Chapter 18
The rest of October went by rather slowly, their trip to Hogsmeade was cancelled because of the earlier attacks but it didn't really matter since almost everyone's mind was somewhere else anyway. There were funerals for those that had passed away and some of the injured were back home with their loved ones. Hogwarts however remained a somber place for many. It was drawing close to the first Quidditch match of the season and everyone was looking forward to it happy to have some sense of normalcy returned to his or her lives.
The friends went back to their regular routine of working out in the mornings before breakfast then classes except now the workouts have become even more rigorous and instead of hanging out during free periods they were doing research on ways to defeat Voldemort. Then there were Quidditch practices and order meetings along with the DA that they were kept entirely busy for the most part, which wasn't a bad thing, but it wasn't an entirely good thing either. Everyone was feeling the stress of the previous attacks, which resulted in a few visits to Madam Pomfrey due to stress, induced hexing in the hallways. Fortunately none have been anything too serious only a few stinging hexes and a few that caused questionable skin conditions that were treated and sent on their way.
Today had proven to be one of the more trying of days in a long line of trying days. It was Monday, and if that wasn't bad enough in itself nothing seem to be going right.
Harry had awakened for sometime now due to a very disturbing dream he had about Voldemort. In his dream he'd seen Voldemort training what looked like a small army of various dark creatures including Orcs which Harry was almost certain was impossible since he'd only encountered them in the realm of Feary. But try as he may he could not shake the feeling that what he'd seen was in fact real since something that he'd heard before in Alfheim and discarded kept on popping up in his mind.
He'd first heard it when he'd met with The Council to discuss his status and what needed to be done in order for him to succeed, that's when they'd inform him that the war to defeat Voldemort did not lay solely on his shoulders since the threat that Voldemort represents went much further than he was aware of. He'd asked Amelia what the council meant at the time and she'd said that Voldemort was only a part of a greater threat. She'd told him that Lord Dracklor or the Prince of darkness as he is sometimes called is the embodiment of all that is evil, and his victory would signal the death of the light and bring about the age of darkness. And also that Dracklor's influence did not only exist inside Feary but experienced throughout all the realms. It seemed that the King of the Endarkened wasn't very particular of who served him just that there was war and strife. Dracklor thrived on conflict and so he has his followers suggest bigotry and hate into peoples mind causing conflicts based on what a person his rather than whom they were such as with Voldemort against Muggles and muggle borns.
He was staring across the room at Amelia who was pacing back and forth in front of the fire muttering in Elvish. He'd gotten out of bed after his nightmare and made his way up to the Phoenix room only to find her already there pouring over some tombs on old magic and blood magic trying to find a way to bind Voldemort's soul to his body so he could be killed. She'd told him when he'd asked that she had a hard time sleeping so she decided to get some research done while she was up. He in turn had told her about his nightmare and what he'd seen. He was immediately thankful that everyone was asleep because she'd let loose a string of very colorful words that he hadn't heard her use before and now she was pacing muttering something about breaching the void and creatures of darkness.
"Harry, you are absolutely sure that you saw Orcs in your vision?" She asked turning to face him.
"Well I wouldn't call it a vision per say-"
"Will you stop splitting hairs? Dreams, visions it doesn't really matter now does it?" She snapped causing him to look up at her. This has got to be very serious if she was snapping at him.
"Okay fine, yes I'm sure they were Orcs along with others some I don't even recognize." He answered then added under his breath
"You really should get some sleep you're turning into a real grouch."
Amelia heard him but chose to ignore the comment for the time being.
"You do realize what this means don't you?"
"You mean apart from the fact that Voldemort has been acquiring dark creatures from another realm. Or the fact that our so called spy have conveniently forgotten to mention anything about it, or the fact that he has a small army that is being trained extensively as we speak and all we have are a few students, some Aurors and few members of the illustrious Order of the Phoenix." He asked bitterly.
"Geez I hate it when you get like this. Will you stop being so pathetic? It's not as if you don't have allies that will back you or access to an army if you want, that's not the problem. The problem now is the Orcs. Harry we can't allow Voldemort to acquire any more and we have to eliminate the ones he already have."
Harry looked at her and realization finally dawned on him. She was right Voldemort couldn't be allowed to keep the Orcs or be able to get anymore. These things could not be allowed to be let loose on anyone least of all defenseless Muggles. They were just glorified killing machines. They possess neither thought nor conscience all they lived for was blood and carnage. He looked over at Amelia and saw that her face reflected exactly what he was thinking; Voldemort was trying to wipe out the entire muggle population and anyone else who oppose him.
"God Amelia what are we going to do? We have to stop those things and we have to do it quickly or else it's going to be too late."
"I know and the only thing for us to do is find out where he is hiding them and launch a direct attack and try to wipe them out and find out just how they are entering this realm and seal the gateway."
"And just how are we going to find out where he is keeping them?"
"We'll just have to think really hard using what you remember from your vision, our skills of deduction and pressure Snape for the rest."
"Ok but why can't we just ask Snape if he knows where they are?"
"Because neither you nor I trust the illustrious potions professor. You because of the way he's acted towards you and me well let's just say that I've yet to see one of Dracklor's followers turn over a new leaf so to speak."
"So you're certain that Voldemort is with Dracklor?"
"Yes I'm sure, I told you that when we first got back and I met Snape and again after the incident with Malfoy and Voldemort they all reek of Dracklor and the Endarkened besides, that would explain why Voldemort mutated the way he did. That's what happen to you when you wield Dracklor's powers it comes with a price."
"Okay then, say we figure out were Voldemort is keeping them, how are we going to take them out? You and I are the only people here who've fought with Orcs and the other denizens of the Shadowlands no-one else has any idea what they're up against and we can't possibly do it ourselves."
Amelia thought about it for a while. Harry was right these people had absolutely no battle experience and putting them up against Orcs was not the best way for them to gain any. There had to be another way. Then it hit her and she turned to Harry a smile playing on her lips.
"I've got it. Dalkyn is in this realm remember? He could go along with us."
"Right, I remembered you saying something about that last week. Why is he here again?"
"Do you want his words or the truth?"
"Both I guess."
"Well according to him he is here to party, but the truth is he is here to keep an eye on me." She answered with a frown.
Harry watched her a knowing smile playing on his lips. He knew how protective her brothers were of her and how much she hated it. So it was no coincident that Dalkyn owned a condo in London along with a nightclub since Amelia had a tendency to leave the Glade on occasion to spend time in this realm.
Dalkyn was the only full elf that Harry knew that was as technologically advanced as any muggle and his condo proved this. It was a large contemporary structure all lines and angles and equipped with all the technological do ickies that money could buy. Yes sir when Dalkyn came to town he was just another human with lots of money looking for a good time much to the consternation of his older brother.
The brothers were totally different in everything. Where Dalkyn was fun loving and laid back Aldoran was stoic and reserved. Where Dalkyn enjoyed hanging out with Muggles and learning of their technological advances Aldoran would rather take a bath in molten iron than having so much as a conversation with Muggles and he regards all their inventions as useless and mundane the only thing the two ever agreed on was that one of them should be close to Amelia at all times to protect her. This in itself was quite amusing since Amelia is in command of her own army (The Hawks Raiders) and is more than capable of taking care of herself and anyone else that she chose.
"I wish they would realize that I can take care of myself already. They act as if I was still an Elfling or something I mean honestly, I have commanded armies, resolved conflicts and gotten married and they still view me as a child or something." She pouted prettily.
"Well I don't think you're ever going to get your brothers to stop treating you like a child. You have to realize that you are the youngest and only sister, so you are always going to be their little sister no matter what." Harry replied with a slight smile, he remembered his first time meeting all of Amelia's brothers and how intimidated he'd felt. Being ganged upon by six elves bent on protecting their sisters' happiness was not something he'd looked forward to. As a matter of fact the whole experience was a bit scary especially when he met Aldoran the eldest.
Aldoran had made it clear that day that if anything was to happen to Amelia or if she were to become unhappy for any reason he would have no problem inflicting pain upon Harry's person. Dalkyn on the other hand was jovial but left no doubt that he would hurt Harry if anything happened to Amelia. The same could be said for the other four men also. Mishka, Hhreidmar, Sindri and Aakarchan had also made it known in no uncertain terms that they could and would inflict bodily harm on him if anything was to happen to their only sister and he had no doubt whatsoever that the elves would follow through on their promises. So it was by no mere coincidence that Dalkyn was away from their realm and here in this one. Which brought him back to the problem at hand. How were they going to stop Voldemort from using the Orcs against Muggles? It was bad enough that the things were ruthless but they also tend to reproduce at an alarming rate making it virtually impossible to totally eradicate them.
"I guess you're right." She sighed then continued. "I just wish they would at least give it a try. Anyway as I was saying, Dalkyn is here and so are Siobhan, Malik and whomever else he could talk into hanging out with the Muggles, they could be our back up once we find were the Orcs are." She finished, and then went over to a desk to compose her letter to Dalkyn. After a few moments she came back to were he was sitting holding a piece of parchment which she handed to him. Harry unrolled it and read it then grinned broadly as he handed it back to her.
"I think he'll be here by the end of the day."
"I know he will." She replied as she unrolled the scroll and scanned the contents, which read:
Dalkyn since you say that you are here only to party so I thought it would be very selfish of me not to mention the party to end all parties. But I'm afraid that I cannot disclose the details in this missive since it is by invitation only and we don't want anyone that is not invited to crash. So if you could find the time to drop by (the sooner the better) I promise you that I will be able to get you on the list. This is going to be a party like no other, so don't delay because everyone who is anyone will be there and they're going to be talking about it for years to come.
Amelia
Ps. I've reason to believe that some very close friends of ours will be attending that I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss.
"Don't you think he'll be upset when he finds out?" Harry asked, trying to keep the humor out of his voice.
"Oh don't worry about him, he'll be fine once he finds out what we're up against."
"I thought that elves couldn't lie?"
"I never said we couldn't lie, I said we don't lie, which I didn't"
"So what do you call that?" He asked pointing at the parchment.
"I call it creative writing, besides how else was I to make sure that he got the message and no one else did if it was intercepted?" She asked innocently.
"Oh come on," he chuckled. "You know damn well that there is no way anyone is going to intercept Horus why don't you just admit it. You did that to get back at him for treating you like an Elfling." He finished now laughing.
"Well."
"Well nothing," he started laughing. "I swear sometimes I wonder if the sorting hat placed you in the right house, because you can be so Slytherin it's scary."
"Oh and you don't display Slytherin like characteristics sometimes?"
"Well I never said their methods weren't effective in some things." He began wrapping his arms around her. "Besides it never hurts to be well rounded isn't that what you told me?" He finished nuzzling her ear.
"Ahem." Someone cleared their throat causing them to look up to see Ron standing by the door wearing a bemused expression. "I see you two are already up, I take it neither of you could sleep?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"No we couldn't, what is your excuse for being up so early? It's not even dawn yet and how did you get up here without anyone seeing you?" Harry asked eyeing his friend.
"Well I was awaken by a feeling of uneasiness so I check your bed and you weren't there so I checked the common room only to find Hermione and Ginny looking for Amelia there. So we thought about where you two might be and came up with this room, so we borrowed your invisible cloak and here we are." He finished stepping inside followed by the floating heads of Hermione and Ginny.
"I take it we're not the only ones who had a hard time sleeping?" Harry asked now facing his friends.
"Not me," began Hermione. "I was sleeping just fine until Ginny woke me up." She finished taking a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs by the fire.
"Yeah well you would have woken everyone if you'd seen what I saw." Replied Ginny also taking a seat and staring thoughtfully into the fire.
"What did you see?" Asked both Harry and Amelia at the same time.
"I don't know exactly what it was, I just know that it was awful." She answered still staring in the fire.
"What was so awful Ginny?" Harry urged.
"I don't know what they are only that they are working for Voldemort and that they enjoy killing any and everything."
Harry and Amelia exchanged a knowing look before urging her to continue.
"What did these things look like?" Amelia asked taking a seat next to her.
"They look like monsters, the had grey rubbery looking skin and sharp teeth. They were ugly and ruthless and evil. They seem to enjoy killing and causing pain, they didn't care if they killed mothers and babies or men they just killed. And Voldemort was letting them loose on Muggles, they were slaughtering Muggles like cattle. There was so much blood and pain and misery and they seem to gain their strength from the suffering of others it was awful." She finished tears rolling down her face.
Everyone was staring dumbfounded until they heard a gasp from the doorway. They all looked up to find Neville and Luna standing there with horrified looks on their faces.
"What is this? Roam the halls of Hogwarts night? What are you two doing up anyway?" Harry asked turning to the two.
"I think it was the castle," began Neville. "One moment I was sleeping then the next I felt as if something was terribly wrong so I got up only to find that both you and Ron was gone. So I got up and on my way here I ran into Luna here and you know the rest. Now what are these things that Ginny's been talking about?"
"They are called Orcs," Amelia supplied. "And until recently they only existed in the realm of Feary. They are vicious blood thirsty killers who neither possess thought nor conscience for anything but death."
"So if they only exist in Feary," began Hermione. "Then how did Ginny see them with Voldemort?" She finished looking from Harry to Amelia.
"I believe that Voldemort with Dracklor's help are gating them here. That is the only way an army of dark creatures could invade this realm and go unnoticed by the Sentinels of magic or the council."
"Amelia what are you talking about?" Ron asked staring at the girl who was now pacing back and forth in front of the fire.
"Not now Ron." Harry answered walking towards the large table where meetings were conducted and tapped it three times with his wand.
"Harry what are you doing?" Cried Ginny. "You can't possibly mean to call an Order meeting at 4 am?"
"I do, don't you understand what is happening? The more we delay the more people are going to die."
Just then there was a low rumbling and Mr. And Mrs. Weasley emerged from the fireplace.
"What is going on? Are you all alright? Did something happen?" Molly asked checking each of them in turn.
"Mum we're fine," replied Ron trying to get away before she could check him in some embarrassing way. "Geroff will you?"
He was saved from further scrutinizing with Dumbledore entering followed by Professors McGonagall, Shacklebolt and Snape.
"This had better be important." Began Snape. But Dumbledore cut him off before he could continue.
"I'm sure it is important Severus, I don't think the entire order would have been summoned if it wasn't." He finished turning expectantly to Harry but at that moment the fireplace flared green and out stepped Fred and George followed shortly by Bill then Remus then shortly after that Tonks followed by Madam Bones then finally Charley.
"Well that seem to be everyone that was summoned so if you would all take a seat we can begin." Harry started as he headed towards the table. After everyone was seated he stood and addressed them all. "I know you are all wondering why you were all summoned here at this hour especially by students that should be in bed." There was collective nod of assent followed by a derisive snort from Snape, which he ignored and continued. "I assure you that if this was not an emergency I wouldn't have called you here. Last night I had a look through Voldemort's eyes and I must say that what I saw has given me cause for alarm. My suspicions were further confirmed by a vision that Ginny had a few hours ago." He paused as the room erupted in questions. Harry held his hand up for everyone to be silent then continued. "As I was saying I had a look through Voldemort's eyes last night and I'm afraid that what I saw is cause for immediate action. Voldemort has acquired Orcs from the realm of Feary to aid him with his campaign for world domination."
His announcement was met with total silence has they try to decipher what was said.
"Harry are you absolutely sure about this?" Asked Dumbledore.
"Yes sir I'm am very certain besides Ginny had seen them in her vision also."
"Excuse me." Began Fred. "But what are Orcs?" Finished George.
"Orcs are dark creatures from the Shadowlands of Feary once thought to be elves that had gone over to the Endarkened. They are vicious bloodthirsty killers that do not feel remorse nor sorrow." Amelia supplied. "The only purpose they serve is to kill any and everything that stand in the way of Dracklor. Our only choice is to kill them before they kill us." She finished eyes resting on Snape, who shifted uncomfortably under her pointed stare.
This was followed by a murmur of disapproval and outrage. Amelia ignored them and went on addressing Snape directly. "Professor do you know where Voldemort is hiding the hoard?"
Snape was looking at her bewildered but was save from replying by Molly interrupting.
"Now wait just a minute, you can't mean for us to just go in and slaughter those things now do you?"
"Yes," began Harry. "We have to go in and take them by surprise, destroy the ones that are already here and seal the gate so no more can get through."
"You can't do that." Dumbledore began getting to his feet. "That is considered murder and I'm afraid we can't back such a thing." He finished flatly.
"Okay professor so what do you propose we do?" Harry asked.
"We could always detain them if they attack someone, but we can't just go in and kill them with no proof of wrongdoing."
"Maybe you can't but I can and I will." Countered Amelia.
"You do that Miss Emrys and I'm afraid we will have no choice but to incarcerate you." Dumbledore answered quietly.
"And I guess we will be incarcerating you alongside her as well." Interrupted Harry eyes flashing he was getting tired of everyone talking about the problem and doing absolutely nothing to solve it.
"What do you mean by that? On what charge?"
"It's simple really," Harry began in an even tone even though his eyes flashed dangerously. "Criminal negligence for one among a few others once Voldemort release the Orcs on the Muggle population and they slaughter them all." He finished staring at the Headmaster.
"I will not be made to feel guilty just because I won't condone the murder of innocents."
There was a harsh laugh as Amelia stood up. "The murder of innocents you say, well maybe you'd like to see your so called innocents in action?" She asked bitterly and with a wave of her hand they were standing in a village knee deep in blood and carnage watching as Orcs attacked and slaughtered everything in sight while a handful of Elves tried to hold them back. One of the Elves trying to hold them back soon turned out to be Amelia although it was hard to tell at first with her wearing full Elvin armor and covered in blood. But when an Orc attacked and killed a mother trying to protect her child the armor clad figured attacked taking the head of said Orc and taking out at least three more that were advancing on the child licking their lips hungrily. Once the Elvin warrior got to the child he removed his helmet to reveal the telltale copper colored hair and blue-green eyes of Amelia. She pick up the child and made a peculiar sign over it and the next moment it was gone just as a vicious looking Orc attacked with a nasty looking axe and she rolled to one side to avoid him then ducked when he swung at her head and slashed across with her sword eviscerating him. She was attacking yet another Orc when the scene faded and they were once again sitting at the table in the Phoenix Room.
"So Professor do you still think they are innocent? Keep in mind that use to be a village of Cleaners, you know what cleaners are don't you professor?"
"Of course I know what Cleaners are." Dumbledore replied indignantly.
"Good, then you are also aware that there is no way they could have done anything to provoke the attack on their village and neither could they defend themselves." She stated coldly.
Dumbledore opened his mouth to respond then closed it once again staring daggers at the half elf.
"Excuse me," Ginny interrupted. "But what exactly are Cleaners?"
"Forgive me I forgot that not everyone knows of the Cleaners. They are humanoid beings of magical makeup sort of like what the Elves are, but their sole purpose is to monitor magic and maintain its secrecy. In other words they are the ones who clean up whenever there is a magical spill of epic proportion, for example The Great Crusades. It wasn't what people believe it to be. It wasn't a war to deliver The Holy Places from Mohammedan tyranny as many believe. It was in fact the war between the Endarkened and the Protectors of the light. But because of its ferocity the Sentinels decided that it would be better if the minds of the Muggles were modified to believe something entirely different so the Cleaners were brought in and that became known as The Great Crusades with all the romanticism that goes along with it. They do other everyday things as well, the Ministry takes most of the credit but the cleaners are the ones who maintain the secrecy of the magical world."
"Okay so why were they attacked?"
"Because they wouldn't submit to Dracklor and they couldn't fight back, just like the Muggles wont be able to fight back." She finished casting a disappointed look towards the headmaster who in turn held his head down.
"If these Orc things are as bad as you say they are," began Bill. "How are we supposed to stop them?" He finished looking around the table.
"You're not." Harry answered flatly. "The only reason we said anything was to let you know what is going on since we are all in this together." He looked over at Dumbledore. "None of you have any experience fighting these things and magic is not very effective against them, so Amelia and I along with a few friends will take care of the Orcs while you take care of any Death Eaters that may be around, unless of course attacking Death Eaters is considered a crime." He finished evenly staring at Dumbledore.
The headmaster started at this. "Now look here I will not be undermined by children just because I choose to follow the law."
Harry gave a derisive snort and turned toward Dumbledore while addressing everyone else through gritted teeth. "If everyone would be so kind as to vacate the room, it seems the Headmaster and I have a few things to discuss between ourselves." At this everyone rose and left leaving the two men who were staring daggers at each other.
Harry rose to his feet after everyone had left and stood directly in front of Dumbledore.
"I see you have a problem listening to my plan because I'm as you put it 'a child.' But you didn't seem to have a problem when you were the one controlling said child and using him as your own personal weapon now did you? It never bothered you before now because you were the one controlling The Bloody Boy Who Lived right? It never mattered that I was a child when I was tossed into near fatal situations time and time again and you did absolutely nothing to aid in my education knowing that the madman wouldn't stop until I was dead. How many times have Voldemort tried to kill me? How many times have I survived just by sheer luck? And you knew it would never stop and yet you did nothing but sit around waiting for the prophecy to be fulfilled and by some miraculous stroke of luck the power that The Dark lord knows not should just appear out of nowhere and Voldemort would be destroyed. But I'm here to tell you this Professor, I'm not about to sit around twiddling my thumbs while Voldemort slaughter defenseless Muggles. But if you want to by all means go right ahead but don't criticize me now that I am taking control of my life and charting my own destiny. And don't expect me to buy into your self-righteous ideological crap either about what should and should not be done, because I've participated in wars Professor and I know from experience that you don't win them without getting your hands dirty. So you can save all that bullshit about stunning the enemy and not killing anyone for all the other sanctimonious arses who've never seen a real battle before but wants to tell everyone how they work. I know you didn't beat Grindelwald by tickling him so why the hell do you insist that I be nice to Voldemort?"
"Harry you don't understand, I don't want you to kill anyone because something like that changes you. After you've killed someone you're never the same again. And I'm afraid that I would rather you enjoy what's left of your childhood for now rather than taking on Voldemort but I can see now that that's never going to happen." Dumbledore finished tiredly and Harry noticed that he seemed to have aged tremendously in the past couple of months.
"Professor believe me when I say that I am grateful for your thoughtfulness, but I will never be able to enjoy my what's left of my so called childhood as long as Voldemort is out there. And as for killing someone you don't have to worry about that either, like I've said before I've been in battles and I know what is involved."
"Are you saying that you've killed before?" Dumbledore incredulously.
"Yes Professor, why do you seem so surprise to hear that. You didn't look surprised when you saw Amelia's memory."
"That was Amelia I was sort of expecting it but not you. You're still an innocent."
"What are you saying Professor, that it is easy to see Amelia as a killer but not me?"
"No that is not what I'm saying."
"So what are you saying Professor?"
"It's just that Miss Emrys have lived most of her life with the Elves and it is well known that Elvin warriors are considered amongst the best there is, so one would assume that she would have some experience in combat and from what we've seen and heard from her I was sure she'd slain before."
"So you're saying that you know Amelia have killed before because she said she's been involved in wars, and from what she'd just shown us. But you can't believe that I've done the same even though I've told you I've been in a few altercations myself, why is that professor?"
"I guess maybe it's because I've known you since you were born and I'm trying to hold on to the deluded hope that you'll still be able to enjoy your childhood, but I can see now that that is never going to happen."
"I'm sorry Professor but my childhood ended sixteen years ago when that bastard killed my parents and there is nothing anyone can do to replace that except help me to stay alive to enjoy the rest of what is left of my life." Harry finished looking Dumbledore in the eyes. Both men stared at each other for a moment and in that time a mutual understanding past between them and they both nodded their understanding that no matter what each of them would do whatever was necessary to eliminate Voldemort.
Dumbledore tapped his wand on the table and the rest of the Order returned and took their respected seats and the meeting continued with everyone wondering what was said between Harry and Dumbledore but none asking outright.
"Harry you said earlier that you had some friends that would help with the Orcs," McGonagall asked as soon as they were seated. "May I ask who are they?"
"A few elves I met in Alfhiem."
"Yes but who are they?" Molly joined in.
"I'm afraid you're just going to have to wait and be introduced once they get here."
At that moment Horus flew in and landed on the table in front of Amelia who reach out and took the scroll that was attached to his leg. She glanced at hit briefly than smiling handed it to Harry who smiled and rose to leave.
"If you'll excuse me I have to go and receive our guests."
"What, you mean they are here already?" McGonagall asked looking a bit put out.
"I'm afraid so professor, it seems our dear Dalkyn is not one to waste any time when there is a party at stake." He answered with a mischievous grin at Amelia who flashed him her most innocent smile in return.
Harry was chuckling to himself as he made his way down the staircase toward the entrance hall. He had his features schooled by the time he got to the main doors and threw then open just as the Elvin party appeared on the grounds. Harry walked out to greet the tall dark haired man with vibrant eyes as blue as a summer sky.
"Welcome Dalkyn prince of Faylin ruler of Aramathea protector of the light one only hopes that the light finds you in good spirits." Harry greeted with an exaggerated bow.
The tall elf regarded the raven-haired man in front of him stonily before replying.
"The light have indeed found me in good spirits, so much in fact that if you don't cut the ceremonious crap I will be forced to kick your sorry arse right here in your own courtyard." He finished with a grin as the rest of his party roared with laughter and the two men embraced each other.
"You could try but I must warn you it wont be easy since I have the home field advantage." Harry chuckled as he slapped the other man on his shoulder.
"Yes Dalkyn," began a silver haired elf with lilac colored eyes.
"The little runt may get lucky for once."
"Siobhan!" Harry exclaimed pulling said elf into a fierce hug.
"It's good to see you too callentiia." Replied Siobhan returning the hug.
"Don't we get a hug?" Came a deep voice Harry knew all to well.
"Or maybe he don't find us beautiful enough." Added another voice less deep.
"Malik, Wiwendin, it's good to see you both and for your information I was saving the best for last." He answered draping an arm across each of the elves.
"Ooh Malik listen to him our shy little callentiia is all grown up." Laughed Wiwendin.
"I see Wendin, I think the air here has agreed with him or probably warped his mind."
"If you're all finished flirting with each other I would like to go inside and see what my devious little sister is up to." Dalkyn stated with a lopsided grin.
"Oh yeah let's see what our esteemed Alocallentia and Caohime is up to." Siobhan grinned as she turned to follow Harry inside the castle.
"Wait!" Harry began stopping abruptly and turning around. "I don't think it's a good idea to call her that just now. She's been under a lot of stress lately and you know how much she hates titles." Harry finished looking at the small group of elves who were trying their best to look innocent and failing miserably.
"Don't worry Harry," began Dalkyn a sly smile playing on his lips. "We won't do anything that will upset our Caohime." He finished fixing Harry with his most innocent smiles, which didn't fool Harry for one minute.
Amelia was engaged in a heated debate with the headmaster. She was slowly losing her patience with the man. For some strange reason he refuse to listen to reason.
"Look Professor I understand your concern but this is something that has to be done."
"And I stand by my word Miss Emrys when I said I will not condone murder of any kind. I will not sit back and watch you slaughter innocent victims or drag Harry down with you."
"And I wont stand by and watch you get him killed."
"Miss Emrys," cried McGonagall sharply. "May I remind you to whom you are speaking?"
Amelia turned her head and regarded her head of house before answering.
"And may I remind you professor of what it is we are dealing with? This is a war and I am sick and tired of you and everyone else within The Order with your self-righteous notions and adamantine behavior. Whoever heard of fighting a war without getting dirty? I can't believe you are all sitting here trying to tell me to stun the enemy into submission. Please, the whole concept is so naive it borders on being ludicrous."
"Amelia." Molly screamed a murderous look in her eyes. "I think you need to watch your tone young lady."
Amelia shot the woman a withering glare causing her to pull back. She was still upset with Molly and the things she had insinuated about her and Harry's marriage and she still had yet to apologize. She was on the verge of voicing her opinions to Molly when the doors opened and Harry walked in followed by Dalkyn, Siobhan, Malik and Wiwendin.
The sight of the four elves caused her to smile in spite of herself. Seeing them made her realized how much she'd missed them all. She rose from her chair and walked over to them still smiling.
"Dalkyn," she breathe as he pulled her into a warm embrace picking her up and twirling her around causing her to laugh melodiously before setting her down again.
"I missed you two diallanna." He smiled and pulled her in for another hug. "And look I come bearing gifts." He drawled turning her around to face the others who all dropped to one knee with heads bowed the minute she faced them.
"I see you Amelianddra Vastekkia Faylin Allocallentia a Caohime y illume."
"I see you Malik, Siobhan and Wiwendin and if you don't get up this instant I'm going to kick all three of your sorry arses from here back to Alfheim." She said an amused grin playing at the side of her mouth.
The three elves grinned up at her and sprang to their feet each pulling her into a warm embrace. Then Amelia turned towards the table still smiling and introduced the visitors.
"Everyone I would like you to meet my brother Dalkyn, and my friends Siobhan, Malik and Wiwendin." She said pointing to each in turn then went on to introduce the rest of the order in turn. After the introductions they sat back down and continued on with the meeting.
"Dalkyn, Siobhan, Malik and Wiwendin will be going with Harry and me to take care of our Orc problem." Amelia said turning to look over at her brother.
"I knew there had to be a catch." Began Dalkyn leaning forward and quirking an eyebrow. "So tell me diallannia how did Orcs come to be in this realm without the Council or the Sentinels knowing about it? And where are they now?"
"That diallan is what we're trying to figure out, but the one thing I'm sure of is that Dracklor is involved."
"So the king of the Endarkened is trying to get a foothold in this realm?"
"I believe so."
"Well we have to make sure he doesn't succeed then don't we? So where is the hoard hiding and when do we take them out?"
"I don't know yet but as soon as they are located we move."
"Just wait one moment there," Dumbledore began getting to his feet eyes flashing. "I thought I made myself perfectly clear when I said the order would not be participating in this mass murder you have planned." He finished glaring at Amelia and Dalkyn.
"You did professor," Harry answered. "That's why we are not asking you or The Order to participate."
"Hold up a minute Harry," began Remus. "I hope you don't plan on excluding me?"
"Remus you can't possibly be serious." Dumbledore asked looking at him.
"I'm afraid I am Professor, if what we just saw is any indication of the kind of havoc these creatures can wreak then I'm with Harry. They cannot be allowed to remain here and slaughter innocent people."
"So you would rather commit murder then?"
"It's the lesser of two evils actually. Either I sit here and wait for them to slaughter villages of Muggles and I go through life knowing that I could of done something to prevent it but didn't. Or I go along with the plans of those who've face them before and take them out. I probably won't be able to sleep at night knowing what I did but I will be able to look at myself in the mirror knowing that whole villages wasn't wiped out because I was too self righteous to do anything."
"Remus you can't be serious." Dumbledore began but was cut off by Remus.
"Look Albus when you inducted Harry you gave him full head privileges so what's the use of him having such privileges if we don't respect his suggestions?"
"But we cannot take part in a mass murder." Stated Dumbledore ferociously.
"And no one is asking you to." Began Amelia. "It's like I've said before, the Orcs are our responsibility and we will take care of it however we see fit. With or without your help."
"You can have our help." Added Fred and George jovially.
"Besides what could be more fun than messing up You-Know-Who's plan for world domination?"
"Boys you can't be serious, you heard Albus you'll-"
"Look mum we understand the consequences," began George. "But it's like Professor Lupin said, we said we would follow Harry and we should keep our word." Finished Fred.
"Besides," continued Charley. "I don't think Harry would knowingly jeopardize our morals."
"It's not Harry that I'm worried about," began Molly but Bill cut her off before she could continue.
"Oh mum you're not still put out by what Amelia said at the last meeting are you?"
"Well."
"Well nothing mum, besides she is right there is nothing that says we have to protect everyone's feelings all the time. If there was I doubt we would ever get around to protecting peoples lives."
Harry was watching the exchange with interest when he felt something brush his mind and looked up to see Dalkyn staring at him in amusement.
"Please tell me my Diallannia did not say that to these people."
"She did among other things."
"Such as?"
"I'll tell you later once this is over."
"Okay that's enough." Harry began getting to his feet. "There is no need for us to fight amongst ourselves over this. The fact is Orcs fall under the jurisdiction of Feary and are therefore the responsibility of Faylin. And as representatives of Faylin we can deal with them in whatever manner we deem appropriate." He said indicating himself and the four elves sitting at the table.
"But this is not Faylin and here we do things differently." Dumbledore began but was cut off before he could continue by Madame Bones.
"Albus I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Harry on this one."
"What are you saying minister Bones?"
"I'm saying that Harry and Amelia are right." She held up her hand to stop the protest. "Let me finish. After Harry came back and told us that story of where he'd been and what he'd done I did some research on Alfheim for myself, and during the process I found a few laws on the books pertaining to citizens of the realm of Feary more importantly the royal family of Faylin." She paused looking at Amelia and Dalkyn.
"What does that have to do with them contemplating murder?" Dumbledore asked eyeing her suspiciously. He'd seen the look she had given Amelia and her brother and was suddenly feeling very uneasy.
"Under the law if a member of the Royal family or the council gives permission an authority can retrieve fugitives or criminals from this realm without interference from our government."
"That still doesn't explain why you would condone the suggestions of these two." Drawled Snape his voice dripping with disdain.
"Oh but it does professor, and the only reason I caught it was because I've been going over the old tomes at the ministry but if I am not mistaken we are in the presence of members of the royal family."
"What?" Dumbledore looked stricken. Everyone was looking at the Minister of magic as if she'd gone off her rocker but she ignored them and continued.
"Albus Dumbledore and Members of The Esteemed Order of the Phoenix may I present to you Amelianddra Emrys princess of Faylin and her brother Dalkyn whom I'm assuming is Prince of Faylin." She finished indicating the two.
Amelia smiled at the woman and stood along with Dalkyn who was wearing an amused grin, as the rest of The Order regarded them suspiciously.
Amelia turned to the minister of magic and extended her hand. "How did you find out?" She asked the woman as the gripped each other forearm in the customary greeting.
"As I've said I've been doing quite a bit of research and have picked up a few words in your language so when your three friends greeted you I surmised who you were by the first part of that greeting but I admit I am not familiar with the last part of your title."
"It is not really a title just something they refer to me as from time to time but how did you know they weren't just kidding around?"
"Because miss Emrys if I've learned nothing else during my research I've learned that your people don't play around with names or titles because you believe certain power can be drawn from them. So what did they call you?"
"I see you've done a thorough job researching us, I must say I'm impressed since the last minister refused to even acknowledge our existence at all. Cohime y illume means guardian of the light in elvish."
"Oh I see." Answered Minister Bones staring at Amelia as if seeing her for the first time. She was suddenly very curious about the young half elf in front of her. A million questions warred in her mind for supremacy but she gave voice to none for at the moment Dumbledore's voice cut through her thoughts.
"If you are indeed the princess of Faylin why didn't you say so when you first arrived?" Dumbledore asked fixing both Harry and Amelia with a hard stare.
"Because professor I didn't come to Hogwarts as princess of Faylin I came as Amelianddra Emrys a normal student."
"But you are a Princess of Feary and as such special accommodation would have been provided for you that reflected your status."
"And that Professor is the answer to the ten million galleon question, 'why didn't I say who I was?' the answer is because I didn't want any special treatment." She finished softly taking her seat next to Harry.
"What my darling sister is trying to say Professor," began Dalkyn speaking for the first time his voice causing all the females present to turn towards him. Amelia rolled her eyes at her brother who only smiled broadly at her before continuing. "Is that she really hates titles and ceremonies and only do them when they are absolutely necessary and cannot be avoided. It's sort of funny really, she has no problem getting suited up in full armor and going off in battle to protect her people but she gets uncomfortable getting dressed up so said people can fawn over her. The whole thing is a mystery to me; I'm still trying to figure it out. I mean how can one who is princess of Faylin hate to be recognized as such?"
"Thank you so much diallan for that informative explanation, but I think that we should focus on the problem at hand namely the Orcs." Amelia began shooting her brother a death glare.
"Right the Orcs we have to find them and eliminate them." Dalkyn answered soberly. "Have you figured out how you're going to find the hoard?"
"Yes I have actually, I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before now."
"Thought about what? Amelia what are you talking about?" Harry asked looking at her with concern, she was now pacing back and forth muttering to herself.
"It's quite simple really… I just need them both to relax and think about what they'd seen… the hearthstone can act as a focus… we can put the two piece together and get a general idea then go from there."
"Amelia luv," Harry began going over to her.
"uhmm"
"What are you talking about? Is something wrong?"
"Wrong? Oh no nothing is wrong." She answered snapping out of her reverie. "I was just thinking of the best way to do the spell."
"What spell?"
"The one to recall yours and Ginny's vision of course."
"W w wait a minute what are you talking about? What do you mean recall mine and Ginny's vision?"
"The ones you two had recently of Voldemort. I'll just recall them the way you first saw them before you imprinted your interpretation on them. Then we'll examine the two and match the similarities in order to come up with a general location." She finished with an elegant shrug as if it was the simplest thing in the world.
Everyone except the elves was looking at her as if she'd suddenly morphed into Voldemort himself.
"What? You've never heard of a dream recall spell?"
"Of course they've never heard of a dream recall spell diallania the ability to walk in dreams is very rare even amongst us." Answered Dalkyn before the others could react.
"What do you mean walk in dreams?" Asked Hermione. "I've never heard of such an ability."
"That's because my sister here is the only one in over a millennia that possess that ability." Dalkyn answered.
"You mean-" began Fred.
"That you can-" added George
"Invade other peoples dreams?" Finished Fred.
"Yes but I only do it under extreme circumstances and with the persons permission because dreams are extremely personal."
"Okay say I understand all this dream walking stuff," began Ginny. "How does that help anything since we are not dreaming right now?"
"That's where the dream recall spell comes in. You don't have to be currently dreaming for me to enter your dreams, as long as you can recall at least a part of it I can enter."
"Okay so you enter our dreams then what? And is it going to hurt?"
"I find the vision I'm looking for remove it and leave and no it won't hurt."
"All right then so what do we have to do?" Harry asked coming to stand next to her.
"Nothing really," she answered taking his hands. "You just have to relax and trust me."
"You have a point there it's nothing, since I already trust you completely." He replied squeezing her hands.
"Yes well I appreciate your show of confidence but you're not the only one involved in this." She replied looking at Ginny.
"I trust you Amelia just tell me what I need to do."
"Thanks Ginny, I'll start with Harry so you get an idea of what I'm doing. Okay Harry let's do this." She began leading him to one of the two straight back chairs by the fire.
Everyone watch anxiously as she walked around Harry in a circle and shimmering dome appeared enclosing the two cutting off all sound from them.
Harry sat on the chair Amelia indicated and watch while she walked around him in a circle muttering in elvish and a shimmering dome rose up and enclosed them. Then she walked over to him smiling indulgently.
"Okay luv there are a few ways we could do this of which choice I'm going to leave entirely up to you. You are going to be in a kind of trance and you can choose to sit as you are now lay down or just stand."
"I think I'd like to lay down." He answered with a mischievous smirk.
"You're incorrigible it's nothing like that so get your mind out of the gutter."
In the next instant the chair was gone and he found himself facing Amelia feeling lighter than ever. Harry looked around and was surprised to see that he was floating but he felt surprising peaceful. He looked back at Amelia to find that she was floating in front of him. Then he found himself being turned onto his back and started to panic but one look at the encouraging smile on Amelia's face and he relaxed once more.
"Okay luv, this is it all you have to do now is think about what you saw in your vision and relax. I promise I'll be gentle." She winked at him causing a snigger to escape before his mind went back to the night before. Amelia rose above him staring intently into his eyes, it wasn't long before Harry found himself being drawn into those amazing eyes.
The rest of the order was watching the proceeding with opened mouths. They've never seen anything like this before. Harry was laying on his back floating in thin air while Amelia floated above him staring down at him. Then she started to shimmer and fall closer and closer then she seems to fall right into him. They watched for what seemed like hours but in reality was only a few minutes and then she emerged and became solid once more then the two floated back down smiling at each other.
Amelia dissolved the circle and was met by total silence. Everyone was staring at her and Harry as if they've never seen them before.
"Right, yes well I've got the first vision, I just need to retrieve the next one then we can compare them and see if contain anything we could use." This seems to get their attention but they were still staring at her.
"THAT WAS BLOODY BRILLIANT!" Cried Fred and George in unison causing the others to jump. "That have got…to be…the most…incredible…thing…that we've…ever seen." Exclaimed the twins continuing each other's sentences.
Amelia had to smile at the two and how they always seem to know what each other was thinking. She turned to Ginny still smiling. "Are you ready Ginny? I promise you there is nothing to be afraid of."
Before Ginny could respond however, Molly stepped in front of her daughter facing Amelia a look of rage on her face.
"I don't know what you're up to but I wont let you touch her and corrupt her." She spat.
Amelia shook her head at the elves who'd taken a step forward at Molly's action. "How do you figure I'm going to corrupt her?" Amelia asked tiredly. Molly was beginning to try her patience.
"The same way you've corrupted Harry."
"And how did I corrupt Harry?"
"Look at the way he talks to Dumbledore, you've turned him into a blood thirsty warlord who won't think twice about going in a slaughtering innocent victims because you say they are evil."
Amelia could feel the energy emanating from Harry next to her. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it to get his attention.
"Harry you have to calm down. She really don't know what she's saying, you have to give her a chance. She's just upset like any mother would be."
"But how can she say those things?"
"People tend to say things they don't really mean when they are upset luv. Just promise me you won't say anything just let me handle this. Besides I'm the one she's upset with."
"But-"
"Harry please."
"Okay but if they continue acting like that against you we're leaving. I will not stay here and let them insult you."
"Thanks luv. Just let me handle her for now okay."
"Okay."
Amelia returned her attention to the angry woman in front of her who was currently glaring at her.
"And you believe that he's only doing these things because I've corrupted him somehow? Well let me enlighten you Mrs. Weasley I have done nothing of the sort. The only thing I've ever done was try to help, after all we are all on the same side so why would I want to corrupt him as you say?"
"Bollocks!"
"MUM"
"Don't mum me Ron, if you are on our side as you claim then why did you take him away then uhm. I'll tell you why. Because you wanted to brain wash him into doing what you wanted him to. You wanted-"
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE." Amelia cut her off. She was sick of Molly and her insinuations and she was going to put a stop to them right now.
The atmosphere inside the room had suddenly became charged as Amelia glared at the woman standing before her and continued in an even tone.
"You've insulted me before and I let it go because of what you are to Harry but I'm not about to let you do it again. Yes I took Harry away to Alfheim, yes I provided him with the necessary training and yes I even got married to him. But none of those things have anything to do with you. If you all care so much why didn't you provide him the necessary training needed to protect himself? You all knew VoldebloodyMort was back but you left him to fend for himself with no training whatsoever. And if that wasn't bad enough you sent him to his relatives in an emotional state after he'd just lost the closest bloody thing he'd had to a father to stay with a bunch of people that are in my opinion emotionally circumcised. No let me finish you've had your say now it's my turn." She continued cutting Molly off who'd opened her mouth to speak.
"You want to know why I took him right? I was sent to get him by the council because they didn't think that you could keep him alive or provide the proper training. They were getting tired of watching him escape death just by sheer luck. Tired of watching the people he's suppose to protect belittling and discrediting him, and they were damn well tired of the fucking ministry trying to put him in Azkaban. And I must say after reviewing his case I had to agree with them. I mean you all knew that that crazed wannabe Dark Lord was going to stop at nothing until he killed him and what do you do? You left him vulnerable. I mean was it so hard to train him and make some exception for him while he was away from school? I don't think so. But what do you do? You continued treating him like a child even though you know what was going to happen. Then you made the ultimate mistake and you still don't realize it do you?"
"And what mistake is that?" It was Dumbledore.
Amelia laughed a bitter laugh.
"You still haven't gotten it have you? The main reason why I took Harry over the summer was to save is life. If I had left him there he would have been killed."
"What do you mean he would have been killed? He is protected at his relatives through his mothers blood." Stated Dumbledore indignantly.
"Exactly, he was protected because of his blood. Don't you see what is wrong with that?"
"No Miss Emrys I do not."
"Professor, how much do you know about blood magic?"
"Not a whole lot since its use is disbanded."
"Well I know a lot since it is not evil as humans seem to believe. The only thing that's evil is the way in which some people practice it. Anyway the spell that's suppose to protect Harry at the Dursleys was suppose to make it that none could harm him while he was there right?" At the Headmasters nod she continued. "But that didn't stop them from abusing him now did it? Do you see where I'm going with this Professor?"
"I can't say that I do but please continue."
Amelia took a deep breath then continued. "The Dursleys could harm him because the spell had a flaw and that flaw was his blood. The spell was made with the idea that blood wouldn't harm blood. But we all know that that's a load of crap so when Voldemort used Harry's blood to returned that gave him-"
"Access to the Dursleys." Finished Hermione as she fell into a chair.
"Oh Merlin." Cried Molly as all the blood seems to rushed from her face leaving her deathly white. "You mean that V v He who must not be named-"
"Say his name Mrs. Weasley."
"What?"
"Say his name. Call him Voldemort or Tom or Riddle if you have to but stop giving him power by fearing his name. He is a man no matter what he tries to make us believe otherwise, in the end he can be killed just like anyone else."
"Yes well do you mean that Vol, Vol I mean Tom could have just walked into, I mean gone to his relatives and oh sweet Merlin I can't even think about it."
"Miss Emrys," began Dumbledore. "Are you absolutely sure about this claim?"
"I don't lie professor but you don't have to take my word for it Harry is right here why don't you ask him?"
"Harry?"
"Yes Headmaster it's all true. I didn't believe it at first myself until the counsel made me test it for myself and they were right anyone possessing even a drop of my blood can get through the wards and since Voldemort used my blood in his resurrection he could get through and kill me but that is all in the past now and besides we have more pressing matters right now." He finished trying to change the subject.
"Ginny may I?" Amelia asked taking his cue to change the subject.
"Uhmm yes of course." She replied still a little shaken by what she'd just heard but following Amelia nonetheless.
The retrieval of Ginny's vision went rather swiftly and pretty soon they were back sitting at the table looking at both visions but no one was able to concentrate because of the revelations of a few minutes ago. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts of how close Harry had came to being killed over the summer and kept sending him furtive glances.
Harry could see that they weren't going to get anymore accomplished for the remainder of the morning with everyone so distracted. So he decided that it would be a good idea to get something to eat and then come back to this later, besides it was getting a bit late the rest of the school was starting to wake up.
"I suggest that we take a break and think about what needs to be done, so how about we all go and get some breakfast and we can talk about this later."
Everyone nod their accent and rose to leave saying their goodbyes. Harry joined Amelia and the others over by the fire after everyone else had departed.
"So are we going to go down to breakfast or are we gonna just sit here?"
"I say we go to breakfast." Amelia answered grabbing Dalkyn by the hand and leading him out the doors.
"I guess we'll go to breakfast then." Harry smiled offering Siobhan his arm.
"What do you say Wendin shall I escort you to breakfast?" Malik began with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"By all means please do." Wiwendin respond looping his arm through Malik's amongst the chuckles of the others. It was a welcome break from the stress of earlier and everyone decided to join in the fun. Hermione took Ron's arm and Neville offered his to Luna so only Ginny was left on her own but that was easily rectified when both Malik and Wiwendin each offered her an arm which she took and headed out between the two of them.
Ginny was having a good time with the two elves that reminded her of Fred and George. The two even looked as if they could be twins. They both had light brown hair that fell to their knees and hazel eyes. They even sported matching smiles. If Malik wasn't a hair taller and dressed in a deep green tunic oppose to Wiwendin's light brown one she wouldn't have been able to tell them apart. She was enjoying the way the two seemed comfortable with her even though they were relative strangers.
Hermione who've been observing everything turned to Ron and asked, "Do those two remind you of anyone?"
"What two?" Ron asked looking around at everyone.
"Those two." Hermione answered pointing to the two elves with Ginny.
"Oh them, I don't know they kind of act like Fred and George."
"You see it too? I wonder if they are twins also."
"I would think so since they look so much alike an all."
"I guess you're right, so what do you think about what Minister Bones said about Amelia and Dalkyn?"
"What? About them being royalty?"
"Yes that."
"Well I sort of suspected it to tell the truth."
"You did not."
"Sure I did."
"Okay then Mr. I suspected it the whole time, when did you first suspect it?"
"Well if you must know I never thought that she was a royal or anything just that she was someone very important."
"And when did you first suspect this?"
"Honestly Hermione, I do pay attention sometime you know."
"I'm sorry, so tell me when."
"Oh that, I thought she was important from her first night here."
"What? How?"
"Well you would have seen it too if you weren't giving Harry the evil eye for having house elves."
"What do you mean I would've seen it too?"
"I mean that night when dobby showed up with the food he took one look at her and started to bow but she gave him a look and he stopped. It all happened so fast and everyone was focused on you and Harry that I don't believe anyone but me noticed it."
"Oh!"
"Oh yeah and there was that time with that Goblin guy, if you remember he called her Lady Emrys."
"So he called her Lady Emrys, what does that have to do with anything?"
"Don't you get it luv? In the magical community people don't just go around calling each other by titles just for the hell of it. So I figured she was important but I thought it was just because of her relation to Merlin not because she was a princess."
"You know Ron, sometime you can be downright brilliant once you put your mind to it."
"Thanks Mione I- hey I think I resent that."
"Oh Ron you know I'm only joking, besides I still don't understand how Dalkyn is her brother if she is an only child."
"I guess you'll just have to ask her."
"I guess." She conceded then the both fell silent as they headed towards The Great Hall.
There were quite a few students already present at breakfast when the doors to The Great Hall opened and the small group of people walked in deep in conversation oblivious to the stares they were garnering. Everyone was wondering who the four strangers were with Harry and his friends. The group sat down without so much as a glance at anyone else and proceeded to pile food on their plate and continuing their conversation. Dalkyn was regaling Amelia with news from Alfhiem and Siobhan, Wiwendin and Malik would add their comments from time to time keeping mainly to the topic of how Llanderia was handling things while she was away and what sort of havoc Donella was wreaking. Dalkyn was in the middle of telling them of how Donella had taken off following the herd of horses out on the plains and was gone for almost a fortnight before she was caught by the stable master who'd gone out to the plains to find out if the horses had seen her and found her curled up next to Truth fast asleep when Amelia felt a tug on her sleeve.
"What is it Siobhan?" She asked to which Siobhan leaned towards her and whispered.
"Who is that over there?"
"Where?"
"Over there sitting at the far table."
Amelia looked in the direction Siobhan had indicated and saw Draco Malfoy wearing a slight smirk and next to him Pansy Parkinson wearing a look of pure hatred. Amelia smiled at Draco then turned back to Siobhan and whispered.
"Which one."
"What do you mean? The blond of course."
"Oh that one? Let me see, don't you think he's a bit young for you?" She asked pointedly causing Siobhan to flush intensely.
"No…I mean…yes…I mean that's not why I was asking." She replied trying to compose herself.
"Well then, why are you asking?" Amelia asked staring intently at her friend an amused smirk playing on her lips.
"I was asking because, well look at him. Don't he remind you of someone?"
"Well, yes he does but is that the only reason you want to know who he is?"
"Not exactly but that's the one I'm willing to admit at this time."
"I see," Amelia began smiling knowingly at her friend. "Well his name is Draco Malfoy and Harry along with almost everyone else believes he is evil."
"Who is evil and what are you two talking about?" Dalkyn asked intruding on their conversation.
"My dear Diallan didn't anyone ever tell you that it's rude to eavesdrop?"
"As a matter of fact they did and I wasn't, I just happen to overhear you two talking about someone being evil so who is it."
"He is not really evil people just believe he is and his name is Draco Malfoy."
"Draco Malfoy uh, well where is he? I want to see this person that everyone believe is evil."
"Well Diallan look behind you, he's sitting at the far table trust me you can't miss him."
Dalkyn turned his head and looked over toward the Slytherin table then turned back opened mouth staring at Amelia.
"What's the matter with you?" Malik asked at the look on Dalkyns' face.
"Malik look over there at the far table and tell me what you see." Answered Dalkyn.
"Okay but I don't know what I'm suppose to be- oh Danu, Wendin look over there at that table what do you see?"
"Where?"
"The far table."
"Odin's beard its Aldoran's twin." Wiwendin exclaimed turning to look at the others.
"What are you all going on about?" Harry asked. He'd been watching the elves and wondering why they were behaving so oddly.
"It's that kid over there." Dalkyn answered. "Don't he remind you of someone?"
"Who?"
"They're talking about Draco, luv." Amelia supplied.
"What about him?" Harry asked warily.
"Don't he look like anyone to you?" Dalkyn asked again.
"Yeah his dad."
"Look guys he's not going to see it. I told you they hate each other, therefore his feelings towards him is projecting and he's not able to see what we see." Amelia stated going back to her breakfast.
"What are you all taking about? Who is he suppose to look like?" Harry asked looking at each of them in turn.
"He looks like Aldoran." Siobhan supplied.
"What? Have you lost your mind? He doesn't look anything like Aldoran."
"Told you he wouldn't see it." Amelia stated calmly as she rose to leave.
"Where are you going?" Siobhan asked also getting up.
"I have a location to pinpoint and I'm not about to waste any time before doing so." Amelia replied heading towards the doors Siobhan close behind her.
"Aren't you guys gonna go with her?" Hermione asked looking from Harry to the three remaining elves.
"Nope." Chorused all four in reply.
"Why not? You don't really expect her to do all that work by herself do you?"
The men all looked at each other then replied with a resounding
"YES!"
"Why is that?"
"Do you want me to tell her or will you tell her?" Dalkyn asked smirking at Harry.
"I guess I'll tell her." Harry answered.
"Good, after all she's your wife." Dalkyn chuckled
"And your sister." Countered Harry.
"Will you two just tell me already?" Hermione asked irritably.
"Oh right," began Harry soberly. "It's just that whenever Amelia gets started on researching something important especially one that have something to do with saving people's lives it's best to stay out of her way until she ask for assistance." He finished cryptically.
"Oh, but why?"
"Because she becomes an enormous grouch." Dalkyn answered before Harry could say anything.
"No she does not." Harry rounded on the elf.
"Oh come off it Harry you and I both know that it's true."
"Well maybe just a little." He admitted while Dalkyn, Malik,
and Wiwendin rolled their eyes dramatically at him.
"Okay, okay you're right she practically turns into an ogre, now are you happy?"
"Very, it's about time you admit it instead of pretending that she is the easiest person to live with at all times." Dalkyn answered with a wry smile.
"Here, here." Chorused Malik and Wiwendin laughing and slapping each other's shoulder.
"Alright you two," Harry began fixing the two in question with a cold stare. "Anyway Mione it's not that we do not want to help, it's just that we'd be of more assistance if we stayed out of her way." He finished returning to his breakfast and shaking his head at the three elves sitting next to and across from him.
"Suit yourself," Hermione began. "But I'm going to help besides she probably wouldn't be such a grouch if you all weren't so incapable." She finished and turned to leave but was stopped by Dalkyn's voice.
"My dear Hermione how about you and I take a walk later and I will prove to you how very capable I am?" He asked suggestively the sound of his voice causing a slight tremor to run through her.
Hermione blushed all the way to her roots and rushed out of The Great Hall before everyone could see her condition. The last thing she heard was Ron berating Dalkyn to stop hitting on his girl before the door closed behind her.
She'd managed to compose herself by the time she got to The Phoenix Room. She entered to find Amelia walking around the great table looking at what appeared to be pictures suspended above it that could be viewed from any angle and Siobhan pouring over maps.
Amelia looked up when the doors opened to find Hermione standing there looking taken aback.
"Come on over Hermione maybe you can help us figure out were this land mass is." She began in a clipped tone, which Hermione ascertain must be her business tone. Hermione walked over to where the two women were standing and started studying the pictures while Amelia told her what she'd gained so far.
"We've narrowed it down to an island off the coast of Scotland or Wales but we have yet to pinpoint which. We've tried scrying but that doesn't work not that I'd expected it to and a dozen different kinds of locating spells and still nothing so we'll just have to go with only the power of our brains to put this puzzle together." She paused and raised the screens up to eye level. "Here look at this." She continued moving one of the screens so that it overlay another. "Do you see that?"
"I see it," Hermione began excitement evident in her voice. "Each screen is like a layer, it's as if each of them saw a different part of the island and if you overlay them correctly you can see the lay of the land." She finished using her wand to move the screens around to overlay each other.
It was close to lunchtime before they were satisfied with the order in which the screens were placed on each other.
"That's it," Hermione began tiredly. "Now the only thing we have left to do is find it on the map."
"That shouldn't be so hard, now that we know what it looks like." Agreed Siobhan who was studying the map for a match.
"I know where it is," began Amelia softly staring at the picture.
"What?" Asked both Hermione and Siobhan.
"I know where it is. I know where Voldemort is hiding the horde and I have to give it to him it is ingenious no-one would even think to look there."
"Amelia what are you going on about? Where is Voldemort hiding?" Hermione asked eyeing the girl suspiciously.
"Allocallentia are you well?"
"Of course I'm well, but come it's almost after lunch we should get something to eat." She headed towards the door as the two women exchanged worried looks then shrugged and followed her out the door.
Elvin words
Diallanna-sister
Diallannia-Little sister
Diallan-Brother
Callentiia-Captain
Alocallentia-Commander
Caohime y Illume-Gaurdian of the light
Vastekkia-Princess