Chapter 11

Dumbledore looked at the blond woman over his half-moon spectacles. He glanced from the woman to the scowling Filch.

"You wish to retire Argus?"

"Yes," Filch said. "You know of my condition Albus. I can't stand it anymore. I… I can't stand watching those little brats learn what I can't."

"I see," Dumbledore said. "What will you do for money?"

"That is my concern not yours," Filch said gruffly.

Dumbledore frowned. "I merely ask because I am worried about your future. I do not wish for you to be sent out into poverty."

"I don't even know why I took this job," Filch said. "I should've realized how hard it would be. It's not good for me. Every day I watch these brats learn magic I hate them a little more."

Dumbledore glanced at the blond. "Why would you want the position as caretaker. If you have magic, you could get many more lucrative positions."

"I have my reasons," the blond said. "It is true that I could get more lucrative jobs as you put it, but I love children and all your teaching positions are taken. At least this way, the children can see me around and get use to me.'

Dumbledore smiled as he turned to Filch. "Where did you meet this lovely lady?"

"Meet her?" Filch grumbled. I never met her. She just showed up in my quarters, pointed out my flaws, and offered me a bag of gold for my position."

Dumbledore blinked. "And you err think she is the best person for the job?"

"Hell, Albus I don't know, but this job isn't like inventing new spells. If a squib can do it, then a witch should be able to do it easily."

"True enough," Albus said. "You are sure that you have enough to get you started on a new life?"

"Yes," Filch said. "I will be fine. The money the woman gave me was quite generous. I never thought I'd be paid to leave my position."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Stranger things have happened at Hogwarts."

"Yes," Filch said." He turned to the woman. "I must warn you about the little blighters."

The woman held up a hand. "That will not be necessary," she said in a steely tone. "You have already said that you hate children. I would rather not have your point-of-view marring my own."

"Fair enough, on your own head be it."

He stood, gathering his grey dusty cat in his arms. "I do not think there is anymore that needs to be said." He offered Dumbledore a hand. "Albus."

Dumbledore shook Filch's hand. "If you ever require a job, all you must do is come back. I'm sure we can find something for you to do."

"Right," Filch said with a sneer. He turned to the woman. "Good luck," he said. "You're going to need it."

**C**

Niamh watched Filch stalk out of the office before turning to face Dumbledore. "Quite an appalling fellow,' she said.

Dumbledore winced. "He can be…" He struggled to think of something nice to say about Filch. "Determined."

"Impressive," Niamh said. "You found something complimentary to say about the hateful little man."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Years of practice my dear." He looked her up and down, examining her closely.

"You have eyes like one of our students," he said at last.

"Yes," Niamh said. "I have eyes like Harry."

"How did you…" Dumbledore began.

"Harry and I are related,' Niamh said. I received word of a tragedy and came here to be close to Harry."

"Tragedy?" Dumbledore said.

"Aurora is dead," Niamh said. She was murdered with a mundane weapon. It was arranged that if something happened to her that I would take over Harry's guardianship."

"But why come here?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because I haven't seen Harry in years. Circumstances kept me away from him. I need to be close to him. I need to build that relationship if I am to take him in."

Dumbledore smiled. "So, you would take the lowest job a person can take at Hogwarts?"

"I would gladly take the job of a House elf if that was what it took to be close to Harry."

Dumbledore gazed at Niamh. "You speak as if you were more than a close relative."

Niamh said nothing, merely staring back at Dumbledore. If she was unable to procure this position, she would remove Harry from Hogwarts and train him herself, but her son needed to be around children his own age. For that reason, she would stay here to guard him.

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Harry does have Dark wizards after him?" he began.

"The Death Eaters were unable to find him for ten years," Niamh said. "They will not find him now."

"I see,' Dumbledore said. "You're sure?"

"Yes," Niamh said.

"Very well," Dumbledore said. He would've liked to return Harry to the Dursleys, but if this Niamh was a blood relative, then he had no recourse to do so. There was also the fact that he'd been unable to find Harry for the six years he had not been at the Dursleys. If Niamh was half as good at hiding the boy as Aurora, Harry was in good hands.

He stood. "Would you like to see your quarters?"

**C**

Ariana flicked a hand causing the water in the pool to go dark. Niamh was alive, and not only alive, but released from Merlin's curse. That meant that her husband was alive and would be returning soon. What was she going to do now? Hadrian was easy enough to hide when he was smaller, but her husband would recognize the boy that had tried to kill him.

"Mother," Hadrian said entering the room. "You wished to see me?"

"Yes," Ariana said. "I have a mission for you."

Hadrian nodded. "Anything you need Mother," he said respectfully.

"Good," Ariana said. "This is what you will do."

**C**

The man with silver hair appeared on the street as if he'd sprang from the earth. It'd felt good to walk the earth in his original form once again. He would need to hurry. He could not take the time he'd like to with these mortals, but he had enough time to ensure that they paid for what they'd done to his son.

He strode straight to a house with a large brass number four on the door. Raising his fist, he struck the door hard three times. From inside, he heard a voice roar in rage.

"Who the ruddy hell is knocking at this time of night. A large fat man opened the door, glaring at the silver haired man with small piggy eyes.

"Who are you?"

"I," the man said. "I have come to exact revenge for what you have done." With a wave of his hand, the fat man was flung backward, slamming into the opposite wall.

A deafening shriek came from inside as the man stepped through the door and allowed it to swing shut behind him. A blond horse-faced woman gaped at the intruder.

"Are you one of them?" she whimpered. "You can't do this. We haven't done anything wrong."

"Last time I was here, I was forced to move swiftly. I was unable to punish you for your abuse of my son and although I cannot extend your agony as long as I'd like to, I can take a little time to insure you suffer for what you've done."

"You can't," the fat man said. "We're British citizens. Your lot have no power and no authority."

"My lot?" the man asked. "Out of curiosity, what lot do you believe I belong to?"

"That lot," the fat man said. "You know…" he struggled. "You're a wizard, aren't you?"

The man chuckled. "Hardly. I'm not that… civilized. My people are far older than the wizards or even those laws that govern these shores. Raising his hand, the man clicked his fingers. Where the man and woman had stood there was now a large fat pig and a thin long-legged horse. There was a long mournful howl. The snarling of dogs began to draw closer.

The man grinned, revealing long pointed canines. His amber eyes glowed faintly as he glared at the two animals. "My hounds are hungry," he hissed. "Tonight, they shall feast well." The pig and horse squealed in fear as they suddenly appeared in a forest. "I am not unreasonable," the man said as the shapes of the hounds appeared in the distance. "If you can make it back to the city," he said pointing to a light in the distance, "Not only will your human forms be restored, but you may go free."

The pig and horse gazed at the man with pleading terror filled eyes. The man shook his head.

"Do not look to me for mercy. You showed my son none, so I shall not show you any. Now I suggest you run; my hounds are swift."

As the pig and hound turned to run, they froze. Large black hounds circled them licking their chops in anticipation. "Hold," the man commanded. "Let them run. Give them at least a small chance to escape." The hounds drew back allowing the pig and horse to bolt through the trees.

They didn't make it far. Unused to running on four legs, they tripped and fell to the ground. They didn't rise again.

**C**

Later, the man stared down at the pile of human bones before him. His transmutation had lasted until every scrap of flesh had been consumed. It was good that their boy was not at home. He was still a child and innocent of his parents' crimes. Having said that, the clay of his personality was already formed and would be difficult to change at this stage.

He sighed. He had taken the boy's parents from him. He would need to arrange guardianship for the child. Perhaps it would be best to give the boy a second chance at a childhood. He would find a home, return the boy to the form of an infant, and insure he was placed with a loving family. He smiled to himself. It wouldn't be the first time the fae had taken in a mortal child. A circle of light flared up around him. When the light faded, the man was gone.

**C**

Niamh settled into the large armchair beside the fire and kicked off her shoes. It was nice to be back in her human form after all these years.

Waving a hand, an image appeared in the fire. "Have you returned to the court yet?"

"No," the man said. "I've been tying up some loose ends in the mortal world."

"Loose ends?" Niamh asked. "What sort of loose ends?"

"No one abuses my son," the man said, his silver hair blowing in an unfelt breeze. "They had to be punished for that."

"No one will find any evidence of that I assume?" Niamh asked.

"No."

"Good," Niamh said viciously.

"How's our son?"

"Confused,' Niamh said. "His Godmother was murdered and now I'm back. He doesn't know what to feel. We've been with him this whole time, but haven't been able to speak with him. I think arranging for him to say good-bye to Aurora was a capital idea."

"It was the least I could do," the man said, "For both of them. Tell him I'll come to visit him when I can. I need to let the court know I have returned first."

"I will," Niamh said. She watched as the image in the fireplace vanished. Shifting into her swan form, she vanished from her quarters.

**C**

Harry rolled over in his bed. He couldn't sleep. He still saw Aurora's blood splattered all over the walls of the cabin. He'd told everyone that he wanted to be alone after the troll incident and thankfully, they'd believed him. He'd laid here for hours, waiting on sleep to come, but sleep wouldn't come. He looked up as a heavy weight landed on the mattress.

"Mum?" he asked.

"I thought you'd have trouble sleeping," Niamh said gathering him into her arms.

Harry relaxed into his mother's hug. He felt her shift to lay down beside him his head resting on her breasts.

"I take it you got the job?" Harry asked quietly.

Niamh smiled. "Yes, I did. I'm now caretaker at Hogwarts, so you and I can get to know each other as Mother and son instead of pet and sort of owner."

Harry could feel his eyes growing heavy. "That's good," he said through a yawn. "I miss Aurora."

Niamh ran her fingers through his hair. "Go to sleep, we'll talk more tomorrow."

As if her words had some sort of magic lacing them, Harry fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

**C**

Hadrian appeared in the bowels of the ministry far below any public entrance. He strode down the corridor, heading straight for a particular room.

He stopped in front of an old wooden door. The door appeared as if it hadn't been used in centuries. Dust covered the door and long jagged cracks ran the length of the wood. Closing his eyes, Hadrian concentrated. When he opened them again, his emerald green eyes were glowing a blood red.

"Wards," he said. "Detection wards designed to alert anyone that may come this direction. I must be careful. I cannot allow myself to be discovered."

Slowly, Hadrian moved his fingers in complex patterns through the air. As he moved, runes of fire appeared in the air before fading. The door glowed faintly and swung open.

Sighing in relief, Hadrian strode into the room beyond. Long stone benches were placed at one end of the room. Each bench was facing a raised platform. A large stone arch sat upon the platform. The stone was carved with swirling sigils. The sigils appeared not to belong to any known language, but emanated power none the less. A simple vail hung in the center of the arch, fluttering gently in an unfelt wind.

Hadrian hesitantly approached the archway. He stopped, listening to the soft whispers echoing from the vail. For the first time, he wondered if his mother was correct. What if she was wrong? If he did not do this right, he would die as soon as he stepped through the vail. Shaking his head, he glared at the vail. If his mother had used this vail once before, then he could use it as well. He needed to prepare for his mission. To do that, he needed to complete all obligations that could possibly get in his way.

Hadrian touched several sigils in succession, not allowing himself to hesitate any longer. The vail fluttered violently before folding itself back over the arch. Beyond the arch, Hadrian could see the exact same room, but seen as if he were looking through a pane of glass.

Smiling to himself, Hadrian stepped through the arch, the vail falling gently back into place behind him.

**C**

Harry and Niamh entered Dumbledore's office followed by Daphne.

"Ah, Harry Daphne," Dumbledore said with a smile. "How are you doing this fine morning?"

"Hello sir," Harry said quietly while Daphne nodded stiffly.

"Daphne are you ready to be sorted again?"

"Yes sir," Daphne said.

"Very well," Dumbledore said turning and taking a hat down off the shelf. Handing the hat to Daphne, he conjured a stool for Daphne to sit on.

Daphne sat down and lowered the hat onto her head. No sooner had the hat covered her eyes, a small voice spoke in her ear.

"Ms. Greengrass, I didn't expect to see you again."

'Hello hat,' Daphne thought.

"I see you wanted to be sorted once again," the hat said. "Yes, I can see the problem. It would be dangerous for you to remain in Slytherin."

'I'd like to be in Gryffindor please,' Daphne thought.

The hat chuckled. "I thought that would be the case since you were friends with Mr. Potter."

'So, you'll do it?'

In response, the hat spoke aloud. "Gryffindor."

Daphne took the hat off and passed it back to Dumbledore. Dumbledore smiled at her.

"Well done," he said. "You're the first Greengrass to be sorted into Gryffindor in several generations. Your things have been moved to Gryffindor tower."

Daphne smiled and leaned against the door. Dumbledore turned to Harry. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine sir," Harry said.

Niamh placed an arm around Harry. "Professor, I'm going to Greengrass Manor. I have a promise that needs to be kept. When I get back, I'll begin my duties at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore smiled kindly at Niamh. "Take all the time you need. I dare say that with magic it's going to be a lot easier for you to do your job."

"Hopefully," Niamh said.

She turned to Harry. "Are you going to be alright until I get back?"

"Of course, I will," Harry said.

Niamh kissed Harry's forehead and left the office.

**C**

Jonathan and Mellissa stared at Niamh.

"You look human," Mellissa said.

Niamh chuckled. "What were you expecting?"

Mellissa shrugged. "Don't know."

"Where's Aurora," Jonathan said. "She said she would introduce us to you."

"Niamh looked down at the ground. A single tear ran down her cheek. "Aurora is dead."

Mellissa and Jonathan looked away.

"I'm sorry," Jonathan said. "She seemed like a kind woman."

"She was the best," Niamh said.

Mellissa looked Niamh in the eye. "I'm sorry for your loss, but I have to ask, can you help my daughter?"

Niamh shook her head. "I'll need to look at her. It is possible that I can help her, but I won't know until I examine her."

Mellissa stood. "I'll go get her."

**C**

Niamh stepped back from the bed where Astoria lay. "Alright," she said placing her hands in the small of her back and stretching. "I'm done with my examination."

"And?" Mellissa asked.

"The blood curse is attached to the wizarding side of her blood. Ordinarily, this type of magic would be impossible to counter."

"Ordinarily?" Jonathan asked.

Niamh nodded. "I'll have to go to the court and retrieve an object. It will enable me to break the curse."

"What will the side effects be?"

"She won't be a witch anymore," Niamh said bluntly.

Mellissa's eyes widened in horror. "She'll lose her magic?"

Niamh shook her head firmly. "No, she'll become fae."

"What?" Jonathan asked. "How is that possible?"

"There are several artifacts around the court. They are known as the chalices of restoration. They were created thousands of years ago. Anyone with fae blood that drinks from the chalice will become fae. They were meant for the descendants of the fae to become full blooded fae."

"But she'll be cured?" Jonathan asked.

"Yes," Niamh said. "The curse affects your wizarding ancestors, not the fae ancestors."

"Can we have some time to think about this?" Mellissa asked.

"Of course," Niamh said. "I need time to get the chalice anyway. I'll be in touch."

A/N Sorry this is so late. I've had Covid. Next update will be in February to give me some time to write some more chapters.