Ginny looked around the square, at the crowds assembled for the show. "This is one of the worst kept secrets I know of," she said to Galdor.
"They do not come to watch, Meldis," he replied, "They come to help."
Dal Dagda raised his hand, and the crowd became quiet. It was as though a giant orchestra was being called to order. Dal Dagda faced the stone wall at the end of the wide alley, and began the spell. Hundreds of voices, men and elves, joined him. Ginny felt the magic ripple through the crowd toward the wall. Then, without even a sound, the stone wall disappeared, to be replaced by the Entrance Gate to Hogwarts.
Immediately, Republican Constables rushed forward, Eamon Finn and Albus Dumbledore in the lead. Finn spoke quickly to the surprised Aurors guarding the entrance, and had them taken into custody. Republican Police flooded the grounds, and made their way to the school.
"Shall we go?" Galdor said, and he escorted Ginny through the gates. She marveled as she pointed out the sites to him, the lake, the Whomping Willow, Hagrid's Hut. She shed a happy tear when she noticed Hagrid, hugging the headmaster. First year students were crowded around them, cheering. As they walked to the school, they passed Aurors being removed from the building. Teachers and students were filing out as the news spread. As she approached the doors, Professor Snape came out, smiling. He saw her, and his smile changed, but not to a frown.
"Miss Weasley, you have changed," he said. "Welcome back to Hogwarts," he added, completely out of character.
Not sure of how to handle a polite and happy Professor Snape, Ginny introduced Galdor to him. They shook hands, and Snape looked from the elf to Ginny, and gave her a 'knowing' smile.
"Will you be staying?" Snape asked of the two of them.
"No," Galdor answered, "We have a counsel to attend. We will be leaving tonight."
"A pity," Snape said, "The house elves have been telling us every rumor they've heard."
Albus Dumbledore walked up to the entrance at that moment, Hagrid by his side, and his students following joyfully.
"Oh dear," Albus said, with a smile, "So many students out of class. It is disgraceful. I suppose I will have to make it a school holiday until we can sort things out. But first things first. I do believe it is time for lunch."
The headmaster led the parade into the Great Hall, as students and teachers began to take their seats. Albus smiled to Ginny when she looked over. She was overwhelmed by the reception she received from everyone. Galdor politely stood back, only intruding to point Ginny and her house mates toward the entrance as Colin Creevey walked in. Ginny happily took a backseat, as Colin became the center of attention, not only of the Gryffindors, but of almost all the students.
Elves entered and sat with the various groups of students. Every student in Hogwarts was to have a chance to talk with at least one of the elder race. When Eamon Finn appeared, reporting to Dumbledore that the school had been cleared of 'all unwanted foreigners,' Albus snorted at the remark, and offered Finn a seat. He then arose to make his speech.
"I will try to keep this short, but I doubt I will succeed. We sit here this first day of December, after a flurry of events that are too numerous to mention. But some of us are missing, and you know who you are."
At once, house elves began to appear. Most of them were wearing clean robes, as opposed to the usual attire. Ginny noticed Dobby, wearing a suit and tie, standing next to Winky. He glanced over to her, his eyes widening in recognition, and bowed to her.
"Things change," Albus continued, "and we must be up to the task. We started this school year under the usual conditions. Now we have to deal with great changes. The house elves you students see around you are but children of the elves who sit among you. This is the greatest change you have to make, the way you view others.
"On a lesser note, Hogsmeade weekends will be cancelled. I can hear some of the older students groaning, and it is clear that many of you may not know exactly what has happened. Let me first introduce a friend of mine, Eamon Finn, Director of Elvin Relations for the Republic of Ireland. It was through his prompting, and the aide of the Elves, that we have moved Hogwarts to Dublin, Ireland. Some of you will notice the Ivy-covered walls which now surround Hogwarts grounds. The entrance to the school, now leads out to Fenian Square, which many of you will find is similar to Diagon Alley."
Albus waited for the talking to stop, then made his announcement. "Student weekends for the duration of our stay in Ireland will be to Fenian Square." He paused again as the older students cheered. "Also, First and Second Years will be permitted to go as well, provided they obtain permission, and are able to get a Fourth Year student, or higher, to escort them." This time, the younger students cheered. "On one final note, this afternoon, all the students will be asked to write letters to their families, to inform them of what has happened. The Republican Authorities will provide escorts to the Owl Post, as I have been told that all of the owls have been removed from the school."
The headmaster looked over the diminished student body, and sighed. "One more announcement and I will be done. We have with us, two students who have been missing since that fateful day when our troubles began. Both, in their own ways, have overcome hardships, and made their way back to us. Three other are known to be safe, and may return in the near future. These are Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, all of whom are recovering from injuries done to them. Most of the other students who are not here are with their families, with two exceptions, Ronald Weasley and Dennis Creevey. I want to assure you that, while we have not found them, we believe they are safe. In typical Weasley style and Creevey cunning, they have hidden so well, we may never find them."
Albus smiled at the reaction his joke received. Inside, he wished he could believe it himself. That would have to be left for another day, however. "It is time to eat."
Food appeared as he waved his hand, much the same as it always had. Henuin had told Albus that the elves would keep preparing the meals, until changes could be made. Albus hoped to talk some of them into staying. The quality of the food was much better than he remembered.
As he ate, Dumbledore looked frequently to the Gryffindor table. Colin was a strong boy, for all that had happened. Albus already had the sad task of informing him about his parents. With his brother also missing, he would have a difficult time. He was talking with Neville Longbottom, and laughing, but he would have to be watched.
Ginny was a different story, altogether. She had done the impossible, and found the Grey Haven of the elves, and brought them back into the world. They had destroyed the dementors, and then freed the students of the school. Quite a feat for such a young girl. Yet she did more. She had fallen in love, and had it returned. Then she found a way to heal her love when he was struck down by the Dementors. Albus briefly thought of Lily Potter. The two had a great deal in common. It was after that incident, Ginny began to change. She was by no means the same person she was, but she did not realize it.
Albus put down his fork, and read the note he had been given. "We'll be there shortly," he told the constable who delivered it. He rose from the table, motioning for Professors McGonagall and Snape to follow him. Ginny was already finished with her meal, and was asked to join him as well.
*
Molly had read the letter twice, and Arthur at least three times. She looked out at the low hills beyond which lay the English Channel. They had fled to France as quickly as they could when Arthur had received the warning, taking the twins with them to Calais.
Fred and George had gone to work. Having received permission, they had opened up a shop in the French Market, as they called it, since neither twin could pronounce the name without the French wizards laughing at them. The shop was a minor success. The English pranksters had started a fad with the Canary Creams, and their other original creations. Molly even gave up on telling them what to do, when they showed her their first weeks' receipts. They would get by without her help.
Ron still tore at her heart. Everyone else was showing up except for him, and poor Dennis Creevey. The boy didn't even know that he and his brother were orphaned. Who would take care of them now?
Now Albus told them about Ginny. She was fine. She looked better than ever. Arthur commented how their little girl was growing up, when he first pointed out the reference to a boyfriend. Even Arthur paled when he read about the elf. They had hints about that from Ron's last letter, and the rumors had been flying thick and fast.
Molly reread the part about how Ginny found a way to restore someone after the dementors had drained his soul. No one knew how Ginny had found the way, but Molly did. If the letter was true, then Ginny was in love. If Harry Potter could survive an unforgivable curse because of his mother's love, how could Ginny not save someone she loved?
Albus described how a score or more elves came to Ginny's aid, and then used the same technique to help the others who had fallen. He did not state the problem, but Molly saw it in his words. Her eyes hold a new sparkle. She glows every time he is near. She has spent more than one night talking with him until dawn.
Arthur had agreed that she should be the one to confront their daughter, and so they prepared to make their journey. The floo powder was thrown in the fireplace when the time came, and the address called out. They stepped in together, and stepped out into a large waiting room, where a man, who introduced himself as Mr. Quigley, greeted them.
Arthur and Molly were impressed when they stepped out into Fenian Square, and made their way to Hogwarts school. Albus had been right about the great magic available to the elves. Mr. Quigley told them how he watched as hundreds filled the square and, in concert, cast the spell that folded space and moved the school, and the grounds, to their present sight. "It has only been three hours, since that happened," Mr. Quigley said, "and the British are already in an uproar. I fear their Minister of Magic is a hunted man," then added bitterly, "a small respite for all those he has hunted."
They arrived at the Great Hall as the luncheon feast was finishing. Cheerful students began to leave for their rooms, to write their letters. Colin stopped to greet them, and Molly nearly broke down in tears. With a sad smile, Colin thanked them for their concern, and hurriedly slipped away.
Hagrid greeted them and led the Weasleys to the room where Ginny was waiting. She saw her parents come in and jumped up, rushing into their arms. After they had calmed down, Molly took her daughter's chin in hand, and looked hard into her face.
"You've changed, Dear. You know that, don't you?"
Ginny winced, "Mom, everyone has been saying that. I haven't changed that much."
"Haven't you?" Molly said, "and I suppose that man over there is here just because, and it has nothing to do with you."
"His name is Galdor, Mom, and he's an elf," Ginny said.
"Do you love him?" Molly asked.
"MOM," Ginny said in surprise, looking around at the teachers watching her.
"I'm not asking if you're going to marry him, or run off together," Molly said with irritation, "I'm asking if you know your own heart."
Ginny blushed at the thought that Galdor was standing only a few feet away, listening to everything. "Yes," she whispered.
"And that is why you saved his life," Molly said.
"Yes," Ginny whispered again.
Molly took a deep breath, and began her lecture. "You did it big this time, Ginny, and I can't undo it for you. DON'T look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about, I know you don't. That's why I'm here, to explain it to you. I know what you did when you saved him. You gave him everything you had. Except it wasn't enough. So those elves helped you, they gave some of what they had, life, soul, spirit, whatever you want to call it, and they helped you heal him. But you gave him too much of yourself, and they healed you as well. Do you understand?"
Ginny shook her head.
"Elves healed you. They gave a part of what makes them elves to heal you."
"NO," Ginny shouted, as she understood what her mother was saying.
"Did you sleep last night?" Molly asked, "How about the night before? Do you feel tired? Have you looked in a mirror in the last few days?"
Ginny followed numbly, as her mother walked her to where Professor McGonagall had conjured a full length mirror.
"Do you see, Dear?" Molly said, "You have something in your eye."
Ginny looked in the mirror. She looked normal. Then she noticed the glint in her eyes. She leaned into the mirror, to look closely. Her normally brown eyes had become lighter, a bronze color, and there were flecks of silver as well. She understood what her mother had been telling her. She understood why Albus Dumbledore had arranged for her mother to tell her. She had already denied the truth to everyone else.
"Now you have to decide, Ginny, whether or not this is a good thing."
"I was just thinking," Arthur said to Molly, "She's older than you were when I asked you. You knew your mind. I'm sure she knows hers."
"You're right, Dear," Molly said, "she already knows to follow her heart."
Ginny looked away from the mirror, and saw Galdor standing next to her.
"You will want to spend time with your family," he said, softly, "We can talk later. We have plenty of time."
'Plenty of time,' thought Ginny. She would have years and centuries with Galdor, but she would watch her parents and her brothers grow old, and die, and their children, and theirs. In that moment, Ginny decided what she wanted with her life. Her parents noticed it, and noticed something else. From that point onward, Ginny was always happy, but in her eyes they could see a sadness that never went away.