Harry Potter and the Song of the Elven Guardian
by AndromedaM13Titan

disclaimer: harry potter and company belong to j.k. rolwing, but heather ventar is my own character (who incase you read all my fan fics, tends to appear a lot but with different names... sometimes with the same names! aaaaaaah!!)

summary: a new student has arrived at hogwarts! a time for celebration, right? maybe... but hermoine has become skeptical about the new kid, and so has harry. ron is not completely oblivious, but for a short while fails to realize the strange character of the new student. there is something mysterious about the student, and an ancient, strong, yet sweet aura that surrounds them. what is this person hiding that the three friends need to know about? well... let's just say that this story is a cliffhanger at times... muahaha.

a/n: i am sitting here, eating rice soup (cha(t)-jook... which is the best darn stuff anybody could create...) gotta love this story. im also listening to "Oceanic", a very mysterious song that could be Heather Ventar's theme song! (it's from carnival of the animals by saint-seans, but Bond did a very good "cover" of it. go classical geniusses!


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Part I: Venator's Ventar


That evening at the sorting ceremony, Harry caught up with his friends Ron and Hermoine. They were second years -proud second years at that- and beginning a new year at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry was a successful Quidditch player all ready, Ron was still his same old self, and Hermoine was still sticking her nose into books. They watched anxiously as all the first years were sorted.

"Now," Professor McGonagall began. "We have one more student who is extremely special, and I expect all of you to welcome her. She will be entering as a second year to Hogwarts, for she has finished her first year at Rockshyre Academy in Scotland. Please welcome your new schoolmate, Heather Ventar."

All of the students in the Great Hall clapped as they saw a tall girl with (boy)short, dark brown hair stand. She turned and gave a small smile to all of them, before turning back and heading towards the Sorting Hat. Harry's scar began to sting, and he stared at the girl. Her eyes were too blue for her to be a full muggle but they had a tint of darkness in them, as if she couldn't be full magic-type. There was something mysterious about the way she looked at everyone, but it seemed Harry was the only one who noticed.

"Gryffindor!" The hat shouted, even before Heather had sat. She let out a heavy breath and smiled, walking slowly towards the Gryffindor table. The others looked at her strangely and even moved down a few seats, wiping the smile off her face. She solemnly sat by herself, considering the others were at least two feet from her. Hermoine felt bad and got up to sit by her.

"Hello Heather." Hermoine said. "I'm Hermoine Grainger, and I'm terribly sorry for the actions of the other students. They don't know what it's like to be in a new environment and without friends."

Heather smiled, "Thankyou for apologizing, but I'm used to things like that. I do have a few friends here, but they're in other dormatories." She went back to picking at her food. "I'll be my old self tomorrow, but right now, I've too many things to think about. So, not to be rude or anything, if you could please leave me alone right now, that would be grand." Heather looked up and smiled at Hermoine, who waved and went back to sit next to Ron.

"She's difficult." Hermoine said, between her grit teeth. "I can understand why she has no friends."

"Hermoine!" Ron shouted. "That was kind of rude, you know."

Harry flinched. "My scar... it started stinging when Heather turned and looked at us. I think she was looking at me. And I didn't like the look she gave me, either."

"Started stinging, eh..?" Hermoine said, deeply in thought. "That's it! How could I forget!" Hermoine reached down and picked up a history book.

"Do you carry those things around everywhere you go?" Ron snorted.

"No, but they're handy sometimes." She opened to the index and glanced up and down, flipping the pages to 'V'. "Ah yes, here he is: Sir Claudio Ventar, pages 884-942." Then, she flipped through the book to the pages. "See this man? This is most legendary knight in all of Scotland. He was a student at both Rockshyre and Hogwarts, and look, his eyes are just as blue as Heather's. Claudio was known for his fights with Voldemort, back when Voldemort hadn't been corrupted. Claudio almost killed him, but he was not close enough. Voldemort killed him, instead. And look, you see the gem which hangs around his neck? That is the same gem that hangs about Heather's."

"What does that have to do with the scar?" Harry questioned.

"Everything, Harry." Hermoine pointed her finger to a paragraph. "This paragraph describes the gem: '...with full and mystical powers, the Emerald of Venator was a sacred gem in the line of the Ventar's. It was said that the gem had only one heir in each generation; one warrior powerful enough to receive the relic. There was a legend amongst the Ventar's that the Phoenix had blessed the gem, deeming it and the Ventar's great warriors and the most loving of the human race...' So you see, Heather is the heir to everything her family owns. She's the warrior who shall protect the Earth now." Hermoine looked down the table at Heather, who was still eating. "I can't doubt her. Her eyes reflect too much sorrow for me to hate her anymore, though I must admit, I am envious at her powers."

Ron laughed, "She's more powerful than Mister Harry Potter, eh?"

"Does that mean she's good or bad, Hermoine?"

Hermoine shook her head, "I don't know. From the looks of her she seems cold, distant, unwilling to be social. But her eyes reflect pain and angst, as if she has encountered much trouble in her life. She's an odd character, Harry, and it's best we keep a safe distance until we know more about her." She looked in Heather's direction again, and found her standing, walking towards Harry. She bent down as if to whisper something in his ear. As she left, Harry's eyes widened and his skin paled, when asked what she said, he didn't reply.

"Now come on, Harry, you know you can tell us." Ron said, rather anxious to hear.

"N-n-no." Harry stuttered. "Everything is fine." He forced himself to smile, "Really."

***

As night quickly passed, so did the morning, and before the children knew it, it was Saturday. The students of Hogwarts were free for nearly three-quarters of the day, and days like these were extremely precious to the students. Harry and Ron got out of bed quickly and ran downstairs, unfortunate enough to see Hermoine sitting by the fire, reading her books.

"For once, Hermoine," Ron began, "Will you please put away those things?" He reached down and grabbed one of her textbooks, running off with it. Hermoine didn't bother, sighed, and continued working with her other books. Ron, feeling rather defeated, returned the book and left the dormatory with Harry.

"Where are we going, Ron?" asked Harry.

"There is a concert this morning," Ron said. "It's free for all Hogwarts students, and is at the main courtyard. All the professors will be there to watch selected students play instruments; I heard Heather Ventar will be there! I want to see what stuff she is made of, and if she truly is Claudio Ventar's daughter."

"No." Harry stopped and said this rather sternly. "I... I think I have some homework left to do. Why don't you go on your own."

"Harry, look, I told you to tell me whatever she said, because I am your friend and I do not want you keeping these things secret. Now what did she say, and why is it keeping you from coming to the concert? Can you not face her? Did she challenge you? Harry, you must let it be known so that you do not worry, and you can have someone to protect your back!"

"Well--" Harry hesitated to speak at first. "--she didn't say much, really... only that-- only that--... No, Ron, I cannot tell you."

"Harry!!" Ron slapped his friend's shoulder. "I am your best friend and you're willing to keep this a secret from me!?"

Harry shook his head, "Fine, Ron." He gulped, "Heather Ventar is the mysterious person you all perceive her to be, but not evil, I can tell you that. What she said to me; it scared the heck out of me but at the same time... it gave me comfort in a weird way... in a way so that it could not be explained. Her words were simple: 'In the darkness you shall go, where the pain and suffering catch you, but fear not for the guardian sits, and guides you with its light.'" He looked at Ron, who looked almost as stunned as he did when he first heard the words. Now that Harry heard them again, a new comfort built in his soul. The words were mystifying but at the same time healing his aching and exhausted heart.

"All the more reason to go and see her." Ron said, excitedly. "Then, we can ask her about it."

"But Ron--"

"Come on!!" Ron took Harry by the wrist and dragged him down the stairs to the main courtyard. They heard the music as soon as they came in. Beautiful and mysterious, like an ocean. It was a cello playing high on its strings, a small trio of violins behind them. Ron and Harry entered and sat about a few feet from Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore, who smiled and nodded at them. Even Professor Snape was there... The boys turned back to see who was playing; Heather Ventar!

Heather's violin made of beautiful wood that seemed so aged. She walked about the courtyard, passing each of her fellow players, smiling at them and then at the enormous crowd; almost all the students at Hogwarts had come. Behind Heather were two violinists, two cellists, an empty-seated piano, and a violist. Their sound rang out like church bells on a far away hill, and the movement of their fingers and arms were mystifying. Suddenly, the song came to a close.

After an enormous applause came what was supposed to be their last song (each student was given five songs to play). It began with a solo violinist, not Heather surprisingly. Instead, she began to sing. The words were simple "ah"s, but they fit with the music beautifully. The singing stopped and Heather began to play her violin. It was slow at first, slow and dreary, but then the speed kicked up and they played in a majesetic manner, almost as a high sped dance. A flutist came in and began to play the same melody as the violinist, while a clarinet played in the back with the cellists and violists.

Their outfits were elven like; very elegant and high class. It reflected the song, which continued as a cellist began to sing for a little while. After she stopped, they all died down to let the solo violinist play. 'Good grief!' Harry thought to himself. 'The tune.... it is so remarkably beautiful!' He closed his eyes and pictured the snow playing about with the wind, he being on the ground watching it all happen. Heather played with such fluency and artistry, Harry felt compelled to play an instrument himself! They all stoped playing to sing the song again, as if they themselves were their instruments. The short haired tomboy who stood in the front as their solo violinist picked up her violin again, waiting... then the bow striked the strings and she began again.

When the song ended, the entire courtyard was full with applause, as each person gave a standing ovation, including Ron and Harry. As Heather and the others exited, Ron and Harry followed.

"Ventar!" Ron shouted. "Heather Ventar!" He smiled when he saw her stop to turn around.

"Oh!" She said, looking surprised. "Hello again, Ron Weasley. I see you managed to make it to the concert... with Mister Harry Potter, I see. It's a pleasure to see the both of you again. I trust that you enjoyed the concert?"

Ron nodded his head rather quickly, "Oh of course, Heather! It was grand! I have never seen a person be one with the violin like that before! You played so magnificently!" Ron was met by a distressed looked on Harry's face and reassembled himself. "Heather, I have a few questions to ask of you. Firstly, that song you sang, what did you say it was again?"

Heather smiled at them for the first time, "The Song of the Elven Guardian. It is a song that has been passed in my family for hundreds of years. Why do you ask this?"

"No reason, just curious." said Ron. "Secondly, do you know the meaning of these words: In the darkness you shall go, where the pain and suffering catch you, but fear not for the guardian sits, and guides you with its light...? I heard it somewhere, but I can't remember."

Heather's smile dissipated. "Weasely there are some things better left unanswered, and there are times in which these things should not be explained. I have no liberty to discuss it; only that it is of elven tongue." She turned and walked away with her violin. Ron sighed and looked at Harry, who flinched and stared down the tunnel at where Heather had been. Ron felt pity for his friend. Another year at Hogwarts beginning in such a bad way. Too many adventures...

continue to part II!!

a/n: well? did you like it? please comment, i don't care if they're bad. flames will actually help. just comment please. the music part has a lot to do with the story, so don't think that it was completely useless and just a waste of good time and space. think about it. the Song of the Elven Guardian is the title of this story and also the song which she played. she mentioned a guardian when she spoke to harry too. anyway... Heather is a mysterious little character whom i take pride in. ^_^