Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

^…^ denotes Phoenixtongue

*…* denotes Parseltongue

A/N: Sorry I was so late in getting this out! My Internet connection was down. Here you go! Also, a poll at the end.

Lumorem Heré Part VII: Flourish, Blotts, and the Library

"I suppose we should get your books now." said Lucius.

"Okay!" both boys said. They were very eager to see what these books contained.

^I will show you how to get some of your books. Before I came into physical existence, Merlin told me that the shopkeep would not have some of the books. Specifically, the ones that man Ollivander mentioned.^ informed Alec.

^Okay.^ said Draco.

"What did she say, Draco?" asked Severus. "She said that she would help us find some of the books we need."

Severus raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, as they were entering the bookstore.

          When they went in, there was immediate, absolute silence. The various eyes around them took in the little group, progressing through different degrees of curiosity, shock, horror, and fright, finally settling on a mixture of being terrified, and petrified at the knowledge that the boys had a emperor phoenix on one shoulder, royal eagles on another,(they had decided to get the birds on Cai and Alec's insistence,), very venomous snakes curled around their necks,(Draco had bought one upon discovering that he was also a Parselmouth, and on Alec's insistence) and the staffs they held in their hands.

"M-m-m-may I h-h-help you, s-s-s-sir?" asked the shopkeep of Severus.

"Yes. We need the newest and self-updating versions of: The Absolute Encyclopedia of Herbs, Plants, Fungi, and other Potions Ingredients; Every Beast and Creature in the Universe; A Comprehensive and Complete Guide to Charms, Transfiguration, and Defence Against the Dark Arts, Muggle Fighting Techniques, Arithmancy: A Guide; A History of the Magical World; and Hogwarts: A History. While you are getting those, we'll browse." The shopkeeper nodded, wide-eyed and speechless. Why this had to happen on his second day on the job, he didn't know.

^Follow me, please.^ said Alec. He glided to the back of the shop, to the Muggle Psychiatry section. If one looked hard enough, you could see a white engraving of a phoenix in flight ingrained in the wood of the bookshelf.

^Say your full names, while looking at the carving.^

They opened their mouths, and their words came out, not in English, but in Phoenixtongue.

^Amroth Morningstar Cielcéo Ecléos Eldar'ritan ^

^ Elrohir Dracodian Luciferio Kieroican Malfoic'ritan ^

Then, on impulse, they added:

^Open. ^

The air around them began to swirl rapidly, catching the books. They spun so fast, that they just looked like pure light. Inside the ring, an image of an old room with many bookshelves appeared. They stepped through.

^Welcome to Merlin's personal library.^

***

^You are supposed to take: The Comprehensive Spell Guide: Every Single Spell in the Universe, How to Do it and Create One; Guide to Becoming a Mage: Helpful Tips and Exercises; Merlin's personal journal; Omnetio: A Handbook; and Wands, Staves, and Other Sources of Power: Theory, and How to Create a Source. ^

"How exactly are we supposed to find all of those?"

"Think of what you want, and the bookshelf containing it will pop up." It was the same booming voice they had heard Ollivander speak in. "I am Merlin, and I bid you welcome to my library."

          A person who looked no more than thirty years of age stood before them. He had flowing auburn hair which was in a braid which came down to the middle of his waist. On either side of his head, and down the middle, he had a tiny, intricate golden braid. He also had pointed ears. One of his eyes was ice blue, the other, a piercing silver.  On one hand was a gleaming sapphire and emerald ring. In the other was a staff identical to Draco's. He was wearing robes of silver, with golden gryphons around the neck and cuffs.

"Go on, try it!" said he.

          So Draco did. He thought of the Source Guide. Immediately, a cherry-wood bookshelf sprang up in front of him. All around the edges were scenes of goblins fighting dragons. A book slid into his hand and duplicated five times, twice for him, once for Morning, once for Severus, once for Lucius, and once for Lily.

          Soon everyone got the hang of it, and had personal copies (plus one each for Lily). Merlin bid them farewell, and told them he'd see them all later. They stepped back through the portal and it closed behind them. They collected the other books and all, with some help from Severus and Lucius, Teleported away.

***

Here is the poll, made up of two questions. I am not updating unless I get AT LEAST five reviews, as anything less will be too little to decide which way to go.

1) Should they go to Hogwarts and be taught by the five people at night and during free times, or should time freeze, and for a year or so of their time (or maybe just a couple of months), should they be taught by the five, and then go to Hogwarts with no time passing in the real world?

2) Should I have Lily's reaction to all of this, or simply fast forward to the first day of their schooling?

Remember, I will not post the next chapter until at LEAST five people review!

Bye for now!

TH Alaricron