Harry Potter and the Old Mage

Chapter 8

"I want to break free. I want to break free form your lives your so self satisfied I don't need you . I've got to break free. God knows, god knows I want to break free.

I've fallen in love. I've fallen in love for the first time and this time I know it's for real. I've fallen in love God knows, God knows I've fallen in love.

It's strange but it's true. I can't get over the way you love me like you do. But I have to be sure when I walk out that door. Oh how I want to be free baby. Oh how I want to break free." - Queen – I Want To Break Free

"…Now enough has been said. Return to yer' homes and spread not these lies of bringing back the dead."

With that the Master Mage known as Elminster snapped his fingers twice and he, Harry, Sirius, Storm, Sylûne, Lhaeo and Ayana all vanished, simply to reappear in El's tower and took Harry and Sirius to Harry's room. With a wave of her hand Sylûne created a complete copy of Harry's bed and placed it next to the other. Once both men were placed on the beds and tucked in the other five went down to the kitchen for a quick bite to eat and then headed to their own beds, it had been a very long month.

Meanwhile during the time of Harry's Spirit Journey much was happening in the Wizarding world. It was New Years and everyone was relaxed as nothing had been happening. That was until early that evening. When Diagon Alley was attacked.

Diagon Alley was packed. It was December 28 th and many were out and about the alley picking up this or that that was on sale since Christmas was now over. Many others were picking out elegant dress robes from the different clothing shops in the area for New Years Eve. Things had been so quiet lately that no one thought anything about being out and about in large numbers.

They were lucky. Voldemort decided to wait a few more days. Though those on the streets or in their homes didn't know it. They soon would.

Molly Weasley was currently out in Diagon Alley. She had things to pick up for home as well as the main reason she was here, for a 'new' set of dress robes for her and Arthur. She was of course looking through the used clothing stores for the perfect ones. All this hassle for the annual New Year's Ball in the Ministry. She needed to find something that no one wore last year either. Indeed, such a hassle.

Molly walked into Helen's Exceptional Styles looking for something different this year. She didn't want the other Ministry Women to make snide comments on the fact that what she had on were 'last year'. It got to be annoying after so many years.

Now she was never really into fashion. She never had the luxury. Her family never had the money and so she learned how to efficiently penny pinch at a young age. Fashion was one of the unneeded extra expenses.

"Hey Molly. How are you doing to day." Was the first thing heard when she walked through the doorway.

"I'm doing wonderful Helen. How are you?" She asked her old schooltime friend.

"Oh well things are going. It seems to have picked up even since nothing has happened." Helen replied.

"And let us hope nothing does." Molly said in turn. The two woman talked for a while catching up on recent events. "Well you know why I'm here. Helen I really need help picking something out for the Ministry Ball. You know I've never had good fashion sense."

Helen laughed slightly. "My dear you have never needed it. You look amazing in what ever you wear."

Molly shook her head at her friends antics. "That is not true and you know it. Now help me pick out something from your stocks. Something to keep the other women from berating too much. I have a little extra spending money now and I want to use it." She said with a smile.

The two women spent another hour and a half going through the more classy Dress Robes for Molly and her husband till they found the perfect set. Of course another two hours were spent during lunch continuing on their catch-up.

"My dear Minister. Have you heard about the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher this year?" Lucius Malfoy asked Fudge. The two were currently in the Ministers office discussing the coming New Year's Ball that was held every year. The elder Malfoy was of course helping to decide who to invite besides those from the ministry department heads.

"What about them. Its just another teacher why bring it up now?" Fudge asked.

"I see then you haven't heard. Let me remedy that. True that I only just found out myself. Some how she was able to keep it secret for a while. The new Professor is from one of the hidden families." Lucius said.

"What! Why did no one tell me this before now. The hidden families are renowned, this new professor can help me cement my office. Now that the Potter boy is hidden I need something else. This will work perfectly. What is her name? Her Title?" Fudge asked with glee.

Lucius smirked behind his benevolent mask. Fudge was so stupid. Very bait-able. And Lucius was laughing on the inside. "She is called Lady Sillfair. I know not her first name. She has kept it to herself completely from what I understand. She also had a guard with her. A muggle I was told."

"A muggle. Well no matter the hidden families can do as they wish. They are nearly Royalty by Merlin. We must invite her." Fudge said with finality.

Lady Sillfair was sitting at her desk going over a recent letter she had received. Well in all actuality it was an invitation. An invitation to a high ball for the English Ministry of Magic to celebrate New Years. Good thing, it was a plus one invitation. More of the stuffed up officials needed to meet what they called Muggles. She knew Brawn would be only too happy to oblige them.

Lady Sillfair smiled a bit deviously as she wrote out an acceptance to the invitation.

It was the New Years Eve, and people were already beginning to arrive in the Ministry Ballroom. Many were the exquisite gowns worn by the women and the matching high class formal robes worn by the men. Styles and colors varied throughout the rainbow and many were also the jewelry and hairstyles worn as well. It was a true site to behold.

Of course the real kicker to the whole ensamble came with the entrence of Hogwarts newest DADA facaulty members. The whole place fell silent for differing reasons, and only in the beginning were those questioning who the woman in the lead was.

Lady Sillfair was dressed in a simple yet elegant black gown. It was open low in the back and front. Falling strait down, tight with her long legs, it only allowed movement due to the split on the left side that ran nearly up to her waist, trimmed in silver. The dress had accent sleeves that seemed more wing-like, created from essentially a half sleeve that was open on the top of the arm and clasped in three places, the wrist, elbow and shoulder, and finished with a wing like piece of material that hung down. At the wrist of each sleeve was a silver bracelet that held the sleeve there no matter how the arm was moved. On her open neck sat a thick collar like necklace of silver and diamonds that tapered to a point at the top of her cleavage just above the dress.

All of this seemed to accent her face and hair. Said hair was a magnificent silver and put up in an impossible looking knot with a few curls falling free. What seemed to be holding all of her hair up was a knotted silver and diamond barrette running from one side of the knot to the other. Though many women tried to find anything else holding up the hair as it simply didn't seem as if the barrette or any magic it contained to do so.

The other thing that made this entrance stand out to everyone else was who she brought with her. Behind was Brawn Granstone though those who had not met either of the DADA Professors would not have known that. He was not dressed like any of the other men at the ball. No Brawn wore partial armor. Soft leather pants and high boots. A loose white long sleeved tunic covered in a gleaming steel breast plate. Upper and Lower steel arm guards and a black cape with a silver crest that showed the family he worked for or was part of. No one could be to sure, but by the fact that it could also be seen on the ring worn by the Lady he accompanied many assumed he was her guard. That could be why his hand never left the pommel of the sword at his hip.

After the entrance of the Lady and her Guard, as was being whispered the music ended and dinner was set.

"So my dear, are you truly of the Silver Fair family? None from that line have been seen in decades." Lucius Malfoy asked the woman he worked himself next to. Behind her stood the armored man. That one had yet to speak or eat and dinner was nearly over.

"Indeed I am. We tend to remain to ourselves. Our island is quite large and contains a village of non-magical. We all enjoy our privacy." Lady Sillfair answered him.

"Non-magical village? Really, how interesting. Your family rules over the village I assume." Malfoy would have continued but was cut off.

"We rule over no one. Simply co-exist. We each benefit from the other, and quite enjoy it that way." She said to him.

"Of course Lady I meant no disrespect. May I ask though what your first name is? I would quite enjoy getting to know you better." Malfoy said.

"Hmm, I suppose. I have actually told very few, the Headmaster being one of them. You may call me Ara." This now said the dinner was done.

With a motion from Fudge at the head of the table the band began to play and all stood from their seat to allow the house elves to clean the tables and set them for hors d'oeuvres to munch on the rest of the night as the people mingled. Malfoy stood and offered his hand to his wife who had been seated at his side. "If you would excuse us Lady, but I believe I shall offer my wife a dance." With a nod the two walked out on to the dance floor. Ara and Braun walked off as well, intent on joining the mingling conversationalists.

An hour or so later found Ara Sillfair and Braun Granstone in a conversation with the current Minister of Magic for Britain, Corneillius Fudge. "So is the Silver Fair family coming out of hiding now?" Fudge asked in a pompous attitude.

"Minister, my family has never hidden. We enjoy our privacy and I am here to see how things are going on in the Magical world. To see if it is yet up to our standards. So far as I can see your children have great potential if taught correctly but the current government is all run by money. Excuse me." With this an annoyed Lady walked away from a shocked and slightly outraged Minister.

Dumbledore had seen this exchange and felt it was time to bring Lady Ara Sillfair into the Order. She had the most perfect idea's, the same as her family if he had understood her correctly. It would be great if he could get more of them on his side. Perhaps even those like Mr. Granstone.

It was nearing midnight and Ara, Braun, Albus, Minerva, Molly, Arthur, and Kingsly were all talking quietly about what was being done to stop Voldemort. Of course all present were working to get Ara and Braun's ideas about the war before offering a position in the order. That is when someone began counting down the last seconds till the New Year. Unfortunately, a few of those in this particular group were getting a foreboding feeling.

10…

8…

6…

4…

3…

2…

1…

BANG!

It was an attack. Five creatures soared into the room followed by fifty Death Eaters in full garb. At once Albus, Ara, and Braun work to destroy the five creatures that had enterded first. With multiple small eye stalked and one main eye stalk that was shooting off laser blasts these creatures were a major threat. Not to mention that the three were the only ones who knew what they were in the first place, though that was unsaid.

The large jaws on the main body, a floating round head of sorts, seemed to have a taste for human blood as the first one to have a chance grabbed a nearby Auror with one of its minor eye stalks and brought him to its mouth. It got only as far as the unfortunate Auror's leg before the stalk was cut off by the sword in Braun's hands saving the young man from more loss of limbs. Molly Weasley was quick to the young man's side offering a blood clotting healer's spell she had learned during the last war when she was much younger. Molly never had been one for fighting and so had learned combat healing instead.

Braun continued to battle with the one he had chopped an eye stalk from while Albus and Ara both battled two at a time. Albus was glowing with power as he battled mind and body with the beasts in front of him. In his right hand was his wand while he had conjured a sword into the other. The battle was all out and the old man would not come out of it unscathed.

Ara on the other hand had at some point changed her wand into a long black staff and split her dress down the other side to allow more freedom of movement. She too was glowing with power and fought tooth and nail with the two creatures that surrounded her, one in front and one behind. Not standing still for long, she flipped, dove, dodged, ducked, rolled, jumped, and twirled between eye blasts and other magic's coming from the beasts as she used her staff to blast and slice with her own magic at the two. Soon she was standing alone with the beasts having been torn to shreds and lying at her high heeled feet.

At this point Albus was growing distraught. He had never actually seen these things before, only read of them in a very old book. The book even believed that they may not even be real. Well he could certainly contest that now. The problem was that a lot of his magic was not working well on the things. On the bright side his Defense teachers seemed to know what they were doing. Ara was even done with her two and on her way over to help. Not a moment to spare either.

The two finally finished the two beast that had gone after Albus and Ara shot a quick spell from her staff at the last one momentarily distracting it with a fiery injury and allowing Braun to run it through it's mouth with his sword and say and activation word, causing the creature to explode into thousands of tiny little blood chunks.

During Albus, Ara, and Braun's fights the others in the ball room were busy fighting or fleeing the Death Eaters. It was less than half that fought in retrospect. Many Aurors had been in the ball room and all were fighting the Death Eaters. Some of the Ministry Heads were also fighting the Death Eaters, including Arthur Weasley and Amelia Bones.

Many had been injured or killed on both sides by the time Albus, Ara, and Braun were finished but with the help of the three of them the rest of the Death Eaters were quickly subdued and soon removed from the room by the able Aurors. As this was happening others available were helping those injured to recover from the attack.

In the back of the room the Minister could be found with his wife and Narcissa Malfoy. In front of them was Lucius binding three Death Eaters that had attacked the Minister. Of course Malfoy knew that all the Death Eaters that had attacked tonight were new. They would have no real information on who was in the inner circle or on what the Dark Lord was up to. Tonight was more of a scare tactic than anything else.

Looking around Malfoy noticed that many more were alive than had been hoped. Apparently the five young Beholders were too inexperienced for the battle. His Lord would not be pleased with the outcome. It had only been expected for Dumbledore to be able to inflict pain upon the creatures and likely drive them back. They had even been told not to remain for the whole battle as the Dark Lord didn't want everyone at the ministry dead. But that Lady and her Guard had known how to fight them. The Dark Lord would not be happy and Malfoy was likely to be the one to bare the brunt of it unfortunately. The only good to come out of this was that he would have even more pull over the Minister due to his 'saving him' from the Death Eaters.

It took three hours till all was said and done. Those injured were taken to St. Mungo's. Those who had died were taken to the Ministry and placed in a stasis for identification before being given to the families. The Death Eaters that were alive were all taken too Ministry as well, each placed in separate holding cells. Those injured were treated by Healers coming from St. Mungo's and during treatment a pair of Aurors never left each healer. The questioning would begin with in the next four weeks.

After the help with Healing was given and the Professionals were brought in those from Hogwarts along with the Weasleys left the Ministry Hall to head back for some rest after the evenings events.

"Lady Sillfair, Mr. Granstone, if I may ask you to join us. I would like you to come to a meeting." Albus Dumbledore said to the two once they were inside of the castle.

Ara Sillfair took a long look directly into the old man's eyes, seeming to be looking strait through him. After a moment she cocked her head slightly to the side and gave a small smile. As if having found what she was looking for. Maybe she had. "Of course Headmaster. We would be happy to join you for your meeting. I am sure it will have mutual benefit for us all."

With that Albus too smiled and gave a slight nod. With out another word he headed up to his office.

"Green Gummy Bears." Dumbledore said when he reached the gargoyle guarding his office. "We shall be headed over to another residence for our meeting. I shall explain more when we get there." He directed to the two DADA Professors.

"Do not worry Headmaster. We understand." Lady Sillfair said to him with a smile.

Once in the office Albus sent the Weasleys and McGonnigal through the floo and to Headquarters.

"Read this then you can floo over." He handed the two a paper with the address of the Headquarters. Looking at it they read,

Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix is located at Number 12 Grimauld Place London, England

At this they both stepped into the floo and left just before Albus did. When they arrived they were greeted by Molly Weasley and led into the kitchen. Apparently Albus had already ordered the meeting for there were many in the kitchen. That or he had a way of ordering a meeting quickly and without much effort. They would likely know soon enough. It was then that Albus walked into the kitchen.

"Welcome everyone. I am sorry to interrupt all of your New Years celebrations but the Ministry Ball was attacked tonight. Now all the Death Eaters were caught or killed during the battle but the most important thing of this attack was that it was on the Ministry Heads as well as that there were new enemies for us to fight." At this the Headmaster took a pause to take a sip of tea Molly was handing out. Everyone who had not been there was wondering what Dumbledore meant by 'new enemy'.

After another sip of tea Albus began again. "The Death Eaters were not the only beings to attack tonight. There were also creatures known as Beholders. Now I have only read about these in ancient books. Even in such books these Beholders were thought to be extinct or banished from our world. This brings up the question as to where they came from and how Voldemort brought them into his fold. Serverus, do you have any knowledge of this?" He asked the spy sitting at the end of the table.

"I have no knowledge of this but I do have an idea. You do remember when I told you about the ritual the Dark Lord performed? I do not know much about what it was for. He told no one. I do know if you recall, that the ritual was to open a portal. To where I have yet to find out. Other than that all I can tell you is that HE made contact." Snape said to all present.

This information pulled at Ara Sillfair. She spoke up. "Were there any symbols used more than once in this ritual?" Many looked to the woman. Still in her gown from the Ministry Ball she had blood on her skin and gown from the Beholders she had killed. Her staff to was leaning against the back of her chair, much like Dumbledore's. Because of the curious looks she was receiving and the fact that his Potions Master was currently thinking about the question the Headmaster decided to actually introduce the two new comers.

"Everyone the woman before you is Lady Ara Sillfair and the gentleman next to her is her Guardsman Brawn Granstone. The two have graciously taken the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts and a new class Physical Self Defense. They also helped greatly tonight in killing the 5 Beholders that were there. They are joining us and will go through the admittance after the meeting. Now Serverus, do you have an answer for us?"

Snape looked up. "Indeed. There was one symbol that was often repeated. It was on all four legs of the ritual alter as well as done large on the top of the alter." With this Snape raised his wand over the table and nearly whispered an incantation. Slowly, over the center of the table appeared a purple sun with what would have been an open center if not for the jaw-boneless skull grinning inside of it. Nearly everyone looked at it curiously. Only two gave any signs of recognition making know to the others that they knew what it meant.

Brawn gasped while Ara swore. Not a good sign to the rest at the table.

Back again in the unknown room the previously proclaimed Lord was sitting on his throne. Still hidden in the shadows, above those below him with his throne on the raised platform, the man turned toward the fire grate. Such a move provided a slight view of his face. Only slight for all that could really be seen were his dark and evil filled eyes and the devilish smirk he wore.

The reason? He had just been told that his plans would be ready sooner that the expected four months that were supposedly left. Yes it would be read soon. Only two months more. Not a great difference as preporations had begun five months before. But the extra two months cut off would help greatly. Yes this man was happy. Or rather, as he was deffinitly evil, greatly excited for the future evil he was to cause.

A manic laugh was heard throughout the complex, and all new that their Lord was greatly pleased with their work. Said work continued. They did need to keep him happy. No one had a death wish.

AN: Well there you go. Sorry for the long wait. I had a large writers block. Next chapter will get back to Harry and friends. I have a great many ideas for the next few chapters. Now all I need is to get them down.

If you are confused by the last section in this chapter look back to the end of Chapter 4. That is all the clue I'm giving you.

I hope all had a great Holiday season and a Happy New Year.

In a dark room, somewhere unknown to all but those present was a man sitting on a throne. He was hidden in the shadows produced by the small fire burning in the hearth at his back. What could be seen of the room was limited to the raised platform against the wall the contained said hearth, throne, and man; and those who stood in front of him on the lower level.