Here's the next chapter . Gotta say, though, I'm a little disappointed that no one reviewed. Especially seeing as I emailed you all. But I guess it's to be expected. I mean, I left this story alone for so long and all. Sorry. ::Winces::

[You should be sorry. After all, you were being so lazy.]

I wasn't! I just didn't have any inspiration.

[Liar.]

Says you.

[Exactly.]

Growl.

[One doesn't say growl, stupid. One merely growls.]

::Ash' eye twitches::

Chapter 8

"So how did you get yourself cursed?" Luna asked, sipping a cup of hot chocolate.

"I meddled in the affairs o' mortals one time too many." Aine said, accepting her own cup from a house elf with a ridiculous name. "Thank ye." She said.

"It is Winkie's pleasure to serve you, Miss!" The house elf squeaked. "One such as you, who has connections with the Lords and Ladies of the Forest, Winkie don't deserve the honour, Miss."

The silly thing seemed about to faint. Aine observed, amused. "Yes…connections…" She said uncertainly. "I would na call them tha' exactly."

The absurd creature bowed. "Winkie will be going now, Miss, and leave you two to your conversation."

Luna watched it go, smiling. "They're funny little things, aren't they." She said softly.

Aine nodded. "Aye. To think they're related to the Elves of Erin. You would na believe it if ye dinna know it for yourself, I can tell ye tha'."

"They are? Wow, that's weird."

"Well, they were never as strong as their cousins, an' when the Magical Folk tried te take over Erin, they refused to fight, unlike the Selkies an' the Pixies, 'Obgoblins, Leprechauns, Fairies, an' other Magical Creatures did. So when the Elves decided tha' Earth was no place for them anymore an' retreated to the Immortal Realm, they left the 'ouse elves behind, te become the slaves of witches an' wizards. Over time the 'ouse elves became so used to their enforced slavery tha' they began to actually like it. They always did love cleanin', though, so it's na really anythin' to be tha' surprised over." Aine said, shrugging.

"Where is she?" Ginny said. "We've looked all over the bloody castle, but no trace of her!"

"Ginny!" Hermione said reprovingly. "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

The redhead flashed her friend an unrepentant grin. "Yup."

Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes. "Why don't we ask Harry if we can consult the Marauder's Map?" She suggested.

Ginny slapped her hand to her forehead. "Merlin, how dumb are we?" She groaned. "That should have been the first thing we thought to do."

"Speak for yourself." Hermione said loftily. "C'mon, I think Ron and Harry are in the Library."

Lucius Malfoy bowed before his lord, struggling not to shudder as Nagini slid over his ankles. "My lord, I have some interesting news."

"Yes, Lucius?" Lord Voldemort asked, sounding bored. "Make it quick, I have much to do."

Lucius bit back his irritation. Both he and Lord Voldemort knew very well that there was little they could do right now but sit back and wait to see whether or not the Wizarding World would continue to deny the Heir of Slytherin's existence. "Yes my lord." He murmured. "One of the many spies I have placed at Hogwarts recently sent me a rather vexing letter. It seems there has been a new addition to the school, a sixth year Gryffindor."

"This is what you asked for an audience for? Some stupid little detail about a new student." Lord Voldemort asked, irritated.

Hastily, Lucius continued. If he did not he would soon be on the receiving end of Crucio, or worse. "That is not all, my lord!" He said. "Upon receiving the description of this girl, I did a little research. My lord, she has silver eyes."

"Silver eyes, hmm?" Lord Voldemort stroked his chin. "They are a well-known indication of fae blood, correct?"

"Yes, my lord."

"So there is another child a Hogwarts with fae blood? What is so important about that? We know already that there are two others. Nothing to be worried about, especially since the strongest is allied to our side. Your son is still allied to us, I trust?"

Lucius nodded quickly. "Of course, my lord. Narcissa assures me."

Lord Voldemort waved his hand. "I care little what that brain dead airy girl has to say." He said.

Once again, Lucius had to struggle to control his temper. He loved his wife, and she was very intelligent. "Yes, my lord. Anyway, about the child."

"Did I not say I don't believe it is of any importance, Lucius?" Lord Voldemort asked sweetly.

"You did, my lord, but I believe-" Lucius begun, only to be interrupted.

"Lucius?"

"Yes my lord?"

"Crucio."

"So I know you meddled in the affairs of mortals," Luna said, "but how?"

Aine shot the Ravenclaw an irritated look. "Don' you ever give up?" She snapped.

Luna raised one pale eyebrow. "Knowledge is power, Aine. And I believe we shall need all the knowledge we can get in the upcoming war."

Aine sighed. "Very well. I could never stand unfaithfulness, an' I was forever seein' it. So, one day, I told a girl tha' 'er lover was being unfaithful. She took it badly, but dumped 'im. So I kept doin' it. Until one day, I told the wrong person. A distant blood relative o' one o' the Fae. She killed 'erself, an' Lady Brigid an' Lady Aine decided I needed te be taught a lesson."

"So they cursed you." Luna said quietly.

Aine nodded. "Yes."

"What happened then?"

"I was devastated, which was to be expected. I dinna want te live for thousands o' years exiled in the mortal realm."

Luna nodded. "It must have been terrible."

Aine laughed bitterly. "Terrible is righ'. Made even more so by technology. But I'm getting' a'ead of myself. You want to ken wha' 'appened, so I shall tell ye.

"I fell in love, as people are wont te do. Unfortunately, I chose the worst possible type o' person te be the object o' my affections. A superstitious Irishman. Luke." Aine closed her eyes. She may not love Luke anymore, but his memory was still painful. "When 'e found out I was a cursed Changeling…well suffice to say 'e was na pleased. 'E told me 'e never wanted to see me again, called me a lyin' 'ore, and threw me out of 'is 'ouse. I 'ad to move away from my precious Erin…I was know everywhere as the lyin' spawn of evil, an' I could na risk stayin'."

Aine closed her eyes, pushing back the tears that threatened to break free. "So I left," she continued. "I went to England for a while, and it near broke my 'eart, bein' so close to my beloved Erin, but unable to go back. Then I went to Scotland. An' while I was there I came upon the most startlin' revelation. There were magical folk teachin' at a school. So I went there – 'ere, actually – an' begged the four o' them to 'elp me."

"Four?" Luna asked. "You mean?"

Aine nodded. "Aye. The Founders."