Chapter 6

"Do you have everything?" Aurora asked.

Harry shot his Godmother an exasperated look. "That's the fifth time you've asked me that."

"I don't want you to forget anything."

Harry nodded. "I have all I need."

Aurora smiled. "Good." She took his hand. "Ready to go?"

"I guess so," Harry said giving the cabin one last glance. It may be small, but it had been his home for the past five years. He looked up at Aurora shyly.

"Thanks for everything," he said quietly.

Aurora leaned down and kissed his forehead. "You may not be of my blood," she said, "but you are still mine."

A circle of light flared up around them. When it faded, they stood in the middle of a bustling train station. Harry looked around frantically, but no one seemed to have noticed their arrival. Harry looked back at Aurora.

"Well?" he asked.

"Not bad," Aurora said. "At least you didn't end up here naked."

Harry's eyes widened. "That can happen?"

"No," Aurora said, "but the look on your face is priceless.

Harry scowled and Aurora giggled. Her musical laugh filled the air causing everyone to glance in their direction.

"How do we get on the platform?" Harry asked.

"Just walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. It's been turned into a doorway that will allow you onto platform nine and three quarters."

Harry shot the barrier an apprehensive glance. "I'm not a wizard," he hissed.

Aurora shrugged. "Neither am I, but I got through just fine."

Harry blinked. "You what?"

"I came down here the night after we got home from getting your school supplies. I was able to pass through the barrier with no problems."

Harry knew better than to ask Aurora why she'd felt the need to do this. She was a shrewd woman that planned ahead and took as few risks as possible. Taking a deep breath, Harry pushed his trolly towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

As he passed through the barrier, it felt as if he'd walked through an Icy shower. He winced as his stomach cramped violently. Aurora gripped his arm firmly, keeping him from falling.

"What was that?" he gasped.

"The archway onto platform nine and three quarters is made of iron, not debilitating, but uncomfortable."

"And you didn't tell me that before because?"

"I didn't want you to stop while passing through the barrier. I don't know how many can pass through it at once or what will happen if someone is still standing in the archway when someone else tries to come through."

Harry opened his mouth to respond when a soft voice spoke up.

"isn't it amazing," a voice said from beside them.

Harry turned to see a girl with strawberry blond hair and sparkling blue eyes staring at the train in wonder.

Aurora smiled at her. "First time on the platform?"

The girl blushed. "Yes Ma'am," she said.

"Aurora chuckled. "Don't call me Ma'am, you'll make me feel old. It's Harry's first yar too."

The girl's parents approached her. "Hello," the man said extending a hand. "I am Jonathan Greengrass."

"Aurora took his hand. As their hands touched, she felt a spark of power pass between them. The man jerked back. "What was that?"

Aurora shook her hand. "I don't know."

The man chuckled. "Magic is wonderful, isn't it?"

Aurora laughed back as a blond woman resembling the girl approached. "I'm Melissa," she said extending a hand.

Aurora took her hand and felt the same spark. Melissa giggled. "Magic strikes again."

Aurora grinned. "So, it has. "I don't think I'll be shaking anymore hands today."

The train whistle blew and Harry and the girl turned towards the sound. "Be careful," Aurora said kissing his forehead. She leaned close. "Keep an eye on the girl. She has a touch of fae blood on both sides."

"Mage?" Harry breathed.

"I don't know," Aurora whispered, "but if she is, she's going to need help."

Harry nodded. "I'll look after her."

He and the girl climbed aboard the train and watched their respective guardian's wave until the train turned a corner. After they were out of sight, Daphne turned to look at Harry.

"Shall we try and find a compartment?"

"Suppose so," Harry said.

**C**

Aurora appeared back at her cabin and froze. An old woman with golden eyes leaned against the wall of the cabin.

"Is the boy alright?" she asked.

Aurora raised an eyebrow. "You haven't checked on him in eleven years. Why would you come now?"

The old woman frowned. "The queen said she would kill me if I came here again. Mages have fae blood, so we are still subject to the court that our ancestor came from."

"The queen has been a swan for six years," Aurora said calmly.

"The queen is also Faerie royalty and I stole her son and gave him to wizards. I will not place my life in her hands if I can help it."

A hound with one white ear and one red ear came out of the cabin. The old woman, seeing the hound, bowed slightly. "Milord," she said.

The hound lay down on his side and seemed to go to sleep. Aurora shook her head. "Harry is fine for now. I've trained him to the best of my ability and tried to give him the best life I can."

The old woman nodded. "If he needs the mages, tell him to contact Ruth Freemantle. We will come when he calls."

"Thank you," Aurora said. "I will pass on the message."

The old woman took a step and vanished. Aurora started to enter the cabin, but the hound blocked her. He stared at the cabin door and growled threateningly.

"What is it?" Aurora asked. She stepped closer and felt the icy feel of the magic wash over her. "Ariana," she whispered.

Slowly, she stepped into the cabin. The hound stayed in front of her, still growling softly.

"Well," an auburn-haired woman said lounging in one of the simple wooden chairs as if it were a throne. "This is a surprise." She pointed at the hound. "So that is where you've been all these years."

"Ariana," Aurora said. "Why are you here?"

"Merely to talk," Ariana said. "When will you return our heir to the courts."

"When he is capable of protecting himself."

Ariana frowned. "Are you suggesting he would be in danger?"

"With you as regent, yes."

"I would never harm the son of my sister wife."

"Right," Aurora's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Which is exactly why his parents invoking the changeling law regardless of the curse."

"You would think my dear husband," Ariana shot the hound a look, "Would've trusted me more."

Aurora snorted. "Assassins tried to slay him within hours of his birth. They were assassins from your court, which means there are traitors in the court. If anything proves that he wouldn't be safe there, that is it."

"My husband dealt with the assassins."

"I, nor my queen, are naïve enough to think that was all you had."

Ariana sighed. "So, mistrusting."

Aurora sat down across from her. "You entered my home without being invited, so I can tell you, get out."

A flash of anger crossed Ariana's face. "I will not be spoken to by a nothing like you," she hissed.

Aurora drew a long black iron knife from the folds of her dress. "This nothing can bare the touch of iron. A majority of mortal blood does have its perks. Can you cast a spell before I bury this somewhere important, I wonder?"

Ariana stared at the iron blade. "That is not a universal protection," she said.

"So it isn't, but it's enough to make the playing field a fraction more even."

Ariana raised a hand. The temperature rose as magic began to build around her. Aurora's hand flashed out and Ariana jerked back, hissing in pain. Smoke rose from the cut across her palm. The magic in the air faded leaving the air noticeably cooler than before.

"Still think I'm bluffing?" Aurora said. "If I sense any magic besides my own, you will die."

Ariana looked down at the cut on her hand. The edges of the wound were blackened. The wound smelled like meat that had been left in ice for too long. "It seems we are at a parting of the ways."

"You and I were never in agreement," Aurora said. We were never allies. This is not a big loss for me."

Ariana stood. "I entered your home uninvited. I used magic in your home without your consent. These facts protect you, but mark my words, I will never forget this."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Aurora said watching Ariana stride to the door.

"With one last glare, Ariana was gone.

Aurora looked down at the hound. "You really should've picked your first wife better."

The hound chuffed.

"Right, marrying someone because they're pretty has never come back to bite anyone." She poured herself a glass of milk and took a long sip. "I hope Harry is having a better time than I am."

**C**

"Your parents are an auror and a magical solicitor?" Harry asked. "And Aurors are like magical law officers?"

The girl, Daphne, nodded. "That's exactly what they are. My entire family is in magical law enforcement."

Harry grinned. "So, your family cares about justice?"

"Absolutely, a lot of my family served the Death eaters, but my parents were different."

"Mine to," Harry said. "From what I was told, my Mum was a mistress of charms and Runes, and my dad was a master of transfiguration."

Daphne opened her mouth to speak when a plump witch pushed open the door. "Anything from the trolly dears?" she asked.

Harry stood and made his way to the trolley. Examining everything on offer, he decided to buy a little of everything. Carrying his load back into the compartment, he spread it all out on an empty seat.

"Want some?" Harry asked Daphne.

"Sure," Daphne said. She opened a pack of chocolate frogs. "I always love these."

Harry picked one of the frogs up and unwrapping it, took a bite. "Pretty good," he said.

"The best part is the cards that come with the frogs," Daphne said.

He picked up the card that had fallen on his lap and glanced at it. At the site of the face with iron grey hair and amber eyes, he frowned.

"Merlin," he growled.

Daphne looked up from a Pumpkin Pasty at his tone. "You don't like Merlin?"

"He betrayed us," Harry said distractedly.

"Betrayed you?" Daphne asked. "What do you mean?"

Harry blinked as if he'd just remembered she was there. "Oh, err, nothing. I meant he betrayed my Ancestors."

"There's nothing about that in the stories," Daphne said.

"No, there wouldn't be. It wasn't widely known. To most of the world, Merlin was a hero and a champion of the Muggles and Muggle-born."

"Most would consider that a good thing," Daphne said.

"Of course, but people have many faces, and when it came to Merlin, people only saw the face he wanted them to see."

"I see," Daphne said. "Will you tell me about it?"

"Maybe someday when I know the whole story."

They drifted off onto other topics. Harry told Daphne of growing up with Aurora.

"So, you didn't live in a castle with servants, knights, and an army of wizards guarding you?"

Harry snorted. "Hardly," he said. "Aurora just gave me my clothes back when I came to Hogwarts. Said she wanted me to be able to make my clothes. He frowned. "I bet she'll take them away at Christmas too."

Daphne giggled.

"It's not funny," Harry said. "She wants me to be able to make designs on them and stuff."

Daphne laughed harder. "You were starkers?"

"For a week," Harry confirmed. "My first attempt at underwear was a disaster."

Daphne sobered. "You're not having me on, right? She really took your clothes away?"

"Yup," Harry said. "Until I could make my own."

"She seems weird," Daphne said.

"Oh, she is," Harry said, "but she's the only Mother I've ever known. At that moment, the swan flew through the window and landed on his shoulder.

"Is that your pet?" Daphne gasped. "She's beautiful."

"Hardly," Harry said. "She's not my pet, she's, my friend."

The swan nuzzled his cheek.

"What's her name?" Daphne asked.

Harry glanced at the swan. "I don't know. We never named her or at least Aurora never said she had a name."

"Are you going to give her one?"

Harry shrugged. "Maybe in future if she says she wants one. For now, she's just my friend."

They were interrupted as the compartment door swung open. The same pale blond boy from the robe shop stood in the doorway.

"It's true," he drawled. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

"Yes," Harry said. "I have."

"For a wizarding hero, you didn't seem to know much about our world when we met in the shop."

"I was raised away from it, but I assure you, I am aware of my heritage."

"The boy nodded. "My name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. You may be aware of your place in our world, but you will still need allies. I can help you there." He held out a hand.

Harry took the proffered hand and shook it firmly. "For now, I cannot see our interests crossing, but I will keep your offer in mind if ever I need aid."

"Malfoy nodded. "That is all I ask. He turned and left the compartment."

"He was a bit less smarmy than normal," Daphne said.

Harry shrugged. "He didn't leave a very good impression when I met him in the robe shop, but I'll keep my options open. No point in making enemies on my first day here. I take it you know him?"

"Oh yes, my Mum's had dealings with him over the years. She's convinced that the family isn't trustworthy. You do know his Father was a servant of Voldemort? He killed my uncle."

"Imperius defense?" Harry asked.

Daphne nodded.

"I noticed you say Voldemort's name. A lot of people just say You-Know-Who."

"My family has never been afraid to speak his name. It's a lot easier when you realize it was a made-up name."

"The Malfoy family is well connected in the Wizarding world. I've been away from the Wizarding world for ten years. I may have a fair bit of money, the status of being the first person to have survived a killing curse, and be the heir to the house of Potter, but I don't have the political clout that the Malfoys have."

Daphne frowned, but nodded. "Politics has never been something I've studied. My family has a seat on the Wizengamot, but I hope I won't be the one to take up the seat. My Uncle held the seat, but as I said, he's dead. My Father holds the seat now and he's really good at it. Mind you, he would be, being a solicitor."

Harry nodded. "I'm only eleven. I don't even know if I want to study politics. Unfortunately, I'm the last of my family line. I may not have a choice, but to take up the seat. I do know that Malfoy's actions were determined by politics. He mentioned nothing about being friends, merely allies."

"He could just want to be your friend," Daphne said, "But he's a Slytherin, so I wouldn't bet on it."

"He could which is why I handled the situation the way I did."

The swan trilled and rubbed her head against his cheek. Harry got the feeling she was proud of him. The door suddenly slid open.

"Daff," a blond girl with pigtails said.

"Tracy," Daphne said. "How was your summer?"

"Great," Tracy said. She glanced at Harry. "Who's that?"

"Harry Potter," Harry said.

Tracy's eyes widened and she flushed. "Tracy Davis," she said. "How do you do?"

Harry shook the girl's hand. Tracy looked around the compartment. "May I sit down?"

"Of course," Harry said.

As Harry watched Daphne and Tracy talk, he relaxed back into the seat. Perhaps he would be able to make a group of friends here after all.

"I am proud," a voice said in his head. "You have no idea how proud."

Harry jerked as if he'd been stung by a bee and turned to see the swan staring at him.

"Harry?" Daphne said. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Harry said. "I think I need to go to the Toilet."

**C**

Harry stared into the mirror. Had the swan just talked to him. He knew Aurora spoke to the swan and hound on a regular basis, but she had a magical gift, a gift that only certain types of fae possessed. Harry didn't have that gift, so how could the swan have spoken to him and why would a bird be proud of him?

It was true that she was extremely intelligent, but she was just a swan, wasn't she?"

Harry decided he would keep an eye on his friend. If she spoke again, he would send a letter to Aurora. He could've transported himself home, but Aurora had told him not to do so unless it was an emergency.

Sighing, Harry turned and headed back to his compartment.

**C**

As he approached his compartment, Harry saw a nervous looking boy talking to Daphne and Tracy.

"I can't find him," he said sniffling.

"I'm sure Harry will help," Tracy said. "We'll find him don't worry. Between the three of us, he can't hide from us."

"Help with what?" Harry asked.

"Neville here has lost his toad. "Do you think you can help find it?" Daphne said.

Harry reached out with his magic, searching for a toad. He felt nothing. Frowning, he drew his wand and focused his magic through it.

The image of a rather large toad flashed into his mind. Concentrating, the toad appeared in his other hand.

"Here you go," he handed the toad to the boy.

"Trever," Neville cried. "Thank you."

Harry nodded to him. "Glad I could help."

"Would you like to sit with us Neville?" Tracy asked.

"Erm, alright," Neville said.

Harry gestured at the remains of the snacks from the trolley. "Help yourself," he said.

"Thanks," Neville said picking up a Pumpkin Pasty.

A voice suddenly echoed through the train. "We will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

"Well, let's do this," Harry said. He glanced at Daphne and Tracy noticing that they were already wearing their robes. He blinked. "When did you change?"

"There's more than one bathroom on this train," Tracy said.

Harry blushed. "Right, I'll be right back. Standing up, he went back to the bathroom and quickly changed into his robes. When he stepped out, Neville stood there.

"T-thanks for helping me find my toad," he murmured.

"You're welcome," Harry said. "I'm glad I was able to help."

"I-I'll see you back in the c-compartment," he said. Harry started walking back to his compartment. As he walked, he thought of the nervous boy.

Neville Longbottom seemed to be afraid of his own shadow. He needed to find a way to help him, but how? He knew nothing about him. Perhaps he would think of something once he got to know the boy. He would have to keep his eyes open for anything that would boost his confidence.

**C**

Niamh shifted on the luggage rack next to Harry's trunk. She could feel the magic of Hogwarts drawing closer. Perhaps she could find something there to break this blasted curse. Harry needed her and she would not let him down. Aurora was powerful, but Harry needed to learn more than what Aurora could teach him. She would break this curse and she would help her son be the best he could be. Her mind drifted to the people Harry had met on the train.

Daphne Greengrass was odd. She could sense the fae magic all around her, but how was that possible? The fae kept an eye on their half-blood offspring. Family meant everything to them. They would have known if a fae line had merged with a wizarding bloodline, wouldn't they?"

When fae mated with humans, if the fae genes were dominant, the child was always taken to Underhill to insure the fae blood stayed in fae lines. Even those children that were mostly human were watched and protected, so how was this witch wielding fae magic? Why had her ancestors not been taken to Underhill? Was it possible that a grandparent on each side had been fae, but if that were the case, why did the fae magic surface now? She could sense it in the girls' parents, but all it would do would be to increase the strength and potency of their magic. Daphne would no doubt develop fae magic, but what kind remained to be seen.

With no answers, she let her mind drift to Neville Longbottom. The boy was nervous and lacked confidence, but he had great potential. The boy seemed to have a gift with plants and herbology. His magic felt like the forest and smelled of earth and growing things. The last time she'd sensed this magic was when she'd met Helga Hufflepuff. Could the Longbottom boy be one of her descendance? If the Longbottom boy was a Druid, how many more of the old magics were returning? Could this be a sign that it was time for the fae to return to the world of man?

Tracy Davis seemed like a loyal girl, but she sensed no strange magic around her. She was a fairly powerful witch, but not out of the ordinary. Still, she would keep an eye on her. Loyalty was hard to find these days."

She was glad she'd come here. She would watch and see how things developed. She smiled inwardly. When she wasn't delivering Harry's letters that was.

**C**

Harry felt a thrill of excitement as the train began to slow. Finally, he had arrived at Hogwarts. As the train drew to a holt, Harry stood.

"Ready," he asked Neville, Tracy, and Daphne.

Daphne beamed at him while Neville looked as if he were going to be sick. Tracy bounced on her feet in excitement.

As the four of them stumbled off the train, they saw a giant man around 10 feet tall smiling down at the group of students.

"Well," he boomed. "It's always good to see the first years. You're going to love Hogwarts. Now come with me."

The first years followed the giant to a small fleet of wooden boats bobbing in a large lake. Harry thought he could see a small speck off in the distance.

"No more than four to a boat," the giant said.

Harry helped Neville and Tracy into the boat before climbing in himself. Neville climbed into the boat in front of them with a sandy haired boy. A girl with bushy brown hair and brown eyes looked around nervously.

"Come on," Harry said.

The girl hesitantly climbed into the boat, nodding to Harry.

"Thank you," she said.

Harry smiled back at her.

"Everyone in," the giant bellowed. "Forward."

The boats began to move, speeding across the lake. Harry looked over the side of the boat and saw a long tentacle rise out of the lake.

"What was that?" he asked.

Tracy grinned. "They say there's a giant squid in the lake."

"Neat," Harry said as Daphne squeaked.

"You'll get your first sight of Hogwarts in a minute," the giant said.

As they rounded a bend, everyone gasped. A castle was perched on the cliffs high above them. Every window blazed with a warm welcoming glow. Harry could feel the magic of the school washing over him. He heard the warbling cry of a bird and looked up to see his swan flying overhead. He was distracted as the boats bumped into a wooden dock.

"Careful," the giant called. "Don't slip."

Harry and the others disembarked and stumbled across the dock and up a set of wooden steps. The giant raised his enormous fist, and wrapped on the door sharply.

A/N I've decided to continue this story. I hope you all enjoy.