Those Who Do Not Learn

Those Who Do Not Learn

Chapter 1

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"You must be wrong." Professor Abigail Covington looked across the table skeptically. She had been the first DADA professor in ages to break the 'one-year curse.'

"If you don't believe me, go see for yourself." The potions master leaned back in his chair. "We've failed."

"Come with me?" she half pleaded pulling on her cloak with a shaking hand.

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They dis-apparated onto a rocky outcrop. The moment their feet touched the ground they dropped, fearing being seen. Slowly, silently, Abigail looked over the edge. The valley was barren and black. No plants or trees could ever find footing to grow in this place. A black wall rose from the ground barring entrance to the deep valley. Far in the distance fire spewed from the tall mountain.

She turned back and leaned her back against the boulder.

"He called the leaders of the muggle and wizarding worlds together. He gifted them with rings, Ireth." No one else would have noticed but she heard the small tremble of fear in his voice.

Her eyes glazed over. "We must go to Dumbledore. This must be stopped before it progresses."

He nodded and they disappeared again.

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"Albus, you must listen to us," Snape leaned on his desk. "Things are happening that you have no comprehension of."

"Please, Albus, listen to us. History is repeating itself. We must do something."

The old wizard stared into the fire. He seemed to contemplate their words as the fire crackled and popped. There were several long moments before he rose from his chair and look at the pair. "No, I don't believe it is time for alarm yet. Severus what you have heard is only hearsay. We would know if a dark wizard of that magnitude had risen again." He turned and began to climb the stairs signaling a firm end to the discussion.

The two left the office quietly.

"The time has come, Elrohir. We can't wait anymore. We need to finally leave."

"You're right. He won't go easily though, and not without the girl."

"So we take both of them. This isn't the time to wait."

"Tomorrow then."

"Yes."

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"Are you ready?" She stood beside him outside the great hall.

"They're coming. You had better talk to them." Snape drew back in to the shadows.

"Afraid of teenagers?"

"No, Ireth, I have spent the last six years making their life hell. They'll never trust me. You need to do it."

She watched him slip into the shadows and looked back to the students. "Harry, Hermione," she called.

"Professor Covington, good morning." Hermione stopped to talk to the teacher.

"Morning, Professor." Harry stopped next to her.

"Have I ever lied to you two?" she asked suddenly.

Hermione looked to Harry and then back slightly confused. "I don't think so professor."

"Do you trust me Harry?"

"Yes, I've never had reason not to."

"Do you trust that I would not lie to you?"

"Yes, Professor."

"What is going on Professor?"

"If you trust me you must not go into the great hall today." she held up her hands as they began to speak, "Things have happened that not even Dumbledore is willing to accept. Hogwarts is not safe for you any longer. If you trust me, you will come. Professor Snape and I will take you somewhere safe. This is life and death; please tell me you'll come."

"Yes," Hermione answered before Harry could. "We trust you."

Abigail nodded and walked back toward the door Snape joining her just before they entered.

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All eyes found the pair as the entered the hall and walked down the center aisle. They strode between the house tables ignoring the students. Dumbledore awkwardly stood at his place at the high table, as if alarmed.

"What do you want?" the old man asked.

"You cannot live in blindness, Albus." Snape stared at him. "You cannot ignore what has happened."

"Nothing has happened," he answered indignantly.

Abigail shook her head. "I should have expected as much. Yours has ever been a short sighted and arrogant order."

He raised his wand and cast a powerful hex toward them. They were engulfed in a shimmering, white light and the spell was absorbed. The room flashed with blinding light and the two teachers stood at the centre changed. Every person in the hall, student and teacher alike gaped at them. Even the most arrogant Slytherin was struck silent in their head of house's change in appearance. He and the defense teacher stood in defiance. Everything from their long dark hair to their pointed ears seemed to shimmer.

"You really think your pitiful tricks can compare to the magic of the elves?" Snape's black eyes glowed with power.

"The fire of Mount Doom rage and the lidless eye again hangs above the land of Mordor." She spoke quietly. "The age of man has come to an end. This is on your head, old wizard. We will leave these shores for the last time. And the heir or Gondor goes with us."

They turned and left as silently as they had come.

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Harry and Hermione had watched the spectacle from the doorway. The two came quickly out and quickly herded them from the school as the other professors clambered after them.

"Stop!" Dumbledore called from the stairs. "You have no right to do this."

Snape turned sharply. "We were left over to guard over the men of middle earth. We have tried but we cannot fight your battles. You see the horror that is again taking shape and you do nothing."

"If you will not protect the future of your race then we will do it for you."

They stepped back toward Harry and Hermione before they apperated.

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They appeared again in the ruins of a city.

"Stop it!" Harry pulled away from them. "What is going on here? Where are we? Who are you?"

"What are you?" Hermione stood beside her boyfriend, calming him. "How could you have apperated on the school grounds? It's not possible."

"We can do it because our magic is far older than the magic that encases that god forsaken place." Elrohir stretched his arms high over his head.

"And to answer your other question we're elves."

"Like house elves?"

"Those disgusting little mongrels are descendant from imps and pixies not elves." Ireth turned indignantly and walked toward a large, white building.

"She's a bit picky on that particular topic." Snape slowly led the way the other elf had gone.

"Professor Snape, I don't understand what's happening." Harry followed him quickly.

"It would not be the first time Harry," he snapped. "You are far more than simply the Boy-Who-Lived."

They entered a large chamber filled with tombs. Ireth waited for them. As they stepped closer, she began to speak. "This is the hall of kings, where the great kings of Gondor have ever been laid to rest. Over the centuries, the line of kings has been lost. The old traditions and kingdoms have been forgotten. You, Harry are the last descendant of that line. You are the last man who can rightfully claim the throne of Gondor."

"Me?" he stared at her in awe. "It can't...I mean, I can't be. You must be kidding."

"No, she's not. Middle Earth has forgotten many things. It's line of rulers being among them."

"This is unreal." He sunk to the floor.

Elrohir turned sharply to look at Ireth. "I'll return in a moment."

"I'll go get our things." She led the children out of the hall.