Chapter 11 Aftermath

"VITA MERLINI" shouted Albus Dumbledore quickly containing all the magic within the room. Knowing he didn't have much time, he surveyed the situation quickly as he walked over to where Harry and the others were, making sure everyone was safe. Letting Cat to tend to Severus and Remus, Dumbledore approached an irritated Mac Lir. "Welcome to you, Manann Mac Lir, we are honoured by you presence. Although I am concerned with your choice of past time. I do not believe this is within the confines of hospitality" Dumbledore said pleasantly.

"Many thanks to you Albus Dumbledore. I have heard many tales of you, both from our child and her father, apparently they are all true, very few could invoke vita merlini" responded Mac Lir "especially against one of my blood."

Harry's eyes were wide, staring at Dumbledore and Mac Lir "What's happening, why isn't he attacking anymore."

"Because Albus has invoked the Law of Hospitality" explained MacLeod "it would be shameful to attack your host."

"So just because Dumbledore welcomed him, he's powerless?" Harry said disbelief evident in his voice.

"No. He could still harm us if he wished" continued MacLeod "but to do so now would tarnish him, his honour would be affected. My people are very concerned with honour and family, its what holds our culture together."

"But what happens if he decides to attack Dumbledore?" asked an apprehensive Harry.

"He would announce it first, it would be the only proper way. He would tell him that he was committed to his task and give Albus time to prepare." she explained "Harry if you want you can go to them. Just make sure to stand to the side and slightly behind Albus, it's a sign of respect, it shows you realize your place in the clan, just make sure you don't say a word unless you are directly address by one of them. Okay?" she smiled, tussling his hair, and winking.

Harry nodded excitedly and scurried up to Dumbledore's side. Remembering what Miss MacLeod had told him, he made sure he stayed slightly behind Albus. Mac Lir paused for a moment when he realized Harry was there, he looked at Harry and smiled broadly "Hello, little one. Checking up on us are you?"

Harry felt like he was ten year old or something when Mac Lir spoke to him like that, but still, it made him feel as if he were part of Mac Lir's family. Just his luck, his Aunt and Uncle couldn't even be bothered to treat him civilly, and here was a stranger who had just about killed them, acting like he was his grandson. Then again considering how Mac Lir kept calling Miss MacLeod "child" Harry decided he really shouldn't take it too personally. "No sir, just curious."

"Polite and brave, that is a good sign" beamed Mac Lir. Harry couldn't help but return the smile. Looking up at Dumbledore, Harry saw that he was also smiling, and the twinkle had returned to his eyes.

Albus continued his conversation with Mac Lir "As you have seen, we are in earnest when we pledged to protect her, with our lives, if necessary. I believe that was well proven today."

"Indeed it was, however I fear there are people within your house who would do her and the boy great harm" Mac Lir said sadly "Not all are as honourable as your clan."

"But Mac Lir, as you can plainly see, my...."clan" is not without great strength, and there are more within my house than those you see here. More who are loyal to our cause. You must realize what will happen if you take her away." Dumbledore finished a bit impatiently

"Loyalty such as this is a rare thing indeed." replied Mac Lir "But I still have great doubts about the future, their future."

"I both respect and understand your view" said Dumbledore slowly "but I think we owe it to the future to allow this. Who is to say that they themselves are not the future?" as he finished a small smile crossed Mac Lir's lips.

Reaching over to Harry, Mac Lir placed his fingers under Harry's chin so Harry was looking right into his stormy blue-grey eyes. Suddenly, his reality changed, Harry saw people, so many people, looking at him, smiling. He could see the kindness and pride in their eyes, they are so proud of him, they love him. Harry stood there, not understanding what this meant. Mac Lir turned to Miss MacLeod who was sitting on the floor between Severus and Remus "Your son is strong Catrianna MacLeod. He will be a fine man one day. If he survives." Cat simply looked up and smiled, to weak to correct Mac Lir.

After a little more discussion, Mac Lir left in a swirl of wind and water. As Albus once again turned to evaluate the damage, "Well, it could have been much worse I suppose. Still, no use tempting fate. Harry help me get them to the carriage please."

Albus hurried everyone into a carriage, he had to levitate Remus, Harry was helping Cat, and Severus seemed to be managing fine on his own. Albus had to give Snape credit, when he felt something needed to be done, he stepped up to do it, even if it was an incredible stupid risk from time to time. Still Albus was rather sure that had more to do his growing feelings for Cat, than it did any rational thought, it was rather funny actually, Severus put logic above most other traits, and at the moment he seems to have lost most of his.

Once everyone was settled and the carriage on its way, Harry decided to ask Dumbledore what exactly had happened. "Professor Dumbledore, exactly who was that man, the one Miss MacLeod called Mac Lir?"

"He is a relative of Miss MacLeod's, on her mother's side if I am not mistaken." answered Dumbledore, looking squarely into Harry's eyes. "But you must not judge him harshly for what has happened here today. He simply wanted to bring Miss MacLeod back home. He feels she is not safe here."

"So he tries to kill her himself" Harry yelled incredulously "Well that makes a whole lot of sense, doesn't it?"

"Hush Harry" Miss MacLeod said softly, he could tell she was exhausted. Remus's head was laying against her shoulder, Harry was pretty sure he was unconscious again. "He never intended to kill anyone, and the last thing he would do is kill me. Blood does not harm blood."

"You mean he actually uis/u a member of your family?" this time it was Snape's turn to look incredulous .

" 'Fraid so. One of the calmer more rational ones too." MacLeod said chuckling slightly. "Family reunions are always a hoot with Clan MacLeod."

"That thing about the clan, what does he mean your clan Professor Dumbledore, I thought a clan was a family?" Harry looked from Dumbledore to MacLeod, waiting for an answer.

"Not exactly dear," MacLeod began "the easiest way to explain a "clan" is a loosely related group of people, cousins, extended family. However that also includes people from other families or clans who have been fostered. Allegiances also enter into it." her voice began to falter "but then it really gets complicated. Then you have clannad which is like the clan, only different." she was just rambling now, barely conscious herself. Severus reached across the carriage and held her hand. Her eyes fluttered slightly as she smiled at him, and slipped off into unconsciousness.

"Do not worry Severus, she will be fine" assured Dumbledore "Now Harry, when Mac Lir referred to my clan, he was referring to the teachers and staff at Hogwarts. By his culture's definition they would be my clan, and as headmaster of the school, I would be considered their 'chieftain' or in my case, as the oldest their 'grandfather'." he finished looking expectantly at Harry.

"So when he kept calling her 'child' it was because he would be considered her grandfather?" Harry wasn't sure that this made any sense at all.

"After a fashion... I'm afraid it is quite complex Harry. I'm sure when Miss MacLeod is feeling better, she will be more than happy to explain it to you." Dumbledore smiled as he surveyed the others in the carriage; in many ways Mac Lir was right, they were his family, and he did consider them his children. And right now, two of his children had passed out from pain and exhaustion, and the other two were beside themselves with worry over them. The concern on their faces was painfully obvious. "Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey will be waiting for us. When Mr. Weasley ran into me and told me what had happened I asked him to inform them of our arrival."

"I was wondering how you knew to come there. I thought maybe you could read my mind." Harry said awkwardly, trying to lighten the conversation.

Albus looked at Harry "You have another question don't you Harry?"

Harry hesitated looking from Dumbledore to a half awake Snape. "Uh...yes actually I do. Why did he call me Miss MacLeod's son?" Snape, fully awake now, shot him a look that could have melted stone.

Dumbledore paused for a moment and sighed deeply "I can only guess at that Harry. When Cat and your mother were students here they were extremely close, closer than sisters. Many people mistook them for twins. It may be that he assumes that when your mother died Cat fostered you, as she would if one of her sisters had left behind a child. But again Harry it is only a guess, you will have to wait for Miss MacLeod if you want the true answer to that question."

Harry shot a sideways glance at Snape, not daring to meet his eyes. Snape was still glaring at him, a very ugly look on his face. Harry wondered to himself if Snape knew the answer, maybe that was why he seemed so angry. Then again where he was concerned Snape was never happy.

Just then the carriage stopped in front of Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall rushed out to meet them.

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