yeh ah," he said in a gruff voice, dripping with the syllable collapses and minimalistic vowels of a thick Scottish accent, "hurry, lest yeh freeze out 'ere." He then put the lantern down, descended to the footboard and hopped down off of the carriage, his boots making deep prints in the snow as he landed. Jana darted swiftly from Christoph's side and leaped into the man's arms.

The man who they had gathered was Jana and Christoph's father, known to them as Mr. McKeely, pulled Jana's bundled figure into his arms. He took her face into his large soft hands and stared into her eyes for a moment, with a regretful smile. Harry gathered from his expression, that it has felt like years for him, that he has seen his daughter.

"Yeh safe, yeh safe…" he mumbled, stroking her hair. Harry immediately moved forward to greet the man.

"I'm Harry Potter." Mr. McKeely gave him a firm handshake.

"I know who yeh are," Mr. McKeely grinned, clasping Harry's hand with both of his. It was a smile that many people gave him when meeting him at last. The sort of smile someone makes when they've seen something they've sought after a long time. He leaned in close and whispered, "Thank you." Harry just nodded. Harry wondered what exactly it was Mr. McKeely was thanking him for. Hermione was next to approach the tall man. She put her hand out to shake his as well.

"Hermione, Hermione Granger," she smiled.

Mr. McKeely took her mitten hand into his gently, barely squeezing it, "I've hehd much of yeh." Hermione turned her head to the side and looked passed him a little surprised.

Ron was next to come up to him, "Ron Weasley," he nearly declared, sticking his hand out like the others.

Mr. McKeely grinned from ear to ear, "Ah, Weasley," he buoyed, "How is Molly?" Ron's eyebrows raised immediately, shocked to hear that this man knew his mother. "Mum?" he stumbled, "Good…good…"

"Glad to hea ih!" Mr. McKeely nodded, patting Ron's shoulder. Ron bopped his head up and down unconvincingly, acting as if he were right on board as to what the connection was between them as he went to join the other three. Harry had a subaudition, as he wondered what Jana could have possibly said to her father about them that had evoked these responses. Christoph embraced his father tightly and did not let go for quite some time.

Mr. McKeely patted his head, "My boy…" they heard him say. Soon the carriage began moving and Christoph soon appeared in the cart.

"I know its cold," Christoph kneeled down to sit with them, "but the house isn't far." Harry was not sure if he was hot or cold, he just kept looking around the carriage. It was like a farming flat bed, hard and firm. He then peered over at Jana who was curled up in the farthest corner, fast asleep.

"Sorry, we have to blend in with the muggles," Christoph explained.

"Muggles? Yeh see 'em, bubba?" Mr. McKeeley's voice called suddenly.

"No, father, none!" Christoph called back. Listening to the two of them speak to one another was such a juxtaposition. Harry never really noticed how posh Christoph sounded until he heard it side by side with this man. What made it more strange was that this conversation was between a father and his son, well, kind of. If anything, it just made Christoph sound more pompous than he usually did, and it irritated Harry thoroughly.

They were all very tired from their trip and began to nod off. Harry began a dream, but it was soon interrupted when he felt a tap on his shoulder that woke him up with a start.

"We're here!" Christoph's voice came. Harry squinted his eyes a few times to bring his surroundings into focus and saw a burgundy blur go past him, which when materialized he realized was Jana's coat. Harry managed to get up and gather his things. He saw that everyone else was down on the snow covered ground in front of a strip of shops. This shocked them, as they were expecting to see a house when they piled out, Christoph had said that there were 'here'. There was not a person around, and the street lights were sparse. One thing Harry knew for sure, was that they were not in the wizarding world, but in the muggle world. There was the unmistakable sound of poorly maintained street lights buzzing, cars parked and fire hydrants along the seemingly endless road and sidewalks on either side of them. This block was unusually dark.

"Come along," Mr. McKeely's gruff voice whispered as he walked toward the glass door of what looked like an antiques shop. Expecting that he would do something to unlock the store that was obviously closed for the night, Harry watched patiently, but jumped back in shock as Mr. McKeely disappeared straight through the glass.

"H-how-" Harry stuttered, but before he could finish he felt someone push him through the glass as well.

"Nox."

The dim light he had been thrown into turned immediately pitch black. He heard a few steps behind him and realized that the rest of his crew had made it through the antique shop door. There was a bit of rustling and then a scuffling of feet.

"Lumos."

Everyone came into view suddenly, and Mr. McKeely was standing almost at attention in the middle of the shop with a rusty soil scoop in his hand.

"You're clever, father," Christoph chuckled. smirked with pride and self approval, patting himself on the back for his cleverness. Jana giggled.

"Grab on, everyone!" Mr. McKeely's arm swung out in front of him.

"We're traveling by portkey?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's the only way to-"

WHOOSH! Harry felt his bellybutton being pulled from the inside out and watched as Hermione and Ron disgracefully flew along. Mr. McKeely, Jana and Christoph looked relaxed and Jana was actually taking the weightless experience to her advantage doing tumblesaults in the air. Their valises, and Hedwig's cage bowling down until finally they landed on snow covered ground at which Jana made one final tumblesault. She shook her head from side to side to brush off some snow. Once Harry gathered his footing and got to his feet once more, he was able to take in his surroundings.

There seemed to be nothing for miles around except a pitch black night sky, pinhole like stars and cold air. It was not until he turned around that his eyes met with, the largest house Harry had ever seen. It was as long as it was tall and each window was lit up with bright light from the inside. He could see many different people scurrying about from room to room, young and old. He felt a tug on his sleeve. Jana looked up at him and grinned from ear to ear. The front door opened and a woman with a long dress appeared. Jana darted toward her and hugged her. They approached the doorway. The door was tall and arched, and when Harry walked inside he did not know what to look at first.

His head immediately shot upwards to gawk at the ceilings that were high enough to fit Hagrid if he were to stand on himself five times. Interrupting the long way up were two rows above one another of balustrades that acted as a fence around what seemed like long hallways. He saw a few children running the length of them, giggling. When he brought his head back to the room he saw a new face. It was the woman in the long dress and she had a joyful glow about her. Her hair was long, like Jana's but was angelically white. She was uncommonly beautiful and did not look like she had any business growing in white hair, as she could not possibly be that old, Harry thought. Her eyes were violet and her face was so round and her cheeks so chubby he could have mistaken her for some type of cherub.

The woman inspected Jana's face and looked at her hands over.

"You're in one piece," she sighed, "That's good."

"They're here!" A girl who looked about 7 or 8 years old with coffee like skin and voluminous curls called up the stairs. She approached them closely with cautious curiosity.

"I'm Ethel," she smiled, "what are you wearing?"

"Hi Ethel, I'm Hermione. And I am wearing trousers."

"Trousers are for boys. Are you a boy?" This came from a girl who was a bit older, perhaps 12, she was taller than all of them, and slim, with a tremendous amount of freckles and strawberry hair that was braided intricately.

"I am NOT a boy -" Hermione retorted, annoyed.

"That's what they wear at school ain't it Jan?" This boy looked about their age, he was chubby and his hair was cut so shortly he looked nearly bald.

"We have uniforms at school actually," Ron clarified.

"Then why aren't you wearing them?" The boy asked.

"And who are you?" Harry asked flustered.

"Who are you?" The boy smirked.

"Lachlahn," Mr. McKeeley's voice was stern and the boy immediately corrected his posture and wiped his mouth with his sleeve,"Is that how we treat our guests?"

"No, sir."

"Orla," Mrs. McKeely addressed the freckles, "please show our guests to their room."

"Yes, ma'am," her smirk disappeared and she ushered them towards the staircase.

"Get out of the way, Abbot," she huffed at a small boy of about five with a cinnamon complexion and auburn curls. He pulled a newly walking infant towards him who was bald and pale but smiling, "That's Yvonne."

"Page, Ulrich and Cabfael," she introduced, pointing to each - they were all about eight years old and looked not more than a year apart in age, each with distinctly almond shaped eyes and naturally pin straight black hair that was so dark it looked blue - anyone would know they were brothers. Jana would go on to explain later that they were indeed brothers, whose parents abandoned them in Knockturn Alley.

"Iagan," who appeared a little older than Harry, he was tall and lanky with a scruffy brown haired beard and dark hazel eyes.

"Rachelle," who was a small girl of about thirteen with a very thin nose and beady eyes.

"This is Nuallan," he looked about Percy's age, with grey eyes and almost white hair: he was kind looking but commanded a lot of authority in the way he stood. They made their way down a long hallway that was suspended above the great room from which they came, and it had a view of the floor from the top so everything could be seen from all angles. There was a door every few feet to their left and one at the end where the hall terminated. Standing outside of it were three more children.

"She gets to wear trousers! This is so unfair," the youngest girl said, she had crystal blue eyes with which she inspected Hermione's legs.

"Finnoula," Orla introduced.

"I'm Icarus, pleasure," a boy about their age smiled, shaking all of their hands. There was a toddler clinging to Finnoula's skirt that smiled at them.

"Hello," Hermione greeted gently. Jana picked up the child.

"I mif oo daneh," she smiled. Jana kissed her cheek, "This is Demeter."

"You've got 14 brothers and sisters?" Ron asked flabbergasted.

"20," Jana corrected.

"Christoph is 15, Steerforth is 16, Calandra makes 18, but she got married so she's not here, and-"

The door opened and identical twin girls a little older than Hermione were finishing folding some linens for them. One had shiny black hair that was curled up around her chin, the other tight braids that wrapped around her head in delicate swirls.

"And this is Claudia," she pointed to the one with the braids, "and Sophie...I'm sure you've had a long trip and are tired. Dinner will be at 8, sharp," Orla explained, and shut the door behind her.

"Do you need any help unpacking?" Jana asked.

"We're all set, thanks," Hermione smiled. Jana left with Demeter.

"Your trousers are quite popular," Ron laughed.

"It's not funny, Ron," Hermione barked opening her luggage, "would you like to be told that you're not allowed to wear something?"

"You don't actually think they're NOT allowed-"

"I KNOW they're not allowed.

When they joined the family for dinner it was very silent in the room and a little awkward as they sat in the middle of the long table that could seat at least thirty people. It was then that Mr. McKeeley was in full enough view to get a good look at him. He was about the same height of Mrs. McKeeley, only about an inch or two taller than she and had thick gray hair that came down to his shoulders in a gentle waves and poking out through wrinkles and scruff were very light brown eyes. He looked worn and somewhat stern but not unapproachable.

Everyone else was gathered around the gigantic table and all of the girls were helping to put the food on the table. As soon as they had walked in, Harry was hit with a delicious scent. There was a feast on that table and Harry was ready to dig in. Jana sat amidst the little ones and Harry stayed close by his friends. It was then that each person reached over and grabbed the hand of the person next to them. Harry's eyes moved from the outer and inner corner to follow the chain reaction around the table. By the time the gesture reached Harry, he was met with the pudgy palm up hand of a boy who had just used the hand that palm belonged to, to wipe his runny nose. Trying to control a face of disgust, Harry held the hand gently and anxiously grasped Hermione's to the left of him.

"Page is it?" Harry asked under his breath, leaning down close to the boy. The boy stared right into his face, expressionlessly. Harry waited a moment, and then feeling awkward in this stare sat back upright. All the McKeelys bowed their heads, the three of them bowing a few seconds after, trying to look inconspicuous. There was a moment of silence and then Mr. McKeely's voice bellowed through the house, "I am thankful for all of yeh heah, safe and soun."

"August sends his wishes..." Christoph managed. There were a few clearing of throats and Harry wriggled his neck in discomfort, blood was rushing to his head it had been dangling in a bow for so long. Harry could feel the tension in the room that had come after this Steerforth announcement. Instantly everyone unlatched hands and before Harry had grasped his fork, Ron had already begun to stuff his face, and Hermione was cutting each piece of meat slowly and surely before bringing it to her mouth.

Everything he tasted was delicious, the mashed potatoes were fluffy, the pie was sweet and the rolls were soft. There was not much chatter at dinner, and Harry took the conservative lull as an opportunity to observe the house. There were seven cauldrons hanging over one big fire and around them were an innumerable number of drawers. Some were large and rectangular, while others were small and circular and they reached all the way up to the ceiling, uninterrupted by the balustrades in the middle of the abode. Below was a solid wall wrought with tacks holding what looked like hundreds of drawings and sketches by all of the children. Where the wall of drawers ended there was a huge basin that he assumed was some sort of sink, beside that was the large double doors that they had entered through earlier and then from here began the couches.

Wrapped around the next two walls were some of the most chic loungers Harry had ever seen. The first was a very soft looking couch which seat cushion looked deep enough even to support the length of his legs. As the couch lined the wall beneath the front windows it changed from scarlet red all the way to a deep violet color, displaying a shade of every color in between on the way. Next was a rigid looking couch that if Harry had not seen it's fluffy texture would have been convinced it were a wood bench, it was a real trompe d'oeil. Next to that was a curvaceous lime green love seat that had patchwork pillows piled high on its seat. Every so often a silver ottoman dotted the space in the middle of the floor that the couches encircled and a few pygmy puffs were relaxing on top of one in a big pile.

Harry had decided he liked the house, and continued to move his eye from one crayon rendition of a Crup to a rather accurate pencil sketch of a Niffler when he was blinded by something that had just wacked him in the eyes, filling the space between them and his glasses. There was an outburst of children's laughter and then attempted stifling from Ron and Hermione. He felt someone pull his glasses off his face and then something slide down his nose.

"That's not nice," Mrs. McKeely's voice came calmly. Harry wiped whatever was on his face to realize it was mashed potatoes, and the boys sitting across from him were chuckling uncontrollably.

"Nice shot, Abbot!" one of the triplets called, trying for a high-five across the table.

"Apologize," the calm voice came again.

His glasses were put back on him, and he could see once again, as Jana's form walked passed him and sat back down.

"Thanks."

"Apologize," this voice was harsher, and deeper.

"It's alright, really," Harry tried breaking the tension, but he saw as many of the children's heads went down, and the girls began shooting one another nervous glances. There was a loud clank and a whoosh as Mr. McKeely threw down his napkin and cutlery.

"Yeh will apologize immidly-"

"But father-"

"Boot nuthin',"

Abbot looked around before he dared a glance at Harry.

"I'm sorry-"

"It's fine, really," Harry replied, trying to spare the boy any more embarrassment. Everyone finished dinner in quiet.

All of the children began clearing off the table and dumping the dishes into the giant basin by the door. Jana filled it with water and soap, and when she walked away Calandra, swirled her hand around over the basin, starting a self gyrating whirlpool that was cleaning them. Harry, Ron and Hermione started at one end of the wall to look at the drawings the children had made, many, poor renditions of cats and dogs. A few very accurate and detailed charcoal sketches were up on the wall, so good, that Hermione commented that they should be in the textbooks. Ron pointed out a Fwooper drawing as his favorite, it was signed by Nuallan, the sallow boy. It was not long before the whole first floor was spotless.

"Bedtime!" Mrs. McKeely called out into the echoey living space. All of the children, who were scattered on the furniture and floor, picked up what they were doing and clamored up the stairs, each scrambling to find their bedroom door along the many tiers of balconies. Harry wanted to bid Jana goondnight, when he realized she was not in the kitchen. Suggesting they walk off the large meal, Harry, Ron and Hermione headed out the door next to the lime green couch to get some air.

When they made it outside however they saw Christosh speaking with Jana. They looked as if they were very involved in conversation and the three of them instantly hid in the shadows to eavesdrop.

"What's wrong?" Jana lamented, grabbing Iagan's hand.

"You get to go to school!" he exclaimed.

"Hogwarts? I know you want to go but I can't-" Jana tried, turning her head in frustration.

"Yeah, but Christoph could convince them to let me go!" Iagan paced back and forth.

"I will not," Christoph shook his head and ran his tongue over his teeth in frustration, "You need to stay here. Here where you're safe."

"So you're telling me, Jana isn't safe there?" Iagan pleaded, he looked as if he were about to shed tears.

"Of course she is!" Christoph explained.

"You're unfair, Chrissy! This is so unfair!" Iagan complained.

"Who is it exactly you think you are speaking to in that tone of voice?" Christoph threatened. Iagan simmered a bit and paced.

"Do you like it there Jana?" Iagan finally asked. Jana nodded guiltily. "But, why Christoph?" Christoph grabbed Iagan by the shoulders and looked him square in the eye.

"Stay here with your brothers and sisters. Keep them safe. Jana would be here if it weren't for Dumbledore and his meddling-"

"Meddling!" Iagan rebutted, "If it weren't for Albus we could be dead!"

"Dead? What on earth are you talking about?" Christoph asked.

"Why do you think mum and dad keep us locked up in this place? They're afraid we'll be killed by evil things-"

"Iagan!" Christoph shouted. Jana's eyes were very wide open, she looked awestruck and afraid.

"I'm older now, Christoph. I know the truth," Iagan continued, "I know what happens when you go out there into the world. Look what happened to Jana when she did it! It wasn't an accident. Someone had to have deliberately attacked her-"

"Iagan," Christoph hushed, grabbing Iagan's face so that he could look nowhere else, "what would ever make you think that? What happened to Jana was a terrible accident. There is nothing out there to be afraid of."

"Then why do you insist we stay here? What do we need to be protected from?" Iagan pleaded.

"You're too young to understand," Christoph sighed, releasing him.

"It's okay, Iagan. Please don't be cross with me," Jana said quietly, reaching for his hand. Iagan pushed her away.

"That's how you treat your sister?" Christoph asked angrily. The side door opened slowly and from behind it appeared Nuallan. He was clutching something in his hand and Christoph snatched it from him immediately.

When they came down for breakfast that morning everyone was gathered in the dining room in silence. Not a single one of the children was looking up from the floor as they hung their heads. Angharad was leaning against the wall scowling at the children. Liam was standing prominently in front of them all looking like a preacher in a church. He was holding up a copy of the Daily Prophet, and Harry immediately realized that it was what Christoph tore from Nuallan's hand last night.

"Well...who's going to tell me the truth?" Liam began, gesticulating with the folded paper as if it were poison. If it were possible the room grew quieter. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood frozen on the staircase unsure what to do. Harry looked for Jana and Christoph. It was then that he realized Christoph was standing up there next to Liam. Jana was wilting in an armchair.

"Who brought this evil into our home?" Liam roared, his voice echoing off the walls of the mansion.

"I mean, I don't even know where you'd get it from? We're worried...who left this estate without telling us? You could have been hurt!" Christoph added more gently. He saw Finnoula and Icarus exchange glances and then quickly look down.

"They probably brought it from their proper school!" Page accused pointing at them on the stairs.

"Against my better judgement-" Liam started but Christoph cut in, "father I assure you that none of us brought this here. Please."

"Don't lie to me Chrissy...I let the...the muggle born come-"

"Excuse me?" Harry huffed. Hermione looked a bit surprised and opened her mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.

"You let the muggle born come?" Harry challenged.

"Yeah what's that supposed to mean?" Ron supported gently.

"Father please," Christoph tried.

"Did you bring this into my house mudblood!" There were tears streaming down Hermione's face now, she was in pure shock.

"She didn't da!" Nuallan perked up suddenly, sensing how rude his father was being, "Iagan got it from Calandra!"

"Nuallan!" Iagan screamed, "how could you?" Liam charged the young boy so quickly it was a blur. Suddenly Iagan was bleeding heavily from his nose on the floor and Nuallan was wrestling Liam. Christoph tried to break it up. Angharad stood quietly in the corner visibly afraid to interfere. Jana bolted from her armchair and took safety in Harry's arms. Ron was already fetching their trunks to leave.

"This is your fault!" Liam accuses Christoph, as he pinned him against the wall.

"Father I did not encourage this one bit."

"Working for the Ministry. It was only a matter of time…we should have never let you go to that school!"

"Father I have never allowed the children to read this. Never," Christoph looked shocked that he was being accused of such a thing by his father. Angharad tried healing Iagan's nose surreptitiously in the corner.

"Come on Harry," Ron's voice came from behind them.

"You'll never get out of here on your own," Christoph called to them as they headed for the door. Hermione wiping tears from her eyes as she donned her mittens.

"Don't you leave this house Jana!" Liam hollered. Jana bravely opened the door and turned to look at her adoptive parents for what was likely the last time.

Christoph rushed to the door to help them leave, afraid they would get terribly lost or hurt on the journey.

"If you walk through that door you may never return!" Liam scowled at Christoph, but tears were welling up in his eyes as he said it, hoping that Jana and Christoph would stay.

"I have to keep Jana safe, father," Christoph replied gently and closed the door behind them as the snow and wind whipped their faces.