(AN) A little ways down you will be prompted to read a story about a side trip the Elders make during their break from school. The story is just under eleven thousand words, so if you are like me and like to stay up late reading, try not to start this chapter while you are tired. Reading the add-on will make the part of this chapter right after the trip and future chapters less confusing. One last thing, this is an AU world and the ISS station has been in orbit for some years already. With that said, let's continue on with the story:

Chapter 40:

Harry and Hermione step out the front door and close it quietly behind them. They pause as they are both are able to see a shimmering in the air at the base of the stairs where the wards end.

"I think we should phase from here Harry," Hermione says," There are too many people around that might notice us if we appear suddenly out of thin air by walking down the stairs."

"I think you are right Hermione," Harry agrees," Back garden then?"

She nods at him and they phase to the Granger's back garden and walk up to the door where Jeeves is waiting for them.

"Thank you Jeeves," she says as they enter the house, and then yells out," Mum, Dad, we're home."

The elder Grangers run into the patio room and grab up their children, with big hugs for each of them.

"Welcome home, you two," Mrs. Granger says," Look what I can do."

She pulls her wand out and points it at a planter in the window.

"Wingardium Leviosa," she incants with a determined look on her face.

With a swish and a flick the vase rises up a few centimeters and she guides it over to a table where she sets it down again. She looks over at Harry and Hermione with a smile on her face.

"That's great mum," Hermione squeals and hugs her again.

Mrs. Granger puts her wand away and everyone walks into the sitting room to catch up on the happenings at school after the storm. Hermione explains about Sirius Black and tells them what happened with Peter Petigrew.

"We need to go to Diagon Alley." Harry informs their parents after a while," Would you two like to go? We are going to Ollivanders to check on our staves. Also, we need to go to America this week, as we promised to check in with Mrs. Donaldson on her hover chair project. We can visit Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Martha while we are there."

"Let's have some lunch first and then we can all go," Mrs. Granger says, agreeing.

After lunch everyone gathers in a circle in the sitting room for Harry to phase them to Diagon Alley. After arriving at the apparition point, it is just a short walk to Ollivanders. The bell charm rings as they enter his shop.

Mr. Ollivander hears the charm go off and comes out from the back of his shop, spotting the Potters and Grangers, he bows a welcome to them.

"Welcome back to my humble shop Elders. Your staves are ready to be tested. If they test out the way I hope they will, you can take them home with you today."

The group follows Mr. Ollivander to the back of his store where he pulls two very long boxes out from a storage rack. He hands one box to Harry and one to Hermione; when the couple opens their respective boxes they get looks of awe on their faces.

"They're beautiful," Hermione exclaims.

"They are both made from the magical Desert Ironwood tree, which is found in Arizona, and have seven cores each in them. The wood type should be able to handle the heat generated by your power and seven is a magical number of great significance, so that's why there are seven cores."

Hermione reaches in to pull her staff out of the box and as soon as she touches it the jewel at the top starts to glow. The staff stands just taller than her, with a baseball sized green jewel at the top being held in place by the jaws of a large snake, which is also coiled around the top third of the staff. Standing on the snakes head is an eagle with its wings swept back as if landing. The eyes of the snake and eagle are made of blue sapphires. The wood of the staff is a deep dark brown and black mix that has been polished to a high sheen with a weighted black metal cap for balance at the bottom.

Harry pulls his staff out and it also is just taller than him, only his has a red ruby at the top. The ruby is slightly larger than Hermione's jewel and is held in place by a lion on the right and badger on the left. Each animal is standing on its hind legs with it bottom claws sunk into the wood of the staff. Each animal is using its upper legs and claws to hold the jewel in place. Their faces are both turned toward the front with their canines showing a fierce expression. The animal's eyes are made of yellow Imperial Topaz gems.

"Each staff has been charmed to be fire resistant up to a thousand degrees centigrade and will grow as you grow. A single core will handle a power level of up to three thousand without burning out, so the staffs should be able to handle a power level up to twenty one thousand," Mr. Ollivander says.

"Shall we test them," Harry prompts?

Mr. Ollivander leads them through the door to the special testing facility and sets up the power measuring target.

"Go ahead sweetheart, just like last time," Harry says and casts a shield.

She takes the staff in her right hand and lifts it up from the ground while pointing the top toward the target.

"Stupify," she incants out loud so everyone can hear.

A bright green beam of light shoots out of the jewel at the top, with blue streamers coming from the sapphires and swirling around the outside of the main beam. The dual colored beam impacts the target and the number 20,734 appears above it.

"I kept the power below what you said Mr. Ollivander, but I thought stupefy was a red spell," Hermione says as Harry lowers the shield.

"With a normal wand it is," he replies," your jewels determine the color of the light emitted from your staff. Could you place your staff on the table for a minute so I can check it?"

She complies and Mr. Ollivander waves his wand over it checking the cores and charm work.

"Everything checks out and your staff didn't even get hot like I thought it would," he reports," You're next Harry."

Harry sets up while Hermione casts a shield with a wave of her hand.

Harry points the top of his staff toward the target.

"Stupify," he incants.

A red beam of light with yellow streamers shoots from his staff and he gets the same numbers as Hermione.

"These staves will be our symbols as elders to the rest of the world and the universe," Harry and Hermione declare as one as they bond with them with their eyes aglow with power.

Mr. Ollivander bows deeply to them in acknowledgement of their declaration.

"Each staff will shrink down to wand size until they are needed for high powered work," he instructs," I wouldn't recommend using them at school in their expanded form. Even in wand size, nobody else will be able to use them as you two are the only ones with enough magical power to channel through seven cores. To shrink them just will them to be wands."

Harry and Hermione will their staffs to be wands and they shrink down to the size of a normal wand, where they put them in their holsters in place of their old ones.

"How much do we owe you Mr. Ollivander," Harry asks?

"I'll only charge you for the materials and travel expenses," He says," It was an honor creating those staves and I would like to display non-working copies for the public to view. That would price them both at two thousand fifty seven galleons."

"Here is three thousand," Harry says imprinting his ring in the payment wax next to the cash register," You did a beautiful job with your craftsmanship. The staves are nothing less than a work of art and the artist deserves to get paid well for his work.

"Thank you elder," Mr. Ollivander says with a bow.

Hermione waves her hand and a display case flashes into existence on the side of the store near the front window display with copies of the two staves in an exe pattern inside, along with a plaque that reads:

These are non-working copies

Of the staves of

The Elders of the Universe

Lovingly crafted by master wand maker

Garrick Ollivander

"That's perfect elder," Mr. Ollivander says looking it over," thank you for letting me display these copies and again for the honor of creating your staves. If you need further assistance you need but ask."

"We certainly will and we will definitely spread the word of your fine craftsmanship." Hermione says to Mr. Ollivander as he walks them to the door.

The family returns home where they spend the next couple of days just enjoying being together as a family.

(AN) Insert my story The Elders take a Side Trip Here.

Harry and Hermione come back down the stairs in a more orderly fashion and walk back into the kitchen for breakfast.

"Sorry about that mum," Hermione says," Your question prompted our understanding of something that was told to us last night in a dream. To answer your question though, the mission went fine. We actually spent fifty years there and cleaned up a lot of messes that needed cleaning. We made a lot of friends while we were there and saved a whole galaxy from extinction."

"Must have been some mission," her mother comments.

"It was mum," Harry answers for Hermione," The Creator even kept us from aging physically while we were there. Wouldn't do to come back as adults. There would be too many questions asked."

Harry claps his hands together twice and says," Okay, who is up for a trip to America? Mum, can you and dad get a few days off from work?"

"Yes, we already scheduled three days to go see my sister," She answers," Can you take us there to save time?"

"Of course mum," Harry agrees," We really need to have a car over there that doesn't stand out like a limo does though."

Jeeves, who was standing in the background steps up and says," I have taken care of that My Lord. You own a brand new S class Mercedes car. It still has the Potter plates but will attract less attention and still be comfortable," he informs everyone.

Thank you Jeeves," Harry says," you can still drive us around when we need to be seen in public like that."

"Thank you My Lord," He says proudly.

Since there is a six hour difference in time zones it is decided the family will wait till just after afternoon tea to port over to the family home in Glendale. Around four that afternoon Harry conjures a hoop and taps it with his finger.

"Portus," he intones.

The hoop glows blue momentarily and with the luggage gathered in the center Harry activates the Port Key and in a flash of light the family disappears.

About thirty seconds later they reappear in the entrance to their Glendale home in another flash of light. Franklin is there to meet them.

"Welcome back Lord and Lady," he says bowing.

"Thank you Franklin. It's good to be back," Harry says.

It's about ten in the morning, Kansas time, so after putting their things away they walk to the garage and climb into the Mercedes for the trip to the Kent Farm. With Jeeves driving, the iron gates open to let the car through and the people at the store wave to them as they pass. Jeeves turns right at the highway and after about a forty five minute drive, turns into the Kent's driveway. Clark is playing on the porch and spots them turn in.

"Mom," he calls out," someone's here!"

Martha Kent looks up from what she is doing and spots Potter on the license plate and squeals happily.

"Jonathan!" she yells," Helen and George are here! Oh I hope they brought the kids."

Jonathan walks out of the barn with a rag in his hands wiping the dirt off. He lays it on the fence as he walks out to greet his wife's family. The car pulls up to the house and the family gets out. Clark spots Harry and Hermione and starts running out to them where they pick him up and spin him around in glee.

"How are you Clark," Hermione asks?

"I am doing well cousin Hermione," he answers," I am glad you are here."

"Me too cousin. Me too," she says taking him by the hand and walking with him into the house behind their parents.

For two days the Grangers and Potters stay at the Kent's. Mr. Kent is in the middle of harvesting the winter wheat, along with planting the corn and sorghum for the coming season. Harry and Hermione rise early with the Kent's and ride on the tractors where they learn about farming. On the third day the family says goodbye to the Kent's and Jeeves drives them to Glendale for an inspection of the new hospital and to talk with Dr. Donaldson.

As they drive into town everyone can see the construction work being done on the hospital building. Workers are everywhere doing their part to get the building up and running. Harry and Hermione visit with Healer Winthrop while the Grangers check up on the dental clinic. They are informed the hospital will be up and running by the time school lets out for the summer. Harry and Hermione make the rounds with Healer Winthrop and lend a hand where they can, reassuring the patients that all will recover. When they are done at the hospital the Potters walk over to another large building that is being used for Dr. Donaldson's lab experiments.

Dr. Donaldson greets them at the door," It's good to see you Elders."

"It's Harry and Hermione Dr. Donaldson," Harry responds in greeting as he shakes her hand.

"Then its Katheryn," She responds back with a smile.

"How's Crystal doing," Hermione asks?

"She is doing well," Katheryn says while walking them to her lab.

When they enter the lab Harry and Hermione spot a chair sitting in the middle of the room. There is a seat belt type strap in the place where you would expect one to be. The right and left arms have a small joystick where a person's hands will rest while sitting. The bottom of the chair has a small flare on each side to indicate a round object is underneath.

"This is the first prototype," Katheryn says.

She uses her wand to raise the chair up so everyone can see the underside. There is a ring of metal on the inside of the flared section with runes carved into it. A black box is in the center with wires coming out of it. Around the box and attached to the ring is a mesh of wire that forms a hemispheric grid that looks like the top half of a ball.

"The runes are there to power the generator," She explains," the grid is used to steer the chair in the direction you want to go. The black box generates the null gravity field around the chair."

She lowers the chair back to the floor and sits in it. She pushes a button on the right arm and the chair rises up a few centimeters off the floor. She uses the joystick to steer the chair around the room.

"Watch this," she says.

Katheryn guides the chair over to a set of stairs that were put in for experimenting with. She rides the chair up the stairs and back down again.

"I put a gyroscopic system in the box for stability and a smooth ride," she explains," the whole assembly comes right out of the chair for easy construction. There is also a built in back up system as a safety measure. I sure don't want any of my chairs failing while on a stairway."

"Good thinking Katheryn," Hermione says admiring her work.

"The whole package will be sealed and tamperproof. If someone tries to steal one to learn our technology the only thing they will find when they open it up is ashes and useless junk," Katheryn continues with her presentation," The chair can be made to any specification the customer wants. Our technology will be made to fit right inside."

"That sounds very good Katheryn," Harry says and then waves his hand in a sweeping gesture across the back of the warehouse. Several large reels of Trinium wire appear stacked neatly along the back wall.

"We approve of your design." Hermione says," Please set up what you need to make a few hundred of these so they can be brought to the public's attention. Scour the country for the patients with the most need and donate a chair free of charge through their hospital. Try to get as many of these out as you can."

Harry continues," If this works the way we think it will you will find more business than you will know what to do with. The chairs devices will always be free. The customer can get a basic chair for no extra charge while they will have to pay for any fancy upgrades they might want. Where the business will come from will be for things like pallets that float instead of needing a pallet jack to move them. Even things like stretchers for wounded soldiers or accident victims. It will make it easier for the paramedics to remove an injured person over rough terrain. A person runs their car off a steep embankment and needs help back up. Those kinds of things. The possibilities are endless for your rune based design. You can experiment to see what the top weight the runes can handle is. If you can manage a fusion reactor there is no limit. If you could get a null field around a building the building would become weightless and could be moved. The only thing you would have to worry about is mass."

Katheryn is standing there with her eyes glazed over thinking of all the possibilities.

"I think you broke her Harry," Hermione says with a smile.

Katheryn comes out of the haze and says," . You've just given me a lot to think about. Most of those things you mentioned are small enough to easily use what I just developed on. This is going to take a lot of planning to do this right."

"You have our permission to hire as many people as you need," Harry says formally," Good work Dr. Donaldson. I hope to see lots of floating devices made with your discovery."

"Thank you Lord and Lady Potter," She says.

She starts pacing back and forth muttering to herself as the Potters let themselves out.

"I've got to get started right away. I know just the people I can hire," could be heard as they walk out the door.

They reunite with their parents and Jeeves drives them back to the house behind the General Store where they depart back to their home in Crawley.

When they arrive home there is a message waiting for the Elders from the Russian Government. It is time to switch out the Russian crew of the station and bring in more supplies. An American contingent will be there as well to greet us and to view the Phoenix.

"Looks like we need to leave again for a day or so," Harry says to Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

"Go and do what you promised Harry. Go with him Hermione." Mr. Granger says," Your place is at his side. We will see you when you get back."

Hermione walks up to her dad and hugs him, then Harry and Her retreat to their room to change into their Elder robes. They are still the same dark maroon color as their school robes were but all of the edges of their robes are now lined with runes in aqua stitching. They are both wearing a maroon shirt with black pants and very dark maroon knee high boots. Around their waist, each wears a black belt with what looks like several small pockets and each Elder has a silver cylinder hanging on the left side. Their fifty years in the Leggit galaxy has made them very comfortable in their own skin and they've decided to keep the uniforms they wore as Jedi Consulars. With their light sabers clipped to their belts and their staves shrunk to wand size, the pair phase to the ISS station orbiting the Earth three hundred and seventy kilometers above.

The Elders phase in to the bridge of the Phoenix and walk through the airlock to the station and onto to the command deck.

"Anyone need a lift," Harry asks?

The Russians all raise their hands.

"If you haven't already, gather what you are taking with you and move them to the Phoenix," Harry says," If you need help, just ask."

The American commander gets Harry's attention," There is a payload of supplies ready at Cape Kennedy that is waiting for a launch window you could pick up for us. That is why the American contingent will be at the Baikonur Cosmodrome waiting on your arrival. They want to inspect your cargo hold to see if it is large enough for that payload, along our Russian friend's personnel and supplies at the same time.

"That shouldn't be a problem Commander," Hermione says," We have plenty of people space and the cargo hold is empty at the moment."

The Russian commander moves over to Harry and asks," We saw the specifications for that metal you called Trinium in the computer you left for us. Are we allowed to share that information with our allies and friends?"

"Yes, "Hermione says to the Commander," We have plans to give the formula for manufacture to all the major governments of the world. We already gave the formula to the metallurgists working for that railroad company in America where the accident happened in Metropolis. It is our intention that all the peoples of the world benefit from the protection Trinium offers. It is virtually indestructible and will make transportation and construction safer and less costly."

He nods at her in agreement with a smile," Thank you Elders. I will bring it to my superior's attention when we get home."

Harry adds, "Be sure to stress to your superiors that we as Elders will not favor one country over another. The Americans got the formula first because we happened to be vacationing there and saw the results of the train accident. There were toxic fumes and smoke threatening to poison parts of the city. We decided then it was time to hopefully help prevent future accidents of such nature. If we had been in Moscow it could have been the Russians that got the formula first. Be assured if we give out any more formulas or ideas that will benefit all of mankind to any one country first, the rest of the world will follow shortly thereafter. We have a scientist working for us in America as part of Potter industries on hover technology using a null gravity field. If she manages to perfect it we will get this knowledge out everywhere. It will be especially beneficial to the medical industry for floating stretchers and the like. We know that parts of Russia's territory are prone to earthquakes and this type of technology will go a long way to make rescue efforts easier and safer. We are just getting started on a journey to a better world."

"Harry and I are the Elders for the planet Earth," Hermione explains to the astronauts that have all gathered around to hear," We were born here and this is our home. We may need to leave form time to time on missions for the Creator like you saw us do a little over a week ago. But we are available for any country that needs our help. As you can tell by our accents we are based out of London England. If you have a national disaster like a major earthquake or large forest fire that gets out of control send word and we will come. That is one of the reasons we are here."

Harry orders, "Everyone needing a lift down to the planet please come aboard the Phoenix and let's get started. Travel time should be about thirty minutes or so. Next stop the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Please make sure they have at least a two hundred and fifty meter landing zone for us. We don't need a runway, just a large open space."

Once the departing crew is inside Harry closes the airlock and walks onto the bridge with Hermione. Harry conjures chairs for everyone to get comfortable.

"We have very good inertial dampers. You won't feel a thing as we descend."

Harry and Hermione sit in the command chairs and place their hands in the indents on their chairs and bring up the power for the trip. A slight increase in the background hum tells the astronauts something is happening. The docking port is retracted and the Phoenix gets under way. Harry and Hermione fly the Phoenix towards Kazakhstan where the cosmodrome is and starts their descent. A blue shield snaps in place around the Phoenix as it hits the atmosphere and eases the ship through re-entry without causing the usual heat discharge caused by friction with the air. As the Phoenix approaches the Cosmodrome Hermione notices a large area lit up with flashing lights.

"Let's set down there Harry," she says, "Looks like they are waiting."

On the ground the Russian ground crew that handles returning astronauts are waiting with a vehicle to take them to their debriefing while more crew are readying the supplies that is going back up to the station. Everyone looks up as they hear a slight humming sound above them and since it is night they see what looks like a ring of light with a diameter of two hundred meters that has a white bird in the center. The bird is descending very fast and only slows down at the last minute to hover a hundred meters above the ground. Three landing struts extend from the ship and it settles down on the landing pad gently. A door opens at the top of one of the landing struts and the returning Russian astronauts descend the steps. A large pair of cargo doors appears on the side of the lower section and a ramp large enough for an eighteen wheeler extends down to the pad. The cargo handlers go to work unloading the returning experiments and modules, then load the hold with the returning supplies.

Harry and Hermione approach the Russian commander in charge and Harry says in perfect Russian.

"Everyone safe and accounted for sir," Harry reports," When you are ready we will take the replacement crew and their supplies back to the station. We understand the Americans also have a payload ready. There is plenty of room in our hold for whatever you want to send up. We can even make room for any new modules you might want to add to the station. Hermione and I don't need suits to work in space so we can help install them when they are ready."

"Would you like a tour of the Phoenix?" Hermione asks," We understand the Americans sent a delegation to inspect the cargo handling capabilities we have."

"I would like that very much young lady," The commander says with a bow.

As they walk toward the ship Hermione informs the commander," As we told the astronauts on the station, we will make the Phoenix available for this service until you can build your own version of the Phoenix. This will save your country and the Americans a lot of money that would be spent on launch vehicle expenditures. This money could be spent on building your own ships that don't require rockets and would be useable over and over again. The Phoenix is over fifty years old and you won't find any evidence of aging or stress. The form of any ship you build doesn't matter. This just happens to be what we wanted our ship to look like."

The Russians and Americans board the ship where Hermione gives a full tour, explaining how everything works. Harry is in the cargo hold directing the cargo handlers on where to store everything. When the tour is done and the cargo stored, Harry and Hermione meet on the landing pad with their passengers and the Russian commander.

"Commander," Hermione says to get his attention.

"Yes Elder," he answers?

"We are going to cloak the ship when we take off," she in forms him," The Phoenix is designed after a flying saucer from an old science fiction movie and we don't need the civilian population getting in an uproar by seeing us fly over. I'm sure your TV has this kind of thing as well."

"Yes. I remember some of those old American Movies from when I was younger. I think I know the movie you are referring to and I agree with you. We don't want to start a panic. Do what you must. This area is pretty isolated and the people that work here will stay silent." He agrees.

"Everyone going to the ISS Station please board now. We will be stopping in Florida to load more cargo and should be at the station by 0700 hours GMT.

The American contingent along with the Russian replacement astronauts board the Phoenix and the door is shut and sealed. The cargo ramp is retracted and the doors close. Where the doors were on the side of the ship disappears like they were never there. The ground crew watches as the lights start spinning around the outer rim of the saucer section and a low hum builds up as the Phoenix lifts off the ground. The landing struts retract into the ship and as it starts to rise higher the ship disappears as the cloak is engaged.

The trip to Florida is uneventful and The Elders wait until the Phoenix is over the space port before de-cloaking. A large crowd of NASA employees have gathered to watch the Phoenix touch down. The ground crew gets to work quickly though and with professional efficiency soon have the Phoenix loaded and ready to go. With a quick farewell, the Phoenix lifts off and after cloaking accelerates towards the station in orbit above. The docking, along with offloading of passengers and cargo go well, and soon the Potters are back home with their parents.

/

The last few days of Spring break pass slowly with the Potters and Grangers savoring every moment of their time together. On the morning of the return trip to Hogwarts School, the family all have a delicious breakfast prepared by Jeeves before heading out.

On arrival at Kings Cross Jeeves finds a parking spot and unloads the trunks from the boot and loads them on trollies. Harry and Hermione hug their father goodbye while Mrs. Granger follows them onto the platform. After one last goodbye from their mother the children board the train.

The potters wander down the train to their usual compartment where they fine Neville and Luna already there.

"How was your Easter, Luna," Hermione asks?

"I had a good time," Luna answers," I brought something to show you."

Luna pulls a cage out from under the seat she is sitting on. Inside the cage is a strange little animal. Luna takes the animal from its cage and puts it in her lap. It is covered in a soft downy fur that casts a soft greenish glow while she runs her hand through it. The animal is about twenty centimeters long and has a short tail with fir stuck out at all angles. On its forehead is a small nub, that on close inspection looks like a grey horn that is pushed in on itself.

"Luna," Hermione asks," is that?"

"Yes," Luna interrupts with a smile," This is a Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

"It's so cute," Hermione says," May I?"

Luna passes the Snorkack over to her and she places it on her lap. Crookshanks comes over and the two animals touch noses sniffing each other out. The kneezle then returns to his previous spot having satisfied his curiosity.

"I love the way its fur glows when you run your fingers through it," Hermione says in delight," It's very soothing."

"That was actually how we found them," Luna says," We were walking along a hiking trail near the park in Iceland that we were staying in and noticed a green glow in some bushes along the trail. The glow disappeared as we approached the bushes but soon returned when this one walked right up to me and started climbing up my boot. We tried to leave it behind when we left, as we didn't want to remove it from its native habitat, but it kept coming back and it's been with me ever since."

"Harry and I have always believed you when you talk about your animals Luna," Hermione says," We've learned the magical world is very diverse and anything is possible. Just because Harry and I may not have seen one of your animals does not mean it is not real. We have observed that you are very good with animals and nature in general and may be able to see what Harry and I cannot."

Luna gets a little teary eyed at the praise and confidence shown her," Thank you Elders. Coming from you, that means lot to me."

How about you Neville," Harry asks?

"Mine was good," Neville answers," I worked in my greenhouse and went to visit my parents."

"What happened to your parents Neville?" Harry asks," You've never mentioned them before."

"There's not much to mention," he says," they've been in a coma since I was a baby. They were attacked by Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband using the Cruciatus curse."

"That's terrible Neville," Hermione says," Is there anything we can do?"

"Not unless you know somebody that can cure a coma," He answers back with a shrug.

"Where are they," Harry asks?

"In the long term spell damage ward at St. Mungo's," Neville answers.

Harry and Hermione look at each other and nod slightly.

The rest of the group trickles in one at a time after that and the train eventually pulls from the station. When everyone is settled in, Hermione sets up the study schedule for the group and then she and Harry excuse themselves for a few minutes to use the loo. Harry and Hermione walk through the last car and onto the vestibule at the back of the train. From there they phase into the Long term spell damage ward at St. Mungo's. During the phase, both Potters mundane clothes change into their Elders robes.

"I wished he would have told us about this a long time ago," Hermione says as they walk over to where the Longbottoms are.

The Elders have their hoods up so they won't be recognized if someone walks in on them. The Longbottoms are sitting up in bed staring straight ahead, unaware of their surroundings.

"Sleep," Hermione says with a wave of her hand.

Both the adults lie down and go to sleep. Harry walks around to the head of Frank Longbottoms bed and from behind, places his hands on both sides of his Mr. Longbottom's head. Hermione does the same for Alice Longbottom. A blue shield pops around the couple and their patients to prevent interference.

Both close their eyes and their hands start to glow.

Harry enters Franks mind and senses no physical damage. Neville was wrong. It wasn't the Cruciatus spell used on them all those years ago. Someone put a block on their higher functions. About all they could do is eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. Harry removes the block and encounters the mind of Franck Longbottom.

"Who are you," Frank asks," and where am I?"

"I am one of the Elders and you have been in St. Mungo's for twelve years. Your son Neville is in third year and it is end of Easter break. Relax while I heal your body from the atrophy of being in bed for so long. You will still need to take it easy until you build your strength up again. When you wake, it will be like you were in a long dream. Your mother is waiting outside. Neville is on the train to Hogwarts and unaware we are healing you. He is a good friend of mine and my wife's. You are welcome to come to Hogwarts when you are able."

Hermione is having a similar conversation with Alice.

While the healing is going on they get noticed by one of the healers walking by the door to the ward. He immediately contacts the director who opens the door and rushes over to interfere when he is gently pushed away by a shield. He reaches out and touches the shield which flares blue momentarily at his touch. He then runs to the nearest floo and contacts Madam Longbottom to tell her what is happening. She of course floos directly to the hospital and rushes into the ward to see two hooded persons with glowing hands on the heads of both her son and his wife. The director shows her the shield to keep her from charging the hooded pair.

"All we can do is wait to see what they are doing," he tells her.

She nods and they sit back and wait.

After about thirty minutes both Frank and Alice take deep breaths and arch their backs as the white glow spreads throughout their bodies. Madam Longbottom frets when she sees that happen. When the glow dies down the hooded pair look up at the crowd watching and fades away. The blue shield dissipates, then Frank and Alice Longbottom open their eyes and sit up in bed.

Frank looks around at his surroundings and spots his mother.

"Hi mum," he says.

Madam Longbottom bursts into tears and runs over to hug her son. Alice gets up from her bed and wobbly moves over to Franks where puts his arms around her.

"Do you know what happened?" Madam Longbottom asks," Did they say anything to you?"

"The one in my head said he was an Elder and that he and his wife are friends with Neville," Franks tells his mother," He said we are invited to Hogwarts as soon as we are able."

"That's the same thing she said to me," Alice says in agreement.

Madam Longbottom gasps as she hears this," There have been rumors floating around about a pair of Elders at the school. Either nobody knows them or they are not talking. I think Neville mentioned the Potters are the Elders but I didn't believe him as the elders are just a legend. Or so I thought before tonight."

"You mean James and Lilly," Franks asks?

"James and Lilly have been dead these past twelve years," Madam Longbottom informs them.

"You don't mean my godson Harry do you?" Alice asks with tears forming as she hears the news about her best friend.

"Lord Potter is your godson," her mother in law asks?

"So he's a lord now," She comments with a smile," and yes he is my godson."

"Let's get you two home to recover, so we can all go to Hogwarts and Surprise Neville," Madam Longbottom declares happily.

Harry and Hermione are standing there disillusioned and happy for Neville. With a straight face the pair phase back to the train to return to their compartment.

"That was a long break to go to the loo harry," Neville comments when they come back.

"We just went for a stroll and stood on the back vestibule for a while," Harry explains.

The rest of the trip to school continues to the normal routine of the study group and the house of the Phoenix. When it comes time to change into their uniforms the group gets a surprise when they see the uniforms of the Elders.

The students born of non-magical families recognize the uniform and cylinders but just think Harry and Hermione are acting out their fantasies, so they ignore the changes. This suites the Potters just fine. The rest of the term flows smoothly by with no more incidents. The Elders are called one more time to shuttle astronauts and supplies, for the Americans this time.

One evening, during the last week of term, Harry and Hermione are walking down a corridor on patrol when they run across Professor Trelawney.

"How are you Oracle," Harry asks politely?

Professor Trelawney looks up from her mumbling and starts to respond when her eyes glaze over and she recites in a harsh eerie voice:

"The Dark Lord has been abandoned by his followers. He is alone and friendless. Tonight, before the clock strikes twelve. His servant will break free from his twelve years of bondage. He will set out to rejoin his master. With his servant's aid, the Dark Lord will be reborn, more powerful than he was before. Tonight…the servant will break free…to rejoin his master."

Professor Trelawney coughs a couple of times and straightens up.

"Hello Elders, I am fine" she says returning their greeting as she passes by, totally unaware of what just happened.

"Well," Hermione comments as they continue their patrol," we will have to see about that."

"That's why we were sent here in the first place Hermione," Harry says.

"Yea," she whispers.

The couple finishes their patrol and retires for the night.

The next morning, while sitting at the round table eating breakfast, the post owls deliver the Daily Prophet newspaper to their subscribers. Hermione pays the owl that bought hers, opens the paper and gasps.

"What's up Hermione," Harry asks?

She just rolls the newspaper open in front of him. Harry looks down and reads the headline:

Peter Petigrew has escaped!