CHAPTER TWELVE: WHEN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE COLLIDE PART 1
Previously…
Attacking Viciously the new defender twirled and danced killing their opponent with deadly force. Suddenly there was no one left, only five bodies on the floor dead. In the moonlight they glowed and Ileck looked at them as they pulled back their hood. Crimson red hair framed a pale face, which held a sensuous mouth, and fine red lashes above demure chocolate brown eyes.
" Ginny Weasley!"
Ileck uttered as his eyes widened beneath the cowl that covered his face as he looked at the youngest Weasley child who had changed so much in the past few months she was almost unrecognisable. Once a 'naive' young girl she was now bordering on womanhood and was a warrior. Her eyes were like deep pools, a rich dark brown colour still on fire from the fight. She had an almost ethereal glow about her, Ileck thought. At the same time Ileck noticed Josh and Cary move away back inside Hogwart's.
" I knew someone was protecting Hogwart's, you are one of the Halandrer aren't you?" Her soft lilting voice asked.
" Yes, my name is Ileck Iban Der'nei," He replied, " My friends call me Ilea,"
" Ileck means something in Elvin tongue," She stated.
" It means 'lion hearted'," Ileck answered, " You seem to be trained by my people?"
" Master Der'nei Iban Cavan approached my parents soon after summer began so I went with them to train then I spent a week in Egypt before returning to Hogwart's,"
" I did not see you at the Palace," Ilea stated.
" I spent it at Der'nei's private villa Cascara," She replied blushing.
" You must go inside and I must leave," Ileck stated and like the young pair disappeared merging with the shadows. Taking off the cloak she made her way to the common room unconsciously playing with the chain and pendent around her neck. She pulled her hair band off and let the hair fall lightly to her shoulders, which were bare, the black velvet top was on her upper arms. As she entered the Gryffindor common room she sought out the pair, which she had fought for earlier.
" Josh do you know who he is?" She asked quietly but Hermione heard.
" Who?" Hermione asked her ears peaked as she sat opposite Ron playing Chess.
" We were out walking-," Josh began and looked at his sister.
" After curfew," Hermione replied ready to go into a full tirade while Ron smiled at the young lovers.
" Anyway, we were out walking and men attacked from the forest intent on Josh," Cary interrupted.
" You were attacked, perhaps we should tell Dumbledore," Hermione said
" No a man saved us, he attacked the attackers and we were able to get away to safely but not before Ginny helped with brilliant fighting and the man revealed his name as Ileck," Josh continued.
" Where'd you learn to fight like that?" Cary asked.
" During the summer I trained with the elves and they taught me a lot about un-armed and armed combat," she answered quietly so as not to be overheard.
" Why'd they pick you?" Ron huffed.
" Why didn't you tell us you knew about elves?" Hermione asked at the same time. While Ginny explained Harry sat by the fire watching them talking not bothering to get into the intense conversation.
" Griff, what are you doing here?" Kristen asked as she entered.
" It's been a long time since you called me by my nickname," chuckled Harry, " I'm enjoying the company of my friends,"
" You're supposed to be moving your stuff to the staff quarters," She said placing her hands on her hips. Her blonde hair swayed and trickled down her back like a waterfall.
" You didn't tell us you were moving to the staff quarters," Ron said mock annoyed but distracted so Ginny moved quietly away.
" During Christmas it was arranged that I took my NEWT's and I received my result's yesterday and I passed all of them even potions with flying colours," Harry explained, " Dumbledore offered me a permanent position teaching at Hogwart's, youngest ever Professor. Silverwolf here is also being taken on fully. We are no longer students,"
" Well, are you still my old friend?" Ron asked.
" Of course Ronald, now you can pursue Kristen without me in the picture maybe in a Broom closet," Harry replied. Ron's face went from tanned to a shade of magenta as he spluttered wildly denying the rumours.
" Well, when are you going to get a girlfriend?" Ron said tilting his head meaningfully at his younger sister. Ginny looked at the pair. Harry belted out a laugh much to the chagrin of Ron.
" Mr Weasley, are you incinerating that a teacher get together with student, one who has a boyfriend?" Harry asked mock serious.
" Goddamit Potter, you are a beast a dirty, no good beast that lies and cheats. I know very well you are in love with a certain someone," Silverwolf cried, " At the Palace you pined for someone and…um…had some extra curricular activities at night over that person,"
Everyone laughed at the look on Harry's face, one of pure shock and surprise his Elvin friend could be so deceitful and deceptive.
" You…I.… Listened…. Night…Activities…. not true," Harry sputtered then regained his composure and looked at Kristen with an evil grin on his face, " At least I don't say that a certain redhead had a nice bum,"
" Potter, I'm going to get you," Kristen declared.
" What?" Harry declared innocently.
" You've got a nice body as well," spluttered Ron ears going red as he became embarrassed.
" How would you to like to be each other's date for the dance tomorrow night?" Harry asked.
" What dance?" The Gryffindor's queried.
" Professor Dumbledore decided that we should all let our hair down so tomorrow he is going to make some speeches then an informal dance will take place," He said, " I'm sure he'll announce it in the morning,"
X
" Good evening Principal, Headmasters and Headmistresses, Esteemed Guests and students, welcome to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Albus Dumbledore spoke with a flourish arms open on a podium in front of the head table. It was Friday evening; the ten students from each school were attending with their Heads or Principal, as were several media figures, Parents and the Minister For Magic for Britain who was sat at the Head Table. The tables were arranged with eight to a round table, with one large head table with the teachers, Headmasters and Ministers of foreign Countries sat with them. The students Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were all grouped at several eight-seat tables. The Gryffindor students who witnessed the events of the night before could not forget and looked at the stony-face Defence Professor sat at the Teachers' table next to Kristen Silverwolf. The Great hall had been extended with the added students from the five schools, British, American, French, German and Chinese Ministry members and the parents of Hogwart's kids and other school's parents.
" I'm glad you could all make the dinner, it is fantastic that we can show a sign of unity," Dumbledore continued but was interrupted a loud knocking emitted from the Great Oak doors into the Great Hall.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The doors seemed to come alive on their own and opened for a contingent of men to enter led by a pale and somewhat regal young man.
" Your highness," a voice was heard from the shadowed recesses and Harry Potter stepped out to the front of the Teachers' table greeting the newcomers. A deep red cloak flowed down his back over a black tunic and black silk trousers. Around his waist was a sword in a rich red scabbard. On his right hand was the black glove. He must have used Magic to quickly change, Hermione thought.
" My Lord Potter, thank you for the invitation to this prestigious event," the regal man spoke and the whole hall followed the exchange.
" Ladies and Gentlemen the idea behind the Golden Arrow was of union for Nations and species. Tonight our honoured guests I present to you are His Royal Highness Prince Nikolas Illiyari Rathraine, Lord Valden Trinity of Wolf Cove and High Master Lord Der'nei Iban Cavan and their guard," Harry said and stepped up onto the podium, " they have travelled far to join us. But for the moment, may I present to you a man of vision for the British Ministry and the Magical community, Amos Diggory,"
Minister for Magic (UK) Amos Diggory stepped up to the podium and smiled as the young man took a seat.
" In the last few years it is amazing what has happened and the loss that has brought the community together, this year alone one young man has been astounding. Harry Potter, Hogwart's' youngest teacher and the youngest and first fully trained Mage in over eight hundred years," Diggory said to hushed and amazed silence, " But more than his training the tutelage our young people require. Because the whole of the Magical World is once again under threat from a ruthless terrorist, to coin a Muggle word, who is willing to kill for what he wants. I have been in term for a few days but already I am stepping up a more aggressive stance against anyone who wishes to upset the balance of peace and I am also putting out a hand of friendship to other Nations and to those that we have wronged. For two centuries Werewolves and Vampire have been hunted by many of the world's ministries and for what? Creatures they cannot help their nature as we cannot fault ours," Diggory Paused, " Werewolves who are human except on full moons like the one we will have tonight have no rights because of the Ministries. That my dear friend's is Prejudice as Voldemort seeks to prejudice Muggle-born from purebloods. I seek to make friends with these species and I'm currently working with representatives to try change our laws,"
Professor Dumbledore stepped up to the podium once again as Amos Diggory sat down.
" Now the House Elves have created a worthy meal, once that has finished we shall enjoy dancing and music, magic of the soul. I'll stop my waffling and we can enjoy the great meal," The Meals arrived so everyone began to talk and eat. As everyone began to eat and chatter about the forthcoming events Harry slipped off into a side room where the three men and their guard waited. He ushered Michael and his mother in not before Ginny slipped in unnoticed. Harry looked at the three men as he had an arm around Michael's shoulder stood next to his mother.
" You are no longer the boy I first met two years ago, Tor-ai," a pepper-haired man spoke first and embraced Harry. Ginny in the shadows realised that Tor-ai was an affectionate term for son.
" Der, I am a man now!" Harry replied indignantly smiling at the Elvin teacher Der'nei Iban Cavan then he turned to a pale skinned, titian haired man, " Nik, my friend I would like to introduce you to your son, Michael,"
Michael, as he was now named, had the look of his father. Nikoli had piercing blue eyes a darker shade of blue but his son had inherited his Father's proud nose and piercing hawk-like gaze.
" Oh Ana," Niko said and embraced the mother of his children.
" What happened?" Harry asked.
" Yew and Telgrath are marching on the Council, Voldemort and his allies knew that the Rathraine Clan are the strongest Clan. Harry, Yew killed my father,"
" I'm sorry, he was a good man,"
" If he destroys the council then he will have domination over the Five," Der'nei said.
" I know, but you know Ilea and Cal won't allow that,"
" You're not a Vampire?" Michael asked astonished, in the few days he had been at Hogwart's he had made a few friends and picked up perfect English, he really looked up to Harry, " How did you know some things then like I'm a vampire and your surprising strength?"
" Kristen, I don't detect any spies or spells, you?" Ginny hadn't noticed Kristen.
" No, the room is clean and I've just brought up an old elfish ward,"
" I see you two still work well together," Der'nei smiled and looked at his daughter.
" Yes," Harry returned then looked at Michael, " As I was going to say I am not a Vampire but what the Elves and wizards would call a Mage,"
" During the summer I went to the Elves intent on learning Elfish Magic. However the Elvin High Council realised that I was a Mage and that I should learn subjects even some elves have long forgotten, I mastered Occlumency, a subject call imagery, Empathy, Divination although it called Scrying and other such subjects," Harry explained, " I was destined to be a Mage so become the first in many years and I will have to find the other six,"
" There hasn't been a Mage in six hundred years," Ginny said and Harry whirled like a deer caught in headlights. Ginny had not been present for the arguments in the office weeks before so knew nothing about Harry's abilities.
" No there hasn't because there are only seven and Mage knowledge was lost to man but I have the Talent to wield special Magic,"
" How do you find the other Mage's?"
" Ginny, I…oh," Harry stuttered.
" Just answer the question," She snapped.
" Feisty, that one, she suits your temperament," Der said. Harry glared at his teacher but turning back to look at Ginny he sighed.
" The first Mage, often the leader has an extra talent called empathy that allows them to see the magical strength of those around which is why I knew about Michael," he answered.
" Do you know the other six mage's?" Harry tried to avoid her eyes as he answered.
" I know three for definite and a fourth I'm not so sure about,"
" Who-," Ginny began to ask but was cut off.
" At least Harry can find the Mage's," Kristen said.
" My daughter was very clever," Der replied and sighed.
" Kristen is your daughter?" Ginny asked surprised.
" Yes, she is,"
" What about your son?"
" Kaider, he is coming here next year," Der'nei replied perplexed.
" You have two sons?"
" No just Kaider Iban Der'nei,"
" I met a man," she said, " claiming to be your son, Ileck Iban Der'nei, knew Elvin language and your homes,"
" I have only one son, this Ileck lies," Der gave Harry a look but the man just shrugged.
" Ginny tell me about him," Harry said suddenly.
" He claims to be a Guardian of the school protecting Josh three times, he talked to Kaider once and-," She blushed suddenly realising she was about say something she didn't want to say.
" Tell me if he appears again," Harry said then added, " I will be watching you very closely from now on, Voldemort cannot possess you again but it may happen,"
Only the Sharp Elvin eyes and Harry's massacred eyes noticed the sensual shiver run through her body at the thought. Stop it, she mentally berated herself, you are dating Neville.
Not anymore, a nasty voice stopped her.
" -Now to the point of your visit," Harry was saying, " As a non-vampire I cannot train him in his early powers or how to help him with his bloodlust,"
" I will take him, Thank you Harry. You are a true Kaiga," Nikolas replied sounding out the elfish word, " I shall train him until September then maybe he can attend Hogwart's, would you speak to Dumbledore on my behalf?"
" I will speak to him. Are the Prince and Princess attending here or Seraphs?" Harry asked Der'nei.
" I believe the Monarchs have decided if you teach here next year, they will place the children here," Der replied.
" Why is everyone so up on Harry teaching his or her children?" Ginny asked.
" Because I have not only Elvin Mastery but my Magehood," Harry explained.
" It means he is trained to teach them for Elvin Mastery or in Michael's case, he will be taught Magic by Harry because he is another Mage but I have no doubt, someone will assist in the Vampire Magic," Kristen added. Ginny took this in filing that piece of information away for later.
" Hello, my old friend," Valden Trinity said in a deep bass which resounded around the room. He was the third man of their party and he seemed barrel-chested and strong.
" How is the pack?" asked Harry.
" Good. Mira misses you," He grinned and winked at Harry who blushed, his cheeks colouring red as Valden chuckled. Suddenly Ginny recognised his accent as American!
" She had a crush," Harry explained to the crowd, " She's only thirteen,"
" Oh and what of your age, old man?" Ginny could tell all three of the men were friends with Harry. Michael was frowning at the friendliness between the quartet.
" You seem so friendly," Ginny stated.
" Der introduced me to the two old men and they accepted me as one of them, Not the Boy-Who-Lived but a man who had come into his powers. I felt somewhere I belonged," He said his voice tinged with regret.
" Tor-ai, we must leave now," The lights had dimmed and Harry realised an hour had passed.
" Goodbye," Harry replied, " I've got to go myself,"
Hurriedly he strode through the door bidding the men farewell, clouds all but covered the full moon but already he noticed both Colin and Cary twitching. Unclipping his cape he swirled it over a chair and tapped her on the shoulder, she looked pretty in her dress, which hugged her youthful figure. He nodded at Colin and both got up.
" C'mon M'gal," Harry said putting his arm through hers and led the pair outside. He saw Remus, Draco and Hermione already stood on the Quidditch pitch so sent Colin to them as Harry led Cary into the Gryffindor changing room.
" Cary, first off the change is going to hurt the first time and secondly you're going to have to take your clothes off,"
" Excuse me?" She stuttered
" No, I'm not a pervert. You'll have to drape the cloak over you otherwise your clothes will rip," Turning his back on her she began to strip off her clothes. Standing fully naked she appraised herself in the mirror. She looked at her thirteen-year-old body with a sigh. She was by no means the biggest breasted girl in her class but she had begun to bulge. She felt she was years behind everyone else, a late bloomer her mother would say.
" Cary, what are you doing with Harry running off like that?" Josh said as he barrelled into the changing room. His eyes flared and his reaction was typical of a young male, Harry stifled a laugh as the boy's trousers tented out as Cary shyly lowered her eyes to the ground before covering herself with the cloak.
" What were you doing?" Josh demanded of Harry as the man stepped into his view of Cary.
" Josh!" Harry warned, " You've just stepped into an extremely dangerous situation, you have to leave"
" What were you doing?" He demanded again, his thoughts wild as to why Cary was naked and Harry was stood in front of her.
" I was doing nothing," Harry emphasized, " But Cary was changing-,"
A noise cut him off half between a growl and a whine Josh stood there with his mouth wide open but Harry had his back to her so he couldn't see but he knew what was happening.
" This is about to become very dangerous, I will protect you as much as I can but get to the castle and I'll speak to you tomorrow morning," Harry said urgently shoving the boy out of the open doors. He had cut the change too close. Harry whirled and dropped to his paws now a full Wolf Five and a half foot from nose-to-tail jet black. His light green and yellow eyes looking into her flashing eyes and she growled, snarling to reveal sharp white fangs. He barked, growled and yapped at her in an almost angry voice. Suddenly she bowed her head in a submissive stance. He had demonstrated he was Alpha male and to be obeyed. Yipping he nudged her out of the Human habitation and out to the pitch where four Wolves already sat on their haunches. Two were werewolves, but instead of looking violent and bloodthirsty their eyes gleamed of intelligence and Alertness. Lupin the eldest of the pack sat with dense brown fur however silver streaks ran along his spine and into his tail. Next to him, the now alpha female, Hermione was not just black but pure black, her eyes watching the new female suspiciously.
Opposite her Harry recognised Draco, the dark grey wolf was lithe and was swift on his feet. Last was Colin on the other hand, a lighter shade of brown looking almost red and Cary were smaller than the other four but still larger than pups. Even though the two weren't much more than pups, Harry considered, but Colin is fifteen. Harry, the Alpha male took off towards the forbidden forest. Hermione followed as Alpha female, then Lupin, Colin and Cary. Though Draco had shown in the last few months that he was Beta Male he stayed at the back to make sure the three werewolves didn't wander. Above them as they made their way into the woods song blasted from the Great Hall as did warmth and light. To a Human the dark night seemed sinister with the full moon casting a sickly yellow light. The forest was dark almost ink black no human could see past the first gnarled tree. In the eyes of the six wolves the night was like daylight, Harry's olfactory glands 'smelt' rabbit to the left and suddenly his eyes picked up the a hare tare across the path in front of him. It was amazing, Harry thought leading them deeper into the forest.
Suddenly his ears perked and he stopped as he heard a snuffling in the clearing ahead. In the clearing a red fallow deer had it's head and eyes up searching the surrounding trees for the dangers it had smelt. Sweat streaked its flanks as panic set in, the frightened animal was too aware of being killed and the strange dangers this forest held. Gentle snap to it's left and the deer sprang into life then suddenly a dark blur lunged for the deer then another on her left side. Ten minutes later the fallow deer was dead the five wolves were feeding on it. Only Cary seemed reluctant. Harry with a bloody nose pranced over to her like a pup and nudged her forward until she buried her nose into the wound and ate. Excitement and adrenaline poured through Harry's body. He pranced over to Hermione clearly in Heat after the thrilling chase, jumped over her and nuzzled her snout. Her dark eyes snapped onto his and she barked a warning. Suddenly Draco growled to distract the sexually charged Wolf.
Harry looked up when his eyes spotted something, a white blur. Barking at Draco to look after the pack he took off after the blur. He saw the creature and it resembled a large cat perhaps even a tiger with all white fur except for the stark black lines running parallel across its sides. Shifting mid- stride he become a jet-black leopard. A pure white tuft on his forehead resembled a lightning bolt. Realisation hit him that no cats, especially not jungle cats, existed in this Forest so the intruder must be an Animagus. Weaving in and out of the trees leaping over gnarled roots Harry roared in pure exhilaration and could feel the wind rushing through his fur as he galloped after the white tiger. Adrenaline was running through his veins and Harry didn't know whether he was frightened or excited, it was like he had a drug running through my body. All the Shape changer could hear was the blood pumping through his ears. His olfactory glands picked up her scent. The tiger was female and he knew she was on heat.
He stopped suddenly as he entered a beautiful clearing, to his left a brook bubbled gently. The grass was springy and fresh. The trees around didn't have the grotesque look the rest of the forbidden forest had. Harry knew from what Hermione had told him that Hogwart's: A History had an area untouched by the horrors of the Darker forest preserved by magic by Rowena Ravenclaw some fifteen hundred years ago. On the opposite side of the clearing he watched as the Animagus changed back however she had mastered changing into clothes and wore a hooded cloak around her body. He just stared at her his black tail whipping back and forth like a snake.
" Harry, I know it is you. Change back," A lilting feminine voice spoke and he recognised the voice instantly. Soon Harry was in his human form looking around the beautiful garden. A pool sat in the middle of the glade surrounded by a concrete basin and two chairs. The statue, which produced the water, was of the four founders.
" Did I know you could change like that?" She asked, " one moment I smelt you were wolf then Feline,"
" Well you know Tonk's is a Metamorphmagus which is very rare," She nodded, " Well I have the ability to Shape shift, I cannot however become another human being only Animals. I can shift from creature to creature but only once as it absorbs a lot of magic so I will have to let my reserves build up again until I can shift from one animal to another,"
" Wow," she said.
" How can you change like that?" Harry returned suspiciously. She seemed to have a lot more gifts lately.
" During the summer with the Elves I was asleep one night and I was dreaming about being in a jungle, following prey. I awoke the next morning naked in the jungles around cascara," She explained, " Ei'saradei taught me about being Animagi and how to shift with clothes on,"
" Why did you follow us?" She shrugged.
" I wanted to see the pack, I was jealous that you got to have night time adventures," Ginny said, " If the students knew they'd be well jealous,"
" What is this place?" Harry now asked.
" During my first year I found hidden parchments in the library from Rowena herself telling about this place. This is my sanctuary from Hogwart's," she replied and threw back her hood. Ginny looked at the man before her but he was still a boy in every sense of the word. He was clean-shaven and had look of boyish innocence about him despite what everyone said. Suddenly a muted explosion and a flash of light washed over the pair and Harry was instantly alert scanning the moonlit clearing. There! SNAP! A branch broke to the west and someone lurched from the forest. The thing was small covered with dirt and grit. Harry recognised it as a boy perhaps six or seven years-of-age. He collapsed but Harry caught him before the bundle of robes fell to the ground. Blinking the boy opened soot covered eyelids to reveal Emerald green eyes, a startling vivid colour.
" Here," Ginny suggested reassuringly holding a soaked piece of shirt. Harry wiped the grit away to reveal an angular face. A stubborn chin, thin lips and a hawk like nose made up his face. He reminded Harry of someone but could not figure out whom. The boys' eyes were intense but as Harry touched the boy green light flared and enveloped him. He fell back receding into darkness as memories seared his mind. He sat up a few minutes later to look into the eyes of the boy recognising him.
" Father," he croaked. Throwing his arms around Harry.