Disclaimer: The characters and their world are the property of J.K. Rowling, various publishers and Warner Bros. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: My special thanks to John Adams for her friendship and help in beta reading this story, and for keeping me on character with Harry and the gang. Also for her many suggestions that made this story better than it would have been.

Chapter Note: I have always had a passion for Greek mythology, and so I hope you will excuse some mythological references in this chapter. Laxsor's hawk, Aeolus, is named for the god of the winds. Hepheastus was one of the twelve Olympian Gods; and was the patron of craftsmen, and was a master craftsman himself.

CHAPTER 17: THE MEETING AT MAES HOWE

By December, Professor Dumbledore was convinced more than ever that he had made the right choice in his four new teachers. Their unique teaching styles and natural enthusiasm had resulted in a significant improvement in test scores for all four classes that they taught; and the other teachers, with the exception of Professor Snape, were beginning to modify their own teaching methods to reflect a more progressive approach.

Professor Dumbledore was so impressed with the results that he decided to accelerate their training. After discussions with professors McGonagall and Lupin, the Headmaster decided to offer the teens the opportunity to teach the sixth-year class in their respective subjects. He realized that this would represent a heavy workload, but he believed that with the help of the other instructors they could do it. He wished for the four to start their new assignments immediately after the holidays, but that would create certain conflicts that would have to be addressed. The most pressing of these was a time conflict with classes that the students were required to take for their N.E.W.Ts. But, as always, Professor Dumbledore had a plan for addressing these conflicts.

In early December a staff meeting was scheduled with professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, Lupin and the four young people. The sixth-year Ancient Runes and Defense classes, which Harry and Luna were to teach, had a time conflict with Professor Snape's seventh-year Potions class. Likewise, the sixth-year Herbology and Transfiguration classes conflicted with Professor Flitwick's seventh-year Charms class, which both Neville and Hermione attended. The Headmaster's solution was to allow the four teens to take their N.E.W.Ts in those subjects over the holidays, and this would leave the period free in January.

"Do you see any problem preparing Hermione and Neville to take their Charms N.E.W.T. over the holidays?" The headmaster asked Professor Flitwick.

The tiny wizard thought for a moment before answering. "No Albus, both of them are in the top ten percent of my class, and I can find extra time to work with them this month. Both of them will be prepared to pass their N.E.W.T. in Charms by month end."

"And can you have Harry and Luna prepared, Severus?"

"No. I regret to say that both Mister Potter and Miss Lovegood are too deficient to pass their N.E.W.T. exams this month; I even have doubts that Mister Potter will be able to pass at the end of the term." Professor Snape said with a sneer.

Harry felt his anger rising at the Potion Masters words. Both he and Luna were in the top ten percent of their class, in spite of Snape's best efforts to mark them lower. How dare he say such things? But before Harry could speak, Professor Dumbledore signaled him to be silent.

"I quite understand, Severus," the Headmaster began. "Such 'deficient' students would require quite a bit of help to successfully take their exams early. That is why I've just decided to tutor them personally. Unfortunately, the only time that I have available directly conflicts with your class. Therefore, effectively immediately, I am forced to remove them from your seventh-year Potions class. But I can assure you, Severus, that they will pass their N.E.W.T. examination in Potions."

"But you can't, Headmaster." Professor Snape said hastily.

"Not to worry, Severus. If you remember, I'm fully qualified to teach several subjects, including Potions. I have my own laboratory directly above us."

Harry would never forget the look of complete defeat on Professor Snape's face.

And indeed immediately after Christmas the teens did pass their N.E.W.T exams with high scores. And when the holidays ended the four young instructors started teaching their sixth-year classes.

Professor Dumbledore had no illusions about Harry and Luna; he knew that their destiny would soon lead them away from their friends. But in the time they had he believed that they could make a real difference. Prophesies are notoriously vague as far as timing is concerned, and the prophesy of Rowena Ravenclaw was no exception. The old Headmaster hoped that his two favorite students would have the time to leave their mark, and perhaps to bring a child of their own into the world; anyway he was determined to give them the chance.

The Headmaster could never have guessed it, but on that very night the first-born daughter of Harry and Luna was to make a rather important difference herself, in a forest meeting with a very confused dark wizard.

Mallick hadn't forgotten his mission; not during the euphoria of his Quidditch match, nor in the comfortable warmth of the Gryffindor common room. His master had sent him to Hogwarts to learn everything possible about Harry Potter, his strengths and his weaknesses; and that was a mission which he fully intended to complete. He carefully maintained his low profile in Gryffindor house while he watched and evaluated his subjects, for he realized early on that his master's possible adversary was not simply Harry Potter; but also all those who stood with him. As he learned more about the six teens, he began to realize that Voldemort was facing a very difficult task. All this and more did he relay to his master; but he never stopped searching for the possible weakness that might change the balance.

Perhaps the weakness he sought might be found in their dreams, and he didn't hesitate to venture even there. He had already learned that the two teens were sharing visions in their sleep, but he was unable to learn their exact nature. Visions were something that always interested Mallick, and might provide the key that he needed. He was a highly skilled Legilimen in his own right, trained by no less a person than Laxsor himself, so he foresaw no real trouble breaking into the dreams of two teenagers. But in that assumption, he was to be severely disappointed.

He waited until late one night, when Harry's defenses would be the weakest, and attempted to enter the boy's mind. He was not overly surprised to discover a stone wall blocking his entry. This was a standard type of Projection Defense that he had encountered before, and he was sure that his own strong will would quickly tear it down. But he found that as quickly as he tore the wall down, it would rebuild itself even faster. Making no progress at all, he finally gave up in frustration.

The next night he attempted to enter Luna Lovegood's dreams, and in doing so Mallick began one of the strangest adventures of his life. He expected to meet some degree of resistance, but there was none whatsoever. He found himself on a tree-shaded path in a deep green forest. For a moment he thought that it was going to be quite easy, and he started to walk along the trail through the trees. He was confident that at the end of the trail he would find Luna Lovegood and the information he sought. But as the day wore on, and the sun rose higher in the sky, there was simply no end in sight. It was a very pleasant walk; the forest reminding him very much of the woods of southern Germany, where he had played as a child, but he simply wasn't getting anywhere.

Finally, Mallick stopped to rest beside a sparkling blue stream that wound and twisted its way through the woods. It appeared to originate from a small waterfall that he could see a little further up the trail. Resigning himself to the fact that further searching would be futile, he decided to break the connection with Luna's mind and try to access their dreams some other way. He closed his eyes and mentally stepped out of the dream; but when he opened his eyes again the green forest and sparkling stream was still there. He tried again, concentrating his will into breaking the connection; but the result was the same. For the first time he began to feel traces of real concern; could he be trapped in this strange green dream world? Almost desperately he tried one last time to break the charm. He closed his eyes tightly, blocked out the sounds of the stream and forest, and concentrated all his will power at breaking the connection.

"Hello," a soft, high pitched voice said. "Beautiful isn't it?"

Mallick's eyes popped open in shock, and he looked around wildly for the source of the sound.

"I didn't mean to disturb your meditation," the voice of a little girl said apologetically. "This is just such a lovely place; I come here often when I want to think."

He spun around and there, a few meters along the trail, a young girl of about nine years old was sitting on a rock. Quickly gathering what was left of his wits, Mallick responded, "Yes, it's quite lovely. Who are you?"

"I'm Lizzie," the little girl responded absently, playing with a long strand of her sandy colored hair. "My Mum sent me here to keep you company. She's busy right now."

"Your Mum?" Mallick asked, more than a little bit bewildered by the whole experience. "Who is your Mum?"

"Mum is Mum," the little girl responded, as if it was too obvious to require an explanation. But then seeing the look of total confusion on Mallick's face, she smiled and hopping down from her rock she walked over and took his hand. "Maybe you had better sit down, you don't look well."

He didn't really feel too well, so he did sit down on the trunk of a fallen tree that lay by the path. The little girl looked at the log dubiously; and realizing that it was too tall for her to sit down on, she raised her arms up to Mallick. "Help me, please?" She asked sweetly.

He looked at her like this was all some kind of bizarre nightmare, but then he stood up and carefully lifted the little girl up onto the log. Then, resuming his seat, tried to reason the whole thing out. Had he been drawn into some kind of a strange trap? Was someone assaulting his mind, or worse, trying to drive him mad? And who was this strange little girl that looked like a younger version of Luna Lovegood?

Mallick decided that he had better play along and see if he could find a way out of this strange world. "Lizzie, you said that your Mother is busy. What is she doing?" He asked, trying to keep the desperation he was feeling out of his voice.

"Oh, Mum and Daddy are watching my little brother get born." The little girl said, twisting a strand of her hair absently. "So you see it is a bit important….It's a vision you know."

"A vision?" Mallick responded, suddenly quite alert.

"Oh yes," the little girl replied. "Last night they dreamed of my ninth birthday, and I got so many nice things. I got a dolly, and my own cauldron, so I can help Mum, and I got my first wand." A look of slight concern crossed the little girls face. "Don't tell anyone about that, I'm not supposed to get my wand till I go to school. Of course, I have to get born first"

"You're not born yet?" Mallick asked, thinking that he must be loosing his mind.

"No, not yet….I saw a Sorkack over by that rock just yesterday," the little girl responded, changing the subject and pointed over to the side of the trail. "I tried to pet him, but he hopped away." It was clear that Lizzie was becoming rather bored with the course of the conversation.

"Do they ever have dreams about the Dark Lord?" Mallick asked, trying to keep the little girl on topic.

"I don't think so. Is he a friend of yours?"

"No!" Mallick responded, unable to suppress the look of complete disgust evident on his face.

"Would you like to go for a walk, or take a swim?" Lizzie asked hopefully, as she felt she was wasting a perfectly good dream with his silly questions.

"No, I think I had best be getting back. I'll come back later to see your Mother." And then, after a moment's hesitation he asked, "How do I get back?"

"Oh, that's easy. Just close your eyes and say the magic words, 'Crumple Horned Snorkacks,' and then you click your heels together three times"

Mallick thought it rather strange, but this whole experience had been rather strange. He stood up and started to close his eyes, but then opened them again when he remembered that he had forgotten something. "It's been very nice to meet you, Lizzie," he said sincerely, and helped her down from the log. Then he closed his eyes again, and saying the 'magic words' he clicked his heels together three times. It was with great relief that he woke up in his bed at Hogwarts the next morning, and he resolved never to venture into Luna Lovegood's dreams again.

- o -

But if Mallick was facing challenges, they were nothing compared to what his master was facing. Lord Voldemort had grown tired of waiting, and a surprise discovery made Laxsor's help no longer necessary. Voldemort was now eager to return to England and take the offensive; but before going, he wanted to leave his old friend a parting gift.

Laxsor was working late in his study one night in December, trying to make a coherent picture of the mass of information that was coming back from Hogwarts, the Mountain Chalet in Switzerland, and his own invasions of Voldemort's mind. The more he analyzed the information, the more doubtful he was of Dark Lord's chances. The odds were just too much against him.

It had become clear that Voldemort had been reduced to just a handful of followers; some still in England and some with him here. And though much of his power was still intact, he did not have the power to launch a major offensive. Laxsor learned from Voldemort's mind that his followers in England were close to developing the legendary "Shield of Astragal." Should he ever gain such power he would be practically invincible; something that Laxsor would do almost anything to prevent.

On the other hand, Laxsor now had no doubts that the Dark Lord did indeed have access to a Vale of Death; something that he had long coveted. But how to acquire the Vale without giving Voldemort what he wanted, that was the problem. Once the Dark Lord had both the Sword and Shield of Astragal he would be unstoppable, and Laxsor had no doubts that he would also be one of the first targets.

At that moment there was a knock at the door of the study. Laxsor casually waved his hand and the door swung open to admit a small House Elf, dressed in the forest green garments that traditionally signified an elf of some rank within a household. The elf approached his master gravely and made a deep bow.

"Good evening, Golack." Laxsor said with some degree of surprise. "What brings you here from the Mountain Chalet?"

"Grave tidings, Master. The chalet is no more; the Dark Lord has destroyed it." Golack responded sadly.

"Tell me all that has happened," Laxsor said soberly.

"The Dark Lord somehow learned that the chalet contained Dream Stones, we don't know how. He flew into a rage, promising a terrible revenge against you. He killed several members of my family, and then he destroyed the chalet itself. I and those who survived came here"

"I'm sorry, Golack. I mourn with you in your loss." Laxsor said somberly, silent rage hidden behind his words. "We will rebuild the Mountain Chalet, and he who destroyed it will feel my wrath. The fault was not yours, nor that of your family; please make that clear to them. They can serve here in the castle until their own home is rebuilt."

"Thank you, Master. I also have another matter to report. This morning the Dark Lord had a visitor from England, a wizard named Macnair. The Dark Lord put a silencing charm on the room, so they could not be overheard; but I was already concealed within, and heard everything. Macnair brought a pendent that he called the Shield of Astragal, and Voldemort seemed very excited to receive it." The House Elf noticed his Master pale at this news, but finished his story. "Macnair said they were working out of an old mansion near Middlesex, and would await further orders there"

"Thank you Golack, you serve me well. Tell your family that they all serve me well."

"Thank you Lord," the House Elf said, bowing his way out of the room.

As soon as the elf had left, Laxsor called to a large, grey hawk perched majestically on a stand by the window. It spread its powerful wings and flew over to land on its master's desk.

"I have a mission for you, Aeolus." Laxsor said grimly, as he hastily scribbled a note on a piece of parchment. "I need you to take this message to Mallick at Hogwarts Castle. You know Mallick's many guises, so you should have no trouble recognizing him. He has taken on the role of a student; so if you deliver your message in the morning, with the owl posts, it should cause little suspicion. All of our fates may depend on this message getting through, my faithful Aeolus, so do not fail." As he was speaking he attached the parchment to the bird's leg. The bird then spread its wings and flew to a nearby window, cast a glance back at its master, and launched itself out into the darkness.

After the hawk had flew away, Laxsor sat down at his desk and took a dark colored pendent from a secret drawer, and studied it intently. The pendent was not particularly attractive, but it looked extremely old; as indeed it was. The crystal that was its heart was a smoky grey color, and seemed to radiate the great power which it contained.

- o -

The next morning at Hogwarts, hundreds of owls flew into the Great Hall to deliver the morning mail. Among the owls was one grey hawk, which no one but Professor Dumbledore seemed to notice. Although it had been many years, he knew the bird and he knew its master. The Headmaster watched attentively as the bird delivered its message to the seventh-year transfer student in Gryffindor.

Professor Dumbledore smiled grimly and turned to Professor McGonagall. "I should like you to arrange a meeting with Harry and Luna immediately after breakfast. I should like you to be present as well, Minerva." Minerva McGonagall noticed a slight note of urgency in the Headmaster's voice, but she knew better than to ask; and she hurried off to make the arrangements.

A few minutes later Harry and Luna were standing before the gargoyle that protected the stairway to Professor Dumbledore's office; the young wizard was wondering what had happened that would cause them to miss their first class of the day. Professor McGonagall had merely said that it was an urgent matter and that their teaching assignments would be covered by other teachers. Luna apparently sensed Harry's concern, and giving him a reassuring smile she took his hand. He smiled back at her a bit sheepishly, and knocked on the door. The door swung open by itself and the two entered to find the Headmaster seated at his desk with Professor McGonagall standing beside him.

"Good morning." He said, motioning the two teens to comfortable chairs that were facing his desk. "Thank you both for coming so promptly. Something happened this morning that we need to discuss. Did either of you notice a grey hawk that entered the Great Hall with this mornings owl post?"

"Yes," Harry responded at once, "I saw Eric receive a letter delivered by a grey hawk. I thought it a little unusual at the time; I've never heard of a hawk being used to deliver mail."

"They rarely are; generally hawks don't have the temperament for such mundane tasks. But it happens that I know that hawk. Its master is a most unusual man; extremely brilliant and potentially quite dangerous. Have either of you ever heard of a wizard named Laxsor?"

Both students confessed that they had not, but the surprised look on Professor McGonagall's face told them that the name belonged to a person of some importance.

"It's regrettable that Professor Binns isn't a better teacher," Professor Dumbledore mused. "History can be a truly fascinating subject when taught by someone better able to inspire a person's interest. Also, the young tend to be more interested in the present and the future; while as you grow older you develop a greater appreciation for the past."

"There have been three great dark wizards over the last century. One was Grindlewald, the second was Voldemort and the last is Laxsor. But Laxsor has always been different from the other two; Grindlewald and Voldemort were dominated by a lust for power, but it's a lust for knowledge that motivates Laxsor. He has always sought isolation from the world for reflection and research. As he has never posed a threat to our world, the two of us have remained at peace. Indeed, in the war against Grindlewald, Laxsor served as a strong ally. The grey hawk belongs to him."

"You had a dark wizard as an ally?" Harry asked in shock.

"Yes, Harry, I did. When you're young you tend to see things very much in black and white; but as you grow older you'll find that most things are actually shades of grey. Laxsor is indeed a dark wizard, but without his help we could have never defeated Grindlewald. But you see, Laxsor fits into that grey area. He practices the dark arts, but does so in the solitude of his castle in southern Germany; where he has shut out the rest of the world. We became allies because Grindelwald represented as much a threat to him as he did to us."

"But why would this dark wizard be contacting a seventeen-year-old boy in Gryffindor?" Professor McGonagall asked, clearly perplexed.

"If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Van Meer is a good deal older than seventeen. Laxsor has a remarkable servant named Mallick, although servant isn't exactly the right term. He's really more of a collaborator, and Laxsor treats him as such. But while Laxsor prefers isolation for his researches, Mallick has always preferred the exhilaration of field work. Together they make a most powerful combination."

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Headmaster." Professor McGonagall responded.

"Among Mallick's other talents, he's a very skilled Metamorph. I believe that he's been attending Hogwarts for the last four months in the person of Mr. Eric Van Meer."

"But why?" Harry and Luna asked together.

"That is the very question that troubles me. The evidence seems to suggest some sort of an alliance between Voldemort and Laxsor. Though I would find it difficult to believe that Laxsor would ever consider such an arrangement; if the Dark Lord were ever to gain power, Laxsor would almost certainly be one of his first targets for elimination. I think I need to contact my old friend, and see if I can learn his intentions. Laxsor is a master strategist, and far more subtle than Voldemort; and would make a very formidable opponent."

At that moment there came a knock on the door. Professor Dumbledore waved his hand and it swung open to reveal a young man wearing Gryffindor robes.

"Ah, Mallick, we were just speaking about you. Won't you come and join us?" Dumbledore said with a smile, and indicated a chair which had just appeared next to Harry.

The young man looked at Dumbledore with some degree of surprise, and then smiled in delight and replied. "Certainly, Albus, I would be delighted."

"So Mallick, how do you find our school?" The Headmaster began.

"I find Hogwarts to be a remarkable school, superior to my own Durmstrang in many areas. The only area that I could possibly fault Hogwarts on is your Dark Arts classes, which I find rather lacking."

"Yes, but you must remember, Mallick. Our philosophy is quite different from that of Durmstrang. We don't teach our students the Dark Arts, we teach them to defend against them."

"Ah, yes; there is a basic philosophical difference. Nevertheless I have enjoyed my stay at your school very much." Then turning to Harry and Luna he continued, "I very much regret that I will miss your next Quidditch match against Ravenclaw House; I have never played with a better team than yours." Then with a note of regret in his voice he added, "It's a pity that my school team of fifty years ago could never meet yours of today, it would have been quite a match indeed." With that remark, Mallick's features began to age and his hair turned to grey.

"Perhaps you and your Master would consider being my guests for the next match?" Dumbledore suggested.

Mallick smiled wistfully. "I should like that very much, Albus."

"Would it be inappropriate of me to ask the nature of the reports that you sent to your Master?"

"Perhaps inappropriate, Dumbledore; but not altogether unexpected. I told my master that Mr. Potter is a very powerful and resourceful young wizard; and with the help of the five friends that always stand with him, he would be a most formidable adversary. I might add that I've also suggested that Voldemort is the real threat, to all of us. The Dark Lord has offered my Master a great prize in exchange for his help. Knowing him as you do, I'm sure you can guess what that is."

"Do you think your Master would consent to meet with us?"

"As a matter of fact, I received a message from him this very morning requesting such a meeting. I'm sure you saw Aeolus fly into the Great Hall. We have no love for this "Dark Lord" either, and perhaps its time to speak of an alliance. My master also requests that Mr. Potter and Miss Lovegood be present."

"Yes, I think it's time that they did meet your master," said Professor Dumbledore, rising from his chair. "Then we will see you at the "Old Place" at sunrise tomorrow?" Dumbledore asked.

"I've never been to Maes Howe in the winter before, but that is the ideal place. I will inform my master of time and place. Until the morrow then Dumbledore," Mallick replied, also rising. But as he was about to leave he hesitated a moment, and then turned to address Harry and Luna. "It's been a rare pleasure for me to be a Gryffindor, if even for so short a time." And then he was gone.

Seeing the questioning look on Harry's face, Professor Dumbledore smiled slightly, and then returned to his seat and began to explain. "Maes Howe is a Neolithic Burial site in the Orkneys, on the island of Stromness. Several hundred years before the time of Merlin a powerful charm was placed on the site that prevents any treachery or use of offensive magic in the vicinity. For the better part of two millenniums it has been used as a neutral meeting place for warring factions. All are safe from treachery at Maes Howe. During the summer it's usually crowded with muggle tourists, but we should have it to ourselves tomorrow."

"Did you understand what Eric…err, Mallick meant when he said Voldemort had offered a great prize?" Harry asked.

"Laxsor has always had a fascination with the processes of life and death, though he doesn't fear it as Voldemort does." Dumbledore said musing. "I believe that Tom may be offering Laxsor the 'Veil of Death' from the Ministry, so he can continue his researches. I can think of nothing else that could forge such an unlikely alliance. And that gives me an idea; but it's something that I must discuss with Arthur Weasley first. Both of you need to get a good night's sleep. We will meet in front of the Great Hall at five tomorrow morning."

As it was halfway through their first class, the two teens decided to skip the remainder of it and go for a walk around the lake to talk about all they had heard. At lunch, they asked their friends outside so they could fully discuss the matter. But not even Hermione could keep Ron from bring a plate of food along with him.

"I've heard of Laxsor," said Hermione knowingly. "It was his influence with dark wizards that took away most of Grindelwald's support, and gave Dumbledore the help he needed to defeat him. His knowledge of the dark arts is supposed to be even greater than Voldemorts; he would make a valuable ally."

"I think that is what Dumbledore has in mind," Harry responded. "We'll know in the morning."

- o -

The next morning Harry and Luna woke up early and dressed in their warmest winter robes and cloaks; Dumbledore having warned them that winter in the Orkneys can be bitterly cold. After a quick breakfast in the kitchen, thanks to Dobby and the other house elves, the two went to meet the Headmaster. The three left the castle just as the first light of dawn began to show in the eastern skies, and after they had passed the gates of Hogwarts they Apparated to Maes Howe.

Harry found himself standing in a snow covered field, still holding Luna's hand. There was a light snow falling and a chilly wind blowing. It was fortunate that they had put warming spells on themselves before leaving the castle; because in this hostile environment their winter cloaks would simply not be enough. Dumbledore pointed to a rather innocuous looking mound a short distance away, and declared it to be Maes Howe; and the three started to trudge through the snow towards it.

Professor Dumbledore used his wand to unlock the iron gates that secured the tomb, and using the light from their wands they made their way down the narrow stone passage that led to the inner chamber. As they were moving cautiously along, Harry couldn't help but wonder why he was spending so much of his life in tombs; first Arthur's and now this. Reaching the inner chamber, and realizing that they had arrived first, they set about making it more habitable. Dumbledore created a magical fire that gave off warmth, but no smoke; while Harry and Luna transfigured several stones into chairs. And then they settled down to wait.

While Harry and Professor Dumbledore talked in hushed tones, Luna took the opportunity to translate some of the runic symbols on the wall.

"Anything interesting?" Harry asked, as he walked up and put an arm around her back.

"No, not really," she responded, laying her head against his shoulder, "Just twelfth-century Viking graffiti."

At that moment they heard someone trudging down the passage from the entrance. Both Harry and Luna tensed, and held their wands inside their cloaks; but Dumbledore seemed to recognize the steps and showed no apprehension at all. A moment later two men entered the chamber, heavily bundled up in winter cloaks and caked with snow. The two pulled off their cloaks and shook the snow from them, and then moved to the fire to soak in some of its warmth. Harry recognized the first as the wizard who had been introduced to him as Mallick; the second man was older, with a long salt-and-pepper beard and severe blue eyes.

"Dumbledore, the years have been kind to you my old friend," the older of the two said in a gruff but cultured voice. "You hardly look a day older than the last time we met, so many long years ago. And here we meet again, to deal with yet another ambitious upstart." Harry was surprised that he detected genuine admiration and even affection in the voice of the strange wizard.

"We have seen a great many winters you and I, and yet we still endure." Dumbledore replied.

"That is because we are wise enough to understand our place in the world; and not waste our energies in needless struggle. The world has both a dark and a light side, but the two need not be in conflict." But then changing the subject he added. "But I admit I am getting too old to endure these cruel Orkney winters. May I suggest we arrange our next meeting for someplace warmer, such as the south of France?"

Dumbledore chuckled as he replied. "I too feel the chill in my old bones, and a warmer climate would be welcome. I'll start looking for a suitable tomb along the Riviera coast for our next meeting. I'm sure my young friends, and perhaps Mallick as well, would enjoy their sunny beaches better than this rock bound coast."

"Ah yes, Mr. Potter and Miss Lovegood, I have been looking forward to meeting both of them." He said warmly, as he extended his hand to Harry first.

Harry shook it warily, and at his apparent caution Laxsor laughed loudly. "You wouldn't by chance know a rather excellent auror by the name of Alastor Moody, would you?"

"He helped train me." Harry replied, completely surprised by the question.

"I thought I sensed his influence. I should like to meet him once again; he was a remarkable man, and a remarkable auror. 'Constant vigilance' is always a good motto, especially in these cruel times….And this must be Miss Lovegood," Laxsor continued, taking Luna's hand warmly. "I knew your grandmother, child; during the last war. I can see that you inherited both her courage and her beauty. You are indeed fortunate, Mr. Potter."

"And what of this war, Laxsor? I find it hard to believe that you would ally yourself with someone such as Voldemort." Dumbledore said.

"War makes strange alliances, but I have never agreed to anything. I merely agreed to examine the possibilities, which I have done. I'm no fool, Dumbledore. I know well that if Voldemort were to win this war, he would immediately set about my own destruction; something I'm not prepared to accept. But I had hoped that a false alliance might gain me both time and a prize that I have long coveted."

"He's offered you the Veil of Death from the Ministry." Dumbledore said conclusively.

"Yes. But the Veil is no longer of importance; survival is now of greater importance. I learned two days ago that he has gained possession of the Shield of Astragal. That is the reason for this meeting, to discuss how we can defeat our mutual enemy."

Dumbledore looked grave, more so than Harry has ever seen him. "If he possesses the Shield, then no power muggle or magical can touch him. I'm afraid we are lost."

"You really should have spent more time studying the darker side of magic; there is much value in all magical study. In this case, the dark side of magic may provide the solution we seek If we cannot defeat the holder of the Shield, then we must defeat the Shield itself."

A glimmer of hope appeared in the Headmaster's eyes. "How?"

"I have two weapons for Mr. Potter; weapons that may allow him to destroy Tom Riddle." As he spoke, Laxsor withdrew something from his robes. "Have you ever heard of 'The Wrekin', Dumbledore?"

After a moments reflection the old Headmaster replied with a dawning awareness. "Yes, I've heard legends of an ancient talisman that can take away magic power, but I've always heard that it was just a myth."

"No, 'The Wrekin' exists, and has been in my family's keeping for more than a thousand years; but no one can calculate its true age." He said, as he showed all present a smoky grey crystal pendant surrounded by runic symbols. "The crystal has the power to mute all magical energy within the view of the wearer for a period of one solar day. Wear it around your neck, Harry; and when you meet Voldemort invoke its powers. It will render all within your field of vision powerless for a day; but be aware that it will also mute your own powers."

"But how can Harry defeat Tom if he has no powers of his own?" Luna ventured to ask.

"With this!" Laxsor declared, as he withdrew a sharply pointed, black crystal dagger from his robes. "The Shield of Astragal makes the bearer immune to any muggle or magical power; but he won't be immune to this. This dagger dates from the beginning of recorded time, when a great war erupted between the Kingdom of the Elves and a group of dark wizards determined to conquer them. Years before, the King of the Elves had befriended the Olympian god Hephaestus, when Zeus had him banished from Olympus because of his deformity. The Elfin King helped Hephaestus established a forge below the volcano on the Island of Lemnos, where he worked and lived in peace. When the Elves were facing certain defeat, and the triumph of the dark wizards was nearly certain, Hephaestus made ten of these obsidian blades to swing the balance, and show the Elves his gratitude. The daggers were made from the living magma of the volcano, and their blades were infused with the blood of the Hydra. With these daggers the dark wizards were destroyed; and this is the one surviving weapon. Nothing living can survive the slightest scratch from its blade; and as it is neither muggle nor magical, neither can Voldemort survive its touch." With that, Laxsor carefully returned the blade to its scabbard and handed it to Harry. "It has a long history of evil, but perhaps in this case it can be used for good."

Dumbledore nodded to Harry, and he somewhat hesitantly accepted both the dagger and the pendent. "Thank you…I think."

"No fear, Harry. Using these weapons will not turn you to a dark wizard. A dark wizard would use these without hesitation or regret; but I can sense the guilt you are feeling. You must remember the great evil that Voldemort has done in the past, and will do in the future if he survives. He is an enemy to all of us, both light and dark. You may count on me as an ally, Harry." Laxsor said, again taking Harry's hand.

"And I have something to offer you, though we no longer need to bargain for it. The Minister of Magic is willing to give you unrestricted access to the Veil of Death to conduct your researches." Dumbledore said.

"I accept your offer with pleasure, Albus. As I approach the great barrier that separates this life from the next, I long to complete my researches. Access to the Veil will greatly assist me."

Then after a moments thought he added. "I must warn you that Voldemort is on the move, and his attack will come soon. He believes himself to be invincible, and he is eager to resume the offensive. He has learned of my…err, less than benevolent surveillance of him and has disappeared, after first destroying the chalet I gave him for shelter. I must assume he's either in England, or on the way. I have learned that his supporters number only a handful; the two who accompany him and four more in England. I have already spread the word among my associates on the Continent that Mr. Potter is too powerful to oppose, and that the Dark Lord is doomed to fail. It is unlikely that he will gain any converts among the community of dark wizards; they have not forgotten how he deserted his followers on Avalon. However, he does currently have one spy at Hogwarts; a girl from Ravenclaw House named Mandy Brocklehurst, who has been doing a rather clumsy job of funneling him information."

"Mandy!" Both Harry and Luna exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, my friend Mallick has been taking great pleasure in throwing roadblocks in her path during his time at Hogwarts. He found it particularly amusing that when he hit her with a tripping curse, it was you who saved her, Harry. Very amusing, considering that she has been spying on you."

"I didn't know," Harry mumbled in shock.

"He also has an agent named Macnair, who is holding a group of Alchemists and Historians as prisoners in an old mansion near Middlesex. It was that group who successfully developed the Shield."

"We'll see to their rescue immediately, and I'll arrange for an auror to pick up Miss Brocklehurst for questioning," Dumbledore said grimly.

"Then I think that concludes our business for now, and I can return to the warmth of my castle." Then turning to Harry he added, "Farewell Harry Potter, I hope that the two of us can look forward to many years of peaceful coexistence." Mallick nodded to the teens as the two men threw on their cloaks, and turned to ascend the narrow passage to the surface.

When they returned to Hogwarts Castle the old Headmaster seemed preoccupied; and after a few parting words he excused himself. He said he had something to think about, but both Harry and Luna could tell he was deeply troubled. They both noticed that the old wizard didn't come down to the evening meal, an event he rarely missed, and he wasn't there for breakfast the next morning. Professor McGonagall assured them that he was alright; he just had a great deal on his mind.

From that first meeting with Laxsor onwards Harry always wore 'The Wrekin' and carried the obsidian dagger beneath his robes. He intended to be prepared when the moment came; and it would come all too soon.