Chapter Fourteen*~~
Harry sat down next to Ginny with a sigh. Her nose was tucked into another muggle novel and she didn't respond. Luna and Neville were seated next to Ron and Hermione who were across form Harry. They were in very interesting discussion with Hermione about the newly found proof of the existence of a Murdimok.
"Anyone up for quidditch?" asked Harry heavily. It was Sunday. They had a little while before he, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron had to leave for Hogsmeade and meet the rest of the wedding party.
"Absolutely," Ginny said, snapping her book shit. Harry saw with a jolt it was an Elvish history book. He watched her slip the book and an Elvish-English dictionary into her bag.
"Let's round up some others," Luna said. "And Neville can be referee." They stood and quickly got together fourteen players. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Hannah, Cho, Zach, Terry, Raina, Colin, Justin, Draco, and Raanan all headed down to the quidditch field with their brooms.
Soon, the game was a fierce competition. Cho and Harry looked desperately for the snitch. Hermione, Ginny, and Terry relentlessly trued to keep Raanan, Luna, and Raina from stealing the quaffle. Draco and Ron tried their hardest to stop the ball from going through their respectful hoops. Colin and Justin quickly tried to smash bludgers at their opposing team whilst Hannah and Zach did their best to get to them first. Neville was forever calling out fouls.
In the end, Harry caught the snitch. None of the players had noticed but a large crowd was gathered and watching. Sirius and Remus were helping Dean with his commentary. McGonagall kept yelling at the men to leave Dean alone. It was almost as though they had played a real house game.
"Apparently SOME people have no other sources of entertainment," Harry said loudly.
"Don't be a baby," Kigali advised.
"Who wants a game of chezuke?" asked Ricu brightly, walking onto the field with the rest of the elves. Harry grinned.
"Sorry, Ricu," he told the elf. "We've got to get to Hoggsmeade."
"I'm coming and so is Migra," he said instantly. Harry glared.
"I forbid it," he snarled softly. "I don't NEED protection like that here. I don't need it anywhere. I'm quite capable of killing my OWN enemies!"
"Grouchy," muttered Ricu as Harry walked heatedly away.
"Yeah, he's been like that for a while," Luna said absently as she and Neville picked up the trunk of balls. They began heading to Madame Hooch's storeroom.
Harry and Ron threw on jeans and a shirt. Harry's was dark blue with a white symbol of a lightning bolt with a sideways line through it and a dot above the line at each point where the lightning went in. (i hope you got that) Ron's was a plain deep orange with CC on it in spray paint.
Ginny and Hermione wore black school skirts with tight tank tops. Hermione's was scarlet with black flames on the bottom and Ginny's was deep green with thorns along all the trims.
They all threw on their black school over robes and walked to Dumbledore's office. Sirius and Remus were already there talking to Mel and Dumbledore about something unknown. They looked up when the students entered.
"How're we getting there?" asked Ron immediately.
"The Whomping Willow," Remus said easily. The usual pain of saying the name of the hated tree was lifted with his new gift form Harry. "Everyone's waiting in the Shrieking Shack and we've still got to have it hooked to the Order's Private Floo network."
"Let's get going then," Harry said. He looked at Dumbledore. "You know, before the elves decide to come with and to stop murder attempts on me. Are you coming, Grandfather?"
"No, I have a bit of business to attend to with Atonics and Ki. I've been putting off a rather important discussion with them. If you understand my meaning," Dumbledore said. His eyes bore into his great-grandson.
"Come on," Ginny said, pulling Harry up. Harry had been staring blankly back at his grandfather for a while. Hermione and Ron already waited on the stairs with Remus, Sirius, and Mel.
They quickly headed down the stairs. As they walked past the closet Harry remembered all too well form his third year, Harry heard noises from it. Thy all froze. Remus and Sirius nodded at each other and drew out their wands. Quickly they opened the door with magic.
"The light!" cried an all too familiar voice form inside. Draco Malfoy glared at them from his eat on a bucket. Raanan sat calmly across from him. Despite the fact Raanan was now reading a book, their reason for being among the brooms was quite clear.
"Continue, Dracky," Harry said, smirking at his past enemy. Harry flicked his wrist at the door and it swung shut.
"Where are you going?" demanded a voice behind him. Harry sighed heavily.
"Out," he said curtly to Kilala. She stood with the adult elves.
"Than you need-"
"All I need is myself. You should know better than anyone I work pretty well when I'm in a bind. Good-bye." Harry spun on his heel and continued his procession to the Whomping Willow.
He heard and sensed his human friends rushing to catch up and he slowed his pace immediately. "What was-"
"I promised I'd explain things, but not now, Quill," Harry said. He rubbed his eyes. "We're already late." Nothing more was said as they prodded the knot in the tree and headed down the tunnel.
Harry was too lost in painful memories to see the looks exchanged between his friends and mentors. Ginny looked like she wanted to tell him something. Harry glanced back at her. Seeing the look on her face, Harry ran further up. As soon as he was out of eyes site of his companions, he performed and Elvish spell and turned himself invisible.
He shuddered as soon as he was done. Then, he started running, and very fast. He moved so quickly, a breeze reached the others. It was only a few minutes before he was at the end of the tunnel. He removed the spell and sat down heavily.
Harry's head fell into his hands. He took a deep breath, memories flooding him.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
It was dark in his room. Harry's muscles ached from training that day. He didn't think he was getting any better and he missed the looks that Atonics often shared with Ricatone and Kilala. Slowly, he fell into a light sleep.
It was only about an hour later that Harry was jerked awake. The door had opened. Harry swung out of bed and dressed quickly. It was his third year in the room and he easily knew his way around.
Silently he draped his cape over his shoulders and he moved out of the room. His feet were bare and made no sound on the wood. His green cloak was hemmed just above the floor, so it made no sweeping noise.
The young boy crouched by the railing. He looked down to the door, his "night vision" allowing him to see the Royal Guard that stood there. Immediately he registered the bronze lining on his clothes and cloak meaning he was a messenger. The badge on the chest of his robes was of the three combined circles that stood for the three Heads. Around them was a silver lined bronze one. It meant he was the High Messenger.
"Head Atonics," came the rough voice. He bowed, the pendant on his neck flashing.
"Messenger Kiniru, what brings you here?" asked Atonics's tired voice.
"The Head wishes your company. Now. You are to set out at dawn. Bring all residents that are here."
"Does he know we house a human boy?" asked Kilala's softer voice.
"I-I don't know," stuttered Kiniru.
"Well, we do," Sala's blunt voice sounded.
"He said EVERYONE. You must bring the boy," Kiniru said firmly. "But why elves of your status would bother with humans is beyond me.."
"Thanks," muttered Harry softly. He stood up. He walked soundlessly down the stairs. He knew his teachers sensed him. They did not turn.
"We will depart at dawn. Are you to stay or ride ahead?" asked Atonics.
"I was given a free choice. Am I given the offer of staying?"
"I care not," said Atonics.
"The question is: will you dirty yourself with human?" asked Harry. The elf whipped around.
"Great Mertiku!" he cried, hand on heart.
"Sorry," Harry said, voice not sounding it.
"How did you do that?"
"What?"
"You were so quiet!"
"I've been practicing for a long time," Harry said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I can't even do that! The Head will certainly be surprised with you," Kiniru said, nodding approvingly. "And if you must know, one of my distant ancestors went back to the realm you come from."
"I do apologize," Harry said, leaning on the stair's railing. "I've learned the hard way high ranking elves don't like humans- least of all me. They aren't too pleased that I am learning the way of elves."
"They're just sour because you're better at things than they are," stated Kilala. "Go get Kigali and Mitra. Obviously you know we've been summoned by The Head."
"I grasped that, Ki," Harry said, rolling his eyes. He went back upstairs just the same and retrieved the twins form their room. They packed quickly and met downstairs.
"Ready?" asked Kiniru. They all nodded. "Then let us get on with it."
Harry read and slept through the long journey. It puzzled him why they hadn't simply used a Portal Arch. By the time he awoke, Du had risen slightly in the sky. He propped up on his elbows to find that they were passing through a small town. Doing calculations he figured they were in Pintori- the closest village to Amirushi, where The Head resided. (I think I had a different town before, if you remember, tell me what chapter and I'll fix it)
Kigali and Mitra were weaving silently next to him. Occasionally one would look up and glare at elves as they stared and whispered at Harry. He sighed and leaned back, clutching his brass capped staff closer to him.
He wore light green breeches and a white cotton shirt. His feet were covered with practical soft leather boots. The dark Emerald cloak he had worn earlier was still draped over his shoulders. The shiny hilt of a sword glinted in his belt- the end capped with a black stone, marking it as a priceless battle blade. He felt the cool metal the was the blades hidden in his sleeves. Other hidden weapons stood ready to be drawn. He had found the hard way that many elves would try his abilities once they found he was the human boy trained under the Head Fighter and Head Magician.
A tall elf stepped in front of the cart. "Halt."
"What do you think you're getting at?" snapped Sala. The elf glared. He wore elegant clothes. A shorter, lean elf walked next to him. His clothes were practical for streets but his long cloak showed great rank and wealth with interwoven gold thread.
"You are nothing more than a maid- I am Jurindino the Grand Magician of Pintori. My companion, Sotaro, Grand Fighter of Pintori, and I have news that you come with a human."
Harry sighed softly. He stood without a sound. A few elves on the street sent him reassuring looks, some were frightened. Ones he knew were merchants sent him scornful glares. Street rats gave him thumbs up. He grinned roguishly at them. All of the Elvish street rats had heard of him by now.
"I an certainly more than a mere maid you arrogant, po-"
"Salahari," came Atonics's voice. She humphed and leaned back.
"Now you'll get what you deserve," she muttered.
"Head Magician?!" cried Jurindino.
"Hello to you too, dear cousin," said the magician warily. Harry watched him get down from the cart. Kilala followed him.
"You incessant yakking has gotten no better," she said crossly, rubbing her temples.
"As has your naive thoughts of humans," snarled the Grand Magician.
"Did it ever occur to you that YOU were wrong?" asked Kilala sharply.
"So then the rumors are true- you two train a human boy?" asked Sotaro asked, his voice intrigued.
"Yes, they are," Atonics said warily, clearly bored.
"I demand you show him!" cried Jurindino.
"What business have you with our student?" asked Kilala fairly.
"You two disgrace the elves!" ranted their cousin. "You do not deserve your titles1 You associate with power hungry, dirty humans! What can you say to defend the boy who cowers behind his teachers? He truly shows him human side!" There came growls from the gathered street rats.
"You-" began Kilala. Harry moved forward quickly.
"I can fight my own battles," he said softly. The silence that held in the air made it carry though. He lay a calming hand on Kilala's arm. She glared steadily at her cousin.
"You think you can fight me?!" boomed Jurindino.
"No," Harry said, walking in front if his teachers. "I have no wishes to fight you. I am only passing through here. We are not staying. It is because of your actions we have stopped at all."
"You carry the bad luck of a mortal!" shrieked the elf.
"That is simply superstition!" cried Sala angrily. "If you would get down from you high horse and-"
"SILENCIO!" yelled Harry. A barely visible amount of green magic flew through the air between them and clamped over her mouth. She glared at him and began working her own magic to release herself from the charm.
"You wish to fight?! Than you will battle Sontaro!"
"Jurindino, you are not my father nor my speaker! You are only my brother-by-marriage!" cried Sontaro.
"Then you are afraid of the human!" Sontaro sighed. He walked to the green eyed boy and smacked his staff head against the boy's. It was an age old gesture of a challenge.
"I accept," Harry said quietly. "You may lay your own rules."
"Long blades and a weapon of choice. You may not use magic. Once disarmed it is ended. We have a Field of Gurando (he is a war god, on his field you settle ancestor insult battles) this way." Harry followed him silently.
"Prongs?" asked Mitra. He handed her his staff. Following it were many of his concealed weapons. All he left were the double blades- two long daggers shoved into his boot tops that counted as a single weapon.
Harry handed his cloak to Sala. "I could have settled this," she growled darkly.
"And have one of you die- most likely you-on the Field of Zaar? I will fight for myself, as I always do," he replied sternly. He gave her a quick smile and walked into the fenced off circle.
Harry noted quickly that the long blade Sontaro had was not for looks. He nodded to Kilala. She grinned and handed him a different sword belt and sheath. He handed her the fancy one. With ease of great practice, Harry slipped it on.
The new blade's sheath was simple and plain. All that adorned it was a silver lightning bolt set into the old leather. The blade's hilt looked to be of brass. It shined from a new polish but not as a decorative sword would.
Sontaro raised his eyebrows. Harry smiled. He quickly took in his opponent's size and build as an elf priest- called dedicate- began the words of a battle on this field. With a few quick calculations and the help of the bow and arrows on his back, Harry figured Sontaro's strength was fast arms and his weakness- his lower left side.
Sontaro drew his blade first and lunged. 'He is an attacker,' Harry noted as he drew his own blade. The blade glinted strongly in the sun. Metal slammed metal as Haryr blocked Sontaro's attack.
Harry pushed up and forced his attacker back. They went at it for quite a while. Harry almost threw his blade once. He watched Sontaro switch hands. Few fighters used their weak hand first as few knew how to use both. He had never met any of Sontaro's status who did. "You are good," the elf told the wizard.
"I practice," Harry replied modestly as the blade came to him again. After a few more blows, Harry went to block one and turned his hand too soon. A slash formed across his hand. His grip slacked and he went to change hands. Sontaro moved fast and disarmed him. Harry smiled. He flipped on his hands and twisted the blade of his opponent, getting him by surprise.
The blade flew form the circle. Sontaro tumbled onto him. After a bit of a scruff on the ground, Sontaro rolled away. He pulled and arrow to his bow as he stood and fire once he got to his feet.
In a split second, the blades he had had concealed were from their sheaths. The arrows clanked them and fell. Harry blocked for a while and then as Sontaro moved his left hand back for another arrow, Harry seized the moment he had identified. He pulled up and cut through top flesh. Sontaro winced and Harry snapped the bow form his hands.
It took only moment for Harry to cut loose the quiver of arrows. He flung it out of the field. "Well done," panted Sontaro, grinning. He shook Harry's hand. "You are a remarkable boy-for human or elf."
"Thanks," Harry said. "You're the best I've ever faced in one of these petty things." Sontaro grinned devilishly.
"Got to be, living so near The Head and all." Harry nodded.
"YOU TRICKSTER! HOW DID YOU FIX THIS?1 WAS IT MY COUSINS?!" ranted Jurindino. Harry sighed. He sent his magic out and bound the elf.
"I am simply good. You're going to have to learn to get over it. If you really wish, I will battle you in magic. We are SUPPOSED to be on our way to see The Head. Now then, where were you?" Harry snapped.
Jurindino said nothing. "This is NOT over, human scum. Your parents never should have-" Immense power slammed the mage into a wall. Harry seethed.
"You have NO idea who my parents were!" he cried. "They did nothing to deserve our words. They DIED fighting for good. They DIED to save me and now I must save my people for them. I DO NOT NEED THIS! I am here for one reason- to learn. I will- I MUST- kill the evil of my world. It is him or me and I can tell you now, it will be him. I will take it no more! Leave my parents to rest in peace. Your fights are with ME not the memories of my parents- the few there are of their twenty years."
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Harry was jerked from the chambers of his mind by Sirius shaking him. "Harry?" he asked quietly. "You look so serious. What is it?" He shook himself.
"Nothing," was the quiet response. "Just. remembering."
"Ah, I understand you," Sirius said. There was a way to his smile that made Harry know he was right.
~~~~~~~~~~
When they emerged from Honeydukes, they headed for the Three Broomsticks. On their way they passed Zonkos. "NO!" cried Mel. She flung herself at the window. "We must stop here!"
"Why?" asked Hermione.
"Because Sirius took her here on their only actual date." Moony trailed off as Sirius and Mel both shot him looks.
"Calm down," scolded Ginny. Harry smiled at her, his memory pushed once again to the depths of his mind.
"I want pranks," pouted Mel. "Remy, you wouldn't deny your little sister pranks, would you?!"
"I hate it when you use that face," Remus groaned. 'I like it,' Sirius thought fondly.
"Only a few minutes," Ron said as they walked in. "Grandmother is going to be there."
"What?!" cried Ginny, whirling around. "NO ONE told me that!"
"For a good reason," Ron said, rubbing his head.
"That woman is NEVER satisfied! Sure, she's nice enough to YOU, but no matter what I do it's not good enough. She finds something wrong with EVERYTHING!" Ginny would have continued her ranting if not for the silencing charms that every member of their party sent at her. She glared but spotted a prank on Filch's banned list and dashed off to buy it.
Harry countered their spells as she went to pay. After about ten minutes they all left. It has begun to drizzle outside. Sirius pulled out a few shrunken umbrellas and passed them out. Each adult had one but only two were given to the students. Harry saw Hermione and Ron get under Ron's.
"Gin, come here," Harry ordered. She walked over and let hi open the umbrella above them. The rain hit off of it as they proceeded to the pub.
"It feels so secluded under here," Ginny said softly. Harry smiled. He spelled the umbrella to float with them and stuck his hands in his pockets.
"I get what you mean. Even with everyone standing there, it's like there's an invisible wall around us only we can see through," Harry said.
"It really could be, what with the attention they're giving us," commented Ginny dryly. Harry chuckled as they entered the pub.
"Where have you been?" cried a woman with snow colored hair. It still held a red glint. Ginny winced. "Virginia, a lady should ALWAYS be on time! You are fifteen minutes late! Explain yourself!"
"Hello, Grandmama," Ginny said sweetly. Harry felt her forced smile as she kissed her grandmother on each cheek.
"Answer me!"
"That would be her fault," Sirius said. He pointed at Mel. She stomped on his foot.
"Virginia, your clothes are ridicules. You are a lady and you should dress like one. None of this pants nonsense!"
"Do something," she hissed at Ron.
"It's great to see you again, Grandmama," Ron said, stepping forward. He hugger her tightly and kissed each cheek.
"You are much too thin, deary," she cooed. "I'll order you some food." Ginny sighed heavily and sat down at the table that was occupied by the rest of the Weasley children and their girlfriend- save Charlie who was alone. "Sit straight, Virginia!"
~Ginny?~ Harry sent her telepathically.
~She always wants me to be more ladylike.~ was the grumbled response.
~It'll be all right,~ Harry told her.
After a while, the woman took note of Harry and Hermione.
"Now then, I've met all the rest of unWeasleys. Who might you be?" she demanded. A bitter smile donned Harry's lips. No one knew the real reason it was there. They all assumed because he was the Boy-Who-Lived and hated that.
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said sweetly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs..Weasley."
"Please, call me Grandmama Weasley. Now then, your chair is awfully close to Ronald's. Is there something I do not know of?"
"This is my girlfriend," Ron said proudly. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione all rolled their eyes. He glared at them.
"Ginny, all of your brothers were able to find loves, what is it you are doing wrong?" demanded the woman. Ginny was about to point out Charlie when he shook his head.
"Sorry Gin, forgot you didn't know. Me 'n Tonks are together one week. She's meeting up with us after- and I quote- 'Mad-Eye's done harassing his new secretary.'"
"Tonks? You mean Nympha-"
"Don't avoid the matter at hand, Virginia! Unless this boy is yours," she gestured to Harry. "You have explaining to do." Ginny and Harry flushed slightly before they laughed. "Well, who are you, boy?!"
"Sorry, ma'am-"
"Grandmama Weasley."
"Sorry, Grandmama Weasley, I'm Harry."
"And your surname?" Something flickered in Harry's eyes.
"Potter. I'm Harry Potter."
"Well then, you aren't Virginia's suitor. Virginia-"
"Grandmama! How do you know he's not!" cried Ginny.
"He is Harry Potter," she snapped. "You hardly act like a lady. Of course he wouldn't chase after you." Ginny's eyes glistened.
~HARRY! ~ Hermione scream-thought. (From now on ~...~ means thought speaking, unless one of u can tell me how to use italics and make them work.)
~Yes? ~
~Connect all four of us!~
~Ok.~ Harry made a connection between the four Marauders. He began to prod the connection to see if he could get it to be permanent. But he saw their magics come together and begin to tie at the ends slightly bleeding into one another. He pulled back his magical form. He didn't think it was possible..
~Ginny,~ Hermione said.
~Y-yes,~ sniffled Ginny's mind voice.
~You can put up with this, I know you can,~ Hermione said.
~You've managed before,~ Ron reminded her. She sighed through her mind.
~I will,~ she consented.
"Grandmama, when are we going to begin?" asked Ginny aloud.
"Don't be so frank, Virginia!"
~One word at a time. It gets easier, trust me,~ came Harry's bitter mind voice. Ginny nodded mentally and took a deep breath.
Harry sat down next to Ginny with a sigh. Her nose was tucked into another muggle novel and she didn't respond. Luna and Neville were seated next to Ron and Hermione who were across form Harry. They were in very interesting discussion with Hermione about the newly found proof of the existence of a Murdimok.
"Anyone up for quidditch?" asked Harry heavily. It was Sunday. They had a little while before he, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron had to leave for Hogsmeade and meet the rest of the wedding party.
"Absolutely," Ginny said, snapping her book shit. Harry saw with a jolt it was an Elvish history book. He watched her slip the book and an Elvish-English dictionary into her bag.
"Let's round up some others," Luna said. "And Neville can be referee." They stood and quickly got together fourteen players. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Hannah, Cho, Zach, Terry, Raina, Colin, Justin, Draco, and Raanan all headed down to the quidditch field with their brooms.
Soon, the game was a fierce competition. Cho and Harry looked desperately for the snitch. Hermione, Ginny, and Terry relentlessly trued to keep Raanan, Luna, and Raina from stealing the quaffle. Draco and Ron tried their hardest to stop the ball from going through their respectful hoops. Colin and Justin quickly tried to smash bludgers at their opposing team whilst Hannah and Zach did their best to get to them first. Neville was forever calling out fouls.
In the end, Harry caught the snitch. None of the players had noticed but a large crowd was gathered and watching. Sirius and Remus were helping Dean with his commentary. McGonagall kept yelling at the men to leave Dean alone. It was almost as though they had played a real house game.
"Apparently SOME people have no other sources of entertainment," Harry said loudly.
"Don't be a baby," Kigali advised.
"Who wants a game of chezuke?" asked Ricu brightly, walking onto the field with the rest of the elves. Harry grinned.
"Sorry, Ricu," he told the elf. "We've got to get to Hoggsmeade."
"I'm coming and so is Migra," he said instantly. Harry glared.
"I forbid it," he snarled softly. "I don't NEED protection like that here. I don't need it anywhere. I'm quite capable of killing my OWN enemies!"
"Grouchy," muttered Ricu as Harry walked heatedly away.
"Yeah, he's been like that for a while," Luna said absently as she and Neville picked up the trunk of balls. They began heading to Madame Hooch's storeroom.
Harry and Ron threw on jeans and a shirt. Harry's was dark blue with a white symbol of a lightning bolt with a sideways line through it and a dot above the line at each point where the lightning went in. (i hope you got that) Ron's was a plain deep orange with CC on it in spray paint.
Ginny and Hermione wore black school skirts with tight tank tops. Hermione's was scarlet with black flames on the bottom and Ginny's was deep green with thorns along all the trims.
They all threw on their black school over robes and walked to Dumbledore's office. Sirius and Remus were already there talking to Mel and Dumbledore about something unknown. They looked up when the students entered.
"How're we getting there?" asked Ron immediately.
"The Whomping Willow," Remus said easily. The usual pain of saying the name of the hated tree was lifted with his new gift form Harry. "Everyone's waiting in the Shrieking Shack and we've still got to have it hooked to the Order's Private Floo network."
"Let's get going then," Harry said. He looked at Dumbledore. "You know, before the elves decide to come with and to stop murder attempts on me. Are you coming, Grandfather?"
"No, I have a bit of business to attend to with Atonics and Ki. I've been putting off a rather important discussion with them. If you understand my meaning," Dumbledore said. His eyes bore into his great-grandson.
"Come on," Ginny said, pulling Harry up. Harry had been staring blankly back at his grandfather for a while. Hermione and Ron already waited on the stairs with Remus, Sirius, and Mel.
They quickly headed down the stairs. As they walked past the closet Harry remembered all too well form his third year, Harry heard noises from it. Thy all froze. Remus and Sirius nodded at each other and drew out their wands. Quickly they opened the door with magic.
"The light!" cried an all too familiar voice form inside. Draco Malfoy glared at them from his eat on a bucket. Raanan sat calmly across from him. Despite the fact Raanan was now reading a book, their reason for being among the brooms was quite clear.
"Continue, Dracky," Harry said, smirking at his past enemy. Harry flicked his wrist at the door and it swung shut.
"Where are you going?" demanded a voice behind him. Harry sighed heavily.
"Out," he said curtly to Kilala. She stood with the adult elves.
"Than you need-"
"All I need is myself. You should know better than anyone I work pretty well when I'm in a bind. Good-bye." Harry spun on his heel and continued his procession to the Whomping Willow.
He heard and sensed his human friends rushing to catch up and he slowed his pace immediately. "What was-"
"I promised I'd explain things, but not now, Quill," Harry said. He rubbed his eyes. "We're already late." Nothing more was said as they prodded the knot in the tree and headed down the tunnel.
Harry was too lost in painful memories to see the looks exchanged between his friends and mentors. Ginny looked like she wanted to tell him something. Harry glanced back at her. Seeing the look on her face, Harry ran further up. As soon as he was out of eyes site of his companions, he performed and Elvish spell and turned himself invisible.
He shuddered as soon as he was done. Then, he started running, and very fast. He moved so quickly, a breeze reached the others. It was only a few minutes before he was at the end of the tunnel. He removed the spell and sat down heavily.
Harry's head fell into his hands. He took a deep breath, memories flooding him.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
It was dark in his room. Harry's muscles ached from training that day. He didn't think he was getting any better and he missed the looks that Atonics often shared with Ricatone and Kilala. Slowly, he fell into a light sleep.
It was only about an hour later that Harry was jerked awake. The door had opened. Harry swung out of bed and dressed quickly. It was his third year in the room and he easily knew his way around.
Silently he draped his cape over his shoulders and he moved out of the room. His feet were bare and made no sound on the wood. His green cloak was hemmed just above the floor, so it made no sweeping noise.
The young boy crouched by the railing. He looked down to the door, his "night vision" allowing him to see the Royal Guard that stood there. Immediately he registered the bronze lining on his clothes and cloak meaning he was a messenger. The badge on the chest of his robes was of the three combined circles that stood for the three Heads. Around them was a silver lined bronze one. It meant he was the High Messenger.
"Head Atonics," came the rough voice. He bowed, the pendant on his neck flashing.
"Messenger Kiniru, what brings you here?" asked Atonics's tired voice.
"The Head wishes your company. Now. You are to set out at dawn. Bring all residents that are here."
"Does he know we house a human boy?" asked Kilala's softer voice.
"I-I don't know," stuttered Kiniru.
"Well, we do," Sala's blunt voice sounded.
"He said EVERYONE. You must bring the boy," Kiniru said firmly. "But why elves of your status would bother with humans is beyond me.."
"Thanks," muttered Harry softly. He stood up. He walked soundlessly down the stairs. He knew his teachers sensed him. They did not turn.
"We will depart at dawn. Are you to stay or ride ahead?" asked Atonics.
"I was given a free choice. Am I given the offer of staying?"
"I care not," said Atonics.
"The question is: will you dirty yourself with human?" asked Harry. The elf whipped around.
"Great Mertiku!" he cried, hand on heart.
"Sorry," Harry said, voice not sounding it.
"How did you do that?"
"What?"
"You were so quiet!"
"I've been practicing for a long time," Harry said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I can't even do that! The Head will certainly be surprised with you," Kiniru said, nodding approvingly. "And if you must know, one of my distant ancestors went back to the realm you come from."
"I do apologize," Harry said, leaning on the stair's railing. "I've learned the hard way high ranking elves don't like humans- least of all me. They aren't too pleased that I am learning the way of elves."
"They're just sour because you're better at things than they are," stated Kilala. "Go get Kigali and Mitra. Obviously you know we've been summoned by The Head."
"I grasped that, Ki," Harry said, rolling his eyes. He went back upstairs just the same and retrieved the twins form their room. They packed quickly and met downstairs.
"Ready?" asked Kiniru. They all nodded. "Then let us get on with it."
Harry read and slept through the long journey. It puzzled him why they hadn't simply used a Portal Arch. By the time he awoke, Du had risen slightly in the sky. He propped up on his elbows to find that they were passing through a small town. Doing calculations he figured they were in Pintori- the closest village to Amirushi, where The Head resided. (I think I had a different town before, if you remember, tell me what chapter and I'll fix it)
Kigali and Mitra were weaving silently next to him. Occasionally one would look up and glare at elves as they stared and whispered at Harry. He sighed and leaned back, clutching his brass capped staff closer to him.
He wore light green breeches and a white cotton shirt. His feet were covered with practical soft leather boots. The dark Emerald cloak he had worn earlier was still draped over his shoulders. The shiny hilt of a sword glinted in his belt- the end capped with a black stone, marking it as a priceless battle blade. He felt the cool metal the was the blades hidden in his sleeves. Other hidden weapons stood ready to be drawn. He had found the hard way that many elves would try his abilities once they found he was the human boy trained under the Head Fighter and Head Magician.
A tall elf stepped in front of the cart. "Halt."
"What do you think you're getting at?" snapped Sala. The elf glared. He wore elegant clothes. A shorter, lean elf walked next to him. His clothes were practical for streets but his long cloak showed great rank and wealth with interwoven gold thread.
"You are nothing more than a maid- I am Jurindino the Grand Magician of Pintori. My companion, Sotaro, Grand Fighter of Pintori, and I have news that you come with a human."
Harry sighed softly. He stood without a sound. A few elves on the street sent him reassuring looks, some were frightened. Ones he knew were merchants sent him scornful glares. Street rats gave him thumbs up. He grinned roguishly at them. All of the Elvish street rats had heard of him by now.
"I an certainly more than a mere maid you arrogant, po-"
"Salahari," came Atonics's voice. She humphed and leaned back.
"Now you'll get what you deserve," she muttered.
"Head Magician?!" cried Jurindino.
"Hello to you too, dear cousin," said the magician warily. Harry watched him get down from the cart. Kilala followed him.
"You incessant yakking has gotten no better," she said crossly, rubbing her temples.
"As has your naive thoughts of humans," snarled the Grand Magician.
"Did it ever occur to you that YOU were wrong?" asked Kilala sharply.
"So then the rumors are true- you two train a human boy?" asked Sotaro asked, his voice intrigued.
"Yes, they are," Atonics said warily, clearly bored.
"I demand you show him!" cried Jurindino.
"What business have you with our student?" asked Kilala fairly.
"You two disgrace the elves!" ranted their cousin. "You do not deserve your titles1 You associate with power hungry, dirty humans! What can you say to defend the boy who cowers behind his teachers? He truly shows him human side!" There came growls from the gathered street rats.
"You-" began Kilala. Harry moved forward quickly.
"I can fight my own battles," he said softly. The silence that held in the air made it carry though. He lay a calming hand on Kilala's arm. She glared steadily at her cousin.
"You think you can fight me?!" boomed Jurindino.
"No," Harry said, walking in front if his teachers. "I have no wishes to fight you. I am only passing through here. We are not staying. It is because of your actions we have stopped at all."
"You carry the bad luck of a mortal!" shrieked the elf.
"That is simply superstition!" cried Sala angrily. "If you would get down from you high horse and-"
"SILENCIO!" yelled Harry. A barely visible amount of green magic flew through the air between them and clamped over her mouth. She glared at him and began working her own magic to release herself from the charm.
"You wish to fight?! Than you will battle Sontaro!"
"Jurindino, you are not my father nor my speaker! You are only my brother-by-marriage!" cried Sontaro.
"Then you are afraid of the human!" Sontaro sighed. He walked to the green eyed boy and smacked his staff head against the boy's. It was an age old gesture of a challenge.
"I accept," Harry said quietly. "You may lay your own rules."
"Long blades and a weapon of choice. You may not use magic. Once disarmed it is ended. We have a Field of Gurando (he is a war god, on his field you settle ancestor insult battles) this way." Harry followed him silently.
"Prongs?" asked Mitra. He handed her his staff. Following it were many of his concealed weapons. All he left were the double blades- two long daggers shoved into his boot tops that counted as a single weapon.
Harry handed his cloak to Sala. "I could have settled this," she growled darkly.
"And have one of you die- most likely you-on the Field of Zaar? I will fight for myself, as I always do," he replied sternly. He gave her a quick smile and walked into the fenced off circle.
Harry noted quickly that the long blade Sontaro had was not for looks. He nodded to Kilala. She grinned and handed him a different sword belt and sheath. He handed her the fancy one. With ease of great practice, Harry slipped it on.
The new blade's sheath was simple and plain. All that adorned it was a silver lightning bolt set into the old leather. The blade's hilt looked to be of brass. It shined from a new polish but not as a decorative sword would.
Sontaro raised his eyebrows. Harry smiled. He quickly took in his opponent's size and build as an elf priest- called dedicate- began the words of a battle on this field. With a few quick calculations and the help of the bow and arrows on his back, Harry figured Sontaro's strength was fast arms and his weakness- his lower left side.
Sontaro drew his blade first and lunged. 'He is an attacker,' Harry noted as he drew his own blade. The blade glinted strongly in the sun. Metal slammed metal as Haryr blocked Sontaro's attack.
Harry pushed up and forced his attacker back. They went at it for quite a while. Harry almost threw his blade once. He watched Sontaro switch hands. Few fighters used their weak hand first as few knew how to use both. He had never met any of Sontaro's status who did. "You are good," the elf told the wizard.
"I practice," Harry replied modestly as the blade came to him again. After a few more blows, Harry went to block one and turned his hand too soon. A slash formed across his hand. His grip slacked and he went to change hands. Sontaro moved fast and disarmed him. Harry smiled. He flipped on his hands and twisted the blade of his opponent, getting him by surprise.
The blade flew form the circle. Sontaro tumbled onto him. After a bit of a scruff on the ground, Sontaro rolled away. He pulled and arrow to his bow as he stood and fire once he got to his feet.
In a split second, the blades he had had concealed were from their sheaths. The arrows clanked them and fell. Harry blocked for a while and then as Sontaro moved his left hand back for another arrow, Harry seized the moment he had identified. He pulled up and cut through top flesh. Sontaro winced and Harry snapped the bow form his hands.
It took only moment for Harry to cut loose the quiver of arrows. He flung it out of the field. "Well done," panted Sontaro, grinning. He shook Harry's hand. "You are a remarkable boy-for human or elf."
"Thanks," Harry said. "You're the best I've ever faced in one of these petty things." Sontaro grinned devilishly.
"Got to be, living so near The Head and all." Harry nodded.
"YOU TRICKSTER! HOW DID YOU FIX THIS?1 WAS IT MY COUSINS?!" ranted Jurindino. Harry sighed. He sent his magic out and bound the elf.
"I am simply good. You're going to have to learn to get over it. If you really wish, I will battle you in magic. We are SUPPOSED to be on our way to see The Head. Now then, where were you?" Harry snapped.
Jurindino said nothing. "This is NOT over, human scum. Your parents never should have-" Immense power slammed the mage into a wall. Harry seethed.
"You have NO idea who my parents were!" he cried. "They did nothing to deserve our words. They DIED fighting for good. They DIED to save me and now I must save my people for them. I DO NOT NEED THIS! I am here for one reason- to learn. I will- I MUST- kill the evil of my world. It is him or me and I can tell you now, it will be him. I will take it no more! Leave my parents to rest in peace. Your fights are with ME not the memories of my parents- the few there are of their twenty years."
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Harry was jerked from the chambers of his mind by Sirius shaking him. "Harry?" he asked quietly. "You look so serious. What is it?" He shook himself.
"Nothing," was the quiet response. "Just. remembering."
"Ah, I understand you," Sirius said. There was a way to his smile that made Harry know he was right.
~~~~~~~~~~
When they emerged from Honeydukes, they headed for the Three Broomsticks. On their way they passed Zonkos. "NO!" cried Mel. She flung herself at the window. "We must stop here!"
"Why?" asked Hermione.
"Because Sirius took her here on their only actual date." Moony trailed off as Sirius and Mel both shot him looks.
"Calm down," scolded Ginny. Harry smiled at her, his memory pushed once again to the depths of his mind.
"I want pranks," pouted Mel. "Remy, you wouldn't deny your little sister pranks, would you?!"
"I hate it when you use that face," Remus groaned. 'I like it,' Sirius thought fondly.
"Only a few minutes," Ron said as they walked in. "Grandmother is going to be there."
"What?!" cried Ginny, whirling around. "NO ONE told me that!"
"For a good reason," Ron said, rubbing his head.
"That woman is NEVER satisfied! Sure, she's nice enough to YOU, but no matter what I do it's not good enough. She finds something wrong with EVERYTHING!" Ginny would have continued her ranting if not for the silencing charms that every member of their party sent at her. She glared but spotted a prank on Filch's banned list and dashed off to buy it.
Harry countered their spells as she went to pay. After about ten minutes they all left. It has begun to drizzle outside. Sirius pulled out a few shrunken umbrellas and passed them out. Each adult had one but only two were given to the students. Harry saw Hermione and Ron get under Ron's.
"Gin, come here," Harry ordered. She walked over and let hi open the umbrella above them. The rain hit off of it as they proceeded to the pub.
"It feels so secluded under here," Ginny said softly. Harry smiled. He spelled the umbrella to float with them and stuck his hands in his pockets.
"I get what you mean. Even with everyone standing there, it's like there's an invisible wall around us only we can see through," Harry said.
"It really could be, what with the attention they're giving us," commented Ginny dryly. Harry chuckled as they entered the pub.
"Where have you been?" cried a woman with snow colored hair. It still held a red glint. Ginny winced. "Virginia, a lady should ALWAYS be on time! You are fifteen minutes late! Explain yourself!"
"Hello, Grandmama," Ginny said sweetly. Harry felt her forced smile as she kissed her grandmother on each cheek.
"Answer me!"
"That would be her fault," Sirius said. He pointed at Mel. She stomped on his foot.
"Virginia, your clothes are ridicules. You are a lady and you should dress like one. None of this pants nonsense!"
"Do something," she hissed at Ron.
"It's great to see you again, Grandmama," Ron said, stepping forward. He hugger her tightly and kissed each cheek.
"You are much too thin, deary," she cooed. "I'll order you some food." Ginny sighed heavily and sat down at the table that was occupied by the rest of the Weasley children and their girlfriend- save Charlie who was alone. "Sit straight, Virginia!"
~Ginny?~ Harry sent her telepathically.
~She always wants me to be more ladylike.~ was the grumbled response.
~It'll be all right,~ Harry told her.
After a while, the woman took note of Harry and Hermione.
"Now then, I've met all the rest of unWeasleys. Who might you be?" she demanded. A bitter smile donned Harry's lips. No one knew the real reason it was there. They all assumed because he was the Boy-Who-Lived and hated that.
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said sweetly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs..Weasley."
"Please, call me Grandmama Weasley. Now then, your chair is awfully close to Ronald's. Is there something I do not know of?"
"This is my girlfriend," Ron said proudly. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione all rolled their eyes. He glared at them.
"Ginny, all of your brothers were able to find loves, what is it you are doing wrong?" demanded the woman. Ginny was about to point out Charlie when he shook his head.
"Sorry Gin, forgot you didn't know. Me 'n Tonks are together one week. She's meeting up with us after- and I quote- 'Mad-Eye's done harassing his new secretary.'"
"Tonks? You mean Nympha-"
"Don't avoid the matter at hand, Virginia! Unless this boy is yours," she gestured to Harry. "You have explaining to do." Ginny and Harry flushed slightly before they laughed. "Well, who are you, boy?!"
"Sorry, ma'am-"
"Grandmama Weasley."
"Sorry, Grandmama Weasley, I'm Harry."
"And your surname?" Something flickered in Harry's eyes.
"Potter. I'm Harry Potter."
"Well then, you aren't Virginia's suitor. Virginia-"
"Grandmama! How do you know he's not!" cried Ginny.
"He is Harry Potter," she snapped. "You hardly act like a lady. Of course he wouldn't chase after you." Ginny's eyes glistened.
~HARRY! ~ Hermione scream-thought. (From now on ~...~ means thought speaking, unless one of u can tell me how to use italics and make them work.)
~Yes? ~
~Connect all four of us!~
~Ok.~ Harry made a connection between the four Marauders. He began to prod the connection to see if he could get it to be permanent. But he saw their magics come together and begin to tie at the ends slightly bleeding into one another. He pulled back his magical form. He didn't think it was possible..
~Ginny,~ Hermione said.
~Y-yes,~ sniffled Ginny's mind voice.
~You can put up with this, I know you can,~ Hermione said.
~You've managed before,~ Ron reminded her. She sighed through her mind.
~I will,~ she consented.
"Grandmama, when are we going to begin?" asked Ginny aloud.
"Don't be so frank, Virginia!"
~One word at a time. It gets easier, trust me,~ came Harry's bitter mind voice. Ginny nodded mentally and took a deep breath.