Still not mine…

Chapter 3

"It was Grey Beard who took Lord and Lady Potter with him almost ten years ago Master Alex." Cody began her tale. "They is not wanting to be leaving the Manor as the wards here have stood since the manor was first built almost two centuries ago." She paused to take a breath.

"Both Lord James and Lady Lilly were arguing with him about not wanting to be going, but he kept saying they musts go with him for the greater good." Cody stopped her story and blew her nose on a hankie that she pulled from her pocket.

"Grey Beard waited until Lord James and Lady Lilly were looking at each other, then he pulled out his wand and stunned thems. Cody was watching and went to protect her Master and Mistress, but Grey Beard was too quick and he froze Cody so she is not be moving."

Her big yellow eyes glinted with unshed tears. "Cody was a bads elf. She could not protect her family. Because I is being frozen I could not call for other elves to help me but could still watch." She paused again to blow her long nose.

"What happened next Cody?" I gently asked the stressed elf. I reach over to the table and pour a glass of water from the pitcher and handed it to her. Cody took the glass in shaking hands and looked at me with large eyes.

"Master Alex is great person. He serves Cody a drink when she needs one. You is just like Lord and Lady Potter. They were kind and nicest masters and mistresses."

I gently pat the elf on her knee. "I am not great Cody, I just believe that you are a part of this family and you should be treated as such. I am sure the older generations of Potters would agree with me if they were still around."

She smiles at me and restarts her story. "While Cody was frozen she is could see and hear everything that bad Grey Beard was doing. He started talking to Lord James even though Lord James could not here him."

"What did he say and do to Lord James Cody?" I asked.

She sniffed and blew her nose into the hankie that if I had to guess was about to reach saturation point. I decided not to go there and just listen to the rest of her story before deciding what the fuck I was going to do about Goat Man. I turned back to Cody as she started talking again.

"He was talking about how he is going to be taking them to the Potter house in Godrics Hollow, and keeping thems there where no one would know or be able to saves them until he decided that they could. He then pointed his wand at Lord James and wokes him up, then he is casting the control curse on him and telling him to bring Mistress Imogen to him."

"Thens he is to go to Godrics Hollow and waits for him in the graveyard next to the church and to not speak to or be seens be anyones." She took a deep breath and continued.

"Lord James walked past me up the stairs and came back with Mistress Imogen and he hands her to Grey Beard and disappears. Then Grey Beard wakes up Lady Lilly and makes her follow Lord James to Godrics Hollow."

"After Lady Lilly left Grey beard is about to leave when Master Remus and Lord Sirius apperated into the foyer." Here she let out a massive sob and with a soft pop, another elf appears beside her.

"Good morning Master Alex. Gordy thanks yous for saving Mistress Imogen from bad peoples." I nod to the little elf that is dressed in a night shirt complete with a long hat that has a pom-pom on the end. I almost smile at the image but Cody's distress is evident.

Gordy speaks up again. "Gordy is Cody's life mate. This story is very sad for Potter elves and it makes us upsets. But Gordy will try and tell yous rest of story Master Alex."

"That is fine Gordy. It is a pleasure to meet you. Do you want to take a minute with your life mate before we go on with the story?" I ask him. He looks at me in surprise and then nods shyly mumbling about "what a great mans Master Alex is." I ignore the comment and stand up to stretch my legs.

I glance at my watch and realise that is getting close to five am. I look longingly at the bed and realise there is no way in friggin hell I am getting to bed until tonight. Oh well, shit happens. It wouldn't be the first or the last time I have gone for a night or two with no sleep.

I look out of the window of my room and notice that the eastern horizon is just starting to get light. I turn back towards the elves and resume my seat. While I have not being paying attention to them, Gordy had changed out of his night clothes and was wearing his Potter Elf uniform which was the same as Cody's with the obvious exception that he was wearing pants instead of a skirt.

Once I was comfortable Gordy took up the story from the still distraught Cody. "When Lord Sirius and Master Remus apperated in they were in the middle of a conversation. They didn't even notice Grey Beard until he had already shouted the most unforgivable curse and Lord Sirius was killed."

He paused and put his hand on Cody's shoulder before he restarted the story. "He pointed his wand at Master Remus and froze him before Master Remus could get his wand out. Master Remus said. 'Albus why are you doing this, what have we done to you'."

"Grey Beard said to Master Remus that it was for the Greater Good and that Master Remus should be grateful as his sacrifice was going to allow Grey Beard to live and rule the magical world forever."

This was so friggin different to what was in the books. The Muses really fucked up the story to get this much wrong. Hmmm, another question to ask the Fates when I next spoke to them. Oh well. Add it to the list.

I turn my attention back to Gordy.

"Grey Beard then levitated Mistress Imogen infront of him. He said a really long spell in a weird language then shouted the evil curse at Master Lupin. The green light hits him and then something happened. Grey Beard and Mistress Imogen started to scream and a black cloud came out of Grey Beards mouth and went into Mistress Imogen's."

She screamed so loudly, that it bought the other elves, but Grey Beard disappeared and he must have done something because we could not track or trace Mistress Imogen after that. Grey Beard must have also done something else to us because we have never been able to speak about that night to another person until tonight."

I could see the relief in the little elf's eyes that they had been able to tell the story. I look deep into the fire as I reflect on what I have just been told as opposed to what the books say. I decide not to ask any questions about Voldemort or his existence until I have my next conversation with the Fates which is looking to be sooner rather than later.

I need Intel before I can plan my next moves. Fuck it, if worse comes to worse I will move Imogen to the USA, Canada or even get my ass back to Australia – Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are looking pretty dam good right about now. She can go to a magical school there.

Another thought pops into my head. I decide to get a note book and pen out of my pack and start to write all of these questions down. I have long being an advocate of the old adage. "If you don't write it down, it never happens."

So suiting action to though, I go over and grab a pen and my Little Green Brain – It's an Aussie Navy note pad that has a hard cover and back that is green and it is full of tear out grid paper, and you write notes in it so you don't forget. Hence the name.

I turn back to the patiently waiting elves.

"Ok guys thank you for telling me this story. I will have to think about what I can do to continue to help Imogen. Is there anyone who comes here to visit or to any of the other properties if the Potters own them?" I question the elves.

I have a basic plan forming in my mind but it will need to be fleshed out a bit before I can present it to Imogen. I pick up a glass of water and take several large swallows while I am thinking.

Don't forget people. I am basically only her Body Guard. Regardless of what the Fates say. If she decides that she wants nothing to do with me and tells me to fuck off, that is what I will have to do.

By this time Cody has regained her composure. "Mater Alex, I believe that you will need to speak to Lord Charlus and Lady Dorea for that information. Their portraits are in the Masters Study." I nod my head at the elf.

"Shall we go and speak to them then?" I ask and motion the elves to proceed me out the door. I absently flick off the light switch, walk out of the room and follow the elves down the hallway. Realisation of what I had just done made me stop half way down the stairs. "Cody." I call to the Head Elf. I always thought that magic and electricity did not work around each other?"

"Cody gives me what I could only describe as a cheeky grin. "Lord Charlus worked out a way to combine the two." She told me. The reverence in her voice for her former Lord and Master was obvious. "He told Cody that it was using the same things as what non-magicals use to make their electrics safe." She frowned. "Cody is sorry Master Alex, but I is forgetting the name that Lord Charlus be calling it." She put her head down in shame.

"Shielding?" I ask the elf. My mind immediately thinking military. Then I look down at her and realise that she is embarrassed at her lack of knowledge. "Hey it's ok not to know something Cody. I am brand new to this magic stuff, so I'm guessing that you are going to be showing and telling me alot over the next few days. Please do not feel embarrassed about this."

Cody and Gordy look up at me with wide eyes that are looking rather moist. "Thank you Master Alex" they say in stereo and continue to lead me down the rest of the stairs and into a combined library / study.

As I walk into the study I am greeted by the sun just peeking over the horizon. The early morning light is starting to flow through the massive panoramic windows that sit behind a solid timber desk that had that type of presence that says the Master sits here.

On my left as I walk in, the wall is lined by a floor to ceiling book shelf that has a ladder on runners that run from one end to the other. The opposite wall houses a massive fire place with several comfy looking lounge chairs arranged around it.

Over the fire place a large portrait of an imposing man and women dressed surprisingly enough to me in a 3 piece suit and formal gown that practically scream non-magical. To see the former Lord and Lady of a noble Pure Blood House wearing non-magical clothing really threw me for a loop.

"Lord Charlus and Lady Dorea." Cody said bowing deeply towards the painting. "This is Master Alex." She paused to look at me with almost adoration in her eyes. "He is being the one that returned Mistress Imogen to us."

I bow from the waist to the portraits. "Lord and Lady Potter, it is an honour to meet you." I return to the upright position. "I am Commander Alexander Jacobs of the United Nations Critical Response and Tactical Team." I pause as an idea comes to me. But I have to wait until I can get a few seconds alone time to check it out.

"Please sit Commander." Lord Potter gestures to one of the chairs in front of his portrait. "We have alot to discuss."

I nod to the painting and put on a slightly embarrassed face. "My Lord if you could forgive me, could you point me in the direction of the nearest bathroom before we being please?"

"Of course young sir" The painting agreed. "Cody, if you could please."

The little elf nods. "Yes My Lord" she turns to me. "Please follow me Master Alex, Cody will show you."

I follow the elf out the door and turn to the left into a hallway. Cody points to a door a little way in front and she stops to wait for me. I smile my thanks and enter the bathroom and lock the door behind me.

I look into the mirror and crossing my hands so that I am grabbing my own writs I project my wish to speak to the Fates. The mirror swirls and Atropos is staring at me with her eyes crinkled.

"Well done Hairetzio. You figured out the secret summoning quicker than anyone has before." Her musical voice complemented me. "What do you need Alex?"

"My Lady." I bow to her "I am about to begin discussions with the former Lord and Lady Potter. What can I tell them about my past, do I even exist here and does the UNICRATT exist as well?" I pause to take a breath and look at the Fate sharing a mirror with me.

"You exist, so does UNICRATT. However, your family does not in this Dimension Alex. If anyone was to check into your records it would show that you are a Commander, formally of Team 4 who is on a deep cover assignment."

"They will then forget that you ever existed. However, all of your vehicle licences and qualifications, including your pilots licence and permits to carry concealed and visible weapons are valid, current and will not expire or need to be renewed."

I breathe a sigh of relief. "Ok I am guessing I cannot tell anyone about the Dimension shift or anything?"

Atopos smiles at me. "You can tell Lord and Lady Potter. When you deem her ready, you can tell Miss Potter as well with the proviso that they not tell anyone else." She nods at my dumbfounded expression then as the mirror swirls and she disappears I hear her parting comment. "You need to be able to talk to someone about what has happened to you."

I turn to the toilet, do what I came in there for, wash my hands and leave the bathroom. I walk towards Cody and gesture the little elf to lead me back to her former Master with my mind in turmoil at what I have just been told.

Re-entering the study, Lord Potter tells me to take a seat in front of his portrait. I sank into the comfy leather chair and another elf appears with a pop and places a pitcher of water and glass at my elbow, then before I could express my thanks, the little creature popped out again.

"Now Commander" Begins Lord Potter as both himself and his wife take their own seats in their portrait. "Please tell us how you came to be the one to save our Granddaughter."

I look towards Cody, "Please take a seat as well Cody, you will want to hear this. Can you also please ward the room so no one apart from the four of us can interrupt please?" I pause as she nods. "This warding is also to stop other elves and the portraits as well."

The Head Elf looks to her Master and the former Lord Potter nods at the elf. With a look of concentration on her face, Cody snaps her figures and a pale blue light surrounds the immediate area in which the four of us are sitting.

I nod my thanks to Cody and launch into my tale leaving nothing out. I know that Atopos did not mention Cody when she okayed me to tell a few people about my past, however, she hasn't come all fire and brimstone on my ass so she may have decided to let it slide.

Of course I may also be about to get my ass handed to me as soon as she can get me alone.

After I had told my tale to the stunned faces of my audience, I sat back for a few minutes and let them process what they had learnt. Another elf popped into the room and I couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter as they knocked on the blue dome surrounding us and it actually sounded like someone knocking on the front door of your house.

Cody snapped her fingers and the silencing dome disappeared with no noise at all. The new elf bowed to the portraits. "My Lord, Mistress Imogen be's starting to wakes up."

Both occupants of the portrait leapt out of their seats and disappeared out the edge of their painting. I thank the elf and look at my watch, realising with a start that it is almost 1230 already, no wonder I am hungry.

Cody grabs my arm. I look down at her and see the question in her eyes. I nod my head and with a snap we appear just outside Imogen's bedroom. I quietly open the door and walk in. The light from the clear day is streaming in through the open veranda doors and there is the slightest breeze bringing the smell of the ocean into the room.

In the middle of the bed, looking like she had not moved since she was put there by Cody this morning, Imogen looked like a slightly over sized doll. The bright red of her hair only highlighted just how pale her skin was. As I took up a position at the foot of the bed, I could not believe how the size of the bed appeared to dwarf the child making her appear even smaller than she really was.

I hear a sob to my right and I look up to see Lord Potter with his arms around his wife as she cried into his shoulder. I look back to the bed and notice that while I was distracted, Imogen had woken up and her neon green eyes appeared to be looking deep into my soul.

I make no move towards her and I keep my voice as low and as gentle as I could. "Good afternoon little one. How are you feeling?"

She flinches momentarily and looks away. I feel my shoulders slump in disappointment. Although I was expecting it, I was hoping that the fact that I was a guy wouldn't be held against me.

Her gaze meets mine again to my total surprise. And I heard her voice that was almost as soft as the breeze coming through the open doors. "You're the one that saved me? You pinkie promised that you would get me out of there" I could hear the question in the statement. I nod my head at her.

"Yes I am little one."

Her green eyes watered and with a sob, and a move that honestly scared the shit out of me, she launched herself out of the bed and straight into my arms. I grabbed her around the waist and took a couple of steps back from the force of her small body cannon balling into me.

Her skinny arms wrapped around my neck and threatened to choke me with how hard she was holding on. Her body was shaking with the force of her sobbing.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." She was whispering over and over into my ear as I held her to me.

I could feel a few tears leak from the corner of my own eyes as I started to rock my charge slowly back and forwards. I turn around and seat myself on the end of her bed while I wait for her to regain her composure.

After a few minutes, her crying subsides to a few shudders and the occasional hiccups. She lifts her face up to look at me and I smile at her runny nose and tear stained cheeks. I hold my hand out to the side and I feel Cody put a hankie into my palm.

I slowly reach up and wipe the remains of her tears away and then hold the hankie up to her nose, where she immediately blows it to clear the congestion bought on by her crying fit.

"Better now little one?" I ask and she nods to me again pulling me into another hug. This one only lasts a few seconds before she pulls back. I look into her eyes and see the haunted shadows in the neon glow, but I also see the hesitant trust, and I realise that I need to get her away from England and from everything for a while.

I also decide then and there, that there is a good chance that she will not be going to Hogwarts this year. She can start a year late. Fuck what anyone else says, she is my Principal, and when it comes to her safety, my word is law.

"Imogen" I start, realising that I will have to be the one to introduce her to magic and house elves and her grandparents. Fuck. I've been magical for a grand total of about 36 hours, and I now have to explain it to the Heir of the Potter Household.

Fuck.

"What I am going to ask you might seem really weird, but can you please wait until I finish before you ask me a question?"

Her big green eyes meet mine and she nods.

"Awesome." I smile at her. I also decide that while I will of course be mindful and not ignore the abuse that she has suffered. I am going to act as normal as I can around her.

I don't know if that will work. But what the hell else can I do? I'm fucking clueless here.

"Now I want you to totally ignore whatever you have been told in the past and answer me this question from your heart. Can you do that for me?" I wait until she nods again. "Cool" I pause to take a breath.

"Now I am going to Pinkie Promise here and I want you to listen very carefully ok, that no matter what you say, what you ask, or what you do, you will never be hit or treated like you have been in the past ok?" I feel her start to stiffen up in my arms and before she shuts down completely, I slowly hold my right pinkie up so she can see it.

Almost in slow motion she raises her own hand up and we link pinkies with each other. "Pinkie Promise" we whisper, pumping our hands up and down at the same time sealing the deal.

"Ok little one. Remember the rules." I mentally take a deep breath. "What would say if I told you that Unicorns and Dragons existed?" She looks at me sharply and I nod holding up my pinkie to show that we were still under the Pinkie Promise rules. "There are also elves, and werewolves and vampires and pixies. There are also ways that we can move from place to place with a snap of our fingers."

I take a breath hoping that this would not backfire in a massive way. I feel a slight shuddering from the young girl on my lap and start praying to the Fates that I haven't fucked this up.

"I would love it" she whispers to me. "I have always believed in magic, but the people I lived with said that it didn't exist and that only stupid sluts and little whores believe in things that do not exist." The shaking increases as does the death grip on my neck again.

"Shhhh little one" I whisper into her ear, pulling her body close to mine. "Remember what happened at that place will never happen to you again. I will not let it. Now if you ever want to talk to me about anything at all, you can. I also promise you that I will never leave you and I will always be here for you."

The entire time I feel like I am pleading with her not to turn inwards. I have a gut feeling that if she does turn inwards we will never get her back and this shadow of a person that I am holding in my arms will be all that is left.

I feel her nod against my chest. And I continue my explanation to her. "The reason why I had to ask if you about what you would say if I asked you if you knew that elves exist, is that I know a couple of them." She looked at me with that look that only kids can have for their elders that basically says, yeah right dick head.

Without missing a beat I hold up my right pinkie finger. "Pinkie Promise remember?" I ask. She rolls her eyes but at the same time I notice that there I alot of hope and dreams in those bright green eyes.

"Now I do not want you to be frightened ok" I tell her still whispering in her ear. "My friend Cody would not want you to be frightened of her. She is very gentle and she really wants to meet you." I pause and make eye contact with the little elf who is practically vibrating with the excitement of meeting her Mistress.

"Cody was one of the elves that helped me to save you last night from those people." I continued. I felt her tense up again. "Shhh, remember little one, you are never going back there ok?" I feel her nod against my neck.

"So would you like to meet Cody?" Imogen pulls back from me and meets my eyes. Her she nods her head and whispers.

"Yes please."

I slowly stand up and slide Imogen off my lap. As soon as she is standing up, she grabs my arm in a death grip and I slowly turn her to face the head Potter elf. Cody is standing about 10 feet from Imogen so as not to startle her Mistress.

When Imogen sees Cody I hear her whisper "Wow"

I watch with a smile of amusement on my face as the Potter Heir and the Head Potter Elf just stand there for two or three minutes just staring at each other. Cody slowly walks towards her Mistress. I feel Imogen's hand start to shake, and I gently squeeze her hand to show that everything was ok.

When Cody is within a foot or two, she stops and bows to Imogen. "Welcome back to Potter Manor Misstress. I is Cody, the head Potter Elf. The last time I is seeing you was when youse was only 6 months old."

Imogen let go of my hand and wrapped her arms around my waist. She looked up at me. "Is this true? This is my house?"

"Yes it is little one." I reply. Imogen turns back towards Cody and slowly extends her hand.

"Its nice to meet you Cody. My name is Imogen." She blushes and looks down. I tune out the conversation between elf and Heir as they start to get reacquainted with each other. Imogen let go of my waist and while still standing practically on my toes, I was taking this as a good sign.

Off to the side I hear a throat being cleared. I smile to myself and turn towards the portrait of the last Lord and Lady Potter and nod my head. "Imogen do you remember what I was saying before about unicorns and other magical things being real?" I ask the almost eleven year old. She nods and turns towards me.

"Well another thing that magic can do, is to make paintings that can talk to people." I go on to explain to Imogen about her Grandparents portrait and after I introduce them to each other. Imogen bursts into tears and wraps her arms around my waist again.

Noticing that she was really getting herself worked up, I picked her up and took her to one of the lounge chairs. Sitting myself down in one I pulled her onto my lap where she sobbed out about meeting her real family and that they said that they loved her and no one had ever told her that before.

I wrapped my arms tightly around the sobbing girl. Cody pops into the room standing right in front of my holding a small vial of potion. "Calming Draft?" I mouth the question to her and she nods.

I take the vial off her and gently push Imogen off my chest. "Imogen I need you to drink this, it will help to calm you down." I told her quietly. With a shaking hand she takes the vile from me and downs the contents in two gulps.

I took the vial and handed it back to Cody who pops out again as the small girl in my arms sobbing was reduced to the occasional hiccup. I look onto her eyes. "Better?" I ask.

She nods at me and turns around in my arms and leans back against my chest and starts to continue the conversation with her grandparents. While the family was chatting, and Charlus and Dorea were telling their Granddaughter about the magical world and her part as the future Lady Potter – future because she wasn't eleven yet, I was thinking about ways of helping Imogen get over the years of abuse that she has suffered. I resolve to speak to Lord and Lady Potter when my principal has gone to bed tonight.

My musings were interrupted by Cody popping in with two other elves who were loaded down with a massive dinner tray each. "Mistress Potter and Master Alex need to eat." Cody admonished.

With a start I realised that I hadn't eaten since about 0400, and I did not know when the last time that Imogen had actually eaten. On the tray that was sat before the Potter Heir, there was a wooden holder that contained half a dozen vials of different coloured potions. I raised a questioning eyebrow at Cody who quietly responded that they were healing and nutrient potions for the Mistress. I thanked the two elves who had bought the food and they both smiled, bowed and popped out.

I gently interrupted the conversation between the three Potters and guided Imogen over to her dinner. Before she could take a bite, Cody told her Mistress what each potion did and that she had to take them before every meal. Imogen stiffened up with the mention of clearing up her stunted growth, but she relaxed when I mentioned that soon it she would be the correct size for her age.

I could see that Imogen was about to inhale her food, so I gently reminded her that there would always be food for her. So she should eat slowly and to really enjoy her first meal in her new house. We quietly ate our meal and afterwards Imogen announced that she was tired and was going to bed. Cody nodded and ushered her Mistress towards the bathroom to have a shower and get changed.

I stood up, and motioned with my head towards the Potters who nodded at me that they understood to meet in my room shortly. I started to make my way towards my own room. I looked at my watch and saw that it was only 1900, but I figured that I would continue my conversation with the adult Potters then depending on the time, ask one of the elves to grab me a book from the library that dealt with the modern history of this Dimension so I had a better idea of what I should be expecting.

I heard the sound of small feet quickly crossing the carpet towards me and I turned towards the bathroom door to catch the little body that had launched itself into my arms.

"Thank you for saving me Alex." Imogen said looking into my eyes. I slowly leant forward and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

"You are quite welcome Imogen." I said to her. "My bedroom is just though that door." I told her while turning her to show her which doorway I was referring too. "If you need anything during the night you can come and get me ok?"

She nodded at me and I let her down and turned her back towards the bathroom. "Good night little one, I will see you when you wake up." With that I went through into my bedroom and closed the door separating our rooms.

"We have a problem Alex." The voice of Lord Potter came from above my fire place.

I nod my head at the portrait. "Funny you should say that My Lord." I say as I casually drop into one of my lounge chairs while pulling out my little green brain. "Depending on how large the Potter holdings are, I may have a solution."

Thanks for reading...