The Unforgettable Fire

CHAPTER 18: The Beginning of the End

A light breeze cut through the trees in the dark forest. The moon shone dangerously bright, almost like a haunted day. No animal cried out in these woods and no tree whispered in the night draft. The only whispers were between a group of three people.

"Lucius," the rasping voice of Voldemort said in the dead woods. "Where is she?"

"We - we can't find her, my lord," the nervous voice of Lucius Malfoy said fearfully. "She - we think she may be under the Fidelius right now. She - she could be anywhere, my lord."

"The Fidelius," Voldemort mused. Then he chuckled and looked at the simpering, almost bald man beside him. "That hasn't been a problem in the past, has it, Wormtail?"

A sly smile came on the short man's lips and another chuckle escaped Voldemort's mouth.

"Lucius, who would Dumbledore entrust the information of Miss Weasley's whereabouts?"

"Most likely himself," Malfoy said more to himself than the Dark Lord. "One of his teachers, perhaps?"

"I wonder if Celeste has outworn her welcome in Hogwarts," Voldemort said harshly. "I think she may have."

"My lord," Wormtail spoke up. "What about Moody?"

A smile formed on Voldemort's face. "Yes, what about Moody? A good point, my dear, Wormtail."

Malfoy frowned. "He will not disclose this information to us."

"Maybe not," Wormtail said slyly. "But I meant maybe she is with him. That fool, Dumbledore, would entrust Moody with the girl."

"Good thinking, my loyal, Wormtail," Voldemort cooed.

"My lord," Wormtail simpered, "let me fetch her. Let me, my lord. I am loyal!"

Lucius sneered at this but kept quiet.

"All right, Wormtail," the Dark Lord said after what seemed to be deliberation. "I will let you show you're loyalty. Don't harm her; I want her in perfect condition."

A smile crossed Wormtail's face and he felt his pants tighten just thinking about the delicious red-headed woman.

"So it has begun," Dumbledore said quietly.

"Most assuredly," Ginny said, grabbing Harry's hand and squeezing it tightly.

After Moody'd arrived back home from where ever he was, he'd made plans to visit Dumbldore and have a "bit of a chat." From what Ginny saw, that meant a war counsel. Cephiet, Cetia, Odell, and the other sea-elves had been re-located to the forest outside Hogwarts, a special quarter that Dumbledore reserved just for them.

Ginny was happy to see that elfin healing was fast and Harry was perfectly fine...almost better than fine. She could tell by looking at him that he was stronger than he was before.

"Just one moment with the power and he's already adjusting. He's strong, Virgin From Light, maybe too strong," Cetia had said. "I wonder...do you have that same strength?"

"Maybe I do and maybe I don't," Ginny had answered. "But I know one thing, what Harry does somehow hinges on something I have to do. I don't have to do that, something for which I'm thankful for."

Cetia had nodded and left into the forest with her brother, Cephiet, and what Ginny'd gathered was her husband, Altair.

"I wonder," Moody said, "what sort of plans Voldemort has."

"As do I, Alastor," Dumbledore said. "All this is dependent on that you two do what you're supposed to. I wish I could tell you what that is."

"We wouldn't be worthy," Ginny said spontaneously.

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at her. "Worthy?"

"Things don't happen without reason," Ginny argued. "The universe just doesn't throw out prophesies and powerful people just to watch them play. She's testing us, testing to see who deserves to win and have final domination, good or evil. If you were to tell us, it would be too easy and the universe would reject us. Harry and I must have faith, that when the time comes, we will know what to do."

Slowly, a smile formed on Dumbledore's lips, the first Ginny had seen in quite a while. "Brilliant," he said laudingly. "We must let things run their course. Brilliant, Miss Weasley."

"That's my girl," Moody grunted from his seat near the fire.

"One thing," Harry said, speaking for the first time since he'd declined the lemon drops. "It bothers me, that Voldemort is able to penetrate my dreams still. That connection should have been severed with the..."

"I know of the second soul in your body, Harry," Dumbledore said off-handedly.

"Right," Harry said quickly. "We talked about it, Draco and me. He shouldn't be able to contact me through our link. Some protection from the heavens thing I didn't understand."

"And to cast a dreaming spell he'd have to be close by," Ginny said. "But then there are protections on where he lives. No doubt they cover dreams, Headmaster."

"They do," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "This all points to Celeste Sinestra. Only she could have possibly had access to the charms placed on Harry's home."

"Any word from her," Ginny asked.

"Slithering bitch escaped our auror network at the Italy-Switzerland border. We think she is heading to Rome, but she is smart. She won't try Apparition; she knows it will lead us to her." Moody spat into the fire. "We'll get her though, I promise you that."

"And what of Arabella, in the Sudetenlands?" Ginny asked, her eyes flicking towards Moody.

"She says that things go as planned. Wish I knew what the plans were," Moody grumbled.

Ginny stared into the fire. Watching it crackle she thought. Not much use in trying to find Tom. When the time comes he will find us, or call us to him. He'll want us there when he gains his dominion of the world. Then Harry and I will have to act.

"Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said, releasing her from her revelry. "Miss Weasley?"

"I was...just thinking. All we can do now is wait. Things will fall into place or they won't fall into place. I rather think they will." Ginny looked the headmaster in the eye speculatively. "Still, we should train. Harry has talents that need to be developed further by the elves. They know better than anyone the type of magic he will have to use against Tom, who they call Voldemort Evening Star."

Dumbledore nodded. "Will you ask Cetia and Cephiet if they would be willing to help Harry? I'm sure," and here he smiled, "that Odell would be happy to have him as a sparring partner."

~~~

"Let me ask them, Harry," Ginny said as they exited Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore claimed 'fatigue that inspired sleep.' Of course that meant Moody would stay and they would talk about Harry and Ginny.

"I remember what happened the last time you went off into the woods with elves lurking -"

"Oh, Harry! Don't be dense! They won't do that again. Now just...just go visit Hagrid or something. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you," Ginny said dismissively.

"Fine," Harry said reluctantly, heading over to Hagrid's cabin dejectedly.

Ginny rolled her eyes. Pulling her cloak tightly around her and flipping the hood up, Ginny headed off in the elfin camp. It wasn't long until an elf approached her. She recognized him as Cetia's husband. He nodded at her and motioned for her to follow. Ginny did, but kept an eye open. There seemed to be about thirty, well spaced tents in which elves were living in. Ginny saw very few women and no children at all. She didn't know a lot about elves, but she assumed they did give live birth.

"Virgin From Light," Cetia called to her from a clearing. Altair, Cetia's husband, nodded and Ginny entered the clearing. Cetia had a plain white dress on and appeared to be caring for a young tree, a Rowan if Ginny's eye didn't deceive her. "I felt you would be coming to us. What does Albus Shadowmaker say?"

Ginny took off her hood and looked around her. It seemed very magical to her, but very new as well. It hit Ginny that they might be trying to make another Holy Circle of Rowans in the Forbidden Forest.

"Well," Ginny said, "the headmaster would like to know if you would consent to training Harry Potter. Train him in the way of using his elemental magic."

"Harry Green Shield the men have taken to call him," Cephiet said from behind Ginny. Not entirely surprised, Ginny didn't jump or show signs of freight, she merely turned and nodded her head at him.

"Yes," Ginny said. "He is called The Green Knight in the prophesies of Reonet."

"Reonet Timeless Soul," Cetia said in agreement. "Yes, we know of her and speak of her thus in our legends. We know of Harry's part in the prophesies."

"I will train him personally, Virgin From Light," Cephiet said regally. "It would be my honor to train Harry Green Shield."

"Dumbledore suggested a sparring partner," Ginny said cautiously. "Perhaps Odell Duladain."

A smile broke out on Cephiet's face. "Odell, yes. Yes, Odell does need a good partner to spar with."

Ginny caught a small smile from Cetia as she watered the Rowan sapling. Looking from Cetia to Cephiet, Ginny realized that they were speaking again and frowned. They didn't really have the right to do that, it was rude. But what was she to do.

"Virgin From Light," Cephiet said, "I wonder; would Harry Green Shield like to start immediately. These things take years, decades to learn, the sooner we start..."

Ginny nodded, "I'll get him, he's at Hagrid's cabin."

"Hagrid Twenty Strength," Cetia said, a small smile on her face. "I much desire to speak to him again."

Ginny raised her eyes but said nothing else. Altair led her out of the forest to Hagrid's cabin and waited outside as Harry and Hagrid said their farewells. Altair and Hagrid shook hands briefly after a short, formal dialogue, and Ginny wondered once again what Hagrid had done to earn his name...other that he was obviously as strong as twenty men.

But before Harry and Ginny got back to camp, Altair stopped them. "Virgin From Light, Harry Green Shield, Cetia wishes you to know something. She cannot say it to you personally, nor can she speak of it to others. Cetia says the panther rides at midnight. You won't understand this for a while."

Then as abruptly as he spoke, he stopped and began walking again. Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance leaving it unspoken that they would talk about it later.

Entering the clearing Ginny saw Cephiet and Odell talking. Cetia was tending to another Rowan silently, a small smile on her face. But as soon and Ginny stepped into the clearing, Cetia looked up, her sea-blue eyes twinkling.

"Virgin From Light, Harry Green Shield, welcome. Cephiet and Odell are happy you asked for our services Harry Green Shield. They would be grateful to fill in for Demetrios and Orion. Virgin From Light, take a walk with me, please."

Ginny nodded and pecked Harry on the cheek before leaving him with the other two elves. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Harry and Cephiet shaking hands. Then Harry and Odell shook hands stiffly.

"They will be fine," Cetia assured her.

"What did you want to talk about?" Ginny asked, looking at the forest.

"Harry Green Shield," Cetia said calmly.

They walked in silence for a long time. Ginny noticed that this part of the forest was drastically different from other parts she'd seen. It was greener, more open and not so foreboding. It seemed the breeze was sweeter there, the sun a little brighter. Ginny wondered if it was the elves doing or Dumbledore's.

"What about Harry?" Ginny asked once they were far out of ear shot.

Cetia stopped at a small stream and sat at the edge. Slightly confused, Ginny sat too. She supposed it was relaxing, the current of the river strangely steady despite the erratic echoings it produced twinkling on the shale.

"It's peaceful," Cetia said, straightening her pale dress around her feet. "Is it not? The water is so calm here. Not like ocean water, though I miss Ulannii greatly."

"I guess," Ginny said indifferently.

"My brother is the king of the ocean-elves, did you know? He did not want to leave Ulannii but he knew it was necessary. Sometimes we must do things we don't want to do. I know -"

"What does this have to do with Harry?" Ginny asked abruptly.

Cetia fixed Ginny with a serious gaze. She didn't look angry to Ginny, merely...upset. "Cephiet agrees, Harry needs intense training. Cephiet is the greatest warrior of our people, the greatest in history. He wishes to train Harry in the way he was trained. He would take Harry to Aphladendail, a secluded island of elves. The white-elves dwell there, the highest order of elf. My brothers and I are half white-elf, half sea-elf, that is why Cephiet is welcome on the island. The white-elves will train Harry if Cephiet asks them. But you would not be allowed to come."

"Why tell me? Shouldn't you tell Harry," Ginny said.

"Cephiet - I, thought it would be wise if you convinced Harry to with us."

Ginny nodded. "I see now. You think Harry will be unwilling to leave me because of his duty to protect me."

Cetia closed her eyes. "We know he would not come. Cephiet and I think it is necessary thought, that he receives this training."

Ginny reached forward and let her fingers skim the top of the cool stream. "He won't like it. He'll fight you the whole time. He'll be stubborn and obstinate."

"I know."

"I could convince him though," Ginny said thoughtfully. "He has less than three months. Will that be long enough?"

"Enough to help. I wish we had gotten here earlier, that we had realized it was so close." Cetia stood. "Thank you, Virgin From Light."

Ginny nodded and set back to the elfin camp with Cetia.

~~~

Harry tossed Ginny on the bed and practically pounced on her. A grin was on his face as he bent down and began kissing Ginny's neck languidly. Running his hands up her sides and then tangling them in her hair he nipped at her neck, satisfied momentarily as she moaned and pulled him closer.

"Mm, Harry," she said as Harry moved to unbutton her shirt.

"What, my love?" he said, breathing heavily.

"I had an interesting conversation with Cetia this evening," she said and then gasped as he began sucking on her breast, delicately tracing her nipple.

"So that is where you went," he growled, pulling at her jeans.

"Uh," she let out. "Yeah. She said -"

"Do you mind, I'm trying to get in your pants right now," Harry said with an edge of impatience in his voice.

"Um, I know," Ginny said, heart beating faster as he swiftly took off his shirt and began kissing her again. "But she said some pretty interesting things."

Harry bit her lip a little harder than usual and chuckled. "As interesting as this?" he said as he thrust into her.

"Ah," Ginny said, her eyes beginning to fill with stars. "Not quite," she said; her voice quivering as he pumped into her greedily. Ginny closed her eyes and gasped. This was much different from what Harry was normally like. Usually he was very selfless, not domineering. It didn't exactly bother her, change, after all, wasn't necessarily a bad thing. "She said - ah!"

Ginny had to grab onto Harry's shoulders tightly as he had practically picked her up off the bed in order to gain leverage. One arm holding her to him, the other propping them up over the bed, Harry drove into her fiercely until Ginny cried out loudly.

Breathing heavily Harry collapsed on Ginny solidly, but kept kissing her. Trailing kisses down her neck and around to her ear he mumbled, "I love you, Ginny."

Her head still spinning Ginny smiled. "I know."

Harry chuckled deeply and pulled out of her to grab the covers of the bed and pull them over his head. Ginny smiled up at him and he grinned back, leaning down to kiss her again.

"She said that you needed training," Ginny whispered.

"Merlin's beard!" Harry said desperately. "What did she say so I can do this again?"

Ginny laughed at this and kissed his neck. That was what she liked about Harry; he never got tired of making her happy even when she had other things she probably should be doing. She completely reveled in the way he made love to her. He was always so athletic, for lack of a better word, in bed. He wasn't always quite so forceful, but always athletic. It was another difference she noticed from Gryffindor to Slytherin. Slytherins weren't always athletic in the way they made love. Mind games were half the fun with them, especially in bed. It was intriguing and everything, but there was something right about just screwing someone's brains out. That was more the Gryffindor motto.

"Okay, be patient," Ginny said mirthfully. "Cetia said that Cephiet wanted to train you."

"That is what they are doing," Harry said, playing idly with her hair.

"They want to take you to Aphladendail, the Isle of the Elves, and train you, Harry," Ginny said calmly.

She heard Harry sigh as he propped his head up on his hand and looked at her. "I'd be leaving you then?"

Ginny nodded. "I'm not allowed. She said it was very important, that there are things you can only learn there -"

"No," he said sternly.

"Why?"

"Who will stay here and make sure you stay out of trouble?" Harry said defiantly.

"I don't need a keeper Harry," Ginny argued. "Besides, you're a Seeker."

Harry snorted. "What does this training entail?"

"I rather suspect training with your power, that power you used in the woods to protect me," Ginny said.

Ginny could tell that Harry was thinking it over because he was frowning and biting his tongue with his canines. Mulling it over a little longer, Harry said, "Do you think I should do it?"

"I think...I think it would be wise," Ginny said carefully. "I don't think that you should decline their offer. I mean, think of all the things you could learn. I'm...I'm rather jealous, to tell the truth."

Harry sighed and Ginny took it as a sign of indecision. "I suppose...if and only if I can go home anytime I want. I don't fully trust those elves, Gin."

Ginny smiled. "I think you're making the right decision."

"Now that that's over," Harry said suggestively. "Back to that Seeker line. It's not quite the Golden Snitch but it'll do..."

With that Harry dove lower kissing her stomach on the way down.

~~~

Standing on the pier Ginny looked on at the ocean. White waves broke on the beach and died as they climbed on the sand. It was chilly for autumn, and quite overcast too. Great looming clouds sat on the horizon, blocking the sun and giving the sky a depressed look. A chilly breeze whipped through the legs of the dock and flipped Ginny's cloak around her.

A light sea spray hit Ginny's face and she frowned. Not a seaman herself, she didn't know the temperament of the ocean. But sailing with clouds like that and waves as such didn't seem like a particularly bright idea.

Evidently the elves thought differently for they were talking excitedly as they tied ropes and did other sailing stuff foreign to Ginny. But even to her eye the ships were beautiful, apparently made of a wood unfamiliar to her. Upon the bow was a silvery maiden, topless with waves covering her middle. She had mysterious eyes, Ginny decided.

"She looks like you, Virgin From Light," a voice said from behind her. Ginny turned and saw Odell looking off into the sea. "The figurehead, I mean. They call her Eblaraith Nanahain, or, in your tongue, Elbaraith Fire Spirit. It is said her soul was made of fire, so she married Odell Duladain, my namesake, to cool her ever turbulent soul. When she set foot on the Gladenrod, Odell's ship, she was turned to silver by the ocean water."

"That's beautiful," Ginny said, looking up at Odell. A strange look was on his face. It was almost peaceful and reflective, but still held traces of violence and cunning. Ginny decided she didn't like it.

Odell opened his mouth but Cephiet came over, Harry in tote, and clasped a hand on his shoulder. "Brother, it's time for us to leave."

Odell frowned but nodded his head.

"Virgin From Light, in compensation for taking your protector from you, I leave you my three greatest warriors, Odell Duladain, Antaries Lonadain, and Celenties Gorgrindel," Cephiet said formally.

Ginny's eyes went to Harry's and he nodded. Apparently he'd been informed of this before her. "I accept," Ginny said.

"Antaries! Celenties! Come!" Cephiet shouted. Two brawny elves with blonde hair and slightly paler eyes than that of Cephiet and his sister stopped what they were doing and came to Cephiet's side.

"With that in order," Cephiet said, "I bid you farewell, Virgin From Light. May Omen Rah smile on you always and Ulannii cool you in drought."

Ginny nodded and Cephiet turned, a couple of soldiers followed him onto his ship. Harry took her hand and led her away from her guard.

"Gin," he said as he put his hand on her shoulders. "I'll be fine. I'll probably be back before you know it."

She smiled up at him. "I'll be fine, Harry, stop worrying."

Harry grinned at her. "You see though me so easily, Ginny. I won't worry about you, deal?"

"Deal," Ginny said, sealing it with a kiss. To her surprise Harry lifted her off the ground and held her to him tightly. She through her arms over his shoulders and deepened the kiss. Finally he pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"I'll be seeing you, Gin," he said quietly, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

Ginny nodded, refusing to let the stinging tears in the corners of her eyes fall. Harry smiled at her and walked up the gangplank. Watching as the ship pulled out of harbor, Ginny smiled sadly. She wouldn't see him until...well until the solstice, or a day before maybe. Then who knows what would happen. If nothing else she could treasure the memories she had.

Soon she couldn't see the ship on the horizon. Setting her face, Ginny pulled the hood up on her head and walked towards her new guards. Pft, like I need guards, Ginny thought sarcastically.

The three men turned and looked at her. "Let's go home."

~~~

November 24, 1997

Dear Diary,

I feel the pain of loss now. I miss him so, I have no way of contacting him, no way of seeing him, its maddening. And to think I gave him to the elves when I may never see him again...well that's foolish. I will see him again. Maybe not for long, but I will see him.

Besides, my life is entertaining as it is. Having three elves living in the same house with Alastor is more amusing than one would think. They just...SIT THERE! Really, I'm not exaggerating. When I first walked into the kitchen the day after I saw Harry off Odell, Antaries, and Celenties were all sitting at one end of the table looking at Moody, and he was just looking back. It was so funny I had to leave otherwise I'd probably wound their pride.

Stupid male ego, I swear! I rather wonder what they are like when they sleep. I mean, Moody put them up in the house, a room for each of them. Do they sleep in the bed or just on the floor? And what goes through their heads? True enough one of them is always on guard outside my door though.

They follow me around like a damn shadow...except there are three...and they're all blonde and tall with blue eyes...and they're slightly less talkative than shadows too. And what is worse, they all sit there and stare at each other.

I've completely discounted they are speaking in their minds like Cetia and Cephiet were. They just don't look like it. If I didn't know better I'd say Cephiet sent idiots to protect me. Big, muscly, blonde idiots...weird-d-d-d-d.

I suppose it could be worse, they could actually be dumb.

They do tend to take their work rather seriously. But I did ask them if they wanted to meditate with me one day, in the Holy Circle. They seemed excited to tell the truth. Whether they were excited to be meditating around the Rowans with me or just meditating I couldn't tell. They seem to have a fascination with the trees and the wind in particular. When I walk by the brook outside the Rowans on my afternoon walk they seem more excited to be outside. I think they miss the ocean. They are, after all, water creatures.

At any rate, time passes slowly, almost languidly. I have trouble keeping count of the days. Most of this I contribute to the constant and overbearing roar in my ears. Harry manages to keep the cries of the universe at bay. Without him, however, they rage in my head. Only extreme meditation drives the roar away.

I'm not sleeping as much either. Lots of nights I just sit outside and try to keep the noise away. The elves seem to appreciate this. I think they are very in tune with the stars and time.

One thing I know, I miss Harry badly.

~~~

"Block boy! Block!"

Once again Harry was sent flying to the ground, his sword skidding out of his hand as it contacted with the glossy marble. Sitting up partially and rubbing his head, Harry felt a pressure on his chest and a sword point at his neck.

"Potter boy," Glorlindail said in an almost whisper. "Were I the enemy you'd be in shreds. Get up and get your sword."

He removed his foot from Harry's chest and turned his back on him. Harry frowned. It had been four weeks training with the white-elves and the one word that still stuck in his mind was snotty. They were as stuck up as all hell and didn't seem to care. Maybe it was because he was a human, maybe because they were trying to be hard on him so he'd learn faster, or maybe -

They're just damn snotty. I thought I was bad. Damn, I wish I'd gotten lessons from these people, Draco said humorously in his head.

Yeah, well, Harry said, you're supposed to help me or whatever. Why don't you start planning snotty things for me to say back.

I could, but seeing you berated by a higher being is just so fun and entertaining. And you could use with some training.

Especially the type that throws me on my ass every five minutes?

I was thinking every three...

Shut up.

Harry gathered his sword in his hand again and stood, wiping the beads of sweat from his head. The marble was cool on his bear feet and the white linen pants he was given were light and airy.

As it turned out, the air element came most easily to him and became his greatest ally. Swift and sharp as the North wind he cut through distance between him and Glorlindail. Glorlindail, of course, blocked him easily and sent him flying. Fortunately Harry caught his feet and skidded to a halt before he ran into the tall marble pillar.

Harry stood, feet spread past shoulder width, his sword vertical in the air. Gathering the air around him he focused it and shot it at Glorlindail. It had a green tint to it and it burst upon the elf king, sending his back a few feet on the marble. It was a good shot for Harry.

"Good!" barked the brawny elfin king. "Now block this, boy!"

Sweeping the long sword over his head, Glorlindail whipped the point at Harry and from it a great white blast of stinging wind flew at him. Harry just barely got his green shield up before the gust hit and even then it began to falter before it broke, sending Harry reeling into the stony pillar.

Glorlindail sighed and put his sword in its sheath. Then he walked over to Harry and pulled him up. "You did well today," he said in his gruff voice. "Go get some rest. Tomorrow you must pass the tests."

Harry nodded, heading off to his rooms, slightly favoring his right ankle. Sword over his shoulder Harry entered what he'd deemed at the infirmary as it was the room that the healing elves usually were in at the time he finished training.

The chief healer, he still couldn't pronounce he guy's name, healed him with a frown and sent him on his way.

Rolling his eyes, Harry flopped down on his bed in his rather white room and thought of Ginny. It had been too long was all he could deduce. He didn't like the idea of leaving her in the first place and now he liked it even less. He missed her hands on his chest at night, her fiery red hair in his eyes when he woke. He missed her breathing at night and her small touches. He missed her.

Get over it. You'll see her soon, Draco said dully in his head. Besides, aren't you at all interested about what the test will be?

No, Harry replied.

You're infuriating, you know that?

I've been told that...by Hermione.

That shut Draco up.

All for the better, Harry thought. I need my sleep.

It seemed as though he'd just gotten to sleep when a cold hand on his shoulder woke him from his dreams. Jumping slightly he saw it was Cephiet and he relaxed...a bit.

"Harry Green Shield," he said in his flowing, slow voice, "the tests are ready for you. Get up."

Harry yawned and got up from the cradle-like bed. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he began pulling on the loose white pants.

"What are these tests anyway?" he asked Cephiet as he tied the white headband tightly around his forehead.

"You will be given a test for the elements. If you overcome it, you will be marked," Cephiet explained.

"Marked?" Harry asked, following Cephiet out the door and down the great white halls.

"Marked," Cephiet confirmed. Then he pulled his shirt down a ways and pointed at a spiraling, twisting tattoo along his collar bone. "It's the equivalent of tattooing in your culture, but it's done by magic. It flows in your veins and under your skin, intricately marking your body. For each person it is individual, not even my sisters and mine are identical."

"What if I don't want to be marked?" Harry asked carefully.

A snort escaped Cephiet's nose. "It increases power and control tenfold, Harry Green Shield."

"Oh," Harry said simply.

Cephiet turned suddenly outside and the scent of ocean salt entered Harry's nose. Squinting in the bright sun Harry followed Cephiet around the isle to a field with a suspicious looking silver tree. It didn't encourage Harry any when the wind blew and the tree let off a twinkling sound and a quicksilver glittering cloud. The mist swirled about the tree and drifted peacefully out to the ocean.

Harry closed his mouth and looked up at Cephiet. He nodded and led Harry down to the tree. Four other elves stood there. One of them was the pale white-elf king, Glorlindail. The other three seemed to be just as regal, each with a thin crown winding close to their foreheads like Glorlindail and Cephiet.

"Potter," Glorlindail said sharply when Harry came to them. "These are your witnesses, Orthander Deflorian of the plain-elves, Lendri Asin of the mountain-elves, and Henolas Grenlef of the forest-elves, myself and Cephiet Duladain you already know."

"Why do I need witnesses?" Harry asked suspiciously.

Glorlindail sneered in an amused way. "Only the kings of elves are allowed to touch this tree. As an introduction to our highest order, we need witnesses to attest that you did in fact pass or fail the test. Besides, if you defile the tree with your filthy human hands I have four people ready to cut you down."

"Glorlindail," Cephiet warned. "That wasn't necessary."

Glorlindail regally rolled his eyes. "Well, Potter, what are you waiting for? Touch the damn tree!"

Harry looked speculatively from one elf to the next, one eyebrow raised. "A test of kings," the voice of Arthur echoed in his head. Harry sighed and walked up to the tree, facing it before he got enough courage to touch it. Its surface appeared smooth and not bark-like at all. Harry wondered if it was even made of wood at all and not some metal substance.

Harry vaguely remembered a storm of whispers as he put his palm on the tree. It was surprisingly cool and soft, not really a solid at all. A breeze shook the tree and the silver substance fell on him lightly, staining his skin. Harry frowned and made to brush it away, but found he couldn't move his hand from the tree.

Then something amazing happened. It felt like a cool substance had been injected into his blood stream. Looking at his arm he saw his veins turn silver. The swirling Mercurian liquid shot up his veins and into his chest. He felt it climbing up his neck and through his aorta. A strange cloud filled his eyes and Harry felt like he was seeing through a silver screen. With his free hand he ripped his glasses off his face, but the silver lining was still there.

Then it entered his lungs and Harry's breathe caught. He couldn't breath. Panicking slightly he tried to breathe in deeply but nothing happened. Looking through his sliver tainted eyes, flecks of green appeared before him, meshing and swirling together to make a metallic green color.

Looking at his veins he saw that they were the same as his vision. Then something happened. A burning, stinging sensation that started on this neck and traveled down to his navel. It wasn't particularly painful, but disturbing. He looked down on his chest and saw that delicate eddies of magic were entwining themselves on his skin, occasionally forming angles that looped into fragile crescents. Then the unpleasant sting traveled from his belly to his shoulders and it began to freeze, freeze him all over. Breathing labored because of the metallic substance Harry began to feel light headed.

Then all sensations stopped. Harry fell to the ground unconscious.

~~~

Ginny woke with a headache and sore eyes. Trying to remember what she'd done to get so miserable she moaned. "Oh, yes," she said quietly.

"Just shut up, elf," Ginny slurred. Taking another drink of whatever she had, she could read the label anymore, she sat heavily on the couch. Nursing the bottle in a depressed fashion she sighed.

"If you wish to intoxicate yourself any further the be my guest -"

"Do you think I'm beautiful?" she said dumbly. Odell looked at her with open mouth and open eyes.

"Harry always says I'm beautiful, but he's rather bias. Draco said I was beautiful too, but he had his own biases too." Ginny took a long swig of her drink and smiled. "Well that shut you up. I don't want a guard right now Odell. Go away."

Odell's face sobered. "I am your protector. A job was given to me by my king and I'll carry out -"

"Oh, shut up! I'm going on a walk!" With that she stood abruptly and collapsed just as abruptly. The last thing she remembered was a long string of elfish curses coming from Odell's mouth and then darkness.

Ginny groaned. She'd gotten ridiculously drunk. And why not? She was terribly lonely and her only companions were one smart ass elf, two mute ones, and Moody who was constantly going off on business. Besides, alcohol kept the roar down. Anything to keep that constant annoyance away.

Groaning Ginny made her way to her bathroom and turned the shower on...very hot. She didn't have time to mope about. Sighing and doing her best to ignore the grinding in her head and the sting of the scalding shower, Ginny began to wash off. She felt particularly dirty for some reason. Letting the hot water take care of that she leaned against the tiled walls of the shower and put her head under the water as she thought.

She still had one week until Harry came back. One week of guards following her around, one week of loneliness, one week of boredom. Ginny switched off the water and stood in the warm shower for a few minutes before wrapping a towel around her body and walking into her room to change.

Pulling on her black pants and a black short-sleeved shirt she exited her room, Antaries trailing her to the kitchen. Sipping at her coffee she looked outside narrowly missing the shadow that passed quickly by the window.

~~~

Harry's wand hand twitched as Glorlindail circled him. Frowning, Harry grasped his sword tighter and took a defensive stance and waited. But no attack came from Glorlindail. Instead it came from Cephiet.

Harry turned around in just enough time to put a shield up to repel Cephiet's attack. A light knock in the back of his head told him that Orthander was preparing for an attack and Harry shot one his way before Orthander of the plains could counter it.

Wheeling around, Harry's blade met Glorlindail's. Anticipating the attack from Henolas, Harry gathered the air around him and focused it into his palm then released it on the woodland elf. He was flung back into a pillar and didn't rise.

Glorlindail's blade still pressed against his own and Harry felt his right arm weakening. Bringing his left hand to aid him, Harry became caught in a battle of raw strength. With a flare of his aura Glorlindail was repelled like Henolas, leaving Harry with Cephiet Orthander, and Lendri.

Harry decided to take care of them with one blow. Forcing himself into a state of calm, Harry held out his sword so it was perpendicular to the floor and centered the energy he felt around him. With the addition of his inner magic, Harry felt the intricate designs on his chest burn with strain. They began to radiate a silver-green mist and swirl with the focused energy in front of his sword. When it became so that it pushed Harry's limits to control the power, he released it on the trio of elfin kings.

It shot violently from his control and headed right at Cephiet, Orthander, and Lendri. They were driven into a hard wall, leaving Harry panting on the marble floor, trying to catch his breath. He fell to a knee and felt the world spin around him. He'd used too much again. He'd have to remember NOT to do that again. Using his sword as a cane of sorts he stood and wiped the sweat off of his forehead and chest.

Glorlindail was the fist to move and Harry made to help him up. The elf king smiled broadly at him. "Finally, I can call you Harry Green Shield. Congratulations! Would you like to return home now?"

Harry stood astonished. Home? To Ginny? Yes. Yes, that was what he wanted to do. Henolas and Cephiet rose, both moving to shake Harry's hand and they helped Harry and Glorlindail move Orthander and Lendri to the healer's.

Harry flopped down on his soft white bed and dreamed of home. Ginny's delicate hands running over his chest...he wondered what her reaction to his tattoos would be. Ginny's warm and inviting lips on his...he wondered if she tasted the same. Upon reflection it was probably better.

Drifting off Harry dreamed of Ginny. He would have three days with her before the solstice. He was going to make love to her for three days...three days...

~~~

Ginny yawned and fell into her seat in front of the mirror. Brushing her hair she sighed. Harry was coming home early. She'd gotten word from him (a beautiful bird of the sea had carried it to her personally) and he said he'd be returning tomorrow. Smiling dreamily she ran her fingers though her hair. Not ten hours from now she'd be in Harry's arms again. Her hands went to her throat and she unclasped her silver necklace. She still kept her six rings on it, though they were more symbolic now. They had become visible after she'd absorbed their power.

Crawling into bed and under he covers Ginny sighed. Not even the roar of the universe could keep her from happy dreams tonight.

~~~

He'd taken care of those damn elves. It was too easy. He'd just borrowed the Dark Lord's voice (with Voldemort's permission) and they were putty in his hands. Not only that, they were happy to do ANYTHING he wanted. A pang of envy that he didn't have this power over people or elves normally shot through him. But years of psychological training squashed any hopes of grandeur out of his mind. He would return the voice to the Dark Lord.

He'd lead them into the forest, telling the one with the sword, the one that seemed to be in charge, to kill the other two brawnier ones. He did with relish and Wormtail stored that bit of knowledge away. If Voldemort could use his voice to control the elves he would have another army to fight the Ministry with.

Wormtail told the tall elf to kill himself cleanly and quietly. Of course he did. Anything for he was the voice, Wormtail thought darkly.

Silently climbing the side of the house, Wormtail was amazed the house wasn't more booby trapped. He assumed that the girl toned it down as she had three guards with her. A sticky smile forming on his lips he fought not to let out a satisfied chuckle. He would have her...maybe in more ways than one...NO! his training barked at him harshly. The Dark Lord said in 'perfect condition.' He nodded to himself as he reached the window.

He almost fell. She was brushing he hair in a way he had no doubt she knew was sensual. Groaning as her hands went to neck, Wormtail once again fought off the urge to rape the young Slytherin. But what really got him hot was the way she slid headfirst under her covers, the sweet curves of her hips and legs making his pants uncomfortably tight.

She knows you're there, a voice in the back of his mind said. She's teasing you. Let her know who is boss.

No, he fought. 'Perfect condition.'

Wormtail put a Silencing Charm on himself and crept through her open window. Looking at her under the moon's light he was glad he had an Invisibility Cloak and a Silencing Charm as he was dangerously close to coming right then. Fumbling under his robes he brought out a small vile with a yellow vapor in it. Uncorking it he released it under her nose, making sure she inhaled at least three times before capping it again. Waiting a few moments he nudged her. When she didn't respond he began to laugh. It was too easy.

One touch, he mind pleaded.

NO!

He sighed. Maybe his lord would let him later. Maybe as a gift to him for all his hard work.

~~~

Her eyelids were heavy and her limbs even more so. Ginny tried to open her eyes but only managed a flicker. Even her heart seemed disinterested in beating. Forcing a deep breath Ginny managed to open her left eye. Am I blind too, she wondered dumbly. Merlin's beard! What did I do to myself now?

"Odell," she croaked. To her ears it sounded more like, "Oadlalauh..."

Good, I've always wanted to speak troll, she thought dryly. Forcing the other eye open she tried to focus on something. A light hung somewhere off to her left so she tried that. It was a candle...or a lantern...hell it could have been the moon and she wouldn't have known. Something was definitely impairing her vision.

Bringing a hand to her eyes she tried to rub the sleep from them. Hand falling limp at her side she looked around her again. It was a dark room, a cave almost, with a few candles perched on the walls dripping wax. Ginny frowned. This was NOT what he room looked like. This was what SEVERUS SNAPE'S room probably looked like, not hers.

Taking another long breath she forced herself into an uncomfortable sitting position leaning against a dank wall. She groaned and brought her knees to her head. This was NOT how she wanted to spend the day, not at all. She wanted to know where she was and why. Not only that but who took her and why her guards just stuck their thumbs up their ass.

Ginny groaned and massaged her head in a labored manner. She couldn't remember anything. Well...she remembered going to sleep. That in no way brought her anywhere close to a cave or where ever she was.

A clicking sound came from somewhere and Ginny looked around her. A crude staircase was cut into the stone and a shadow was coming closer to her. Ginny sighed and prepared for the worst. Tom, maybe Lucius Malfoy if she was lucky.

As it turned out it was neither. It was a squat man with balding hair and crooked yellow teeth. Not really Death Eater material, she thought drably. Maybe he's a prisoner too. And maybe not, she thought when he smirked at her and squatted in front of her.

"How are you feeling Miss Weasley?" his sticky voice said. She would have cringed if she could move.

She just stared at him and he laughed. He pulled a vial out of his pocked and forced her lips open then poured it down her throat. Immediately she coughed and hiccupped, tears stinging in her eyes.

"Un-deluded Pepperup! Are you insane?" she spat, edging away from him.

The man snorted. "No. Merely amused. Come now, Miss Weasley, time for you to wash up. Don't want to see the master all dirty from the floor now do we."

He reached to help her up but she glared at him and pulled her arm away. "Don't want to see the master at all," she grumbled. With not too much effort she managed to stand, with the help of the wall of course, and make a good attempt at walking.

The man leered at her as she drew her (upon refection) too skimpy sleep wear around her with as much poise as she could.

"Well?" she snapped.

"This way Miss Weasley," he said, leading her (not up the stairs as she hoped) but into another hall in the caves.

Ginny made an effort to memorize the entrances and exits they used so she could formulate an escape plan. If she knew where she was going she could just transform into a panther and outrun the fools. But she needed to know where she'd be running first. They made another two lefts before the fat man beaconed her into a small room with a bath and a few towels, all transfigured Ginny guessed.

Looking at him meaningfully he just smirked. "Wouldn't want you to escape on us, now would we Miss Weasley?"

"Perv," Ginny muttered under her breath. She really...really....REALLY...wished she had her wand. Shedding her cloths in what she hoped was a business-like way she turned her back to him and got in the tub, scrubbing her body down quickly and just barely rinsing her hair.

Occasionally she heard a gasp from her onlooker but she ignored it. Finishing her bath quickly she stood and reached for the towel.

"Accio towel!" she heard the man murmur deviously.

Ginny clenched her teeth. She HATED this! The slimy bastard wanted a show? She'd give him a show. Turning to the little man she smiled wickedly. To her amusement his ears turned pink. Ginny gathered he wasn't very experienced in this. Water dripping off her onto the stony floor Ginny padded over to him and to her great amusement looked down on him. His eyes hadn't moved from her body, but now they looked in her eyes. She could see his fear and...was that embarrassment? She smirked and grabbed the towel quickly from his grasp.

"Leave," she growled. The man turned a deep shade of red and scampered. Ginny couldn't help it, she let out a throaty laugh and dried off, putting on the ("Oh, Merlin, they want me to wear this? Couldn't they have given me paint? It would cover me better than...well whatever this is.") clothes set out.