Chapter 1

Secrets

Okay I'm sorry to all of you that have been waiting for the next chapter of this story but this really needed to be fixed first before I went on with it. So it is being beta read again. Sorry Delphina I never heard back from you and still don't have your e-mail. Any ways I would like to thank Susan for beta reading and putting up with my horrible spelling and grammar. And please be patient with her she's new at this and is being a real doll to do this for me. I promise that I'm still working on chapter seventeen and I hope that it will be done soon it's just being a bit of a pain in the but. Thanks again. Oh and I'm sorry this wasn't up sooner someone so nicely reported me for one of my other stories and I was banned. Thanks to all who have read and those that have reviewed.

Bright light shone every where. So bright that one would swear the sun had fallen to earth. The light started to pulsate and change color. First it was white, then a bright blue, red and a pale green. It was enough to give one a headache and cause spots to dance before the eyes. But there was still something about the light that was calming. The light changed again. Pulsating faster and faster until it separated into single balls. The lights revealed a large room. It was plain with no furniture except for one large table in the middle. It was hewn of the most beautiful cherry wood ever; not a flaw could be seen on its lovely surface. The middle was inlaid with a star made of oak. At the base of each point was set a polished stone. On one side the stones were white and green, on the other blue and red. At the base of the fifth point was a gold stone. The lights came to rest at the tip of the point where they matched the stone. They grew until formed themselves into four humans. One was an old man with a long white beard. He wore a pointed royal blue hat that matched his robes. They both had silver moons and stars embroidered on the edges. Next to him stood a middle aged man with jet black hair that seemed to have a mind of its own and warm brown eyes. His crimson robes webbed with an intricate design of gold thread. Across the table from him was another man around the same age. His hair showed silver to his shoulders. His green robes resembling the scales of the snake embellished in silver one each side of the breast. Next to him was a beautiful unearthly woman. She had flowing blond hair to her waist and large blue green eyes that seemed to search the room. The edges of her ears that appeared through her hair were slightly pointed. The white dress she wore was made from a delicate fabric that could not be made by any human hands.

"Are we all gathered?" Her voice was melodic as light as crystalline bells.

"All save one." The man in blue spoke. His voice was deep and rich it stroked one like the softest velvet.

Her face focused on the last empty spot. "Where is the child? I sense his presence." She lifted her eyes to the shadows that surrounded the table. A smile graced her lips and she looked almost heavenly. "Come forward young one, you will not be hurt here. You have been expected. There is no reason to be afraid."

A rustle was heard and slight form appeared from the recesses. His inky black hair was mussed up but still looked civil; green eyes shown out from behind a pair of dark rimmed glasses. "Sorry milady." He spoke his voice was a soft tenor quiet and reverent. "I was not afraid. Just a little awed." He bowed slightly.

She smiled again. "Come forward Harry Potter. Place your wand on the table and join this ring."

The said boy did as he was told. Stepping forward he placed his wand on the table with the tip facing the embedded gold stone. The stone started to glow and highlight his eyes.

If it was at all possible the smile on the woman's face became even brighter and more angelic. "We were right, you are the one."

Harry was confused. He knew that he felt some what comfortable around these people. Well except possibly the one all decked out in green. Something about him made him uneasy.

She nodded recognizing the questions in his eyes. "Do you even know who we are my dear child?"

He shook his head. "No ma'am."

"Now Harry. There really is no reason to be so formal around us. She admonished gently.

The man in green snorted and crossed his arms.

"Don't mind him sweet heart." She glared at the silver haired man. "He's just mad because we woke him from his sleep. But if he knows what's good for him he'll stop acting like a child and co-operate." She raised her hand and a soft white glow started to from around it.

The man cringed and unfolded his arms.

Harry couldn't help but smile. It was kind of cute how these two interacted.

"There, now I think he'll cooperate. Won't you Salazar?"

Harry gasped; this couldn't be him could it. The dreaded Salazar Slytherin.

"Ah, I see from your reaction you recognized the name. Yes my child. This is Salazar Slytherin one of the infamous founders of Hogwarts."

Harry kept nodding. But his eyes panned over to the man with the messy coal locks. "So would he be Godric Gryffindor?" Before he even asked the question he knew the answer.

"Yes that's right. I figured that once you figured out one you'd get the other."

He was confused. If these were two of the founders than who were the others? There was not way that they were Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff. Unless one of them had a serious problem.
A laugh like water washed over him. "Now I can tell what you're thinking by the cringe on your face child. No we are not the other two founders. This man here," She pointed to the man in blue. "Is Merlin. Probably one of the greatest Wizards of all time."

The boys emerald orbs widened. "Merlin?" He gasped. He couldn't believe that he was standing in the presence of the famous Wizard who was the subject of so many of their History of Magic lessons. "Ma'am, may I ask who you are? You are an elf right?"

She smiled. "Yes dear. My name is Gelena Serfendal. Member of the Elvin High Council."

The boy nodded.

"Harry, I guess that in your schooling you have heard of Avalon?"

Green eyes sparkled and a smile spread across his face. They had heard about Avalon in Professor Binns class. That is where he found out that the place that was just legend in most muggle medieval fairy tails actually existed. It had been one of his favorite classes. "Yes ma'am. Professor Binns has taught us about it. One day we had a Geography lesson on magical places."

She arched one sculptured eyebrow. "Oh really and what places did he teach you about?"

"Stone Henge, Salem, the Peninsula of Ise, Tintagel, and Avalon."

"Ah, but that's just it, not many people in the Wizarding world knows where Avalon is."

Harry thought of this for a while. Now he realized that Professor Bins had never given them any ones personal experience of Avalon.

"That's because not many Wizards or Witches have been to Avalon. The spirits and wards that protect the Island are very particular on who they let in. Those who are hardly ever speak of it either out of reverence or fear of repercussions. One of the first Wizards allowed was Merlin."

Emerald met dark sapphire. And the older man smiled. "Actually between you and me I just got lost in the fog."

The boy snickered.

"When I did arrive though, I found one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen." The powerful wizard locked eyes with the Lady Gelena. "You see Harry, Gelena is one of the Mistresses of Avalon."

"Umm, sorry sir, but what precisely does a Mistress of Avalon do?"

Gelena held up her hand to say that she would answer this one. "The Mistresses or maybe a better name would be Priestess. We are the protectors of Avalon, it's keepers. We are in charge of its inhabitants both earthly and non. We make sure that the ones that hold up the protections around the Island are well taken care of. And when one does get past them we are in charge of making sure they are worthy of being there." She took Merlin's hand and kissed it.

Harry sputtered. He thought that Merlin had been talking about Avalon it self. "You mean you two?"

"Yes Harry." Gelena laughed. "Is it that shocking of an idea? Elves and Humans have been inter bonding for many centuries. Probably the most well known pair was Arwen Evenstar and Aragorn."

His head was spinning now. "They are real?"

"Yes, J.R.R. Tolkein was a very talented writer a Wizard one at that. But his story wasn't as fictional as people have been lead to believe. Sure he elaborated a little. The Tree herders aren't really that slow. And Lamas bread, please. But Elrond was the stickler that he is portrayed to be." She couldn't help but laugh.

"So Hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo?"

She seemed rather sad when he mentioned this. "Yes hobbits exist. I was rather fortunate to meet Frodo once. Not long after his trek to Mt. Doom. He was resting and recovering. He was probably one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Sadly none of them are with us any more. And the Hobbits of these times are just as secluded as they were back then. They don't like outsiders in their Shires. But we are getting off subject. You see Harry, Merlin and I had a Daughter. She left the Island and fell in love with and was bonded to an elf named Talethal Evalnphire. Their son bonded to a Human witch. Yes witches and wizards can be other species besides human. Their son to make things easier on the family changed the name. You see this was the time of the Churches strong control in Europe. They new about the elves and persecuted them. They claimed that they were servants of Satan. They sighted their pointed ears as proof. Stating that they were the remainders of the horns they used to have. Their bright eyes were said to have made them capable to see at night and through one into their very soul to see the easiest way to turn you to their master's evil ways. The inter-bonded couples who didn't live in Elf civilizations used glamour charms to hide their ears. And changed their names to make the less elf like. The name Evalnphire was changed to Evans.

"Mum?" Harry gasped.

"Yes Harry, your mother was related to elves and Merlin."

"But how, my mother was a muggle born. Aunt Petunia would be…and Dudley?"

She got up and came to stand next to him. "Your mother was part of a long line of Squibs. You could imagine our shock. After being inter-bonded with muggles for so long that a magical being actually was created. But by now the elf blood was much diluted so your mother didn't come into any Elvin abilities just that of a witch, though her power was enhanced by the elfin blood. That's why she was such a powerful witch. We kept an eye on her anyway. It's very common for crossbreed to not show their abilities until they are sixteen. This is also the age of magical puberty in Wizards and Witches. At this time their magic can become stronger but no matter what it seems to fluctuate for most. But your mother never showed signs." She placed a hand on his arm. "Sadly about four years latter the Potters were attacked and we understood that they all perished. We even believed that you were also taken from us young one. Believe me, if we had known you survived we would have come for you."

Tears pooled in his emerald eyes. "But Dumbledore said that I must stay with someone who is blood related to my mother for the protection to continue."

She giggled slightly. "Oh child, don't you believe that there is none still around that bear the blood and the name of Evalnphire. True the blood line is distant but it is till the same line. Child you have more kin than you know. And believe me not even Voldemort can get past the shields around Avalon."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Believe me Harry dear. You will not have to spend another summer with those horrible relatives of yours. It's hard to believe that anyone with my blood running through their veins could treat their own flesh and blood in such away. I am truly sorry."

"But Gelena ma'am, may I ask why was it that you didn't realize that I was alive until now."

Her eyes turned from him to Merlin as if searching for an answer. "Well, Harry. Remember what I told you about the Wizard puberty?"

He nodded.

"And you remember the connection I told you between that and a cross-bonded coming into their Elvin Heritage?"

He nodded again.

"Well, the reason we found you is because as a maiden of Avalon and one of the members of the Elvin High Council. I am able to feel when one is coming into their Heritage."

Again she was able to shock Harry. It was shocking enough o find out that one is related to elves, but then to find out he was to gain the abilities of one.

"We were as surprised as you are Harry. We didn't even know you were alive. It's also been so long since any elf magic has shown up in the Evans branch of the family we thought it was impossible."

"Then how?" His voice was soft.

"We have a feeling it was due to your father's bloodline. I think it's time to explain why these two are here." She pointed to Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. The raven haired man smiled. But the gray haired man just grunted. "You see Harry your father's line comes down from both Gryffindor and Slytherin. It's not very well known that at one point the two bloodlines crossed in marriage. Rika Gryffindor was the great granddaughter of Godric. She was a beautiful woman with long flowing raven hair and intelligent bright blue eyes." She waved her hand. And magic sparked through the air. It formed into a silver mist which danced and swirled and took on the figure of the girl in a beautiful scarlet velvet dress. The phantom woman turned and smiled at him. "One day she met Shawn Slytherin the great grandson of Slytherin. A fiery young man with golden hair and warm brown eyes." Again she waved her hand. The magic that sparked to life this time was a dark blue. It to form into a figure that of a young man in a black shirt with matching grey pants and vest. "It wasn't love at first sight mind you." The two figures looked at each other grimaced, crossed their arms, and turned their backs to each other. "But they ended up working together on a potions project. Due to extreme circumstances the two of them had, the potion they were working on exploded. They both ended up staying a week in the Hospital Wing, by the time they got out they were the best of friends. Later they became more." The two people embraced and Harry saw them kiss. "Harry, maybe you should have a seat." She waved her hand and a small soft chair appeared and she helped the youth sit.

He was feeling dizzy. He couldn't believe this? Why couldn't he just be a normal young Wizard? Not only was he related to two of the founders, but an elf and probably the most powerful wizard of all times. "I just want to be normal." He sighed.

"Harry darling there is nothing wrong with being different. There's no reason for you to feel bad because of your family lineage."

"I'm already watched. Everyone wants to see what the boy-who-lived is going to do next. They all expect special things from me." He couldn't help the tears that were coming from his eyes.

"Oh, sweat heart. It's okay." She pulled him into a hug.

He turned so that he was sobbing in to her shoulder. "I don't want to be special…I…just want…to be normal. Everyone…will…watch me...even more."

"Now why would they do that?" She pulled him closer.

"Because...because they'll be staring at my ears."

She couldn't help but laugh. Even though he was 16 he was still a child. "Oh, darling. Who ever said that you would have the ears?"

Large bright green eyes shot up. "You mean I won't."

"Just because we said that you'd be coming into your Elvin Heritage doesn't mean things will change. But I can't tell you that nothing will change. It is possible that some physical attributes might change along with your magical abilities."

"When will this happen?" He had stopped crying by now and wanted to get down to the facts.

"We're not exactly sure and I don't think that right now isn't the time to talk about it."

He swung around and brought his eyes were determined. "But I want to know."

"I know you do. But we are running out of time. Now dear when you wake up tomorrow some one will arrive to take you to the Burrow for the rest of the summer. Before you can ask yes Dumbledore does know and he okayed it."

"Does he know what's going to happen?"

"We had to tell him dear. All students are given leeway when they go through their magical puberty. He understands that he might need to give you a little more. Hopefully we'll have it figured out a little more by then. It will be the job of the young woman who will be picking you up tomorrow to try to figure this out and to help you to cope with this. I really wish that I could be there. I so look forward to seeing you grow and mature. I love you so much." She kissed his forehead and watched his eyes close. Reaching over she took his wand off the table and placed it in his hand. "Be careful Grandson." She whispered. Then removed a small ring from her hand a placed it on his right ring finger. The silver leaves shining against his skin.

Silver moonlight reflected off of raven hair as a form shot up in bed. Harry gasped for air. He couldn't believe what he had just dreamed. Was it true? He felt something solid in his hand. Lifting his hand he brought his wand level with his eyes. Then he caught something glinting on his ring finger. His Emerald orbs focused on the delicate ring. "I don't own a ring." He whispered. It glinted in the moonlight as if to assure him that what he dreamt was real. He smiled placed his wand on the table and laid back down and drifted back to sleep.