Chapter 26

Harry, his family, and the guests who had sat on the platform during the Coronation were carried in white and gold unicorn-drawn carriages to the school where the Ball would be held in the Great Hall. Harry jumped out of his carriage when it stopped in front of the doors and ran to the Trophy Room where the dress robes he had worn at the Yule Ball had been placed. Before he could change, however, his mother walked in and insisted on giving him a proper haircut before he put on his robes.

He sat patiently while his mother cut his hair. "Now, I remember why I was happy for you to wear your hair long," she said. "Your hair sticks up all over your head."

Harry grinned at her. "If I wore glasses, I would look like my first father. His hair sticks up all over, too."

When he was ready, his mother placed the gold crown back on his head, and they went back to the door of the Great Hall where a receiving line had formed to formally greet the guests. It took over an hour for Harry to shake the hands of all who entered, and by the time it was over, he was tired, his face hurt from smiling, and his hand felt like it had been squeezed in a vise. Yet, he still had more duties to perform, so he hid his exhaustion and went to the head table for dinner.

After everyone had eaten, the tables were cleared and the small orchestra that had played at the Yule ball set up their instruments. Elder Kindarth mounted the stage to make an announcement.

"The ball will be opened with a dance by King Sethrael and his partner Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur William Weasley.

Harry found Ginny, bowed to her, took her hand, and led her to the dance floor. The music began, and they waltzed as they had done together at the first dance of the Yule ball.

"You look beautiful," he told her. She was wearing the same robes she had before, and he loved the way the green accented the red in her hair and the cinnamon shade of her light brown eyes.

"Thank you," she said. "Did your mother tell you that you'd be the most handsome man at the ball this time?" she asked, grinning at him.

"No, she didn't. She told me to hold my shoulders back and not step on your toes."

Ginny laughed. "Then I will tell you that you truly are the most handsome man at the ball. I really like your hair short like that."

"Even with it sticking up all over?"

"Especially with it sticking up all over," she said.

He laughed, held her closer, and moved her across the dance floor.

"After this dance, I've got to dance with the Muggle Queen and the Prime Minister's wife and about 10 other people I don't know, but after I've done what I have to, may I do what I want to and dance the rest with you?"

"Of course. I'll save all but the first 12 dances for you."

"Don't dance any of those 12 with anyone better than I am, or I'll be jealous and you may not want to keep your promise."

"As if you had a reason to be jealous," she said. "I have eyes only for the King."

He smiled. "And the King has eyes only for you, Miss Ginevra."

After the first dance ended, Harry danced with his grandmother, his mother, the Muggle Queen, the Prime Minister's wife, the Minister of Magic's wife, Arabella Figg, Professor McGonagall, and all the other women with whom his grandmother had instructed him to dance. Then he was introduced to his first mother's sister and her family, the Dursleys.

Petunia actually curtsied when Harry was introduced to her. She was tall, skinny, and had a face similar to a horse. Uncle Vernon was tall and very fat with a moustache that looked like a brush. Dudley was a big boy, not quite as heavy as Uncle Vernon, and was blonde like his mother. He seemed very shy.

"I'm sure we have met before," Harry told them, "Although I was too young to remember it. But it is very nice to finally see you again, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, Cousin Dudley."

Vernon and Dudley shook his hand, and Harry asked his aunt to dance with him. "We're family, Harry," she said while they were dancing. "You must come visit us as often as you can."

"I will," he said. "And you must bring your family to visit me."

She smiled. "It would be an honor."

When the dance was over, he escorted her back to Uncle Vernon, thanked her for the dance, then left to find Ginny.

"Now, I can have fun," he said, taking her to the dance floor.

"Who was that last woman you danced with?" she asked.

"That was my first mother's sister, Aunt Petunia. She doesn't look anything like my mother. Lily was very beautiful, and her hair was almost the same color as yours."

"You remember her?" Ginny asked, surprised.

Harry grinned. "It seems like only this morning that I last saw her," he said. Of course, it had been only that morning that he had made his semi-annual visit to his parents in the Realm of El, but very few people, other than the Elves, knew about that.

At midnight, the ball ended. When the guests were gone, Harry walked into the Forbidden Forest with his family and the other Elves. It had been a long, tiring day, and though he would always remember it as one of the best days of his life, he was glad it was over. He laid his head on his mother's shoulder and covered a yawn with his hand. "I wish I were as small as Coriel," he said. "So you or Daka could carry me home."

His mother smiled and slipped her arm around his waist. "You have had a long day, my son. You will sleep well tonight."

"I hope so," he said. "I couldn't sleep last night for all the excitement. I'm ready for things to go back to normal."

"You did well today, Seth," his father said, coming up beside him and ruffling his short hair. "But you do not look like my son with your hair so short. It will take some time to get used to it."

"Ginny likes it," Harry told him.

His parents smiled at each other over his head. "So I don't suppose you'll let it grow back, then, will you?" his mother asked.

"I might keep it like this for a while," he said.

Mithrael laughed and shifted his sleeping daughter to his other shoulder. "Ginny looked nice this evening."

"Yeah, she did," Harry said. "I told her she looked beautiful. That's when she told me she liked my hair. She said I was the most handsome man at the ball."

"She's right. You and your dakara were the most handsome men there," his mother said.

"Metha, you are very fortunate to have Daka and me," Harry said seriously. "It gives you something to brag to the other women about since none of their men are as good looking as we are."

"Or as modest," his father said, laughing, then stopped suddenly and turned around. He listened for a moment, and then handed the sleeping baby to Sethrael. "Get your methara and sister to the Elven Realm," he said. "I will be there shortly."

He started back the way they had come, signaling to some of the guards to follow him. The other Elves, who had scattered about while walking toward the forest, moved closer together. The guards that had stayed notched arrows in their bows and surrounded the group of Elves protectively.

Harry and the others hurried toward the portal. One of the Elders opened it, and two guards stood on either side of the tree. The Elves hurried through the portal, leaving the Forbidden Forest behind.

When they were safely in the Elven Realm, Harry turned to his mother. "Did you hear anything, Metha? Why do you think Daka went back?"

"I don't know," she said worriedly. "I did not sense any danger. Did you?"

"No," he said. "Do you think I should go back and help?"

"No. Your Dakara told you to stay. You must do as he says. He will explain when he returns."

Harry handed his mother the baby, then went to the caves to fetch the skins and furs to make their tents. When he returned, his mother had wrapped Coriel in her cloak and laid her down. Together, they made quick work of their shelter, then spread out the furs and tucked Coriel into bed.

Harry and his mother stayed dressed, unable to sleep until Mithrael returned. His mother lit a small candle and they sat in the tent and talked softly, listening for his father. The night rains came, but still he did not return. In the early morning, when the mists had settled over the land, Harry and his mother were still awake.

"When the mists clear," she said. "I want you to take some of the hunters and go search for your dakara. It is not like him to stay so long when he said he would return."

"Yes, Metha," he said, and changed into his deerskin in preparation.

"Watch Coriel," Elsbeth said. "I will go to the caves and get you some breakfast before you leave."

"Thank you," he said. He slipped his quiver on his back and laid his bow across his knees as he sat waiting for his mother to return. She came back shortly with fruit, cheese, and bread.

"If you cannot find him, return so that you can let the others know and we will send more people out to look. We'll also get your godfathers and Old Gray Beard to help."

"Metha, do you sense that something is wrong?"

"No, but it worries me that he has not returned."

"Don't worry, Metha. I will find him and bring him back home safe and sound."

Elsbeth smiled at her son and kissed his cheek. "Promise me that you will stay safe, my son. I do not want to have to worry about both of you."

"I promise," he said, and left the tent.

The rest of the village was just beginning to wake when Harry made his way through, asking for help from the other hunters. They gathered their weapons, made a quick stop at the cave for food, and followed him to the portal into the Human Realm.

On the other side of the portal, they found a circle of Centaurs waiting for them. "Come," they said. "Follow."

The Elves followed the Centaurs deep into the Forbidden Forest. Finally, they came to a rocky cove where many Centaurs were standing, looking down into a pit. Harry walked over to where they were and looked down also. The pit was deep, and in the darkness, he thought he made out three figures.

"Who are they?" he asked.

"Death Eaters," answered one of the Centaurs. "Followers of Voldemort."

"How did they get down there?" he asked. "Are they dead?"

"Yes, they are dead. They were among those who attacked us during the night," the Centaur told him. "They killed one of our children. Some of your people came to our aid and were attacked also."

"Where are my people who were attacked?" Harry asked.

The Centaur turned his head toward the tree line, and Harry followed his gaze. Beneath a mean shelter of branches, several Elves lay on the ground. Harry felt his heart quicken, fearful that his father might be one of them. "A-are they dead?" he asked softly.

"No. They are resting. They were wounded, but they are alive."

Harry let out a breath of relief and looked up at the Centaur. "I am sorry for your loss," he said. "Please give my condolences to your people. Losing a child is a terrible thing. If there is anything my people and I can do, please let me know."

The Centaur bowed his head in acknowledgement.

"Thank you for taking care of our people," Harry said. He followed the other Elves to the temporary shelter where the wounded men were sleeping. Looking around, he did not see his father.

"Can they be moved to our Realm?" Harry asked one of the hunters who had been examining the men.

"Yes. Most of the wounds seem minor."

"Let's wake them and see if they can walk to the portal."

When the guards were awake, the hunters helped them back to the portal so they could be healed.

"Please tell my methara that I have gone to look for my dakara," Harry told one of the hunters. "Tell her not to worry, that I will go to the Wizards and ask for their help."

"I will tell her," the hunter said, and passed through the portal leaving Harry alone.

Harry turned and went back to where they had left the Centaurs. They were throwing things into the pit. As Harry neared, he could hear shouts coming from inside the deep hole.

"They must have just been unconscious," he said, walking over and looking inside. "May I talk with them?"

Then Centaurs moved back to allow Harry to speak with the prisoners.

"I am Harry Potter," he shouted down. "Who are you?"

"Harry!" one shouted. "I am your cousin, Lucius Malfoy. Draco and Severus are down here, also."

"Did you attack the Centaurs?" he asked.

"No, Narcissa, Draco, and I were taken by a group of Death Eaters as we left the ball. Severus was trying to help us. Your father and the Elven guards showed up, and then, the Centaurs attacked. One of the Death Eaters killed a young Centaur before they fled, but then the Centaurs turned on us. I don't know what happened to the others, but they threw us in the pit."

Harry turned and looked at the Centaur who seemed to be the leader. "You attacked the Elves?"

"We did not mean to harm the Elves, but some of them were injured by our arrows."

Harry was furious. "These men in the pit are not Death Eaters! One of them is my potions professor and the other two are Elves. They are my cousins! Why have you done this?"

"Two of them had the mark," the Centaur said.

Harry shouted into the pit. "Are any of you injured?"

"Draco is hurt," Lucius said. "Can you help him?"

Harry removed his wand and levitated Draco from the pit, gently lowering him to the ground. "He is an innocent child," he said to the Centaur. "Were you going to kill him because the Death Eaters killed one of yours?"

The Centaurs did not answer. Harry levitated both Lucius and Snape out of the pit. They were bruised and bleeding, but not to the extent that Draco was.

"We'll get him to the Elves," Harry said. "My mother will heal him. Do you know where they have taken my father?"

"We did not see what happened to your father, but the Death Eaters took Narcissa." Snape said.

Harry nodded. "Then let's get Draco to the Elven Realm." He turned to the Centaurs. "My people want peace with your people," he said. "But this is not the way of allies. I am sorry that you have lost one of your children, but killing an innocent will not bring the child back. We will find those who are to blame, but we will not bring them to you for punishment for your ways are not just. However, we will punish them for the wrong they have done to your people."

He turned and led the way to the portal.

"Metha! Metha!" he shouted, running toward the village. Severus and Lucius followed more slowly, Lucius carrying his son.

All the people had gathered near Eldartha where the wounded were lying on skins. Healers were working on the wounded guards. His mother looked up when he ran into the clearing.

"What is it? Did you find your dakara?"

"No. It's Draco. He needs help."

His mother ran to Lucius who laid his son on the ground.

"I'm going to go get my godfathers," he told her. "The Death Eaters have Draco's methara, but we do not know where Daka and the other guards are."

"You must not go," she said as she examined Draco. "You are the one they want. The Death Eaters want your blood for the ritual. You must not allow them to take you."

"But, Metha, Daka might be—"

"You must not go," she said. "Listen to me, Sethrael. If you are taken, all hope is lost for our people. You must not go."

"But what about Daka?"

"He will return. If he had been injured, he would be here with the others. I am sure that he and the other guards have gone to rescue Lolindir's methara. He will return, Sethrael. Now, please take care of your sister so I can help our cousin."

Harry sighed and picked up his sister, taking her away from the injured. They sat down near the lake, and Harry gave her a soft leather toy to chew on while he tossed small stones into the lake. "A lot of good it does me to be king," he told the small child. "When Metha still bosses me around like a little boy."

Several Merpeople stuck their heads out of the water to scold him.

"Oh, shut up," he said, tossing a pebble in their direction. With one last disapproving look, the Merpeople sank beneath the water.