Two weeks had passed since the troll incident, and Anima Mea, along with the other students who chose to continue studying under Elijah, had shown incredible progress, not only in Magical Theory, but in their other subjects as well. They'd shown such promise, Elijah had several people pleading to be let back into Magical Theory. The only exceptions were almost all of the Slytherin students, seeing no point in training physically when their 'blood purity' would be the deciding factor in any altercation. Anima Mea had also shown slow progress in their 'Mental Enhancements' as Hermione had coined their current lessons. While everyone had shown to just be able to send a small flow of magic into their brains, Harry was having the most difficulties.
As Hermione had stated, he was having a harder time trying to concentrate magic to his brain than anyone. His mind kept getting side tracked by his anger at himself. He'd allowed himself to be cornered by the trolls and had been backed into a literal corner, needing to be saved by his mother. A month earlier, he'd failed to do anything to save Padma himself and had to be saved by Elijah. Harry had been raised to be strong willed, independent, and capable of defending his family when the time arrives. Having been saved by first his mentor, then his mother a month later, was having a substantial effect on his training and thinking.
It was because of his frustrations that he couldn't even focus on his mental enhancement training. 'I won't be helpless again. I need to fight my own battles. I can't be saved every time. I need to get stronger.' As Harry failed at channeling magic into his brain for a fifth time, he growled in anger and stormed away, leaving the girls staring after him, worried.
"What's wrong with Harry," asked Tracey.
"I don't know," said Susan. "He's been like this since the troll incident."
"I think I have an idea," said Daphne. "You guys keep training, I'll talk to him." The girls wished her luck and she followed their bond mate. She found Harry sending blasts of magic at the lake in anger. She stood there, waiting for him to calm down before even attempting to talk to him. "This is about the trolls, isn't it?" she asked as he slid to the ground, breathing heavily. She sat next to him and they sat in silence for a few minutes. "You're upset because you needed to be saved by someone, aren't you?"
"I need to be able to fight my own battles."
"Harry, you're only 11. Even with Soul Magic being taught to us at a young age, we can't imagine taking on just one troll, let alone two. There are some fights we can't fight alone."
"And yet, I know I'll have to someday. Voldemort attacked my family and tried to kill me as a baby. When he failed, and the curse rebounded, he most likely put all blame on me. He'll come after me, either directly or through Mum, or all of you. I need to…"
"You don't need to do anything other than be a student, an 11-year-old boy, just like we have to be 11-year-old girls. Yes, we've been training with Soul Magic, but it's because Elijah felt he needed to train us because Fate demanded it. When it became clear that we'd need to defend ourselves after the remnants attacked you and Lily, Elijah gave us all a basic crash course in shield conjuring and basic bursts of magic to hold someone off long enough for either him or Lily to help.
"It's only been in the last few years that we've learned enhancements, we don't know how to utilize Soul Magic on a fully offensive style. We may, may, have an advantage in tripping up our opponents, but we don't know the full extant of our power yet. We're only kids, we can't be taking on dangerous situations alone. Despite our training, we're not soldiers, not like Elijah."
"Daphne, if something happens to any of you…" Daphne interrupted him by kissing him, stopping anything he was about to say. Their souls linked, for the first time in their lives. The first stage of their bond had been established, and the girls could feel something shift with their souls slightly. A dim silver light surrounded Harry and Daphne as they sat there, lips still connected. The light faded as they pulled apart from each other, reluctantly.
"We can handle ourselves. We're only kids, but once we grow older, there's no one that can beat us. You don't need to be a fighter right now, you just need to be Harry Potter, student of Hogwarts, and apprentice Soul Mage." She took his hand in hers and they sat there, watching the calm water of the lake in front of them.
"Hey!" shouted Tracey behind them. "Harry done brooding?!"
"I wasn't brooding! Elijah broods! I vent!"
"I heard that!" said Elijah from the other side of the hill Tracey was on.
"You were supposed to," shouted Daphne with a smile. Tracey rolled her eyes and beckoned them back to the group. It was when they stood up that they noticed a change in each other. Daphne's normal colored eye was now ringed with silver and Harry's right eye was ringed an interesting mix of her eye color and his original eye color.
"Whoa…" they said to each other. They smiled and rejoined the others. When Elijah saw them, he was the only one to notice a slight change between the two. He used Soul Sight and looked at them both. He saw their souls were now linked, it wasn't initially noticeable, much like the magic going to Hermione's mind while reading, but it was only the beginning of something few people, even members of his own family of Soul Mages, ever experienced.
'One link started, 5 to go. Maybe 6 if I've noticed things correctly about Harry.' "Alright, Anima Mea! We've got a new admittance into the House, after constant prattling and complaining, and tripping over herself…"
"Hey!" shouted a familiar voice behind the Anima Mea cabin. Harry and the girls grinned as they realized what was happening.
"I'm happy to welcome Nymphadora 'Don't call me Nymphadora' Tonks to Anima Mea." Tonks stomped over, trying to look intimidating to Elijah, only to stumble as she tripped on a rock. "And that's 3 seconds. Dammit Tonks, now I owe Lily a drink."
"You made a bet on me?!"
"No, we made a bet on how long you could go without your abilities affecting your coordination. I bet a minute, Lily bet 3 seconds." Tonks' hair turned pink in embarrassment as the others stifled their laughter.
"Professor," said Padma.
"Yes?"
"Has N…" she stopped herself as she caught the groups warning gestures about Tonks' first name. "I mean, has Tonks learned Soul Magic?"
"No, she hasn't, despite my claims that it would help with her coordination."
"I still don't believe you."
"Well you should, especially now. We've just learned a new trick regarding enhancements."
"What trick?"
"Mental Enhancement," said Hermione with a smile. "It's what I was doing while I was reading. My autopilot was me instinctively channeling magic into my brain."
"And this helps me how?"
"Well," said Isabel, tinkering with a sparking invention. "Increased brain power means better reaction speed, better coordination, despite metamorphmagus abilities, better thinking and problem solving and can give you better control over your abilities as well. No more hair changing color with your mood."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Tonks turned to Lily.
"It's up to you Tonks. Everyone has a choice in Anima Mea."
"Is it alright if I give it some thought?"
"Go ahead, Tonks," said Elijah. She smiled and turned to him.
"So, what's our House Animal?"
"I haven't thought of one."
"What about a Crest, and the colors?"
"Hasn't really been my priority right now. Been too busy teaching classes on a regular basis and trying to change things about the school. Never really got around to it, I don't even think it's important, honestly."
"All school Houses need a proper Crest to identify them, and an animal to represent the House."
"Says who?"
"Says… says… Aunt Lily, help me out."
"Actually, you're both right. When it comes to tradition, Tonks is right. When it comes to necessity, Elijah is right. I'm not picking a side in this."
"Well said," said Isabel distractedly.
"What are you working on now," asked Susan, now carrying her egg. Isabel glanced up before doing a double take when she saw the egg."
"When did you…?"
"What?" Isabel shook her head.
"Never mind. I'm working on a camera system, or at least a magical equivalent."
"And how are you doing this," asked Lily.
"Old scrying techniques."
"Scrying," said Padma. "Isn't that something to do with divination?"
"Sort of, it's more something anyone can do, so long as they know how. If used correctly, it can send messages to another medium in an instant."
"HAH!" said Lily suddenly. "For once, the Marauder's have you beat. Harry, if you would?" Harry smirked and went into the cabin.
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll see." Harry came back out a small hand mirror in hand. Lily took it. "Thank you, son." She turned to the mirror and cleared her throat. "Call Padfoot." Isabel stood next to her as the glass turned black. A second later, the black glass changed into the image of a man with scraggly black hair next to a woman with long red hair.
"Lily?" asked the woman. "What's wrong?"
"Just showing off one of the Marauder's greatest inventions."
"Hah! I knew you were proper Marauder material Lils," said the man.
"Call me that again, Sirius, and I'll ask Amelia to castrate you, Mutt."
"I'd do it to," said Amelia. "I've already got the one thing this Mutt's good for." Amelia smiled as Lily's eyes widened.
"WHAT?!" yelled Susan.
"Blimey, I think we could hear her from here without the mirror," joked Sirius. Susan ran over to the mirror, egg in arm and looked at her aunt.
"Did you just imply…?"
"Yes I did," said Amelia with a smile. "We were gonna wait to tell you guys when the break came, but now's as good as ever, I guess. I'm pregnant." Susan squealed, causing Harry, Elijah and Sirius to cover their ears. Harry glanced at the girls and saw Daphne cringe slightly. Elijah noticed the egg glow and tapped Susan's shoulder.
"Susan, look." Susan looked at the egg and gasped as it glowed. "I think it's almost ready to hatch, if that's any indication. How long though, is the question. I think Susan's soul was singing in harmony with the egg for a bit, causing this reaction. Guess the betting pool is starting up again."
"You've been betting on what's in her egg?"
"So has Susan," said Hermione, helping Isabel examine the egg.
"We'd have written Luna about it," said Harry. "But she's a cheat."
"Speaking of Luna, she asked me to pass a message to you if you ever called with the mirror."
"Why do I feel like I already know what this is?" Amelia pulled out a slip of paper and read it to herself before smiling.
"It says: 'I am not a cheat, merely an opportunist, and you, Harry, are a sore loser.' Sounds about right."
"Bloody, cheating, Seers." Isabel looked at him.
"Calm down, Kid. Nothing you can do about sassy Seers. Especially if they're someone you know."
"There isn't, I don't know, an invention you can make to block their sight?"
"First, thank you for that compliment of my skills. Second, no there isn't, as no mortal can block a Seer's sight. It's a gift from Fate. And third, wouldn't your Seer friend be offended by that?"
"You're right," sighed Harry. Daphne giggled as she watched Harry fake at being dejected.
"Lily," said Elijah. "I think we've taken enough of their time." He went in front of the mirror. "We'll see y'all during the break."
"Lily," said Amelia. "Is Elijah behaving?"
"It's Elijah, what do you think?" Amelia sighed as the kids shared a look.
"Never mind, then. See you at the break." Susan said goodbye to her aunt as she hugged the egg close. Amelia smiled at her niece as the call ended. Lily twirled the mirror in her hand, a smug smile on her face, as she turned to Isabel.
"What do you think?"
"I think, we can make some improvements to that. I'm thinking, large scale improvements, on a stadium sized mirror?"
"Split the profits with me, and we'll talk about making this."
"Deal!" They shook hands and Elijah sighed. 'Maybe now those two will get along and save me the migraines.'
"Now that, that distraction is over with, get ready for the days classes. We'll be taking a break from physical enhancements for a bit and focus on magical enhancements during Magical Theory. I want all of you familiar with my methods to help the others. It's time I gave them a break." The students of Anima Mea breathed a sigh of release.
"Thank God," said Padma. "I think my body is going to collapse if I have to run again."
"That just means the exercise is working."
"I don't think so."
"Have you had more energy?"
"I guess."
"Have you been concentrating better?"
"Yes, actually."
"That's because your body is getting used to being active. The more you exercise, the more positive effects you start to feel. You're more focused, you sleep better, you have more energy, and you retain more information than you normally would. And because of your Soul Magic, it also means you have a stronger magical reserve, so to speak. Exercising helps more than just your body, as you're now well aware."
"So, it's not because you're a sadistic teacher," said Penelope.
"Oh no," said Lily. "He is very sadistic. Sometimes I think he uses facts just to make his actions seem justifiable."
"I will neither deny, nor confirm."
"Oh, fantastic," said Cedric, rolling his eyes.
"Just be glad I'm your teacher, and not my old Sergeant. If you thought I was bad…"
"There's no way anyone could be worse than you," said Tracey. Daphne facepalmed and groaned.
"Why did you have to say it?"
"What?"
"Relax, Daphne. He doesn't know anything about the Magical World. Pure No-Mag. He just thought I had a rare genetic trait after seeing my hair and eyes."
"What about the other soldiers you fought with?" asked Blaise.
"Only a handful know. That's because they either went to Ilvermorny with me, or they saved my life. For the latter, three fit in that category. One of them carried me on his back getting me out from under a napalm strike that was loosed on our position by our frantic CO, fresh out of Officer Training."
"You were in Vietnam?" asked Hermione.
"Oh, right. I hadn't told you guys about my military career. Or anything other than my time as a teacher. Tell you what, go through a week of exercises, without complaining, Tracey, Padma, Hermione, Penelope." Tracey stuck out her tongue while the other three looked away, slightly embarrassed. "Then I'll let you know my story, from leaving Ilvermorny, to when I met Lily, Harry, and James, God rest his soul."
"Deal," said Blaise, before anyone could speak. He looked around at his Housemates, trying to see if anyone had any objections. Harry met his eyes and they nodded, agreeing.
"Alright. One week, before we reach the break, if you go the entire week, with no complaints, I'll tell you my story." He held out his hand and shook each of theirs. Lily turned to Isabel.
"Do you know this story?"
"No, he didn't talk about his military days while teaching at Ilvermorny. Then he met you, and I didn't hear from him for 10 years." She trailed off towards the end, sounding dejected. Lily glanced at her then back at Elijah, who was going through a kata with Susan.
"You're in love with him, aren't you?"
"Ever since we were still attending Ilvermorny. At first, I thought he was like me, a dhampir, then I learned he was just a human, but he didn't reject me when he learned what I was. We quickly became best friends, though he openly denies the 'best' part. As we grew older, I developed stronger feelings for him, and hoped he did for me."
"And did he?"
"No." Lily turned to her, surprised.
"From the way you act with him…"
"That's me, trying to coax him into dropping his guard, something I always did back in school. There was only one time when he did drop his guard, after graduation. We'd gotten drunk and had sex. I thought we would be together after that. The next year I spent hanging around him, trying to convince him to let me be his girlfriend, but in the end, nothing happened between us. He told me we should just remain friends, and he ended up joining the Marines, and not being with me.
"Recently though, he seems, different. I've seen that guard drop more often in the two weeks I've been here, than I did at all in school, both as a teacher, and a student."
"It's most likely because of the kids, he's sort of like an older brother to them."
"I think, he found someone."
"And what makes you think that?" Lily missed Isabel glancing at her and back to Elijah.
"Just a feeling."
"You think he met her in Vietnam?"
"No, I think sometime after he left Ilvermorny."
"Wonder who it is." Isabel looked at her, surprised she hadn't put two and two together. Lily walked away, saying she needed to prepare lessons for the classes later, and Harry went to Isabel.
"It's no use," said Harry. "She's oblivious to his feelings and denies her own."
"How do you know?"
"I may be 11, and a boy, but I'm not blind. I noticed their feelings around 3 years ago. Subtle glances they take at each other when the other isn't looking. Majority of the time, I don't even think they're consciously doing it. I managed to use Soul Sight, once, and I used it on them as they were talking with each other about Japan. Their souls were lit up like a Christmas tree, shining with a brilliance I'd never witnessed in my short life. Elijah once told me how Soul Mates souls react to each other, and this was what he described. But I also felt their reluctance.
"The girls have been trying to push them together, coming up with schemes that don't work in their favor, mainly because, if you asked Elijah, Fate didn't want this to be forced. I haven't done anything. The reason for my inaction, is the same reason for their reluctance."
"What's the reason?"
"My dad. I was just a baby when he was murdered, but Mum knew him from school, they had a rocky first meeting, but they slowly fell in love. Elijah met us when I was 1. He stayed by Lily and acted as the shoulder she could cry on, something that continued until I was 6, I know, because there were times when I heard her crying. When I went to check on her, Elijah was already there. Then she slowly stopped. She told me she'd cried all of her tears out for my father."
"I think it's because of him, that they haven't accepted their feelings. They do it out of respect for him. And I haven't tried to push them towards it because of him as well. Not because it honors his memory, but because I know, from everything Mum and Uncle Sirius told me of what he was in his adult years, he wouldn't have wanted me to push Mum into anything. He'd want her to move on naturally, and not be pushed into things by anything but Fate."
"How are you so wise for an 11-year-old?"
"Wisdom comes from three things, experience, insanity, and a Seer Bond Mate who was able to contact the souls of the departed."
"Wait, hold on. This Luna you've all been telling me about, can contact the dead?"
"Sort of, Luna was very unclear about it. As far as I know, she can only see into the future, and she hasn't contacted any other spirits, at least to my knowledge."
"So, for all you know, she could've seen this conversation and relayed it to you so that you could have this conversation."
"Please stop, time loops give me a migraine."
"You're not alone in that." She looked over at Elijah, watching him correct Susan in her starting stance.
"If you love him, hope for his happiness. If it comes, accept it. If not, then try to make him happy, however you can."
"An 11-year-old giving me love advice. What is this world coming to?"
"Hey, this 11-year-old defeated the 'Greatest Dark Lord of the time'."
"That was your mother, Kid, you had nothing to do with it."
"Damn, forgot you're not one of the brainless twits who believe propaganda."
"Remind me to teach you a lesson in humility. And also to speak with Luna during the Winter Break."
"She more than likely already knows who you are, what you want to know, and is sending an owl here right now."
"She's powerful for a Seer, then?"
"Who is," asked Hermione as she walked over.
"Luna," said Harry. "You really should've narrowed it down since we only know two Seers."
"I still couldn't be sure who you were talking about." She said as she pulled out a book from her bag. "And to answer your question, Miss Daniels, yes she is." She flipped to a page and showed her the book. "Seers manifest in old bloodlines from the Delphi Oracle, and their power varies from how they were born. Which celestial alignment was in the sky, where they were born, in proximity to a Ley Line or Line Network, and in which order they were born in their family."
"And Luna fit the criteria?"
"Two of them. Pandora told me that Luna was born at a location that was on top of a massive Ley Line Network but wouldn't tell me where. What also helps is Luna is an only child, technically making her classify as a first born. So she's a first born daughter of a first born daughter. The second most powerful condition, with the most powerful being a seventh born daughter of a seventh born daughter."
"And I take it, because their descendants of the Oracle of Delphi, that only the women of the family have the power?"
"No, the men can have it as well, just to a less powerful extent. At least, that's what Mrs. Lovegood says."
"And who would know better about Seers than a Seer, gotcha." Hermione sat down and began rereading the book. Isabel turned to Harry. "So, what had you so angry earlier?"
"Don't want to talk about it."
"Was it the trolls?"
"It was the trolls!"
"Let me guess, upset your mom had to come save you?"
"Just at the fact that I could do nothing to them. My knowledge is limited to just shields and enhancement."
"Maybe because Elijah is slowly working you up to more advanced things, like a teacher?"
"I know, I know. Daphne already told me something similar."
"Speaking of…" Harry backed away slightly as she leaned in close, examining his eye.
"Personal space, please."
"You've started you're link, haven't you?"
"What do you…?" said Harry, trailing off as he played dumb.
"Don't try that with me, Kid. Smartest person in the room. I just happened to notice your eye, and it's new ring."
"Don't make a big deal out of it, the girls have been trying for a year to be the first to start the link, competing with each other for the right. Daphne did it to help me concentrate on her words earlier."
"Sounds like the trolls were Fates way of starting things without competition. You know you'll have to tell the girls sooner rather than later, right?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, we're determined to learn more about Elijah."
"Then I'll leave you all to it, still gotta make those paintball guns, anyways."
"Can't you just order them?"
"And pay a delivery charge to those stingy owls? Hell no!"
"Better hope Hedwig doesn't hear you calling owls stingy."
"Not her, business owls. Always asking for a tip, I already paid for the damn things! I shouldn't have to pay a lousy tip!"
"And they're stingy?"
"I'm not made of money!"
"You own a company! One that sells magical technology to America and Japan!"
"It's the principle of the thing."
"It's called being greedy," called Elijah.
"No one's talking to you, Eli!"
"Wonder how much he was paying attention to."
"Just order the damn paintball guns!"
"No!"
"That much," said Harry as the two old friends argued.
Later that day, after classes had ended, Lily, Harry, and the girls went to visit Hagrid after he had Hedwig deliver his invitation to Harry. "Remember," said Lily. "Hagrid has a thing for dangerous creatures, if you see something that you think is dangerous, it most likely is, except for Fang, that's about the only non-dangerous creature Hagrid owns."
"Fang is…?"
"A boarhound. An old one who's afraid of his own shadow, if I remember correctly." They knocked on the door.
"Jus' a momen'," said a rough voice behind the door. They heard a dog barking and Hagrid speaking up. "Back, Fang! Back!" Lily used Soul Sight and saw Fang barking at the door, blocking Hagrid's path and smiled. Hagrid finally got Fang to calm down and opened the door. "Hello, Lily, Harry. You lot make yerselves at home!" Lily stepped in and the girls followed, Harry right behind them.
"Hagrid, meet Hermione Granger, Daphne Greengrass, Tracey Davis, and Susan Bones," said Lily.
"Nice to meet all of yeh," he said with a smile. Tracey replied with a polite hello before drawing all of her attention to Fang, who was sitting near the door.
"So," said Hagrid. "How've yeh been, Lily?"
"I've been well, Hagrid. Just had to spend the last 10 years in hiding because of Death Eater remnants."
"Sorry fer taking Harry from the cottage that day, Lily. I was only followin' Dumbledore's orders."
"You were forgiven a long time ago, Hagrid. When I learned it was you that took Harry from there, thanks to a friend of mine, I forgave you almost instantly. I know you would never do anything to hurt Harry, not intentionally, at least."
"Oh, thank you, Lily. That takes a weight off me chest." Hermione's gaze was brought to a newspaper on Hagrid's table.
"Hagrid," she said.
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Why do you have an old newspaper from August on your table?" Harry glanced at it, seeing it was about a break in at Gringotts.
"Oh, uh… I just haven' thrown it away. It's not important, I'll jus take that from yer there."
"A break in on my birthday?" said Harry. "It must've happened after we left that day, we were in Gringotts that morning." Lily grabbed the paper before Hagrid could take it. After reading the article, Lily handed it to the gentle half giant.
"I'm sure it's not important. So, Hagrid, any interesting creatures recently?" Harry and Daphne instantly caught the change in subject and subtly let the others know to drop it. They talked, had some tea, and politely accepted Hagrid's rock cakes, before heading back to the castle for dinner. "Don't need Soul Sight to know he was hiding something. Dumbledore must've had him go to Gringotts that day to get something from there, more than likely what was in that vault."
"And he doesn't want anyone to put two and two together," said Hermione. "Hence why he got nervous when I noticed the paper."
"Anyone else find it odd that he just happened to have a paper covering a break in on Harry's birthday," asked Daphne. Tracey adjusted her glasses and looked at Lily.
"Or that the timing of the break in was on the same day we went? Someone wants us to put pieces together that there's something important here in the school, something important enough to try and steal from Gringotts for."
"Question is, what is it," said Harry. "Second question: are they trying to let us know alone, or is this part of a trap?"
"I smell a rat," said Hermione.
"Rat's in Azkaban," said Lily.
"This smells more like a whiskered old fool," said Susan. "Something tells me that whatever was in the vault, is now in the third floor corridor, which happens to be forbidden this year."
"My thoughts exactly," said Lily. "I'll go check it out. I'll tell Elijah as well. Better two experienced mages go than just one. You five are not to go up there without one of us, understand?"
"Yes ma'am," they replied. Harry, however, had something else in mind, but needed to know a few things, first.
As the students finished their dinner and went back to their dorms, Lily and Elijah made their way to the third floor corridor. When they got to the forbidden section, they found a single locked door with a basic locking charm.
"This shouldn't be right," said Elijah. "A simple Alohomora could unlock this. Something's not right." Lily activated her Soul Sight and looked passed the door.
"Fluffy?"
"Who's Fluffy?"
"Hagrid's Cerberus. I met him when he was just a pup."
"Remind me never to meet anything Hagrid considers nice enough to be a pet. Why is a Cerberus here?"
"I don't know, but I do know it's easy to get passed him if you know how. Come on, let's get back to the cabin. For now, if someone wants to get whatever is hidden here, they need to get passed Fluffy. They won't figure that out sometime soon." They made their way back down the stairs and outside.
When they got back to the cabin, Harry went up to them.
"Did you find out what it was?"
"No, just what's protecting it, the first parts, at least," said Lily.
"Though, it's clear that this is meant to be easy for whoever is after whatever is hidden there."
"What do you mean?"
"Basic locking charm," said Lily. "A beast only Hagrid would know how to get passed, and any average first year student can make him talk, man can't keep a secret when he's excited."
"There are more than likely more traps beyond what's behind the door, all more than likely easy to get passed until you get to the trap at the end, whatever that may be."
"Offers an air of incompetence before getting you," said Daphne. "Brilliant."
"And sounds like Dumbledore," said Lily. "The man may have been a Gryffindor, but he has the mind of a Slytherin."
"If it is Dumbledore's idea, then these 'protections' have a second reason behind them."
"What would that be?" asked Susan.
"Don't know, but it can't be a coincidence that a first year could get passed the first protection, or that the break in happened on Harry's birthday."
"It's a test," said Harry. "Meant for me. No doubt, he expected me to be with Hagrid at Gringotts if I had actually stayed with the Dursley's. Hagrid's nice enough to trust for someone who would've, no doubt, been abused by Vernon, and gullible enough not to be subtle about collecting whatever Dumbledore asked him to collect."
"And the paper would've drawn you to asking questions about what it was Hagrid had taken," said Susan.
"What I want to know, is why Harry? What makes him so important that it would lead Dumbledore to leading him to the third floor?"
"There's only one thing that would lead anyone to guessing why he wants Harry there," said Elijah. "Voldemort. Dumbledore must be expecting the thief to be one of his remaining followers."
"So Harry's what," said Tracey. "A second piece of bait? Something to sweeten the pot?"
"I don't know. Something doesn't add up. If he's just bait, why go to all this trouble just to get him to the third floor?"
"We need a way to keep an eye on the door, try and see who may be trying to sneak in," said Hermione.
"Mum," said Harry. "Did you and Isabel get started on ideas for the scrying mirrors?"
"No we haven't, let me guess, you want to set up a one way transmission to watch the door."
"Yes. No-Mag style surveillance. Thief won't know they're being watched."
"I'll wake her," said Lily. "Try and see if we can get something cooked up. For now, off to bed, tomorrow may be an off day, but that doesn't mean you can stay up." The children went to their respective dorms and Lily turned to Elijah. "I don't like this. Dumbledore seems like he wants Harry dead. If he had grown up with the Dursley's, like Dumbledore wanted, he'd have no confidence, would drastically limit himself, and would not be able to get passed these things without help."
"Which means he's been planning this for a while. Long enough to anticipate what the Dursley's would do, and how Harry would turn out. It's almost like he was expecting Harry to be a damaged child, easier to manipulate into thinking his way."
"But why would he do all of this? We still don't have an answer to that."
"Well, we don't have an answer ourselves. Pandora knows. But she won't tell us a thing."
"I know. She wants us to figure things out ourselves and not rely on her or Luna too often."
"Makes sense. Becoming over reliant on something tends to make one lazy in certain regards, just look at the wizarding community as a whole for the last century."
"I know. We need to figure out his motivations soon. I want to know why he left us for dead."
"And we'll find out, later. For now we focus on the present."
"You're right." Lily sighed, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
"Need a drink?"
"Like you wouldn't believe. I used to respect and look up to Dumbledore, but his actions, 10 years ago and now, have changed my opinion of him."
"I'm sure." He poured them both a glass of bourbon from his hidden stash only he can access. "When one learns the ugly truth of their heroes, it rarely ends well, for either party involved." They both downed their drink and Elijah poured another one for himself, Lily opting out.
"As much as I would love to get drunk right now, I need to wake Isabel."
"Don't. She's more of a bitch when she's tired and cranky. And she's louder. Just get her in the morning."
"Fine." Lily made for her room before turning back to him. "She told me about graduation, you know."
"Christ. Why the hell did she bring that up?"
"It just came up randomly."
"If you're asking how it happened, we both got drunk while celebrating graduation and had sex. In my opinion, it was a mistake."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I knew she was in love with me. But I didn't feel the same way. I kicked myself for doing it. Then she tried to get me to go out with her officially, and I told her we should stay friends. A few months later I left to join the Marines and didn't see her again until I started teaching at Ilvermorny. Graduation was a big mistake on our part. I couldn't forgive myself for that night. Knowing of her feelings for me and doing nothing to stop myself from going through with what we did." He downed his second glass and Lily stopped him from pouring a third. "I took advantage of my best friend. I couldn't look her in the eyes after that."
"So you left."
"Didn't stop her from trying her hardest to get me in her life again."
"Why didn't you just tell her you didn't feel the same way?"
"Because I didn't want to hurt her that much."
"Didn't it occur to you that leaving as you did would hurt her more than saying the actual words?"
"Yes. Before I even left."
"And you still did?"
"I was 19. I was a stupid, selfish person back then. It was because of my selfishness that I didn't say anything to her. I couldn't see her cry, couldn't see her hurt. So I ran at the first sign from Fate."
"You should tell her."
"She knows," said Isabel behind them. They jumped and turned around. They saw her lazily eating a snack on the couch in front of the tv. "I've known for years, I just didn't want to except it. Hearing it wouldn't have hurt me anymore than you leaving did, or any less." She turned and smiled at them. "Don't worry about me, Eli. I'm a tough woman, ok?" Elijah watched her for a moment before nodding. Lily on the other hand could tell this was hard for her to say.
'Why is she giving up? I thought she'd try a bit longer after what she said to me earlier.'
Isabel was divided. Her mind was telling her this was the right thing, that she should want Elijah to be happy with someone. But her heart was screaming, the man she'd loved for 20 years, did not feel the same way about her. It wanted her to fight for him, to not give up so easily. In the end, her mind won out. "So," said the dhampir girl. "Is that story just for the kids, or can we hear it as well? Preferably before them."
"Nice try," said Elijah. "I'm not drunk enough to agree to that. You want to hear it, wait and see if the kids can go a weak with no complaints on their exercise."
"Dammit!"
"You've been trying to get this story out of me since started teaching at Ilvermorny."
"Then I'll just have to wait."
"And no getting involved and helping them."
"I would never…"
"Stop the bullshitting. We've known each other since 2nd year. I know what you're going to do before you're about to do it."
"Bullshit," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Well, I'm getting to bed," said Lily. "Elijah, don't drink too much, you still have to teach classes."
"Yes ma'am." He said with a smirk.
"I mean it, Elijah."
"I heard you." Lily rolled her eyes as Elijah poured another drink. Isabel noticed how Elijah watched her walk away. She was about to ask him about his feelings for the red head but remembered Harry's words earlier. Instead, she bid him good night, and went to bed.
Elijah waited until he heard the door close before he went to the castle, black quartz crystal in his pocket. "Ok, Monster. Where are you hiding?" he growled to himself. If one were to look at the Soul Mage at that point in time, they'd see a layer of red begin to seep into the silver eyes of Elijah Crowe.