As Harry and the other's sat in the expanded back seat of the Impala, Pansy turned to Daphne. "Are all muggle vehicles like this?"
"No, they're more compact."
"Meaning they're small," said Tracey. "Isabel used expansion charms to make the passenger seating longer, so it can fit more people."
"Though," said Susan. "I can't help asking myself why she needs this much space. It's not like she's always transporting students."
"With her looks," said Pansy. "I wouldn't be surprised if she used it for more… personal reasons."
"I did not need that image in my head," said Harry. "Thank you for that, Parkinson."
"You're welcome, Potter." She grinned as Daphne rolled her eyes. "So, what's with the whole silver thing all of you have? I noticed it a few days ago but didn't bring it up."
"Ask Elijah when we get to the Manor," said Susan. "He's the reason."
"None of you are going to tell me?"
"Not our story to tell," said Hermione. "It's Elijah's and your choice after."
"Choice?"
"Much like with Magical Theory," said Tracey. "You'll see, for now, what's going on at home?"
"I'd rather not talk about it, it's family matters."
"If you need to talk, Pansy," said Harry. "We've all got ears to listen." Pansy just stayed silent and pulled her legs up to her chest, something clearly bothering her.
Up in the driver's seat, Lily was having a blast driving the Impala through the air, it's cloak hiding them from any cloud gazers. "I gotta hand it to Isabel! This baby handles like a dream!"
"Glad you're enjoying yourself," said Elijah, clutching his seat tightly.
"I thought you loved flying!"
"I do! If it's on something made to fly! A broom, a plane, a goddamn helicopter! Not a fucking car!"
"But this was made to fly!"
"After the fact! It wasn't originally meant to flyy!" Shouted Elijah as Lily did a dive. "You crazy woman! You're going to kill me!"
"Man up, Elijah!" laughed Lily
"Damn you!" Harry glanced over at them and used Soul Sight. He saw a bond forming between them and smiled slightly. Lily leveled out and Elijah glared at her. "Despicable woman."
"Frightened canary," she shot back with a smile. "Also, I don't think brooms were originally meant to fly."
"You know what I meant!" Lily just laughed as he shook his head. "Don't ever do that again."
"Or what?"
"Or I'll lock you in a trunk for a day."
"You wouldn't!"
"To get you back, I would."
"Just try it, Crowe. I'll make you regret it."
"Eye for an eye, Lily. Eye for an eye." They spent the rest of the flight taking friendly jabs at each other, neither acknowledging their feelings for their companion. Soon enough, they were above Potter Manor. Harry looked out his window and met silver eyes with dark grey pupils.
"Ah! Luna!" shouted Harry as he lowered his window. He was about to shout at her when she kissed him.
"You little sneak," accused Tracey. Susan and Hermione glared as Daphne giggled.
"Not my fault you three were too slow," said Luna after a faint silver light died down between them both. Luna smiled and licked her lips as she dove the broom she was on, avoiding the book Tracey threw at her. "Too slow again!"
"Well played, Luna," said Daphne with a smirk.
"Shut up, Daph," said Tracey. Hermione huffed and buried her face in a book while Susan hugged her egg to her chest.
Luna made it back to the ground and landed next to Astoria. "You know they're going to kill you," said Astoria.
"They love me too much to do that," replied Luna.
"You think too highly of yourself."
"Says the girl who sees herself as above the other 'peons' of the world."
"I can't help if it's true."
"Maybe in your mind, small as it is."
"Oh, you're asking for it, Lovegood." Luna merely smiled and hugged her best friend. The car landed, and Astoria looked at it. "Harry and Aunt Lily must've had a field day, seeing this. Who's is it?"
"Elijah's friend, Isabel. The inventor."
"Oh her. Maybe you should've told me about her sooner."
"No."
"Didn't think so." They ran up to the car, Astoria with a smug smirk as everyone else. "Welcome home, my subjects! Bow before your superior!"
"Hey Squirt," said Elijah as he walked passed her and to the trunk of the car. When no one acknowledged her greeting she growled, and Luna covered her mouth, snickering.
"Guess you don't leave as much of an impact as you thought."
"Shut up!"
"Behave, you two," said Pandora from the doorway to the manor. "Luna, did you do it?"
"You know I did," she replied with a smile.
"That's my girl. Never wait when you know it's time."
"Cheater," said Hermione from the car.
"I took my opportunity, Hermione. Something I'm sure you'd do if you saw it coming," said Luna. Pandora went over to Harry.
"Hello Harry."
"Oh, Hello, Mrs. Lovegood."
"Mind if I see the wand?"
"Um… sure." Harry pulled his wand from its holster.
"No, no. The other wand."
"Other wand?"
"The crystal wand, Harry," said Tracey. "The one we found in the secret room."
"Oh, right!" Harry pulled the wand from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Thank you." She held it up to the sun as Elijah walked over.
"What is that?"
"You'll find out in time, Mr. Crowe. For now, I think your friend is need of assistance getting something from the trunk."
"Dammit."
"Eli!"
"I'm coming! Useless dhampir strength," he muttered to himself as he went to Isabel.
"Nice place, Mrs. Potter," said Pansy.
"Thank you, Pansy. Sorry we could never invite you and your family over."
"It's fine. I get it, need for discretion and everything. Is the Dragon Alliance still something you're willing to work for?"
"Of course, it was James' plan for the future. I plan on executing it."
"Can I talk with you, later?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
"Harry!" called Astoria as she ran over to him.
"Hey, Brat," said Daphne when she saw her sister. The two Greengrass sisters hugged as Harry turned to her.
"Hey, Astoria. How've you been?"
"I've been progressing faster than you have!" she smirked as she constructed her wings and flew above them. She focused her energy into the form of a sword and smirked when Elijah nodded.
"So you can construct more than your wings! I'll learn that later!"
"What about this then?!" She dove at him and launched her wings at him, turning the feathers into daggers halfway there.
"Harry," shouted Lily and Elijah. "Dodge!" Harry channeled magic into his brain rapidly and time seemed to slow down for him. He sent magic into his limbs as well and avoided each dagger precisely. Harry decided to show off and try to catch the last one, only for it so shoot passed his hand and nick his cheek.
"Ow. Ok, bad idea." Lily smacked him upside the head. Elijah crosses his arms, in lecture mode.
"Never try to catch a speeding dagger. Even with enhanced reaction speed, catching an enemy projectile is a very bad idea. If it were someone trying to kill you, and they were smart enough to know you would try to show off, they'd send either another projectile right behind the last one or attach an explosive on the last projectile. What am I always saying?"
"Only look cool outside of combat."
"In combat you need to keep your head on a swivel, avoid all projectiles aimed at you and your brothers in arms, if you can, and think before you act. Every second is crucial, you can't waste even one showing off, that is a warrior's downfall." Harry stood there as his mentor talked down to him, reprimanding him for a simple mistake.
"He's not a warrior, Elijah. He's a child," said Lily.
"I know that!" He turned to her. "But as long as Voldemort is still alive, everyone needs to know how to fight. Especially you and your son, the prime targets if the Death Eaters gain enough confidence to mobilize and strike at us and the Ministry."
"I think this is more of a family thing," said Pansy. "Harry, please hand me my stuff, and lead me to a room to sleep in for the break?"
"Sure thing, Pansy." Harry led her to an empty guest room and handed her, her stuff, using a restoring spell his mother taught him for shrunken objects.
"Are those two going to be ok?"
"Yeah, it's a fight they've had before, always ends the same. Both making good, logical points, both being stubborn, both never winning. I don't think either one wants to win this fight. Because it means they either give up raising us or give up teaching us. Neither outcome is any good."
"What did he mean when he said Voldemort's still out there?"
"That night, Elijah saved my mum, and after he discovered a horrible truth. They wouldn't tell me how, but they did tell me they learned that Voldemort somehow managed to cheat death."
"So, he's still out there. Why hasn't anyone spotted him in 10 years?"
"I don't know. I only know that he'll be coming after Mum and myself, through any means necessary."
"And you've known this all of your life?"
"It's why we stayed hidden for as long as we did. When I was two, Mum was attacked, she dealt with the attacker, but feared for my safety if there was ever a 'next time'. We brought the girls to the manor often, teaching them what Elijah knew alongside me."
"So that's why you're all so close."
"That and another reason."
"What reason is that?"
"I'll explain later, with everyone else. Right now, me and Tracey need to talk with them about something. Make yourself at home, Pansy."
"Thank you Harry." He told her where to go from her room to get to the living room and went back outside and saw everyone watching, not just Astoria and Elijah flying around, but Luna as well.
"Luna can do it too?!"
"Not our fault you're too slow, Harry!" She shouted down to him. Harry grumbled before looking up at Elijah.
"Come down! Me and Tracey need to tell you what we found!"
"Be right down!" Luna and Astoria landed gracefully as Elijah slammed down and slowly rose to his feet.
"There are only so many times you can do that before it gets old, Elijah."
"Shut up, Harry." Luna made her way between Isabel and Lily and closed their gaping mouths as they stared at Elijah.
"You were about to drool."
"Th-thanks, kid." Said Isabel, unashamed. Lily shook her head and didn't even acknowledge what Luna said. Isabel glanced at Lily and sighed internally. Lily stepped away and Luna went to Isabel.
"How hard is it for you, seeing him and her being so open?"
"Aren't you a Seer? You should know."
"I'm a Seer, not am Empath. I have some difficulty judging feelings in people I haven't personally known for a while, you fall into that category." Isabel sighed.
"It's hard, kid. I've known Eli practically my whole life and loved him for majority of that time. He never once opened up to me, and to see him like this, instead of his normal all business attitude I've seen since Ilvermorny, it's the final nail in the coffin for any hopes I had for us. My heart was broken when he left, now, I'm just glad to see him. I doubt I'll find someone who can make me feel like I did towards Eli."
"You'll find someone, Ms. Daniels."
"That your Seer power, kid?"
"Yes and no."
"You're very cryptic, huh?"
"Only amusement I get out of this ability, since nothing can surprise me ever."
"You sound more mature than any of your friends."
"I'm a Seer with a constant glimpse into the future, including my own, certain traits as an adult are bound to bleed through."
"So, do you act like that because you're an adult in the future? Or did seeing you as an adult affect how you act for the rest of your life? Or…" Luna held up a hand.
"Stop, before you get a migraine. It's the same level of confusion as time travel, not worth the hassle."
"Harry said something like that earlier."
"I know."
"That's gonna be your response for anything, isn't it?" Luna merely shrugged and grinned, skipping over to Hermione's side.
"Alright, Harry," said Lily. "What did you two find when you went to find Edgar?" Harry and Tracey took turns telling what they had encountered. From finding Edgar as he accessed the room, to their encounter and flight from Quirrell on the third floor. Elijah grabbed Lily's hand to get her attention as she was getting angry. She started calming and Harry watched them using Soul Sight. Their bond was strengthening slightly, and he smiled internally.
"Did you see anyone besides Quirrell in that corridor?"
"No sir," said Tracey. "He was alone, but the hall was dimly lit, it's possible we didn't see a second silhouette at the time."
"Hand me a memory strand, I'll check it out in your mother's pensieve."
"Do you know what this stone he's after is?"
"No. Not a clue. I'll try and do some research into it, Lily? Mind helping me?"
"Sure. Two sets of eyes are better than one."
"Make that three," said Isabel, now wearing her lab coat. "Four if Hermione wishes to join."
"Sure."
"Hermione needs to focus on her Mental Enhancement training," said Elijah.
"Oh," said Astoria. "Where you channel magic into your brain?" Everyone but Luna turned to her.
"How do you…?" Astoria simply jabbed a thumb in Luna's direction. The young Seer smiled and waved. "Of course. I should've guessed Luna already saw what to do."
"Dammit," said Harry.
"Stop sulking, Harry," said Lily. "You forget, it's easier for younger people to find new ways to use Soul Magic."
"And Seers, apparently." Luna stuck her tongue out at Harry and smiled. Elijah looked at his watch.
"Got somewhere to be, Eli?" asked Isabel.
"No, just waiting on a friend. They'll be here in about an hour."
"You have friends other than me? That's a shock."
"Eh, bite me."
"Happily."
"Not what I meant."
"If you're quite done," said Lily, annoyed. "I believe it's time for the children to get to their rooms and us to contact their parents."
"Alright, Lily."
"Whatever you say," said Isabel with a shrug. "It's your house. Where am I staying?"
"In your car," said Lily with a smirk as she walked to the manor.
"Wait, you're not serious are you?"
"No," she said as she kept walking. "I'm Lily." Harry and Isabel groaned as the girls laughed. Elijah shook his head and grabbed Harry's shoulder before he went in.
"What's up?"
"The voice, you said it was coming from Quirrell's direction, right?"
"Yeah, but there was no one else there, why do you ask?"
"Just a hunch. Go inside, I'll wait out here for my friend."
"Mind telling me who it is?"
"Just someone I met while teaching at Ilvermorny. They won't be here long, they're just dropping off my Christmas gift."
"They can stay for a bit."
"He's a very busy man, can't stay longer than a few minutes. I'll head inside in a few."
"Alright." Harry went inside and found Pansy standing in front of the tv, looking very confused. "Everything ok, Pansy?"
"What's with this box?"
"It's a television," said Lily from the hall. "It's a muggle device. Turn it on, it's for muggle entertainment."
"How do I…?"
"There's a button on the TV itself, or you can use the remote," said Harry. He handed her the remote and she looked from it to him. "Just aim the remote at the tv and press the power button." Pansy followed his directions and watched as an image appeared on the screen. "The television receives signals from another Muggle device and allows you to see shows that were prerecorded beforehand."
"That sounds amazing."
"It is in a way, but it's just science."
"Is there anything else it can do?"
"That's about it. You can change the channel using these buttons here, and the volume of the television with these buttons."
As Harry explained to Pansy how the television worked, Elijah saw a carriage pull up to the driveway. Elijah shook his head with a smile as a man climbed out. "Lucien," he said. "You really should get with the times, my friend."
"Elijah," said the man from the carriage, speaking with a slight French accent. "You know me, I prefer something with a little more grace." The two men school hands with a smile. "How have you been, Monsieur Crowe?"
"I've been well. My daughters ask of you constantly, you know."
"I know one of them would be old enough to remember me, but the other?"
"He sister told her stories of the famous magicien d'argent."
"Ah, I see. I suspect she thinks I am just a story? Something to fantasize about?"
"More or less, that is until about 3 months ago, when an international newspaper said a white haired, silver eyed wizard started teaching Magical Theory at Hogwarts. She all but begged to start attending there instead of Beauxbatons."
"Let them both, we'd accept them no matter what."
"Ah, one is already nearing the end of her education, the other is just about to start. Plus, Hogwarts is so far away from home."
"Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Thank you, Elijah. Now. I believe you are expecting your gift, non?"
"Only reason you'd leave your comfy home in Paris, to visit me." Lucien laughed and handed him a small box.
"Here you are, my friend. Open it whenever, I know you do not care for formalities, or traditions."
"Way to make me feel like a jerk."
"I believe you do that all by yourself."
"Touché. Here's your gift, do whatever you want with it." He handed the Frenchman a large box.
"Thank you, Elijah."
"Of course. Need to head out?"
"Yes, no rest for the weary."
"Alright, if you and the family ever decide to come and visit, you're more than welcome to. I'm sure Lily wouldn't mind as long as you tell us ahead of time."
"Thank you, Elijah." The Frenchman climbed back into his carriage and Elijah watched as it sped off. Elijah opened the gift and saw it was a bottle of firewhiskey.
"Dammit. He knows I prefer No-Mag drinks. Ah, well." He went back inside and placed the bottle in a cabinet.
"Is that your gift," asked Lily behind him. He nodded as he put a spell on the cabinet, hiding it from anyone under the drinking age. "Firewhiskey, huh?"
"Lucien forgets I prefer normal drinks over wizarding drinks."
"How long has it been since you saw him?"
"12 years, but still. You'd think he'd remember."
"What was his name again?"
"Lucien. Lucien Delacour. I believe he's the French ambassador."
"How did you meet him?"
"Back in Ilvermorny, we had a quidditch meet against Beauxbatons. Lucien had gone along with the school and brought his family, his wife and 6 year old daughter. There was a stray bludger coming towards them and I used Soul Magic to intercept it. Damn thing dislocated my shoulder as I tackled him and his daughter away from it."
"You get hurt a lot, don't you?"
"You could say that, yeah. Other than the last 10 years, I haven't really gone an entire year without an injury."
"Really? That's unlucky."
"You don't have to tell me. When the match was over, he invited me over to their hotel room for dinner. We were fast friends after that, and his daughter was absolutely fascinated by my magic. Kept asking if she could learn it as well."
"Did you let her?"
"Her mother wouldn't agree to it, no clue as to why."
"That's odd."
"I know. Anyway, how's Pansy settling?"
"She's fascinated about Muggle technology. Then again, like most of the wizarding population, she wouldn't know anything about the recent advancements."
"Again, once James' Dragon Alliance starts up, we can do something about that. For now, we let things play out until we see things taking a turn for the worst."
"I know." Lily sighed and sat down, putting her head in her hands, for what felt to her like the millionth time as her thoughts drifted to her late husband. Elijah hugged her as she started sobbing, something she hadn't done in almost 4 years. This was the sight Harry and Isabel walked in on. They made no noise and backed out, keeping an eye on the two. Isabel tapped his shoulder after a minute and led him away.
"She hasn't cried in years," said Harry. "Why is this happening now?"
"It's a Milestone, Kid."
"A Milestone?"
"A point in time where important events occur. A child's first steps. A first kiss. First day of school. This is your first year at Hogwarts, a sight I'm sure both of your parents wanted to witness. But your dad isn't here. I think your mom is finally realizing that, she's going to have to witness more Milestones in your life alone. She's probably been holding this in since school started, and is only now letting it out, in the privacy of her home, in the presence of the man who, unconsciously to her, now holds the key to her heart."
"It didn't even click that this was that important." Harry sighed and slid down the wall he was next to. "I'm a horrible son."
"You're not, Kid. You're family was just dealt a bad hand. You've been living a happy life, no hardship, no misery or strife. It's not your fault you didn't think of this. You're a kid. Most kids don't realize what's going on with their parents, because the parents don't let them know if they know the child is going to worry. You're a great son to Lily, and she's a fantastic mom to you. Come on. Let's leave them alone, she needs to let it out now, and not hold it in any longer." The two walked from their spot in the hall and made they're way to the rest of the group.
A few days later, the house was full of energy, it was Christmas morning, and Astoria and Luna were running through the bedrooms, waking everyone, including Isabel who glared at them with glowing scarlet eyes that screamed danger. Luna smiled, unafraid, as Astoria bolted from the room, for fear of her life. "You're on thin ice, Seer."
"You won't do anything, Elijah won't let you."
"I don't listen to Eli when I'm mad."
"That's the only time you listen."
"Just get out!" She slammed the door and Luna leaned back so it wouldn't hit her nose. Harry stepped out of his room and looked at the youngest of his Bond Mates.
"Should you really be pushing her?"
"All according to plan."
"What plan?" Luna merely hummed to herself as she skipped away, to the living room. "Luna! What plan?!" Harry groaned as he walked after her. He channeled magic into his mind, and tried to think about how Luna acts, and trying to predict what she has planned. He grew frustrated and stopped, finding it incredibly hard when not trying to avoid objects.
"Dammit," he muttered to himself.
"Language, Harry," said Hermione, sitting next to a dozing Tracey and Daphne. Susan was hugging her egg close to them and smiled as Harry sat next to her. "What's gotten you so worked up," she continued.
"Mental Enhancement. I can't get it to enhance my thinking capacity out of evading."
"You'll get it soon," said Hermione.
"No he won't," said Luna softly. Hermione looked at her questioningly when Pansy came in.
"This is way too early to wake up," she said, yawning. "How do you two have so much energy?"
"Presents!" they shouted.
"Not yet," said Lily. "Remember our tradition, no opening presents until all of the guests have arrived." The two youngest residents of the house pouted.
"At least let us open one," said Luna.
"No."
"Just let Harry open one," she pleaded.
"Luna, don't make me return the present I got you. You know I will." Luna sat down and shut her mouth with her hand, making sure not to say one more word. "Thank you."
"Why me," asked Harry. "I'd have thought you'd want to open yours first."
"I'll admit, I'm torn."
"When is everyone supposed to get here?" asked Astoria.
"Everyone will arrive on time, at 8," said Luna, impatiently. "Ginny's family will arrive an hour and a half later."
"Oh, come on!"
"This will teach you patience," said Elijah as he came in from a morning workout, shirtless and wiping sweat from his face with a towel. Pansy blushed and looked away. Luna closed Lily's mouth as it hung open.
"Put a shirt on, Old Man," said Harry.
"Please don't," muttered Pansy beneath her breathe.
"Bite me, kid."
"That's Isabel's job."
"Shut up!" He walked away and to his room. Lily caught herself staring and cleared her throat.
"If, we're not opening presents till the last guests arrive, can I go back to bed?" asked Pansy.
"No," said Lily. "Because we have a Christmas morning tradition. It's movie time."
"What's a movie?"
"Remember the shows you've been watching on the tele?" Pansy nodded. "Movies are longer, and often have only one part to it. Today's film, however, does not." She grinned as she went to a hidden bookcase. "It's a trilogy, one Harry's seen once, and I think Hermione has seen twice."
"Wait," said Harry. "Did you…?"
"Isabel had them in her car. And, she's made a few upgrades to our set up."
"What kind of set up?"
"Full theater," said Isabel as she walked in, wearing a large shirt that covered most of her body. "I gave your mom the movies and a projector for Christmas."
"YES!" shouted Harry and Hermione.
"What movies are we watching?" asked Sirius as he and Amelia walked in. Susan ran over and hugged her aunt, careful not to crush the egg.
"Have you two seen Star Wars, before?" Tracey and Daphne sat up at that.
"Star Wars?!" they shouted.
"How do you two know it," asked Susan.
"Harry and Hermione told us about it," said Tracey. "It sounds incredible."
"Yes," said Amelia, answering Lily. "We have seen it. Sirius took me to see it on a date when it was still in the cinema. I saw it again, alone, later."
"Saw what," asked Elijah as he came back, putting on a shirt as he walked in, much to Pansy and Lily's displeasure.
"Star Wars," said Lily.
"Oh, I haven't seen that. Is it good?"
"You've never seen Star Wars?!" asked Tracey and Daphne.
"No. Harry and Lily have, when Lily rented the movies. Wasn't there a third one?"
"You're not going to miss it this time," said Lily.
"My parents are here," said Luna before the doorbell rang.
"Then why didn't you get the door," said Elijah as he moved to the entrance.
"Too lazy."
"Little brat," said Elijah under his breath.
"I know I am." Harry chuckled at the girls antics.
"Hey Luna," called Elijah from the door.
"Yes?"
"You were wrong!" Elijah walked back in, her parents behind him, and the Weasley's behind them.
"Merry Christmas!" shouted the twins. The group looked at Luna as her eye twitched.
"Sorry dear," said Pandora. "I know you hate it when I interfere with your predictions, but I know how you and Astoria are with presents." They looked at Luna who sighed before smiling.
"It's fine."
"Weasley's on time," said Amelia. "That's a first. No offense, Arthur."
"Non taken, Madam Director Bones. I know we're always late. Someone is always forgetting something."
"That would be Ickle Ronnikins," said George.
"He forgot his trousers," said Fred.
"How do you…?" said Harry. "Never mind, I don't want to know." Harry and Lily walked over to the Weasley's. "Nice to meet you all."
"Hello," said Lily, extending her hand to them. "I'm Lily Potter, welcome to Potter Manor."
"Arthur Weasley," said Arthur, shaking her hand. "This is my wife, Molly."
"Pleasure to meet you dear," said Molly, shaking their hands. Isabel smirked, remembering what the twins said about their mother, and left to her room, eager to cause chaos.
"Where are you going?" asked Elijah.
"I need to change. We do have company."
"This is going to end horribly, isn't it?"
"Depends on your point of view." Elijah sighed as she went away.
"And this," said Arthur, gesturing to the red headed girl beside him. "Is our daughter, Ginny."
"H-hi, Harry Potter."
"Oh," said Harry, slightly distracted. "Hello." He turned to Luna who was bouncing in her seat. "Oi! Luna! Knock it off!"
"Presents! Presents! Presents! Presents!"
"Calm down!" He went over to her as Ginny tried to ask him about the books and his hair. Luna grinned and hopped over him, going to the door. "Luna!" Harry ran after her, ignoring everyone else.
"There they go again," said Tracey, Edgar on her shoulder. "Bets on how long it'll take him to lose her?"
"No need," said Harry as he came back, carrying Luna on his shoulder and Penelope behind him. "Caught her as she was opening the door."
"I was about to knock when the door opened, and this hyperactive girl tries getting passed me. I take it she's Luna?" the group nodded, and she smiled at her while Luna glared.
"Sorry, known Harry longer than you. Makes picking a side easy." Luna pouted as Harry put her down.
"Stay," he told her. Luna pouted, and Astoria laughed. Harry sat on one of the three couches in the room next to Hermione, who was reading a book from the Potter Library. Ginny tried talking to Harry, but all of her words came out as a stutter, Harry just gave a polite smile and turned to talk to Susan as Tracey separated him and Ginny unintentionally. Ginny glared slightly at the raven-haired girl and tried finding another spot near Harry but found none. Lily got up to answer the door and invited the Patil family inside.
"Hello, everyone," said Padma as she and her sister entered, their parents behind them.
"Hey, Pansy," called her fellow students in Anima Mea. She smiled and sat next to Daphne, who had her odd-eyed cat, Noir, in her lap. Noir looked up at Pansy and yawned before curling up and falling asleep.
"Nice to see you too, Noir." Daphne smiled and pet the cat as Padma looked at the group. "How's the break been so far?"
"Been fine, what about you?"
"Parvati has been driving me insane, talking about all the gossip she heard from Lavender Brown, that I don't care about."
"It's interesting news," said Parvati, trying to defend herself.
"What about 'what kind of girl Professor Crowe likes' is interesting?" Elijah stumbled as he was walking into the kitchen to get a drink.
"What? You telling me you're not a little bit interested in your Head of House?"
"Not in the least," she said, fidgeting in her seat. "There's someone else I like," she muttered under her breath.
"No need to wonder what kind of woman Elijah likes," said Daphne with a smirk. "He's got a thing for redheads." Harry rolled his eyes as Lily hid her face and Elijah turned on them.
"Stop talking about me, literally behind my back!"
"Is it true, Professor Crowe," asked Parvati. "Do you prefer redheads?"
"It's none of your business, Ms. Patil. Now stop asking."
"I think he likes women with white hair like his," said Tracey.
"If that were true," said Isabel from where she was sitting across the room, next to Molly and Arthur, "I'd have bagged him already!"
"Then maybe it's neither," said Parvati.
"Drop it, all of you." Said Elijah as he walked away.
"Or maybe it's both," said Daphne with a smirk, causing Elijah to pause and Lily to nearly choke on her drink. Harry went to his mother as she coughed.
"You alright, Mum?"
"Just," she said before coughing again. "Just fine. Water went down the wrong way." Daphne and Tracey subtly glanced between their two teachers and saw Elijah linger for a second before heading to the kitchen. Lily got her coughing fit under control as she felt the wards alert her to the Tonks family arriving. "Ah, good. A pleasant distraction." She went to the front door to greet them and smiled when she saw her student. "Hello, Nymphadora."
"Aunt Lily…"
"Don't give me that." She turned to her mother. "Hello, Andromeda. Where's Ted?"
"Getting the presents from the car. I swear, his pride is larger than his mind sometimes."
"Just because I can't use magic, doesn't mean I'm useless!" called Ted Tonks from the car in the pathway.
"Don't hurt yourself, Ted!" called Lily.
"Fat chance of that happening! I'm as healthy as a horse!"
"But not as strong as one!"
"I'll be fine!" He put all of the presents in one stack and carried them, skillfully without missing a step, to the manor.
"You can do it, Dad," said Tonks as she watched him, smiling. Harry met him at the door and took half of the stack.
"Oh, thank you, Harry. But you didn't have to do that."
"And you didn't have to carry all of them at once," said Harry as they carried the gifts to the living room. "Several trips would've been smarter."
"The faster we get to the festivities, the better."
"Well then," said Lily. "Now all we're waiting for is Remus."
"Moony's out back," said Sirius. "Apparently this last moon was the worst yet. He's trying to get some air before coming in."
"I really wish he'd take up my offer," said Elijah. "Soul Magic should give him more control over his affliction."
"There's no guarantee it'll work though," said a voice from behind him. Elijah turned around and saw Remus standing behind him smiling sadly.
"It should align your soul more to where you can transform at will and dull the pain. It'd be more like the Native American transformations than the one you're used to."
"Let the Lycan stay like that if he wants," said Isabel from her chair, feet on the coffee table and eyes closed. "It's part of who he is. You shouldn't force him to change."
"My disease is not who I am," said Remus turning to the mad scientist. "I will never accept this as something that defines me."
"Then try everything until something works in whatever way you need it to." She opened her eyes and met his gaze. "First rule of science, if something fails, try something else."
"First rule of your science, you mean," said Harry as he handed out the gifts.
"Shut up, Harry. I'm making a point." She turned back to Remus. "If Eli says this will help your disease, Lycan, then take it. If you don't want to be defined as just a werewolf, then find any solution you can. And Eli is never wrong about Soul Magic and what it can do. You could've spared yourself years of pain, depending on when you met Eli." Remus and Isabel stared into each other's eyes for a moment before Remus looked away and turned to Elijah.
"Alright. If you know how to fix this, then do it as soon as possible."
"Small problem."
"Oh no," said Remus, guessing where this was going. "Don't tell me…"
"You need to be transformed, without using Wolfsbane potion, at the apex of the next full moon, when the wolf is fully out."
"No. I can't do that. I'll be putting you and anyone you get to try and help in danger."
"Then it's a good thing I'm here," said Isabel as she smirked, showing off her fangs. "I just need a drop of A- and I'll be able to hold you down long enough for Eli to do his thing."
"Small problem with that," said Eli. "I'm O+."
"Me and Harry are AB-. Sorry can't help there either."
"What are you on about?" asked Ron who was trying to open his gifts while everyone was still receiving their gifts. Molly slapped his hands away from the gifts when she saw no one else unwrapping their presents.
"Blood types," said Harry as he handed Molly a gift from himself and Lily. "All humans have a blood type."
"You mean Pure, Half, and Mundane, right?" asked Percy as he bit into a cookie provided by Luna.
"No. That's just stupid labeling. Blood type is the presence or absence of certain identifiers on red blood cells," said Isabel. "I'm not going to go into full detail about it, just know that type O blood is the rarest with A and B being more common and AB somewhere in between. There are eight blood types. A,B,AB, and O, all either positive or negative. If everyone here can give me a drop of blood, I'll see who's A-."
"You're going to drink our blood?!" asked Ron as he covered up his neck.
"No, idiot. I have a microscope in my portable lab. I can identify blood type with that, no drinking required."
"A 'microscope'?" asked Arthur. "What is that?"
"Think of it as a magnifying glass coupled with a telescope. It allows me to see things too small for the human eye to notice. But, I'll do it after the movie marathon and before dinner."
"Good. Great. Grand," said Luna, getting impatient. "Are all the presents passed out?"
"Almost," said Harry as he gave Arthur a present from Molly. "Sorry we never got you anything, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Fred and George never told us what you like."
"I didn't have that unfortunate obstacle," said Pandora as she handed Molly and Arthur gifts from her, Xenofilius, and Luna. "Merry Christmas, you two."
"Thank you, Pandora." Harry handed Sirius a gift and looked at Lily.
"Alright, that's the last present."
"Good. Alright, everyone, we have a bit of a tradition here at Potter Manor. We open our presents in order from youngest to oldest. The youngest this year is Astoria, from there we go to Ginny, then Luna. I know the Longbottoms aren't here yet, but unless we want Luna pranking everyone till the end of the day, it's best we do this now."
"I'd do it to!" said Luna, making her eye twitch purposefully to get her threat across to everyone.
"As for the Longbottoms," said Pandora. "They'll arrive as Astoria is finishing her presents."
"Good to know. Alright. After Luna, who's next?"
"That would be Daphne, December 12, 1980, then it's Susan in October, Tracey in August."
"Then it's Harry and Neville," said Sirius, sitting next to Amelia and shaking a box to try and tell what's in it.
"Then it's Ronald," said Molly.
"That's right," said Pandora. "Then it's Pansy who was born a month before."
"Thanks for the presents, by the way," said the young Slytherin, looking at her decent pile of gifts. "I know my being here was a last minute thing."
"We were originally going to mail you the gifts, Pansy," said Daphne. "This just cuts out the middle owl." Hedwig hoots from her perch on Harry's chair. "When did she get there?"
"Just now," said Harry and Luna. Hedwig flapped her wings in annoyance and Daphne rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Who's after Pansy then?"
"That's us," said Parvati, as she hugged her sister with one arm. "November 1979."
"Then that leaves me," said Hermione. "Then Fred and George, then Penelope followed by Percy."
"The adults can decide if they want to continue the order after," said Luna.
"PRESENTS NOW!" shouted her and Astoria."
"We'll be going in reverse order for the adults this year," said Elijah. "I'm tired of being last."
"I am not going last, Elijah," said Lily. "We both know I'm the youngest adult here."
"Age before beauty this year, Lily."
"Which does that make Isabel then," said Harry as he sipped his drink.
"Wanna say that again?!" asked Isabel as she grabbed his cheek.
"I would if you'd let go!"
"That's enough!" said Elijah. "Astoria. Go ahead and open your presents. There's something I need to do while you do that."
"Ok!" Astoria started tearing at the wrapping paper as Elijah walked outside. Lily and Harry exchanged a look before Lily discretely followed him as Astoria unwrapped an orange Gi with the kanji for 'turtle' on the back and on a small circle on the front. "A Kame Style Gi!"
Lily followed Elijah outside and saw him leaning against the wall of the manor. He was breathing heavily and had started sweating. "Elijah? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing. Go on back inside. I'll be back in a minute." Lily ignored him and went to go check on the man she'd called a friend and teacher for 10 years. She turned him towards her and gasped, seeing his normally silver eyes turning red and his face looking sallow and pale.
"Oh my god… Elijah!" She caught him as he started dropping to his knees. "What's going on?!"
"The crystal… take it from my pocket… get it away from me…" Lily did as he asked and saw a black line connecting it to him. She tossed it far enough away and saw the line sever and a roar of anger emanate from it. Elijah's eyes returned to normal and he gasped. He groaned and started getting to his feet. "Damn thing," he said.
"What is going on?"
"That horcrux fragment, it's more powerful than it's ever been."
"How?"
"Close proximity to one that's larger and has been dwelling in Hogwarts, which was built on a Ley Line Network, and has been feeding off of it, and, I think, has been powering a curse as well."
"You mean the DADA curse?"
"I think so. I wasn't prepared for a horcrux to be at Hogwarts, or that the one in the crystal would gain strength from it. I was an idiot. It's not going to happen again."
"How are you going to protect yourself from this?"
"It'll take some time, but I can do an old ritual to protect myself from its influence. I should have everything I need, it shouldn't take too long. But we need to find the other horcrux soon. I have to do the ritual in a year."
"Why a year?"
"Celestial alignment for the spell was last week, when the effects weren't as prominent. I think I started noticing it before we left Hogwarts and have been fighting it ever since. I just know I'm angry at times when I should be calm, and it's from that crystal's presence."
"You need to stop keeping on your person."
"I can't risk it falling into Dumbledore's or Quirrell's hands."
"But does that mean you need to carry it everywhere?"
"Better on me then somewhere where the kids can find it, or a curious house elf."
"I'll carry it. You don't have to do this alone."
"It's my…"
"Don't give me that 'It's my family, it's my problem' cliché. It's getting old. We're your family now, as well. I'm your family. I'll share your burdens. This isn't something you have to do alone, because you're not alone." Lily and Elijah stared into each other's eyes for a few moments, their souls calling out to one another. "I'll stand by you, no matter what. Just promise me you won't do this alone."
"Lily… I can't ask you to…"
"I'm not asking. I'm telling you." They stood there, gazing at each other for what felt like hours to them but was only a few moments when Lily felt the Manor's wards alert her to the Longbottoms coming via Floo Network. "Um…," she said as she stepped away, blushing like mad as she realized how close she was to him. "We should get back to the others. The Longbottoms have just arrived."
"Oh. Right." He went to pick up the crystal, but Lily levitated it to her hands before he could.
"No. I'll carry it for now. You've done enough."
"Lily, if that thing tried possessing me…"
"I'm not you. I'm stronger than you, remember?"
"I remember you like to think so." The two chuckled as he looked at her. "Alright. You can hold onto it, but the second you start feeling it's effects, irrational anger, intense hatred, and weakened physical strength..."
"I know, hand it off to you." She took his hand and smiled. "I'll be fine, Elijah."
"I know. You're the 'Woman-Who-Won', after all." They let go of each other's hands and headed inside in time to see Ginny opening her presents. Daphne looked behind her and grinned.
"Look up, you two." Harry looked at his mother and mentor and looked above them. He glared slightly at Daphne as she and Tracey grinned. Susan rolled her eyes as she got an idea in her head and smiled inwardly. Elijah and Lily looked up and saw a mistletoe above their heads.
"Oh," said Lily as she blushed, heavily.
"Alright," said Elijah, looking at the kids. "Who set it up?"
"It was me," said Hermione. "Can't have Christmas without mistletoe."
"You can, it's not a necessity."
"No," said Daphne. "But it is a tradition. You two are under a mistletoe right now, so kiss."
"Let's just do it so they stop pestering us," said Lily, getting her blush under control.
"Alright," said Elijah, seeming kinder than normal at that moment. "If you're sure." The girls watched with excitement and Harry looked around, trying not to watch his mother and mentor kiss. Elijah felt that this wasn't the right time for a proper kiss and kissed her on the cheek instead of on the lips. Lily blushed as she leaned back, noticing that she was anticipating something more and tried hiding her face from everyone else as Elijah turned to them. "Happy?"
"Boo!" said Tracey. "What are you?! 8?!"
"You mean the age you're acting? Is Ginny done opening her presents?"
"Almost," said the young redhead. "I've only got two more gifts left."
"Alright. Sorry for the interruption."
"It's no problem." Ginny went back to her presents as Astoria came back into the room after putting on her Gi and smiled at Harry who gave her a thumbs up. Ginny opened her last two gifts from her parents, a book called 'Harry Potter and the Gorgon Nest', from her mother, and a broom from her father who knew she wanted one of her own. "Dad, you didn't have to do that."
"Nonsense. I'd been saving up for a year after Ron got his so that you could have one as well." Ginny teared up and hugged her father as Harry eyed the book.
"We really should sue the book company, Mum," said Harry. "I mean, it's my name they're making a profit off of, and one of the first lines in every book is 'Defeater of the Dark Lord' making no mistake that it's based off of me."
"Why is this just now occurring to you," asked Hermione.
"It hasn't bothered me before now, now I'm afraid they're gonna post new stories with my current appearance instead of the one in the books."
"We'll discuss it after Christmas, Harry," said Lily. "For now, we better not delay Luna any longer, she looks like she's about to explode."
"Yes, please!" Luna bolted to her first gift. She ripped off the paper in one swift movement. She stared with wide eyes at her gift from Elijah. It was a silver book with silver archaic designs on the cover. "Is this…"
"Your new Grimoire. It's experience locked, so as you learn, more is unlocked to you, this will include the spells I haven't taught all of you yet. Healing, attack, defense, the works." Behind him, several books floated to each of the Soul Mage children except for Padma, Astoria and Penelope. "Sorry to the rest of you, but your control over your magic is still in training. The same can be said for Blaise and Cedric. As both them, and all of you, have shown remarkable progress, it's still not enough to access the Grimoires, and that's with your Mental Enhancement training. I keep watch of each of your magic as you do certain things.
"Padma, you've been putting a bare minimum amount of magic into your spells, it's enough to power it, but not enough to sustain it. Penelope, you have the same problem as Harry. You have an incredible amount of power, it makes using simple spells using Soul Magic harder to control. This is why I have you all doing enhancement training, to get you used to controlling your magic into a single task. You know how much magic it will take, and can feel how much magic you're actually putting in. The only one who has trouble adjusting fast enough is Blaise, and that's because he's been trying to get on par with Harry and the girls."
"When both Elijah, and myself," said Lily. "Have seen your control increase substantially, then we'll give you your Grimoires, alright?" They nodded as the Weasley's looked confused.
"I'm sorry," said Molly. "I'm afraid we missed something."
"Oh, right," said Pandora. "I knew I forgot to explain something. Luna's been coming here to study a branch of magic under Elijah and Lily for years. Soul Magic. She's actually quite proficient at it, frankly, I'm surprised you hadn't noticed the similarities between her and the other girls here." Molly looked at Luna and the other people in the group by Harry. That's when she noticed they all had silver eyes and looked at Elijah.
"Can you teach my children Soul Magic," she asked.
"Only if they want to willingly learn it and deal with my training methods."
"We'll pass," said the twins.
"If they're anything like your Magical Theory lessons," said Fred.
"…Then we'll gladly skip it and avoid dying on the spot," said George as they both grinned at their Theory professor.
"I don't push you that hard," said Elijah.
"Unfortunately," said Harry. "He's telling the truth. The exercise we've been doing in Theory is his 'light' workout regimen."
"That's light," asked Padma as she visibly paled and sunk into her seat. "Kill me now…"
"Don't worry, Padma," said Hermione. "It gets easier to handle, trust me."
"Says the girl who actively avoids it as much as possible," said Luna with a snicker. Astoria chuckled as Hermione fumed at the younger girl. "Next present," said Luna, impatiently ending the previous discussion. She opened Lily's next and found it was a tarantula. Luna smiled at it as Ron backed away from the spider's plastic cage as it jumped at him. "A gentle desert tarantula! Thanks, Aunt Lily!"
"You're welcome, Luna. I know you were asking for one earlier." Luna placed the container next to her as she continued to open gifts from the others. The rest of the gifts were nothing of great significance, some outfits, drawing sets and a sweater from Molly that was a size too small. The last present was from Harry, who sat nearby smiling. Luna opened the gift and gasped at what it was. She reached into the bag and pulled out a clay dragon with light grey eyes.
"Harry, it's beautiful."
"Thought you'd like it." Luna hugged him and kissed his cheek, smiling. Ginny pouted, and Molly pat her shoulder, seeing her daughter upset.
"Alright," said Daphne. "My turn. First one's from Isabel. Oh, this should be good."
"Shut up and open it, Blondie," said Isabel as she sipped her tea.
"This better not blow up in my face." Daphne opened the package and pulled out a wristwatch with a digital face. "A watch?"
"Not just any watch, a Daniels Original. Put it on." Daphne did and found it changed its color to match her skin tone, and the face was visible when she directly looked at the time. "Chameleon Charm Rune etched to the back of the face. And if you ever want to show it off, just focus on the watch." Daphne did just that and the watch turned silver once more.
"Thanks Isabel."
"Of course." Isabel smirked as she leaned in close. "It's also got a few features I'll fill you in on later," she whispered to the girl with a mischievous grin. Daphne smirked and went to her next gift, which was from Lily. Daphne opened the gift and smiled, pulling out a small hairclip with the image of a black cat with blue and green eyes.
"Figured you, and Noir, would like that. A sort of vanity for her, and a nice accessory for you. It's even got a few secrets you'll need to find out on your own." Daphne put it in her hair and turned to the girls and Harry.
"What do you think?"
"Wonderful," said Harry, the girls agreeing. She smiled and turned to her gift from Harry.
"Hmm… wonder what this could be…"
"Open it and find out." Daphne opened his gift to her and saw a small fox figurine, posed elegantly. She smiled and kissed his cheek. "I take it you like it?"
"I love it." She smiled and placed it next to Luna's dragon. "Looks like the next one is from the Weasley's." She opened their gifts and pulled out a hand knit sweater. She stared at it for a few seconds and Harry groaned.
"Don't start. Please don't start."
"Daph…," said Tracey. "Do not say what we think you're going to say…"
"I hate it," said Daphne. Tracey and Harry facepalmed as Molly looked at the girl.
"I made that myself, young lady."
"It shows. The stitching is wrong, coloring is off, it's a size too small for me, and it smells like mothballs. I. Hate. It."
"You'll have to forgive Daphne," said Martha as she laughed nervously. "Ever since a few years ago, when we all took a visit to the Muggle World, she's been a bit of a fashion diva and critic. Always says what she thinks of any article of clothing. She's brutally honest when it comes to clothes."
"And impossible to shop for," said Cyrus as Harry, Tracey and Elijah nodded.
"It's called having standards," said Penelope with a smile.
"It's called being difficult," said Harry.
"You boys wouldn't understand," said Isabel. Penelope and Daphne nodded in agreement.
"Can we please just move on," said Neville as he sat back in his seat, his mother giggling beside him.
"Fine," said Daphne. She turned to Molly. "I apologize if I seemed… rude. I sometimes have no control when it comes to keeping my thoughts inwards."
"It's fine, dear." Said Molly, though she was clearly still upset at being insulted by a child. The rest of the presents were opened without further incident, just a few hugs and words of thanks, and kisses on the cheek to Harry from Tracey and Susan for their figurines, a coiled rattlesnake and dove in flight respectively. It was after Hermione had opened her gift from Harry, a black and white owl on top of a book, she hugged him and smiled.
"Sorry your parents couldn't be here, Hermione," said Harry.
"It's fine," she said. "It's not your fault Mum broke her ankle. It's the neighbor's dog's fault."
"At least they mailed your gift."
"True. Still wish they could be here," she sighed as Harry grinned inwardly.
"Hey, what's that outside?"
"What?" Hermione turned as Lily opened the blinds to the backyard garden. Elijah apparated into a spot outside with Daniel and Emma, who was in a wheelchair and smiling at her daughter as Daniel looked green.
"Bloody hell," said Daniel. "How can you people stand that travel?"
"You get used to it, sometimes. I still prefer a helicopter over apparation any day."
"A sentiment we both share, Sergeant Crowe. Now if you'll excuse me…" Daniel bent over a flowerbed and threw up his breakfast all over it.
"Dammit Daniel," said Lily.
"Language, Aunt Lily," said Hermione as she went to her mother.
"Yes, Hermione." Lily smirked as the bushy-haired girl hugged her mother. Daniel looked up at his daughter and smiled, still slightly green.
"Merry Christmas, dear." He bent back over and threw up some more as Hermione smiled at him.
"Merry Christmas, Daddy." Elijah looked at the former RAF.
"Would you have preferred a flying car?"
"Hell no. I think that would be worse."
"Hah!" shouted Elijah at Lily and Isabel. "I told you! I'm not the only one who thinks a flying car is a bad idea!"
"Flying car," asked Arthur. "Who has a flying car?"
"That'd be me." Said Isabel. "Had a buddy of mine back at Ilvermorny enchant the thing properly. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I have a flying car as well."
"What make and model?"
"Make and model?"
"Who made the car, and what type of car is it?"
"Oh! It's a light blue, Ford Anglia."
"What year?"
"I don't know."
"I'll need to see it, then I'll know. Now, you said it can fly?"
"Yes and turn invisible using an Invisibility Booster."
"And, let me guess, you enchanted it yourself?"
"Yes. In fact I did."
"A word of advice, take it to America and have it worked on. It'll be a bit pricey, but you'll be able to get a proper enchantment done on it using runes. And get rid of the Invisibility Booster, it turns the car invisible, but not the occupants. A proper rune scheme will allow greater power to the enchantment, without any of the modifications failing." She wrote down the name of a shop on a card and handed it to him. "Take it here. Ask for Manuel Dominguez and tell him Isabel Daniels sent you, he'll give you a small discount, it won't be a lot, but every Knut counts, right?"
"Thank you, Miss Daniels. I'll think about it."
"Harry," said Luna. "I think you missed a present."
"What are you talking about, Luna?" Luna reached under the tree and pulled out a brown package addressed to Harry Lily looked at it.
"Where did that come from?" Harry pulled apart the paper and held a shining, silvery cloak. Lily gasped. "Is it really…?" Harry looked at his mother as she stared at the cloak. Elijah used Soul Sight and looked at the cloak, he saw persuasion and tracking charms, as well as a faint alchemical potion scent for compliance.
"Don't put it on, Harry. Not yet at least. Hand it to me." Harry handed his mentor the cloak and he used a spell negation technique to get rid of the spells in place on it and looked at the note that was inside of it. "'Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well. A very Merry Christmas to you.'" Elijah looked at Lily and handed the cloak to her. She took it and hugged it to her, dropping to her knees, tears forming in her eyes. Elijah moved and hugged her, letting her cry once more in less than two weeks. The entire room was silent, save for Lily's crying.
When Lily was done she silently thanked Elijah as he helped her to her feet. Harry stepped to his mother. "What is that, Mum?"
"It's your father's Invisibility Cloak. A Potter Family Heirloom. Pandora and Xenofilius watched the cloak closely, seeing a very familiar symbol stitched into it, barely noticeable unless you knew what to look for.
"Xeno. We found one…"
"Yes, my dear," he said with a smile. "We have!" The strange husband and wife smiled at each other as Luna looked at what they were looking at and saw the same symbol as her father's necklace.
"A Hallow…" she whispered to herself.
"Try it on, Harry," said Lily as she smiled, sadly. Harry did as he was told and put it on. The group gasped as he completely disappeared except for his head. Harry looked down and saw nothing where the cloak covered his body. Harry smiled as he pulled the hood over his head, disappearing completely. Harry walked around everyone and found Luna and Pandora tracking him with their eyes, and Sirius, Elijah and Remus listening for him.
"You know," said Harry as he removed the cloak. "This is less fun when the Seers, Animagi and werewolf can just track me regardless."
"Sorry, Harry," said Luna.
"That thing would be good for reconnaissance," muttered Daniel. Elijah nodded in agreement and Emma and Lily rolled their eyes, knowing how the two soldiers thought. Isabel tried reaching for it to study it, only to be hit by a stinging hex by Lily.
"Hands off, Izzy."
"Don't call me Izzy!"
"Don't try and take things that aren't yours."
"Mum," said Harry. "Who did Dad give the cloak to?"
"To be honest, I thought he had lent it to Frank."
"Are you kidding," asked Frank as he sat next to Neville. "James never lent that to anyone, ever. Not even Sirius could convince him to lend it to him. I think either you or his father were the only people he would've lent that thing to."
"The only other way he would've given it to anyone, would be if they were using either a Compulsion Charm, or the Imperious Curse on him," said Sirius, not liking the thought. Lily and Elijah shared a look as Lily looked at the handwriting on the card. She did her best to hide her anger from everyone and smiled.
"Well, enough of that. Now that the kids are out of the way, the adults get their turn. Elijah, even though I'm completely against it, you can go first."
"Uh oh," said Harry softly. Susan turned to him. "Mum's pissed. I can tell."
"Should we be worried?"
"Only if we try and ask her what's wrong. She might erupt."
"Think it has anything to do with who she thinks took it?"
"I think it has everything to do with it, and if it's who I think it is, it's just another reason not to trust the bastard."
"From what my dad used to say, he was a good man once."
"Once being the operative word. His actions in the last 10 years, and possibly longer, are suspect. We can't trust the man who decided to leave me on the doorstep of an abusive family. I know he was once a good man, and both of our fathers had a great amount of respect for the man. 'The Symbol of Light', as I've heard certain wizards call him. He once stood for Justice and Order, but now both myself, and Mum, wonder if his views of Justice have changed over the years."
"There must be some part of him that we can trust, it's Dumbledore. The strongest wizard in our time."
"And power corrupts," said Daphne, having overheard their silent conversation. "Strongest wizard of the time, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Order of Merlin First Class. Answer me something, Susie. Should one man, no matter how respected he is by the public, be allowed that much power?" Susan stayed quiet as her friend tore down the man her family once respected and made a key fact about said man. "He can't hold that much power without it going to his head in one form or another. It never ends well."
"But…"
"Susie," said Daphne, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I know the Wizarding World treats Dumbledore as a Messiah, but that can effect ones psychology. They start believing their own legend, start thinking they're invincible, start thinking they can get away with anything and everything they do is the correct and only path. History has a tendency to repeat itself on that front." Susan stayed quiet and Harry looked at her.
"It may have changed him, but maybe he can still be redeemed. Great men can always be changed back when they've been corrupted, it just takes time." Susan smiled at his attempts at cheering her up and hugged him as Elijah opened a present from Sirius and was smacked in the face by a pie. Sirius, and everyone else sans Elijah, laughed, Lily even tried holding one back as she was drinking her water.
"Mangy mutt," growled Elijah as his face contorted into a more tiger-like visage. He roared at Sirius, who cringed away and hid behind a thoroughly amused Amelia. "Pull that shit again and I'll tear you limb from limb."
"Y-yes sir," whimpered Sirius, scared for his life. Isabel glanced at Lily and saw her blushing and fidgeting slightly. She grinned and walked over to her.
"So…" she said, making Lily jump. "How are you feeling?"
"I-I'm feeling fine. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it looks like you've got a fever." Isabel grinned like mad as Lily hid her face.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Alright, if you say so. Though, I guess I should leave my second gift to you in your room. Every girl needs one." Isabel winked at Lily, making her blush. And walked back to her seat beside Amelia.
"You're horrible," said the Head of the DMLE."
"So I've been told. It's fun watching people squirm."
"Just be sure it doesn't come back to bite you in the ass later, Miss Daniels."
"Oh please, like anything bad could come from that."
"And there's the jinx," said Amelia as she marked it down in her notebook.
"Oh, please. There's no such thing as those kinds of jinxes."
"You'd be surprised. Just ask Tracey, our resident jinx expert." Tracey sneezed out of nowhere across the room at the snack table, making Isabel jump.
"Who's talking about me?!" shouted Tracey. Isabel paled, if such a thing was even possible.
"Oh, crap baskets…" Amelia merely chuckled as she put her notebook away.
Susan looked around and smiled, seeing her chance. Keeping her egg close to her chest, she dragged Harry behind her. "Come here, Harry."
"Ok…" Susan dragged Harry out of view of everyone else and smiled at him. "What's up, Susie?"
"Time for your second gift. Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"You should know by now to listen to us, Harry."
"Fine, fine." Harry closed his eyes and Susan hesitated for a second, steeling herself. Susan kissed her Bond Mate, and a silver glow enveloped both of them and the egg. A cracking sound made them pull apart and look at the egg. "Susie, it's hatching!"
"I can see that, Harry!" The two young Soul Mages ran back to the festivities as more cracks appeared in the egg. "It's hatching! It's hatching!" Everyone turned to them as they heard her and saw another crack form.
"Bring it over here, Susan," said Amelia. Amelia conjured a holder for the egg and Susan placed the egg in it and everyone watched as more cracks formed. Soon, a bright light emanated from the egg and partially blinded everyone watching except for Susan and Harry. They watched as a small bird hatched from the egg and chirped loudly.
"Great," said Isabel, who's eyes adjusted faster than the others. "All that for a chicken."
"It's not a chicken," said Susan as she picked up the hatchling. "It's a phoenix…"
"And you're sure of that, because…"
"We can feel it," said Harry.
"Like a mum and dad," said Luna, rubbing her eyes vigorously to get her vision back to normal. Harry and Susan blushed and smiled at each other. "Also. Three down, two to go."
"Thank you for the reminder, Luna," said Tracey through gritted teeth.
"What are you going to name it," asked Hermione, slightly less annoyed than Tracey.
"I'm going to name her… Serina." The baby phoenix chirped in excitement and flapped what would soon be wings. "And she likes the name."
"I do as well," said Harry. Hedwig flew over to the baby phoenix and stared at it. The hatchling tried looking fierce and chirped. Hedwig merely flew up to Harry's shoulder and watched the hatchling before turning to her human familiar. She hooted, and Harry smiled. "No, Serina won't replace you. No one could." Hedwig hooted her approval and nipped lightly at his ear before flying out of an open window. Serina tried flying, only to fall onto the table beneath her. She shook her head and looked up at Susan.
"Don't worry, you'll learn to fly soon enough. Hedwig and Edgar will teach you how." Edgar, who had been trying to swipe a piece of food from Daphne's plate, cawed in disapproval and was shooed away by the girl in annoyance.
"You're doing it, Edgar," said Tracey. The raven turned to her and cawed. "I don't care if you don't want to teach a bratty hatchling, you're doing it."
"Tracey," said Daphne. "How did you know he called Serina a bratty hatchling?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Hedwig hooted at her and Tracey looked at the owl. "What do you mean they can't understand you like I can?" Elijah looked at Tracey and smiled.
"Tracey, how long have you been able to do this?"
"Um… since last year. I thought everyone else could as well and never brought it up."
"Well, I have an explanation for why you can do this, and the others can't. You have what's known as a Soul Ability. A Soul Magic unique to only you. It seems you can talk with animals, seems to be linked to your love of them."
"That is cool!"
"Would we all develop Soul Abilities?"
"Yes," said Elijah. "Though, a word of warning, sometimes it takes years for one to get their ability. I still don't have one. Lily though, does. I've been calling it Mother's Instinct, since it kicks in whenever Harry's in danger."
"Of course," said Harry. Lily simply smiled and hugged her son.
"What else can I do," asked Tracey.
"I don't know. Every Ability is unique to that person. They have to find out all it can do themselves."
"Dammit." Edgar cawed, and Tracey glared at him. "Quiet you." The kids laughed, and Edgar cawed at them as Hedwig flew back in with food for Serina.
"Oh look," said Luna. "Hedwig has a motherly side." The snow owl gave her a look that said 'Of course' and fed the baby phoenix.
The rest of the adults finally got around to opening their presents, and soon enough, the children who knew of what they were going to watch were nearly jumping in glee. "Alright, alright!" shouted Lily. "It's time for a movie marathon. Not exactly Christmas themed, but Isabel put a lot of effort into improving our entertainment lounge, a room we haven't been able to use the entire break, mind you…" She and Harry glared at Isabel who just polished her nails.
"Not my fault you two are addicted to the TV."
"Enough," said Elijah, leaning against a wall. "Can we just get on with it?"
"Fine, if everyone will please follow me and Harry." The mother and son walked through the manor, their guests behind them and walked into a room that looked like it was pulled from a movie theater. "Damn…"
"You're welcome," said Isabel as she climbed up to the projector booth she installed into the room. As everyone walked in, those from the Mundane World smiled.
"God, I love magic," said Daniel, his wife nodding in agreement. "But, it feels like it's missing something."
"Yeah," said Isabel above them. "Food. Lily doesn't allow food in here, which means, no popcorn."
"I think that's the only downside," said Tonks. As everyone found a seat, Ginny trying desperately to find a spot by Harry and failing, Tonks silently cheering over not tripping for once, and Isabel setting up a seat in the projector booth, Lily dimmed the lights in the room and they started their movie marathon.
As they finished the trilogy, Harry and Hermione looked around to see the reactions of everyone around them. Ron has somehow managed to fall asleep during the first movie, the girls were on the edge of their seats, as were both sets of twins and Penelope. Elijah was thinking on everything he saw in the movies and if he could replicate somethings, the rest of the adults were discussing some of the similarities of the Force and Magic, and Arthur was trying to ask if the ships in the movie were real.
Harry and Hermione grinned at each other as Lily stood up. "Alright everyone, now that we've finished our marathon, it's time for dinner!" Ron sat up straight at the mention of food and looked around, tiredly. Ginny rolled her eyes and glanced at Harry as he spoke with the girls and sighed. Elijah looked at his fingers and thought about something before heading outside. As everyone left for the dining room, Isabel walked over to Lily.
"So," she said. "I couldn't help notice you moving closer to Eli between each movie. Care to explain?"
"It was nothing. Someone just kept stealing my seat, that's all."
"I'm pretty sure that Ginny is about as lightweight as they come, you could've asked her to move at any time. This was something else…"
"No it wasn't," said Lily before she walked away, muttering about 'daft dhampirs'. Isabel grinned as she collected her movies. Lily made it into the dining room and found Ron complaining that he missed the entire marathon. "Maybe if you hadn't fallen asleep, you'd have been able to see it, Ronald. Much like in your classes, I believe."
Ron said nothing and turned towards his plate. Luna's new tarantula, who she had decided to name Lovelace, was sitting on his plate and reared up towards him. Ron shouted in fear and fell backwards as Lovelace crawled over to his new owner. "Good boy, Lovelace."
"Luna," said Molly. "I want you to put that away this instant! The dining table is no place for pests!"
"Aunt Lily?" asked Luna as she turned innocently to the redheaded woman.
"Maybe keep him in his container, and not near our food? We need to eat as much as he does." Lovelace turned to Tracey and flicked his fangs.
"The hairy monstrosity says it doesn't eat what we eat," said Tracey.
"Don't call him that," said Luna.
"You know how I feel about tarantulas. Especially ones as big as my hand. Why couldn't you ask for a normal spider?"
"Normal spiders are venomous."
"And Lovelace isn't?"
"Not especially to humans, no."
"Just keep that thing away from me. Other spiders are cool. Those things are just too hairy."
"You're both mad!" said Ron as he pointed to them.
"What's your point?" asked Luna as she let Lovelace crawl up her arm. Molly was about to reprimand all three of them for misbehaving when Lily spoke up.
"Hey, Ron. Calm down and get up. Or else, you're not eating."
"But they…"
"Are fine and trusted to do as they wish as long as it puts no one in danger. And Mrs. Weasley, I'll ask you this once. Please refrain from mothering any children who are not your own. This is my home, not yours. You are the guest, so are your children. Look after them, not ours. You hold no authority over them. Am I understood?"
"Now see here…"
"Am. I. Understood?" Each word carried more power in them than Molly was used to handling. The Weasley matriarch shut her mouth and nodded as the twins looked between each other and Harry.
"Yes," said Harry. "I know. Mum is scary."
"Couldn't have said it better ourselves," said Fred.
"Never seen anyone who could scare Mum into not yelling," said George.
"It was brilliant," they said with a grin. Harry pinched the bridge between his eyes and looked at them.
"It's not going to stop you from trying to prank her, is it?"
"Not one bit," they said, welcoming the challenge.
"It's your funeral." Harry turned back to his plate and found Serina on top of it. "Serina?" The baby phoenix chirped and tried to get herself to him. He picked her up and smiled. "How did you get over here?"
"It looked like she apparated," said Susan from her seat across the table. "She saw you sitting over there and tried getting to you."
"She's saying 'Dada', Harry," said Tracey with a grin.
"Makes sense," said Susan. Susan got up and moved across the table so Serina wouldn't apparate between the two of them all night. Luna turned to Ginny who was hiding her aggravation from everyone.
"Drop it," was all she told her before turning to her food. Ginny looked at her with a small amount of confusion, and a lot of fear at the fact that Luna read her so easily. After dinner, Lily was seeing their guests off as Harry and the girls were helping clean up some of the mess when Pandora walked over to him.
"Harry, I'm sorry, I forgot to give you my gift earlier," she told him.
"Oh, it's fine, Aunt Pandora."
"Come with me, I'll take you to where I kept it." Harry followed the Seer to the entrance hall and watched as she pulled something out of her robes. She handed him the crystal wand.
"The crystal wand? Why are you giving this back?"
"Because I've studied it to the best of my abilities. I feel it will benefit you more than it will me. It was made for one purpose only, I can't see what that purpose is, perhaps you can.
"What makes you say that? You're the best researcher in the UK. Even Mum agrees to that."
"Even the best can miss something, Harry. Also, here." She tossed him a chocolate frog and smiled. "Something to snack on before bed." She walked away and left with Xenofilius, leaving Luna to spend the rest of the break with Harry, Lily, Elijah, and the girls. Harry shrugged and ate the chocolate frog and looked at the card on the back.
"A Dumbledore. Great, another reminder of what he's potentially done to my family." Harry idly read the card on the back and found his attention drawn to a name he glanced over once before. "Nicolas Flamel. Why does that sound familiar?" He walked through the manor and found Isabel outside, packing stuff into her car. "Leaving already, Isabel?"
"Yeah kid, gotta get back to Ilvermorny. Don't worry, I'll come back and help with the Lycan, but my vacation is up. Oh, before I forget." She tossed him a pair of boots. "Those have an auto fitting charm on it, and they can nullify the sounds of your footsteps. Figured they'd come in handy with the cloak of yours, you know, in case you wanted to sneak a quick peak at some people."
"You're horrible."
"So I've been told." She closed her trunk and climbed into the driver's seat. "Tell Eli I said goodbye. Good luck with things, Kid." She started her engine and flew off. Harry shrugged and went back inside, examining the boots, the wand in his pocket. He walked behind Luna and smiled.
"Hey Luna," he said. The young Seer jumped and turned around in genuine surprise.
"Harry, how did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Sneak up on me. You've never been able to do that before."
"I wasn't even trying to, I just figured you'd immediately turn around."
"Well please don't do it again. I like surprises, but not when they startle me."
"I'll remember that, Luna." She smiled and walked away. Harry wondered what had happened when Pandora's words came back to him. "Can't see what it's purpose is…" He pulled out the wand and looked at it. He turned the wand in his hand and saw it distort whatever he saw through it. He held it up to a mirror and saw it distort him through the reflection. "An anti-Seer wand. How could anyone even design this? And why?" He waved the wand and saw his reflection in the mirror distort completely.
"Whoa." He looked at his hand and saw nothing wrong with it. "Why would Aunt Pandora give me something that could mask hers and Lunas sight?" Thinking long and hard about it, Harry decided to not tell anyone about the wand. He placed it in his nightstand and fell asleep, the energy he had all day finally gone.
Outside, Lily and Elijah were gazing at the stars as the children were asleep. "Was it wise to give them the Grimoires now," asked Lily.
"Yes. Especially if Quirrell is after them. There are a few defensive spells in those Grimoires that will help them. Stronger shields than the basic one I taught them. They'll help against physical attacks and not just magical ones. They'll learn Elements next year when Luna and Astoria join them at Hogwarts, which will be something to see."
"How do you think Blaise and Cedric will handle not getting Grimoires?"
"Cedric will be fine, he's understanding. Blaise, on the other hand, I've noticed he's been competing with Harry whenever he can. They're friends and rivals, a good combination for development, but Blaise may end up taking things to a more dangerous level."
"How so?"
"He hates being one upped, from what I've seen, to the point that he pushes himself more than he should, just to keep up with Harry and the girls."
"We should talk to him when the semester starts, then."
"I agree. For now, let's get some shut eye." He stood up and helped her to her feet. Lily stumbled as she tripped on a rock and fell forward. Elijah caught her before she could hit the ground. They stared at each other, not moving from their spots an inch. To them, they stood there for hours, in reality it was just a minute. Lily started moving closer to him and soon after, Elijah did the same. They were mere inches apart when Elijah pulled away and cleared his throat. "Are uh… are you alright?"
Lily stood there, blushing from how close they had gotten before his words registered in her mind. "Yes. Just fine. Thank you."
"Don't mention it." They stood there in awkward silence before he spoke up again. "We should head inside."
"Right." The two adults went inside and to their respective rooms, their thoughts on one another.