Chapter 8: Angel's Flight, Elven Might
To the Death Eaters below, it looked like Harry had gone insane. They watched as a wide smirk spread across his face. 'What kind of person would smirk when faced with a painful death? There's no way he can save himself.' They thought to themselves.
So you can understand how horribly shocked they, and all the others watching were when suddenly Harry's descent was halted.
Halted by the wings that had burst forth from his back. Brilliantly white angelic wings spread out from his back, the tips of the feathers glinting gold. They beat powerfully, as Harry slowly lowered himself to hover before the Death Eaters, who stood wide eyed in shock.
Harry smirked again. "Bet you weren't expecting that were you?" He laughed at the stunned Death Eaters. "You really shouldn't have done that. Now I'm going to have to hurt you!"
The Death Eaters stood still, looking at each other nervously.
Harry spread his arms out wide, his wings still beating powerfully. White light began to form in his palms, spreading quickly to encompass his entire body. His hair began to dance, as if blown by an invisible wind, his eyes glowing brightly. The light flared brightly around him, before tendrils of it reached out from him slowly, as if searching for something. The tendrils of the shining light briefly swept around him, before locking on, and reaching out towards the Death Eaters. They stood still in terror, as the light slowly surrounded them. Then, the white light around Harry burst forth, surging along the lines that connected it to the Death Eaters, and flowing into their bodies.
When the light began to fade, all that remained of the Death Eaters were their robes. The watching students noticed the light slowly fading, all except for two tendrils, which seemed to point straight towards the shadows of the forest. Harry's head jerking in the direction they pointed, his eyes searching the darkness.
To most of those watching, it seemed that Harry had simply pulled a bow out of thin air, although a select few noticed Harry reach towards his back shortly before the bow appeared, and flick his wrist as if casting, or removing, a spell.
Faster than lightning, Harry had an arrow drawn, and had fired into the forest. Harry watched as his arrow sped unerringly towards its target, who failed to move in time. This Death Eater had been out range when Harry had used his Elven Aura to take out the other three, but it had still sensed the evil the Death Eater emanated.
The Death Eater was pinned to a tree by an arrow to the chest, followed shortly by another that none had seen Harry fire.
Harry didn't even watch the Death Eater breathe his last. His eyes were already scanning the forest again, searching for the other he had sensed. 'Damn,' he thought. 'The rat escaped.'
For indeed, it seemed that Wormtail had escaped while Harry had been busy with the other.
Harry pulled a horn from around his neck, and gave it a loud blast. It was the same horn he had sounded before, the traditional victory call of the elves.
The remaining tendrils slowly faded away, and Harry slowly lowered himself back down to the ground. He looked towards the watching students and teachers, who were all staring at him in awe. Quickly folding his wings back into his back, he began to walk towards them.
Upon reaching them, he cleared his throat, and began to speak. "What? All royal elves have wings." He said, perfectly calmly, although his eyes shone with amusement. "Anyway, I would like to congratulate all of those who tried out, but the new Gryffindor chasers are Ginny Weasley, Colin Creevey, and Seamus Finnagin. Congratulations."
And with that, he turned and began walking back towards the castle, with everyone still staring at him.
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That night at dinner, people were still talking about what had happened. It had taken Harry several hours to calm Ginny down, and assure her that he had never been in danger. Once she was certain that he was safe the whole time, she excitedly realized that she had become one of Gryffindors chasers.
"Oh Harry, thank you so much!" Ginny said, as she hugged him tightly. "How can I ever thank you?"
"You don't need to thank me Gin. You deserved it, you were the best one out there." He said. Then as an afterthought he continued. "Although, if you really think you just have to thank me, I'm sure we can think of something."
Ginny blushed, and looked up at him through her eyelashes, smiling wickedly, while Ron glared at him.
"Harry! What have I told you about saying things like that in my presence?" Ron cried.
"Ummm, don't?" Harry asked.
"Exactly. And don't you forget again." Ron said.
Ginny giggled, and went back to her meal.
Harry didn't mention to anyone the fact that he knew Wormtail had escaped. He knew that Wormtail had witnessed the Elven Aura, and it wouldn't be long before Voldemort would figure out how to shield against it. With that in mind, he approached Professor Snape after the meal.
"What do you want Potter?" Snape asked.
"I need to speak with you in private for a moment please professor. It's important." Harry answered.
Snape looked at Harry for a moment, as if trying to figure out if Harry was lying. "Very well. Follow me to my office."
Harry followed Snape into the dungeons, and into the potion master's office.
"Well Potter, what do you want?" Snape demanded.
"I need to know what forces Voldemort could bring to a battle. Everything. What sort of creatures fight for him, how many, and so on." Harry responded.
"What? Why?" Snape asked.
"Because I need to know what we're up against. If I need to bring it reinforcements, I need to know soon."
"Very well Potter." Said Snape, and he preceded to give Harry a detailed description of the Dark Lord's forces.
When he was finished, Harry whistled. "Damn, I didn't know he was that strong. It looks like im going to have to send some messages. Excuse me Professor." He said, as he quickly ran out of the room.
"Rathi." Harry mind called the unicorn, once he was sure no one was watching.
"Yes Harry?" The unicorn sent.
"I need you to increase your activities. Voldemort's forces are greater than we thought, and we may need all the help you can get us. Also, I'd like you to try to find a large section of the forest that can be easily warded, and is well hidden." Harry sent back.
"Are you doing what I think you are? Is this for what I think it is?" The unicorn asked.
"Yes. The king told me that if I needed aid, all I had to do was ask, and I could have it. Well, we need it. I'm calling for reinforcements." He sent.
"Approximately what size? It may be difficult to find a suitable area unless I know." The unicorn responded.
"I'm going to call in a full War Party. The Strike Force is well equipped to deal with Voldemort's forces. I'm also going to call for a unit of mages, and healers. I cannot allow Voldemort to take the school. I want to keep them well hidden within the forest though. I don't want Voldemort to know that the school has been reinforced heavily. I'm going to bring only a handful of warriors into the school itself, that way Voldemort underestimates our available forces." Harry sent.
"Okay then. I'll start searching. When the War Party arrives, I'll guide them in." Rathi sent.
"Thanks". Harry sent, before cutting the mental connection.
"Apollo," Harry said, turning to the phoenix which was perched on his shoulder. "I know you heard that. Take the message to the king. I want most of the war party to follow Rathi once arriving. However, I want about 15 warriors, and a few mages and healers to get here as soon as possible. I need to make sure the castle is defended until the full force arrives. Tell them to gate in to the forest, then approach the castle from there."
"At once my Prince." Apollo said, before leaping into the air, and flying out a nearby window.
Harry watched him fly out over the forest, and sighed. For the first time in millennia, the elves would go to war.
The Forces of the Light marched to bring Justice to the world once again.
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The headmaster looked up at the sound of knocking at the door of his office.
"Yes? Come in."
The door opened, revealing his grandson. Albus smiled.
"Ahhh, Harry. What can I do for you?" He asked.
"I need permission to add a new wing to the castle." Harry answered.
"What? You can do that?" He asked, surprised.
"Yes. The castle responds to elven magic. I can alter it in any way." Harry replied.
"Oh. May I ask why you need to do so?" Albus asked.
"I'm calling in an elvish War Party to defend the school. I need to have somewhere for them to live and train." Harry answered.
"Okay then. That shouldn't be a problem." Albus said. "May I ask how many are in a war party?"
"A score of elves. They won't take up too much room, and you can be assured the castle will be well defended from everything but an all out attack by Voldemort." Harry said.
"That's great Harry. May I ask when the elves will be arriving?" Albus queried.
"Well, if Apollo delivered the message with the urgency I requested," Harry said, "tomorrow."
"That soon?" Albus asked. "How is that possible."
"Their going to use a gate to get from Falandais to the forest quickly. It's an elven method of travel, but it can only be used for smaller groups of elves. If we wanted to move a large group, we'd have to do it the normal way." He answered.
"Well then. I guess you'd better get to work, and I'd better get ready to inform the school tomorrow at breakfast. Goodnight Harry." Albus said.
"Goodnight sir." He answered, before leaving to get to work.
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When the school awoke the next morning, they were shocked to see out the windows a whole new section of Hogwarts. It looked as though it had always been there, but they knew it hadn't. Jutting out from the side of Hogwarts was a new wing. It looked as though it was a fortress itself. Massive walls encircled it, with high crenelations, and wide battlements. They hurried down to breakfast, hoping the Headmaster would explain what it was. As soon as all the students had arrived, the Headmaster stood, and addressed the students.
"You will all no doubt have noticed the new addition to Hogwarts. This is due to the fact that new defenders will be arriving at Hogwarts. A War Party of elves will be arriving here to defend our school from any who would harm it. This new addition will be the home, and training ground, for these new defenders. I would like to thank Harry Potter, or Prince Emrys, for bringing these elves to our aid." The Headmaster said.
"Wicked Harry!" Ron said, when the Headmaster had sat down. "There's going to be more elves here. This is so cool."
"Nice to be appreciated Ron. But the only thing I'm worried about is who their sending as the commanding officer. I'll still be the ranking elf at Hogwarts, but the commander will still hold a lot of power. I'm just worried that they'll send a certain elf as the commander. While I don't argue that she's an excellent leader, I'm afraid on behalf of the students, and some of the teachers, of what she'll do once here." Harry said, shivering.
"What do you mean Harry? Don't you like this elf?" Ginny asked.
"Oh no. I like her very much. I'm just worried about how the school will cope with someone like that here. Personally, I couldn't be more excited that she might be here, but objectively? I want to run away screaming if I see her in command." Harry said.
"Why Harry?" Ron asked. "What could be so bad about her?"
"You'll see Ron. If she is the commander, you'll see very soon." Harry answered.
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Breakfast had just finished when the sound of a blast from a horn rang from outside. Harry quickly stood, turning to the head table.
"That would be them." He said, before moving to the door. He hadn't gone more than half way across the length of the great hall before the doors were pushed open from beyond, and an elf entered, looking around.
"So this is Hogwarts is it? I've heard so much about it! I can't wait to have some fun." Then the female elf caught sight of Harry. "Bolt! How good to see you again!"
"Hello Allia! You don't know how glad I am too see you again." Harry said, grinning.
"Now, now, Harry, what have I told you? Call me Flame. After all, what's the point of having a Marauder title if you aren't going to use it?" The red-haired elf said.
The whole school, minus the newly initiated Marauders, paled at the news that there was now another Marauder within Hogwart's walls. They'd seen just the other day what one Marauder could do. They shuddered at the thought of what might be in store for them now.
