Chapter 19: A Cover-Up and an honorary Granger
An exhausted Father Martin sighed as he sat down on his bed. It was a wonderful thing, whatever the little elf had given them. It smelled like roses. The priest tried not to think about the relationship between the smell of roses and the presence of the Virgin Mary. His brain was already befuddled enough without adding that. Martin had always liked natural remedies, but this was way too effective and efficient. Magical, he thought. He had reasoned that if the Grangers, who were doctors, were okay with drinking the vial, he should be too. It didn't taste bad, and it was easy to swallow. He thought about how he immediately felt better. His muscles were no longer in pain. His head had felt clearer, and he had a general sensation of well-being. What was in that vial?
His exhaustion was spiritual. It is really the worst kind there is. His body was fine. He felt strong and healthy, but his mind was a hurricane, and his spirit wouldn't quieten. So many questions were crashing against the walls of his mind. He felt restless and uneasy. He got up and paced the room. He needed to talk to his mentors. He had been blindsided for long enough. This entire world of magic, their knowledge, and their remedies had the potential of saving countless lives. He remembered all the children in hospitals with third-degree burns that could be healed painlessly instead of having to undergo horrible, excruciating treatments and surgeries. Could they have a cure for cancer? Diabetes? Heart disease? He needed time to think and to meditate.
Martin was ashamed. Prayer wasn't coming to him as naturally as it always had. Before, he could always turn to faith when his humanity made him uncertain. Now, he had too many questions and doubts in his once crystal-clear beliefs. His questions weren't just mere curiosity. His doubts were shaking the very foundations of the universe as it existed to him. Was God be real? Were miracles really magic? Was God a… wizard? His head started to throb. Father Martin wanted to know who made the call to separate the magical from the non-magical, the reasons behind it, and why the church was part of the coverup.
He changed into his pajamas, brushed his teeth, and got in bed. He knew sleep wouldn't come to him soon, but he might as well think in a comfortable position. He decided to write all the questions he had in three different lists: one for his mentors, one for King Nagkrat, and one for Sirius, Remus, and the Grangers. He rubbed his wrists. His hands would be sore the next day. The priest only had a typewriter in his office. He had given the desktop computer the church had to a family whose kid was preparing to do his A-Levels. The internet would have served him well. No matter, he would type the questions then go do some research to the local library. Perhaps he could convince the librarian that him looking into witchcraft was a project entrusted to him by a Cardenal. Great, Martin thought, now I'm lying.
"They are sleeping together, Dan," Emma said with a final tone.
"But Emma, they are children," Dan whisper shouted, pointing at the sofa where Harry and Hermione sat asleep with their heads on each other and their hands intertwined.
"Precisely. Get your mind out of the gutter. The kids are too young for any of that. They will just be holding hands," Emma put her hands on her hips in a 'ready to fight you' stance. Dan sighed.
"Fine, but I don't like it."
"Then, don't like it!" Emma whisper shouted back. She walked over to Remus and Lupin with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Remus and Sirius looked at each other questioningly. "Wait, that was you arguing?" Sirius said in a shocked tone. She nodded, blushing. Remus chuckled.
"Why?" Emma asked.
"You argue so… quietly" Sirius finished the phrase rather lamely. Daniel smirked at that, picked the kids up, being careful to keep their hands attached. He walked upstairs.
"Well, we did therapy for a long time. It helps. We usually write down what bothers us and explain why. Then we give what we wrote to each other to read separately. We think about it alone, then sit and work things out talking about the things we wrote."
"That sounds like a very grown-up way to solve conflict…" Remus said, looking meaningfully at Sirius.
Sirius blushed and looked away. "Fine, we can try that if you want to."
"Thanks, doggie," Remus smiled.
"Sirius, I don't know if you have a problem sharing the sofa bed with Remus. You could also use one of the kids' beds, which will be free, but those are rather small for two grown men…" Emma said with a shy smile.
"Really? You don't mind if I stay?" Remus was surprised and grateful. He missed Sirius' comforting presence too much at night.
"Not at all, you are always welcome. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable," she replied, squeezing his hand.
"Don't worry about that. We have shared stone floors before. In any case, Remus is very good at transfiguration. He can turn a child's bed into an adult bed, right?"
"Of course, it's quite simple, Em."
"Alright then, we can talk about the bond and all that tomorrow," Emma said, giving each man a kiss on their cheek. "Sleep well… oh, and if you are bonding tonight, I'll tell you what my mom used to say to me when she knew I was bonding with Dan: 'keep it safe, keep it quiet, and keep it clean.'"
The men burst out laughing and nodded. Emma went upstairs to check on the kids.
She found the kids in Hermione's bedroom. She knew her husband would put them in her daughter's bed because her bed was a trundle bed. As she suspected, Dan put harry in the pull-out part and Hermione on the regular bed. Her girl was very close to joining Harry in the trundle. They were still glowing softly. Emma kissed their foreheads and left quietly. Her husband was already in bed when she came in. The lights were off.
"Dan?"
"Hmm?"
"Remus is staying the night…" she whispered.
"Okay," he replied, turning away.
"You are upset."
"No."
"It wasn't a question, love," she said as she turned the lamp on her bedside table to change into her pajamas.
"I just… I am scared, Em. I know there isn't a course on how to be parents, but this, this is too much. Now Father Martin knows! Can you imagine how deeply this will affect him?"
"And us," Emma added. "I know, honey. But parents can't check out when things get hard to manage. This is a lifetime commitment we chose."
"I know that. I am not suggesting we pack the kids and run away. I just feel like I'm not prepared for this… Like, how can we protect them if we can't protect them?! Not like Remus and Sirius can. We are not magical. We can't defend them from curses or spells or whatever!"
"I understand, love. But the first thing we need to do is rest. We will start figuring things out with our co-parents tomorrow…" she yawned. "Off the top of my head, the main things we need are information, time, patience, and perseverance. We need to love and support those kids come hell or high water. No magical being will hurt them in our watch. If it comes down to it, I know we will fight until our last breath to keep them safe."
Dan turned and pulled his wife towards him, "I am sorry I was so snappy. I was just panicking. My baby girl is sharing her bed with a man," he sighed.
"Don't look at it that way. Our baby girl is sharing her heart and life with our baby boy. Harry is a wonderful kid. It's a miracle he managed to stay loving and kind after everything he's been through. You know that he loves and protects her. He has even sacrificed his own well-being for hers, and he's a child. We will raise them up to be good for each other."
"I know, I just went on full 'Daddy, here's my boyfriend mode' because I felt like my daughter was suddenly a teenager!" Dan chuckled, kissing his wife.
"There's still some time until we get there. We will cross those bridges when we get to them. They are good kids. They didn't ask for this any more than we did," Emma reasoned, hugging Dan. He nodded and squeezed back. They drifted off to sleep soon after that.
Harry and Hermione were sleeping peacefully when Remus and Sirius came upstairs after an intense makeout session on the sofa. Hermione was on the pull-out bed part with Harry. His arms were around her. They looked very cute. Sirius took the thick blanket Hermione left behind and threw it on them carefully. Remus hugged him from behind and rested his chin on Padfoot's shoulder.
"It's crazy how much they act like Jade and James."
"Yeah," Sirius sighed. "Now, I believe you owe me one bed…"
Sirius took Remus' hand and pulled him to the bedroom.
"I do… Did I tell you how good you look in that suit?" Remus grinned the way he saved just for Sirius.
Sirius felt hot and bothered again instantly. "I know what Emma said… but I think I can only keep it quiet and safe; we will clean up later."
Remus quickly transfigured the sofa into a bed. Then, he cast a strong silencing charm on the room. Sirius lifted a brow questioningly.
"Now we don't have to keep quiet," Remus smirked, pushing Sirius to the transfigured bed.
Deep down in a Gringotts' holding cell...
Albus Dumbledore was sweaty in places he didn't even know he could sweat. Those damn goblins would regret getting on his bad side. He had done many things in life that were reprehensible at best, but they had all been for His Greater Good. He did not deserve this. Albus decided to let this hell be a hot place. He had exhausted his magical core for a few days trying to keep the temperature cool. His wandless magic was very good after years of practice, but the wizard knew his age was beginning to affect his endurance. The disgusting brutes that held him captive would throw a disgusting mess they called food to his cell, and they would stay until he ate it all from the floor. He was not sure what was in it, but he thought it was a mixture of mostly raw animal flesh wish some weird seasonings and spices. There was no salt on his food. He was only given lukewarm water to drink. And then there was that burst of pure energy that had hit him and made all the torches extinguish. Even the dragons couldn't breathe fire for a while. What was that? He needed to know. Whatever it was, it was powerfully raw. It felt good, clean, strong, and life-changing somehow.
Albus was growing desperate. The bloody king wouldn't take him out to the court. Dumbledore had been dousing himself with several potions of his own making every week for years. Now, he was weaned off them suddenly, and his body was going through withdrawal. Stupid Severus could not be trusted with his potions. It gave him a bit of comfort to know that, if he was struggling, Severus had to be screwed. Albus smirked.
It had taken years of torture, but at some point, only after Lily's death, he had managed to reach the breaking point of Snape's psyche. It took beatings, humiliation, waterboarding, many memory charms, and core bounds, and most importantly, sleep deprivation. Everyone thought Severus looked like that naturally. Those who knew about Lily thought that his hardened and sullen look was due to her loss, and that was partially true. But his haggard, pale, sunken face was not just because of that. Albus had hired a couple of Russians who were friends with Grindelwald to pretend they were students so they could live in the castle and do Dumbledore's dirty work at night.
One of them had been killed by Severus. The other was still posing as a student. Albus wondered what Alexei would do. He had gotten a few girls pregnant already. Poppy said it was rape, but the Headmaster knew that boys will be boys. The girls had been sent home. Their families wanted Albus dead… They could join the waiting list. Sweet Poppy had even threatened to resign and go to the DMLE with the information before he knocked her out and Obliviated her and the girls. It was better that way. If they thought they were raped, the memories would hurt them. Albus thought he was actually merciful.
The headmaster was about to check time wandlessly when he heard footsteps. His cell was essentially a metal box. It had a ceiling made with stor, a goblin alloy of steel and gold, which was impervious to spells. The only thing inside was a simple basin of sorts were Dumbledore was supposed to relieve himself. He was sleeping on the floor. Luckily, he had been wearing his warm cloak. The steps were of guards, and the dragon had stopped trying to cook Albus. The door to the cell opened, and Albus was blinded by a flash.
"Thank you, Mr. Tonks, I would appreciate a few copies to decorate my office," King Nagkrat stood looking very amused. Tonks smiled bowed at the King and left with a guard before the dragon decided it needed a snack.
"YOU!"
"You will address me as Your Majesty, or we are done talking," King Nagkrat said in a bored tone.
"I will do no such thing, you foul, loathsome, ugly, thing!"
"Fine, guards, close the door and bring in another dragon… a hungry one," Nagkrat smirked.
"FINE. Your Majesty, I demand to be set free," Dumbledore grunted through his teeth. "or at the very least moved to a cleaner place. I am not a young man. I need a bed, I need a toilet and a shower, and I need proper food, not this disgusting sludge you insist on throwing from above, so I eat like an animal. I want a plate and a fork or a spoon. Also, I need human healers and an attorney!"
"Are you done with your demands?" the king replied in a sedate tone.
"I also need scrolls, ink, and quills," Albus added after considering it.
The king broke into a smile that turned in to a Gobbledegook 'evil' laugh. "Did you hear him? He thinks this is a hotel!"
All the guards laughed. Albus blushed scarlet. The Deceiver knew enough Gobbledegook to understand that.
Nagkrat went on, "You are in no conditions to make any demands of any kind. You were dismissed as a Headmaster, and the Wizengamot is meeting tomorrow to sack you, which means you will no longer have immunity."
"What!? They can't do that! I am Chief Warlock!"
"Which is a democratically elected position… In any way, Dumbledork, you are facing a bit of the horror Lord Potter had to suffer at the mercy of his aunt and uncle. Be glad we are feeding you. We are making you eat like an animal, so you humble yourself, and feel what little Harry felt. We cannot trust you with any sharp objects; that is why you eat with your hands. You have been attended to by the best healers in the world. Don't forget who teaches human healers. And lastly, there are no lawyers in goblin court. You represent yourself unless you are a minor."
"I don't care, take me to court now!"
"Listen, you arrogant, self-serving, holier-than-thou bastard, stop acting like a petulant child. Goblin court meets once a quarter. You will await your turn like everyone else. Your time is not more important than ours."
"Oh, spare me, Your Majesty! My time is a lot more important than that of your slimy race!" but Albus could say no more because Nagkrat had gone through his right thigh with a spear. "Aaaargh!"
"Pardon me, I thought you said spear me, not spare me. I am older now, you see, my hearing is not what it once was."
"You bloody bastard!"
Nagkrat silenced Albus with his staff and turned to leave: "I would be more careful how I speak. Everyone in Gringotts knows you stole from us. The Chinese Fireball is particularly eager to turn you into a meat skewer."
Nagkrat left laughing. A scared and frustrated Dumbledore was the most amusing sight. Albus was a powerful wizard to be sure, but no one could tame dragons. Only goblins ever came close to something close to taming.
Soft early morning light came through the window of the Granger's former T.V. room. The couple inside was speaking in hushed voices with their faces close to each other.
"I think we need to lay the facts to them, Moony."
"I know, love. But we must explain so much first… to them and to F-Father Martin."
"Don't worry, Remy, he won't hurt you," Sirius said, kissing his boyfriend's forehead.
"I hope so. I am worried about his kind…"
"Priests?"
"Yes, they almost decimated us once."
"I know. They almost killed off witches and wizards too, but especially witches." He squirmed. "We need to teach Martin so he can help us raise awareness if necessary," Sirius replied with an encouraging smile. Remus was about to reply when he was interrupted.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Put some clothes on, while I clean up," Remus said, putting on a t-shirt that matched the pajama pants that he borrowed from Sirius.
"I thought you liked me naked…" Sirius whispered, wiggling his brows.
"Zip it dog, it could be the kids."
Sirius made an apologetic face and dressed quickly. He walked to the door and opened it slowly.
"Morning, lovers," a smiling Emma stood there with 2 steamy mugs. Sirius blushed and took them from her. "Yours is the green one, Padfoot. Moony, the red one is yours. I think I got it right, but come join us in the kitchen for breakfast."
"Sure," Sirius said and motioned for Remus to follow them as he handed Moony the red cup. Sirius took a sip "It's perfect, Emma. I always marvel at your hostess' skills."
"Thank you. How did you sleep? Or rather, did you follow my mother's advice?"
"We slept wonderfully, and we did follow her advice," Sirius chuckled.
"Thank you for letting me stay, Em," Remus said with a smile after taking a sip of his perfectly prepared cup of Earl Grey.
"We are glad to have you. If you didn't notice, the tea is a ploy to get you talking. You will have to answer so many questions that we need you awake and ready. You too, Sirius."
Neesy had come early and made breakfast quietly. It was a feast. Mrs. Granger was very impressed. Nothing was out of place, and the house was spotless. Harry and Hermione loved the little elf stories, and she doted on them. She was acting as a nanny today because the adults wanted to talk about some serious issues alone. She didn't know what they were talking about, and frankly, she didn't care.
As she played with them, she noticed Master Harry's eyesight was not as it should be. Neesy remembered Master James' eyes. Master Harry would need glasses too. He said he could see much better since the goblins got the bad thing out of his head, but he would never see as clearly as Hermione. The elf saw with wonder how the kids magics were one. They could talk without talking. It was like James and Lily, but better. Neesy made a mental note to remember telling the Grangers what she thought about Harry's eyes. She hoped they wouldn't be upset. Neesy took the kids to Hermione's room so they could play with her toys and walked down to talk to the family.
The Grangers and Father Martin stared in awe once Remus was done with his explanation. He had transfigured a book into a chalkboard and was in full teacher mode, so much so that they would raise their hands if they had questions as if they were his actual students. Lupin wasn't as literate in bonds as he would have liked, but he had requested scholars' opinions. He had been careful to pose the question as an academic hypothetical. No one wanted the kids to be exposed. He had tried to explain the importance of the Potters and the influence they could have in Wizarding society if they all joined forces voting Albus out and reinstating some minor houses that the old coot had removed.
Daniel and Emma were smart. They were also cautious. The idea of some terrorist coming to try and harm their kids was enough to get them to decide, before Remus even started talking, that they were selling the house and moving to one of the places that the other guardians, the goblins, and the elves considered safe. The Grangers wanted to keep working at the hospital they were currently employed, but they were well-off enough to take a sabbatical if it came to that. Sirius had wanted to pay them back for the time he spent with them. They refused. Dan and Emma understood Sirius was a rich lord, and that Harry's parents had left the boy a significant inheritance, but they wanted that money to be used for the boy's future… and their daughter's since they were apparently married now. What a horrible thought. It wasn't that they didn't love Harry, it was that the concept of child marriage was awful to them.
The four adults decided to confer with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick. They would probably be more knowledgeable than most. Remus was about to say his goodbyes when a shy Neesy popped her head into the kitchen.
"Master Moony…"
"Thank you for breakfast Neesy; it was delicious," Remus smiled.
Neesy jumped up and down. Her body couldn't hold back her reaction when complimented by those she loved. Emma was quickly warming up to the small creature. It was hard not to. Neesy wore her heart in her sleeve.
"Come in, Neesy. Everything was delicious," Emma smiled at her. The elf blushed.
"Missy Emma, I… I is…"
"What's wrong, Neesy?"
"N-Neesy is thinking that Master Harry be needing glasses…" Neesy said, wincing as if expecting an outburst. "Neesy is no healing goblinsy, but she be noticing Harry be squinty."
Emma thoughtfully looked at Daniel. They hadn't checked Harry's eyesight. What an oversight!
"Neesy is being sorrys. Neesy not want you upset"
"Oh, honey, no. We are not upset, Neesy. We are grateful for your care and attention to Harry. We will get his eyes checked. Thank you for telling us, Neesy," Emma rested her hand on top of the little elf's head. Neesy blushed and nodded happily, making her ears clap.
"Can Neesy be staying here with yous?"
"Dan…"
"Whatever you decide, Em. Those are your domains," Dan winked. They did most tasks together and had only hired help when Emma's pregnancy made her bedridden.
"Neesy, we would love for you to stay here, but not as a servant, as a friend," Emma began. Neesy went misty-eyed. "We are told that Harry is in danger and will be in danger for the foreseeable future. Now that he and Hermione have bonded, that means she is in danger as well. We need all the guardians and protectors we can get. I just… Honey, I've never lived with an elf before. Do you have your own kinds of beds? Do you need a room or a different bathroom? Do you eat regular food? What should we do if you get sick? How much time off should you be getting? How much should we pay you?"
Neesy wailed uncontrollably, holding on tightly to Remus' leg. Moony patted her back awkwardly. Sirius chuckled.
"Neesy, we are sorry. We don't want to upset you. Just tell us what to do to make it better," Dan offered, approaching the little elf and crouching next to her. This made her wail even more.
"I think you broke Neesy…"
"We didn't mean to," Emma said, biting her bottom lip with regret.
"No, I mean… it's just that elves are used to being treated horribly. We changed our views, thanks to Lily. I think the way you speak reminds her of her previous mistress," Remus explained. Emma nodded in understanding. Mrs. Granger took Neesy in her arms like she would take a child and sat her right next to her on the couch.
"Neesy, I am sorry. Mrs. Potter sounds like she was a remarkable woman," she began, Neesy nodding rapidly. "Now, I know I'm not her, and I will never take her place in your heart… Just like my husband could never take Mr. Potter's place. We just want you to know that if you live with us, you become a part of our family. That means you get to expect being treated with respect and affection."
"Neesy is being sillys. Neesy misses Mistress Lily. But Neesy shouldn't feels sad. Neesy is having a family nows! Neesy is being very grateful! Thank you, Mistress Granger, thank you, Master Granger," the elf dabbed her eyes with her apron.
"Emma and Daniel is fine, Neesy. Tell me, what do you need? Should we give you some funds? Do you need help with moving your things here?"
Remus and Sirius laughed. Remus winked at the Grangers, and in a commanding tone, said: "Neesy, go get all your things and bring them here in an orderly manner."
"Yes, Master Moony," Neesy replied, snapping her fingers and vanishing. A couple of seconds later, she popped back into the house. She had two small suitcases and a backpack.
"That's all?" Emma asked, incredulous at the efficiency of the little elf.
"Yes, missy Emma. I only bes bringing what is mine. I leaving all the Potter possessions at the Manor," Neesy nodded happily.
"Leave your things here, Neesy. Could you please get us some tea? Any kind… Take your time," Emma said, slightly pushing the little elf towards the kitchen.
"Yes, mistress," Neesy said, smiling.
"Can you make a spell or something so she can't hear us?" Emma whispered at Remus. He nodded and waved his wand around. "Thanks. I think that since Harry and Hermione will be sharing a bed for the foreseeable future, she could use Harry's room."
"Neesy? No, Emma. She wouldn't accept it. In any case, elves don't use beds. They make some sort of nest. Any tiny room of closet you have but don't use much and remains warm enough is fine."
"How about the cleaning supplies storage? We could move those to the laundry room," Daniel offered.
"Perfect. Do we need to get Neesy anything for her to nest?"
"No, but if you get her one of those super soft comforters you have upstairs, she'll love it."
"I'll go get one."
It took some cuddles from Harry and Hermione to calm Neesy down when she was shown her room. She reacted as if she had been given a palace. When Emma handed her the comforter, Neesy hugged it tight against her and smelled it, inhaling deeply. She whispered something about it smelling safe and like love. The little elf placed her comforter on the floor and settled her things with a few snaps. Suddenly there were shelves with potions and a little cauldron, as well as service uniforms, and herbs hanging from little hooks she installed. Neesy was over the moon when she realized her little room had to light through electricity. Her Mistress Lily always told her about it being like Muggle Magic and to Neesy, that's what it was.
Mr. Granger told her to never get in the gun room. To hide if non-magical people came through the door and not to answer the telephone. He said that if Father Martin came, she could talk to him if he wanted her to. Remus told Neesy to disguise as a child whenever she needed to go out into the backyard. Emma said she could do what she wanted as long as everyone could find their things. Just like Mistress Lily used to say. Neesy was good at that. All she had to do was to levitate all things to hover above their original spot while she cleaned and then set them back down. Easy peasy. All she needed to learn now was everyone's favorite foods and drinks so she could love them good and help Master Harry grow up strong and happy.
Neesy was now an honorary Granger, just like she had been an honorary Potter, and she would not let anyone harm them. That night, the little elf swore on her magic that she would do everything to keep them safe and that she would disregard any orders that stopped her from keeping them safe. She had always regretted having to follow the Potters' order when they sent her away from Godric's Hollow that Halloween. It wouldn't happen again.
She was able to help bathe the kids, which was a bit difficult since they still would be in pain if they didn't hold hands every few minutes. But seeing the scarring on Harry again, but much better from the bond, only made her decide that she needed to get to work. She had a plan to draft. However, she needed co-conspirators. Neesy needed to get as many of the Potter elves back as she could. She needed to do that quickly. She had to find them and tell them the great news. They needed to bond with the little Master and his mate. Those voluntary bonds would make them stronger and keep them safer. Neesy felt bad for a second. Perhaps she ought to ask the Grangers first. However, if there was one thing she had learned from her mistress, it was that saying sorry was better than asking for permission in such scenarios. So as soon as all humans were in their beds, she vanished from her new nest.
"No, I don't care if he's sleeping!... Then wake him up!" Father Martin put his landline phone on speaker and began pacing while he waited.
"Martin, what is the meaning of this?" the sleepy voice of his mentor admonished him.
"Don't you patronize me! I'm losing my mind due to a shocking revelation I had today at Gringotts!"
"Shut up! You can't speak of that over the phone!" the mentor hissed in anger.
"I want to discuss this with you as soon as possible. You lied to me. You have kept me ignorant for years! I won't forgive you! All the people we could have helped! All the lives we could have saved! How could you!? How can this church do this to their congregation!?"
"Shaw! Silence! I'm in the Vatican, Martin, do be cautious. Walls have ears!" the mentor whisper shouted.
"When will you be back, then?"
"It is up to the Cardinal, Martin."
"Which one?"
"The Camerlengo"
Martin cursed under his breath. "You have 48 hours until I take this to the press. Understood?"
"Listen to me, son. You don't want to do that. If you try, I won't be able to protect you from the consequences of your choice!"
"That sounds like a threat, Father. In any case, I don't really have a choice. It was taken from me when you chose to keep me ignorant, so you could do whatever you wanted! Shame on you and all your co-conspirators! I was so damn naïve!"
In an icy, poisonous tone, his mentor replied: "Naïve is much better than dead, Shaw!"
"I am recording this conversation, mentor. When all of this comes crashing down, just remember that when I was ordained, you told me that your favorite verse of the Bible was John 8:32"***
The mentor hung up the phone, brusquely. Martin grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. He actually wished he had recorded the conversation. His head throbbed again. If only he had one of those elves as friends. He had to make friends of all those creatures, he needed to understand them. He wanted to help protect them from the church. That thought that made him feel like a huge cement cross fell on his shoulders. His church had threatened to kill him. His mentor, a man he considered as a dear uncle, threatened him directly. Martin wanted more than anything to blow this cover-up wide open for the world to see.
A/N: ***John 8:32: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Just thought I'd add it here for those of you who are not religious.
Thank you for reading! Sorry for the very delayed update. Work has been very hectic. Grading papers is exhausting. A reviewer told me I need to research how to use italics. I know how to use them. I teach how to use them. I have a Bachelor's Degree in English, a Master's Degree in English-Spanish Translation, and a Master's Degree in English Teaching. My use of italics is done as a stylistic choice. I am rebelling against the impositions of the English language, which I consider my right as a non-native English speaker/writer lol. However, if it bothers you too much, you are welcome to go read other authors who respect all the rules if that is more comfortable to you (^o^), or better yet, you can write your own story so we can all enjoy your creative process.
