Chapter 11
WhiteElfElder- It would be an awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping scene that would be certain. I think even Dumbledore would be speechless at seeing such a display of magic.
- Honestly I wouldn't be surprised. Those caravans will do anything for profit.
Dumbledore
Hogwarts
"I must admit, I did not expect the adoptive mother of Harry to be one of a different race." Said Dumbledore as he looked at Brelyna in fascination while he, Serana, the Dragonborn, and Brelyna were conversing in Dumbledore's office. "Much less someone as beautiful and kind as yourself. Even from a glance, I can see that Harry has had a wonderful adoptive mother. For that I thank you." Upon hearing all that, Brelyna blushed a bit before replying.
"Oh, thank you for your kind words." Said Brelyna, her opinion of the man rising a bit as he gave her a smile. From what she gathered from interacting with this Dumbledore so far, he seemed like a wise and pleasant man to be around. It seemed her worries about him were unfounded after all along with this school of his. While this Hogwarts wasn't as grand as the College back home, she had to admit it came a pretty close second and perhaps there was some bias on her part. "Mr. Dumbledore, if I may be so bold, but can you explain to me how the magical curriculum works in your academy. Much as I prefer that Harry attends the magical school that I also attend, circumstances force him to attend your school. So, if you could explain to me how you operate your school as well as what I should expect from Harry attending this place, it would lessen the worry I have for my adopted son." Dumbledore nodded his head at that, understanding the woman's worry for her son, even more so when he knows the reasons why she was worried.
"Of course." Said Dumbledore before explaining how Hogwart's works as an academy for wizards. "A child that is just starting at Hogwarts will be sortied into one of four houses at the age of eleven, their first year at Hogwarts. From there, they'll be given assigned courses and classes that we believe they can handle at that age without much issue. They'll also be given dorms to stay in during their time here as a means to create bonds and friendships with people of their houses. To socialize with their fellow magical peers." Brelyna hummed when she heard that. That sounded all reasonable and good on paper. Perhaps, aside from this dark wizard that killed Harry's birth parents, his followers, and the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora and his ilk, she didn't have to worry about Harry's wellbeing beyond those threats. Which, admittedly were still quite numerous and powerful, but she was starting to have faith in this Dumbledore's ability to protect Harry. Plus, she can always convince him to let her or any of her friends/allies to help Harry should the need arise.
"That's all good to hear, I suppose." Said Brelyna as she processed the information that Dumbledore gave her. "Is there any danger to the students while attending Hogwarts? Magic is a very dangerous thing after all. Magical feedbacks. The wrong movements when casting spells. Even just trying to cast spells can end fatally for people. You do have measures to protect your students and staff, yes? Especially the younger ones?" Dumbledore nodded his head at Brelyna's questions.
"Of course." Said Dumbledore while making note of what she just said, wondering just how different the magic was to her world when compared to his. "If there weren't ways to help our students should they fail to properly cast a spell or they don't feel safe at all at Hogwarts, then I have no business in running an academic school for children and young adults. Be assured, the teachers here will give their lives if need be in order to ensure the safety of the students of Hogwarts. Some more so than others, but I personally vouch for the integrity of the teachers and staff of my school." Upon hearing that, Brelyna allowed herself to relax a bit.
"That's good to hear." Said Brelyna, pondering in her mind what else she needed to discuss with him to ease her mind. She soon found several. "If its alright with you, can I accompany my son in acquiring his text books for his school year. And, if its okay with you, can I visit him during his time here in Hogwarts? I'll try and schedule things ahead of time so that my visits will not interfere with any curriculum that you have with my son or if its of any inconvenience to anyone. Oh, and if it's no bother, can we set up a possible get-together with other children that are going to Hogwarts at around his age. So that he can have someone that he knows while venturing into a place that is completely foreign to him. Also to help him make some friends that he wasn't able to make back home. Is that all too much to ask?" Dumbledore patiently waited for Brelyna to stop talking before he spoke to her.
"Of course not." Reassured Dumbledore as he looked at the worried mother. "I'll do everything in my power to help both you and your son in the troubling situation that you are both in. I'm sure your friends will do the same, yes?" Both Serana and the Dragonborn nodded in confirmation at Dumbledore's words. "Now, as for Harry making friends in Hogwarts, I believe I have an excellent candidate for that. As for acquiring his school supplies, you can accompany him if you wish. However, in order to avoid raising questions, I recommend disguising yourself amongst the wizarding world. At least until we can officially explain to my people that Harry Potter has been adopted by someone that isn't human. If you forgive me for that." Upon hearing that, Brelyna frowned.
"Is there an issue regarding Harry being adopted by a Dunmer? My name of my people." Asked Brelyna before clarifying what a Dunmer is. She knew that xenophobia and prejudice were still a big issue in Skyrim despite everything that's happened in the last few years. Did this wizarding world also face similar issues?
"Unfortunately yes." Said Dumbledore with a sigh. "While we have magical creatures, many of which are intelligent and capable of communicating with humans, many within the wizarding community look down upon those of other races. The House Elves, in particular, are seen as servants and pets, especially amongst the pureblood families." Upon hearing that, the three guests of Dumbledore scowled or frowned at this information.
"It seems, no matter what, there's always going to be some form of slavery or forced servitude amongst different peoples." Said Serana with a hint of disdain and disgust something that was mimicked in the Dragonborn's face. Brelyna also was in agreement as, despite her people still involved in slavery, she was opposed to it along with her friends.
Even at a young age, she never understood why the Dunmer people partook in slavery, especially on the Argonian people. While her family gladly bought and used slaves, as any powerful family member of House Telvanni would, Brelyna was abhorred at the thought of owning another being. Especially Argonians and Khajits. Perhaps that was part of the reason that her parents were so eager to send her off to Skyrim. To make her realize how inferior the other races, especially the Nords, were to the Dunmer people. How backwards and how superior they were to them. But rather than that happening, Brelyna found comrades and even friends amongst the people of Skyrim, some of which will flabbergast and horrify her parents when they inevitably learn about her friends. The Dragonborn especially.
Speaking of her family, she really should introduce Harry to his extended family on her part. Since adopting Harry, Brelyna was unable to introduce him to her birth family at all for one reason or another. They did knew he exists from her letter and that he was a human and while her parents did express disapproval at her adopting a child, a human one at that, they nevertheless allowed her to continue adopting the boy, especially when Brelyna promised that she will make him a fine addition to House Telvanni. That was about as much as Brelyna expected of her parents. They weren't exactly prejudiced against other people like some Dunmer were in House Telvanni, but they also weren't exactly the big fans of the other races either.
If she had to describe her parents and blood family, she will say that they're the typical noble family in House Telvanni. Eager to maintain and advance their position within Dunmer society and that of the House itself, do anything to achieve those goals, regardless of the methods, uncaring about the other races unless they gain something from them, and, perhaps most importantly and is typical of most members of Telvanni, incredible amounts of magical power and a very healthy amount of arrogance that all Mer had.
Her parents, if they for whatever reason visit her and Harry for whatever reason, they'll likely not think too much about her son, thinking he was just some lowly human that she took pity on that should be grateful of being in the presence of powerful Mer like them. They then will change their tune when they learn that he was seen as a savior of an entire different world and go proceed to harvest whatever good will and opportunity they can garner from the wizarding world, claiming they always knew that there was great potential in Harry and that they were proud of the good nature of their daughter, not to mention how good of a mother and tutor she was towards the child she adopted out of the kindness of her heart. Her parents were very…predictable in that sense.
Her siblings, on the other hand, either won't care or by disgusted with her actions. Her many brothers and sisters varied in their opinions of the other races. Such is the consequence of having a large noble family. Of course disgust and disapproval will be the only things she'll likely expect from her siblings. Just a simple show of either martial or magical prowess and they'll instantly stop whatever grievous or plans they had against her and her son. Instead either being indifferent to her adoption of a human child or supporting it. And people wondered why House Telvanni was seen as the easiest House to garner support from.
"Indeed." Said Dumbledore in agreement. "Unfortunately, its something we all have to deal with. Of course, I will not stop you from interacting with people of the Wizarding World as your true self if you desire it, but I do recommend not doing so for now. For the sake of Harry and yourself." Brelyna sighed at that. Thinking about her options, Brelyna made her decision.
"If that is what you believe, then so be it." Said Brelyna as she looked at Dumbledore with a resigned expression on her face. Both the Dragonborn and Serana didn't express anything to Brelyna's decision, understanding and even agreeing to it. After all, Serana has to constantly disguise herself to mingle with the people of Skyrim beyond her close friends, compatriots, and trusted acquaintances that knew she meant no harm to them. "Do you have a suggestion on how I can disguise myself?"
"Several." Said Dumbledore with a small smile that everyone knew was slightly mischievous in nature. "One of which I can quickly brew for you to consume for the day ahead to garner the school supplies you need for Harry when he starts his first school year at Hogwarts. I warn you though, the method is quite horrible on your taste buds." Upon hearing that, Brelyna frowned a bit.
"Oh joy." Said Brelyna sarcastically before going on to asking Dumbledore what they can purchase first for Harry so he can practice being in the Wizarding World not to mention his idea of him having some friends for Harry so he can get comfortable with people of Dumbledore's world.
Much Later
College of Winterhold
"Well, I can say that went better than I ever expected." Said Brelyna as she sat on her bed in her college dorm room, starring at a sleeping Harry on another bed adjacent to her own. Once he turns ten, he'll get his own dorm room and be able to be taught magic without his mother's supervision constantly. For now, though, he resides in Brelyna's dorm room. "I didn't think that Dumbledore was that nice, but I was thankfully wrong." She then looked at Serana, who came with her to her dorm room while Brand was off tending to other duties in the College. "I know I'm asking too much from you and Brand, but can you accompany me to this Diagon Alley. Dumbledore said that he's having someone he trusts accompanying us to this place, but I feel much better having you around. I could ask Onmund if you're too busy." Serana just scoffed at that.
"Don't think of replacing me with Onmund on this journey." Said Serana sarcastically with her typical smirk. "This whole thing with this Hogwarts and other world has been the most excitement that I had in a long while. Dealing with vampires, bandits, and the occasional dragon gets boring after awhile. Not to mention searching through old Nord tombs. Besides, if there's things that need to be done here, then Brand can find someone else to help him. He's got plenty of friends and companions he can reach out for that aren't me. That is unless I get hit on in this alleyway. In that case, I recommend not bringing me. I'm not…tolerant on that stuff when it isn't Brand doing it." Brelyna sighed at what Serana just said.
"Your sarcasm and joking nature truly is one of a kind." Said Brelyna causing Serana's smirk to widen further. "If you truly desire to help me, then Dumbledore asked us to wait three days before venturing to Diagon Alley. So that he can contact his friend and inform the Wizarding Community that their savior had returned and was adopted by a wonderful woman. *Sighs* I wonder if people of this Wizarding World will accept me."
"If they don't then they better not start antagonizing Harry or you. Otherwise, they'll deal with a very unhappy lizard and vampire. Not including all their friends of course." Said Serana firmly and with a hint of danger as she bared her fangs.
"Of course." Said Brelyna as she thought of what will happen in the next coming days. "I hope that this friend of Dumbledore's will like me and Harry. Not to mention not cause any trouble with the Wizarding World."
"Don't forget that terrible tasting method of disguising yourself that Dumbledore mentioned." Said Serana with a playful smirk on her face. Causing Brelyna to sigh again for the third time within the hour. She really hoped Serana wouldn't mention that.