Disclaimer.

J.K Rowling went out one day so I took her characters out to play.

We ran around, they laughed with glee,

All this fun and she works for free!

Phaelan is finally made aware of her roots.

A couple of reviews would not go amiss now and again – just in case your were thinking about it.

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Dumbledore sat in his office and mulled over the parchments on his desk. His multiple inquiries into the source of Phaelan's scroll had born fruit; far more than he had expected. Now, he wondered how to broach the subject with both Phaelan and Severus. It had to be judicious and carefully presented. Neither party would likely be happy to hear what he had to share. Merlin knew their pride and independence were earmarks of their personalities.

The old man rose and approached his familiar. "Ah, Fawkes, what shall I do? How shall I tell them what I must? I fear their bond may be sullied when the truth is revealed, yet it must be, for their own well being and survival." He stroked the bird's head and listened to the soothing trills of Phoenix song shared by Fawkes to ease his master's worry.

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Phaelan and Minerva were waiting at Hogsmeade station for the arrival of the train bearing the students back to school after the holidays. The women stood in the waiting room with a goblin mother and her two children, who were playing with an abacus' and toy money.

"Well, where did he take you? You never told us," asked Minerva.

Phaelan smiled, remembering her birthday, "It was a really nice place and the food was amazing. I never figured him for knowing so much about Muggle restaurants."

"And then?" Minerva urged.

"Then, he took me up to Edinburgh to a small club that played light jazz," she replied.

"And then?" Minerva coaxed once more.

"Minerva, really," said Phaelan, looking over at the goblins. She sighed, "Then he took me back to my flat and we stayed there for the night," she whispered. Seeing a glint in the older woman's eyes she held up a finger in warning, "Not one more detail."

"Spoil sport." Minerva pulled her shawl around her shoulders more tightly and looked down the platform "Och, here comes the Express anyways."

Professor McGonagall led the way out to the platform and stood at the end.

Hagrid lumbered up behind them, "Evening ladies. In'it wonderful to have the kids back at school; gets right lonely without 'em around." He rubbed his dinner-plate sized hands together to warm them. "The carriages are all here, Perfessor McGonagall, I made sure the firs' one is nice an' warm fer you and Phaelan."

"Thank you, Hagrid." She replied, amid the shouted greetings of the throng of students now being herded along the platform by the prefects. "Come on Phaelan, we should head to the carriages and make sure everyone gets one."

The women stopped when they heard their names called. As they turned, they saw Lupin and Tonks waving and walking towards them.

"Hello to you too, Remus, Nymphadora," greeted Minerva.

The young auror scowled at the use of her given name but had regained her smile as she turned to Phaelan, "I hear we're to have a joust."

"Apparently so," Phaelan replied. "Did you bring padding for your backside?" At the quizzical look Tonks gave her, Phaelan laughed, "You know, for when I kick it."

Tonks grinned back, "Nah, but I hope you have a healthy appetite," she retorted and at Phaelan's frown added, "You know, for when I make you eat your words."

Remus began to laugh at the almost macho show of bravado from the two women, "Alright, I think I should open a book on this. Where's Vector, I need someone to figure out the odds."

"Put me down for five," Minerva told him.

"Sickles?" he asked.

"Och, don't be daft, Galleons." Minerva sniffed and moved off towards her carriage. She hadn't noticed Phaelan had stopped and was staring at the front of the conveyance.

"What are they?" she asked Remus who had stopped beside her.

He followed her gaze and realized she could see the Thestrals. "They're called Thestrals. Only people who have experienced death first hand can see them. Most of the kids think the carriages move by themselves."

Phaelan looked at the young, laughing faces clambering into the line of carriages for the trip to the school. Then she noticed, here and there a sad face turn to look at the magical creatures as she had and she knew that child had known death before they ever should have.

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"Come on Tonks, you can take her," yelled Remus as he watch the Bo duel between Phaelan and Tonks. They seemed equally matched; both having gotten in a few good take downs and controls but there was one unfair advantage. Tonks had a Wizards Staff which deflected all but direct hits and gave a nasty shock when contacting the body of an opponent.

As the women stood in their corners, a flurry of bets passed back and forth between the spectators.

"You're pretty good, Navy. Not bad for a Muggle that flies around in a big, noisy machine all day," taunted the Auror.

Phaelan laughed, "You wish that's all I did. I've seen things and done things that would turn your hair white over-night."

Phaelan realized her error when Tonks screwed up her face and made her hair turn to snowy white. "I don't have to wait that long, love."

Tonks suddenly charged and Phaelan barely deflected her onslaught; ducking and catching Tonks with a hip roll. Unfortunately, the witch anticipated the move and countered with a sweep of her staff knocking Phaelan on to her back. In an instant, Tonks had straddled Phaelan and held her staff across the defeated woman's throat.

"Say Uncle; go on, and say it," Tonks demanded.

Phaelan had been winded in the fall and was panting. She could probably throw the witch off but the demonstration had proved its point; what the hell, have some fun.

"Aunty!" yelled Phaelan.

"Uncle," retorted Tonks.

"Cousin!" Phaelan began to laugh.

"Uncle, you stubborn Muggle," said Tonks through her own giggles.

"UNCLE, UNCLE, UNCLE."

The crowd in the Room of Requirement broke into cheers and applause. Tonks offered Phaelan a hand and they pulled each other up. They left the duelling floor with their arms draped over each other's shoulders and sat on a bench at the side. Cool water suddenly appeared beside them which they both drank back gratefully.

"I could've taken you in hand to hand," said Phaelan, wiping her brow with a towel.

"No self respecting witch would fight that way," declared Tonks.

"Really, so, what happens when you lose your wand or it gets broken?" asked Phaelan.

Tonks laughed at this, "Do you think I'd go after some bloody dark wizard with only one wand?"

"I don't know, would you?" asked Phaelan.

"How many guns do your Muggle coppers carry in America if they go after some baddy?"

Phaelan thought about it and nodded. "Yeah, okay, I see your point. So how many wands do you have?"

"Three that work specifically for me and three general use wands," she replied.

Phaelan frowned in thought. She hadn't given consideration to any of the DA having access to more than one wand.

"These general use wands, where do you get them?" she asked.

Tonks shrugged, "I dare say the school might have some for kids who've lost theirs but even a broken wand is better than an unmatched one. They don't work as well as a wand that melds with the aura of the witch or wizard using them, but they'll do in a pinch."

"Really." This gave Phaelan a lot to think about.

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Ron stood outside Snape's office taking deep breaths to calm his nerves. He had been summoned to present his modified plans for confronting Volde…shit. It didn't matter that Harry could say the name of He Who Must Not Be Named all he wanted. Ron had been broken of the habit before he could speak.

One more deep fortifying breath and Ron knocked on the door.

"Enter," called Snape.

Ron opened the door and entered, closing it immediately behind him. "You asked to see me, sir?" he started.

"Come and sit down, Weasley. I believe you have a short presentation for me." Snape sat back in his chair and noticed the diffident approach the young man made. "Still not confident in your sponsor, Weasley?" he taunted.

Ron grimaced in discomfort, "It's not that so much, sir. It's just..." He sighed, "This just feels like I'm betraying a confidence." He looked at the wizard regarding him across the desk. "Professor, I know that you already have full knowledge of our strategy. I'm still not clear on what you are trying to accomplish with this version I drew up."

Snape nodded, "That's a fair point of view. I haven't told you why because I need to know what your plans are. Now, show me the modifications and I will give you a small insight into what we are trying to accomplish."

Ron quickly brought Snape up to speed on where the extra complement would be utilized. Again, Snape was impressed with the tactics this Weasley had devised.

"I am once more impressed, Weasley. It appears your chess acumen has served you well in the choreography of war," offered Snape, in a rare compliment.

"Thank you sir; not only that, but I think I did a pretty good job of planning the moves for the fight as well." Ron's cheeks went red from the unaccustomed praise.

Snape turned away and rolled his eyes. He walked around his desk and leaned against it.

"Do you recall that I asked you whether or not you denied your pureblood heritage, Weasley?" he began.

Ron frowned but nodded, wondering where this conversation was headed.

"The Dark Lord is not a pure blood wizard; I'm sure you already know that." He looked at Ron for confirmation. "We are a proud race; rightfully so, for we have endured much to survive as a people. The Muggle-born may argue it, but we have progressed and improved our lot. Even Muggles have, unknowingly, benefited from our strength and steadfastness." He looked at the young man before him. "Would you choose to have your government regulated by Half-bloods and Muggle-born with your birthright pushed to the minority?"

Ron sat back in his chair and thought about what Snape had said. His father had worked for the Ministry for as long as Ron had been alive and his brother, Percy the Prat, was a Ministry toady. Would he choose to have his life ruled by those who had not lived in the Wizarding World all their lives?

"I wouldn't choose to have my world ruled like the Muggle world, sir, nor have my people lose what they have worked for, but I would give the Muggle-born their say. I do know I don't want to live under the thumb of You Know Who," was his reply.

Severus made his way back to sit behind his desk. "Indeed, Mr Weasley, I had thought you would say as much. I would like you, for the foreseeable future, to meet with me on Thursday evenings; I will tell you the location later."

"What for sir?" asked Ron.

"You are hardly alone in your convictions, Mr. Weasley. Unfortunately, there are those the DA would not gladly welcome into their midst, who would choose to oppose the possible rule of the Dark Lord. You, sir, will train them." Snape waited for his reaction.

"ME!" Ron exclaimed. "Why would they listen to me?"

"Because, as much as they would like to distance themselves from your family, you are of their people; they cannot deny your birthright." Snape watched as the truth sunk in.

"If I should decline?" asked Ron in a small voice.

"Hermione...that is, Miss Granger, so pined for you while you were gone over the holidays. It would be a great pity to have her lonely for those tender moments, for the rest of the school year."

Ron shook his head, "All due respect, sir," he spat, "you are a ruddy bastard."

Snape offered his most sardonic smile, "Aren't I just, Weasley? Thank you for the compliment."

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Phaelan was sitting in her office watching the two wizards putting together her computer with the magic components needed to make it work at Hogwarts. She'd been flummoxed at what the Christmas present was until Severus explained and then realized it was what she had seen the first time she had visited Flourish and Blotts.

"So, how exactly will it be powered?" she asked, still confused how a non-descript cube could be a source of electricity.

Draco pointed to the object she was looking at, "This contains a very powerful potion that reacts with the copper casing within the shielding. Somehow, that makes the power to run the computer. Some Australian wizard figured it out and got funding from Hong Kong for research and to build it."

Severus sat back and grinned to himself, "Even though they don't know it, a great number of Muggles have heard about the testing of the power source. "

"How so?" she asked.

"A few years ago, 1993 to be exact, a group of wizards, living in the Australian Outback, were involved in research that had been banned in populated areas due to its volatile and unpredictable results. Apparently one such experiment went quite off track. Without knowing exact details, I can only assume they used an inordinately large amount of Erumpent's fluid which reacted rather violently with the copper casing." He passed Draco the last of the cords to be attached and plugged in. "The resulting detonation was picked up as an earthquake on Muggle instruments."

"I remember something about that," Phaelan responded. She frowned in concentration. "Yes, if I recall it was blamed on a cult of some kind, the same ones that released gas on the subway in Japan." She nodded as she remembered, "The Aum Shinrikyo terrorist group; that was it."

"Yes, I recall that some Muggle group got named but they were not involved in the explosion. The wizards were renting land from them, on which to conduct the experiments." He watched as Draco completed the set up and switched on the hard drive which came to life with a hum.

Phaelan clapped her hands, "Thank you gentlemen. No more keeping marks in a book, I can set up a spread sheet." She sighed and let her smile droop a little, "Too bad there's no internet."

Draco quirked a crooked sneer, "Yeah, I miss it."

"You have the internet at home? I didn't think wizards houses were connected to telephone or cable." Phaelan was surprised at the boys' declaration.

"We aren't, but my mother purchased a satellite disk and had it installed outside the gatekeepers cottage with a connection leading to the main house." He snorted and continued, "Once the poor blighter had us hooked up, she walked him to his truck and obliviated the memory of the installation. We don't have to pay for the service."

"That's theft." Phaelan told him.

He just shrugged, "The dish was bought with Muggle money. Why should we pay more for something that's being beamed back to Muggle homes anyways? It's not like they'll notice. We have to keep out of the Muggle world don't we?"

Phaelan looked between them, "So, just because it's Muggle technology, you don't feel obliged to pay for the service?"

The two men looked back at her blankly. She shook her head, "Amazing, conceited arrogance."

"Enjoy the computer, Professor," said Draco, before escaping her glare.

Severus was about to say something when Polly suddenly appeared, "Master, Miss, Professor Dumbledore has asked you to come to his office. He wants to speak to you."

The topic of the moment was forgotten. Dumbledore usually didn't summon this way unless it was important.

"Thank you Polly. Tell the Headmaster we're on our way," Severus told the elf as he took Phaelan's elbow and led her out.

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Dumbledore sat behind his desk, uncommonly subdued in manner. He was about to reveal what he had found out about the scroll and how it related to Phaelan. He had some reservations as to how the information would be received by either party. It was after all, an intimate subject and would be so much counter to the ingrained personalities of the couple that acceptance would be difficult, if that word could even begin to describe the expected reaction.

Phaelan entered first and took a seat to the side allowing Severus his accustomed place near the window.

"You asked to see us, Albus," Opened Severus. He moved to take his usual place beside the window.

"Yes. Please, Severus, sit down," said the old man.

Phaelan noticed the bright gleam of restrained mischief missing from Dumbledore's eyes. Something was causing him worry.

"You look concerned about something, sir, what is it?" she asked.

"Phaelan, Severus has told you that he has shown me the wondrous Yuletide gift you bestowed upon him, has he not?" he asked.

"Yes, is there a problem with it?" Phaelan looked at Severus, who had not reacted to the Headmaster's words.

Dumbledore shook his head, "Not exactly a problem my dear." He looked over the rims of his glasses at the young woman before him and could see why wizards had been enthralled by her kind for generations. Why he had not seen it before, he questioned himself.

"I recall, Phaelan, you said your grandmother had related tales of a great grandfather who appeared to have magical abilities." He looked at her and acknowledged her nod. "It is with the greatest of certainty I can assure you he was a wizard. He was not of her bloodline however. At most, her grandmother would have been adopted into his family."

Phaelan shook her head, "Are you trying to say I'm a witch?" she asked, almost laughing at the idea.

"No indeed something far rarer." He paused and looked at Severus who was now as confused as Phaelan.

Dumbledore took a breath to begin his tale. "In the time of the Diaspora of the Hebrew tribes from what we now know as the Middle East, there was a movement of wizards seeking to find a way to entrench their superiority. Magic, though well developed, was still in a time of discovery. There were magical creatures to be subdued, wondrous powers to be harnessed." Dumbledore now stood, "As is the way of man, the magical Sultans sought to surpass each other in their control of the forces accessible to them."

"Albus, are you saying my ever so great grandfather, adoptive or not, was a part of this?" Phaelan asked with a growing unease.

"Almost indubitably, Phaelan. The wizards of the time found there were people, women in particular, who had a unique ability. This gift allowed them to offer and control the strength of the power of magic to those who would be of a like mind or of a bloodline in kind." Dumbledore paused, letting his pronouncement sink in.

"What kind of power and control do you speak of, old man?" asked Severus in a subdued voice.

"The power was as strong as the connection between the two in bloodline or in emotional and physical bonding. The latter bonding was enhanced by a special charm." Dumbledore looked at Phaelan who sat looking at her hands. He had one last question. "Phaelan, were you ever gifted with an article of jewellery that you were encouraged to wear? Perhaps it was a good luck charm or an amulet."

Phaelan nodded and unconsciously touched the red stone lying against her skin. "She gave it to me and said it was a good luck charm and never to take it off." She looked up at the headmaster and shrugged, "I wore it only for sentimental reasons."

"May I see it?" he asked. Phaelan passed the pendant over and watched as he set it down on his desk. Severus stood and walked closer to the desk. Dumbledore passed his wand over the carved red stone. From deep with in it, a glow began to emanate, growing brighter until finally it flashed brilliantly before fading away once more.

Phaelan was stunned. She looked at Severus who was looking at her, frowning for some reason.

"What is it?" she asked, looking between the two men.

'"You wore this the night Rosier died and we..." Severus began and trailed off.

Phaelan nodded, "Yes. What is it Albus, don't keep me in the dark?"

"Sit down, Severus." Dumbledore requested.

As he returned to his chair, Snape asked, "What manner of enchantment is this, old man?"

"You are a very powerful wizard, Severus. When you and Phaelan...first had relations while this artefact was on her person, it created a bond. With time the bond becomes compelling for each of you. In short, you need Phaelan and she must submit to your needs in whatever manner you require." He stood and walked around the desk to return the pendant to Phaelan.

"Let us try a small experiment." Without using his wand, Dumbledore conjured a feather which he set before Snape. "Your first charms lesson. Severus, levitate the feather," he requested.

"Wingardium Leviosa," said Snape accompanied by a swish and flick of his wand. The feather gently lifted into the air and hovered. After a few seconds he released the charm.

"Now, if you will Phaelan, lay your hands upon Severus' shoulders and Severus, if you would repeat the experiment.

"Wingardium Leviosa," he repeated, but instead of a gentle upward float, the feather launched itself at the ceiling and became embedded in the ancient plaster.

"What manner of magic is this?" hissed Severus.

Dumbledore returned to his chair, "As I have said, it is very ancient. The wizard sultans would have a harem of Praeservio available, none of whom would be a direct descendant for a Praeservio cannot be born of a witch or wizard. They are only begat of the pairing of one of their kind with a Muggle. Very carefully bred; usually for appearance, stamina and intelligence."

"You mean, they would breed and keep these women as slaves." She stated,

Dumbledore nodded, "Very comfortable, pampered and secluded slaves, for no other men, save the Muggle eunuchs who guarded them, would be permitted to see or touch them." He looked uncertain for a moment but continued, "They could also be used to lull an enemy into peace by sending one of the women to join with the leader. She would then proceed to convince him of the foolishness of his actions often bringing down the opposing forces by weakening the leadership."

"If the women were kept in the seraglio, how then were the numbers of these Praeservio maintained?" asked Snape.

"The women could be purchased with the requirement that the first child must be given to the Sultan for indenture and other children could be bought." Dumbledore shrugged, "The entire idea of women in a harem was not unheard of in those times. This was the original form which Muggles then copied."

"How did my grandmother come to be in France?" she asked, with the feeling of unease still growing within her belly.

"After the fall of the Ottoman empire, the existing communities of Jews decided to move their Praeservio to a safer environment. In the long run, Poland, Russia and Germany proved dangerous so they kept moving west." He paused and passed a finger over his lips. "I believe the move to North America was not attempted until after Grindelwald's fall."

"How much of a connection is between us, Albus? Am I so bound that it may not be undone?" asked Severus.

Phaelan looked at him, "You think I have done this on purpose? I had no idea."

Severus turned to look at her, his face unreadable. "Your kind was bred to serve a wizard and so ensnare his senses that he would be enthralled. I am proof positive of its strength. It can be argued I have changed a great deal since your appearance at Hogwarts. I am no longer the person I was."

Phaelan shook her head, "My kind. Jesus Christ, I didn't know I was a KIND of anything ten minutes ago." She stood, her growing unease needing an outlet. "How would you feel if you were being described as some manner of herding animal, little more than cattle, to be used and bartered as chattel?" She rounded on Dumbledore, "You seem to be describing the movement of these Praeservio as some kind of infestation. Why? Did the herd need to be culled now and again?"

"Phaelan, please, I did not intend for you to be so distressed." Dumbledore stood and approached her, "The discovery of your abilities is a wonderful opportunity for us. We can study and understand..."

"I'm not a fucking specimen under a bell jar," she yelled. "I need to think." Phaelan covered her face with her hands then, taking a deep breath. "I'm going to take a walk and return to my chambers." She made her way to the door but turned back, "Professor Snape, I shall have Polly retrieve my property from your chambers at a time of your convenience. I shall no longer importune you with my presence lest it be a distraction. As for the scroll, destroy it, keep it, donate it, I don't care. I wish I'd never laid eyes on it."

She opened the door and left, running down the spiral stairs. The ghosts marked her path as she ran to the tower where she felt most free. When she reached the top, she collapsed and screamed her pain to the skies. In a few minutes, everything she thought of herself and her life had been ripped from her. She had been a product of a breeding plan just like that insect Snape had destroyed. The progeny of a being called a Praeservio, cultivated for favourable characteristics. Phaelan wept for the loss of her identity and for the hurtful realization that her grandmother had known all along. The old woman had been grooming her for a future to create more of their kind in the US. To what ends, Phaelan didn't know and now didn't care. She would not be a Praeservio, a slave for anyone. Not even the man she loved.