Harry slumped exhausted but relieved in the Great Hall, the final battle finally over, Voldemort defeated. So many people had been lost on both sides. Aurors and ministry officials as well as twenty students had been killed. Among the Order Hagrid and Tonks had died, Remus who was sitting next to him and had been knocked out by a falling wall, was in mourning for his wife, and thinking of their three month old son home with his grandmother. Collin Creevey, Daphne and Theo who had been Death Eaters, Dean Thomas and to Harry's great pain, Ron, had been killed in battle. He looked at the Weasleys, now a family of eight, Percy having been reunited with his family just before the battle. Hermione was on Harry's other side. Harry had never been so scared in his life and he was shaking badly but he was trying his best to comfort the two on either side of him. Ron had proposed a week ago to Hermione and she wore his ring on her hand, and Remus for his wife and mother of his son. Harry had lost his parents and godfather to this war but in the last year Remus had become like a dad, he had the Weasleys and Teddy as well.
His eyes drifted to the make shift medical area of the hall and saw where Severus was. The man had been put out with a potion but Harry could almost hear his hear beat and some how could tell his breathing had steadied out even though he was no where near him and had no medical training. He was not sure what was happening, he had no idea why he felt such a connection to the man. He was reminded though of sitting with Severus and swearing he would not die alone. He had never in a hundred years believed he would have risked his life for that man but he had been drawn to him and unable to leave him.
Harry was reminded of why there might be a link and definitely why Severus was alive when the doors opened. The headmaster had come into the hall and with him came seven of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen, four males and three females. They were human in form but with the extraordinary beauty of the veelas but they had pointed ears and he realized they were elves. He knew there were some in other parts of the world but till tonight there had been none here.
Dumbledore led them towards Harry. "Harry may I present to you Lord Elsor and his clan, wood elves from the lands of Southern France."
Elsor smiled and inclined his head slightly. "It seems I was right my young wizard lord, you did have the purity of magic to win this night."
When it had come down to the final fight it had been the white magic of Harry's true soul which had saved him and destroyed the horcrux, at the same time his spell had destroyed Voldemort. If he had not been as pure of soul as he was he would likely have died with Voldemort of just him. The same magic that the elf had claimed would be pure enough to save the life of Severus had been enough to save him and win the war as well.
Dumbledore went on. "The elves have returned to our lands to aid us in the final battle and serve as healers. They have a great healing magic to them."
One of the females spoke. "There have been those here among you since the Dark Lord rose, and when the need of our magic called, we were drawn to return."
The elves were one of the most ancient and noblest of races and their beauty reflected the beauty and grace of their magic and souls. Voldemort had become the exact opposite, his inhuman body representing the corruption and blackness of his magic and soul. The elves usually did not interfere with humans but from time to time when the innocence of the world was threatened they came forward. They had waited in the shadow of the woods for some sign of aid they could give to the school. Only Harry and Severus were ware of the true aid they had given that night. It was not in them to fight, it would corrupt their beauty and purity. They could not have joined in the battle. It was theirs to guide and protect alone, and now to offer what they could as healers.
The women spread out among those not injured, touching and talking, starting with the one who had spoken to Harry going to Hermione and he could see his friend relaxing under the ease of her talking. There was an almost melody to their voices and he could almost imagine being lulled to sleep by their voices.
All the males but Elsor went to the actual patients and Dumbledore spoke. "Lord Elsor has requested a chance to speak to the young man who saved us all."
Harry stood from his place reluctantly because of Remus. "I am grateful for the aid you have rendered tonight and I am willing to speak with you."
The elf again was aware unlike Dumbledore of the meaning of what he had said. Harry did not speak of the guidance or now the healing. He spoke of the man coming to Severus' aid out in the woods and helping Harry to save his life. Harry would never have been able to heal Severus and the only thing he could have offered the man was to be there or when he died. He knew he had offered him some comfort but he was grateful that Severus would live to terrorize students in the future.
The elf spoke. "It has come to my attention you may not have been aware of the terms of the ceremony I performed in order to save the other man's life."
Harry looked at him and shook his head. "No. I mean I am sorry but I know very little of the customs of the elves. I mean we only study the veela in school."
The elf was of course not surprised for there had not been villages of elves in Britain for centuries, the odd one came through from time to time but usually only their hybrids, Veela, came through. He had not considered really the child might not have known. He had seen the look between the child and the man. Elves had a slight vision, an ability to see things that were not visible to others, and sometimes the future. He had seen what could be between the two of them.
He put a hand on Harry. "You have much to recover from young hero. In three months I will seek you out and we will discus what is required of you."