Winter Break
Well, here's a side story to Summer Break. It's basically Professor Rai's past for anyone that interested. Warnings are angst, sap, some OOC, TWT, and RaixOC, RxHm, and HxD. I realize that there are a lot of things that may seem out of place right now for those that read Summer Break but I promise that it'll all fit together in the end. Oh and there will be a lot more Harry and Draco in the later chapters so don't worry, I just have to set down the plot first. Anyway, please read and review and now onto the story.
Chapter 1: First Meetings
A ragged Rai cursed miserably as he stumbled through the forest. He was cold, tired, and hurt. Squinting through the rain, the elf [1] could just make out the edge of the trees and as he fell exhausted into a clearing, overwhelming blackness covered his eyes and he knew no more.
* * * * *
It seemed like only a short while later that Rai awoke again, his wintry silver-blue gems now fixed confusingly at the ceiling above him. /How did I get inside?/
"Ah! I see you're awake!"
Rai jumped at the sudden sound of another occupant in the room and immediately swept his gaze over to the direction the voice had come from. "Who are you?"
The man turned and for the first time, the brunette caught sight of merrily twinkling blue eyes and a long white beard matching the snowy hair falling down to the old man's waist. [2] As the other approached Rai, his deep blue robes swished quietly against the stone floor. The stranger came to a stop beside Rai's bed and settled on the chair conveniently placed there. "My name is Albus Dumbledore. May I inquire who you are? Since I highly doubt you are just another student considering we do not teach any of the elfin race here."
Flushing lightly, Rai unconsciously touched his sensitively pointed ears. "Quite true. I am Lord Rai Maxwell of the elves of the Forbidden Forest. And if I should be allowed a question, I shall like to know where this is and how I had arrived at this place."
"This, my boy," At these words Rai raised an eyebrow since he was mostly sure that he beat Dumbledore in age by several centuries, "is Hogwarts and you were unconscious when I found you outside of the Forest. I carried you back here and had our nurse tend to your wounds. Although I am shocked to actually see and Elf hurt as badly as you were. What happened?"
Sighing, Rai sat up despite the headmaster's worried glance. "Thank you for your help but my healing ability should repair all my wounds in two days at the most. As for what had occurred, I had been captured by a band of dark wizards because of my momentary neglect of surroundings. As you have noticed, I had managed to escape but not without catching the end of some of their spells."
Dumbledore nodded. "Why were you around dark wizards to begin with?"
Rai glared, not liking the interrogation but he knew that he could trust his savior. "Tis my duty to protect my people. They were drawing near our home and I had been luring them away but out of my own foolishness had been captured. What was important though was I had managed to save my people. Tis most likely that they have already left the forest for safety elsewhere."
"Leaving you alone."
The elf's silence confirmed Dumbledore's statement and the wizard cast the other a sympathetic look. "Seeing that you have no where to go at the moment you are free to remain at Hogwarts is you wish and possibly learn some magic."
"How do you know if I'm capable of magic or not?" Rai asked, eyebrow raised in question.
"I can feel it in you. So will you take my offer?"
Biting his lip, Rai considered the pros and cons. Finally after much contemplation he gave his answer. "I shall remain here but I shall also need to be among the trees freely for elves do not take to staying within stone walls well for long periods of time."
"That will do." Dumbledore stood and smiled warmly at the elf. "Now rest. Tomorrow I'll send Professor McGonagall down to see about sorting you into a house."
Watching the wizard leave the room, the wintry-eyed elf resigned to his fate. /Well, I suppose I should find my disguise./ Closing his eyes, Rai concentrated on the power within himself and slowly a soft silvery light engulfed the room and the brunette.
* * * * *
McGonagall's face was schooled into her usual stony facade but inside she was interested in meeting an elf. It was rare for one of their fair kind to show themselves around other races and this was not a chance that she was about to pass up.
Pausing at the door, the professor composed herself before entering the room. She knew that elves had sharp ears but the brunette in the room had not even registered her entrance. "Are you Rai Maxwell?"
Rai nodded and gracefully turned to face the woman. "I am. Are you Professor McGonagall?"
Frowning, McGonagall confirmed his question. "Are you not supposed to be an elf?"
"Huh?" The seemingly human boy glanced down at himself. "Oh!" Rai laughed slightly and it was smooth and soothing. "I had only been trying to come up with a disguise that would hide my true heritage while I am here." Concentrating again, a dull flash permeated the room and the vision of humanity faded and before McGonagall found herself staring at a handsome brunette elf.
She gawked at him for a few seconds before shaking herself out of her stupor and gesturing for Rai to seat himself in the stool that she had brought along. "I'm just going to sort you into a house." With that she produced a ragged looking hat and placed it lightly on top of Rai's head.
The elf was surprised when a small voice began to speak into his ear. "Hmm. . .an elf. This is most unusual. Although like your people, you are kind, brave, and loyal to friends. Fine then, let it be Gryffindor!"
Rai winced at the suddenly loud voice in his sensitive ears and removed the hat. "I take it I am in the house Gryffindor?"
"Yes." McGonagall motioned for Rai to follow her and together they left the room. "I am your house leader. If you have any problems or questions just come to me." She eyed him momentarily. "And you have no need to hide the fact that you are an elf. I presume that it exhausts you to maintain the spell?"
"It does." Rai nervously bit his lip. "Forgive me but I have grown up not trusting the race of man very much but if you insist that I shall be safe then I will do as you ask for never have I been saved by one of your kind before."
Allowing a brief smile to play on her lips, the Transfiguration professor came to a stop outside the painting of a fat lady. "Fizzledeepop." McGonagall said and the portrait swung open. Inside the common room, everyone's eyes trained on the door as their head walked in along with another. They came to a stop in front of the fire and Rai swept his sharp gaze around the warmly lit room. "Everyone this is Rai Maxwell. He will be a new member to this house and I expect all of you to give him a warm welcome." McGonagall then turned to the elf beside her and spoke in a lower tone. "We have provided you with all the items that are necessary during your time here with us, including clothes, robes, and books. They have all been placed up in your dorms. I believe Dumbledore had appointed you as a fifth year."
Nodding in understanding, Rai bid the professor farewell and once she was gone he was left alone. Glancing at the people around him, the wintry-eyed elf felt the uneasiness creep up on him again. Never had he been around so many humans. Licking his lips, Rai turned his eyes to the stairs and then back to the crowd. Most of the Gryffindors had returned to their previous activities but Rai could still feel eyes upon him. Searching the room, his attention landed on an ebony-haired boy and his two companions. They were sitting close enough so that Rai could speak to them without drawing attention. "Why do you stare at me so?"
The emerald-eyed boy flushed and gestured to his ears. "Your ears. Why are they pointed?"
"I am an elf." Rai answered without wavering.
"I've read a lot about your people! I just never thought I would meet an elf." The bushy-haired brunette exclaimed excitedly causing Rai to chuckle in amusement. "My name's Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. It's so wonderful to meet you."
Rai raised an eyebrow at the girl's outstretched hand before clasping it in his own. "Tis nice to meet you as well, my lady."
Hermione blushed. "Just Hermione if you will."
"Of course." Rai laughed merrily and greeted the two boys.
"So where are you from?" Asked Harry.
Smiling sadly at his new friend, Rai shook his head. "That I cannot say. I mean no offense but my kindred to not trust any men very readily."
Harry frowned but nodded. "I understand. Have you received your class schedule yet?"
"I have. Although if I understood correctly I have been placed in fifth year." Rai sighed as he pulled out his schedule.
"Why is that a problem?" Ron questioned.
The elf smiled. "I do not know wizard's magic Ron for I am an elven-mage."
"What's the difference?"
Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and Rai laughed. "Unlike wizards I do not need a wand to perform my magic. My powers are also more connected with nature." He held out one delicate hand, and concentrating, Rai felt the power awaken inside of him causing a small ball of silvery-blue light to appear in his hand. "I believe this spell is similar to your Lumos charm."
The three before him gasped along with many others behind him, causing Rai to turn his attention to the rest of the common room again. His eyes widened slightly as he noticed that his small demonstration had caught the interest of many of the Gryffindors.
"Wow! How'd you do that?!" Another boy exclaimed, stepping forward. "My name's Seamus by the way and that over there is Dean."
"Tis a pleasure to meet you and I am able of this magic because it is a gift among my people. I have no need for a wand." Rai answered quickly, not liking the attention for he was used to the solitude of his life among his kindred and the trees.
Harry studied the elf and sighed. Even though Rai did not show his nervousness, Harry could sense how his new friend felt for it was the very way that he had reacted when he had first come to the wizarding world. Cutting into the questioning, the emerald-eyed Gryffindor smiled at Rai. "How about I show you where your bed is? You should be tired."
"I am. Thank you." Relieved, Rai followed Harry out of the room and up the stairs. Once they entered the fifth year dorm, the elf sighed, dropping onto his bed as the other pointed it out to him. He was surprised when Harry sat down beside him.
"How long are you planning to stay with us?" The Gryffindor began.
Rai shrugged. "I do not know. I had planned to speak with Lord Dumbledore tomorrow."
"Lord?" Harry laughed slightly. "You truly are an elf. It's Professor Dumbledore. We've given up the title of Lord long ago."
Slowly the brunette nodded. "I suppose but I have not. I do not mean offense but among my people I am a Lord and an Eldar so I had originally assumed Dumbledore to be one."
"I see." Harry stood with a smile. "Well, I'll let you catch some sleep. Don't worry about the others. I'll set up a charm so they won't bother you."
"I thank you." Watching his new friend leave the room, Rai sighed before settling on the bed and drawing the curtains around him. Silently he sent up a wish, hoping that he would be able to go home soon.
T.B.C.
1. I know that Rai was not mentioned as an elf in Summer Break but of course I also have a plan as to why. So before anyone complains that I was off on that detail please continue reading the story and I assure you that you'll find out by the end why none of them mention who Rai really is.
2. How long Rai has known Dumbledore will be explained later on in the story. I had said that they knew each other for a long time in Summer Break but they haven't in here so I haven't forgotten that detail but there's a long explanation as to why Harry thought that the Headmaster and Rai has known each other for years. So just read to find out.
Well, here's the first chapter. For all of you that read Summer Break, don't worry about Rai being an elf and it not being mentioned in that in the story. That'll be explained later on in this. Also the time period that Rai's known Dumbledore will also be explained in this. Trust me everything will be cleared up. Other than that, please review and tell me if I should continue. Thanks.
Well, here's a side story to Summer Break. It's basically Professor Rai's past for anyone that interested. Warnings are angst, sap, some OOC, TWT, and RaixOC, RxHm, and HxD. I realize that there are a lot of things that may seem out of place right now for those that read Summer Break but I promise that it'll all fit together in the end. Oh and there will be a lot more Harry and Draco in the later chapters so don't worry, I just have to set down the plot first. Anyway, please read and review and now onto the story.
Chapter 1: First Meetings
A ragged Rai cursed miserably as he stumbled through the forest. He was cold, tired, and hurt. Squinting through the rain, the elf [1] could just make out the edge of the trees and as he fell exhausted into a clearing, overwhelming blackness covered his eyes and he knew no more.
* * * * *
It seemed like only a short while later that Rai awoke again, his wintry silver-blue gems now fixed confusingly at the ceiling above him. /How did I get inside?/
"Ah! I see you're awake!"
Rai jumped at the sudden sound of another occupant in the room and immediately swept his gaze over to the direction the voice had come from. "Who are you?"
The man turned and for the first time, the brunette caught sight of merrily twinkling blue eyes and a long white beard matching the snowy hair falling down to the old man's waist. [2] As the other approached Rai, his deep blue robes swished quietly against the stone floor. The stranger came to a stop beside Rai's bed and settled on the chair conveniently placed there. "My name is Albus Dumbledore. May I inquire who you are? Since I highly doubt you are just another student considering we do not teach any of the elfin race here."
Flushing lightly, Rai unconsciously touched his sensitively pointed ears. "Quite true. I am Lord Rai Maxwell of the elves of the Forbidden Forest. And if I should be allowed a question, I shall like to know where this is and how I had arrived at this place."
"This, my boy," At these words Rai raised an eyebrow since he was mostly sure that he beat Dumbledore in age by several centuries, "is Hogwarts and you were unconscious when I found you outside of the Forest. I carried you back here and had our nurse tend to your wounds. Although I am shocked to actually see and Elf hurt as badly as you were. What happened?"
Sighing, Rai sat up despite the headmaster's worried glance. "Thank you for your help but my healing ability should repair all my wounds in two days at the most. As for what had occurred, I had been captured by a band of dark wizards because of my momentary neglect of surroundings. As you have noticed, I had managed to escape but not without catching the end of some of their spells."
Dumbledore nodded. "Why were you around dark wizards to begin with?"
Rai glared, not liking the interrogation but he knew that he could trust his savior. "Tis my duty to protect my people. They were drawing near our home and I had been luring them away but out of my own foolishness had been captured. What was important though was I had managed to save my people. Tis most likely that they have already left the forest for safety elsewhere."
"Leaving you alone."
The elf's silence confirmed Dumbledore's statement and the wizard cast the other a sympathetic look. "Seeing that you have no where to go at the moment you are free to remain at Hogwarts is you wish and possibly learn some magic."
"How do you know if I'm capable of magic or not?" Rai asked, eyebrow raised in question.
"I can feel it in you. So will you take my offer?"
Biting his lip, Rai considered the pros and cons. Finally after much contemplation he gave his answer. "I shall remain here but I shall also need to be among the trees freely for elves do not take to staying within stone walls well for long periods of time."
"That will do." Dumbledore stood and smiled warmly at the elf. "Now rest. Tomorrow I'll send Professor McGonagall down to see about sorting you into a house."
Watching the wizard leave the room, the wintry-eyed elf resigned to his fate. /Well, I suppose I should find my disguise./ Closing his eyes, Rai concentrated on the power within himself and slowly a soft silvery light engulfed the room and the brunette.
* * * * *
McGonagall's face was schooled into her usual stony facade but inside she was interested in meeting an elf. It was rare for one of their fair kind to show themselves around other races and this was not a chance that she was about to pass up.
Pausing at the door, the professor composed herself before entering the room. She knew that elves had sharp ears but the brunette in the room had not even registered her entrance. "Are you Rai Maxwell?"
Rai nodded and gracefully turned to face the woman. "I am. Are you Professor McGonagall?"
Frowning, McGonagall confirmed his question. "Are you not supposed to be an elf?"
"Huh?" The seemingly human boy glanced down at himself. "Oh!" Rai laughed slightly and it was smooth and soothing. "I had only been trying to come up with a disguise that would hide my true heritage while I am here." Concentrating again, a dull flash permeated the room and the vision of humanity faded and before McGonagall found herself staring at a handsome brunette elf.
She gawked at him for a few seconds before shaking herself out of her stupor and gesturing for Rai to seat himself in the stool that she had brought along. "I'm just going to sort you into a house." With that she produced a ragged looking hat and placed it lightly on top of Rai's head.
The elf was surprised when a small voice began to speak into his ear. "Hmm. . .an elf. This is most unusual. Although like your people, you are kind, brave, and loyal to friends. Fine then, let it be Gryffindor!"
Rai winced at the suddenly loud voice in his sensitive ears and removed the hat. "I take it I am in the house Gryffindor?"
"Yes." McGonagall motioned for Rai to follow her and together they left the room. "I am your house leader. If you have any problems or questions just come to me." She eyed him momentarily. "And you have no need to hide the fact that you are an elf. I presume that it exhausts you to maintain the spell?"
"It does." Rai nervously bit his lip. "Forgive me but I have grown up not trusting the race of man very much but if you insist that I shall be safe then I will do as you ask for never have I been saved by one of your kind before."
Allowing a brief smile to play on her lips, the Transfiguration professor came to a stop outside the painting of a fat lady. "Fizzledeepop." McGonagall said and the portrait swung open. Inside the common room, everyone's eyes trained on the door as their head walked in along with another. They came to a stop in front of the fire and Rai swept his sharp gaze around the warmly lit room. "Everyone this is Rai Maxwell. He will be a new member to this house and I expect all of you to give him a warm welcome." McGonagall then turned to the elf beside her and spoke in a lower tone. "We have provided you with all the items that are necessary during your time here with us, including clothes, robes, and books. They have all been placed up in your dorms. I believe Dumbledore had appointed you as a fifth year."
Nodding in understanding, Rai bid the professor farewell and once she was gone he was left alone. Glancing at the people around him, the wintry-eyed elf felt the uneasiness creep up on him again. Never had he been around so many humans. Licking his lips, Rai turned his eyes to the stairs and then back to the crowd. Most of the Gryffindors had returned to their previous activities but Rai could still feel eyes upon him. Searching the room, his attention landed on an ebony-haired boy and his two companions. They were sitting close enough so that Rai could speak to them without drawing attention. "Why do you stare at me so?"
The emerald-eyed boy flushed and gestured to his ears. "Your ears. Why are they pointed?"
"I am an elf." Rai answered without wavering.
"I've read a lot about your people! I just never thought I would meet an elf." The bushy-haired brunette exclaimed excitedly causing Rai to chuckle in amusement. "My name's Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. It's so wonderful to meet you."
Rai raised an eyebrow at the girl's outstretched hand before clasping it in his own. "Tis nice to meet you as well, my lady."
Hermione blushed. "Just Hermione if you will."
"Of course." Rai laughed merrily and greeted the two boys.
"So where are you from?" Asked Harry.
Smiling sadly at his new friend, Rai shook his head. "That I cannot say. I mean no offense but my kindred to not trust any men very readily."
Harry frowned but nodded. "I understand. Have you received your class schedule yet?"
"I have. Although if I understood correctly I have been placed in fifth year." Rai sighed as he pulled out his schedule.
"Why is that a problem?" Ron questioned.
The elf smiled. "I do not know wizard's magic Ron for I am an elven-mage."
"What's the difference?"
Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and Rai laughed. "Unlike wizards I do not need a wand to perform my magic. My powers are also more connected with nature." He held out one delicate hand, and concentrating, Rai felt the power awaken inside of him causing a small ball of silvery-blue light to appear in his hand. "I believe this spell is similar to your Lumos charm."
The three before him gasped along with many others behind him, causing Rai to turn his attention to the rest of the common room again. His eyes widened slightly as he noticed that his small demonstration had caught the interest of many of the Gryffindors.
"Wow! How'd you do that?!" Another boy exclaimed, stepping forward. "My name's Seamus by the way and that over there is Dean."
"Tis a pleasure to meet you and I am able of this magic because it is a gift among my people. I have no need for a wand." Rai answered quickly, not liking the attention for he was used to the solitude of his life among his kindred and the trees.
Harry studied the elf and sighed. Even though Rai did not show his nervousness, Harry could sense how his new friend felt for it was the very way that he had reacted when he had first come to the wizarding world. Cutting into the questioning, the emerald-eyed Gryffindor smiled at Rai. "How about I show you where your bed is? You should be tired."
"I am. Thank you." Relieved, Rai followed Harry out of the room and up the stairs. Once they entered the fifth year dorm, the elf sighed, dropping onto his bed as the other pointed it out to him. He was surprised when Harry sat down beside him.
"How long are you planning to stay with us?" The Gryffindor began.
Rai shrugged. "I do not know. I had planned to speak with Lord Dumbledore tomorrow."
"Lord?" Harry laughed slightly. "You truly are an elf. It's Professor Dumbledore. We've given up the title of Lord long ago."
Slowly the brunette nodded. "I suppose but I have not. I do not mean offense but among my people I am a Lord and an Eldar so I had originally assumed Dumbledore to be one."
"I see." Harry stood with a smile. "Well, I'll let you catch some sleep. Don't worry about the others. I'll set up a charm so they won't bother you."
"I thank you." Watching his new friend leave the room, Rai sighed before settling on the bed and drawing the curtains around him. Silently he sent up a wish, hoping that he would be able to go home soon.
T.B.C.
1. I know that Rai was not mentioned as an elf in Summer Break but of course I also have a plan as to why. So before anyone complains that I was off on that detail please continue reading the story and I assure you that you'll find out by the end why none of them mention who Rai really is.
2. How long Rai has known Dumbledore will be explained later on in the story. I had said that they knew each other for a long time in Summer Break but they haven't in here so I haven't forgotten that detail but there's a long explanation as to why Harry thought that the Headmaster and Rai has known each other for years. So just read to find out.
Well, here's the first chapter. For all of you that read Summer Break, don't worry about Rai being an elf and it not being mentioned in that in the story. That'll be explained later on in this. Also the time period that Rai's known Dumbledore will also be explained in this. Trust me everything will be cleared up. Other than that, please review and tell me if I should continue. Thanks.