Chapter 19

Hermione and Siobhan finally caught up to Amelia just outside the Great Hall, as she was about to enter.

"Bloody hell Amelia how did you move so fast? We could barely keep up with you and you are not even a little out of breath." Hermione panted trying to compose herself. She'd nearly had to damn well sprint in order to catch up to the person in question who was right now irritating her with her benign smile.

Amelia was watching Hermione a bit of humor playing around her eyes. She had to admit that she was beginning to like the bushy haired teen even though they'd gotten off to a rocky start. She rather enjoyed her natural hunger for knowledge, her hard working ethics, her zest for research and her attention to detail. If it hadn't been for her help she doubt she'd have figured out where Voldemort was hiding this fast. She should thank her but was feeling slightly mischievous besides she rather liked having her squirm; the shades of pink she tends to turn were rather amusing.

"Hermione, such language it doesn't become one of your intelligence." Amelia began trying to sound outrage, which was ruin by the quirk of her lips.

"Oh stuff it Amelia, besides that is a case of the pot calling the kettle black since I've heard from very reliable sources that you yourself have produced language colourful enough to make a sailor blush." She retorted with a satisfied grin causing the half elf to quirk a questioning brow at her.

Hermione ignored the unasked question and plowed on instead. "Besides you were about to tell me how you managed to get here so fast and not be out of breath. And also what you'd discovered upstairs in the war room."

"War Room?"

"Yes, well that is what it basically is isn't it? Besides you're trying to change the subject and it is not going to work." She finished crossing her arms across her chest and staring at the Elvin princess.

"You know Siobhan, I believe the sorting hat has placed this one in the wrong house, don't you think?" She asked the elf standing next to Hermione.

Siobhan had been watching the interaction between the two with interest; the two were acting as if they were old friends teasing and joking with each other then a mischievous glint shone in her eyes as she turned her attention to Hermione but addressed both of them.

"You know you two are acting like a pair of married people." She didn't have long to wait as the colour seems to start at below her collar and slowly rose until Hermione was tinted a rosy pink. She turned to Amelia who only shrugged elegantly and started advancing on Hermione a wicked grin playing on her lips.

"Amelia what are you doing?" Hermione began, edging towards the double doors keeping her eyes on the half elf. She'd remembered what had happened the last time she'd seen that look in her eyes and wasn't looking forward to another performance of that day especially since at times her mind seem to want to relive that one experience.

"Oh nothing, just trying to show you a bit of spousal affection since you have been acting like one." She answered and reached for the bushy haired Gryffindor who lost all her courage at that moment and dashed for the doors.

"Amelia please don't." She screamed as she smashed through the doors startling those inside including the teachers. As she dashed over towards their house table next to Ron leaving the two elves bent double with laughter. Hermione cast them a dirty look, which was useless since it only served to add fuel to their laughter and they both decided to blow her kisses and winked at her. The two were laughing so hard at the nasty look Hermione was sending them, which by the way wasn't very effective since she was blushing profusely that they literally had to hold each other up.

The laughter from the two girls was so infectious that pretty soon everyone within earshot was laughing them self even if they didn't know what the joke was about.

The headmaster noticed this through his own laughter and decided that maybe the half Elvin Princess wasn't so bad after all since this was the first time he'd seen all four houses shared in an activity without malice. If only he could get her to see things his way then everything would be perfect.

After managing to get their laughter under some semblance of control Amelia and Siobhan walked the rest of the way to their table still draped over each other and sat down between Harry and Dalkyn.

"Okay what happened?" Harry inquired looking at all three females and causing Hermione to start colouring again.

"Nothing luv, just tried to show Hermione here a little affection but she bolted like a cat with its tail on fire." Amelia answered nonchalantly and winked at the girl in question causing her to turn an even deeper shade of red.

"That's not funny Amelia, besides you know I'm not like that." Hermione mumbled as she started putting food on her plate.

"I know luv and neither am I, but you have to admit that that is an effective way of keeping you quiet though isn't it?" She asked with a smirk that would make Draco Malfoy proud.

"Is that why you did that?"

"Of course, how else was I supposed to distract you from your train of thoughts?"

Hermione stared at the girl in front of her for a moment before she started chuckling to herself.

"You," she began shaking her head. "And you try to say that I was manipulative? Well played Amelia I think you've been hanging around the Ice Prince for far too long." She finished smiling at the girl.

"I'll take that as a compliment Hermione and I must say you rather surprised me yourself." Amelia answered. The two girls looked at each other a moment of understanding and mutual respect passing between them before going back to their lunch.

The others were looking at the two as if they had just appeared there out of thin air complete with forked tongues and horns but no one said anything and before long they were asking questions about their findings from this morning but Amelia sidestepped them saying that they shouldn't be discussing it in public. They grudgingly agreed that she was right and went back to eating their lunch and trying to think of what she could have found out.

On the surface Amelia appeared to be a picture of calmness but Harry could feel the nerves below that calm exterior through their link with each other. She was extremely worried about something and he wanted to know what it was so he reached out with his mind and brushed hers.

"Okay luv, are you gonna tell me what you saw or do I have to pry."

"I'll tell you but you can't react in anyway that shows the others that you know."

"Okay I promise to keep my emotions at bay. Now can I see it?"

"Okay go ahead, you know what to do."

Harry let down his barriers and allowed Amelia's mind to meld with his, he had to fight to keep his expression under control after seeing what Voldemort had planned for the Orcs.

Dalkyn had been watching the subtle interaction between Harry and his sister and because of this he was able to pick up on the miniscule change in Harry's expression. He'd known the lad for a good number of years and has even fought beside him so he knew when something was amiss when most wouldn't. Like now for instance, he knew Amelia was communicating some sort revelation that was bothering the young man from how his lips thinned slightly and the slight tightness around his eyes and the erratic beat of the pulse on the side of his neck. He knew it had something to do with the Endarkened and the fact that it was bad, both by Harry's reaction and from the slight tension in his sister's eyes. He was an elf after all and they had the unique ability to sense subtle changes in energy levels such as atmospheric pressure the rise or fall in one's blood pressure even the gentle pull of the moon upon the earth and he was willing to bet that the others had sensed it as well. He'd always thought that the ability of the elves to sense such things was duly because they were creatures of nature without the restraints of being human but that couldn't be said for Amelia and Harry, although in Amelia's case he'd thought it was possible because she was mostly elf even though she'd always claimed to be only half so. But Harry, Harry was the exception to the rules. He could sense the changes the same way they could and yet he was totally human and as far as Dalkyn knew he was the only human that can do so without being trained or first going into a meditative trance. He knew humans were able to sense things but not on the level that being of pure magic could for instance he could tell everyone's emotional state by the pattern of their heartbeats, he could hear hundreds of them each different and could match each person to a heartbeat and he knew from experience that the young man sitting next to his sister could do the same. Well maybe not this many without having to concentrate but the fact still remain he could do it.

Dalkyn was brought out of his thought by something gently brushing his mind.

"Diallan what's the matter? I know you are dying to know what I've discovered but yet you've said nothing."

"My dear diallannia nothing is wrong I was just thinking besides I knew if I waited long enough you'd come around to sharing."

"My aren't we a bit sure of ourselves, but I will admit that you're correct in your assumptions that I would share but I'm going to need everyone to link because I don't want to have to keep reliving this."

They all linked and without showing any outward emotion Amelia showed them what she'd discovered. After the link was broken she could feel the anger and outrage from the others but no one showed any signs of how they felt and continued with the lunchtime conversation but they'd seem to have lost their appetites.

After a few minutes Harry rose to leave pulling Amelia with him the others weren't far behind. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him and she in turn wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked along in silence towards The Phoenix Room or The War Room as Hermione had dubbed it.

Harry was feeling a little unsure of his self right now and needed the comfort that the contact with her provided. He'd never realized that contact with another person could offer so much comfort until he went to Faylin. No wonder the elves were constantly touching each other, at first he'd thought that they were overly promiscuous but he soon learned that not all touching was sexual and that they knew the difference but he still had a bit of a problem with gaining comfort from anyone but his beloved. It wasn't that he had anything against any of the others its just that Amelia seem to calm something deep within him that no one else could, he guessed it was because of the bond they shared but he wasn't sure.

Once they got to 'The War Room' and had summoned the remaining members of The Order Amelia went straight to the point of what she'd discovered from studying the dream sequences from Harry and Ginny's memory.

"Okay I realize that everyone is anxious to know what I've found out so far." She paused before continuing. "But I must tell you something before I reveal the location of Voldemort and the Orcs. The fact of the matter is there is nothing we can do right now." She finished looking around waiting for the explosion.

She didn't have to wait long; Albus was the first to get to his feet.

"Miss Emrys what is the meaning of this?" The headmaster began in a low voice that brooks no arguments. "What is going on exactly? One minute you're going on about how the Orcs had to be destroyed and now you're telling us that you know the location but all of a sudden you are unable to take action? Tell me Miss Emrys, what exactly is going on here?" He finished, eyeing her suspiciously.

Amelia was slightly surprised by the obviously veiled suspicion that was apparent on a few faces present. No doubt they all thought that she'd all of a sudden changed her mind about the Orcs because she was in cohorts with them. Amelia looked around and was very surprised at some of the faces that doubted her. The only people that seem to believe in her were Harry and her friends from both here and Alfheim. Amelia opened her mouth to refute the subtle innuendos but was saved from doing just that by Harry standing up and whirling on the order.

"Just what the hell are you implying? If you have something to say why don't you just come out and say it?" He ground out staring intently at the man he'd once thought could do no wrong.

"Do sit down Mr. Potter," Dumbledore began firmly. "I'm not implying anything just trying to gain some insight as to why the sudden change?"

"Okay Professor, why didn't you just say so without the subtle innuendos?" Harry began sarcastically. "Since you're not implying anything…I guess maybe I should explain the latest developments. I'm quite sure that everyone here is familiar with the celebration of Samhaim?"

"Of course," began Hermione. "It's the celebration of the third harvest, the end of the pagan year when we celebrate the long sleep and the promise of rebirth in the spring, the Muggles celebrate it as All Hallows eve or Halloween. But what does that have to do with anything?" She finished staring at him uncertainly. She was sure she wasn't going to like the answer.

Harry smiled at his friend; he could always count on her to know the answer. "Good and I suspect that I wouldn't be wrong in assuming that everyone knows what two Fridays from now is?"

"We are well aware of what day Samhaim falls on Potter; I hope you didn't drag us all up here with the hopes of impressing us with your new found knowledge and understanding of our various holidays and celebrations." Snape sneered.

"As I was saying before that that rude interruption and childish remark;" Harry began ignoring Snape all together which only served to make him sneer at him harder. "Samhain is in two weeks and what Ginny and I saw was Voldemort's way of commemorating the glorious occasion."

"What are you saying Potter?" McGonagall began staring at him. "That V, V, Voldemort plans to slaughter these Muggles during their Halloween celebration?" She finished looking as if she was about to pass out.

"Yes Professor, what we saw was a glimpse of what was to come, what I don't understand though is why I got the vision also seeing as Ginny is the only seer."

"Never mind that now," Molly began, looking suddenly pale. "We can't just sit here and let those things slaughter all those people."

"That is our concern as well," began Dalkyn speaking for the first time. "I know my sister can be a bit how you humans say; ah blunt but she is absolutely correct I'm afraid. The presence of the Orcs in this realm is very troubling indeed that and the revelation that this Voldemort individual means to use them to perform is own sick sacrilege has garnered the attentions of a number of the Magickal councils and the decisions have already came down from most. I'm afraid we truly do not have a choice they must be destroyed and the gate effectively sealed preventing any more such leaks." He finished observing the faces of the assembled humans.

"Wait a minute," began Dumbledore. "When and how were these decisions made and why weren't we informed?"

"As for when, the answer is about a few hours ago. How? Well they had a discussion and then voted of course." Dalkyn answered as if trying to explain something obvious to a small child. "And as for you not being informed, well you were. You see I just told you and I'm sure that the council has already informed your Minister of Magic along with the other countries by now. So you see everyone has been informed, right?"

Dumbledore didn't answer just inclined his head while McGonagall shot the elf a baleful look.

As if on schedule Minister Bones stepped out of the fireplace wearing a grave look on her face.

"Minister Bones" Dumbledore began rising from his seat but Minister Bones waved him to be seated as she took a seat in a vacant chair.

"I'm afraid that I have some very disturbing news," she began. "It would seem that Voldemort is planning on using the Orcs to slaughter Muggles during their Samhain celebrations." She finished looking around noting the nods from everyone indicating that this was common knowledge. "I have been contacted by a member of The Council Magickal with information and instructions on how this should be handled." She pauses taking in the look on everyone's face before continuing. "We are to work together with the elves in the capacity that we handle the Deatheaters while they round up the Orcs. I've agreed with The Council's decision and there is only one stipulation."

"Which is?" Dumbledore ask.

"The stipulation is that the General and the Commander of the 'Hawks Raiders' a compliment of the Elvin army will be in direct command of this mission."

"Okay that's fine since we have no experience of dealing with these creatures," Dumbledore agreed then continued. "When do we get to meet them?" He asked looking at The Minister of magic expectantly.

"You've already met them." Madame Bones replied with a small smirk playing on her lips as she looked from Harry to Amelia and nodded.

"What?" Snape shot up from his seat as he caught the Minister's nod. "You can't be seriously considering placing those to in command."

"Calm down professor," Minister Bones began waving off his outburst. "The Council apparently places a great deal of trust in them to get the job done and I believe that we should trust their judgment. Besides I've already agreed to the stipulations and one does not go back on an agreement with the council."

"But surely you could…" Dumbledore began but was cut off my Madame Bones.

"It is already decided Albus so just go ahead with the decision I have made besides you were the one who agreed to give Harry full leadership responsibility within the order so stop attempting to coddle the boy, can't you see that he's not a boy anymore?"

"I think we've found the headmasters' weakness" Amelia shot to Harry with smirk.

"Yes well remind me to invite her to every meeting we have with him from now on." Harry returned.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Emrys since you two are going to be in charge what do you propose we do?" Dumbledore asked.

"Right now I suggest we adjourn for now while we review the visions and formulate a plan of action." Harry answered for both of them.

After everyone had retired from the War Room except for the six friends and their Elvin visitors they all breathe a collective sigh of relieve. This was going to be so much easier now that they didn't have to worry about the rest of The Order trying to undermine them at every turn. Now all they had to do was figure out the best plan of attack and go from there.

It was dinner time by the time they had called it quits for the day and headed for the Great Hall to eat. As the group entered Amelia made her way over to the Slytherin table.

"Hey dragon," she began taking a seat next to Draco. "How's everything?"

"Wow I'm surprised you even notice me anymore seeing as you have important visitors and all." He answered sarcastically.

"You know Dragon envy doesn't become you besides I came over here to ask you to come meet my family but if you'd rather sit here and pout I'll just tell them you had better things to do."

"I would love to meet your family but there is no way in hell I'm going anywhere near the Gryffindor table so don't even ask."

"Oh come on Dragon it's not going to kill you to just walk over there this once. Besides I come over here all the time and I haven't caught anything so why can't you walk over there this once?"

"I'm not worried about me catching something or being killed for that matter, I'm more worried about me killing one of your little friends besides there is no way I could possibly catch anything remotely connected to that lot."

"Good so does that mean you'll come over?" She asked smiling brilliantly at him

"No, that doesn't mean I'll come over."

"Oh please don't tell me you're actually worried about what people will say? For Merlin's sake I'm not asking you to whole bloody table just to come meet family. It wont kill you this once to say screw what everyone thinks and just do something out of character, besides I thought you enjoy shocking people or are you just talk and no action?"

That comment had the desired effect; most of the Slytherins were looking at him expectantly to see what his reaction would be since she just basically accused him of having no guts. Draco regarded the half elf in front of him closely and with interest he was almost certain the sorting had made a mistake when it placed her in Gryffindor because someone who could manipulate like that certainly belonged with the snakes.

"Okay fine I'll come with you to meet your family but the first one of those annoying little insects that calls themselves your housemates to so much as look at me wrong I'm hexing them into next week."

"That's alright with me as long as you're not the one to start anything. Besides I'm inviting you to meet my family not to have tea with the rest of my house, now stop pouting and come on."

"Malfoys don't pout" he grumbled getting to his feet and following her to the other side of the Great Hall amongst all the whispers and stares. 'Don't these people have any thing better to do with their pathetic lives than to worry about what I'm doing at any given moment?' He thought to himself as he followed Amelia towards the Gryffindor table.

Once they got to the Gryffindor table Amelia took his hand and proceeded to introduce him to the four strangers sitting there.

"Everyone I would like to introduce you to Draco Malfoy, Draco this is my brother Dalkyn." She indicated the tall man with dark hair and blue, blue eyes.

"Mr. Malfoy, it's a pleasure to finally meet you my sister has told us a lot about you." Dalkyn replied extending his arm to the Slytherin.

"Please it's Draco and the pleasure is mine." He returned taking the offered arm.

"And this is Siobhan my best friend and confidant." She continued indicating the silver haired female with lilac colored eyes.

Siobhan extended her hand to him and Draco brought it to his lips for a chaste kiss.

"Mr. Malfoy it's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine, and please call me Draco."

"Uhm, Draco I would like you to also meet Wiwendin and Malik." Amelia continued breaking the silence that had suddenly descended on the table. "The bane of my existence and the pain in my arse."

"Hey I'm not the bane of anything," Malik began.

"And as for anything concerning your arse." Wendin continued

"That's all Harry." Malik finished as Amelia rolled her eyes at the pair and Harry tried to suppress the blush that was threatening. Draco suppressed a smirk as he accepted the outstretched arms.

"Very nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you Draco any friend of Amelia is a friend of ours." The two chorused taking turns shaking his hand.

"Just as long-" Wendin

"As you don't mind-" Malik

"Having a pain in the arse-" Wendin

"And a bane of your existence for friends-." Malik

"Sources say you're-" Wendin

"The resident bad ass-" Malik

"Around here-." Wendin finished.

"I don't mind at all but as for your sources, you should probably double check them you know how unreliable some people can be." He drawled elegantly and sneered at Harry, Ron, and Hermione indignantly before returning his attention to the people he came to meet.

"Well you know all about unreliability-" Ron began but closed his mouth at the death glare Amelia shot him and chose instead to leave with Hermione and Harry.

Draco sat and talked with the elves for a while enjoying himself immensely. Dalkyn was open and fun and Siobhan was so easy going and the twins, well the twins we themselves. The kind of reminded him of the Weasley twins. And then there was Amelia, sweet wonderful Amelia that never judged him and stood up for him even to her friends. Amelia that saw the good in him when no one else did, Amelia-

"Draco, Draco are you alright?" Amelia asked snapping him out of his reverie.

"Uh yes I'm fine, I'm sorry were you saying something?"

"Yes I was saying that we need to go or we'll be late for class and I don't particularly feel like dealing with Snape right now." Amelia answered then stood hugging her brother and friends then dragging Draco from the Great Hall heading towards the Dungeons.

They talked all the way to the Dungeons only stopping when they came to the potions classroom and the rest of the Slytherins from their year. They both stopped as the faced the line of angry looking Slytherins glaring at them.

"Malfoy you seem to be spending an awful lot of time with Gryffindors lately," Pansy began taking a step forward and twirling her wand menacingly.

A/N: Sorry about the long wait for an update and I promise all those that read my story that I don't intend to abandon this story and I won't take this long with an update again. As a matter of fact I have half the other chapter written already. Once again thanks for reading and I hope you all enjoy it.