Return Of The Elemental
I own nothiiiinnng. Pretend that I said that the way that the Sgt guy of Hogan's heroes says 'I know nothing'.
Chapter 26 – Christmas Surprises
Hermione woke the next morning with a slow beating heart not at all aware of her surroundings, but once the memories from the night before hit her, her heart started beating madly. She turned in her bed and looked down to see a sight that brought fresh tears to her eyes, a sight that she hadn't seen in almost two months.
Her hand moved of its own accord and trailed it gently across Harry's lean figure, she then brought the hand up to caress his cheek and finally coming to rest in his new styled hair.
'Light and Dark.' She murmured, noticing the colour for the first time. Curious, she lifted the covers up and looked down at Harry's bare chest and gasped at his new tattoo, her other hand moving and tracing the glowing lines that showed his powers. The action started to rouse Harry and soon the two lost lovers were looking into each others eyes once more.
'It wasn't a dream.' Hermione said with a smile.
'No. Merry Christmas my love.' Harry replied before he raised his own hand and tucked a stray piece of Hermione's hair behind her ear.
'You're here. You are actually here? With me, on Christmas.' Hermione said breathlessly.
'Yes. Right where I belong.'
'But how?' Hermione said, looking straight into Harry's eyes. Harry sighed and stared right back.
'Remember the prophecy Hermione?' At her wide eyed nod, he continued. 'Well, it said that I could only die at the hands of Voldemort. Well, Voldemort didn't kill me, I killed myself, not intentionally of course I just did what I had to do.' He hurried on at the angry look that he saw in Hermione's eyes. 'Instead of dying though I experienced much worse. There was a barrier between Earth and Heaven Hermione and I found it. I hit that barrier with the force of a speeding train and crashed right into it. The barrier wouldn't let me pass because it could tell that I wasn't dead. It would have sent me the other way down to Hell if it wasn't for Merlin, he saved me and brought me back with him to the Elemental world. I was knocked out due to hitting the barrier and I didn't wake until a month ago, a year in my time.' Harry then sighed and closed his eyes and then slowly breathed out a long gust of air.
'It was so painful Hermione, I was just locked in these dreams, but it was like I could still see what was going on with you, what you were doing to yourself. So after I gathered all my strengths back I came back to you. I'm still not fully healed of course but I couldn't wait any longer to see you… hear you… touch you… just to be with you.' Harry finished. Hermione couldn't take anymore and launched her frail form at Harry, knocking him back down on the bed with the shock that such a small thing had so much power. He then let his hands roam over Hermione's back and winced as his hands ran over bones that were poking out. Hermione, noticing his hesitation stopped her bear hug and looked at Harry intently.
'What's wrong Harry?'
'I hate myself Hermione. Look what I've done to you. You've wasted away to skin and bones.' Harry said sadly, closing his eyes and remembering the girl that he once knew.
'Don't hate yourself Harry, it was my fault. It's just that without you beside me I didn't feel like doing anything, I've gone through these last two months in a daze.'
'Well, I'm back now.' He then got up out of bed and offered Hermione his hand. 'Come, let's head down to breakfast, then I want to give you your Christmas present.' Harry said with a twinkle in his eye. Hermione smiled back warmly and reached for his hand.
'There's going to be a lot of shocked people when they see you.' Hermione said happily.
'What do you mean?' Harry asked horror struck. As if Hermione read his thoughts she calmed him quickly.
'Don't worry Harry, professor Dumbledore was able to keep your death quiet, so only me your friends really knew what happened.' Watching with amusement as Harry breathed a very loud sigh of relief.
'What did he tell everyone else?'
'That you were on some Death Eater hunting trip.' Harry laughed.
'That's Dumbledore for you, always keeping everyone's hope alive.'
They showered and dressed in a few short minutes, both glowing at being in each others presence again as they sat down in front of their fire and opened Hermione's presents from her friends and family. Hermione then stood up and told Harry to stay whilst she made her way out of the Head Girl common room by herself.
Harry then followed a minute later, waiting behind the door listening to his friends shout out 'Merry Christmas' to her from all parts of the room.
He then pushed the portrait open and made his way over to Hermione, who was sitting with Ron, Crystal, Ginny and a bigger Shydan. All stopped opening presents when they noticed who had stepped in front of them.
'Ha-Harry.' Ron squeaked, his voice cracking as his stared up at his supposed dead best friend.
'Merry Christmas Ron. Merry Christmas Crystal and Ginny.' Harry said with a kind smile and a small bow to each of his dearest friends. It wasn't long before he was in the middle of one of the biggest hugs he had ever felt. He was attacked from all sides as the three Gryffindors squeezed what life had been restored to the young hero right back out of him.
'I'm happy to see you guys too.' Harry said warmly, as he wrapped his arms around whoever he could. They all pulled back suddenly and glared at him.
'You're supposed to be dead.' Crystal said accusingly as she watched Shydan jump into Harry's arms.
'Yes. I know.' Harry said sadly, scratching Shydan behind her ears playfully.
'Then how are you here?' Ron shouted.
'Look perhaps we should take this conversation back into our room Harry?' Hermione said, warily glancing around the occupants of Gryffindor tower that were all looking at them. Harry nodded and led them all though into the head girl common room, smiling at the Dumbledore in the portrait as he passed. As he walked into the room he was once again on the receiving end of three fierce gazes.
'Alright, there's something you should all know before I tell you how it is I come to be here.' He gestured to the chairs and waited till everyone was comfortable before he continued. '18 years ago a prophecy was given about me and Voldemort, it said that the only way for Voldemort to die was by my hands and vice versa. So anyway, on the night of the Dementor attack the Dementors… kissed Hermione and she became a shell. That night I then went to the Elemental World and met up with Merlin and a Shadow Elemental by the name of Barrok, long story short, they gave me powers, I killed the Dementors and by doing so gave Hermione her soul back, then I died but since it wasn't by Voldemorts hands I hit the barrier between Earth and Heaven, they wouldn't let me pass so I was about to travel to Hell but Merlin saved me and took me to the elemental world, which is like Heaven and Hell but by its own. Elementals that have died can choose to go to either 3 places but most choose to go to the Elemental world.' Harry explained everything quickly and knew by the looks on his friend's faces that they didn't believe him.
'So, what are you, are you still a human or are you a ghost?' Ron asked stupidly, scratching his red hair that was clashing horribly with his pale face.
'I'm still a human.' He saw Hermione about to but in so he quickly answered her unasked question. 'I know I said I was an Angel, but that was just to calm you down encase you decided to go ballistic again.' He said carefully offering Hermione a sheepish smile which she returned with a glare.
'Well you would have gone ballistic too if you were visited by your dead fiancé who just so happened to follow you around in your mind everywhere you went.' She said crossly. Harry went over and picked her up and then sat back down bringing Hermione down with him, he then began to nuzzle down underneath her shiny hair towards her ear and whispered.
'I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean it like that… I just wanted you to stop crying, it hurt me to see such a sight.' He ended in a kiss on her earlobe.
'Hey, ghost boy, come back here, I'm not finished with you yet.' Harry heard Ron yell angrily, Harry came back up smiling at Ron's attitude.
'That's better, you didn't finish my question.'
'I'm just like you Ron.' Harry started saying but was cut off by the loud red head.
'No your not, you died, I happen to be still using my first and only life, what are you, are you some kind of cat?'
'You have to understand I didn't really die. Well I did but I didn't, it's very hard to explain.' Harry was getting frustrated and Crystal thought she better stop the Volcano before it went off.
'It's alright Harry, we understand, you died but you didn't, what's not to understand out of that Ron?' Crystal finished with a warning look at her boyfriend.
'Uhh nothing, sorry Harry, I know what you mean now, hey who's hungry.' Ron said quickly before racing out of the room, ignoring Crystal's eyes as she watched him leave.
'That boy, sometimes I wonder why I even bother.' She said in an amused and tender tone in her voice. She looked at Hermione worriedly and asked.
'Your coming to breakfast aren't you?'
Hermione smiled and noticed her friends shocked faces and winced knowing that this was the first time she had really smiled since Harry had gone. She looked over at Harry who smiled encouragingly at her and looked back to Crystal.
'Yeah, let's go I'm starving, I don't want Ron to eat everything before I get there.' She then laughed and led Harry out of their common room down to the great hall, chatting merrily with Crystal and Ginny on the way down, ignoring the curious looks that were sent her and Harry's way. But she couldn't ignore some of the voices.
'Hey look his back, how many Death Eaters do you think he got this time?'
'Wonder what she's so happy about, she hasn't been like this in ages.'
'Potter must have given her one last night, I know I would have.'
It took all her, and her friends pleading to stop Harry from chasing down the guy who uttered the last comment. He finally stopped struggling and straightened his robes casually before he entered the hall with Hermione, Crystal and Ginny. Suddenly everyone at the head table stopped what they were doing and looked at Harry with wide eyes and gaping mouths, even professor Dumbledore.
Dumbledore then dropped the spoonful of eggs he was about to put in his mouth and ran around the table towards Harry, his face was priceless with his eyes sparkling like broken glass under the sun. He finally made it and stopped right in front of Harry before he leaped forward and with the strength that Harry didn't expect from the old man hugged him furiously. When he pulled Harry saw that Dumbledore's eyes were shining with hidden tears.
'Another story for my office I think Harry. Please meet me and the rest of the crazy birds at 7pm, I don't want to take up your entire Christmas night do I?' He then walked back to the head table whistling cheerfully.
/ Crazy birds/ Hermione asked inquisitively through their still feasible link.
/ I think he means the Order of the Phoenix. / Harry replied amusedly, laughing along with Hermione, cherishing the harmonious sound of her voice.
'Remember I've still got to give you my present.' Harry whispered to Hermione as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.
'Harry you didn't have to, I didn't even get you anything.' Hermione tried to say but Harry shushed by putting his index finger onto her lips.
'Hermione I didn't get you a gift so I could get one in return, just being back beside you isn't a present more than enough for me.' Harry wasn't expecting the sounds of all 'ooos' and 'awws' and jumped when he looked up to see that every girl in hearing distance was looking at him with a dreamy look in their eyes. He ducked under Hermione's arm and blushed away from peeking eyes. Hermione just laughed at him and glared at the other girls before she started piling food on her plate from everywhere.
Sausages, bacon, eggs, pancakes topped with syrup, toast and fried tomato all ended up on her plate and in the space of about 5 minutes it was all gone, washed down with a huge glass of Orange and Mango juice.
Smacking her lips together Hermione unceremoniously let out a little burp and giggled, paying no attention to the scandalous looks all the other girls were giving her. Harry laughed at her antics and tapped her shoulder then picking her up and carrying her out of the hall, out of the school and towards Hagrid's hut.
'Why are you taking me to Hagrid's?' Hermione asked curiously.
'You'll see.' Harry said mysteriously, whilst he put a blindfold over Hermione's sunken eyes.
Harry then dropped her on the ground behind Hagrid's hut and slowly took the blindfold off letting Hermione take in her Christmas present.
'Oh Harry.' Hermione whimpered as she stared over the fenced paddock. Inside were four horses, four beautiful horses. One horse broke away from the others and started trotting towards the newcomers.
'Polesien.' Hermione whispered as the huge mare stopped right in front of them.
'Merry Christmas Hermione.' Harry said quietly beside her.
Hermione then tentatively reached out and stroked Polesiens snout gently, smiling tearfully as the Australian brumby snorted playfully at Hermione's touch.
'She and the others were kicked out their herd by a new Stallion that took over her mob. The other 3 wanted to come because they didn't want to leave Polesien, the grey one there is her daughter and the other two are her daughter's friends. One is another mare and the other is a young stallion I think he fancies Polesiens daughter.' At this statement Polesien snorted in agreement making Hermione laugh and then hiccup.
'Thank you Harry.' Hermione said as she hugged Harry to her tightly.
'Anything for you my love.'
After Harry had introduced Hermione to the other horses, Makybe, being Polesiens daughter, Jazelle being Makybe's best friend and Vinnie being Makaby's foal-hood sweetheart.
The two went bareback riding, talking… just talking. Harry was riding Vinnie whilst Hermione rode Polesien with Makybe and Jazelle bringing up the rear. They talked of their fears, their dreams and their life. Soon it was getting near sunset so they turned the horses round and cantered back so that they could get back before the Order meeting.
Once back in the paddock Harry jumped off Vinnie and watched as Hermione jumped off and hugged Polesien's long nose.
'Good night my beautiful friend.' She whispered.
Good night sweet child. Polesien told Harry, who relayed to Hermione, who smiled one last time at the huge bay mare before walking out of the paddock hand in hand with Harry. The two then walked back to the castle before Hermione pulled them up outside the giant doors and brought Harry's head down into a chaste kiss.
'Merry Christmas Harry.'
'Merry Christmas Hermione.'
'So, Harry. You had us all fooled again. Maybe I just should have believed in the prophecy the whole time, that way I wouldn't have given my poor heart the turns I did.' Professor Dumbledore greeted as he opened the door to his office to allow Harry and Hermione to enter.
'I'll try not to die anymore sir, I wouldn't want to be the cause of your premature death.' Harry replied.
'Ah still the charmer I see Harry and Miss Granger… Hermione, how are you? Are you alright?' Dumbledore asked kindly.
Hermione looked at Harry out of the corner of her eye and saw that he was looking at her concernedly. She turned back to Dumbledore and smiled brightly.
'Never better sir.'
'Excellent, well, come on through, the others are waiting for us.' The old headmaster than pulled on the trick book and led them through to the Order meeting room, where everyone stopped what they were doing to look at Harry.
A couple of seconds later the sound of a chair scraping could be heard and then before he knew it, Harry was tackled in a big hug by none other than Mrs Weasley.
'Oh Harry, your alive, Ron wasn't lying, we all thought you died after what happened but you didn't, obviously, oh look at me I'm rambling, come, sit down, you too Hermione, Merlin girl, your looking much to thin, I'll send you some Christmas cake, that'll fatten you up, girls today.' The little squat woman said this all very quickly and it was no wonder that she had to be led away so she could calm down by her husband who shook Harry's and Hermione's hand whilst smiling apologetically.
The next person to greet them was Remus, who had tears in his eyes as he hugged his best friend's son, almost choking him with his werewolf strength. If Harry thought this was bad then he was hugely mistaken when Hagrid took Remus' place.
'Merlin Harry, dissapearin like that, scared poor ole fang an me 'alf ta death.'
'I'm sorry Hagrid, Remus, Mr and Mrs Weasley, I just did what I had to do.'
'Ah yes, love can work many wonders Harry, why don't you take a seat and you can tell us what happened.' Dumbledore asked gently, taking his seat at the top of the table.
Harry then told the edited version of his story. He did this for two reasons, one, the long one was just that, long and his second reason was that he didn't know who he could trust.
Once he was done, everyone was silent for a while until Dumbledore decided to dismiss everyone. Everyone that is except himself, professors McGonagall, Hagrid, Snape and Shacklebolt, Mr and Mrs Weasley and Remus.
'Now Harry, why don't you tell us what really happened.' Dumbledore said sneakily.
'Not until he leaves.' Harry said coldly pointing at Snape. Everyone was a little shocked when they heard this, especially the tone of Harry's voice.
'You can't tell me what to do Pot-.' Snape started to say before he found himself staring into a pair of different coloured eyes that were glowing softly. One eye gold, the other black.
'Leave now.' Harry said again, this time his tone waring the potions master that if he didn't do what he was told, bad things would happen.
'Fine.' Snape tried to say as casually as he could as he marched straight back out of the room.
Harry then cast a couple of powerful privacy spells and nodded his head satisfactorily.
'Excellent.' He then sat down and motioned for the others to do the same.
'Harry, you can trust professor Snape, I do.' Dumbledore said.
'That's right professor, you do, I don't, and this is not your information to give, so therefore you do not choose who gets to hear it.' Harry said firmly. Hermione reached over and folded her hands over his, making his eyes turn back to their original colour.
'Now this is what really happened…' Harry began, telling them everything, even about his new Elemental abilities and his new forms, both Animagus and Guardians.
'Really Mr Potter, are you trying to tell me that I am not the only feline Animagus in this school.' Professor McGonagall challenged in a mock superior voice. Harry smiled and nodded before he turned into his Panther form, puffing out his chest as he heard the gasps and Hagrid's 'Isn't 'e beautiful'. Then before anyone could get used to that form he changed into his pure white Unicorn form. Once again posing for his friends and teachers, having thought that he had showed off enough he changed back into himself before calling for his staff and then smiling wickedly over his shoulder.
'I would now like you to meet my guardians.' He then shouted.
'VAKIRA.' A huge black shadow then burst from his staff and took the shape of a huge Nundu. The shadowy beast looked around with huge white eyes and landed on Harry, it prowled forward and stopped and sat on its haunches, glaring at Harry's friends.
Master. It said proudly.
Vakira what did I tell you about calling me master. Don't, my name is Harry. Harry said impatiently.
Yes master, sorry master. The huge cat said amusedly in a rumbling voice.
'Everyone, I'd like you to meet Vakira, he is as you might have guessed my Dark Guardian. Now I'd like you to meet Solus, my Light Guardian.'
'SOLUS.' Instead of a shadow a bright light filled the room blinding everyone momentarily. When it left everyone blinked to look up at a massive Griffin. It was a amber in colour and had great yellow eyes, that looked very fierce but very kind at the same time. With the head and front legs of an Eagle and body and hind legs of a lion, the Griffin was a very dangerous looking guardian.
Good Evening Master Harry. Solus said in a rough sort of voice, not much unlike Vakira's.
Evening Solus. Tell me why can't you just call me Harry like my last guardians? Harry asked wearily.
That would be disrespectful Master Harry. You are not some petty Elemental you are a Light and Dark Elemental, you have a power that is rarer than you know. It would be unwise for Guardians such as us to call you just Harry, Master Harry. Do you understand? Solus said all this as if he was reading from a guardian manual.
No I don't, anyway I just wanted you guys to meet my friends you can go home now. Harry said pointing to his staff.
As you wish Master. The two guardians said strictly before vanishing with a flash of light. Harry shook his head at their behaviour and turned back around to face his friends who were all staring at the spot were Solus and Vakira just were.
'Well, what else has been happening since I've been gone?' Harry asked, trying to switch the subject. It took a while but Dumbledore was the first that was able to respond.
'Well, we have a new Minister, Amelia Bones took the position as she rightfully should have in the first election but Winston Ramosa rigged it. So she is now in charge and Arthur here was promoted to her spot which was Head of the Department of Law Enforcement.'
'Excellent.' Harry yelled ecstatically.
'Isn't it.' Mrs Weasley said looking at her husband proudly.
'How do you like it Mr Weasley?' Harry asked.
'Oh, well, it's a bit more hectic than the Muggle side of work but I must say that I am enjoying the challenge.'
'Well, if that's all then I think I'd like to go see what's left of the Christmas dinner.' Harry said and then offered Hermione his hand, then the two shared farewells and made their way to dinner.
'Where have you two been?' Ron asked suspiciously as Harry and Hermione sat down from across him.
'That, Ron, is none of your business.' Hermione said snobbishly before attacking the nearest Turkey with vigour. Harry smiled and began loading his own plate as with slower movements.
When it was all over Harry and his friends made their way up to Gryffindor tower where a large party was being held. Grabbing Hermione by the hand, Harry immediately led his favourite girl to the small made up dance floor and swayed to the music blaring from the WWN (Wizarding Wireless Network).
'The last 24 hours have been the best of my life and I have you to thank for it Harry, because of you I know have the most precious thing in the world back in my arms.' Hermione whispered into his chest.
'I'm glad, Polesien was glad to see you as well.' Harry said, chuckling at his own little joke. Hermione pulled back and slapped him on the arm.
'I meant you, moron.' She then smiled and leaned back into his embrace.
'I mean it though Harry, if you didn't come back I don't know how much longer I could have gone on.'
'Its alright, we don't have to worry about that, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.'
'Good, what are you going to do now, you probably already know that once you died your cell gave way and all of the prisoners you caught got away.' Hermione said angrily.
'We'll get them back, but for now I just want to make up for the time that I missed with you and our friends.' Harry then watched as Hermione pulled back again with a smile on her face.
'Good, because you've got to come and explain to my dad why you made her little girl cry again.' Hermione then giggled at the look on Harry's face.
'Oh well, I guess I deserve it. No one should make you cry, in fact, someone who makes you cry should be punished. Now let's see, what's a good punishment? Hey, I know, we'll tape whoever makes you cry outside the girls dormitories, that way, they'll have to listen to every girl singing every morning and night. A couple of nights of this should drive them nuts. Those girls can't sing to save their lives. A cat getting its tail pulled sounds better.' Harry said with a thoughtful look on his face. His was shaken out of his thoughts when he was slapped across his chest.
'What?' He asked looking down at Hermione who had a scowl on her face.
'Are you saying I'm a bad singer?'
'What, are you kidding, I love your voice, you put an Angel's voice to shame.'
'Good save Potter. Come on lets go to bed. I'm tired and I missed the feeling of your arms around me and besides I got a new nightie and you've still got to unwrap it.' Hermione then ran off the dance floor smiling as she looked back to see Harry's slack jawed expression, she then squealed as Harry ran after her with a cheeky glint in his eye.
Yes, things were back to how they should be. All in all, it was a very Merry Christmas.
Flyin Eagle