Chapter 8

The redhead looked out at the ocean before turning to Harry. "So, you're in Gryffindor?"

"Yup," Harry grinned. "Sure am. What house do you think you'll be in?"

The girl shrugged. "My family has always been in Gryffindor. I hope to continue that streak."

"And you'll be coming next year?" Harry asked.

"Yes," the girl said.

"I look forward to seeing you outside my dreams."

The girl leaned over and kissed his cheek. "It's time for you to wake up."

Harry blinked and the world around him dissolved.

**C**

Harry awoke and quickly got dressed. He made his way to the Great Hall. As he passed the Slytherin table, he smiled at Daphne.

"Hello Daphne," he said.

Daphne smiled back. "Hi, I'm looking forward to my first day of classes."

"Me too," Harry said.

"Oi," Malfoy said stopping beside Daphne. "Why are you talking to a Gryffindor?"

"Why not?" Daphne said. "He's, my friend."

"Gryffindors and Slytherins don't make friends with each other."

"These two do," Daphne said firmly.

"We'll see about that," Malfoy said. "You have to return to the common room at some point. When you do, we'll see how well your precious friendship lasts."

Daphne shrugged. "I guess we will see."

As Malfoy stalked away, Harry frowned. "Are you going to be alright?"

Daphne shook her head. "Malfoy is all talk. "He won't hurt me."

"Just be careful," Harry said.

"Daphne smiled. "It's sweet, but you worry too much."

"Better too much than not enough."

As Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table, the swan flew down and landed in front of him. Harry pulled out a piece of parchment and pinned a note to Aurora."

**C**

Aurora:

How are you? I was sorted into Gryffindor. How are things at home?

I'm writing this to ask if there's any way to keep an eye on a friend. Daphne Greengrass was sorted into Slytherin and Draco Malfoy has already threatened her.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Love

Harry

**C**

Harry handed the letter to the swan. Can you get this to Aurora as fast as you can?"

The swan nodded and flew into the air. Her wings became a blur as she exited the hall. Harry stared after her before piling some food on his plate and beginning to eat. Neville Longbottom dropped into the seat beside him rubbing his eyes.

"You look worried. Is something wrong?"

Harry shook his head. "No, not yet. They both looked up as McGonagall came over carrying their schedules.

As Harry took his schedule, he looked to see what his first class was. "Looks like we got Transfiguration first. Are you ready?"

Neville looked down at his plate. "I'm not great shakes at magic."

Harry clapped him on the shoulder. "That's why we all start at the beginning."

Neville drew out his wand and looked at it. "This was my dad's," he said. "I hope I can use it to make him proud."

Harry eyed the wand, a speculative look on his face. "I thought a wand bonded with a wizard. It's unlikely that it would bond with another, regardless of family relations."

"That's what Olivander always said, but Gran always wanted me to use my dad's wand."

Harry stared at the wand. "How does it feel when you hold it?"

Neville's eyes became unfocused as he thought. "It's kind of like… holding someone else's arm."

"That's what I thought," Harry said. "We'll need to see how this lesson goes, but we may need to talk to the professor about getting you a new wand."

"Gran wouldn't go for that," Neville said sadly.

"We can worry about that when the time comes. Come on, we're going to be late to transfiguration."

**C**

McGonagall was just as formidable as she appeared. Before she set them to transfiguring a match into a needle, she gave them a warning.

"Transfiguration is one of the most complex and difficult branches of magic. Many things can go wrong if it's done incorrectly. Anyone caught messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned. Now, try transfiguring these matches into needles."

Harry looked at Neville. "Do you want to try first?" he asked gesturing at the match.

Neville pointed his wand at the match. "He mumbled the incantation.

Their desk exploded. Flaming bits of wood flew all over the room.

Harry looked up from the smoking pile of wood and metal. "Neville?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you need a new wand."

"Indeed," Professor McGonagall said stopping beside their table. "You were supposed to transfigure a match into a needle. How did this," she pointed at the pile of wood, "happen?"

Neville shrank back in his seat. "Sorry," he mumbled.

McGonagall sighed. Flicking her wand, the desk repaired itself. "Let's see what you can do," she said turning to Harry.

Harry drew his wand. Pointing his wand at the needle, he concentrated. The wooden match shimmered before growing a point."

"Not bad,' McGonagall said. It's a nice start, but you need to finish the transfiguration."

McGonagall turned to Neville. "We will need to get you a new wand. It is clear that one doesn't work well for you."

"What am I supposed to do with a badly matched wand," he asked. "How long will I be unable to participate in my classes?"

McGonagall gave Neville a rare smile. "We'll get you a better wand tomorrow. Hogwarts has a fund for just such an occasion. So even if your grandmother would refuse to get you a new wand, we can get one for you." She waved her wand. "Keep working Mr. Potter. See if you can do this transfiguration correctly."

As she walked away, Harry clicked his fingers. The matched took on the texture and appearance of metal.

Harry frowned. "I can create clothes, but can't transfigure a match?" he grumbled.

Neville stared down at his wand. "What am I going to tell my Gran? She's not going to be happy."

"It's not your fault that your dad's wand doesn't work for you. It's just the way things worked out."

Neville nodded Morosely. "I guess you're right."

Harry continued working on the match. "Visualize," he muttered to himself.

Forcing himself to relax, Harry clicked his fingers. The match shimmered before solidifying again. "Yes," Harry said.

"Very good," McGonagall said appearing at his side. She picked up the needle and examined it closely.

"A bit plain, but serviceable. Well, done. Five pointes to Gryffindor."

Harry reached out his hand. "May I?" he asked.

"Certainly," McGonagall said.

McGonagall reversed the transfiguration before handing it back.

Harry laid the match on the table in front of him and waved his wand, concentrating on what he wanted.

The match stretched and thinned. The wood turned a silver color. When he was done, Harry handed the needle back.

"Amazing," McGonagall said. "Silver after two tries. "That is amazing for a first lesson." She gently applied pressure to the needle. The needle snapped revealing a wooden center."

"Not a complete transfiguration," McGonagall said, "But a good start none the less. You have a great potential for this branch of magic. I expect great things from you in future."

**C**

As they exited the class a little later, Neville was still staring at his wand. He finally tucked it back in his robes. "Herbology is next," he said sounding much more excited.

"Ah," Harry said. "I take it you're good at that?"

Neville brightened. "You just wait and you'll see how good I am."

Harry was happy to see Neville excited about a class. As they walked down the hall, he wondered if Aurora had gotten his letter by now.

**C**

Aurora frowned down at the letter in front of her. She glanced up at the swan. "You fly fast, don't you?" she said.

She pushed the letter away from her. "I guess I need to have a talk with the Greengrass's. The swan bobbed its head. "I take it you'll wait for a response?"

The swan bobbed its head again.

"I'll be back soon then."

**C**

Mellissa Greengrass frowned down at the letter. "I was a Ravenclaw, so I don't know if Slytherin would be this… anti-Gryffindor."

Jonathan nodded. "Things weren't that bad back in my day, but since Severus Snape took over, I've been told things have gotten worse."

"How much worse?" Aurora asked.

"Well back when I was at Hogwarts in the seventies, Gryffindor and Slytherin friendships were rare, but not unheard of. While you had some in the house that didn't approve; they didn't interfere."

"And that changed when Snape took over?" Mellissa asked.

"From what I was told," Jonathan said. I was in Aura training by that point, but from what recent graduates have told me, Snape has fostered Gryffindor and Slytherin animosity."

"So, what do we do?" Aurora asked.

"Ask your Godson to keep you informed of the happenings at Hogwarts. If something happens, we may need to step in." He handed her two carved phoenixes.

"This will heat up if either of them is in danger."

Aurora nodded. She took the talisman's and stood to leave when a small girl walked down the stairs. Aurora noticed that she was very pale and frail looking. Her long blond hair hung in lank curls down her back and her eyes were filled with a bone deep weariness.

"Tori," Mellissa said getting to her feet. "How are you feeling?"

"The girl scowled. "I'm find Mum. Honestly, you worry too much."

"That's a mother's right," Mellissa said going over to her. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

"Not very hungry," the girl said.

"You need to eat something," Jonathan said.

The girl sighed. "Some toast then I guess."

As Mellissa ushered the girl into the kitchen, Aurora looked at Jonathan.

"My daughter," he said without prompting. "Her name is Astoria. Some bastard laid a curse on my family several centuries ago. It shows up as a blood malediction every few generations."

"I see," Aurora said. She stared at Jonathan so long he began shifting in his seat. "Are you aware that you have fae blood?" she asked finally.

Jonathan blinked. "I know there has been stories. Supposedly, my family descends from a sidhe noble. Mellissa supposedly has dryad blood from her mother's side. What does that have to do with anything?"

"My grandmother was fae," Aurora explained. The fae look after their own, no matter how thin the blood gets. I know of another family that they've helped. I'm sure I can convince my friend to take a look at your daughter."

"I see," Jonathan said. "What's the catch? According to the stories, the fae never do anything for free."

"Never do anything for mortals for free," Aurora corrected. "You are of fae blood. They may ask a service, but it won't be your first born or anything like that."

Jonathan relaxed. "If you think she will help. I would appreciate it. I want my daughter to live a long and happy life, not a short and painful one." He extended a hand. "I pledge a service to the fae for my daughters healing. This service will not involve my daughter being forced to marry or being taking from her family."

Aurora shook his hand firmly. "Agreed, I'll be in touch. She headed for the door. With her hand on the handle, she stopped. "Can you keep my fae blood to yourself? I don't want the ministry finding out the-boy-who-lived has a pseudo faerie-God-mother. There's no telling what they might do."

"Of course," Jonathan said. "Your secret is safe with me."

Nodding her thanks, Aurora slipped out the door.

**C**

As Aurora approached the cabin, she drew her iron knife as she saw a figure leaning against the wall.

"Be at ease," the figure said. "I have no interest in harming thee."

Aurora slowed her approach. "Step into the light," she said firmly.

A short stocky figure stepped into the afternoon sunlight. The figure war a black leather jacket. A bronze short sword hung on his right hip. A scarlet cap was perched on his head. The cap gleamed wetly in the sunlight. A thin trail of blood ran down his forehead.

"Redcap," Aurora said.

"Aye," the redcap said. "Thou canst call me Red."

"Hello red," Aurora responded. "What do you want?"

"I am here searching for the Highking."

"What makes you think he is here?"

"I tracked his magic to this place," Red said.

"If you have been away from Underhill, you must have slain a mortal to stay at full strength," Aurora said. "Who was it?"

"Thou knowest that the Highking's court is made of the Seelie and Unseelie. I obey his laws, no matter how irksome I find them. He commanded us to slay no innocent. I have obeyed that law. Twas a rapist I slew to quench my cap."

"Very well," Aurora said. "Tell me, what will you do if you find the king."

"I will protect him," Red said. "He has my loyalty till death and beyond."

Aurora stared at Red. "The king has fallen prey to the curse."

"Ahh," Red said. "That explains why he never returned to the court. This is troubling."

"It is," Aurora said.

"What will you do now?" Aurora said.

"If it pleaseth thee, I would like to stay with thee. I shall not return to the court. The regent queen may force me to tell what I know. If she finds out what has befallen the king, I fear what she may do."

Before Aurora could respond, the hound slipped out the cabin door and stood beside her. When Red saw him, he dropped to one knee and reached out a hand. The hound approached the redcap, staring him in the eye. Gently, Red stroked the hounds' ears. "Sire," he mumbled. "At last, I have found thee."

Rising to his feet, he walked a slow circle around the hound. His black eyes were narrowed in concentration. He chewed at his lower lip with sharp teeth, never taking his eyes off the hound.

"Alright," he said finally. "The magic is strong, but I can see a counter."

"How?" Aurora said taking a step forward.

"The curse can only be broken by someone that does not know they're breaking the curse."

"Huh?" Aurora said.

"The curse can only be broken by someone that means the king harm."

"Well, that's fantastic," Aurora said dryly. "So, what, we call someone here to kill him?"

"No, then he would die," Red said. "Whoever comes here must not know that they are breaking the curse. They must not even suspect it."

"Great," Aurora said. "No wonder this curse has never been broken."

"Indeed," Red said. "When Merlin invoked this curse to protect the wizards, he intended for the fae to leave the children in the wizarding world permanently. He did not want them to come back to check on the child.

"And the curse was the only way?"

Red snorted. "I never said he was smart. I never said he thought things through. The king was very angry when Merlin did what he did, but it was too late to change it. The only change he could make to the curse was that if it was broken on one, it would be destroyed. He also managed to weaken it enough that it only took effect for the first seven years of life. It is the height of irony that he was trapped by the curse."

The hound chuffed.

Red lowered his head. "I wish there was more I could do to help."

"It's alright," Aurora said. "At least you were able to identify the curse and give us a clue to breaking it. Thank you."

Red nodded smiling slightly. "I don't suppose thou couldest spare a drink could thee?"

Aurora laughed. "Come on. I'll get you something."

**C**

Harry stumbled out of the greenhouse, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I don't think I'm any good at Herbology."

Neville chuckled. "I suppose you're not, but hey, at least your good with transfiguration."

"At least there's that," Harry said. "Come on, we've got lunch to get to and we've got astronomy tonight."

As they walked towards the castle, the swan flew down and landed on his shoulder. "That was fast," Harry said.

The swan dropped a letter into his open hand. Unrolling the letter, two wooden phoenixes on long strings fell out. Picking up the phoenixes, Harry tucked them in his pocket before beginning to read the letter.

**C**

Harry:

I'm glad to hear you are well. I have spoken to the Greengrass family and they have asked you to keep an eye on their daughter for them. Since you were going to do that anyway, I saw no problem with agreeing. To that end, I have sent you these carvings. They are linked and will heat up when one or the other of you are in danger. They each have some basic enchantments worked into them that will prevent basic hexes and jynxes. Give one to her and keep the other for yourself.

If anything happens, send the swan to me immediately. We both have seen how fast she can fly.

I am very proud of you and look forward to seeing you at Christmas.

Love

Aurora

**C**

Harry folded the letter and tucked it away. He looked at the two carvings. The phoenixes were carved in exquisite detail. Harry could see each individual feather in the wood.

"Harry?" Neville asked.

"It's alright. Come on, we need to get to the great Hall."

As they entered the hall, Harry saw Daphne up ahead of him. He sped up to walk with her. "Daphne?" he called.

Daphne turned to look at him and smiled. "Hi," she said. "How's your first day going?"

"Fine," Harry said. "Listen, I got you something. These are protection talismans. Will you wear this one for me?"

Smiling slightly, Daphne took the phoenix and draped the silk cord around her neck. "Thanks, but why do you think I'll need this?"

"After your confrontation with Malfoy this morning, I wanted you to have as much protection as I could get my hands on."

Daphne kissed his cheek. "Thanks, but I can handle Malfoy, I appreciate the protection and I never turn down a gift. I'll wear this with pride."

Harry watched her walk away, rubbing the place on his cheek where her lips had touched. As he turned to go to the Gryffindor table, he saw Malfoy glaring at him. Harry felt fear rising in his chest. Somehow, he feared that Daphne was going to need all the protection she could get.