Harry Potter and the Council of the Elves

by Mione5

After the events at the Ministry all of the students went home. Within hours Harry Potter had disappeared without a trace. Where is he, and what do the two strangers arriving over a year later in the middle of the Sorting Feast know about him? I'm finally slowly starting to repost some of my original works. Thank you for your patience to those who have been asking for me to.

2. Chapter 2

I do not own Harry Potter or anything else you recognise, but the plot as well as anything you don't, is mine.

Chapter 2 - Waltzing back in.

'Your what?' Hermione all but shrieked.

'My wife.' Harry said calmly, bending down to place a soft kiss on Gwen's cheek.

'You...you're married.' Ron stuttered and Harry nodded with a grin.

'For seven years now.' He murmured fondly. Most of the room had jaws hanging open by this point, only Dumbledore seemed to have some semblance of control and the twinkle in his eye was almost blinding.

'You're married.' Ron said again. Harry grinned and nodded again.

'To an Elven Princess no less.' Hermione added mischievously. 'Does that make you a Prince?' Harry nodded, blushing furiously. Ron and Hermione looked at Harry and then at each other, wide eyed.

'The Ferret is going to freak.' They both squealed, although Ron would deny it later. Harry burst out laughing and Minerva coughed several times to cover up her giggles. Ron and Hermione joined in as Gwendolyn turned to Harry, eyebrow raised.

'Ferret?'

'Malfoy.' Harry snorted, as he reined in his amusement. Snape stood up and turned on his heel, crossing the room swiftly and slamming the door behind him. 'Oops. I think we might have upset him.' Harry snickered, as he struggled to control himself.

Dumbledore raised a hand as he stood up, his mouth still lifted in an indulgent smile. 'Yes, I believe it best that I go and talk to Severus. I'll see you both here before breakfast tomorrow.' The Headmaster gently shooed them from the room before he grabbed some floo powder and stepped into the fire.

The others walked down the moving stairs and followed McGonagall towards Gryffindor Tower, stopping in front of a painting of a group of wood nymphs partway along the final corridor.

'Well Mr Potter. Your rooms are through there. Password is "Fawkes". I'll leave you to catch up then. Don't forget to return to Albus' office tomorrow morning.' Minerva turned quickly and began to walk away but felt a strong hand on her shoulder, holding her back.

'Professor?' Harry said tentatively. She turned back around and Harry saw the beginnings of tears in her eyes.

'Welcome back Harry. We've missed you.' She whispered, wrapping her arms around him for a moment before walking swiftly down the hall, her shoulders shaking. Harry looked sadly after her and sighed.

'Come on darling,' Gwendolyn said softly, pulling him through the doorway and beckoning the other two in after them. They all settled in the sitting room as Harry called for some tea and moments later a crack was heard throughout the room.

'Is it really you, Harry Potter? Has Harry Potter really returned to Hogwarts?' Dobby's happy squeal filled the room as the small house elf stood almost shyly in the doorway, his arms laden with an enormous tea tray.

Harry smiled. 'Yes Dobby. It's me.' The house elf squealed again and almost threw the tray over his shoulder in excitement. In fact, if Hermione hadn't cast a quick Wingardium Leviosa the tray would have landed all over the floor. Dobby had made it almost all the way across the room to Harry and Gwendolyn, who were sitting side by side on the sofa, when he caught sight of Gwendolyn's ears and the rings on both of their fingers belonging to the royal family of the Elves. The little elf let out a strangled squeak and stopped in his tracks, dropping to one knee and bowing so low that he almost turned a somersault.

Harry turned bright red again. 'Dobby, please. That's not really necessary. Please stand up.' Harry entreated, blushing even brighter as Ron, Hermione and Gwen snickered loudly. Harry shot each of them a dirty look and continued talking to the house elf.

Eventually Dobby rose and sheepishly levitated the tray to the table. 'Will there be anything else, Prince Harry Potter sir? Princess Gwendolyn?' Harry groaned and shook his head.

Gwendolyn let out a tinkling laugh and took pity on Harry. 'No, thank you Dobby.' She said kindly and Dobby backed out of the room, bowing the entire way.

'He'll get a crook back if he keeps walking like that.' Ron snorted, causing Hermione and Gwen to begin snickering again.

'Sod off.' Harry smacked Ron over the head with a cushion from the sofa. Several minutes later, when the snorts and giggles had died down Harry spoke. 'How weird is it?' He asked, almost as if afraid of the answer.

It was Hermione who answered first. 'Very. Talking to you it seems like it was only last week that you left, but looking at you, well, it seems much longer.'

'How did you know it was me? Harry asked, running his hand through his hair.

'That.' Hermione said simply.

'What.' Harry looked at her quizzically.

'That thing you do with your hand and your hair. You could be using Polyjuice and I would still recognise it.' She explained with a snort.

'What? How?'

Hermione laughed. 'You have it down to such an art after so many years. You can run your hand through your hair and move almost every strand except for the ones over your scar.' Harry looked over at Gwendolyn, eyebrows raised.

'She's right you know.' The elf added in agreement. 'I hadn't noticed it before.'

Harry ran his hand through his hair again causing the others to laugh once more. Sure enough, every strand moved except the few covering his scar.

He gave up and just shrugged. 'Tell me about you two. How's school been?' Ron and Hermione glanced uneasily at one another. 'What? What is it?' Harry looked at them in concern.

Hermione took a deep breath and began to tell Harry what had happened over the last fourteen months.

Harry paled slightly throughout the telling. 'You almost got dropped from Potions.' Harry whispered incredulously. 'Oh Merlin, I'm so sorry. I knew I should have come back earlier.'

Gwendolyn placed her hand over his. 'You know you couldn't come back.' she said, tucking a strand of hair back behind his ear. 'You couldn't leave without the permission of the Council. In fact, I'm surprised Mum and Dad actually let us leave without producing an heir to the throne first.' The last sentence was added with a wink in the two teenagers' direction.

'Gwen.' Harry whispered scandalously.

Just as the Elfin Princess foresaw, her comment had broken the tense and sad atmosphere that had permeated the room several minutes before, and Ron and Hermione chuckled mercilessly at Harry expense. Just then Gwendolyn yawned, quickly trying to smother the action with her hand but Hermione saw it, grabbing Ron's arm as she stood.

'We should be getting to bed.' She said firmly and Harry and Gwen rose with them.

Gwendolyn hugged both of them whispering. 'It is so good to meet you both finally. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow,' before disappearing through the bedroom door, leaving Harry to say goodnight.

Harry watched her go before turning back to his friends. 'I missed you both so much.' He stammered as he hugged them close once more. While neither was anywhere near Harry's height, they were both taller than he remembered. 'We will talk more tomorrow, yes?'

'Promise.' Hermione said firmly kissing him on the cheek and practically waltzing out the door, dragging Ron behind her. Harry shook his head, chuckling softly and followed Gwen into the bedroom.

---

Albus waited for the knock he knew would come early that morning as he went over the conversation he'd had the evening before in the dungeons.

'He left Albus.' The potions master spat. 'He disappeared for over a year without a single word, and now he just expects to walk in and make everything alright. We have been here, fighting for our lives while he has been living in the lap, and land, of luxury. He didn't even bother to let us know where he'd gone. Not one letter, nothing. And now he just waltzes back in. Nothing he says or does will make up for what he has put us through this last year. We thought he was dead for Merlin's sake!' Snape was screaming by this point and had to sit down to try and compose himself.

Albus placed a calming hand on the man's arm. 'You thought you had failed him then, Severus. Failed Lily's only child.' He said softly.

Snape winced as Albus immediately picked up on the true cause of his anger before he let out a soft growl. 'Yes, goddamn it. I thought I failed him...failed her.' His anger deflated. 'Albus, why? Why did he just leave? Didn't he know what would happen?'

The Headmaster conjured some tea. 'I think that is the whole point, Severus. You saw his eyes when he told us. He saw it all. He knew what would happen if he didn't leave.' Albus said softly.

Snape didn't reply, he just sipped his tea in silence and stared into the fire. 'I wonder if the Dark Lord knows yet.' Severus mused quietly.

'I saw Mr Malfoy returning from the owlrey on the way down here, so we can assume that it will only be a matter of time.'

'What are you going to do with them? He obviously doesn't need to finish his schooling.' Severus said wryly.

'I don't know yet. I will wait to talk with Harry in the morning. Don't you think you should be paying a certain someone a visit?' Albus said pointedly and Snape nodded reluctantly. 'This might be just the thing to get you back in Voldemort's inner circle.'

'Oh goody.' The other man said sarcastically, pulling on his thick black robe and stuffing his mask in his pocket.

'I'll let you know.' With those four curtly spoken words Snape disappeared out into the corridor in a swirl of robes leaving Albus to floo back to his office.

End Flashback

The elderly wizard couldn't help but smile to himself…who'd have thought that Severus Snape would ever have cared enough about a son of James Potter to admit he'd failed him. Lily's genes notwithstanding. 'Oh Harry, my boy, are we in for an interesting year.' He murmured softly.

'Severus.' Tom Riddle, otherwise known as the Dark Lord Voldemort, hissed. 'You say you have news for me.'

'Yes Master. The Potter brat has returned.'

Voldemort sat up straight in his throne like chair. 'Returned you say. From where has he returned?'

'Of that I am not sure yet Master. But...' Snape trailed off. He didn't really want to tell the Dark Lord this information but knew instinctively that Draco would have written it in his letter to his Father and it would only be a matter of time before Voldemort found out anyway.

'But?' Voldemort prompted.

'But he is older.'

The Dark Lord's snake like face squashed up into what Snape thought was an expression of confusion. 'Older? How can he be older?'

'I don't know all the details yet but I am hoping that all will be revealed at breakfast tomorrow.'

'You will report back here directly after.' Voldemort commanded.

'But My Lord, what of my classes?'

Severus knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as the words had left his mouth. Voldemort was across the room in a flash, his red eyes piercing deep into Snape's head. In spite of the situation, in spite of the pain Severus knew was coming, he smiled inwardly. Voldemort may be quick at Occulmency but Snape was quicker. While his face remained impassive the walls inside his mind shot up quick as a flash. The red eyes narrowed.

'Crucio.' The Dark Lord hissed. Snape, his fists clenched and his face screwed up in pain, struggled to stay on his feet. He lasted almost a minute before it became too much and with a gasp, fell to his knees. Riddle lifted the curse and leaned over to whisper in Snape's ear.

'I keep you around Severus because you can supply me with things that no one else previously could, but don't think you can question me like that ever again otherwise I may have to mark young Master Malfoy early and leave you to rot somewhere.'

Severus nodded and bowed low to the ground once more. 'Yes, My Lord. Sorry, My Lord.' Severus whispered painfully.

'Get out of my sight and you had better be back here tomorrow.' Riddle hissed, sweeping from the room.

Severus collapsed on the floor, gulping great lungfuls of air. Moments later a hand appeared in front of his face and he looked up. Standing over him was his long time friend Lucius, the father of his godson.

He accepted the hand and shakily got to his feet; Lucius stared at him for several moments.

'Be careful, Severus. He will find out.' The aristocrat said cryptically before he too walked from the room.

Albus started when Snape stepped out of his fireplace.

'Good morning Severus.' He said jovially. Snape just grunted and sat himself down in the chair across the desk. 'Last night didn't go well I presume.' Dumbledore added, easily seeing the slight tremor in the potions master's hands that spoke of the Cruciatus.

Snape took a deep breath. 'Same old crap, but Lucius had a very interesting comment to make afterwards.'

'Really.'

Severus smirked and related the unusual end to the meeting the night before.

'Interesting, very interesting.' Dumbledore steepled his fingers and rested his chin on them. 'Do you think he is wavering?'

Severus shook his head. 'Sadly no. I believe it was a warning. I feel that while he wouldn't say the curse himself, he would betray me to Voldemort if it came down to it.'

'Oh.'

'That's not all. I have to report back to him this morning about Potter. You will have to tell the students I'm ill. I should be back for the afternoon classes. '

Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled brightly, his eyes twinkling. 'Severus, I don't think that will be necessary.'

Snape's eyes narrowed as he realised what the old Headmaster was thinking. 'Oh no. No. No. You will not let that...that...that Gryffindor into my classroom. I won't have it. The boy is a walking trouble magnet. We only just got it restored from Longbottom's ineptitude at the end of the last school year. A bigger pair of dunderheads I have yet to see.'

'Now now Severus. If you are that against it then I will take your classes but I really think you are doing Mr Potter an injustice. The Council would hardly have let him return if he hadn't had a complete grounding in every subject and then some.'

'I still can't work out why the Council choose him in the first place.' Severus sneered.

Dumbledore shook his head. He wondered if the younger wizard would ever really get over his automatic insults of anything Potter related. 'The Council didn't. Voldemort did.'

'Now I know you have lost it.' Severus said sarcastically.

'You're not listening. Remember the prophecy. Only one can live. Harry is the only one who can kill Voldemort as it was Voldemort who marked him all those years ago. The Council would also know of the prophecy, I imagine.'

Snape sighed heavily. 'But why did the elves get involved in the first place. They never have before.'

'Of that I am not sure,' Dumbledore admitted. 'but I am confident we will find out in just a minute.' Just then a knock sounded at the door. 'Come in Harry.'

The door opened and Harry and Gwendolyn shuffled in. 'See I told you he could do it.' Harry was saying insistently.

'Harry, how many other people do you think the Headmaster was expecting at this time of the morning.' Gwen couldn't help but snicker.

'You're too smart for your own good, Your Highness.' Albus said grinning.

'Can't be that smart if she married a Potter.' Severus muttered.

'Oh Professor, you wound me.' Harry said in mock despair, his hand over his heart. Severus just raised an eyebrow and sniffed loudly.

'Did you sleep alright?' Albus asked chuckling.

'Fine thank you Headmaster.' Harry smiled.

'Harry, I think, all things considered, I think you should call me Albus.'

'Oh right, okay, um Albus.' Harry blushed as he and Gwendolyn sat down next to Severus.

'Now Harry, we have a question for you, well, probably more for Gwendolyn.'

'Yes.' Gwendolyn squeezed Harry's hand.

'The Council of the Elves have never involved themselves in our world before, why now?'

Gwendolyn shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing sadly at a frowning Harry. 'You are right, Albus, normally the Council would never step into a war in another world.' Gwendolyn began, 'but the Seer's saw more than the destruction of your world at the hands of this madman.' She hesitated, 'we saw the destruction of ours.' She finished in a whisper.

Harry put his arms around her and pulled her close. 'Two years after the fall of Hogwarts,' He continued. 'Voldemort began experimenting with travel between different worlds and realms. Within five years he had destroyed nearly all the magical creatures from their different worlds and that was as far as the Seers could get. We assumed that there wasn't much left to see after that.' Harry said sadly. 'The Elves knew of the Prophecy which is why they came to me. I was the last resort.'

'Last chance darling, not last resort.' Gwendolyn said softly.

Harry grimaced. 'Whatever.' Albus and Severus said nothing, each lost in their own thoughts. 'Professor?' Harry said hesitantly.

Albus' head snapped up. 'Oh yes, sorry Harry. Now, what are we going to do with you both?' The Headmaster mused.

Harry glanced at Gwendolyn. 'Er, Albus, we did come back for a reason other than Voldemort.' He started hesitantly.

Dumbledore frowned curiously. 'Really, what is that?'

The two exchanged another glance. 'I'm afraid I can't say yet, but it is vital to the future that we nudge the present in a certain direction.'

'In what way?'

Harry hesitated, wondering just how to word what he was going to say. 'Well, let's just say that if we don't soften the personality of a certain person in regards to muggles and suchlike, he will grow up into a monster worse than Voldemort.'

Snape looked confused but Harry could tell by the look in Albus' eye that he knew exactly who they were talking about.

'He is quite a powerful young wizard.' Dumbledore agreed.

'And he has the looks and charisma to be a great leader.' Harry said firmly. 'Even if he is a prat.' He added with a snort.

'With his knowledge of the Dark Arts he would become quite a formidable opponent.' The elderly wizard offered.

'And I really don't want to have to kill him.' Harry added with a sigh.

Snape looked at them both as if they had gone mad. 'Who in the hell are you talking about?' He snapped.

Dumbledore looked at Harry who nodded.

'Draco Malfoy.' He said quietly.

---

Harry stood nervously in the chamber off the Great Hall. He could hear the rumble of students as they settled into their seats for breakfast. He knew that as it was the first day of classes, all the house tables would be full.

'You'll be fine.' Gwen whispered to him.

'God, what if they don't forgive me for leaving?' Harry breathed nervously.

'Then show them the stone.'

'But what if it isn't enough?' Harry hissed.

'Harry, calm down. I've never seen you like this. Just show them the stone and everything will be alright.' Gwendolyn said firmly. Harry continued running his fingers through his hair until Gwendolyn grabbed his arm. 'If you keep doing that you will be bald before you're thirty. Now just relax.'

Harry struggled to keep his hands by his side as they waited for Albus to announce their arrival. Through the door they heard Minerva tap her glass and ask for quiet and then the Headmaster began to speak.

'Good morning. children.' The Headmaster said genially. 'I imagine the rumours have been circulating since last night regarding our mysterious visitors and I am sure that you have heard the one that it is Harry Potter and that he has returned to us. This rumour is in fact true.' Almost the entire hall gasped and a burst of eager chatter broke out making Albus wait for several moments before he could continue. 'Harry has been away training for the last year and will now join us as Weapons Master. A new class will be starting, compulsory for all students in the art of Duelling and War Strategy. I hope you will treat Harry with the respect he deserves.'

Harry took a deep breath and enfolded Gwen's hand in his as he opened the door and walked into the hall. The first and second years all whispered excitedly when they appeared, the other years looking at him in distrust. Harry shifted nervously under their gaze before deciding to speak.

'I would just like to say that what the Headmaster said was true, well, all except the last part. I do not deserve your respect yet but I hope, in time, you will come to respect me and I, you.' He offered. 'I do apologise to you all for leaving like I did and I also hope that you will forgive me when you find out why.' Harry finished softly but as the hall was completely silent everybody heard.

'And just why did you leave, Potter.' Malfoy sneered from his seat at the Slytherin Table. 'And what in the hell happened to you?' Several Slytherins snickered in response.

Albus moved to stand but Harry shook his head. 'Shall I show them?' he asked and the Headmaster nodded.

Harry reached into his robes and pulled out a large glowing stone. All of the staff had seen what the stone contained at the impromptu staff meeting earlier in the morning, and most looked slightly sickened at the thought of having to see it again. None of the students noticed this however as they were all watching Harry carefully as he waved his hand over the stone and speak in what they would so learn was Elvish.

'Renalin te estrelo anuasha.' Harry said melodiously. The stone glowed brighter for a moment before reflecting a picture up onto the wall behind the head table. The teachers were glad not to have to see it again and instead just watched the students reactions. The scenes played through as if inside a pensieve. They saw Voldemort capture Harry, causing nearly the whole hall to scream. They saw the battle at Hogwarts as well as who died, including the Headmaster and most of the teachers. There were numerous cries around the hall as more than two hundred students saw themselves slaughtered by Voldemort and his death eaters. They saw the attack on the Ministry. They saw what happened when Voldemort exterminated the muggles and finally Harry's body, drained of blood and hanging next to their Potions Master's outside the Ministry of Magic. In consultation with Dumbledore, Harry decided only to reveal up to that point. He quietly whispered the counter charm and pocketed the stone, finally raising his eyes to meet those of the students. What he saw was horror. Complete unadulterated horror, even from the Slytherins.

Harry swallowed heavily. 'What you just saw is what would have happened to our world if I had not left. It is not a story. It was taken directly from the pensieve of a world renowned Seer.' Harry didn't tell them that the Seer wasn't actually of this particular world. 'I know that all of this is hard to comprehend but I couldn't let anything happen to any you and you were all in danger while I was here. I hope you can understand.' Harry finished softly, grateful when Gwendolyn squeezed his hand.

Still they were all silent. Suddenly the scraping of a chair broke the soundless void and Harry glanced over, shocked to see Draco Malfoy walking towards him. Harry thought he was looking quite green, but the fact that he just saw himself skinned alive by Voldemort for refusing to kill the small daughter of a pureblood who had refused Voldemort's mark, probably had something to do with that.

'Malfoy?' Harry said tentatively, towering over the blond Slytherin. Malfoy looked up into Harry's eyes before sticking his hand out. Harry glanced once at the hand and then into the other's eyes before shaking it firmly.

'Thank you.' Malfoy said softly.

'I didn't really do anything.' Harry said shyly.

'You changed the future, so that I would have one. That is not nothing.' The blonde Slytherin said firmly.

'Your welcome.' Harry smiled. Draco's mouth twitched in what Harry thought on anyone else would have been a smile, before returning to his seat. 'Does anyone have any questions?' Harry asked the hall. A fifth year Ravenclaw raised her hand and Harry nodded.

'Why are you so old now?' she asked hesitantly, her face blushing brightly.

Harry glanced at Gwen as she snorted loudly. 'In the place I have been for the last fourteen months the time passes quicker. In their time I have been there for more than ten years. That is why I am so old.' Harry emphasised the last word with a grin, causing the students to snicker quietly and breaking the sadness.

'Who's they gorgeous lady?' Seamus piped up from the Gryffindor table. Harry laughed and wrapped an arm around Gwendolyn shoulder.

'She's out of your league, Seamus. Trust me.' Harry snickered.

'Hey!' Seamus huffed indignantly as those around them laughed.

Harry shook his head, winking at the Irishman. 'This is my wife, Gwendolyn' He added. Several students started at the fact that Harry was married.

'Please call me Gwen.' She said kindly.

'Are you an elf?' Asked a tiny first year Hufflepuff and Gwendolyn smiled at her.

'Yes. I am.'

Loud whispers broke out across the hall. Not only was Harry married, he was married to an elf. Harry couldn't wait to see their reactions when they found out that Gwen was royalty.

'If you have any other questions you may ask me during class. Thank you.' Harry breathed a sigh of relief and the two moved to sit at the head table for breakfast, listening as whispers broke out all over the hall. Harry could feel the students' eyes on him.

'Well that went better than expected.' Albus said. 'The reaction of Mr Malfoy was most pleasing.'

'It was wasn't it.' Harry said through a mouthful of eggs. 'It's a shame Professor Snape wasn't here to see it.' He added with a snort.

'Harry, you really should call him Severus.' Albus scolded.

Harry shook his head. 'A name is a personal thing. I won't call him that until he allows it. It would be rude of me otherwise.'

Albus glanced over at Gwendolyn who was eating daintily. 'The Order is meeting this evening, can you both come.'

Harry glanced at Gwendolyn, who nodded. 'What time?'

'Nine, in the Room of Requirement.' Albus murmured.

Harry nodded and folded his napkin. 'Well, we better get down and see what Professor Snape has left the seventh years to do. What's wrong with him, by the way?'

Albus shook his head. 'Nothing, he's on an errand for me.'

Harry studied the older man intently but no further information was forthcoming. 'Ok, then. See you later.' He added, grasping Gwen's hand in his own and standing. Tossing a smile at Ron and Hermione as they headed for the door.

---

The potions classroom was awfully quiet when Harry and Gwendolyn walked in. The seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins each lost in their own thoughts. Harry shut the door quietly and walked to the front of the room. Gwen sat down behind the desk as Harry turned to face his old classmates.

'I imagine that this is probably even stranger and more uncomfortable for you then it is for me. You haven't seen me for just over a year yet I haven't seen you all for more than ten. Now that we are here together is there anything any of you wish to ask me? I will try to answer any question you have so long as it doesn't endanger anyone or anything.' No one moved at first.

'Is that where you have been?' Draco asked, looking pointedly at Gwen. 'With the Elves.' Harry nodded slowly.

'Why didn't you leave a note or something?' Hermione asked.

Harry sighed. 'If I had left a note, Voldemort would have found out where I had gone and that I wouldn't be able to return for sometime. He would have had free reign to do whatever he liked. By just disappearing it allowed him the thought that I could return at any time. That I was just in hiding and would come for him if he did anything. It made him think twice before he attacked anything, meaning the last year has been one of relative peace. Things are about to change though.' he added sadly.

'Why couldn't you come back whenever you wanted?' Millicent Bulstrode interrupted.

'The window to the world was only open for a short time. Once I decided to stay I had to wait until my training finished before the window was opened again.' Harry explained.

'Why do people choose You Know Who when he treats his followers like that and why does he hate muggles and muggle-borns so much anyway?' Blaise Zabini asked, completely changing the subject and with what Harry thought was extreme bravery for a Slytherin.

Harry glanced at Gwen and took a deep breath.

'Continuing to introduce the wizarding world to muggle-born witches and wizards not only causes impurities within magical bloodlines but could eventually lead to exposure of magic to all muggles which would bring forth the persecution and destruction of our way of life.' Malfoy said automatically.

Harry raised an eyebrow at the Slytherin. 'Is that what you really think Mr Malfoy? Or is that what your Father tells you to?' Malfoy bristled. 'What if I was to tell you that Voldemort was a half-blood?' The indignant expression vanished and Malfoy's eye brows shot to his hairline.

'What? You're lying.'

Harry shook his head. 'No. His father was a muggle. Voldemort's real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle.' The Slytherins looked stunned at this revelation and Harry wrote the Dark Lord's name in the air before moving the letters around, much as Tom Riddle had done down in the Chamber of Secrets back in Harry's second year. The Gryffindors had already known of course; Harry having told and shown them during a training session for the DA back in fifth year.

He watched as the expressions on the faces of some of the Slytherin's changed and they looked as if they were deep in thought. 'Anything else? Okay let's get to work.' Harry pointed at the board and the instructions for the day's potion appeared. 'Grab the ingredients you need and begin.'

Harry watched in surprise as they all followed his instructions and began grinding dragon scales and peeling shrivelfig. Harry walked quietly around the room, checking on various potions as Gwendolyn prepared lesson plans for the Weapon and War Strategy classes that would begin later that day.

'Hey Harry.' Hermione whispered as Harry came to check on her and Neville's potion.

Harry grinned at her. 'I'm glad to see you back to yourself?' he said. He had watched both Ron and Hermione over breakfast and had felt immense happiness to see that rather than sitting by themselves, they were once more seated with their classmates, laughing and joking. He could see from the look in Albus' eye that he felt the same way.

'How are you, Neville?' Harry asked softly. He had been surprised to see the boy walk into Snape's advanced potions class but he remembered that to be a medi-wizard you needed a NEWT in potions.

'Fine thanks Harry. It's really great to see you.' Neville replied genuinely.

'You too.' Harry smiled, slapping the boy on the back and continuing on around the room. He made several comments to different students awarding points to both Gryffindors and Slytherins and the rest of the lesson went without mishap. It seemed that with Hermione back on the top of her game it helped Neville to finish without any disasters. Harry watched as they cleaned up after themselves, bottling and labelling their work and leaving it on Snape's desk and filing quietly out of the classroom. They all called goodbye to Harry and Gwen leaving the two to ponder the changes in Malfoy from just this morning.

'What do you think?' Harry asked Gwendolyn.

Gwen sighed. 'I don't think he is ready to turn from the teachings of his father just yet, but he is definitely beginning to have his doubts.'

'Do you think it will come to that?' Harry said cryptically.

Gwen looked thoughtful for a moment. 'I do hope not, but unfortunately, I think it may.' She said softly.

Harry pulled her close. 'You do know I love you, Your Highness.' Harry murmured, teasing the woman in his arms.

'And I you.' She replied softly before grinning. 'How long do you think before Ron and Hermione spill the beans?'

'Oh,' Harry smirked. 'Won't be long now.'

Gwen laughed. 'What are you smirking for? I'm not the one that blushes brighter than a Christmas tree every time someone brings it up.'

'Well it does take some getting used to.' Harry retorted. 'You been this way your whole life.'

'You make it sound like I've got a disability.'

Harry smirked again. 'You do. You never did learn to dress yourself properly.' He tugged off her robe and pulled it the right way out before placing it back on her shoulders.

Gwen blushed. 'The elves always laid everything out for me.' She said sheepishly. Harry laughed, kissing her quickly as the students for the next class began to filter through the door.