Lafiel exited Linear Space bare seconds after entering it and was summarily kicked out of Planar space in a way she would not have believed possible, particularly when a hasty scan showed that there was no Sord anywhere in sensor range.

"Great. Even if I had a time space generator, there is no Sord to return to."

"Computer. Figure out where we are."

"Working."

Twenty seconds later the computer replied, "No match found. Possible temporal jump. Possible dimensional jump."

"Great. The computer has nothing and is just reporting the worst case from the test notes."

Was this what the Empress meant? She knew the her line had a touch of clairvoyance. She only knew this because she was of the same line and she heard rumors, but it had been many centuries since any significant ability had emerged. It didn't matter, not now.

"Computer bring online the max rationing plan. Remind me when to eat and drink and exactly how much. Calculate a search pattern using the timeline from that plan to maximize the chances of finding help or a world that will have what I need to survive."

"Confirmed. Will you be meditating for the duration?"

"Yes."

"Confirmed."

Twelve days into her barely aware existence the computer reported, "Attention. A inhabited planet has been detected."

Her voice cracked when she whispered, "How far?"

She listened carefully to its description of their journey.

Lafiel said softly, "There is no way we have the propellant for that, let alone the propellant to slow down."

"A medium sized ice comet is on the way. It's vapor trail can be collected to refill our propellant tanks."

"Do it."

"Confirmed. ETA to comet is 17 hours. Estimated fuel collection time is 13 hours. Estimated journey time to planet is an additional 26 hours, assuming the recommended course is followed."

Lafiel wiggled her fingers then her arms and legs as she tried to get her body used to moving again. Her stores still had a few days food left, even without rationing. She would stick with rationing, just in case food wasn't readily available once she was on the planet.

Lafiel asked, "Can you tell me anything about who lives on the planet?"

"Planet appears inhabited by standard humans. Primitive space flight is available, but scanned communications appear to indicate they have not gone beyond their nearest satellite in person. Additional devices have gone further, as well as some probes outside the system.

"Language?"

"An exact count is unknown. Current estimate is that there are several thousand languages."

Lafiel frowned briefly before she asked, "Is the S particle scanner still in good shape?"

"Confirmed, but we are currently beyond its maximum range."

"Run it anyway. Limit the scan to just that planet. 10 second run."

"Confirmed." Then ten seconds later, "S particles detected. Insufficient detail available to localize."

Lafiel's eyes brightened. "Scan once every hour for ten seconds. Attempt to correlate languages with scan results. Look for some place significant, yet isolated with food nearby. Once you have confirmed a location, begin preparing a language program for me. Give preference to an easier to learn language, if possible."

"Confirmed."

It was almost ten hours later before the computer was able to correlate enough information along with better S-particle scans to come to a conclusion. It said, "There is a language called English that is likely the easiest for you to learn. There are many sources of magic associated with areas that speak the English language. Would you like to begin directed learning?"

"Proceed."

Lafiel's focus was absolute as she rapidly absorbed the language. It was of course impossible to learn any language in only a few days, yet it was a start.

It wasn't until they were orbiting the planet in full stealth mode that the computer highlighted several possible S-particle emission sites that looked promising. In the end Lafiel decided on one in a rather unremarkable neighborhood in an average country, on an average street of average rather identical houses. If anything the S-particle emission was like a giant arrow in the sky pointing out just how peculiar this particular place must be.

She eat a bit more of her food as she tried to figure out how to hide her craft. In the end, the answer was simple. She would land late into the night and slip into a river, traveling under water till she was near the house in question. Once she got near she asked the computer to surface briefly to let her out, and then resume hiding under the water while it restocked propellant and did what automatic maintenance was possible.

It took her the better part of the night for her to reach the neighborhood and then the house in question. She was able to slip into a small storage building just behind the house and observe it. A few hours into her observation she pulled a small thin tablet from her pocket and after a few swipes asked, "Ship, has the S-particle emission changed and am I at the correct coordinates?"

"S-particle emission remains unchanged. Your coordinates are correct. The house in front of you is the source."

Eventually an overweight man left for work in a late model car that was parked in front of the house, before a similarly round boy left on foot. An hour later a middle aged woman took a slightly older car out of the garage to parts unknown. Lafiel palmed the device again and asked, "Ship, is there any change? I'm detecting only one humanoid life-form remaining. Can you confirm?"

"Sensor resolution while under water is severely limited, but I can better process the sensor data from your handheld device. All information is confirmed."

Lafiel slipped out of the shed and edged around to the window closest to the remaining life sign, only to find bars on it. She was perhaps not quite careful enough, since the teenager inside saw her. He said, "Hello."

Lafiel tried to remember the response but quickly resorted to the tablet device before finally replying, "Hello. My name is Viscountess Abriel Paryunu."

Harry gave ever evidence of listening clearly. He said slowly, "Nice to meet you Abriel. My name is Harry Potter."

Lafiel frowned at the word Abriel. She messed around with her device some more before saying haltingly, "You can call me Lafiel."

"It is good to meet you Lafiel. I was hoping you can help me. I'm locked in and my friend" He pointed to Hedwig who was sitting inside her open cage. "here could really use some food."

Lafiel looked at the beautiful snowy owl that seemed quite lethargic, before slipping a small pistol out of her tool belt and quickly firing six nearly silent shots into the bars, disintegrating the points it attached to the window before re holstering the pistol. The bars fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Harry recovered from his surprise quickly and opened the window. He then turned to his owl and said, "How are you doing? Will you be okay by yourself till you get to Hermione's place?"

Hedwig let out a sharp bark before grabbing a small folded message in her talons and flying out.

Harry turned to his odd savior and asked, "Is there anything I can do to help you for helping me?"

She again turned to her tablet and after several seconds asked, "Can you tell me why this place is different?"

Harry froze. It was as good as an admission that he knew something. He said, "I'm sorry. I truly do appreciate what you did for Hedwig, but I cannot say."

Lafiel again turned to her tablet to help puzzle out his words before finally saying almost a minute later, "I am also in need of fresh food and help with your language."

He responded, "Can you unlock my door? I'd rather not try crawling out the window?"

After reading the devices translation, Lafiel soon found that the garage door was unlocked and entered that way, quickly finding her way to Harry's room and unlocking the deadbolt locks. After yet another bit of help with translation she asked, "Why were you locked in?"

"My relatives disapprove of things that are different." He suddenly found himself staring at her. Her blue hair and ears were very distinctive. "I don't mean to be rude, but your hair and, um ears..."

She quickly found the translation to what he was saying and then quickly coaxed the device to figure out the reply. "What is wrong with my hair or my ears?!"

Harry backed up. "Nothing. Nothing at all. Heck you are beautiful, but also very noticeable. You may not want that." Harry only belated realized what he said, but decided stopping speaking was warranted. He went in his closet and began searching completely missing Lafiel's blush as she read the translation. He eventually found an overly large floppy cowboy hat that would hide most of her hair and ears. He handed it to her. He then went in his aunt's room and returned with a hair band and some hair clips.

After another pause she asked, "What is this for?"

"To hide your hair and ears. I really don't think you should show them, or that gun, or your fancy thing."

After reading the translation, Lafiel looked uncertain for several seconds before slipping her pistol in a lower pocket on her leg them putting the tablet back away in another. She then said, "Show me."

Harry said, "Okay. I've not done this before, so if this hurts at all or you want me to stop just say so."

She looked down, read the translation and then nodded.

He carefully directed her to sit down in front of him on the floor. Thankfully her hair was free of its usual neuro-interface diadem so her hair was manageable. He ever so carefully gently gathered the loose hair into a loose ponytail before ever so carefully gently pinning the extra hair up, then covered her head with the floppy cap.

You could still see blue, or even her ears if you looked closely, but for the most part her most distinctive features were hidden. She quickly brought her device out which quickly displayed her image. She frowned. She did not like it, but said nothing.

Harry pulled a loose floorboard up and fetched what little regular money he had. He then looked her over one more time, before saying, "We'll, it will have to do..", again earning him a glare a few seconds later when she read the translation.

His plan was summarily tossed out the window when he heard Fred and George half shout, "Hey Harry are you here? It's time to go to the world cup. Dad has the car outside."

They walked through the door to his room wand in hand, before whistling. "Harrykins, we didn't know you had company."

Lafiel glared at Harry, somehow certain something was his fault.

Harry interjected, "Lafiel is a friend I met recently."

The twins slipped their wands into their pockets. Fred, Harry thought, said, "Is she a …?"

Harry had no idea why he said it. Maybe it was the unconditional help she offered. Maybe it was the slight disproving glare she was showing him which stated clear as day for him to fix this. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was just his hormones. He replied, "Yep, she is magical, so no need to worry. She just moved into the neighborhood. Heck she was able to remove the bars on my window in seconds to let Hedwig out."

Lafiel smiled. Harry figured she likely didn't fully understand the conversation without her device, but he figured his tone of voice conveyed some meaning. It seemed he had dodged a bullet for now.

He considered for a moment before saying, "Hey are you two any good at glamour charms? Someone hit her with a weird potion which made her ears and hair a bit odd, and so far they haven't been able to reverse it."

The twin on the left turned to her and asked, "Is that why you are wearing the hat?"

She looked puzzled. Finally after several seconds she managed, "Not understand."

The other twin asked, "You don't speak English then?"

She thought about it for several moments and finally said, "Not well. Learning."

The first twin reached his hand slowly towards her hat. She hesitantly took off her hat and handed it to him. While he was looking, or more correctly staring, she absently removed the pins in her hair and the hair band, letting her hair cascade down her upper back.

The first twin took out his wand and whispered several short spells, which quickly had her hair a Weasley Red and her ears appeared to morph into a normal human shape. Her clothing also changed to a standard wizarding robe. Lafiel felt it, and quickly pulled out her tablet to see what happened. After messing with it a bit she half shouted, "What did you do to my hair and my ears?"

The other twin said, "Relax, the change is temporary."

She messed with her tablet a bit more before saying darkly, "It had better be." She fingered the soft cloth, so different than what she had been wearing.

Harry said, "Shall we go? I'd love to stop by Gringotts if we have time."

The first twin, Fred Harry thought, looked puzzled. He said, "We'll we are apparating there, so I don't see why not?"

Harry asked, "Could we also stop by the leaky cauldron first?"

The other twin seemed just as puzzled, but he said sure.

Each twin grabbed a person and apparated before they could say anything.

Lafiel caught her balance quickly when they stopped but looked quite angry. Harry smiled a small smile that he tried to hide. She turned to him and said very slowly, "Do not do that again."

The twins laughed even as they walked out of the alley and towards the Cauldron. Harry watched Lafiel closely but saw that she walked right in with no hesitation. They quickly eat, although Lafiel seemed to almost have to force herself to do so, before eventually deciding that the stew was quite tasty.

Less than fifteen minutes later they entered Gringotts. Harry started to head down following the goblin that was going to show him to his vault, only to have Lafiel follow him. He gave her what he hoped was an encouraging nod and whispered for her to hang on after they entered the mine cart.

Harry sat in the cart. He was used to the insane speed and turns but was oddly surprised that other than absolute contempt in what they were traveling in, she seemed to show no affects from the crazy ride. If the little grin he saw was any indication, she even liked it.

Harry was again surprised when her disguise dissolved half way down to the vault. Griphook glared but said nothing till they stopped.

Griphook halted the cart and said, "Explain."

"She is not from around here. I don't know much myself, but the disguise was not to deceive you."

"You both will come with me."

He soon had the cart heading back up the tunnels and they were swiftly shown through to the most elaborate set of doors Harry had ever seen. This turned out to only be the first set. The second set of doors was more elaborate still. Griphook, after speaking to the guard inside entered the second set, then left a few minutes later.

Harry and Lafiel were directed inside. The old goblin turned toward Lafiel and asked simply, "Who are you?"

She introduced herself again.

"You are not human. I can sense most forms of magic and you are not affected by any, yet you clearly are magical. Explain."

Lafiel looked at her device, that the goblin king was also staring at from a distance and started to speak, but was cut off when Harry said, "I'm sorry your Highness. It has been a very strange day. I will explain what I know."

He quickly did, leaving nothing out, other than his one guess that simple attraction may have led him to lie for her. That he would admit to no one. Lafiel listened closely before saying, "It is hard for me to speak your language. I will let this" (She pointed to her handheld device) " translate."

She then spoke quietly yet musically in her native language telling them about the kin of the stars, telling them the very basics of the mission that had led them here, pausing from time to time to let the device translate for her.

The king listened intently before saying, "The room you are in contains an advanced rune scheme that compels truth, so I do believe you. I will hold you no more today, save to give you a bit of help, if you will take it, and a request to return here and tell me more. For now I will tell no one else of your arrival."

Lafiel bowed slightly, one member of royalty to another. The kind opened his desk and pulled out a couple of pouches, setting them on the desk. He said, "Each contains 500 galleons and 1000 pounds, which will be removed from your vault if you accept them. The pouches themselves are charmed against theft and featherweight and are a gift from me."

Harry walked over and bowed again before picking one up and pocking it before handing Lafiel the other.

A knock was soon heard and the king requested them to enter. In the hands of the goblin who entered was a small round cherry wood box that the goblin held out to the king, who took it. The goblin bowed and exited the room.

The king opened the box and set it on his desk. Inside was a beautiful silver colored very fine chain that seemed to give off a soft glow in the light. He said, "The necklace is mithril and contains one of our standard disguise enchantments we use when we have to work in the muggle world. I am willing to loan it to you Lafiel, provided you agree to keep it secret and come back from time to time to talk with me. It is charmed against theft or even of being noticed, but should it somehow be taken from you, you must agree to notify us immediately and help recover it."

Lafiel listened carefully, and also read the translation on her device before turning to Harry, who looked very hesitant.

Harry, swallowed hard, before saying very quietly, "I mean no disrespect, but may I try it first? I have dealt with a couple scary things."

"What have you dealt with?" the King asked in curiosity.

Surprised, Harry told him about the strange diary in his second year as well as how he seemed to burn Voldemort in his first year.

"Test the necklace if you wish, but I will have a copy of your memories of those event before you leave."

"I don't know how."

"You will be instructed."

"Okay." He then reached out for the necklace and slipped it on his head only to feel his body twisting around him into a form much like Lafiel's only with human features. Uncomfortable he quickly took it off, only for the old goblin to let out a laugh.

Another goblin brought in a pensieve, and quickly directed Harry how to give copies of the memories. Lafiel looked at the pensieve in strange recognition, but said nothing.

As they left, the king said, "Say nothing about out meeting today. If asked, you spent time in your vault. Understood?"

Harry said, "I understand, and thanks."

Lafiel again gave her barely bow, which the king actually returned.

Fred and George said when they finally got back up, "What took you too so long? Having fun in the vault eh?"

Harry blushed, then started to speak only for Lafiel to stare at the pair until they said, "Moving on, we better get to the world cup, before they send search parties."

They arrived at the world cup to be quickly met by the rest of the Weasley's and Hermione. Mrs. Weasley was the first to notice the new person with them. She said, "Harry, won't you introduce us to your new friend?" She glanced at her husband who got a bit of a worried frown in his expression.

Harry said, "Sure, this is Lafiel Paryunu Abriel. She just moved into the neighborhood. I was talking to her when Fred and George dropped in and she decided to come along."

Lafiel focused intently on each word that was said, trying to improve her skill in the language.

Mr. Weasley asked, "So Lafiel is…?"

Harry said, "I don't think she is registered for Hogwarts yet, but perhaps we can help her do that after the game?"

"Of course. I'm sure Albus will be able to get her in."

Lafiel asked, "Hogwarts?"

Harry replied, "Hogwarts is a school of magic in the highlands of Scotland. It is one of the oldest schools of magic on the planet."

The others looked at them peculiarly. Lafiel, after several seconds trying to understand what was said replied with, "I look forward to learning there."

Harry seeing the others expression said, "Lafiel is just now learning English."

One of the twins said, "She is learning mighty fast too. This one might give Hermione a run for her record."

Hermione turned sharply to focus on Lafiel and looked at her in question. She then held out her hand and said, "Hermione Granger. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Lafiel shook her hand and greeted her the same way. The others introduced themselves and before long they were invited to the top box to watch the game. Lafiel kept idly twirling her now red hair. This was usually with a neutral gaze, but every now and then her distaste of the new color shown through.

When the cheerleaders came out she was distracted by her hair color to be surprised how most of the men and about a third of the women went nuts, pushing against the fences. She turned to Harry, who was also confused and then to Hermione who said, "They must be Veela. Veela give out an allure of a type that affects most men, and quite a few women. I'm actually surprised Harry isn't affected."

Lafiel looked again at Harry before seeming to grow disinterested. Her expression changed rapidly when the team came out on brooms. She started to speak her native language rapidly, only to catch herself and after several seconds pondering her words, then looking around decided to remain silent, though her glance at Harry seemed to state that he would be explaining, in detail, in the not too distant future.

Towards the end of the game she whispered to Harry, "I would like to buy one."

Harry whispered back, "We'll, for now you can borrow mine, once I give you some lessons. We need to get you a wand too." Hermione looked on in curiosity and it seemed that Ron was looking on in something resembling jealousy.

Harry was surprised to be woken up in the middle of the night, only to be urged to run away by the Weasley matriarch. He caught sight of Lafiel, Hermione, and Ron and quickly moved to join them, even as the twins began leading the way out of the camp site. They just had to get outside of the wards then their portkey to work.

Harry kept looking back, wanting to do something to save the poor muggle family that was being played with. Lafiel did too by the looks of it, but she resisted. Just as they were nearing the edges of the wards you could see aurors beginning to arrive and fight back. Seconds later, they were gone, taken back to the Weasley home.

Mrs. Weasley had only started dinner when Albus Dumbledore arrived and asked to speak to Lafiel. Harry insisted on going with her. Dumbledore looked curious, but readily agreed as he lead them outside.

Albus asked, "So, you would like to enroll in Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

"Where have you attended school before?"

She looked to Harry who shrugged. He said, "I don't think she has gone to a magic school before, but she is definitely magical. She could see the leaky cauldron."

"Curious. And how did she end up at your house?"

Harry said, "She just moved into the neighborhood and..."

"Harry, she may be magical, but please save us time and just tell me the truth." Harry and Lafiel looked surprised.

"Yes, I can tell that Lafiel here is not quite what she appears. A goblin glamour enchantment of some type, if I'm correct."

Lafiel reached up and removed the necklace, instantly revealing her original form and clothes, now that the twins Transfiguration had faded.

He looked her over carefully, his eyes twinkling the whole time. "We'll your certainly not a goblin, nor fully human either if my guess is correct." At the end his twinkling eyes stopped twinkling and he seemed more than a touch frustrated.

"Why do you say that sir?" asked Harry.

Albus smiled, but didn't answer.

Harry said, "When I first met her she immediately helped me free Hedwig. I was worried she would starve." For an instant Albus looked guilty before recovering. Harry didn't know why, but he was still hesitating telling Lafiel's true story. He was sure it wasn't because of how crazy it sounded.

Lafiel remained silent. They all did, until Dumbledore nodded, as if coming to a decision and turned to walk down to the Weasley's lake, with the two following.

"We'll if we are to have a new student in magic, we perhaps ought to get started. Harry, if you wouldn't mind lending her your wand?"

Harry did so. A few sparks occurred and fizzled. Lafiel looked curious.

"A poor match then, though there is some chemistry there, but not enough to learn easily with. We shall have to get you your own wand, but for now, let's cheat a little bit." He grinned as he said this and both of them looked on in eager curiosity.

"Harry, I want you to focus on creating light. Don't say the words. You should know by now that such things are not necessary. Focus and show us."

Harry took back his wand and after several slow and deep breaths focused on the brilliant white light he wanted to see coming off his wand and it was there, brighter than even he had imagined. Such was his surprise that he couldn't but help and grin.

"We'll done Harry. Congratulations on what I assume is your first silent cast." Turning to Lafiel he said, "Now for you we have to do something a bit different." Turning back to Harry he said, "The key to faking a wand is getting a stand in. In this case, you, and your wand. I want you to focus on one thing and one thing only. Helping Lafiel cast magic. Putting your potential in her hands."

Harry looked hesitant for a moment, but the expression on Lafiel's face comforted him. The headmaster continued, "Now you should not do this kind of thing normally, at least without experienced supervision. Some dangers exist, and a lot of trust is required."

He continued to look on, searching for something in Harry's expression that he appeared to be content not to find. "Okay, Harry you hold your wand as normal. Lafiel, in front I think, clasp your hand around both of Harry's and make some light. To make things interesting, pick another color, but do not speak it."

Lafiel awkwardly placed herself in front of Harry and took hold of his hands even as her focus became absolute. For awhile nothing happened, save for a furious blush on Harry's face. Then almost two minutes afterwards in the middle of the lake perhaps 20 feet in the air a brilliant blue white light shown like a beacon, easily several times bigger than the light Harry made.

While the light shown, the headmaster's eyes twinkled. He suddenly seemed satisfied in something he saw. Ten seconds later the headmaster said, "Enough, I think."

Harry said, "That was. Wow. That was something." His blush was, if anything, more furious.

Lafiel looked at him in curiosity. Her cheeks pinked faintly as well. She said to Harry, "Thank you," then turned to look curiously at the headmaster.

Albus said, "Someday, I hope the pair of you will tell me the real story, but I am content for now. You can put your necklace back on if you want. You can pick up your things for school when Harry gets his. I assume the goblins have requested great care of that necklace."

Lafiel nodded.

"Do either of you have any questions?"

Harry asked, "What about Lafiel? Won't she need help to catch up?"

"I rather think you and Miss Granger will be sufficient. I will get you a book on the trick I just showed. I confess I misled you slightly. I had to be sure Lafiel was trustworthy. That method of casting will only work if both you and your magic trusts the other very well, and tends to not work at all for people who haven't used it by your age. It is also somewhat discouraged by some for rather silly reasons."

"Huh?" Harry stated confused.

"If I had told you it may not work, your magic would have made that a reality. Had Lafiel already had training it would have failed. That was my test of her story."

"So it is safe?" Lafiel asked.

The headmaster shrugged. "It is safe enough. It is an old thing, seldom done, and seen more in the east. The fact that emotions tend to leak between the pair casting is sometimes considered too private. Just have someone watch you practice and you should be fine, oh, and read the book."

Harry asked, "Can spells be stronger like this?"

"You really should read the book, but another reason the technique fell out of common use is it requires both people to have similar focus, at least for higher tier spells, so yes, spells can be stronger, if your willing to work at it."

The headmaster started to head back to the house, only then noticing that Lafiel was hesitant to return and Harry was looking at her.

Harry asked, "Did you want to stay out here a bit more Lafiel?"

"I want to fly."

Harry stated, "Oh no. I left my trunk at the Dursley's."

The headmaster suggested, "Ask your house elf friend to fetch it and don't stay out too long. Your inside the Weasley wards which is enough to mask your underage magic. Don't leave them."

"Dobby?" asked Harry, only for the house elf to appear, much to the surprise of Lafiel.

"What can Dobby do to help the great Harry Potter sir?"

Lafiel looked at Harry peculiarly before turning back to the new arrival.

Harry said, "Dobby you don't need to address me like that. Just Harry."

"Dobby lives only to serve the great Harry Potter sir."

Harry grimaced briefly before asking, "Dobby can you get my trunk from the Dursley's without them noticing?"

"Dobby can!" Dobby vanished. Less than a minute later the Trunk was sitting in front of them with Dobby behind it.

"Thank you Dobby. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Dobby looked torn, and if even the though of asking for something. Lafiel smiled a small smile and directed it at the small creature. The headmaster continued to look on in curiosity.

"Dobby wonders if the great Harry Potter sir would consider being Dobby's master?"

"Hermione would kill me."

Puzzled, Lafiel asked after a short delay, "Why would she kill you for taking on that duty?"

"I don't mean that she would actually kill me. It is an expression. She would be terribly disappointed in me."

"Why?" She asked. "Do you intend to do your duty poorly?"

"No, of course not."

She turned to the elf. "Why do you want to be his servant?"

"Dobby hears of the great Harry Potter sir, and how he saved us from the Dark Lord, and knows how he is kind to all."

The headmaster said, "A long time ago, someone cursed house elves, or at least that is the prevailing theory. They need a bond to a wizard or witch to remain sane, well that, or to a place like Hogwarts. The bond stabilizes their magic. Some have tried to undo what was done, but no one knows how."

Dobby was practically hopping on the balls of his feet. Harry said, "I'm sorry to hear that Dobby. If it will help you, then I'd be glad to."

Dobby suddenly snapped his fingers and Harry was suddenly weak for a several seconds before recovering. Dobby grew several inches and looked considerably healthier.

The headmaster smiled. He said, "Don't stay out too long."

Harry asked, "What happened at the cup?"

"Fools being foolish. Thankfully the aurors prevented any permanent damage."

"I thought it was Death Eaters." Harry said.

"It was, and many could have died."

After the headmaster left Harry got out his Firebolt and showed Lafiel how to mount it and control it. It took almost a half an hour of patient instruction, but soon she was flying around as if she had been on a broom all her life.

The fun ended when Bill Weasley walked into the clearing they were in and said, "She is quite impressive, particularly since I'm told she has only just started learning magic."

"That she is," Harry said without thinking, before catching Harry's grin.

"You guys need to come in. I'm to take you two to get her a new wand in the morning, then later in the day my Mom can take you to get the rest of your books."

Harry waved Lafiel down.

"Out of curiosity, what electives are you taking?" Bill asked.

"Care of magical creations and Divination."

"Divination is useless, unless you are a seer, and you'd know if you were by now."

"I'm not," Harry agreed.

"You should flip to Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Those two are far more useful."

Lafiel heard the last part of what he said. She questioned, "Ancient Runes? Arithmancy?"

Bill looked around and soon found an old log. With his wand he sliced it in half, leaving a mirrored finish cut with the grin. He then did several more slices, making a simple square of wood measuring no more than six by six inches and a half inch or so thick.

He then pulled out a small rounded chisel and quickly carved a series of eight runic shapes around the edges before holding his wand to one at one of the corners. All eight symbols started to glow white, before a few inches above the middle of the wood bluebell flames began to glow.

"You can do that with Runes?" Harry asked, a bit in awe.

"Yep, and a whole lot more. Technically that is Runes plus arithmancy, but you can find that particular sequence in more than a few books. Now, if you wanted to do something completely new, you would need arithmancy."

"But I'm already in care and divination."

"Just take the third year course. You will have to work harder if you want to catch up, but I suspect you can do the work."

"What about Lafiel? She is just starting." Harry looked over only to see Lafiel staring at the still glowing board of bluebell flames.

"Worst case you fail the course, and still learn something useful. Grades mean little after Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. They soon went in. Lafiel carried the bluebell flames board in with her. Before they got to the door she asked, "How long will this last?"

Bill replied, "That was a bit of a rush job, and only used my personal magic, so probably another hour or so, though you could add more magic to it, and make it work again. If you want something better, let me know and I can make something for you, though I usually charge."

"How much?" asked Harry in curiosity?

"I'm not going to charge you Harry."

Lafiel replied. "Why not? Your work is valuable isn't it and I do have the money."

"Gringotts has sold a few of my designs. If I created that in natural stone and made something that could recharge with ambient magic most places, plus made it somewhat decorative, well I think my last similar piece made me about 15 galleons at Gringotts, though I think they sold it for 45 or so. Why, did you want me to make one?"

Harry looked at Lafiel. She said, "I'd rather learn how to make one."

Harry replied, "Actually, could you make something nice for me to give to Hermione for say 30 galleons? I figure I owe her a lot of thanks for all her help, plus we may need a lot more for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy."

"Are you sure you want to spend that much Harry?"

"Sure." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pouch and started to count money.

"You don't have to pay me now."

Harry kept counting, "I might as well." He finished counting 30 galleons out and gave them to Bill who put them in his own much simpler money pouch.

"You do understand this is several days work, and I have to find time to do it. I'm guessing it is going to be a few weeks."

"Sure"

Albus stopped by Ollivanders early the next morning and explained what he knew about Lafiel.

"So you used legilimency on Harry and it didn't make sense, couldn't use legilimency on this Lafiel, but was able to see a bit into their minds when they were dual casting?"

"It was the strangest thing. She was even able to change the color of the light spell, merely by me making the suggestion to do so, and most wizards never figure that out."

"Curious. If Fawkes is willing to part with another feather I could try paired wands, though that is usually hit or miss. I assume you would want me to update Harry's as well?"

Albus pulled out a large test tube out of his robes that had inside it one faintly glowing feather. He handed it to Ollivander. "As to the rest, I'll trust your judgment."

"What did Fawkes think of your impression of the girl?"

"He was very curious, and oddly hopeful. He offered the feather without being asked so it should accept her."

"I would think so as well."

"Let me know how it turns out."

"I will."

Ollivander almost grinned as the petite black haired young woman walked in along with Bill and Harry.

"I have been expecting you."

The others looked over at Ollivander in surprise.

"Albus stopped by and told me about your dual casting. Do you mind showing me?"

Harry hesitated, then looked at Lafiel.

"Don't worry about the underage monitoring. It doesn't work here."

Harry asked Lafiel, "Do you want to try that again?"

Lafiel smiled and slipped inside his arms, even as he pulled his wand from his pocket. Bill picked up a couple standard wand holsters and laid them on the counter before turning back and watching them.

There in Harry and Lafiel's left hand, well away from his wand stood blue light, that pulsed a bit like the bluebell flames of the night before before fading away.

Ollivander said, "That was just an attempt at Lumos right?"

Harry said, "Yes. That is the spell the headmaster showed her last night."

Bill added, "It was a fair imitation of bluebell flames she saw me make with runes, particularly since the spells are quite different."

Ollivander said, "Remarkable. Well I do have a surprise for you then. The headmaster's phoenix donated Lafiel here a feather. I can make her a custom wand for her with it, or I can update both to improve their performance in dual casting."

Bill said, "There has to be some downside to that. I know I've tried dual casting with people, well women, before and it never worked."

"True. Worst case, both wands are weakened greatly when not dual casting, or may be ruined, but if the potential between a pair is there, they will generally turn out as strong as before on their own and significantly stronger together. The fact that they both will come from the same Phoenix helps considerably."

Harry said, "I thought the wand chooses the wizard and you couldn't tell what core would work without trying."

"Usually, but a phoenix feather freely given with a particular person in mind is a bit of an exception to the usual. We will only need wood, and if you want to try the other a bit of blood from each of you."

Bill said, "The ministry frowns on blood magic, but heck they frown on a lot of stuff, and this is hardly dark. I see no problems with it."

Harry looked down only to realize Lafiel was still absently holding his hands. It was nice. He asked, "Lafiel, do you want to try this?"

"Of course."

He grinned. He still could hardly believe she was doing this well with at least the spoken language. He said, "Let's do it."

He was surprised when an hour later Ollivander completed Lafiel's wand using the Phoenix feather and about a teaspoon full of his blood. When he asked why his blood instead of Lafiel's Ollivander said, "Paired wands are always three in one. The caster, the wand core, and the link to the caster's pair."

When she took hold of it it shot off a fountain of silver sparks. She smiled such an endearing smile that Harry was lost in it, right until he noticed the sparks shooting off his own wand which was still in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out and pointed it away from him as the sparks tapered off.

Ollivander said, "I think that wand will serve you very well, and Harry should be able to use it for brief periods if something happens and he needs to. The wood is particularly interesting. Black walnut is attuned to inner conflict. Only those who are free of any form of self-deception can bring out its full potential. Now, Mr. Potter, could I see your wand?"

Harry handed it to him.

"You need to take a bit better care of this. You could get a wand care kit, though that is actually not the best bet. You should buy a copy of the book on the back shelf labeled spells for wand care. There are spells you cast on it weekly, some you hold for minutes. A few require hours, but those only need to be done typically once a year. They will automatically keep the wand in peak shape. I'm still surprised they don't teach these at Hogwarts."

Bill said, "They probably don't want people having wands that are easier to replace. The spells, beyond making a wand nearly unbreakable can also be used on less attuned wands to, over time, make it a better match. It isn't as good as starting with a better match, but it is still a very useful skill."

"Sadly, you are most likely correct. Polish, even magical polish, is no substitute for magic."

Ollivander waved his short wand in an intricate pattern causing the feather to phase out of the wand and both to rest on the counter inside of a shallow rectangular white dish that seemed exactly the size required.

"It's a bit tricky to remake a wand without weakening it, and in this case I'm not going to try. I need to make a slightly larger wand blank to contain the core and Lafiel's blood. Harry, can you repeat Lafiel's tests on wand cores?"

Ollivander was not surprised when Harry returned with a blank of Holly once more. It took him another hour to carefully make a larger wand blank, and magic both the phoenix feather and Lafiel's blood in it. He jumped back a little when upon sealing both wands shot fourth silver sparks and then again when Harry picked up the wand. They both smiled a similar smile.

Bill, after glancing at a clock asked, "How much do we owe you for all this?"

Ollivander looked away from the pair and at what was on the counter, "Holsters are 10 galleons each. Most of that goes to one of the ministries taxes. Books are 1 galleon. No charge for the wands."

Bill asked, "Your kidding?"

"I got to do something fun today I have never done before, and that is see paired wands sing. Fawkes donated the core. You donated your blood. If you insist you can add 2 galleons for the wand blanks, but I'll not charge for this. Just use them well, okay?"

Harry quickly pulled out twenty five galleons and handed them to Ollivander. He then scribbled out a receipt and handed it and his old wand core, stored inside a new wand box, "It is just decorative now. Treasure it."

Harry nodded, accepting it gladly.

Lafiel smiled. She asked, "Can we go look at brooms now?"

Harry was surprised when after they looked at Broom's Lafiel settled on an Nimbus 2000. He asked, "Why not the Firebolt?" He knew she could not know he had owned this exact model.

Lafiel said, "It had good performance, and was on sale for 75 galleons. We may need the remaining money for other things."

Harry said, "I can easily afford a Firebolt if you want it." Bill looked slightly annoyed at that, but swiftly recovered, apparently deciding it wasn't important.

Lafiel smiled, appreciating his offer. "What I want is to learn how to make such things."

Bill's eyes widened at that. He said, "I know of few who had such interesting goals at your age."

Later that day they bought all the books and supplies they needed with the others, including a trunk, clothes, and books for Lafiel. Lafiel got a Trunk that had a single expanded room that you had to climb down a ladder to get anything.

When Hermione asked, "Why that trunk?" she responded, "This is the most storage for the least amount of money, and climbing down is easy enough."

Hermione looked at her own multi-compartment trunk, which cost almost as much as Lafiel's for several minutes, before saying absently, "Oh well. Next time."

The day ended with Lafiel's first experience with Ice Cream. It was a good day.