Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
‘Now may I ask where the Hogwarts elves are?’ demanded the young elven king coolly.
Sirius looked around desperately for signs of the very recognisable Hogwarts crest but to his dismay could find none. Sirius realised with a sinking stomach that for some reason Dumbledore had held out on the elves. Why the hell would Albus Dumbledore ever not free a people who had been enslaved? His bitterness to Dumbledore since the truth about Harry's upbringing had been revealed to Sirius resurged with a vengeance.
Sirius looked desperately at Remus looking for some assurances that not all was as it seemed. Remus had been acting very strangely ever since he had laid eyes on the elven king but Sirius still trusted him to provide a rational explanation for Dumbledore’s apparent betrayal of their new allies. Unfortunately the expression on Remus’ face was that of shock, anger and betrayal.
‘You did not hand over the Hogwarts elves,’ Remus said voice deathly quiet.
Sirius knew that tone all too well which was likely why his heart sank the more for it. Sirius was well aware that Remus never shouted not even when Sirius had used him to get revenge on Snivellus. Instead Remus spoke hardly above a whisper looking completely calm and all the more terrifying for it whilst he was apparently apocalyptic with rage. Sirius suspected it was something Remus had to do to control his inner wolf's rage.
‘Remus,’ Albus said gently. ‘You know full well that the Hogwarts House Elves have far too much information on both me and the students to hand them over. Never mind Hogwarts would cease to function without elves. Our budget does not cover to employ chefs and cleaners.’
‘I am sure there are many magical deficient individuals who would be happy with food and board whilst being paid only tuppence,’ the elven king said calmly. ‘Better than them turning prostitution in Knocturn Alley.’
There were some Wizarding families who sent the child away to either a local Muggle school or a foreign Muggle school. Officially, of course, they claimed that they were being schooled aboard as they thought the foreign curriculum offered more scope than Hogwarts did. The child was never heard of again in that case. Or if they were schooled locally as they grew up they gradually drew away from the magical world they could never be a part of.
However, eighty-seven percent of wizards disowned and abandoned their Squib children either at the age of eleven when they did not get into Hogwarts or at seventeen when they could abandon them as adults. The children would have no birth certificate in the Muggle world nor any idea how to navigate the Muggle world. Hence, the majority of Squibs ended up in Knocturn Alley.
‘Or werewolves,’ Remus added.
‘Wolfsbane is not exactly cheap to acquire,’ Dumbledore said.
‘Only because of the extortionate taxes placed on it,’ Lupin said sharply.
‘Wolfsbane is a slow acting poison,’ the elven king said harshly. ‘It will mean you’ll only live about an eighth your lifespan. A werewolf will naturally live between two hundred and two hundred and fifty years. However, if they will only live thirty years tops of constant Wolfsbane abuse. Even using it irregularly will decrease your life span so that you would be lucky to outlive a non-magical!’
Remus looked horrified, ‘oh Merlin.’
Sirius looked angry, ‘how the hell is this not known!?’
The elf laughed bitterly, ‘you think its not? Do you really think the wizards care that they are slowly killing werewolves as long as they can tell themselves that they are safe at night?’ the dark haired yong man asked to absolute silence from the assembled wizards. ‘Now hhow long have you been taking it?’ the elf asked quietly.
‘I’ve been taking it since Voldemort returned in 1992 so just over three years,’ Lupin admitted.
The King nodded emotionlessly making Sirius worry, ‘it could be worse. As it is we can have the potion completely purged from your system. It won’t heal any damage already done but it will stop any more from being done as you’ve been taking it for only a few years when you were already an adult hopefully it won’t have caused too much damage. However, we won’t know until we get you seen by a qualified healer.’
Sirius could tell that King Haralith Dlartanseer did not considered Wizarding healers at all qualified in treating non-humans. And Sirius could not disagree with Dlartanseer's statements regarding Healer's treatment of non-humans especially werewolves. The Healers normal reaction was after all to dose werewolves with poison. That was not healing. That was killing!
‘Afterward I’d like to get you to meet with a Pack to help to teach you what a werewolf is supposed to be!’ Haralith said. ‘Not what the wizards or the mutts,’ the King sneered, ‘say they are.’
‘Mutts?’ asked Dumbledore.
The King sneered sneered, ‘werewolves who break The Law attacking not for defence or food but for pleasure. Those who attack children or the vulnerable.’ Harry sighed, ‘a child should never ever be bitten even if they survive the horrific first transformation. Most children don’t – you must be very strong.
‘As soon as it became clear that Alpha Greyback was breaking The Law the High Alpha of the British Isles made it clear that he was exiled and if he should ever return to werewolf soil he would be executed at the next Alpha Meet. We have been trying to find those victims he has turned and re-educate them for fifty years. You are welcome to come back with us to get both treatment and help accepting the wolf. Your mate and packmate will of course be welcome of course.’
‘We will?’ asked Sirius surprised.
‘Of course you think there are only werewolves in packs?’ demanded the King. ‘Not only are there the non-werewolf mates of werewolves. There are also the non-werewolves brothers and sisters of werewolves in blood and soul.
‘So long as there is a packbond and they will agree to submit to the Alpha’s leadership that is accepted. The latter part is especially important as many non-packed werewolves will have found their own pack in the family in friends around them which will often as not include the one they see as Alphas. To stop the alpha being forced to asserting dominance over the so called Alpha they have to state in words that they will submit to the Alpha’s leadership within the pack.
‘That is not to say that pack members cannot object or offer advice but it will at the end of the day be the Alpha’s choice. However, any good leader will listen to the advice from their people. No matter if they have their own plan or not.’
‘Yes I’ll come,’ Remus said.
Sirius was surprised that Remus was so eager to go to visit the packs. Sirius had not seen his friend so eager to do anything since the werewolf had given up on any of the so called leads to where Harry had vanished to being real. Sirius knew for a fact that Remus had never shown much interest in the werewolves before. Maybe that was because the only ones he’d associated with before were Greyback’s pack.
‘So will I,’ Sirius said.
‘As will I,’ agreed Tonks.
Haralith smiled, ‘I am glad. Now were where we. Ah yes you were offering your excuses to the continued slavery of my people.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Dumbledore reluctantly.
‘Then that means that the Leader of the Order of the Phoenix was responsible for conspiring to hide the continued slavery of the Elven people,’ the Elven King said coolly. ‘Thus, you did not inform me of the continued slavery of my people and when you planned to deliver them to me with their memories altered. Since it is stated in the contract that should the Leader of the Order of the Phoenix hiding the fact that they or others in their employ still have house elves in their employ then the alliance would be over. Thus, the alliance is over.’
Dumbledore scowled for a second, ‘if that is truly what you want?’
‘It is,’ King Dlartanseer said sharply.
‘Lord Dumbledore is henceforce evicted from the wards,’ Fleur’s grandmother said suddenly.
Dumbledore was suddenly thrown backwards through the wards back onto the Rowena which he had arrived on which was moored just outside the wards. Sirius for one was not at all surprised that the Veela had sided with the elves. From what Sirius had gathered from Fleur was that the elves and veela were long standing allies and from what Fleur had said about Haralith Dlartanseer the two non-humans were the best of friends.
‘Warrior Moody I trust you will inform the Order of the reason why the alliance has fallen through should the truth not be brought to light naturally,’ Dlartanseer said kindly.
Moody nodded once, ‘I will. Dlartanseer said kindly. Dumbledore should not have attempted to deceive you,’ Moody said gruffly.
‘No he should not have,’ agreed Dlartanseer coolly.
Moody then chuckled, ‘you knew that Dumbledore would not hand over the Hogwarts elves.’
‘I suspected it,’ admitted the elf.
‘And yet you met with us anyway,’ Moody said sounding grudgingly impressed. ‘And threw in a backdoor to the alliance whilst freeing your people.’
‘Oh,’ murmured Remus.
‘Yes,’ agreed Dlartanseer. ‘My duty is to my people – not to the humans that enslave us. No matter if I do not like leaving you to a Dark Lord.’
Moody nodded, ‘it’s a great shame that Dumbledore ruined any chance of an alliance. We could do with people like you.’
He nodded at the werewolf, the Animagus and the metamorphagus once. Before striding out a grim scowl making the old man look even uglier than normal. His false leg clanking heavily on the stone floor as he left. Sirius shook his head in disbelief. All those months trying to win the Auror Captain’s approval and all he had to do was act like a Slytherin!
‘I would like to invite you all to my palace where I will arrange a meeting with High Alpha Darkback,’ the King said.
‘And we can talk?’ asked Remus in a somewhat hopeful voice.
‘Yes I will explain everything,’ the King said.
The three of them followed Fleur, the young King, the elven warrior and the elven Lord to the edge of the Du Luc palace wards. Fleur and Dlartanseer parted company with a hug. Sirius was sure that the elf had said something to the Veela but had no idea what. Sirius had the idea Remus knew but whatever it was he was not saying. It seemed to Sirius that he was missing something huge.
‘Is Baron Nallworm not coming with us?’ questioned Tonks.
‘He will make his own way home,’ the King said simply.
‘So you and Fleur?’ asked Remus in a voice full of curiosity.
King Dlartanseer laughed, ‘oh gods no Fleur’s my best friend – like a sister to me but no more. Anyway the carriage we came in has gone – transported the enslaved back to Avalon. We are going to Apparate to the port where we’ll get a boat to Avalon.’
Sirius noticed that the elf did not name the port or tell them where it was. Not that either Remus nor Tonks asked and Sirius was quick to follow suit. Sirius understood that the elf did not want unexpected human guests showing up at their doors if he revealed to the three of them how to get across the sea to Avalon. He may want to get Remus help but that was as far as it went.
‘Alright,’ Remus nodded.
‘Stand there,’ instructed the elf.
Haralith began to drag his staff across the wet stand they were standing on. Sirius knew he was drawing runes that would be swept away with the tide that was still hours out. The elf began chanting words in a haunting song that Sirius did not understand but knew was an ancient language of power. Far older than the Latin spells which were almost exclusively used in Britain.
Then there was a flash and they were standing in a small natural inland harbour with trees sheltering it from both the elements and any unwanted viewers. It was slightly darker and colder here which implied they were back in Britain but other than that Sirius had no idea where they were. The was a harbour filled with boats of all sizes, eras and styles from tiny modern sail boats to ancient warships.
There were no humans present at the port Sirius could see straight away. Instead there was a host of creatures of all origins. Remus’ mouth fell open longing on his face as he looked around at his people. Remus with his amber eyes, Tonks with her tomato red hair and the elves with their pointed ears and slanted eyes. Sirius, on the other hand, was as human as they came.
The warrior elf said something in another language Sirius did not understand. Sirius could tell it was different from the language that had brought them here. It still had the musical quality to it but it did not scream with the ancient power that Dlartanseer's previous words had done so. Sirius for one was glad of that because that magic was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
The Elven King responded quickly causing the Elven Lord to quietly speak what seemed to be words of advice. The Elven king shook his head and gave a small statement. The three elves blinked rapidly which Sirius took as shock or what amounted to shock in these almost emotionless individuals and the Elven Lord queried whatever his King had proclaimed. The King gave what seemed to be a very long story but Sirius could naturally not make head or tail of it. By the end of it the other three elves seemed appeased.
‘What was that about?’ demanded Sirius.
‘I was just assuring them that you would not harm nor betray us,’ the Elven King said simply.
‘We won’t,’ Sirius promised.
‘Of course not,’ Remus said sounding once more like he wanted to say more.
‘I know,’ the young King said softly. ‘Follow me.’
‘And this is where we part ways,’ Lord Lightsky said.
‘I shall see you on Thursday,’ the Elven King gave a tip of his head.
Sirius did not have a chance to say anything before the elf was walking off in the direction of the harbour. They found a majestic ship made of a wood so white that it shone silver in the half-light. There were several sails in the same blue from his pictures in the Daily prophet. All adorned with a crest of a golden stag head in the centre of a leafy laurel. On the side written in bright gold was the name Queen Rainraniel.
‘My great, great Grandmother,’ explained the elf.
As Dlartanseer approached he said a word in the wonderful-terrible language which caused the gangplank to lower itself to their level. The five of them entered the ship and pretty much as soon as they were aboard the ship began to move. Sirius went to watch as the British coastline quickly fell away. About an hour later and another coastline could be seen coming into view.
‘Avalon,’ smiled the elf. ‘There will be a carriage to take us home.’
Indeed once they got off of the boat a round silvery blue carriage topped with gold appeared at the bottom of the gangway. It was being pulled by four majestic looking pure white horses. There was an elf at the front keeping control of their reigns but unlike in the Wizarding World he did not have a whip in his hands. Sirius could not help but gaze out of the window as the scenery flashed past him. It was beautiful so very different from anything in either the Wizarding or the Muggle world. There were creatures abundant here and unlike in the Wizarding World they did not hide what they were.
‘Look,’ breathed Tonks.
Sirius’ cousin hadn’t really needed to say anything for Sirius' attention to be drawn although Sirius thought Tonks was speaking more to herself than them. Across a lake of crystal clear blue water was a many towered palace made of pure white stones that seemed to reflect dirt. Each of the towers was topped with a bright gold dome that shone like many suns.
The carriage travelled over a small bridge which seemed to be made of many living tree roots and branches coming together to form a solid structure. It should have been impossible even with magic. Or at least Sirius had never heard of magic like this before. But then again Sirius had never heard of magic that used runes to transport them through countries even with Apparation you could not Apparate through Border Wards.
When they got out of the carriage the elven warrior bowed lowly to King Dlartanseer said something in what Sirius was beginning to call in his head at least elvish. The Elven King responded in kind sounding very accepting of the whatever it was the warrior had said. The warrior marched off in the direction of a grey building which seemed to be the barracks.
‘Have cook send up refreshments up to the second drawing room,’ the King instructed a young girl with cat like ears and eyes.
‘Yes, your majesty,’ the girl bowed lowly.
They entered a room with a beautiful grey slate floor which was all covered with a royal blue rug that Sirius half sank into as he walked across the room. There was a brilliant white cotton three piece sofa set. In the middle was a glass coffee table with the stag crest engraved into the middle of it. Dlartanseer took the armchair whilst the three of them took the three seater.
‘Now I will tell you my story,’ the King said quietly. ‘As I explained to the Prophet after the slave trade began the Dark and Light elves began warring with one another. It reached its peak around forty years ago. At which point both King Dosnibion Dlartanseer and King Arhir Shadowmage had infant children – Jameion Dlartanseer and Lili Shadowmage.’
‘To protect their Heirs from each other they both sought to hide their child in the human worlds under human names with their elven magic bound and under the strongest of all glamours. Anyone who met them would have found it impossible to believe they were anything but human. Jameion and Lili certainly thought they were for the first fifteen years of their lives.
‘Jameion was sent to live with his father’s distant wizarding cousins – the descents of a union between an elf and a human. They had been unable to have children themselves so doted on their adopted son. No one would have ever guessed Jameion was anything but their son. Those few who realised that his mother had not been hiding the pregnancy believed Jameion to be the product of an affair likely to gain an Heir. Jameion’s human father after all was after all the last of his line. It would be expected of him to continue his line even if his wife was barren.’
Sirius started at the back story to the elf that Sirius presumed was King Haralith Dlartanseer’s father. It sound very familiar to Sirius but took a moment to place where he had heard the story. It sounded very similar to the rumours about James' birth that his mother gleefully recounted. And the name Jameion was very similar to the English name James. Hell Lili – the Shadowmage Heiress was almost identical to Lily’s first name.
‘That sound like James,’ murmured Sirius.
‘Yes,’ the elven King said calmly. ‘The Wizarding family to take Jameion in were the Potters so Jameion Dlartanseer became James Potter.’
‘That means,’ whispered Sirius. ‘You’re Harry!’
‘He is,’ Remus said excitedly jubilant. ‘He smells like Harry and he’s pack.’
Tonks laughed, ‘Harry Potter and Haralith Dlartanseer are the same person! Wait until Dumbledore and the Ministry realise they ruined an alliance with Harry Potter.’
Harry’s eyes twinkled, ‘they’ll find out soon enough.’
Sirius had seen that look many times before on James’ face just before he pulled off a prank that should have been humanly impossible although apparently not elvishly impossible. How had he not seen it before? Yes today was the first time he had met the young man. However, the King looked like James under all the elven features. Was that how James looked under his glamours? And those eyes were identical to Lily’s!
Harry was alive!
‘How?’ whispered Sirius unsure whether to laugh, cry, sing or all three.
‘Let me finish the story,’ Harry said. ‘A few months beforehand Arhir had done exactly the same. In the times they lived in it would have been too dangerous for Arhir to hand his daughter over to human relatives. Light or Neutral families would never consent to raise a Dark creature and would either kill her or hand her over to DCRMC. And Dark families would seek to use Lili’s power for herself. Likely either way Lili would end up a slave.
‘However, the elven world was still too dangerous for Lili as the Light elves got ever closer to the Dark Castle. Instead Arhir sent her to live with a kind Muggle family. The whole town’s memories altered to remember a second daughter of this Muggle family. Arhir made sure that there would be a nonbiased wizard family to guide the so called Muggleborn.’
‘Snivellus,’ sneered Sirius.
‘Sirius,’ hissed Remus.
‘Yes Severus Snape a half-blood who would be a friend and guide both to the young Dark Princess. Both Light Elf and Dark Elf were raised well by their human families neither ever feeling unloved,’ the King’s voice took on a wistful tone.
‘Unlike you,’ Tonks said softly.
‘Indeed,’ the elven King said crisply.
Sirius remembered finding out that Harry had been horrifically abused by the Dursleys. How angry Sirius had been at Dumbledore, Remus – everyone who had professed to care for the Potters but had abandoned Harry. His refusal to believe that Harry was dead despite all the evidence to contrary. How guilty Sirius had been at the fact that he had not been there for Harry when he had needed his godfather. But he had a second chance now. Harry may have grown up and have a whole nation at his beck and call but Sirius would be there for his godson no matter what!
‘Neither knew that their biological parents would die in a bloody battle at one another’s hands when they were just four years old,’ sighed Harry. ‘The war simmered down to a cold war as no new King or Queen could be crowned whilst the Prince and Princess survived. The Regents did not have the power to change laws or create treaties. Just to keep the gold flowing and keep the peace. If my parents had abdicated then the regents would be able to be crowned.
‘On the Light Elven side it was my great Uncle who assumed regency. He never stopped looking for his nephew but to no avail. On the dark side it was Lord Stonesailor my father’s second cousin once removed who enjoyed his power far too much and only made it look like he was looking for my mother. Ever since I was found he has made it clear that he thinks he would make a far better ruler than I.’
‘Does he have any support?’ asked Remus frowning.
‘Yes,’ agreed Harry, ‘but luckily for me magic has appointed me the Dark King. Unless I abdicate he has no grounds to claim my kingdom. And I shall not abdicate until the time comes to hand over the reins to my children. Anyway enough of politics. My parents began Hogwarts together both sorted into the same house as you well know. They excelled because even with their elven magic bound they were still far more powerful than a wizard could ever hope to be.
‘At the age of fifteen their inheritance hit causing the bounds placed on them to shatter as their fathers’ had planned. Both of their true birthdays fell a few weeks before their official birthdays which are in actual fact the days of their adoption. Lili’s true birthday fell on the holidays which meant that she was at home when her inheritance hit. Meanwhile Jameion was pulled out of a school a few days before his birthday. It was at this point he found out the truth of his heritage.
‘Both of them despite being born elves had been raised humans. It was them that they were loyal to. Yes, they felt for the elves plight but they were more concerned with the war brewing in the Wizarding World so they rebound their elvish sides and returned to Hogwarts. Not even their closest friends’ knew the truth of what had happened. They did plan after the war was over to return to their Kingdoms and fight for their people.
‘After both had come of age they sensed that they were mates. Something that made Jameion very happy as he had harboured a crush on the Muggleborn since they had met. Lili, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with Jameion. Her stubbornness lasted a year before they began courting and another year until they mated at the age of seventeen.
‘After they graduated Hogwarts they unbound their magic as they needed to be as strong as possible to defeat the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. They fought inhumanly with a power that few humans could match even if they were not trained to use their elvish magic. Their skill and power gained them notice by both the Leader of the Light and the Dark. The Dark Lord quickly began to hunt them without for a multitude of reasons.’
‘The prophecy,’ murmured Remus.
‘Indeed,’ Harry said anger simmering in the air.
‘Eventually Wormtail betrayed them and the Dark Lord tracked us down to our home in Godric’s Hollow. My mother being Dark by nature even if she sided with the Light performed an ancient Dark ritual. Wherein after two willing sacrifices died upon the runes the one at the centre would be unable to be harmed by the one who had taken the sacrifices lives,’ Harry said gravely. ‘Thus when the Dark Lord attempted to kill me I survived and the spell backfired on him.’
‘Dumbledore told us that you survived because of your mother’s love for you!’ Sirius said angrily.
‘Technically he was right,’ Harry said calmly. ‘After all it does take astonishing love to be willing to sacrifice your own life for another!’
‘He still lied to us,’ growled Remus.
‘Of course he did,’ Harry said amused. ‘Dumbledore hates all things Dark and believes that Dark is equivalent to evil. I am not evil, nor is Remus and I do not believe my mother was but both Remus and my mother are Dark and I am Grey. If it came to light that parents were able to protect their children from death with a Dark ritual it would prove that not all Dark magic is evil as Dumbledore proclaims.
‘Anyway we all know what happens next,’ Harry said a bitter sadness in his voice.
Sirius tried not to think of what had happened next but he knew that this was Harry's story. The young, happy family was destroyed by betrayal and murder when their friend had led Voldemort to Godric's Hollow. James and Lily had been murdered before Harry's very eyes. Voldemort had attempted to kill Harry but had somehow inexplicably failed. Sirius could still remember the horrific scene he had found as though it had been yesterday.
‘Dumbledore bound the Dark side of my magic and sent me to live with my mother’s adoptive sister and her husband. They hated and feared me because of the magic I possessed. I spent the next six years of my life being abused by the man and woman I believed were my Aunt and Uncle whilst I watched their son be doted on and given whatever he wanted.
‘Until my Aunt, Uncle and cousin went to a barbeque lunch with my Uncle’s work. Petunia could not find anyone to take care of me for the day and Vernon did not trust me not to blow up the car if I was left there on my own but nor did they want me to ruin the day. Or that’s what they said at least. I now realise that they would be more concerned at what have happened had one of Vernon’s business colleagues seen the bruises and asked uncomfortable questions.
‘Thus, I was told to clear out for the day and return at dusk. They expected me to stay close to the car but I got hungry so I went looking for food to scrounge off someone or the other. I hoped there would be berries or a bin full of left overs. It would hardly be the first time I had gone raking through bins for food,’ Harry said coldly. ‘However, unknown to me there was a Dark Elven clan hidden behind wards that prevented any non-elf from crossing over the wards. I just happened across the wards unknowing they were even there. I have to say I gave them quite a fright thinking there was something wrong with the wards.
‘After their wardmasters confirmed there was nothing wrong with the wards they came to the conclusion I must have elvish blood in me. They assumed that I was a half-elf who still had enough elvish blood to let me through but enough human blood to look human. Knowing that I was being abused the Clan Head performed a blood test to find out what clan I belonged to and who my elvish parent was.
‘I don’t think anyone guessed that I would be the Heir of both the Dark and Light Kingships. That I was the lost Prince and Princess’ son and heir. So they contacted my Uncles who were recorded as the closest blood relative who quickly adopted me,’ Harry finished. ‘It was my Uncle Undion who named me Haralith – apparently you can’t have the next King being called King Harry – much too human,’ chuckled Harry. ‘Now I am going to called High Alpha Darkback please help yourself to the refreshments.’
Elvish magic is different from wizard magic. Elvish magic is called on by Ancient Elvish. Elves converse with one another in Common Elvish.