Chapter Twenty*~~
Elves lined the corridors. As the group passed, ones in Guard uniforms gave sweeping bows. Ones that looked to be servants dropped to the ground and pressed their heads to the stone floor.
Professor McGonagall came to halt when they reached the outskirts of a large circle. She shoved her way to the font. Harry smiled slightly at the DA members levitating one another into the air for a better view. But the smile faded quickly when he saw Atonics, Kilala, Ricatone, and Sala coming down the corridor. The twins reached Harry first and gave his hand a squeeze.
"Thanks," Harry muttered. They smiled at him in reassurance. His elf teachers moved quickly past him and to McGonagall's side.
"What's going on Atonics!" cried McGonagall.
"Something that had to come eventually," Atonics said tiredly.
"Head Magician Atonics!" cried an all too familiar voice for Harry. He took a deep breath and shoved quickly to the front.
"What are you doing here, Atiri?" asked Harry. Only the students heard something else in his voice. A powerful note that seemed could steady anything.
"Your Highness!" cried Atiri in a false high voice. She wore a long flowing dress in a shimmering black. Over her shoulders was an elegant red cloak. Her skin carried traces of wrinkles, though they had been masked quite well.
"Harry!" Harry sighed heavily and turned remorsefully around to face his three best friends, godparents, and adoptive uncle.
"Prince Laohan! This si a perfect spot to rule from! We can have it brought to our realm," Atiri rattled off.
"Lady Atiri!" She fell silent at Harry's outburst. "No one is taking anything. This si my school. I must ask you, what is it you think your business is here?"
"Highness, until you are married or at least two hundred, the Lord and Lady-"
"Are supposedly my guardians," Harry snapped irritably. Slowly, a young, thin elf approached Harry.
"Highness," she said and dropped to the ground.
"Please get up," Harry said, still looking disdainfully at Lady Atiri. She stood and went to put a dark emerald cloak on his shoulders. His hand grabbed hers and he took it from her, then held it.
"My Prince?" questioned Lady Atiri.
"Lady Atiri, you may be under the impression that I will be your puppy dog. I believe that it is time to set you straight on that matter. Both you and I got here by birth right. Neither of us earned what we areâ unlike many other elves. Just because traditions say you get to rule as if the queen, does not mean I will sit by and let you," Harry said. "I am not as stupid as you all presume. I do not like you."
"I never-" but the elf never finished.
"Harry James Potter!" Harry winced and turned to face Ginny.
"I know that-"
"You told us you were the Jistone, not the PRINCE!" yelled Hermione. Harry sighed and absently ran a hand through his hair.
"I am the Jistone. But during the war, the Dimukai discovered the heir of the Last Prince had returned. And we discovered it as well. I knew it was me. Everyone did. I could use elf magic. That's how it started. That's how we can detect lost lines. So, the war stopped being so much about a struggle for the throne as a rebellion. The Dimaukai did not want ot be under the rule of an elf raised as a human. And personally, I am a human."
"That's treason!" cried Lady Atiri.
"Lady Atiri! You are on my nerves enough!" She fell silent under Harry's death glare.
"But if you're the heir and you're Dumbledore's grandson," Ron said slowly. "That means..."
"Prince Albahino," breathed Lady Atiri. Professor Dumbledore smiled slightly and laughed to himself.
"It has been a long time since I have been called that," he said. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Atiri."
"LADY Atiri!" she cried. "Guards, arrest Albahino on charges of High Treason."
"Move," Harry threatened. "and I swear to Michi that none of you will live to see the end of the Dimukai." The Guards froze and moved back to their stations.
"That means your marriage is arranged," Ginny said after a few moments of silence. Harry looked at her and nodded slowly. She smiled weakly.
~So that's the reason...~ Ginny trailed off.
~Yes,~ Harry said haltingly. ~I'm sorry, Gin. I just...~ She smiled at him and walked over.
"Don't sweat it, Lightning," she said.
"Thanks."
"I came here," Lady Atiri said loudly, drawing attention to herself. "To bring to you your new bride."
"Oh joy," Harry muttered. "All right then, Lady Atiri, who is she? Kana?"
"Ah, come here, Princess Witikana," Lady Atiri called. A beautiful young elf stepped timidly through the doors. She was dwarfed by the elegance of her dress and cloak. She curtsied deeply.
"My Prince," she greeted, eyes focused on the floor. Harry knew of the elf in front of him. Kana, daughter of the merchant on Griatin Harbor.
"You need not curtsy nor bow to me," Harry said softly, walking closer to her. "I'm no greater than you. If anything, I am less." She looked up, startled. He smiled. "I know, I'm not really prince-like material."
"Now then, Prince Laohan," Atiri said. Harry clenched his fists.
"Lady Atiri," he said, turning sharply to her. "You will go back to the Elven Realm with all of these servants and Guards. Princess Witikana may choose to stay here if she wishes. You will not come back because I herby relieve you of your duties as Lady of the Elves."
"What do you mean?!" cried Atiri.
"You are no longer the Lady. Good-bye, Iri of Vitarmit," Harry said. He opened a portal. "I'd say that I shall miss you, but I prefer not to lie if not needed." She stood a few moments before huffing over to the portal and going through. Closely following her were the Guards and servants.
As soon as the portal closed, Ricatone spoke. "I'd bet my station she'll still be acting as Lady when we go to destroy Comet Blood."
"Whatever I'd bet," Harry said, "I'd loose." All eyes were fixed on him. "Oh, yes, explanations."
"That would be nice," Sirius said, sickly-sweet.
"First though," Harry said distractedly. "You two can take off those ridicules spells. I know you're here." Suddenly, two Royal Guards appeared at Harry's shoulders.
"Hello, your Highness," said one sweetly. They were both male.
"Fincaro," Princess Witikana said softly. "Don't do that."
"Your personal Guards?" questioned Harry. The princess nodded, not meeting his eyes.
"My brother Fincaro and second cousin Gordimere."
"Alright, Migra, will you and Rico show them to the rooms?" asked Harry. "Grandfather, is it all right if Princess Witikana sleeps in the fifth year girl Gryffindor dorms?"
"Not a problem," he said calmly, as though this were asked of him every day.
"Thanks. Now, Atonics, Kilala, would you two mind going with the DA and searching the castle for any more elves?" Harry asked thoughtfully. "I'm sure they've put things together. Quill, Nightly, Amethyst, would you guys show Princess Witikana around? I'll talk to you later about everything." They nodded.
"Come on, Princess," Ron said. "We'll give you the 411 on the castle. See you later, Prince Laohan." He smirked as Harry shot him a glare.
"Okay," he said. "Over the summer I discovered I was Prince of the Elves. It was kind of shocking and I haven't gotten used to it, but I've gotten over it. It doesn't change anything about me. I just have to put up with people like that damn forsaken Atiri."
He quickly jogged after his best friends. Sirius and Remus exchanged looks after a few moments of silence. Suddenly, a long-snouted wolf and large black dog were racing through the corridors as well.
Harry caught up to them quickly and as soon as the two other Animagi showed up and transformed, he began his tale.
"I know I told you I was just the Jistone-"
"Harry," Remus said. "Why not try just telling us the story from the beginning?"
"Well, it was after the tenth real battle in the war that I used my elf magic in any noticeable form. I was sparring with Jinkario and I accidentally hit him with Elvin Thunder. It's a magically created blast of thunder. And the thing was, we'd all had suspicions I was an elf long ago, but we never did anything about it. Now we knew I was. And after that, the Lost Line Recorder activated.
"The Lost Line Recorder kept track of the Lost Lines. Only, you couldn't see it until one of the Lost Line used great Elvin powers only their family could use, in the Elvin Realm. Once that's done, it lights up in your magic color and reveals the names on your family tree. So, after I summoned the Elvin Thunder, I activated the Line of Anitan, the direct Royal blood line.
"And suddenly, I discovered I had to rule all the elves and was at the center of a huge war. It didn't help any that after the third battle I was named Jistone. A lot of elves wereâ and a few still areâ skeptical of my being raised as a human."
"That doesn't explain how you supposedly died a few days ago," Sirius said. "Remember, you said the prince was dead." Harry looked up at Princess Witikana and gave a bittersweet smile. She looked away, tears in her eyes.
"That wasn't me. When I left to finish school here, we picked an elf to stand in as me. That way the school wouldn't be targeted by the Dimukai. The person who really died was Vidico," he told them forlornly.
"Vidico?" Harry looked behind him and grinned slightly to see Luna and Neville.
"My other brother," Princess Witikana said quietly. "I had two older brothers, Vidico and Fincaro."
"What's the deal with you?" asked Ron. Hermione elbowed him.
"I was born and raised as a merchant's daughter out in Griatin Harbor, along the coast of the Sirene Sea. My mother worked in the store with my father. I was best friends with Aikaâ the last princess," Princess Witikana said.
"Princess," Harry said.
"Please," she said. "Princes Laohan, if we are going to be married, I beg thee to call me Kana. I am not truly a princess, nor am I Witikana. Lady Atiri told me my name was too short though."
"And just call me Harry. All friends do," Harry said. "So, Kana, would you like to finish your tour?"
"I'd love to," she said with a grin.
~*~*~
It had been four days since the startling news that Harry was in fact Prince Laohan, when elves arrived once again. The portal opened during lunch. Harry knew who it would be. He exchanged looks with Kana, who looked a great deal more powerful out of her dress and cloak and in one of Ginny's uniforms.
"Kana?" cried the elf who came out. "Prince Laohan?"
"Vidori," breathed Kana softly, tears prickling her eyes.
"Master Vidori!" Harry quickly walked over to the man and led him to the Layer. "Vid..."
"You..."
"We all knew that Aika would never marry me," Harry said softly.
"And we all knew I was next in line," Kana added. "Vidori... how goes the rounding up of Dimukai?"
"Fine. I must get back. We are preparing for Comet Blood," he said shortly. "I'll see you tomorrow." He abruptly left. Harry rubbed his forehead.
"I'm thinking about rebelling," Harry muttered, getting up and walking with Kana to class.
That night, Neville, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Kana, and Luna were talking softly at dinner and waiting for Ginny. Suddenly a hush fell over the tables. The group looked up to see a purple light shining in front of the doors to the Great Hall. It shined brightly and when it disappeared revealed a girl.
She was pale skinned and had amethyst eyes. Her lips were a perfect shape and a delicate rosy red in color. Her deep red hair was pulled back from her face in an elegant bun. On a tin gold chain, a amethyst tear drop pendant dropped on her forehead. Her stunning dress was a deep purple with a tight top and flowing shirt. The sleeves slit and off of them were two pale purple strands on each. The material was like soft, purple snow. Flung over her shoulders was a cloak with silver trimming.
Around her neck on a long, thin gold chain hung a small ring. It was silver with amethysts and diamonds alternating around it. And though one could not see it, inside was an inscription in Lost Elvish.
Harry's eyes widened. "The Keeper of the Ring," he said quietly.
"What?" asked Luna.
"I am the Keeper of the Ring, Ashizu," announced the beautiful elf.
"And to what reason are we such an honored audience?" asked Dumbledore. She turned slowly to Harry and Kana.
"I come here to decree that Laohan Anitan will not marry Kana of Griatin Harbor. Kana will be given a station by the prince. If this is not done, your power source will abandon all elves, and you will all fallâ harder and faster than you are now." In another flash of purple light she was gone.
Harry thought back to the first time he had seen the Keeper of the Ring.
**
Harry couldn't move. His body felt so heavy. He had to give up. There was nothing more for him to do. He was too far away for any help to come from other elves. His sword was just out of his grasp and he couldn't risk using magic and falling unconscious.
Harry heard a snide laugh. He looked up into the eyes of Rintari, second in command of the Dimukai (I changed the spelling from Dimokai). "You have fallen, great prince. Your human background and false elf blood have both failed you. What can you do now?"
Harry drew in a sharp, ragged breath, sending pain through his body. Suddenly, purple light shined in front of him and Ashizu appeared.
She bent down. "Rise, Harry. You are not defeated. Do not let them see you down. You can do this."
"Who are you?"
"You know who I am. You can see The Ring."
"What...?"
"I am destined not only to hold this great power, but also to unite the four and complete the ancient legend. You are destined for greatness. But we can only give you a guideline for what your destiny is. It is your choice which paths on it you will take. Rise up, Prince Laohan. There will be a day when you die, but it is not this day."
She vanished. Harry rose and his sword flew to his hand. "Not today," Harry murmured. He ran the elf through.
"There will come a day when you will die," she said, dying.
"Unluckily for you and your bastardlly gang," Harry said sweetly, whipping her blood form his sword. "It's not to day. Check in when I'm back home. Maybe Voldemort will be luckier than you." He put the sword over his shoulder and walked away.
But Harry did not recall what happened next, for he didn't know. Behind him, as blood spilled quickly from her body, Rintari vanished.
**
Kana stared at Harry. Harry stared back. They both smiled and nodded, knowing how much the other one was relieved. Ginny entered the Hall moments later with Draco and Raanan. She waved good-bye and sat down next to Harry.
"What's going on?" asked Ginny. "Anything new." They quickly filled her in.
Later that night, Ginny sat up, staring at the dancing flames.
"Gin?" asked Harry softly from the boys' stairs.
"It's okay," she replied. Harry sat next to her on the soft scarlet couch.
"What's wrong?"
"They'll get you a new bride, won't they?" asked Ginny. Harry could hear the tears in her voice, though her eyes held no traces of any.
"Yes," he said after a moment. "Ginny, I don't want any of this! I want to be able to be a normal sixteen-year-old human! Even a normal elf!"
"Unfortunately," Ginny said, turning her gaze on her friend. "That seems to be impossible for you to do. You just keep getting more complicated."
"It's not even that I have to rule over elves or that the prophecy tells me I have to murder or be murdered. I've killed before. It's that I can't choose my future."
"Destiny can only be determined as far as your possible paths, given to you by fate," Ginny said. "You must choose which of those paths to take. In that way, you determine your own destiny. It is fate that cannot be helped."
"I want to be able to be with you," Harry said softly. So softly he thought she wouldn't hear.
Ginny looked at him and captured his gaze.
"Take those glasses off," she said. "I know you do not need them." Harry did so. Ginny stared at his uncovered emerald eyes. They were even more enticing without his glasses. Raw emotion and power burned in them, unshielded and unblocked. "Harry, when will they locate your new bride?"
"I have no idea," he said. She could hear the depression in his words. She lifted his chin up. "Ginny, it's not fair to you to have to wait for something that will never come. You said you would only wait a while. Now you know that you would have to wait for an eternity and more."
Ginny didn't listen to him. She leaned over and kissed him. Without thinking, Harry kissed her back. He let her slide onto his lap and straddle his waist. His hands clutched her waist to him through the thin silk that was her pale pink tinted night shirt. The tips brushed what were her short silk bottoms. One of her slippers fell to the floor.
Ginny's hands slid from the thin grey shirt that was his sleeping shirt to his black hair, locking his head to hers. She liked the feel of the warm of his body and the coolness of his silk black boxers.
They kissed on the couch for quite a while. When they finally drew away and looked at each other, they were both out of breath. "Ginny..."
"Shh," she said, placing a finger over his lips. "I don't care if you're going to have another arranged marriage." Harry heard desperation in her voice. "Until I see her, she doesn't exist. And that means we can do this all we want."
Ginny kissed him again. Harry moaned into her lips and they laid out along the couch. For a few moment, a few blissful moments, their worries and pains and knowledge of what was to come, dissolved into sweet, loving bliss.
When the clock struck two in the morning, they pulled apart. "We should sleep."
"Ginny..."
"Yes, Harry?"
"We both know this won't be able to last long. Whatever this is... we both know I'll have to marry who they want me to. But until then... Ginny..."
"If you don't finish your sentence," Ginny said. "I think I'll refrain from your good night kiss."
"Ginny, do you really like me?" asked Harry.
"Yes." She met his emerald eyes. "Yes, I do."
"Be my girlfriend," he whispered.
"Is that a question?"
"Listen to this," Harry said, placing his hand on hers and guiding it to her heart.
"Oh, Harry," Ginny moaned. She kissed him again. "You know I will."
"I- never mind. It doesn't matter." They kissed good night and then went to sleep.
**
"Ready?" asked Harry. Ginny smiled at him. They had ducked into a broom closet quickly before they went to say good-bye to their friends going home. Neville and Luna had jumped at the option of going with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Sirius, Remus, Mel, May, and the elves to the Elvin Realm. Dumbledore had promised to come in a few days time.
The two checked each other one last time for disheveled appearances before the left. Their fingers intertwined as they went through hidden passages and reluctantly released when they entered normal corridors.
"Harry! Gin!" They walked quickly over to Ron and the rest of the student DA.
"Well, the carriages are here," Marietta came in to report. "I don't really want to leave. What with that attack on the Finnigan's old home... it may be safer here."
"But you're all trained and prepared to fight Death Eaters," Harry said. "You may not believe me but you'll be more ready for them than almost any adults. And if any elves come, the Dimukai will only send amateurs for 'low' dealings. You can handle them."
"You take care of yourself," Cho said.
"If anything happens..." but Justin didn't finish.
"We'll tell you immediately," Hermione said.
"You guys just relax," Ron added. "It's Christmas. Don't think about it."
"And if you see and Death Munchers, teach 'em a lesson!" cried Ginny, punching her fist into the air. They gave her a weird look. "Death Munchers... Death Eaters... are you people MAKING the connection??"
"Right," Harry said. He pattered her head. "We'll take care of her mental state whilst you all drink egg nog. Have fun!"
Final good-byes were quickly exchanged as well as note between girls. Then, the DA leaving proceeded out of the entrance hall.
"It'll seem awfully... different here," Draco said as the remaining members went for a quick practice before six left for the Elvin Realm. "What with them gone."
"At least you'll be safe," Harry said. "Has your Dad said anything?"
"No. Nothing about the Dark Tosser," he spat. "He did, however, find out about my sexuality from my old thug and now is apparently trying to keep my worth to the Dark Tosser."
"And you thought Death Muncher was unoriginal? Pah." They rolled their eyes at Ginny and paired off. As it ended, Ginny was with Draco.
"So, Dracky, I've been thinking," Ginny said as he took a swing and she ducked.
"Yes?" He dodged left but got nicked a bit in the side.
"Do you think we can get any spies out of your house?" asked Ginny.
"Blaise," Draco said absently. "She'll do it. I think if we can prove to the MiniMunchers that Harry can and will stop them, they'll help us. We all know that even after Harry kills the Dark Tosser his supporters will scramble for control. It'll take about ten years to squash them out. And there will always be the few who are going to still fight for those goals."
"Yeah," Ginny said. She pinned him on the ground. "And we'll always be there to stop them." Draco laughed as she helped him up.
They left about an hour later. "Hey Kig, Mit," Harry said. He gave the twins a shoulder squeeze.
"Time to go, Prince Laohan," Kana said. He glared at her and she smiled softly at him. "Comet Blood is set to be destroyed tomorrow."
"I don't care what they say," Harry muttered darkly half an hour later as they prepared to go through the portal. "I'm going to help."
Ginny gave his hand a squeeze before following Hermione through. He smiled and went after her, looking back on last time at the castle.
"Your Highness!" Harry groaned loudly.
Elves lined the corridors. As the group passed, ones in Guard uniforms gave sweeping bows. Ones that looked to be servants dropped to the ground and pressed their heads to the stone floor.
Professor McGonagall came to halt when they reached the outskirts of a large circle. She shoved her way to the font. Harry smiled slightly at the DA members levitating one another into the air for a better view. But the smile faded quickly when he saw Atonics, Kilala, Ricatone, and Sala coming down the corridor. The twins reached Harry first and gave his hand a squeeze.
"Thanks," Harry muttered. They smiled at him in reassurance. His elf teachers moved quickly past him and to McGonagall's side.
"What's going on Atonics!" cried McGonagall.
"Something that had to come eventually," Atonics said tiredly.
"Head Magician Atonics!" cried an all too familiar voice for Harry. He took a deep breath and shoved quickly to the front.
"What are you doing here, Atiri?" asked Harry. Only the students heard something else in his voice. A powerful note that seemed could steady anything.
"Your Highness!" cried Atiri in a false high voice. She wore a long flowing dress in a shimmering black. Over her shoulders was an elegant red cloak. Her skin carried traces of wrinkles, though they had been masked quite well.
"Harry!" Harry sighed heavily and turned remorsefully around to face his three best friends, godparents, and adoptive uncle.
"Prince Laohan! This si a perfect spot to rule from! We can have it brought to our realm," Atiri rattled off.
"Lady Atiri!" She fell silent at Harry's outburst. "No one is taking anything. This si my school. I must ask you, what is it you think your business is here?"
"Highness, until you are married or at least two hundred, the Lord and Lady-"
"Are supposedly my guardians," Harry snapped irritably. Slowly, a young, thin elf approached Harry.
"Highness," she said and dropped to the ground.
"Please get up," Harry said, still looking disdainfully at Lady Atiri. She stood and went to put a dark emerald cloak on his shoulders. His hand grabbed hers and he took it from her, then held it.
"My Prince?" questioned Lady Atiri.
"Lady Atiri, you may be under the impression that I will be your puppy dog. I believe that it is time to set you straight on that matter. Both you and I got here by birth right. Neither of us earned what we areâ unlike many other elves. Just because traditions say you get to rule as if the queen, does not mean I will sit by and let you," Harry said. "I am not as stupid as you all presume. I do not like you."
"I never-" but the elf never finished.
"Harry James Potter!" Harry winced and turned to face Ginny.
"I know that-"
"You told us you were the Jistone, not the PRINCE!" yelled Hermione. Harry sighed and absently ran a hand through his hair.
"I am the Jistone. But during the war, the Dimukai discovered the heir of the Last Prince had returned. And we discovered it as well. I knew it was me. Everyone did. I could use elf magic. That's how it started. That's how we can detect lost lines. So, the war stopped being so much about a struggle for the throne as a rebellion. The Dimaukai did not want ot be under the rule of an elf raised as a human. And personally, I am a human."
"That's treason!" cried Lady Atiri.
"Lady Atiri! You are on my nerves enough!" She fell silent under Harry's death glare.
"But if you're the heir and you're Dumbledore's grandson," Ron said slowly. "That means..."
"Prince Albahino," breathed Lady Atiri. Professor Dumbledore smiled slightly and laughed to himself.
"It has been a long time since I have been called that," he said. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Atiri."
"LADY Atiri!" she cried. "Guards, arrest Albahino on charges of High Treason."
"Move," Harry threatened. "and I swear to Michi that none of you will live to see the end of the Dimukai." The Guards froze and moved back to their stations.
"That means your marriage is arranged," Ginny said after a few moments of silence. Harry looked at her and nodded slowly. She smiled weakly.
~So that's the reason...~ Ginny trailed off.
~Yes,~ Harry said haltingly. ~I'm sorry, Gin. I just...~ She smiled at him and walked over.
"Don't sweat it, Lightning," she said.
"Thanks."
"I came here," Lady Atiri said loudly, drawing attention to herself. "To bring to you your new bride."
"Oh joy," Harry muttered. "All right then, Lady Atiri, who is she? Kana?"
"Ah, come here, Princess Witikana," Lady Atiri called. A beautiful young elf stepped timidly through the doors. She was dwarfed by the elegance of her dress and cloak. She curtsied deeply.
"My Prince," she greeted, eyes focused on the floor. Harry knew of the elf in front of him. Kana, daughter of the merchant on Griatin Harbor.
"You need not curtsy nor bow to me," Harry said softly, walking closer to her. "I'm no greater than you. If anything, I am less." She looked up, startled. He smiled. "I know, I'm not really prince-like material."
"Now then, Prince Laohan," Atiri said. Harry clenched his fists.
"Lady Atiri," he said, turning sharply to her. "You will go back to the Elven Realm with all of these servants and Guards. Princess Witikana may choose to stay here if she wishes. You will not come back because I herby relieve you of your duties as Lady of the Elves."
"What do you mean?!" cried Atiri.
"You are no longer the Lady. Good-bye, Iri of Vitarmit," Harry said. He opened a portal. "I'd say that I shall miss you, but I prefer not to lie if not needed." She stood a few moments before huffing over to the portal and going through. Closely following her were the Guards and servants.
As soon as the portal closed, Ricatone spoke. "I'd bet my station she'll still be acting as Lady when we go to destroy Comet Blood."
"Whatever I'd bet," Harry said, "I'd loose." All eyes were fixed on him. "Oh, yes, explanations."
"That would be nice," Sirius said, sickly-sweet.
"First though," Harry said distractedly. "You two can take off those ridicules spells. I know you're here." Suddenly, two Royal Guards appeared at Harry's shoulders.
"Hello, your Highness," said one sweetly. They were both male.
"Fincaro," Princess Witikana said softly. "Don't do that."
"Your personal Guards?" questioned Harry. The princess nodded, not meeting his eyes.
"My brother Fincaro and second cousin Gordimere."
"Alright, Migra, will you and Rico show them to the rooms?" asked Harry. "Grandfather, is it all right if Princess Witikana sleeps in the fifth year girl Gryffindor dorms?"
"Not a problem," he said calmly, as though this were asked of him every day.
"Thanks. Now, Atonics, Kilala, would you two mind going with the DA and searching the castle for any more elves?" Harry asked thoughtfully. "I'm sure they've put things together. Quill, Nightly, Amethyst, would you guys show Princess Witikana around? I'll talk to you later about everything." They nodded.
"Come on, Princess," Ron said. "We'll give you the 411 on the castle. See you later, Prince Laohan." He smirked as Harry shot him a glare.
"Okay," he said. "Over the summer I discovered I was Prince of the Elves. It was kind of shocking and I haven't gotten used to it, but I've gotten over it. It doesn't change anything about me. I just have to put up with people like that damn forsaken Atiri."
He quickly jogged after his best friends. Sirius and Remus exchanged looks after a few moments of silence. Suddenly, a long-snouted wolf and large black dog were racing through the corridors as well.
Harry caught up to them quickly and as soon as the two other Animagi showed up and transformed, he began his tale.
"I know I told you I was just the Jistone-"
"Harry," Remus said. "Why not try just telling us the story from the beginning?"
"Well, it was after the tenth real battle in the war that I used my elf magic in any noticeable form. I was sparring with Jinkario and I accidentally hit him with Elvin Thunder. It's a magically created blast of thunder. And the thing was, we'd all had suspicions I was an elf long ago, but we never did anything about it. Now we knew I was. And after that, the Lost Line Recorder activated.
"The Lost Line Recorder kept track of the Lost Lines. Only, you couldn't see it until one of the Lost Line used great Elvin powers only their family could use, in the Elvin Realm. Once that's done, it lights up in your magic color and reveals the names on your family tree. So, after I summoned the Elvin Thunder, I activated the Line of Anitan, the direct Royal blood line.
"And suddenly, I discovered I had to rule all the elves and was at the center of a huge war. It didn't help any that after the third battle I was named Jistone. A lot of elves wereâ and a few still areâ skeptical of my being raised as a human."
"That doesn't explain how you supposedly died a few days ago," Sirius said. "Remember, you said the prince was dead." Harry looked up at Princess Witikana and gave a bittersweet smile. She looked away, tears in her eyes.
"That wasn't me. When I left to finish school here, we picked an elf to stand in as me. That way the school wouldn't be targeted by the Dimukai. The person who really died was Vidico," he told them forlornly.
"Vidico?" Harry looked behind him and grinned slightly to see Luna and Neville.
"My other brother," Princess Witikana said quietly. "I had two older brothers, Vidico and Fincaro."
"What's the deal with you?" asked Ron. Hermione elbowed him.
"I was born and raised as a merchant's daughter out in Griatin Harbor, along the coast of the Sirene Sea. My mother worked in the store with my father. I was best friends with Aikaâ the last princess," Princess Witikana said.
"Princess," Harry said.
"Please," she said. "Princes Laohan, if we are going to be married, I beg thee to call me Kana. I am not truly a princess, nor am I Witikana. Lady Atiri told me my name was too short though."
"And just call me Harry. All friends do," Harry said. "So, Kana, would you like to finish your tour?"
"I'd love to," she said with a grin.
~*~*~
It had been four days since the startling news that Harry was in fact Prince Laohan, when elves arrived once again. The portal opened during lunch. Harry knew who it would be. He exchanged looks with Kana, who looked a great deal more powerful out of her dress and cloak and in one of Ginny's uniforms.
"Kana?" cried the elf who came out. "Prince Laohan?"
"Vidori," breathed Kana softly, tears prickling her eyes.
"Master Vidori!" Harry quickly walked over to the man and led him to the Layer. "Vid..."
"You..."
"We all knew that Aika would never marry me," Harry said softly.
"And we all knew I was next in line," Kana added. "Vidori... how goes the rounding up of Dimukai?"
"Fine. I must get back. We are preparing for Comet Blood," he said shortly. "I'll see you tomorrow." He abruptly left. Harry rubbed his forehead.
"I'm thinking about rebelling," Harry muttered, getting up and walking with Kana to class.
That night, Neville, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Kana, and Luna were talking softly at dinner and waiting for Ginny. Suddenly a hush fell over the tables. The group looked up to see a purple light shining in front of the doors to the Great Hall. It shined brightly and when it disappeared revealed a girl.
She was pale skinned and had amethyst eyes. Her lips were a perfect shape and a delicate rosy red in color. Her deep red hair was pulled back from her face in an elegant bun. On a tin gold chain, a amethyst tear drop pendant dropped on her forehead. Her stunning dress was a deep purple with a tight top and flowing shirt. The sleeves slit and off of them were two pale purple strands on each. The material was like soft, purple snow. Flung over her shoulders was a cloak with silver trimming.
Around her neck on a long, thin gold chain hung a small ring. It was silver with amethysts and diamonds alternating around it. And though one could not see it, inside was an inscription in Lost Elvish.
Harry's eyes widened. "The Keeper of the Ring," he said quietly.
"What?" asked Luna.
"I am the Keeper of the Ring, Ashizu," announced the beautiful elf.
"And to what reason are we such an honored audience?" asked Dumbledore. She turned slowly to Harry and Kana.
"I come here to decree that Laohan Anitan will not marry Kana of Griatin Harbor. Kana will be given a station by the prince. If this is not done, your power source will abandon all elves, and you will all fallâ harder and faster than you are now." In another flash of purple light she was gone.
Harry thought back to the first time he had seen the Keeper of the Ring.
**
Harry couldn't move. His body felt so heavy. He had to give up. There was nothing more for him to do. He was too far away for any help to come from other elves. His sword was just out of his grasp and he couldn't risk using magic and falling unconscious.
Harry heard a snide laugh. He looked up into the eyes of Rintari, second in command of the Dimukai (I changed the spelling from Dimokai). "You have fallen, great prince. Your human background and false elf blood have both failed you. What can you do now?"
Harry drew in a sharp, ragged breath, sending pain through his body. Suddenly, purple light shined in front of him and Ashizu appeared.
She bent down. "Rise, Harry. You are not defeated. Do not let them see you down. You can do this."
"Who are you?"
"You know who I am. You can see The Ring."
"What...?"
"I am destined not only to hold this great power, but also to unite the four and complete the ancient legend. You are destined for greatness. But we can only give you a guideline for what your destiny is. It is your choice which paths on it you will take. Rise up, Prince Laohan. There will be a day when you die, but it is not this day."
She vanished. Harry rose and his sword flew to his hand. "Not today," Harry murmured. He ran the elf through.
"There will come a day when you will die," she said, dying.
"Unluckily for you and your bastardlly gang," Harry said sweetly, whipping her blood form his sword. "It's not to day. Check in when I'm back home. Maybe Voldemort will be luckier than you." He put the sword over his shoulder and walked away.
But Harry did not recall what happened next, for he didn't know. Behind him, as blood spilled quickly from her body, Rintari vanished.
**
Kana stared at Harry. Harry stared back. They both smiled and nodded, knowing how much the other one was relieved. Ginny entered the Hall moments later with Draco and Raanan. She waved good-bye and sat down next to Harry.
"What's going on?" asked Ginny. "Anything new." They quickly filled her in.
Later that night, Ginny sat up, staring at the dancing flames.
"Gin?" asked Harry softly from the boys' stairs.
"It's okay," she replied. Harry sat next to her on the soft scarlet couch.
"What's wrong?"
"They'll get you a new bride, won't they?" asked Ginny. Harry could hear the tears in her voice, though her eyes held no traces of any.
"Yes," he said after a moment. "Ginny, I don't want any of this! I want to be able to be a normal sixteen-year-old human! Even a normal elf!"
"Unfortunately," Ginny said, turning her gaze on her friend. "That seems to be impossible for you to do. You just keep getting more complicated."
"It's not even that I have to rule over elves or that the prophecy tells me I have to murder or be murdered. I've killed before. It's that I can't choose my future."
"Destiny can only be determined as far as your possible paths, given to you by fate," Ginny said. "You must choose which of those paths to take. In that way, you determine your own destiny. It is fate that cannot be helped."
"I want to be able to be with you," Harry said softly. So softly he thought she wouldn't hear.
Ginny looked at him and captured his gaze.
"Take those glasses off," she said. "I know you do not need them." Harry did so. Ginny stared at his uncovered emerald eyes. They were even more enticing without his glasses. Raw emotion and power burned in them, unshielded and unblocked. "Harry, when will they locate your new bride?"
"I have no idea," he said. She could hear the depression in his words. She lifted his chin up. "Ginny, it's not fair to you to have to wait for something that will never come. You said you would only wait a while. Now you know that you would have to wait for an eternity and more."
Ginny didn't listen to him. She leaned over and kissed him. Without thinking, Harry kissed her back. He let her slide onto his lap and straddle his waist. His hands clutched her waist to him through the thin silk that was her pale pink tinted night shirt. The tips brushed what were her short silk bottoms. One of her slippers fell to the floor.
Ginny's hands slid from the thin grey shirt that was his sleeping shirt to his black hair, locking his head to hers. She liked the feel of the warm of his body and the coolness of his silk black boxers.
They kissed on the couch for quite a while. When they finally drew away and looked at each other, they were both out of breath. "Ginny..."
"Shh," she said, placing a finger over his lips. "I don't care if you're going to have another arranged marriage." Harry heard desperation in her voice. "Until I see her, she doesn't exist. And that means we can do this all we want."
Ginny kissed him again. Harry moaned into her lips and they laid out along the couch. For a few moment, a few blissful moments, their worries and pains and knowledge of what was to come, dissolved into sweet, loving bliss.
When the clock struck two in the morning, they pulled apart. "We should sleep."
"Ginny..."
"Yes, Harry?"
"We both know this won't be able to last long. Whatever this is... we both know I'll have to marry who they want me to. But until then... Ginny..."
"If you don't finish your sentence," Ginny said. "I think I'll refrain from your good night kiss."
"Ginny, do you really like me?" asked Harry.
"Yes." She met his emerald eyes. "Yes, I do."
"Be my girlfriend," he whispered.
"Is that a question?"
"Listen to this," Harry said, placing his hand on hers and guiding it to her heart.
"Oh, Harry," Ginny moaned. She kissed him again. "You know I will."
"I- never mind. It doesn't matter." They kissed good night and then went to sleep.
**
"Ready?" asked Harry. Ginny smiled at him. They had ducked into a broom closet quickly before they went to say good-bye to their friends going home. Neville and Luna had jumped at the option of going with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Sirius, Remus, Mel, May, and the elves to the Elvin Realm. Dumbledore had promised to come in a few days time.
The two checked each other one last time for disheveled appearances before the left. Their fingers intertwined as they went through hidden passages and reluctantly released when they entered normal corridors.
"Harry! Gin!" They walked quickly over to Ron and the rest of the student DA.
"Well, the carriages are here," Marietta came in to report. "I don't really want to leave. What with that attack on the Finnigan's old home... it may be safer here."
"But you're all trained and prepared to fight Death Eaters," Harry said. "You may not believe me but you'll be more ready for them than almost any adults. And if any elves come, the Dimukai will only send amateurs for 'low' dealings. You can handle them."
"You take care of yourself," Cho said.
"If anything happens..." but Justin didn't finish.
"We'll tell you immediately," Hermione said.
"You guys just relax," Ron added. "It's Christmas. Don't think about it."
"And if you see and Death Munchers, teach 'em a lesson!" cried Ginny, punching her fist into the air. They gave her a weird look. "Death Munchers... Death Eaters... are you people MAKING the connection??"
"Right," Harry said. He pattered her head. "We'll take care of her mental state whilst you all drink egg nog. Have fun!"
Final good-byes were quickly exchanged as well as note between girls. Then, the DA leaving proceeded out of the entrance hall.
"It'll seem awfully... different here," Draco said as the remaining members went for a quick practice before six left for the Elvin Realm. "What with them gone."
"At least you'll be safe," Harry said. "Has your Dad said anything?"
"No. Nothing about the Dark Tosser," he spat. "He did, however, find out about my sexuality from my old thug and now is apparently trying to keep my worth to the Dark Tosser."
"And you thought Death Muncher was unoriginal? Pah." They rolled their eyes at Ginny and paired off. As it ended, Ginny was with Draco.
"So, Dracky, I've been thinking," Ginny said as he took a swing and she ducked.
"Yes?" He dodged left but got nicked a bit in the side.
"Do you think we can get any spies out of your house?" asked Ginny.
"Blaise," Draco said absently. "She'll do it. I think if we can prove to the MiniMunchers that Harry can and will stop them, they'll help us. We all know that even after Harry kills the Dark Tosser his supporters will scramble for control. It'll take about ten years to squash them out. And there will always be the few who are going to still fight for those goals."
"Yeah," Ginny said. She pinned him on the ground. "And we'll always be there to stop them." Draco laughed as she helped him up.
They left about an hour later. "Hey Kig, Mit," Harry said. He gave the twins a shoulder squeeze.
"Time to go, Prince Laohan," Kana said. He glared at her and she smiled softly at him. "Comet Blood is set to be destroyed tomorrow."
"I don't care what they say," Harry muttered darkly half an hour later as they prepared to go through the portal. "I'm going to help."
Ginny gave his hand a squeeze before following Hermione through. He smiled and went after her, looking back on last time at the castle.
"Your Highness!" Harry groaned loudly.