Chapter 4

At The Lovegood ST 4: The Lovegood Story

Harry awoke clutching his stuffed phoenix Flame that Luna gave and made for him for Christmas. It was the beginning of May and it had been nine months since he arrived at the Lovegoods but to Harry it felt like a life time ago since he had left the Dursleys. As Harry willed himself to get out of bed he became excited today was a Friday that meant Neville, Daphine, Boris, Lilith, and Astoria were coming over. Secondly today was the day that he would finally learn about how the Lovegood's became the patriarch of the Emerald Forest something he had been wondering about ever since he had arrived. He had scoured the Lovegood library for answers or hints but found nothing he had a feeling that any related texts had been removed to build up the suspense he had almost asked Marian about it a couple of times he refrained because Luna was always with him when he visited Perlington and it felt like cheating. Harry walked down the stairs, to find that he must have slept in because everyone else had already was already here. Harry smiled at his friends Daphine did her weakly hopeless comment while giving him a half of hug. Luna, Lilith, and Astoria gave him a big hug without any comments except for a simple hello. Boris and Neville greeted him with a manly handshake and a pat on the back Neville spoke first,

"Letting all those girls hug you shameful"

Unlike the first time Harry didn't flush or try to deny it,

"I enjoy the hugs"

Boris nodded, "So today's the day any luck gathering information Harry?"

Harry shrugged, "No I gave it my best shot I'm pretty sure I looked through every book in the library"

Boris put his hand on Harry's shoulder, "You did the best you could you can't ask for more than that it looks Luna's group is starting out"

Neville smiled, "Well luckily we don't have to find them like last time the only reason we found them was because Hedwig lead us right to them"

Harry nodded, "I'm surprised that worked Luna should have been able to sense Hedwig looking for her"

Boris smiled, "It's probably because Daphine was leading the girls around that day just like the time we were able to ambush them in that snowball fight"

Xenophilius then came up to them garbed in a colorful cloak, "Well boys take the third path that diverges from the main and you'll find a water fall and a cave that Remus spends his monthly meeting with Lucy"

Harry frowned, "Everyone here knows he's a werewolf"

Xenophilius shrugged, "Ah well I often forget not many know after all"

Borris being the oldest at ten as always tried to act the most responsible, "So what time do you need us thereby"

Xenophilius stared up at the clouds looking thoughtful, "When your feet wander there I suppose" then with a smile he walked off.

Harry and Neville shared a smile at Boris's frustrated expression, "I forgot how hard it is to get answers from them sometimes"

Harry shrugged, "At least we got good directions I'd say it's a forty five minute walk so if we arrive in an hour depending on the adventures Luna's group experiences we should be right on time"

Neville nodded sagely, "All things considered it is much safer to be with you in the forest than Luna because otherwise you have a tendency to run into things like fairies, sprites, shadow cats, and magical mist so thick that you lose everyone"

Hedwig then decided to arrive on Harry's shoulder puffing out her chest in a very proud manner petting Hedwig Harry asked, "Seems that you had a good hunt" Hedwig hooted in agreement than nuzzled Harry's head, "Yes I know you're the smartest owl in the world" After several minutes basking in attention and everyone petting her Hedwig decided to fly away

The boys than spent the next twenty minutes chatting catching up on all the things that happened in the past week. Looking at the sun Harry said,

"I think it's time to get going guys"

Smiling they headed of in companionable silence reveling in the cool but beautiful May day. Hedwig showed up half way down the trail deciding that life at least for now was more interesting on Harry's shoulder. When the walk was over Harry smiled once again over taken by the beauty of the waterfall, the pool, and the cave. He also remembered fondly the brother and sister bond between Luna and him. Boris looked at the pool longingly,

"Next time we have to bring swim trunks"

Harry shrugged, "It's a little cold know but in a month or so I think that would be a good idea"

A couple minutes later the ladies and Xenophilius arrived. Luna left the groups of ladies to stand next to her father. Xenophilius looked over the group clearing his throat,

"Please have a seat everyone during the duration of the story I ask you to be silent. Xenophilius then sat down while Luna kneeled down touching the water with her know glowing white hands. The surface of the water glowed sky blue the light rose from the water enveloping everyone placing them in a memory from hundreds of years ago.

Four Hundred and Fifty Year Ago

Jade Lovegood was a somewhat tall man at six feet he towered over most men. However he held a soul which to most men was to gentle he had a fascination and appreciation for all creatures. He was a first generation wizard. He had graduated Hogwarts the year before he had good grades and was a little above average in magical strength however he hadn't been granted a sponsorship so that he could study magical creatures as he had hoped. The reason being there was a war brewing and the families who would usually sponsor him were looking for warrior's people who had a more ruthless edge that he just didn't have. However he decided to not let that deter him and make the best of being on his own pursuing his dream anyway. His first stop the Emerald Forest which was one of the four magical forest's in Briton each ruled by a creature called a high elf. Its magic allowed the forests to become sentient as long as the high elf lived in the forest also creatures like sprites became smarter. Magic even after seven years the wonder never ceased. Looking up at the sun Jade decided to stop for the day if his calculations were correct tomorrow he would be there he set up his tent promptly and fell asleep. The next morning Jade packed all his things with a quick wave of his wand and was on his way. As he neared the forest he could feel it making him feel welcome yet at the same time there was uneasiness about its acceptance that he couldn't quite explain. As he entered into the forest he felt a pulse emanating from it urging him to follow. After thinking it over he decided to follow the pulse but be wary in case it was a trap. A half an hour later Jade arrived in a clearing with a cave, a pool of water, and a waterfall. The pulse stopped Jade felt an unnatural sleepiness take ahold of him as he fell asleep in the grass. In his dreams he saw a woman clothed in deep bright light, her eye's a deep sorrowful blue, and her hair was as white as snow after winter's first fall. Her enchanted voice then spoke,

"I'm the spirit of this forest my life is withering away and I along with the other sentient magical creature of the forest are in deep peril we need your help Jade the high elf Jerimiah has been taken from us you must retrieve him and bring him within three weeks or I shall be no more."

Looking at the spirit Jade asked, "If I accept how I'm I to find him he could be anywhere in the world?"

The spirit smiled, "I will forge a compass that will follow his magic"

Thinking it over nothing was really at stake it was a request one which he could do the best he could if he failed there was no consequences. Which if something was powerfully enough to kidnap a high elf from his own forest than success wasn't likely,

"I accept spirit of the forest"

Looking at Jade appraisingly she replied, "Make it a magical vow that you will do everything you possibly can"

Jade then felt the forest magic slamming into him forcing the words against his will out of his mouth,

"I Jade Lovegood do hereby swear to do everything I possibly can to save the high elf Jerimiah of the Emerald forest so mote it be."

Magic than surrounded him accepting the oath in a binding magical light

Jade awoke cursing his luck, "So much for a peaceful vacation"

Jade took the compass his life and magic were know at stake failure was simply not an option. Closing his eye's he could almost feel the path that the compass would lead him but first he needed a plan. He couldn't apart because he didn't know where he was heading so he needed a faster way than to simply walk. He needed Gringrott's to get his broom from his vault he also needed his book of concealment magic if at all possible he had to make sure that no one knew he was even there. That way no matter who the powerful person was there wouldn't be repercussions against him. He could definitely work with that closing his eye's he apparted to the gates of Gringrott's. Goblins Jade thought as he walked into the bank was one creature that he wasn't particularly interested in studying there were to surly all the time roughly twenty two minutes later Jade had everything he needed from his vaults and was out the door.

Jade apparted to where he originally entered the forest, to begin his long tedious one week journey on a broomstick. There were certainly better ways to travel his leg were stiff after the end of each day though soaring through the clouds was quite exhilarating. In the middle of the eighth day of travel after he had his lunch for the day the compass magic pointed downward. Luckily he was high enough up that no would see him. Casting a notice me not charm on himself and putting a mask on in case it was seen through he decided to do some reconnaissance and then plan his assault. The sight that he stumbled across was quite disturbing. There was a group of dark robed individuals with masks surrounding a leader whose magic pored of her in droves. It made Jade shiver in fear behind her were five pillars three consisted of dead high elf's, the fourth was a barely breathing and bleeding Jeramiah according to the compass, and the fifth was a beautiful blond haired lady. The Dark Lady then spoke,

"Comrades we are gathered to celebrate something that will give us an edge in the upcoming war for magical Briton there are four sentient magical forest's this is caused by the magic of the high elf's who are its patriarchs. By killing and using their blood we can complete a ritual that will allow to spy on any magical person in Briton at any time the advantage of such a system is obvious as for our fifth guest her name is Daenerys Targaryen she and I unfortunately crossed paths and we needed a human being to complete the ritual"

Jade's body shivered it seemed he arrived right on time any later Jeremiah would have died but he had no time to come with a plan he would just have to make do. Raising his wand unsteadily he shot a small flame spell onto the stage that the dark lady was standing on the flame disappeared before it was half way to the stage she didn't even use her wand but it was enough to cause her followers to start shooting spells where he had been moments before. Leaning down on his broom he circled around to behind the pillars the prisoners. What to do he couldn't apart here unless he got high enough to avoid the anti-apparition wards that seemed like a far better option than not knowing how far they stretched outward and hoping to move far enough away on his broom he then heard the magnified voice of the dark lady,

"Everyone stop I shall find this intruder it's quite simple mafor"

Jade felt a large wave of magic flowing over him and then he appeared his purple mask the only reason people didn't identify him with a surge of adrenaline he aimed a cutting curse on the prisoners ropes and quick levitation charm to keep them from falling then he managed to pick them up on his broom when a blue curse hit him in the shoulder. Blood flowed freely from his shoulder Jade's vision became blurry Daenerys grabbed him keeping him upright asking,

"So what's the plan?"

Shaking Jade mumbled, "Up high enough to apart"

Daenerys smiled, "You're lucky I used to be a chaser for the quiditch team"

Even with the two extra bodies she skillfully weaved through the beams of color lights heading higher and higher. When they finally reached a height that their enemies couldn't possibly hit them she smiled,

"Well I'm alive your mostly alive but I don't think that high elf is going to last too long"

Jade nodded, "Well I'm sure you have a lot questions but first we got to apart"

Grabbing both Daenerys and Jerimiah around the waist he closed his eyes and apparted them to the forest. They landed a big unsteadily but otherwise unharmed. However Jeramiah glowed white saying in a grave voice,

"Emerald it's too late were both going on to the next great adventure there's no reason to cling to this life"

Emerald otherwise known as the spirit of the forest appeared, "No I don't want to die you can give your magic and tie it to his bloodline I can live on"

Jerimiah looked sternly at Emerald, "You used your magic to force Mr. Lovegood into a magical vow to do everything he could to save me you took away his free will that will not be done a second time"

Deanery who was busy healing Jade's shoulder while listening spoke up, "How much time does Mr. Lovegood have to make this decision"

Blinking Jerimiah said, "I have fourteen minutes Emerald will follow me four days afterwards"

Jade got up thinking hard, "Will I be able to come and go as wish from the forest"

Emerald responded, "Yes but it would be better if you lived here and the most you could leave for is six months and when you do come back to recharge you have to stay here in the forest for a least a month"

Jade tilted his head, "Is there any other thing besides living here that I would have to do?"

Emerald shrugged, "There are things you could do but nothing that you have to do"

Deanery snorted, "That's a straight answer I know I'm being rash but I think you should do it you already saved two people today why not make it three"

Jade sighed, "What the hell it can't be that bad"

Jerimiah stared at Jade, "Are you sure if this forest is destroyed your life and any future immediate family will be as well"

Jade hesitated knowing that his choice would affect his future family for a very long time, "Yes I will"

Jerimiah glowed completely white saying, "Very well then"

Harry and the others awoke from what seemed like a dream Xenophilius stood up,

"That's it does anyone have any questions?"

Daphne raised her hand, "How did the dark lady not find them?"

Xenophilius nodded, "Emerald knew that the Dark Lady Parkinson would come looking for them she so she masked the forest's magic until they knew for a fact that she was dead any other questions"

Everyone shook their heads Xenophilius smiled, "You have three hours till you all have to leave so have fun"