Chapter 9
Remus entered the cottage that had once belonged to his parents. He set the bags from the market down on a counter and the kitchen and glanced over at Sirius, who was sitting at the kitchen table reading a letter. "Is that from Harry?" he asked.
Sirius nodded without looking up. After a few moments, he said, "I think you'd better sit down, Remus, and listen to this."
Remus gave him a worried look, but sat down at the table to listen as Sirius read the letter aloud.
Dear Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus,
My first quidditch match is on Saturday, 10 November. We're playing Slytherin, and I really want you to be there. Please let Metha and Daka know and ask them to come, too. If you think it will help, tell Metha I'm very, very homesick and that if I don't see her soon, I'll probably die. But don't tell her that in front of Daka because he might think I'm a big baby or something.
You'll never guess what happened on Halloween night! I killed a full-grown mountain troll in the 2nd floor girl's bathroom. It was trying to kill my friend Hermione, so I took out my sling and popped him with a stone right between the eyes. I did it with one shot! It fell face down on the floor. I wanted to make sure it was knocked out, so I picked up it's club and bashed it in the back of the head. I didn't mean to kill it, but the club was really heavy, so I ended up cracking his skull. McGonagall gave me 5 points for "sheer dumb luck." Please tell Daka about the troll, but not in front of Metha because it might make her worry.
I like all my teachers, except for one. My DADA professor smells like garlic and has a face growing out of the back of his head. He hides it under a purple turban. My friends tell me that that's not normal, even in the Wizarding world. The extra face belongs to an evil wizard that's possessed him and is trying to get him to steal the Philosopher's Stone, which he believes Dumbledore has hidden in the school. I think the Stone is hidden under a trap door in a room on the third floor because there is a giant three-headed dog named Fluffy guarding something in there. I'm pretty sure that the evil wizard is Voldemort because, when I get near him, my scar hurts really bad and I can hear the evil wizard's thoughts. Please don't tell Daka or Metha about that because they might think it's not safe for me to be at school, since Voldemort has already tried to kill me once.
To sum up, tell Metha about the homesick thing, but not Daka. Tell Daka about the mountain troll, but not Metha. Don't tell either of them about Voldemort growing out of the back of Quirrell's head, but tell them both about the quidditch match.
I miss you both very much and can't wait to see you at my first match.
Love,
Harry
PS: I was going to owl this letter three days ago, but by the time I finished writing it, it was too late to go to the owlery, so I decided to owl it the next day after lunch. But that morning, after DADA class, Professor Quirrell asked me to stay after to help him move some books to another room. I carried the books to the third floor, but then he opened the door to Fluffy's room, and I got kind of suspicious. I dropped the books and started to run away. He grabbed me, and when he did, he screamed because his hands started burning, but he still came after me. I tried to push him away, but when I touched his face, it started burning, too. Then his whole body turned to ashes and crumbled. That's when I found out that it had definitely been Voldemort growing from the back of his head. When Quirrell crumbled, Voldemort's spirit got really angry. He flew right through me. I don't know what happened after that because I passed out and woke up 3 days later in the hospital wing. Dumbledore told me that Voldemort was gone, but we're definitely going to need a new DADA professor. Don't worry, though. Nobody's mad at me for killing the old DADA professor.
PPS: So are you definitely coming to my first quidditch match?
PPPS: Please don't tell my parents I killed the DADA professor.
Love,
Harry
When he finished reading the letter, Sirius looked up at Remus. "Well? What do you think?"
Remus shook his head. "If I didn't know Harry so well, I would think that letter was a joke. But knowing him like I do, we haven't heard the worst of it."
"I agree, Remus, and I think it's time to pay a little visit to our favorite Headmaster."
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Dear Metha and Daka,
You're not going to believe this, but guess who my new DADA professor is! Uncle Sirius! My old DADA professor died unexpectedly. He had something growing out of his head and a very severe skin condition. Yesterday morning, I wrote to tell Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus about it, and that very afternoon, they arrived at Hogwarts demanding that Old Long Beard give Uncle Sirius the job! I didn't realize he needed one so badly. Maybe he's always wanted to teach the subject. Whatever the reason, Uncle Remus is going to stay here with him to provide some extra security at the school.
My first quidditch match is on Saturday, 10 November. Please try to come. I can't wait to see you. I miss you so much. Uncle Sirius bought me a brand new broom for the match, and I can't wait for you to see how fast I can fly.
Daka, will you talk to my godfathers and ask them not to follow me around all the time? Every time I look up, one of them is watching me. I think they've forgotten that I'm 11 years old instead of 1. By the way, don't forget that I'll be 12 this summer, and you promised that I could start learning to fight with my sword.
Metha, please, please, please come to the match and bring some of those chocolate biscuits that you make for me. I miss you so much. I get so homesick sometimes thinking about you, but I don't cry or anything. I probably would if I was still a little kid, though.
School is going fine so far; nothing out of the ordinary; just the same old stuff. I'm studying very hard and learning everything I can. I can't wait to see you!
Love,
Seth
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Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk, head in hand, while 20 parents sat waving letters at him from their children, demanding to know what kind of school he was running to allow a troll in the halls and a possessed DADA professor to teach their children.
The group included parents, grandparents, and godparents of children from all four houses: Harry's Elven parents and grandparents, along with his two godfathers, the Weasleys, the Grangers, Neville Longbottom's grandmother, the Malfoys, the Patils, Mr. Lovegood, Amelia Bones, Mrs. Zabini, and the Diggorys. The parents who had not come to the school had sent letters and howlers. It was the worst experience of Albus Dumbledore's career as headmaster.
All 4 heads of houses stood against the wall, watching the scene with amusement. He knew he would get no help from any of them.
Finally, Albus held up his hand and the parents quieted. "I regret the incidents that took place here in the past few days. I hired Professor Quirrell last year before the end of term. He had not been possessed at that time. When he returned for school, he was wearing a turban, but unfortunately, I did not know what had happened to him. Professor Quirrell brought the troll into the school, and now that he is gone, there is nothing to be concerned about. A new teacher has been hired, and the school is perfectly safe."
"What about the Philosopher's Stone?" Lucius Malfoy asked.
"It has been destroyed."
"But why was the Stone at the school?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I believed it to be the safest place."
"Guarded by a giant 3-headed dog?" Mrs. Diggory asked.
"The dog was chained and locked in a room in a restricted wing of the school where children were not allowed."
"And, yet, 3 children were injured," Amelia Bones said.
"Yes, regrettably, they were. However, all have recovered completely and are back in class."
"Why were we not informed?" Remus asked. "We didn't know that Harry had been injured until he sent us a letter 3 days later."
"That was an oversight," Albus said. "A mistake I do not intend to make again."
"Headmaster," Mithrael said. "With your permission, I would like to see my son. I'm sure the other parents would like to see their children as well."
The other parents agreed, and Albus was delighted to have them leave him in peace.
"Yes, of course," Albus said, relieved to see an end to the questions and accusations. "I will send for your children and have them meet you in the Great Hall. Minerva, if you and the other heads would escort our guests . . . "
"Of course, Albus," she said, and then turned to the parents. "If you will follow Professors Sprout, Flitwick, Snape, and me, we will show you where you can visit with your children."
As the parents filed out of the office, Minerva stayed back waiting for Remus and Sirius to pass. She took their arms and asked them to walk with her. They fell back behind the others. "I want to ask you about something that Harry told me," she said. "About a place he called the Summerland."
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On their way to the Great Hall, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy rounded a corner to find the family of Elves waiting for them.
"Lucius," Queen Thespa said. "I have not met your wife."
Lucius gave the Elven Queen a brief bow. "Queen Thespa," he said. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Narcissa Black Malfoy. Narcissa, the Lady Thespa, Queen of the Elven Realm."
"And your mother's sister and your godmother," Queen Thespa added, trying to hide a smile.
Lucius nodded in agreement. "Yes," he said with a slight smile. "Aunt Thespa is all of those things."
The Queen introduced her family to Narcissa, and then took her nephew's arm. "May I walk with you?" she asked.
"Of course," he said, and Lord Kathair took Narcissa's arm. He and the other elves fell back so that Thespa could speak with Lucius in private.
"Your mother was the envy of us all," she said. "I have never seen a woman loved so much by her son. She was truly blessed to have you, Lucius."
"I loved her very much," he said.
"And, yet, you have not been to the Realm of El to speak with her."
He shook his head.
"But why?"
He hesitated a moment, but then spoke without emotion. "She would be ashamed of me."
"Your mother would never be ashamed of you, Lucius. She might be disappointed, but never ashamed. She loved you even more than you loved her."
"I tried to help her—"
"I know, Lucius, I was there. You tried to get me in to see her, but your father found us out."
A muscle twitched in his jaw, but his expression revealed no emotion. "Yes, he did."
"And you were brutally beaten for your efforts."
"I was."
"You do not treat your son as your father treated you."
"I have never raised a hand to my son."
"No Elf would treat his family the way your father treated you and your mother."
"Aunt Thespa, I am a Wizard."
"You are also an Elf."
Lucius sighed. "You don't understand our world. It's not like the one in which you live. Things must be hidden here."
"Obviously, for you have not even told your son of his heritage, even though he has asked."
"He did ask me in a letter after he had spoken with your grandson."
"Yes, Sethrael saw the signs."
"Only another Elf would. In this world, pure blood is what is valued."
"Not to all, Lucius. You were taught that all creatures are equal. But that was before your Dark Wizard forced you to change your mind, a man who was not even a pureblood himself, yet telling his followers that he was."
"He was not my Dark Lord, Aunt Thespa. I was under the Imperious—"
"You forget to whom you are speaking, Lucius. Have you been away from our world so long that you forgot that I can hear your thoughts?"
Lucius casually turned his head to see if anyone had heard his aunt speak. When he was sure no one had, he turned back to his aunt. "I made an error in judgment," he said. "But he is gone now."
"He is not gone. His soul still roams this realm. He is looking for a servant who can perform the ritual to give him a new body, and then he will return."
Lucius face paled. "I pray you are wrong."
"I wish I were, but you know that I am not. Do you remember the Prophecy of El?"
"Yes."
"The Child has come, Lucius. He's been found. You know what that means. Do not let your lust for power destroy you, my son. All those who follow the Dark Wizard will fall."
For the first time, his face revealed the torment he felt. "If he is alive, he will come for me," he whispered fiercely. "What am I to do? If I don't return when he calls, he will think me a traitor. He will kill my family and me, and it won't be an easy death. It will be long, drawn-out, and painful. He is a monster, Aunt Thespa. You have no idea."
"If you come to me, you will have help, Lucius. He cannot reach you or your family in our realm."
"I can't leave everything and go to the Elven Realm." He smirked. "Can you see Narcissa sleeping on the ground?"
"You would not have to leave everything, Lucius. You can lock your gold and your treasures away in your Gringott's vault and close up your house. They will be there when you return."
"I am not the man I was when you knew me, Aunt Thespa. I am no longer of the Light."
"It is not too late to shed the darkness, Lucius. A change of heart, a purification ritual, and time spent in the Elven Realm are what you need."
"My heart cannot change. I am too much like my father."
"You are nothing like that monster! Your soul is wounded, Lucius, but it is not beyond repair. Your heart has grown cold, but it has not turned to stone. You have blood on your hands and have committed cruel acts, but there are those whom you love more than your own self. You still love your mother; you love your wife; and you both love your son. If it were too late for you, you would not be able to love them so much. You would give your life for them. Your father would have let you die to save himself. And he killed your mother. Never say that you are like him, for it is a lie."
He gave his aunt a small smile. "You think more of me than you should," he said. "But then, you have always thought the best of those who did not deserve it."
His aunt sighed. "I grow weary of your stubbornness. I am right, and you must listen to me. It is time to tell your son the truth. If you do not, he will find out from someone else, and he will lose his trust in you. If you explain why you did not tell him before, he will understand."
"Yes, your highness," he said, smiling at her.
Trying and failing to look stern, she slapped him on the arm.