Hi, again! Took a while to get this out. Thanks to Minstrel Knight for adding some significant bits to it.

Chapter 8

Galen stirred. He woke up with a start, his forehead exploding in pain. Taking a deep breath, he recalled his recent Occlumency lessons from Snape and cleared his mind. After several attempts, he succeeded and sighed heavily. It had been a terrible dream. Lord Voldemort had personally taken part in torturing the family of a Muggleborn wizard who had defied him.

"Nightmares, again?"

Galen looked up and saw Ron looking at him with concern. He nodded his head, and then he frowned darkly at his dorm mate.

"I know you are angry with us for going to McGonagall," the redhead said hastily before Galen could put in a word. "But we were worried. Your brother threw us out and sealed the entrance. How could we just pretend as if nothing was wrong? Anthea was in tears with worry."

Galen shook his head, scowling darkly. "Not that. What were you and Anthea doing so late in the Common Room alone?"

"I don't see why that should concern you," Ron said coolly, turning aside. Then he stopped. "Wait! Anthea called you something else… down in the cave… she called you Harry… she had a brother named…" He turned suddenly and gaped at Galen in disbelief.

Galen sighed, slapping his forehead. "Oh well, you guessed it. I am her long lost brother, Harry Potter. And I suppose I can't blame you for going after my sister, not when I am with yours. Just remember that Anthea has suffered much and if you make her suffer more…"

"You don't have to say that," Ron interrupted firmly. "You would do what I would do to you."

Galen nodded. "Glad we got that out. My identity is supposed to be a secret. Can you keep it a secret? Talk to Anthie… she will explain… good, thanks… Right. I'm off see my amme now. If I don't return, you know where I last was," he said somberly to an amused Ron. Then he walked out of the room muttering, "Eru have mercy." It was time to face the wrath of a frightened mother.

But Lady Amaryllis was not the first person Galen saw. Ginny was waiting for him outside the Common Room and she took his hand comfortingly. "Professor Snape told me to take you to Lady Amaryllis' chamber. She is staying near the dungeons. He said my presence might be helpful."

Galen followed his girlfriend with a nod. Her presence was indeed going to be helpful. He knew his mother and aunt would be staying near Severus Snape and was glad it was as far as possible from the Gryffindor Tower. Stopping just outside the guest chamber, Galen took a deep breath and Ginny made to depart but Galen held her hand tightly.

"No," he said with near petulance and Ginny patted his head fondly with a chuckle. But before she could say anything, the door opened and his Aunt Delia walked out.

"Hello Galen," she said with an evil smirk. "Your amme has been waiting for you. I hope you have packed your bags to leave with her. Come with me, Ginny, my dear, I would love to know you better."

"No!" Galen said again louder, tightening his grip on Ginny's hand and pulling her closer to him. The redhead rested her free hand over their joined wrists in comfort, and Delia observed the two with a smile before retreating.

"Come in Elerin," a voice called icily from within and the boy gulped. Taking a final deep breath and rubbing Ginny's wrist with his fingers, he walked in.

The Lady was sitting on an armchair near the fire. It appeared as if she had been in that position for quite some time. Her eyes were droopy and it appeared as if she hadn't had much sleep. There was a single seat next to her and she beckoned Ginny to take it. Smiling weakly at the young girl, the regal woman said, "How are you, dear?'

"I am fine, thank you, ma'am," Ginny responded politely. "I hope you don't mind me staying."

The Lady smiled beautifully. "If Elerin wants you here, you can stay. You must have become very close to him in the short time you have known each other for him to desire your presence now… But I must ask you to let go of my son's hand while I deal with him." Turning to Galen, she asked icily, "How are you, son?"

Galen had frozen at the sight of his mother. She looked terrible from fear and worry. Her voice made him tremble with grief. He opened his mouth but instead of replying, he ran to his mother and put his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please forgive me, amme. I didn't intend to hurt you." He whispered wretchedly to his mother's hair. "I'm sorry."

She patted his back and sighed. "You promised me, Elerin," she said quietly in a forlorn voice. "You gave me your word you wouldn't do anything foolish."

"I'm sorry, amme," he repeated miserably. Then he continued, "It was necessary."

"I have no doubt," his mother stated. She shook her head. "You do things with the best of intentions but your foolishness knows no bounds. Just like your adar! You could have died! Why don't you ever think before doing something so… so reckless! Did you even think how it would affect others? How it would affect me! You and your brother will be the death of me someday!"

Galen heard her tirade sorrowfully and then shook his head. "Eldarion only came to keep me out of trouble, amme. I didn't know what terror awaited us, but it haunted Ginny and I had to stop it. I had to do this. It's not his fault."

"Do not interrupt me with banalities, Elerin," she said dangerously. "I have spoken to Lindel already, and I know my own sons well enough." She shook her head. "We had a deal. If you didn't show restrain and good sense, you would be sent back home. By rights, you should depart with me after Yuletide is past."

"No, amme," Galen begged frantically. "Please don't. I'm really sorry. I want to stay." He turned to Ginny desperately.

"Silence," his mother said sharply. She turned from Galen to Ginny, who was watching the scene unfold with silent dread, and then she continued, "But I do not wish to punish this young lady for your foolishness. Instead," she swatted her son's hand severely as he cheered in sudden delight, "I must think of some other way to punish you. I am almost tempted to spank you right here in front of your friend for frightening me so thoroughly."

Uncaring of her threats, Galen smiled happily. "As long as you don't send me away," he said while leaning down to kiss his mother's forehead. "You are the best and most beautiful amme in the whole world."

"Flattery, my dear son, can only save you so many times," his mother said severely, but it was obvious she was amused as well. Then she got up and embraced her son warmly. "Tell me now, truthfully, how are you?"

Galen smiled happily and said, "I met my sister, she knows." Then seeing his mother's alarmed expression as she shot a glance at Ginny, he smiled wider. "Ginny knows too. The Centaurs revealed it to her."

Amaryllis frowned. "Centaurs? They haven't been involved in the affairs of mortals for… I do not know if they ever have."

"Well, technically," Galen said teasingly, "I am only part mortal."

"Don't push it, Elerin," Amaryllis said with narrowed eyes. "I still haven't given you your punishment. Why would the Centaurs involve themselves in your life?"

Galen sighed but it was Ginny who answered. "He is the true Boy Who Lived."

The Queen paled. She turned to Galen and shook her head. "You will do nothing foolish," she whispered firmly.

Galen nodded agreeably. "Nothing foolish," he echoed. "But amme, how come you and Aunt Delia are here in Hogwarts?"

"Severus sent us a message of his inability to visit us for Yule, and your adar decided to come with Delia. He was held back by a Goblin Rebellion in Africa at the last moment," Amaryllis explained. "So I decided to come. And seeing how utterly foolish my sons are behaving, I have decided to stay."

"I'm glad," Galen said happily, giving his mother another hug. "I missed you a lot. Though, your timing could have been a bit better," he added hastily, as he jumped away to a safe distance.

"That reminds me. For your punishment," Amaryllis said with a gleam of mischief which made Galen balk in fear. "You will teach our ways to the House Elves personally. You will make them feel welcome and wanted," she nodded at the growing apprehension on her son's face. "And if they smother you with their affection, you will gracefully accept it. You can start now."

"Evil woman," Galen muttered to Ginny as they walked out of his mother's chamber and Ginny hit his head playfully. "What?" he complained sulkily. "You don't know how bad the House Elves can get… especially, Dobby!"

-----

Three hours later, Galen fumed in anger. He marched purposefully to the other end of the Common Room. His last few hours hadn't been very pleasant, having to deal with several over-excited and animated House Elves. He had told Ginny to go back without him, not wanting her to go through the same ordeal, but when he returned to the Common Room, he was met with a sight that infuriated him even further.

Danny Potter, his former brother, was forcing himself on his girlfriend. Danny hadn't seen the entrance of the Half Elf, though Ginny had, and she smirked at him.

"So Danny, what were you saying," she said loudly, "about Galen being a Slytherin spy?"

Danny snorted. "His brother is a Slytherin and he calls Snape 'uncle'. As if that weren't bad enough, and then his aunt insults Sirius." He shook his head. "How can she choose to go to Hogsmeade with that slimy git over Padfoot! You shouldn't mingle with people like them, Ginny, if you know what's good for you. I don't care if Dumbledore thinks we need their help for the war, they aren't normal. Stick with us. You can come to Hogsmeade with me on Christmas Eve."

"Oh, I can?" Ginny asked in a singsong voice with an amused smile that Danny took as a good sign.

"Yes," he nodded, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I've noticed you have grown up quite a bit. We could, you know, do stuff together."

"Excuse me," Galen tapped on his unwitting brother's shoulder. When Danny jumped aside and turned around with his wand ready, Galen shook his head. "You want to put that away, Potter. And you really want to apologize to my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Danny laughed. "Don't delude yourself. Ginny's had a crush on me since we were kids. You were just the guy she turned to when I was unavailable. Well guess what, I'm available now. So back off."

"Right," Galen said in disbelief. Turning to Ginny, he said, "I'm in no mood to deal with this right now. Can I resort to my foul Slytherin ways and dispose of him in a cruel and painful manner?"

Giggling, Ginny grabbed his hand, disregarding Danny's protests, and dragged him away from the Common Room. "He's not worth it," she said. "How was Dobby?"

Galen shook his head in disgust. "I would have strangled him with my own hands if, somewhere deep deep down, I didn't truly like that overzealous and insane House Elf. He called me 'the Great and Selfless Knight Who Rose to the Succor of His People and the Students and Staff of Hogwarts Without Any Care for His Own Safety to Battle and Destroy the Terrible and Vile Serpent'! With capital letters so loud, you know, you could almost hear them. And that was just the first few seconds." He went on and on complaining, making Ginny laugh heartily.

"But you are," she said softly after controlling herself. Then before Galen could protest further, she put her hands around his neck, instantly silencing him. "You are my knight in shining armor, Galen. You freed me of my curse. I do not know how to thank you."

Galen looked at her contemplatively. "A kiss would be adequate for now, my lovely damsel in distress." He leaned forward slightly, allowing Ginny to reach to meet his lips. She kissed him deeply, her hands making knots out of his hair all the while.

Parting, she said dangerously, "But the next time you call me a damsel in distress, dear, I will be biting your tongue off instead."

Smiling, Galen said, "At least, I will still be able to do this." Putting his arms around her firmly, he kissed her forehead. When Ginny sighed blissfully, he kissed her again. Then parting with a troubled expression, he said, "I think I am falling in love with you, Ginny. When I thought of being sent away… I was so lost… so distraught that I might never see you again, I…"

"Oh Galen," Ginny cried out. "I love you too. I know we have only known each other for a few months, but it feels like I've known you forever. It's like…"

"Like we were meant to be," Galen said with a sigh. "I was afraid I might freak you away by saying so, I'm glad you feel the same."

Ginny giggled. "Silly boy," she punched him playfully.

-----

"I am troubled about the boy," Snape sighed heavily. He was sitting with two exceptionally beautiful women, one of whom had her silver blonde head rested on his shoulder. "I fear he has many challenges in front of him."

"My nephew will rise to the challenges," the woman reclining against him said with certainty. "He always does, and if he has any need, the three of us will be there for him."

Snape remained motionless for a few moments. Then he twiddled the ends of Delia Telcontar's long hair with his fingers. "Things are in motion, my dear. The Dark Lord is moving, and Dumbledore's hopes are hedged too heavily on Danny Potter."

From across the table, Lady Amaryllis frowned. "He is only a boy. Surely the old wizard must have other plans."

Snape sighed. "The Headmaster places too much faith in the Prophecy. He truly believes that the Boy Who Lived is the one to defeat the Dark Lord. He puts all his energies in the protection and training of Danny Potter."

"The false Boy Who Lived," Delia finished grimly. "What do you suggest, Severus?"

"Galen doesn't need battle training from Dumbledore. He is highly proficient in his own way of fighting. King Isildur has seen to it… and he is surrounded by several loyal people who would give their lives for him in a heartbeat. Even in the very short time he has been in Hogwarts, he has become dear to several students. He has had a profound impact on Gryffindor House, several of whom are now almost tolerable. Even some of the staff are fond of him, especially Lily Potter. He is well loved."

"Lily Potter?" Amaryllis asked quietly.

Snape nodded. "She had a talk with Galen and Ginny, she told me of it, marveling that her lost son was still alive. I don't think she knows Galen is he."

Amaryllis nodded. "I can understand her pain but I cannot forgive her for the tears of my son."

"Too many people know his secret, My Lady," Snape said suddenly. "Do you not fear they will take him away if they found out? Do you not fear that he might choose to stay?"

Amaryllis smiled sadly. "You fear that, Severus, because you do not have a mother's heart. My Galen will never be able to leave me. Even if he still feels something for Lily Potter, his heart is big enough for the two of us." As her smile brightened, she said, "And he will never forget the thrashing and the fussing from his amme after he disappeared with the eagles."

"I am afraid he might not be given a choice," Snape said heavily. "Dumbledore is magnanimous to the House of Telcontar because he needs their help for the war. But if he were to discover Galen's true identity and the truth behind the Prophecy, I fear he will leave no stone unturned to control the Boy Who Lived."

"If he tries," Amaryllis said with resolve, "I will be standing between him and my son."

"And you wont be alone, My Lady," Snape promised.

Then Delia stirred. "What about his new girlfriend? What do you think of her, Severus?"

Snape pondered thoughtfully. "Her family is deeply aligned to Dumbledore. They have absolute and unwavering faith in Dumbledore, but from what I saw of the girl's mind while teaching her to shield it, she cares deeply for Galen. She has shed many tears for the pain of Harry Potter."

Delia smirked. "What is it about that boy that makes women simply crazy about him? He has broken many hearts by not letting anyone in too deep save his amme and me. I am glad he allowed that spirited young redhead to reach to him."

"It could be because she also felt for Harry Potter's misery," Snape said thoughtfully. Remembering something, he added, "The Centaur Firenze played a major part in that."

Amaryllis nodded. "That is what makes me feel that something deeper is at play here. Something beyond our comprehension. What do the stars speak to you of, Delia?"

Delia's eyes clouded and she turned away from Snape. With troubled eyes, she said, "Pain and suffering."

-----

"How dare you!" a girl screamed with fury. "How dare you say that to Ginny!"

The Gryffindor Common Room was in complete shock, not that many students had stayed back for the vacations. Anthea Potter, who had been the quietest of them all until that year, was lashing out at her boisterous brother, Gryffindor's Pride and Joy, the Boy Who Lived - Danny Potter.

"You git!" she yelled. "You insensitive git!"

"Stop it, Anthea," Danny said irritably. "You don't know what you're talking of. I was trying to save Ginny from those snakes."

"Oh," Anthea said harshly. "Just as Sirius said he was saving Galen's aunt from Professor Snape?"

"You heard that? Oh right, he would have told you too," Danny said curiously. Then smugly, he continued, "Yeah, you see… We have to save the innocent girls from Snivellus and his sniveling nephew."

"I don't see, Daniel!" she retorted. "While I love Sirius, he can be so immature and irritating when it comes to Professor Snape. Why can't you just grow up, like Ron has?"

"What do you mean?" Danny asked in bemusement. "And how come you're spending so much time with Ron suddenly? What does he want with you?"

Anthea's eyes narrowed dangerously and she said, "It is none of your business, Daniel Potter, whom I spend my time with. You should mind your own business and stop butting in other people's," she said furiously, before marching off.

"Barking," Danny said, shaking his head. "But just you wait, Galenel Greenstar! I'll show you! Snape tried to steal mum from dad but he failed, and so will you! We Potters get our redheads!"