Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
The next day was Thursday which Harry knew meant it was the day that the Wizagamot would currently be in session debating on whether or not to agree to the terms Harry had set down. The good thing was that if the vote lost Harry could legally go to the ICW as the British were employing slave trade of another nation. Avalon had been considered a nation in its own right since the slave trade began.
Hence, why Avalon could have their own schools and their own laws despite being in British waters. There were non-humans of many nations whose wizards persecuted anything different had since fled to knowing that Avalon provided sanctuary away from the human menace. Over the years Avalon had become increasingly more multicultural which Harry was very proud of.
Harry was almost certain that the Wizagamot would vote against Harry’s terms as it did not benefit them to lose their slaves. Harry’s visions and own knowledge of humans had showed him that much. It saddened him that the human race behaved as such but after living with the Dursleys it did not surprise Harry at all that humans would behave so despicably.
Harry knew that the Dark wizard slaves feared that the Light Elves would side with the Ministry especially after the deal with the Dark Elves had fallen through so were going to do their absolute best to prevent the Light Elves and Ministry from becoming allies on their Master’s orders. Dumbledore wanted the alliance all for himself so was going to pretend to be supporting the Light elves but would do so in a way which made the Wizarding sheep want to vote against them. Dumbledore was manipulative like that as purposefully placing Harry with abusive relatives had proven.
Still Dumbledore’s people and the Neutrals were difficult to predict as unlike the Death Eaters they weren’t ordered to do anything. They were, however, vulnerable to encouragement and other times downright manipulated by Dumbledore the Master of Manipulation. Still this meant that Harry couldn’t See for absolute certain what they were going to do in the vote just what way they were most likely to vote.
Some Harry knew were being bribed by either Dumbledore or the Death Eaters which meant Harry could predict what they were going to do. Otherwise it depended how good Dumbledore, Fudge and Malfoy were at convincing the Wizagamot that their terms of alliance were unjust. Despite this Harry knew that those who depended on their “house” elves would not allow Harry’s people their freedom because of their own greed and laziness.
Harry sneered at the absolute disgusting, arrogant gall of the wizards to call them house elves like they were no more than dumb house cats. It was further proof that the wizards saw his people as little more than more than domesticated animals. It so angered Harry because he knew that most wizards thought of his captured people as little more than animals.
Harry was just pleased that at least Draugdhuddon had been taken home from the hospital despite still unconscious but at least he’d wake up safe in his old bedroom with his fathers at his side. Hadian and Undion were for the first time in five years together and speaking. Yes they were still hurting but they were healing thanks to Draughuddon being back with them. Harry hoped they could finally mend their broken relationship.
The only reason they were able to take Draughuddon home was because the Dlartanseers had a private healer that had been responsible for Harry’s care after he was rescued from the Dursleys. Harry had a feeling that it was also due to the fact that they needed as many beds as possible for those who had no family. Not that any of the three of them were complaining as it meant his family were all safe in one place for the first time since the wizards had taken his baby brother!
The rituals at the hospital to release the elves from their bindings were still on going. The warriors were dealing with contacting the Clans of their nations. Harry was being given the files of those who were not of their nations whether it was the British Elemental Elves or elves not from Britain or Ireland as he would have to contact the Ruler of those nations as well.
Harry was sorting them into groups of who their leader was. Harry had to begin contacting other monarchs with the names, ages, clans and health status of both those who had been seen to and had yet to be seen. Some had already been released into their clan’s care; depending on when they were scheduled for the ritual to remove their bonds, how bad their mental and physical healthy was, and how far away their family lived for the internationals.
Harry was about to contact the Water Queen when a Dark Elven Warrior strode into Harry’s room confident but not so much as calm as absolutely furious. Harry turned to the dark haired Elven male that Harry had instructed to spy on the Wizengamot hearing. Harry knew that if the Elven Warrior was back a result had been achieved and it was not the one Harry had wanted even if it was the one he had expected.
‘Ixafe,’ Harry greeted. ‘I take it by your presence here that the Wizengamot voted against freeing our people.’
Ixafe scowled heavily, ‘yes, your majesty.’
‘I can’t say I am very surprised,’ Harry said calmly. ‘The wizards have become far too dependent on our enslaved kin. Call my advisors,’ ordered Harry.
‘Yes, your highness,’ the elf said.
Harry made his way down to the council chambers unsurprised that he was the first one to arrive at the meeting. It was unlikely that Ixafe had even made his way to all of the elves personal quarters just yet. Still it was better to be prepared with his files than run late if something happened. Soon all thirty council members were present. Harry could tell that they were waiting with baited breath knowing that Harry had sent offers of alliance to the three human tribes. Knowing that they could get their family and friends back from the human clutches.
‘I am afraid to say that the Ministry has denied our offers of alliance,’ Harry said seriously.
‘Can’t say I’m surprised,’ Lord Stonesailor sneered. ‘We all know how the humans have benefited from our people’s enslavement! I don’t know why you thought they would! Or maybe more accurately is hoped they would. Your parents abandoned us human-spawn.
‘We should have sided with the Dark Lord. At least he returned our people to us. Or is it just your personal feelings against him stopping allying with him. A true King would never let his own personal feelings interfere with the good of his people,’ finished Lord Stonesailor with a nasty smirk.
Harry gritted his teeth against the Dark Elf’s familiar tirade against Harry that had not changed since he was a child. Harry was well aware that Lord Stonesailor saw him as a child of humans despite his heritage due to his upbringing. Iloar had never hidden his feelings to him nor the request that someone more suitable to lead be found than the human childe!
‘You’re talking about allying with the wizard who murdered our uncrowned King you are speaking about,’ the Chieftain of the Avalon warriors growled.
Harry cleared his throat, ‘would you have us swap one slave master for another? The Dark Lord’s terms of agreement were for me to willingly take a slave bond. I hardly need to tell you how bad it would be if I were to become a slave of any wizard especially one as power hungry as Lord Voldemort!’
‘No,’ agreed Headmaster Nallworm. ‘If you were ordered to allow the Death Eaters into our wards to enslave our children and slaughter our people you would have no choice.’
‘The question is not on failed plans but what to do now,’ Harry said gravely. ‘I have no doubt that Dumbledore will not honour our agreement and if he did it would only be in exchange for a very binding vow. That is after all how the Manipulator works.’
‘Then what do you suggest we do?’ asked Lady Tearnest.
Lady Iridokid the Shot Tearnest was one of the most formidable warriors since Harry’s grandfather was born. Specialising in archery and skilled at strategies the Shot was the reason why her clan had sustained the fewest losses since the humans began taking their people. And Harry had heard rumours that Chietain Mailthial wished for her to take after he passed.
‘We wait,’ Harry said seriously.
‘Wait,’ ground out Lord Bloodsinger. ‘That’s all we’ve been doing for four hundred years!’
‘The Ministry of Magic is weaker than it has been in years,’ Harry said in a quiet but carrying voice. ‘The foundations are being crumbled by corruption, bigotry, greed and idiocy. It will only be a matter of years before the Dark Lord takes control of it.
‘Naturally when the suffering of the Wizarding people becomes too much for us to bear we will come to their aid and vanquish the Dark Lord once and for all despite the horrific way the wizards have treated us over the centuries. Naturally as the conquering victors we shall be able to make magical Britain a self-governing state of Avalon. They shall make their own laws and decide their own Ministers.
‘However, I shall be their monarch and as such I will be able to veto laws if needed but I won’t unless it impedes on the freedoms of any race that lives on this earth. The fact that I am their saviour,’ Harry continued hiding his distaste at being their saviour, ‘will help us as I am sure you are well aware of.’
Harry knew that the Wizarding Population viewed Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, as more mythical legendary figure than they did a young Wizard child. Harry Potter had been declared dead several years ago. Yet many people still expected the Boy Who Lived to come and save them in their hour of need as though he was the Muggle's messiah.
‘Yes,’ agreed Lord Lightsky. ‘That they will.’
‘It might just work,’ Chieftain Mailthial eyes glittered.
‘I think we’re forgetting one thing,’ said Lord Nightstar a grave Dark elf well into his thousands. ‘Albus Dumbledore. We all know that he will never suffer Dark creatures to live and will not allow us to control the Wizarding World with a Grey Elf at the helm.’
‘I know,’ agreed Harry quietly. ‘Dumbledore will not survive the war.’
‘Have you Seen that?’ asked Lord Stonesailor doubtfully.
‘Yes,’ Harry responded.
‘And what does the Oracle think?’ asked Stonesailor.
‘The Light Lord shall fall,
‘Before the new era
‘At the hand of the one whom he created,
‘Plans crumbled, manipulations failed,
‘And the manipulator’s death will be the gateway
‘For the Dark Empire to Rise,’
Harry blinked at the words of prophecy that did not surprise Harry at all. Harry had already Seen that Dumbledore would die before the end of the Wizarding civil war where the Ministry would ultimately fall. Albus Dumbledore had after all long been the only one standing between the Ministry and the Dark; with Dumbledore’s death Voldemort would take over.
The only thing that had Harry frowning was what the Oracle meant by “the one whom he created”. The problem was that with Dumbledore’s manipulations there were too many people that could apply to. Harry suspected it was Voldemort because Harry was sure with Voldemort’s hatred of Dumbledore that the old man had more to do with Voldemort’s rise than anyone knew.
‘Yes, I have seen that also,’ Harry said grimly. ‘We all know that Dumbledore is the only one who is holding back the Dark side so when he falls the floodgates shall open allowing the Dark side to take over. Then and only then shall we act to vanquish Lord Voldemort.
‘For now Chieftain Mailthial I want you to continue recruiting and training. I want as many warriors ready to fight when the time comes. As of yet I have no idea when Dumbledore shall fall just that he shall,’ Harry said grimly.
‘Yes, your highness,’ bowed the Chieftain.
‘Mage Stonesailor,’ Harry turned to the Chief Wardmaster. ‘I want you to fortify our cities to make sure that neither Dark nor Light can find us. Never mind get into our cities where they will surely slaughter us all.’
‘Yes, your majesty,’ the wardmaster said bowing his head.
‘I am going to meet with the ambassadors,’ Harry said. ‘I want to arrange a meeting with the Heads of the other races on Thursday the twenty-fourth.’
Thursday was chosen as it was two days after Harry’s meeting with Dumbledore on Tuesday the twenty-second. By that time he would have decided what to do and have his relations with Dumbledore to incorporate into his plans. Plus, Harry knew that many of the Darker creatures would deride the very idea of an alliance with Albus Dumbledore known for his derision of all things of the Dark biased as he was.
Harry dismissed the Council and one hour later Harry was meeting with the ambassadors for the various nations. His meeting was quick and brief. An offer of alliance to be cemented at a meeting on the twenty-fourth of August. Then Harry was finally able to do what he had wanted to do for hours and go to his young Uncle’s bedside. Both Undion and Hadian were already there. In fact Harry didn’t think they had left Draughdhuddon since he had been found.
‘Harry,’ smiled Hadian.
‘Uncles,’ Harry replied. ‘Any news?’ Harry asked nervously.
Hadian sighed tiredly, ‘the broken bones have been healed. However, as Draugh’s bones were broken so many times he’ll be on Bone Strengthening solution as they will be too easily broken from now on. We’re going to have to be gentle with him.’
‘I know,’ Harry said quietly. ‘And the orange paste?’
‘Burn healing paste,’ Hadian said quietly. ‘He could only have bruise balm, scar reducer or burn healing paste. The burns were considered the most important to heal.’
‘Why is he still sleeping?’ asked Harry.
‘He was placed in a healing coma for the rituals and examinations so as not to send him into shock or scare him,’ Undion said tiredly. ‘The potion should be wearing off any time soon.’
‘And then the real challenge begins,’ Harry said darkly.
Harry remembered how scared he had been of everything when he had first come here all those years ago. Paranoid that his new uncles would beat or send Harr back to the Dursleys should he fail his new guardians. Healing Harry physically had been much easier than healing his layers of mental wounds which still showed scars if you looked close enough.
Draugh was sold into slavery at roughly the same age Harry was when he’d been sent to the Dursleys by Albus bloody Dumbledore who seemed to live to make things difficult for Harry. Harry was sure that Draugh would have exactly the same problems as Harry did. Harry knew how heart breaking it would be for his uncles who would have to be strong for Draugh.
‘Yes,’ agreed Undion. ‘How was the council meeting?’
‘The usual,’ Harry replied.
‘Stonesailor causing trouble,’ Undion said.
Harry nodded, ‘I really wish I could get rid of him.’
‘You can’t,’ Undion said sharply. ‘He’s the Head of the Stonesailor clan. Unless he commits a crime then he’ll be there until he either dies or decides to step down.’
‘I know,’ Harry said. ‘Doesn’t stop me wishing.’
‘Can’t say I blame you,’ Undion snorted. ‘Still I hope you didn’t lose your temper.’
Harry scowled, ‘I’m not ten anymore.’
‘I know,’ Undion said quietly. ‘I just worry.’
‘Did they agree with your plan?’ Hadian asked.
‘In the end,’ Harry said.
‘Good,’ Undion said.
‘I just hope it works,’ Harry said quietly.
‘If anyone can do it it’s you Haralith Dlartanseer-Shadowmage,’ smiled Undion.
‘Look what you’ve accomplished already,’ Hadian agreed. ‘And you’ve only been King for a week. Yet you have done more for our kind than your grandfather did in over four hundred years. It is not just us who have regained our child.’
‘I know,’ Harry said.
The three of them were quiet then all thinking, pondering and hoping. Hoping that finally after all these years Harry would win their people’s freedom back. It almost seemed like too big a hope after the centuries of enslavement.
Maybe it was the quietness of the Dlartanseers which allowed them to notice the slightest shift in movement that Draughdhuddon made unconsciously in his sleep. Harry and his Uncle startled suddenly in surprise and anticipation. Draughdhuddon has stirred that meant that the potion had worn off. All they had to do now was wait for Draugh to wake up naturally.
‘We should contact Ahabi,’ Harry said quietly.
‘Yes, of course,’ Hadian said once Harry’s words sunk in.
Immediately Harry’s Uncle summoned the Healer not wanting to wake Draugh before his body was ready to wake. Not a minute later the tall, slender, silvery form of Ahabi Waterosnake the Master of Healing on Avalon and the Dlartanseers private healer. Harry knew that she had been consulting with other healers on the most severe cases from the former enslaved elves.
‘King Haralith, Prince Undion, Prince Hadian,’ greeted the healer with a small bow. ‘How may I help you?’
‘Draughdhuddon just moved,’ Harry informed the Healer.
The Healer approached the sleeping Prince and murmuring words in Archaic Elven. Harry was able to understand what was being said as Undion and his tutors had impressed on him the importance of being understand the Archaic language so that he could formulate his own spells. However, with no healing powers to speak of Harry would never be able to perform the magic Ahabi was.
‘Yes,’ Ahabi said finally. ‘Prince Draughdhuddon appears to be fine. The sleeping potion has worn off and he will awaken soon. Just let him come too naturally. Call me when he begins to wake up I want to give him an examination and once he’s calm I’d suggest getting in contact with a Mind Healer to assess the mental damage done.’
‘Who would you advise?’ asked Undion.
‘Amonhil Undodhen,’ replied the healer. ‘He’s a private Mind Healer from China and very expensive but undoubtedly the best in the world.’
‘Would you mind contacting Healer Undodhen?’ Undion asked.
‘Of course, your majesty,’ Ahabi inclined her head and left.
Less than ten minutes later Draugh stirred again mumbling under his breath and eyelids flickering. His fathers were suddenly at his side wanting him to know that he was not alone. Wanting their son to know that they had never stopped looking for him after he had been taken from them even as they were tearing themselves apart. Meanwhile Harry summoned the Healer back.
The three Dlartanseers by marriage and birth waited with baited breath as the small child stirred restlessly under the covers. The boy let out a quiet whimper blinking up at them with fear in his bright green eyes. Then recognising them tears streamed down the boy’s young face causing Undion to gather the small boy in his arms mindful of his injuries.
It was at this point that Ahabi entered the room to find a sobbing Prince Draughdhuddon Dlartanseer in his father’s arms. Hadian sat beside his husband stroking his son’s dark hair gently murmuring reassurances until the boy calmed down enough for the healer to have a look at the small elven boy. Harry stood awkwardly beside the Healer not sure what to do.
‘Where’s Harry?’ asked Draugh squeakily.
‘I’m here,’ Harry said softly.
‘He saved you,’ murmured Undion.
‘I wasn’t going to lose you,’ Harry said quietly. ‘You’re my uncle-brother.’
‘Healer Waterosnake has to take a look at you,’ Hadian said quietly. ‘Is that okay? We’ll be with you the whole time,’ assured Hadian.
Draugh nodded, ‘will it hurt?’
‘No,’ Ahabi said quietly. ‘I just need to check that you are healing as you are supposed to. Now, can you tell me how you are feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?’
Draugh nodded, ‘all over.’
Ahabi sighed, ‘you do have severe bruising. I’ll have your dose of pain medication upped. Now how much can you remember of the last few days?’
‘Master Malfoy was angry – so angry,’ shuddered Draugh. ‘That he was going to lose his servants. Took it out on us,’ shuddered Draugh. ‘But he was not wanting to disobey his master, he was not. He Who Must Not Be Named had us all together and summoned us to him. Harry be sending us to the Healing Master. Dobby was one of the first in to the special room. I don’t remember anything else.’
Harry nodded eyes tight at the further reminder that Draugh had suffered worse than even Harry had when he had been living with the Dursleys. At least Harry had school and Mrs Figg to hide from the abuse for a few hours of the day. At least Harry knew that when he was sixteen he could leave but Draugh didn’t know if anyone would ever find and save him thinking he would die a slave.
‘That fits with what happened at the meeting,’ Harry agreed.
‘Good,’ Ahabi said. ‘You memory seems to be in working order.’
Ahabi then picked up his medical satchel and took out a stethoscope. The Healer placed it in his ears and listened to Draugh heartbeat. Afterwards he checked his blood pressure and then turned back to Harry’s Uncles.
‘Prince Draugdhuddon’s blood pressure is higher than it should be,’ Ahabi said.
‘What can we do about it?’ asked Undion.
‘It’s likely due to stress after everything Prince Draugdhuddon has been through,’ Ahabi replied. ‘Not unexpected given the circumstances. I’ll have Prince Draugdhuddon on a high fruit and protein diet but low fat and salt diet. If it does not improve over down I’ll put him on potions.’
‘Thank you,’ nodded Undion.
Next Ahabi tested Draugh’s reflexes. Harry expected them to be a little slow having just woken up, still on healing potions and in pain. However, Harry was no healer so he’d wait till Ahabi finished to say so.
‘Reflexes are slower than normal,’ Ahabi said.
‘Is that something we should worry about?’ demanded Undion a growl in his voice.
Harry shook his head, ‘Draugh’s still on strong healing potions and just woken up after being unconscious. It’s to be expected that they are slower than normal.’
‘Quite right, your majesty,’ agreed Ahabi. ‘They may be slower than normal but they are not so below normal that we have to worry about it at the moment. I’ll keep an eye on it and see when Prince Draugdhuddon has been taken off the potions and is healed if physio is needed.’
Undion nodded appeased, ‘thank you, Healer Waterosnake.’
Ahabi removed a bright red potion from within her satchel. Ahabi handed it to the young elven prince who picked it up and downed it without so much as a word or a grimace. The effect of the potion was instantaneous making Draugh fall straight a sleep.
‘This is stronger than the other pain killers,’ Ahabi said quietly, ‘so can only be taken be taken twice a day and will make him sleepy for most of the time. When he is awake he will be drowsy and disorientated so don’t be surprised if he does not make much sense.
‘He may not want to but you must make sure he eats something. He probably won’t be up to a full meal given the malnourishment so it’s best to keep it small and often. I’d suggest something like porridge at first as it’s easy to digest and has plenty of energy. A bit of fruit if he’s feeling up to it. I’m here if you have any questions.’
Ahabi nodded, ‘I’ll leave you to it, your majesties.’
The healer left soon after that leaving the family to repair some of the damage that Draugh being taken from them had done. Harry noticed that even though Draugh was out for the count Hadian would not let go of his hand and Undion stood guard as though he would attack anyone who would dare even think about taking Draugh from them again. Harry smiled softly as he left to take care of his duties which would not abate even for some family time.
Long-time no see but hopefully I’ll write sooner next time even if it is not as fast coming as some of my fics.