*Look to prologue for disclaimers and warnings.

Chapter Two: Introductions

"Telcontar," Malfoy spat. He sauntered towards the handsome young Man, looking him up and down with loathing, before continuing dryly, "How nice of you to join our little gathering." He cast a glance towards the rest of the assembled group, snarling. "And look, you've brought the whole gang. Peachy." His sentence ended with a stretch of lips in mockery of a smile before, indicating for his two cronies to follow with the captive Elf, he turned to leave.

However, a voice detained him.

"Let him go, Malfoy. Leave him be, and we'll not have to hurt you." A hint of steel emphasized the strong voice, enough to frighten anyone, and it was apparent that Malfoy was not unaffected by the warning. He spun around, his face a tad paler than usual, and muttered darkly.

"This is none of your concern, Telcontar. I suggest you leave now, before things turn ugly." As if to give claim to his words, the blonde's massive followers advanced menacingly, muscles flexing and fists clenching in intimidation.

The newcomer's only response was to reach for something poking out the pocket of his jacket, an object formerly unnoticed by both Boy and Elf. However, once remarked by Malfoy, it evidently caused him great distress, for he immediately motioned for the two giants accompanying him to let Legolas go, and quickly moved away. However, before making his flight, the malicious young Man whispered a promise in the young Elf's ear.

"We're not finished."

The cold, sure tone of the young Man sent a tremor down Legolas' spine, and he brusquely turned away from the retreating trio, to greet his saviours.

There were four of them in all- three boys and a girl. The tallest boy of the group captured the Elf's attention immediately. "Telcontar," Legolas thought absently, "that's what Malfoy said."

The young man was indeed somewhat intimidating-tall and muscular, intensity and passion seeping from every pore of his being. Jade orbs flitted with interest over the form of the young man, who was as of yet oblivious to the scrutiny imposed upon him, still glaring at the quickly- disappearing, hateful figure of Malfoy.

Idly, Legolas noted that the only girl of the group was approaching him, yet he found he could not tear his eyes away from the enthralling being before him, and as his gaze swept downwards, he caught sight of the object that had caused Malfoy to flee.

"A wand." he declared breathily. Realisation dawned on him at once. "You're Wizards!" he exclaimed excitedly.

As one, four heads snapped up to meet his gaze in fearful anticipation. Legolas was mildly surprised, yet grinned inwardly at the prospect of a bit of fun, the identical expressions of anxiety marring the features of his new-found companions taunting him to do something devilish. For his own fiendish amusement, he played the part of the bewildered Muggle.

"You-.you're Wizards." he stuttered, stumbling backwards, laughter threatening to spill from his lips at the horror upon his rescuers faces. The tense moment was drawn out considerably, his lovely face a mask of disbelief and shock, before he allowed it to split into a broad smile.

"Me too." He announced simply, his smile coy, his own wand displayed as evidence.

For a moment, four pairs of eyes goggled at him in amazement, before a flaming redhead broke free of the trance and shook his head ruefully, speaking accusingly.

"That was cruel."

The Elf simply shrugged his slim shoulders casually, his face the picture of innocence.

"I know naught of what you speak." He murmured quietly, eyes sparkling with something akin to mirth.

"I'm sure." The brown-haired girl remarked dryly. The edges of her full mouth curled up slightly in mild humour, as the golden Elf before her lowered his eyes guiltily, a grin still playing at his rose lips.

However, humour fled as another voice broke in, obviously peeved.

"Really though, was that truly necessary?"

Jade orbs rose to gaze upon the one who spoke, and startling green eyes, a shade lighter than Legolas' own, met his with startling anger.

"I apologise." Legolas said softly, melodious voice tinged with regret, and a frown now creasing his smooth brow. He was, after all, all too aware of the dangers Wizards faced at being exposed, and as he was apologetic for their alarm, he sought to explain himself.

"It is only that I was taught to throw strangers off their guard when first encountering them.a form of protection, you see. I have known little more than enemies and adults that look upon me either with lust or disdain in my life. It is instinct-not only protection, but as well as the only way I can learn something of people without asking."

'I wonder,' the beautiful Elf mused, 'why I so quickly bare my soul for these people.ones whom I don't even know by name. Simply a paradox, I suppose.'

Legolas met the green-eyed boy's stare evenly, and after a moment, the latter shook his head slightly and a half-smile tugged at a thin mouth.

"Apology accepted." He declared, "I suppose I was a tad harsh, in any case. I'm Harry, by the way; Harry Potter."

The Elf's lovely eyes widened to the size of saucers, and he gasped, covering his mouth with a long hand.

"Harry Potter?" he whispered, and the boy grinned in response, lifting his bangs to display the thin, lightening-shaped scar.

"The one and only." He declared laughingly.

Harry stuck his pale hand out in greeting, and Legolas took it eagerly, warmth filling him at the famous boy's easy acceptance. The young Elf then turned to the rest of the group, a dazzling smile accompanying his own introduction.

"I'm Legolas Greenleaf." He stated enthusiastically, before adding wryly, "Off on my own to school for the first time, vulnerable and oblivious, as you may have noticed."

As he had hoped, his remark was well received by the friendly group of adolescents, and they laughed lightly, the seriousness of the matter lifting somewhat. Encouraged, Legolas continued.

"Speaking of such, I haven't properly thanked you as of yet. So, you all have my gratitude for coming to my aid in a rather." A pause, before the lilting voice continued delicately. "A rather difficult situation."

The redhead waved off his thanks, the motion halting any further proclamations of appreciation.

"Think nothing of it," he replied, "after all, he was going to.well, you know.." He trailed off, face turning beet red, unable to continue in his embarrassment and dismay.

The girl cut in smoothly. "What he means to say, is that that abomination was going to hurt you, and there was absolutely no way we would have allowed that to happen."

The Elf's gratitude must have shown in his bright eyes, for the girl smiled reassuringly at him, and then resumed the introductions.

"I'm Hermione Granger, this," she said, indicating the redhead, "is Ron Weasley, and finally," her voice took on a sarcastic tone, "may I present the handsome, heroic, and all-together wonderful, Lord Aragorn Telcontar."

Legolas arched a slender eyebrow at the dramatic presentation, while a slight blush settled high on Aragorn's tanned cheeks, and the young Man, eyes flashing mischievously, retaliated.

"Well, it is an honour indeed to be complimented to such an extent by the highly intelligent Miss Granger, who while very desirable, is indeed already spoken for." His eyes slid meaningfully to Ron, and Legolas's other brow rose to join its mate high on his forehead, while Harry laughed himself silly at the two flushed faces of Ron and Hermione.

'Well,' thought the golden Elf impishly, 'at the very least, it wouldn't be dull spending time with these four.' Yet his thoughts darkened almost immediately, as they turned towards reason.

'Though, that may indeed be impossible, for who knows where they're off to.

Still, I suppose there's no harm in asking.after all, the worst that could happen would be for us to simply part ways, which may happen anyways.'

His tone light and casual, the Elven Wizard interrupted the friendly bantering.

"If you don't mind me intruding in your conversation, may I ask where you're all headed? I hate to be rude, but I have no notion whatsoever as to where my destination is, and the time to board my train draws near."

They all appeared properly abashed, yet it was Ron that answered him.

"Well Hogwarts, of course. Where else would we be off to?" he enquired wonderingly.

An exasperated Hermione cut off Legolas' reply. "How many times do I have to tell you, you nitwit?" she ranted, "There are other Wizarding schools besides Hogwarts in the world. If perhaps you listened, or read, once in awhile, you would know that! Honestly, I don't know why I put up with you sometimes!"

The golden beauty's eyes widened considerably at her tone, and at Ron's hot retort.

"Well, can you truly blame me for not listening to you, all the time? I mean, after all, you rant, you rave, you lecture. Don't-"

"Stop it." A quiet voice cut through the arguing voices. Aragorn.

"Not a one of us has any wish to listen to you two bicker, so leave it for later. Honestly, you two act like a married couple." He shook his head of shaggy hair disbelievingly then turned to Legolas, an easy smile spreading over his features.

"I apologise, what were you saying?"

Legolas did his best to remain unaffected by that smile and answer the question articulately, which proved to be quite a feat.

"Well, I'm going to Hogwarts as well, but I face a rather embarrassing problem." The young Elf lowered his eyes in mortification, and twisted his fingers nervously, before continuing. "It's silly, really.I, uh, don't know how to get onto the platform." The last part was barely a whisper, but Aragorn caught it, and a broad smile bloomed on his handsome face.

"You don't know how to get onto the platform?" he repeated kindly, and at Legolas' negative nod, he was quick to reassure. "Well, don't worry about, Harry didn't know at first either."

"Hey!" Harry protested, "That was different! That was my first time going to Hogwarts; I'd never been before. Besides, I don't live with a family of Wizards, so I didn't have any help."

All he received for his objections was a smack on the head, followed by a scolding, complimentary of Aragorn Telcontar.

"Bloody hell, you don't listen, do you? Legolas said clearly that this was his first time going away to school."

Rubbing his head gingerly, Harry studied Legolas with curious eyes, before making his enquiry.

"It's really your first time at Hogwarts? How old are you?"

The golden-haired Elf smiled slyly, as he answered, "Well, in a sense, I suppose. I've been to Hogwarts.just never by train. And to completely satisfy your curiosity, I'm in my fifth year of magic apprenticeship."

Harry looked appropriately bewildered, and sought to question the Elf, but the radiant beauty simply put a slender finger to the young man's lips, murmuring softly.

"All in good time, Harry. For now, we must board the train."

And, as the Elf looked at them expectantly, the four friends led the way through the secret wall, onto the platform, and were greeted by two identical voices.

"There you lot are!"

***
So, what do think? How's the story moving along? I'd love to hear any advice on characterization or description. Feedback would be great! Thanks again, and I hope you're enjoying the fic!