A/N- Do not own. I apologize for the long wait. Graduate school, care-taking, and a promotion at work have taken up my time. This chapter is a bit of a mode-podge. But it's up and I will try to post sooner. Swear. Enjoy and as always, use your words. ~Case

-x-

Teddy kicked his feet, making his dragons dance across the blanket, biting his lip. "Hey Bain?"

Bain looked up from the worksheet he was attempting, glancing at the preteen stretched across his bed and then to the one stretched out on the floor. Why his room had become where they went to when Alexis was not around, he didn't know. But he was alright with it. Most of the time. "Yes?"

"May I ask you something?"

He hesitated, setting his pen down. The child could want to know anything and that was an almost horrifying thought. But he was also pretty sure Teddy wouldn't ask him about sex or anything like that. The boy wasn't like that and while his tone sounded serious, he could think of a dozen other questions the child might ask. "Sure but I can't promise I know the answer." He responded finally, turning fully in his chair to be able to see the youngest boy.

Teddy set the dragon down on the blanket, propping himself up on his elbows. " Alexis protects us and keeps us safe but who will protect her?"

He blinked, staring at the younger boy for a long moment. Teddy had told them what had happened in Italy but he hadn't realized it was still upsetting the child. Alexis was an adult but he also knew that she shouldn't have to do everything alone. Wasn't that what she was always telling him? That they weren't alone anymore. So why should she be? He knew he would have to talk to someone, an adult, if only just to make Teddy feel better. "I don't have the answer to that Teddy. But I will make sure she is taken care of, I promise." Bain replied after a long silence.

"Maybe we could teach you some basic shield charms, Teddy, in the mean time?" Elijah suggested, meeting Bain's eyes for a moment. He heard the fear in the younger boy's voice and he knew that while Alexis could protect herself, it might make Teddy feel better.

Teddy nodded seriously, glancing between the two older boys before returning to his dragons. He knew that his older 'brothers' would help and that was a load off of his small shoulders. Alexis had said they weren't alone anymore and she was right, they had each other.

-x-

Alexis didn't look up from the paper she was reading, gesturing for the person who had just entered her office to sit. "The answer is still no." She remarked finally, setting the paper aside for the moment. She glanced at the stacks of papers left for her to read and bit back a sigh. She had so much work left to do before school started back and it was almost August. And she still had to make time to get her son to a birthday party that evening. Not to mention deal with the unhappy staff member in front of her.

"I don't see how it is any of your concern. I am adult Alexis and I can make my own choices." Paul argued, frowning at the woman. He wasn't much younger than her and still she treated him like he was an impulsive teenager!

She ran a hand over her forehead, tilting her head slightly. "We have had this discussion. The answer will not change. Now, was there anything else I could help you with?" She responded coolly, raising an eyebrow when the younger man glowered at her. Did he really think that would work? She was a mind-healer for teenagers as well; that look, the pouting, had no power over her.

Paul snorted, tapping his foot for a moment. She was being unreasonable! She hadn't even given him a real reason. She had just shot his idea down. "Why?"

She closed her eyes for a moment, giving a slight shake of her head. Her twenty-three year old mind-healer was whining. She had enough teenaged drama to deal with; this was why most places hired older staff. But these young adults were the best at what they did, even if the eclectic group of individuals each came with their own set of problems. "Drunk and disorderly conduct, apparating while impaired, fired for showing up drunk more often than not, drunk and disorderly conduct, flying while impaired, drunk and disorderly conduct, resisting arrest...Need I continue? You are not the only staff member who has a problem with alcohol but you have by far the most interesting arrest record for being intoxicated. There will be no drinking during staff meetings, while on duty, or anywhere in the castle except for private quarters. Even that is limited to certain members of staff. Is that a clear enough explanation?"

He blinked, freezing for a moment. She knew about all of that? But she hired him! Why would she hire him if she thought he had a problem with alcohol? He didn't have a problem. He just tended to over indulge...often, but it made him feel better. Oh fine, he was a mind-healer. He knew he had a problem. But it wasn't a problem problem. Not really. "You know? But why..?"

"Why did I hire you? According to your Master, you've been sober for a year. You are great with teenagers and you have a passion for them. You make a fine mind-healer, when you are sober, and to be frank, you need this job. But I cannot have you drinking, even if the rest of the staff does have one glass off duty to calm their nerves. You don't have limits Paul. And these children...if they see you drunk, think of how they might feel. How many of them come from homes where alcohol brought violence? You don't want them to fear you, do you? I know it is stressful, this job, and I know the drinking 'helps', but does it really help? Does it really make things better?" She replied quietly, leaning forward. And it was true, she hired him because he was good at what he did. Everyone deserved a second chance; Merlin knows she had needed one.

He lowered his head, staring at the edge of her desk for a long moment. She was right and he knew it. Drinking didn't really make it better, not in the long run, and he was just getting some of the children to trust him. He didn't want to lose that trust because of a slip up. So why give himself the temptation? It did make more sense now about why the Elves always refused his requests for a drink. They probably were just following orders. "I understand, Alexis. I apologize."

She nodded her acceptance, studying him for a moment. There was something else that brought him here, she just wasn't sure what it was. "Is there something else you wanted to discuss Paul?" She invited calmly, raising an eyebrow when he refused to look at her.

Paul hesitated, focusing on his hands for several minutes before finally looking up at her. "I'm concerned about one of your children." He stated finally. That was the real reason for his visit after all. He had known, deep down, that he would get no where with the alcohol argument.

She blinked, staring at him for a moment. One of her children? If he meant her wards, that number grew by the week as she terminated parental rights. Honestly, all of Hogwarts children were hers. But she had a feeling that wasn't what he meant. "Who?"

He sighed, leaning forward and rubbing his chin. "Elijah."

She frowned, running the child's recent behaviors through her mind. Elijah wasn't the child she had thought he meant. Teddy or Bain, perhaps, but Elijah? "Alright...what about Elijah has you concerned?" She questioned finally, leaning forward slightly.

He hesitated for a moment long, tapping long fingers on his knees. There really was not an easy way to put it. She knew the boy had a temper but he had noticed something...strange. "He has a few odd bruises on his forearm. Besides that, the child is dark, Alexis. Completely dark. I've seen that before and I see it in other children here, but usually they eventually emerge from the dark. Elijah isn't. He's sinking deeper into it." He replied finally, shaking his head. The boy was hiding so well, he couldn't find even the trace of emotion in his conversations with the child.

Alexis bit her lip, smoothing a hand through her hair for a moment. That wasn't...unexpected, actually. Well, the bruises were and she would be getting an explanation for those soon. But she had noticed that the child was closed off. For she knew exactly what Paul meant. He didn't mean that Elijah used 'dark' magic; he meant that the boy was emotionally distant, that he locked everything inside. But the boy wasn't completely dark, that was just the facade he showed outside her walls. "I didn't know about the bruises. Honestly, he is probably fighting again. He isn't completely dark, Paul. He just doesn't let it show to anyone else. He also has a keen sense of right and wrong. I am working on my boys, on getting those masks off, but you know the process. Thank you for informing me." She responded quietly, watching the younger man shift restlessly. She understood what he was afraid of, but he didn't know that she was watching all of the children, not just hers, for signs. Or that she had someone on staff for that very purpose. And the wards against suicide were up and steady. She could not prevent the feelings of hopelessness but she could take steps to remedy them and that was what she was doing. She would not watch her students go through that; they could prevent it and they would.

-x-

Alexis rubbed her forehead, fighting another headache, and glanced at the light over her door. Student, then. Severus had finally offered to take Teddy to the Malfoys for her and, although she wasn't so keen on letting him go alone, she trusted Lucius and Cissa with her life and that of her children. Besides, he wasn't exactly alone. Remus was going to stay with the children, she just had wanted to take her son herself. But work...got away from her. And now there was yet another student at her door. She sent up a silent prayer that this one hadn't been fighting and waved her hand at the door. She raised an eyebrow at the teenage boy who stepped in, assessing him quickly. No new injuries and no obvious anger. "Isaac, come in. Sit." She gestured to a chair, watching the child's slight limp for a moment. Eric had cleared him from the crutches and they had switched the cast out, but his leg was still healing and still weak. So why had he walked all the way up there, instead of flooing? "What can I do for you?"

Isaac observed the woman for a long moment, rigidly still. He knew she wouldn't laugh at him nor give him the look Henry had. He would have asked Jake but the older man had been busy separating the twins and he wouldn't have told Henry at all if the man hadn't inquired about his drawing. "I wanted to do a ritual but Henry told me I had to ask you first." He mumbled finally, meeting her eyes for a moment.

"Oh?" She inquired causally, leaning back slightly. A ritual? Personal rituals were fine but if Henry had sent him to her, then it wasn't a simple ritual. It also must be something the child was planning for very soon, otherwise she was sure Henry would have informed her at their meeting the next night.

"It's just a simple ritual, Headmistress. I thought you said magic like that was acceptable now." He responded, shrugging. He still stayed motionless, keeping his gaze locked slightly to the left of hers. He wasn't lying, not really. It was a simple ritual. Mostly.

She doubted that. If it had been simple, the child would not need to ask her permission. "What type of ritual were you hoping to perform, Isaac?" She raised an eyebrow at the boy, frowning at the fleeting flash of anger in his eyes. She had to tread carefully here, then.

She would say no, he just knew it. He fidgeted finally, chewing on his lower lip. It wasn't dangerous and it was exceedingly personal but she would say no if he told her the truth. "It's just a ritual." He grumbled finally, not meeting her eyes.

"I see. It that case, no you may not perform 'just a ritual'. I am here to help you, Isaac. Be honest with me, I might surprise you.. " She replied nonchalantly, ignoring his tone for the moment. If he was trying to hide it from her then it was important to him. But she couldn't help him if he didn't talk to her.

He tapped his fingers on his leg, biting the inside of his cheek for a moment. " I want to do a sky-clad ritual." He blurted out finally, dropping his eyes to the floor.

Ah. That made sense then. "What is your offering?" She asked quietly, biting back a smirk when the child blushed. Boys always seemed to blush when asked that. It wasn't like she hadn't heard everything possible before.

Isaac grimaced, of course she would ask that. It was only the most embarrassing question in the world. What bit of himself was he offering to the gods? Ick. Henry hadn't asked. He had just said that perhaps he should clear it with Alexis first. That was why he was here. He wanted to do this ritual; he needed to do this ritual.

"Hair. And an apple." He answered finally, glancing up to meet warm gray eyes.

"Burned or cut?"

"Burned." He shrugged, raising an eyebrow of his own. He didn't know that cutting the offering would work. But he wanted to keep it traditional.

A purification ritual, the only sky-clad ritual that he should be even thinking about doing, wasn't something she could deny if he wasn't planning to harm himself for the ritual. But he also would not be performing the ritual unsupervised, as so much could go wrong. Alexis also understood Henry's concern. She had hired the older man for a reason, one that most of the staff didn't even know. She wasn't sure what they thought of her weekly meetings with him, although she also had set aside time to meet with Jake and Mary every week as well. She knew most of the staff wondered why she kept him around if the older teens didn't respect him and the younger ones didn't like him. But Henry was excellent at what he did. And while she had told him that she hoped they never actually needed his specialty, which he had seconded, she had offered him a position for the school year. For as long as he wanted. The man didn't spend so much time trying to work with Derek because he liked the bully, although she knew he was growing to like the softer side of Derek, but rather he was working on keeping the bully off the ledge that he kept edging closer and closer to. Derek's counselors wouldn't notice until he was standing on that ledge but Henry had spent nearly two decades learning to read people. It was his job to step in before the ledge even became part of the picture. And he wasn't just there for the students either. He was there for the staff as well. Granted they didn't know that or they would be more guarded around him, which would defeat the purpose. Henry noticed when something was wrong, or off, or just felt weird, with anyone at the school. She knew that was why he had paid attention to Isaac tonight. The boy must have been throwing off some sign that all was not well. A purification ritual was not something done lightly but she knew better than to attempt to stop it. If he felt the need to purify his body, mind, or magic, she would not get in his way. But he would do it safely, in the courtyard she was designing for rituals, and under supervision of someone who understood the ritual. Which narrowed her list greatly. She could supervise him but she knew that might make the child uncomfortable and needlessly embarrass him. After all, she was mortified the first time Tim insisted on observing her sky-clad ritual. "You may perform the ritual but it will be under supervision."

Isaac grimaced, chewing on his lip for a moment. He hoped to the gods that it wouldn't be her supervising. He liked the Headmistress, but she was a woman! And he wasn't. And that would just feel so weird. "Who?" He grumbled finally, glancing up to see the crinkle of humour in her eyes.

"You have a choice. Tim, Eric, or Severus are able to supervise and they will not interfere unless it is necessary." She responded, fighting the urge to grin at the child. She understood his discomfort but she also knew he would feel more comfortable with one of the men than her, even if it still was awkward, and he had to have supervision.

"Eric." He answer automatically, not even having to think about it. While he trusted Severus, he knew the older man had his hands full with the 'twins' and Tim was too much in his head. Eric was nice though and he knew the oldest man would not judge his scars.

She nodded, allowing her smile to show this time. "He supervised one of my sky-clad rituals once, many moons ago. He will remove your cast for the ritual if you ask him. I will send him a note" She remarked quietly, watching the child relax for a moment before he nodded and stood. She gave a final dismissal nod and sighed, rubbing her head after he had exited her office. So much work to do and not enough time.

-x-

Harry growled, frowning at the other boy. Why he was even there, he didn't know. Ron didn't even like Neville, or anyone else at the birthday party. And Neville had seemed surprised when the other boy had shown up; so had the Malfoys. It was clear to him that none of the other kids wanted Ron around and he didn't really either. Ron kept giving him dirty looks because he was hanging out with Teddy and Karrie. But they were his friends and Ron, well...Ron used to be. He turned away from Ron, glancing at his sister. She met his eyes, tilting her head toward Neville. He nodded, moving toward the brown-haired boy. Neville was so overwhelmed. He had finally just slipped into the nearest corner and was watching the party from there. That's where Teddy and Draco were, trying to talk Neville out of the corner.

Karrie sighed, slipping past the boys to touch Neville's arm. "Come on. Let's get out of here." She murmured gently, catching his hand with hers and squeezing it. She knew Neville didn't like crowds. And while it was a small party, only a little bit bigger than Teddy's, she could feel how overwhelmed he was. He wasn't used to this. But she also knew where he would relax. She just had to get him out to the gardens first. Just not near his birthday present from the Malfoys or they wouldn't see him for the rest of the party. She was glad someone cared enough about Neville to allow him to pursue his interests.

Neville hesitated for a moment before nodding and allowing the girl to lead him away from the safety of the corner. He hadn't really wanted a party. Just a couple of his close friends, and that was what was there. Well, and a few of the other manor kids and a couple of kids that he wasn't sure why they were there. It wasn't a very large party but he didn't really like the attention. Attention was bad. He inhaled deeply as they stepped out into the gardens and his body slowly relaxed. He was surrounded by plants and night creatures. He was safe.

Karrie squeezed Neville's hand once more before letting go. She could feel his body relaxing, his mind calming. She knew it would help. Being surrounded by nature always help Neville. "We could bring the party out here." She remarked after a moment, turning to the blond haired boy. Draco merely nodded, slipping back inside through the patio doors. He returned a moment later with the rest of their friends.

Harry dropped onto the grass, stretching his legs out in front of him. He grinned as Teddy settled like a cat beside him and Karrie coaxed Neville to settle on the grass as well. Blaise wrinkled his nose, disappearing back inside for a moment before returning with a blanket. He smoothed the blanket out over the ground before sitting down, making room for some of the girls. Millie settled as far away from his sister as possible, pulling Daphne with her. The two girls still weren't talking and he just didn't get it. He knew Karrie had told someone that Millie had been hurt and although he wouldn't had liked it either, he wouldn't have stopped speaking to her. And now Karrie was mad at Millie. Girls were weird. Not that he would tell his sister that of course.

-x-

Lucius stepped out onto the patio, letting a small smile grace his lips for a brief moment. The sight in front of his was adorable and heart warming. The children laid on the grass in a loose circle eyes on the stars above them. Although he couldn't quite hear what they were saying, he did hear the laughter and he watched as small hands pointed out constellations. So this is what they were up to. He had known that the group had went outside, Draco had informed him of that, but he had figured they were just playing outside or talking away from the rest of the children. Children that had now gone home or had been sent to clean up for the night. They had hoped that after a couple of weeks, Neville would start to relax in their home. Three weeks and the child was as tense and frightened as ever. The smile on the birthday boy's face was only the second one he had seen since the child had come to them. The first had been that morning, when he and Narcissa had taken him out to the gardens and shown him the green house that they had gotten for his birthday. It was in their own interest of course, or at least that's what they had told the child who had looked ready to cry. The boy hadn't even believed it was for him at first and he hadn't wanted to leave the greenhouse to join his own party. He could understand that, however. Lucius observed the children for a moment longer, before striding over to their little circle. "Children, it is time to come in for the night. It is also time to say goodbye. Daphne, Harry, Karrie, and Teddy need to return home." He remarked quietly. He forced down a chuckle at the puppy dog eyes that were sent his way. "You will see them tomorrow evening."

Teddy groaned, sitting up and glancing at the older man for a moment. "Happy Birthday Neville." He whispered, touching the boy's arm for the briefest of seconds. The other boy met his eyes for a long moment before nodding. He stood, holding a hand out to Karrie, who grabbed hold of Harry's hand and dragged him to his feet as well. Harry and Draco could talk comics all day if they were left to it.

Karrie took Neville's hand, helping him to his feet. She gently brushed a finger across his cheek, smiling when he didn't pull away. "Don't let them be mean to you." She ordered softly, finally stepping back to join her brother and friend.

"Only if you stop being mean to yourself." Neville retorted, equally soft. The girl didn't think they knew, but they knew. There weren't many secrets in their group of friends. How could there be, since half of them lived at the Manor and the other half lived at the school, and they wrote to each other constantly. Her slight nod was his only answer, but it was the only one he needed. He'd see them again tomorrow and then two days later for Karrie's birthday. Really, if the Malfoy's and Severus and Remus were smart, they'd just combine the three of their birthdays, instead of having three parties with the same group of kids over a period of four days. But adults, man. They never did what you expected.

-x-

Eric tilted his head, standing as close to the edge of the circle as possible while still observing the young man. The walk to the courtyard had been silent; even when he had helped the child set up a circle to keep all magic cast within, the boy hadn't spoken to him. He knew that supervised rituals could feel embarrassing but they weren't meant to be. He had supervised many apprentices, as well as Remus and Alexis, during rituals like these. This ritual was not something done lightly nor was it simple enough that nothing could go wrong. A lot of things could go wrong and that's why he was there, to help if there was a need.

Isaac hesitated for a moment, glancing at the older man. He knew that he shouldn't be nervous or embarrassed but he was. It wasn't his first ritual but it was his first sky-clad ritual and doing that in front of someone else was uncomfortable. It didn't matter that the older man was a healer and had probably seen everything possible before, it was still a bit embarrassing. He finally shrugged, taking a deep breath and letting the cool air calm him. He was here to do a ritual, not to worry about what he looked like doing that ritual. He needed this ritual. He took another deep breath, centering himself and moving to the mid point inside the circle. He striped clumsily, banishing away his clothes with a twitch of his wand. He then handed his wand to Eric, knowing that the older man would keep it safe for him. He didn't need it for this. This was a different type of magic, it didn't need to be channeled in the same manner. He closed his eyes, feeling the breeze brush his skin. He could do this. "With Wind, Fire, Air, and Earth, I call thee here to me." He knelt, picking up the apple he had set out. He bowed his head for a moment, silently calling the energy into himself. "This I offer to start this rite." He murmured, touching his fore finger to the apple, feeling the magic surround him as it started to burn. He set it down on the patch of dirt, knowing the flames would burn themselves out.

Eric shifted subtly, eyes intent on the ritual that the child was performing. Performing well, at that. There was no hesitation in the child's movements, no fear. This boy was sure of his movements, of his actions, and was calm enough to handle even the toughest part of this specific ritual. Many younger wizards had trouble with the final piece of the ritual, of offering part of one's self to the gods. But not Isaac, who had picked up the ritual dagger that Alexis has loaned for his use and confidently cut off a lock of his hair, before touching a steady hand to it. The hair caught and burned, and Eric leaned forward, frowning when the child did not set it down. But he would not intervene, not yet.

Isaac fought down a grimace, offering his palm out with the hair still burning on it. It seemed like a good idea in theory. "I offer this bit of me to you, Lord and Lady. Cleanse my mind, my heart, my body. Remove the stain and make me whole again. If it is thy will, so mote it be! Bless it be." He murmured, watching as the ashes flew out of his hand and away. He felt the magic fill him, the warmth of it trickle through his bones. He took a deep breath, letting it flow through his body for a long moment, letting the magic cleanse away his imperfections, before pushing it into the ground, so that the negative energy didn't escape. His body sagged with the release of the magic and he shivered for the first time that night, realizing suddenly that he was naked. Isaac blushed, flinching when a cloak was wrapped around his shoulders. He heard the older man move away, to take down the circle and ground the remaining magic. He hugged his arms against his chest, pulling the cloak tightly around himself.

Eric dismissed the magic, thanking it silently, before returning to the boy. He offered him his summoned clothes, turning to give the child a bit of privacy to redress. He understood teenagers enough to realize that even the illusion of privacy was welcomed.

Isaac dressed quickly, numb fingers struggling to match buttons. He finally got his clothes righted, pulling the cloak back around himself, fighting the urge to shiver. The loss of the warm feeling of magic made his veins run cold. He knew he wasn't really empty, that the magic was still there, but it always felt like a bit of a loss after each ritual. It was a good kind of empty, but it also felt sad sometimes. "Okay." He murmured finally, pocketing his wand.

"Don't you have a wand holster child?" Eric inquired, turning around and raising an eyebrow at the child. He frowned when the child shivered again. He had wanted to check the child's hand immediately, but he could wait a few moments. It was past time to get the boy inside. He placed a gentle hand on the teenager's shoulder, ignoring the flinch for the moment and steering him back inside the castle.

Isaac grimaced for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the light of the hallway for a moment before turning toward the older man. "Thanks Eric." He whispered, stepping back so that he could slip away.

"Hold on a moment, Isaac. Let me look at that hand please." Eric requested quietly, gesturing for the child to come back toward him. It only took a few moments before the child stepped toward him and offered his palm out. He gently took the boy's hand in his own, eyeing the burn mark with a small sigh. It wasn't as bad as it could be but he knew it was painful. What was concerning to him was that the teenager had held onto the burning offering until it was nothing but ash. He removed a salve from his robe pocket, gently rubbing it over his burn. "Why don't you come back to mine and Tim's quarters and have tea. It will help." He suggested, catching the boy's eyes and holding them for a long moment until the boy looked away.

"I don't want to impose." Isaac looked down, tracing the cracks in the floor with his eyes. Tea sounded nice. He didn't really want to be alone, but he was so used to being alone. Alone was familiar, comfortable, normal.

Eric shook his head, giving the child a sad smile. He had heard those words too many times before. "Nonsense child. You would not be imposing. I wouldn't have invited you if I didn't want you there. Come. A hot cup of tea will make you feel better. I'm sure there are even biscuits that you would enjoy." He responded firmly, slowly and carefully resting a hand on the boy's shoulder. Isaac flinched but Eric ignored it, using his other hand to place a finger under the child's chin and move it up until the boy was looking at him.

Isaac hesitated, meeting warm, welcoming brown eyes. He knew, instinctively, that the taller man with skin darker than his own would not harm him. On the contrary, he had this feeling that Eric would do everything possible to protect him. He wanted to, he really did. He just wasn't used to this. Used to people carrying. And he didn't know how to talk to adults, not really. He wasn't good with adults, he tended to say the wrong thing or shut down completely around them. But he didn't want to be alone either, not with this empty feeling, not now. Isaac took a deep breath, finally giving a small nod. The smile that broke out on the older man's face was confusing but comforting. He wasn't quite sure why all the adults here became ecstatic when he agreed to something or spoke to him. But he was coming to find that he liked making them happy.
-x-