DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Harry Potter or any of its characters. I also do not make any money from this.
WARNINGS: Yaoi (male x male), Yuri (female x female) adult topics, swearing, sexual scenes and violence.
This has not been Beta'd.
PAIRINGS: Ron x Hermoine
'text' is thought
"text" talking
Hidden Element
Chapter 6: The One With All The Answers
"It started with a deal between Dumbledore and the five founders. It was easy to see that he knew them well, and they thought of him as a father. At least, that's what our elders tell us their bond was like. You see, we've never actually seen Dumbledore himself, and now it seems we never will. The founders speak highly of him, however, so it's not hard to imagine. Before Accacia Meadow was founded, Dumbledore had requested something of them. It is common knowledge here that whatever the request may have been, for I know not unfortunately, it went against their moral values.
"They fought against his request for months, creating a rift between them and Dumbledore. I am sure, however, that whatever he had to ask, was not of a threatening kind as he is, after all, a wizard for the light. The deal was that they would follow through with it if only they could do something that would make a difference in another manner, no matter how small.
"Dumbledore agreed and offered money to their disposal for their ideas, only wanting them to pitch the idea to him before they put theory into action. It took them months to decide on a beginning theme.
"It is told that the founders had started a discussion on the war, and Ice seemed adamant that the magical creatures helping on either side would be cast aside as soon as it ended. Nature was determined that that would not be so, but then again, what you could not understand, would always be shunned, no matter if it worked alongside you. Regretfully, she agreed. Not wanting a war to start through misconception, they thought of a way to appease both the wizards and the magical creatures, and perhaps a way to close the gap between them.
"Magical creatures knew little of human behaviour, nor did they understand them and never would due to law. Of course, wizards hold the same view towards magical creatures, but I believe them more biased and prone to fear, no offense. They founded the school as a chance for the younger generations to acknowledge why wizards were prone to think the way they did and to help understand the problems wizards have had against them and vice versa, thus introducing ways to get along. Both their own and wizarding faults were being brought to the foreground for them to see how many misunderstandings and fear of threat created the rift in the first place.
"In the mean time, it also taught them of their own backgrounds and history, which they had never received merely wondering around in packs. They understood their own nature better and why they were the way they were. Its therapy at its best, like a wizard finding out why he can use magic and why they tend to think the way they do." The boy smirked inwardly at the thoughtful gaze of the curly brunette.
He had hooked her. He was told that if he wanted to implement an idea of thought on their own flaws, she would be the one to entice. Hopefully, she would in turn, look it up, and then help other wizards embrace the same thoughts. It would be easier to bridge the gap if both sides knew where they had gone wrong. He had no idea how right he was on the research part.
"They had founded a school where magical creatures could learn as much as wizarding children. Yet each founder had an idea of what they wanted to implement into or around the meadow. Ice wanted walls for protection that would keep things out, and also keep things in. This was due to certain needs such as blood lust or rage that could cause them to harm others. He also wanted guards at every side to keep track of the wall and keep the peace.
"Earth wanted plenty of space to fit more than one magical creature type within the confines of the meadow and housing so they could remain in that safety much like Hogwarts proved safe for you.
"Nature wanted trees and wildlife, so we could hunt without prejudice and so we could be one with the nature we grew up with. This way we weren't completely taken away from everything we knew.
"Light wanted an open sky so we could feel the breeze and see the stars. Light deemed the small things most important in life and also called for a secret keeper.
"And Fire wanted normal life and jobs for us, so we could learn the trade, learn what we couldn't possibly learn among muggles and wizards. They created a safe haven for us, and we are eternally grateful for what they did and still do for us."
"You don't know what the deal between them was?" Ginny's voice was muffled, face resting on crossed arms as she lay on her stomach.
"I'm afraid I do not, but you may ask me anything about the meadow." The boy smiled sadly at being unable to give a full account, he was only eight after all, he didn't remember much apart from what he'd been told. Hermione took this as her chance and sat up from her gazing at the clouds position to look interestedly around her once more.
"The towers. Can you tell me more about them?" The boy hurriedly nodded his head in eagerness.
"You were right, each tower represent a founder. Earth, Nature, Fire, Light and Ice. Each tower lets them know when we are in danger or in need of help. Each tower is also responsible for the fortification of something within these walls.
"The Earth tower fortifies the walls, makes sure they are invisible and rock solid all at the same time. It is the constant protector of Acaccia Meadow. And the nature tower makes sure that the wildlife within the meadow never runs out, that there is a constant harvest in our fields, and thus that we never live in poverty.
"Light tower is an alarm beacon. It sees evil within the walls and instantly separates those fighting for the death, unless of course it is a race that must do so for claim of pack leader, etcetera. On the other hand, the fire tower changes the weather around us, cooling and then heating in certain areas to accommodate the needs of certain magical creatures.
"Ice cools down the rivers and checks the fish, makes sure it's always clear and free of disease and rubbish. Ice also makes sure it rains every now and then to keep the trees, grass and flowers happy and alive. They are our life support, one could say, and it does affect them having to do it as well. It is not a matter of leaving energy behind; for it is impossible to give ones own life force to operate another object to this magical extent.
"They are directly linked to the towers at all times, feeding them energy, and for that, we cannot tell you how indebted we are. In return for their constant connection to our well-being, they only asked as one thing in return, and that being the reason why the towers look the way they do. It is simple, each tower holds a founders wand."
Harry's eyes instantly opened in surprise. So these founders were wizards, but had parted with their wands? How was it possible for them to keep sustaining these towers when the channels to their magical core were gone?
"It is possible, at least for them," the boy answered at the confusion in their eyes. "It is far easier to concentrate on one object, when ones wand is close to it, or that's what their reasons were for leaving them behind. They don't need their wands for they don't use magic all that often, but that is bordering on a subject I cannot discuss."
"Is there anything you can give us? A hint or clue?" Ginny pleaded softly, head still in the crook of her arms. The mood lightened from one of desperation to one of relief when the boy nodded his head eagerly once more.
"When you decipher this clue, you will find someone who will answer more of your questions. Dumbledore said to tell you: Find the snake in your safety haven, a grey snake on fire."
"What the hell!" Ron groaned in annoyance. Dumbledore sure knew how to make ones life a living hell.
They sat snugly in the warmth of the living room. The fact that Dumbledore was being elusive was an annoyance, and they did not understand it. Dumbledore did withhold information when he thought it necessarily, but he had always been frank and straight forward.
Then again, perhaps they were elusive for the fear that someone else came by and asked the same questions.
"Maybe these clues aren't all they seem, maybe he's trying to show us something through them. That would be a Dumbledore thing to do," Neville stated tiredly. He had not felt this tired since the NEWTS! Studying late at night and gaining headaches in return.
"It could be about the founders," Ron said hesitantly. "The only information we gained were about the founders and that Dumbledore knew them. Maybe it's the founders that we're supposed to find."
"It's possible, but without their wands we can't trace them," Hermoine added.
"Perhaps they wanted no one to find them? Perhaps that was the real reason to keeping their wands there," came a soft joyful voice from the entrance of the kitchen. Luna came in carrying tea and sandwiches, though one must always be cautious when tasting Luna's sandwiches as she tended to put random things together, not always tasting, well, appetising.
"Luna?" Harry asked incredulously. He hadn't been aware that she'd been in the kitchen, and by the look on their faces, neither had the rest of the group. She placed the tray down with a pleasant hum and sat down on the fluffy carpet before the fireplace as if there were no reason to be acting shocked about the matter.
"I've been listening; you should check your house before you talk of such things." Although Luna had outgrown her talk of wargles and such other imaginary creatures, she had still retained her quirkiness and overall mysterious way of speaking and moving. She was also skilled at not letting people know she was there, apparently. Harry shook his head in amusement. Well, at least it saved him one hell of an explanation.
"Find the snake in your safety haven, a grey snake on fire. Any ideas Luna?" Neville chimed in, his amusement at suddenly finding her here for a while, still evident in his voice.
"Well, I don't know why you haven't tried it, but you've had a rough day, so I won't hold it against you. Have you tried breaking down the sentence?"
Luna had always been good at puzzles and riddles, it was very handy to have her part of the group, indeed.
"I always find it handy to separate stances within the riddle,"she said. "Whose words are from the perspective of the one that made it, and which from the one that told it."
"So it's a cross between Dumbledore's wording and that of the story teller." Hermione hummed.
"Safety haven. He'd said that their school was their safety haven, and the riddle says, YOUR safety haven. Do you suppose he means Hogwarts?" Harry grinned as the first part started to make sense.
"So we're looking for a Slytherin then. Although Dumbledore wouldn't call them snakes, he knew we would. A snake in our haven aka a Slytherin in Hogwarts."
"But a grey snake on fire?" Ron groaned. None of it made sense to him, and he felt mildly stupid that no real answers were dawning on him.
"Grey is an area between black and white. Neutral ground," Luna suggested. "A Slytherin whom is neutral in this war, perhaps?"
"A neutral Slytherin? Really?" Ron snorted, receiving a look of disbelief from Harry.
"Blaise Zabini!" Hermione flung her hands about in energetic gesture. She had been so stupid not to have deciphered it immediately. It had been so simple!
"What?" How she got that name from the riddle, Ron didn't know.
"His parents are neutral, it's a well known fact. The Zabini's support nether side! And his first name is Blaise. Ablaze, as in on fire!" There was a slight guffaw, and then groans of disbelief at how easy the riddle had really been.
The next question, however, was what Dumbledore had to do with Blaise, and why did he have all the answers?
AcadianProud: Thank you for the review! Hopefully all questions would be answered in time! If not, please remind me ^^. The Dumbledore story is more an explanation of Accacia Meadow and Dumbledore's own involvement. It will leave you with more questions, of course, but are supposed to be the next clue in the puzzle. However, they're not far off from finding what Dumbledore wanted them to know. As for Draco, I adore him and couldn't live with myself if he got left out of the story. He will appear, yet there are reasons he's not part of the group yet. Hopefully these answers haven't confused you more.