Outside of the stables, Gandalf sat perched atop Shadowfax, while Arwen and Legolas stood a few feet below on the ground.

"I will return on Halloween, expect me at the stroke of one that morning."

"What are we to do until then?" asked Legolas.

"The Headmaster and I are concerned about how Voldemort and Sauron's minions are getting from a plane of non-existence to Hogwarts. The Nazgul appeared about three months ago, unknown to Hagrid, of course, and Dumbledore has been searching for a portal since then, but has failed to find any. Before any more unexplained appearances of Middle Earth creatures surface again, we need you to look for the source for where these creatures are coming from."

"I'm a bit confused." said Legolas. "If I remember correctly, Arwen and I just. . . fell out of the sky, isn't that where Sauron would be sending through his pawns?"

"Ah, but you forget that you have been sent by Mandos and the Valar. They place you where they see fit, and the locations of your up and coming allies will vary as to avoid tracking by both the Ministry of Magic and Voldemort and Sauron. Sauron knows that neither the Ministry nor Voldemort can track his pawns without the them doing harm to themselves first."

"So we're looking where Sauron is teleporting these creatures." Arwen stated.

Gandalf nodded as he smiled down at the two elves.

"You are to look for things and places that can be used as portals from one world to this world. Now, it has also been decided that while you are ever searching for the Ring-bearer, you are to be entrusted and informed on other things that will help you combat the evil forces that both Sauron and Voldemort are enforcing. The Professors here have all the information you need, but you need to be subtle about how you ask for it, understand?"

The elves nodded.

Gandalf paused.

"You. . . do know what you need from the Professors, yes?"

Arwen nodded.

"I think we've pretty much figured that out."

"Dare I ask how you know?"

"We have our resources."

Arwen smiled naïvely.

"Another thing, the forests here are very peculiar. That angelic curiosity that the elves have will no doubt lead you there in short time, but be cautious. There are things in there that you and only you know exist, and those things can be hazardous to the wizards and witches here. You are to bring your weapons with you whenever you come outside, and under no circumstances are you to let anyone follow you, especially the children."

"Finally, your first assignment after you obtain the information you need from the Professors is to travel to Diagon Alley. Do this after getting permission from the Headmaster and after earning the trust of his staff, but before the semester starts, preferably a week before. While you will need several items from the shops in Diagon Alley;" Gandalf pulled out a battered looking scroll from inside his shaggy robes and handed it to Legolas.

"you will more importantly need to start observing the children. Particularly at the bookstore Flourish and Blotts. That is where you will meet most of the children you will be teaching this next semester. Do not tell them that you are the new Professors at Hogwarts, that will cause them to remember you more distinctly and be aware of you, so try and act as normal as possible."

"If that's possible." muttered Legolas.

"Is there anything else you want to tell us Gandalf?" Arwen asked, feeling as if there were something else he should say.

"I do. Stay out of the Forbidden Forest at night and stay inside when it rains,"

The elves paused awkwardly, but nodded nonetheless.

"Remember, the stroke of one on Halloween. No earlier, no later. I bid you luck, and farewell."

"Farewell Master Gandalf." Arwen kneeled.

"Farewell Gandalf." Legolas kneeled.

And with that, Shadowfax leapt off onto the path and into the veiled darkness of the woods.

Arwen and Legolas looked at each other and smiled softly as they rose to their feet

"I do suppose we ought to be getting inside. Dumbledore acts as though this feast tonight is in our honor."

"I don't see why it would be though, Alexander," said Arwen, walking with Legolas back onto the path that would lead them into the castle grounds.

"Hogwarts has had so many Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors, you'd think they'd know better than to get too attached to them."

"It does fascinate me though," replied Legolas. "That Professor Snape has been passed up numerous times for the position."

"What do you think of him? A threat, perhaps?" ventured Arwen.

Legolas shook his head.

"He's intimidating, and isn't the most charismatic man, but there's something there, like-"

"He's compensating for something." Arwen finished for him.

Legolas smiled at her. "You read my mind."

"And then some."

"But what I don't understand is what is he compensating for?"

"He suspects us, Alexander."

"He thinks we know about his Dark Mark?"

Arwen nodded.

"He doesn't think, he knows we know. I believe that I made too strong of an impression on him this afternoon, I let too much on about myself. He's quite suspicious now, I know."

"Something of that nature is bound to happen after not using such a skill for a long period of time. It won't happen again, Cassandra. Let it go."

"Yes, I suppose so. Now, which Professors do we need to impress on?"

Legolas thought about this as he opened the Main Hall open wide and allowed Arwen to pass before himself.

The two elves positioned themselves carefully along the corridor that led into the Main Hall. Legolas put himself with his back up to the wall, while Arwen peered into the Hall in such a way not to attract attention to herself. She looked almost. . . invisible.

"Sinistra, Astronomy;" he said.

Arwen looked into the Main Hall and spotted a beautiful young woman sitting next to the Charms Professor, Flitwick and sipping a glass of wine.

"She's lonely, insecure, but funny, charming, friendly, and kind." Arwen paused. "You deal with her."

Legolas grinned.

"McGonnagall, Transfiguration;"

Arwen paused as she searched the bustling crowd of Professors and found Minevera McGonnagall sitting quietly beside Professor Flitwick, quietly forking her dinner.

"She's had a hard life . . " Arwen murmured.

"But she is wise. Very wise. Keep your tongue around her, Alexander. It will take her time to warm up to us, but it can be done. Why don't you take care of her, she all ready recognizes you. You can build on that."

"Sprout; Herbology,"

Arwen squinted her eyes at the short, stumpy jolly woman in her mid forties. She had rosy cheeks and a sweet smile as she was happily chatting away with Hagrid.

"She's a soft woman, one bad student with puppy eyes will send her off the edge. She'll be all right, so long as you do not cross her plants."

"Believe me, that's the last thing we want."

"Naturally. You or me?"

"Why don't you do it?"

"Why?"

"You're the daughter of the most incredible healer we've ever known. Why not you?"

"You're a charming young man who grew up eating poisonous plants in his own back yard, why not you?"

Legolas sighed.

"I forfeit."

"Who's next?"

"'Hagrid', Care of Magical Creatures."

Arwen smiled as she looked the giant man over.

"I'd like to ask him a few questions, actually."

"Quite fine with me. Snape, Potions;"

Arwen's keen eyes scanned the horizon for Snape, and found him listening distastefully to a rant of Filch's. Arwen's eyes tightened and released.

"He will be the trickiest of them all. He's a wondrous judge of character; incredible. He's reclusive, and hard, but he's also had a hard life."

Snape's cold black eyes suddenly snapped over to where Arwen was standing, as if he'd known she'd been there the whole time. Arwen didn't flinch an muscle as Snape looked at her distrustfully with his piercing cold eyes.

"So much loss. . ." Arwen murmured, tilting her head thoughtfully to one side.

"Me or you?" murmured Legolas quietly.

Snape moved his boaring glare off of Arwen, being drawn into attention by Dumbledore's conversation.

"If it doesn't bother you, Alexander, I should like to deal with him."

"No argument here. Let's go inside, shall we?"


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Harrison. . . Harrison. . . now where have I heard that name before?" pondered Professor Sinistra over her cup of pumpkin juice. Not surprisingly, Sinistra was a beautiful and sweet woman, just as Arwen had told Legolas she was. Not to mention Legolas immediately took a liking to her. Granted, she was a bit odd, but that was to be expected here, and the minute Legolas had introduced himself to the young Professor, he knew she trusted him.

Legolas smiled blankly.

"It's not a very common name here, but it's more of Wales name."

Sinistra laughed and nodded.

"Oh, I see. So how did you come to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Harrison?"

"Please, do call me Alexander, Alex for short. Well, it was mere chance that Cassandra and I got the job, oh she's right over there, chatting with Hagrid."

Sinistra leaned over to get a good glimpse of the young lady and gasped when she saw her.

"My! She's beautiful!" her mouth gaped. "Is she veela?"

Legolas laughed.

"Oh, heavens no. But back to your previous question, I do say fate was shining on us the day Dumbledore gave us a position, it was as if it was just coincidence."

The smile that was on Sinistra face fell softly, and she shook her head.

"The Headmaster does not chose his staff lightly, especially Professors in your positions. With all due respect, Alexander, you and your cousin were very, very carefully selected."

Legolas merely smiled softly and the woman's most sincere words as he pretended to take them in with great consideration.

After a moment, Sinistra sighed.

"Oh dear, it's getting late, I had better head back up to the tower. I have charts to go over."

"Ah yes, before you go, could you do me a large favor?"

"If it is in my power, I would be delighted."

"Yes, well, if you could look something in your records for me, I'm looking for a star, it's a morning star, but it only comes out on Christmas Eve. Have you perchance heard of such a thing?"

Sinistra thought about this question and a look of intense curiosity came over her face as she searched deeper and deeper into her Astronomical knowledge.

"Morning star on Christmas Eve? I can't remember ever hearing of such a thing, but. . . . I can look it up. If I might be as so bold as to ask why?"

Legolas smiled softly.

"Well, let's just say, my family has a natural love of the stars."

"Oh. . ." murmured Sinistra with an understanding smile on her face, "Well, I will do my best. It was a pleasure to meet you, Professor Harrison, I will see you at the faculty meeting tomorrow."

"Goodnight Professor Sinistra."

She turned to leave, but Legolas's soft voice stopped her in her tracks.

"May a star shine on the hour of our meeting."

Sinistra turned around.

"What did you say?"

Legolas still had a small, sweet smile on his face with his fingers idly propping up his chin.

"It's a family greeting and farewell. I thought you'd like it."

Sinistra smiled.

"I do. Very much. Thank you. . ."

She smiled at him a bit longer, and then slowly exited.




"Amazing what you have done here, Hagrid. It's not everyday you find a man who knows the world of beasts like you." Arwen said honestly. She was very impressed with this man, to say the least.

Hagrid, who towered a good seven feet above Arwen, gave a rosy blush as he smiled humbly.

"Aw, now, that en't so true."

"Ah, but it is. All modesty aside, I don't think I've encountered a man with your knowledge for a good long time."

Hagrid raised his eyebrows, obviously interested.

"Really?"

Arwen nodded.

"Hmm. 'ow bout that? Er, so you say you've had experience in. . . my field, Madame Averill?"

"Please, it's Cassandra. And yes, a twinge of it."

"So. . ." Hagrid lowered his voice as inconspicuously as he could and bowed a bit lower to Arwen's head so they wouldn't be heard.

"You say you an yer cousin know what this black sword business is all about? What do you thinks goin' on?"

Arwen was silent, waiting for Hagrid to continue.

"Cuz if you ask me, I think there's trouble abrewing, not just some old animal or prank some guffaws from Hogsmeade come up with all of er sudden. I think it's the work of. . well, you know."

Arwen sighed.

"Well Hagrid, I don't believe I'm at liberty to say just yet, but I will tell you something. . ."

Arwen leaned closer into Hagrid, and he in turn leaned even more curiously into the young lady's speaking range.

"One good twist of brandy, and this pumpkin juice would have one hell of a kick." she whispered secretively.

Hagrid slowly leaned back, a bit bewildered, but once he saw the expression on Arwen's face, he couldn't help but double over in laughter at the Professor's witty comment. She soon joined him, and the two soon began jeering on other subjects.

"But in all seriousness, Hagrid, I do have a few questions for you. . ."

Hagrid smiled broadly at the show of interest Arwen was giving his most favored topic, and motioned for her to go on.

"In the forbidden forest, do you know of any marshes?"

Hagrid was baffled by this question.

"Marshes?" he repeated, uncertainly.

Arwen nodded.

"Marshes, natural canals, streams, anything a snake or . . . unnatural creature could easily transport his or her self through to get to the school."

Hagrid sighed, thinking over the Forbidden Forest.

"Well, er. . . there are marshes, Professor, but they're so deep into the woods, tha' I really don' think much could get through to the school, not even the most direction sensed creature'd find a way to the school. Bleedin' near impossible, I'd say."

Arwen paused.

"But there are marshes."

"Indeed there are, and mighty dangerous ones they are too. Once went out trying to get me some of the hornswagglers that only live deep in those bleedin woods, and almost ended up drowning in one of the swamps. Awful it is, I'd keep a mind to stay out a there, Professor."

Arwen thought, and then nodded.



"Hello Professor Harrison, how are you and Professor Averill settling in?" asked Minerva McGonnagall as Legolas sat down next to her at the teacher's table.

Legolas smiled softly as he helped himself to some pumpkin juice.

"Quite nicely, actually. But, so far, I've only spoken to a handful of Professors. I don't think I've ever felt so. . . well, at home!"

McGonnagall smiled as she took a bite out of her lamb chops.

"I'm impressed. Most new Professors take months to get comfortable here, and some don't even get used to life at a school such as this. Perhaps you will change your mind when you meet the students." McGonnagall said the last part almost as if she were trying to hide a chuckle, as if she knew something he didn't.

"Really, now? Are your students really that bad?"

"Oh, heavens no. There are the select few with er. . . redeeming qualities, but all the rest are quite well behaved."

"And your the head of Gryffindor House, is that so?"

"Yes," McGonnagall said with a bit of pride.

"A wonderful house to sorted into."

"As are all the rest."

"Ah yes, the rest. I do beg your pardon, but I need to have a little question of the Hogwarts Houses answered. Can you help me?"

McGonnagall's fork stopped halfway from her plate to her mouth as she looked at Legolas oddly.

"I'm not so sure you should be asking me, Professor. Professor Flitwick-"

"-Is of course a very able Professor, but I'd much rather ask the Deputy Headmistress." Legolas smiled sweetly.

McGonnagall, however, was still not so sure what this young man was all about, and with a most frustrated sigh, McGonnagall set her fork down with an aggravated look and focused all her attention on Legolas.

"Are you sure I don't know you? Did you not come here as a student?"

Legolas laughed.

"My good Professor, if I had known about Hogwarts when I was eleven, I would have committed myself to St. Mungo's. . . oh wait. . .!"

"You were raised muggle, then?"

"More or less, but back to my question. . ."

"Oh yes, well, I don't really know if I can help you Professor, but I will certainly try."

Legolas smiled appreciatively and leaned into McGonnagall, attentive as a schoolboy and began talking in a low voice.

"The House founders, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin, and Godric Gryffindor together founded this school, correct?"

"Yes, that's basic knowledge."

"Of course, just straightening things out a bit. Do you know if the founders founded their houses before or after building the castle?"

McGonnagall paused.

"I really haven't the slightest idea, but I suppose it could be either one of those options. Is that all?"

"No actually; Salazar Slytherin created the Chamber of Secrets, did he not?"

"He did."

". . . and; Tom Riddle came to school here 50 years ago, yes?"

McGonnagall paused, examining Legolas closely and sharply.

"Hmm. Interesting."

McGonnagall continued staring at him a bit disconnectedly for a moment or two before going back to her meal an changing the topic.

"Your cousin is a very beautiful young lady; veela?"

Legolas paused, with a bemused smile.

"No, actually. She has just. . . always been very lovely."

"I'm sure. Her last name is Averill? Hmm, name sounds familiar. . . I wonder if her husband works at the Ministry."

Legolas softly cleared his throat and shook his head.

"No, I'm afraid he's been dead for some time now."

McGonnagall's face suddenly turned soft and for a moment or two, Legolas thought he saw something vaguely resembling understanding. It disappeared, however, as she slowly turned back to her food.

"Oh. How awful, especially for such a young girl. . . what was his profession?"

Legolas couldn't help but laugh warmly.

"Oh, heavens. . . what didn't he do? He was a healer, an exceptional leader, a scholar, a traveler, a peacemaker. . . just about anything you can think of!"

McGonnagall smiled softly.

"What was the cause of his death?"

Legolas almost didn't know how to respond. What was he supposed to say? 'He died of old age, you know, three hundred years old'? No. Better be safe and be vague.

"Cassandra doesn't like to talk about it." he said simply.



"Professor Snape."

Snape whirled around to meet the dark midnight eyes of that cumbersome Professor Averill. Snape glowered at her for surprising him in such a way and in his mind Snape thought of all the things Potter and his friends were going to get these new dunderheads fired. But this Professor unnerved Snape in a very odd way; it was the formality of grace that both of the Professors carried when they walked, talked, and watched. He had exchanged one conversation with this woman and all ready he knew that perhaps Professor Dumbledore had more plans this year for You-Know-Who than he let on, and the two strange Professors were evidence enough for that. However, this did not change that fact that they both still bothered Snape quite badly. Especially the woman right now; she seemed perfectly all right with the way Snape was trying to demean her with his eyes. And good hell if she wasn't as infuriating as his Gryffindor students.

"Professor Averill." he acknowledged in his most surly voice.

"I was wondering if I might ask you a Potions question or two."

Snape looked at her bitterly with the smallest hint of curiosity; and suddenly Snape discovered he was at a loss for words or witty insults or degrading comments; so he did the only thing that seemed sensible. He said nothing.

"You see, my cousin has a bit of a queasy stomach when it comes to Apparation and Portkey,"

Snape snorted sourly, but Arwen ignored him.

"and he doesn't find travel at all pleasant, and I was wondering if there was anything that could help him? A dose of Athmatic Powdered Lily, perhaps?"

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"Perhaps your cousin should try traveling by a broomstick, Professor." he suggested dourly.

Arwen seemed to actually think about it, but sighed resolutely.

"While Alex is a masterful Seeker, Professor, traveling by broomstick is a bit, well, dull to him."

Snape glared at her, while Arwen casually sipped her pumpkin juice.

"Powdered Lily is only for frightfully catastrophic cases of delirium and it does have some rather nasty side affects, as you should know." Snape said, trying to be condescending.

Arwen apparently caught on to his tone and politely matched his manner.

"Then perhaps a mixture of Willow Root and Mecham's Barkweed would be sufficient, no?"

Snape examined her meticulously before coming to a bold conclusion.

"This is obviously not a normal case of motion sickness, Professor." Snape said sarcastically.

Arwen's blue eyes glittered as she decided to have a little fun. Taking a casual sip of her pumpkin juice, she pretended to be distracted by something in the corner of her eye.

Alexander isn't exactly a normal person, Professor.

Snape's eyes widened as his hand shot to his temple as the Professor's voice snaked into his mind. He looked at Professor Averill with hard and confused eyes as she slowly turned back to him.

"Did you say something, Professor Averill?" Snape asked in a soft venomous voice.

Arwen pretended to be surprised by his tone of voice, and feigned her best innocently frightened and confused look.

"Did I?"

Snape was not having the fun that Arwen was, but he could just as easily.

"Willow Root and Mecham's Barkweed together are highly effective. Except in such a way that they make a potent elixir for the unconscious, Professor Averill." seethed Snape.

He was on to her before she had even begun.

Arwen only lowered her gaze and let the corner of her lip curl slightly in mischief.

"Oh, is it? Silly me."

Snape didn't buy it for a second.

"May I ask you a personal question, Professor Snape?"

Snape bit back a snarl as he did his best to bear down the penetrating look Professor Averill was obviously intentionally sending.

"No." spat Snape uncouthly.

Arwen tilted her head at this as thought for a moment, and then to Snape's further annoyance, she then casually resumed her normal posture and took another sip of her pumpkin juice

Just how old were you when Voldemort permanently branded you with that symbol of destruction on your upper arm?

Snape physically lurched at the sudden intrusion of Professor Averill's calm voice into his mind. He looked around himself cautiously to see if anyone else had heard what he had just heard. Apparently not.

"Is something wrong, Professor Snape?" Professor Averill asked.

Snape looked up at her and almost hexed her for the look on her face. She seemed so genuinely concerned and clueless, so utterly innocent. Snape knew then he needed to watch these two Professors. Very. Carefully.

"I'm fine." stated the Professor dully.

Arwen smiled softly, looking a bit unsure and then sighed sounding bored, looking over to where Professor Sprout was happily chirping away at Legolas.

"Perhaps another time then."

"I beg your pardon?" Snape asked, not sounding the least big apologetic.

Arwen turned back to him.

"Perhaps I can ask you a question another time?" she said seriously.

Snape merely looked at her.

Over my dead body. . . he thought sourly.

Arwen smiled sweetly.

Believe me Professor, if I wanted to know that badly, I could quite simply arrange that.

Snape choked.

"A pleasure, I'm sure."

And she was gone.



"Well, as a child, I tried to eat a lot of the weeds in our backyard . ." Legolas reflected, thinking about all those times in Mirkwood where, as a very young elf, he had tried eating almost everything and anything that looked edible.

Sprout gasped, but said nothing.

"But of course, a simple lesson from my mother kept me far away from such things as mandrakes and bleeding cut hearts."

Sprout gasped horrifically.

"You. . . tried to eat a mandrake?"

"Well, I was vaguely aware that the mandrake itself was. . . animated. So it was hardly fair to me."

The poor woman continued to look at Legolas, terrified, before she began giggling uncontrollably. Legolas smiled at the jolly woman as she did this, but pretended to be hurt.

"My dear woman, it really is of no laughing matter!"

As she laughed, Professor Sprout snorted giddily.

"Oh, oh, dear, please do forgive me, I mean no disrespect, but the idea of a child simply attempting to eat a mandrake is. . . well, simply a marvel and a hoot to visualize!"

Legolas laughed at the charming woman and sipped his pumpkin juice casually as she came down from her height of laughter.

As Sprout looked at him, he looked at her questioningly for a moment before seemingly changing his mind about something, shaking his head, and taking another drink from his pumpkin juice.

"Something the matter, my boy?" Sprout asked him warmly.

Legolas looked at her a little closely with squinted eyes and sighed as if deciding whether or not to ask his question.

"It's simply. . . " he trailed off.

"Go on!" she urged sweetly.

Legolas sighed again.

"Madame Sprout, you say you grow nearly every type of herb here on Hogwarts grounds?"

Sprout proudly beamed.

"Every type that is in classification in the wizarding and muggle world, Professor."

"Then perhaps you could tell me if there is any atheleas on the school grounds?"

Sprout's face suddenly became unreadable, but her eyes were a different story to Legolas. She was obviously trying to hide something, whether it was fear, curiosity, suspicion, or doubt, Legolas could only guess, but one thing was for certain, she wasn't exactly proud of its existence.

"That is a weed, my boy."

"I understand that."

Sprout sighed.

"I believe there are some clumps of it growing behind Hagrid's hut. We've been trying to get rid of it forever, cumbersome, useless weeds. . . I also believe there are some patches of it in the Forest, but none in the areas that I usually tend to. What on earth what you want with such a dull weed?"

Legolas paused.

"It's a strange coincidence that brings me to it, I'll perhaps tell you the story sometime."

"Or perhaps, you should just ask me."

Legolas and Sprout turned to see Arwen standing to their right, idly sipping her pumpkin juice.

Sprout gasped when she saw the young lady appear out of nowhere, while Legolas merely raised an eyebrow.

"Good heavens, child!" breathed Sprout, putting her hand to her forehead and closing her eyes. "You shouldn't sneak up on someone like that!"

Arwen smiled warmly as she came to Legolas' side.

"My apologies, Professor," said Arwen apologetically.

"Oh, that's quite all right. Oh, blast, I do hope you will forgive me, but I must be running along, some of the night daisies get rather hungry this time of night and start eating each other. Someone's got to break them up, right?"

Legolas and Arwen laughed as she turned to leave.

"Oh, Professor, may I ask you a quick question?" Arwen asked.

Sprout turned with a small smile on her face, "Go on, dear."

Arwen paused.

"Have you by chance heard of a rare flower, an elanor?"

Sprout paused, very confused.

"I don't believe I have. But there are hundreds of thousands of uncatergorized flowers and plants in the Forbidden Forest, perhaps Hagrid would guide you to an extent into the woods."

With that, she left, and Arwen turned back to Legolas with a smile.

"I feel quite fatigued, cousin."

Legolas smiled thoughtfully.

"Perhaps we should find our dormitories, eh?"

Legolas offered her his arm, and she gracefully took it and the two made their way over to Dumbledore, who too, was just exiting.

"Oh, Professor!" called Arwen as they came within his earshot.

Dumbledore looked to them, and smiled kindly as they approached him.

"I do believe we need to find our room."

"Ah, of course, I do apologize. Things are getting a bit hectic around this school, I forget simple things like these."

"Quite all right," Legolas said kindly.

The three exited the hall and soon were making their way up the staircases and hallways. Soon, they entered a hall on the second floor that was made mainly up of doors. Many doors, of many colors. The teacher's dormitories were located in a tower at the east end of the school. It seemed as if the teacher's dormitories were the center of it all, for they were located in such a way that any location in the castle was only three minutes away. Including the house dorms, kitchens, Dining Hall, everywhere. Arwen and Legolas took note that soon, this would come in very handy.

"Here we are," Dumbledore said lightly as he pulled out an ivory key and stopped before a red door.

As the door opened, Dumbledore gave Legolas the key and smiled.

"I would be most delighted if I could have you for tea tomorrow, Professor Harrison."

Legolas paused momentarily, trying to decipher Dumbledore's intentions by looking into his eyes, but the Headmaster reflected nothing.

"Oh, yes. That would be lovely."

Dumbledore turned to Arwen.

"My dear, I would be most appreciative if you could run a small errand for me tomorrow as well. Seven, tomorrow morning, in my office for tea?"

"Certainly." Arwen said quite trustingly.

"Ah, splendid. Well, this old fool has an appointment with a warm feather pillow and a book. Goodnight Professors, I hope you have settled in."

Arwen and Legolas smiled at Dumbledore for the first time that evening as Legolas and Arwen, not as Alexander and Cassandra. He in return smiled at them as Radagast. . . or was it Dumbledore? Perhaps there was no difference in character for him. As Dumbledore disappeared down the dark hallway, humming a soft tune, Arwen and Legolas went into their dorms.

Before taking in any surroundings and before making any mental note of their new living conditions, the two elves turned to each other quickly.

"Ladies first." said Legolas politely.

Arwen raised an eyebrow for a moment, and then proceeded to talk.

"There are marshes in the Forest, if he's not there now, Gollum will be there in the future. I suggest we go there once the semester starts and do some investigating ourselves; beside that Hagrid is very reclusive when it comes to discussing creatures that dwell in forest that he doesn't know about; which is alluding to something in my mind. If Snape didn't trust us before now, he does after tonight. I gave him a good lesson on telepathy and a polite reminder on the Potions ingredients that we will most likely be using this semester. He really, really doesn't like me. I think I'd better stop picking on the poor man for a while. . . How did you do?"

Legolas smiled.

"Sinistra has me tapped for a certain Morning Star that comes on Christmas, I should expect to hear back from her on the subject sometime soon, whether or not this idea will work is a mystery to me. But if it does, then we have more allies than we think. Amazing what Astronomy does for some people, isn't it? As for McGonnagall, she really doesn't know what to think of me. She knows there's something funny about us, even asked if you were veela, but I guess the woman's just too polite to surface those suspicions. I got a brief history review on the school, and I think when it comes to looking for portals this place is the number one on the list to look."

The two elves sighed, exhausted for the first time in a long time.