Chapter 45
Cauldron ~ Magpie (sent 7.37pm, July 14th 2921)
Good afternoon, Mr Weasley.
Congratulations, a Mastery is no easy feat. You should be proud of yourself.
As a former Professor of yours, I am.
I’ve sent Miss Lavender my congratulations, via her own linked book.
If she wishes you to know what was said, I’m sure she will show you.
I hope that things are progressing well, outside of your professional life?
We have been given chance at a new life, do not forget to live it.
We owe it to the memories of those not with us.
Something I am forced to remind myself of, regularly.
Again, my sincerest congratulations.
Severus
MoP
~~~
July 22nd 2921
Cauldron ~ Magpie (sent 6.27pm, July 22nd 2921)
Mr Weasley
I have just had the misfortune of hosting Albus in the healers hall, as a patient.
Not the most pleasant of experiences, I must say.
But he does say some interesting things under the influence of potions.
Apparently, his lack of effort here, is emanating from his belief that Mr Potter would take up his position in the war, upon Albus’ death.
In blunt terms, he retired and handed the defence of the wizarding world to a teenager and now, he feels that he’s done his time and that as someone else is in charge, it’s no longer his place to make decisions, about anything other than himself.
This comes from a conversation the two of us had, where Albus stated that he would do whatever was asked of him, but it was not his place to order the placement of troops that were not his to control.
I enquired as to whether or not he would have handed control of the Order to Mr Potter and followed any directives that Mr Potter may have given. He responded with a positive answer, stating that ‘of course Mr Potter would be acknowledged as the accepted leader of the Order’. And certainly, he would follow whatever orders Mr Potter gave.
Although, his actual reply, was much more informal. He simply stated, ‘I’d have said something along the lines of – ‘I’ve handed everything over to you, Harry, you’re the one the Order will look to, now. I’ll happily follow you, what would you like me to do?’
I think you can imagine my surprise at hearing that.
However, it certainly supports his actions, or lack thereof, since his arrival here.
I have managed to prompt him into acquiring a tarbûn bead for Scribe. It and potions are all that he can claim, here. I doubt that you would be surprised to know, that he has few skills that are applicable to a muggle world. Possibly he could apply for an administrator's bead, he was Headmaster for a number of decades, after all.
It seems that ram herding is quite suited to our former Headmaster, or at the least, he is quite enjoying the peace the animals bring. I understand that his animal husbandry skills were passed to him by his mother and that it was he, that educated Rubeus Hagrid. Perhaps this explains Hagrid’s penchant for the more dangerous animals. Albus had little fear of practically anything and certainly not an animal, so why should Hagrid be afraid of said animal?
An apt insight into the mindset of Hogwarts’ Keeper of Keys.
I have a professional request to make of you and possibly Miss Lavender.
I would like to commission a set of boxes, that work along the same lines as these books, but are able to send and receive small or shrunken items. I understand the Owl Postal Service had such boxes, but I was not prepared to render payment on one, when the owls at Hogwarts were more than sufficient for my needs. If you could turn your magical inventiveness in that direction, it would be much appreciated. Neither box would have to be very large, perhaps the size of the boxes that you’ve already sent?
It is your choice, of course, and I do not expect this to happen instantly.
I would not expect such an item to be take less than a year to create, but I do hope that you will be able to do so.
My greetings to Miss Lavender.
Severus
MoP
~~~
July 23rd 2921
Frank staggered from the hospital room, into the corridor, his face ashen white, clutching his rather mangled hand. “Ow, ow, ow, ow…” He moaned.
“Frankie?” Sirius leapt to his feet.
“I forgot how bloody strong Alice can be.” The stud manager whined. “She’s crushed my hand, again.”
“Oh, Lord…” Sirius shook his head. “She did that delivering Neville, too, didn’t she?”
“Yes…” The whimper was more pronounced.
“Let me.” Lily emerged from behind him. “Alice is fine, the baby is fine. It’s just Frank that needs treatment.” She pulled her wand and started casting medical charms over Frank’s hand.
“What is it?” Sirius asked. “What did she have?”
“Frank?” Lily was asking if he wished to tell them.
“Another boy.” Frank squawked then sighed as the bones in his hand settled back into their correct positions and the pain dulled to an almost bearable level. “Lawrence, after my grandfather, but we decided to forego middle names, we just can’t see the use for them, here. When he older, he’ll get a Deed Name, I’m sure.”
“And his Hands?” James asked.
“Gideon and Fabian.” Frank smiled in relief as his pain dropped even further.
“Nice…” James nodded.
~~~
September 3rd 2921
“Welcome to the Willow’s September meeting.” Harry perched on the edge of the desk that Isengar used, to take down the minutes at the town meetings. “So, I’m going to give a brief… very brief… rundown on where we’re at as far as the village is concerned. Alright?” There were a collection of agreeing sounds, from various different people. “Great. So…? Obviously, the village is up and running. Our hobbits are in their smials, our dwarves are in their cottages, all bar Master Harden, who has decided to stay in the annex, attached to Fred’s cottage. The Den is complete and taking guests, Sirius has employed a pair of hobbits, Letho and Charity Wattling, Letho will run the ale house and Charity will run the accommodation side of the Den, while he concentrates on the broader management of the businesses and offices. The Dining Room and Tea Room are up and running, people are starting to make bookings which is handy for planning menus. The butcher and baker’s shops are working well, both have taken hobbit apprentices to help ease the load. Squire tells me that the stables are doing well, he’s taken on a dwarf as a stable-hand, young Vrdollen is Master Harden’s grandson, up from Tharbad. He approached Squire and asked for the position, not wanting to return to the Men’s city and is currently living in the blacksmith's cottage, as Fallon asked that he and Denlon be housed further from the public areas of the village. The Store is doing well, better than well, really. Sigi and Violet are still running it, they’re taking Rorimac Brandybuck in, for the present, his parents are having a difficult time with their youngest lad, Dinodas. Something to do with a summer fever.”
There were a smattering of nods at this, hobbits knew that summer fevers were more dangerous with tweens than with younger faunts.
“Anyway, Rori’s going to give them a hand for a while, running errands and doing deliveries, that sort of thing. The Market’s going grand, we’re getting more people coming from out of town, having stalls and we’ve even got a couple taking long-term rentals on the shop-sheds and the odd shop-smial or two. Tonks introduced her first batch of brandy to the Den, I’m told it went well.” He ignored the snorts of amusement. “And her first batch of Fire-whiskey is just about ready for decanting, for sale. I’m kinda looking forward to seeing the reaction of our visiting dwarves, to that.” A ripple of laughter greeted that. “Remus has found himself a pair of hobbit apprentices, brothers Seeto and Marlo Chubb, to help with paper production. Gina and Peony have employed Chalice Goodwin to run the shop where they’re selling their yarn. Willibald says that the mill is running exactly as expected and has taken on Terrivan Littleham to assist him in the day-to-day running and to do the deliveries to the Store. Jonah has likewise taken on an assistant, Chase Manning, and so far, he’s has been a great help. Wilhelm and Cherry Pretlow have approached me, with a letter of intent, to open a pastry shop. I spoke to Stonag and as he doesn’t do much in the way of sweet baking and they won’t be doing much in the way of breads, he sees no reason to deny them. So, if anyone has any objections, please see Isengar. If there’s no objections by the end of the week, I’ll grant their permit to build a second bake-oven behind a shop next to the Post Office.”
There were nods and hums from various people.
“The hospital is doing a fine job of treating those that need it.” Harry went on. “And thanks to Lily and Hildifons, the dispensary is fully stocked and Alice has employed one of Master Oín’s Healer’s Aids, Edris, to run it. Hmm… anyone feel that I’ve left them out? You sure? Everyone seems to be going along quite well. I’ve sent a letter to Thorin, king of the dwarves, I’d like to start offering some self-defence classes for the hobbits and would like his approval, as I plan to teach mostly dwarven techniques. After Dina Palmer’s experience, I feel that it might be a good thing.” Toldy Palmer’s daughter had been the focus of an almost obsessed hobbit down in Deephallow, which was on the Thistle Brook, at the southern end of the Marish, across the river from Breredon and Grindwall. The poor lass had only escaped unmolested because James had taken to following the lass, he’d seen the looks the male hobbit had given her and it had reminded him of looks that some of the Slytherins had given the younger muggleborns, before the muggleborns were assaulted by ‘unknown’ wizards.
Dina nodded and smiled at Harry. She was a pleasant young lass, that was still too young to take up an apprenticeship.
“Anything else? Oh, the Post Office?” Harry saw Filbert Hedger duck into the back of the meeting. “Filbert has started to train young Lena Woods, to staff the Office while he’s out doing deliveries or in the back with the sorting. She’s always got a bright smile to greet whoever drops in. And that’s it. Anyone have anything they need to raise?” He looked around the room, not all that surprised to see shaking heads, most people came straight to him or Isengar if they had an issue, they didn’t wait for the meetings. “No? Excellent. That just leaves… Jonah and Chalice… Congratulations on your marriage. I hope it’s a long and happy one. We’re having a supper for them, as soon as we finish here, so stick around and join the mayhem.”
~~~
November 6th 2921
The first snows were dusting the roofs of the village, when there was a tired tapping on the door of Harry’s locksmithing workshop.
“T-Tarbûnel-e?” The young voice called.
Harry popped up from where he was sitting down, updating his business ledger. “Kalin?”
“M-Master…” The young dwarf staggered as he tried to open the door, clearly exhausted.
“Oh, stars…” Harry leapt up and darted across the workshop, flinging the door open and grabbing at the boy, as he collapsed in Harry’s arms.
“Master…” The boy whispered, again, and his eyes rolled back in his head.
“Crap.” Harry closed his arms around the boy and apparated the two of them straight into the hospital’s Emergency Room. “Alice! Alice!”
“Harry?” Alice entered the room. “What’s… Oh.” She blinked at the sight of Harry with the young dwarf hanging from his arms. “What happened?” She was instantly in medi-witch mode.
“He turned up and called out to me.” Harry answered. “He staggered, then collapsed in my arms. Outside that, I know nothing.”
“Ah.” Alice nodded. “Let me check him out.” She waved her wand over the boy and then flicked it to allow the diagnosis to fill the air. “Oh, good.”
“Good?” Harry asked.
“Yes, he’s just exhausted and cold. A touch of pneumonia, but nothing too serious.” Alice said. “A decent warming charm, a few potions and some sleep and he’ll be fine. If he weren’t physically exhausted, I’d suggest a Pepper-Up, but that would just make his exhaustion all the worse, once it wears off.”
“Does he need to stay here, or can I take him home?” Harry felt protective of the younger boy.
“Might be better to leave him here, for an hour or two.” Alice answered. “Just to make certain. Then, sure, you can take him.”
“Great.” Harry sighed. “I better go and shut the workshop up and sort out a bed for him.”
“You’ve got time, I doubt he’s going to wake for a few hours.” Alice chuckled.
It was nearly nine hours before Kalin opened his eyes, again. He blinked a few times before frowning and looking around wildly, spotting Harry sitting at a desk and writing on a sheet of paper.
“Tarbûnel-e?” Kalin’s voice was rough and cracked.
Harry spun in his seat. “Kalin.” He sighed. “How are you feeling?”
“Cold.” Kalin shuddered. “And my chest hurts.”
“I bet it does.” Harry snorted. “You’ve got a light dose of pneumonia.” He saw fear fill the boy’s eyes. “Don’t panic, you’re almost over it. Another day and you’ll be fine.” Kalin slumped back in relief. “That said, there are a few things we need to discuss before you get out of that bed.”
“Master?” Kalin asked with a frown.
“There’s a lot you don’t know,” Harry replied, “some from before we met and some that’s happened, since I left Barric’s.” Kalin nodded, so Harry continued. “The pouch that I gave you? Do you still have it?”
“Yes, Master.” Kalin croaked.
“The magic on it? That’s mine.” Harry went on. “I cast it, while you were standing in front of my wagon. I was born with magic, the son of two magical people…” He spent an hour giving Kalin a brief summary of his life, not keeping anything out, if Kalin was going to become his apprentice, he needed to know everything, before he made that decision. If he chose against it, then Harry would have Frank, as the only senior Auror they had, bind the knowledge within Kalin’s mind. Not something that Harry wanted to do, if it could be avoided.
“And you’re the Mayor, here?” Kalin asked.
“I am.” Harry nodded.
“I see…” Kalin sighed.
“Kalin?”
“You’re the Mayor.” Kalin answered. “And working as a locksmith, as well as teaching hobbits self-defence. You probably don’t have time to take an apprentice…” He slumped back in the bed.
“Ah.” Harry nodded in understanding. “Our healer says, that you need a couple of months of good food and decent rest, before you can do anything as physical as knife-fighting. And Isengar has agreed to step up as Co-Mayor, for the next two years, before taking over completely. So, no, not right now, but by the time you’re healed, I’ll have time enough to see to giving you the basics. Then we'll get you settled into a trade. Give it a year or two and we’ll be able to concentrate on your apprenticeship a little more.”
Kalin sat up, sharply. “You’d still take me as utrab?”
“I said that I would.” Harry replied. “And I meant it. But only if you can accept that I’m magical. If not? I’ll help you find someone that you can work with.”
“No!” Kalin shook his head. “I want you. I want to learn from you. Please, Master, please?” He almost begged.
“Alright.” Harry held out a hand and pressed Kalin back onto the bed. “Take it easy. If that’s what you want, I’m fine with it.”
“Yes, please.” Kalin nodded.
“Then done.” Harry agreed. “I’ll have Grand Master Harden stand as witness. But… Not until healer Alice says that you can be up and about.”
“Yes, Master.” Kalin sighed in resignation, he hated being inactive.
“So, have a think.” Harry suggested. “Think about what you’d like to do for a living. You need to be independent of me. Financially.”
“Do you want the pouch back?”
“No, that’s yours.” Harry shook his head. “But that little bit of coin won’t last you long. You need an income and that means a trade.”
“Tin-smith.” Kalin said. “There was a Man at Ethring, he tried to teach me how to make metal boxes, but my father wouldn’t hear of it, he wanted me to be a brewer, like him. But I wasn’t going to make ale, just for him to drink it. Especially not, when I knew that he’d only end up hitting me or Ma.”
“Yes, I can understand that.” Harry nodded. “Tin-smith, huh? That’s going to be a challenge, we don’t have one of them. I’ll ask in Bree. We might resort to sending you there for a few days at a time. Hmm… maybe Gorbadoc might have someone down at Brandyhall…” He looked up at the ceiling while he considered what to do, before shaking his head and focusing on the here and now. “Not that it matters, just yet.” He said. “You need to heal before any apprenticing happens.”
“Yes, Master.” Kalin was much happier, knowing that Harry would teach him, he could wait for the healer to release him.
~~~
November 25th 2921
“Alright, Kalin, take a seat, we have things to talk about.” Harry handed the younger dwarf a mug of tea and gestured to the daybed-like sofa.
“Yes, Master.” The boy was quick to sit, calmly looking at Harry and waiting for him to speak.
“Healer Alice has given you a clean slate.” Harry said, after taking a seat in an armchair. “And I’ve spoken to Gorbadoc, the Master of Buckland.”
“Yes, Master.” Kalin nodded, he knew that Harry had gone to see the hobbit, but not what was said.
“We’re in luck.” Harry went on. “Newbury has a tin-smith that is prepared to train you. He’s old. Not for a dwarf, no. But for a hobbit(?), being in his eighties is old. He’ll train you and Saradas Brandybuck. Saradas is about the same age as you and while he technically shouldn’t be entering a trade yet, his younger brother Dinodas has had bad summer fevers this year and now the next youngest brother has come down with a winter fever. Because of this, Gorbadoc and Mirabella have decided that it’s safer for Saradas to be fostered elsewhere. Malbric Gundegast retired from tin-smithing nearly ten years ago. It was to his family, that Gorbadoc was sent when Orgulas came down with summer and winter fevers when they were young and he’s prepared to take both you and Saradas. Not full-time and not at the same time, but Monday to Friday, a week about. The pair of you will alternate, one being with Malbric while the other is up here with us. Saradas will stay with Sigi and Violet, but you’ll be with us, up at my place.”
“Uh… yes, Master…” Kalin’s eyes were wide in surprise.
“I’ve a list from Malbric, of things that you’ll need and where to get them, in Bree.” Harry added. “So, we’ll head there, first thing in the morning and get what you need.” He waited until Kalin nodded before continuing. “Sunday, Sigi will take you down to Malbric’s and bring Saradas back with him. And the same next week, but after that? You’ll be taking yourself. We’ll see that you have a cart, for your pony to pull.”
“Master?”
“Yes?”
“Can I get a different pony?” Kalin asked. “It’s just… I bought her because I didn’t have much choice or much time. But she’s a heavy cart pony, not a light one. Travelling back and forth, between here and Newbury, each week? Wouldn’t it be better to have a lighter pony and a little sulky? It’s not like I have to cart everything I own, with me on each trip.”
“Good point. We’ll talk to Frank in the morning.” Harry nodded. “He’ll know what’s available. We won’t look at sulkies until you have a pony.”
“Yes, Master.”
“I do wish you wouldn’t call me that, all the time.” Harry sighed.
“Yes, Master.” Kalin grinned.
“Brat.” Harry snorted.
~~~
January 3rd 2922
“Evening everyone.” Harry saluted the town meeting with his mug of hot chocolate. “We’ve only got one item on business arising from pervious meetings and that’s an update on the wagoneers that we wanted. I’ve had a letter from a pair of hobbit brothers from Long Cleeve. They’re young, but of age and there’s little chance of advancement for them 'up the Cleeve'. They’re asking for a six-month trial to see if they suit us and we suit them. In their letter, they’ve included references from the Reeve of Yondershire and I’ve spoken with Hildifons, who knows their family reasonably well. Are there any objections to a trial-run? Raise a hand.” No hands rose. “Great. I’ll send them a letter and let them know. We’ve also had a request from Filbert to extend the Post Office. Apparently, the Bounders aren’t too pleased that they’ve been lumped with such a menial task, as delivering mail. Short term, they weren’t too concerned, but they don’t want to do it, long-term, so Filbert’s been asking for those interested in doing rounds between the Pond, Hobbiton, Tuckborough and Brandyhall. I understand that some of our hobbits will know Jass Marcher and Lee Grinsby, they’re both retired bounders with near sixty years’ experience between. They’re proposing a split run, one of them will leave here on a Monday, go to Hobbiton and on to Tuckborough before stopping for the night. The next day, they’ll go across the Hill Country to Stock, then to Brandyhall and Newbury, beofre coming back here. A two day round trip, leaving Monday morning and returning Tuesday evening. The other will do the same trip, leaving here on Thursday and returning on Friday. Each of them will have two ponies, one for the outbound leg and the other for the return leg, alternating each week. This will mean that ponies will stay at the Great Smials’ stables until each driver arrives, the driver will stop there for the night and the next morning change ponies for the return trip. I have a complete and rather detailed proposal, for anyone that wants to read it.”
“What are they asking for, as far as payment is concerned?” Bartleby asked.
Harry consulted his sheet of paper. “A smial between them, a crown a month each, assistance on locating and buying lightweight carts and four Light Cob ponies.” There were a few frowns at that and he held up a hand. “Let me clarify a little. It won’t be just the Pond that will be paying them. Each place they stop, which will be Whitfurrows, Froggmorton, Bywater, Hobbiton, Tuckborough, Stock, Woodhall, Brandyhall and Newbury… All will pay them the same amount. However, the two major stops will be here and Tuckborough, hence both places will house their ponies and we’ll put up the smial, as we’ll be their home base. Same deal, they have to keep going past the year, for it to be signed over to them. The assistance in the finding of carts and ponies, is just that assistance, we’re not buying for them. We’re providing advice and assistance, not gold. In the long run, they’ll come out just ahead of our village employees, but they will be out in the weather, come what may. And at most, they’ll be ahead by a crown a month. Personally, I think they’re going want to up that, but that’s not my call. Contracts will be for an initial trial-run, of six months and new costings can be negotiated once the trial is complete.”
This had many people nodding, that sounded far more reasonable than the first description.
“So, like I said…” Harry went on. “There’s a detailed proposal available for reading, in the Mayor’s office. But I’d like to be able to give them an answer by Friday, coming.”
~~~
February 9th 2922
The Patronus from Alice startled Harry and caused him to drop the key that he was soldering and burn his finger.
“Mayor Harry, your presence is required at the hospital, please.” The squirrel burst in a shower of Patronus-light sparkles.
Harry blinked and sucked on his scorched finger, before he realised where the message had come from. Alice ran the hospital, her calling on Harry, in his position of Mayor? Not good. As his workshop’s doors were already shut, he simply apparated to the hospital’s dedicated apparition point and headed for the emergency room.
“Healer Alice?” Harry called quietly. “You requested I come?”
“Ah, Mayor Harry.” Alice smiled at him. “If you’d join me in my office, please?”
Over her shoulder, Harry could see Denlon and Fallon sitting at a bed. He nodded and followed his former-dormmate’s mother into her little office.
“Healer?” He asked, trying to keep the official tone to the discussion.
“I’ve been asked to explain this to you, as young Denlon doesn’t want to leave the ward.” Alice said. “And Fallon can tell you nothing more than what I already know.”
“Go ahead.” Harry sat on the opposite side of Alice’s desk and waited for her to continue.
“Denlon went out scavenging for fresh greens for the rabbits, something he does a couple of times a week.” Alice started.
“Yes, I’ve seen him, out and about.” Harry nodded.
“Well, he went north-west, towards Girdley Island, this morning.” Alice said. “Left right after morning feedings. Wasn’t quite in sight of the island when he tripped into a snowbank and rolled. When he stood up, he spotted what he thought was a hobbit’s hand, sticking up through the snow. He dug around it and found that it wasn’t a hobbit but a Man’s child. The girl is about eleven years old and… badly abused... Beaten, raped and nearly starved beyond help. She’s in a bad state, Mayor Harry, and she’s latched onto Denlon. I’d guess that their shared experience at the hands of Men, allows them to have a common ground.”
“What do you recommend we do about her?” Harry frowned.
“She said that the Men that had her, were travelling west from Fornost, which I understand to be eighty-odd miles north of Bree.” Alice sighed. “And when they crossed the river, one of them was angry at her and he threw her into the river. And none of the other men tried to retrieve her, so I would guess that they expected her to drown.”
“And why didn’t she?” Harry asked. “So few people here, know how to swim and that’s a long way from here.”
“And she doesn’t either,” Alice agreed, “but as the river washed her away, she bumped into a log and managed to climb onto it. It carried her until Girdley Island, there she lost her hold on it in the rapids. She was flung around and up onto the rocks on the river's east bank. She climbed from the water and started to walk, but the cold was too much and she collapsed. The next thing she knew was that Denlon was carrying her. It took him three hours to get back here, he’d forgotten to take his emergency portkey with him, so was forced to walk back.” She shook her head. “He won’t do it again, I can assure you of that.” Harry bit his lip to avoid smiling at Alice’s disapproving expression. “Anyway, no-one’s looking for her and given her condition and treatment at their hands, I wouldn’t give her back, regardless. I’m going to have to de-age her just to deal with her injuries. I’d like to talk to Lily and Remus… and possibly Snape. She’s not going to get a good go in life, if she’s going to grow into a woman of Men, not here in the Shire.”
“So…?” Harry didn’t follow.
“I’d like to find out if we can merge a de-aging potion and transfiguration and change her into a dwarf or a hobbit.” Alice said.
“What does she think of that?”
“As yet, I’ve said nothing.” Alice shook her head. “Until I know whether it’s even possible? I wasn’t going to say anything. To her or to Denlon and Fallon.”
“Fair call.” Harry nodded. “Ask Lily… and Sirius. Lily was top of their year in charms and Sirius was raised as a Black, who knows what they had in their repertoire and he’s got the Black library, thanks be to Hermione.”
“I have your consent to ask?” Alice asked.
“I would quietly talk with Fallon first.” Harry added. “Tell him that there’s a possibility of healing her, tell him about the de-aging potion but say that you need a little more information before you present it to her and Denlon.”
“Thank you, Mayor Harry.” Alice smiled.
~~~
March 1st 2922
Harry tapped on the front door of Fallon and Denlon’s cottage, almost opposite Fred’s. It took a few seconds before the door opened and Denlon gave him a tentative smile.
“Good afternoon, Denlon.” Harry said quietly. “How goes your day?”
“Good afternoon, Mayor Harry.” Denlon replied. “Tis be quiet, sir.”
“And the little miss?”
Alice, Lily, Sirius, Remus, Tonks and Lavender had spent three furious days scouring through the books that Andromeda and Hermione had sent with Harry, before they’d found a ritual and its potions that would alter the recipient, from one type of being to another. Exactly why, the Blacks had this ritual, was unknown, as was who they had used it on and what they had changed them into. Or from. What was known, was that it had been used successfully... eighty-seven times. The fact that the ritual enabled them to nominate the species by using blood donated by a member of the desired species, had reminded most of the researchers of the Blood Adoption ritual. And like that ritual, this new one made the recipient, a member of a specific family, it made them the offspring of the blood donor.
After discussing the matter with Fallon, Denlon and the girl, Alice and Lily had made the potion and after taking a permanent de-aging potion, the girl was given the potion and put through the ritual. The result was a five-year-old dwarfling, who had told them that she had never known her name and who now got to choose a name for herself. Allie, a combination of Alice and Lily, with a slight tweak in spelling... After the two dwarrowdams that had spent six days over a cauldron brewing a potion, that made both of them violently ill, for a child that no-one knew anything about.
One of the two side-effects of doing the ritual with the de-aging potion still in her system, was that the ritual had altered the potency of the de-aging potion and instead of Allie reverting to her eleven-year-old self, she was permanently de-aged to five and would have to grow up again. The other side-effect was the contamination/corruption of her memory. She remembered Denlon finding her, remembered that he’d saved her, remembered that before he had found her, people had hurt her, but no longer remember how they’d done that, she also remembered that she hadn’t always been a dwarf. A blessing or a curse? Only time would tell.
For now, she was Fallon’s daughter, Denlon’s sister, and she would grow up in as safe an environment as the residents of the Pond could give her.
“Allie’s doing well, sir.” Denlon smiled. “Please, won’t you come in, she’ll be happy to see you.” She only knew Harry as the nice dwarf, that had brought her a tiny version of the Willow, that their village was named after. And that he came with a beautiful white bird that would sit on a little perch and let her pet it.
~~~