A/N Welcome back to the Jennifer Craw version of the Wizarding World! In this fourth book of the Seeker Series, we get a closer look at Lunette Vallid, and her new husband, the Lord Bres, who appeared at the end of the last book! Considering that Lunette Vallid has been in the series since the second book, I had always wanted to do a more Lunette-centric book.. but in the Jennifer Craw series, things tend to happen when they're meant to happen, as I'm sure most of you know by now! If you do happen to be new, the series starts with the Jennifer Craw Series Prologue followed by Jennifer Craw and the Phoenix Wand, a replacement Harry Year Five. If you're looking for a long running in-depth series, I hope you check it out. As for my returning fans, Lunette's got a lot of catching up to do after that five year Rip Van Winkle lag! And I hope you come to enjoy Bres as much as I am enjoying writing about him. Thanks for the reads, supports and reviews! ~Doublequill.

PLEASE NOTE: all solicitations in PMs are blocked immediately.

Jennifer Craw and the Dragonfly's Dilemma

Chapter One

First Impressions

With satchels over their shoulders, two figures in long Elvish cloaks Apparated to the middle of Hogsmeade, immediately aware of the gentle rain keeping everyone off the streets.

"Ah, a village! And what perfect weather for exploring!" Bres said in Delvish.

His native tongue was a familiar offshoot of High Fae, but filled with native words from the dark creatures they had dwelt with thrown in. Or, as his wife Lunette Vallid often joked, they "took the bells out" of the root language and replaced it with bone rattles… but pleasant in its own way when it was spoken with a soft tongue.

Lord Bres was a scholar by nature and always spoke with a soft, thoughtful voice… and yet with a sharp enough wit that he had disarmed Lunette's sometimes taunting, more fiery responses with a single reply. So it happened that Lunette quickly fell for the very Dark Fae that her Grandfather had set her up with for an alliance. In the process, she also got swept up in Tir Na Nog's politics and Fate system, her resistence swallowed whole all for the sake of the tall, regal, and increasingly soggy Lord Bres standing next to her.

"We'd better get you inside," Lunette chuckled at him, his black hair now flat against his head as his sapphire blue eyes gazed at the brightness of the sky despite the clouds.

"I enjoy this," Bres informed her. "It has yet to rain in the Shadowed Lands since the end of Lilith's reign."

"Yes, I know, but I'm a bit worried about you getting your immune system compromised when I haven't got a clue how'd you stand up to the common cold. Come on! Let's go meet up with Albus of the Leaf!" Lunette insisted.

"Yes, of course, Islene," Bres said, intent on following.

But she only took two steps before she stopped short, nearly causing him to bump into her.

"Wow! Look at that!" Lunette said, gaping at the store in front of her. It was so early that it didn't appear to be open. "It's a toy shop!"

"A toy shop?" Bres repeated curiously.

He followed her closer as she inspected the models and selections of summer toys in the window, watching the shadow grow as they approached. Curiously, he tilted his head and watched the shadow tilt its head too, reaching out and touching the glass curiously. It was cold, wet, and hard, and there was something satisfying about touching it. It was like a silver mirror, he mused, except he could see through it.

"Look, the model buildings even have a light set and all of the models have brought out their umbrellas! Quality stuff this…" Lunette said distractedly, then looked up to see what Bres was doing. She broke out in complete laughter, making him blink and look at her fixedly to try to figure out what was so funny this time. "It's glass, Bres."

"Glass?" Bres repeated, admiring it.

"Remember, most people don't have magic in this world; they don't use magic to protect their windows when they're not shuttered. In fact, glass is used for all sorts of things here, especially drinking containers… people don't really use what you'd call a goblet anymore, they use glasses."

"But I thought glasses were those things that Albus of the Leaf wears upon his nose like this," Bres said, pointing to his nose.

"They're used for that too," Lunette said. "Come on…. Ooo a tea room!" Lunette said distractedly, staring at it. "And it's open."

"Tea? Does that mean Albus of the Leaf is in there?" Bres asked.

"Um, no… come on, it's this way," Lunette said, forcing herself to stay focused long enough to lead Bres inside the Three Broomsticks.

It was early enough that very few people were in there at all; only a couple of tables on the balcony where those renting rooms were having breakfast. But everyone paused to peer over the edge, squinting at Bres with suspicion. They were rather surprised when Lunette Vallid, the famous Truth Seeker and Counselor, came in righ next to him. Deciding they were well protected, they went back to their breakfast.

With only a glance to see that no one was tending the bar, Lunette led her husband further in.

"It's back this way… there's a private sitting room below the balcony… yes, that's glass too, come along!" Lunette insisted when he stopped at the bar to admire all of the bottles.

"Do they no longer use barrels for spirits here? We should make these! Is it difficult without magic?" Bres asked as he reluctantly followed her, wishing he had more time to observe things. Bres was also aware that the humans above them were doing a fair share of their own wary observations, because the aura surrounding the strange elf reminded them uncomfortably of Mirage.

Lunette knocked on the wooden door, and Rosmerta, who had been about to go back out on the floor, popped it open quickly.

"Why, it's for you, Albus! Come in, come in!" Rosmerta said, ushering them inside.

"Ah, the newlyweds! You've made it at last, welcome!" Albus said warmly. He stood up with a smile, offering a hand to them.

"It's good to be back for a while! I'd hug you, but it's raining at the moment," Lunette explained with a chuckle.

"So I see! Come in and have some tea and sit by the fire… Lord Bres, you too, please come in."

"What are you?" Bres asked Rosmerta curiously, and Rosmerta quickly shut the door.

"I could ask you the same," Rosmerta retorted.

"Ah, I am a Svartalfar, second son of Kon Rigbarn of the Wasted North," Bres introduced. "In the common tongue, we are often referred to as Delves."

"I am half Danaan, but as far as my guests and everyone outside of this room is concerned, I am one hundred percent human!" Rosmerta informed him firmly.

"Until anyone tries to ask your age," Lunette tittered.

"You have no room to talk!" Rosmerta immediately snapped.

"Now, then, we're all friends here. Bres, my sister is a bit sensitive about her heritage," Albus cautioned.

"Ah! So this is this sister we've heard you speak of! It is an honor indeed to meet you!" Bres said sincerely.

"Hmph. I'll go fetch some tea and scones," Rosmerta said, slipping out the door.

"Here, let's get you settled… why don't you put your satchels and cloaks there to dry, and you can tell me about your first trip through the portal without an escort, Lunette," Albus suggested, pouring them tea.

"It was lonnnng!" Lunette said in such an exaggerated tone that Albus couldn't help but chuckle. "I know, you warned me. I thought with the anchor chain there it'd be easy… except there were points when it felt like I wasn't holding onto anything at all… then I'd come back with my hand gripped so tight around the chain that I was in pain from holding onto it.."

"It was painful to watch her go through that. I never went through such sensations holding onto her," Bres confirmed.

"Ah, that is because she was your guide, and her spirit steadied you and took that burden away. You only had to follow her, whether you could see the chain or not. But she had to make her own path through the resistance… rather like the first person to wade through the snow after several feet had fallen," Albus explained to him.

"My advice is to walk above the snow instead of through it," Bres said. Lunette pondered that while Albus smiled enigmatically.

"I wonder how I can apply that to the Otherworld Portal?" Lunette wondered. "I'll have to think about it on the way back."

"Is this a short trip for you? I shall be going back myself in a month to take the Lupins home, if you would like some company," Albus offered.

"No, but thanks for the offer. We're here for at least a year, and after that… well, hopefully it doesn't take longer, but if it does, we're here as long as it takes," Lunette said. Bres nodded to her encouragingly.

"Oh?" Albus said curiously. "You indicated from your last Teledim that this trip was to expose Bres to a world based on Free Will."

"That was the plan," Lunette agreed dryly. "But the moment that my Grandfather realized we were leaving, he gave me a royal bequest. He gave me a message to deliver to my father… personally."

"Oh, I see!" Albus replied, immediately intrigued. "But I thought you told me you haven't seen him in years…"

"I last saw him in August of '69, where I got him out of a misdemeanor for discharging magic in view of the non-magic public…." Lunette explained. "It was an absurdly easy case, because it happened at Woodstock. I haven't spoken to him since, and I'm sure he's nowhere near New York, since he knows it increases the chances he'll run into me again."

"But I thought you told me you left on good terms, Islene," Bres said, but became distracted when Rosmerta returned with a tray with scones and a fresh pot of tea.

"It's true that we've always been civil to one another, and yes, I've helped him out of a jam once or twice, he's my Father after all," Lunette said. "But since I was the product of a one night encounter, my relationship with him has never grown more than just that… a very distant but civil relationship. Even when we've accidentally run into one another and promised each other to keep in touch, we never have. Frankly, not only do I not know where he is, but I don't really even know if he's still alive or not."

"That does sound like finding him will be a challenge… quite the ironic one, at that," Albus said.

"In what way?" Bres asked curiously.

"Lunette… or Islene as she is called in your land… brought you here so that you could experience what it's like to exist in a world where your choices truly matter… only to have her grandfather send on a quest that she isn't likely to complete unless they're Fated to meet again. Your Father's is Irvonhar, correct?" Albus recalled.

"Actually he goes by Irving now, for obvious reasons," Lunette said. "His last name changes as he changes to fit his age, but the last one I knew him by was Irving Glen. God knows what it is now."

"Is your Father like Bres, then?" Rosmerta asked curiously, handing Bres a plate with a scone. He inspected it curiously before nibbling at it.

"He's a different type of Dark Fae," Lunette said. "My father was one of the Fae condemned during the battles at the time of the Tuatha de Danaan; he's closer to Danaan Fae than anything. The Svartalfar have been a Dark Fae race for so long there are only myths about their origins."

"Ah, I see. A condemned Danaan would probably find it easier to blend in, I take it? Because, no offense meant, Bres, you have quite the alarming aura about you. It's so strong that I wonder if others would notice it, even if they don't have a touch of Fae blood in them like I do," Rosmerta said.

"A touch?" Lunette repeated. Rosmerta waved her off conscientiously and then pointed accusingly at her brother when she noticed him stifling a chuckle. "I don't know how obvious it is either, but I'm hoping that once people start warming up to him, it won't be as much of a problem."

"I am certain that it won't be among your friends, Lunette, but you of all people knows how our society reacts anytime someone strange or different enters the mix," Albus warned.

"Which is why I came straight to you. I wanted Bres to make some friends from the start," Lunette agreed. "I was thinking of hunting down Jennifer next so I can surprise her before she hears the news from anyone else."

"Jennifer and Severus are currently on holiday, as are quite a few other members of the Snape family," Albus replied.

"Are they at Parra? I could go crash in," Lunette suggested wickedly.

"I believe they went without the children this time," Albus warned.

"Fine, I'll send a note first," Lunette promised. "Is Minerva still on this side of the Portal?"

"Yes, she's going back with me next month too," Albus replied. "She's probably going to open the shop in half an hour."

"Oh, good! That's enough time for you to get me caught up on everything I've missed in the last five years!" Lunette said cheerfully.

"Even I don't know all of that," Albus pointed out.

"Ok then, how about the last five months?" Lunette suggested. Albus chuckled and nodded.

Fortunately for Bres and Lunette, the rain had cleared, leaving only drippy awnings and puddles by the time they came out of the pub.

"I can't believe how many shops there are now that weren't here before I left," Lunette said, staring up at the two-story Daily Prophet before going over to the newstand to buy a paper. The teenager there looked more than a bit nervous at Bres, but forced a smile and tried not to stare at him. "Thanks, um…"

"Curt," Curt Darwen said, taking her coins. "Thanks."

"Thanks, Curt! Great summer job you have here! Hufflepuff, I take it?" Lunette asked conversationally, trying to ease his worry.

"Oh um, Dusthorn," Curt said. Lunette did a double-take, studying his expression curiously.

"Really?" Lunette asked in awe.

"Yep. Really a Dusthorn," Curt agreed with an uneasy smile.

"WOW! That is AMAZING! Albus didn't mention that! What else did I miss?" Lunette asked. Curt shrugged, having no idea why the crazy witch he'd never seen before was so loudly excited. "Sorry! So sorry! You know what? Maybe I'll say hi to Ron. No, wait… I'd better not. I wanted to surprise Jennifer," she reminded herself, then ended up bumping into someone who was trying to make his way around him. "Oh, sorry!"

"Terribly sorry," Gilderoy Lockhart repeated on his way to the door.

"Hey, wait! You're Gilderoy Lockhart!" Lunette said, pointing at him accusingly.

"Oh, Counselor Vallid… nice to see you again, but I'm frightfully late for work…"

"You work here?" Lunette asked, confused.

"I was until this morning… hopefully I still am…" Gilderoy said, making his way insight. Curiosity got the better of her and she followed him in, leaving Bres to wonder whether he should follow her or not.

As Bres stood there, he looked over at the boy, who was still trying to size up the creepy stranger without looking as if he was doing it. Gazing at him speculatively, Bres finally decided to speak.

"What is a Dusthorn?" Bres asked.

Lunette peered inside cautiously before following Lockhart at a distance through the corridor and got to the bottom of the stairs just to hear the door to Ron's office pop open.

"Late again! What's your excuse this time, Roy, wet hair?" Ron snapped at Gilderoy.

"If my hair is wet, it is because it's raining, and you told me just yesterday not to return until I had an interview lined up, so I was attempting to do so," Gilderoy replied. "Unfortunately, a great deal of the people I had of personal interest on my list happen to be gone on holiday at the moment… perhaps I could interview Blair Villin about her upcoming garden party?"

"You already interviewed her last week for the last party she had. Can't you come up with something fresh for a change?"

"I did an interview with Harry Potter last week…"

"That interview was as boring as hell."

"I'm sorry, but I believe you only think so because you're friends," Roy suggested.

"It was boring because you didn't want to ask him anything that would put you on his bad side."

"I'm sorry, but I have very few friends, so I do not want to jeopardize that," Roy admitted honestly.

"Then find someone to interview who isn't a friend!" Ron snapped.

Lunette loudly came up the stairs.

"Oh, good morning! Am I interrupting something?" Lunette said, as Roy and Ron turned around in surprise.

"Lunette Vallid! You're back!" Ron said in stunned surprise.

"Yes, I'm back, and I think I'm late for our interview. Isn't that right, Mr. Lockhart? How does the tearoom sound?" Lunette asked.

"Yes! Um… sorry, may I see to that, Mr. Weasley?" Roy asked cordially.

"Fine, but don't be afraid to step on toes. No offense, Lunette," Ron said.

"None taken," Lunette said with amusement, as Ron retreated back to his office. Lunette turned around and worked her way outside with Roy right behind her.

"Thank you for getting me out of that," Roy said sincerely.

"No problem, but I want a two way interview, because I'm dying to know why a best selling author is working as a junior reporter in the first place," Lunette said.

"Bit of a long story. Wouldn't it be easier for you to just read my mind and get it over with?" Roy suggested.

"You're not getting off that easy, " she said, walking over to a dark-haired Fae standing by the newsstand. "Come on, Bres! We're going to have tea." Gilderoy gazed at the tall handsome Delf unsurely.

"But we just had tea with Albus of the Leaf," Bres pointed out. "Do we really need to have tea again?"

"Yes, we're having tea with Mr. Lockhart. He needs an interesting interview to keep his job, so we're going to give him one!" Lunette said.

"I am willing to help, of course, as soon as you explain to me what the job is and what an interesting interview entails," Bres pointed out.

"I have decided to reinvent myself and put my talents to other uses," Roy tried to explain. "Therefore, I am learning how to be a newspaper reporter."

"I see," Bres said thoughtfully, then asked. "What's a newspaper?"

"I'm sorry, who is this?" Roy asked curiously.

"He's your ticket to the front page," Lunette said, opening the door to the tearoom waiting for them to step inside.