Wooosh!!! that's time just flying by…man im sorry for taking so long getting this chapter out guys…I hope the extra length will appease your well deserved anger?

As always, I loooooove reviews so just go right ahead and say anything that pops to mind!

Happy reading!

Chapter 15

Despite his rather pensive frame of mind, Harry couldn't help being impressed by the twin's booming joke emporium. Weasly's Wizarding Whizzes truly reflected the characters of its owners. In other words, it was loud, confusing and could easily entertain someone for hours. Not to mention being utterly bizarre. One had to be watch where they placed their limbs in this establishment.

Tearing his eyes off of a seemingly normal cookbook which was nonetheless emitting the occasional disgusting smell, Harry joined Legolas, Darion and the three brothers in a back corner.

"Well," began Harry with a wince as the twins cheerfully slapped his back in welcome, " what's the plan now?"

"That is precisely what we were just discussing, Harry," answered Legolas, grinning at the twin's exuberant welcome. "George was informing us about your venerable professor's most recent epistle. My friend, if you would be so kind as to continue, it would be most deeply appreciated."

The fiery-haired jokester, who found Legolas' natural formality of speech and manner to be an unending source of entertainment, gave a stiff bow in answer, to which the others rolled their eyes and sighed, knowing what was coming next.

Clearing his throat, George began in a solemn voice, " 'Twas only last week hence my dearest brother Fredrick and I received from said wizard a correspondence. In said correspondence from said wizard, said wizard expressly expressed his desire that we, meaning the group now present, might join the other members of a certain organization, of which we have knowledge, at that certain organization's temporary headquarters, it's previous headquarters having been compromised at an earlier point in time."

"Are you quite done?" asked 'Fredrick' with mock exasperation.

"Quite"

Knowing full and well that he was being teased, Legolas responded with an elegant bow from the waist.

"Alright, alright, enough of that," declared Darion laughingly, "What was that bit about us being expected at a new headquarters?"

"Mmmhmm," murmured George smugly, rocking on his heels, "Bet you can't guess where it is."

"Hogwarts," said Legolas, Darion and the two boys simultaneously.

"How'd you guess?" asked Fred, apparently quite put out that their fun had ended before it had really even begun.

"Well Hogwarts is far safer that Sir-mm the old hide-out, isn't it? Especially now that we don't have to worry about hiding from the Ministry or anything, eh?" said Ron, glancing at Harry to see if his slip-up had been detected.

Harry, who had purposely ignored the near mention of his too recently deceased god-father, merely smiled at Ron and said "My thoughts exactly."

"Well this is positively excellent," said Legolas, "I had fears that the professor might attempt to set us at another task rather than send for us directly. There is much to be done at the school, enough to keep us all busy." 'Perhaps enough even to keep all of our thoughts off of certain recent events,' thought Legolas as he turned an eye on Harry as he and Ron laughed at several of the twins' newer innovations.

"But how are we supposed to get there?" inquired Ron, leaving the bottle of disappearing ink (George had warned the boys to be careful; "This disappearing ink doesn't do what you might think", he had said with a wink and a grin) as the question popped into his mind. "School doesn't start for another week," continued Ron, "and the train only runs that one time."

"Simple, you twit," said George as he cuffed his younger brother about the ears.

"We'll go be floo powder," explained Fred, gleefully watching his gangly little brother vainly attempting to escape George. The twins did so miss their "ickle Ronnykins" when he wasn't around.

"Floo powder?" murmured Legolas. "I am afraid I'm not familiar with floo powder."

"It's a pretty simple way to get around actually," explained Fred, pantomiming his descriptions. "You throw some dust in a fire and voila: instant transportation!"

"That sounds deceptively simple for what I now know of the wizarding world," said Legolas doubtfully

Recalling that during his first attempt at using floo powder he had not only been sent to the wrong exit but had gotten rather banged up along the way, Harry merely smiled weakly and agreed when the others said that the process took some getting used to.

"Do you think we could get some food before we shove off?" asked Ron. "I'm starving!"

"Hey Darion," said Ron at the man sitting across the table. The troupe had finally given in to Ron's pleas and agreed to eat quickly in the back room of the twin's shop. When the man raised his head inquiringly Ron continued, asking if the man had attended Hogwarts.

The twins, who didn't actually know much about the man apart from the fact that he was a new recruit to the Order, stopped flicking bread crumbs at Legolas and leaned in to hear his answer.

Swallowing hard and reaching for his water glass, Darion said, "Yes, I'm a Hogwarts boy all the way. I graduated nearly10 years ago." Chuckling mischeviously, Darion said, "I had some really terrific times there. Hell, you wouldn't believe…" Darion went on to impart some of his more fantastic adventures, keeping his audience in stitches the whole time.

Harry, however, was not amused. Poking around at the wares in the twins' shop with Ron had lent the only real moments of fun he had experienced since the beginning of the summer but now that he had a few moments to himself his thoughts grew angry as he recalled the injustices he felt had been dealt to him. "I am not the child they obviously consider me to be," brooded Harry. "Especially Legolas," he thought, drawing his attention to the elf as Legolas laughed melodically at one of Darion's obviously exaggerated tales.

"Who does he think he is? Pulling me aside and scolding me like he did…ridiculous…" Seeing Legolas glance over to where he sat alone, Harry pretended to be busy with his food. He sighed with relief as the ancient being turned back to the others, once again leaving him to his thoughts.

"Sirus would have understood. He was forced to be an outsider too." Harry clenched his eyes tightly, forcing back the hot tears which threatened to make themselves known. "Sirus…I wish you were here," murmured Harry in a voice too small to be heard.

"Alright then, you lot, lets be on our way. Ickle Ronny has had his snacky-poo."

"Bite me, George."

"Professor, I really would feel much better if we contacted the boys in some way," said Mrs. Weasley as she stood defiantly before Professor Dumbeldore.

"My dear Molly, I assure you that the situation is well under control," soothed the powerful professor halting his even stride toward his office.

"But professor they're days late already," argued the worried mother energetically. "And do we really know enough about that young wizard, Derrick or what have you? Not to mention a strange otherworldly elf. Now don't misunderstand me," continued Molly as the professor began to once again establish his whole-hearted belief in the man and elf, "I'm sure they're fine people, but you must understand my point of view. These are my children and…and…" Here she dropped her face into an already soggy handkerchief.

Albus patted her back soothingly. Mrs. Weasley had been a frightful mess ever since the company of six had failed to arrive at their appointed time. Truth be told, the red-headed woman wasn't the only one among the Order who was beginning to worry. Of course, Professor Dumbledore had grown to trust Legolas implicitly and had known Darion Elessa from the days of his early youth.

However, most of the other members of the Order were still wary about there being admitted into their group. For a pure-blooded, honest-to-goodness True Elf like Legolas to suddenly step out of the annals of history was strange even for the wizarding world. Beside Albus, only Professors McGonagall and Snape had even met the prince and for the latter the meeting hadn't even remotely been a pleasant experience. Yet the Headmaster had full confidence that he would win them over.

"Especially the female members of the Order," thought the professor as he recalled the prince's effect on the female population of Hogwarts.

As for Darion, though the young man was of supremely old and pure wizarding blood his family was not especially wealthy or particularly prominent in their world. Unlike the Malfoys or the Blacks, who flaunted their family trees at ever opportunity, the Elessa family were mysterious and secretive. Though Dumbledore often had dealings with Finran, Darion's grandfather and the patriarch of the Elessa clan, he still wasn't exactly clear on how the family busied themselves and he had come to the realization that he probably never would be.

Dumbledore's musings and Mrs. Weasley's now softening sobs were interrupted as Hermione ran up behind them.

"Professor! Mrs. Weasley!" she called excitedly. They both turned to face the young witch as she halted before them, face flushed and breathing heavily.

"Hermione, dear, is everything alright?" asked Molly with concern, quickly dabbing away the last of her tears before going over to the girl.

"Fred has just come through the fire in the Great Hall! I knew you would both want to know so I ran off to look for you," explained Hermione breathlessly.

At her words a wide grin spread over Mrs. Weasley's pleasant face and she trotted off to the meet her missing children and enfold each of them in a rib cracking embrace.

"You have my utter most appreciation Miss Granger," said Dumbledore to a beaming Hermione. "Come, let us go and greet the weary travelers."

"Alright mum, alright!" cried George as he and his brothers found themselves thoroughly imprisoned in their mother's iron-like embrace.

"My boys are home and safe," cried Molly, holding the boys to her bosom in a tangle of gangly arms and legs.

The dear lady's husband went over to hazard an attempt at parting his sons from his wife, laughing at the predicament along with the others in the room. Legolas had arrived as well and other than being a bit more ruffled than he might have otherwise been and perhaps the slightest bit dizzy, seemed none the worse for the trip. He was being introduced to the present members of the Order when Harry and Darion arrived together with one last resounding whoosh.

Harry's sour mood was considerably lessened when he was faced with the smiling faces of his good friends. Hermione flew into him as soon as he had stepped out of the flames, hugging him furiously before stepping back with a flushing face. Harry simply grinned at the display of friendly affection and went to welcome the others. All of the Weasley's with the exception of Bill were present, as were Mundungus, Professor McGonagall, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Lupin and of course the Headmaster and Hermione. Cheerful welcomes, hugs and good natured slaps on the back were all exchanged but when all of this was done an awkward silence fell over the group as they made valiant attempts not to stare at Legolas.

Dumbledore, sensing that this awkward setting probably wasn't the best in which to get acquainted, decreed that as the hour was late and the newest arrivals were likely very tired everyone should go to their rooms and at least make vague attempts at slumber.

"We will all have further chances to get acquainted tomorrow, I assure you," stated Dumbledore as he shooed them all off in their separate directions. "Darion, you will be staying with the twins in Gryffindor tower, if you don't overly mind."

"Ah, Gryffindor tower. No headmaster, I don't mind. I'm sure my dear friends would never do anything to make me think otherwise," smiled Darion, not failing to catch the sly winks between his roommates.

"Who, us?" asked the twins simultaneously, identically innocent expressions upon their faces.

"Enough of that, you silly twits," demanded Ginny, taking each brother by the arm. "You must come see the changes to Gryffindor!"

"What kind of changes?" asked Ron as he followed his marching sister through the winding corridors.

"You'll see," grinned Hermione as she and Ginny shared a giggle.

"Why do I feel worried?" asked Fred

"There isn't any need for worry," assured Legolas.

"You know what the change is," asked Harry, who was beginning to feel a bit guilty for giving Legolas such a cold shoulder recently.

"Well, I donated it to Hogwarts specifically for this use," replied Legolas, smiling inwardly at the silent request for truce from his young friend.

"But what is it that you donated?" asked Darion, as eager to know of these changes as any of the current pupils.

"That!" cried Ginny as they arrived at the entrance to Gryffindor.

"Surely you are not referring to us as a 'that', little witch!" cried one of the figures with consternation.

Harry was surprised to see that the portrait of the Fat Lady had been replaced by a new painting. Judging by their pointed ears and fair countenances, the subjects of the painting appeared to be the same variety of elf as Legolas. There were two elves actually, identical twins by the look of it. The duo sat comfortably at the bottom of a glorious waterfall, with what looked to be the remains of a picnic sitting between them.

Legolas grinned mischievously as the figures rose gracefully and introduced themselves with flourish.

"I am Lord Elrohir Elrondion, formerly of Imladris. Though I'm more often referred to as 'the handsome one' when in the company of my brother," said the figure on the left with a cheeky grin at Hermione and Ginny.

Both Legolas and the painting's other subject suppressed groans at this information. "You flatter yourself unnecessarily, brother," cried the second figure. "I am Lord Elladan Elrondion, also formerly of Imladris. My brother and I are your new sentries. Believe me, your lives are safest in our capable hands," ended Elladan dramatically.

Unable to hold in his amusement any longer, Legolas gave a very un-elflike snort at Elladan's last statement.

"You!" bellowed the elf twins simultaneously, narrowing their eyes at Legolas. All of the others, four of whom were still rather confused, also turned their attention toward Legolas, who was looking very amused at the moment.

"You, little tree climber, will not be granted passage," said Elrohir smugly.

"And why ever not?" asked Legolas.

"It is our decision to make princeling. That reason alone should suffice," explained the other twin as their audience attempted to decipher whether or not this animosity was real.

"Besides," continued Elrohir, "You left us facing a wall for nearly 500 years!"

"Indeed. For shame, Thranduilion! What sort of a friend would do such a nasty thing?"

Advancing towards the large painting with his arms across his chest, Legolas said menacingly, "The sort who was growing extremely weary of his guests and himself being repeatedly mocked, jeered at and tricked by a painting."

"Did you hear that, brother?" asked Elrohir of his twin in an exaggeratedly hurt voice, "He refers to our playful banter as jeering?"

"How horrid."

After moments of tense silence and angry glares between the painting elves and the physical elf, the trio burst into wild laughter.

Ginny and Hermione, who were by now familiar with the strange behavior of their new painting, merely smiled while Darion and the human twins laughed right along with their new friends, though they didn't quite understand what was so horribly funny. Ron and Harry, however, just shook their heads and shared a sigh. As if having human twins weren't enough….elves…

Ooook…what did you guys think? Will it suffice? I hope so…

Replies…

Wow- I know…I know…im horrible…I'll try my darndest to get the next one up like really soon…like soon soon

Manders1953 - writers block is whats goin on my friend…im glad you likey and I'll try to improve my tardy ways, mmk? Thanks for the review

Legosgurl- elladan and elrohir indeed J

Muses9 - he he he here they are…and don't worry if my plans go correctly there will be plenty of embarrassment ::wink::wink:: I know…poor legolas didn't go to the undying lands…maybe he will after this last adventure…we'll just have to see! Mucho thanks for the review and I'm glad you're enjoying my lil fic.

u Noe Who - thank you!

Scotie-girl - thank you!

Tinhead - mwahaha so close so very close but im afraid it's not exactly Eldarion… not exactly…he he he I get more into Darion's lineage later on but as I said, that's good thinking. Thanks for the review!

Lady Green leaf - ahhhh im sorry!! I don't know what took so long but I beg a thousand pardons! Please don't die, I don't know if I could take the guilt!

Rose- thanks so much, he he he sorry for the long wait…I hope it was at least a lil bit worth the wait

Dadaiiro- hmmm…im not sure what you mean by legolas taking harry or dobby with him…but im glad you're reading and reviewing anyway! He he he thanks!

Miss Lady Padfoot- yay im glad my sappiness went over well…he he he was like 4 months soon enough? Eek that's horrible…thanks for sticking around!

Laure- geeze im horrible with updating…forgive me? Yeah I like Darion too…he's fun…and he'll be sticking around for a while too. I had a blast in Ukraine, thanks! Hope you enjoy the new chappy.

Emma Laraliean- he he he nope apparently not! Im glad you approved of the last chapter, hope you like this one as well!