Title:Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Legacy

Author: enchanted nightingale

Beta Reader: pussycatadamah

Pairs: Harry/Lucius (eventually), Ron/Hermione, Neville/Ginny, Remus/Tonks

Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I merely use them in my plot for fun.

Christmas break, part 1

December 22nd: Hogsmeade Station:

Harry was dressed in his thickest winter clothes. Never before he had taken the route to the train station of Hogsmeade during winter months and he was not one bit sorry. Away from the castle, the cold was biting. The snow that had been falling in the past couple of days was still soft and no matter how many charms Hermione used for all of them to stay dry, his pants were sticking to his frozen legs. The Elf huffed and hugged his coat tighter around him as he observed the couples of the group say goodbye for the Christmas holidays. Some of the parents that were wizards and witches were picking up their children themselves and headed to another terminal, which apparently had other European countries as a destination. He briefly wondered if he would also travel with the train. He could not help but feel excited, both at the prospect of meeting other Elves and at the fact that he was leaving the country for the first time in his life.

Hermione would spend it with her parents in Switzerland, with only the last day of the holiday available for Ron, who would remain in England with the rest of the Weasley family. Currently, the girl was hugging and kissing a red eared Ron and Harry was willing to bet the colour had nothing to do with the cold. He chuckled at Ron's dazzled expression after his girlfriend released him and decided to join Seamus and Dean in the cat calls.

"Oh, shut it!" Hermione told them with a smile. Harry knew she was pleased and not angry.

On the other hand, Ginny was holding hands with a blushing Neville. A rather interesting pair in Harry's opinion. The two had gotten even closer during the semester and Harry had been included in the discussion the three girls had; after of course being sworn that he would not blurt anything to Ron.

"Upon pain of evisceration," Ginny had threatened.

That had also been his first clue.

"You and Neville slept together?" he had asked.

The blush on Ginny's face was all the answer he needed.

Afterwards he had joked when the wedding would take place but the red haired witch had told him that she had been invited to spend a few days at Neville's home with his grandmother, the formidable Augusta Longbottom and a few other relatives, the invitation extended by the witch herself.

"You'll do great," Hermione had reassured her and Luna had agreed.

Seeing the pair now, Neville trying to calm Ginny down before they even arrived at Platform 9&¾, he thought it was touching.

Luna saw how Harry was eyeing the pair.

"Don't worry, you'll find your mate," she whispered to her Elf friend as she twisted one of her blonde strands of hair.

Harry blinked in surprise at the girl.

He was pleased to see she wore the coat Hermione helped her pick, one less eccentric than her former one. Generally, Luna looked much saner and down to earth than before, although she still had that necklace made of corks and strings. The witch would be pretty in the coming years and Hermione had taken to mothering her ever since a Hufflepuff had asked Luna out for a date.

Still, what she said penetrated his wayward brain.

"M-mate?" he stuttered. He felt the urge to bolt away from the girl he knew to be perceptive.

"I read once that Elves, like Veela's, mate for life," the blonde Ravenclaw informed him. "And that they often have mates among the Veela's. Maybe you'll find something in France."

"Oh. Well, it's true," Harry offered.

She smiled at her famous friend. "So cheer up. I'm sure you'll find your mate soon," the girl told him. Then she studied Harry more carefully with that faraway look she often gave him. "Unless you have already found your match." The way she said that was like she knew it. Harry really was at a loss of what to tell her. If she said the right name somewhere after that he would not be all that stunned.

"Err…" he said eloquently.

Luna smiled knowingly. "Good for you then. Still wooing then?"

Harry blushed. He knew it was useless to lie to Luna so he merely nodded.

"When you are ready then, let us know," she told him. "Just one more thing."

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"It's a man, right?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, Luna," he told her.

"Can I guess who it is?"

"Be my guest," Harry told her.

"I'll have to think about it first," the girl told him.

"Think about what?" Ron demanded. He and the rest of their friends had gathered around the two.

"Nothing," Harry was quick to reply.

"The train is here," Hermione said sadly at Harry.

Said teen rolled his eyes. "It's only a few weeks Mione," the green eyed teen told her. "Ailill will be there, the community is protected, I'll be fine, stop worrying. Just see that you have fun with your parents."

He hugged each of his close friends, greeted some house mates that stopped by and several of the Slytherin's as he watched everyone boarded the red train. Harry made some small talk with his friends as they hung out of the window, waiting for the engine to start.

"…And don't forget to write!" Hermione told him.

"I won't," Harry promised.

He stayed on the platform, watching as the train disappeared behind the dense forests.

"Ready?" his teacher said from behind him.

Harry was a bit startled. He had not really been paying attention to his surroundings. Ailill pointed that out to him anyway along with a reprimand to not repeat that in the future.

"Constant vigilance, I know," Harry grumbled.

The wood Elf smiled thinly. "I would not go that far, just be more aware of the world around you, paranoia can came much later."

The teen sighed. "I just can't believe I'm not going to be with my friends these holidays," he admitted.

"We are doing that so you can meet people who can be family, not just friends," Ailill told him.

Harry nodded. "So, how are we going to France? Portkey? Because I have Aapep with me and I have no idea how he will react to a Portkey."

"No. As I cannot travel with one we will not be using a Portkey. As an Elf my magic messes with the spells creating the Portkey so it is impossible for me. You will also learn that no one with Elfin or Veela blood can comfortably travel with Portkeys without feeling nausea or have headaches. Is Aapep awake? It would be prudent to put him to sleep for the duration of the trip. A stasis spell perhaps."

Harry had already put Aapep to sleep. The Runespoor did not take much cajoling to achieve that as the cold made the snake sleepy and cranky. As for the travel aspect, the teen felt relieved. He had never been able to stomach travelling by Portkey. He briefly recalled his fourth year and the World Quidditch Cup as well as the Triwizard Tournament. Mr. Weasley had mentioned that wizards liked to show off. Ailill had admitted to his student that he had a vain streak, like all Elves had and that he enjoyed getting attention even when he did not want it. Younger Elves were even more self conscious and vain, even more so than their cousins the Veela's. While he doubted that Ailill would have them travel with a ship, like Durmstrang had arrived, or with giant, winged horses, he suspected it would be something either unconventional or illegal.

Another thing the teen had learned the few months he had spent with the Wood Elf was that Elves were above wizard laws.

It sounded arrogant of his teacher and Harry was certain that should he mention it to Hermione, the girl would be livid. Because Harry did check it in the library and found it true; Elves were exempt from human and creature laws. Should an Elf walk into the Ministry and kill the Minister himself in front of everyone no one had a right to punish the Elf. They could stun or turn the Elf away but any other hostile act was not permitted. Harry thought that it could be because Elves outlived wizards and Dementors for some odd reason would not attack Elves and when they did, they did not drain all the happy feeling from them. So the law could also be because the Elves could not be punished in the way wizards were to begin with. Why lock an Elf in Azkaban when the jailors had no effect and the Elves could escape whenever they felt like it? It made Harry feel a bit better to know that he would never again have any trouble with the law in case Fudge or any other chose to pursue him again.

But as he thought about it he could only wonder what means of transportation Ailill had arranged for them.

"Ah, here they are," Ailill said.

"Where?" Harry looked around in wonder.

Then he spotted it.

From the distance it looked like…

"A pumpkin?"

Ailill chuckled. "Yes."

"We are going to travel from Scotland to France, over the sea, with a freaking pumpkin?"

"Harry, relax. It is rather funny to see you so worked up but I think I will have plenty of opportunities in the future," the Wood Elf admitted. "The pumpkin is actually a carriage."

The teen arched an eyebrow. "As in Cinderella?" he said incredulously.

Ailill shrugged. "I am not overly fond of touching dead wood. Furniture in Hogwarts was a necessity but I will not willingly enter a wooden carriage. I like travelling and not losing contact with nature so this was one of the few ways I had to get us to France."

"How did you arrive here in the first place? I never caught sight of another flying pumpkin."

"Actually, I walked here."

"Walked?" Harry was incredulous.

"That's right."

"On water too?"

Ailill chuckled. "It is not impossible Harry. I am an Elf. We roamed the earth for millennia and with our abilities it is not impossible. Wait a while and I will explain it to you."

Harry nodded numbly. He waited as Ailill signaled to the vehicle. It pulled up short before them with minimal noise. Ailill waived his hands and their luggage disappeared into thin air. Harry guessed it was loaded onto the pumpkin. Then an opening appeared on the orange exterior, much like a carved door.

"Just walk right in," Ailill urged him.

Now he had seen many odd things since entering the magical world, but Harry never seized to be amazed. He followed the instructions he was given with little doubt; after all the worse it could happen to him was to be covered by pumpkin stuffing, nothing a good cleaning charm could not fix. He found out that it was not unlike walking into the barrier around the platform 9&¾. He felt the magic as he crossed the doorstep and entered the gigantic pumpkin.

It was like entering a warm room. Harry loosened his scarf and undid the buttons of his coat before shrugging the garment off; it was too hot to wear it inside this… room.

The walls were circular and orange and the furniture made of dark, polished wood. It was like a small sitting room, with a fireplace, a couple of sofas, a tea table and a book case. It had two windows, and the teen could see the castle and the station from them. There was a tea set for two waiting in a tray and a bell went off then, as Ailill stepped inside.

Harry watched as the doorway disappeared into the orange walls. He saw the scenery change but did not feel any motion.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Ailill commented.

"It is," Harry admitted. "All this… It reminds me of the Room of Requirement."

The Wood Elf rubbed his chin. "It is the same magical principle. The 'Pumpkin Chariot' does redecorate at will. There are beds at night, a bathroom and a house elf is serving the food and drinks for the duration of the trip. The walls are charmed and you cannot feel the motion as we travel. Think of it like those special vehicles Muggle's have."

Harry thought this looked both like a trailer and a limousine and he nodded to show his understanding.

"This one is 'Pumpkin Chariot 3000' the custom version," Ailill continued. "A friend lent its use to me for the trip. Anyway, let us have a seat and a cup of tea before I explain to you how we, Elves, can travel without any means of transport."

Harry nodded, feeling a little overwhelmed. He sat near a window and accepted the floating tea cup that came his way.

"Good," Ailill told him. "Shall I begin?"

"Please," the teen replied.

"Well then, you already know that we as a kind are faster than humans. Only Vampires can surpass us but there are special cases. Elves of certain age and skill can do some things better than the rest. I am one of those Elves with enhanced abilities. One of them is my enhanced speed."

"You mean like really fast running?" Harry asked.

Ailill smirked "Something like that. But I would not say it is exactly speed or rather not speed alone. As an Elf I can manipulate some elements of the natural environment around me, blend in like a chameleon or 'jump' from one to another."

"Really jump?" Harry asked.

"I'll have to show you for you to really understand it."

"Could I also do it?"

The Wood Elf seemed to think about it. "Not impossible," he finally replied. "You never know until you try it."

Harry sipped his tea and decided to enjoy the ride.

A while later a hand shook his shoulder. "Harry?"

The teen mewled something in his sleep and turned on his other side.

"Teens," Ailill muttered and shook harder.

"What?" Harry groggily asked.

"Enjoyed your nap?" the red haired Elf quipped.

The teen rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and yawned. "I needed that," Harry admitted. "Mione had me and Ron up since before dawn. She suddenly remembered that she had not knitted scarves and blouses for the house elves. Never mind," he added at his mentor's confused look. He stretched, wincing at the 'pop' his muscles made and gladly accepted the coffee Ailill offered.

"How long was I out for?"

"Not long. Just an hour or so," Ailill replied.

Harry nodded and tried the coffee. "I needed that. Say, how long until France?"

"We are over the ocean."

The teen stood, eager to see. "Are those ships? They look tiny. Are we flying as high as a plane?"

"I have no idea really."

Harry shrugged and continued looking out of the window.

The scenery changed fast, but the trip was still quite long despite the comfort of the carriage. The Gryffindor realized that he had never spent more than two or three hours in the presence of the other Elf but he would soon be spending a lot of time with not just Ailill but many others of his kind. The prospect was both exciting and frightening.

"How many Elves are there?" Harry asked Ailill.

"The population of Elves in general I have no idea. Wood Elves are about three thousand in Europe and the rest of the colonies around the world reach short of five thousand. I know of a colony of Water Elves that used to have about five hundred Elves, but that was a couple of centuries away."

The teen was very impressed by this. "So, there are many Elves in the world."

"There are. Europe was their motherland for millennia, well the 'Old World' in general, so I suppose that includes Northern Africa and west Asia. But yes, our numbers are quite large."

"But why aren't there any colonies in Britain?" Harry asked.

Ailill sighed. "The old tale really. Wizard supremacists were envious and our kind was persecuted in 1800's. Then Grindelwald came and the colonies in Germany became isolated, followed by a large community in Ireland and Sweden. France is the most open to public, even if those relations are focused mostly among creatures."

"What is it with Dark Lords and magical folks and creatures? Why are they always the target?" Harry wondered.

"Wizards always coveted our powers and magic. What is different is the first to be targeted," Ailill replied. "No one likes it. Ah, we reached land."

"We did?"

"Yes, those are the French coasts. In an hour we will arrive in Eilinel."

That last word sounded like water to Harry's ears.

"What was that word?" the teen asked.

His teacher smiled. "Our language Harry. You will soon learn to speak it, or rather know when you are speaking it and when not."

And the teen smiled, liking the prospect. "Can I ask you of yet another thing?"

"What is it Harry?"

"Can you tell me what the community is like?"

Ailill inclined his head.

Eilinel Community:

Paimpont forest, one of the largest and oldest forests in France, was the home to one of the largest Elfin communities in Europe. In the heart of the forest and away from the prying eyes of common Muggle's and overbearing wizards and under the secrecy ancient wards provided the admittedly large village. Not far from the place where Merlin was said to reside once, the space expanded under the illusions, creating a village that bordered with the mortal world but would grow and flourish in the other. It never mattered how much it expanded, or how its borders far surpassed those of the actual forest.

In that space, among tall pine trees, oaks with wide barks, yew trees that were the size of houses, redwoods and elm trees and more, houses sprang out, forming circles around the centre of the village.

The last, the outer circle, which was also the largest and widest in size, was the residential area. There all the houses were made of wood, not dead, but still living, attached to trees or roots from the earth. Every tree was a house, be it the trunk or house trees on their branches. But parts of them were obvious of the fact that their owners willed their appearance to be in a particular way. Some had parts like corners, walls, angles and roofs that escaped the trees and clearly indicated they were houses. The ones on the branches expanded sometimes on several trees and wooden bridges, served as go betweens from tree to tree, each of them carved and shaped like works of art. Other trees had staircases that extended to the ground, made of vines from the trees and the wood of the tree itself. The earth based trees were linked with paths and roads made of silvery white stones and pebbles, but they were smooth as if they were made of marble

The second circle was where the shops and businesses were, the market of the village. There the various shops were different. Some were made of stone and marble, greatly resembling the buildings of human and wizarding towns, while others looked more like outdoor stools. There were plenty of restaurants, taverns and sweet shops. Plenty of them had items for not only Elves but various other races that often came into contact with the community, like Veela's, Vampires and Werewolves.

Then the third circle held most academic buildings, banks, a museum, and most public interest buildings of the community. It was a far cry different from the other two circles. Most buildings of that level were of grandiose architecture, made from expensive marbles and valuable or semi-valuable materials.

The Academy was more of a scholarly building; focusing on the education of the Elves from their first year to enter it around fifty human years, till the end of their semi-immortal lives should they choose to. It was the second largest building, sporting ten levels above ground and several below. It was made from marble in a white colour with light green water patterns. There were several steps leading to the entrance with the heavy onyx made doors. And behind those doors the most expert creatures in the world taught every kind of magic imaginable.

Next to it was the Library, like another tower of Babel, rose above the academy and well below the ground, housing more books than the library of Alexandria that every witch and wizard revered and Muggle's bemoaned its loss. The building was guarded by two statues of Wood Elves, dressed in traditional Elvish armour that stood there, a symbol of guarding knowledge as was the purpose of the building.

Several governmental services were housed in a single building that was made much like the Academy but less regal and plainer. There a large number of people came and went in larger sequence than they did with the rest of the buildings.

Built next to it and surrounded by a large, colourful garden was the High Botanical Garden, the place where most important ceremonies took place. When an Elf was born he or she was taken there to be christened and there the Seers and the Fairies and Fae that lived in the flora would bless them or in the case that they were exceptional or their future was uncommon, a prophecy was made on them. Apart from the naming ceremony, it was also the place to go when a couple sought to have a formal bonding ceremony and where they sent off their dead warriors and citizens.

All these were all built in a semi circle facing the tallest building of the community, taller than the trees of the surrounding forest, the Council. That was not much of a building as a very large garden with a labyrinth that was used both for aesthetic use and to deter possible nuisances when the Elders where in session. The main 'room' was much like in ancient Greek. It was a perfect circle. Fifteen feet tall columns made of carved marble, with patterns of vines and leaves and representations of various myths of Elvin tradition. There were many more pillars inside the structure used as secondary support to the dome and scattered among them were various life size onyx statues of the first twenty major rulers and generals of the Royal Elves. Above the pillars was a large dome made from the same white marble. It was plainer than its pillar but the vines from the flora around it made it one with its environment. It was a tall, spacious building, the second tallest in Eilinel. It held enough room to house under the dome more than one thousand people and not just the thirty members of the council or their guests.

Surrounding the community was a one foot high stone made wall that separated the community from the ancient, expanding forest around Eilinel. The Wall grew as the needs of the community changed over the centuries but whatever happened the wall formed a warded dome over Eilinel, protecting it in the event of danger.

Sairalindë Lossëhelin was a proud male and he had every reason to feel that way. He had flaming red hair with green streaks through them, silvery green eyes. He stood at 6'8 ft tall. He was a Wood Elf at linage and though he was 804 years old and looking in his thirties if you counted his appearance according to human years. He was dressed in grey, loose fitting pants, a grey cotton shirt and a leather coat that reached well below his knees and had no sleeves and a pair of ankle high leather boots.

He was leaning back on a tree trunk, watching his students spar. He was in charge of overseeing the youngest ones in their first stages of training. It was not a very refined team, not like the troops he used to have under his command when he was a general.

He observed the little ones a bit more until he felt a prickling sensation on his neck.

He turned just in time to side step a barrelling figure that landed at his feet.

"Ow! Ow!" the figure groaned. "That hurt!"

Sairalindë snorted. "Serves you right, Enelya; what have I told you about using the elements to travel short distances?"

Enelya Lúinwë huffed. "But I was in a hurry!" the younger Elf protested. She stood up and dusted her clothes. She was a young Elf, just reaching 60 years of age and barely looking like a twelve year old human. She had strawberry blond hair that spiked up and looked messy. She had mischievous glint in her sky blue eyes. She wore a short, pale green, linen dress that reached her knees and a matching vest over it, a sheath with six daggers hanging from its left side.

She glanced at the older Elf with barely concealed excitement. He had been her mentor, the one to which her parents had sent her when it was time for her to learn the ways of their kind. Enelya was glad he still put up with her as she had been a handle for Sairalindë, not that she would ever tell him.

"So what was the reason you acted like a youngling?" Sairalindë demanded of her.

Blue eyes twinkled with happiness. "Guess what!"

"I do not have the Sight," Sairalindë said dryly.

"You are no fun," Enelya pouted. "I heard Elder Ailill Frideswide was coming home today! Isn't that great?"

Sairalindë blinked, actually surprised at the news.

Enelya smiled. "I can't wait to see him. Rumour has it that he was sent away on a mission in the mortal world and that he was staying with wizards! I have never seen wizards, ever. Well, the Veela do not really count do they?"

Sairalindë noticed how the girl had upset the order with his younger students and sighed. "You are dismissed," he told his students. He glared at Enelya, who tried and failed to look innocent. "We will talk about this later. You said that Ailill Frideswide was to arrive today?"

"Yes!"

"Who else have you told?"

"Me? I'm not a gossip monger."

"The day I will believe that, Enelya Lúinwë, is the day you manage to take me by surprise."

Enelya huffed but quit pouting quickly. "I heard from Gilraen that he will arrive soon at the front gate."

"There is only one gate," Sairalindë commented dryly. "Come on then. The sooner we are done with this the sooner I can get my peace back. And take it out on Ailill for all the trouble he causes."

Harry was excited as he saw the forest. Even without his Aura reading he could feel the ancient magic around him.

The flying pumpkin entered through a small opening in a barrier and everything around him exploded into light. Every colour, every shade was suddenly lighter, cleaner in a way. The light was truly warm, the forest hummed with magic. He could see a pack of centaurs in a glade. They barely paid any attention to the flying vehicle.

"It feels amazing!" he breathed.

Ailill chuckled. "Of course it does! Everything in this domain is unblemished and pure."

Harry nodded absently. "Is that a wall?"

"Yes, we are approaching the gate," Ailill told him.

The teen watched in awe as the community of Eilinel came into view.

Harry barely felt their descent and consequent landing as they entered the dome that protected the Elvin community. He was very excited about meeting more Elves. Ailill had been very helpful and quite amazing so far, but it was not much to the teen, however good the male was.

"Calm down," the older Elf admonished him.

"I'm nervous," Harry admitted.

Ailill smiled. "I know, but don't get all worked up. They are just like you and me, some more obnoxious than you or me, but Elves all the same."

The teen smiled. "I'll remember that."

"Good. Now remember what I taught you about ranks and the like. Address me formally; it will make a good first impression. You can spend the rest of the holiday to ruin it, but do nothing to provoke anyone until you have been presented to the Council."

"I know," the dark haired Elf replied.

Harry wore his cloak and waited as the doors to the pumpkin opened. Ailill was the first to step out.

The Dark Elf realized his mentor had slipped into Elvish when he conversed with male about his height, with plaited, maroon hair that reached his knees. He also wore a heavy, white robe that reached the ground, with a leather belt and leather boots. He held his breath and stayed still until Ailill turned with the man he was conversing. The unknown Elf seemed surprised to see his features. Swallowing, Harry stepped forward.

Everything seemed to quiet down when he stepped out of the carriage. Various Elves, all of them Wood Elves, had gathered to greet Ailill Frideswide upon his return, but none of them had expected the younger Elf.

"Elder Frideswide, is that a Dark Elf?" the maroon haired Wood Elf questioned.

Murmurs started and Harry fought the urge to flinch.

"Indeed, my newest protégé and student," Ailill told him. "Harry, please come here."

Remembering his lessons Harry answered properly.

"Yes Elder Frideswide," and walked to stand by his mentor.

"This is Elder Elbereth Anwarünya, a member of the Council," Ailill introduced. "Now, my friend, we need to talk. Away from the crowd."

Elbereth nodded, his warm amber eyes pinned on a nervous Harry. "We shall. My house is open," he said and made way into the crowd.

Harry swallowed and followed after them.

End of chapter

A/N: Okay, here's another chapter. I hope you like it and that I did not bore you too much when describing the community, but at the same time try to make a clear picture of how I imagine the community to be. I had the idea by combining pictures and various descriptions, from 'Lord of the Rings' to several video games and animated movies. I know I mentioned nothing on barracks and military. That will come later.

Chapter 9: