AN: You're going to have to put up with -Pagebreak- instead of all the lines after this chapter for the rest of this story. Stupid FFnet won't let you put in your own lines, you have to use theres, and I don't mind doing it when I'm uploading only one chapter, but when doing 29, I have absolutely no patience for it.

Chapter 2: An Introduction

The Great Hall was silent. Mere moments after the first sounds of battle had drifted in from outside, Professor Dumbledore had erected powerful silencing charms on the walls of the Great Hall, hoping to prevent the sounds from further scaring the student population.

The headmaster, and most of the teachers, had returned to the head table, and were quietly conferring about what could be going on outside.

"Albus, you said the alarms only sounded when over fifty enemies entered the school grounds. Is there anyway of knowing what those enemies are, and how many of them there are?" asked Professor Vector.

"Yes, there is. I worked a side spell into the alarm systems, designed to inform me exactly what was entering the grounds." replied the Headmaster.

"So? What's out there? What are we up against?" demanded Snape.

"It's not good. From what the spell told me, there were over fifty dementors, several dozen Acromatula, several trolls, a dozen vampires, and about 10 Death Eaters, although I do not believe the Death Eaters are of Voldemort's Inner Circle." responded the Headmaster.

"Sweet Merlin. If we had gone out there-"

"Yes. It would be highly likely we would be dead, and Voldemort would have succeeded in taking the school." replied the Headmaster.

"But, you said that the rune was only used when High Elves fought correct?" asked McGonagall. "That means that they are out there right now, battling the Dark Lord's forces right? How many of them do you think there are?"

"From the little I know of the Elves, and their prowess in battle," said Dumbledore, as he looked at each of the teachers in turn, "I would say there is one."

"One? You mean, one hundred? One thousand? What?" asked Snape quickly.

"No, I mean one. As in, a single elf. Just one." said Dumbledore.

"You can't be serious Albus!" exclaimed McGonagall. "No one could take on that many dark creatures and hope to live."

"I am completely serious Minerva. In fact, I am almost certain that if the battle is not done by now, it will be done very shortly." answered Dumbledore, as he turned to face the students.

"Attention! You need not fear students. I assure you that you are completely safe. If there is a High Elf out there, then you need not worry. As I said before, the High Elves are quite capable in battle, and I'm sure that the conflict outside is all but finished. I'm now going to remove the silencing charm I placed over the Hall, to see if that is indeed the case." said Dumbledore, in a voice that could not be ignored.

Dumbledore gave a wave of his wand, and dispelled the charm. Silence reigned. There was not a single sound coming from outside the walls. It was as though he had not removed the charm at all.

Then there was a sound.

It was not the sound of curses being fired off, or dark creatures screaming war cries. It was the sound of a horn, giving a long blast, shattering the silence. It sounded almost like a cry of triumph, a shout of victory. It continued for one long minute, before fading away, leaving silence once more.

No one moved. Five minutes passed, without a single person speaking. Some of the newly sorted first years began to fidget, others began to ask questions of the older students, who merely shook their heads. They had no answers. The teachers were looking at each other with questioning looks, not sure of what to do.

Professor McGonagall turned to the headmaster, planning to ask him what they should tell the students. She paused. Dumbledore wasn't moving, he was simply starring at the sealed doors expectantly.

McGonagall turned to look at the doors as well, waiting to see if anything happened.

She did not have to wait long.

The doors to the Great Hall burst open, slamming back into the walls with great force. A figure entered, shocking the murmuring students into silence.

It was not the figure himself that shocked the students, because he was shrouded in a deep cloak, and nothing could be seen of him. What shocked the students was the fact that he did not walk into the Great Hall.

He rode. What he was riding on stunned the every occupant within the hall. The headmaster included. When he had said that it was rumoured High Elves rode into battle on unicorns, he was not expecting this.

For the unicorn that the Elf was riding on was not white, as they had come to expect of unicorns. It was jet black, and quite a bit bigger then any unicorn ever seen. This was not it's most outstanding feature however. What truly stood out about this unicorn was its horn. Most unicorn's horns were about a foot long, and shining silver. This one was easily three times that length, and it shone a brilliant gold.

"A war unicorn." murmured Hagrid in awe. "Ther' suppos'd to be extinct!"

The fact that his mount was supposed to be extinct did not seem to bother the elf one bit, as he smoothly dismounted. As soon as its rider was clear, the unicorn moved back a few steps, almost as if it were guarding the elf's back. Then again, thought Ginny, it probably was.

As soon as his mount had moved out of the way, the elf threw off his cloak. The previously stunned students, only just starting to shake free of their awe in the unicorn, were stunned once again.

He was tall, and athletic looking. Pointed ears could be seen peeking out of his long black hair, which covered most of his face. He was also bristling in weapons. A bow, almost as tall as he was, was strapped to his shoulder. A quiver of arrows sat on his back, and the hilts of twin daggers could be seen poking out the top of it. Forming an X across his back, with their hilts poking up above his shoulders, two swords could be seen, nestled behind the quiver. Another sword, a Japanese katana, was strapped to his waist, and numerous daggers could be seen around his waist. Twin stilettos were strapped to the inside of his gauntlets, and two hilts could be seen poking up out of the tops of his boots. All in all, he was a walking armory.

He took a moment to slowly look around the room, and Ginny started when his eyes locked on hers. She was startled by the vibrant green of those eyes, as if nature itself was contained within them.

He slowly approached the head table, astonishing all by the grace with which he moved. It was almost as if he was gliding towards the table.

He paused briefly as he looked into Dumbledore's eyes. Then he began to speak, and all the who heard him were enraptured by the musical voice with which he spoke.

"I greet you, Albus Dumbledore. I am Prince Emrys Aethi Caldarain (AN: I realize the name Emrys has been used before, but I figure, its my middle name, I'm allowed to use it) of the High Elven Kingdom of Falandais. I would speak with you, and a select few others, in private, if I may." spoke the Elf.

"Of course." responded Dumbledore. "But, may I ask what became of the dark forces outside?"

The Elf's mouth twitched slowly into a small smile as he answered, "The taint of their darkness no longer threatens this world. They have been cleansed."

"What do you mean by cleansed?" demanded Professor Snape.

"Their darkness has been cleansed from this land. Their spirits have passed on to the next plane of existence. In simple terms, they are dead." responded the elf smoothly.

"Oh." said Snape. "Right then."

"Is there anywhere we can continue our conversation in a less public forum, Albus Dumbledore?" Emrys asked.

"Umm, yes, of course. Please, follow me to my office. Oh, and feel free to call me Albus." Dumbledore said.

"As you wish, Albus." responded the elf, as he moved to follow the headmaster from the great hall, with a few of the teachers following along behind.

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"So?" Ron said, as he turned to Hermione. "What have you read about High Elves? What can you tell us?"

All the nearby Gryffindors leaned in, hoping to hear something new.

Hermione seemed flustered as she responded. "I, I don't know anything. Nothing. I've never read anything about High Elves anywhere. I've never even heard of them before."

Ron seemed shocked, it wasn't like his girlfriend not to know something about a subject. Hermione was still sitting there looking flabbergasted when Professor McGonagall approached.

"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Weasley, the headmaster would like to see you in his office immediately.

"What could Professor Dumbledore possibly want with us right now?" asked Ron, as the three followed McGonagall to the headmaster's office.

"I don't know Ron, but I think we'll find out when we get there." answered Ginny.