The journey the three of us took was a fast one. Thanks to Aiwendel, our previous mounts were more than happy to carry us towards our destination.
Thus, it was only about a week later, that we came upon a momentous sight. Hundreds of ents were scattered around what used to be, The Field of Celebrant.
It was the large patch of land separating Lothlórien from Fangorn Forest. About a tenth of it had already been planted with saplings.
Tens of thousands of them. We were quickly spotted, because not long after we came in sight of them, a group of ents approached us, Fangorn in the lead.
" Greetings my young friends. Do you see our labours ? " As always, I'm silently in awe that beings like him actually exist.
We exchange greetings with each other then. " I see you and the other ents have been busy Fangorn. Is there anything the three of us can do to help? "
He says the only issue they really have is with water. For now he says, they'll have to rely on the rain.
After exchanging more pleasantries, the ents depart to continue with their labours. After some debate, Aiwendel goes with them.
Draco and I head eastwards, towards the Anduin River. It is the longest river in Middle Earth and it stands between Lothlórien and Greenwood.
Damming the river probably isn't that good of an idea. This is something that Draco and I have given much thought to. Ever since we mentioned forest expansion to Fangorn.
Hearing what the ents said about the water issue, gave us an idea. A ridiculously labour intensive one, as well as being magically taxing.
We want to divert the river instead. But the problem is, it's a massive volume of water. To solve that and to make sure there's enough water for the new forest, we decide to create multiple streams.
That is, we will divert the river, but instead of diverting it in one direction, we'll divert it in many. We'll create a sort of quasi riverlands.
We had intended on heading home and resting at Orthanc for a few years, however this is more important.
We can't rush into things though. If we aren't careful, we might flood the area and ruin everything. Thus we decide to take some time to plan.
Over the course of the next few weeks, we explore the entire area, making careful notes on parchment as to the placement of everything.
After about a month since we've arrived, we start to use Defodio to gouge channels in the ground. We don't make them too deep. We keep it at an even two metres.
To make it appear natural, we don't have the streams running straight. Instead, much of them crossover each other and create overlaps.
In the end, we decide on the following. Through the northern part of Fangorn Forest, runs the Limlight river.
It runs eastwards, towards the Anduin. The land to the north of the Limlight is the Field of Celebrant. There is a bend in the Anduin though.
It borders the Field to the east. It's called the North Undeep. It's there that we intend on diverting the water towards eventually.
It might sound confusing, but in the end, we're sure it will work. What we didn't count on however, was how long it would eventually take.
Twenty years in fact. In that time, because of the decreased mass of water flowing southwards, we've gradually reclaimed more land from the riverbank.
Before our interference, the part of the Anduin near us was two hundred metres wide, or six hundred and fifty six feet. That was the distance that separated the eastern edge of Lothlórien and the land of Rhovanion where the Forest of Greenwood the Great lay.
We've gradually reduced the width of the river along a fifty mile stretch. The distance is now only twenty feet across or just over six metres.
It took a long time, because of the many errors that we made. At one point, we flooded an entire square mile.
Fortunately, the ents weren't angry. Amusement is more like it. In any event, after about a decade since we came here, trees were planted across the entire Field of Celebrant.
Saplings grew from northern Fangorn Forest, till southern Lothlórien. Till the feet of the Misty Mountains in the west and till the banks of the Anduin in the east. I was actually surprised that no elven scouts picked it up.
When I brought this up with Draco, he said, " is it any surprise? King Amroth is a lovesick fool. He's neglecting his duties. Its likely that the elves only keep watch in the inner part of the forest. "
I had to agree with that. Using the stones that the ents pulled out of the ground, when they were planting, I made a bridge.
Not a small one though. The ents were large after all. Luckily the span of the bridge wasnt long. It was actually strange. It was as wide as it was long. Twenty feet in other words.
When the bridge was completed, the ents crossed the river for the first time in millenia. They didn't spend long caught up in memory however.
We did spend twenty years working on covering the Field of Celebrant after all. When we were finished, thats when we crossed.
Between the Anduin and Greenwood, fifty miles of open land lay. While Draco was occupied with brewing growth potions for the trees, I assisted the ents and Aiwendel.
This time however, it took longer to expand the forest. The ents had decided, that they wouldn't settle just on connecting the forest.
Now don't mistake me. The next decade after the previous twenty, the eastern bank of the Anduin was turned into a plantation. Hundreds of thousands of saplings were planted in that time.
Once we finished however, a fire seemed to have been lit within the ents. They wished to expand Greenwood as well. This time, we had help however.
Both Celeborn and Thranduil sent their people to help. At this point, on the western side of the Anduin, northern Lothlórien is where the forest ended.
Northern Lothlórien however, was only about level with Amon Lanc. That left vast swathes of land empty to the north.
The only noticeable feature, is the Gladden Fields. A marshland. The only people that live north of Lothlórien are the stoors however.
A race of short beings with the features of men. I had run into one years ago, when Draco and I searched the area where Isildur was slain.
They were a peaceful folk so the ents had no objection to them continuing to live there. It was decided however, that they should be informed of the new developments.
Aiwendel was chosen to go and speak with them. In the meantime, work continued.
To the north of Greenwood, lay the Lonely Mountain, Erebor. There were no inhabitants though. Erebor lay just past the eastern edge of the Grey Mountains.
Gundabad lay at the far western edge. In any case, the new forest was to reach almost to the base of the mountains.
Only a mile stretch along the mountain range was to be left empty. The same was planned for the Misty Mountains, which was at the western edge of the new forest.
The empty stretch was left, so that the dwarves would have a road that reaches their holdings beyond Khazad-dûm.
In the end, most of the stoors decided to leave. We told them of their kin, who call themselves hobbits. They decided therefore to move to Arnor.
We had spoken to the new King, Arveleg II and he gladly agreed to take them as his subjects. Arnor was slowly but surely recovering after all.
It took us with the help of the elves, a further twenty years to populate the vast openness with trees. After all, it's not just the western bank of the Anduin that was planted.
The eastern bank was as well. In the end, the edge of Greenwood facing the new forest, was expanded and trees were planted right up to the river bank.
It was then that we decided to finally head home. We had been here now for about fifty years. A nice long break would be just what we needed.
As usual, Draco gave batches of potion to both elven kingdoms and then we departed from the north and went home.
Finally, in the year 1771 of the Third Age, we came upon Orthanc again. It felt good to be home.
Our elves welcomed us happily and we were glad to see them as well. The next twenty years were well spent. We got to know the elves and their children better.
As well as their children's children. Elves after all, marry young. Watching them enjoying themselves, planning their futures, made me think of a different time.
FLASHBACK
In the aftermath of what happened in the third floor corridor, Draco and I became closer.
So close in fact, that he was my closest confidant. I started to tell him things that I didn't even tell Ron and Hermione.
Such as the fact that I was scared of facing Voldemort again. The fact that my friends were pushing me to be an auror after we graduate, despite the fact that I don't want anything to do with the Ministry of Magic.
I told him about the feeling I have, that Dumbledore is keeping things from me. The fact my friends keep telling me that I must trust him.
His responses merely reinforced what I was already thinking. " Harry, you need to do what feels right for you. Your entire life, except for the brief loving moments you spent with your parents, has been controlled by someone else. "
" Its something I've come to realise myself. Both of us have been conditioned to talk a certain way and to act a certain way. "
" We don't have to. You, don't have to. You've seen firsthand, how the people of Magical Britain are. How fickle and hypocritical. "
" If both of us survive this war, we'll be free. I want to leave Britain and all it's hurts...and I want you to come with me. "
It surprised even me, that I didn't have to even think about it. He made some valid points. I'd never be free to live the life that I want to.
If I ended up defeating Voldemort, their hero worship would reach new heights. They'd never let me be with Draco. He'd be forever tainted in their eyes.
I look into his eyes as I slowly raise my hand and caress his jaw. I lean in towards him and whisper in his ear.
" I promised didn't I, that you and I are forever. I can't imagine my life without you. There's no city, country, planet or reality that I wouldn't follow you to. "
" You're mine. One of the few things that are. I'll protect you from anything and everything, because...I love you. "
I could feel his pulse quickening. Could see the red spreading across his face. For a heartbeat, there was silence. I felt like freezing but I didn't.
" I love you too. " It was my turn for my pulse to quicken. My heart felt like it would leap out of my chest.
He was the first person to ever say to me. That I'm consciously aware of, that is. I know my mum and dad probably said it to me everyday.
I don't have any memories of it however. Ron and Hermione have never said it to me. I know Sirius loves me, but he's never said it outright.
All that passes through my mind in a blink. I hungrily start kissing him then and I lose myself to my feelings.
That heady feeling I felt, that warmth, seems like a distant memory, as weeks later, I watch Sirius die.
I should have spoken to Draco first, I think dispassionately, as I chase Bellatrix down. It all happened so fast though.
Draco was asleep in the Room of Requirement, when I rushed away with my friends.
He had been stressed a lot lately. He'd been having insomnia. I'd convinced him to take a sleeping draught.
That meant however, that I didn't even get a chance to tell him of the vision I had, of Sirius being tortured.
I rushed headlong into things and look at what happened. I vowed to myself, this was the last time I'd make a mistake like this.
A dark part of me whispered that atleast it wasn't Draco that died. I instantly silenced it. Now wasn't the time to lose my mind.
Bellatrix has to pay. I soon see her form, fleeing towards the lifts. I take aim at her dress. Accio I think.
Her momentum immediately halts and she comes flying towards me. I cast two more spells. Confringo, Depulso.
The first, destroys the ground between us. The second, banishes the rubble and debris towards her.
Her sight of me is momentarily obscured and that's when I cast Diffindo. It catches her completely off guard. Her entire right arm, below the elbow is cut off.
I aim to finish her off then, but that's when Voldemort appears. Things after that pass by in a blur.
Dumbledore arrives, then he and Voldemort fight. I'm so numb inside, that I don't pay any attention.
That's why I'm caught off guard, when my head starts to feel like it's been hacked by an axe. I scream in pain and that's when I hear Voldemort's voice inside my head.
It feels like my head is about to burst, but strangely, despite the pain, despite the loss of Sirius, my feelings for Draco is all I think about.
It's then that I hear Voldemort start screaming in turn and not long after, I feel his presence fade away from my mind.
It's hours later, when shellshocked, I tell Draco everything. The visions. The flight to the Ministry. The trap. The death of Sirius, what I did to Bellatrix.
Afterwards, I tell him of the fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort, the attempted possession of me, our return to the school and finally, I tell him of the prophecy.
He doesn't say anything though. Merely hugs me crushingly tight. I return it and we spend a long time like that. Eventually however, he does talk.
" I'm so sorry Harry. About your godfather, and about the prophecy. There's something I don't understand though. "
I make a questioning sound and he explains. " Dumbledore knew that the Dark Lord was still alive. He knew that you'd have to fight him one day. Why did he never train you then? "
" Surely he doesn't expect you to kill him with an Expelliarmus does he? What's more, if he guessed at your connection before, why did you only learn occlumency this year? "
I've been thinking those exact same thoughts. There's a lot about what Dumbledore does that doesn't make sense to me.
" You're right. To be honest, there's a lot that's happened over the past five years, that make no sense. Things Dumbledore and even the other teachers could have done differently. "
" Second year is a prime example. Each of them, supposedly has mastery in their chosen discipline. How could none of them know any magic to atleast monitor the school better? "
As I talk, a contemplative look appears on his face. When I finish talking, he seems to want to say something, but is holding himself back.
I take his hands in mine and give him an earnest look. That's when he speaks, voice barely above a whisper.
" From piecing together everything that you told me and even what you just hinted about, you're not happy or even truly safe with your relatives or this school. "
" During the summers, you are cut off from the Wizarding World and from your friends. You feel like you should do more, but you aren't allowed to by Dumbledore. "
" The thing is, you are amazing at practical magic. I've seen it. You are also the only one, of our year, that can do nonverbal magic. "
" That's something we only learn next year. You are competent in potions, but Snape goes out of his way to make you miserable. "
" You have clear talent in charms and transfiguration, not to speak of defence, but the teachers do nothing about it. Instead of giving you advanced instruction, they keep you going at the same pace as everyone else. "
" Which is ridiculous, considering everything that you've faced at school over the past five years, while they were entirely absent. "
" What you need Harry, is space and time to grow. Not under the thumb of people who are holding you back from your true potential. "
" I'm not coming back to Hogwarts next year. In fact, when this school year ends, I'm going on the run. I want you to come with me. We can prepare for what's to come, together. "
I feel dizzy. I'm stunned by what he's saying and what he's suggesting. To not go back to the Dursleys ever again, as well as to not return next year.
To do what I want to, without anyone telling me I can't. For a moment, my mind flashes back to Fred and George and what they said.
That their talents lie outside of academics and that they've learnt all that they could at Hogwarts. That they wanted to be free.
Freedom. Something I've never had, but have always desperately yearned for. Now Draco is offering me everything that I've ever wanted.
I can't help thinking about what happened at the Department of Mysteries. As well as they did in the D.A, my friends that came with me, struggled against the Death Eaters.
Whether it was hesitance to use more destructive spells, or poor reaction time. Despite what I kept saying while I taught them, it appears they didn't grasp my message.
Fighting for your life is different from duelling with your friends. Most of the members of the D.A only joined to improve their practical marks, after all.
They could have died, I've come to realise. So could I. Draco is right. I feel embarrassed at the fact that I used such simple spells against the Death Eaters.
Spells like Stupefy and Petrificus Totalus, which can easily be reversed by a friend or comrade. It's not surprising then, that the answer to what Draco is proposing comes easily.
" Okay. I'll come with you. Everything that you said makes sense. We have two problems though. "
" What do I do about Ron and Hermione and secondly, how will we do it? We'll be watched the entire time on the train back and at the station it will be worse. "
" Death Eaters coming to fetch their children, as well as Order of the Phoenix members to escort my family back home. Then there's Mad Eye Moody's eye. "
When I say I'm coming with him, a beautiful smile appears on his face. My breath hitches, but I carry on talking. To my surprise, his smile widens as I lay out our obstacles. I find out why.
" That's all assuming that we board the train in the first place. We should leave before that. With your knowledge of the passages of the castle, it should be easy to sneak out. "
" As to your friends, I think it's best that you put your feelings in a letter and explain your reasoning to them. Whether they accept it or not is up to them. "
" Our only real problem, is how do we escape. Neither of us knows how to apparate yet, though I do have a book that explains how. "
" We don't have the time to learn though. School closes in a week. I do know where we will go however. "
" I've been looking at maps of muggle geography and I think it's best that we leave the mainland entirely. When you told me how you lot got to the Ministry, I went to the library and researched thestrals. "
" It's incredible. There is no flying animal, in the Wizarding World, that can fly as fast or as long, with the exception of the phoenix. "
It's then that we both laughed. " Which are in short supply. Unfortunately, once bonded, a phoenix's loyalty cannot be shifted. "
" I've been doing research, via the muggle born students. Under polyjuice potion naturally. About which places in the muggle world, are least populated. "
" I don't think either of us would like to live in a desert or in a humid jungle. That's not even counting the long flight. "
" What's more, I don't think that it would be a good idea for us to be too far away. I think somewhere quiet, near Britain itself would be best. "
" Anywhere near London would be a big mistake, because of the Ministry. For that matter, any city or large town is out. I was thinking that an island would be ideal. "
" There are plenty of small ones to choose from. I think therefore, thay we should head to the Shetlands. It's the furthest island chain away from the mainland. "
We spent the following six days, making preparations. We gathered all the supplies that we could. Draco, on a whim, asked the Room to provide us with books on dark magic and how best to fight it.
To our surprise, it worked. One book in particular, was vile. Secrets of the Darkest Arts. It's only when I went through it, months later, that everything clicked into place.
We had decided it was best if we left the night before the Hogwarts Express was due to leave. We also decided that we'd leave the thestrals.
Making sure that they were fed would be an issue later on I'm sure. Plus releasing them could allow Dumbledore to track us.
Thus, in the dead of the night, at about three in the morning, we snuck out with our shrunken trunks carrying our supplies. We had our brooms waiting beforehand.
We snuck out using the passage that lead to Honeydukes. Then, after using the disillusionment charm on ourselves, we mounted our brooms and headed north towards the Shetlands.
FLASHBACK END
We had enjoyed our respite, but no rest for the wicked as the saying goes. It occurred to us, that there was one settlement of elves that we neglected to go to.
That was Mithlond. Or the Grey Havens. Which was ruled by Círdan. The elves there were famed mariners.
According to the histories that we read, it was the smallest elven realm in Middle Earth. We were going to change that however.
So, in the year 1791 of the Third Age, we set off to the west. We travelled by horseback, so it took us about a month to reach.
Traveling through Arnor was slightly disconcerting. There was a different feel to it. We saw new villages cropped up all over the place.
It was so very different than what it was, a century ago. Before we left Orthanc, we used the Palantír to see the progress of the Kingdom of Artherdain.
After the destruction of Angmar, the King of Artherdain declared himself King of Arnor and dissolved his kingdom.
Slowly but surely, all the land that Angmar overran over the preceding centuries, were reoccupied. The former realms of Rhadaur and Cardolan were incorporated.
Before they left, the dwarven engineers, left two blueprints. One, was for a new fortress, that was to stand where the ruins of Amon Sûl was.
The second, was for a rebuilding of the ancient capital of Arnor. Annúminas. The fortress was completed fifty years ago.
Annúminas, was rebuilt thirty years after that. It made us glad to know that we were responsible for it. There is finally peace in the west again.
Judging by what we have seen, the century of peace has gone well. According to what we saw with the Palantír, the population has tripled.
It was with these thoughts in our head, that weeks later, we came upon Mithlond at last.
Draco and I both looked around us with wonder. We had seen nothing of its like in Middle Earth. The stone towers and buildings were graceful. More so than even Osgilliath.
It appeared that we were spotted, for a group of eleven elves approached us. My eyebrows shot to my hairline and I saw Draco was just as surprised.
The elf in the lead, Lord Círdan I'm assuming, has a beard! Amazing. With his silver hair and beard, he's the first elf I've seen that shows signs of age.
Our expressions must give us away, because knowing looks appear on their faces and some even laugh.
We both dismount then and bow our heads. Its Círdan that speaks first though. " Welcome to Mithlond, Eladar the Red and Tuilalcaron the Green. I am Círdan, Lord of this city. "
" I had heard the other elves speak of the two of you. Indeed, we grew curious when years passed and yet no elves approached Mithlond. "
" That is all thanks to you two we have heard. You in particular, Tuilalcaron. You will forever have the gratitude of our people. "
" So we gladly bid you welcome in Mithlond. Is something the matter though? For you to travel so far west. "
We smiled at his words. Draco spoke then. " No thanks are necessary, afterall, there can be no debts between friends. We'd actually like to apologise for only coming now. "
As we converse, we follow Círdan towards his home. Small palace is more like it however. We're then shown to his library, where refreshments are served.
" Our visit, long overdue as it is, actually has a greater purpose than just to introduce ourselves. We have come to provide the potion to your people as well. "
Gasps ring out across the room. To my surprise, and the disapproval of the other elves, who I'm assuming are older, one of the elves dashes out of the room.
Both Draco and I laugh. The other elves look embarrassed. After assuring them that we take no offence, we ask them how many elves are in the city.
We find out then that here are three hundred elves in the city. Seventy of which are married.
That night, after a feast, where the entire population of the city was in attendance, Draco brewed the potion. The elves all watched him.
I was amused at the expressions on their faces. Some were very expressive. They ranged from curious to vaguely disgusted.
I don't blame the latter. Most of the ingredients weren't very palatable at all. All the females in the city drank it though.
Turns out that there were only seventy females here in the city and they were all married.
We actually ended up staying longer than we planned. Fifteen years in fact. The city was very beautiful after all.
In that time though, Draco brewed more potion. It was impractical after all, to travel this far out very often.
The potion was administered every three years and of course, they worked each time. That meant that two hundred and eighty new elflings were born in the time we were here.
The elves were naturally overjoyed. Children come rarely to them after all. So after another feast, the two of us left Mithlond in the year 1806 of the Third Age, off on another adventure.