Chapter 13 A Proposition

A couple of weeks had gone by since his birthday party and Corin was keeping busy. Weapons training had continued with the siblings and due to being such a fast learner, he was almost up to the same level as his teachers. He had been keeping in touch with Dumbledore as well who kept him up to date on the wizarding world. Voldemort had been furious at the revelation of Harry Potter's innocence and the freedom of Dumbledore and had started attacking more frequently and ruthlessly. Albus had also revealed his concerns at finding a new DADA teacher and worries that Voldemort would grow bold enough in the coming year to attack Hogwarts.

Corin lay in the backyard of the house watching the sunset while the two Knealin cubs played in the grass. The cubs had grown very quickly and were now the size of small housecats. Their wings weren't mature enough yet to fly, but that didn't keep them from trying. The two elves had to constantly watch their familiars to make sure they didn't get it into their heads to jump off of something high in their impatience to fly. Artue had jumped on Calie and was in the process of chewing on her ear when Corin decided to rescue the female knealin from his familiar.

"Artue, tula sinome." (Artue, come here.) The little dark-silver and black cub trotted up the slight hill to the elf and watched curiously as Corin wrapped a towel he'd summoned around his arm. "We are going to start exercising your wings, since you're so impatient to fly." He lifted the knealin to perch on his forearm. "Now, hold onto the towel with your claws and flap your wings." He lifted his arm up and down and watched amused as Artue strained his little wings trying to take off. This went on for a good ten minutes when they were interrupted.

Corin heard phoenix song on the night wind and turned in surprise as Fawkes soared over the trees and landed next to him.

"Fawkes, mankoi naa lle sinome?" (Fawkes, why are you here?) He placed Artue in his lap as he asked this and Fawkes trilled and gestured with his head to a letter tied to his leg. "Lekmee ten'amin?" (A letter for me?) He untied it and scratched the phoenix on the neck as he read the letter from his old headmaster.

Dear Corintur,

I hope this letter finds you well. The wizarding world is still somewhat chaotic at the moment. Voldemort has been frequently attacking muggle cities and it's all the aurors and obliviators can do to keep our world secret from the muggles. Since the revelation of your innocence there have been more and more calls for impeachment in regards to Cornelius Fudge. The vote will take place this weekend and from what I hear from my contacts in the Ministry, the majority is for impeachment. If he is voted out, one of the candidates is likely to be Arthur Weasley and perhaps Amelia Bones as well.

Now, to get to the reason for my letter. I sent Fawkes with two letters; one to you and one to the elven council. As you know, I am very concerned with how daring Voldemort is getting and I'm worried that his next target will be Hogwarts sometime in the coming school year. Therefore, I have written the elven council in hopes that they will send a score or so of elves to help guard and possibly fight.

Now you're probably wondering why I'm writing you about this. Corin I'd like to ask you to consider becoming one of the DADA professors. I know what this would mean to you, coming back to teach and work along side the ones who betrayed you. All I ask is that you consider it. If you accept, you would be teaching years one through four and Sirius and Remus would teach years five through seven. I ask this for several reasons. One is that if Voldemort does come to Hogwarts, I'd like you with me when we face him. Another is purely an educational standpoint, the students would benefit greatly from a teacher with experience in both elven and wizarding magic. The last reason for me to ask this is that I believe that being around your old friends would go a long way in healing you. You wouldn't have to tell them who you are, in fact, I would recommend not to until you are ready to forgive. I know it would be hard, but you could do it.

Another class I would like to have this term is wandless fighting. I would like it if you could teach this class as well, but if you are not ready to come back to Hogwarts, perhaps you could recommend someone to teach. It would be mainly hand-to-hand combat, perhaps some staff, sword or dagger fighting for the more advanced students. You are my first choice for this position, but I leave the decision up to you.

Please consider my offer Corin, I do not ask it lightly. Take this week to think about it and reply when you have made a decision.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards

By the time he'd finished reading his jaw was hanging open. Artue batted at his nose and he barely blinked. This was how Laurea found him, starring dumbstruck at the letter in his hand.

"Corin, mani naa raika?" (Corin, what is wrong?) When she spoke, he snapped out of his daze and silently handed the letter to her. While she down next to him and read it, he absently stroked Artue's coat who purred so loudly it almost sounded like a growl. When she had finished, she turned to him and stared into his eyes. Her ice blue gaze bore into his own, and he almost felt as if she was reading all his thoughts and emotions, trying to judge if he was ready for this.

"Mani uma lle noa 'Rea?" (What do you think 'Rea?) She chewed on her lower lip, then slowly nodded as she made a decision.

"Auta mela," (Go love,) She said softly, "Dumbledore maure lle." (Dumbledore needs you.) He thought for awhile longer, then nodded his agreement.

"Quel'sai." (Very well.) He decided, then looked at her pensively. "But what about Sirius and Remus? Not to mention Ron and Hermione will be in their sixth year."

Laurea thought for a moment, "Be aloof, to the point of being snobbish. Only let close those who you trust. You won't have to worry about teaching Ron and Hermione unless they decide to take the wandless fighting class, in which case you'll have perhaps five other elves helping you teach, including me." He looked up, surprised. "You didn't think I'd let my soul-mate go off by himself did you?"

He gave a relieved smile and she leaned her head against his shoulder as he put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. They watched as the stars began to come out in the twilight sky and snuggled together thinking about what would come in the next few weeks.

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Corin, Laurea, and twenty other elves stood at the gates of Kalayaana saying farewell to family and friends a week later. They would arrive a week before school started in which time Corin would meet the other teachers, attend staff meetings and prepare for his classes which would start on the first of the month. The other elves would get to know the layout of Hogwarts and courtesy of The Marauder's Map, know every hidden passage as well. Oron was coming also, joining the elven guard and helping Corin, Laurea and three other elves in the wandless fighting class.

Finally it was about five minutes until the portkey (an elven rope) was set to activate. Last minute hugs were given and everyone took their places.

"Tenna' ento lye omenta." (Until next we meet.) One of the elders said in farewell to the group.

"Tenna' san." (Until then.) They replied as the portkey activated and the group disappeared.


Hey all, if you've read my story before, you might be able to tell I've made a few changes. Some parts that I felt were unclear were expanded upon. Also in a review, someone mentioned it was hard to remember everyone's names 'cause I used so many 'A' names. (so sue me, my name starts with an A...) So I changed Aarien (Laurea, Oron, Aranel, and Ailin's mother) to Serie. The name Aarien never seemed to fit anyways. Serie sounds more elvish... (to me anyways.)

Oh, also, jeangab057 asked which elvish site I used to write the elvish in my story. I used two primary sites:

http:e. I used it to find almost all of my character names. Each of the names were chosen based on 1. if they sounded like they would fit the character, and 2. on the meaning of the name. For example, Laurea means 'golden', Aranel means 'princess', Soron 'eagle', Isilmolor 'moonlit dream', Serie 'peace', and so on. I had fun choosing them!! ;D

I've gotten Chapter 14 about halfway done and it should be up soon. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, I have enjoyed reading all of them. Well, that's all. Please continue to leave reviews and feel free to give suggestions on how I can make Harry Potter and the Sanctuary of Light better.

Arye