Draco looked at Liatris with barely vieled disgust. He still couldn't believe Potter had shacked up with a faerie of all things. However his now well honed self-preservation instinct kept him from saying a damn thing.

Not to her face, anyway. Potter had changed since moving to the other realm, and had become even more terrifying. For one thing, she no longer behaved like a shrinking violet afraid of confrontation...she held herself like a proper Queen, and it showed.

People who had dismissed her before were now giving her second looks, though none were brave (or foolish) enough to attempt a courtship. Not after she had given birth to what was clearly a fae-child without a second thought.

If Draco were honest with himself, Melody had become a true dragon and now fully embodied their school motto of "Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon".

It was clear that someone had wakened the dragon, and she was not taking anyone's shit any longer. At least he knew she wasn't aiming her ire towards him or his family.

He was beyond relieved when Melody left with her two sons back to her new home...though the second he heard about how terrified the goblins were, he did the smart thing. Discreetly of course, since he didn't want to tip off his suspicions.

The goblins were less than amused when the bulk of the Malfoy fortune was moved to France, which was not under their control. However after the number of bribes and remunerations to the victims of the Blood War who had been in Malfoy manor, a large chunk of their fortune was gone.

If Melody really was emulating a dragon, then obviously she would use her grudge against the Goblins to secure a large amount of gold to begin a proper hoard. Draco was not inclined to have any of his family's fortune added to Melody's hoard.

In another part of England...

Teddy was a little sad to be leaving England, but he also knew Lia still felt uncomfortable around the Weasleys.

To be fair, Arthur had eventually explained the entire mess to a still incensed Melody. Apparently it was pureblood tradition to check for a changeling child if they showed a strong dislike towards being around iron. It was a tradition that stemmed well back into Richard the Lionheart's day, and it had kept going strong even when the Magna Carta was being signed.

While there were no actual reports in the past hundred years of a wizard child being swapped for a changeling, most families had long memories and even longer grudges against the fair folk for attempting to steal their heirs. So when Lia adamantly refused to settle down whenever he was in the ancestral crib, Molly had immediately grabbed a small piece of iron that was used to doublecheck and Arthur had gone along with it, mostly to keep the peace as usual.

Neither of them had expected Lia to actually be burned by the metal, or expected Melody to knowingly get pregnant by a nocturnal fae and give birth to a half-faerie child.

However there was one place Melody planned to visit before they left...and that was Hogwarts. The school had taken a beating, but almost looked like it was back to it's former glory.

Teddy eagerly held the hand of his godmother, seeing the halls he would hopefully be able to attend in six short years. Lia however was not as impressed.

"Melody Potter, it's good to see you," said McGonagall warmly. The Headmistress looked fondly at the two children with nary a frown over Lia's obvious inhuman heritage.

"I wanted the children to see the school at least once before we left," said Melody.

"Of course. I know for a fact young Lupin's name is on our roster as a future student. I haven't checked for Liatris yet however."

Melody chuckled, as she still wasn't completely set on Lia attending Hogwarts in the first place. It depended on how things went really.

Both boys were dead set on attending Night Raven once they passed their NEWT's though.

The children were in awe of the castle, Teddy more than Lia. Though there was an awkward conversation between them and Professor Flitwick.

"Mama, goblin," said Lia, tugging at her shirt sleeve.

"Professor Flitwick is not as base as some mere goblin, my cubs. He is a trusted friend," Melody gently corrected.

"It is good to see you again, lady Potter," said Flitwick politely. He looked her in the eye properly, despite the fact the scent of many of his goblin brethren lay thick upon her.

She had openly called him a 'friend', which meant he was safe from any potential threat from her. Besides, he had been one of the few she had practiced her limited skill of the nocturnal fae language, of which she was more fluent than him.

Flitwick could also tell that the youngest of the two boys was half-fae, which could prove problematic later.

Eh, not his problem. He was almost ready to retire anyway.

Preferably before Melody came back with reinforcements against his goblin kinsfolk, who hated him on sight for being successful and free of the gaes that the wizards had put on them to insure they stayed underground. Hell, it infuriated them to no end that he was even permitted a wand!

Lia looked openly interested hearing about Ravenclaw. It gave Flitwick some hope for the future.

~*~*~*~*

It was a great relief to be back home. Lia certainly perked up the second they were past the barrier between realms, and would have bolted for the house if given half the chance.

They all crashed on their beds and resolved to pick up things in the morning.

Baul was there three days later, once alerted to the fact Melody and the children had come home. Fortunately, they had already held a "back to school/going away" party for Sebek, Silver, Malleus and Lilia.

It was shortly after the children went to bed one night that Melody spoke up.

"You don't have to hide it, you know. I'm more surprised Lilia didn't figure it out before he left," she commented.

Baul stiffened slightly, before he relaxed. Mostly at being caught out.

"What gave it away?" he asked.

"I was honestly wondering how long it would take for you and General Lilia to pick up on it," she admitted. "So what gave me away?"

"I was unsure at first, and merely took it for a coincidence. But then you sang the same lullaby Lilia did for Malleus, Silver and Sebek in the old tongue, and I knew for certain," he said calmly.

Melody watched as Baul calmly stood up, and bowed before her in a submissive manner.

"It is good to have you back...Princess Meleanor," he said formally, in the old tongue.

Melody...or rather Meleanor smiled faintly.

"You did well, Sir Baul," said Meleanor fondly. There was an aura around her that had Baul relax completely, though he still stood at attention. Meleanor switched to the human tongue. "Though I will admit, I was a bit surprised to meet your human grandson. He will make a fine knight to Malleus."

"Is lord Raverne..."

"The Dragoneyed Duke did not come with me. He remains in the afterlife...and all memories of that place are automatically wiped the moment I reincarnated," said Meleanor.

"If I may ask, why did you come back?"

"Souls are often reincarnated, though most of the time they are given a clean slate. I however made a point of filing for the honor early and that I be allowed to keep my memories. As for why I came back...I want to correct a mistake I made centuries ago."

"You don't mean Silver..." he started, before she openly glared at him. It was only the fact she did not want to wake the children up that kept her lightning at bay.

"I will not hold the sins of the father against his son. I suffered enough of that nonsense when I was reborn as a human," she snapped at him. "I refer to the fact that I regret not taking Lilia up on his proposal to keep those fools in the senate happy and to shut mother up. I did love Raverne, but ours was a political marriage that never had a chance to develop into a proper one like mother's."

Baul looked relieved, as he had seen Silver grow up and had become fond of the boy...even though Lilia had outright confirmed the child was the son of the Dawn Knight who had killed their princess.

"Do you wish to alert the Queen of the truth?" he asked carefully.

"Not right away," said Meleanor. "Allow me to enjoy this peace while it lasts. If and when Lilia realizes who I am, then you can tell her."

She didn't want to drag Liatris into the headache of being a noble, especially considering the nonsense she had to put up with last time. She would rather he be a child a bit longer before he had to learn how to hold himself as a future Lord.

It was up for debate how Queen Maleficia would react to the fact her daughter had not only reincarnated, but had produced a child with Lilia.

Baul felt relief, having his suspicions confirmed that his beloved Princess was back.

"Coincidentally, would you be willing to start Teddy for training as a potential knight? Lia is still a bit too young, but Teddy is almost old enough to begin."

"Of course, Princess," said Baul.

Baul felt a lightness in his heart, just having the Princess back. A slight mischievous smirk filled his features, as he couldn't wait for Lilia to learn of this new development.

Lilia was very fond of Melody, and had expressed that he planned to properly court her once he graduated Night Raven. He wanted to be present in his son's life, and he found her a delight to be around.

Baul couldn't wait to see his expression when he found out Lady Meleanor had returned to them. It was sure to be quite amusing.

~*~*~*~*

In NRC, Ramshackle Dorm

Yuna looked at the horned figure who had been sneaking around her new dorm. There was something oddly familiar about him, but she couldn't quite pin her finger on it. Then the clouds parted and she got a good look at his deep green eyes and knew.

He reminded her of her savior. The woman who had ended the Blood War and inadvertently rescued her from that horrible manor. The woman she aspired to be like when she was older, or wanted to until that stupid Ministry official had shown up.

It still stung, having her magic bound but at least she had hidden her wand...even if it was useless now. She had only had a single year of magical education before everything went to hell, and now she was in yet another magical school.

"A pity. I was unaware that this domicile was inhabited again."

"Why are you wandering outside the dorm?" asked Yuna.

He had an odd smile.

"I enjoy observing gargoyles, and this area is rather peaceful."

"It's not like my old dorm, I'll give you that," agreed Yuna. "And the gargoyles are pretty impressive, but the ones at my old school were in much better shape. Or at least they were."

Seeing his interest, Yuna found herself regaling what little she remembered of Hogwarts. It wasn't much, since she only spent a year there, but it was the sort of place that stuck with you.

He looked fascinated and held on to every word.

"Would you object to me coming again?"

"I don't mind," she said shyly. "But I have no idea what to call you."

He looked deeply amused by this, for reasons she didn't get. Was he famous or something?

"You may give me a name, Child of Man," he said smiling at her.

Yuna immediately vetoed Draco. She did not want to remember that utter bastard who had been so smug when she was captured, and who had looked terrified when She broke out and caused the distraction that allowed her to escape Malfoy Manor.

"Is Ddraig alright?" she asked.

"Ddraig?" he asked, puzzled.

"It's what the Welsh called dragons. It can also mean 'warrior' or 'leader'," she replied.

He looked even more pleased and amused now.

"Ddraig is an acceptable name. Farewell for now, Child of Man," said the male.

Yuna didn't have the heart to tell him it was also the name of an anime character who was sealed inside a pervert. Best to keep that for herself for now.