Chapter Eight

Daniel Granger considered himself to be a kind man. He was soft spoken, level headed, and did not anger easily. He always tried to look at the big picture, but at this moment, he wanted to strangle this old man with his beard.

"You're telling me that my daughter was nearly killed by a troll, but not to worry, it was taken care of, is that right? When McGonagall came to visit us she mentioned nothing about the students being in danger of being killed. Had she done so, we certainly never would've allowed Hermione to go to that bloody school."

Monica Granger was usually the quick tempered of the two. Seeing her husband about to kill the old man, she reigned in her own temper and spoke calmly.

"I understand that it was a coincidence that the troll was in the bathroom with my daughter, but why wasn't she at the Halloween feast with everyone else?"

Dumbledore shifted uncomfortably. He'd known this meeting was not going to be easy, but he'd hoped the Grangers would accept that the danger was passed and not be angry. He now realized how foolish that idea had been. The Grangers were not wizards and weren't comfortable with their child being endangered. He calmly tried to explain the situation.

"It appears that two of our students have been bullying Ms. Granger because of her intelligence. On Halloween morning, she'd attempted to help one of the two perform a spell properly. The boy was angry that she showed him up and told her she had no friends. She left the classroom in tears and fled to the bathroom."

"I see," Monica said slowly. "Were the two boys punished? Were they made to apologize?"

Dumbledore winced. "I saw no reason to punish them. I felt that the knowledge of what could've happened as a result of their actions was punishment enough."

"So, in other words, no," Daniel snapped. "You let them off scot free. Is that what you're telling us? Tell me Headmaster, did the two lads seem remorseful over what they did?"

Dumbledore stared at his shoes. "Not at the moment, but I'm sure when it sinks in what could've happened, they will be horrified at what they have done."

"Really?" Monica asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why exactly would they feel guilt, headmaster? Has anyone pointed out that it was their actions that put Hermione's life in danger?"

McGonagall spoke up for the first time. "I can totally understand that you would like to pull Hermione out of Hogwarts after this incident. However, may I make another suggestion?" At Monica's curt nod she continued.

"The boy that saved her is being homeschooled. He has a friend that will not be starting Hogwarts until next year. If you are agreeable, why doesn't Ms. Granger join them? I can assure you that Mr. Evans and Ms. Weasley will not bully her."

Monica and Daniel looked at each other. "She would be able to stay home?" Monica asked hopefully.

McGonagall's lips twitched in what might've been a smile. "Yes," she said. "Ms. Weasley returns home every night."

"We would like to meet the boy's mother, but if we approve of her, I can agree to your suggestion."

McGonagall's slight smile widened. "Oh, I have no doubt you will approve," she said chuckling slightly. "Lily is Muggle-born."

Monica smiled back. She liked this woman. She seemed much more down to earth than the Headmaster. "I look forward to meeting her."

XXX

"Sure," Lily said before McGonagall could even finish her request. "I think it'd be good for Harry and Ginny to have another friend."

McGonagall let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you Lily. I would've hated to lose her. She is really an excellent student."

"I assume I will need to meet with her parents?" Lily asked.

"Yes," McGonagall said.

Lily stood. "Come on, Harry and Ginny are done for the day. They can stay out of trouble long enough for me to meet with her parents. We need to get Hermione back in school as soon as possible."

XXX

"What do you mean it failed. You said that demon would be able to crush the boy." Aeval's rage caused the glass in the mirror to quiver. She glared at Voldemort, her blue eyes glowing bright enough to light the room.

"I didn't expect him to transform into that wolf hybrid form," Voldemort growled. "He surprised me. I thought for sure he was done for once the sword broke. How was I to know he'd be so resourceful?"

Aeval's face went in and out of focus as she paced back and forth. "This is why it was forbidden for fae and shifters to breed. Now that the boy's wolf has been awoken, he is going to be that much harder to kill. He'll heal from any wound inflicted with iron or silver. The only way to kill him will be to rip his heart out and it's not like he's going to hold still for that."

Voldemort grit his teeth. "I will kill the boy. Now that I know what he is capable of he won't surprise me again."

Aeval's glare could have melted steel. "You'd better not fail me, Tom."

Before Voldemort could say a word, Aeval's face vanished from the mirror. With a groan, he sank into a chair and lowered his head into his hands.

He was seriously beginning to regret making a deal with the queen of Faerie. Is this what he had been like with his followers? If so, it was a wonder he'd had any followers left when he was defeated.

He turned to the window and stared at the stars reflected in the glass. He needed to decide what he was going to do. Was he going to try and redeem himself, or was he going to continue to follow Aeval's orders? "I gave my word," he muttered. "No matter how distasteful, I have to finish what I started."

Unnoticed by Voldemort, Oberon watched him from the shadows. He smiled slightly before fading from view.

XXX

Lily's meeting with the Grangers was a success. They had bonded with her immediately and even invited her, Ginny, and Harry for dinner.

"So the fae exist?" Monica asked fascinated. "I thought they were just stories."

Lily reached over and stroked Harry's hair. "Nope, they are real. They just hide from humans now days."

"Because of iron?" Daniel said. "Some of the stories say they are vulnerable to cold iron."

"Iron is only deadly if it enters their bloodstream. They can handle the metal and even enchant it. Actually, iron stores magic better than any other metal. The only downside is it is just as deadly to the fae without magic. Once humans began using iron weapons, the fae retreated to their own realm. Before then, they were worshiped as gods not only for their magic, but for the weapons they could forge."

"Fascinating," Monica said. "But the fae can breed with wizards. Hermione told us that the fae used to trade their weakened children for the wizards squib children. Why would they do that?"

"One of the old kings of the Seelie court had commanded that his subjects only breed with pure-blooded fae. He also forbade anyone in the court from telling Oberon or Aeval. By the time Oberon found out what had happened inbreeding had become a real problem in the Seelie court. thoughtful expression on her face. "I think it was probably to have allies in the mortal world as well."

Lily quickly explained the rules for the Changeling law. When she'd finished, Monica spoke.

"I don't like it, but at least they tried to protect the children. So a lot of the so-called pure-bloods have fae blood. Why do they hate Muggle-borns? According to what Hermione said, they aren't too happy with anything not human. I mean, no offense, but at least the Muggle-borns are human."

"It's the lack of magic," Hermione said quietly. "Because you don't have magic, they view me as a lesser witch."

Lily patted her shoulder. "I wouldn't worry about it. Muggle-borns generally have stronger magic than pure-bloods. As a matter-of-fact, most lines that produce Muggle-borns have fae blood."

The conversation continued through the rest of the meal. Once it was over, and they were all sitting in the living room, the talk turned to schooling.

"Ginny and I would never pick on Hermione," Harry said seriously. "I know what it's like to be hated for something you can't control."

"Good to hear," Daniel said with a smile. He turned to Hermione. "What do you think pumpkin?"

"I want to give it a try," Hermione said quietly.

"Alright," Monica said. "I must say it'll be good to have you home."

Hermione smiled. "It'll be good to be home."

XXX

Hermione entered the cottage hesitantly. She'd expected something far bigger for the former queen of Elphame. Seeing her expression, Lily arched an eyebrow.

"What?" she asked lips twitching. "Were you expecting a mansion with turrets and towers?"

Hermione blushed. "Actually, that's exactly what I was expecting."

"I could afford something like that, but what would be the point? This suits Harry and my needs. If we need something bigger, then I'll get something bigger. Until then…" she broke off and shrugged.

Hermione nodded in understanding as she followed Lily into the kitchen where Harry and Ginny were waiting. "You don't want Harry to grow up to be like Neville."

Lily shook her head. "Neville is arrogant and spoiled for something he has no control over. He may have survived the killing curse, but I seriously doubt he was the one to stop Voldemort. A baby with that kind of power would've shown more signs of it by now. Neville is an average wizard at best. He could be great if he put forth the effort."

"To hear him talk, you'd think that no one could match his power and skill. He makes it sound like he was in control of the demise of Voldemort," Hermione said.

"He doesn't think too highly of the fae either," Harry muttered.

"No he doesn't," Lily said. "I expect that prejudice was formed by the Wizarding media." She sighed. "Magical or Muggle they are both the same. They care nothing for truth. There only concern is what can sell more stories. The more outrageous the story, the better it sells." She shook her head. "Enough about Neville and the Wizarding world. We're here to teach you three magic." She gestured to a chair between Harry and Ginny. "Sit."

Hermione sat down gingerly as if she thought the chair might bite her. Lily sat down across from the three kids. "Hermione, where are you in your studies at Hogwarts."

"Well, in potions, we have just finished a pimple vanishing solution. In transfiguration, we have progressed to turning pencil shavings into termites, and in charms we have just completed the levitation charm."

"So, you are pretty much caught up with Harry and Ginny. You are probably ahead of them in astronomy and Herbology. That seems to be where they need the most work. We weren't even able to test them in Astronomy for obvious reasons. Bloodwind has agreed to help teach you three Herbology, so you will be going to see him three times a week for an hour."

"I thought he was going to open a pub?" asked Ginny.

"He says he needs something else to do with his time," Lily said rolling her eyes. "Personally, I just think he's bored."

"Or he wants to spend more time with you," Harry teased. "He really liked you. You're his special shifter friend."

Lily mock glared at him. "I do have claws you know."

"Never knew you when you didn't," Harry quipped back.

"Moving on," Lily said loudly. "It appears that professor McGonagall has begun your study into nonorganic to organic transfiguration, so that is where we will pick up today."

Lily placed three pencils on the table in front of them. "I want you to try and turn these into worms. They are invertebrates, so it shouldn't be too difficult. Hermione and Ginny, I want you to attempt this silently. Harry, I want you to attempt the transfiguration without drawing the rune. I want you to visualize the rune instead."

All three kids nodded. Hermione looked slightly nervous. "I haven't studied silent casting. We won't be starting that until sixth year."

Lily stood and came around the table to sit beside her. "I know it's more than a little advanced, but I think the sooner you stop relying on verbal spells, the better. I hope someday to have you performing all magic without a wand, like the wizards of old, but that is far in the future. If it proves too advanced, then we'll start back with the incantation for a while, but I think you can handle it. From what I've seen of your grades, you could be in fourth or fifth year if you wanted. You are a dedicated student. All that I ask is that you try."

Hermione nodded and drew her wand. She pointed it at the pencil and concentrated. She pictured an earth worm wriggling out of the mud in her back yard. She could see the slimy form squirming towards her. She could feel its cool moist body in her fingers. Giving her wand a flick, she watched as the shape of the pencil changed.

The wooden worm squirmed across the table with a scratching sound. Harry stared at the pencil turned worm, eyes wide.

"That is a bit creepy," he muttered as his pencil morphed into a slimy mess that dripped off the table and onto the floor.

Grimacing, Lily waved her hand, vanishing the mess on the floor.

"You need more practice,' she told Harry with a grin.

"Hey," Harry said defensively. "This isn't easy."

"If it was, it wouldn't be worth doing," Lily said turning to Ginny.

She smiled as she saw the worm squirming across the table. Her eyes widened when the worm split at one end revealing razor sharp teeth. The worm let out a tiny snarl and began squirming faster across the table. Hurriedly, she snapped her fingers turning the worm back into a pencil.

"What was that?" she asked Ginny. "I asked for a worm, not whatever that was."

"A worm was boring," Ginny said defensively.

"I don't care if it was boring," Lily growled. "Don't go adding things without telling me. You could really hurt someone pulling that kind of stunt."

Ginny looked down at the table. "Sorry," she mumbled, her ears turning red.

Lily calmed slightly. "I don't know what that was, but what if it had been poisonous? It could really hurt someone and we'd have had no cure for it."

Ginny looked up at Lily. "Sorry," she whispered.

Lily hugged her gently. "It's fine. I do understand that you are curious, but just make sure you use caution when you are creating unknown creatures."

Ginny smiled slightly. "I will," she said.

Lily leaned back in her chair. "I think we should take a little break. We'll pick back up in a few moments."

XXX

Over the next few months, the three preteens became the best of friends. Hermione, although she liked transfiguration, developed a love of runes. She spent a lot of time translating all the text concerning runes she could find. Surprisingly, she developed an ability to wield rune magic and began using runes to cast spells instead of a wand.

Ginny continued to flourish in transfiguration. By Christmas she had developed the ability to conjure objects. Lily was very impressed.

"Incredible," she told the younger redhead. "You could probably gain a mastery in transfiguration right now."

Ginny shook her head. "I think I'll stay with Harry and Hermione. A mastery in transfiguration would be fun, but I don't want to be a one trick pony."

As for Harry, he had managed to perform minor magics without drawing the runes. When he had failed to conjure anything after his fourth attempt and couldn't find a rune to conjure an object, he spoke to his Mother.

"Wizards and witches can create objects out of thin air, but the fae cannot."

"Why?" Harry asked disappointed.

"Fae magic is connected to life and nature. It is against nature to create something from nothing. Only one being had that kind of power and no other has inherited it. The fae can multiply food and change objects, but they can't conjure." She touched Harry's cheek forcing him to look at her.

"Fae magic is more potent than wizard magic. You will find that you will be able to master a few more elemental magics. I wouldn't be surprised if you also developed an affinity for wards. Only the fae can create permanent wards and magical objects. Conjured objects eventually vanish.

In essence, wizard magic is faster, but fae magic is stronger."

"If they can permanently enchant objects, why did Dad's sword break?"

"The power of the sword was in the rune work. The runes had been added to a mortal blade, but the sword was not truly an Elven blade. A true Elven blade could have cut through that demon like a knife through butter."

"How do you forge an Elven blade?"

Lily smiled mysteriously. "I'll talk to Bloodwind. He can probably show you how to do it. I'd be real surprised if he hasn't picked up the skill after a few years."

On Christmas day, Harry, Ginny, and Lily met at the Grangers home.

"I am impressed," Daniel said over Christmas dinner. "Hermione has learned more in two months here than she did in nearly three at Hogwarts."

"I don't have to grade a whole lot of papers. Any teacher could do it if they were in my situation."

"Still," Monica said. "Thank you for teaching her. If you hadn't, we'd have had to send her to a school in Europe and we'd still never see her."

"Trust me I know how you feel. Dumbledore has been pressuring me to allow Harry to attend Hogwarts next year."

"Are you going to let him?"

"I don't know," Lily said. "On one hand I don't want to let him out of my sight, but he needs to be around kids his own age."

Monica frowned. "If the kids Hermione has told us about are any indication, he's better off without that lot."

"I have to believe there are some good kids in the Wizarding world. Surely they are not all bad."

"What about Ginny? Isn't she and our daughter enough kids for Harry to grow up with."

"Of course," Lily said calmly, "but wolfshifters have a pack mentality. Before they grow up, they are very social. Once they reach adulthood, most wolfshifters become closed off from those they don't consider friends or family. I don't want Harry to get that way too soon."

The Grangers looked at each other. "Do what you feel is best, but we'll have to decide if we want Hermione returning to Hogwarts or not."

XXX

Hermione turned to Harry and Ginny. Slowly, the three made their way away from the doorway to the dining room.

"Would you like to go back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked her as they made their way up to her room.

"I didn't like being bullied," Hermione said thoughtfully, "but Hogwarts had some incredible books. I'd like to see more of their library."

"Of course you wood," Ginny said with a giggle.

Hermione glared at her playfully. "What about you? Wouldn't you like to turn one of your monsters loose on Hogwarts?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ginny said primly. "I don't call them monsters. I create works of art."

"Right," Harry said sarcastically. "One of your works of art ate a cow."

"We never did find that thing," Ginny said. "I do hope its okay."

Hermione and Harry rolled their eyes in unison. Ginny's pension for transfiguring strange and disturbing creatures was well known. Her last creature had been some kind of cross between a wolf and a tyrannosaurus. It had broken out of the house and vanished into the forest.

Lily had begun searching for it, but so far she hadn't been able to find it. They knew it was still alive because pets and livestock continued to disappear. Ginny had been heart broken when it ate a cat and all of her kittens.

Lily had gently told her that was exactly the reason she shouldn't be transfiguring two creatures into one.

Ginny had agreed to be more careful in the future.

Ginny's voice drew Harry out of his thoughts. "Have you heard any more about Aeval?"

"No," Harry said. "I am really hoping she has lost interest in me."

Ginny snorted. "Fat chance. She is going to be after you until she kills you."

"Thanks Gin," Harry said. "I needed that."

"What are friends for?"

XXX

Unbeknownst to the three friends, Aeval was watching them using her mirror.

She nodded when the redhead pointed out that she wouldn't stop until the half-breed was dead. If Voldemort would keep his end of the bargain everything would be fine.

She gestured sharply causing the image in the mirror to fade. Something was wrong with her pet sorcerer. He seemed conflicted. It was almost as if he regretted agreeing to kill the boy, but why would he? He had already tried to kill the brat once. Why would this time be any different?

What was she going to do? The fae were bound by their word. She couldn't act against Voldemort unless he failed to keep up his end of their agreement. To make matters more frustrating, they had not set a time frame for the boy's death. She had to find out what Voldemort's decision was going to be. If he wasn't going to kill the boy, she needed to know so she could make other plans.

A lightning bolt struck the floor in the center of the throne room. Aeval sat up straight as the stone where the lightning struck smoked and popped.

Another lightning bold struck the stone followed quickly by three more strikes. Aeval stared at the spot where the lightning had struck. A pentagram had been burned into the floor.

A vortex of energy swirled in the center of the arcane symbol. A figure stepped out of the crackling energy and brushed dark hair out of his eyes. He straightened and stepped aside as two more figures emerged from the vortex.

The figure turned towards her. His eyes were a startling emerald green. Aeval's jaw dropped. She knew those eyes.

"Who are you?" she barked a ball of darkness appearing in her hand. The darkness seemed to absorb all the light in the room.

The man smiled. "Me," he said. His voice was not deep and not high pitched, but it carried easily around the throne room.

"I only see three other people here not counting myself and they are wearing hoods. Who are you and why are you here?"

The man looked at the queen of Elphame impassively. "I am the answer to your little Harry Evans problem. I want to kill him."

"Interesting," Aeval said. "I can sense dimensional energy around you. Why would a person from another dimension want to kill the prince of Elphame?"

The man waved his hand conjuring three comfortable looking armchairs. He sat followed quickly by his two companions.

"Let's just say I have my reasons and leave it at that. The boy's death will secure your hold on the throne, but it will make me far more powerful than I am now. Are you interested?"

Aeval leaned forward eagerly. "Very, but what should I call you? If I am to make a pact with you, I'd like a name."

The man smiled revealing straight and blinding white teeth. "For now, you can call me Abaddon."

A/N

Please read and review. This chapter was a little rushed, so please make me aware of any mistakes you may find. I tried to catch them all, but I am aware I may have mist something.