Chapter 12:

Draco checked the lists again and again there is no mention of the family of Fransoue anywhere! If Louis came from such a pure-blood family as to turn the test to blue then their must be some mention of the surname somewhere!

He checked into the theory behind the test.

The color blue is only shown when the blood has reached at least 75% purity. Few wizards have such highly magically concentrated blood as excessive magic in the blood stream can lead to poisoning. The few noted as such include Lady Ravenclaw and Lord Slytherin.

Holy Merlin's Beard, Louis was really connected!

Draco continued to research on the book. Maybe he thought I could check in the restricted section. Already late at night and beyond the curfew time, no one was there in the library. Draco had hidden himself in his usual corner when Madam Prince had left.

He found the book he was looking for.

'The Purity of Blood – A case study'

His eyes widened as he read the index.

…..

4) Tests for Purity of Blood

5) Implications of Purity of Blood

6) Lord Slytherin

…...

He opened to the page he wanted and began to read.

Meanwhile the others had wrapped up in the training room and had arrived at the common rooms for some much needed sleep.

The next morning the four of the five woke up with every part of their body aching.

'Dam!' said Ron 'My arms hurt like hell'

Louis grinned 'You're just not used to so much exercise'.

Harry on the other hand was also taking it quite well 'Quidditch Practice' he told Ron as an explanation.

In the hallways of Hogwarts Castle

Hagrid had finally returned from his trip around the world to contact the various clans of giants and convince them to join the side of the light, or at least remain neutral in the face of the entire situation brewing in England.

He walked up to the entrance of the Headmasters office and gave the password, the door opened and he walked up.

'Come in Hagrid' said Dumbledore.

Hagrid's face was a picture of disappointment as he reported what had happened.

He and Madame Maxine had traveled the world and found most of the giant clans, including the one of his mother. He sniffed as his talked about how she vouched for him and for the light side. Out of the twenty clans they had found, each with 100-200 giants five had joined the side of the light and nine remained neutral.

They had voted and replied to Voldemort saying that he could 'Go to hell, back where he came from'

The next week all the pro-light and even neutral clans were wiped of the face of the earth. Hagrid's mother's clan survived and he and Maxine had fought for them.

Dumbledore comforted Hagrid and sent him on his way.

This is bad he though to himself. Voldemort seeks to set an example, he will no longer stand for even neutrality. Either you are with him or against him. Others will see the example of the giants and decide to join him.

He took out some parchment and began to write. It is time we protected our allies and started grouping together. Voldemort must be stopped. A pang of regret and guilt hit him over the extermination of the giants, so much carnage for no reason at all…

Hagrid meanwhile walked back to his hut. Madame Maxine had to go back to her school, they needed her there especially at this time.

He went into his hut and the tears flowed unstopped. Get a grip on yourself he thought and began to prepare for the Care of Magical Creatures class. The newts and the owl students should not be deprived of their education, after all the, syllabus was external. He decided that he would skip breakfast but owl Harry a note.

After an hour

The entire Gryffindor house was at the great hall eating the fabulous breakfast that had been prepared for them.

'One of the main reasons I love Hogwarts' said Ron as he dug into the food.

Harry shot Louis a knowing glance and they smiled. Ron had stopped eating like a glutton and at least had the sense to have table manners while wolfing down his food, if such a thing was possible.

Hermione and Ginny were feeling extra sore in the morning due to the training. Ginny kept complaining to Louis, that swordsmanship was exactly how it sounded, Man ship for men only.

'I think I'll stick to my, wand if you don't mind' said Ginny with a huff.

Hermione nodded her ascent 'I agree with Ginny, you boys can fight it out using swords if you wish! Us girls will stick to sensible weapons! Like wands'

'and Nails' added Harry who ducked a blow from Ginny for this comment.

Owl post came in finally and letters began to be dropped on everyone's table. A strange bird dropped a letter on Louis who immediately opened it. Hermione received her copy of the Daily Prophet which didn't give any new interesting news and Harry received two letters.

He opened the first one.

Dear Harry,

                   Sorry I didn't write sooner. But, I have been busy trying to chase those dam death eaters around England. Good old Voldie seems to have skunk into the sewer he came from. I hope Remus is taking good care of you I am very near where you are and should be able to meet you soon. I hope things between you and Ginny are going well *wink*. I'll talk to you very soon, so there is no point in wasting parchment!

Love,

Sirius

Well that was short. He turned to see Ginny, Hermione and Ron reading over his shoulder.

'Hey!' he said 'Could a guy have some privacy?'

'No' said Ginny with a glint in her eye.

The second note was from Hagrid telling that he was back and to meet him in the after noon, he had some 'interesting creatures' which he wanted to show them.

'So Hagrid is finally back!' said Ron

'Yeah' said Harry 'I missed him, last year'

'I wonder what he means my 'interesting creatures'' said a Hermione, giving a shudder. Hagrid had a penchant for caring for monsters; he loved everything from Dragons to Killer Piranhas. He thought of them as cute and labeled them 'interesting creatures'

Harry turned around to explain to Louis what they were talking about, but to his astonishment Louis had disappeared.

'Where did Louis go?' he asked.

'I don't know' said Hermione 'He was right here a second ago, reading a letter'

They puzzled over the problem even as they proceeded to go to class. Louis however did not show up throughout the classes and the quartet started to worry.

'Where to you think he went' asked Ron for the hundredth time.

'Well, he left on his own accord' said Hermione 'So, no immediate foul play'

'He should have told us!' said Ginny 'It's not like him to disappear like that'

They proceeded to the great hall to find Louis sitting on the Gryffindor table.

'Hey!' said Ron as they marched towards him 'Where did you go!'

Louis looked up 'Oh! Sorry, I received a letter from home my father wanted me to talk to Dumbledore about something important'

'You could have told us!' said Harry indignantly.

Hermione nodded 'We were getting worried! Do you realize that you missed classes!'

The rest smiled good ol'Herm!

'By the way, the Headmaster wants us to meet up with Draco in the evening at the training room, DADA teacher will started instructing us on how to duel' said Louis.

The others nodded exited to finally be trained formally in the practical defense against Dark Arts.

'So, that means we will have to put off sword training' said Louis to Harry.

Harry was disappointed 'Oh! Never mind, we can do that later'.

They filled him on Hagrid, as well as their afternoon meeting.

'Is he really half giant?' asked Louis, more from curiosity than any prejudice

'Yeah, but he is kind and sweet' said Hermione defending Hagrid.

'Oh!, Don't get me wrong, it's just I've never met one!, Half-Giant that is, this should prove very interesting' he quickly said.

They finished their lunch in a hurry, not wanting to be late. A short walk later they were at Hagrid's cabin.

Harry knocked.

'Come on' in' said Hagrid's familiar voice.

The troop walked in, Louis a little apprehensive.

'Good teh see yeh all' said Hagrid in his heavy accent which seemed to have changed slightly. 'n' who may this be?'

Harry made the necessary introductions and explained that Louis was now part of the group and privy to all their secrets. Well almost all.

Louis sensed the tension in Hagrid give away to a smile.  She both shook hands, Louis awkwardly as his had was a 'little' small in comparison.

'Hagrid, tell us all about your trip' asked Ginny excitedly. Hagrid had come back for a few days last year and had told them all about his mission to the giants.

So, Hagrid told the entire story, the troop filled in with sound effects. Gasping and nodding at all the right moments. When the part came about Voldemort's revenge, he debated whether to tell them or not. Well they would probably find out themselves he thought and told them.

The five were aghast; especially Louis who had a face of pure loathing that could rival Snape's.

'Hagrid, that's terrible!' said Ron

'I know' said Hagrid dimly 'You-know-who is jus' being himself, the rotten' sick…'

Everybody present was inclined to agree with him. No one wanted to broach the subject of his mother it was too awkward,. So instead Hermione tried to change the subject.

'Hagrid, you said you wanted to show us something' said Hermione, everyone nodded.

'Blimey! I almost forget bout them!' said Hagrid 'They aren't your usual creatures, I woulda preferred a dragon, but yeh owls have fixed syllabus'. He was obviously disappointed.

The quartet tried to hide their glee. No more blast-ended-skewts this year!. Those horrible creatures had caused enough damage in their fourth year for everyone to remember clearly.

Hagrid went over to a small cage and took of the cover over it.

'Oh! No' said Ron 'PIXIES!'. Harry groaned they had a very troublesome time dealing with a batch that had got loose in their second year. Their fraud DADA teacher had locked them in with a bunch and asked them to take care of it,

Louis's face however lit up. He ran for the cage and opened it.

'Wha' yer doin'' said Hagrid.

'They need to have some freedom' said Louis. 'These are not Pixies, they are fairies!'

Understanding dawned on the students.

'Yeh, that's true, but they don 'talk or anything, figured must have got a bad batch or somethin' said Hagrid, who had given up trying to communicate with them,

But he and the others were in for a surprise. The fairies numbering about nine flew straight to Louis and sat all over him. Giggling and speaking something in his ears.

Louis laughed. 'They are just scared of you Hagrid; you shouldn't have locked them in the cage'

Louis pointed at the rest and said something, the fairies giggled some more and headed towards the group latching on to one each.

A little green one landed on Harry's shoulder 'I like your eyes! They look just like me!' she whispered in her ear. The group by this time had got over their amazement and had started talking to the fairies.

Hagrid was a little lost for words, but his charges soon warmed up too him.

But the maximum number of fairies wanted to be with Louis.

Must be because he set them free thought Harry, poor things locked up in cages. For once, Hagrid was wrong. Hagrid also had realized his error and apologized profusely to the fairies, who graciously accepted.

'Look at the time' squealed Ginny 'We have to leave!'

'Gosh!' said Ron 'Time really flies'

'Sorry Hagrid, we do have to go' said Harry.

Hagrid said that he understood. They bid farewell to him and the fairies. Louis took a little longer as the fairies refused to let him leave, but after an animated conversation they let him go. As they went towards the castle they saw the fairies waving them a goodbye.

A/N: Whew! Extra extra long chapter! What has Draco Malfoy discovered?. What type of training awaits them in the castle, I promise the next chapter will truly twist the story!.

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